Sports Roundup: Wings lose on conroversial goal.

Red Wings

The Red Wings lost 4-2 in Columbus.

Once again, Gustav Nyquist scored two goals for Detroit. Gustav’s second goal tied it at 2, but the Jackets scored the eventual game-winner on a disputed goal in the third.  Cam Atkinson tapped it in, after the net was clearly already knocked off its moorings.  But after a review, officials say Red Wing defenseman Brendan Smith pushed Atkinson into the net, causing it to become dislodged.  Columbus added an empty-net goal with six seconds left. The Wings and the Blue Jackets hold the final two playoff spots with 80 points, while the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs each have 80 points as well, but have played more games.  The voice of the Red Wings, Ken Kal, continues to be without a voice, so Mark Kelly from the Wings’ front office filled in.  Kelly used to call games for Toledo in the ECHL.  Detroit will host the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night at Joe Louis Arena.

NCAA Tournament

Michigan State’s Women’s basketball team’s season ended last night, as they lost to North Carolina 62-53 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Spartans finish the season at 23-and-10.

In the men’s tournament, Michigan will play Tennessee in the Sweet 16 Midwest Regional this Friday at 6:40 on Sports 930 the Score.  The winner plays Sunday against Louisville or Kentucky.  Michigan State plays Virginia.   Broadcast time is Friday night at 9:00pm on WBCK. The winner takes on either Iowa State or UConn on Sunday.

Tigers

The Detroit Tigers lost to the Atlanta Braves 12-3 in Lakeland. Starter Rick Porcello was tagged for six runs on 10 hits, including two home runs, while striking out five in six innings in his final appearance of Spring Training.  Alex Gonzalez, in his debut at shortstop for Detroit, went one-for-three at the plate with an RBI.  Justin Verlander gets his final start before Opening Day as the Tigers head to Clearwater to play the Phillies today.

Pistons       

The Detroit Pistons return from a four-game road trip to host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at The Palace.  Forward Charlie Villanueva is questionable against Cleveland tonight with a sore back.

NFL

Another long-time NFL owner has died.  Ralph Wilson, the founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, died yesterday at the age of 95 at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores. Wilson was a shareholder in the Lions before he bought the Bills in 1959, making the team one of the first members of the American Football League.  Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.   Earlier this month, Lions owner William Clay Ford died at the age of 88.

Nabors to Retire from Indy

The Indy 500 is losing one of its greatest stars.   Jim Nabors, famed for opening the race for more than 40 years with his booming voice, is retiring. The star of the 60’s TV Show Gomer Pyle is 83 years old. He first sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" in 1972.

Yankees no longer the highest payroll

After 15 straight years, there's been a change in the pecking order when it comes to baseball riches. The LA Dodgers, at $235 million, now have the highest payroll, overtaking the New York Yankees.  Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit round out the top five.  Houston is on the bottom.