Knight played

with torn MCL

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. women’s hockey gold medal-winning captain Hilary Knight revealed Monday in a television appearance that she played in Milan with a torn medial collateral ligament in one of her knees. Knight, playing at what she said was her final Olympics at 36, tied the final against Canada with just over two minutes left in regulation.

Knight and U.S. men’s gold medal-winning players Jack and Quinn Hughes had cameo appearances Saturday alongside women’s golden goal scorer Megan Keller on “Saturday Night Live.”

Colorado QB

dies in crash

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado Buffaloes began spring practice with heavy hearts Monday as they remembered quarterback Dominiq Ponder. The 23-year-old from Florida died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash, police said. Ponder played in two games for the Buffalos last season.

The players were given the option by coach Deion Sanders to skip the first day of spring practice. But in an emergency meeting to grieve together, everyone agreed that taking the field was the best option. Running back DeKalon Taylor said the team broke the huddle with the chant of “Dom.”

Valdez has

strong debut

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Framber Valdez struck out three while throwing 30 of 43 pitches for strikes in the left-hander’s spring training debut for the Detroit Tigers on Monday against the Atlanta Braves.

Valdez faced 12 batters in three scoreless innings, allowing two singles without any walks.

The hits against him were a slow infield roller to third base and a grounder through the right side of the infield.

Valdez, a two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion with Houston, signed a $115 million, three-year contract with the Tigers last month, around the same time that Tarik Skubal won a record $32 million in arbitration after consecutive AL Cy Young Awards.

The Detroit rotation also includes three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, who rejoined his original team.

UM’s Cason

out for season

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — No. 3 Michigan lost the best backup point guard in college basketball, according to coach Dusty May. L.J. Cason tore a knee ligament as the team clinched an outright Big Ten title with a win at No. 10 Illinois on Friday night.

The Wolverines will certainly miss the smooth-shooting sophomore, who averaged 8.4 points and more than one 3-pointer per game.

May says the injury will give guards an opportunity to play larger roles. Starting point guard Elliot Cadeau plays about 25 minutes a game, a number that may increase if he can avoid foul trouble.