U.S. sweeps men’s slopestyle
KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — The U.S. has swept the podium in men’s slopestyle skiing.
Joss Christensen soared to gold in the sport’s Olympic debut, posting a score of 95.80 on Thursday to beat teammates Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper.
The gold was the fourth for the U.S. in Sochi, all won on the slopes of the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.
The sweep is the third for the U.S. in Winter Olympic history, joining men’s figure skating in 1956 and men’s halfpipe snowboarding in 2002.
Finland tops Austria in men’s hockey
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Jarkko Immonen and Mikael Granlund scored two goals apiece, and Finland opened preliminary-round Olympic play with an 8-4 victory over Austria on Thursday in men’s hockey.
Jussi Jokinen and Petri Kontiola each had a goal and an assist for the Finns, who put 52 shots on beleaguered Austria goalie Bernhard Starkbaum despite playing the final two periods without captain Teemu Selanne.
The 43-year-old Finnish Flash had an assist in the first period of his record-tying sixth Olympics before sitting out with an upper-body injury. Selanne should be fine for the Finns’ next game, team spokesman Janne Lahti said.
Michael Grabner scored three goals in his Olympic debut for Austria. The New York Islanders forward scored 36 seconds into the first period, and Austria had two early leads before Finland took control.
The Finns survived a shaky Olympic debut from Tuukka Rask, the vaunted Boston Bruins goalie who yielded four goals on just 20 shots.
Sweden, Canada win in men’s curling
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Sweden ended Norway’s unbeaten start in men’s Olympic curling by defeating its Nordic rival 5-4 on Thursday. Canada and Britain also won on a good day for the gold-medal favorites.
Canada scored a point in the final end to beat Denmark 7-6, the second straight win for the two-time defending champions. The Canadians have now won three and lost two.
Like Sweden, Britain is 4-1 after beating the Unites States 5-3. The Americans are 1-3 and have little room to manoeuver in their final five games of the tournament.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon session at the Ice Cube came when Switzerland overran a simple draw shot with its final stone and gifted Russia three points, giving the host nation a 7-6 win.
Phillies, Burnett agree to 1-year deal
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A person familiar with the deal said A.J. Burnett has agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Phillies haven’t made an official announcement. The move comes on the day ace Cole Hamels says he won’t be ready opening day because of left biceps tendinitis.
Burnett’s deal reportedly is worth $16 million.
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