BERN, Switzerland — The United States feasted on the French defense, producing six different scorers in a 6-2 victory Friday to begin its second-round campaign at the ice hockey world championship.
The victory set the stage for a game today against Russia, with the leadership of Group E and a likely top quarterfinal seeding on the line.
“The U.S. gets up for two teams — that’s Canada and Russia,” coach Ron Wilson said. “We’ll be motivated. It’ll be fun.”
In Zurich, Switzerland, unbeaten Finland was taken to overtime by Slovakia before Sami Kapanen scored his second goal, 3:39 into the extra period, for a 2-1 victory.
• The San Jose Sharks’ Todd McLellan, Boston Bruins’ Claude Julien and St. Louis Blues’ Andy Murray are finalists for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
Armstrong third in time trial
TYRONE, N.M. — Lance Armstrong placed third in the Tour of Gila’s third stage, covering the hilly 16-mile time trial in 34 minutes, 22 seconds.
“I felt good,” he said. “Classical old-style, old-school American time trial. Out and back. Hot dog turn in the middle. Pretty cool.”
Armstrong’s teammate, Levi Leipheimer, won in 31:32.59 and remained the event’s overall leader.
Busch wins Nationwide race
RICHMOND, Va. — Kyle Busch passed Carl Edwards on the first lap of a restart with 22 laps to go and won the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway.
Busch, who led four times in the Lipton Tea 250, made the move that counted in the third and fourth turns on the 229th trip around the 0.75-mile oval. Edwards, who led the previous 71 laps, held on to finish second, followed by Matt Kenseth and Brad Keselowski.
• Brian Vickers turned a lap at 127.131 mph to win the pole position for tonight’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Jeff Gordon, whose chronic back pain sent him to the doctor this week, was next at 126.844 mph.
• Andrew Hines, with a 6.920-second run at 189.73 mph, topped the pro stock motorcycle field before rain washed out the first round of top fuel, funny car and pro stock qualifying in the O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals in Madison, Ill.
Footnotes.
Michael Cooper will leave the Los Angeles Sparks after this season to coach Southern California’s women’s basketball team.He replaces Mark Trakh, who resigned last month.
• Floyd Mayweather Jr., who won all 39 of his fights, ended his brief retirement from boxing and is expected to announce today his plans to face lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in July.
• The NBA has decided not to take any additional action against Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo for his skirmish with Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich during Thursday night’s Game 6.
• University of North Dakota hockey forward Chris VandeVelde, a fourth-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, said he will return for his senior season.
The Associated Press
