NFL

NBA

COLLEGE

MLB

MORE

Mike Modano took umbrage Monday morning when it was pointed out he had a bad faceoff game against the Colorado Avalanche. So the Stars captain decided to do something about it. Going against the best faceoff team in the NHL and one of the league's best faceoff men in Jarret Stoll, Modano won seven of nine draws in the first period, including three on a crucial power play, helping the Stars to an early lead en route to a 4-0 domination of the Edmonton Oilers.
-- Dallas Morning News

Sami Kapanen was back on the ice yesterday at Flyers practice. Eric Desjardins was just trying to get restful sleep. Kapanen participated in non-contact drills and dropped pucks on face-offs. He has been rehabilitating his right shoulder since undergoing surgery in training camp to repair torn cartilage. Desjardins, like team captain Keith Primeau, is out of the lineup with a concussion. Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock says he expects Kapanen back in three weeks.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

Coach Andy Murray said he will decide today whether Jason LaBarbera or Mathieu Garon will start in goal Wednesday when the Kings open a four-game trip at Detroit. The two goaltenders had been alternating at the start of the season.
-- Los Angeles Times

Could John Grahame, who had never been a true No. 1 goalie, handle the job? That was the big question as the Lightning prepared for its Cup defense. Now 15 games into the season, that question remains unanswered. And because it remains unanswered, the goaltending has grown into a concern.
-- St. Petersburg Times

Wild center Marc Chouinard said Friday that an MRI revealed he only has an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

Soccer

Herculez Gomez, a Los Angeles Galaxy forward by way of minor league clubs in Mexico, San Diego and Seattle, has emerged from the ranks of the unknown, establishing himself alongside Landon Donovan as half of a formidable one-two scoring punch. Going into Sunday's MLS Cup game against the New England Revolution, Donovan has 18 goals. Gomez also has 18.
-- Los Angeles Times

David Beckham last night backed 'scary' Roy Keane's rant at his Manchester United team-mates and claimed Keano will become one of the Premiership's top bosses. England skipper Becks shrugged off controversy over that infamous MUTV interview to insist: "If any one of the Man United players I played with is going to be a manager, it's him. Managers need to scare players sometimes. Roy would do that."
-- The Mirror

Graham Rix was yesterday appointed new Hearts boss -- but will be banned from working with any players under 16 because he is on the Sex Offenders Register. Rix, who replaces George Burley, was jailed for a year in 1999 after admitting unlawful sex with a 15 year old girl and indecent assault. He was a coach at Chelsea at the time. Club owner Vladimir Romanov defied protests from fans to appoint him.
-- The Mirror

Sven Goran Eriksson last night demanded his England players prove against Argentina they are genuine World Cup contenders. Eriksson's squad gather in Manchester tomorrow to begin preparations for the friendly in Geneva on Saturday with the England boss determined to send out a message to the rest of the World Cup contenders.
-- The Mirror

UEFA has confirmed that Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier's B sample proved positive after his failed drugs test in September.
-- The Guardian

The FA won't punish Ledley King for appearing to step on Stelios Giannakopoulos's face, deeming the collision to be unintentional.
-- The Guardian

From the 2006/2007 season on, the star soccer players from Real Madrid will be advertising for BenQ-Siemens. Under the terms of the contract concluded between BenQ Mobile and Real Madrid, the team will be wearing the double brand on their jerseys while they are chasing goals until the summer of 2010.
-- realmadrid.com

Rafa Marquez is the only international not to have already left for home on international duty. The Mexican will stay in Barcelona until Thursday and will therefore be reporting for training as per normal on Wednesday morning.
-- fcbarcelona.com

NFL

NBA

COLLEGE

MLB

MORE