Latest sports news - Boston.com

LATEST NEWS FROM AP

Wust qualifies to defend her Olympic 3,000 title

Olympic 3,000-meter speedskating champion Ireen Wust of the Netherlands has qualified to defend her title at the Vancouver Olympics. (AP, 2:41 p.m.)

Colts face great debate over pulling starters

Colts coach Jim Caldwell believes he made the right call Sunday, even if everyone from NFL purists to Indianapolis fans disagree. (AP Sports Writer, 2:21 p.m.)

Rangers' Prospal sidelined following knee surgery

Rangers top-line forward Vinny Prospal is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery that will keep him out for at least 10 days, and maybe up to three weeks. (AP, 2:21 p.m.)

Stanford remains No. 2 despite loss to UConn

Connecticut showed there's still a huge gap between its program and the rest of the Top 25. (AP Basketball Writer, 2:31 p.m.)

USF1 team says 2010 preparations on schedule

Formula One newcomer USF1 says its plans for competing in the 2010 season are on schedule, dismissing speculation that it may not be ready in time for the first race in March. (AP, 1:51 p.m.)

Mets sign righty Kelvim Escobar to one-year deal

The New York Mets have signed right-hander Kelvim Escobar to a one-year contract. The team announced the deal on Monday. He was expected to get $1.25 million. (AP, 1:51 p.m.)

Nationals agree with INF Bruntlett, 1B Whitesell

The Washington Nationals have agreed with infielder Eric Bruntlett and first baseman Josh Whitesell on minor league contracts for 2010. (AP, 1:11 p.m.)

Cousins growing up for unbeaten Wildcats

Kentucky star John Wall isn't the only freshman making a big splash for the unbeaten Wildcats. (AP, 12:49 p.m.)

Eagles lose C Jamaal Jackson to torn knee ligament

Eagles center Jamaal Jackson tore a knee ligament in Sunday's win over Denver and will miss the rest of the season. (AP, 12:41 p.m.)

Northwestern among 4 newcomers to AP Top 25

It usually isn't big news when a team from the Big Ten moves into The Associated Press' college basketball poll. It is when that team is Northwestern. (AP Basketball Writer, 1:41 p.m.)

United hire Onalfo as new coach, replaces Soehn

Curt Onalfo (oh-NOW-foh) will be the new coach of D.C. United. The club said Monday it hired Onalfo as the replacement for Tom Soehn (SOHN), whose contract expires this week. (AP, 12:11 p.m.)

Without Miller, Walchhofer favorite in Italy

With Bode Miller at home resting a sore ankle, Michael Walchhofer is the favorite for the World Cup downhill Tuesday on the knee-jarring Stelvio course. (AP Sports Writer, 11:59 a.m.)

Start times for 2 games next week moved

The NFL has announced that two games next Sunday will be moved from their original 1 p.m. EST start times. (AP, 11:21 a.m.)

James Taylor to sing US Anthem at Winter Classic

He may have seen fire and rain, but James Taylor will be looking at ice on New Year's Day at Fenway Park when he performs the National Anthem prior the NHL Winter Classic. (AP, 10:19 a.m.)

NHL Calendar

Jan. 1 -- Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins at Fenway Park. Feb. 15-Feb. 28 -- Olympic break. (AP, 9:59 a.m.)

Ski jumper arrested for alleged attack on wife

Finnish police say they are investigating former Olympic ski jumping champion Matti Nykanen for an alleged attack on his wife. (AP, 9:21 a.m.)

Vonn crashes, questionable for World Cup slalom

Overall champion Lindsey Vonn injured her left arm in a crash Monday in the opening run of the World Cup giant slalom and Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany won the race. (Associated Press Writer, 2:41 p.m.)

US skeleton team searching for answers

Tracks run downhill in skeleton racing, which seems appropriate given the direction of U.S. results since Jim Shea and Tristan Gale swept gold medals when the sport returned to the Olympic program at Salt Lake City in 2002. (AP Sports Writer, 6:11 a.m.)

Marsicano, Swider-Peltz Jr. claims Olympic spot

Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. won the women's 3,000 meters at the U.S. Speedskating Championships on Sunday, clinching a spot on the Olympic team. (AP, 6:11 a.m.)

Lindsey Vonn falls, bruises bone in left arm

Vancouver Olympic favorite Lindsey Vonn bruised a bone in her left arm following a crash on the opening run of a World Cup giant slalom on Monday. (Associated Press Writer, 2:31 p.m.)

Olympic champions Wust, De Jong Vancouver-bound

Olympic women's 3,000-meter speedskating champion Ireen Wust has qualified to race the 1,500 at the Vancouver Games and the men's 10,000 champion in Turin, Bob de Jong, has qualified for the 5,000. (AP, 6:11 a.m.)

American star Vonn crashes at World Cup GS

Defending overall World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn was taken to the hospital with a left arm injury after crashing on the opening run of a giant slalom Monday. (AP, 8:01 a.m.)

Colts lose first game; Pats, Bengals in playoffs

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are perfect no more, and that's just fine with them. They've got their sights set on making postseason history -- even if that means taking a break in the regular season. (AP, 3:41 a.m.)

Colts deal with unfamiliar losing feeling

For the first time as Colts head coach, Jim Caldwell answered the kinds of postgame questions his opponents had faced all season. (AP Sports Writer, 3:19 a.m.)

