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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 SPORTS

McLaren to announce drivers laments absence Feng leads in Dubai LONDON: McLaren could put a spring in Jenson Button’s step, or bring : ‘powerhouse’ Malaysia lamented their DUBAI: China’s Feng Shanshan, the highest ranked player in the field at down the curtain on the 2009 world champion’s Formula One career, today absence from next week’s $1 million Super Series Masters Finals in Dubai world number 5, overcame a mystery illness to master the tough afternoon when they are expected to announce their 2015 driver lineup. The team, and warned the current crop of shuttlers to buck up their ideas or risk conditions and join Sweden’s Carin Koch on top of the leaderboard at the who are starting a new partnership with Honda and have yet to announce a being axed. With world number one Lee Chong Wei suspended for a dop- end of the opening day’s play yesterday of the 500,000 euros Dubai Ladies title sponsor, called a news conference at their Woking headquarters for “an ing violation, Malaysia will have no representatives at the prestigious Dec. Masters. In the season-ending championship of the Ladies European Tour important and exclusive media event”. No details were given, 17-21 end-of-season event for the top eight men, women and doubles (LET), Feng closed with a 12-footer birdie on the final hole of the Majlis and McLaren gave no further indications when contacted, teams. “We are one of the badminton powerhouses but it is sad that we will course for a six-under par round of 66, a mark that had been but the move was interpreted by an expectant media as not have any Malaysian in this major BWF tournament for the first time. set in the morning group by the 43-year-old Koch. evidence a driver decision had been reached at last This should not happen again,” Badminton Association of Malaysia deputy Unlike Feng, Koch had started her round from the after a board meeting last week ended without news. president Norza Zakaria was quoted as saying in local newspapers yester- 10th hole, and could have finished as sole leader after Button’s future has been the big question in the day. Lee won the men’s singles title at four of the six editions, with other the eight-birdie round but for a dropped shot on her clos- sport for months, with the 34-year-old Briton out of Malaysian successes coming only in the early years. ing hole. contract and McLaren the only team yet to name their Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui took the first two women’s doubles In the race to become the new European number one, drivers. crowns, and Tan Boon Heong the inaugural men’s champi- England’s Charley Hull started her campaign in excellent One is sure to be Spain’s double world champion onship in 2008 and Wong Mew Choo the women’s singles in 2009. Norza fashion with a five-under par 67. That round gave her a two- Fernando Alonso, already replaced at Ferrari by said Malaysia had become too dependent on Lee, who was provisionally shot advantage over her nearest rival for the Order of Merit four times titleholder Sebastian Vettel but suspended by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) last month for an crown, Gwladys Nocera of France. Winner of last week’s whose return has yet to be confirmed offi- “apparent” anti-doping violation. The 32-year-old, twice Commonwealth Women’s Indian Open, Nocera needs to make 22,716 cially by McLaren despite being an open Games champion and double Olympic silver medallist, appealed the ver- euros more than Hull this week and she opened with a secret.—Reuters dict and is awaiting the decision.—Reuters steady three-under par 69.—AFP Devils fall to Blackhawks, Wild win

NEWARK: Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored in a shootout, and the Chicago Blackhawks rallied late to earn their seventh straight victory with a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night. Bryan Bickell and Duncan Keith had goals in regulation for Chicago, whose winning streak matches the NHL high for this season. Scott Darling made 22 saves, including two stops in the shootout. The loss spoiled the first NHL start for Devils goalie Keith Kincaid, who made 37 saves. Jordin Tootoo and Stephen Gionta scored for New Jersey. and Steve Bernier added two assists for the Devils, who were trying for back to back wins.

BLUE JACKETS 3, FLYERS 2 Kevin Connauton scored his first goal of the season at 1:58 of overtime to lift Columbus past Philadelphia for its fourth straight win. Boone Jenner scored in his career-best fourth straight game, and Scott Hartnell also had a goal. Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves. Brayden Schenn had both goals for the Flyers, including one after a video review with 55.3 sec- onds left in the third period. Mason stopped 21 shots. Columbus’ longest winning streak of the season follows a six-game skid that was part of a 2-13-2 stretch. Connauton played his seventh game since being picked up off waivers from Dallas on Nov. 18. The Flyers, playing the last of a five-game, 11-day trip, had lost 10 of 11 before beating Los Angeles on Saturday.

