USC football: Nine Trojans selected in NFL draft | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

USC closed fast in the three-day NFL draft.

Six players were selected Saturday in rounds four through seven, giving USC a total of nine draft picks.

On Thursday, offensive tackleTyron Smithwas chosen with the ninth pick by the Dallas Cowboys.

On Friday, defensive tackleJurrell Caseyand cornerbackShareece Wrightwere third-round picks by the Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers, respectively.

The Cleveland Browns drafted tight endJordan Cameronin the fourth round Saturday. ReceiverRonald Johnsonwent to the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round and tailbackAllen Bradfordwas chosen five picks later by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

On consecutive picks in the seventh round fullbackStanley Haviliwent to the Philadelphia Eagles, receiverDavid Ausberrywas selected by the Oakland Raiders and linebackerMalcolm Smithwas taken by the Seattle Seahawks and former USC coachPete Carroll.

RELATED:

NFL draft featured wise decisions and baffling picks

UCLA's Ayers and Moore selected in second round

NFL draft first-round selections

--Gary Klein

Photo: USC defensive tackle Jurrell Casey participates in a drill at the NFL scouting combine. Credit: Brian Spurlock / US Presswire

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Question of the Day: Does Bud Selig owe Frank McCourt a meeting? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Writers from around Tribune Co. discuss whether Major League Baseball CommissionerBud Seligshould meet with Dodgers ownerFrank McCourt. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to weigh in with a comment of your own.

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Bud Selig isn’t ducking Frank McCourt. He’s tried to help him more than any other owner since McCourt joined baseball’s ownership fraternity, speaking with him as recently as two weeks ago.

But by embarrassing Selig and his fellow owners, and failing to comply with MLB’s rules on a ratio of debts to equity, McCourt has put himself on the other side of the table.

He’s now in a position of negotiating with MLB, not working alongside MLB, and when you negotiate with MLB you do your legwork in meetings with Selig’s top staffers before sitting down with the commissioner. That’s just how it’s done.

He will get his meeting with Selig. But not before a lot more due diligence has been done on the situation, and the further MLB officials dig, the worse the situation stinks.

It’s time to go quietly, trying to save an ounce or two of dignity on the way out.

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Michelle Kwan to co-chair International Olympic Committee conference in L.A. | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games announced Thursday that figure skaterMichelle Kwan, a five-time world champion, nine-time U.S. champion and twice an Olympic medalist, and movie producerFrank Marshall, a five-time Oscar nominee, will be co-chairs of the fifth International Olympic Committee Women and Sport 2012 Conference, to be held early next year in Los Angeles.

The event will take place Feb. 16-18 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live.

The Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, which promotes Olympic ideals and organizes bids to hold the Games here, will organize and stage the event in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Committee.

“It’s an honor to co-chair and participate in such an important international event,” Kwan, a U.S. public diplomacy envoy, said in a news release. "Historically, this conference has played a meaningful role in identifying ways to improve and increase participation of women in the world of sport around the globe. Women athletes are making progress; for the very first time, the 2012 Olympic Games in London will showcase women competing in every sport on the program. I look forward to this conference and to the continued advancement of women in sports.” 

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Angels go for three-game sweep of A's; Kendrys Morales examined by foot specialist | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Three days ago, theAngels' batters, as former Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda once said in a famous rant, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. While getting swept in a four-game series by the Boston Red Sox, the Angels scored five runs (total), hit .158 (21 for 33) and were shut out Saturday and Sunday.

Then the Oakland Athletics came to town and the Angels got all better. They beat the A's, 5-0, behindJered Weaver's seven-hit shutout Monday night, and they racked up 16 hits, including seven for extra bases, in an8-3 victory Tuesday night. The Angels will go for a three-game sweep Wednesday afternoon, with Angels right-hander Dan Haren opposing Oakland right-hander Tyson Ross.

"It's crazy, man,"said right fielder Torii Hunter, who was battling a 5-for-49 slump going into the A's series but had three hits, including a double, Tuesday night."You watch this game, you play it long enough, you see some stupid stuff. The game is crazy ... but I love it."

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Question of the Day: What will and should Ohio State do about Jim Tressel? {Updated} | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel, who has been accused by theNCAAofwithholding information and lyingto keep Buckeyes players on the field who accepted improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor.

Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to weigh in with a comment of your own.

