SPORTS digest

Sabres: Hospitalized broadcaster doing well

BUFFALO, N.Y.

The Buffalo Sabres say Rick Jeanneret is resting and doing well a day after the team’s Hall of Fame broadcaster was taken out of the press box on a stretcher.

The team’s update Sunday came about 12 hours after the 76-year-old Jeanneret was transported to the hospital during the third period of Buffalo’s victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

The Sabres say Jeanneret looks forward to returning to his job after the team’s three-day Christmas break.

Their update comes about an hour after The Athletic reported that Jeanneret texted the publication, writing: “Still kicking.”

Jeanneret was sitting up as he was being wheeled out. The team’s flagship station, WGR-Radio, reported he was responsive before getting onto the stretcher.

Jeanneret has done play-by-play of Sabres games since 1971, the longest tenure with a single team in NHL history.

LSU player shoots would-be robber

Police say two LSU football players were trying to sell an electronic item when one player fatally shot an 18-year-old man trying to rob them.

A statement released Sunday by Baton Rouge police does not identify the players. But a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press the players are running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and linebacker Jared Small. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because LSU and police have not released the players’ names.

The man killed was identified by police as Kobe Johnson. He was not an LSU student and died at the scene.

Police say the LSU players called police, waited at the scene, were questioned and were released while the investigation continues.

LSU finishes its season against UCF in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.

Sharks’ Karlsson suspended for 2 games

NEW YORK

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head of Los Angeles Kings forward Austin Wagner.

The NHL’s department of player safety announced the fine Sunday.

The incident occurred early in the second period of the Kings’ 3-2 overtime win over the Sharks on Saturday. Wagner left the game after getting taken down by Karlsson on a hard hit near center ice. After getting back on his feet, Wagner’s legs came out from under him. No penalty was called.

Karlsson, who has points in eight consecutive games, has two goals and 24 assists this season for San Jose.

Karlsson, who joined the Sharks in an offseason trade with Ottawa, will miss games against the Ducks and Oilers after the holiday break. He will return on New Year’s Eve against Calgary.

Bayer Leverkusen fires Herrlich

LEVERKUSEN, Germany

Bayer Leverkusen has fired coach Heiko Herrlich despite two Bundesliga wins in a row.

The German club, which is ninth in the standings, says former Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Bosz is taking over and will start preparations for the second half of the season on Jan. 4.

Bosz, who led Ajax to the Europa League final in 2017, agreed a deal through June 2020.

Leverkusen wanted to sign Bosz in the summer of 2017 but instead he joined Dortmund, which sacked the Dutchman after a good start was followed by a slump that saw the side claim one win in 13 games across all competitions.

Leverkusen says it decided to let Herrlich go - despite four wins from five games across all competitions - due to a “stagnation in the development of the team.”

He won 22 of 51 Bundesliga games with the club.

Herrlich previously led Jahn Regensburg to the second division from Germany’s fourth tier.

Staff/wire report