Ovechkin says he's fine with reduced ice time

Cassell decision expected tonight at Capital Classic

Capitals

Ovechkin says he's fine with reduced ice time

The Washington Capitals entered the third period of Game 4 on Thursday night with a one-goal lead, and as the Boston Bruins pushed in an attempt to tie the NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal contest, coach Dale Hunter turned to his most defensively responsible forwards to carry the load down the stretch of the 2-1 victory. Star left wing Alex Ovechkin played only 1 minute, 58 seconds in the final period and just 15 seconds in the final 14 minutes of regulation. On Friday, Hunter attributed the captain's low ice time to line-matching and wanting to have his shut-down forwards out against the Bruins' top lines. "Of course I want to be out there, but it's his decision and I can appreciate [the] guys for how they play and we win the game," Ovechkin said. "It's the most important thing. It doesn't matter how many minutes I play. Of course I want to be there, but it's his decision."

—Katie Carrera, The Washington Post

Colleges

Cassell decision expected tonight at Capital Classic

Maryland is reportedly one day away from a decision from Sam Cassell Jr. According to Rivals.com, the basketball guard will "announce his school choice this weekend" — most likely at the Capital Classic at T.C. Williams in Alexandria, Va., today at 8 p.m. Cassell, a Baltimore native who committed to the Terps in late March but withdrew his commitment days later after his father, Washington Wizards assistant coach Sam Cassell, said reports of that commitment were "false," is one of several players with Maryland ties scheduled to participate in the Capital Classic. Terps signees Charles Mitchell, Shaquille Cleare and Seth Allen — plus power forward commitment Damonte Dodd — will team with Cassell on the U.S. All-Stars roster.

—Matt Bracken

Men's soccer: Former Severna Park and St. Mary's High boys coach Roy Dunshee was named coach at Washington College. Dunshee was 56-10-4 in four seasons with the Falcons, then resigned earlier this year to become an assistant at Division III power Amherst. Dunshee also has held positions with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and has operated a soccer skills teaching company. Dunshee succeeds Drew Hoffman, who stepped down to accept a position as a development officer in Washington College's office of college advancement.

Women's basketball: Senior point guard Amber Griffin of Luella High in Locust Grove, Ga., has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Coppin State. "She is a very cerebral point guard," Eagles coach Derek Brown said. "Amber is very quick and is able to penetrate to the basket, which will help us run our offense. She is an above average defender and passer." Griffin helped lead Luella to the Georgia state playoffs in 2011-12 by averaging 8.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Men's lacrosse: CCBC-Catonsville has signed two recruits, attackman-midfielder Derek Taylor (Perry Hall) and midfielder Mike Dougherty (Cardinal Gibbons, Stevenson).

Pimlico Race Course

Baltimore Belle looks to repeat in Dahlia Stakes

Defending champion Baltimore Belle is the 3-1 morning line favorite in today's$75,000 Dahlia Stakes, a mile test for fillies and mares on the grass at Pimlico Race Course. Trained by Mike Trombetta, Baltimore Belle won this race last year when it was contested on the main track, took the Lady Baltimore Stakes (on the turf) and was victorious the Geisha Stakes at Laurel Park last fall.

More Pimlico: Two weeks after capturing the 10th stakes win of his career, Ben's Cat will be back at the track today Saturday afternoon headlining a $43,000 allowance race on the grass. The King Leatherbury homebred is the 4-5 favorite in the five-furlong test, which will be the fourth race on the card.

—From Sun staff and news services