The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 9

Times Herald Scoreboard 2 Classified 5-7 Comics 8 a) Monday, February 23, 1987 Yzerman continues hot streak; Wings extend lead we can't afford not to win against a team in our own division and on our ice." Steve Yzerman, who had both Detroit goals, got his first of the night and 22nd of the season in the first period to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead. His second goal gave the Wings a 2-0 advantage with less than two minutes to play in the middle period when he deflected Darren Veitch's long slapshot past Chic ago goaltender Bob Sauve. Chicago got on the scoreboard at the 2:36 mark of the final period when Steve Larmer scored on a 10-footer after Denis Savard had passed the puck from behind' the net With just 1:42 left in regulation, the Hawks' Curt Fraser dislodged the puck from behind the net and passed out to Murray for the equalizer against Detroit goal-tender Greg Stefan. regulation, and the two clubs battled through the five-minute overtime without scoring. The point awarded for the tie moved Detroit four points ahead of idle Minnesota in the Norris Division while Chicago moved one ahead of third-place St.

Louis. "What we needed was a win," Blackhawks General Manager-' Coach Bob Pulford said. "We're still chasing two teams and from where we sit with 19 games left, CHICAGO (AP) When you're playing in Chicago and end up in a tie, you shouldn't complain, Detroit Red Wings Coach Jacques Demers says. "I'll gladly take the one point, especially in the Chicago Black-hawks' home building," Demers said Sunday night after the Red Wings and the Blackhawks ended in a 2-2 NHL tie. Troy Murray's 15-foot wrist shot tied the game with 1:42 left in In the Lineup I tA Brian Marshall Three travel hockey teams in state finals Stefan praised Fraser "for not only making the big play, but holding our defenseman (Rick Zombo) out enabling Murray to beat me." "I was able to get the puck away and after sending the puck' out in front, I went wide, taking Zombo with me," Fraser said.

"My intent was to let either Elvis (Wayne Presley) or Murray bury it." Ex-Padre enjoys life in bullpen LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -From his new vantage point, Mark Thurmond understands why the San Diego Padres lost the 1984 World Series. Thurmond, traded to Detroit midway through last season, was the Padres' starter in the first game of the fall classic which the Tigers won in Pistons hold off Kimieks Time may be moving slowly for three Port Huron minor hockey teams that are waiting to compete in state finals tournaments. five games. "I can see why they beat us now," he said.

"We had a rain delay one time. We came into the clubhouse and they were showing highlights of the '84 World Series. There wasn't too much ribbing, this is a class Spring Training Mark Thurmond I nr? 'rrmw ti Victory gives league leaders breathing room DETROIT (AP) Joe Dum-ars was enjoying the ballet, but it soon turned into a struggle for survival. "When I was on the bench (in the first half), it looked like we were just letting the talent take over," said Dumars, who scored 23 points Sunday night in the Detroit Pistons' 122-110 NBA victory over the New York Knicks. The Pistons, who own the NBA's third-best record at 37-18, clearly had more talent than the 16-38 Knicks, but had to hang on to post their third straight victory.

Detroit is 2 games ahead of Milwaukee, which dropped a 124-120 decision Sunday night in Portland. Hitting 17 of their first 26 shots and 12-oM2 free throws and keyed by Adrian Dantley's 14 points, the Pistons built up a big first-quarter lead that stretched to 65-47 at halftime. The rout continued through the third quarter as the Pistons increased the margin to 99-76 and many in the crowd of 15,887 were already chalking up Detroit's ninth victory in 11 games. But the Knicks had other ideas. Sparked by Patrick Ew-ing's seven points and 10 from Gerald Wilkins, New York went on a 254 tear to cut the lead to 110-105 with 3:33 remaining.

"I wasn't really worried," said center Bill Laimbeer, who chipped in 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Pistons. "I knew we wouldn't keep throwing the ball away the rest of the night. If we hadn't had four turnovers, we would have had a comfortable lead." Detroit Coach Chuck Daly was less confident. "They made it very uncomfortable for us at the end," he said. "With a guy like Ewing around, you can get back into the game very quickly." New York Coach Bob Hill was pleased with the gallant fourth-quarter effort, but bemoaned a lack of rebounding New York was outrebounded 52-27 for sending the Knicks to their 24th setback in 28 road games.

"We talked for 30 minutes It's unusual for Port Huron to send three teams to the finals in one year. The Midas Bucs, in Pee Wee the Secory Flyers in Pee Wee AA and the Star Oilers in Squirt A won their respective districts and are heading for the state finals. The Bucs travel to Houghton March 6-7 for their finals; the Flyers compete March 13-15 in Alpena; and the Star Oilers head to Lansing March 6-7. HUSKIES HIT BOOKS: Port Huron Northern's basketball team has had an up-and-down year, posting a 6-10 record, but its performance in the classroom has been tough to match. Eight of the 12 varsity players have qualified as candidates for the Eastern Michigan League All-Academic team.

The cumulative grade point average of the eight is 3.56, based on the players' grades for each semester in which they have been enrolled. The individual averages are: A. J. Gamble, 4.0; Matt Jamison, 4.0; Mark Hanton, 3.86; Steve Burrows, 3.68; David Mercurio, 3.31; Tony Bonacci, 3.29; Sean Shagena, 3.27; Chris Carlisle, 3.10. IT'S SOCCER TIME: With the spring thaw just around the corner, it's time to think about soccer.

Registration for Port Huron and Marysville youth leagues is scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26. The leagues are available to players between the ages of 6-18. Registration is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

each day at Holland Woods School. The Registration fee, which includes shirt, socks, insurance and Soccer Now magazine, is $30. The season will extends from May 4 to Aug. 1. Adult participation in coaching and organizing is needed.

