Sports News

Jokinen's hat trick caps Kiprusoff's 300th career win

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:16:22 GMT

Olli Jokinen recorded his seventh career hat trick and Miikka Kiprusoff secured his 300th career NHL victory by turning aside 34 shots as the Calgary Flames skated to a 4-3 road triumph over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

Jokinen also assisted on captain Jarome Iginla's third goal in as many contests for Calgary, which defeated San Jose for the first time in six tries and moved to within a point of eighth place in the Western Conference.

After Michal Handzus leveled the contest at 3-3 by converting the Sharks' first power play opportunity, Jokinen regained the lead at 3:25 of the third period.

San Jose defenseman Colin White turned the puck over in his own end, allowing Alex Tanguay to skate in and feed Jokinen, who beat Antti Niemi from the right faceoff circle. The hat trick was Jokinen's first since March 14, 2009.

Originally drafted by San Jose in 1995, Kiprusoff held the fort from there to become the 27th NHL goaltender to reach the 300-win plateau. He preserved the victory by stopping a shot with his legs while he was on his stomach with just over three minutes to play.

'Oil Can' admits to frequent cocaine use during career

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:13:36 GMT

Righthander Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd admitted during an interview that he was under the influence of cocaine before "two-thirds" of his games with the Boston Red Sox.

Boyd told WBZ NewsRadio on Wednesday that his cocaine use was frequent - and that his teammates knew of it.

"Oh yeah, at every ballpark. There wasn't one ballpark that I probably didn't stay up all night, until 4 or 5 in the morning, and the same thing is still in your system. It's not like you have time to go do it while in the game, which I had done that.

"Some of the best games I've ever, ever pitched in the major leagues, I stayed up all night; I'd say two-thirds of them. If I had went to bed, I would have won 150 ballgames in the time span that I played. I feel like my career was cut short for a lot of reasons, but I wasn't doing anything that hundreds of ballplayers weren't doing at the time, because that's how I learned it."

Boyd is promoting his autobiography "They Call Me Oil Can: My Life in Baseball."

From 1982-91, Boyd posted a 78-77 career mark with a 4.04 ERA with the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers and Red Sox.

Poll: Eagles QB Vick most disliked athlete in America

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:08:18 GMT

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was voted as the most disliked athlete in America, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen and E-Poll Market Research.

The survey was published by Forbes.

Vick, who was imprisoned for 18 months for operating a dogfighting ring, received 60 percent of the respondents' vote as a player they "dislike", "dislike somewhat" or "dislike a lot."

"His awareness is up there with Peyton Manning, but a lot of it is people knowing him for the wrong reason," said Stephen Master, who is the vice president of sports for Nielsen.

Golfer Tiger Woods also received 60 percent of the respondents' distain -- but Vick earned the top spot because he received more of the "disliked a lot" votes, according to the poll.

Plaxico Burress finished third in the poll. The New York Jets wide receiver spent 20 months in jail after discharging a hand gun in a nightclub.

Detroit Lions defensive star Ndamukong Suh secured the fourth spot - perhaps receiving the push following his Thanksgiving Day stomp on national television.

NBA players Kris Humphries, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are next on the list.

Boeheim passes Smith in Syracuse's OT win

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:58:00 GMT

Kris Joseph scored a career-high 29 points -- including a go-ahead 3-pointer -- and created a game-clinching steal in overtime as coach Jim Boeheim recorded his 880th career win with a 64-61 triumph over Georgetown on Wednesday.

With the victory, Boeheim moved past North Carolina legend Dean Smith for third place all-time in Division I. He sits 22 behind Bob Knight and 39 removed from Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, who is still coaching.

Syracuse (24-1, 11-1 Big East) was in danger of losing its second straight home game to Georgetown (18-5, 8-4), which used its conference-best scoring defense to hold the Orange scoreless for the final 4:37 of regulation.

