SPORTS SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016 Jones shutout gives Sharks 2-1 series lead over Blues

SAN JOSE: Martin Jones made 22 saves in Joe Thornton’s line was more than enough his second straight shutout and Tomas for San Jose. That line scored twice, with Hertl scored twice to give the San Jose the first coming off a St. Louis turnover Sharks a series lead for the first time in four late in the first. trips to the NHL Western Conference final ’s breakout pass to with a 3-0 victory over St Louis in Game 3 Lehtera was broken up in the neutral zone on Thursday night. by Brent Burns. Thornton quickly sent the Joonas Donskoi also scored to give the loose puck ahead to Joe Pavelski, who Sharks a 2-1 series advantage and move found Hertl for a big slap shot that beat them as close as they’ve been to a Stanley Elliott high to the glove side to make it 1-0 Cup final. San Jose had won just three late in the period. Hertl scored again early games in its first three trips to the confer- in the third off a perfect pass from ence final, part of a long history of playoff Thornton, ending Elliott’s night. disappointment that is showing signs of St Louis coach juggled his coming to an end this season. lineup after watching his team get out- San Jose has controlled the play for played the first two games. Centers much of this series, limiting St Louis’ Alexander Steen and Lehtera switched lines chances and taking advantage of miscues and Magnus Paajarvi and Dmitrij Jaskin by the Blues to generate enough offense. St suited up on the fourth line in place of Louis has gone 150:45 without scoring since Steve Ott and Scottie Upshall. On defense, Jori Lehtera’s second-period in Game 1 Robert Bortuzzo got the nod in place of led to a 2-1 victory. Joel Edmundson and Parayko moved up to Game 4 is Saturday in San Jose, where the the second pair with . Sharks have won six straight playoff games. The Blues looked faster early and had Brian Elliott allowed three goals on 14 shots the better of the play at the start, holding before being pulled midway through the third. the Sharks without a shot on goal for more The Blues now find themselves trailing a series than eight minutes. But St Louis seemed to for just the second time this postseason. SAN JOSE: Nick Spaling #16 of the checks Robert Bortuzzo #41 lose some steam after Hertl’s first goal. Overcoming this deficit may be tougher than of the St. Louis Blues in game three of the Western Conference Finals during the Matters only got worse in the second peri- coming back last round after losing the open- 2016 NHL Playoffs at SAP Center. — AFP od. Donskoi broke up a pass from Robby er to Dallas. While the Stars were leaky on Fabbri midway through the second to start defense and rotated between two mostly inef- Soft goal stopped 58 straight shots and has posted an odd-man rush. Logan Couture skated fective goalies, the Sharks have done a stellar After allowing the soft goal to Lehtera the first back-to-back playoff shutouts in into the offensive zone on a 3-on-2 chance job defending in front of Jones, who has been that led to the Game 1 loss, Jones has been Sharks history. That kind of goaltending and fed the trailing Donskoi for the wrist sharp in his first postseason as a starter. perfect the past two games. He has and another dominant performance from shot from the slot that made it 2-0. — AP McIlroy blasts ‘stuffy’ Muirfield’s men vote

DUBLIN: Rory McIlroy blasted Muirfield the day’s opening round. “Bigger picture, Golf Club’s continued ban on women it’s a great golf course, but there’s so members on Thursday, claiming the vote many other great golf courses that we was a setback for the sport and only served play on the Open rota that we’re not to highlight its “stuffy” image. Muirfield in going to miss one.” Scotland announced a postal vote of mem- Padraig Harrington won back-to-back bers had resulted in a 64% to 36% majority Opens in 2007 at Carnoustie and then a in remaining to be an “all-male” club. year later at Royal Birkdale. He too backed The R&A, as organizers of golf’s oldest the R&A’s response. “The R&A have a big major, reacted strongly to the vote by strip- responsibility, not just to golf but to socie- ping Muirfield from again hosting the ty because of the position they hold and British Open until such time women are they have to do these things,” he said allowed to become members of the club after posting a four-over-par 76 on day located east of Edinburgh. one of the Irish Open at the K Club. “I think for golf’s image, as we are try- “It’s only right that the R&A do remove ing to break out of this stuffy, old... we are Muirfield... if you want to hold yourself out trying to become more with the times there you have to give an equal chance to and trying to do things to make golf everybody. “Muirfield may go ahead and faster, make golf cooler, make more peo- say we want just be a small golf club and ple included,” said former world number mind their own business and that’s fine, one McIlroy. “Yeah, today wasn’t a great but minding their own business isn’t hold- day to do that.” ing the Open is it?” said Harrington, who McIlroy, who won the Open in 2014 at has twice competed in Muirfield Opens IRELAND: Crowds gather as Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy makes his way to the 14th tee, dur- Royal Liverpool, said the R&A was right to (2002, 2013). ing day two of the Irish Open golf tournament at The K Club, County Kildare. — AP strip Muirfield of its place on the tourna- News the R&A had dropped Muirfield ment rota. “Of course they are right. It’s tak- from the 10-strong Open rota sends a en long enough. Even R&A only started let- strong message to Royal Troon, the club Injured Rose to miss PGA Championship ting women join last year or whatever it that will host this year’s 145th Open, but was. It’s about time that they did. He added: who have assured the R&A they will be LONDON: Former US Open champion Justin said. “I battled the onset of back pain all week “It’s 2016 and times move on. Women make conducting a vote among its all-male Rose revealed on Thursday he will miss next at the Players Championship and symptoms more than men these days. It is what it is. I members to allow women to join. week’s PGA Championship due to a back injury. worsened during my week at home. I have a think everyone should have the opportuni- If Royal Troon eventually agrees, it will World number 10 Rose lost a play-off to Anders great team of people around me who are work- ty to join a club if they want to.” leave Muirfield as the only all-male club in Hansen at Wentworth in 2007 and was joint ing diligently to help me get as fit as possible the modern era to host the British Open. second in 2012, but he won’t get a chance to as soon as possible and I must fully focus on ‘Bigger picture’ Paul Lawrie, who won the 1999 Open at finally lift the trophy this year. The 35-year-old rehab at this time. Muirfield first held the British Open in Carnoustie, also supported the R&A deci- Englishman is coming off a top-20 finish at the “I am incredibly sad to have to miss what I 1892 and has now staged 16 champi- sion. “In this day and age I just can’t under- Players Championship at Sawgrass and admit- regard as my home event, particularly as it’s a pre- onships including the last in 2013 when stand why any golf clubs don’t allow ted it was a blow not to be able to compete in mier event on the European Tour schedule. Rose’s Phil Mickelson was handed the Claret Jug female members,” said Lawrie. “There is no the PGA’s flagship event. absence is a further setback for the European for a first time in his career. “My memories argument on that. It’s their golf club and “It is with deep disappointment that I must Tour’s most prestigious event after 2014 champi- of Muirfield aren’t very good,” added they can do what they want. I’m not telling announce that I will not be able to play the on Rory McIlroy, whose foundation is hosting this McIlroy who was speaking at the Irish them what to do but I am I’m surprised to BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth,” he week’s Irish Open, opted not to play. — AFP Open where he was in second spot after hear they’ve (Muirfield) done that.” — AFP