Riesch wins to put Vonn title on hold

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (Reuters) - Double Olympic gold medalist Maria Riesch handed Lindsey Vonn a rare downhill defeat on Wednesday and also forced her American friend to put her third successive overall World Cup title on hold.

Kobe sinks Raptors as Lakers end losing run

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant delivered yet another game-winning shot to help the Los Angeles Lakers snap a three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

Samuelsson hat-trick lifts Canucks over Avalanche

DENVER (Reuters) - Mikael Samuelsson's hat-trick inspired a stirring fightback for the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-4 victory over Northwest Division rivals the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

World Cup mascot row is political football: China firm

BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese company ordered to stop making soccer World Cup mascots because of poor working conditions in their factory hit back at the accusations on Wednesday, saying they were victims of South African politicking.

Woods practice reports set tour tongues wagging

MIAMI (Reuters) - Media reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return to action for the world number one.

Attorneys: Give Big Ben accuser privacy (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:04:45 -0500

Attorneys for the woman who accuses Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault said that she did the right thing by going to police and asked for privacy in a statement Tuesday. Atlanta-based Attorneys Lee Parks and David Walbert said in the statement released to several media outlets that woman is assisting police.

Chiefs sign former Jets RB Jones (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:22:49 -0500

The Kansas City Chiefs' running game just got a big boost. The Chiefs signed free agent running back Thomas Jones, who led the New York Jets to the AFC championship game last season and was the NFL's third-leading rusher. The team announced the deal Tuesday, but declined to disclose the terms.

Broncos sign DLs Jamal Williams, Green (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:28:26 -0500

The Denver Broncos continued beefing up their defensive line, signing unrestricted free agents Jamal Williams and Jarvis Green on Tuesday. Williams, a 12-year veteran, was the run-stuffing anchor of the San Diego Chargers' defensive line. He injured an arm in last season's opener and missed the rest of the year.

Vikings, CB Benny Sapp agree to contract (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:30:22 -0500

The Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Benny Sapp have agreed to terms on a new contract. The deal to bring back Sapp was announced Tuesday. Sapp started a total of seven games last season while filling in for injured starter Antoine Winfield, totaling 25 tackles, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles during a particularly strong six-game stretch.

Free agent WR Owens to meet with Bengals (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:12:28 -0500

Terrell Owens headed to Cincinnati on Tuesday to see if the Bengals are interested in adding him to their stalled-out passing game. The 36-year-old receiver tweeted on Tuesday that he was on his way to meet with team officials. Receiver Chad Ochocinco has been lobbying for the Bengals to sign Owens since the end of last season, when the Bengals' passing game lacked a deep threat.

Second chance was all Dopirak needed

McGowan sharp in simulated game

Fien finds himself baseball's traveling man

Romero brimming with self-confidence

Arencibia stays hot in win over Astros

Wagner feeling a lot more comfortable

Halladay continues to impress at Phils camp

Harden feels OK after rocky outing

Frankie may go back to glasses

Jurrjens cleared for Spring Training takeoff

De Jong goes into Dragon's Den

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:27:00 -0500

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong has been passing on business tips to a group of youngsters.

Barclays Football Facebook group

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:32:00 -0500

Barclays has launched Barclays Football, a Facebook page providing updates for Barclays Premier League supporters.

Laws hails Stoke blueprint

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:50:00 -0500

Burnley manager Brian Laws believes Stoke City are a "perfect model" for newly-promoted clubs.

Bruce: Capello should look at Bent

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:18:00 -0500

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has urged England coach Fabio Capello not to forget about Darren Bent.

Gallas suffers setback

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:46:00 -0500

Arsenal defender William Gallas could be sidelined for another month with a recurrence of his calf injury.

McLeish praise for Benitez

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:43:00 -0500

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has paid tribute to striker Christian Benitez.

Hit The Links With Leafspace...

Monika with a K is bringing you the latest episode of Leafspace directly from the Rick Vaive Celebrity Classic golf tournament. Watch now as Vaive, Wendel Clark and other former Leafs give Monika and Steve Dangle some tips as they square off!

Maple Leafs Sign Joey MacDonald

Brian Burke announced Monday that the Maple Leafs have signed free agent goaltender Joey MacDonald to a one-year contract. MacDonald, 29, posted a a 14-26-6 record in 49 games with the New York Islanders last season.

Maple Leafs Trade Pogge To Ducks

Brian Burke announced Monday that the Leafs have acquired a conditional draft pick in 2011 from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Justin Pogge. In seven games with the Leafs last season, the 23-year-old earned a record of 1-4-1.

Read Mike Ulmer's Chat Recap...

Mapleleafs.com's Mike Ulmer is getting ready for a summer break, but first he tackled some nagging questions that he discussed with Leafs Nation in a LIVE CHAT on Thursday. Read the blog and the chat recap now!

Fans First Contest: Are You A Winner?

The first phase of the Coca-Cola Zero (R) Fans First Game is now over. If you registered for the Contest between July 17th and 31st, check your email from August 4th to find out if you’re a winner. For more information, click here for

Voracek, Blue Jackets rip fading Ducks (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:17:42 -0500

The Columbus Blue Jackets have known for quite some time that they likely won't return to the playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks are starting to realize a similar predicament. Jakub Voracek scored the first of Columbus' three power-play goals and had two assists, leading the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the fading Ducks on Tuesday night.

