Sports Digest || Canfield hockey splits

Canfield splits

Parma

Canfield split two games in the Parma MLK hockey tournament.

Canfield scored four times in the third period to tie Midview 4-4 then allowed a power play goal with 4:45 remaining to fall 5-4.

Joe Geiser scored twice while Riley Emery and Nick Carney each had a score for Canfield (7-14-1).

In an earlier 6-2 win over Lakewood, Emery collected three goals and Sean Meditz had three assists.

Also, Bryan Clark, Scott Schilling and Geiser had goals.

Nick Crescimanno picked up two assists.

NASCAR may scrap points system

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

A person familiar with NASCAR’s proposed changes for this season says the sanctioning body is considering scrapping the points system it has used since 1975.

The overhauling of the system is one of a handful of changes NASCAR is considering implementing before next month’s season-opening Daytona 500. Series officials have been detailing their ideas in individual meetings with teams, the person who attended one of the briefings told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because NASCAR has not finalized its upcoming changes.

The sanctioning body wants to go to a scoring system that would award 43 points to the race winner, and down to 1 point for the 43rd-place finisher.

Timbers announce agreement with Cooper

PORTLAND, Ore.

Forward Kenny Cooper has signed with Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers.

The 26-year-old had 40 goals in 90 games for FC Dallas from 2006-09. Cooper then signed with 1860 Munich and scored three goals in 15 games in all competitions.

He spent part of this year on loan at Plymouth as it was relegated from England’s League Championship to League One. Cooper was with Manchester United from 2004-06 but never got into a match, and was on loan to Oldham in 2005.

Cooper has four goals in 10 international appearances, but has not played for the U.S. since October 2009.

Rockies reach agreement with Giambi

DENVER

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor league contract with Jason Giambi, who could make the club as a late-inning pinch-hitter.

The former AL MVP, who turned 40 this month, hit .244 with six homers and 35 RBIs in 176 at-bats last season for the Rockies.

A fan favorite, Giambi figured his time in Denver was over after last season when first baseman Todd Helton said he was coming back in 2011 and the Rockies signed Ty Wigginton to serve as Helton’s primary backup. Wigginton can play both corner outfield spots, so the Rockies could go with just four full-time outfielders.

General manager Dan O’Dowd on Monday confirmed the agreement with Giambi that was reported earlier by the Denver Post and mlb.com.

Tejeda, Royals agree at $1.55 million

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Right-hander Robinson Tejeda and the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a $1.55 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

The sides reached a deal Monday.

The 28-year-old was 3-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 54 relief appearances last season.

Yanks talking with Andruw Jones

NEW YORK

The Yankees have been engaged in talks with free-agent Andruw Jones about a reserve outfielder spot, but they remain “far apart” on the financial terms, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Jones, 33, batted just .230 (64-for-278) for the White Sox last season but the Yankees envision using him primarily against lefthanders, against which he had a .373 on-base and .558 slugging percentage last season.

Vindicator staff/wire reports