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The Premier Hockey Federation is taking its Isobel Cup championship game to the desert to close its eighth season.

The women’s pro league announced Thursday it is partnering with the Arizona Coyotes to host the final at the NHL team’s home rink, Mullett Arena, on March 26. The arena on the campus of Arizona State University has a seating capacity of about 4,600 and is serving as the Coyotes’ temporary home.

The title game, which will be broadcast on ESPN2 and Canada’s TSN, will be a doubleheader of hockey, with the Coyotes hosting the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the day. The PHF will work with the Coyotes and the Arizona Kachinas Girls Hockey Association in hosting activities for local youth during the weekend.

This marks the second consecutive year in which the Isobel Cup will be played at a neutral site after the Boston Pride defended their title by beating the Connecticut Whale in a game played outside of Tampa, Florida.

“As we continue building momentum for our sport in the new PHF era, it’s important to strengthen relationships in different markets and grow the game by showcasing professional women’s hockey to more fans throughout North America,” commissioner Reagan Carey said in a news release.

While the Isobel Cup final is a one-game showdown, the PHF semifinals feature a best-of-three format and will be played in Boston and Toronto from March 16-20.

The league-leading Pride and Toronto Six were chosen as hosts after they were the first to clinch playoff berths last month. The Whale and Minnesota Whitecaps have also clinched semifinal berths, with seeding to be determined as the league enters its final weekend of the regular season.

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What’s in a name? Brewers trade Brewer Hicklen

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What's in a name? Brewers trade Brewer Hicklen

MILWAUKEE — Brewer Hicklen is no longer a Brewer.

The outfielder was traded by the Brewers to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for cash. The move comes a day after he was designated for assignment.

The 29-year-old Hicklen scored a run but went hitless in four plate appearances for Milwaukee last season while appearing in six games. He also hit .246 with 22 homers, 72 RBI and 44 steals in 115 games with Triple-A Nashville.

When Milwaukee called him up last September, it marked the first time in franchise history that the Brewers’ roster had a player named Brewer.

Hicklen also appeared in six games with the Kansas City Royals in 2022.

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Misner walks off Rays, makes history in process

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Misner walks off Rays, makes history in process

TAMPA, Fla. — Rookie Kameron Misner led off the ninth inning with his first major league home run, giving Tampa Bay a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday as the Rays began their season of home games at Steinbrenner Field.

Miser, a 27-year-old who debuted last August, entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth. He drove a first-pitch fastball from Victor Vodnik (0-1) over the right-field wall for his second big league hit.

He became the first player in major league history to have his first home run be a walk-off home run on Opening Day.

“I’m actually still trying to feel it,” he said on the field after the win. “It all happened so fast. Best-case scenario.”

Pete Fairbanks (1-0) worked around two walks in the ninth for the win.

Tampa Bay is playing at the New York Yankees‘ spring training home after Hurricane Milton destroyed the Tropicana Field roof Oct. 9.

Kyle Freeland struck out seven in six scoreless innings for the Rockies, coming off their sixth straight losing season. Freeland threw 53 of 67 pitches for strikes, starting his first eight batters with strikes and 15 of 20 overall.

Tampa Bay tied the score in the seventh on Jonathan Aranda‘s sacrifice fly and José Caballero’s RBI single against Tyler Kinley.

Tampa Bay last year ended a streak of five straight postseason appearances.

Colorado’s Ezequiel Tovar hit an RBI double in the third and Kyle Farmer a sacrifice fly in the fourth against Ryan Pepiot, who gave up two runs — one earned — and six hits in six innings with eight strikeouts and a walk.

Mickey Moniak made his Rockies debut as a pinch runner in the ninth and was caught stealing.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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D-backs lock up RHP Pfaadt on 5-year, $45M deal

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D-backs lock up RHP Pfaadt on 5-year, M deal

PHOENIX — Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday as the team continues its push to secure its young standouts on long-term contracts.

Pfaadt’s deal begins in 2026 and includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option in 2032.

Pfaadt, 26, was one of the team’s most consistent pitchers last season, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 4.71 ERA while setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (181⅔) and strikeouts (185).

Pfaadt also gave the team an unexpected boost during its postseason run to the World Series in 2023, going 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA over five starts.

He’ll make $799,400 this year before the new contract kicks in next season.

Pfaadt’s deal is the latest example of the D-backs signing young players to long-term extensions, joining shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (four years, $45 million) and reliever Justin Martinez (five years, $18 million).

Pfaadt was a fifth-round pick out of Bellarmine in 2020.

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