The Vancouver Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 19

COLOR She lin SAT, JUNE 23, 1984 B.3 Birdies Snepsts now Minnesota property provide (f j-- 4 'I A phone call woke Harold Snepsts Friday morning and a voice informed him that he had been more restless than usual in his sleep. He had gone to bed in Burnaby and got up in Minnesota. After playing 259 regular season NHL games in the mild white, green and blue of the Vancouver Canucks and 424 more in the aggressive black, red and yellow alter ego of the same team, Snepsts learned that he was the future considerations in the deal which brought left winger Al MicAdam from Minnesota North Stars. Ten seasons. Then a phone call in the morning.

No one toiled longer or harder for the Canucks and no one was more popular than No. 27. Snepsts eyes ablaze, moustache drooping menacingly, gallumphing up ice with a young boy's zeal had come to represent the heart of this inelegant team. General manager Harry Neale says the trade was prompted by the most practical of reasons a potentially damaging shortage of left wingers and an excess of defencemen. Time has failed to heal Darcy Rota's back and next week he will have surgery on a disc to correct the problem which drastically curtailed his play in tih latter part of last season.

If all goes well Rota will be ready for training camp. If there are complications he won't be. "Let's face it," says Neale, "With our left wing situation the way it is, we are covering our ass." MacAdam, who has proven he can consistently score more than 20 goals per season, was the best coverage Neale could find even if he is 32. Minnesota g.m. Lou Nanne wanted a draft choice in return but eventually settled for an honest defenceman, soon to be 30.

Ironically, Snepsts will replace ex-Canuck dissatisfied with his work effort, but I think we had to do it for the good of the team. "It wasn't going to be too long before one of the young defencemen nudged him out of here anyway. Then you have a situation where he's not dressing and he's sort of dying on the vine. Maybe we couldn't protect him at some time in the future or he might be claimed on waivers. He will get a new lease on life with a new team." There aren't many graceful exits for hockey players.

Montreal Canadiens won't trade Guy LaFleur ever, yet his once large pool of talent dries up and sadly tarnishes his memory. In a time when sports invite cynicism because players are usually more loyal to the dollar than the team, and the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Colts scorn their birthplaces, Snepsts represented something permanent and rewarding. "I'm just happy to be playing and to be still here in Vancouver," he said just the other day. The fans were loyal in return. He struggled badly sometimes yet I don't remember him ever being booed.

I phoned his residence several times yesterday but no one answered. One bad call a day is enough. Harold had come to represent the spirit and conscience of the Canucks as much for the range of his emotions as for his longevity. He lost hard and when they miraculously won the Campbell Conference championship on a windy night in Chicago no one was more jubilant. That night he talked of the ignominy he had felt when the team was the butt of jokes, and how immensely satisfied he was to finally make the city proud of the Canucks.

In the next game he gave away the puck to the dreaded Mike Bossy in overtime of the Stanley Cup final and he felt he had failed the whole city. Snepsts in Minnesota green and gold? Really doctor, I think I've gone color blind. Mrcmts McDonald SNEPSTS NEALE Lars Lindgren who was traded to the North Stars for a third round draft choice last season but has since been lured back to Sweden by a better career opportunity. As if anticipating a backlash from the Harold Snepsts Fan Club, Neale points out, "I think we may have done Harold a favor. If we had let compassion come into our decision and kept him it might not have been best for either party.

He is going to a good team that wants him. We haven't exactly sent him to hell. "It's a sad day for Canuck fans because Harold was a vital kind of guy and we were never 4i Your GM Dealers are on the move and they -ii Lb nmrfK 1 jilt -Vv mwm nn if i i 1 nr? rs 1 is Imp 1 1 baM 1 lead in Atlanta Sub News Dispatches TommyValeptine, playing in his home town, rode a string of seven consecutive birdies one off the all-time tour record to a 63 and a two-stroke lead Friday in the second round of a $400,000 Professional Golfers' Association.tournament in Atlanta. "I kind of got on a roll," said Valentine, 34, whose career-best finish was a playoff loss to Tom Watson in this event three years ago. "I'm finding my game after a year's absence." Valentine's lack of performance last season cost him his tour card.