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune

The Jim Tressel question comes down to this: Should one monumental screw-up end his reign? I’d be willing to give The Vest a second chance if he’d finally fess up about why he lied to the NCAA and failed to inform superiors that some players had traded their reputations for tattoos.

It wasn’t that he was “scared” about an investigation involving the FBI. Tressel hid the truth because he didn’t want his players suspended and thought he could get away with it.

Ohio State, though, will have to pull the plug if the NCAA treats the school as a repeat offender and decides to take away scholarships, TV time and victories from 2010. That stain will be too strong for Tressel to blot out.

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Angels pitcher Joel Pineiro goes 5 2/3 innings in rehab start | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Angels right-handerJoel Pineiro, on the disabled list because of right shoulder tightness, allowed three unearned runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of a rehabilitation start for Class-A Inland Empire against High Desert on Monday night.

Pineiro struck out two, walked two and threw 71 pitches. His throwing error on a sacrifice bunt in the third inning paved the way for High Desert to score three runs, two of them on a double byDenny Almonte.

Though he fell behind on several counts early in the game, Pineiro seemed to get stronger as the game went on, and he showed no signs of discomfort. Pineiro will be evaluated Tuesday, and barring setback, he will either join the Angels rotation this weekend or make one more rehab start before being activated.

--Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Angels starting pitcher Joel Pineiro during an exhibition game. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

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Angels: Red Sox complete the four-game sweep of the Angels, winning 7-0 Sunday at Angel Stadium | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

News flash: The Boston Red Sox beat the Angels. 

Well, that may seem like old news, since it happens so often, as in virtually every time these teams meet up these days. The score, stats and location may change, but the result usually doesn't.

With Sunday's 7-0 triumph before 35,107 at Angel Stadium, Boston completed a four-game series sweep and has won 13 of 14 games against the Angels dating to the start 2010 season.

It's the second straight shutout for the Angels, who lost to Boston, 5-0, on Saturday. 

The Angels (12-10) have lost four straight after winning 11 of 14. It's the first four-game home sweep the Angels have been dealt since 2005 by the Seattle Mariners. 

Boston (10-11) has won a season-high five straight games and eight of nine overall -- and this is after the Red Sox started the season dropping eight of 10 games.

As in the previous three games here, Boston received a strong performance from its starting pitcher who quieted the Angels' bats while his own offense provided the fireworks.

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Dustin Penner stays in, Alexei Ponikarovsky out for Kings in Game 5 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Greetings from San Jose, where the Sharks had their full team on the ice for the morning skate at HP Pavilion but the Kings’ session remained optional. What matters most is who shows up Saturday night, when the Sharks can end the team’s playoff series with a victory. A sixth game, if necessary, will be played Monday at Staples Center.

Kings CoachTerry Murraysaid he will stick with his plan to insert left wingScott Parsein the lineup, even though Parse hasn’t played since Nov. 15 and underwent hip surgery shortly after that game. Parse will skate alongsideMichal HandzusandJustin Williams, as Parse did in Friday’s practice.

The Kings’ fourth line will be Dustin Penner,Jarret StollandKevin Westgarth, which meansAlexei Ponikarovsky-- who scored the Kings’ final goal in their 6-3 loss Thursday at home -- will be scratched from the lineup, as willOscar Moller.

Whether he’s doing it to justify General ManagerDean Lombardi’strade for Penner or he believes against all evidence that Penner will suddenly become motivated to play at both ends of the ice, Murray kept Penner in the lineup. 

“Against this San Jose team, they’ve got three dominant lines. I’ve said this before, they’ve got three lines that are probably as good as any in the National Hockey League,” Murray said Saturday morning. “And they can play the game any way you want, any way they want it. And so it’s important for us to play four lines.

“When you have your top guy out of the lineup like this everybody has to dig in, check the proper way and play hard every shift. So with Parse going into the lineup here tonight I’m going to take Ponikarovsky out. Put Penner there with Stoll. It’s a little bit of a risk but I haven’t been getting enough from the top line on that left side, on the production side of it, and Parse has ability. He has skill. So I’m going to take that look here tonight.”

Murray said he took Ponikarovsky’s Game 4 goal into consideration but found better reasons to play Penner, who has one assist and is -4 defensively in the series.

