Tuesday January 06, 2009
SPORTS FRONT PAGE 
Make that five golds in a row
Late in the second period of the gold-medal game, Sweden was down two goals and wasting power-play opportunities without even threatening Dustin Tokarski in the Canadian net.At the other end, Swedish goaltender Jacob Markstrom had lost his composure, and Sweden's collection of gifted offensive players could barely complete a simple pass.
Make that five golds in a row
Late in the second period of the gold-medal game, Sweden was down two goals to Canada and wasting power-play opportunities without even threatening Dustin Tokarski in the home team's net.
How a sexagenarian stays hot
How he loves to wax philosophical.''If we're hoping, or dreaming, about the end results,'' the head coach of Canada said before last night's final game, ''then we're liable not to get them.''
HOCKEY
McCabe feels revived, ready for boo birds
Bryan McCabe's return to Toronto means Vesa Toskala will likely be given a break from the fickle fans at Air Canada Centre tonight.The inconsistent Toronto Maple Leafs goalie occasionally has felt the scorn this season that was reserved for McCabe in his days in Toronto.
A gracious team, a grateful nation
''Congratulations, Canada.''It takes a lot of grace for an 18-year-old who has just swept away more tears than sweat to say such a thing, but Magnus Svensson Paajarvi had more to say.
Hodgson's star rising
There was understandable insistence in the way Team Canada forward Cody Hodgson tapped his stick on the ice, demanding the puck.When defenceman Ryan Ellis obliged, Hodgson took a stride toward the middle of the ice and ripped a low wrist shot through a defender and past helpless Swedish goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
A gracious team, a grateful nation
Thirty-eight seconds.That's all it took to launch Team Canada on its way to a surprising 5-1 victory over Sweden and a record-tying fifth-straight gold medal in the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Sweater saga continues to unravel
The familiar Hockey Canada logo of a player skating through a Maple Leaf is not likely to be worn at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation said yesterday.
Hundreds attend funeral of 21-year-old player
Don Sanderson was in a coma during Christmas and missed celebrating his favourite time of year, so hundreds of mourners solemnly sang a yuletide carol yesterday at the funeral for the 21-year-old hockey player who died after an on-ice fight.
Sharks will shine new light on Flames' recent development
The turning point of their NHL season, unquestionably, came the last time they played - and were manhandled by - the San Jose Sharks.At that juncture, for a Calgary Flames team seeking an identity, consistency and an end to a three-year cycle of ordinariness, uncertainty hung in the air.
Sabres regain Rivet, but lose Afinogenov
The Buffalo Sabres got some good news and some bad news yesterday as captain Craig Rivet declared himself fit but right winger Maxim Afinogenov was sidelined indefinitely. Rivet has been out of action for almost a month with a shoulder injury, but was expected to play tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Afinogenov, however, is out after injuring his groin when he took a hard hit from Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara during the first period of Buffalo's 4-2 triumph on Saturday.
Lupul, Niittymaki join Flyers' injury list
The injury list keeps growing for the Philadelphia Flyers. Right winger Joffrey Lupul will miss at least two weeks with a pulled abdominal muscle he sustained in a win over the Anaheim Ducks last Friday, and backup goaltender Antero Niittymaki will miss at least a week with a strained a groin muscle he suffered in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Kings in Los Angeles last Saturday. Seven other Flyers are on the injury list, a season high.
Junior game keeps viewers glued to set
Canada's semi-final victory over Russia at the world junior hockey championship last Saturday was a ratings hit for TSN. The thrilling 6-5 shootout victory attracted an average of 1.86 million viewers, making it the ninth most-watched program in the network's history. Audience levels peaked at 2.668 million viewers from 10 p.m. to 10:25 p.m. EST, the network said in a release yesterday.
CANUCKS: SUNDIN NEARS RETURN
The Vancouver Canucks cleared room for Mats Sundin to join the lineup this week, sending forward Jannik Hansen to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL yesterday.Sundin, who signed as a free agent on Dec. 18 and joined the team Dec. 30, had his first full practice yesterday. He said he will travel with the NHL team for its game in Edmonton tomorrow against the Oilers, but there was no word if he would play.
Russians win bronze
The Russians clearly considered the medal around the neck to be cast from the wrong precious metal, as their tepid celebration indicated after their bronze-medal match with Slovakia at the world junior hockey championship yesterday afternoon.
BASEBALL
Yankees to make Teixeira deal official
The New York Yankees scheduled a news conference for today to announce Mark Teixeira's $180-million, eight-year contract has been finalized. The deal was agreed to Dec. 23, but the sides had to complete contract language, and the first baseman had to pass a physical.
Jones, Angels headed for divorce
Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers are close to parting ways. The team has agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for the centre fielder deferring much of the $22-million remaining on his contract, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
Angels extend Scioscia's contract
Manager Mike Scioscia and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have agreed in principle on a multiyear contract extension. Scioscia's current deal runs through 2009, with a club option for 2010, for about $2-million a season. General manager Tony Reagins said the extension ''goes well beyond'' 2010. The Angels are 803-655 in nine seasons under Scioscia and won the 2002 World Series.
