Hockey
MAYOR APOLOGIZES: San Jose's mayor apologized Monday for the behavior of Sharks fans who loudly booed the Canadian national anthem before Game 5 of the second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.
"This showed a lack of respect to our Canadian neighbors, to the players of both teams, and to our own residents," Mayor Ron Gonzales said. "I sincerely hope that this occurrence of bad behavior by a small number of fans is an aberration caused by misplaced enthusiasm and an ignorance of the expected courtesy that we should extend to all teams and players in every stadium, ballpark and arena."
The vociferous booing Sunday night started from the opening notes of singer Annmarie Martin's rendition of "O Canada." While other fans attempted to drown it out by singing along, the boos were audible until the final notes.
SABRES INJURIES: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dmitri Kalinin will miss the start of the Eastern Conference finals series against Carolina, and center Tim Connolly may join him on the sideline. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff on Monday ruled out any possibility of Kalinin playing when the best-of-seven series is expected to open at Carolina this weekend. Kalinin is listed week to week after injuring his ankle May 8 while blocking a shot in Game 2 of the conference semifinal series against Ottawa. Connolly's status is unclear after sustaining a possible concussion in Game 2.
NASCAR
DRIVER SIGNS EXTENSION: NASCAR points leader Jimmie Johnson signed a three-year contract extension Monday committing him to Hendrick Motorsports through the 2010 season. Lowe's, the primary sponsor of the No. 48 Chevrolet, also agreed to stay with the team through 2010.
The deal comes just as Johnson prepares for the next two weeks of racing at Lowe's Motor Speedway, the track he has dominated since entering the Nextel Cup series in 2002. Johnson has won the past three Coca-Cola 600s, and the All-Star race in 2003.
"Since I started in Nextel Cup racing, my association with Lowe's and Hendrick Motorsports has been absolutely incredible," Johnson said. "I couldn't be more proud of this relationship and look forward to continuing what we've started with the No. 48 Lowe's team."
College athletics
SOCCER TEAM SUSPENDED: Northwestern University suspended its women's soccer team Monday while the school investigates alleged hazing involving players last year. The school learned of the allegations Monday, athletics director Mark Murphy said in a statement.
"If the investigation shows that there has been a violation of Northwestern's policies, appropriate sanctions will be imposed and the Athletic Department may take additional action as well," Murphy said.
The statement did not provide details about the alleged incident, and a Northwestern spokesman Alan Cubbage said the school would not comment further.
Basketball
FUNERAL SATURDAY: A funeral service for slain Southern California freshman point guard Ryan Francis will be held Saturday in Baton Rouge, La. The service will be held at Greater King David Baptist Church, North Location, with burial to follow at Southern Memorial Gardens.
The 19-year-old Francis was shot and killed early Saturday while riding in a car in Baton Rouge, where he was visiting his mother, Paulette, for Mother's Day. The USC men's basketball team will travel to Louisiana on Friday to attend the funeral. Coach Tim Floyd and some of his assistants are already in Baton Rouge with the Francis family.
Boxing
JONES TO FIGHT IN BOISE: Roy Jones Jr. will fight for the first time in nearly 10 months on July 29 when he faces "Prince" Badi Ajamu for the NABO's light heavyweight title at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.
Initially, Jones was to be a part of a "legends" card, including former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champ Virgil Hill. Promoter Ritch Danner, of Sports and Entertainment Media in Las Vegas, said Monday that Holyfield will not be a part of the card, but that negotiations are continuing with Hill, who would face Boise native Kenny Keene.
The full card is expected to be announced June 1 and will be available on pay-per-view.