Experience negligible as Danes upset U.S.

TAMPERE, Finland - In one of the biggest upsets at hockey's World Championships, the United States lost 5-2 Saturday to a Denmark team playing in the tournament for the first time since 1949, when the Danes were routed 47-0 by Canada.

By Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 27, 2003

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The United States had 12 NHL players - none prominent. Last year, the Americans won silver at the Olympics and finished seventh at worlds. "We're disappointed but not discouraged," coach Lou Vairo said. "We can still win two games and finish first in our group. It's possible."

The United States faces Switzerland today and ends the first round Tuesday against Russia in the 16-team event.

Denmark, a country with about 4,000 hockey players, was backed by Kim Staal's two goals. The United States got goals from Jim Fahey, a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks, and Kelly Fairchild, a forward who plays in Germany.

COLLEGES: FSU softball sets records

Florida State's softball team (41-9, 6-0) completed its sweep of visiting Virginia (33-22, 3-5) in record fashion. After shutting down the ACC's second-best offense 5-0 in Game 1, the Seminoles set a record for runs and margin of victory in a 12-1 win. In 1992, FSU beat the Cavs 11-1. FSU extended the nation's longest winning streak to 22 games.

GOLF: The Florida men were tied for fifth (585) in the SEC Championship at Sea Island, Ga., eight behind leaders Tennessee and Georgia. Tampa's Jordan Code was tied for 17th (147).

SOCCER: Prepared U.S. prevails

Shannon MacMillan scored four in Washington, powering the United States 6-1 over a Canadian women's team assembled just days earlier. She scored the most goals in a game by a U.S. player since Tiffeny Milbrett had five against Panama in November. Until Thursday, the United States had been scheduled to play Nigeria. But when Nigeria had problems with travel documents, Canada filled in.

MLS: Tim Howard made seven saves for his 13th shutout as New York/New Jersey beat host Columbus 1-0. Damani Ralph scored in the 70th minute and capped a three-goal, second-half comeback as Chicago beat host Kansas City 3-2. Taylor Twellman scored in the 83rd minute to lift New England 2-1 over host Dallas.

WUSA: Kelly Goleboiwski scored in the 68th minute as host Washington tied Atlanta. Maren Meinert scored twice as host Boston beat Philadelphia 3-1. Tiffeny Milbrett scored twice as visiting New York snapped a seven-game losing streak 3-1 over Carolina.

TRACK and FIELD: Dragila back on top

Stacy Dragila, world outdoor record-holder and 2000 Olympic gold medalist, cleared 15 feet, 13/4 inches to win the pole vault at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. Dragila had not jumped competitively since failing to make the opening height at the indoor championships in England last month.

PENN RELAYS: The United States swept all six races in the "USA vs. the World" portion at Philadelphia. The men and women each went 1-2 in the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays.

ET CETERA BOXING: Oscar Larios won a unanimous decision over Shigeru Nakazato in Tokyo to retain his WBC super-bantamweight title. ... Antonio Tarver outpointed Montell Griffin for the vacant IBF and WBC light heavyweight titles in Mashantucket, Conn. James Toney won the IBF cruiserweight title, beating Vassiliy Jirov.

RUNNING: Andrew Greenridge of Coconut Creek (39 minutes, 27 seconds) won his second straight Seven Mile Bridge Run in Marathon. West Palm Beach's Sonja Friend-Uhl (41:52) won the women's. ... Kyrgyzstan's Irina Bogacheva won the Country Music Marathon in a record 2:28:08 in Nashville, topping the 2001 women's mark of 2:34:40 by Romania's Aurica Buia.

OBITUARY: Bernie Little Sr., a leading figure in unlimited hydroplane racing and owner of the famous Miss Budweiser boat, died in Lakeland on Friday. He was 77. Miss Budweiser amassed 22 championships, 134 Unlimited victories and 14 American Power Boat Association Gold Cups. All are records.

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Experience negligible as Danes upset U.S.

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