The Enquirer and wire reports

The Cincinnati-Cleveland athletic rivalry has been waged for more than a century. Further stirring passions between the cities was former Bengals coach Sam Wyche's statement to rowdy Riverfront Stadium fans over the public address: "You don't live in Cleveland ... !"

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League had never competed against each other for an Ohio trophy. Until now.

Now, not only will state bragging rights be up for grabs, but the Mighty Ducks and Barons will compete for the Labatt Blue Cup.

"It's going to create a lot of excitement among the fans," Ducks president and CEO Pete Robinson said, "and will benefit both teams."

The cup will be awarded to the team that wins the eight-game season series. The first meeting is today at Cleveland's Gund Arena. The Ducks will face the Barons four times at Cincinnati Gardens: March 19, March 20, March 27 and April 10.

AHL DUCKS LOSE: Euro Somervuori and Alexander Perezhogin scored in the second period to lift the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 3-2 victory over Cincinnati Saturday before 7,490 at the Gardens. Marcel Hossa also scored for Hamilton, which extended its unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1-0).

Igor Pohanka scored in the first period and Pierre Parenteau in the third for Cincinnati, which snapped a five-game home unbeaten streak (3-0-2-0).

ECHL CYCLONES LOSE: Cincinnati set a season high for goals allowed in a 7-3 loss to the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies at U.S. Bank Arena. Newly acquired Nick Cammarata, Mark Concannon and Tom Rouleau scored for the Clones.

CCHA MIAMI WINS: No. 15 Miami (14-9-3, 11-5-2 CCHA), with seven different goal scorers, rolled to an easy 7-1 win over the last-place Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Saturday at Goggin Arena and maintained sole possession of first place.

SATURDAY IN THE NHL: Bryan Smolinski scored twice in the first period and Daniel Alfredsson had a goal and two assists as Ottawa ruined Jaromir Jagr's debut with the Rangers by routing New York 9-1.

• Flyers 2, Sabres 1: Jeremy Roenick had two goals, and Robert Esche stopped 25 shots to lead Philadelphia to a win against Buffalo. Esche earned his 14th victory of the season, adding to his career high, and the Flyers won for the fourth time in five games.

• Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 3: Rick Nash scored his NHL-leading 29th and 30th goals to help Columbus extend Chicago's road losing streak to a franchise-record 17 games.

• Panthers 2, Bruins 1: Roberto Luongo made 43 saves and Florida hung on to beat Boston behind power-play goals from Juraj Kolnik and Valeri Bure.

• Leafs 4, Canadiens 1: Bryan McCabe, Joe Nieuwendyk and Mikael Renberg scored second-period goals for Toronto. Mats Sundin added a third-period goal.

• Avs 5, Penguins 3: Peter Forsberg returned from a four-game injury layoff with two goals and an assist, and Colorado extended Pittsburgh's longest home losing streak in 20 years.

• Isles 3, Thrashers 0: Rick DiPietro earned his second NHL shutout, both this season, and recorded an assist while making his seventh start in nine games.

Horse racing

TURFWAY PARK: Doc D, ridden by Jason Lumpkins and trained by Eric Reed, caught Twin Talk and Holiday Cheer winner Founding Father at the wire to win the $50,000 Forego Stakes.

Dubai Sheikh, the even-money favorite, was kept in the chase along the rail but failed to respond when asked and finished fifth.

SUNSHINE MILLIONS: The Florida-bred colt Southern Image closed strongly to win the $1 million Classic by 3 lengths over Cal-bred Excess Summer at Santa Anita. Even-money favorite Peace Rules, third in last year's Kentucky Derby, finished fourth in the field of 12. Morning-line favorite Mida Eyes was scratched.