Nanaimo Daily News from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada • 11

Ilir fee SteiGsy (Sip i i i. EDMONTON (CP) Sitting on the verge of their first Stanley Cup championship, Edmonton Oilers are struggling, silently, to balance conflicting emotions. On one hand there's the Jubilation they are trying to keep from bubbling over following consecutive lopsided victories over the four-time champion New York Islanders. On the other hand there's the realization perhaps even concern for some that there's still a fourth victory needed before they can sip from Lord Stanley's mug. Edmonton leads the best-of-seven final 3-1 with Game 5 here tonight (CBC, 8 p.m.

EDT). tt Tcr.t tt 5 en CDC Thus the Oilers are trying to remain calm and contain the rapture of being one win away from the championship. Doing so is more difficult now that the Oilers believe, for the first time, that they can win the Cup. But they're doing it by telling themselves, each other, and anyone who will listen, that the Islanders are an extremely dangerous team when backed into a corner, as they are now. "Against that team you have to be afraid all the time," Wayne Gretzky said Friday.

"Our feeling is we must win tomorrow It would be awfully tough to go back to the Island." LESSON LEARNED The Oilers, in their fifth season in the National Hockey League, are often brash and arrogant and, at times, overconfident. They will not be overconfident tonight, they insist. u.rr..rrMpito DAILY FREE PRESS -ring rain Sports Editor: Kevin Gord Racette isn't bashful in predicting a winner in his June 8 Canadian heavyweight kickboxing fight with Edmonton's Dale McLean at Civic Arena. "He knows me, and he thinks I'll win. I think I'll win, too I'm gonna win," Racette said Friday.

The 28-year-old Port Alberni native is making his first public kickboxing appearance and is already ranked second in Canada, thanks to his exploits in the boxing ring. McLean is the top-rated fighter for the vacant heavyweight office. "I'm really excited about this fight," "It's my first fight in eight or nine months." Racette moved over to kickboxing and promoter Don Arnott of Tomari Karate in Nanaimo recently after continued efforts to gain a release from boxing magnate Sylvester Stallone have failed. Racette isn't new to the sport, however, as he has taught karate and Tae-Kwon-Do in Nanaimo before. Racette is currently 220 pounds, and says "I'd like to get down to 225, but -June great Injustice to ourselves." While Edmonton's biggest problem is ensuring they remain low-keyed enough to realize the Job that lies ahead, the Islanders must try to duplicate a feat accomplished In the past only by themselves in 1975 and Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942 come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series.

ISLES AILING If they are to win a record-tying fifth straight Cup, they'll have to do it with a team eroded by injury. Injuries of various types and severity are hampering Denis Potvlh, Stefan Persson, Bob Bourne, Bob Nystrom and Dave Langevin. The only Injury of concern to the Oilers is goaltender Grant Fuhr who was hurt in a collision Tuesday with New York's Pat LaFontaine. Fuhr was dressed Thursday and although he stood behind the players' bench, he was not the backup goaltender. That was Mike Zanier, who sat fully dressed in the dressing room watching the game on television.

Sather said he didn't tell the players that Fuhr wasn't the backup. "I wanted them to think now there's a guy who is really hurt and he wants to get out there and play." Fuhr is doubtful for tonight's game. "It's a day-UHlay thing," said Sather. "He still has pain in one spot and that slows down his reaction. "There's no sense letting him play in pain, or playing a guy who's not 100-per-cent healthy when we have a guy who Just played a great and is healthy." That's Andy Moog, who played Thursday and was the Oilers' individual star in the 1981 and 1983 playoffs.

LaForge stresses emotion VANCOUVER CP Bill LaForge is the new coach of Vancouver Canucks because general manager Harry Neale believes LaForge will be able to properly motivate the often laid-back National Hockey League team next season. LaForge, 32, was officially named to the position Friday upon Neale's return from the Memorial Cup tournament in Kitchener, becoming the youngest coach in the NHL and the eighth in the 15-year history of the Canucks. "I have a bit of a feeling about LaForge," said Neale. "1 liked the feeling his team had when I watched them play." LaForge, an Edmonton native, has. coached three major junior teams in four years, spending the last two with Kamloops Oilers of the Western Hockey League.

Kamloops won the W'HL title this season and Thursday night the Oilers were eliminated in the semifinal of the Memorial Cup. Three coaches were considered seriously for the Vancouver position, Neale said. The others were Canuck associate coach Ron Smith and Mike Keenan of the University of Toronto Blues. NEILSON FIRED Neale fired Roger Nellson as coach of the Canucks last Jan. 9 and was behind the bench for the balance of the season.

