Sports in brief

NHLDevs scratch Kovalchuk

Left wing Ilya Kovalchuk was a healthy scratch for the Devils' home game against the Buffalo Sabres last night. Kovalchuk had two goals and three assists in the first seven games. Kovalchuk signed a 17-year, $102-million contract in the offseason that the NHL said circumvented its salary-cap rules. The Russian eventually signed a revamped 15-year, $100-million contract. The Devils lost 6-1.

NFLFavre contact alleged

A spokesman for the woman who allegedly received lewd photos and inappropriate text messages from Brett Favre two years ago when she worked for the Jets says the quarterback tried to contact her in 2009. Phil Reese, Jenn Sterger's manager, told The Associated Press that Favre called Sterger last June. He said she did not answer the phone. The NFL is investigating.

GOLF

Pavin leads senior event

Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot a 4-under-par 68 to maintain a one-stroke lead in the Champions Tour's Administaff Small Business Classic. Pavin had a 10-under 134 total at The Woodlands Country Club. Mark Wiebe (68) was second and Fred Couples (65) was third.

SWIMMING

U.S. swimmer dies

Fran Crippen, a medal-winning open-water swimmer on the U.S. national team, told his coach he wasn't feeling well late in a race before he died in the United Arab Emirates Saturday. The 26-year-old from a family of prominent swimmers in suburban Philadelphia was competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup in Fujairah, south of Dubai, but failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later, according to Swimming World. - AP