SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017 SPORTS IOC joins talks to get NHL players in 2018 Olympics

LOS ANGELES: The four top stakehold- March in Korea,” Fasel told reporters at being of our players, whether or not agreement. “We all want see the best tion in Detroit as he and the rest of the ers in the discussion over whether NHL NHL offices in New York. “We need to there’s fatigue. From our standpoint, I players at the Olympic Winter Games New York Islanders prepared for a game players will participate in the Winter know about the accommodation. We think the clubs are very much focused Pyeongchang 2018, and we know the against the Red Wings. Tavares, a union Olympics in South Korea next year met need to know about the transportation. on disruption to the NHL season.” players feel the same,” Bach said. representative, said the topic seems to without resolution Friday, with one The sooner we know, the better we “Therefore, we hope even more that the be a bargaining chip between the warning that time is running short to can prepare the conditions for the NHL DIFFERENCE OF OPINION international federation and the NHL league and players. “It can be used as a make a decision. players and the NHL.” Players, it seems universally, want to will reach a solution to make the sensitive issue,” he said. “You can make Thomas Bach, the president of the Bettman and NHL team owners participate in a sixth straight Olympics. Olympic dreams of the players come the argument on the negative impact it International Olympic Committee, for appear willing to skip the Pyeongchang “There’s a shared interest in develop- true.” The IIHF has come up with the can make during the regular season, but the first time joined International Ice Games in 2018 and possibly resume ing our game with international play,” money needed to cover travel and insur- then globally, the positive impact it can Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel, Olympic participation in China four Fehr said in a telephone interview. “We ance costs for players, Fasel said, sug- make. There’s a lot of talk about China NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and years later, assuming the IOC would have a difference of opinion with the gesting other issues are more important. and preseason games and the growth NHL Players’ Association Executive allow that to happen. They don’t want to owners about where the Olympics fit in, The Olympics has become part of the there when the Olympics go there. We’ll Director Don Fehr at a meeting in New shut their season down without tangible particularly in South Korea.” NHL labor situation. The league recently see what happens. There’s a lot of mov- York. With league owners reluctant to benefits, and the 14-hour time differ- Fehr said Bach’s presence was a posi- asked if the union would eliminate its ing parts.” Capitals center Nicklas put next season on hiatus for nearly ence and relatively small market in tive sign. “It was good that he came and opt-out option in 2019 and extend the Backstrom said the Olympics is a unique three weeks against the wishes of their South Korea are not enticing. showed interest,” Fehr told The labor pact three years through the event and is eager to return to a third own players, it’s clear that hurdles “The focus from the clubs’ standpoint Associated Press. “We had a frank discus- 20242025 season in exchange for partic- Games. “This is an event, huge in the remain with 12 months to go. is what does this disruption to our sea- sion without any agreements.” ipating in the 2018 Olympics. The union whole world. I don’t see why we have to Fasel said the group may need to get son mean?” Bettman said. “Clubs are While the IOC got involved in the refused. give something up now. I think just play back together soon and set a deadline. “I very concerned about the competitive- talks, Bach made it clear the other three More than 400 miles away from the for your country in a big event all over have a coordination commission in ness of our season, the health and well- parties will have to come up with an meeting, John Tavares was paying atten- the world,” he said. — AP

De Villiers steers S Africa to ODI series win over S Lanka

JOHANNESBURG: AB de Villiers struck an on. Only two other batsmen managed unbeaten half-century to steer South double-figures as Sri Lanka lost 10 wickets Africa to a series-winning seven wicket vic- for 103 runs to record another low score tory over Sri Lanka in the third one-day on what has been a dismal tour with the international at The Wanderers yesterday. bat. The players left the field for more than In a game that was delayed for over an an hour with Sri Lanka on 117 for four in hour by a swarm of bees that took up resi- the 27th over as a swarm of bees descend- dence on the pitch, South Africa won the ed on the stadium and had the fielders toss and sent the tourists in to bat, restrict- dropping to the floor in panic. ing them to 163 all out in 39.2 overs. The unwanted guests were finally The dominant home side, playing in a coaxed away with buckets filled with hon- changed pink kit in aid of breast cancer ey and the match could resume. Seamer awareness, eased to victory with a full 18 Dwaine Pretorius (3-19), recalled to the overs to spare as De Villiers led the way side in the place of all-rounder Wayne with 60 from 61 balls. He put on an Parnell, posted career-best figures in his unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 72 with JP fourth ODI. Duminy (28) to guide South Africa to an Quinton de Kock (eight) failed again unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. with the bat at the top of the home side’s South Africa have now won their last 12 order, but Hashim Amla (34) and Faf du ODIs at home, a record for the country. Plessis (24) steadied the innings before Niroshan Dickwella (74) and Upul captain De Villiers compiled his 49th ODI Tharanga (31) had managed 60 for the first half-century to finish the job. The next wicket for Sri Lanka as they made a posi- match will be played in Cape Town on tive start but, once seamer Tuesday before the series concludes in (2-39) removed the latter, the collapse was Pretoria on Friday. —Reuters