The Canucks finished third in the Smythe Division and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Calgary Flames. "I liked the fact that LaForge's team was very enthusiastic and played with a lot of emotion," said Neale. "They were tough and the players looked like they enjoyed the game, which is a reflection of their coach. "Bill LaForge is a young man in this business and pro hockey has become a younger business than in the past. He'll be an interesting addition to the Canucks and I hope he can stir up some of that enthusiasm that we've lacked." LaForge began coaching near Edmonton when he was the recreation director of the Enoch Indian Band.

Things I've been asking out loud about the wonderful world of sports lately Why in heck are the sadsack Chicago Cubs and New York Mets still in the National League East Division pennant race? Why do highly touted juniors always seem to have unproductive Memorial Cups (Pat LaFontaine last year, Mark) Lemleux this year)? Why did the Expos' Terry Francona all of a sudden become the next Pete Rose at the plate? Why did trade rumors Involving Clark Gillies and Bob Nystrom of the New York Islanders start circulating Just before the playoffs? Was it because the Isles hoped the rumors would ignite Gillies and Nystrom? Why doesn't Tony Esposito retire with some class? Why hasn't anybody hired Billy Martin? Who's your favorite United States Football League team? Why do Larry McNabb and Dave Barker always have chewing tobacco in their mouths? What have Vancouver hockey writers Tony Gallagher and Art Olson been doing during the newspaper strike? Why doesn't Howie Meeker stick that ridiculous telestrator up his nose? Why don't they show us 10 minutes of past Stanley Cup highlights instead of having two broadcasters trying to tell us. what's going to happen in the next period? Why doesn't some NHL team lure Don Cherry out of retirement? Where would Cherry be without his dog Blue? i Why doesn't somebody with some talent fight Larry Holmes? Or Is there anyone out there with any talent? Fans crowd for tickets EDMONTON (CP) The Ed monton Oiler bandwagon Is getting crowded. Doubters have become believers as this city prepares for what it hopes will be its first National Hockey League championship tonight when the Oilers meet New York Islandersjin Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final. If one needed evidence Edmonton has become afflicted with Stanley Cup fever, he needed to look no further than Northlands Coliseum on Friday morning. Several hundred fans gathered outside the Coliseum before dawn when word leaked out that tickets were available for tonight's game.

When the ticket office finally opened it turned out there were only 200 seats available. Most who had waited for hours left without a ticket. Bui few were deeply disappointed. 'It was worth it, one said. "I stay twice as long to see that Cup on the ice at Northlands Coliseum." "They're real nice boys," said an elderly woman, who went home empty-handed.

"The whole works of them. Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier. Grant Fuhr and the rest of the Oilers have become the topic of con versation in coffee shops and bars. CITES EXAMPLE "You don't hear people talking about the bad economy every morning," said a city banker. "You just hear them talking about the Oilers.

Edmonton was relatively quiet Friday night. That should change tonight if the Oilers win and clinch the best-of-seven series. "We're busy and the Oilers are the big topic of conversation, but the real party is going to come tomorrow night," said Bob Hassel, lounge manager at Anthony's, a popular Edmonton nightspot. "It's going to be quite a night if they win. Edmonton police say they are planning nothing special tonight to prepare for the celebration that's sure to follow an Oiler victory.

"We have nothing at all planned." said Lance Beswick, city police media liaison. "We don't anticipate any problems. Hockey crowds are traditionally well behaved, happy people. Tonight's game begins at 8:05 p.m. EDT and is being televised by me CBC Tigers rally past Vancouver VANCOUVER (CP) Tacoma Tigers scored three runs in the first inning Friday night and went on to defeat Vancouver Canadians 7-2 in a Pacific Coast League baseball game.

It was the fourth consecutive win all over the Canadians for the Tigers, who sent eight men to the plate against left-hander Jerry Augustine in their first at bats. Mike Woodard and Phil Stephenson singled and Danny Goodwin walked. Then, after Tom Romano delivered Woodward with a sacrifice fly, Bill Bathe doubled home two more runs. Goodwin hit his third homer of the season off Augustine, 1-2, in the fourth, and Steve Kiefer hit his sixth off reliever Dan Boone in the eighth. Rusty McDonald, 1-2, went the first seven innings for the Tigers, yielding only a fourth-inning run when Earnie Riles doubled and was singled home by Jamie Nelson.

