-- John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals scored twice as Canada opened defence of its world junior hockey title with an 8-1 thrashing of the Czech Republic. The Canadians face Kazakhstan on Sunday.
-- The United States made an early statement at the world junior hockey championship, trouncing Germany 8-2. Elsewhere, Sweden downed Finland 3-1 while Russia cruised to a 4-1 victory over Latvia. -- Bill Guerin (GAYR'-ihn) scored twice, giving him 400 goals for his career, as the New York Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Lee Stempniak had the lone goal for the Leafs.
-- Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc (PEH'-tee-clehr) is The Canadian Press female athlete of the year. The 39-year-old made headlines by winning five gold medals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
-- The San Francisco Giants have signed veteran left-hander Randy Johnson to a one-year contract worth eight (m) million dollars (U-S). Johnson is just five victories away from 300 for his career.
-- The Toronto Raptors look for their second straight victory as they visit the Sacramento Kings in one of 10 N-B-A games. The Raptors are 1-and-2 on their six-game trip through the Western Conference.
JAB
