Sports
Westplex Today Sports Page: March 1st, 2010
By Stephan R. Barnard
Mar 1, 2010 - 5:13:32 AM

Canada may have vowed to "own the podium," but it was the U.S. that finished on top of the medal standings in Vancouver.  Americans won a Winter Games record 37 medals, with nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze.  Germany had 30.  Canada won 26, including 14 gold.

Blues forward David Backes and defenseman Erik Johnson will be bringing silver medals back to St. Louis after the U.S. men's hockey team lost Sunday's gold medal match 3-2 in overtime to host nation Canada.  Penguins star Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal in overtime for Canada after Zach Parise tied it for the U.S. with just 24.4 seconds left in regulation.  Backes registered a goal and two assists in six Olympic contests for the Americans.  Erik Johnson lit the lamp once in six games played for Team USA.  With the Olympic break coming to a close, the Blues resume their regular season tomorrow night on the road at Phoenix.  It's the start of a six-game road swing for St. Louis, which won its last three contests before the break.  The Blues are currently 12th in the Western Conference, but just four points out of the final postseason spot.  They'll play eight of their next nine away from home.

The Cardinals added another piece to the 2010 puzzle over the weekend with the signing of infielder Felipe Lopez to a one-year contract.  The 29-year-old spent part of 2008 with the Redbirds, hitting .385 in 43 games.  Lopez split last season between the Diamondbacks and Brewers, batting a combined .310 with nine home runs, 38 doubles and 57 RBI.  The switch-hitter is a former All-Star and gives the Cards infield depth if shortstop Brendan Ryan's recovery from wrist surgery hits a snag.  Veteran Julio Lugo is also in the equation for St. Louis.  The Cardinals will kick off the Grapefruit League campaign this Thursday with a game against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie.

Kim English scored 13 points, but it wasn't enough as Missouri lost 63-53 Saturday at sixth-ranked Kansas State.  J.T. Tiller added 11 points for the Tigers, who tumbled to 21-and-8 overall and 9-and-5 in the Big 12.  Jamar Samuels led the Wildcats with 14 points.  K-State moved to 24-and-4 overall and 11-and-3 in the Big 12.  Mizzou will play at Iowa State tomorrow.

If the Rams made any decision over the weekend about who they'll take with the top pick in the April draft, they aren't tipping their hand.  The NFL Scouting Combine continues in Indianapolis as team personnel continue to evaluate the skills of the top college players in the nation.  The Rams are expected to take either defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma or Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.  Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo refused to compare the two, saying they're both good players with differing styles.  "Spags" previously indicated the Rams could even take a quarterback first if they deem it to be a good fit.  The 75th NFL Draft will begin on a Thursday this year, with the first round to be held in prime time on April 22nd.