GOP voters in early states embrace a Trump bid

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Out with Sarah. In with The Donald.

President Barack Obama has launched his re-election bid in a low-key manner, but the Republican Party's search for a challenger seems stranger by the day.

GOP celebrities like Sarah Palin aren't getting much buzz. Mainstream candidates like Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty aren't getting much traction. It's people once considered highly unlikely to compete seriously for the party's nomination who are creating big stirs in early voting states, a reflection of an unformed and uncertain GOP presidential field.

UNC's Barnes returning for sophomore season

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's Harrison Barnes will return for his sophomore season instead of declaring for the NBA draft.

Barnes was the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year, averaging nearly 16 points. The 6-foot-8 forward was widely regarded as the nation's top freshman entering the season and helped the Tar Heels win 29 games and the ACC regular-season championship before falling a win short of the Final Four.

The Tar Heels will return all five starters and their top seven scorers from last season, making them a favorite to enter the year ranked No. 1.

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Canadiens strike early, take 2-0 series lead

BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Bruins will head to Lake Placid next week, needing a miracle to get back into their first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Michael Cammalleri and Mathieu Darche scored in the first 2:20, and Carey Price stopped 34 shots to lead Montreal to a 3-1 victory Saturday night and give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Boston has never, in 26 tries, won a playoff series after losing the first two games.

"Two (wins) is not four," Price said. "We have a lot of work left to do. We are a good team when we jump out and get the lead and we are playing them real tight and not giving them space."