Deadspin | ECHL players go on strike; games postponed

Deadspin | ECHL players go on strike; games postponed

Florida Everblades forward Logan Will (62) tries to fight off Orlando Solar Bears defender Jarid Lukosevicius (57) during the first period of an ECHL preseason game at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla., on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

The players of the ECHL have initiated a midseason strike, with their union Friday accusing the league of refusing to bargain in good faith.

The ECHL postponed 13 games slated for Friday as a result of the work stoppage.

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) represents minor league hockey players in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, formerly called the East Coast Hockey League. The ECHL is two tiers below the NHL and has 30 teams that all hold an affiliation with an NHL franchise.

In a vote last week, PHPA members voted to authorize its bargaining committee to call for a strike. Negotiations have been ongoing since January, and according to the union, the league presented a proposal Wednesday that it described as its final offer.

“This proposal failed to meaningfully address key health, safety and economic issues and misrepresented the impact of the proposed financial changes,” the PHPA said in a lengthy statement. “The union also is also aware that the league is currently directing teams to engage in unlawful activities, including evictions and the removal of medical benefits, for participating in protected union activity.”

The ECHL, in a response, accused union leaders of depriving players “the opportunity to vote on our last, best and final offer.”

“We did everything possible to avoid this outcome and hope that the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer and make it possible for players to return to work,” the league said in a statement.”

The union identified six core issues that it feels the league’s offers have failed to address.

The players are seeking a league-wide holiday break — including no travel — for Dec. 24-26, which would align with the NHL’s current schedule. They are seeking “reasonable limitations on travel between games played on consecutive days,” citing health and safety concerns.

The other big areas where the union and league are apart are guaranteed contracts, health benefits, group rights and player compensation. The players want a group licensing framework a la other North American sports leagues. As for compensation, they’re asking for a $19,500 weekly salary cap with increases in future seasons.

The league claims it has promised a 19.8% increase in the salary cap in its latest proposal.

–Field Level Media

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Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.

Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.

The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.

Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart.

Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

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Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career. | Photo Credit: AFP

Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.

Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.

Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.

The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.

Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.

She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.

Published on Apr 19, 2026

#Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open">Rybakina beats Muchova to win Stuttgart Open 2026  Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina picked up her second title of the year as she outclassed Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Stuttgart indoor clay-court tournament on Sunday.Top seed Rybakina, 26, snatched a tight opening set with two breaks against her seventh-seeded Czech opponent after 53 minutes on court in Germany.The Kazakh never looked back in the second set rushing to a 5-0 lead as Muchova struggled with her serve, sealing victory and the 13th title of her career after 1hr 18 min.Rybakina, who finished runner-up at Indian Wells last month, regained the title she won two years ago and drives off with a second Porsche sports car — the coveted prize awarded to the champion in Stuttgart. Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                            

                            Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AFP
                                                    Muchova had lead Rybakina 2-1 in previous meetings heading into the title match having won their most recent clash on hard court in Brisbane in January.Rybakina had a relatively smooth run this week dropping only one set and dispatching her toughest opponent world number six Mirra Andreeva by the same score on Saturday.Muchova, the 2023 Roland Garros runner-up, was playing the first 500-level final of her career.The 29-year-old had eliminated French Open champion Coco Gauff in three sets in the quarterfinals but she was no match for two-time Grand Slam winner Rybakina.Rybakina dominated the early part of the first set but the former Wimbledon champion had to wait until her third set point on Muchova’s serve, to clinch it.She then cruised to the line, winning seven games in a row between the end of the first and the second set.Published on Apr 19, 2026  #Rybakina #beats #Muchova #win #Stuttgart #Open

Deadspin | Nothing comes easily for M’s ahead of finale vs. Rangers    Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.  It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.  But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.  Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.  Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.  “It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”  Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.  Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.  Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.   “We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”  The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.  Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.  “It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”  Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).  The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.  Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.  Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #RangersApr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.

It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.

But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.

Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.

Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.

“It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”

Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.

Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.


Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.

“We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”

The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.

Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.

“It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”

Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).

The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.

Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.

Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #Rangers">Deadspin | Nothing comes easily for M’s ahead of finale vs. Rangers    Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images   At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.  It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.  But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.  Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.  Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.  “It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”  Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.  Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.  Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.   “We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”  The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.  Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.  “It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”  Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).  The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.  Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.  Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #easily #ahead #finale #Rangers

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