Wings captain Yzerman questionable for Game 4
Edmonton, Alberta – As if a double-overtime loss wasn’t enough for Detroit to worry about, the Red Wings are facing the possibility of playing Game 4 without their captain. Steve Yzerman only played two shifts in the first overtime of the 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night because of back trouble, and his status is questionable heading into tonight’s game.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock said he will wait for a decision before juggling the lineup.
“If he can go, he is definitely going to play,” Babcock said. “His contribution to our team is not just measured in what you see.”
NHL
Bertuzzi lawyers request venue change
Todd Bertuzzi’s lawyers are seeking to have the civil lawsuit filed against the Vancouver Canucks forward by former Avalanche forward Steve Moore heard in a British Columbia court instead of in Ontario.
Lawyers for Bertuzzi want the case to be heard in British Columbia, where Moore was injured March 8, 2004, after Bertuzzi knocked him to the ice with a roundhouse punch. Moore is seeking $15 million in lost wages, $1 million in aggravated damages and another $2 million in punitive damages in a lawsuit filed in Ontario in February. Moore’s parents are also claiming $1.5 million in damages for “the nervous shock and mental distress” caused by the attack.
Moore originally filed the lawsuit in Denver, but a U.S. judge determined the suit should be dealt with in Canada.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
BCS expands access for at-large teams
The Bowl Championship Series lowered the bar for at-large qualifiers. Instead of having to finish in the top 12 of the final BCS standings, teams finishing in the top 14 will be eligible for one of the lucrative postseason berths. The change reflects the addition of a fifth BCS bowl, which means there will be 10 BCS slots instead of eight next season.
Southern California backup quarterback Mark Sanchez was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a female student, Los Angeles police said. The USC student reported it to police, but no other details were immediately available.
Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is scheduled for surgery today after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a pickup basketball game. A second-team All-American, Sepulveda said he expects to be ready for his senior season in the fall.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Fresno State placed on probation
Fresno State was placed on four years’ probation by the NCAA for recruiting violations, and former coach Ray Lopes also was punished for the infractions.
Lopes, who resigned in March 2005, and other members of his staff made hundreds of phone calls to recruits, far exceeding the number allowed, according to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
He was given a three-year “show cause” penalty, which means he may not seek employment with another NCAA school without first appearing before the committee to determine if his duties should be limited.
West Virginia coach John Beilein and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin – both linked to the coaching vacancy at North Carolina State recently – each said they would remain in their current jobs and not replace Herb Sendek, who left the Wolfpack for Arizona State this month.
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga, who led the surprising Patriots to the Final Four, got a contract extension through the 2011-12 season.
GOLF
Ballesteros might play in British Open
Seve Ballesteros, who has played only one tournament in the past three years because of back and knee problems, said playing in this year’s British Open at Hoylake in July was “a realistic possibility.” The entry deadline is June 1.
Phil Mickelson, who hasn’t played a tournament since winning the Masters on April 9, has vowed to donate his entire earnings from the Zurich Classic that begins today in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina relief.
FOOTNOTES
Inaugural baseball Hall class named
Former players Dave Winfield (Minnesota), Will Clark (Mississippi State), Bob Horner (Arizona State), Brooks Kieschnick (Texas) and Robin Ventura (Oklahoma State) were elected as the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s inaugural class. They were joined by former coaches Rod Dedeaux (Southern California), Skip Bertman (LSU), Ron Fraser (Miami), Cliff Gustafson (Texas) and Bobby Winkles (Arizona State).
The Washoe (Nev.) County Sheriff’s Office said Nevada freshman pitcher Steve Masten died Tuesday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
FC Barcelona used a 0-0 tie with AC Milan to advance to the Champions League final against Arsenal. The Spanish team won the series 1-0 thanks to a victory at Milan in the first leg last week. Barcelona will play Arsenal at the Stade de France outside Paris on May 17.
