Sports News Round Up: NHL roundup, NBA notebook, Gary Woodland, Steelers' Brown

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NHL roundup: Leafs' Matthews scores 8th, 9th goals

Auston Matthews scored two goals to increase his league-leading total to nine, and the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs topped the winless Detroit Red Wings 5-3 on Thursday. Mitchell Marner had a goal and an assist and John Tavares supplied four assists for Toronto. Morgan Rielly added a goal and an assist, Nazem Kadri had two assists, Ron Hainsey chipped in an empty-net goal, and Frederik Andersen made 26 saves.

NBA notebook: Wolves cancel practice after Butler blowup

Disgruntled Jimmy Butler caused a stir at the Minnesota Timberwolves' practice on Wednesday, and he wasn't given a chance to do so again on Thursday. The team cancelled practice and instead there was a players-only meeting between Butler and his teammates, according to multiple media outlets.

Woodland claims share of lead in Malaysia with 61

Gary Woodland grabbed a share of the lead at the CIMB Classic with a second-round 61, moving his 36-hole score to 14-under par and good for a tie with Australian Marc Leishman, who carded a 62 on Friday. Woodland's 11-under round Friday ties the course record and followed a 69 in the first round at Kuala Lumpur Golf & CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a two-time runner-up (2013, 2014) at the event.

MLB notebook: Brewers tab LHP Gonzalez for Game 1 of NLCS

The Milwaukee Brewers have set their rotation for the first three games of their National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with left-hander Gio Gonzalez getting the nod for Game 1. Gonzalez, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 30, will take the mound opposite Dodgers ace southpaw Clayton Kershaw in the series opener in Milwaukee on Friday.

Soccer - Biggest women's World Cup can be platform for global growth: FIFA

A record-breaking women's World Cup next year in France would be the perfect platform to inspire more young girls to take up soccer around the globe, FIFA's Chief Women's Football Officer Sarai Bareman has told Reuters. World soccer's governing body this week announced a new global strategy for the women's game in an effort to create revenue streams and increase grassroots participation among its 211 member associations.

Steelers' Brown: Lawsuits contain 'false claims'

Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown said Thursday that claims made against him in two lawsuits he's facing from an alleged incident in April are false. Brown is accused of yelling at security and throwing items from off the balcony of a South Florida apartment. The lawsuits are for "damages in excess of $15,000," according to ESPN.

Steelers' Watt fined $20,054 for hit on Ryan

The NFL fined Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt $20,054 for a hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in Week 5, according to ESPN. The league office instructed the Steelers to take the fine out of Watt's paycheck if he does not appeal.

Speed queen Vonn to retire at end of season

Lindsey Vonn, widely regarded as the greatest female ski racer of all-time, will retire from competition following the 2018-19 season even if she fails to break the record for World Cup wins, the American said on Thursday. The 33-year-old holds the women's record of 82 World Cup wins and trails only Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark's long-standing mark of 86.

Soccer: Colombia crush U.S. 4-2 in friendly

Colombia crushed a shorthanded and overmatched United States 4-2 in a friendly in Tampa on Thursday in the latest reminder the Americans are far from threatening the world's best. James Rodriguez scored Colombia's first goal in the 36th minute and set up their last as the South Americans stormed back after trailing 2-1 early in the second half.

MLB notebook: Cubs fire hitting coach Davis

The Chicago Cubs have fired hitting coach Chili Davis after one season, according to several media reports, after the team's offensive production faltered in the second half of the season. Davis, 58, was hired in October 2017 after spending the previous six seasons as a hitting coach with the Boston Red Sox (2015-17) and Oakland Athletics (2012-14).