Melrose

TAMPA, Fla. — Barry Melrose was fired as coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday, less than five months after he left the television booth to coach a team that finished with the league's worst record last season.

Rick Tocchet was promoted to interim head coach. He was sentenced to two years' probation in August 2007 after pleading guilty in a gambling investigation into a sports betting ring, but Tocchet said he never bet on NHL games.

Melrose is the second NHL coach to be fired this season — the Chicago Blackhawks dismissed Denis Savard after four games.

Out of coaching for 13 years, Melrose was lured back to the bench and replaced John Tortorella, who led Tampa Bay to its only Stanley Cup championship in 2004.

Melrose coached Los Angeles from 1992-95. In his first season, he helped the Wayne Gretzky-led Kings to the Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.

He spent 12 years as an analyst for ESPN before taking over the Lightning.

AVONWORTH— The Saxonburg Spartans won the United Youth Football League Super Bowl recently, defeating Mars White, 13-0.Bryan Jack and Dominic Bozzo scored on 1-yard runs and Addis Crouch added a conversion point with a 3-yard run. The defense recorded its seventh shutout of the season.<B>Saxonburg roster</B>Dominick Bucko, Shawn Gialanella, Cade Negley, Addis Crouch, Ivan Stapchuck, Jackson Mckee, Nick Kuss, Austin Warman, Lane Rodgers, Bryan Jack, Austin Hannes, Logan Hickey, Nick Guercio, Hunter Koller, Trace Tempus, Joshua Knochel, Zachary Inklovich, Zachery Doran, Mark Kroneberg, Dominic Bozzo, Dalton Neel, Joshua Thrower, Austen Kunkle, Zachary Boldy, Jayden Kunkle, Jacob Herrit, Jeremiah Frazier, Kenneth Beattie, Austin Martin, Adam Bastin, Kevin Klein, Jordan Geist, John Jerich, Alexander Stobert<B>Coach:</B>Mike Crouch

KARNS CITY — Seven Karns City soccer players earned Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League Soccer all-star recognition.Seniors Josh Grenninger and Timmy Johnston, and junior Eric McCue earned the honors on the boys side.Seniors Hannah Beck, Alaina Burns and Cristen Futcher, along with junior Millie McKain, were recognized on the girls side.

VILLANOVA, Pa.— Special Olympics Butler County participated in the Western Fall Festival last weekend at Villanova University.Butler's soccer team won the gold medal. The squad consisted of Clint Atkinson, Rosalind Burns, Julie Held, Dylan Hernandez, Tiffanie Howard, Melissa McKinnis, Stephanie Myers and Carla Steffy. Madeline Burns received a silver medal in individual skills.The volleyball team won a silver medal. Team members included Jackie Abel, Ryan Burgoon, Larry Fend, Daniel Harlan, Nicole McKinnis, Don Monn, Joseph Osche, Bruce Pryor, Anthony Sciullo and Val Stiffy.Receiving gold medals for individual skills volleyball were Haley Spohn, Michael Olesak and Alex Weber.Bocce team members Kristen Lindsey and Jeff Walsh received gold medals, Betsy Cable and Tim Spence silver medals. Miles Morris and Matthew Simons finished in fourth place.