The Canadians, whose lead has been cut to one-half game over Edmonton Trappers in the North Division race, meet the Tigers against today and Sunday afernoon. Mitchell i on SPORT Why doesn't Craig Stadkr vow to perform a belly-flop In the nearest pond after his next pro golf tour victory? Why doesn't pro golfer Jan Stephenson change her mind and pose for either Playboy or Penthouse (Carl Bitontl requested that one)? Why don't they raise the junior hockey age to 22. Why do the local Junior lacrosse team and teams in the ladies' summer soccer league find it so hard to turn in a scoresheet to this newspaper after their games? Why isn't Ray Nohr pitching for Globe Hotel in senior men's fastball this season? Why do pro athletes dabble in drugs when they've got the world by the tail? Why isn't BCTV sportscaster John McKeachie married? Is Glen Sather really related to God or does he lust tell people he Is? Why is Harry Neale still employed by the Vancouver Canucks? Why are the Expos destined for yet another disappointing season? Why doesn't somebody build another 18-hole golf course in Nanaimo. Nothing against the local one, but wouldn't It te nice to pay $10 or $11 for 18 holes? Why is Villa Expos' solid second baseman BUI Fltzisrald moving back to Newfoundland? Why hasn't the sun been shining lately? umivers serve in In temi There were 25 matches in opening "round play in the 1984 Nanaimo City Tennis Championships Friday night at Westwood Racquet Club and Bowen Park. The event, sponsored by The Keg Restaurant and The Daily Free Press, had 67 entries entered, with most seeing action Friday.

Play continued today, with finals set for Sunday, weather permitting, at Westwood. Top-ranked players in each of the men's singles events won their matches. Rick Johnston beat Steve Scarr 7-6, 7-2 in Open. Gord Lawlor finished off Kevin Goodwin 6-2, 6-1 in and Roger Lappin dumped Kevin Wong 6-0 and 6-4 inC. Lappin's victory advanced him to a showdown this morning with Daily Free Press sports editor Kevin Mit-, chell, who- outlasted reporter Mark MacDonald 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in a 1' 2-hour tournament opener.

"I knew Mac had quick reflexes from playing goal, so I had to expect a tough match. I did 10 pushups before the match I was ready," said Mitchell. The two novices slugged out on even terms until Mitchell's ace proved decisive in the third set and gave him a victory. Other Open scores were Marty Pat- SLO-PtTCH win third game Neil Rooke celebrated his birthday Jn fine style Friday night at Bowen West Park, collecting three hits and one run as Tally-ho Town and Country Jnn shaded Villa Hotel 9-8 in senior men's slo-pitch action, t. Ernie Gabbs and Dave Ney each scored two runs for the winners, while Lyle Larose, Gord Alyward, Roy Reid and Wayne Arason added single runs.

-Ney, Gabbs and Arason all produced two hits to help Tally-ho record their third win against four losses. Villa is winless in seven starts. I-Arason pitched the win, while Bob Goddard tood the loss. Relief pitcher Howard Logan shut down the winners for the final three innings. Standings are as follows; SENIOR TEAM GP Pts Kevin Lowe: playing well "I don't think there's any cause for concern about that," said defenceman Kevin Lowe, who has emerged as a candidate for the Conn Smy the Trophy as the playoff most valuable player.

"It's easy for us not to be overconfident). We learned from the Los Angeles series two years ago. We played 110 games last year and came up empty in the final. "We played another 110 games this year. That's 220 games.

There's no way we're going to allow ourselves to be That would be a Saturday, May 19, 1964 11 Mitchell 753-3451 Just working out I'll lose some. I'll probably be 215-216 by the fight." "I'm in fairly good shape for three weeks before the fight. A few good runs, workouts, and I'll be ready," he said. McLean, who also is ranked 10th in the world kickboxing rankings, tips the scales at 234. but Racette figured he would be 220 by fight night.

"He has good strong kicks, and he's rated high. He can take a punch and he's strong," offered Racette. Racette worked out at Tomari Friday night, and will continue to do so when he can stay in Nanaimo. He is conducting some business affairs in Vancouver, but says "I'm going to try and stay in Nanaimo as much as June 14, Racette will meet former B.C. Lion Paul Giroday in a three-round exhibition on the B.C.

Championship 'So You Think You're Tough' card at the PN Agrodome. On the 32-year-old Giroday, Racette said "He's been training now for three weeks it'll be a good scrap." After Darrell Evans grounded out. Lemon was given an intentional walk to load the bases. But Gibson crossed up the strategy with a single that drove in Parrish and Herndon, then Marty Castillo singled Lemon home to give the Tigers a 54) lead. In other games, it was: Toronto 4 Chicago California 4 New York 3 in 10 innings; Baltimore 4 Seattle Texas 2 Kansas City Minnesota Boston and Cleveland 8 Milwaukee 4.

