The Mars varsity hockey team (12-0) is ranked No. 1 in PIHLClass Aby the MSASports Network.

Freeport (7-4-1) is ranked fourth in Class A while Seneca Valley (7-3) is ranked sixth in Class AAA.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia University's Board of Governors has sued former football coach Rich Rodriguez to collect a $4 million buyout of his contract with the school.The lawsuit, filed in Monongalia County Circuit Court Thursday, says the university believes Rodriguez doesn't intend to abide by the contract.The buyout clause requires Rodriguez to pay $4 million to WVU over a two-year period, with one-third of the total due 30 days after his employment's termination. His resignation was effective Dec. 19.Rodriguez's agent, Mike Brown, declined to comment on the lawsuit.Rodriguez went to Michigan after seven seasons in Morgantown, where he led West Virginia to four Big East championships and a 60-26 record.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp was fined $75,000 by the NFL Thursday for his confrontation with game officials that led to his ejection last week.Sapp avoided a suspension, however.The league said Sapp was punished for "physical and verbal actions toward game officials that drew an unprecedented three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejection from last Sunday's game."Defensive end Derrick Burgess was also fined $25,000 for verbally abusing an official.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots released linebacker Chad Brown Thursday.Brown, who played two games in his 15th NFL season, was cut two days before the Patriots try to complete a 16-0 regular season at the New York Giants.Brown, 36, had spent his first four seasons with Pittsburgh and the next eight with Seattle before playing 15 games for New England in 2005. Last season, he returned to the Steelers and played eight games.

DENVER — Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic will undergo hernia surgery today and will miss eight to 12 weeks, the club announced Thursday.Sakic has been out since Nov. 30, missing 12 games. The organization said a lack of progress in rehab has made surgery necessary.Sakic, in his 19th season, has been Colorado's leading scorer the past three seasons, including a 100-point campaign last year. It was the sixth time he reached the 100-point mark in his career.