Here is the latest New England sports news from The Associated Press

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — The Bruins try to finish a five-game road trip with a fourth straight victory tonight against the New York Islanders. Tonight's matchup begins a stretch of 18 games in 32 days for Boston. Boston has won 15 of 19 meetings with the Islanders and has outscored New York 36-19 during a 7-1-1 stretch at Nassau Coliseum.

UNDATED (AP) — It looks like Tom Brady's new contract is more valuable than it appeared at first glance. ESPNBoston.com reports the pact nearly doubles the Patriot quarterback's guaranteed money over the next five seasons. The report says Brady is now under contract for five seasons with $57 million in guaranteed cash.

UNDATED (AP) — Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has reportedly gotten surgery for a third time on his broken left forearm, although he's not expected to miss any additional time. ESPN reports the surgery last week was less serious than the first two procedures and stemmed from an infection during his recovery rather than from a straight break.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Dempster got the start for the Red Sox this afternoon in a spring training matchup with the Cardinals. A pair Red Sox split squads split two road games yesterday. Boston beat the Blue Jays 4-2 and lost to the Rays 6-3 Monday.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big East's makeover could include a name change. CBS Sports reports that the conference is considering selling the Big East name to the group of seven Catholic schools that has decided to form its own conference.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Fierce Five member Kyla Ross' return to competition is on hold after a bruised heel forced the Olympic gold medalist to withdraw from this weekend's American Cup in Dorcester, Massachusetts. Ross had to cut back on her training because of the injury, which she's been nursing for several weeks. The American Cup, an international World Cup event, features all-around competitions for the men and the women.

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Lewiston has been chosen as the site for next year's NCAA Division III men's college ice hockey championships. The games will be held March 21-22, 2014, at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee and hosted by Bowdoin College. It is the first time the finals have been held in Maine.

HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — Olympic gold medalist and World Cup soccer star Julie Foudy is speaking at New Hampshire's Dartmouth College in celebration of the 40th anniversaries of coeducation at the school and the passing of Title IX. Foudy is speaking at 7 tonight about her experience with the U.S. Women's National Team in the Hopkins Center for the Arts' Alumni Hall.

TODAY'S NEW ENGLAND SPORTS SCHEDULE:

EXHIBITION BASEBALL:

St. Louis vs. Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:35 p.m.

NHL:

Boston at N.Y. Islanders, 7:30 p.m.

COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:

Marquette at Providence, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh vs. UConn at the XL Center, Hartford, Conn., 7 p.m.

COLLEGE MEN'S HOCKEY:

Massachusetts-Lowell at Boston College, 7 p.m.

Merrimack at Boston University, 7 p.m.