U.S. Hockey Team Wins in Shootout

Edmonton Oiler goalie Ty Conklin posted a shutout in a penalty shootout, and Andy Roach’s goal put the U.S. team in the World Hockey Championships semifinals with an upset of the Czech Republic on Wednesday in Prague, Czech Republic.

Roach gave the Americans a 1-0 shootout win after the teams tied, 2-2, through regulation and overtime.

In the shootout, the first four shooters for each team missed. Then Roach, a defenseman who plays in the German league, made a left-to-right fake in front of Nashville Predator goalie Tomas Vokoun and stuffed the puck into the open net.

After Roach scored, Jiri Dopita, who used to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, shot wide, and the Americans gathered on the ice to celebrate.

They rallied after trailing, 2-0, in regulation.

The U.S. opponent Saturday will be Sweden, which beat Latvia, 4-1, with a goal and assist from Daniel Alfredsson.

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Tennis

Albert Costa stunned Roger Federer in the second round of the Italian Open, coming from a set down to beat the world’s No. 1 player, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, in Rome.

The man who beat Federer for the title here a year ago, Felix Mantilla, also was ousted, 7-5, 6-3, by Mariano Zabaleta.

In other matches, Vincent Spadea beat Hicham Arazi, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, and No. 4 Tim Henman beat Radek Stepanek, 6-1, 6-1.

Venus Williams extended her winning streak to 12 matches by beating Eleni Daniilidou, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the German Open’s third round in Berlin.

Kim Clijsters also advanced, overcoming a rocky return from a left wrist injury to beat qualifier Marta Marrero, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Six top American players -- twins Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish, Taylor Dent, Vince Spadea and Robby Ginepri -- have committed to the Mercedes-Benz Cup, July 12-18, at the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA.

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Jurisprudence

Former Arkansas basketball coach Nolan Richardson’s trial against the university began in Little Rock, Ark., with Athletic Director Frank Broyles testifying that Richardson seemed to lose his motivation for the job two years before he was fired in 2002. Richardson filed a discrimination lawsuit claiming wrongful termination against the university. U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson Jr. is hearing the case without a jury. ... Tulsa football players Kedrick Alexander and Terrance Thomas were suspended indefinitely after being charged with second-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into another athlete’s dorm room and stealing a laptop computer, a video game and a credit card.

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Miscellany

Swimmer Chris Thompson, 2000 Olympic bronze medalist and American record-holder in the 1500-meter freestyle, broke both elbows in a dry land training exercise at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Monday. Thompson said he was still aiming to come back for the Olympic trials in Long Beach in July.

Former soccer star Diego Maradona was back in intensive care in Buenos Aires, days after he abruptly ended nearly two weeks of treatment for heart and lung problems. He was in stable condition after returning to the hospital because of an eating problem, according to a statement by the medical team treating him.... Canisius junior forward Richard Jones collapsed during a workout with some teammates and died later at a hospital, school officials in Buffalo, N.Y., said. Jones, 21, had just made a shot, began to tremble and fell face forward to the floor, a school spokesman said. There were no details on the cause of death.

Minnesota Viking linebacker Greg Biekert, 35, is retiring after 11 years. The former Oakland Raider signed with the Vikings before the 2002 season.... Miami released basketball recruit 6-foot-11 center C.J. Giles from his national letter of intent. He will be eligible to play in 2005-06 after asking for his release following the firing of coach Perry Clark.... Stuart Krohn was named coach of the U.S. rugby team for the 17th Maccabiah on July 10-21. Krohn is coach of the Santa Monica Rugby Football Club and the Southern California Griffins Territorial team.