Fast Start Helps Finland Beat Czech Republic, 7-3

Finland scored three goals in a 40-second span of the first period Tuesday night for a 7-3 victory over the Czech Republic in their World Cup of Hockey opener at Helsinki, Finland.

The Finnish team dominated in beating the defending champion.

The Czechs opened the scoring six minutes into the first period on a goal by Radek Bonk of the Ottawa Senators.

Finland responded 3 1/2 minutes later with the first of the three quick goals, Ville Peltonen slipping the puck past a surprised Roman Tourek for a power-play goal at 9:35.

Nineteen seconds later, Juha Ylonen picked up a rebound and scored, 10 seconds later, Teemu Selanne of the Mighty Ducks made the score 3-1 after Ylonen had won a faceoff.

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Defensemen Philippe Boucher and Doug Zmolek and left wing Barry Potomski agreed to terms on new contracts with the Kings.

Boucher, 23, had seven goals and 16 assists in 53 games last season.

Zmolek, 25, had one goal in 16 games after he was traded to the Kings by the Dallas Stars and Potomski had three goals and two assists in 33 games for the Kings.

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Free-agent defenseman Adrien Plavsic signed a one-year contract with the Mighty Ducks. Plavsic, 26, spent most of last season with the Atlanta Knights of the International Hockey League, where he scored five goals and had 34 assists in 68 games.

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Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin signed a three-year, $3.3-million contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Boxing

A published report that Riddick Bowe would be fined $250,000 and his manager, Rock Newman, would be suspended for a year as the result of a post-fight riot last month was called premature by an official of the New York State Athletic Commission.

“It’s premature because discussions are ongoing,� Tony Russo, first executive assistant to commission Chairman Floyd Patterson, said of a story in the Newark Star Ledger. “No final disposition has been made. I cannot confirm or deny anything in the article.�

Bowe, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, won a July 11 bout in Madison Square Garden when Andrew Golota was disqualified in the seventh round for repeated low blows. After Wayne Kelley stopped the bout, with Bowe on the canvas, Newman and other members of Bowe’s entourage charged across the ring, and a melee broke out.

One of Bowe’s followers, Jason Harris, attacked Golota, striking him several times on the head with a cellular phone.

Vinny Pazienza, World Boxing Union super-middleweight champion, was suspended for 90 days and fined $5,000 in Atlantic City, N.J., for decking a referee who stepped in to halt his fight with Dana Rosenblatt last Friday.

Pazienza will appeal the suspension.

Pazienza punched referee Tony Orlando after Orlando jumped between the fighters to stop the bout at 2:13 of the fourth round.

Jurisprudence

Angela Beck, a topless dancer indicted on drug charges along with Dallas Cowboy wide receiver Michael Irvin, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of cocaine possession and in return was given two years’ deferred probation.

Dallas police found cocaine during a March 4 search of a motel room that Beck and Jasmine Jennipher Nabwangu occupied with Irvin.

State District Judge Manny Alvarez also fined Beck $500 and sentenced her to 100 hours of community service.

A West Virginia University basketball recruit was ordered to serve five years’ probation for sexually abusing a female student in her dormitory room last winter.

Marvin Rodgers, who pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault, will be put on a state registry of sexual offenders for 10 years, said Monongalia County Prosecutor Marcia Ashdown in Morgantown, W.Va.

Chicago high school basketball star Ronnie Fields and two acquaintances entered not guilty pleas to misdemeanor charges of criminal sexual abuse.

The case in DuPage County Circuit Court was continued until Sept. 6. It involves sexual contact between the men and a 20-year-old woman who prosecutors say was not able to give her consent on July 22.

Miscellany

Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Karch Kiraly won his third $1-million Miller Lite Cup bonus pool title and the $125,000 first prize. Kiraly edged partner and fellow Olympic gold medalist Kent Steffes 152.25 points to 143.375. Steffes’ second place was worth $75,000. . . . Kenny Pratt, the second leading scorer for Iowa State’s basketball team last season, has been declared academically ineligible. . . . The Anaheim Bullfrogs advanced to the finals of the Roller Hockey International playoffs by defeating Vancouver, 6-1.