p16 2_Layout 1 12/7/14 9:37 PM Page 1

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 SPORTS

Federer: IPTL ‘crazy but fun’ Hackett confirms comeback Dhoni under microscope NEW DELHI: World number two Roger Federer hailed the new International Premier MELBOURNE: Australian swimming great Grant Hackett has con- NEW DELHI: Tours of Australia have traditionally been tests of character for visiting Tennis League as “crazy but fun” after sauntering through his debut matches in the firmed his comeback to the pool after six years and has entered Indian cricketers and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will no doubt be put through Indian capital yesterday. A laughing and joking Federer downed Czech world num- next April’s national trials, local media reported. the wringer when the four-test series starts in Adelaide tomorrow. ber seven Tomas Berdych in the new team competition’s third leg in New Delhi, Hackett, who won 1,500 metres freestyle gold at the 2000 Dhoni, having recovered from a thumb injury, joined his team mates on Saturday where the Swiss veteran was playing for the first time. The normally composed and Sydney Olympics and defended the title four years later at Athens, and is expected to lead them in Adelaide after the series was pushed back following focused Federer was clearly enjoying himself during his three matches in front of had fuelled speculation of a return months ago after being spotted the tragic death of Australia batsman Phillip Hughes. Indian fans including Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and cricketing great Sunil training on the Gold Coast with his old coach Denis Cotterell. Virat Kohli had been in line to lead the team in the first test but with the match Gavaskar. After winning his doubles and mixed doubles matches with Rated one of the greatest distance swimmers ever, 34-year-old being rescheduled Dhoni has had enough time to recover. Indian teammates Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, Federer cele- Hackett has endured a torrid year, and flew to the United States in Dhoni took over the captaincy of the limited overs side in 2007 after Rahul Dravid brated with a courtside dance, before teammate February to spend time in rehab to treat a dependency to Stilnox, a cracked under the pressure of leading a team representing a country of 1.2 billion France’s Gael Monfils joined in. “It’s crazy but it’s sleeping medication. Hackett said his comeback was more about cricket fans, arguably the most difficult job in the game. Under good fun. I definitely think there’s a place for this,” personal well-being and he had set himself modest goals, with fresh Dhoni’s captaincy, India won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 Federer said, adding, “It’s competitive, it’s serious memories of compatriot Ian Thorpe’s failed bid to make Australia’s and the 50-over World Cup four years later and remained the but it’s still light-hearted.” Federer’s Indian Aces Olympic team for the London Games. “(Ian) didn’t make comebacks top ranked test team for a year and half in between. But India’s defeated the Singapore Slammers 26 points to 16 in look overly attractive, it was probably more of a deterrent,” Hackett most successful captain has also presided over a series of dis- the competition which has a quickfire format, said in comments published by News Ltd media yesterday. “That is mal away performances. When India beat England at Lord’s in including one-set matches hurried along by a 20- probably why I’m more reserved and more humble because of July, it was their first away test victory in over three years. Dravid second serve clock. Federer, who has never played watching that. “At the age of 34, which is extremely old for swim- is among those who have vouched for Kohli’s leadership in India before, said the experience “was big, it ming particularly after six years off, it becomes a challenge for me in qualities after the 26-year-old led India to a 5-0 ODI was loud, it was different”. —AFP my own mind of ‘how fast can you go at this age?’—Reuters whitewash of Sri Lanka last month.—Reuters Wasps back in the mix after bonus victory over Castres