In the National League, Montreal catcher Gary Carter was exactly where he wanted to be In the 11th inning at the plate. Carter was up to the task as he singled in the winning run in a 5-4 victory, over Los Angeles Dodgers. "I was pleased that I was the guy up in that situation," said Carter, who singled up the middle off Dodger reliever Tom Niedenfuer and ended a three-hour, 55-minute battle. "I was very pleased we could come through and win one like this." "When you go that long, you'd better win it," said Montreal manager Bill Virdon. "It would have been a very tough one to lose." In other NL games, It was St.

Louis Cardinals 5, Cincinnati Reds San Diego Padres 5, New York Mets Chicago Cubs 7, Houston Astros Pittsburgh Pirates 6, Atlanta Braves 0 and Philadelphia Phillies 1, San Francisco "GiantsO. Much of the Detroit success this year can be traced to getting a Jump on the opposition early. In first innings alone, Detroit has outscored its opponents 45-17. Dan Petry, 6-1, allowed seven hits, walking two and striking out four in the 51-3 innings that the game lasted. Oakland manager Steve Boros was furious when the game was called at 11:09 p.m.

because the rain had Just stopped. "I'm not happy at all," Boros said. "To call a game right after it quits raining was a little unusual." Blue Jays 4 White Sox 3 Dave Collins broke a sixth-inning tie with a double and Damaso Garcia collected three hits, stole two bases and, scored a run to lead the Blue Jays over the White Sox. Jim Clancy, 3-3, went 62-3 innings -and rookie Jim Key collected his second save. Angela 4 ankees 3 Doug DeCinces led off the 10th by smashing' Jay Howell's first pitch for his seventh homer to give the Angels their win arid end a four-game Yankees winning streak.

Gibson pumps up Tigers men's A singles action Friday terson over John Olsen 6-3, 6-1; Rick Newsome over Al Windecker 6-1, 6-1 Ken Milner over Zel Vinkovich 6-0, 64); Rajan Nagi over Fred Mitteregger 6-2, 64); Al Thompson over Willi Graham John Alden over Gord Lawlor 6-0, 6-1 and, second-seeded Art Mccracken over Lance Jones In it was Scott Valliere over Al Windecker 6-4, 6-1; Lance Jones over Zel Vinkovich 6-0, 6-3; Earl Robinson over Brad Dillen 6-0, 6-0; Lindsay Valliere over Greg Saxton 6-2. 7-5 and Fred Mitteregger 2-6, 6-1, 7-5; and Willi Graham over Greg Valliere 6-1, 7-5. Daryl Wong won by default over John Olsen. Men's saw Dave Varney over Prem Sandhu 6-2, 6-3 Ed Kroeger over Steve Hutchinson 6-1, 6-4; Warren Erhart over Anthony Reymer 6-3, 6-0; and Dave Saxton over Guy Paulsen 7-5, 6-2. Women's singles winners were Joan Newsome over Marie Coupal 6-1, 64); Mary Wright over Rita Alden 6-2, 6-1; and Lee Holm over Catherine Galloway 6-4, 6-1.

In the lone ladies doubles match, Cindy Bloedorn and Gartin beat t'athy Galloway and Sherry Loewen 7-6, 7-5. Mixed and men's doubles were to start today, with ladies doubles and men's and ladies singles continuing. Morgan' gets lucky lead FORT WORTH, Tex. AP) The rain made the golf course soft and things very hard on Gil Morgan. A wave of afternoon thunder-showers Friday gave Morgan a slight scare as he managed a one-stroke lead over Payne Stewart after two rounds of the $500,000 Colonial National Invitation golf tournament.

"I'm glad to be in," Morgan sighed after carding an early three-under-par 67 for a 36-hole total of 133 and the lead at the midway point of the tournament over the Colonial Country Club. Morgan missed the worst of the storm, including a 53-mlnute suspension in play that came after he was done, but did not escape unsullied. He was coasting along at eight under par when the rain caught him at the par-three 16th, where he took a double bogey. "I think the rain upset my composure," said Morgan, a two-time winner last year and currently 11th among the money leaders with nearly $180,000. Stewart and Sammy Rachels provided most of the second-round excitement, not so much by the score they shot but how they arrived at It.

