Sweden center Nicklas Backstrom failed a doping test for a substance found in an allergy medication and was withdrawn from Sunday's hockey final at the Sochi Olympics. Backstrom, who plays for the Washington Capitals in the NHL, was scratched just before the game began and had to watch Sweden's 3-0 loss to Canada on TV. Sweden coach Par Marts was critical of the IOC's timing, saying Backstrom was tested in connection with the team's 5-0 win over Slovenia last Wednesday, but he was only told 20 minutes before the final that his center couldn't play. ''It's like kindergarten.'' Asked about Merts criticism of the doping process, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said, ''We will not comment on any potential process until it has concluded.'' NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement saying the substance Backstrom tested positive for was not on the league's list of banned substances.

Henrik Lundqvist already has a gold medal at home, tucked away in memory of two fantastic weeks in Turin eight years ago. Nearly half of Canada's roster has the same souvenir from Vancouver in 2010. When Sweden faces powerful Canada at the Bolshoy Ice Dome on Sunday, the golden goalie expects both teams to close the Sochi Games with performances worthy of their unbeaten runs so far on the Black Sea shore. Everybody knows what happens next, you have to live with it for four years.'' Canada is one victory away from a perfect run after dominating the rest of the world's best with depth, defense and championship experience.

Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello will be sidelined for a while because of the fracture he sustained in his left hand while playing for Norway in the Sochi Olympics. Zuccarello was evaluated back in New York, and diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture - an injury that typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to heal - the Rangers said Friday. The 26-year-old Zuccarello, New York's leading scorer this season with 43 points, will miss a week of practice time before the Rangers play Chicago on Thursday in their first game following the NHL's Olympic break. New York has nine games scheduled between Thursday and March 14.

The New York Islanders lost their star and captain for the rest of the season because of an injury at the Sochi Games. ''John Tavares has an MCL and meniscus tear in his left knee,'' team spokesman Kimber Auerbach wrote in an email Thursday. ''He will remain with Team Canada for the remainder of Olympics and return home after for further evaluation.'' Tavares was hurt by a big hit along the boards by Latvia's Arturs Kulda in the second period of Canada's 2-1 victory Wednesday night.