THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 SPORTS

Yankees closer Chapman agrees to accept 30-game suspension

NEW YORK: New York Yankees closer gratified that Mr. Chapman has taken The Davie Police Department and one, was made after careful considera- season April 4 at home against Houston. Aroldis Chapman agreed to accept a 30- responsibility for his conduct.” Broward Assistant State Attorney tion. I made this decision in an effort to Barring rainouts, he would be eligible to game suspension under Major League Chapman became the first player Stefanie Newman declined to file minimize the distractions that an appeal start his season May 9 when the Yankees Baseball’s domestic violence policy, a penalized a finite number of games charges, saying conflicting accounts and would cause the Yankees, my new team- host World Series champion Kansas City. penalty stemming from an altercation under the policy, which MLB and the insufficient evidence made a conviction mates and most importantly, my family.” “We need him,” teammate Alex with his girlfriend last October. players’ association agreed to in August unlikely. Under MLB’s domestic violence Chapman’s representatives and MLB Rodriguez said Tuesday before the sus- Under the discipline announced following several high-profile incidents policy, discipline does not have to be had been discussing the discipline for pension was announced. “He’s a big part Tuesday, the four-time All-Star will serve among NFL players. Colorado shortstop predicated on a conviction. about 10 days. A suspension of 46 days of our team, and I think the key in New the penalty from the start of the Jose Reyes was given an indefinite paid or longer would have delayed his chance York is you have to focus on the game, Yankees’ season on April 4. He will lose suspension last week, pending a trial SUSPENSION to become a free agent until after the focus on your teammates, and I think he 30 days of pay - $1,856,557 of his scheduled for April 4, following an Chapman, 28, the hardest-throwing 2017 season. has a lot of support in that clubhouse.” $11,325,000 salary. The agreement spec- alleged altercation with his wife in pitcher in the major leagues, was traded The players’ association said it sup- Chapman will be allowed to use ifies he will be eligible for free agency October. from the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds to ported Chapman’s decision to accept the team facilities while serving his suspen- after this season barring any additional Baseball’s investigation of Chapman the Yankees in December. He had said he penalty and said “its members do not sion and likely will work out at the suspension for off-the-field conduct stemmed from an Oct. 30 incident at his would contest any suspension, but a deal condone the mistreatment of others by Yankees’ minor league complex in that would cost him the necessary serv- house in Florida. Chapman’s girlfriend, was reached following negotiations with playing or non-playing personnel.” Florida, but he will not be permitted to ice time. 22-year-old Cristina Barnea, told police MLB. “I want to be clear, I did not in any With the Yankees, Chapman forms a play in any minor league games during “I found Mr. Chapman’s acknowl- he pushed and choked her. Chapman way harm my girlfriend that evening,” powerful back end of the bullpen along that time. edged conduct on that day to be inap- said there was an argument but that he Chapman said in a statement. “However, I with former closer Andrew Miller and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel propriate ... particularly his use of a was pushed down by Barnea’s brother, should have exercised better judgment Dellin Betances. Puig is under investigation by MLB for a firearm and the impact of that behavior eventually getting a handgun and firing with respect to certain actions, and for Chapman can continue to participate fight with a bouncer at a Miami bar in on his partner,” baseball Commissioner eight shots into a wall and window while that I am sorry. The decision to accept a in all spring training activities. The penal- November following an argument with Rob Manfred said in a statement. “I am locked in his garage. suspension, as opposed to appealing ty starts when the Yankees open the his sister. —AP Smith to work his magic with Wildcats: Arona LONDON: Tinirau