WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 SPORTS NHL places USA’s young stars’ Olympic aspirations on hold BUFFALO: Whatever aspirations Buffalo Sabres sec- The NHLPA said in a statement that players are ond-year center Jack Eichel had of representing the “extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly dis- United States at the Winter Olympics have been put agree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision.” on indefinite hold. Same goes for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ rookie-of-the-year candidate Auston MORE CONCESSIONS Matthews. The NHL closed the door on USA The NHL had allowed its players to participate in Hockey’s next generation of stars - and the league’s the past five Olympics dating to 1998. players from every other nation, for that matter - The league said no meaningful dialogue had from playing on the international stage by abruptly emerged in talks with the NHLPA, International announcing it wouldn’t compete at the 2018 Winter Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Games in South Korea. Federation. Even after the IIHF had agreed to pay for The stunning reality of the decision announced players’ travel and insurance costs when the IOC on Monday began hitting home for Eichel following refused, the NHL had been looking for more conces- Buffalo’s 4-2 loss to Toronto. “It’s a little bit disap- sions that were believed to include marketing pointing as a player who takes a lot of pride in repre- opportunities tied to the Games. senting his country and who’s done it before,” Eichel The IOC said yesterday it “feels very sorry for the said. “As a young kid just breaking into the league it’s athletes,” but could not give the NHL special favors. something I definitely watched growing up and “The IOC, which distributes 90 percent of its revenue looked forward to.” The news hurt even more for for the development of sport in the world, obviously Eichel when recalling how he and Matthews showed cannot treat a national commercial league better glimpses of their potential a mere six months earlier than not-for-profit international sports federations playing together on Team North America at the which are developing sport globally,” the Olympic World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. body said in a statement. “As a league, we’re trying to grow our game all The league wanted the matter resolved before SOCHI: In this Feb. 15, 2014, file photo, Russia goaltender Semyon Varlamov, front, and Russia for- over the world. I think the Olympics is a good way to the playoffs begin April 12. “The league’s efforts to ward Alexander Ovechkin, second, lead the Russian team onto the ice for warmups before playing do it,” the 20-year-old Eichel said. “To be able to play blame others for its decision is as unfortunate as the the USA in a men’s ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia. Ovechkin and the game on other continents, other places and decision itself,” the NHLPA said. “NHL players are other players are raising doubts about the finality of the NHL announcement that it won’t partici- allow them to see how exciting and what type of patriotic and they do not take this lightly. A decent pate in the 2018 Olympics. —AP game we play, it’s a good opportunity.” respect for the opinions of the players matters. This Matthews expressed disappointment while also is the NHL’s decision, and its alone.” players that can’t be part of the most special adven- Lichtner, was briefing Winter Games federations on acknowledging he’s more preoccupied with helping Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who led ture in sports.” Tuesday in a previously scheduled meeting at an Toronto clinch its second playoff berth in 12 seasons. Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 Former NHL forward Brandon Prust, who’s now Olympic sports conference in Aarhus, Denmark. “Yeah, of course, you’d want to go and represent and 2014, said, “I’m just going to tell you I’m disap- playing in Germany, tweeted: “Way to ruin the sport “It is a pity but it is not a surprise,” ski federation your country,” said the 19-year-old from Scottsdale, pointed.” Players blasted the decision. “It’s beyond of hockey even more Gary #Olympics.” Nancy Park, a president Gian Franco Kasper told The Associated Arizona. “I’ve been fortunate to do it in the past at disappointing,” said Montreal Canadiens goalie spokeswoman for the Pyeongchang Winter Press. Kasper, who represents winter sports on the different tournaments. But, it’s not readily on my Carey Price, who won