Russia stuns Canada for gold medal in world hockey juniors

Wow, Russia. Woe, Canada

Artemi Panarin scored twice and Russia overcame a three-goal deficit in the third period to stun Canada, 5-3, in the gold-medal game in the World Junior Hockey Championships on Wednesday night.

Earlier, goalkeeper Jack Campbell made 34 saves, and Chris Kreider had two goals to help the United States win the bronze medal with a 4-2 win over Sweden.

In the gold-medal game, Yevgeni Kuznetsov had three assists as Russia scored five times in a 16:11 span to win its first gold since 2003 — and 13th overall. Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and assist, and Maxim Kitsyn and Nikita Dvurechenski also scored for the Russians, who scored five times on 10 shots in the third period.

Igor Bobkov proved to be the difference, stopping all 20 shots he faced in replacing Dmitri Shikin, who was yanked after allowing three goals on 18 shots.

Kings prospect Brayden Schenn had a goal and an assist for Canada. He finished the tournament with 18 points and was named most valuable player. Ryan Ellis and Carter Ashton also scored for Canada, which lost the title game for the second straight time after losing to the Americans, 6-5, in overtime last year.

Rangers, Beltre finalize deal

The Texas Rangers introduced Adrian Beltre as their new third baseman Wednesday after agreeing on a $96-million, six-year contract with the All-Star.

Beltre gets $14 million this year, $15 million in 2012, $16 million in 2013, $17 million in 2014, $18 million in 2015 and $16 million in 2016. The Rangers can void the final season if Beltre fails to have either 1,200 plate appearances in 2014-15 combined or 600 in 2015.

Beltre will take over as the everyday third baseman for the AL champions, and joins a lineup in which he is expected to hit fourth behind AL MVP and major league batting champion Josh Hamliton and ahead of Nelson Cruz.

“The organization had a taste of something last year, finished a few games shy of our ultimate goal,” General Manager Jon Daniels said. “Everything that we’ve been talking about and looking to do this offseason has been in the name of improving the club to a point where we can win the division and get back to the World Series and ultimately win it. This signing is very much in line with that goal.”

Cesar Izturis re-signs with Baltimore

Shortstop Cesar Izturis has finalized a $1.5-million, one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Izturis hit .230 in 150 games with Baltimore last season.

Izturis’ strength is in the field. His .985 fielding percentage in 2010 was second among AL shortstops, and he ranked fifth in the league in assists and putouts.

Izturis, 30, who was with the Dodgers from 2002 until he was traded to the Cubs in 2006, has a career batting average of .256. He won a Gold Glove in 2004 and was an All-Star in 2005.

Brewers, Takashi Saito seal deal

The Milwaukee Brewers have finalized a $1.75-million, one-year contract with reliever Takashi Saito.

The right-hander can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses based on games and $500,000 for days on the active roster.

He was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 56 games for the Atlanta Braves last year and has a 17-13 big league record with a 2.19 ERA in five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and Atlanta.

The 40-year-old from Japan has 84 saves, including 81 with the Dodgers from 2006 to 2008.

Zenyatta’s team to get special Eclipse honor

The individuals who helped Zenyatta become one of the most recognizable sports stars of 2010 will be honored with a special Eclipse Award at the 40th annual ceremony Jan. 17. The special award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements or contributions to horse racing.

Team Zenyatta is led by owners Jerry and Ann Moss, trainer John Shirreffs, jockey Mike Smith, racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, exercise rider Steve Willard, groom Mario Espinoza, hotwalker Carmen Zamona and assistant trainer Michelle Jensen.

Zenyatta is a candidate for Horse of the Year honors.

Kristine Lilly retires after 24 years in international soccer

Soccer midfielder Kristine Lilly, a two-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medal winner, retired at the age of 39 after a 24-year career in which she appeared in a world-record 352 international games for the U.S.

She ended with 130 international goals and 105 assists, both second only to Mia Hamm, and she was the last of “the 91ers” — the team that won the Women’s World Cup in China in 1991—to hang up her boots. Lilly played in four different decades and set records as both the youngest and the oldest player to score a goal for the women’s national team.

— Grahame L. Jones

Nadal, Federer advance at Qatar Open

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal overcame a second-set collapse to beat Lukas Lacko of Slovakia, 7-6 (3), 0-6, 6-3, and join Roger Federer in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.

Earlier, Federer beat fellow Swiss Marco Chiudinelli, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

Roddick wins in Australia

Defending champion Andy Roddick advanced to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International at Brisbane, Australia, hitting 15 aces to beat Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, 6-4, 6-1.

Roddick will face fifth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis in the quarterfinals. The Cypriot beat Lukasz Kubot of Poland, 6-2, 6-2.

In the women’s tournament, crowd favorite Jelena Dokic of Australia dropped 10 straight games in a 6-0, 6-1 loss to Andrea Petkovic of Germany.

Mattek-Sands upsets Schiavone in Hopman Cup

American Bethanie Mattek-Sands upset Francesca Schiavone, 6-4, 6-4, at the Hopman Cup at Perth, Australia, to record her first win over a top 10 opponent and help the United States beat Italy 2-1.

John Isner gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead, edging Potito Starace, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4. But Italy denied the U.S. a second clean sweep at the Hopman Cup, as Schiavone and Starace pulled off a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-3 tiebreaker victory in the mixed doubles.

In the day’s second matchup, France ended Britain’s hopes of reaching the final by winning the deciding doubles match, 6-4, 6-2.

Memphis Grizzlies ban gambling on flights after fight

Memphis Grizzlies Coach Lionel Hollins has banned gambling on team flights after a fight between Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo on board an airplane during a return trip from Los Angeles.

The team released a statement confirming that Allen and Mayo had a “brief altercation” on the charter flight home Monday from Los Angeles. The Grizzlies beat the Lakers, 104-85, on Sunday.

The NBA has not ruled whether Allen or Mayo will face punishment from the league.

According to reports, Mayo owed Allen money following the card game and became increasingly angry toward Allen when asked to settle the debt. The men had to be separated by teammates.