MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014 SPORTS

Haddin ready for a break Benghazi topple Ahly Ref in penalty confusion ITALY: Italian World Cup referee Nicola Rizzoli was involved in an extraordinary incident when DHAKA: Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin would be disappointed with his form at the World JOHANNESBURG: A couple of stunning goals helped Al-Ahly Benghazi eliminate title-holders Al-Ahly from the CAF Champions League this he awarded a penalty and then changed his mind after five minutes of angry protests during T20 in Bangladesh after outstanding test series against England and South Africa, according to second-placed AS Roma’s 2-0 win at Sassuolo yesterday. coach Darren Lehmann. Haddin missed a regulation stumping chance to dismiss hard-hitting weekend. Farag Abdel Hafiz and Moataz El-Mahdy scored within seven second-half minutes to earn the Libyans a shock 3-2 triumph over their Rizzoli initially awarded Sassuolo a penalty when their forward Nicola Sansone went down Chris Gayle when on 26 and the batsman went on to score 53 in the defending champions’ six- under a seemingly innocuous challenge by Roma defender Mehdi Benatia in the 36th minute wicket victory on Friday that all but dumped Australia from the tournament. Egyptian namesakes in Cairo. Benghazi took a one-goal lead into the sec- ond leg of the last-16 tie and qualified 4-2 on aggregate for the lucrative of the Serie A match. Both teams protested the decision, with Roma angry over the penalty “His keeping has been poor. That’s okay, he won’t mind me saying that,” Lehmann told and Sassuolo claiming that Benatia should have been sent off. Sassuolo reporters. “He’s honest enough for that. He’s been fantastic over a long period group stage. Democratic Republic of Congo clubs TP Mazembe and Vita and had already put the ball on the spot and were preparing to take the of time for us. “He took a great catch (to dismiss Samuels) and missed a kick when Rizzoli, after consulting his assistants, changed his mind couple of opportunities. “At the end of the day he’s been exceptional for Tunisians CS Sfaxien also secured places in the April 29 mini-league draw. Ahly entered the second leg at a spectator-less Air Defence Stadium in and awarded a drop ball. There were more protests at halftime as us. He’d be disappointed in his own form in these two games. That’s Sassuolo players again surrounded Rizzoli to protest the deci- not hiding away from the truth.” Haddin was hardly alone in strug- the Egyptian capital hoping to keep alive dreams of a record third con- secutive title. And they were on course to succeed 38 minutes into the sion. Serie A uses the additional assistant referees system pre- gling, though, Lehmann suggested. ferred by UEFA with extra match officials on each goal line. “The simple fact is (he’s) one of our better performers and a first half in an eerie atmosphere created by the authorities banning sup- porters because of previous clashes with police. Roma had taken the lead in the 16th minute with Mattia couple of our experienced blokes - Shane Watson, David Warner Destro’s 10th goal of the season. Sassuolo’s Simone Missiroli for example - they didn’t have the impact, those three, that Mohamed Naguib side-footed a cut-back across Benghazi goalkeep- er Wissem El-Boudi into the corner of the net for the opening goal. was caught in possession by Radja Nainggolan and he then we would’ve liked,” Lehmann added. slipped the ball through for Destro to lift the ball over “He’s had a lot of cricket ... But at the end of the day But disaster struck three minutes later as Egyptian captain Hossam Ashour fouled Zimbabwean Edward Sadomba and Abdulrahman Fetori Gianluca Pegolo with a neat finish. Roma’s second we all have jobs, we all have a lot of cricket to play. “But came at the end of a leisurely second half when he’s been fantastic around our group and we’ll stick with converted the penalty. Ahly had to score at least twice more under the away-goals rule to Sassuolo again lost possession in their own half him because he’s a brilliant person and he will get a rest avoid a first exit at the qualifying stage since losing to Nigerians Kano and Brazilian Michel Bastos was sent clear to place now and obviously freshen up and come back a better Pillars five years ago. —AFP his ball wide of Pergolo. —Reuters player.”—Reuters Bruins get past Capitals