SCOREBOARD

JOHANNESBURG: Scores in the third one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka (3w), Pretorius 7-2-19-3, Duminy 3-0-17-0, NEWARK: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Calgary Flames watches the game tying goal by Matt Stajan #18 (not shown) go in the net past Cory N. Dickwella c De Kock b Pretorius 74 Phehlukwayo 5-0-26-2 (2w), Imran Tahir 9.2-1-21-2 Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Friday in Newark, New Jersey. The Flames defeated the Devils 4-3 in over- U. Tharanga c Pretorius b Rabada 31 time. —AFP K. Mendis c Amla b Phehlukwayo 4 South Africa D. Chandimal c Morris b Phehlukwayo 4 Q. de Kock b Kumara 8 D. de Silva c Amla b Morris 16 H. Amla run out (Madushanka) 34 A. Gunaratne c Pretorius b Rabada 2 F. du Plessis c De Silva b Madushanka 24 Kessel’s OT winner lifts S. Pathirana b Imran Tahir 18 A. de Villiers not out 60 L. Madushanka c Du Plessis b Pretorius 0 J. Duminy not out 28 S. Lakmal c Behardien b Pretorius 0 Extras (lb1, nb1, w8) 10 L. Kumara c Rabada b Imran Tahir 5 Total (3 wkts, 32 overs) 164 L. Sandakan not out 0 Penguins over Blue Jackets Did not bat: F. Behardien, C. Morris, D. Pretorius, A. Extras (lb3, w6) 9 Phehlukwayo, K. Rabada, Imran Tahir Total (39.2 overs) 163 Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Tharanga), 2-75 (Mendis), 3- Fall of wickets: 1-23 (De Kock), 2-58 (Du Plessis), 3- COLUMBUS: A goal at 3:15 of overtime by Phil 89 (Chandimal), 4-115 (De Silva), 5-125 92 (Amla) Kessel gave the Pittsburgh a win over the NHL results/standings (Gunaratne), 6-149 (Dickwella), 7-149 Bowling: Lakmal 6-1-23-0 (1w), Kumara 8-0-49-1 Columbus at PPG Paints Arena on Friday. (Madushanka), 8-155 (Lakmal), 9-158 (Pathirana), (1nb, 5w), Madushanka 4-0-15-1, Sandakan 6-0- Working on the lone power play of the contest, Florida 2, Anaheim 1; Calgary 4, New Jersey 3 (OT); Detroit 5, NY Islanders 4; Carolina 2, Edmonton 1; Pittsburgh 4, 10-163 (Kumara) 33-0 (1w), Pathirana 7-0-35-0 (1w), De Silva 1-0-8-0 Kessel dealt a pass from the high slot to Columbus 3 (OT). Result: South Africa won by seven wickets. Bowling: Rabada 7-0-39-2 (1w), Morris 8-0-38-1 defenseman Kris Letang in the right circle. Western Conference Ottawa 27 16 6 137 131 60 Letang swatted a one-timer, which was Central Division blocked by Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner. Boston 26 22 6 138 143 58 WLOTLGFGAPTS Florida 23 19 10 124 143 56 The puck deflected to Kessel low in the right Minnesota 33 12 5 166 116 71 Toronto 23 17 9 149 144 55 circle. He was able to chip a wrister past the Chicago 31 17 5 147 138 67 glove hand of Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Nashville 25 18 8 142 134 58 Detroit 21 21 9 131 152 51 Bobrovsky. The goal was Kessel’s second of the St. Louis 25 21 5 146 158 55 Buffalo 20 20 10 121 143 50 game. Nick Bonino and Patric Hornqvist also Winnipeg 25 25 4 159 167 54 Tampa Bay 22 24 6 141 155 50 Dallas 21 21 10 144 164 52 Metropolitan Division scored for the Penguins (32-13-5) while Matt Colorado 13 33 2 94 166 28 Washington 34 11 6 167 112 74 Murray made 28 saves. Pacific Division San Jose 33 17 2 142 118 68 Columbus 33 12 5 169 122 71 FLAMES 4, DEVILS 3 (OT) Anaheim 28 16 9 139 132 65 Pittsburgh 32 13 5 180 146 69 Mikael Backlund’s goal 1:13 into overtime lift- Edmonton 28 18 8 155 141 64 NY Rangers 32 18 1 173 136 65 ed Calgary to a victory over New Jersey at the Calgary 27 24 3 143 153 57 Philadelphia 26 20 6 144 161 58 Prudential Center. The Devils carried a 3-2 lead Los Angeles 26 21 4 131 123 56 NY Islanders 22 18 9 143 143 53 Vancouver 23 22 6 120 144 52 Carolina 23 20 7 133 142 53 into the third period, but Calgary forged a tie on Arizona 16 28 6 113 159 38 Matt Stajan’s goal at 7:22. T.J. Brodie assisted on Eastern Conference New Jersey 21 21 10 120 151 52 all four goals and Brian Elliott finished with 26 Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the saves for the Flames (27-24-3), who have won Montreal 30 15 7 156 130 67 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). three in a row.

