Sports News

Last updated by The Canadian Press (CP)
at 1:52 on February 9, 2010, EDT.

SCORECARD:

Workers stand in front of giant Olympic rings as they prepare the alpine ski course at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, B.C. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Charles Krupa

Here are the sports results from Monday:

Lombardi scores twice, surprising Coyotes rout sputtering Oilers 6-1

Phoenix Coyotes' Matthew Lombardi (15) celebrates one of his goals with teammates Shane Doan (19) and Robert Lang. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ross D. Franklin)

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Matthew Lombardi had two goals and three assists for a career-high five points and the Phoenix Coyotes routed sputtering Edmonton 6-1 on Monday night for their 36th victory, matching their total from last season. It was the most one-sided victory of the season for Coyotes, who emerged from bankruptcy owned by the NHL while the league tries to work out a sale. Phoenix has won seven of eight and entered tied with Los Angeles for third-best record in the Western Conference.

Giguere beaten for the first time as a Maple Leaf, Toronto falls to San Jose

San Jose Sharks' Brad Staubitz, right, takes a hard punch to the head from Toronto Maple Leafs' Garnet Exelby during the second period. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

TORONTO - Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere will try to pay attention to the Olympic hockey tournament in Vancouver, but admits he might not try very hard, saying before Monday night's game that he planned to "watch it from the pool there in Mexico - if they have it." Giguere got a free preview against eight Olympic-bound Sharks, and was beaten for the first time as a member of the Leafs, as San Jose topped Toronto 3-2 in a hard-fought game against the top-ranked team in the Western Conference.

NHL roundup: Monday's action on the ice

Toronto Maple Leafs' Viktor Stalberg, centre, crashes into San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, left, and Dany Heatley during the first period. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Jean-Sebastien Giguere lost for the first time as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though he thought they were the better team on Monday night. Ryane Clowe scored with less than seven minutes to go in the third period as the Western Conference-leading San Jose Sharks topped Toronto 3-2. "I thought we outplayed a pretty good team," Giguere said. "They're obviously one of the better teams in this league, and being as young as we are, being able to outplay them is a really good sign for us."

New Habs GM immediately settles two big questions on team's future

Bob Gainey speaks at a news conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Less than 30 minutes after taking over as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Pierre Gauthier had already managed to settle two of the biggest questions facing the team. After Bob Gainey announced he would be stepping down immediately to take on a role as a special adviser with the club, Gauthier addressed the future of impending unrestricted free agent Tomas Plekanec and the short-term future of the team's two goaltenders ahead of the March 3 trade deadline.

Canada's athlete aim to break Olympic gold jinx when Games start

Canadian women's mogul skier Jennifer Heil smiles as she attends a news conference in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. Athletes are arriving for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics which begin Feb. 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Suspense is ramping up over which of Canada's athletes will be the first gold medallist for the host team at the 2010 Winter Olympics. On Monday, athletes had time between their arrival in Vancouver and their dispersal to various competition venues to address, deflect, tackle or outright avoid the query: Will you be the first?

NBA roundup: Monday's action on the boards

Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard, left, is fouled by New Orleans Hornets forward Darius Songaila while going up for a shot during the second half. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Vince Carter looked a lot like the player formerly known as Air Canada on Monday night. There were high-flying layups, fall-away jumpers and step-back three-pointers. Carter had a season-high 48 points, leading the Orlando Magic back from a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 123-117 on Monday night. After one of the most sensational games in his storied career, all Carter could do was shake his head and smile. "Been a while," he said.

Sampras serves like his old self in losing effort at SAP Open exhibition

Pete Sampras serves. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/George Nikitin)

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Pete Sampras showed off that old brilliant serve. The rest of the retired star's game is lacking a bit these days. Sampras hit nine aces and hung tough against a top player 12 years his junior in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6 (2) loss to Spain's Fernando Verdasco in a 57-minute exhibition match Monday night at the SAP Open.

Canada's athletes prepare for final exams at 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Canadian women's mogul skier Jennifer Heil attends a news conference in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. The women's moguls competition is on the first day of Olympic competition Feb. 13. Athletes are arriving for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics which begin Feb. 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

VANCOUVER, B.C. - The pressure is on the home team to shine at the Vancouver Winter Games. Canadians have set their most ambitious Olympic target ever. Win more medals, no matter what colour, than any other country.

