Sports in brief: Miller back with U.S. team

After two years away, Bode Miller is back training with the U.S. Ski Team.

The two-time World Cup overall champion said he’s happy to be skiing with the team again.

Miller is fine-tuning his equipment ahead of the World Cup season – and what he hopes will be a trip to the Vancouver Olympics.

Miller left the U.S. squad and raced independently for two seasons, but he’s working with the group again, including Olympic champion Ted Ligety.

The men’s World Cup starts Oct. 25. Miller hasn’t said when he’ll join the circuit.

Associated Press

New opponent, same battle

Football: The Central Washington University football team plays Western Oregon in this year’s Battle in Seattle VII.

The Wildcats played their first six Battles against Western Washington, but the Bellingham school dropped its football program after last season.

Central heads for the Saturday night game in Qwest Field with a 7-0 record and two wins in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Western Oregon is 3-3 and 2-1 in the conference.

Associated Press

Spokane women lace up skates

Hockey: The U.S. and Canadian hockey teams will not have the only women hockey players in Spokane this weekend.

The two national teams meet on the Arena ice tonight, but the rest of the weekend belongs to club teams from around the Northwest and Canada in the Hocktoberfest at the Eagles Ice-A-Rena on Saturday and Sunday.

The Spokane Women’s Hockey organization will host this event for many of the best women’s teams in the region. The event, which concludes with the title game Sunday at noon, is open to the public.

For more information about the event and SWH, contact Deb Kyle at 747-2584.