WASHINGTON: Carl Soderberg and Jarome Iginla scored 41 seconds apart in the second period to break open a close game as the Boston Bruins clinched the Atlantic Division title Saturday with a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Iginla scored twice to reach the 30-goal mark, and Patrice Bergeron added a goal as the Bruins won for the 14th time in 15 games. Chad Johnson made 31 saves, and he and Tuukka Rask have combined to allow only 13 goals over 11 games. Jason Chimera and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored, and Braden Holtby stopped 32 shots for the Capitals, who were down 3-0 before they could find any traction against the possession-minded Bruins. NEW JERSEY: (left) of Russia, punches Cedric Agnew, of the United States, during the sixth round of WBO boxing title in AVALANCHE 3, SHARKS 2 Atlantic City. Kovalev won by knockout in the seventh round. —AP Semyon Varlamov had a season- high 47 saves as Colorado clinched its first playoff berth in four years by Kovalev successfully beating San Jose. Center John Mitchell had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who defends title moved past into second place in the Central Division with 100 ATLANTIC CITY: Sergey Kovalev successfully with a fourth-round TKO over Nathan defended his WBO light-heavyweight title Cleverly in Wales on Aug. 17, 2013. In his points in what might have been a Saturday night, stopping Cedric Agnew in most recent outing, Kovalev stopped Ismayl costly victory. the seventh round at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Sillah in the second round in Canada on Nov. Center Matt Duchene injured his Phillips Ballroom. 30, 2013. knee injury on the opening shift Kovalev improved to 24-0-1 with his 24th Saturday’s victory was his 11th straight Saturday when he collided with knockout, ending the bout with a powerful win via knockout or TKO. Because of his pow- teammate Jamie McGinn near the left jab to Agnew’s liver. Agnew (26-1) er, the 30-year-old is regarded as one of box- Sharks’ blue line. He fell to the ice and dropped to one knee in pain and remained ing rising stars. Kovalev entered the fight then gingerly skated to the bench. there for several minutes after referee with the second-highest knockout percent- Mitchell moved up to center Samuel Viruet completed his 10-count at 58 age among current world champions, Colorado’s top line, and came seconds of the seventh. behind only middleweight champ Gennady through with a big power-play goal to give Colorado a 3-1 lead at 6:32 of WASHINGTON: Jason Chimera No. 25 of the Washington Capitals and Kevan Miller No. 86 of the Kovalev had two other knockdowns in Golovkin. Skeptics wondered how focused Boston Bruins go after the puck during the second period at Verizon Center. —AFP the scheduled 12-round fight. He sent he would be for the Agnew fight after a the second period. Agnew to the canvas with a left hook to the potential unification bout against WBC light- scored for the Kings, who haven’t lost with a snap shot that trickled past The Devils earned one point, but jaw in the second and dropped him again heavyweight champ fell DUCKS 5, CANUCKS 1 since March 17. Marian Gaborik and Khudobin. are still behind several teams in the with a body shot in the sixth. apart last week when Stevenson signed with Corey Perry and Saku Koivu each Willie Mitchell had two assists apiece Eastern Conference playoff race with had a goal and an assist, and Frederik Kovalev did have to overcome some HBO rival Showtime. Kovalev is under con- as Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead in the STARS 4, BLUES 2 eight games left. Nielsen gave the adversity, suffering cuts above