National Sports

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images(DENVER) -- NHL Hall-of-Fame goalie Patrick Roy has agreed in principle to join the Colorado Avalanche as its Head Coach/Vice President of Hockey Operations.

“This is an unbelievable day for me,” said Roy. “It’s a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank (Owner) Stan and (President) Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as (Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations) Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me."

"Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am,” he continued. 

Roy played seven-and-a-half seasons for the Avalanche, winning two Stanley Cups.

The 47-year-old three time Vezina Trophy winner, has spent the last eight seasons as the head coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he had a 348-196-0 record.                                                                                                                      

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Arizona Cardinals signed their third round draft pick Tyrann Mathieu to a four-year contract Thursday.

“I never doubted it,” Mathieu said on the team's website when talking about signing an NFL contract. “I knew it was a long shot and it would be a process, but to finally sit down and sign my name on the dotted line means a lot to me.”

League sources told ESPN's Ed Werder that Mathieu will receive a $662,500 guarenteed signing bonus.

A source of ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said Mathieu will receive $265,000 upfront with the rest of the money coming through annual roster bonuses.

Mathieu becomes the sixth of the Cardinals nine draft picks to sign.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- Jimmy Howard saved all 28 shots he faced leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-0 Game 4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series Thursday night.

The Red Wings lead the series 3-1, and are one win from eliminating the top-seeded Blackhawks from the postseason.

Howard has now held the Hawks to one goal or less in three straight games.

"He has kind of been in a groove for a while now," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "And we need that to be successful."

Red Wings defensemen Jakub Kindil scored his first goal of the postseason 10:03 into the second period.

Corey Crawford had 25 saves in the loss for Chicago.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago. Start time scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Chris Kreider scored 7:03 into overtime Thursday night, to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series.

The Bruins now lead the series 3-1.

The B's took a 2-0 lead in the second period on rookie Torey Krug's third goal of the series, but just 58 seconds later, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask fell and Carl Hagelin slowly pushed a puck past the fallen goaltender to make it 2-1.

Derek Stepan tied the game just 1:15 into the third period. Stepan was behind the Bruins' net when he forced a turnover on Zdeno Chara and smacked one past Rask.

Bruin winger Tyler Seguin scored his first goal of the playoffs at the 11:54 mark, but Brian Boyle scored on the power play just 1:54 later, the last goal of the period.

Before the victory, the Rangers had been 0-3 in overtime games this postseason.

Game 5 is Saturday in Boston. The puck is set to drop at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Coyright 2013 ABC News Radio