Barons, Leafs great Bower dies at 93

Johnny Bower, a beloved former Maple Leaf goalie who helped Toronto win its last Stanley Cup in 1967, has died. He was 93.

Bower played nine seasons with the AHL Cleveland Barons. His No. 1 is retired by the Monsters.

Bower’s family said in a statement Dec. 26 the Hall of Famer died following a short battle with pneumonia.

Bower was a two-time Vezina Trophy winner who became known as the China Wall. His career took off after the Leafs claimed him in a 1958 intra-league draft. Bower played 475 regular-season games and won four Stanley Cups for the Leafs before playing his final game as a 45-year-old in 1969.

College football

REPORT: ROSEN WON’T PLAY » UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen was not scheduled to play against Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl, ESPN reported.

Rosen has lingering concussion issues and injured his shoulder in the final game against Cal, missing the second half.

It could be the end of the prolific quarterback’s college career. He’s expected to leave for the NFL after his junior season and could be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

NFL

BILLS OWNER FUMES OVER REPLAY » Bills owner Terry Pegula wondered what television NFL officials were watching in questioning inconsistencies in video replay rulings after Buffalo receiver Kelvin Benjamin’s touchdown was overturned in a loss at New England last weekend.

The usually low-key owner went out of character Tuesday during an appearance on Buffalo’s WGR Radio by specifically referencing NFL officiating chief Al Riveron, and saying he intends to raise his concerns with the league.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but we have to fix it,” Pegula added. “I’m not saying this as the owner of the Bills. I’m saying it as a football fan. We can’t have stuff like this happening in our league.”

Pegula questioned whether the league has taken its review process too far in overturning calls.

Soccer

FORMER OFFICIAL ACQUITTED » A former South American soccer official was acquitted in the FIFA bribery scandal on Tuesday and walked out of the courtroom saying he’s finished with the world’s most popular sport.

The verdict clearing Manuel Burga, former president of Peru’s soccer federation, of a single racketeering conspiracy charge came days after prosecutors won guilty verdicts on multiple charges against two other former soccer officials.

“God bless America. That’s all I can say,” the 60-year-old Burga said with eyes still wet from tears minutes after the verdict was delivered.

NBA

BOOKER TO RETURN » Phoenix guard Devin Booker is back after missing nine games with a left adductor strain.

Booker was hurt in the groin area in the fourth quarter in the Suns’ game at Toronto on Dec. 5. He practiced on the day before Christmas and was in the starting lineup Dec. 26 at home against the Grizzlies.