The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 42

FLORIDA a eVfita D-2 The Orlando Sentinel, Tuesday, April 8, 1997 to Eastem Conference ATLANTIC DIVISION That's the great thing about Augusta Na York, Kapovtssv 9 (Lenten, Grstzky), 16:05 (pp). New York. Leslch 20 (Gretztcy. Graves), 16:56 (pp). TlWPenorJ-Nons.

Shots on goal Philadelphia 9-6-14-29 New York Povwr-play Opportures-liladelphia 0 ot New York 2 ot 7. Hexta 31-15-5 (27 shots-24 saves). New York. Rchter 32-214 (29-27). A-182O0 (1600).

WHALERS 4, SABRES 1 1E 111 nl Dennis Rodman is beyond common comparisons and will no doubt continue to accept payment for being both an incomplete basketball creature and a goofy movie action figure. His future is brighter as the second than the first Bemle- Unclcome, Chicago Tribune tional. The more you bail out, actually, the harder it gets. So you have to stay what I call defensively aggressive. You've got to but the ball as close as you dare to the ultimate spot.

Delendtog Masters champion Nick Fakto Buffalo 2 0 0-2 0 1 84 MONDAY'S RESULTS Montreal 2, NY Wandersl Harford 4, BurU2 Dallas at Phoenix, night Vanoouw at San Joas. night TODAY'S GAMES New Jaraey at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p-m. Boston at Pittstxigh. 7 30 pm Demit at Calgary, 9:30 p.m WEDNESDAY'S GAMES New Jeney at Florida, 7:30 pjrv Hartford at Onaw, 7:30 m. Montreal at Y.

Wanders. 7:30 pm St Loue at Chicago, 6:30 pm Toronto at Dallas. 8:30 p.m. San Jose at Colorado, 9 pm Dehor! at Edmonton, 9:30 pm Phoenix at VarvxxMr, 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.

Monday's summaries CANADIENS2, ISLANDERS 1 NASCAR: UkJIridlWtoagv First Period 1, Buffalo, Satan 23 (Hotanger). 1:51. 2 Buttab, Smef 11 (Satan, Zhrtn), 6:30. Second Pehod-3, Hartford, KPrt-meau 26 (Emerson, Burke), 12:09. Third Penoo 4, Hartlord, Ctwaaon 8 (Emerson, Pnmensu), 2:07 (pp).

5, Hartford, Sanderson 34 (Casssts, Chias-son), 1259 (pp). Hartford, Sanderson 35 (Caasels, Dmaen), 16:52 Shots on oial-Bufrab 13-7-4-24. Hartford 13-17-11 41. Power-play Op-ptxtunrtiea-Sullab 0 ot 4: Hartlord 2 ot 4. Goakes-Butlab, Hasek 36-19-10 (41 shor37 saves).

Hartford, Burke 21-204 (24-22). Late Sunday AVALANCHE 2, COYOTES 1 Fort Worth trade is OK N.Y. 0 0 1-1 1 0 12 I OF GA x-NmJeraey 44 21 13101 221 171, KNKMphia 44 23 12100 263 204 I-RorKU 13 28 19 S5 311 197 a-Rangers 37 33 10 84 250 224 TarnplBay 30 39 fl 60 206 236 Washington 30 40 9 68 197 224 Handera 28 38 12 69 231 237 NORTHEAST DIVISION x-6uflata 39 28 12 90 229 198 frPMsturgh 37 33 8 82 274 264 Montreal 30 35 14 74 241 268 Hartford 31 37 11 73 216 244 Otlavn 28 36 15 71 217 228 Boston 25 44 9 59 225 287 Western Conference CENTRAL DIVISION GF GA Z-Dalas 47 24 7101 244 167 xOeMt 37 24 17 91 244 186 i-Phoenk 37 36 6 80 228 233 SI Lous 33 35 11 77 227 237 Chicago 32 34 13 77 211 204 Toronto 29 42 8 66 223 264 PACIFIC DIVISION lOokxadO 48 22 9105 272 196 x-Manaim 34 33 13 81 237 229 X-Edmonton 36 35 8 80 243 233 Calgary 32 38 8 73 206 225 Vanoouvar 32 40 7 71 243 263 LoaAngeles 26 42 11 63 206 261 San Jose 26 44 8 60 201 268 Note: xcSnched psyoff spot tcHnched dwsianiille. SUNDAY'S RESULTS Fist Period-1, Montreal, Malakhov9 (Burs. Komi), 7:15 (pp).