IOC president Jacques Rogge says he is confident about Cypress snow at Vancouver Games

IOC President Jacques Rogge responds to a question during a news conference Monday February 8, 2010 at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

VANCOUVER, B.C. - The president of the International Olympic Committee will begin each day during the Winter Olympics with two things. A cup of coffee and the weather forecast. But Jacques Rogge said Monday that while it's clear there's no carpet of snow covering the city, there is no danger to the freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions at Cypress Mountain.

Forecast for Cypress offers little hope of help from Mother Nature

The Vancouver 2010 logo is seen aginst Cypress mountain in West Vancouver, B.C. Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. Cypress mountain is the venue for skicross, boardercross, moguls, aerials and halfpipe for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games which begin Feb. 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Warm weather and rain are in the forecast for snow-starved Cypress Mountain, the Olympic venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding but Vancouver and International Olympic Committee members say they're confident the mountain will be fine come Games-time. Temperatures aren't expected to dip below zero on the mountain this week, but VANOC officials are assuring all that the Games will go on.

The Terminator part of a star-studded line-up for final days of 2010 torch relay

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is shown in this file photo. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Rich Pedroncelli

VANCOUVER, B.C. - The Terminator will run with the Vancouver Olympic torch. Vancouver Games officials say California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will carry the torch this Friday, ahead of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Games.

Protests, weather top of mind for IOC at final pre-Games briefing

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge laughs prior to the start of a meeting of the IOC Executive Board in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday February 8, 2010. The Vancouver Winter Olympics open February 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Olympic officials have delivered their final formal briefing to the International Olympic Committee ahead of the 2010 Games. While weather was top of mind, the IOC also pressed Vancouver organizers on transportation and protests.

Boston College beats Boston University 4-3 to win Beanpot championship
BOSTON - Barry Almeida scored to give Boston College a three-goal, third-period lead and the Eagles held off a late charge from Boston University to win 4-3 and claim the 58th Beanpot championship Monday night. Tournament MVP John Muse stopped 31 shots to help Boston College (16-8-2) win its 15th Beanpot title. Boston University (11-12-3) has won the tournament 29 times since it began in 1952. The Terriers are also the defending NCAA champions.

Payton, Brees bask in glory of New Orleans' title

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) kisses his wife Brittany after winning the Super Bowl. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/David J. Phillip

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Drew Brees turned to his wife when he woke up and asked: "Did yesterday really happen?" The Saints and their fans awoke Monday to the realization that the once lovable losers from New Orleans were Super Bowl champions for the first time in the club's 43-year history after Sunday's 31-17 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts.

U.S. federal judge OK's former UCLA player's lawsuit against NCAA
SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge has green-lighted most of a lawsuit by former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon, who alleges the NCAA used the images of student-athletes without permission. U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken denied the NCAA's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed Monday. The NCAA had argued O'Bannon and others gave up their commercials rights when they annually signed a form permitting the organization to use their images to promote NCAA activities.

McNeely scores twice to lead Northeastern past Harvard in Beanpot consolation
BOSTON - Tyler McNeely of Burnaby, B.C., scored twice and Chris Rawlings of North Delta, B.C., stopped 27 shots to lead Northeastern to a 4-1 victory over Harvard in the Beanpot consolation game Monday night. Greg Costa also scored for the Huskies (13-12-1), and Wade McLeod of Coquitlam, B.C., added an empty-netter with 1:49 left. Conor Morrison of London, Ont., scored the only goal for Harvard (6-14-3). Ryan Carroll stopped 30 shots.

Danica Patrick to make NASCAR debut at Daytona this weekend in Nationwide race

Driver Danica Patrick waves. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dave Martin/ file)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR debut this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The IndyCar star will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in Saturday's second-tier Nationwide Series race.

Race 1 of America's Cup between postponed due to unsteady wind

US challenger BMW Oracle, left and Swiss America's Cup Defender Alinghi 5 wait for wind conditions to improve at the start of the first race. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pedro Armestre, Pool)

VALENCIA, Spain - The opening race of the 33rd America's Cup between two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland and American challenger BMW Oracle Racing was postponed Monday because of unsteady wind. The giant multihulls USA and Alinghi 5 floated idly near the start line, well off the Valencia coast, for nearly four hours in the cold before the race was called off.

Anti-doping forces suspect experimental anemia drug may be in used by dopers
VANCOUVER, B.C. - At the Salt Lake City Olympics, blood doping athletes used a brand new drug called Aranesp. Six years later at the Beijing Games, the dopers turned to Mircera, a newer drug that had just hit the market. As the Vancouver Olympics are about to kick off, anti-doping experts are wondering if the newest kid on the blood doping block, Hematide, will be making an unwelcome appearance at the Games.