Long time Toronto Star journalist Randy Starkman, one of Canada’s leading amateur athletics writers, passed away in Toronto on Monday.

Starkman, 51, was diagnosed with pnuemonia last week and had spent several days in intensive care.

Although Starkman did some occasional professional hockey coverage, his primary focus was amateur sport during a career in which he covered 12 Olympic games.

In 1991 Starkman co-authored Eric Lindros’ biography Fire on Ice, which detailed the future NHL star’s decision not to sign with the Quebec Nordiques. Lindros had a shortly-tenured stint with the Maple Leafs years later.

TMLfans.ca extends its deepest condolences to the Starkman family.

Link: Toronto Star’s Randy Starkman dead at 51

Team Canada defeated the United States 5-4 in overtime in the gold medal game at the Women’s World Hockey Championship on Saturday night. The game-winner was scored by Caroline Ouellette, ending a five-year drought for Canada at the tournament.

Ouellette’s goal was her second of the game. Hayley Wickenheiser, Jayna Hefford and Meghan Agosta also found the net for the Canadians. Agosta’s tying goal came with 2:38 left in regulation, forcing overtime.

The United States had Amanda Kessel on their roster for the first time at this tournament. Kessel is the younger sister of Maple Leafs right winger Phil and was one of the most dangerous players for the Americans in the gold medal game. She was on the USA team that defeated Canada in the final of the 2011 Four Nations Cup.