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Trevor Bauer strikes out 17 in UCLA's win over Stanford | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The best pitcher in college baseball right now could be UCLA juniorTrevor Bauer, who tied a career high with 17 strikeouts on Friday in a4-1 win at Stanford.

Bauer leads the nation in strikeouts with 127 and has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in nine of his 10 starts this season. He improved his record to 8-1 with a four-hitter and has a 1.42 earned-run average.

UCLA is 21-13 overall and 10-4 in the Pacific 10.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Photo: UCLA starter Trevor Bauer. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

ALSO:

Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt is a big hit at UCLA scrimmage

Cori Close introduced as UCLA women's basketball coach

 

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Sacramento mayor meets with NBA officials | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Sacramento MayorKevin Johnsontold the head of the NBA's relocation committee that he's secured $9.2 million in corporate commitment for suites, season tickets and other support to be determined in the city's ongoing effort to keep the Sacramento Kings in town.

Johnson met with relocation committee chairmanClay Bennett, owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and an NBA attorney Thursday in sessions that included regional business leaders, but not Los Angeles billionaireRon Burkle.

Last week, Burkle's group expressed interest to invest in an NBA team in Sacramento and to help build a new arena in town.

The NBA Board of Governors then agreed to extend the Kings' deadline to apply for relocation to Anaheim's Honda Center from Monday until May 2 to let Bennett conduct"fact-finding" visits to Sacramento and Anaheim.

Bennett also met with an arena builder in Sacramento to assess the"feasibility study" that's in progress.

"At the end of the day, we want our commitment and passion to be palpable," mayor spokesmanJoaquin McPeeksaid."Sacramento put its best foot forward today."

The Board of Governors can approve the request to move by ownersJoeandGavin Maloofby a simple majority.

-- Lance Pugmire

 

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Question of the Day: Which NFL team benefits the most or is disadvantaged the most by its schedule? {Updated} | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Writers from around the Tribune Co. give their opinions on the recently released2011 NFL schedule.

Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh already has a daunting challenge of turning around a team without an established quarterback. On Tuesday, theNFLschedule makers didn’t do the $25-million rookie head coach any favors, especially in the second half of the season.

The tough stretch begins with a showdown against his brother John on Thanksgiving night, which forces San Francisco to make a cross-country trip to Baltimore only four days after playing Arizona at home. But that’s just the start of the 49ers’ late-season, frequent-flier miles.

San Francisco ends the regular season by traveling for three of its final four games, including road trips to division opponents Seattle and St. Louis. There's no break for the final home game, which is a prime-time matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Next up for the Angels, a plague of locusts | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The weatherman has not been kind to the Angels on their current six-game road trip.

In Chicago, they endured three rain delays, brief snow flurries and a wind chill of 26 degrees. Their first game in Texas started with the temperature hovering at an uncomfortably humid 91. And then just before the team took batting practice Tuesday, the blue skies turned slate gray and rain and large hail-stones began to fall.

Oh, and there's a tornado watch in effect until late this evening. However, the forecast calls for the fast-moving front to pass through the Dallas area quickly, meaning Tuesday night's game figures to be delayed but not postponed.

-- Kevin Baxter in Arlington, Texas

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Angels-Rangers: Much ado about something | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

With five consecutive wins, the Angels are the hottest team in baseball. And with six wins in as many games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the Texas Rangers are the best team in the majors at home.

One of those streaks figures to take a pounding over the next three nights when the Angels and Rangers square off for the first time this season. But Angels ManagerMike Sciosciatook pains Monday not to overplay his team's first meeting with the defending American League champions.

"It's a first look," he said."There's going to be scouting that starts to take place on both sides. Evaluating. You get a look at the other club. Get a look at some of the bullpen arms they might be using. That's what is it.

"It's no different, us playing the Rangers, than when we were us playing the White Sox."

The teams come into the series tied atop the AL West at 10-5, the second-best record in the league. But that, too, is of little relevance now, Scioscia said.

"No matter what game the schedule brings you have to play at a high level and win," he said."Obviously when you do the math, when you play a team in your own division it affects your standings directly. Because you're in control of what you can do. But this game has no more importance than if we were playing another team.

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British driver Mike Conway wins Long Beach Grand Prix | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Mike Conway,badly injured in a crash at last year's Indianapolis 500, completed his comeback Sunday by winning the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, his first victory in the Izod IndyCar Series.

