Page 21 - Aruba Today

SPORTS A21
Saturday 30 January 2016

Enforcer John Scott is enjoying Murray There hasn’t been a walk- being the first brothers to
moment as NHL All-Star captain over in the final of a Grand appear in the singles and
Continued from page 17 Slam tournament since doubles finals at the same
TERESA M. WALKER Wimbledon in 1931, when major in the Open era. The
AP Sports Writer “I guess that was sort of Sidney Wood Jr. won the men’s doubles decider fol-
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — John Scott sat back in his just the whole frustration title because fellow Ameri- lows the women’s final be-
chair and took a cellphone photo of all the report- of everything sort of get- can Francis Shields with- tween six-time champion
ers crowded around him once the questions finally ting out,” said Raonic, who drew because of injury. Serena Williams and An-
ended. tends not to be demon- For now, Murray is planning gelique Kerber.
It was a big moment for a big man, and it almost strative on court. on playing. In the women’s doubles
didn’t happen. So the journeyman enforcer who ad- Murray went on a run of “I need to keep my game final Friday, Martina Hin-
mits he’s an odd fit for an NHL All-Star game is soaking winning 20 of 25 points to plan very well, not have gis and Sania Mirza beat
up every precious moment before heading back to go ahead 4-0 and all but any lapses in concentra- the Czech pair of Andrea
Newfoundland, where he is toiling in the minors. clinch the four-hour match, tion and just play the best I Hlavackova and Lucie Hra-
“It’s definitely strange,” Scott said Friday at one of and a spot in a ninth Grand can,” said Murray, who has decka 7-6 (1), 6-3 to claim
the more unusual media days for the NHL’s showcase Slam final. won only nine of his 30 ca- their third Grand Slam title
event. “You go in the locker room everyone’s got the Murray said he sensed Ra- reer meetings with Djokov- together.
NHL logo on their helmet. They threw the NHL logo on
mine. It’s definitely always like, ‘You’re not in the NHL Andy Murray, left, of Britain is congratulated by Milos Raonic of Canada after winning their semi-
anymore.’ So it’s neat, though like I’m not used to this final match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 29,
and all this scrum and stuff. I’m going to enjoy it while 2016.
I’m here and go back to the real world.”
He is going to enjoy it with a blessing from NHL Com- (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
missioner Gary Bettman, too. The two had a talk
Thursday night. onic slowing down, but had ic. Mirza couldn’t extend her
“And he’s more than welcome to be here,” Bettman to keep his mind on his own Brother Jamie is in the dou- run in mixed doubles, los-
told The Associated Press. “We’re happy he’s here. side of the court. He’ll have bles final with Bruno Soares ing with her partner Ivan
The fans spoke, and we’re happy to reflect their will.” to do that again against against Daniel Nestor and Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 7-6
Scott said he was glad to hear that from Bettman top-ranked Djokovic, who Radek Stepanek on Sat- (4) later Friday to Elena
because there was a time he really wasn’t sure the won 27 of his 28 matches in urday, giving the Murray Vesnina and Soares in the
league felt that way. He wrote in The Players Tribune Grand Slams in 2015. siblings the distinction of semifinals.q
this week that someone from the league called him
to suggest he back out of the game, an idea he re- LPGA:
jected much to the delight of his fellow All-Stars. Khang, Hull, Nomura tied for lead in Tour opener
The last two weeks have been a whirlwind for Scott.
He was traded Jan. 15 to Montreal, which promptly PARADISE ISLAND, Baha- Khang said. “To come out circumstances. But I’m just “It
ordered him to its AHL affiliate in Canada’s version mas (AP) — Megan Khang with 68 is incredible. Can’t having so much fun out po
of the Far East. The league also had to decide what shot a 5-under 68 in strong wait for the weekend.” here. I just love it out here.” go
to do with him, since no one had really expected a wind Friday for a share of Hull and Nomura each shot The 5-foot-1 Khang hits re
6-foot-8 bruiser with just five goals over 285 games in the lead in the season- 70. her drives in the 260-yard tio
eight seasons to make an All-Star roster. opening Pure Silk-Bahamas Khang, from Rockland, range. Ju
Scott didn’t just make the roster: Fans flocked online LPGA Classic, her first event Massachusetts, tied for sixth “Sandra (Gal) was like, ou
and voted him captain of the Pacific Division, taking as an LPGA Tour member. at Q-school in December ‘You hit it pretty far for a sa
advantage of the NHL’s willingness to give them the The 18-year-old Khang ea- to earn a tour card. little one,’” Khang said. “I No
ability to turn at least one position into a popularity gled the par-5 fourth hole “I think my game’s at a was like, ‘You’re not the first an
contest. The same thing happened a year ago as and had four birdies and a good place right now and one to say that.’ ... I took it un
Latvian fans helped send Sabres forward Zemgus Gir- bogey in wind gusting to 30 I definitely think I can hold as a compliment.” 13
gensons to the All-Star game. mph at the Ocean Club to my own,” Khang said. “I The 19-year-old Hull closed
Of course, Girgensons isn’t a tough guy like Scott, match England’s Charley was confident in my game. with a birdie on the par-5
who may very well look a bit out of place when the Hull and Japan’s Haru No- I just didn’t know how I was 18th. “I’ve never played
league shows off its frantic 3-on-3 format during Sun- mura at 8-under 138 going to play right now be- the golf course with that
day’s game. “It was such a grind,” ing a rookie and under the wind before,” Hull said. q
Scott expects the NHL to change the fan vote for the
All-Star Game to keep someone like himself from ever
being picked again.
“They should do something if they don’t want this to
happen again,” Scott said. “I think it’s a good thing
for the game. It’s gotten a lot of publicity. It’s gotten
a lot of people excited to watch the game, so you
never know. It could be a good thing.”
All-Star merchandise with Scott’s name and number
has been a hot item, so popular that Scott said he
couldn’t find any of his own jerseys.
Scott said his former Arizona teammates supported
him accepting his All-Star spot. Florida star Jaromir
Jagr said the pressure from the league wasn’t fair to
Scott, who has played for six teams over the years
and never averaged more than 10 minutes in ice
time during an NHL season.
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Jagr said. “He’s a
great guy. I think the change will change something
next year, but he shouldn’t go through that. It was
kind of cool when he said, ‘No, I’m coming.’ q