WILD 5, ISLANDERS 4 Nino Niederreiter tapped in the go-ahead goal with 4:33 left and capped a furious come- back by Minnesota in a win over the New York Islanders. The Wild trailed 3-0 after the first peri- od and 4-1 at the second intermission, but they were fired up midway through the game. Defenseman Keith Ballard was sent to a hospital after his head bounced hard on the ice, following a hit from Matt Martin. Jason Pominville, Mikko Koivu, Erik Haula and Thomas Vanek scored for the Wild, and Niederreiter followed with the most dramatic goal against the team that chose him No. 5 in the 2010 draft. Chad Johnson made 25 saves for the Islanders, who lost their second straight after leading 3-0 in the first. Michael Grabner, Brock Nelson and Martin scored early for the Islanders, and Josh Bailey gave them a 4-1 lead on their lone shot of the second period. Niklas Backstrom made 15 saves for the Wild, who outshot the Islanders 27-8 over the final two periods. NEWARK: The puck enters the net of New Jersey Devils goalkeeper Keith Kinkaid (1) on a shot by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) as Devils’ Mike Sislo (32) tries to defend during the third period of an NHL hockey game. —AP SABRES 1, KINGS 0 Tyler Ennis’ third-period, power-play goal lift- Washington also got goals from Matt Niskanen, his NHL-leading 22nd goal, and Antoine Roussel the first period, and Phil Kessel and Mike Gabriel Bourque and James Neal scored empty- ed Buffalo to a win over Los Angeles Kings on Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer. Ovechkin has 37 also scored for Dallas. Santorelli had empty-net goals in the final net goals in the closing minutes for the Tuesday night. Jhonas Enroth made 34 saves for goals and 74 points in 56 games against Tampa Lowry’s first goal broke a 2-2 tie as his low minute. Markus Granlund got the Flames on the Predators, who avoided their first two-game los- his first shutout since April 13, 2013, and the Bay. Ovechkin opened the scoring 40 seconds in shot got past Trevor Daley’s sliding block board with a power-play goal early in the third to ing streak of the season. Sabres kept up their home mastery of the Kings. when he beat Ben Bishop from in-close. He attempt and between goalie Kari Lehtonen’s legs make it 2-1. Jonas Hiller had 25 saves as Calgary Forsberg scored the 12th goal of his rookie Los Angeles is 1-11-1-1 in its last 14 games in added his 436th goal, one shy of tying Pavel Bure at 7:22 of the second. lost consecutive games in regulation for the first season, and Rinne did the rest in stopping 26 Buffalo. Jonathan Quick had a shutout streak of for 66th place the NHL career list, with an empty- The Stars then pulled Lehtonen, and Lowry time this season. Calgary had a 33-29 shots shots. He has won eight of his past 10 starts, lim- 119 minutes, 54 seconds against Buffalo netter. Steven Stamkos scored his 250th goal for scored on a rebound against backup Jussi advantage. Toronto, coming off a 3-2 loss to San iting opponents to two goals or fewer in those snapped by Ennis. Quick blanked the Sabres on the Lightning, who have lost three of four. The Rynnas at 9:41. Frolik’s short-handed goal with Jose that snapped a four-game winning streak, games. Calvin Pickard made 33 saves in place of Oct. 23 in Los Angeles. Tampa Bay captain became the 10th youngest 40 seconds remaining in the period capped the finished its homestand 4-1 and improved to 6-1- Semyon Varlamov, who missed his 10th game of The Sabres snapped a two-game losing streak NHL player to reach the milestone at 24 years, scoring. Lehtonen stopped 14 of the 17 shots he 1 following consecutive lopsided losses to the season after aggravating a groin injury dur- and won their third straight at home. The 305 days. Brian Boyle and Valtteri Filppula had faced, and Rynnas finished with 13 saves on 15 Buffalo and Nashville. ing practice on Monday. The Avalanche fell to 0- defending champion Kings lost consecutive other Tampa Bay goals. shots. The Stars dropped to 0-7-3 against Central 3-1 in December after winning five of their last games for the fourth time this season. Division opponents. CANADIENS 3, CANUCKS 1 seven in November. JETS 5, STARS 2 Tomas Plekanec scored the go-ahead goal CAPITALS 5, LIGHTNING 3 Winnipeg rookie Adam Lowry scored twice in MAPLE LEAFS 4, FLAMES 1 late in the third period to lead Montreal over SHARKS 5, OILERS 2 Braden Holtby made 33 saves, Alex Ovechkin the second period to lead the Jets over Dallas. Jonathan Bernier stopped 32 shots, James Vancouver. Brendan Gallagher and Max Joe Pavelski scored two goals, and San Jose scored twice to break out of a four-game Mathieu Perreault, Blake Wheeler and Michael van Riemsdyk scored the winning goal early in Pacioretty also scored for the Canadiens, who bounced back from a loss at Edmonton to win drought, and Washington beat Tampa Bay to Frolik also scored for Winnipeg. Michael the second period, and Toronto topped Calgary. snapped a three-game losing streak. Carey Price the back end of the home-and-home set. complete a perfect three-game road trip. Hutchinson stopped 26 shots. Tyler Seguin had Toronto’s Peter Holland scored midway through stopped 15 shots. Derek Dorsett scored and Ryan Barclay Goodrow, Logan Couture and Brent Miller made 21 saves as Vancouver finished a 3-3- Burns also