US sets up gold-medal game against Canada at the Olympics by cruising past Slovakia
MILAN (AP) — The much-anticipated but never guaranteed U.S.-Canada showdown for gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics is on. Jack Hughes scored two goals, including one with a highlight-reel individual effort, and the Americans rolled into the final by routing Slovakia 6-2 in the semifinals on Friday night. They’ll meet tournament favorite and top-seeded Canada on Sunday for the title, a year since the North American rivals played two memorable games against each other at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Nathan MacKinnon scores late as Canada beats Finland to reach the Olympic gold-medal game
MILAN (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored the go-ahead goal with 35.2 seconds left to help Canada survive another scare at the Olympics, rallying to beat Finland 3-2 in the semifinals and advance to the men’s gold-medal game. Shea Theodore tied it just past the midway point of the third period after Sam Reinhart started the comeback from down two goals. Canada will face either the U.S. or Slovakia in the final on Sunday. Sidney Crosby did not play against Finland, but Canada has not ruled its captain out of returning.
At halfpipe, neither US-born Olympic medal favorite competes for U.S. Eileen Gu takes the heat
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The two best bets to win the gold medal in women’s halfpipe skiing at the Winter Olympics were born in the United States. Zoe Atkin competes for Britain and hardly anyone raises a fuss about it. Eileen Gu competes for China and never hears the end of it. Athletes in freeskiing and snowboarding — two lifestyle sports that champion individuality — spend most of their time traveling the globe caring very little about countries or anthems.
Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather says he will return to pro boxing 9 years after his retirement
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Floyd Mayweather says he is ending his nine-year retirement and returning to competitive boxing this summer. He turns 49 on Tuesday. Mayweather hasn’t fought in a real boxing match since 2017, when he beat Conor McGregor and retired for the third time. The former five-division world champion has still been in the ring regularly throughout his 40s with a series of lucrative exhibition bouts. Mayweather already has announced yet another exhibition coming up this spring against 59-year-old Mike Tyson, although no location or television partner has been confirmed.
Riviera newcomers Penge and Bridgeman share lead at Genesis with McIlroy on their heels
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman are playing Riviera for the first time and like what they see. Each shot 64 and share the 36-hole lead in the Genesis Invitational. One shot behind is Rory McIlroy who has made only one bogey through 36 holes. That's a big difference from last week at Pebble Beach when he made three double bogeys and a triple bogey. Scottie Scheffler is 12 shots behind. But at least he has a tee time Saturday. Scheffler made four birdies on the last 10 holes and make a 7-foot par on the last just to make the cut.
Scheffler has another slow start and was happy to get a weekend at Riviera
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scottie Scheffler says he has a weird relationship with Riviera. At least he gets another two rounds to figure it out. Scheffler had four birdies on his last 10 holes to rally with a 68 and make the cut on the number at the Genesis Invitational. This is one of only three signature events that have a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and anyone within 10 shots of the lead. Scheffler was still 12 shots behind but he did enough right to at least finish in the top 50. This is the third straight week he has fallen behind early.
Murakami shakes off traffic delay ahead of Cactus League debut with the White Sox
MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Munetaka Murakami had two hits and two RBIs in his Cactus League debut with the Chicago White Sox. The Japanese slugger was momentarily removed from the starting lineup after he got caught in some traffic on his way to Sloan Park. But he arrived about 20 minutes before the first pitch. Murakami was part of a slate of debuts on the first day of spring training games. Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso and Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado homered for their new teams, and Alex Bregman went 0 for 2 while playing three innings in his first game with the Cubs.
Just over half ball/strike challenges successful on first day of spring training games
Just over half the ball/strike challenges were successful on the first day of spring training games as Major League Baseball prepared for the first regular-season use of the automated ball-strike system — the so-called robot umpires. Thirteen of 23 calls were overturned during the five games, MLB said, which came to 56.5%. There were an average of 4.6 challenges per game and 2.6 overturned calls per game. Seven challenges were made of plate umpire Alex MacKay’s calls during Arizona’s 3-2 win against Colorado, and six were successful. The Diamondbacks had four of five decisions reversed and the Rockies were 2 for 2 in challenges.
Nuggets rout Trail Blazers 157-103 for the most points on the road in franchise history
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 29 1/2 minutes and the Denver Nuggets routed Portland 157-103 on Friday night for the most points on the road in franchise history and the most in an NBA game this season. Jamal Murray added 25 points a night after missing the third of three free throws with 0.9 seconds left in a 115-114 loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles. Julian Strawther and Tim Hardaway Jr. each had 19 points. Denver led 82-53 at the half, going 13 for 22 from the 3-point range. The Nuggets pushed the lead to 55 in the second half. Jrue Holiday led Portland with 19 points. Deni Avdija had 15 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.
Joe Scott is out as Air Force basketball coach. The school was investigating his treatment of cadets
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — Air Force has ended its run with basketball coach Joe Scott. The school said it was a mutual decision after an investigation into how he treats cadets. Officials announce the move on Friday. The academy says Scott’s direct style once helped deliver some of the program’s best moments. Athletic director Nathan Pine says the team now needs a new voice and a new approach that fits the school’s mission. Scott spent two stints at Air Force. The team is 3-23 this season, losing its last 19 games.
