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Woods, Mickelson, Singh Exit Match Play
(AP)
 AP - Chad Campbell expected overtime against Tiger Woods. Standing to the side of the 18th green with a 1-up lead, he was so certain that Woods was going to make a 12-foot birdie — doesn't he always? — that Campbell already was planning his tee shot on the first extra hole.
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No Gold, but Hedrick Completes Collection
(AP)
 AP - Mouth agape, tongue hanging out, head tilting over — Chad Hedrick looked like he was done. Ever so deftly, Dutch skater Carl Verheijen pulled up right behind him, and Hedrick suddenly shifted into another gear with a burst of short, choppy strides — and took off.
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Tiara and All, Mancuso Crowned Champion
(AP)
 AP - They were all there to cheer her on — sister, mother, father and grandparents. Family means everything to Julia Mancuso. And Italy means a lot to her family.
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Pistons Take Out Bulls Amid 7 Technicals
(AP)
 AP - Michael Jordan and a few other old-timers watched bad blood return to the Detroit-Chicago rivalry on Friday night. Chauncey Billups scored 17 points and Antonio McDyess tied a season high with 16 to lift the Pistons to a 95-87 victory over the Bulls in a game that featured seven technical fouls.
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Clippers End Five-Game Losing Streak
(AP)
 AP - Elton Brand scored 24 of his 32 points in the second half and had 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers stopped a season-high, five-game losing streak with a 102-83 win over the Lakers on Friday night.
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Brock Signs 5-Year Deal to Stay With Colts
(AP)
AP - Defensive lineman Raheem Brock signed a five-year contract Friday that makes sure one of the Indianapolis Colts' most versatile defenders stays off the free agent market.
Magic Rout Undermanned SuperSonics
(AP)
 AP - Some of the newest members of the Orlando Magic made a good first impression on their hometown fans. Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic provided strong support for stars Dwight Howard and Grant Hill in Orlando's 102-89 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night that snapped an eight-game losing streak.
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Brewers Sign LHP Capuano, RHP Adams
(AP)
AP - Left-hander Chris Capuano, coming off a career-best 18-12 season, agreed Friday to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers that would pay him $450,000 if he is in the major leagues and $272,000 if he is in the minors.
Todd Dunivant Sidelined With Hip Injury
(AP)
AP - Los Angeles Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant has a strained left hip flexor that will keep him from going to Germany for the U.S. national team's exhibition game against Poland on Wednesday.
Corrected: Feb. 22 Canadiens Story
(AP)
AP - In a Feb. 22 story about Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore, The Associated Press reported erroneously that he had tested positive for a steroid. He tested positive for a banned substance in pre-Olympic screening, but it was not a steroid. A corrected version of the story is below.
Combine notebook: The widening salary gap
Differences over revenue sharing threaten to scuttle labor talks and lead to an elimination of the salary cap for 2007.
Pats don't give Vinatieri franchise tag (AP)
Adam Vinatieri may get a chance to test free agency after the New England Patriots declined to protect the man who kicked two Super Bowl-winning field goals with the franchise player tag. The designation would have forced the team to commit to a one-year $3 million offer to Vinatieri. Without the tag, the team will not be compensated if he signs with someone else.
Saban offers help to Ricky Williams (AP)
Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban is offering his support to troubled running back Ricky Williams. In his first comments about Williams' latest failed drug test, Saban said Friday he wanted to help Williams stay clean, avoid any additional trouble and help the NFL keep drug tests confidential as required by league rules.
Brock signs 5-year deal to stay a Colt (AP)
Defensive lineman Raheem Brock signed a five-year contract Friday that makes sure one of the Indianapolis Colts' most versatile defenders stays off the free agent market. Brock, who tied a career-high with 6 1/2 sacks last season, was set to become an unrestricted free agent March 3. "He's extremely happy that coach (Tony) Dungy and Bill Polian expressed that they wanted to have him back and we...
Union, NFL fail to agree on labor deal (AP)
The NFL players union is instructing agents to negotiate contracts as if no new labor deal will be in place during free agency. Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, finished talks in Indianapolis Friday without an extension to the collective bargaining agreement and sounded pessimistic that a contract can be reached before the March 3 start of the league calendar.