The 27-year-old Englishman passedRyan Briscoefor the lead with 14 laps left in the 85-lap race and held on to win by more than six seconds on the 1.97-mile, 11-turn course on Long Beach's seaside streets.

"On the restarts the car was awesome, it just came to life," Conway told a television audience as he basked in Victory Lane."Just had to make the right moves and hang in there and keep it clean.”

Briscoe finished second andDario Franchitti, the reigning IndyCar champion, was third.

Danica Patrick,Conway's teammate at the Andretti Autosport team, finished seventh.

Pole-sitterWill Powerfinished 10th after his car was hit from behind byHelio Castroneves,his teammate at Team Penske, as they tried to maneuver through Turn 1.

Conway crashed near the end of last year's Indy 500, his car going airborne, flying overRyan Hunter-Reay'scar and then slamming into the catchfence in front of the grandstands.

The crash ended Conway's season because he suffered multiple fractures to his lower left leg, among other injuries, requiring months of rehabilitation.

Hunter-Reay, last year's Long Beach winner, finished 23rd after his car had late mechanical problems.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Mike Conway leaves the track after a crash during the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 27. Credit: Chris O'Meara / Associated Press

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Rain delays Angels in Chicago | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The tarp has been on the field for nearly two hours and now officials are saying the start of Saturday's game between the Angels and Chicago White Sox will be delayed at least an hour, to 4 p.m. CDT. But with a sizable weather front blowing in from the west, that may be wishful thinking.

A steady drizzle has been falling on Chicago's South Side for most of the afternoon and the temperature has dipped to 38 degrees. If the teams can't play Saturday, a doubleheader -- weather permitting -- likely will be scheduled for Sunday. Friday's opener of the three-game series was stopped twice by rain and the bottom of the ninth began beneath a downpour.

RELATED:

Jered Weaver makes history in latest start

Jered Weaver leads Angels to 4-3 win over the White Sox

Angels reliever Fernando Rodney has another scoreless outing

-- Kevin Baxter, reporting from Chicago

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Angels could be washed out in Chicago | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

TheAngels'early batting practice Friday at U.S. Cellular Field was cut short by rain. Whether they will get Friday's scheduled night game in was iffy in the middle of the afternoon.

Temperatures had dipped into the mid 40s with gusty winds making it feel even colder. Warnings of high winds were issued in several areas north of Chicago. If Friday's scheduled game can't be played, plans are for the Angels and White Sox to play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. CDT. That, however, could be a problem too since rain is forecast through Sunday.

RELATED:

Wells' hit, Mathis' sacrifice fly help Angels beat Indians

What's more impressive for a pitcher? Three wins in a week or two in one day?

-- Kevin Baxter in Chicago

Photo credit: Sukree Sukplang / Reuters

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Kings assign Brayden Schenn to Manchester | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

TheKingshave sent top prospectBrayden Schennto the Manchester Monarchs, L.A.'s affiliate in the American Hockey League, instead of bringing him up for the NHL playoffs. 

General ManagerDean Lombardihad said a few days ago that he was undecided about whether to recall the 19-year-old center once his team was eliminated from the Western Hockey League playoffs. Now that the Saskatoon Blades season is over, Schenn is off to Manchester, N.H.

In 27 WHL regular-season games, he had 21 goals and 53 points and was a plus-18 in the plus/minus category.

As The Times' Helene Elliottreported a few days ago, Lombardi had been leaning against bringing Schenn up as the Kings take on the San Jose Sharks because the Stanley Cup playoffs would be simply too much pressure.

"With your top player, and he was told this when he left, I think part of their development, particularly when they go back to a league where they should be a dominant player, is to go deep and win," Lombardi told her."If you’re that good, as he is and as he should be, you might as well learn to take winning on your shoulders now."

Elliott will have more later.

RELATED:

Terry Murray on who he'd like to see step up

Kings' Justin Williams:'I'm a go' for playoff opener

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Brayden Schenn, seen here when he was with the Kings in October to start the season. He was later sent down to rejoin his juniors team. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

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LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant for NBA's most popular jersey | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

LeBron James may not be the most popular guy in theNBA, but he wears the most popular jersey.

James' No. 6 Miami Heat jersey is the league's top seller for 2010-11, based on sales on NBAStore.com since the start of the season. The superstar, who switched teams and numbers before the season started, replaces theLakers' Kobe Bryant at the top of the list.