a gold medal at the 2014 Olympics organizing committee, held out hope the IOC executive board, added: “There might be some mind right now.” Youngsters and veterans, from Alex Sochi Games. “It was one of the best experiences of NHL might change course by saying there’s still time players who don’t care what the NHL says.” Ovechkin and Jonathan Toews to Connor McDavid my life and catapulted my career to the next level for “meaningful discussions.” The NHL has not ruled The league has cited the 13-hour difference from and Henrik Lundqvist, the world’s best players called and things have been going pretty well since then.” out participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Pyeongchang to the Eastern time zone as one of its playing in the Olympics important. The league Lundqvist, the New York Rangers goalie, turned though the IIHF and IOC had indicated that could be concerns. There was a 13-hour difference to Nagano decided otherwise. to Twitter. “A huge opportunity to market the game conditional on the NHL going to South Korea. For in 1998, six to Turin in 2006 and nine to Sochi in 2014. Commissioner Gary Bettman and Deputy at the biggest stage is wasted,” tweeted Lundqvist, now, the league is making its 2017-18 schedule Team owners have long complained that stopping Commissioner Bill Daly informed the NHL Players’ who won the 2006 Olympic gold medal with without a break for the Olympics. the NHL season every four years wasn’t worth it and Association that the matter was “officially closed.” Sweden. “But most of all, disappointing for all the The world hockey body’s secretary general, Horst they have been wary of injuries to star players. — AP BASKETBALL Timberwolves snap Blazers’ six-game streak, 110-109 MINNEAPOLIS: As Karl-Anthony Towns The sleek lineup put the Blazers in con- powered through Portland’s smaller front- trol with a 34-point second quarter, but court, the Trail Blazers found out just how the 7-foot Towns had his way in the fourth. much they’re going to miss big man Jusuf He scored 14 points in the period, includ- Nurkic down the stretch. Towns had 34 ing a big dunk for a 110-106 lead with 35 points and 12 rebounds and the Minnesota seconds to go. Timberwolves snapped Portland’s six-game “We just had a hard time,” Lillard said. winning streak with a 110-109 victory over “Guys competed hard on him. We made it the Trail Blazers on Monday night. as hard as we could on him, but he’s very It was the second game for Portland good and he’s going to score points. That’s without Nurkic, who galvanized the team what happened.” after coming over in a trade from Denver at the deadline. He will miss at least the rest TIP-INS of the regular season with a fractured right Trail Blazers: Terry Stotts was the leg, leaving the Blazers to battle big front- Western Conference coach of the month courts in San Antonio, Utah and one more and Lillard was the conference’s player of time against Minnesota without him and the month as Portland finished March at just a 11/2-game cushion on Denver for the 13-3. ... Lillard’s first 3 of the game in the eighth seed in the Western Conference. third quarter gave him 200 for the season, “There’s a lot of good bigs out there, and the third time he’s done that in his career. we’re thin right now. We’ve got Meyers Wes Matthews is the only other Blazers (Leonard) and (Al-Farouq Aminu), who’s not player to do it even one time. really a five,” C.J. McCollum said. “So we’re in Timberwolves: Brandon Rush scored 12 a tough position, but it’s not an excuse. points, giving him back-to-back double- We’ve got to go out there and play and digit efforts for the first time since Jan. 11- make the best of it.” 13. ... Rubio hit a technical free throw in the Damian Lillard scored 25 points but third quarter after the Blazers were whis- made just 7 of 21 shots, including 3 of 11 3- tled for defensive 3 seconds. It was his 49th pointers. His potential game-winning pull- straight technical free throw made, the up jumper at the buzzer glanced off the longest active streak in the league. rim. Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points and Ricky Rubio had 11 points, 16 assists and MCCOLLUM STRUGGLES SUNRISE: Steve Ott #92 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot on Reto Berra #20 of the Florida Panthers during a game at BB&T Center seven rebounds for the Timberwolves, who McCollum struggled as well, scoring 17 on Monday in Sunrise, Florida. — AFP bounced back from an ugly home loss to points on 5-for-14 shooting and 0 for 3 on Sacramento that eliminated them from 3s.