Flyers fire Laviolette after 0-3 start
NHL: Despite receiving a two-year extension last season and a preseason vote of confidence from ownership, Philadelphia fired coach Peter Laviolette Monday after an 0-3 start to this season’s campaign.
The Flyers made the announcement at a morning news conference, less than a day after Philadelphia dropped a 2-1 decision to Carolina.
Assistant Craig Berube, in his seventh season with the club after also playing there, will take over as coach. He is the Flyers’ 18th coach in team history.
Last year’s lockout-shortened season was the first in which the Flyers have failed to make the postseason since Laviolette took over in 2009.
The Flyers added former forward Ian Laperriere and former Ottawa coach John Paddock as assistant coaches.
• Oilers rally past Devils: Jordan Eberle and David Perron scored in the shootout for the Oilers, who erased a three-goal deficit in the third period against goalie Martin Brodeur to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-4 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Stewart undergoes third operation on leg
Auto racing: NASCAR driver Tony Stewart is recovering in Kannapolis, N.C., from a third surgery on his right leg following an August crash at an Iowa sprint car track.
Stewart-Haas Racing said the procedure was done to examine and close a wound on his shin stemming from the broken tibia and fibula he suffered in the Aug. 5 crash at Southern Iowa Speedway. He remains hospitalized for observation.
• Franchitti to remain in Houston hospital: Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti will remain in a Houston hospital for the next few days and then be taken to Indianapolis for further evaluation as he recovers from a crash in which he broke his right ankle, fractured two vertebrae in his spine and received a concussion, on the last lap of the Houston grand prix on Sunday.
Wildcats coach Lopez has triple bypass
BASEBALL: University of Arizona baseball coach Andy Lopez is recovering after undergoing triple bypass surgery in Tucson, Ariz.
School officials said the operation went well and Lopez, 59, will return to coaching after he’s cleared by doctors.