Saturday's sports briefs

Last update: May 11, 2008 - 12:08 AM

HOCKEY

Canada romps to fifth win in row

Eric Staal's four goals led Canada to a 10-1 rout of Germany 10-1 for its fifth consecutive victory at the hockey world championships on Saturday in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Canada will face Finland on Monday with the top seed in the single-elimination quarterfinals at stake.

Martin St. Louis had five assists, and Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Patrick Sharp, Derek Roy and Mike Green scored the other Canada goals.

In Quebec City, Alexander Ovechkin scored with six seconds left in the third period to lead Russia to a 3-2 comeback victory over Sweden and keep it atop its group. Earlier, the Czech Republic beat Belarus 3-2 in a shootout.

TENNIS

Roddick, Stepanek withdraw in Rome

The biggest losers at the Rome Masters were the fans when Andy Roddick and Radek Stepanek quit after their semifinal matches began. Roddick pulled out because of a back problem after falling behind 3-0 in the first set against Stanislas Wawrinka. Stepanek stopped while trailing Novak Djokovic 6-0, 1-0 after appearing affected by the heat.

The ATP said it was the first time in the history of the Masters Series that both semifinals ended with withdrawals.

• Elena Dementieva beat No. 2-ranked Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 7-5 and reached the final of the German Open against fellow Russian and 17th-ranked Dinara Safina, who beat Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-4, 6-1.

HORSE RACING

Casino Drive rolls in Peter Pan Stakes

Casino Drive easily won the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park. The Peter Pan is the traditional prep for the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, on June 7. Casino Drive is closely related to the past two Belmont winners, Jazil (2006) and Rags to Riches (2007).

• On the Acorn won the $250,000 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park for the second year in a row, nosing out heavy favorite Champs Elysee. On the Acorn covered 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:27.36 and paid $21.60 and $4.20.

SOCCER

Kai's hat trick sparks U.S. rout

Natasha Kai got her first hat trick in leading the U.S. women over Canada 6-0 in a friendly at Washington's RFK Stadium.

• In MLS, Robbie Rogers scored two goals and the Eastern Division-leading Columbus Crew won its fifth game in a row, 3-2 over San Jose. ... Kyle Beckerman's goal in the 73rd minute kept Real Salt Lake unbeaten at home with a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas.

AROUND THE HORN

Boxing: American Timothy Bradley (22-0) knocked down Junior Witter (36-2-2) in the sixth round and won the WBC light-welterweight title on a split decision in Nottingham, England.

Cycling: The Slipstream-Chipotle team of the U.S. won the first stage of the Giro d'Italia with American Christian Vandevelde crossing first in Palermo.

ASSOCIATED PRESS