WOLVES ONE WIN AWAY FROM TITLE
Pyotr Kochetkov made 39 saves, Andrew Poturalski and Josh Leivo each had a goal and an assist and the Wolves moved a victory away from the Calder Cup championship by defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds 4-2 on Friday in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Jack Drury and Richard Panik also scored for the Wolves, who got two assists from Stefan Noesen en route to opening a 3-1 lead in the title series. The Wolves, who improved to 13-4 in the playoffs, will go for the clincher in Game 5 on Saturday in Springfield.
Klim Kostin and James Neal scored for the Thunderbirds.
BASEBALL irish coach leaves for florida state
Florida State named Link Jarrett, who led Notre Dame to the College World Series for the first time in 20 years this season, to be its new coach. He was 86-32 in three seasons with the Irish.
The Seminoles announced the hiring three days after Notre Dame’s season ended in the CWS. Jarrett, who was voted the national coach of the year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, will be introduced Monday.
The move wasn’t particularly surprising. Jarrett is a Florida State graduate, a two-time All-America shortstop for the Seminoles (1993-94) and a former assistant at the school (2003).
◆ The Yankees and outfielder Aaron Judge, who leads the majors with 27 home runs, avoided a salary-arbitration hearing by agreeing to terms on a $19 million contract for this season. The deal leaves Judge on track to become a free agent after the World Series.
BASKETBALL clifford back with hornets
The Hornets announced Steve Clifford agreed to terms on a multiyear contract to return as their coach, four years after he was fired from the position. Clifford compiled a 196-214 record in five seasons during his first stint as their coach (2013-18).
The Hornets turned to Clifford after Kenny Atkinson backed out of an agreement to become their coach and decided to remain an assistant with the Warriors.
◆ Sky coach James Wade and Aces coach Becky Hammon and their staffs were named to coach the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 at Wintrust Arena.
◆ Northwestern will host Pittsburgh on Nov. 28 and Illinois will host Syracuse on Nov. 29 as part of the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge this fall.
GOLF european tour disciplines liv players
The European tour banned golfers who competed in the first event of the Saudibacked breakaway LIV Golf series this month outside London from three upcoming tournaments, including the Scottish Open, and fined them $120,000. The tour said there could be ‘‘further sanctions’’ if the players continue to compete in LIV events without authorization.
◆ Xander Schauffele shot his second consecutive 7-under-par 63 to open a fivestroke lead over five players at the halfway point of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut. ✶