TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2017 SPORTS

COLONGE: Members of team Sweden celebrate following the World Championships final match between Canada and Sweden inthe LANXESS arena. —AP Sweden beats Canada to win ice hockey worlds

COLOGNE: Telling himself to stay calm, Henrik York Rangers star who made 41 saves in regu- Gronborg said. “It’s a huge win for Swedish presence of Joel Lundqvist, Henrik’s twin clinch the win for Canada on a power play Lundqvist stopped all three shots he faced in lation and overtime to get it to a shootout. hockey.” The respect between the sides was brother, may have distracted the Canadian before overtime, when both the shootout and Sweden dethroned two- “What a game. It was so exciting. It’s been an evident from the off as defenses held firm in . “It was a fluke ,” Swedish for- maintained their exceptional form. “I want to time defending champion Canada to win the amazing week. Lundqvist and Canadian coun- the opening two periods. The breakthrough ward Marcus Kruger said. O’Reilly tied it in the congratulate Sweden. They were an excep- world hockey championship 2-1 on Sunday terpart Calvin Pickard, who saved tournament came against the odds, with Backstrom penal- third period on a rebound after an initial tional team, it was a lot of fun to play them,” night. Nicklas Backstrom and Oliver Ekman- MVP William Nylander’s first shootout attempt ized for slashing, when Victor Hedman scored from Mitch Marner. It was tense, and fans were Canadian coach Jon Cooper said. “If we were Larsson scored shootout goals for the Swedes for Sweden, were outstanding in a game in short-handed with 20.8 seconds left in the sec- left gasping as the action swung from end to going to lose to somebody, I’m glad those to win their first title since 2013 and prevent which the Canadians narrowly outshot their ond period. end. Lundqvist said he hoped fans enjoyed guys won.” Earlier, Nikita Kucherov sealed a 5-3 Canada from a three-peat. opponents 43-42. It was a strange goal from distance as the now neither team sat back in the third period win for in the bronze-medal game “It was pretty nerve-wracking in the end, “This is how close it should be when you defenseman just lifted the puck and it some- or overtime. against Finland. “It’s not the medal we wanted,” but we pulled it off,” said Lundqvist, the New get to the final game,” Swedish coach Rikard how bounced in through Pickard’s legs. The Nate MacKinnon missed a good chance to Russian coach Oleg Znarok said. — AP Preds win from ousting Ducks to reach 1st Stanley Cup Final

NASHVILLE: The Nashville Predators don’t have their top center, and their captain is day to day with an upper-body injury. They still have Pekka Rinne in net. And the Predators have a chance at history on their own ice, a win away from the first Stanley Cup Final berth in the franchise history. As coach Peter Laviolette put it, the guys know what’s at stake. Standing in their way? The Anaheim Ducks, the only team to beat them in their home rink in the playoffs over the past two postseasons.The Predators returned home with a 3-2 Western Conference finals lead after a 3-1 victory over the Ducks in Anaheim on Saturday led by Rinne, who is 7-3 in the Honda Center in the postseason. To INDIANAPOLIS: Fernando Alonso, of Spain, drives into turn one during a practice ses- avoid a return trip for a Game 7 to test that once sion for the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. — AP again, they can eliminate the Ducks in Game 6. “We obviously know what’s at stake,” forward Colin Wilson said Sunday. “It is one game at a Alonso overcomes learning time, but we know our next win puts us in con- tention for the Stanley Cup. So it’s something curve, engine to start fifth we’re focused on, but it is just about that next game, getting the next win.” The Predators are INDIANAPOLIS: For a few brief moments ie to win IndyCar’s marquee race. 10-1 at Bridgestone Arena the past two postsea- Sunday, Fernando Alonso was on top of the “He’s proving why he’s one of the best in sons, and another record crowd is expected for PITTSBURG: Pittsburg Penguins’ Matt Cullen (7) celebrates with Carl Hagelin, left, Mark Streit IndyCar world. The two-time Formula One the world,” Rossi said after qualifying ended. what will be the biggest sporting event in (32), and Ian Cole after scoring against the Ottawa Senators during the second period of Game champion conquered an unexpected Even under the most extreme conditions, Nashville history not counting the fans watching 5 in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference. — AP engine change and Indianapolis’ usually Alonso didn’t fret. Less than three hours just outside the building. They could hear the “We have the team, and we’re against the wall 7-4 in the regular and has appeared in tricky 2 1/2-mile oval with the fastest four- before Sunday’s pole shootout began, cheering fans the instant they stepped off the right now facing a little bit of adversity.” The three games this postseason. The Ducks lap qualifying average in 15 years. Then Honda engineers were concerned enough plane, and Laviolette said he knows Monday Ducks are dealing with injuries as well. Rickard rebounded from losing Game 3 by taking a day reality set in when four of the last five driv- with some data from Alonso’s earlier prac- night will be crazy. That leaves it up to the Rakell missed Saturday’s game with a lower-body off in Nashville to shoot pool and throw darts. ers went even faster. But after only eight tices that they decided to install a new Predators to handle business on the ice. “We got injury, and forward Patrick Eaves has missed nine The schedule doesn’t allow such a break with days on his first oval, the Spaniard couldn’t engine. It took crew members about an to put our foot on the gas pedal again, and make with his injury. Neither traveled to Nashville. both the Predators and Ducks back on planes quibble with the results. He’ll start fifth hour to make the switch and about another sure we’re ready to play,” Laviolette said. Goaltender John Gibson left Saturday’s game Sunday for the return trip to Tennessee. “Well, it next Sunday, from the inside of Row 2. 