both eyes tract to HBO. Andersen made 31 saves to help first period and cruised to its 14th win Colton Sceviour got the first two Islanders a 1-0 lead early in the sec- from a head butt in the fourth and an elbow “I don’t want to speak on Adonis Anaheim defeat Vancouver. in 17 games. goals for Dallas and Antoine Roussel ond before Henrique tied it. in the sixth. Stevenson,” Kovalev said. Agnew, 27, entered Luca Sbisa, Matt Beleskey and Matt Halischuk and Blake Wheeler scored on a breakaway in the third Mathieu Perreault also scored for “I tried boxing because he has good the fight as a considerable underdog. scored in the third period for the Jets, period to secure the victory over St. CANADIENS 4, PANTHERS 1 defense,” Kovalev said. “Then I went to the Despite his impressive record, he had not Anaheim, while Andrew Cogliano who hadn’t visited Los Angeles since Louis. Max Pacioretty had two goals and body. I saw how hurt he was.” Agnew spent fought anyone near Kovalev’s level in his first and Daniel Winnik added two assists Jan. 3, 1996. Cody Eakin had a goal and assist an assist to help Montreal extend its most of the fight on the ropes, content to 13 fights. He earned his biggest win in his as the Ducks moved into first place in Ondrej Pavelec gave up three and Kari Lehtonen was strong in net winning streak to five games with the absorb Kovalev’s punches before launching a last fight, a 12-round decision over former the Pacific Division. goals in the first period before getting for the Stars, who have won four of win over Florida. counter attack. middleweight contender 11 Brad Richardson scored for pulled, and Al Montoya stopped 12 five in pursuit of a Western Thomas Vanek added a goal and Occasionally, he was successful, catching months ago. Vancouver, which remained five shots in the final 40 minutes. Conference playoff spot. an assist for Montreal and Carey Price Kovalev with some left hooks and body A terrific co-feature saw Puerto Rico’s points behind the Phoenix Coyotes Dallas entered the day three made 36 saves. David Desharnais had for the final wild-card berth in the shots, but eventually was overwhelmed. Thomas Dulorme win the NABF junior-wel- BLUE JACKETS 3, HURRICANES 2 points out of a playoff spot before an empty-net goal. “He had an uncomfortable style,” Kovalev terweight title with a 10-round, unanimous Western Conference. Eddie Lack Ryan Johansen scored a power- winning for the second straight night Pacioretty’s second goal put the said. “He has an uncomfortable style. He’s not decision over San Francisco’s Karim Mayfield made 16 saves. play goal at 2:40 of overtime as and saddling the Blues with just their Canadiens ahead 3-0 in the second stupid. He kept a good distance. He was (18-1-1, 11 KOs). Judges Waleska Roldan (98- Columbus beat Carolina to earn two sixth regulation home loss. period. Pacioretty camped at edge of patient and I understood he was trying to 92), Ron McNair (97-93) and Joe Pasquale WILD 3, COYOTES 1 points in its push for the second play- Alex Steen had a pair of power- the crease and tipped in a pass from tire me out, but I was ready.” (96-94) all scored the bout for Dulorme. “I’m Zach Parise scored two of off berth in club history and first since play goals for the Blues, who had Desharnais at 14:00 for his 35th of the Kovalev, a native of Russia now living in a lot stronger and a lot faster,” Dulorme Minnesota’s three third-period goals 2009. been 8-0-2 in their previous 10 at season, a career high. Pacioretty has Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was making his sec- said through a translator. “I was able to as the Wild rallied to beat Phoenix in a Artem Anisimov had a goal and an home including an overtime loss to 11 points in his past 10 games. ond defense of the championship he won take his punches and come back.” —AP game with playoff implications. assist and Matt Calvert also scored for Dallas earlier this month. St. Louis fell Brad Boyes scored for Florida and Phoenix nursed a 1-0 through two the Blue Jackets. Jeff Skinner