SUNDAY SPORTS

NHL NOTEBOOK

NASHVILLE, Tenn – The NHL held its skills competition on the eve of the 61st NHL All-Star game in Nashville. In short, Detroit rookie Dylan Larkin was the quickest legs and Shea Weber was the hardest shot.

Larkin set a record for the fastest lap around a full rink, timed at 13.172 despite a slip in turn 3. That topped Mike Gartner’s previous record time of 13.386 seconds in 1996.

Larkin’s record-setting performance came after he beat Predators defenceman Roman Josi (YOH’-see) in 12.894 seconds during the first round, when the players use just one side of the rink.

Weber won the hardest shot at 108.3 mph. The Predators’ blueliner just missed Zdeno Chara’s (zuh-DAY’-noh CHAH’-rahz) record of 108.8 mph set in 2012.

The Eastern Conference won the skills competition 29-12, giving John Tavares and Jaromir Jagr (YAH’-roh-meer YAH’-gur) the choice as captains of which period to play their semifinal game Sunday in the All-Star Game. They chose the first period for the 3-on-3 competition.


EXPANSION

NASHVILLE – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman insisted Seattle is not in the running to land an expansion team.

“If someone wanted to give us an application right now, we wouldn’t take it,” Bettman said Saturday at his state-of-the-league news conference.

Las Vegas and Quebec City have submitted expansion applications, but a decision whether to grant both, either or neither city an NHL franchise does not appear to be imminent.

“The process is continuing,” Bettman said. “We’re not ready to make a recommendation.”

Bettman said a 10-owner executive committee will eventually suggest the league should add two teams, one or none.

Expansion was barely addressed at the NHL Board of Governors meeting Saturday morning after it was discussed extensively in December. Bettman bristled at a suggestion that the league is struggling to decide whether to expand.

2017 ALL-STAR GAME

NASHVILLE – Los Angeles will host the NHL’s 2017 All-Star Game, the city’s third time hosting the midseason showcase and first since 2002.

Commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement Saturday at his news conference before Sunday’s All-Star Game. The Kings will be celebrating their 50th anniversary during the 2016-17 season, while the NHL marks its 100th anniversary.

The Kings will host the skills competition Jan. 28 with the All-Star Game on Jan. 29. Los Angeles first hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 1981.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL-SENIOR BOWL

MOBILE, Ala. – SEC West quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Jake Coker and Brandon Allen all led scoring drives to help lead the South to a 27-16 win over the North in the Senior Bowl.

Arkansas’s Allen passed for a game-high 106 yards, including a couple of on-target deep balls. Mississippi State’s Prescott threw for 61 yards and a touchdown with both teams rotating their four quarterbacks after each quarter.

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PGA TOUR

SAN DIEGO – K.J. Choi is in position to end a five-year winless drought on the PGA Tour. Choi birdied the final hole for a par 72 and share of the lead after the third round of the Farmers’ Insurance Open. His 9-under total ties him with Scott Brown for the top spot. Brown shot a 70. Jimmy Walker and Gary Woodland are just one shot back.

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NFL-BROWNS-MANZIEL

FORT WORTH, TX – Johnny Manziel finds himself in yet more trouble.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback is being investigated by police in Fort Worth and Dallas following a disturbance early Saturday during which he may have assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

Police didn’t say if the ex-girlfriend was injured. The police report said the woman was unco-operative with officers, who were unable to locate a crime scene. The woman told the officers she was involved in a disturbance with her ex-boyfriend earlier that night in Dallas and possibly other locations.

According to a statement released by Fort Worth police, they used their Air One Unit helicopter to locate Manziel after his unidentified ex-girlfriend said she was concerned about his well-being.

This is the second time Manziel has been investigated by police following an argument with his now ex-girlfriend.

(The Associated Press)