Fab Melo, though, swatted a potential game-winning open look from the Hoyas in the waning seconds of regulation to allow Joseph the chance to hit his sixth 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in overtime.

Angels' Trumbo cleared for baseball activities

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:10:23 GMT

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo has been medically cleared to resume baseball activities.

Trumbo had his rookie season curtailed after he suffered a broken bone in his right foot.

The 26-year-old Trumbo batted .254 with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs, but he enters the season without a position after the Angels signed Albert Pujols to a 10-year contract in the offseason.

School still using Fighting Sioux nickname

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:06:17 GMT

The dispute between the NCAA and the University of North Dakota over its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo took a new turn Wednesday when the school said the filing of petitions requires it to use the nickname and logo while the issue plays out, possibly in a statewide vote.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has a policy against mascots "deemed hostile or abusive toward Native Americans."

But people who favor the mascot filed petitions Tuesday with North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger.

The petitioners have a two-pronged strategy.

One move calls for the state constitution to be changed in order to stipulate the use of the Fighting Sioux name. If certified, that measure would be on the November ballot. Petitioners have until August to submit signatures.

The other effort calls for voters to decide in June whether to repeal a law that permitted the school to drop the name. Those petitions were filed this week.

In the meantime, university President Robert Kelley said the school is resuming the use of the name and logo.

"I want to reaffirm our respect for the laws of the state and the processes guaranteed under the North Dakota Constitution," he said in a statement.

The NCAA said Wednesday the "university is subject to the terms of the policy if it uses the logo and nickname."

"Those terms include not being able to host NCAA championship events and a prohibition against using the nickname and imagery on uniforms for student-athletes, along with cheerleaders, (the) mascot or band members, in any NCAA championships," said Erik Christianson, NCAA director of media relations, in a statement.

The wrangling has been complicated.

The state Legislature in early 2011 passed a law requiring the university to use the Fighting Sioux nickname. But that law was repealed in November 2011 when legislators approved a bill that allowed the school to stop using the moniker.

The state requires 13,452 certified signatures to put the law repeal issue before voters. North Dakota has about 684,000 residents. Petition supporters said they turned in more than the minimum number of signatures.

"By filing the petitions last night, the law as passed in early 2011 is now again in effect," Jaeger told CNN on Wednesday. "The law passed in November 2011 is now suspended. I have 35 days to review the petitions. If I find the petitions sufficient, it will be certified for the ballot. If not, the bill passed in November will again become the law."

UND's rock-and-a-hard-place scenario marks the last gasp of a years-long controversy: North Dakota is the last holdout in the NCAA's campaign to get schools to drop their Native American monikers or get tribal blessings to keep them.

In 2007, the North Dakota Board of Higher Education agreed to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname by August 15, 2011, in accordance with the NCAA's then-2-year-old policy on Native American mascots.

Doug Fullerton will be paying close attention to what plays out. As commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, he is overseeing North Dakota's ascent from Division II obscurity to the far more lucrative stage of Division I.

"When we invited (North Dakota's football team) into the (Big Sky) conference, this was not an issue," he said last summer.

Citing the conference's "close, close ties to Native American tribes" and the threat of boycotts, Fullerton said that he was on 'heightened alert' Wednesday, noting that North Dakota's conference membership -- slated to begin July 1 -- could be rescinded if the college presidents within Big Sky so decide.

The 13 college presidents of the Big Sky Conference -- including Robert Kelley of North Dakota -- are scheduled to meet in early June, according to Fullerton.

A message left by CNN with the North Dakota University System was not immediately returned Wednesday.

In 2005, the NCAA sought to end the longstanding controversy surrounding Native American mascots once and for all by ordering nearly 20 schools whose nicknames and mascots they deemed "abusive in terms of race, ethnicity or national origin" to either get Native American permission to use their name and likeness, or to come up with a new one.

The resulting actions varied among the targeted schools. The Arkansas State Indians became the Red Wolves; the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indians became the Crimson Hawks.

