Steve Montador, who played 10 seasons in the NHL, has died at the age of 35, to the shock and sadness of his former associates in the league.

Montador was found unresponsive in his Ontario home early Sunday morning and was pronounced dead when authorities arrived.

Arsene Wenger believes Olivier Giroud has transformed as a player during his time at Arsenal, as the French striker scored twice at the Emirates to beat Middlesbrough 2-0 and send the FA Cup holders into the quarter-finals.

Giroud hit two goals in two minutes just before the half-hour, with Wenger especially pleased with the manner of the goals.

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon hit out at the attitude of the Italian champions following Sunday's thrilling 2-2 draw with strugglers Cesena.

At the Dino Manuzzi stadium, Juve struggled against a Cesena side that has been fighting to get out of the relegation zone all season.

Lionel Messi marked his 300th La Liga appearance with his 31st Barcelona hat-trick as the Catalans moved within a point of Real Madrid at the top of the table with a 5-0 win over Levante.

However, champions Atletico Madrid remain seven points off the top in third after losing 2-0 at Celta Vigo.

Minnesota's teenage rookie Zach LaVine came up with some high-flying fireworks on Saturday to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, part of the league's All-Star weekend festivities.

LaVine, 19, scored a perfect 100 in the opening round in which he wowed the crowd at the Brooklyn Nets' Barclays Center arena with a through-the-legs, one-handed reverse dunk.

Olympic bronze medalist Denis Ten of Kazakhstan dazzled the crowds in Seoul on Saturday as he stormed to victory at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

The 21-year-old scored 191.85 points in the free program for a total of 289.46 points, well ahead of Joshua Farris of the United States, who managed 260.01 points.

Brendan Rodgers claimed Liverpool are hitting top gear at the right time as they booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Liverpool have now lost just once from their last 16 games in all competitions. The Merseysiders are making a charge for a Champions League return in the Premier League.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes pointed the finger of blame at his players rather than referee Anthony Taylor following his team's surprise 4-1 FA Cup defeat at Championship side Blackburn.

A dramatic fifth round tie changed just before half-time at Ewood Park on Saturday when Stoke defender Geoff Cameron was judged by Taylor to have brought down Josh King, earning him a red card and allowing Rudy Gestede to put Blackburn 2-1 in front from the resulting penalty.

Gonzalo Higuain was whistled off the park by Palermo fans as the Sicilians put the brakes on Napoli's quest for Champions League football next season with a crushing 3-1 defeat on Saturday.

Napoli traveled to the Stadio Barbera wary after being held to a 3-3 draw by Giuseppe Iachini's men at the San Paolo last September.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain were hit by an injury crisis on Saturday as they not only saw four players break down but also threw away a 2-0 lead over Caen in a dramatic 2-2 draw.

It was the worst possible preparation for the French Ligue 1 champions who await Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 matchup.