50 minutes to put the car back together. after the first period with a lower-body injury and seems that when the pressure’s been applied, “The car was on the limit,” he said. “I The crew members pushed the No 29 TOP SCORER will be re-assessed at Monday morning’s skate. we’ve responded in the proper manner, and I don’t know if it was possible to be on pole car out of the garage with eight minutes Being in position to win the Campbell Bowl If Gibson can’t play, Jonathan Bernier will would expect the same,” Ducks coach Randy position, but definitely very close. I had an left before they had to go through a techni- on home ice seemed remote Friday when the make the first playoff start of his career. He went Carlyle said. —w AP overboost problem in lap 2 out of the last cal inspection. “It was stressful in the morn- Predators announced their top scorer, center corner, and it was like hitting the brakes. I ing, with the change of the engine, that we Ryan Johansen , would miss the rest of the post- nearly came to the pit lane because this were not sure if we were able to go out season after emergency surgery to repair com- qualifying run is over with this problem.” It again or not,” Alonso said. “I think the whole partment syndrome on his left thigh. They also Doping: Russia gets a 2018 looked like the 35-year-old had a lot to team was working on my car. Crews from were without captain Mike Fisher because of learn when he started driving in traffic for all six cars from Andretti, they were work- injury. Laviolette simply tapped Rinne, the three- the first time last Monday. At one , ing on my car to make it happen.” time Vezina Trophy finalist and Nashville’s strong Winter Paralympic warning when two other drivers tried to make it Once he was on the track, though, farm system for help. three wide in a first turn Alonso had previ- Alonso never fretted. He was the first driver Pontus Aberg, who played only 15 games LONDON: Russia have been warned they will Games mascots will be child’s play-so much so ously described as narrow, he backed out. all week to put down four consecutive laps with the Predators all season, scored the winner be barred from sending a team to the 2017 they’re leaving the decision to school kids. Things started changing when he over 231 and found himself in briefly posi- on his first career playoff goal. Of Nashville’s 11 World Para Athletics Championships in Japanese organizers announced Monday that turned to two former F1 drivers and current tion to become the first rookie pole-winner wins, 10 Predators have winning goals. Frederick London and the 2018 Winter Games unless the official 2020 mascots would be decided by teammates with Andretti Autosport - since Teo Fabi in 1983. Former IndyCar driv- Gaudreau, another Milwaukee call-up, helped fill “something dramatically changes” regarding a nationwide competition, in which members defending Indy winner Alexander Rossi and er Tony Stewart started from the pole as a in at center in his postseason debut and won 10 doping. The International Paralympic of the public will submit designs before ele- Japan’s Takuma Sato - for advice. Whatever rookie in 1996 after Scott Brayton, the pole- of 14 face-offs against the best team on the dot Committee (IPC) issued a blanket ban on all mentary schoolchildren across the country they said helped. Alonso moved into con- winner, was killed in a practice crash. But it in these playoffs. Russian competitors at last year’s 2016 Rio select winners from a shortlist. tention for the pole after series officials wasn’t enough to withstand the ensuing Rinne, who shut out the Blackhawks twice in Summer Paralympics. Budding designers have a two-week win- bumped up the horsepower in Friday’s runs from the eventual winner, Scott Dixon, Chicago to open this postseason, played IPC president Philip Craven, speaking at a dow from August 1-14 to submit entries, after practice. He made a daring qualifying run the runner-up, Ed Carpenter or Rossi or arguably his best game yet. He made 32 saves news conference in London, on Monday said which a mascot panel will compile a shortlist just to qualify for Sunday’s nine-car pole Sato. “Obviously it makes me happy with and aggressively played the puck to help hold off Russia also faced the very real possibility of in December. Japanese schoolchildren, who shootout and in that, he was even better. If the reception, the welcome, from the fans the Ducks. Rinne is 11-4 in these playoffs, and his being excluded from July’s event in London could have a better handle on the squidgy Alonso keeps it up, his competitors know here,” Alonso said. “Now, let’s put on a good 1.62 goals-against average is the fourth-lowest and the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in mascots than organizers who have hitherto he could become the second straight