Senators score 3 in 3rd, top Oilers 4-1 (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:50:41 -0500

The Ottawa Senators' post-Olympic misery is over. Chris Kelly had a goal and an assist, and Matt Cullen, Milan Michalek and Mike Fisher also scored for the Senators, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The Senators scored three times in the third period, matching their total during their post-Olympics skid.

Hansen, Samuelsson rally Canucks to win (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:22:42 -0500

Jannik Hansen put his body into his winning goal and was thankful for a couple of fortunate bounces. After all, the puck rattled around and glanced off him and the goalie before finally going into the net for the decisive score in the Vancouver Canucks' 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Panthers win, Wild limited to 11 shots (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:05:07 -0500

After one period, the Minnesota Wild appeared to be on the way to another easy win over the Florida Panthers. Then they turned in one of the worst offensive performances in franchise history. Cory Stillman scored the winning shootout goal and the Panthers held the Wild to a franchise-tying low 11 shots in a 3-2 win on Tuesday night.

Flyers beat Isles for 15th straight time (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:01:37 -0500

Simon Gagne fired a pass toward Mike Richards, but New York Islanders defensemen Mark Streit's stick got in the way. The lucky deflection sent the puck past goalie Dwyane Roloson with 6:06 left to play, and completed a Philadelphia Flyers rally for a 3-2 win Tuesday night. Philadelphia beat the Islanders for the 15th straight time, the NHL's longest current run by one team over another.

Kulemin helps Leafs defeat Bruins in OT (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:40:37 -0500

Luca Caputi had to share the spotlight during his big homecoming after Nikolai Kulemin stole the show with an overtime goal. Kulemin scored 4:11 into overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. While Kulemin was the star with the winning goal, it was also a big night for Caputi.

Canadiens coach Martin wins 550th game (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:28:33 -0500

The Montreal Canadiens got offense from throughout their lineup to improve their playoff prospects and deal a blow to the Tampa Bay Lightning's postseason hopes. Scott Gomez had a goal and two assists, and Mathieu Darche scored twice to lead Montreal to a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves for the Canadiens, who gave coach Jacques Martin his 550th career win...

Iginla, Bourque lift Flames by Red Wings (AP)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:58:28 -0500

The Calgary Flames played as though they were hungrier than the Detroit Red Wings, who are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in years. Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque scored 1:31 apart in the third to put Calgary ahead in a 4-2 win over Detroit on Tuesday night. "We got outshot 15-4 at home in the third period in a game that desperation on both sides should show," Red...

NHL files suit against ex-Coyotes owner (AP)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:18:32 -0500

The nearly yearlong legal battle between the National Hockey League and former Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes isn't over yet. The NHL filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Moyes and his family on Friday, alleging that the trucking magnate violated a number of league agreements when he put the franchise in bankruptcy last year and then attempted to sell it to Canadian businessman Jim...

GMs looking to deal with head injuries (AP)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:42:29 -0500

NHL general managers are trying to find a way to deal with serious head injuries. "I think we all care about the safety of our players, first and foremost," Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Tuesday. "I think there's been some hits this year that all of us feel uncomfortable with, so we're trying to do what's right, not only for the players but for...

FIA press conference schedule - Bahrain

It's an all-drivers affair for the official media sessions at Sakhir, with Thursday's conference featuring no less than four world champions and Friday's boasting some of the sport's brightest up-and-coming talent. The line-up in full…

Bahrain Grand Prix - team and driver preview quotes

After months of preparation and weeks of testing, it is almost time for the 12 teams and 24 drivers that make up the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship to finally put their cards on the table and show just what they can do. For the teams it will be their first real chance to see if they can really challenge for the title, while for the drivers the joy of racing again will be just as potent. The Formula One fraternity look ahead to the season opener in Bahrain…

Karun Chandhok to race for HRT

The newly-rebadged HRT team have confirmed that Karun Chandhok will race for them this season. Chandhok, who has previously tested for Red Bull, will be the second Indian driver in the history of the world championship. The announcement was made during an official presentation in the Spanish city of Murcia on Thursday. During the event the team also unveiled their car for the 2010 season…

FIA publish revised 2010 entry list

The official entry list for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship was republished by the FIA on Wednesday evening. Following weeks of speculation the sport's governing body has confirmed the North Carolina-based US team will not compete, which means 12 teams will line up on the grid at next week's season-opener in Bahrain. A subsequent statement released by the FIA said: “The US team have indicated that they will not be in a position to participate in the 2010 championship...

NASCAR places Edwards on three-race probation

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:58:09 -0500

NASCAR president Mike Helton on Tuesday announced Sprint Cup driver Carl Edwards had been placed on probation for the next three Sprint Cup races as a result of Edwards intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski this past Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Airborne concerns return after Keselowski accident

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:54:26 -0500

Elliott Sadler didn't seem to care much about who was at fault in the simmering feud between Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski. He was much more concerned about the No. 12 car flipping through the air after the two drivers clashed Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Humphrey new managing director of business for ISC

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:44:40 -0500

International Speedway Corporation announced it has named Rick Humphrey as managing director of business operations. Humphrey accepted the role from his most recent position as president of Talladega Superspeedway. W. Grant Lynch Jr., chairman of Talladega Superspeedway and vice president of strategic projects for ISC, will assume the responsibilities for day-to-day operation of the facility.