Roystone Drenthe (second from left) stares down Messi. (Getty)

Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe, currently on loan at Everton, has made the surprising claim that Lionel Messi called him "negro" in a derogatory manner on multiple occasions in the past. Perhaps prompted by seeing Liverpool's Luis Suarez get hit with an eight-match ban and £40,000 fine for using the same word against Manchester United Patrice Evra earlier this season, Drenthe has now made his accusations to the press some time after the incidents allegedly occurred.

The Sun is claiming it as an "exclusive," but Drenthe's comments were originally made in an interview with Dutch magazine Helden. Said Drenthe (via Goal.com):

"We played against each other a lot, and we always had problems. You know what really bothers me? That tone with which he always called me 'negro, negro'." [...]

"I understand that it is very common in South America, but we cannot stand it. Mahamadou Diarra, my team-mate at Real, would become furious when Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain initially called him

Getty ImagesNo. 1 Star: Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

Behind Holtby's 31 saves, the Capitals were able to stave off elimination with a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers and force Game 7 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The 22-year old improved to 6-0 in the playoffs coming off a defeat.

No. 2 Star: Jason Chimera, Washington Capitals

Chimera's fourth goal of the playoffs midway through the second period ended up as the game-winner:

No. 3 Star: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Ovechkin opened the scoring 88 seconds into the game with his fifth of the postseason. It was his 30th career goal in the playoffs, tying him for the Capitals franchise record with Peter Bondra. Ovechkin came close to a goal of the year candidate in the third period almost scoring from the seat of his pants.

Honorable mention: For the second time this series, the Capitals won a game after losing the previous one in overtime. They're 4-0 doing so in the playoffs ... Nicklas Backstrom set up both Washington goals ... The Capitals are 7-1 when scoring first ... Via the AP, Washington has won seven of their past eight home games against the Rangers.

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 2. Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes; 3. Brad Richards, New York Rangers; 4. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils; 5. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; 6. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 7. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings; 8. Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils; 9. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings; 10. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix Coyotes

Dishonorable mention: The Rangers failed to cut the Capitals' lead to a goal after not scoring on a double-minor midway through the second period ... New York was 0-for-5 on the power play.

Getty ImagesWASHINGTON, DC — The four-minute power play giveth, and the four-minute power play taketh away.

The New York Rangers had a chance to eliminate the Washington Capitals in D.C. on Wednesday night because Joel Ward drew blood from Carl Hagelin for a high-sticking double-minor late in Game 5; Brad Richards scored with 6.6 seconds left to tie the game; and then Marc Staal won it on the back end of the power play in overtime.

In Game 6, Jeff Halpern of the Capitals high-sticked John Mitchell at 12:05 of the second period, drawing blood and a double-minor with Washington leading by two goals. The Rangers managed three shots on goal, stopped by goalie Braden Holtby. They missed two more and had another two blocked.

They came up empty, as they would in five power plays overall in Game 6, losing to the Capitals by a 2-1 count and forcing a Game 7 on Saturday night at MSG.

"It sucked. It kills you. It sucked," said Rangers Coach John Tortorella on the momentum-sapping four-minute power play.

Dominick Cruz tore his ACL and will miss UFC 148 (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)A downcast Dominick Cruz said Wednesday that he'll be back better than ever from the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered last week that forced cancellation of his bantamweight title defense on July 7 against rival Urijah Faber, that was to be the co-main event of UFC 148 in Las Vegas.

Cruz, the UFC bantamweight champion, was sparring when he injured the knee. The ACL tear was diagnosed on Sunday in Las Vegas following an MRI. Cruz said the swelling needs to decrease before he can proceed with the surgery.

"It was a normal day in practice," Cruz told Cagewriter. "I went for a weird trip and it folded my knee. There was a really loud pop and I was kind of in denial the rest of the night. The next day, I went in and got an MRI. I got the results on Sunday and by Monday, the news was out."