Panthers rip Giants 41-9, New York out of playoffs

In the annals of Giants Stadium, there have been some stunning games that New York Giants and their fans would like to forget. (AP Sports Writer, 3:19 a.m.)

Lessons learned on road to perfection

The quarterback of the only 16-0 team in NFL history says there's only one way to approach perfection: Don't even think about it. (AP Sports Writer, 3:19 a.m.)

Brady throws 4 TDs, Pats' 35-7 win earns playoffs

Tom Brady's recent statistics had been mediocre. Randy Moss's effort was questioned. The New England Patriots were unimpressive even in their victories. (AP Sports Writer, 3:09 a.m.)

NBA Capsules

Baron Davis hit a long fallaway jumper at the buzzer, and the Los Angeles Clippers dramatically snapped the Boston Celtics' nine-game road winning streak with a 92-90 victory on Sunday night. (AP, 12:39 a.m.)

Brooks: 80 percent he's not returning to Kentucky

Kentucky coach Rich Brooks told his Wildcats that he's probably not returning next season. Following a 21-13 loss to Clemson on Sunday night in the Music City Bowl, Brooks said he's "80 percent" sure he's not coming back. He plans to think about his next move, talk with his family and make a final decision within the week. (AP Sports Writer, 1:41 a.m.)

Clemson wins Music City Bowl, beats Kentucky 21-13

C.J. Spiller went out a winner in the final game of his record-setting career at Clemson. (AP Sports Writer, 1:12 a.m.)

Celtics-Clippers, Box

BOSTON (90) R.Allen 6-12 0-0 13, Garnett 5-13 2-2 12, Perkins 4-5 1-2 9, Rondo 9-16 2-5 20, T.Allen 4-10 2-2 10, Wallace 4-16 0-0 8, Scalabrine 0-0 0-0 0, G.Davis 3-4 2-2 8, House 4-7 2-2 10. Totals 39-83 11-15 90. L.A. CLIPPERS (92) Thornton 1-5 0-0 2, Jordan 3-5 0-4 6, Kaman 12-21 3-3 27, B.Davis 7-11 9-9 ... (AP, 12:29 a.m.)

Baron's buzzer-beater leads Clips past Celtics

For the first 47 1/2 minutes, Rajon Rondo was quicker, sharper and smoother than Baron Davis. (AP Sports Writer, 1:39 a.m.)

Patriots, Bengals clinch playoff spots; Giants out

New England and Dallas are back in the playoffs. The New York Giants are out. And both AFC wild-card spots are still up for grabs. (AP Football Writer, 4:41 a.m.)

Romo, Dallas lead Redskins 14-0 after 3 quarters

Tony Romo completed 21 of 31 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown, and the Dallas Cowboys led the Washington Redskins 14-0 after three quarters Sunday night. (AP, 12/27/09)

Raymond has hat trick in Canucks' victory

Mason Raymond scored three times in a 14:15 span for a natural hat trick, and Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the Vancouver Canucks' 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. (AP, 12/27/09)

Mavericks hold off Nuggets for 104-96 win

Drew Gooden scored 19 points and Dirk Nowitzki hit a clutch 3-pointer late in the game, lifting the Mavericks to a 104-96 win Sunday night over a Denver Nuggets squad missing All-Star guard Chauncey Billups. (AP Sports Writer, 12/27/09)

Start times for 2 games next week moved

The NFL has announced that two games next Sunday will be moved from their original 1 p.m. EST start times. (AP, 12/27/09)

Carolina WR Smith, Miami RB Williams injured

Steve Smith's season is over for the Carolina Panthers. The Miami Dolphins are hoping Ricky Williams isn't done as well. (AP, 12/27/09)

Coastal Carolina rolls over Cornell, Iowa 79-48

Logan Johnson scored a career-high 19 points and Coastal Carolina routed Cornell College (Iowa) 79-48 on Sunday night. (AP, 12/27/09)

White scores with 1:22 left, Maple Leafs beat Pens

Defenseman Ian White broke a tie with 1:22 to play with his third goal in four games and the Toronto Maple Leafs held on for a 4-3 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night. (AP, 12/27/09)

Dawkins makes emotional return vs. Eagles

Brian Dawkins was so worried about sapping his energy and emotions early that he couldn't even take the field with the rest of the Denver Broncos for pregame warmups. (AP Sports Writer, 12/27/09)

Kane lifts Blackhawks past Predators

Patrick Kane said his last-minute goal came on "one of those close-your-eyes-and-shoot plays." John Madden called his second goal "lucky." Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said his team was fortunate to win after a "crazy" third period. (AP, 12/27/09)

Cowboys beat Redskins 17-0 to clinch playoff spot

The Dallas Cowboys returned to the playoffs Sunday night, dominating their 100th meeting with the Washington Redskins and setting up an NFC East title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. (AP Sports Writer, 12/27/09)

Lessons learned on road to perfection

The quarterback of the only 16-0 team in NFL history says there's only one way to approach perfection: Don't even think about it. (AP Sports Writer, 12/27/09)

Connolly helps Sabres top Blues

Tim Connolly scored twice in Buffalo's three-goal third and had an assist in the Sabres' 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night. (AP, 12/27/09)

Wade scores 25, Heat roll past Pacers 114-80

Dwyane Wade scored 25 points in only 28 minutes, Jermaine O'Neal added 19 points on 6 of 7 shooting against his former team and the Miami Heat enjoyed their largest victory margin this season by topping the Indiana Pacers 114-80 on Sunday night. (AP Sports Writer, 12/27/09)