Sports briefs

U.S. speedskating director resigns

KEARNS — U.S. Speedskating executive director Bob Crowley is resigning, two weeks after the Americans fell short of medal goals and expectations at the Vancouver Olympics.

U.S. Speedskating announced Crowley's resignation Monday on its Web site, saying former Park City mayor Brad Olch will take over the cash-strapped organization as interim director.

U.S. Speedskating's biggest cash sponsor, Dutch bank DSB, declared bankruptcy in October. Television host Stephen Colbert helped save the U.S. skaters' Olympic hopes by adopting the team as a sponsor and helping raise more than $300,000.

American speedskaters won 10 medals in Vancouver, two short of US Speedskating's goal. Shani Davis' win in the long track 1,000 meters was the only gold medal for the Americans.

Idaho's Akey receives contract extension

BOISE — Idaho has agreed in principle to give football coach Robb Akey a new contract.

Athletic director Rob Spear says details are still being worked out on a new deal for Akey, who led the Vandals to a 9-5 record last season. Akey has told The Idaho Statesman he's agreed to a new five-year extension.

The former Washington State assistant is in the third year of his contract, which pays him $258,000 per year, the lowest salary of any coach in the Western Athletic Conference.

Akey is 12-26 overall, but the Vandals are coming off their best season in years, capped by a 43-42 win in the Humanitarian Bowl against Bowling Green.

Capitals' Ovechkin suspended

NEW YORK — Two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin was suspended Monday for the Washington Capitals' next two games because of a reckless hit.

The forward drove Chicago's Brian Campbell into the boards from behind in the first period Sunday and received a major penalty and a game misconduct. With Ovechkin, who is leading the league in points with 96, kicked out of the game, the Capitals later came back from a 3-0 third-period deficit to win 4-3 in overtime.

"There's nothing I can do right now. He just fell and this happens," Ovechkin said after the game.

—Deseret News staff and wire reports