Arona believes Brian for a quick Wildcats turnaround, he wants Smith can weave the same type of magic at to be there for the long haul. Wakefield Wildcats as he did at Sydney “The plan was to come here for one year, Roosters six years ago - and as a member of see what it’s all about and what the future both teams he’s a man who should know. holds. My family and I like it here, and I’m The 61-year-old took charge last May and loving it too,” added the 26-year-old. subsequently performed a rescue act by “At the moment I see myself playing guiding the Wildcats through the Million here for many years. But my main focus for Pound Game to ensure their now is getting back to being as consistent survival. and competitive as I possibly can.” The Roosters were similarly in the dol- Australian front-rower Mitchell Dodds is drums in 2009 - having suffered the set to make his long-awaited debut for the ignominy of the NRL’s wooden spoon - but at Salford Red Devils on less than a year later Smith took them all Thursday - and it’s been a funny old few the way to the Grand Final. months for the former Bronco. With one win from four in the Super “His last game was an NRL Grand Final in League so far, Wakefield still have an awful front of 85,000 people and at the weekend long way to go before returning to such he got to run out in front of about 300 at prominence. But Arona, who was given his Hull Ionians so there was a fair old contrast NRL debut by Smith in 2011, insists things to his last two games,” said Warrington will only get better under the head coach - assistant coach Richard Agar. starting against this “We see a lot of value in what he can do weekend. for us defensively around the rucks and “We were in the same situation at that was evident at the weekend. “He’s a when Brian went there in very strong tackler who makes his presence 2010. When he took over, the Roosters fin- felt in the middle of the field.” ished bottom and he recruited me to the Elsewhere, Hull KR captain Terry club,” said Arona, who was also joined at Campese reflected on a week that saw Wakefield by former Rooster Anthony Chris Chester removed from the hotseat, Tupou. just a few months on after guiding the side “He turned it around massively - we to a Challenge Cup final. were one win away from winning the title KR have not won this year and go to at the Roosters - and I believe he’s got table toppers Widnes Vikings next, but those skills to do so at Wakefield. Campese admits his departure is a sign of “I back him 100 per cent and it’s good to the times. “It’s the sport we play, it’s the come back to him, he gave me my first reality,” Campese said. “It’s a cut-throat busi- opportunity and I respect him for that. ness - players go out on loan, players get “What we want now is a really competi- injured, you can get a change of staff. tive team fighting for their places week in “It’s always tough when a head coach week out, which didn’t go so well last year.” leaves, there’s a big disruption but the boys BUFFALO: Anton Lander #51 of the Edmonton Oilers carries the puck against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on March 1 in Buffalo, And while Australian-born Arona is hoping have handled it well.” — AFP New York. Edmonton defeated Buffalo 2-1. — AFP Lindsey Vonn ends early McDavid gets second goal because of knee injury in OT, Oilers beat Sabres LONDON: Lindsey Vonn’s ski season is year and the Winter Olympics in South over. Korea the following year, I cannot take that The overall World Cup leader said yes- risk,” Vonn said. BUFFALO: Connor McDavid scored his second who dropped their sixth straight. Joni Ortio streaking Nashville over Dallas. Weber has 12 terday she was leaving the racing circuit With eight races to go, Vonn leads the goal in overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a made 23 saves. power-play goals this season. Craig Smith and early because her left knee injury was more overall World Cup standings with 1,235 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday James Neal each had a goal and an assist, and serious than originally thought. points, followed closely by Lara Gut of night in an anticipated matchup against another HURRICANES 3, DEVILS 1 Calle Jarnkrok and Mattias Ekholm also scored Vonn crashed on Saturday in a super-G Switzerland with 1,207. Viktoria top rookie, Jack