PARIS: Two-time European Cup winners far right hand corner to make it 12-7 after Wasps roared back into contention for a 14 minutes. quarter-final place with a bonus point 32- Kockott missed the chance to close the 17 win away at ailing French side Castres gap as he hit the bar with one yesterday in the European Champions Cup. attempt and then dragged another wide- Wasps outscored Castres-who have won Goode by contrast slotted one over to just four games this season and are bottom extend the English side’s lead to 15-7. The of the Top 14 table just two years after home team, though, were right back in it being crowned French champions four tries when Remi Lamerat touched down to two. six minutes from half-time-Kockott con- Victory takes Wasps onto seven points, a verted for 15-14. point behind table-topping Pool 2 duo Castres took the lead for the first time in Harlequins and three-time champions the match 14 minutes from time as fullback Leinster, who play each other later. Julien Dumora converted a superb penalty Castres, who last reached the knockout from wide out on the right to go 17-15 up. stages in 2002 when they were beaten by However, Wasps regained the lead Munster in the semi-finals, are rooted to thanks to another penalty from Goode and the bottom with just one point after three the video referee all but assured the games. English club of victory with 10 minutes Wasps got off to a dream start as full- remaining. back Rob Miller touched down in the Instead of awarding a try to Varndell, fourth minute running onto an excellent when he went over in the corner, the offi- grubber kick by Tom Varndell-Andy Goode cial decided that Sitiveni Sivivatu had gone converted for 7-0. high in the tackle and told referee George Castres hit back almost immediately as Clancy to award a penalty try and give the hooker Mathieu Bonnello went over after former All Black a yellow card. Goode con- the ball was worked out wide to the left verted for 25-17 while the Castres coach and Rory Kockott converted for 7-7. spread his arms in disbelief and stared up Ashley Johnson’s quick hands set up at the TV official. Wasps poured on the mis- Wasps Kiwi No8 Nathan Hughes for anoth- ery for the French team adding another try er try in a breathless few minutes as he through Sailosi Tagicakibau which Goode UNIONDALE: Jake Allen No. 34 of the St. Louis Blues makes the first period save on Michael Grabner No. 40 of the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. —AFP brushed off three tackles to go over in the converted. —AFP Blues rally to beat Islanders

Vonn grabs 60th UNIONDALE: Paul Stastny scored twice — includ- Blackhawks took over the Central Division lead. 1996. Mikkel Boedker added a power-play ear- ing the go-ahead goal in the third period — and Colin Wilson had the lone goal for Nashville, which ly in the third period for the Coyotes. the Blues rallied to beat the New York Islanders 6-4, saw its seven-game home winning streak end. Saad World Cup win on Saturday giving relief goaltender Martin scored the game’s first goal at 14:53 of the opening DALLAS 4, CANADIENS 1 Brodeur his first win in a St. Louis uniform. period. Just outside the Nashville blue line, Hossa Dyler Seguin had two goals and an assist to LAKE LOVISE: B Lindsey Vonn put the 22 and pushing my limits,” she said. “I haven’t Stastny’s second goal of the game and his fifth and Duncan Keith forced a turnover by Nashville’s help Dallas beat slumping Montreal, ending a four- hardest months of her career behind her had that until today. It’s finally where it of the season at 13:26 of the third snapped a 4-4 tie Eric Nystrom. Saad carried the puck in on the left game losing streak. Cody Eakin and Ryan Garbutt with a 60th World Cup victory in a downhill should be.” and gave the Blues their first lead. St. Louis fell side and beat Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne also scored for the Stars, who had goals during a 5- at Lake Louise on Saturday and said she While warning not to expect too much behind 3-0 in the first period, then replaced starter with a wrist high to the far side. Hossa doubled on-4 power play, a 5-on-3 advantage, while skating had always believed in her ability to come just yet, the four-times World Cup champi- Jake Allen with Brodeur to start the second. the Chicago lead at 2:48 of the second. 4-on-4 and into an empty net. Kari Lehtonen fin- back The victory was her first in nearly two on is now only two victories short of Brodeur made 14 saves for career win No. 689 ished with 16 saves to earn his first victory since years. Austria’s Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record and his 52nd against the Islanders, the most for the BLUE JACKETS 3, LIGHTNING 1 Nov. 25. Seguin leads the NHL with 21 goals. Sven “I’ve never had that sort of setback like of 62 World Cup wins. 42-year-old goaltender against any team. Brodeur Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves to help Andrighetto scored for Montreal in his NHL debut I’ve had the last two years,” said the “It definitely gives me a lot of confi- stopped Brock Nelson and Anders Lee in front early Columbus beat Tampa Bay for its third