Emma Laaksonen scored on a power play 2 minutes, 10 seconds into the third period to lift Finland to a 3-2 victory over the United States in the opening game of the Hockey Canada Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia.
It was Finland's second-ever victory over the Americans. Goalie Noora Raty, who also was in net for Finland's 1-0 overtime victory over the U.S. at the 2008 World Championships, made 49 saves in the opener of the seven-day pre-Olympic tournament that also features Canada and Sweden.
It was the first game on the road to the 2010 Winter Games for an American squad that was finalized just a week earlier in Minnesota, and it started smoothly for the winners of the past two women's World Hockey Championships.
Gophers products Gigi Marvin and Natalie Darwitz scored to give the U.S. a two-goal lead after the first 20 minutes. But it was gone midway through the second period.
Saara Tuominen parked herself atop the crease to convert a power play feed out of the corner from Michelle Karvinen 5:50 into the period, and Karvinen got a lucky break to score the tying goal less than four minutes later.
GYMNASTICS
Liukin out of world championships Olympic champion Nastia Liukin withdrew her name from consideration for the world gymnastics championships Monday, saying she hasn't had enough time to train. The 19-year-old, only the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic title, has been in high demand for appearances, photo shoots and commercial opportunities since she left Beijing, but the schedule wreaked havoc on her training.
The first of two training camps that will be used to choose the U.S. women's team is next week, and worlds are Oct. 13-18 in London. There is no team competition at this year's worlds, only the all-around and individual events.
"I didn't want to go out there and compete and represent Team USA if I wasn't at my best," Liukin said.
NHL
Kelly out as NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly is out as executive director of the NHL Players' Association, after a review produced a list of issues players had with his leadership.
"I don't think you can point to any one [issue] and I'm not prepared to name one," said Buzz Hargrove, the interim ombudsman for the NHLPA. "People had lost confidence that Paul was the one" to lead the union.
Kelly succeeded Ted Saskin, who was fired amid allegations he ordered the spying of player e-mail.
• A Michigan judge said former Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov is entitled to $60 million from a man accused of failing to meet a loan obligation to the player. Joseph Zada swindled Fedorov out $43 million during the past 11 years.
AROUND THE HORN
Auto racing: NASCAR team owner Richard Childress reiterated Kevin Harvick will be back in his car next season despite nonstop rumors to the contrary. It's the second time in two months that Childress has publicly had to address speculation about Harvick's future with the team; he is winless since the 2007 season-opening Daytona 500 and 24th in the standings. ... Former NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte won't race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway because of sponsorship issues at Yates Racing. The team had seven races to sell this season for the No. 96 Ford, and the sponsorship it secured wanted Erik Darnell in the car.
Basketball: Oscar Robertson and coach Pete Newell will be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame for leading the United States to the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The list of 11 inductees announced includes Kay Yow, who led the U.S. women to the 1988 Olympic title.
Golf: Jack Nicklaus has a tee time again at the Masters. Augusta National announced Nicklaus will join Arnold Palmer as an honorary starter for next year's Masters.
Track: Tyson Gay won his first race since a second-place finish at the world championships, then said he would be having surgery at the end of the season to cure a lingering groin injury. Gay clocked 10.15 seconds running into a headwind at the British Grand Prix.
FROM NEWS SERVICES