Bryant drops to No. 2 after two years on top. James is No. 1 for the first time since his rookie season in 2004.

The Boston Celtics have five players in the top 15, with Rajon Rondo at No. 3 and Shaquille O'Neal, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett taking the 12-15 spots. Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, both new members of the New York Knicks, are fourth and eighth, respectively.

ALSO:

Lakers' Kobe Bryant says his anti-gay slur'should not be taken literally'

Lakers end losing streak, but there's plenty of bad news mixed in with the good

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: LeBron James. Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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Ducks announce playoff broadcast schedule | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Ducks have announced the local television and radio broadcast schedule for their Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Nashville Predators.

All of the games will be broadcast live by either KDOC, Fox Sports West or Prime Ticket.

Check out the complete TV and radio schedule below:

Game 1 (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.):TV: KDOC; Radio: AM 830 (KLAA)

Game 2 (Friday, 7:30 p.m.):TV: KDOC; Radio: AM 1150 (KTLK)

Game 3 (Sunday, 3 p.m.):TV: FS West; Radio: AM 1150 (KTLK)

Game 4 (Wednesday, April 20, 5:30 p.m.):TV: KDOC; Radio: AM 1150 (KTLK)

*Game 5 (Friday, April 22, 7:05 p.m.):TV: KDOC / Versus; Radio: AM 1150 (KTLK)

*Game 6 (Sunday, April 24, TBD):TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: TBD

*Game 7 (Tuesday, April 26, TBD):TV: TBD; Radio: TBD

* -- If necessary

-- Austin Knoblauch

Photo: Ducks forward Saku Koivu, left, is congratulated by teammate Corey Perry after scoring a goal against the Kings on Saturday. Credit: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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UCLA basketball: A virtual preview of the new Pauley Pavilion | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The renovated Pauley Pavilion won't open for another 17 months, but fans can get a virtual preview of the finished building's interior by clickinghere.

The coolest feature of this interactive display is that it allows you to see price points for different areas inside the arena, as well as 360-degree views from those respective spots. And if you wanted to compare the view from, say, midcourt in the lower bowl ($1,198 per season ticket plus a $3,200 donation to the UCLA athletic department per seat) to the corner in the upper deck ($624 per season ticket, with no donation required), you can view two locations at once.

As seats are purchased, the locations will change colors to let online visitors know they are no longer available. Visitors can also use an instant messaging function to ask questions and receive answers from ticket-office employees in real time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

--Ben Bolch

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European openers for Kings, Ducks next season | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Yes, this season isn't over -- and you can argue that with the playoffs opening Wednesday, it's really just beginning.

But here's something to look forward to next season: The Kings and Ducks will open the 2011-12 regular season in Europe.

It will be announced Monday that the Kings will face the New York Rangers at Stockholm on Oct. 7 and the Buffalo Sabres at Berlin on Oct. 8. The Ducks will play the Sabres at Helsinki, Finland, on Oct. 7 and the Rangers at Stockholm on Oct. 8.

The Kings are expected to play an exhibition game -- probably in Berlin -- before their opener. The Ducks also are expected to play an exhibition game in Finland against Jokerit, Teemu Selanne'sformer team. Selanne could still be playing for the Ducks then or he might be retired. Either way, there's sure to be a ceremony involved.

The Kings and Ducks opened the 2007-08 season with two games in London against each other. The NHL has sent teams to Europe for exhibition and regular-season games for several years in an attempt to increase the game's audience and emphasize its players' multinational backgrounds.

-- Helene Elliott

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Hockey: Kings pull to within 3-1 of Ducks | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Ryan Smythscored his 23rd goal of the season on the power play at 18:24 of the second period and the Kings have cut their deficit to 3-1 at Staples Center.

It was Smyth's 100th point with the Kings. The goal was assisted byDrew DoughtyandJack Johnson, who notched his 100th career point.

-- Steve Galluzzo

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Ducks clinch playoff berth with 2-1 victory over Kings | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Teemu Selannewasn’t ready for the Ducks’ season — or his stellar career — to end just yet. His two-goal performance Friday against the Kings ensured that he and they will continue into the playoffs.

Selanne, who will be 41 a few days after his contract expires this summer, capped a rally with a dynamic goal set up by fellow Finn Saku Koivu at 5:54 of the third period, giving the Ducks a 2-1 victory at Honda Center that clinched the Ducks’ berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It’s the first time both local teams will be in the playoffs in the same season. They will play their regular-season finale Saturday at Staples Center, a game that will determine each team’s seeding. The playoffs are expected to start Wednesday.

