Sports briefs

Hockey

EUROPEAN ROSTERS GROW: Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe, Chicago center Tyler Arnason, Columbus defenseman Anders Eriksson, and Phoenix defensemen Brad Ference and Paul Mara signed Friday to play in Europe during the NHL lockout.

There are now 236 NHL players who have gone to Europe during the labor dispute, the International Ice Hockey Federation said. The Czech league leads the way with 53 of the NHL's 750 players. Sweden is next with 46 players, followed by Russia with 42.

McCabe, who joined HV71 in Sweden, had 16 goals and 37 assists in 75 games with Toronto last season. Eriksson also signed with HV71 after scoring seven goals and adding 20 assists in 66 games with Columbus.

Arnason signed with Brynas in Sweden after a season in which he had a career-high 55 points (22 goals, 33 assists) for the Blackhawks.

Ference signed with Morzine-Avoriaz in France, while his teammate Mara agreed to terms with the Hannover Scorpions in Germany.

Football

ARGONAUTS APOLOGIZE: The Toronto Argonauts are offering a big giveaway to make up for a big loss.

Apologizing to their fans after getting beaten 58-20 by the Montreal Alouettes, the CFL club said Friday that a ticket stub from that game can be exchanged for a comparable seat at a 2005 regular season game.

The Argonauts already had clinched a playoff berth heading into Thursday night's game, which drew a season-high 31,212 fans.

"As an organization, we were put into a difficult position because of our schedule and the resulting health of our football team," Argos coach Mike Clemons said. "After making the playoffs and earning home-field advantage, we made the decision to give our fans and football team the best possible chance to have success in the playoffs."

Tennis

SAFIN IMPLODES: At St. Petersburg, Russia, Marat Safin lost his temper and his quarterfinal at the St. Petersburg Open on Friday, getting surprised by seventh-seeded Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-1 after protesting a line call.

The top-seeded Safin wasted two break points at 4-4 in first set. At deuce, chair umpire Carlos Bernardos was unable to rule on a shot by Llodra and ordered the point to be replayed.