AFC’s Palencia cleared of discriminatory language charge by Rapids’ Awaziem

LOS ANGELES >> Los Angeles FC defender Sergi Palencia has been cleared of any discriminatory actions by CONCACAF’s disciplinary committee following an argument he had with Colorado Rapids defender Chidozie Awaziem on the field last month.

Palencia and Awaziem were involved in the dispute Feb. 25 in the second leg of their clubs’ Round 1 matchup in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Afterward, Colorado coach Chris Armas said Awaziem was shaken after he claimed to have been called a derogatory term. The match briefly came to a standstill at the start of extra time in the second half following the argument.

Awaziem also made the claim on social media after the match, saying he believed he “was subjected to abusive language on the field.”

But CONCACAF’s investigation found no evidence to support the claim against Palencia.

Pioneers’ Devine named NCHC player of the month

Devine is again divine as the Denver Pioneers’ Jack Devine was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Month for the second time this season.

The 6-foot, 187-pound senior right wing was honored on Tuesday after leading the conference in goals (5), assists (9) and points (14) for February. On the season, he leads the NCAA in points (48) and assists (37).

His 154 career points are 17th all-time in DU history and he’s just one point away from tying Gabe Gauthier as the program’s highest scorer since 1999.

“Around the Horn” will end nearly 23-year run in May

BRISTOL, Conn. >> ESPN’s “Around the Horn” will air its final episode on Friday, May 23, ending a nearly 23-year run.

The weekday sports discussion and debate show has been a mainstay at 3 p.m. MST since its debut episode on Nov. 4, 2002.

The show, which has had more than 4,900 episodes, features four panelists — mostly sports columnists — who tried to earn points as they gave their opinions on the biggest sports stories of the day.

Woody Paige, who holds the show record for most appearances and wins, said on social media after the announcement, “My records will never be broken. But my heart is broken.”

Bruins trade big forward Frederic to the Oilers in a 3-team deal with the Devils

The defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers made their first big move ahead of the NHL trade deadline Tuesday, acquiring hard-nosed forward Trent Frederic from the Boston Bruins.

Edmonton sent a 2025 second- and a 2026 fourth-round pick and prospect Max Wanner to Boston for the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, with the Bruins retaining half of Frederic’s $2.3 million salary.

The New Jersey Devils retained another quarter and received the rights to unsigned draft pick Shane Lachance from the Oilers and Petr Hauser from the Bruins in return.

Vlasic breaks Giordano’s NHL career shot-blocking record with No. 2,165

BUFFALO, N.Y. >> San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has broken the NHL shot-blocking record, surpassing the mark set by Mark Giordano.

Vlasic’s third blocked shot Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres was No. 2,165 for his career. Giordano blocked 2,164 shots while playing for Calgary, Seattle and Toronto from 2006 through last season.