IN BRIEF

NFL

NFL suspends Bills' Lynch for three games

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch will miss the first three games of the regular season after being suspended without pay by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The NFL announced the suspension Thursday, a month after Lynch pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. It was the player's second run-in with the law, following a hit-and-run accident in Buffalo in May.

The suspension means the Bills will be without Lynch for their prime-time season opener at New England on Sept. 14.

Lynch apologized for his actions, and anticipated he'd be suspended after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell.

Also: Receiver Terrell Owens showed up for the Bills' voluntary workout sessions a few weeks late and wondering what all the fuss was about.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Owens noted he wasn't the first or only NFL player to miss a session where attendance isn't mandatory.

"That's the thing, what I find so unfair about it is that I'm not the only guy out of 32 teams that didn't show up," he said. "That's what's so frustrating ... everybody nitpicks at anything and everything I do."

Florida's attorney general is suing a company that makes a dog toy that looks like Michael Vick and is named after the suspended NFL star.

The lawsuit claims Showbiz Promotions said it would give proceeds from the sale of the dog chew toy to animal shelters but never made any donations.

HOCKEY

Avs' Sakic out for year; long-term plans unclear

With his left leg still bothering him, Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic said he won't return this season, leaving his career up in the air.

Sakic, 39, who is in his 20th season, said he's still a few weeks from returning as the strength in his leg hasn't fully returned following January surgery to repair a herniated disk.

The Avalanche close out the season Sunday.

Also: The Boston Red Sox are in discussions with the NHL to hold the next Winter Classic at Fenway Park.

A baseball official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because no deal had been reached, confirmed that Fenway is a site being considered for the next New Year's Day game.

In previous years, the outdoor game has been played at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the home of the Buffalo Bills, and at the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field.

"We've had conversations about the Winter Classic, but no final decisions have been made," league spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur said.

Natalie Darwitz and Hilary Knight each scored hat tricks to lead the defending champion United States past Finland 7-0 to reach the world championship final.

The Americans will face Canada in Sunday's final.

MISCELLANEOUS

Prosecutor: Guilt clear in Castroneves tax trial

Indy race-car driver Helio Castroneves, his sister and his lawyer engaged in an intricate "pattern of deception" to avoid paying U.S. income taxes on millions of dollars over a five-year period, a prosecutor said in closing arguments at the trio's tax evasion trial in Miami.

"These defendants attempted to skip out on taxes that all must pay, regardless of how rich, regardless of how famous," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dwyer said as the six-week trial drew to a close. "We have proved that beyond a reasonable doubt."

But Castroneves' attorney, David Garvin, said there was a legal explanation for the financial activities and insisted there was no intent to hide money from the U.S. government. Garvin also said Castroneves relied on experts to handle the complexities of U.S. tax law.

Also: Two 3-year-old colts that dominated the UAE Derby in Dubai have arrived at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.

Regal Ransom and Desert Party, who ran 1-2 and finished about 15 lengths ahead of their closest rivals in the March race, were being housed in the quarantine facility, where they must remain for up to 48 hours.

The Atlanta Dream selected Angel McCoughtry with the first pick in the WNBA Draft.

The Louisville forward averaged 22.8 points and 9.5 rebounds her last three years and led the Cardinals to the NCAA championship game this week.

Washington took Maryland's Marissa Coleman with the No. 2 pick, and Terrapins teammate Kristi Toliver was selected next by Chicago.