Press Box: NHL cancels more games, including All-Star Game
The NHL lockout forced the cancellation of more regular-season games and the All-Star Game, the league said Friday in announcing its latest round of schedule cuts.
Regular-season games through Dec. 14 were wiped out and the All-Star Game on Jan. 27 in Columbus also will not be played.
The NHL has now lost 422 games, or 34.3 percent, of the regular season. Commissioner Gary Bettman said this week that the league has lost $18 million to $20 million during the lockout.
"The reality of losing more regular-season games as well as the 2013 NHL All-Star Weekend in Columbus is extremely disappointing," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. "We feel badly for NHL fans and particularly those in Columbus, and we intend to work closely with the Blue Jackets organization to return the NHL All-Star events to Columbus and their fans as quickly as possible." There are growing fears that the entire season could be canceled.
The NHL and the Players' Association failed to move closer to a new collective bargaining agreement after the league rejected the union's new proposal on Wednesday. The players' proposal included a concession to tie their revenue share to the league's percentage-based system.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
--Morehead State suspended coach Sean Woods for one game for his actions during Wednesday's game against Kentucky.
Woods shouted at Morehead State point guard Devon Atkinson after he fouled out in the second half and then appeared to shove him near the bench. The yelling continued during a timeout in an 81-70 loss to the No. 8 Wildcats.
The suspension will be served Monday night when Morehead State plays Norfolk State.
"My behavior during Wednesday night's game was inappropriate and unacceptable. I am truly sorry," Woods said in a statement.
NBA
--Lakers backup point guard, Steve Blake, who has missed the past five games with an abdominal strain, might be back as soon as Tuesday, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