Other schools satisfied the mandate by tweaking their name, like Southeastern Oklahoma State, where the Savages are now known as the Savage Storm. Others, like the Bradley University Braves, whose name does not affiliate with a specific tribe, were allowed to keep their name so long as Native American logos and imagery were eschewed.

Schools with higher-profile athletic programs fared better. The Florida State Seminoles, University of Utah Utes and Central Michigan University Chippewas each obtained permission from their respective namesake tribes to stay the course.

But the North Dakota Fighting Sioux -- winners of seven national championships in men's ice hockey -- were denied such an endorsement from the Tribal Council of the Standing Rock Sioux.

Magic owner: I don't want to trade Howard

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:05:14 GMT

Dwight Howard had made it clear that he wants out of Orlando. The owner of the team isn't eager to accommodate the Magic's superstar center.

"I don't want to trade him," Orlando owner Rich DeVos said before Wednesday's game.

Howard, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, has asked the team to trade him.

If the Magic do not make a deal by the March 15 trade deadline, they risk losing Howard for nothing -- much like the Cleveland Cavaliers did with LeBron James.

"You never give up," DeVos said. "We've got a great talent, a great young man. He's got to look at his options (and) what's best for him and I have to tell him what I think is best for him. I'm selfish."

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft, Howard is averaging 20.9 points and a league-leading 15.1 rebounds per game.

Owens hoping IFL opens door back to NFL

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:44:05 GMT

The new part-owner of the Allen Wranglers was officially introduced Wednesday -- and stressed that he has no plans to retire from the NFL yet.

Terrell Owens, who accepted an offer last month to play with the Indoor Football League team, said he still wants to play in the NFL and is hoping the Wranglers will provide an avenue for him to showcase his skills.

"I want to play a couple more years," Owens said. "This right here will allow me to do that and assess where I am. I know I'm physically fit to play the game still."

The 38-year-old Owens sat out the entire NFL season while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery. He attempted to make a comeback but no team made an offer.

Last month, the Wranglers said they offered Owens a package that could be worth up to $500,000 for the 2012 season, which gets underway on Feb. 25. The majority of IFL players earn $225 per game plus a bonus for wins.

Owens said he can be released from his contract if he is signed by an NFL team, but will still retain an ownership stake in the Wranglers.

The controversial wideout last played in the NFL with Cincinnati in 2010, hauling in 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Owens ranks second in NFL history with 15,934 receiving yards and and is tied for second 153 touchdown receptions.

Pierce passes Bird for 2nd on Celtics' scoring list

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:41:48 GMT

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce moved past Hall of Famer Larry Bird into second place on the franchise's all-time leading scorer list on Tuesday.

Pierce knocked down a 3-pointer with 10:23 remaining in the third quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats. The shot moved Pierce past Bird, who scored 21,791 points with Boston.

The crowd at TD Garden gave Pierce a lengthy ovation as play continued.

Pierce was later honored on the big screen with a video tribute. He also took a bow as the crowd erupted again. "It was a relief. So much was hanging over me the last couple of days. Just hearing about it and knowing that you’ve got a game to play,” said Pierce, who finished with 15 points. “Just to be mentioned with him, with this organization, is a great honor." John Havlicek leads the franchise with 26,395 points.

Report: A's extend Beane's contract through 2019

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:15:15 GMT

Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff has agreed to extend the contracts of general manager Billy Beane and team president Michael Crowley through the 2019 season. The deals are in the process of being finalized, Wolff confirmed to the Associated Press.

Beane has been the team's general manager since 1997. Oakland finished 74-88 last year, the fifth losing season in a row. The 49-year-old was listed as one of the Top 10 General Managers/Executives of the Decade by Sports Illustrated in 2009 and was the subject of Michael Lewis' 2003 book on baseball statistics and economics titled "Moneyball."