Eichel. Joakim Nordstrom scored on a rebound with for the Predators, who have won a season-high race in Andorra after catching a spot of soft Rebensburg of Germany is third with 914. Cam Talbot made 31 saves for the Oilers as 1:29 remaining as Carolina defeated New Jersey five straight. Pekke Rinne made 35 saves Antoine snow. X-rays showed a hairline fracture and “It’s a real shame that the tense fight for Edmonton began a four-game trip with its sec- in a game between teams fading from playoff Roussel had a goal and an assist, and Jason the American raced Sunday in the com- the overall title can’t last until the end,” Gut ond straight win. McDavid and Eichel provided a contention. Derek Ryan, playing his first NHL Spezza and Vernon Fiddler also scored for Dallas, bined event, extending her overall lead by said in a Swiss ski federation statement. “I buzz for this game even though the Oilers and game at age 29, also scored as the Hurricanes which has lost four in a row. Antti Niemi stopped finishing in 13th place. wish Lindsey Vonn a good recovery and a Sabres are both among the NHL’s bottom five snapped a three-game skid and won for the 14 of 18 shots before being relieved by Kari But she said Wednesday there was not successful return next season.” teams. McDavid was the first pick in last year’s third time in eight games. Eddie Lack was out- Lehtonen midway through the second. one hairline fracture, but three more signif- Men’s overall leader Aksel Lund Svindal draft and Eichel went second, and both players standing in making 29 saves, and Nathan Gerbe icant fractures. was also ruled out for the season with a are considered potential generational talents. scored into an empty net with 21.2 seconds to PANTHERS 3, JETS 2 “After the super combined on Sunday, I right knee injury from a crash in January in McDavid scored 22 seconds into the game, then go. Adam Henrique scored for New Jersey, which Reilly Smith had two goals and Jaromir Jagr went to Barcelona where more precise MRI Kitzbuehel, Austria. got the winner by blowing past Buffalo’s defense lost its third straight and sixth in seven games. scored the winner early in the third period to and CT equipment was available and scans Vonn has won nine races this season seconds after Eichel spun around a defender and send Florida past Winnipeg. Vincent Trocheck were performed on Tuesday morning,” after a hampered preparation. She missed missed just wide with a twirling backhand shot. WILD 6, AVALANCHE 3 assisted on both of Smith’s goals, and the Vonn said in a statement on her website. the season opening race in October after a Cal O’Reilly scored his first goal of the season for Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter each Panthers snapped a first-place tie with Tampa “Those images showed that there was not 10-week layoff because of a broken ankle the Sabres. scored twice to give Minnesota victory over Bay in the Atlantic Division. Roberto Luongo just one hairline fracture, but in fact three. bone, a year after coming back from the Colorado and possession of the final Western made 30 saves for Florida. Jagr is two points And the fractures are not hairline, but injuries that kept her away from the 2014 CAPITALS 3, PENGUINS 2 Conference playoff spot. Coyle scored the game- from tying Gordie Howe (1,850) for third in NHL instead they are significant enough that Sochi Olympics. Matt Niskanen scored the winner during a winner at 5:34 of the third period after Zach history. Dustin Byfuglien and rookie Andrew they are not sufficiently stable to permit In Cortina, Vonn won a downhill to third-period power play to help Washington Parise knocked down the puck at mid-ice, Copp scored in the second period for Winnipeg, me to safely continue skiing.” eclipse Annemarie Moser-Proell’s mark of overcome Pittsburgh in an entertaining, back- rushed toward the other end and fed a streaking which lost its fifth straight home game. Because of the results of the tests, the 36 career wins in skiing’s marquee event. and-forth showdown that could be a first-round Coyle, who tapped into an open net. Colorado four-time overall champion said she decid- She then won a super-G for her 11th career playoff preview. Mike Richards and Evgeny and Minnesota both have 68 points, but the Wild ISLANDERS 3, CANUCKS 2 ed to end her season immediately, calling it victory