Hockey
WASHINGTON – T.J. Oshie, Ryan Kesler and Derek Stepan scored, Jonathan Quick made 30 saves, and the United States beat Finland 3-2 on Tuesday night in each team’s final exhibition game before the World Cup of Hockey.
The U.S. was the better team for more than two periods but needed stops from Quick in the final seconds to preserve the victory. Patrik Laine and Jussi Jokinen scored for Finland, which finished strong.
Despite the late goals, the Americans almost certainly will have Quick in net for their World Cup opener against Team Europe after the Los Angeles Kings goaltender stopped 63 of the 66 shots he faced in exhibition play.
Finnish goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 26-of-29 shots. Finland must decide between Rinne and the Boston Bruins’ Tuukka Rask before its opener Sunday against Team North America.
NCAA
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NCAA’s decision to pull seven championships out of North Carolina ratchets up the pressure on this college sports-crazy state to repeal its law on bathroom use by transgender people.
Unlike the recent one-time cancellations by the NBA and various rock stars, the move by college sports’ governing body could make moderate and conservative voters question whether the price tag for the law has finally become too high.
Economic development officials said the effect of the NCAA’s action goes well beyond the $20 million the canceled 2016-17 basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse and golf events were expected to bring.
The law passed in March requires transgender people to use restrooms in schools and other public places that correspond to the gender on their birth certificate. It also excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from statewide antidiscrimination protections.
NFL
DENVER – Denver’s police chief says he has talked to Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall about the player’s decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest racial oppression and police brutality.
Chief Robert White says he met with Marshall on Tuesday after being approached by Broncos management. The chief says he will offer Marshall the chance to ride along with police and watch “shoot, don’t shoot” training, which teaches officers to make split-second decisions during dangerous situations.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, one of Marshall’s college teammates, started the protest when he refused to stand for the anthem during preseason games and the season opener. Marshall took a knee during the anthem before Denver’s game Thursday night.
NEW YORK – Jimmy Garoppolo filled in for Tom Brady quite nicely.
Garoppolo was so good in New England’s season-opening win at Arizona that the Patriots moved into the top spot in the AP Pro32 poll on Tuesday.
The Cardinals made it to the NFC championship game last season, but Garoppolo threw for 264 yards and a touchdown to lead the Patriots to a 23-21 victory on Sunday night. New England received five of 12 first-place votes in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
Defending champion Denver received three first-place votes and moved up to No. 2 in the poll.
Pittsburgh, which opened with a dominating 38-16 win at Washington, earned a first-place vote and is No. 3 overall.
Associated Press