Second Penod None. Third Period 2, New York, Beriuza 10 (Belanqer. Vaeke), 6:48. 3, Montreal, Brunei 10 (MaUkhov, Rucxisky), 18:50. Shots on goal-New York 7-10-9 26.

Montreal 11-9-15-35. Power-play Clppcriuratiee New York 0 ot Mom-real 1 of 5. Goatee-New York, SaJo 20464 (35 shots-33 saves). Montreal, Throat 21-23-10 (26-25). (21273).

RANGERS 3, FLYERS 2 0 0 1-1 1 1 0 2 Colorado WHALERS 4, SAEF.ES 2 GEOFF SANDERSON scored the tiebreaking goal and added another Monday night as host Hartford completed a four-goal comeback to defeat Buffalo. The loss prevented Buffalo from clinching the Northeast Divisioa Hartford's comeback gave it a two-point edge on four teams for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot RANGERS 3, FLYERS 2 NEW YORK got goals from Alexander Karpovtsev and Brian Leetch and the Rangers edged visiting Philadelphia. The loss prevented the Flyers from moving ahead of New Jersey for the top playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. CANADIANS 2 ISLANCERS 1 BENOIT BRUNET flipped a backhand shot off a New York defender with 3:10 to give host Montreal a victory. Montreal, in seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race, has 74 points one more than Hartford and three more than Ottawa.

The Islanders are three points out of eighth with three games to go. Compiled firm wire reports 1 First Period-1, Colorado. Yelle 9 (Keane. ftco), 17:38 Second Penod-2. Colorado, Saldc 22 (Kamensky, Forsberg), 14:28 (pp).

Ttwd Penod 3, Phoena, Tkachuk 50(Roenick, Shots on ojat-Phoero 94-11-25. Colorado 12-14-1238. Powsr-play Op-portunitiee Phoenrx 0 ct rctorado 1 ot 5 Goakee-Phoerw, KhabOutn 29-33-5 (36 shots-36 saves). Colorado, Roy 37-147 (25-24). 0 0-2 a 0-1 Phttadeklhie N.Y.

Rangers Mi Fust Period-1, Philadelphia, Falcon 11 (Bnnd Amour), 8:11. 2 Philadelphia, Undroe 31 (leCk Walt). 11:11. Second Period-3, New York, udstar 3 (Courtnal. Karpovtsev).

11:29. 4. New ASSOCIATED PRESS Way to go. Providence (R.I.) College basketball coach Pete Gillen cheers his team at the city's celebration to honor the Friars' for advancing to the NCAA Tournament's 'Elite Eight." LOS ANGELES KINGS Recalled Jason Morgan from Mississippi of the East Coast Hockey League. NHL Announced Phoenix Coyotes LW Keith Tkachuk player of the week.

PHOENIX COYOTES Recalled Deron Quint from Springfield of the American Hockey League. Florida 3, Washington 3, tit Philadelphia 2, Ottawa 1 Chicago i Cakwy 1 New Jersey 2, SlLouleO Colorado 1 Phoenix 1 O-Dears playoff tickets to go on sale today Tickets for the first three Orlando Solar Bears' home games for the International Hockey League playoffs Games and will go on sale at 10 am. today at the Orlando Arena box office, any Tick-etmaster location in Florida or South Georgia and via the Ttcketmaster phone center at (407) 8393900. Dates, times and first-round opponents have not yet been determinecl. Single-game tickets range In price from $7 to $28, and there wiH be no limit or lottery system used for ticket sates.

MORE SOLAR BEARS NEWS: Left wing Brian Fetsner has been named IHL player of the week. Seminoles move Coles to tailback position Persistence paid off for Florida State's Laveranues Coles. On Monday, after several meetings to persuade football coach Bobby Bowden, Coles moved back from receiver to tailback. "I don't know if the move is permanent, but I have a feeling it is," Bowden said. Coles, a sophomore from Jacksonville, was moved to receiver last fall when FSU needed more speed at that position.

He asked Bowden to move before spring drills started, then asked him again last week. The move was precipitated by Saturday's injury to tailback Vannez Gooch. Gocch broke his right fibula and will have surgery on Thursday. "One of Laveranues' dreams was to play tailback for us, and that never went away," offensive coordinator Mark Richt said. "He's a great receiver.

He ll be a great tailback." Coles did not practice at running back Monday because of a sore hamstring. FSU's Garnet Gold spring game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. 2 UF football players 1 undergo kne surgery Florida offensive tackle Pat Browning and linebacker Keith Kelsey underwent knee surgery. Browning's surgery repaired an anterior cruciate ligament damaged in spring practice, and Kelsey underwent arthroscopic surgery for cartilage damage.

