SUNDAY SPORTS

Bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have been named Canada’s flag-bearers for the closing ceremonies Sunday at the Sochi Olympics.

Humphries, from Calgary, with brakeman Heather Moyse of Summerside, P.E.I., displayed steely nerves to pilot her sled to a second consecutive Olympic title, by coming from behind in the last two of four runs on the Sochi track.

“This has been such a great games for Canada and leading the team into the closing ceremony is the cherry on top of a fantastic couple of weeks. I am so honoured,” said Humphries.

—

There were no medals for Canada on the second-last day of the Winter Olympics, but a 25th medal is guaranteed Sunday when Canada plays Sweden for the gold in men’s hockey (at 7 a.m. Eastern Time). Canada is the defending Olympic champion. Sweden won the previous Olympic hockey title in 2006 in Turin. Finland won the bronze in hockey by dumping the United States 5-0.

—

Host Russia leads the overall medal race at the Olympics with 29. The United States is next with 27, followed by Norway with 26, and Canada, right now with 24. Russia and Norway are tied for most gold medals with 11. Canada and the United State are next with nine.

—

Canada’s medal total in Sochi could be altered on Sunday, based on an appeal concerning the men’s skicross. French skiers finished one-two-three, with Calgary’s Brady Leman coming fourth. Canada and Slovenia allege French officials changed the shape of its athletes’ ski pants to improve aerodynamics. If successful, Leman would be awarded gold while Russia’s Egor Korotkov would take silver and bronze would go to Slovenia’s Filip Flisar.

—

Closing day in Sochi also features the men’s four-man bobsled and the men’s 50-k mass start cross-country ski event. Canadian skiers Alex Harvey, Ivan Babikov, Graeme Killick and Jesse Cockney are set to compete, but they are all considered longshots. Norway’s Petter Northug Junior returns to defend his gold.

—

Kevin Love had 37 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career triple-double to help the Minnesota Timberwolves cruise past the Utah Jazz 121-104. The New York Knicks blew a double-digit, third quarter lead for the second straight night. Atlanta snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating New York 107-98.

(Canadian Press)