On Tuesday on Fuel TV, UFC president Dana White said that Faber would fight an opponent to be named at UFC 148 for the interim belt. Cruz will fight the winner when he's healed. Cruz said

Alex Ovechkin scored the opening goal for the Washington Capitals as they were able to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 with a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers. The goal was Ovechkin's 30th career postseason tally, tying him with Peter Bondra for the franchise record.

A maker of many highlight-reel goals, Ovechkin had an opportunity in the third period to add to his long list of YouTube memories with this spectacular individual effort:

This wouldn't have been Ovechkin's first goal while down on the ice. You'll remember his tally against the Phoenix Coyotes in Jan. 2006 that has topped numerous "Best Goal" lists over the past six years.

While it might not have ended up success, it surely qualifies in the top-5 attempts of the season.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award-winning Dirty Tackle...

Adidas unveiled the new Predator Lethal Zones at an event Manchester and to prove their "unleash deadly" tagline, they had Nani, Edin Dzeko and Tom Cleverley decapitate footballer shaped targets (1:10 into the video), among other challenges. [YouTube]

The EPL Talk awards are back and DT needs your help in casting out all those who secretly aid the corn menace and any ongoing conspiracies against Andrei Arshavin. You can vote in the Best Blogger category here and the Best Blog category here. Your support is always very, very appreciated.

Want to play football but are you too lazy to stand up? This chair is for you. [KCKRS]

Method behind the money at Malaga. [IBWM]

The Premier League has decided that this is the best Premier League season ever! [TFB]

Pep Guardiola's response to Jose Mourinho's letter congratulating him on second place. [DT on Facebook]

The art of Sergio Busquets. [STI]

Getty Images

One of the cultural clarifications that occurred after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 was the way we described professional athletes. Bravery was redefined. The idea that someone risking their life in a burning skyscraper could be compared to someone playing a triple overtime game, for example, became preposterous.

Just over a decade later, Ron MacLean began CBC's coverage of Game 6 between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers by comparing them to 9/11 first responders.

Danica Patrick is all smiles, like it or not. (Getty Images)

Welcome to the latest Happy Hour mailbag! You know how these work: You write us with your best rant/ joke/one-liner at happyhournascar@yahoogroups.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee, we respond to your messages, everyone goes away with a smile on their face.

I was at both the Kentucky Derby and Talladega this past weekend. This is what I came up with. I'm still exhausted. So let's get to your letters:

Given how polarizing a figure she is, do you think there will be (or should be) any disciplinary action taken by NASCAR towards Danica Patrick for intentionally wrecking Sam Hornish Jr. after the checked flag on Saturday?

— Eric Tien

Simple. Efficient. I like that kind of letter. Incidentally, this race was finishing exactly as the Kentucky Derby was starting, so I was darting back and forth between the press balcony overlooking the track and my laptop playing the race broadcast. Sure wish Bodemeister had turned I'll have Another in the final straightaway; I'd have a few more bucks right now.

So, my opinion: yes, NASCAR should have taken some action against Patrick. At the very least, she should have been (say this with scary music in the background) Called To The Hauler to discuss exactly what happened. Did Hornish's brakes fail? Did Patrick not see him? Whatever, letting her bolt off into the Talladega night was exactly the wrong thing for NASCAR to do.

Now, as for the unhinged Danicahaters who scream that because Kyle Busch did almost the same thing at Texas last year, Patrick should be suspended or worse: shut up. Seriously. Just chill the heck out. This is not even remotely comparable. Busch's actions happened during a race (albeit under yellow), and took Ron Hornaday Jr. out of the running entirely. Busch's punishment was also the culmination of a series of run-ins with NASCAR brass. Patrick hasn't had that. She had a bad day and a bad moment. Does she deserve a little lecture, maybe even one of those not-so-secret-but-still-really-secret fines? Absolutely. And if she does it again, crank up the punishment. Beyond that, let it go, people. I'd have been a lot more disappointed if she'd gotten out of the car and started crying or something.