Leinart, Young hope to show who's better (AP)
The link between Matt Leinart and Vince Young grows stronger. In December, they sat together at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. In January, they faced each other for a national title. Now they're in Indianapolis vying to become the first quarterback chosen in April's NFL draft. Separating them is the challenge.
Bloom ready to change gears at combine (AP)
Jeremy Bloom walked to the podium Friday wearing the appropriate attire and buoyed by excitement at finally getting a chance to play football. Or at least work out at it. His gray sweatshirt had the usual NFL scouting combine lettering "WO 8" while His blue sweat pants were words that don't fith the NFL: "USA Team 2006." Welcome to double duty, Olympian.
Childress plans to have Daunte, Johnson (AP)
Downplaying the trade speculation surrounding Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress asserted that he plans to have both Culpepper and Brad Johnson on the team this year at quarterback. "That's the mindset," Childress said Friday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I don't know anything to the contrary." Culpepper, meanwhile, said in an e-mail that he has not heard from...
Much ado about nothing
Deals went down before the NBA's much-hyped trade deadline, but none was big enough to alter the balance of power.
Nets defeat Knicks, ruin Francis' debut (AP)
The Steve Francis era got off to a slow start in New York. The Knicks allowed the first 10 points, trailed the rest of the way, and were frequently booed during the second half of a 94-90 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Friday night. "We had a bad beginning and a horrible third quarter," Knicks coach Larry Brown said.
Carmelo's 3-pointer sinks Wolves in OT (AP)
Denver got the ball to Carmelo Anthony just in time. Anthony scored 30 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer in overtime following two straight Denver turnovers, to give the Nuggets a 102-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. "Yeah, I think that was the best of any big shot I've hit, most likely," Anthony said.
Pistons overcome Bulls, technical fouls (AP)
Michael Jordan and a few other old-timers watched bad blood return to the Detroit-Chicago rivalry on Friday night. Chauncey Billups scored 17 points and Antonio McDyess tied a season high with 16 to lift the Pistons to a 95-87 victory over the Bulls in a game that featured seven technical fouls. Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 14 points before being ejected for picking up his second technical...
Korver, Iverson lead Sixers over Bucks (AP)
Allen Iverson always plays well against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was Kyle Korver's performance that no one expected. Korver scored a career-high 31 points -- including 17 in the fourth quarter -- and Iverson added 30 to pass Julius Erving on the NBA's all-time scoring list in the Philadelphia 76ers' 116-111 victory over the Bucks on Friday night.
Johnson's 40 lift Hawks to OT win (AP)
The Indiana Pacers never found a way to stop Atlanta's Joe Johnson -- and he made them pay for it. Johnson matched his career high with 40 points, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that sent the game into overtime. He then scored Atlanta's first seven points in overtime to lead the Hawks over the Pacers 117-112 Friday night.
Wizards shut down James, top Cavs 102-94 (AP)
Gilbert Arenas has had nights like the one LeBron James had against Washington. Arenas scored 26 points, and the Wizards shut down James in the second half in a 102-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. "We tried to pressure the ball, take him a little out of his game, and see if things might happen," Arenas said.
Spurs hold off Grizzlies 83-80 (AP)
As much as the Memphis Grizzlies gave away in Friday night's game, they almost stole it back at the end. Tim Duncan scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs survived Memphis' furious last-minute comeback attempt in an 83-80 victory. "We thought we had it in the bag there with a couple of minutes left," Duncan said, "but that was a wake-up call for us." Added Manu...
Magic halt eight-game losing streak (AP)
Some of the newest members of the Orlando Magic made a good first impression on their hometown fans. Carlos Arroyo and Darko Milicic provided strong support for stars Dwight Howard and Grant Hill in Orlando's 102-89 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night that snapped an eight-game losing streak.
Rockets beat Warriors without McGrady (AP)
Yao Ming knows that when Tracy McGrady is out, even more is expected of him. Lucky for the Houston Rockets, he was up to the challenge on Friday night. Yao scored 22 points and had a season-high 21 rebounds and the Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 91-88 for their first win this season without McGrady.
Drawn and quartered
TURIN, Italy – There was never a sense of urgency for Team USA hockey, so a quarterfinal exit shouldn't be a surprise.
