In brief: Elias leaves on stretcher in Devils’ loss

NHL: Craig Anderson made 37 saves, Chris Stewart and T.J. Galiardi scored and the Colorado Avalanche hung on to beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at Denver.

New Jersey forward Patrik Elias left the game on a stretcher after being checked by Colorado defenseman Ryan Wilson 38 seconds into the second period. Wilson hit Elias with a high check at the Avalanche blue line.

Elias stayed on the ice for about 5 minutes before he was secured onto the stretcher. He waved to the crowd as he was taken off the ice.

•Tokarski sees first NHL action: Former Spokane Chief Dustin Tokarski made five saves in his NHL debut after replacing starting goalie Antero Niittymaki in Tampa Bay’s 5-2 loss to Florida at Sunrise, Fla.

Cory Stillman and Rostislav Olesz each scored two goals to lift the Panthers.

Tokarski was called up from Norfolk – Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate – on Thursday.

Longhorns hold off Aggies in overtime

Men’s college basketball: Damion James scored 26 points, including seven in overtime, and top-ranked Texas survived its first week at No. 1 with a 72-67 win over Texas A&M at Austin, Texas.

James made a 3-pointer with 1 minute left in overtime and blocked a 3-point attempt by Texas A&M’s B.J. Holmes that would have tied the game in the final seconds.

Arizona beats Oregon in 119-112 shootout

Women’s College Basketball: Davellyn Whyte had a record-breaking 39 points as Arizona went on to defeat Oregon 119-112 at Tucson, Ariz.

Ify Ibekwe scored 32 points, had 14 rebounds and a game-high seven assists for Arizona.

The teams combined for the most points in a Pac-10 game (231), Arizona set a record for most points in a Pac-10 game and Oregon set a Pac-10 record for most points by a losing team.

Wizards cap tough week with win

NBA: The Washington Wizards managed to end one of the most dismal, exhausting weeks in franchise history with a victory, giving coach Flip Saunders his 600th career win by beating the Sacramento Kings 96-86 at Washington.

Caron Butler scored 19 points to lead five players in double figures for the Wizards.

Saunders improved his coaching record to 600-422, needing five tries to reach his latest milestone after a four-game losing streak.

Allenby, Palmer tied for lead at Sony Open

Golf: Robert Allenby and Ryan Palmer avoided bogeys on a windy day at Waialae and made enough birdies to share the lead at the Sony Open at Honolulu.

They were at 11-under-par 199, three shots clear of Davis Love III, Troy Matteson, Steve Stricker and defending champion Zach Johnson.

Spokane native Alex Prugh shot an even-par 70, but will not tee off today because so many players made the weekend cut that even more were cut after Saturday’s round. Prugh will still be paid and receive points in the FedEx Cup standings. He finished with a 1-over 211.

•Nicklaus-Watson lead Champions Skins Game: Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson took the first seven skins worth $220,000 to build a big lead after nine holes of the Champions Skins Game at Kaanapali, Hawaii.

With the first four skins carrying over to par-4 fifth, Nicklaus hit an aggressive wedge from 115 yards out to 3 feet, which Watson dropped to capture five skins and $150,000.

Browns fire top executive Keenan

NFL: The Cleveland Browns fired Mike Keenan, the team’s president before Mike Holmgren was hired earlier this month.

Team spokesman Neal Gulkis confirmed Keenan’s dismissal. Keenan had joined the Browns in 2006 after serving on the NFL management council. He was promoted to president in 2008.

American Isner wins first tour title

Tennis: American John Isner defeated Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (2) to win the Heineken Open at Auckland, New Zealand, for his first ATP Tour singles title.

The 6-foot-9 Isner had 22 aces and only two double-faults.

•Baghdatis wins Sydney International: Marcos Baghdatis warmed up for the first Grand Slam of the year with a 6-4, 7-6 (2) win over Richard Gasquet in the Sydney (Australia) International final.

Baghdatis, runner-up to Roger Federer at the 2006 Australian Open, won the first set before the players had a 75-minute wait in the dressing room during a rainstorm at Sydney Olympic Park.

Miller crashes out; Janka wins downhill

Skiing: Bode Miller crashed near the finish line and Carlo Janka of Switzerland won the prestigious World Cup downhill race on the Lauberhorn course at Wengen, Switzerland.

Miller, who was unhurt, said he hit a bump approaching a right-hand turn in the closing S-bend and his right hip hit the snow before he slid off course.

•Vonn crashes; Zettel wins giant slalom: Lindsey Vonn crashed three gates from the finish but was not hurt, while Kathrin Zettel of Austria won the World Cup giant slalom at Maribor, Slovenia.

Vonn, a favorite in the upcoming Vancouver Olympics, was second after the opening run. But the American lost time early in her second run, forcing her to attack in the lower section. She was thrown off course by a bump shortly before the finish line.

•American duo earns Olympic berths: Heather McPhie and Bryon Wilson locked up their first trips to the Winter Olympics with solid showings in World Cup moguls at Park City, Utah.

Olympic gold medalist and overall leader Jennifer Heil of Canada edged McPhie for her third consecutive win at Deer Valley Resort and fourth straight World Cup victory.

Wilson finished 14th in the men’s event but secured his trip to the Vancouver Olympics when none of his American teammates could win – the only selection criteria that would override his two podium finishes this year.