rook- show for them.” —AP with his .942 save percentage the fourth-highest Pyeongchang as well. Russia were suspended bungled the rollout of the Olympic stadium in NHL history with a minimum of 15 games by the IPC in August last year following revela- and official logo, will finish voting on the played. “He’s been great all playoffs, and the team tions of widespread doping uncovered in a shortlist in January. has so much confidence in him,” defenseman report by Professor Richard McLaren, which The winning designs will be announced in Horschel outduels Day to Roman Josi said about Rinne. “It’s awesome play- also saw the country’s track and field team March, with the mascots to be given official ing in front of him, and he’s been unbelievable.” banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics. The IPC names by August 2018. Mascots-often win Byron Nelson in playoff Nothing can be taken for granted in this series. established a task force to monitor and assist referred to in Japanese as ‘yuru-kyara’ (soft The Ducks and Predators have been tied or with- the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) in a characters) are big business in Japan and have in a goal for 284 minutes, 38 seconds of the process of reforming its procedures. But while become part of the cultural landscape. The DALLAS: American Billy Horschel parred shooting 71. American Jason Kokrak fin- 319:49 played. Scoring first has been no guaran- encouraged by aspects of the RPC’s “progress,” market for characters like Kumamon, a giant the first playoff hole to beat world number ished fourth on 270. Horschel had the top tee either with the winner coming back four Craven told reporters: “With 291 days to go black bear with red cheeks which represents four Jason Day on Sunday to win the PGA putting percentage this week while world times. That’s how Nashville has won each time in until Pyeongchang 2018, there is not a Kumamoto prefecture, and his bitter rival Byron Nelson tournament, registering his number four Day had made 95 percent of this series for their fifth comeback victory this moment to waste. “The IPC task force will next Funassyi-a hyperactive ‘pear fairy’ with a love first victory since 2014. Horschel came into his putts inside five feet this season before postseason and the 31st overall of this postsea- update the IPC governing board in September for heavy metal-is an eye-watering $30 billion the tournament having missed four con- missing what appeared to be a routine son. “They’re never out of the game, out of a and if the obligations have not been fully met a year, with mascots adorning everything secutive cuts but turned his fortunes four-footer to drop the playoff. series, so yeah, got to make sure we’re prepared,” by then, it will be very difficult for the (Russian from key-chains to planes. around with some incredible putting this “When you’re in the position like that, Josi said. Paralympic Committee) to have its suspension Tokyo organizers are battling to rein in run- week at the TPC Four Seasons resort near you have to go for it and try to win,” Day lifted in time to enter its athletes into the away costs for the 2020 Olympics which have Dallas. Australia’s Day missed a short putt said. “I can’t just lag it down there two feet RESILIENT Paralympic Winter Games. “Clearly, with this cast a shadow over preparations. The city’s bid on the 18th hole that would have extend- short and keep going back and forth. The Ducks have been resilient all postseason, timeline in mind, unless something dramatic committee estimated costs of $7 billion and ed the playoff to hand Horschel the victo- Overall, it was a pretty good week, but from scoring three goals to tie Edmonton in changes in the next few weeks, the Russian projected an economic windfall in excess of ry. “That’s not the way I wanted to win it,” obviously I’m disappointed that I didn’t get Game 5 of the second round before winning in Paralympic Committee will not be able to $25 billion. But a panel of experts have said Horschel. “Four missed cuts to come in the win.” Day, Horschel and Hahn all overtime to snapping Nashville’s 10-game win- enter its athletes into the London 2017 World warned the overall budget could exceed that here and I played this well-someone is played in the final group, creating a ning streak on home ice. That had been the Para Athletics Championships.” without drastic cuts. That warning came after looking out for me.” match-play type scene. Horschel’s two- longest playoff winning streak since the 1997-98 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tore up Both Horschel and Day finished 72 putt birdie on the par-five 16th moved him Detroit Red Wings before Anaheim won 3-2 in KIDS TO CHOOSE TOKYO 2020 MASCOTS the original plans for the Olympic stadium holes on 12-under par 268. Day fired a back into a tie for the lead with Day while overtime Thursday night. Defenseman Kevin In other news, despite several high-profile over soaring costs and organizers scrapped two-under 68 Sunday while Horschel shot Hahn’s par on the hole all but ended his Bieksa said the Ducks just have to go out and gaffes in their 2020 Olympic preparations, the first design for the 2020 Games logo after 69, each finishing one stroke ahead of chances. Both Day and Horschel parred 17 win. “We’re capable of winning. That’s for sure. Tokyo 2020 organizers reckon choosing the accusations of plagiarism. —Agencies American James Hahn, who was third after and 18.—AFP We’ve proven that time after time,” Bieksa said.