Sports
Simon Holmstrom (2 goals), Isles edge sinking Flames
Mar 14, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (92) celebrates his second goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images Simon Holmstrom scored consecutive goals late in the first period to cap a three-goal flurry Saturday night by the New York Islanders, who ensured they would maintain their spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race by edging the Calgary Flames 3-2 in Elmont, N.Y.
Casey Cizikas opened the scoring for the Islanders, who entered the day tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division and tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the top wild-card spot.
David Rittich made 30 saves as New York improved to 6-3-0 since returning from the Olympic break.
Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman scored in the third for the Flames, who have lost seven of 10 (3-6-1) since resuming play following the Olympics. Dustin Wolf stopped all 17 shots he faced in relief of Devin Cooley, who gave up the three first-period goals on 10 shots.
A gritty effort by Cizikas led to his goal with 9:54 left in the first. After checking Olli Maatta into the back boards, Cizikas teamed up with Kyle MacLean to steal the puck from Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl. Cizikas then approached the right post and poked the puck into the far corner of the net with his third shot.
Holmstrom scored twice exactly three minutes apart later in the period.
Holmstrom, who changed his number from 10 to 92 after Brayden Schenn was acquired from the St. Louis Blues on March 6, teamed up with Schenn to finish off a 2-on-1. With Bahl between them, Schenn fed Holmstrom, who sent a shot over Cooley’s stick with 3:25 left.
The Islanders’ Calum Ritchie was whistled for tripping with 1:56 left, but Yegor Sharangovich whiffed on a shot and Jean-Gabriel Pageau picked up the puck and dished to a streaking Holmstrom, who bore in on Cooley and scored to cap his second multi-goal game of the season and the sixth of his career.
The Flames began their comeback bid 2:17 into the third, when Backlund, stationed in the slot, redirected Maatta’s shot. Calgary pulled within a goal following a fortuitous line change 6:11 later, when Coleman got a step on Ritchie and beat Rittich stick side.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Italy stays hot, dispenses Puerto Rico to advance to WBC semifinal
Mar 14, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; Italy catcher JJ D’Orazio (28) and pitcher Greg Weissert (57) celebrate on the mound after the game against Puerto Rico during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Italy chased Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo with four runs in the first inning en route to an 8-6 World Baseball Classic quarterfinal victory on Saturday afternoon in Houston.
The Italian team remained undefeated and advanced to Tuesday’s semifinal against the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between Venezuela and Japan.
JJ D’Orazio drove in three runs and Andrew Fischer knocked in two for Italy, which erased an 1-0 deficit with four runs in the first and then pushed its lead to 8-2 with a four-run fourth. Dylan Delucia threw four scoreless innings in middle relief while Greg Weissert got the final five outs to earn his third save of the tournament.
Puerto Rico’s Willi Castro led off the game with a home run off Italy starter Sam Aldegheri (1-0), but Lugo (1-1) retired just one batter in the bottom of the first. He was pulled after allowing four runs, three hits and two walks.
Christian Vazquez poked a two-run single with one out in the eighth to cap a four-run inning and pull Puerto Rico within 8-6, but Weissert retired five of six batters with the tying run at the plate.
–Field Level Media
Sports
F1 officially cancels Bahrain, Saudi Arabia GPs due to Iran war
May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Fans pose for a picture in front of the F1 logo in the team village ahead of the F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Formula 1 officially canceled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled for April because of safety concerns from the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for April 12, while the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was set for April 19.
“While several alternatives were considered, it was ultimately decided that no substitutions will be made in April,” F1 said in a statement released Saturday.
Iran is accused of launching drone and missile attacks on both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in response to the Israel- and U.S.-led war on Iran.
Just a month ago, teams were conducting testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The races are not likely to be rescheduled at a later date, given the full F1 calendar, ESPN reported.
The decision to cancel the two races leaves F1 with a 22-race schedule and a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
The Chinese Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Celtics dominate 2nd quarter, extend Wizards' skid to 11
Mar 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball against Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Neemias Queta scored a game-high 24 points and had 10 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics end a two-game losing streak by beating the visiting Washington Wizards 111-100 on Saturday night.
Boston received 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists from Jayson Tatum, and a 16-point performance from Jaylen Brown. Derrick White scored 15 and Luka Garza added 15 off the bench.
Boston outrebounded Washington 55-38. The Celtics grabbed 19 offensive rebounds.
The loss stretched Washington’s losing streak to 11. The Wizards have lost nine in a row on the road.
Tristan Vukcevic made 6 of 7 3-point attempts and led the Wizards with 22 points. Fellow reserve Jamir Watkins added 15 points and six rebounds and Bilal Coulibaly finished with 12 points. Trae Young scored 11 and had six assists.
Alex Sarr was 1 of 9 from the field and was held to four points.
Boston led by nine in the opening quarter, but Washington went in front 27-26 on a Watkins 3-pointer with 1:05 left. Boston led 29-27 after 12 minutes. Queta scored 13 points in the quarter.
The Celtics scored 19 of the first 21 points in the second quarter and had a 48-29 advantage with 4:58 remaining in the first half. Boston outscored Washington 35-14 in the second and led 64-41 at halftime.
Queta made 10 of 12 shots from the field in the first half, when he led all scorers with 22 points.
Boston pushed its lead to 83-53 on a Brown basket with 5:34 left in the third, but the Wizards used a 15-5 run late in the quarter to trim their deficit to 20. Boston carried a 93-72 lead into the fourth.
The Wizards trailed by 12 following a Vukcevic 3-pointer with 4:21 to play, but failed to get closer than 11 the rest of the way.
–Field Level Media
Italy stays hot, dispenses Puerto Rico to advance to WBC semifinal
F1 officially cancels Bahrain, Saudi Arabia GPs due to Iran war
