SPORTS digest

Phantoms’ comeback halted in overtime

KEARNEY, NEB.

The Youngstown Phantoms came back from a three-goal deficit to force overtime, but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 4-3 loss to the Tri-City Storm.

Alex Limonges scored the game-winner for the Storm in overtime. He also had the first goal of the game in the opening period. Charlie Kelleher and Adam Goodsir each scored a goal in the second period to take a 3-0 lead.

The Phantoms’ Curtis Hall and Nicolas Werbik scored within a minute of each other to close out the second period. Coale Norris’ tally forced overtime.

Goalie Ivan Kulbakov made 23 saves in defeat. The two teams play again tonight at 8:05.

Gronkowski to miss game against 49ers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will miss Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers with a chest injury, according to the injury report filed by the team on Friday.

Gronkowski was staggered in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks after taking a hard hit to his chest from safety Earl Thomas. He returned to the game but did not practice all week.

Receiver Chris Hogan is also out for the game with a back injury, the team said.

Panthers’ Kuechly in concussion protocol

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly has been placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol and his status for the team’s Nov. 27 game against Oakland is uncertain.

Coach Ron Rivera updated Kuechly’s status on Friday and said that the linebacker has no other known injuries.

The 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year was carted off the field in an emotional moment during the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 23-20 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. Kuechly appeared to be gasping for breath as he was helped to the cart, and tears rolled down his face. Players from both sides came over to offer their well wishes to Kuechly.

Kuechly spent 34 days last season in the concussion protocol and missed three games.

Rivera described Kuechly’s second known career concussion “concerning,” but quickly added “I don’t want to get into the speculation of all of that. I’m not the expert.”

On Friday, Kuechly’s teammate and good friend Thomas Davis posted a picture on his Instagram of a smiling Kuechly giving the thumbs-up sign and wrote “Luke wanted me to let you guys know that he’s doing fine and thanks for your prayers!!”

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for Kuechly in the Charlotte community, where he is immensely popular, as well as around the country.

NBA two-time MVP Stephen Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and is a longtime Panthers fan, posted on Twitter “Keep your head up (hash)59! Nobody plays the game harder than you my man. Heal up Quick! (hash)KeepPounding.”

Kuechly was injured with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter when he collided with Saints running back Tim Hightower.

Ex-Ecuador soccer president convicted

QUITO, Ecuador

The former president of the Ecuadorean Soccer Federation was convicted of money laundering Friday and given a 10-year sentence in a case tied to the corruption scandal at FIFA, the sport’s international governing body.

Luis Chiriboga was convicted along with two co-defendants on allegations involving nearly $6.12 million allegedly received in 2010-2015. Hugo Mora was also sentenced to 10 years and Pedro Vera was given 40 months.

Because of his age, the 65-year-old Chiriboga would serve his time under house arrest if the sentence imposed by Judge Miriam Escobar is upheld. Lawyers for all three defendants said they would appeal the sentences.

The case arose when U.S. prosecutors charged numerous international soccer officials with taking bribes for awarding soccer tournament rights.

From staff and wire reports