The Kings had clinched a playoff berth earlier this week but are pushing for fourth place and home-ice advantage in the first round. Their loss, coupled with Nashville’s win over Columbus on Friday, dropped them to fifth.

The Ducks entered the game needing to earn two points or have the Dallas Stars not earn two points. The Stars won— as did Chicago, and Phoenix was leading San Jose late in their contest in northern California. The final order of the eight West playoff teams might not be determined until Sunday, when Chicago faces Detroit.

Ducks goaltender Dan Ellis, given the start when a lower-body injury prevented Ray Emery from playing, stopped 23 shots in his first start since March 20. Jonathan Quick stopped 26 for the Kings.
Check back later for more atwww.latimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott 

Photo: Kings forward Dustin Penner, left, controls the puck in front of Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin, center, and goalie Dan Ellis during the Ducks' 2-1 victory Friday. Credit: Kelvin Kuo / U.S. Presswire

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Brett Moffitt tops NASCAR Hunter Index for April | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Brett Moffitt, a driver from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, earned the top spot in theHunter Index for April, a ranking of the top developmental drivers in the nation.

Greg Pursley, a driver from Newhall and a Canyon High graduate, was the No. 3 driver in the Hunter Index. He won the K&N Pro Series West season opener at Phoenix International Raceway last month.

Brandon Davis, a driver from Henderson, Nev., came in at No. 8. He won the first two races in the NASCAR Late Model division at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday night.

Go toHaddock in the Paddockto see how I voted in the Hunter Index and see the rest of the drivers in the top 10.

ALSO:

Kimi Raikkonen coming to NASCAR truck series

Brandon Davis wins NASCAR Late Model season opener

-- Tim Haddock

Photo: Greg Pursley won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Phoenix International Raceway in March  and was the third-ranked driver in the Hunter Index for April. Credit: Getty Images for NASCAR

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Kings clinch playoff berth with shootout victory over Coyotes | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The fourth time was the charm for the Kings, who clinched a playoff berth Wednesday night with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at a jubilant Staples Center.

The Kings’ clinching had been delayed twice when Dallas won and once more by their own loss at San Jose. But the Kings secured their second consectuive postseason spot whenMichal HandzusandJarret Stollscored in the shootout but onlyRadim Vrbatacould beatJonathan Quick, who is 10-0 in shootouts this season.

The Coyotes still need a point to secure a spot among the top eight in the Western Conference.

With two games left in the regular season— a home-and-home series with the Ducks that begins Friday at Anaheim — the Kings can now focus on improving their seeding. They moved up to fourth in the West, a point ahead of Nashville, which also has two games left.

"I’m real excited. I can’t thank our fans enough," saidKyle Clifford, who combined withBrad RichardsonandWayne Simmondsto generate energy that the crowd appreciated and applauded.

We'll have more on the game soon atlatimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott

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Weaver, Angels survive another bullpen collapse in 5-3 win | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Jered Weavergave up a run and three hits in 6 2/3 innings and rookieJordan Waldennailed down his first save of the season Tuesday, lifting the Angels to a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Weaver (2-0) struck out six and retired the side in order three times, running his career record against the Rays to 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts. And the quality start was the 29th in 36 tries dating to the start of last season -- only reigning Cy Young award winnerFelix Hernandezhas more over that span.

The only run he gave up came in the third inning, when former AngelSean Rodriguezdrove a hanging slider into the left-center-field bleachers. But Weaver gave up just one more hit after that before turning the game over to the Angels' troubled bullpen, which nearly gave the game away.

Hisanori Takahashireplaced Weaver and walked the first batter he faced, then gave up a disputed infield single to the second, loading the bases. When the left-hander walked another man leading off the eighth, he was pulled in favor ofMichael Kohn, who gave up a two-run homer toB.J. Upton.

Kohn eventually escaped the inning without further damage and Walden, handed the closer's role earlier in the day, pitched a perfect ninth to end the Angels' three-game losing streak.

The Angels jumped on Rays' starterJeff Niemannearly, scoring three first-inning runs on four singles and two stolen bases. They made it 4-0 in the second on a leadoff home run byHank Conger, his first in the majors.

