IN BRIEF

HOCKEY

Ducks' Wisniewski released from hospital

Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski was cleared by doctors and released from an Orange County, Calif., hospital earlier than the team initially expected.

Wisniewski was hit in the chest by Pavel Datsyuk's slap shot during the second period of Tuesday's playoff game against Detroit. He continued to skate but ultimately fell to his hands and knees while coughing blood as play stopped.

After several minutes, Wisniewski was taken to a hospital, where it was determined he had a bruised lung. The team had indicated Wednesday morning that Wisniewski would be held a second night as a standard medical precaution.

There was no word on when Wisniewski could resume playing.

Also: The NHL is planning a showdown in court over the Phoenix Coyotes' filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the proposed sale of the team to Blackberry boss Jim Balsillie, who wants to move the team to Canada.

League spokesman Frank Brown said attorneys for the NHL would appear in federal bankruptcy court in Phoenix today. He would not say what action the league would take, but commissioner Gary Bettman said that whether Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes had the authority to file for bankruptcy "is something we're going to look into."

Bettman wants to keep the team in Arizona.

The United States scored three goals in a four-minute span to beat Finland 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the hockey world championships in Bern, Switzerland. In Friday's semifinals, the U.S. will play defending champion Russia, which beat Belarus, 3-2.

COLLEGES

Eight face charges in point-shaving scheme

Two Detroit-area businessmen were charged with paying and giving gifts to basketball and football players at the University of Toledo to take part in a point-shaving scheme, according to a federal indictment filed in Detroit.

Six former Toledo players also were accused of taking part in the alleged scheme by either affecting the outcomes in games or giving the two businessmen information so that they could place wagers on the games.

The FBI began investigating point shaving at Toledo four years ago. They said the scheme began in the fall of 2004 and continued until 2006.

Ghazi Manni, 52, of Sterling Heights, Mich., and Mitchell Karam, 76, of Troy, Mich., were charged with conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.

The six players also were charged with conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery.

The indictment charges three former football players: Adam Cuomo, 31, Harvey "Scooter" McDougle Jr., 24, and Quinton Broussard, 25. Also charged were former basketball players Keith Triplett, 29, Anton Currie, 25, and Kashif Payne, 24.

Also: The lawsuit filed against UNR by former women's soccer coach Terri Patraw was dismissed, with the judge saying the school was justified in firing her even though she reported NCAA recruiting violations within the athletic department.

Washoe District Judge Patrick Flanagan said school officials produced substantial evidence their decision was based on Patraw's failure to follow directives, their lack of trust in her and her numerous threats to resign.

Wyoming is extending men's basketball coach Heath Schroyer's contract through the 2013-14 season and boosting his base annual salary to $160,000.

MISCELLANEOUS

Pacquiao headed home, despite swine flu fears

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will return to Manila as scheduled, ignoring advice from Philippine health officials to observe self-quarantine in the United States to help prevent the spread of swine flu.

In interviews with Manila television and radio networks, Pacquiao said he and others in his entourage, who were in Los Angeles, do not have any flu symptoms that could justify their quarantine. They will fly home as planned Friday, he said.

Pacquiao scored a second-round technical knockout over Ricky Hatton on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden.

On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged Pacquiao to postpone his homecoming because the virus was found to have spread to California.

Also: There will be no shortage of challengers when Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird tries to win the Preakness Stakes on May 16 in Baltimore.

The field for the second leg of the Triple Crown grew to nine, with Musket Man, General Quarters and Terrain the latest confirmed starters for the race.

Musket Man was third in the Derby and General Quarters 10th. Terrain was fourth behind winner General Quarters in the Blue Grass on April 11 in his last start.

The 51s scored eight runs in the first four innings on their way to a 9-5 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies in a Pacific Coast League game in Fresno, Calif.

It marked the first time this season Las Vegas (8-18) has won consecutive games.

Randy Ruiz had a two-run homer in the first inning, J.P. Arencibia had a two-run shot in the third, and Scott Campbell had an RBI triple in the third. Brett Harper's fourth-inning homer gave the 51s an 8-0 lead.

Las Vegas starter Brian Burres (1-2) went seven innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk, with six strikeouts.

Mark Martin said he'll run a full Sprint Cup season next year, his 22nd in NASCAR. He's in the first year of a two-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports, but 2010 was fluid, and Martin had initially thought he'd run just a partial schedule next season.

A son of world auto racing boss Max Mosley was found dead in his London home, police and the racing federation said.

The body of Alexander Mosley, 39, was found in his west London apartment. He died of a suspected drug overdose, a London police official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Barcelona advanced to the European Champions League final against Manchester United in dramatic fashion, tying Chelsea 1-1 in London when Andres Iniesta scored in the third minute of second-half injury time.

Barcelona advanced because of a 1-0 advantage in away goals in the home-and-home series.

With his Astana team in financial crisis, cycling star Lance Armstrong suggested his Livestrong cancer foundation could step in and bail out the team in time for him to go for an eighth Tour de France title in July.

Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen is planning a comeback for the Vancouver Games.

The American figure skater confirmed she will resume training in hopes of making her third Olympic team.