Finns in gold-medal game, top Russia 4-0 (AP)
They are playing as a team, not as selfish stars. No grumbling about hotels or playing time. No roster filled with big-name talent struggling to mesh. The Finns put on yet another dynamic display of team play Friday in dismantling a talented Russian team in the Olympic hockey semifinals, winning 4-0 to set up an all-Nordic title game with neighboring Sweden.
Swedes rout Czechs 7-3 in semifinals (AP)
Tell the Swedish post office to dust off that old Peter Forsberg stamp. The hockey team is one win from another gold medal. Forsberg set up a goal 34 seconds into the game and Sweden scored four times in the second period to rout the Czech Republic 7-3 in an Olympic semifinal Friday night. The victory sends Sweden into Sunday's title game against neighbor and longtime rival Finland.
Modano backs off criticism of USA Hockey (AP)
Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano has apologized for the tone of recent criticisms of USA Hockey, saying the "timing was bad" and that he wants to help the organization in the future. Modano criticized coaches and administrators after the United States lost to Finland 4-3 in the quarterfinals of the Turin Olympics and finished 1-4-1.
No-gold Canada rethinks future plans (AP)
All that talent. All that money. All that nothingness. Canada, the land that invented hockey but somehow can't seem to win at it regularly, sent what it thought was its best-ever Olympic men's team to Turin. Oh, it made history for sure, but in entirely the wrong way. O Canada? No, in these games the bottom line was: Russia 2, Canada 0.
Hasek not sure when he'll return to Sens (AP)
Ottawa Senators goalie Dominik Hasek said there's "very little chance" he'll be able to play when the NHL resumes March 1 and isn't sure when he'll return from a groin injury that forced him to withdraw from the Olympics. "Of course I'm worried, I'll be honest," the 41-year-old said Tuesday as he met with reporters for the first time since returning from the Turin Games.
Lamoriello to remain as Devils coach (AP)
Lou Lamoriello will remain as coach of the New Jersey Devils for the rest of the season. Lamoriello, also the team's president and general manager, informed players of his decision to remain behind the bench at practice Wednesday. He said the decision was made during the weekend after talks with Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek.
NHL committed to helping Pens stay put (AP)
The NHL remains committed to helping the Penguins find an arena and stay in Pittsburgh, the league's deputy commissioner said Thursday. The league supports a Penguins' plan for Isle of Capri Casinos to build a $290 million arena at no taxpayer cost as long as the company is awarded a state license to build a downtown slot machines parlor.
Habs G Theodore won't appeal drug test (AP)
Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore won't appeal a December drug test in which he tested positive for a steroid. Theodore was on Canada's preliminary Olympic eligibility list but was not placed on the final squad. He tested positive during random pre-Olympic screening for a drug that can be used to mask steroid use.
Legwand sent to AHL for conditioning (AP)
The Nashville Predators sent center David Legwand down to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League on Wednesday for a conditioning assignment. The 6-2, 190-pound center has three goals and 13 points in 26 games for the Predators, but has not played since having knee surgery on Dec. 12 to repair torn cartilage.
A better Busch
FONTANA, Calif. – Kurt Busch gets a fresh start this year with Penske Racing. So far, he's making the most of it.
Martin wins NCTS Racetickets.com 200 (SportsTicker)
Martin gets second straight truck win (AP)
The rest of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series is probably already dreading Mark Martin joining the series full-time with his own team in 2007.
Kurt Busch wins pole for NASCAR Auto Club 500 (SportsTicker)
Kurt Busch takes first pole since 2004 (AP)
Kurt Busch won his first pole for his new team and his first in more than a year, taking the top spot Friday for the Auto Club 500 at California Speedway.
NASCAR suspends young driver indefinitely (AP)
Driver Shane Hmiel has been suspended from competition for life by NASCAR after failing a third substance abuse test.
Kyle Busch bristles at criticism (AP)
Kyle Busch admits he sometimes makes bad decisions on the track. But the youngster says, instead of criticism, some good advice would be appreciated -- and far more constructive.
Notes: Real Cup season gets going in California (AP)
Now, the real season begins in NASCAR. At least that's what most of the Nextel Cup drivers and crew chiefs are...
Roush ready to rebound in California (AP)
No one could have been as eager to leave Daytona as team owner Jack Roush. All of his drivers finished outside...
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