Sports Shorts

Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec collapsed on the ice and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher just 2:35 into the Thrashers' season-opener against Washington on Friday night. With play stopped after a whistle in the Washington zone and just 2:35 gone in the game, Pavelec collapsed onto his back a few feet in front of the Atlanta net and did not move. Medical personnel from both teams raced onto the ice, and after several minutes he was taken off on a stretcher. The Thrashers said Pavelec lost consciousness and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, but that no other details were available.

Snooker world champion Neil Robertson showed why he is the new world number one with a 5-1 win over Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final of the World Open in Glasgow. He claimed his sixth ranking title with an assured display, capitalising every time O'Sullivan made an error. After losing the first two frames, a 72 break gave O'Sullivan the third and he looked good in the fourth before a slip let in Robertson to win. The Australian made it 4-1 and won the title by edging a nervy sixth frame. Robertson said the confidence boost of being world champion had transformed his game.

Ducati rider Casey Stoner has won the Japanese Moto GP at Motegi. Starting third on the grid, the Australian immediately beat pole sitter Andrea Dovizioso and reigning champion Valentino Rossi off the line. Dovizioso finished second, with Rossi third after a thrilling battle with championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, who had to settle for fourth. The victory is Stoner's second in as many races following his win at the Grand Prix of Aragon.