Browning "might not be able to return to tall practices when they start in mid-August but he should be completely ready to go by the third or fourth game of the season," said Dr. Pete Indelicate, the team physician. Indelicato said Kelsey should be ready for fall practice. FSU baseball climbs In 2 college polls Olazabal is back on his feet at Augusta MORE NFL NEWS: New York Jets coach Bill Parcel Is said he still is working to solve the puzzle of what to do with the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Even as he prepares to entertain headline attractions including offensive tackle Orlando Pace, defensive tackle Darrefl Russell and cor-nerback Shawn Springs today, Parcefls ago, is quite amazing," Nobilo said. "At this stage, I'm really looking forward to Thursday, and, for the first time in a couple of months, looking forward to playing." Monday's conditions included strong, gusting winds, and if similar conditions follow, Augusta National will be playing firm, fast and invariably difficult come Thursday. "If you're off your game and struggling with yourself inside, then the course chews you up," Nobilo said. "That's what a major is all about There should be no excuses except that, at the end of the week, the golf course beat you." Of course, that's assuming one can find Magnolia Lane. "It was no fun watching it on TV, that's for sure," piazabal said.

New Zealand's Nobilo, 36, who was fourth at Augusta last April, is trying to overcome inflammation in his hands that caused his joints to swell so badly he pulled out of the Bay Hill Invitational last month. Nobilo committed to play the PGA Tour this season and is using Orlando as his base. He last made a cut at the Nissan Open in Los Angeles in February. He is hoping a return to Augusta will stir his competitive juices again. "There is no visible swelling in both hands, which, if you'd seen them the week of the TPC The Players Championship two weeks MASTERS from D-1 in 1994, returned recently after an 18-month absence believed to have been caused by rheumatoid arthritis in his feet But not long after fearing he may end up in a wheelchair, Olazabal had his walking problems traced to a disk in his back.

Strengthened by back exercises, he jump-started his comeback with a victory at the European PGA Tour's Ture-spana Masters three weeks ago. A year ago, Olazabal was home in Spain for the Masters. Countryman Seve Ballesteros sent him a menu from the champions' dinner, which made Olazabal long to play more. Despite eight wrecks in the inaugural race at Texas Motor Speedway, no major changes are planned. i By David A.

Markiewicz FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM I FORT WORTH, Texas Winston Cup drivers may have to yell louder and longer to initiate changes to the track at the Texas Motor Speedway. 1 An official for NASCAR, which sanctions Winston Cup races, and TMS chairman Bruton Smith said Monday that no one should expect a major reconstruction of the speedway's 1.5-mile trioval banked configuration. i "We don't think Texas Motor Speedway is a dangerous track. A difficult track, yes, but not dangerous. There is a difference," NASCAR spokesman Kevin Triplett said the day after the inaugural Winston Cup event at the north Fort Worth track.

The Interstate Batteries 500 was marred by eight wrecks. Eddie Gossage, TMS's vice president and general manager, said late Sunday that speedway executives would meet with NASCAR officials and with drivers "we respect and have a relationship with" to talk about the complaints, which centered on the narrowness of the track. But Triplett said NASCAR isn't seeking any changes, nor will it, saying the speedway's owner, Smith's Speedway Motorsports knows its business. "They own enough racetracks and promote enough races where they know the way things are done," Triplett said. "We're not going to go to them and say, 'Do or 'Do that" Triplett did say NASCAR has told other tracks to make changes, specifically those not built for NASCAR events.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the prime example. There, the track was repaved, rumble strips were laid in the corners, and walls were increased in height Also, Texas Motor Speedway would not be the first NASCAR track to be modified after complaints from drivers. The Homestead Motor Sports Complex is undergoing a major overhaul of its comers because of gripes from drivers. The track has featured NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch Grand National races. Smith left open the chance for change at his track, but only slightly.

Speaking from his North Carolina car. dealership office, Smith said there was "absolutely not" any rea-' son that he could see to modify the race course. Then, he added, "I don't know what we could do to make it better. If we could find something to do Jo make it better, well do it" -Drivers want a second groove at the speedway. A groove is the quickest route around the track, and drivers said that only one low groove existed at TMS, leaving little room for passing.

acKnowteogea ne is listening to trade ot-i fers. 1 honestly don't know what I'm going to do yet," he said. The Dallas Cowboys re-signed safety Brock Marion, who was headed to the Baltimore before the Ravens said concerns arose about his shoulder blade, which he broke in November. Terms weren't disclosed. 43ers to offer benefits to domestic partners The San Francisco, 49ers said they win offer domestic partner benefits to all 220 employees, including players.