For more information, call 982-1443. FREE RIDE: For some high school boys, being a golf caddy is a way to get a nice tan and earning some spare change during the summer. For Mike Zweng, cadd-ying has paid off to a much greater degree. Zweng, a senior at St. Clair High School who caddied at St.

Clair Country Club, is one of 24 caddies in Michigan to receive a Chick Evans college scholarship. The scholarship covers full tui-: tion and housing, worth more than $10,000 over four years. The awards are part of the national Chick Evans Scholars program, which is supported by individual contributions from more than 100,000 golfers, including more than 15,000 in Michigan. REFS TAKE HEART: In this column last week, I expressed some observations I have made on basketball officiating in the area. Basically, I said some referees seem to want to prolong arguments with coaches rather than getting back to the game.

My comments weren't meant to be taken as a sweeping blast at officials or the Job they do. It is obviously a very difficult task often performed in unruly conditions. HOW NOW: He may have waited awhile, but when Scott Howe of Western Michigan finally scored his first goal of the hockey season, he made it count. Howe, a Junior defenseman for the Broncos, scored the game-winning goal in Western's recent 8-3 triumph over Bowling Green. Howe has six points this season for the Broncos, 20-16 overall and 15-15 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Associated Press New York Knicks' Jawann Oldham, right, ing on the play is Detroit Pistons' John gets his fingers caught in the net after his Salley. The Pistons captured a 122-110 vie-dunk attempt bounces off the rim. Defend- tory Sunday night at the Sllverdome. about rebounding, then in the can't rebound, it's very difficult Thomas led the way with 26 first half the rebounds were 28- to win in this game." points, including six in the final 13," Hill said. "Basketball is The Pistons spread the of- 3:12 to put a halt to the Knicks shooting and rebounding.

If you ensive load around. Isiah rally. Dantley added 24. bunch of guys. They did their best and I did mine.

This is just a better ball club." Thurmond says he hopes to continue his metamorphosis from average hurler to ace reliever that began last season after he was traded. Since coming to Detroit in exchange for Dave LaPoint, Thurmond has shown new life. In 70 innings with the Padres last year, the left-hander was 3-7 with a 6.50 ERA. In 51 innings with Detroit, Thurmond compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.92 ERA. "I kind of like being a reliever.

It's kind of exciting to come to the ball park knowing that any day you can go into a game. You have to be alert, watching batters. One little phone call and you're in the game." Thurmond believes the Tigers have what it takes to be a winner. "I really feel like we have a good shot at winning the division this year," he said. "We have some proven pitchers and some good young guys.

You know we're going to score runs. "There were some good pitchers on the San Diego team that had nothing to show for it. There wasn't much run production. You're going to get some runs scored for you here." Thurmond says he feels more comfortable in Detroit. "I can't explain it," he said.

"I guess the suburbs of Detroit remind of the suburbs of Houston where I'm from." Like everyone around him in San Diego, Thurmond was baffled by his poor performances with the Padres. "I was coming off the best spring I ever had. I pitched well my first two starts, then I became inconsistent," he said. "I missed a no-hitter by six inches and in my next start I didn't survive the first inning. It was feast or famine." Thurmond's transition to the Tigers was made easier by the attitudes of his new teammates.

"The ball club accepted me right away," he said. "They're a good bunch of guys. Everyone tries to help each other out. I was really impressed with the club." At Lakeland Sunday, the club split into two squads, one of which played pepper while the other threw batting practice to the catchers in camp. The first exhibition game is almost two weeks away for the Tigers, but Jack Morris to no one's surprise has been named as its starting pitcher.

Manager Sparky Anderson already has made one change, however. Instead of holding Dan Petry out two extra days and starting him in the fourth game, Petry will be used in his regular slot as the No. 2 starter, pitching the second game. Walt Terrell and Frank Tanana will follow In that order. Chen ends U.S.

tourney drought Viking hockey team looks ahead to state tourney The Marysville High School hockey team finished its regular-season schedule with a .500 record after defeating Lakeville 12-0 Saturday night in McMorran Arena. The win gives the Vikings a 7-7-1 record in the first year back as a high school sport. "I think it's a heck of season to have a .500 record with a first-year team," Marysville Coach Lloyd Maxfield said. "We'll see what we can do in the state (tournament)." The Vikings will compete in the state tournament March 4 when they meet Mount Morris in Flint's IMA Arena. In the win over Lakeville, Rick Lashbrook had two goals and three assists for the Vikings.

Mike Toles and Bob Churchill also had two goals each. Earning one goal were Paul Wright, Mike Leavitt, Tom Perrin, Mark Denuyl, Phil Conn and Ken McKay. Matt Ayotte and Jeff Way also had two assists each. By STEVE HERSHEY Gannett News Service Reporter PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -After five years of trying, Tze-Chung "T.C." Chen finally has won a tournament in the United States, beating Ben Crenshaw on the first hole of a playoff Sunday at the Nissan Los Angeles Open.

"I have had chances to win before and didn't do it," Chen said. "Now this proves I can win in the United States." Chen took a one-shot lead over Danny Edwards into the final round and shot par 71 for a 9-under-par 275 total. Crenshaw shot 69. Edwards had a two-shot lead after making birdies at the ninth and 10th holes, but bogeyed the 15th and 17th to finish third. Chen had to roll in a 14-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to tie Crenshaw and force the playoff.

He missed a five-foot birdie attempt at the 17th hole that would have given him the lead. "That was my chance at 17," he said. "But I pulled it a little. At 18, after Ben made his, I just told myself not to leave the putt short." On the playoff hole, Chen pushed his drive into the right See CHEN, Page 3B sv i Ail I Associated Press T.C. Chen celebrates after winning the Los Angeles Open, his first tournament title in the United States.

Timet Herald Brian Marshall It Sportswrlter.