Russia can't force Ovechkin's return

Two days after scoring the highlight goal of the NHL season, Washington Capitals rookie Alex Ovechkin found out he can stay in the league. A judge ruled yesterday Ovechkin cannot be forced to return to Russia to play for his former team, Dynamo Moscow. Ovechkin leads all rookies with 32 goals and 58 points and will play for the Russian national team at the Turin Olympics. Dynamo wanted the court to enforce a Russian arbitrator's ruling that the team still owns the rights to the 20-year-old left wing. Ovechkin played three years for Dynamo before moving to another Russian club, Avangard Omsk. He then opted out of his 2005-06 contract to join the Capitals. Dynamo contended it had matched Avangard Omsk's offer to Ovechkin, although without the opt-out clause. US District Judge Emmet Sullivan dismissed the case. He said the evidence ''supports the argument that Ovechkin wished to end his relationship with Dynamo once and for all."

Penguins' Palffy abruptly retires

Pittsburgh right wing Ziggy Palffy retired, leaving the team without its second-leading scorer (11 goals, 42 points) and another question mark in a puzzling, disappointing season for the Penguins. Palffy wasn't at a news conference held by general manager Craig Patrick during the team's practice. Patrick said Palffy, 33, cited only ''personal reasons," although Palffy has had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder twice and he told a Slovak newspaper the shoulder injury led to his decision. Palffy, a three-time 40-goal scorer, was signed in August to a three-year, $13.5 million contract . . . Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will remain with the Penguins for the rest of the season, making him eligible for about $3 million in bonuses . . . The Panthers traded defenseman Eric Cairns to Pittsburgh in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year's draft. Cairns, 31, had one assist and 37 penalty minutes in 23 games this season. . . . The Blue Jackets activated defenseman Adam Foote, who missed the last nine games with a hip injury. Foote was hurt in Columbus's 1-0 win against Anaheim Dec. 28.

Basketball
Sampson is charged with perjury

Former NBA player Ralph Sampson has been indicted on charges of lying about his finances to obtain court-appointed counsel in a federal child support case. Sampson, 45, was indicted on one count each of perjury and making a false claim, the US Attorney's Office said in Richmond, Va. The charges are related to an affidavit Sampson submitted in May to obtain a court-appointed lawyer in a child-support case. The 7-foot-4-inch former All-American from the University of Virginia and top NBA draft choice is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 1 on charges he failed to pay $307,036 in child support to two daughters by different women. The children live in northern Virginia . . . Grant Hill will be sidelined 7-10 days because of continued abdominal pain, the Orlando Magic said. Hill missed the first 19 games of the season after hernia surgery. He sat out five of the last seven games with abdominal pain . . . Chucky Atkins and the Wizards agreed to a buyout of the veteran guard's contract. Atkins, acquired during the offseason in a trade that sent Kwame Brown to the Lakers, was due to make $4.5 million this season.

Baseball
Baldelli may be ready for Opening Day

Tampa Bay center fielder Rocco Baldelli might recover from elbow surgery in time for Opening Day. The 24-year-old tore a knee ligament playing with his younger brother in the backyard of their Rhode Island home in October 2004. He was on the verge of rejoining the Devil Rays last June when he tore a ligament in his right elbow and had to undergo ligament replacement surgery . . . The Mets and Japanese righthander Yusaku Iriki agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract as New York attempts to add pitching before spring training. Iriki, 33, was 6-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 20 starts and eight relief appearances last season in Japan's Pacific League, finishing ninth in the league in ERA and 10th with 122 strikeouts . . . Reliever David Weathers hurt a finger on his pitching hand, but the Cincinnati Reds expect him to be ready for spring training. Weathers tore a tendon in his right index finger while working out Monday at his home, the club said . . . Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said the league is guardedly optimistic the Bush administration will clear the way for Cuba to participate in the first World Baseball Classic.

Miscellany
Lilly leads US to victory in Four Nations

Kristine Lilly scored the opening goal in her world-record 300th international soccer game, leading the United States past Norway, 3-1, at the Four Nations tournament in Guangzhou, China. The 34-year-old American captain sent a free kick past Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby in the 73d minute to put the defending champions ahead. Minutes later, her corner kick set up striker Shannon Boxx. Ronning Trine of Norway made a penalty kick to end a shutout streak for the US team at 1,009 minutes, dating to the last match of 2004. Abby Wambach added the third US goal to close out the scoring . . . Coach Dominic Kinnear signed a two-year contract extension with Houston of Major League Soccer. Kinnear, the MLS coach of the year, guided the San Jose Earthquakes to an 18-4-10 record in 2005. The team moved to Houston last month . . . Fresno State coach Pat Hill agreed to a contract extension through 2010 after interviewing for several NFL head coaching positions this month. Hill is 72-43 in nine seasons at Fresno State, leading the Bulldogs to seven straight postseason appearances.