Sports briefs for September 21, 2005

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005 | 10:52 a.m.

Oklahoma City OKs 35 games for Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets will play 35 home games in Oklahoma City and six others in Baton Rouge, La. under terms of a temporary relocation agreement approved today by the city council.

The New Orleans Arena, where the Hornets normally play, was damaged by Hurricane Katrina and could take months to repair. But even if New Orleans is ready to welcome the team back before the season ends, the Hornets are locked into their 35 dates at the 19,675-seat Ford Center.

Playoffs games also would be played in Oklahoma City, and the Hornets will have the option to stay for an extra year.

The Hornets also moved up the date of their home opener against Sacramento to Nov. 1, making it one of four games to be played leaguewide on the opening night of the season.

Gretzky loses debut as coach vs. Kings

Wayne Gretzky stepped behind the bench for the first time as an NHL coach but watched his Phoenix Coyotes lose 8-4 to the Los Angeles Kings.

Craig Conroy and Valeri Bure scored two goals each and Pavol Demitra had a goal and three assists to lead the Kings.

Gretzky drew generous applause from a sparse crowd announced at 7,219 when he came out of the tunnel before the first period.

Top-seeded Farina ousted in first round

At Portoroz, Slovenia, top-seeded Silvia Farina Elia lost to 172nd-ranked Vanessa Henke of Germany 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4 in the first round of the Slovenia Open on Tuesday.

"It was not my day," Farina Elia said. "Besides, it was cold and windy."

Mr. Greeley filly brings top price

At Lexington, Ky., a bay filly by Mr. Greeley out of Heat Lightning brought $350,000, the top price during Tuesday's session of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale. Blandford Bloodstock, agent for Ahmed Zayat, bought the filly.

-- Sun wire services