Sports Briefly

Sharks roll past Columbus 6-0

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Joe Thornton scored twice to get San Jose off to a fast start out of the All-Star break and Antti Niemi posted his 17th career shutout in the Sharks' 6-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Jamie McGinn and Michal Handzus also scored for the Sharks, who have beaten the Blue Jackets 19 times in 21 games at HP Pavilion.

Four of San Jose's goals came on second chances as Steve Mason struggled to control his rebounds all game. Mason finished with 37 saves as the Blue Jackets lost their fifth straight.

Iona hosts Nevada

in Bracketbuster

RENO (AP) - Nevada will travel to New York next month to play the Iona Gaels in an ESPN Bracketbuster matchup to be televised nationally.

The 18-3 Wolf Pack have won 15 games in a row, the second longest winning streak in the nation behind undefeated Murray State. They will play at 17-5 Iona of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. PST

The network announced Monday the game is scheduled to be carried on either ESPN or ESPN2.

Nevada is leading the Western Athletic Conference with a 7-0 record.

Indians acquire Canzler from Rays

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Indians have acquired versatile Russ Canzler, last year's MVP of the International League, from Tampa Bay for cash.

Canzler played four positions - right and left field, third and first base - last season. The 25-year-old batted .314 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs at Triple-A Durham. He made his major league debut for the Rays on Sept. 11 and got one hit in three games.

Canzler led the International League in doubles (40) and slugging percentage (.530), finished second in runs (78) and third in hits (149). He appeared in 41 games in right field, 33 in left, 40 at third base and 17 at first.

He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2004 and was signed as a minor league free agent by Tampa before last season.