He was forced to return to the qualifying school last lall to regain his playing rights. Valentine, reached the tournament's halfway point with a 133 total, 11 shots under par for two trips over the billy, Atlanta Country Club Defending champion Calvin Peete held second at 135. Peete had a 69 despite an errant drive into the water that produced a double bogey on the 15th. The group at 136 included Tom Kite, Bobby Wadkins, Don Pooley and Mark Brooks. Wadkins finished birdie-birdie for a 66.

Kite and Brooks each had a 67 and Pooley added another 68." First-routfd leader Mike Donald slipped to a T3 and was at 137. Also at that figure were Joe Inman, Rex Caldwell and Kelowna resident Dave Barr. Barr had a 67 in the hot, cloudy weather, Pooley 68 and Caldwell 69. Richard Zokot of Vancouver fell to 73 for a 142 total. Masters titleholder Ben Crenshaw was 69 139, Newly crowned U.S.

Open champ Fuzzy Zoeller had a 73 and was 10 back at 143. CLUB HOUSE Laurie Rinker crushed thecourse and the competition for the second straight day with a to grab an eight-stroke set a two-round record in the ladies Professional Golf Association's Boston Five tournament at Danvers, Mass. Coupled with her opening-day 65, one stroke better than the previous single-round mark for the $225,000 tournament, the 21-year-old Floridian reached the halfway point at 11-under-par 133. The previous '36-hole record of 136 was set last year by Patti Rizzo, the eventual winner. Barb Bunkowsky of Campbellville, was the only Canadian who failed to make the midway cut.

Bunkowsky had 76 for a 154 total. of Prince Rupert shot 71 forl48 while Lynn Cooke of North Delta1 Was 76 and 150, Dawn Coe of Lake Cowichan 75 and 152, and Calendar Sport Events TODAY Pacific Coast League 7:30 Vancouver vs Phoenix, Nat Bailey 'Stadium, radio 1 130 FIELD HOCKEY B.C. 1 and under-21 men's championships, Winona Park. Western Association 8:00 Coquitlam vs Victoria, Coquitlam Sports Centre B.C. Junior A 8:00 Viptoria-Esquimalt vs Richmond, Esquimau Arena MOTORSPORT Sports Car Racing Sports Car'club of B.C.

summer series qualifying, Westwood. Slock Car Racing Series racing, Actiofi Speedway, Langley HORSE RACING 1:15 thoroughbred card, Exhibition Park SUNDAY BASEBALL Pacific Coast League 1:30 Vancouver vs Phoenix, Nat Bailey Stadium FIELD HOCKEY B.C. under-21 men's championships, Winona Park. SOCCER North American League 7:30 Vancouver vs Minnesota, B.C. Place Stadium, radio 1130 Tulsa at New York Chicago' af Toronto Pacific Coast Summer League 2:00 -r; Riptides vs Club Ireland, Blundelt school 2:00 -t Richmond vs Pegasus, Cleveland ParK, North Vancouver 2:00 Regals vs New West-minsterv Queens Park Stadium WqstCoast Senior B.C.

Junior A -Burnaby vs New Lake Arena MOTORSPORT Sports Car Racing Sports car club of B.C. summer SjJ DAVE BARR in contention Judy Ellis of Kitchener, 74 and 152 Don January shot a 69 to move to five under par and into the lead after two rounds in the Senior Tournament Players Championship at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland. January's 139 total on the par-72, course put him one shot ahead of Arnold Palmer. Al Balding of Toronto, who opened with a 77 on Thursday, improved by five strokes Friday for a 149 total. TVs a spur for Chinese PEKING (AP) If they win a gold medal, Chinese athletes at the Los Angeles Olympics will get television sets, tape recorders and other prizes of their choice worth about $1,500.