Then, after Rodriguez homered to get the Rays on the scoreboard,Howie Kendrickstarted the fifth with a triple and came home onTorii Hunter'ssecond run-scoring single of the game.

-- Kevin Baxter in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Photo: Angels starter Jered Weaver delivers a pitch during the Angels' 5-3 victory Tuesday. Credit: Mike Carlson / Associated Press

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Butler vs. Uconn: After 10 minutes | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Ouch, my ears hurt. The sound of the ball clanking against the rim over and over and over? Make it stop.

Clang goesMatt Howard'sattempt for Butler.

UConn'sKemba Walkergets inside, though, layup, foul and free throw. UConn's ahead, 13-8, now and the Huskies' length seems to be emerging.

Also emerging is the sense that Butler can't afford to miss free throws at all or make any turnovers. The Bulldogs have a slim margin for error.

And has any team won a game without scoring a two-point field goal? Butler's trying. Bulldog's down 13-9, 0-for-the-game from two-point range, shooting 13 percent from the field? Hey, being down 13-9 doesn't seem so bad.

Andrew Smithbreaks a five-minute Butler scoring drought and has the Bulldogs' first two-pointer of the game at the 10:19 mark of first half. Butler down, 13-11.

Oh, yeah, Huskies are missing a lot of layups, too.

RELATED:

Rare sight in Butler-Connecticut title matchup: Stars who stuck around

Question of the Day: How does the loss by UConn women diminish their legacy?

Coach Shaka Smart agrees to eight-year deal to stay at Virginia Commonwealth

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: UConn point guard Kemba Walker reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against Butler on Monday night in the NCAA championship game. Credit: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

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{Updated} Kraft Nabisco Championship: Lewis back in lead with Tseng | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Stacy Lewis, 26, a four-time All-American at the University of Arkansas, had back-to-back birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 and has scrambled back into a tie with third-round leader and defending championYani Tsengon Sunday afternoon through four holes of the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

Tseng also birdied the par-five second hole but spent much of her trip out in the rough on the par-four fourth hole and ended up with a bogey five.

Coming up quickly had been 22-year-oldMorgan Pressel,who won this tournament, considered the equivalent of the women's Masters since it is a major that has been played on the same course for 40 years, as an 18-year-old in 2007. Pressel was two under through the first five holes and had gotten to 10 under for the tournament, two shots behind the leaders.

But she just finished off a disastrous triple-bogey seven on the sixth hole when her second shot  bounced off a tree and into the water. She took a seven on the par-four hole and is now seven under for the tournament, five behind the leaders.

Pressel's partner Sunday isMichelle Wie,who is even par so far. She got the large crowd going with a birdie on that par-five second hole but her inconsistency evident all week is still here as Wie bogeyed the fourth. She's six shots behind the co-leaders and that seems a bit much to make up. She's also tied with 33-year-oldAngela Stanford.

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Kraft Nabisco Championship leaderboard

Yani Tseng leads Kraft Nabisco Championship after three rounds

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Stacy Lewis hits out of a greenside bunker at No. 17 on Saturday during the third round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Credit: Danny Moloshok / Reuters

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Brandon Davis wins NASCAR Late Model season opener at Irwindale | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Brandon Daviswon the second and third NASCAR Late Model races of his career, sweeping the Twin 40s in the season opener at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale on Saturday night.

He won the 2010 season finale at Irwindale and set a track record in qualifying for the late model race in the Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale in January.

Go toHaddock in the Paddockfor results from the Super Trucks season opener at Irwindale.

-- Tim Haddock

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Kraft Nabisco Championship: Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lincicome tied again | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

First-round co-leader (and 2009 Kraft Nabisco Champion)Brittany Lincicomehas birdied two of her last three holes and she is back in a tie for the lead in the second round withStacy Lewis.

Lincicome and Lewis are seven-under on the Mission Hills Country Club Course in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Lewis is through 12 holes and Lincicome through 10.

While scores are a little higher so far Friday than on Thursday,Michelle Wieis working on the best round of the morning. She is four-under par through nine holes and has moved up from a tie for 54th to a tie for ninth. Wie had shot a two-over 74 on Thursday.

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Kraft Nabisco Championship: Former UCLA golfer a shot out of lead

New leaders emerging in the afternoon at KNC

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage. Credit: Chris Carlson.

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