Crawford Gets Extension

Marc Crawford, who coached the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup championship this year, signed a 3-year contract extension with the NHL team.

Crawford confirmed the deal was for three years, but the principals would not discuss the amount of the new contract. Sources, however, said Crawford was seeking a base salary of $800,000 per year, not including bonuses.

Crawford had one year left on his original 3-year contract that would have paid him a base salary of $215,000, but because of a “salary revision” clause would have guaranteed him close to $500,000. He expressed a desire to sign an extension with Colorado before the start of the 1996-97 season.

Last season, Crawford had a base salary of $160,000, but earned more than $500,000 because of bonuses, according to the team.

Sweden shut out the Czech Republic 3-0 to clinch a place in the second round of the World Cup at Prague, Czech Republic. The victory assured Sweden of a place in the second round with Finland, which routed Germany 8-3 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, at Vancouver, British Columbia, Stanley Cup MVP Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche scored 52 seconds into the third period to break a tie, and Russia had a goal disallowed with less than 2 minutes remaining Thursday night as Canada won 5-3.