at the Italian resort, breaking the Kuznetsov also scored for the NHL-leading have played one fewer game and are technically Thomas Hickey scored the tiebreaking goal “one of the toughest decisions of my record of retired Austrian standout Renate Capitals, and Braden Holtby made 28 saves while ahead in the standings. Jarome Iginla scored 33 in the third period to help New York beat career.” Goetschl. becoming the first goalie in franchise history seconds in for Colorado. It was his 19th goal of Vancouver. Travis Hamonic and Anders Lee also She said any further damage could hurt “While I am confident that I’m making with consecutive 40-win seasons. His glove stop the season and 608th of his career, tying Dino scored for the Islanders, and Thomas Greiss her chances of skiing in the future. “With the right decision,” Vonn said, “it still doesn’t on Carl Hagelin with 32.8 seconds left preserved Ciccarelli for 17th place in NHL history. Chris made 31 stops. Hickey also had an assist. Linden the world championships in St. Moritz next make this decision any easier.” — AP the victory. After losing to defending Stanley Bigras and Cody McLeod also scored for the Vey and Daniel Sedin each had a goal for Cup champion Chicago on Sunday, Washington Avalanche. Vancouver, which got 21 saves from Jacob bounced right back. Evgeni Malkin and Patric Markstrom. Sedin tied it 2-all at 10:52 of the third Hornqvist scored for Pittsburgh, which holds the PREDATORS 5, STARS 3 with his 24th of the season. Hickey then scored second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Shea Weber had a goal and two assists in his his fourth on a drive from the point 2:03 later Backup goalie Matt Murray stopped 34 shots. return from a three-game injury absence to lead that appeared to hit a defender in front. —AP BLUES 4, SENATORS 3, SO NHL Results/Standings Patrik Berglund scored the shootout winner in the 11th round as St. Louis outlasted Ottawa. Carolina 3, New Jersey 1; Boston 2, Calgary 1; Edmonton 2, Buffalo 1 (OT); Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2; St. Louis 4, Trailing 3-0, the Senators scored three unan- Ottawa 3 (SO); Nashville 5, Dallas 3; Minnesota 6, Colorado 3; Florida 3, Winnipeg 2; NY Islanders 3, Vancouver 2. swered goals to force overtime, including one by Western Conference Tampa Bay 37 22 4 175 151 78 Jean-Gabriel Pageau with less than a second left Central Division Boston 35 23 6 197 176 76 in the third period. Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson W L OTL GF GA PTS Detroit 32 20 11 161 163 75 Chicago 39 20 5 180 153 83 made 28 saves on 31 shots before leaving the Ottawa 30 27 7 188 200 67 Dallas 38 20 7 209 189 83 game at 13:41 in the second period. Andrew Montreal 30 28 5 173 175 65 Hammond stopped 17 shots in relief and made St. Louis 37 20 9 166 162 83 Buffalo 25 31 8 148 172 58 several huge saves to keep the Senators in the Nashville 32 21 11 172 161 75 Minnesota 29 25 10 170 162 68 Toronto 21 30 10 147 182 52 game. Ryan Dzingel also scored for Ottawa. Colorado 32 29 4 175 187 68 Metropolitan Division Jaden Schwartz, with a goal and two assists, led Winnipeg 26 32 4 161 186 56 Washington 46 12 4 205 144 96 the Blues. Dmitrij Jaskin and Vladimir Tarasenko Pacific Division also scored, and Jake Allen stopped 40 shots. Los Angeles 37 21 4 165 143 78 NY Rangers 37 20 6 180 159 80 Anaheim 34 19 8 153 144 76 NY Islanders 34 20 7 174 151 75 BRUINS 2, FLAMES 1 San Jose 34 22 6 188 167 74 Pittsburgh 32 22 8 167 160 72 Patrice Bergeron scored the tiebreaking goal Vancouver 24 26 12 150 178 60 Philadelphia 29 22 11 157 168 69 with 3:24 left to lift Boston over skidding Arizona 27 30 6 168 198 60 Carolina 29 26 10 158 174 68 Calgary 26 33 4 170 197 56 New Jersey 30 27 7 140 156 67 Calgary. Landon Ferraro also scored and Tuukka Edmonton 24 34 7 158 194 55 STOCKHOLM: US alpine skier Lindsey Vonn speaks during a news conference at a Rask stopped 24 shots as the Bruins won for the Eastern Conference Columbus 26 30 8 167 196 60 hotel in Stockholm. Lindsey Vonn says she will end her World Cup skiing season early third time in four games. Jakub Nakladal’s first Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the because of a left knee injury. — AP career goal was the only score for the Flames, Florida 36 19 8 174 148 80 standings and are not included in the loss column (L).