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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Indy drivers contend with heavy traffic

The Spokesman-Review

Tuesday was the busiest opening day of Indy 500 practice in nearly a decade.

Marco Andretti posted the best lap of the day at 226.599.

Danica Patrick, another of Andretti’s teammates with Andretti Green Racing, turned in a fast lap of 224.095, the ninth best of the day.

In all, 33 cars completed 1,385 laps. The last time that many cars drove on opening day was 1999.

Hockey

Canada, Russia win

Dany Heatley scored the winning goal with 46.8 seconds remaining to lift Canada to a 5-4 victory over the United States at the world hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Earlier in Quebec City, Washington Capitals teammates Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Fedorov each scored a goal, helping Russia defeat Denmark 4-1.

Football

Engram stays away

Unhappy veteran receiver Bobby Engram dropped a letter on his coach’s desk saying he’ll be skipping Seattle Seahawks practices.

Engram, 35, one of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s most dependable targets for the last seven years, is missing this week’s four-day voluntary minicamp for veterans in Kirkland, Wash., because he’s unhappy about having only this season left on his contract.

In other news, guard Rob Sims had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will miss up to six weeks.

“Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe has spoken to the family of former Louisiana State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux about a possible transfer to a team with no scholarship QBs.

Perrilloux was kicked off the defending national championship team after repeated off-the-field problems.

“Former Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run, less than a week after he was hired as the school’s assistant director of player personnel.

“Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry will be released from court-ordered electronic monitoring and house arrest so he can try out for another NFL team.

Basketball

Storm center sidelined

Seattle Storm starting center Janell Burse, runner-up for the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2006, will miss the upcoming season because of multiple injuries.

Burse averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last season.

Miscellany

Sprinter denied bond

In Norfolk, Va., a federal judge denied bond for former track star Tim Montgomery on federal heroin distribution charges.

The former 100-meter world-record holder was arrested last week.

“In Sao Paolo, Brazil, police said cross-dressing prostitutes lied when they accused AC Milan striker Ronaldo of using drugs and having sex with them last week.