Allmendinger takes Ohio Xfinity race

A.J. Allmendinger rallied from a penalty, benefitted from a late caution and used a sweeping three-wide pass for the lead to win the Xfinity Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course at Lexington, Ohio.

Saturday’s victory was Allmendinger’s second of the season and came on what Kaulig Racing considers its home track. Team owner Matt Kaulig is from Akron, roughly 90 minutes away, and he jumped off the pit wall to hug Allmendinger after the win.

Kaulig then sought out Justin Haley and kissed him on the cheek in appreciation of the 1-2 finish for the race team.

“This is Matt Kaulig’s Super Bowl,” a breathless Allmendinger said.

Kaulig was joined on the pit stand Saturday by Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Michael Shank, another Ohio native who has a long relationship with Allmendinger.

Shank has used Allmendinger as his endurance driver in sports car racing for 15 years, and Allmendinger anchored Shank’s breakthrough 24 Hours of Daytona victory in 2012.

Canada beats U.S. in semifinals

Andrew Mangiapane scored two goals to help Canada beat the United States 4-2 on Saturday in the semifinals of hockey’s world championship at Riga, Latvia.

“It is crazy how we were able to battle back in this tournament,” said Mangiapane, who plays for Calgary in the NHL. “We have been the underdogs in most of our games, but we just keep proving people wrong.”

With Saturday’s win, Canada heads to the final for the fifth time in the past six tournaments.

Canada will face Finland in Sunday’s gold-medal match.

PRO BASEBALL Cardinals rally to defeat Missions

David Vinsky homered and Luken Baker drove in two runs as Springfield rallied for six runs in the final three innings to defeat the Missions 6-3 Friday night at Springfield, Mo.

Jose Azocar led off the game with a triple and scored on a ground out off the bat of CJ Abrams.

Missions catcher Chandler Seagle launched his first home run of the season.

Azocar followed with his second homer of the season.