The team is the first in the NFL to offer the program, which gives unmarried couples, gay or straight the same health care and other benefits as married couples. President Carmen Policy refused to say whether any of his players are gay. MORE NFL NEWS: New Orleans Saints fullback Ray Zellars, the second-leading rusher on the Saints last season, was arrested in the suburbs of Kenner, on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle, driving while Intoxicated and having no license. West Virginia's Malone to quit college for NBA West Virginia forward Gordon Malone, who averaged 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in a two-year career at West Virginia, will skip his final season of eligibility to attempt to play professionally. The NBA draft will be held June 25.

Rubin upsets Paulus in 1 st-rcund match Chanda Rubin upset 10th-seeded Barbara Paulus, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), and Jennifer Capriati of Saddlebrook rallied past Catallna Crlstea, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, in the first round of the Bausch Lomb Championships at Amelia Island. MORE TENNIS: Senior Dlvya Merchant, playing at No. 3 singles, closed out the final home match of her career, leading the top-ranked University of Ftor--ida women's team to a 9-0 victory against visiting No. 22 Brigham Young. Lord Gyllene takes delayed steeplechase Amid the heaviest security ever at a British sports event, Lord Gyllene won the Grand National in Liverpool, England, two days after the steeplechase was put off because of bomb threats.

Explosive-sniffing dogs combed all comers of the Aintree course for the race, which went off without incident. Compiled fvorm staff, wire reports Florida State baseball moved up in both polls after winning four of five games last week. The Seminoles jumped two spots to No. 7 in Baseball America's poll, while they rose one slot in Collegiate BasebalTs Top 25 to No. 6..

MORE COLLEGE BASEBALL The FSU-Miami baseball game on Saturday is sold out to the general public. There are limited tickets available for their games Friday and Sunday. FSU left fielder Jeremy Morris of Quincy was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season. BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, "fn FOOTBALL, HOCKEY, RACING I iind rcOIVSPOKTS CAKIf SHOW! I SAT. APRIL 12fh 10 AM 9 PM I SUN.

APRIL 13lh 10AM-6Pm Hall of Famer GEORGE KELL I i Saturday 1 3:30 PM hrr Autographs $8 each, Bats require 2 tickets 1 GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE! 7 BASEBALL CARD WORLD It closing ift raloil slots In Kissimmss. 50 Off oil I. -S i mardiandisa in store during April. Stora houn: Tim. Fri.

Sot. 10 4. 01717 ruo Coti bafore coming. atXiL 1 0 llW For More Information, Call FACTORY lmf 4y BASEBALL CARD WORLD OUTLET WORLD I 2 (407)846-3429 I mall 2 1 1 If ffrtrnT rri- 1 UF-USF softball to play 2 games Thursday The University of Florida's Softball dou-bleheader with No. 15 South Florida has been moved to 6 p.m.

Thursday in the Florida Softball Stadium. The games originally were scheduled for Wednesday. Ravens sign McCrary for 3 years, $6 million The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent defensive end Michael McCrary to a 3-year, $6 million contract, a move that should enhance their pass rush and let them trade the fourth pick in the NFL draft The Ravens have the No. 4 pick. Baltimore has talked with former FSU defensive end Peter Boulware, but the team now would prefer to trade down in the first round.

"We are intent in moving out of the fourth spot," owner Art Modetl said. The Ravens have 12 picks in the April 19-20 draft mass' af at Joel Glazer: Players like Bucs' new look BUCS from D-1 Bucco Bruce was fortunate to be born with only one eye. He got only a glimpse of the Bucs' futility as they went an NFL-worst 100-223-1 in his 21 years as mascot Bucco Bruce last week received a pardon from Gov. Lawton Chiles, but it was not enough to save Bruce from walking the plank. "I'm sorry to see it all go, really," said Lakeland's George Bussman, a 14-year season-ticket holder who was dressed in his game-day orange outfit that comes complete with a cape and a plumed hat.

"I'm going to have to get some new stuff now." Coming soon to a store near you. The Bucs on Wednesday will unveil their new look. (The primary colors reportedly are silver, black, red and burnt orange and the logo a pirate's flag with a skull and cross-bones.) The players got a preview with a private fashion show at One Buc Place on Monday. "It's part of a whole grand plan and part of it is the image of the team. We thought this was a necessary change," said Bucs executive vice president Joel Glazer, who is the son of owner Malcolm Glazer.

