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■ ICE HOCKEY

Tootoo signs extension

The Nashville Predators signed forward Jordin Tootoo, the first Inuit to play in the NHL, to a two-year contract extension. General manager David Poile announced the deal worth US$1.95 million on Thursday, after the team's morning skate. Drafted in 2001, Tootoo has career-highs with seven goals and 13 points in 41 games this season. "Jordin is a physical player that can not only get under opponents' skin and draw penalties, but has proven he can score at this level as well," Poile said. "We are excited about watching his continued development over the next two seasons." The 24-year-old Tootoo has 40 points and 365 penalty minutes in 210 career games with the Predators.



■ BASEBALL

Gonzalez to sign for Marlins

Free agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez and the Florida Marlins have reached a preliminary agreement on a US$2 million, one-year contract. Gonzalez must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the deal. The contract for 40-year-old Gonzalez includes US$1 million in performance bonuses. Gonzalez, who has spent most of his career in left field, likely will be Florida's fourth outfielder. Left fielder Josh Willingham and right fielder Jeremy Hermida return as starters.



■ CYCLING

Napolitano wins fifth stage

Danilo Napolitano won the fifth and longest stage of the Tour of Qatar on Thursday ahead of Albert Loddo and Tom Boonen. Napolitano finished the 170km race in 3 hours, 49 minutes, 14 seconds in sunny weather. Boonen, who won the second and third stages, kept the overall lead with a 17-second advantage over Steven De Jongh of the Netherlands. Napolitano remained with the pack until the last sprint when the Italian went past fourth-stage winner Loddo and defending champion Boonen.



■ SOCCER

Barcelona through to semis

Thierry Henry scored the only goal as Barcelona beat Villarreal 1-0 to reach the Spanish Cup semi-finals on Thursday, with Ronaldinho playing for the first time this year. The former Arsenal striker headed in after 41 minutes for the only goal of the two-legged quarter-final clash. Villarreal's hopes of snatching what would have been a crucial away goal were dented when they had Pascal Cygan was sent off for a foul on Lionel Messi. Ronaldinho, who has been sidelined with tendinitis, played the last 15 minutes of the match and received a generous ovation from the crowd.



■ SOCCER

Judge files suit over injury

A South Korean judge has filed a lawsuit after injuring himself in a court-organized soccer tournament, a report said yesterday. The Seoul Administration Court said the judge filed a suit against the government pension service, saying the injury he sustained should be recognized as an industrial accident liable for compensation. The judge, identified only as Choi, needed hospital treatment for a twisted knee after playing in the tournament organized by the president of the Seoul High Court, the Korea Times said. Choi contested the pension service's ruling that the game was not part of his work duties, saying he was virtually forced to turn out. He plans to hire a lawyer to argue his case.
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