HURRICANES 2, OILERS 1 Sebastian Aho scored 1:48 into the third period on a power play as Carolina defeated ICC moves closer Edmonton at PNC Arena. Aho took defenseman Justin Faulk’s pass and converted on a one- timer from the right side. Aho has four goals in to Test shake-up a two-game stretch, coming off a hat trick Tuesday night against Philadelphia. He has 16 JOHANNESBURG: Sri Lanka’s batsman Niroshan Dickwella plays a shot during the goals this season, just two behind Jeff Skinner LONDON: The International Council has tions to the future structure of bilateral cricket third (ODI) match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at for the team lead. moved closer to a radical shake-up to pave the ranging from the status quo to two tier leagues Wanderers cricket ground yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa. The South African way for Afghanistan and Ireland to become Test and every possible option in-between.” team and the wickets are in pink to mark World Cancer Awarness day yesterday. —AP PANTHERS 2, DUCKS 1 nations and restrict the power of the ‘Big Three’ The former South Africa wicket-keeper Jonathan Huberdeau scored the winning of India, England and Australia. added: “The model the group has agreed on goal off an assist from Aleksander Barkov-both Following a meeting at its Dubai headquar- enables us to provide context for all three for- players fresh off the injured list-to lead Florida ters, cricket’s global governing body said yester- mats of the game and in the case of the ODI and past Anaheim at the BB&T Center. Skating four- day it had reached “agreement in principle to T20 solutions the approach goes beyond the full South Africa launches on-four, Barkov got control of the puck on the constitutional and financial change, further members and aligns bilateral cricket with quali- left wing after a Keith Yandle stretch pass. Barkov progress on future international cricket struc- fication for ICC events.” centered the puck to Huberdeau, who didn’t tures and agreement around the consistent use ‘global’ T20 league look rusty at all, elevating the puck and getting of DRS (the Decision Review System).” PROMOTING EQUALITY it past Anaheim goalie John Gibson’s glove with Among key proposals are that the top nine In 2014, control of the ICC was effectively JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa we have chosen will make it possible for 4:58 left in the second period. This was the sea- Test-playing countries will compete among ceded to the ‘Big Three’ with many observers yesterday announced plans for a franchises to attract top-class players to son debut for Huberdeau, who severed an themselves in a rolling two-year league and arguing they took too large a share of the Twenty20 league which it hopes will South Africa,” said CSA chief executive Achilles tendon in Florida’s final exhibition game. against the three lower-ranked teams. game’s global revenue. attract major international investment Haroon Lorgat. Plans for the league were Barkov hadn’t played since suffering a back Those three would comprise Zimbabwe, with But under the guidance of India’s Shashank Ireland and Afghanistan also in line to become Manohar, the current ICC chairman, the govern- and big-name players. revealed to International Cricket Council injury on Dec. 28. Last season, Barkov had career full or Test members provided, the ICC said, they ing body has been trying to curb the power of The #T20 Global League appears to member countries during ICC meetings highs in goals (28) and assists (31). Huberdeau met “membership criteria”. the ‘Big Three’. The ICC said the “broader princi- be based on the successful Indian in Dubai which ended on Friday. had career highs in goals (20) and points (59). Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash “Our vision is to drive the creation of Meanwhile a 13-team one-day international ples” that have been agreed included a “revised league would be run over a three-year period financial distribution ensuring a more equitable League, although there were limited a new T20 destination league in South RED WINGS 5, ISLANDERS 4 details about the structure of the tour- Africa that would energise the sport of leading into qualification for the 2023 World distribution of revenues” and the “equal weight The Red Wings started slowly but they fin- nament. Eight franchises will be sold cricket in South Africa by creating a Cup. Plans are also in place for a regional of votes for all board members regardless of ished with a bang. A point shot by Detroit and the teams are expected to be city- global platform for the best-in-class to Twenty20 competition structure to be devel- membership status”. “Today was an important defenseman Danny DeKeyser pinballed off the based, with the tournament being perform and showcase their talent to a oped as a pathway to qualification for the ICC step forward for the future of the ICC and cricket played in late 2017, when all South global audience,” said CSA president legs of New York Islanders defensemen Nick World T20. The ICC statement said: “A schedul- around the world,” said Manohar. Africa’s leading players and many world Chris Nenzani. Leddy and Thomas Hickey and into the net with ing summit will now be held in March before a “The proposals from the working group to stars are likely to be available. A tender “We have received a very favourable 27.9 seconds left in regulation time, giving the detailed proposal is put to the ICC board in reverse the resolutions of 2014 and deliver a has been issued with a deadline of response to our plans from the ICC and Red Wings a victory. It was DeKeyser’s first goal April.” The aim is to provide greater “context” for revised constitution and financial model were March 3 for expressions of interest. member boards and look to their sup- in 21 games, since he scored the overtime win- bilateral matches and ICC chief executive David accepted by the ICC board and now we will “We are confident that the window port.” —AFP ner at New York against the Islanders in a 4-3 win Richardson added: “The ICC chief executives’ work collectively to refine the detail for final on Dec 4. — Reuters committee has explored a whole range of solu- sign-off in April. — AFP