straight win. and Carey Price stopped 25 shots. The Canadiens American. “I always believed in myself to dence for the rest of the season,” Vonn said. in the third and was hardly tested late. Boone Jenner, David Savard and Jack Skille scored dropped to 1-5-1 in their last seven games after a come back but I never really knew until “The record is always something that I kind for the Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky lost his shutout bid 16-5-1 start to the season. Dallas limited Montreal today. And today I’m finally back at the top. of think about but it’s not something that PENGUINS 3, SENATORS 2 with 1:13 left in the third on Ondrej Palat’s goal. to a season-low 17 shots after allowing an average ... It’s an amazing day.” motivates me in the summer or when I’m Evgeni Malkin scored twice and Christian The Columbus goalie was coming off a career- and of 38 over the previous six games. A broken shin and two knee operations working hard in my gym. Ehrhoff added the go-ahead goal with 1:50 remain- franchise-best 52 saves in Thursday’s 4-3 shootout were not enough to spoil Vonn’s class and “I’m concentrating on skiing well tomor- ing in the third period to give Penguins win over Florida. MAPLE LEAFS 5, CANUCKS 2 she could not have chosen a better place to row and keep improving,” said Vonn, who a win over Ottawa. With the win, the Penguins The Eastern Conference-leading Lightning had Jonathan Bernier made 44 saves and Toronto return than Lake Louise, where she will be among the favourites in Sunday’s avoided losing consecutive games in regulation their five-game home winning streak end and fell Maple Leafs got goals from five different players in clinched her 15th victory at the resort. “My Super-G. this season and lifted their record against Atlantic to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Bobrovsky had a win over Vancouver. Ryan Miller, whose strong first victory in Lake Louise (in 2004) I was Her comeback was all the more of a cel- Division teams to 8-0-1. David Legwand and Mike 14 saves in the first period, including an in-close play has been a big part of the Canucks’ resur- more surprised and happy. It’s a completely ebration as she found herself on the podi- Zibanejad scored for the Senators. The loss was chance by Brenden Morrow. Bobrovsky also gence, gave up four goals on 14 shots before giv- Ottawa’s fifth in a row. The Senators, 1-6-1 in their stopped excellent scoring chances by Brian Boyle, different feeling,” said the girlfriend of um with two U.S. Ski Team mates, Stacey ing way to Eddie Lack. One of those was an own past eight games, were coming off a 2-1 loss at Palat and Steven Stamkos during the second. golfer Tiger Woods who had not raced at Cook and Julia Mancuso, a first top-three goal put in by Yannick Weber. The Canucks outshot home Thursday against the New York Islanders that World Cup level for 349 days. It only took finish for Americans in the World Cup. “I the Leafs 46-28. Jake Gardiner got credit on included an emotional retirement ceremony for RED WINGS 3, RANGERS 2 her a dress rehearsal in Friday’s first down- think our team is very strong right now,” Weber’s mistake, and Richard Panik, Peter Holland longtime Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson. Darren Helm and Detroit rallied to beat New hill, in which she finished eighth, to find her said Vonn, noting the prospect of the world and Joffrey Lupul scored for the Leafs, who York and give coach Mike Babcock his 500th career marks. “Every day’s gotten a little bit better championships at home in Vail in February rebounded from a poor effort Thursday night here. I’m finally back when I’m confident would be a special motivation. —Reuters FLYERS 2, KINGS 1 victory. Helm’s wrist shot past Cam Talbot broke a Steve Mason made 37 saves and Philadelphia 2-2 tie midway through the third period and against the . David Clarkson got goals from Claude Giroux and Wayne capped a three-goal comeback that lifted the Red added an empty-netter. Daniel Sedin and Simmonds in victory over Los Angeles, snapping a Wings to their second straight win. Jimmy Howard Christopher Tanev had Vancouver’s goals. Lack six-game losing streak. had 27 saves. Cam Talbot made 31 saves for the stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief for the The victory was only the second in 12 games for Rangers, who lost after a four-day layoff. Kevin Canucks, who continue their Eastern Conference the Flyers, who avoided tying the franchise record Klein opened the scoring and Rick Nash added his tour Sunday night when they visit the Ottawa of 10 consecutive road losses. Justin Williams 17th goal to send New York to the first