Sports: Wings lose in Boston; One game left

Red Wings

The Red Wings were outplayed in Boston, losing 5-2.  The Bruins kept their playoff hopes alive as the Wings found themselves down 3-0 early in the game.  The Wings were outshot 34-15.  Jimmy Howard had 21 saves for the Red Wings.  Boston and Detroit are tied with 93 points.  Philadelphia lost to Toronto 4-3 victory in overtime. The Flyers fell a point behind Boston and Detroit for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But Philadelphia has a game in hand and would secure a playoff berth by winning its last two games.  The Wings finish the regular season in New York on Saturday against the Rangers.  If the Red Wings win in regulation or overtime, they will secure third place in the Atlantic Division and play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, regardless of what happens in any other game.

Tigers

It’s opening day at Comerica Park as the Tigers host the Yankees.   Jordan Zimmerman makes his first start in a Tiger uniform.  Kirk Gibson will throw out the first pitch.  The forecast is for cloudy skies with a game time temperature of 37, with a high temp of 39.  Winds will be WNW at 13 mph.  Broadcast time is 12:45 on WBCK with the Rush Limbaugh Show on line at WBCK FM Dot Com.

Mud Hens Win Opener

Tigers prospect Steven Moya hit two home runs as the Toledo Mud Hens opened the season with a 10-2 win over Louisville.

NBA/Pistons

The Pistons host Washington tonight and Miami on Tuesday.  They finish the regular season in Cleveland on Wednesday.

Michigan Assistant Jordan Leaves

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has hired Michigan assistant LaVall Jordan as its new basketball coach.    Jordan spent the last six seasons as a Michigan assistant under coach John Beilein. Jordan, who grew up in Albion, played guard at Butler in 1998-2001. He led the Bulldogs to three NCAA tournament appearances.

NCAA Hockey

North Dakota beat Denver 4-2 on Thursday night to advance to the NCAA hockey championship game for the first time in 11 years.  They will face No. 1 overall seed Quinnipiac on Saturday night in the title game.  The Hobey Baker Award to college hockey's top player will be presented on Saturday night in Tampa.  Michigan freshman forward Kyle Connor is one of the finalists.

Former Wings’ Coach Has Stroke

Former Red Wings’ coach Jacques Demers was in a Montreal hospital Thursday, a day after having a stroke.  The 71-year-old Demers is now a Canadian senator.  A collegue says he is in good hands and is expected to recover.   Demers coached the Canadiens to the 1993 Stanley Cup title, and also coached Quebec, St. Louis and Tampa Bay in the NHL.

Masters Golf

Defending champ Jordan Spieth has picked up where he left off last year as he opened with a 6-under-66, good for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Masters. New Zealand's Danny Lee and Shane Lwry are tied for second. Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia are among those three shots off the lead.

Ernie Els had the worst opening hole of all time at the Masters yesterday.  He took nine strokes on a par four hole.  He missed a three-foot putt for par, and then missed five more putts from within three feet.

Nascar

The NASCAR sprint cup heads to Texas this weekend for Saturday night racing and the Duck Commander 500.