scored for the Sharks, who have won 1 road trip. Plekanec scored the tiebreaking goal five of six with the only loss coming on Sunday in with 4:16 remaining. Before the game, the Edmonton to the worst team in the Western Prosecutors win bid to appeal Pistorius verdict Canadiens honored the late Jean Beliveau with a Conference. PRETORIA: South African prosecutors yester- viction. The decision could leave Pistorius Mncube said. The NPA was criticised over the video tribute, moment of silence, and lengthy Alex Stalock made 25 saves as he started con- day won their bid to appeal the culpable homi- open to a prison sentence of at least 15 years if orginal conviction against Pistorius and faced standing ovation. secutive games for the first time since last March. cide verdict handed down to athlete Oscar he is convicted of murder. “I cannot say the further disdain this week for bungling the mur- Jordan Eberle, David Perron scored for the Oilers, Pistorius for killing his girlfriend Reeva prospect of success at the Supreme Court is der case against British national Shrien PREDATORS 3, AVALANCHE 0 who were unable to carry over the momentum Steenkamp and will now seek a murder con- remote,” Judge Thokozile Masipa said in granti- Dewani, who was cleared on Monday of con- Filip Forsberg scored 2:23 in and added a late from their 2-1 win over the Sharks that snapped ng the appeal. spiring to kill his wife during their honeymoon assist, and Pekka Rinne earned his third shutout an 11-game losing streak. Ben Scrivens made 19 The Olympic and Paralympic track star, in Cape Town. of the season as Nashville blanked Colorado. saves. —AP aged 28, is currently serving prison time after The matter that will be heard next year will being convicted in October of culpable homi- evaluate if Masipa’s ruling based on the legal cide after a seven-month trial. principle of ‘dolus eventualis’ was correctly NHL results/standings He has admitted killing Steenkamp on applied and if prosecutors succeed, they can Feb.14, 2013, by firing four shots into the demand a stiffer sentence. Masipa’s original Chicago 3, New Jersey 2 (So); Columbus 3, Philadelphia 2 (OT); Toronto 4, Calgary 1; Montreal 3, Vancouver 1; locked door of a toilet cubicle in what he said decision to rule out murder was criticised by Washington 5, Tampa Bay 3; Buffalo 1, Los Angeles 0; Minnesota 5, NY Islanders 4; Winnipeg 5, Dallas 2; Nashville was the mistaken belief an intruder was hiding several legal experts and the Women’s League 3, Colorado 0; San Jose 5, Edmonton 2. behind it. Masipa said during sentencing that of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Western Conference Tampa Bay 18 8 3 101 77 39 the state failed to convince her of Pistorius’ as an erroneous interpretation of the law. By Pacific Division Montreal 18 10 2 77 77 38 WLOTLGFGAPTS Toronto 15 9 3 93 80 33 intent to kill when he fired. But state prosecu- the time the appeal is heard before a panel of Anaheim 18 6 5 85 79 41 tor Gerrie Nel said in his application to appeal South Africa’s most senior judges, Pistorius, Boston 15 12 1 72 72 31 Vancouver 18 9 2 88 81 38 Florida 11 8 7 58 68 29 that the judgement was “shockingly inappro- who did not attend the appeal process, could Calgary 17 10 2 90 76 36 Ottawa 11 11 5 70 74 27 priate” and argued that even if Pistorius did not be out of prison as his five-year sentence only San Jose 15 11 4 86 81 34 Buffalo 10 16 2 48 85 22 know Steenkamp was behind the door when Los Angeles 14 9 5 72 60 33 requires that he serves 10 months behind bars Metropolitan Division he fired, he showed intent to kill whoever was and the balance under house arrest. Pistorius, Arizona 10 15 3 66 90 23 Edmonton 7 16 5 62 96 19 Pittsburgh 18 6 3 88 64 39 there. In granting the application, Masipa said whose lower legs were amputated as a baby, Central Division NY Islanders 19 9 0 90 79 38 the prosecution’s points were questions of law became one of the world’s most celebrated Chicago 19 8 1 88 55 39 Washington 13 10 4 79 74 30 and should therefore go to the Supreme Court athletes after he became a Paralympic champi- Nashville 18 7 2 73 54 38 NY Rangers 12 10 4 77 76 28 of Appeal for consideration. on then took part in the 2012 Olympics and St. Louis 18 8 2 80 65 38 New Jersey 11 13 5 68 83 27 PRETORIA: South African judge Thokozile South Africa’s National Prosecuting other international events. The killing of Winnipeg 15 9 5 69 66 35 Philadelphia 9 13 5 70 85 23 Minnesota 15 10 1 76 65 31 Masipa delivers judgement during the Authority (NPA) welcomed the decision. “Our Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law grad- Columbus 10 15 2 64 90 22 appeal by prosecutors against the verdict Dallas 10 13 5 81 100 25 argument was that he should have been con- uate, led to one of the most sensational trials Colorado 9 13 6 72 92 24 Carolina 8 16 3 59 76 19 and sentence of South African Paralympic victed of murder. That is, of course, what we in South Africa’s recent history and cost him his Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in athlete Oscar Pistorius in the North would like to happen,” NPA spokesman Nathi reputation and his fortune.—Reuters Atlantic Division the standings and are not included in the loss col- Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. —AFP Detroit 17 6 5 88 70 39 umn (L).