and one point behind Boston for first Dan Ellis stopped 15 shots for the periods on Mikkel Boedker’s early Andrei Loktionov scored and Riley place overall in the NHL. Panthers, who have lost five of their Vonn hopes to return to power-play goal, but the Coyotes Nash had two assists for the past six games. went 24:28 without a shot. Hurricanes, who fell to 6-11 since the ISLANDERS 2, DEVILS 1 Parise tied it from the top of the racing in early December Olympic break. Frans Nielsen scored in the second LIGHTNING 4, SABRES 3 circle off a face off 8:03 into the final Curtis McElhinney made 25 saves period and then added a goal in the Steven Stamkos scored two goals, BEAVER CREEK: Lindsey Vonn knows it was really nice person and I really enjoyed spend- period, then Jared Spurgeon scored for Columbus in his second straight shootout to lift New York over playoff- including the winner in overtime, and just some youthful exuberance when teenager ing time with her.” on a slap shot from the top of the start in place of flu-stricken starter hopeful New Jersey. Tampa Bay beat Buffalo to remain Mikaela Shiffrin playfully announced she was Vonn ventured around Beaver Creek on right circle with 7:03 to play and Sergei Bobrovsky. Nielsen scored in the first round, two points behind Montreal for sec- dreaming of winning five gold medals at the Saturday to support “Ski Girls Rock,” a program Parise added an empty-net goal in Brandon Dubinsky rang the left and Brock Nelson added a goal in the ond place in the Atlantic Division. next Winter Olympics. Vonn certainly appreci- that focuses on empowering girls through ski- the final minute. post midway through the extra ses- second against New Jersey’s Cory Alex Killorn and Ryan Callahan ates such a lofty goal by Shiffrin, who captured ing. She met with the kids, signed autographs, The Wild pulled three points sion for the Blue Jackets. Goalie Anton Schneider to hand the Devils their also scored for the Lightning, who the slalom title at the Sochi Games last month. posed for pictures and then called a brief ahead of Phoenix for the No. 7 spot in Khudobin couldn’t cover the puck, 14th straight shootout loss - 0-10 this have earned at least a point in 11 con- A light-hearted warning, though. timeout to sit on an outdoor couch near a fire the Western Conference. The Coyotes but forward Jiri Tlusty did - drawing season. Anders Nilsson turned aside secutive games. Matt D’Agostini, “I’m going to compete in the 2018 pit to rest her knee and film a video. She put are just a point ahead of Dallas for the the Hurricanes’ first penalty of the Adam Henrique, who scored in regu- Cody Hodgson and Cory Conacher Olympics,” Vonn said with a laugh. “So she’s an ice bag on the knee as she settled into the No. 8 spot. night at 1:54. Johansen then ended it lation, and Patrik Elias to win it. scored for Buffalo. —AP going to have tough competition in the speed couch. “The knee is coming along nicely,” she events.” With four years down the road in mind, said. “It’s obviously a slow process, but I’m RED WINGS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 2 Vonn is taking it slow with her surgically making progress every day, so that’s good.” Darren Helm had a hat trick as repaired right knee. She said she doesn’t antici- Vonn has already decided she’s not even Detroit sent Toronto to its eighth con- NHL results/standings pate a return to racing until early December. going to try to walk every hole as she trails secutive regulation loss, the Maple The four-time overall World Cup champion boyfriend Tiger Woods around at the Masters Leafs’ first such streak since 1985. Boston 4, Washington 2; Colorado 3, San Jose 2; Tampa Bay 4, Buffalo 3 (OT); Detroit 4, Toronto 2; Montreal 4, had her ACL fixed for a second time in January, next month - provided, of course, Woods even The Maple Leafs have 80 points Florida 1; NY Islanders 2, New Jersey 1 (SO); Columbus 3, Carolina 2 (OT); Anaheim 5, Vancouver 1; Los Angeles 4, sidelining her for Sochi. As it turned out, there plays, given his ailing