In brief: United States stops Slovakia at world championships
Boston Bruins teammates Brandon Bochenski and Phil Kessel each had a goal and an assist Thursday to lift the United States over Slovakia 4-2 in Group F at the hockey world championships at Mytischi, Russia.
Also in Group F, Michael Wolf and Michael Hackert scored in Germany’s 2-0 upset of the Czech Republic.
In Group E, defending champion Sweden posted a 5-2 win over Denmark and Finland beat Switzerland 2-0.
Slovakia outshot the Americans 18-7 in the first period, but strong goaltending by the Carolina Hurricanes’ John Grahame, who finished with 29 saves, prevented Slovakia from converting.
Football
Chargers’ Foley pleads guilty
Ex-San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving with a blood-alcohol level above the state’s legal limit the night he was followed and shot by an off-duty police officer.
Foley, 31, was shot early on Sept. 3 near his Poway, Calif., home by officer Aaron Mansker, who had tailed the player’s 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for nearly 30 miles on a freeway on suspicion the driver was drunk.
“Free agent Josh Scobey, who appeared in 12 games last season with Seattle before breaking his arm against Denver, signed with Buffalo, providing the Bills depth at running back and special teams.
“Alex Agase, a three-time All-American and a College Football Hall of Fame member who coached at Northwestern and Purdue, died at a hospital near his home in Tarpon Springs, Fla. He was 85.
Golf
Harrington takes Wachovia lead
Padraig Harrington made two tough par putts early, then a bunch more for birdies on his way to a 6-under-par 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Vijay Singh and Jason Bohn at the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, N.C.
Tiger Woods changed clubs when he felt the wind shift at the 18th hole and still flew the green to take bogey and an opening round of 70.
Basketball
Pitino signs extension
Rick Pitino signed a three-year contract extension with the Louisville Cardinals that could keep him at the school through 2013, long enough for a highly anticipated downtown arena to open.
The new deal increases Pitino’s annual salary from $1.65 million to $2.25 million beginning next season, and will pay him $2.5 million a year if he stays until the end of the contract.
“Notre Dame’s Mike Brey, the Big East coach of the year, signed a two-year contract extension through the 2012-13 season.
“University of Portland women’s coach Jim Sollars hired Kayla Burt as an assistant, citing the former Washington guard’s experience and inspirational return to the game after a heart attack.
Auto racing
Waltrip team changes chiefs
Michael Waltrip Racing, still trying to find its way out of a terrible start to its first season in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing, turned to Jason Burdett to replace crew chief Matt Borland on Dale Jarrett’s No. 44 Toyota.
Volleyball
It’s Mastodons vs. Anteaters
IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne) surprised top-seeded Pepperdine 3-1 in the NCAA men’s semifinals at Columbus, Ohio.
The Mastodons (23-7) advanced to their first title game. They will meet another first-timer, UC Irvine (28-5), in Saturday’s title match. The Anteaters beat Penn State 3-1.