Sports

Alex Cejka pitches to the second green during the second round of The Players Championship on Friday. He fired a 5-under 67 to sit at 11-under for the tournament and a two-shot lead.

Unfamiliar leader at TPC

Alex Cejka served up more proof Friday that The Players Championship is full of surprises, not only on the devilish TPC Sawgrass, but also on the leaderboard.

Alex Cejka pitches to the second green during the second round of The Players Championship on Friday. He fired a 5-under 67 to sit at 11-under for the tournament and a two-shot lead.
Members of the Canadian team celebrate their third goal against Sweden during their semi final match at the Ice Hockey World Championship match in Bern

Derek Roy’s two goals help Canada reach world championship final

Canada is in a position to get some revenge at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Members of the Canadian team celebrate their third goal against Sweden during their semi final match at the Ice Hockey World Championship match in Bern
Atlanta Hawk Ronald Murray dives onto Cleveland Cavalier Mo Williams during a scramble Thursday as the Cavs won 105-85.

Cavaliers crush overmatched Hawks

While the rest of the NBA exchanges elbows, flagrant fouls and menacing stares in the playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for a fight. So far, they can’t find one.

Atlanta Hawk Ronald Murray dives onto Cleveland Cavalier Mo Williams during a scramble Thursday as the Cavs won 105-85.
Nolan Heavenor of the Calgary Roughnecks celebrates his team's 10th goal against the Colorado Mammoth during National Lacrosse League playoff action at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Roughnecks one win from final

The Calgary Roughnecks are a win away from playing host to the National Lacrosse League championship.

Nolan Heavenor of the Calgary Roughnecks celebrates his team's 10th goal against the Colorado Mammoth during National Lacrosse League playoff action at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
While Ben Crane was hot with the putter during the opening round of the Players Championship on Thursday

Crane dialed in at Players Championship

Ben Crane should have known what was coming when he rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole of the day. He kept right on pouring them in until he had a 7-under 65 and a one-shot lead in The Players Championship.

While Ben Crane was hot with the putter during the opening round of the Players Championship on Thursday
Lorena Ochoa

Ochoa takes early lead

A week off did nothing to slow Lorena Ochoa down, and a month away from the game found Lindsey Wright in the same groove she was in before a vacation.

Lorena Ochoa
Array

Sports briefs – May 8

Red Deer’s Adrienne White saved one of her best performances of the Cactus Women’s Golf Tour season for the final event of the winter-spring series — the ASU Karsten in Tempe, Ariz.

Array
Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin says they have to play smarter hockey.

Capitals looking to avoid another collapse

The Washington Capitals probably knew deep down they wouldn’t win both games in Pittsburgh. That would have been too much to ask, to shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for two nights on their home ice with the Penguins’ season hanging on every shift.

Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin says they have to play smarter hockey.
Canada’s Mike Fisher is stopped by Latvia’s Edgars Masalskis during Canada’s 4-2 quarter-final win Thursday.

Canada, Sweden semi set

It’s time to meet “The Monster.” Canada will face Sweden and its highly touted goaltender Jonas Gustavsson in today’s semifinal at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Canada’s Mike Fisher is stopped by Latvia’s Edgars Masalskis during Canada’s 4-2 quarter-final win Thursday.
Jim Balsillie

NHL ready?

Representatives of Jim Balsillie and Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger met Thursday to discuss a Copps Coliseum deal. Balsillie is hoping to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes and move the NHL team to Hamilton.

Jim Balsillie
Chicago Blackhawks' Brian Campbell

All square again

Andrew Ladd had perfect position. When the puck came flying off teammate Dave Bolland’s stick from far away, Ladd was right in front of Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo to tip it in.

Chicago Blackhawks' Brian Campbell
Detroit Red Wing Brad Stuart holds back Anaheim Duck Mike Brown as Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood reaches for a rebound during the Red Wings' 6-3 win on Thursday.

Red Wings clip Ducks

Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa each scored twice to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Anaheim Ducks 6-3 on Thursday night, tying the Western Conference semifinal series at two games each.

Detroit Red Wing Brad Stuart holds back Anaheim Duck Mike Brown as Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood reaches for a rebound during the Red Wings' 6-3 win on Thursday.

MacDonald focused on returning to UFC

Jason MacDonald can identify with the professional athletes who reach the apex of their specific sports and are eventually demoted to the next level.

Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes talks to the media after a hearing in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of the Coyotes and the proposed sale of the team to Jim Balsillie on Thursday.

NHL says it controls Coyotes

The National Hockey League said it has been in control of the Phoenix Coyotes since November and is asking a federal judge to throw out the team’s bankruptcy filing.

Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes talks to the media after a hearing in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of the Coyotes and the proposed sale of the team to Jim Balsillie on Thursday.
Jim Ballsilie

Balsillie says nearly 100,000 fans have registered at ’Make It Seven’ website

Jim Balsillie says his quest to bring a seventh NHL club to Canada is receiving “overwhelming support” from Canadian hockey fans.

Jim Ballsilie
Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming

Lakers even series

Another rough-and-tumble game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets turned bloody. This time, though, the Lakers defended their home court.

Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming
Array

Canada downs Latvia 4-2

Team Canada Scottie Upshall is stopped by Latvia goalie Edgars Masalskis during second period action at the IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship on Thursday in Bern Switzerland.

Array
Anaheim Ducks' James Wisniewski shoots the puck past Edmonton Oilers' Kyle Brodziak during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Friday March 27

Wisniewski cleared

Anaheim Ducks defenceman James Wisniewski has been cleared by doctors and released from an Orange County hospital earlier than the team initially expected.

Anaheim Ducks' James Wisniewski shoots the puck past Edmonton Oilers' Kyle Brodziak during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Friday March 27
Tommi Kivisto

Rebels may lose Kivisto

It appears that defenceman Tommi Kivisto might be ‘Finnish-ed’ with the Red Deer Rebels.

Tommi Kivisto

NHL, Coyotes, in court over bankruptcy

PHOENIX — The National Hockey League is planning a showdown in court over the Phoenix Coyotes filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and the proposed sale of the team to BlackBerry boss Jim Balsillie.