back. “We’ll see how far I with just six games remaining and Winnipeg 2; Dallas 4, St. Louis 2; Minnesota 3, Phoenix 1. was “quite a bit of meniscus damage” in the make it,” Vonn said. “With my meniscus the might have to run the table to give Western Conference Eastern Conference themselves a legitimate shot at a sec- knee and that’s caused her to push back her way it is, it’s not great to be on my feet all the Pacific Division Atlantic Division time frame. Vonn hopes to train on snow by time.” Vonn tore two ligaments in her right ond straight playoff appearance. WL OTLGFGAPTS Boston 51 17 6 237 155 108 October and be racing in Lake Louise, Alberta, knee during a high-speed crash at the world They have two fewer games left Montreal 43 26 7 199 189 93 than the Red Wings (82 points), the Anaheim 48 18 8 239 187 104 two months later, on a hill where she’s always championships in February 2013. She then Tampa Bay 41 24 9 221 198 91 Columbus Blue Jackets (82 points) done well. But that’s all tentative. re-injured her surgically repaired ACL in a San Jose 47 20 9 232 184 103 Detroit 34 26 14 199 211 82 No sense rushing back to racing, no matter crash during training last November. Vonn and the Washington Capitals (80 Los Angeles 44 25 6 189 159 94 Toronto 36 32 8 220 239 80 how antsy she’s growing to step back into the tried to rehab the knee in time for Sochi, but points) in the Eastern Conference. Phoenix 36 27 12 206 212 84 Ottawa 30 29 14 210 246 74 starting gate. “If I have to push the date back sprained her MCL racing a downhill in France Cody Franson and Joffrey Lupul when I start, so be it,” Vonn told The on Dec. 21. scored for Toronto. Gustav Nyquist Vancouver 34 31 11 184 206 79 Florida 27 40 8 179 244 62 Associated Press on Saturday. “To ensure the Even though it was difficult not competing also had a goal for Detroit. Jonathan Calgary 31 36 7 189 217 69 Buffalo 20 45 9 142 222 49 next four years go smoothly, I have to give this in Sochi, Vonn said she caught nearly all of the Bernier, playing his third game back Edmonton 26 39 9 184 244 61 meniscus some time to heal.” races. However, her computer crashed just from a groin injury, stopped 24 of the Metropolitan Division 28 shots. Red Wings goaltender Pittsburgh 47 22 5 228 184 99 In between rehabilitation sessions, the 29- before the second run of the women’s slalom. Central Division year-old Vonn is finding plenty of other things She missed quite a recovery from Shiffrin, Jimmy Howard finished with 25 NY Rangers 41 30 4 200 183 86 to occupy her time. She’s sneaking in some fly who overcame a major mistake to win gold. saves. St. Louis 50 17 7 240 168 107 Philadelphia 39 27 7 210 206 85 fishing with her dog, Leo, starting a new foun- “Mikaela is skiing incredible,” Vonn said. Colorado 47 21 6 227 202 100 Columbus 38 30 6 208 200 82 dation and having coffee with skiing great “With her slalom, she’s in a league of her own KINGS 4, JETS 2 Chicago 42 18 15 247 196 99 Washington 34 28 12 214 222 80 Annemarie Moser-Proell, whose record Vonn right now.” Very soon, Shiffrin will be stepping Anze Kopitar scored two goals in Minnesota 38 26 11 186 189 87 New Jersey 31 28 15 178 192 77 the first period, Jonathan Quick made is chasing. Vonn remains three wins from into Vonn’s domain - the speed events. Shiffrin Dallas 36 27 11 214 212 83 Carolina 32 32 10 186 208 74 matching the World Cup record of 62 race vic- recently squeezed in some super-G training at 24 saves, and Los Angeles kept rolling Nashville 32 32 11 186 226 75 NY Islanders 29 35 10 206 247 68 tories by Moser-Proell. Beaver Creek on Raptor, the race hill for the toward the playoffs, beating Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the stand- Winnipeg 33 33 9 208 220 75 “She wants me to break her record,” Vonn world championships next February. She may Winnipeg for its sixth straight victory. ings and are not included in the loss column (L). said. “You don’t see that. I think she’s a really, just ski a few speed events next season. —AP Trevor Lewis and Tyler Toffoli also