"Based on the reaction of some of the players today, it could be good for a few extra sacks. They were pumped up." However, as- much as the team would like to bury its sorry past jettisoning Bucco Bruce and turning the uniforms once referred to as "popsicle sticks" into wall displays won't put an end to the Bucs' NFL record of 14 consecutive losing seasons. The governor, in fact, absolved trie pirate "of any responsibility for the historical performance of the team." "Everyone likes the change, and that's part of it," Bucs coach Tony Dungy said. "But you can't change every two years to create that excitement We've got to win. That's what is going to really drive it we win, it'll become very, very popular.

That's our job to put a good team on the field so we win. Then it's really going to take off. Precept Tour BIGGEST Big Bertha in Double Cover in Aa rri All Minr Golf Ball Brands! X'-A. Big Bertha Gold Irons Limited Edition! fc Many specials throughout the store! TODAY ON TELEVISION Graphite Steel Hogan H-40 Irons 3-PW $199.99 MacCregor Oversize $299.99 $199.99 Lynx Parallax $249.99 Ladies Top Flite Midsize Irons $299. 99 NA Lynx Seville Irons 3-PW $149.99 Daiwa Hi Trac 250 11 Driver NA CSD Huntsville Stars at Orlando Rays, (L) 7 p.m.

Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves, (L) 7:35 p.m. Jflfj Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox, (L) 8 p.m. (SB) New Orleans at Jacksonville, 12:30 a.m. BOXING (EJ) Obed Sullivan vs. Hasim Rahman, Heavyweights, (L) 9 p.m., 2 a.m.

(R8 Ken Sigurani vs. Meldrick Taylor, Welterweights, 4 a.m. GOLF (ED Sacramento LPGA Classic, Second Round, 9 a.m. (EE) 1996 U.S. Amateur, Final Round, Tiger Woods vs.

Trip Kuehne, 3:30 p.m. HOCKEY (EE) NHL, New Jersey at Tampa Bay, (L), 7:30 p.m. TENNIS (SD River Oaks Tournament, Singles Fi-nal, 1 p.m. TODAY ON RADIO BASEBALL Central Florida vs. South Florida, 7 p.m., 89.9 FM (WUCF).

BASKETBALL Inside Magic, 6:06 p.m., S80 AM fWDBO). Orlando at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m., 580 AM (WDBO). i AUTO RACING pj' CART Sunbelt IndyCarnrval Australia, p.m. S2 SODA Winter Series, Round 7, 6:30 p.m. S3 CART Sunbelt IndyCamival Australia, 12:30 a.m.

BASKETBALL 0HD' Cleveland Cavaliers at New York f- (L) 8 p.m. CD Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks, (L) 8:30 p.m. BASEBALL Clemson at Florida State, 1 0 a.m jrJf Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs, (L) i 2 p.m. Collection of Ash worth, Nike and Greg Norman Apparel Now Available! 20 Off Select Golf Bags Topfun Ml Intimidator Woods Buy an Intimidator Wood and Receive vip Oversize Plus Irons A MAGIC at Toronto Raptors OFF OFF OFF i Centennial Trade In Get a $100 rebate or get two more VIP Irons FREE. Boston Celtics 7:30 p.m.

Detroit, 7:30 p.m. one FREE Dozen Strata Advance Golf Balls! Receive direct from Top Flite! $9999 0 Milwaukee SOLAR BEARS Receive direct from MacCregor at Chicago Wolves 4 p.m. at Michigan K-Wings 7:30 p.m. OFF OFF Quebec Rafales 7:30 p.m. Orlando Arena Quebec Rafales Orlando Arena 7 p.m.

OTHER EVENTS College bass-ball: Jacksonville at Florida State, 7 p.m. am iu 1 if mssxt Figure skating: World Cham-pionshjps, 8:30 pmM Minor-league baseball: Huntsville at Orlando, Tinker Field, 7:05 p.m.; St. Petersburg at Kissimmee, 7:05 pm Minor-league baseball: Huntsville at Or-lando, Tinker Field, 7:06 p.m. College bass-ball: FIU at Stetson, 7 pn. Minor-league baseball: Mobile at Orlando, Tinker Field, 7:05 p.m.

College baseball: Tampa at Romns, 2 p.m. Minor-league baseball: Mo-brie at Orlando, Tinker Field, 2:05 p.m. College bass-ball: Miami at FSU, 1 p.m. Huntsville at Orlando, Tinker Field, 7:06 p.m. College baseball: 5.

Fla. at i irir.