The incentive was disclosed Friday at a news conference by coaches and medal contenders from the first large-scale team China has ever sent to the Summer Olympics. The rewards for gold medals were described by Zhang Jian, coach of Li Ning, 21, a world champion men's gymnast. Asked what gifts he would select if he wins in Los Angeles, Li told reporters: "My first choice is the gold medal." Li, who likes rice porridge and pickles for breakfast, added "spiritual incentives come first." Like all Chinese athletes, Li is officially an amateur. However, world record weightlift-er Wu Shude told reporters he gets a monthly subsidy from the state of $45, which is more than the national average wage. Chinese Olympic Committee officials said it will cost about $2.5 million to send a 353-member delegation to Los Angeles.

It will include 225 athletes, 49 coaches and 13 doctors. China is seeking its first Olympic medals and will take part in 16 events, with strong hopes in gymnastics, volleyball, weightlifting, diving and track and field. series races, Westwood. Motocross Racing CMA series, Mission Raceway Television TODAY Noon Sportsweekend, Ch. 2, Canadian Olympic swim trials.

1.30 Sportsworld.Ch.5, Highlights include Wimbledon preview and junior-lightweight boxing match between Eusebio Pedroza and Gerald Hayes. 2:30 Bowling, Ch. 4, PBA Showboat Doubles from Las Vegas. 3:00 Drag racing, Ch. 5, Cajun nationals from Baton Rouge (taped).

3:30 Golf, Ch. 7, cable 8, Tape-delayed third-round coverage of the Atlanta Classic. 4:00 Track and field, Ch, 4. U.S. Olympic trials.

Wide World of Sports Ch. 6,8, cable 1 1 Taped coverage of Roberto Duran-Thomas Hearns fight. 5:00 Wide World of Sports, Ch. 4, WBC lightweight champ Edwin Rosario vs. Howard Davis.

SUNDAY 1 0:00 Auto racing, Ch. 2,7,26, cable 3,7,8, Live coverage of Detroit Grand Prix. Soccer, Ch.9, German professional highlights. 11:30 Football, Ch. 4,21, New Jersey Generals vs.

Philadelphia Stars. Noon Tennis, Ch. 6,8, cable 1 1 Wimbledon preview. 12:30 Soccer, Ch. 2, cable 3, European championship semifinal between Spain and Denmark.

Tennis, Ch.5, Wimbledon special with Peter Ustinov. 1 :00 Tennis, Ch. 6,8, canle 11, Wimbledon special with Peter Ustinov. 2.00 Baseball, Ch. 6,8, cable 11, Toronto at Boston (tape-delay).

Radio TODAY 7:30 Baseball, 1 130, Canadian vs, Phoenix. SUNDAY 7:30 Soccer, 1 1 30, Whitecaps vs. Minnesota. New 1984 General Motors economy cars, sporty cars, family cars, luxury cars, station wagons, compact and full-size pickups. We got 'em.

And got 'em today And DEAL ON CANADA'S MOST POPULAR SUB-COMPACTS FROM $5,812 have what it takes. 'if. in 1. 1 mm ii is mh that's a deal! and Buick Skylark. Save big 30th, 1984 .8 ASY PONTIAC jcHfVROlfT BUICK oiD5H08)u IS! The lowest-priced cars built in North America.

Suggested retail price for Chevy ChevettePontiac Acadian 2-door Scooter Hatchbacks with standard equipment. Freight excluded. Dealer may sell for less. 3 YEARS PROTECTION AT NO EXTRA COST GM's Continuous Protection Plan, usually an extra-cost option, comes with all 1984 models of Chevrolet Chevette, Pontiac Acadian and 1000 and all 1984 models of Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac hundreds of dollars and get Phoenix, Oldsmobile Omega extra peace-of-mind. DEAL ON CANADA'S MOST POPULAR COMPACT TRUCKS FROM $7,209 The lowest-priced V6-powered compact pickups in Canada.

Suggested retail price for Chevy S-10GMCS-15 pickup with standard equipment. Freight excluded. Dealer may sell for less. 9 ljfli0fcjf We're dealing and dealing 10 DAYS ONLY. ENDS JUNE SEE YOUR GREATER VANCOUVER GENERAL MOTORS DEALER AND DEAL YOURSELF IN! 'J 6EA.0C-IWI.