MONDAY EYE-OPENER

The Dallas Cowboys are moving onto the N-F-C divisional series. Quarterback Tony Romo threw two touchdowns to Terrance Williams to rally and beat the Detroit Lions 24-20 in a wild card game Sunday in Arlington. It was the Cowboys’ first playoff game in five years.  They’ll advance to visit the Green Bay Packers.

Earlier, it was the Indianapolis Colts defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-10 in the A-F-C wild-card game

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Canada is headed to the gold medal game at the world junior hockey championship. Canada beat Slovakia 5-1 in the semifinal to advance. The Canadians will now play Russia in the final Monday night in Toronto. Nic Petan had a hattrick in Canada’s victory. Shea Theodore and Anthony Duclair each added a goal while Connor McDavid recorded three assists.

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International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel says that Hockey Canada was responsible for setting the ticket prices for the 2015 world junior hockey championship. He also said preliminary round games drew fewer fans than expected, and pricing may have to be adjusted before the 2017 tournament in Toronto and Montreal.  This year’s tournament will be the third-highest attended in history behind Ottawa (2009) and Edmonton/Calgary (2012).

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Tyler Johnson had a pair of goals to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the Ottawa Senators 4-2. Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos also scored for the Lightning. Ben Bishop got the win in net against his former team. Kyle Turris and Mark Stone scored for Ottawa. The loss ends the Sens’ two-game winning streak.

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Make it three-straight losses for the Toronto Raptors. They fell 125-109 to the Phoenix Suns to extend their losing streak. Eric Bledsoe had 20 points for Phoenix. Jonas Valanciunas (YOH’-nus val-ahn-CHOO’-nus) chipped in with 21 for the Raptors. It was the end to a six-game road trip for Toronto.

(Canadian Press)