Stewart, who played his collegiate golf at Southern Methodist University in nearby Dallas, reeled off four straight birdies after the rain delay and his four-under-par 66 was the best round of the day. He sank four 15-foot putts and two 20-footers after the suspension and his 134 total was one stroke ahead of Rachels and Peter Jacobsen, the first-round leader. Rachels flashed through the front side like a West Texas prairie blaze, notching six birdies five straight and his five-under-par 30 got him seven under for the tournament. "I could have had one of those magic rounds," he said. However, the slender Floridian, who has a history of back ailments, returned from the rain suspension and all but self-destructed.

He hurt his back on a tee shot that caught the water at the par-three 13th and a double bogey wrecked what might have been He posted a 67 and said he was lucky Just to have finished the round. "It felt like something popped," he said. "I knew I hurt It, but it was difficult to tell how much." It may be time for American League pitchers to put out a new "book" on Kirk Gibson. Left-handers used to eat Gibson alive, but Friday night the Detroit slugger drilled a sharp bases-loaded single off Oakland southpaw Bill Krueger to key a five-run first Inning as the Tigers romped to an 8-4 triumph in a rain-shortened game and ran their season record to 30-5. It was an especially sweet moment for Gibson because, the A's had purposely loaded the bases Just so Krueger could get to Gibson.

"Whenever they do that, somebody in our dugout usually yells, 'Gibby, don't let them do that to Gibson said. "I guess it's kind of a putdown. "Anyway, before 1 went out there to the on-deck circle), I told myself they might walk Chet (Lemon) to get to me and I started preparing myself for it right away." STARTS RALLY With one out, Alan Trammell started the Tigers' first-Inning rally by working Krueger, 1-1, for a walk, then Barbara Garbey singled and both moved up on a double steal. Trammell scored on Lance Parrish's Infield single Just inside the bag at third and Larry Hem; don singled Garbey across. Whitecaps' lose TAMPA, Fla.

AP) Rookie Roy Wegerle scored his first professional goal and added an assist Friday night to lead Tampa Bay Rowdies to a 4-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in a North American Soccer League game. Wegerle ran the ball 20 metres to set up the Rowdies' first goal. His shot was stopped by Whitecaps goalkeeper Paul Bradshaw, but Neill Roberts, trailing behind Wegerle, slid into the ball, knocking it into the goal at 30 28. At 48: 11, the Rowdies went up 2-0 on a header by Perry Van Der Beck. The close-in shot came off a pass by Wegerle's older brother, Steve.

The younger Wegerle's goal, from 10 metres out, came at 61 10 after a long run by his brother, who laid the ball back to him. The Rowdies final score at 79:18 came off the foot of Wes McLeod with assists by Steve Wegerle and Gregg Tompson. The Whitecaps' only score came at 80:06 after Rowdie defender Reslk Kozic tripped Peter Ward in the penalty box. Bob Lenarduzzt converted the penalty kick. Commercial Hotel 8 6 2 0 12 Wellington Hotel 7 5 2 0 10 Patricia Hotel 6 4 2 0 8 Nanaimo Merchants 6 4 2 0 8 Keg Canadians 6 4 2 0 8 Quarterway 7 3 4 0 6 Northbrook 7 3 4 0 6 Tally-ho i 7 3 4 0 6 Labatt's 7 2 5 0 4 VillaHotel 7 0 7 Ol 0 INTERMEDIATE Coho's 8 8 0 0 16 Columbus Hotel 9 8 10 16 Ladysmith 9 7 2 0 14 Nanaimo Realty 9 6 3 0 12 Discosports 9 5 4 0 1 10 Queens Hotel 9 5 4 0 10 Cougars 10 3 7 0 6 Nash Construction 7 2 5 0 4 Gabriol 7 2 5 0 4 Brewers 8 2 6 0 4 Overwaitea 8 2 6 0 4 Old Bastions 8 17 0 2 MIXED I NADS 9 8 1 0 16 Anitas 8 6 2 0 16 Mamas and Papas 7 5 2 0 10 Trans Canada Glass 9 5 4 0 10 Traitors 9 5 4 0 10 Canadian Tire 7 4 3 0 8 JoeWebber 7 4 3 0 8 Cleanitizing 9 4 5 0 8 Country Club Mall 7 3 4 0 8 Groundfish 8 2 6 4 TheOxy 8 2 6 0 4 Free Press Doobles 9 18 0 2 LADIES Shaw Cable 10 9 1 0 18 Globe Motel 8 4 4 0 8 EssoB's 9 4 5 0 8 Bar Stars 9 18 0 2.