Lawrie handed four-game ban

TORONTO — Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays has been suspended for four games by Major League Baseball after he threw his batting helmet and it bounced off an umpire.

The penalty was imposed Wednesday and included an undisclosed fine.

Lawrie is appealing and can playing until there is a decision. He was in the starting lineup Wednesday night against the Yankees.

The third baseman was ejected by plate umpire Bill Miller after arguing a called third strike in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

Lawrie slammed his helmet near Miller's feet and it ricocheted up and hit the umpire in the right hip.

Toronto manager John Farrell says Lawrie hopes to apologize to Miller. The same umpire crew was set to work the game.

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Flyers' Giroux superb after four-game absence

DALLAS — The Philadelphia Flyers expected an instant impact from the return of Claude Giroux, and that's exactly what they got from their top scorer.

Giroux had a goal and three assists in his comeback from a four-game absence due to a concussion as the surging Flyers beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 Wednesday night.

Giroux received medical clearance to play last weekend, and he was inserted into the lineup after he was able to participate in Wednesday's morning skate.

"He's clearly established himself as a top player in the league," Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolette said. "He missed some time and wanted to get back in there. He's capable of that. It shouldn't surprise anybody."

Giroux was out since he was injured in a game against Tampa Bay on Dec. 10 when he was accidentally hit in the back of the head by teammate Wayne Simmonds' knee.

Giroux recorded his third four-point game of the season. The last Flyers player with at least three games of four or more points in a season was Mark Recchi, who also had three during the 2000-01 season.

"It's exciting for him to play again," teammate Jaromir Jagr said. "I knew right away, first shift, he had a lot of energy."

Simmonds and Jagr added power-play goals, and defenseman Andrej Meszaros connected at even strength for Philadelphia.

Jagr has 657 career goals, breaking a tie with Brendan Shanahan and taking over sole possession of 11th on the all-time list.

Blackhawks 5, Canadiens 1

In Chicago, Andrew Brunette and Patrick Sharp scored 21 seconds apart midway through the second period, and Corey Crawford made 20 saves in his first start in more than two weeks for the Blackhawks.

Coyotes 4, Hurricanes 3

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Lauri Korpikoski and Ray Whitney both had a goal and an assist to lead Phoenix past Carolina.

Canucks 4, Red Wings 2

In Vancouver, Roberto Luongo stopped 38 shots and Alex Burrows scored for the fourth straight game, leading the Canucks to a victory over Detroit.

Avalanche 3, Blues 2

In Denver, Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 37 shots and Jay McClement scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period to lift Colorado to a victory over St. Louis for its seventh straight home win.

Sharks 7, Lightning 2

In San Jose, Logan Couture scored two of the Sharks' team-record five goals in the first 14:47 as the hosts beat Tampa Bay.

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