Associated Press
NEW YORK ó The New York Rangers can expect beefed-up security during a return trip to Washington they never wanted to take. No one else will help protect them on the ice against the suddenly surging Capitals.
John Tortorella’s view from a suite was no better than the one from the bench, and the suspended coach watched helplessly as Washington dominated his Rangers for the second straight game and put them on the brink of elimination, too.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist again didn’t make it to the third period, and Washington defenseman Tom Poti torched his former team in the Capitals’ 5-3 victory Sunday that set up a decisive Game 7 on Tuesday.
PITINO
LOUISVILLE, Ky. ó College tuition. Two cars. A fully paid off house. Ten million dollars.
That’s what the FBI says the estranged wife of an equipment manager tried to extort from Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino.
The alleged demands were made public in a criminal complaint released shortly after Karen Cunagin Sypher surrendered to federal authorities and made an initial appearance in federal court. Along with the extortion allegations, Sypher is accused of lying to the FBI.
She didn’t enter a plea at her court appearance, but was released on her own recognizance with a warning from a federal magistrate not to speak ill of Pitino. Sypher surrendered to federal authorities just over a week after the case exploded into the public when Pitino released a statement saying someone had tried to extort him.
GOLF
MORELIA, Mexico ó Mexican star Lorena Ochoa shot a 5-under 68 on Sunday to hold off Norway’s Suzann Pettersen by a stroke in a dramatic final round and win the Corona Championship for the second straight year.
– AVONDALE, La. ó Jerry Kelly rallied with two birdies on the back nine to claim the $1.1 million payday at the Zurich Classic.
IRL
KANSAS CITY, Kan. ó Scott Dixon took advantage of Ryan Briscoe’s tough-luck pit stop with 47 laps left, then held off Helio Castroneves down the stretch to win the Road Runner Turbo Indy 500.
TENNIS
BARCELONA, Spain ó Rafael Nadal won his fifth straight Barcelona Open title on Sunday, beating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2, 7-5.
JAPAN BASEBALL
KOBE, Japan ó American Tuffy Rhodes has become the 12th player in Japanese professional baseball to hit 450 home runs.
SUPER BOWL
NEW YORK ó NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can envision a Super Bowl played in mid-February if the league expands its regular-season schedule to 17 or 18 games. Team owners are expected to get a proposal.