Bloomington shuts out slumping Phantoms

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.

The chase for a playoff spot has become even more difficult for the Youngstown Phantoms Friday night.

After the Bloomington Thunder blanked the Phantoms, 4-0, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum, the Phantoms saw their five-point gap with the Thunder for the last playoff spot in the USHL’s Eastern Conference grow to seven points.

Bloomington Center Jake Slaker led the Thunder with two goals, including a power-play tally in the first period. Logan Lambdin and Vladislav Dzhioshvilli each scored for Bloomington.

Phantoms goalie Colin DeAugustine made 27 saves in defeat. The Phantoms will face the Madison Capitals today on the road.

Pirates sign infielder Freese for $3 million

BRADENTON, FLA.

Infielder David Freese and the Pittsburgh Pirates agreed Friday to a $3 million, one-year contract.

The 32-year-old, an All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, hit .257 with 27 doubles, 14 homers and 56 RBIs last year with the Los Angeles Angels. He has a .276 career average with 68 homers and 348 RBIs for St. Louis (2009-13) and the Angels (2014-15).

Freese was MVP of the NL Championship Series and World Series in 2011, when he hit .397 with five homers and 21 RBIs during the postseason.

To clear a roster spot, the Pirates designated left-hander Jesse Biddle for assignment.

Thunder assistant out for the season

OKLAHOMA CITY

Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams will not return to the team this season as he continues to help his family heal following the death of his wife, Ingrid.

The Thunder made the announcement Friday.

On Feb. 9, an oncoming car crossed the center line and hit Ingrid Williams’ SUV near downtown Oklahoma City. Ingrid Williams died the next day, and Monty Williams has not coached since. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement that the most important things are for Williams to be with his family and for the Thunder to support him.

Williams is in his first season as an assistant for Billy Donovan. He was head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans last season, when he led the franchise to the playoffs.

Sabres forward won’t face rape charges

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Prosecutors say Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane will not face criminal charges following an investigation into a possible sexual assault.

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty announced Friday that the decision was made after an examination of the facts, including the results of forensic and toxicological testing.

Reports surfaced in December that Buffalo police were investigating a claim made against the player about an incident that occurred at a downtown Buffalo hotel where Kane is living.

Flaherty says no criminal complaint was ever filed.

Kane, who is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, has denied doing anything wrong.

The 24-year-old Kane is in his first full season in Buffalo after he was acquired in a multi-player trade with the Winnipeg Jets a year ago.

USA draws China in Olympic qualifiers

The U.S. will open the Olympics against China and also will face Venezuela and Australia after being drawn into what appears to be the easier men’s basketball group.

The Americans will be in Group A, which will also include two teams that will be determined after three qualifying tournaments in July.

Group B includes Spain, Argentina, Lithuania, host Brazil and Nigeria and the remaining July qualifier.

The U.S., which has won the last two Olympic gold medals, is the No. 1-ranked country in the world.

Staff/wire reports