intermission Senators. scored for the defending champions with a 2-0 lead but Detroit’s Riley Sheahan and and Jonathan Quick faced only 16 shots. The Kings Luke Glendening scored a minute apart in the sec- SHARKS 3, FLAMES 2 were scoreless on the power play against a penal- ond to tie the score. Logan Couture scored and set up Patrick ty-killing unit that came in with the league-worst Marleau’s tiebreaking goal as San Jose beat Calgary 74.4 success rate. BRUINS 5, COYOTES 2 Flames. Justin Braun also scored for the Sharks and Brad Marchand scored twice, Tuukka Rask Antti Niemi finished with 33 saves. Mark Giordano CAPITALS 4, DEVILS 1 stopped 31 shots and Boston used a quick start to and Johnny Gaudreau scored for Calgary, which and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored 3:25 beat reeling Arizona and avoid a winless road trip. snapped its four-game winning streak. Karri Ramo apart in the second period and Braden Holtby Kevan Miller, Simon Gagne and Loui Eriksson also stopped 27 shots and snapped a personal six-game stopped 33 shots to lead over scored for Boston, which won at Arizona for the win streak. Marleau scored the winner at 9:18 of New Jersey Devils. fifth straight time and finished 1-3 on its western the third period on a unique play. When Couture Karl Alzner and Brooks Laich also scored for trip. Marchand scored 58 seconds in and added his swatted at the puck behind the net, it deflected Washington, which improved to 12-10-4. The team-best eighth goal late in the second period off the stick of Flames defenseman Giordano and Capitals have won two straight and three of their that chased Coyotes goalie Devan Dubnyk. went high into the air, sailed over top of the last five. Patrik Elias scored and Cory Schneider had Joe Vitale’s second-period goal ended Arizona’s Calgary net and came down right in front of 25 saves while starting for the 25th time in New 185:34 scoring drought at home. The Coyotes lost Marleau. Marleau then batted the puck out of the Jersey’s 27 games this season. The Devils have lost their seventh straight on home ice for the longest air past Ramo, who had no idea where the puck eight of their last 10 and are 3-5-1 against home skid since the franchise moved to Arizona in was. —AP Metropolitan Division teams. New Jersey dropped to 3-4-3 at Prudential Center, having played the NHL results/standings fewest home games of any NHL team this season. Washington took control with the two goals in the Pittsburgh 3, Ottawa 2; St. Louis 6, NY Islanders 4; Philadelphia 2, Los Angeles 1; Toronto 5, Vancouver 2; Detroit 3, NY second period to take a 3-1 lead. Laich’s empty-net- Rangers 2; Columbus 3, Tampa Bay 1; Florida 3, Buffalo 2; Washington 4, New Jersey 1; Chicago 3, Nashville 1; Dallas 4, ter with 23 seconds remaining capped the scoring. Montreal 1; Boston 5, Arizona 2; San Jose 3, Calgary 2. Western Conference Eastern Conference PANTHERS 3, SABRES 2 Pacific Division Atlantic Division Nick Bjugstad scored late in the second period W L OTL GF GA PTS Tampa Bay 18 7 3 98 72 39 and rookie Aaron Ekblad had three assists to lift Detroit 16 6 5 85 69 37 Anaheim 17 6 5 81 76 39 Montreal 17 10 2 74 76 36 Florida over Buffalo. Tomas Kopecky and Brad Vancouver 18 8 1 84 74 37 Toronto 14 9 3 89 79 31 Boyes also scored for the Panthers Roberto Luongo Calgary 17 9 2 89 72 36 Boston 15 12 1 72 72 31 made 26 saves. Brian Gionta and Drew Stafford Los Angeles 14 8 5 72 59 33 Florida 11 7 7 56 64 29 Ottawa 10 11 5 66 71 25 scored for Buffalo and Michal Neuvirth stopped 34 San Jose 14 10 4 80 77 32 Arizona 10 15 3 66 90 23 Buffalo 9 16 2 47 85 20 shots. The Panthers are 4-1-1 in their past five Metropolitan Division Edmonton 6 15 5 58 90 17 games and have won five in a row over Buffalo Pittsburgh 18 6 2 85 60 38 Central Division NY Islanders 19 8 0 86 74 38 going back to last season. Chicago 18 8 1 85 53 37 Washington 12 10 4 74 71 28 Nashville 17 7 2 70 54 36 NY Rangers 11 10 4 73 73 26 BLACKHAWKS 3, PREDATORS 1 St. Louis 17 8 2 76 63 36 New Jersey 10 13 4 64 79 24 Philadelphia 9 13 4 68 82 22 Marian Hossa scored two goals to lead Chicago Winnipeg 14 9 4 61 60 32 Columbus 9 15 2 61 88 20 over Nashville. Brandon Saad had a goal and an Minnesota 14 10 1 71 61 29 Carolina 8 14 3 57 71 19 assist for Chicago, which won its sixth game in a Dallas 10 12 5 79 95 25 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the ALBERTA: Lindsey Vonn of the United States, races down the course during the wom- Colorado 9 12 6 72 89 24 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). enís World Cup downhill ski race in Lake Louise. Vonn won the race. —AP row and ninth in the last 10. With the win, the