Billionaire saved baseball in Minnesota
Carl Pohlad, a billionaire banker whose Minnesota Twins won two World Series titles during nearly his nearly quarter-century as owner, died yesterday. He was 93. Pohlad paid $38-million for the Twins in 1984, and was widely credited for saving baseball in Minnesota.
Burrell jumps ship to World Series runner-up
Left fielder Pat Burrell, who won a World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, is jumping to the team the Phillies beat to win baseball's championship. The 32-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday worth a reported $16-million. Burrell, who batted .260 with 33 home runs and 86 runs batted in last year, likely will be used by the Rays as a designated hitter.
Cubs sign Bradley, adding pop to offence
The Chicago Cubs and free agent Milton Bradley reached a preliminary agreement yesterday on a $30-million (all currency U.S. unless noted), three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The deal is subject to a physical exam scheduled for Thursday, the person said. The switch-hitting Bradley batted .321 with 22 home runs for the Texas Rangers last season while leading the American League with a .436 on-base percentage.
FOOTBALL
Super Bowl champion Giants are the hunted this time
With the second round of the NFL playoffs nearing, there are multiple aspirants to become last season's New York Giants, the team from nowhere that swept through the postseason to an improbable Super Bowl title.
Eller launches suit against police
Minnesota Vikings great Carl Eller sued the Minneapolis Police Department yesterday, alleging officers violated his civil rights, used excessive force and concealed videotape evidence when they subdued him during an arrest last April. The Hall of Fame player was arrested after he allegedly drove through a stop sign and narrowly missed hitting a squad car.
Injury might keep Tomlinson out
LaDainian Tomlinson might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday because of his groin injury. The star running back isn't sure if a week's worth of treatment and rest is going to be enough to allow him to play. Tomlinson sustained the injury in the final regular-season game. He played part of San Diego's wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts last weekend.
Harrison named NFL's top defender
James Harrison has been named The Associated Press's defensive NFL player of the year for 2008. The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker had a career-high 16 sacks to set a team record and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles. He beat DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced yesterday.
Yale makes history by hiring Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Tom Williams has been hired at Yale, becoming the first black head football coach at the Ivy League school. Williams, 38, has spent the past two seasons working with the Jaguars defence and has been an assistant college coach at Hawaii, Washington, Stanford and San Jose State.
BASKETBALL
Bucks run away with victory
Charlie Villanueva thought any win the Milwaukee Bucks could get without Andrew Bogut would be big.This one was Villanueva's first.Michael Redd scored a season-high 35 points and Villanueva added 13 of his 25 in the fourth quarter last night, leading Milwaukee to its first victory without Bogut in 21 months, 107-97 over the Toronto Raptors.
Bucks beat short-handed Raptors
Michael Redd had a season-high 35 points and Charlie Villanueva scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first win without Andrew Bogut in 21 months, 107-97, over the Toronto Raptors last night.
Walker arrested on drunk driving charge
Former NBA player Antoine Walker was charged with suspicion of drunk driving in Miami Beach early yesterday morning, further hurting his chances of playing again this season. Walker was a three-time all-star forward for the Boston Celtics and helped the Miami Heat win the 2006 NBA championship.
OTHER SPORTS
Canadian claims bronze in debut
Kelsey Serwa has learned that when one door closes, another opens.The 19-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., was released from the Canadian alpine ski team at the end of last season. But she didn't have much time to think about her future as she hopped a plane to British Columbia and finished second in the Canadian ski cross championships to veteran Anik Demers-Wild.
ON TELEVISION
All times EasternFOOTBALL GMAC Bowl, Tulsa v. Ball State, The Score, 8 p.m.HOCKEY Ottawa at Buffalo, Sportsnet (East), 7 p.m. Florida at Toronto, TSN, 7:30 p.m.
ACTIVITY
BaseballAmerican LeagueTampa Bay Rays--Agreed to terms with OF Pat Burrell on a two-year contract.Texas Rangers--Agreed to terms with RHP Derrick Turnbow, RHP Casey Daigle and RHP Elizardo Ramirez on minor league contracts. Named Danny Clark pitching coordinator; Spike Owen infield coordinator; Harry Spilman special assistant; Terry Clark pitching coach and Scott Coolbaugh coach for Oklahoma City (PCL); Mike Micucci manager, Joe Slusarski pitching coach and Brant Brown coach for Frisco (Texas); Steve Buechele manager and Jason Wood pitching coach for Bakersfield (Cal), Jeff Andrews pitching coach and Jason Hart coach for Spokane (Northwest) and Hectoir Ortiz manager of Hickory (South Atlantic).
Women's team hires German coach
Arnd (Lupo) Ludwig has been named head coach of the national women's volleyball team, Volleyball Canada announced yesterday. Ludwig, who signed a four-year deal with the national team, spent the previous six years as head coach with German division I team Dresdner SC. Prior to that, he spent four years as an assistant for the German national team, which placed sixth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Somebeach honoured for record season
World champion pacer Somebeachsomewhere has been voted the unanimous winner of the 2008 Cam Fella Award, named in honour of the standardbred horse Cam Fella. Somebeachsomewhere all but rewrote the record books by setting a seasonal earnings record of more than $2.5-million (Canadian), while winning 14 of 15 races and pacing three world record miles.
