In the United States, ABC's second week of regional coverage had a ratings increase of 56 percent from the comparable date last year. Saturday's coverage had a rating of 2.5 (1.6-million households) with a 6 share, compared with a 1.6 rating (1.05-million households) and a 4 share a year ago.

Each ratings point represents 1,022,000 households. Share is the percentage of television sets in use tuned in.

Saturday's broadcasts were Los Angeles at Detroit, Philadelphia at Buffalo, Pittsburgh at Washington and St. Louis at San Jose. Last year's broadcast on ABC featured St. Louis at San Jose.

The Buffalo and Pittsburgh markets recorded ratings records Saturday.

Buffalo had a 24.4 rating (150,953 households) and a 43 share for Game 6, surpassing the record of 16.7 and 37 set the weekend before for Game 2.

Pittsburgh pulled a 14.4 rating (162,549 households) with a 28 share for Game 5. The previous record of 13.1 and 31 was set last year in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia.

In Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is averaging 1.7-million national viewers through 13 broadcasts, a 17 percent increase from last season through nine broadcasts. The largest increase has been among males 18-34, up 40 percent from last year.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Canada named five more players for the tournament, which starts Saturday in Germany: Defensemen Eric Brewer and Jason Smith of the Oilers and Brad Stuart of the Sharks, and forwards Patrick Marleau of the Sharks and Ryan Smyth of the Oilers.

Edmonton goalie Tommy Salo has been named to the Swedish team and Alexei Yashin of the Ottawa Senators will play for Russia, the International Ice Hockey Federation said. Sharks backup goalie Miikka Kiprusoff will play for Finland, and center Marco Sturm will compete for Germany.

TRANSFER FEES: The sport's world governing body will meet with NHL officials Saturday to negotiate increasing the league's $6-million payment for luring players from Europe.

The International Ice Hockey Federation wants to increase the payment. Federation president Rene Fasel has said the organization would consider suing the NHL if the league did not increase the compensation. The current agreement between the federation and NHL expires Sept. 1.

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