San Jose mayor apologizes for booing

San Jose’s mayor apologized Monday for the behavior of Sharks fans who loudly booed the Canadian national anthem before Game 5 of the second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers.

“This showed a lack of respect to our Canadian neighbors, to the players of both teams, and to our own residents,” Mayor Ron Gonzales said.

“I sincerely hope that this occurrence of bad behavior by a small number of fans is an aberration caused by misplaced enthusiasm and an ignorance of the expected courtesy that we should extend to all teams and players in every stadium, ballpark and arena.”

The vociferous booing Sunday night started from the opening notes of singer Annmarie Martin’s rendition of “O Canada.” While other fans attempted to drown it out by singing along, the boos were audible until the final notes.

Sharks officials thought their crowd was responding to a handful of Canadian fans who apparently booed a picture of Sharks star Joe Thornton on the video board at the start of the American anthem last Friday night before Game 4. The microphone on the Bay Area broadcast picked up some of the booing.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel said he agreed with Gonzales that there was never an excuse for fans to boo a national anthem. Game 6 of the series is Wednesday night in Edmonton.

Kalinin out, Connolly unlikely

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Dmitri Kalinin will miss the start of the Eastern Conference finals series against Carolina, and center Tim Connolly may join him on the sideline.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ruled out any possibility of Kalinin playing when the best-of-7 series is expected to open at Carolina this weekend.

Kalinin is listed week to week after injuring his ankle May 8 while blocking a shot in Game 2 of the conference semifinal series against Ottawa. Connolly’s status is unclear after he sustained a possible concussion in Game 2.

“We’re hopeful,” Ruff said of Connolly, who had 11 playoff points, including five goals. “But right now, there’s no indication he will be (ready).”

Sabres center Adam Mair’s status also remains questionable. He’s been out since April 7 when he suffered his second concussion in three months during a 4-2 loss to Philadelphia.

Mair has practiced for two weeks, but has not been cleared for contact.

Forsberg has operation

Flyers center Peter Forsberg underwent a three-hour operation on his right ankle to have torn ligaments repaired and several bones realigned.

The surgery, performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., is the first of two scheduled for Forsberg.

He will have the same condition repaired in his left ankle in about six weeks and is expected to be sidelined until about January.