The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 64

S-2 THE RECORD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17. 2003 TOM GULITTI WITH THE DEVILS IN WEST ORANGE COUNTDOWN TO FACEOFF QUOTE OF THE DAY "I don't know if I would say I was a Stanley Cup hero. I scored the winning goal in Game 7, but they won 15 games before that" Mike Rupp on his goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Anaheim. 0 Sergei Brylin and Ahren Nittel scored goals to lead the Red team to a 2-0 victory over the White squad DAYS in Tuesday morning's intrasquad scrimmage. Martin LEFT Brodeur posted a shutout for the Red.

a Hero has to battle to kee piob Devils' depth at center means Rupp must prove himself tme '-www 1 ft' if iit 4 0 By TOM GULITTI STAFF WRITER To Devils' center Mike Rupp, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals was like a dream that extended well into the summer. That's the way it works when you score the Qip-winning goal. And when you're a 23-year-old rookie that didn't expect to even get a chance to play in the Finals, it can be a little overwhelming. "I got a lot of attention," Rupp conceded Tuesday. When he arrived back in New Jersey for the start of training camp, however, it didn't take long for reality to set in.

Despite his i Game 7 heroics as a substitute for the injured Joe Nieuwendyk, nothing is guaranteed for Rupp. In fact, if you Took at the Devils' depth at center, he appears to be in for a difficult battle to make the team. Although the Devils did not bring back Nieuwendyk (signed with Toronto) and Pascal Rheaume (still unsigned), briefly creating two openings for centers, those openings were quickly filled by the free-agent signings of Igor Larionov and Erik Rasmussen. With John Madden and Scott Gomez established as mainstays, the Devils appear to have four centers locked into place. "I kind of was brought down to reality pretty quick," Rupp said.

"With the new guys they brought in, it's a challenge to me." Still, Devils' coach Pat Burns insists there is a place for Rupp on his team, as long as he proves he's ready. At 6-feet-5, 230 pounds, Rupp is easily the Devils' biggest and strongest center. At 6-1, 210, Rasmussen is next in line. Rupp displayed some ability at taking faceofls in his 26 regular-season games and four Finals contests with the Devils last season. That's an asset the team will need after losing Nieuwendyk, their best faceoff man last season.

He also can play wing, but appears to be a better fit at center. "We need big centers because we're going to face some big centers," Burns said. "We're going to play teams that have good- ODDS AND ENDS Prospect growing up Devils' coach Pat Bums said he noticed "a big improvement" in defense-man Anton Kadeykin, the team's first selection and the 51st pick overall in 2002, this year from his first training camp a year ago. The 1 9-year-old native of Elektrostal, Russia, has grown into his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. "I call him and a kid like 2003 third-round pick Ivan Khomutov, they're like big, huge puppy dogs," Bums said.

"Their paws are going all over the place, but you see that there's something there. You see the potential in those guys. Like Kadeykin was last year, you can see that coming through. A guy like Kadeykin, you can't teach a guy size. I don't care how much you try as a coach, you can't teach a guy to be big.

He's got that. He looks like a hockey player. He's a defensive-style type of guy, a big guy, and he can do things quickly." Kadeykin will be returned to his junior club at the end of the week. Hale stands up Rookie defenseman David Hale didnt have a chance to hone his fighting skills at the University of North Dakota because the NCAA prohibits fighting, but he showed he can handle himself during a scrap with agitator Cam Janssen in Tuesday's scrimmage. Although Janssen compiled nearly 500 penalty minutes in his last two seasons in junior, Hale got the better of him, dropping him with a left hand to the head.

"He's a high-skilled guy, and fighting a guy that does it for a living and Janssen, that's what he does for a living in junior hockey he's a tough guy," Burns said. "For a guy like Hale, that doesn't happen in college hockey." Devils briefs Scott Stevens, Turner Stevenson, Igor Larionov, and Tommy Albelin were the only established players not to take part in the scrimmage. They worked out off the ice instead. Devils' special assignment coach Larry Robinson is preparing to play for the Montreal Canadians alumni team in an outdoor exhibition game against the Edmonton Oilers' alumni Nov. 22 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

The game will precede a regular-season contest between the Oilers and Cana-diens, the first outdoor game in NHL history. It's expected to draw 50,000 fans. The Devils travel to Philadelphia on Friday night for their preseason opener, the first of four meetings with the Flyers. ASSOCIATED PRESS Mike Rupp after scoring his Cup-winning goal He said he's been "brought back to earth" by the competition at camp. these guys." Burns talked often last season about Rupp needing to play with enthusiasm to sustain his flashes of brilliance and keep his spot on the team.

Over the first week of training camp, he's shown improvement in that area. "I see it more this year than I did last year because he was a young player last year and he knows now," Burns said. "As much as we get to know them, they get to know us, and I see a lot more of it this year. I would love to see Rupp do it on a regular basis and be able to play here every night I'd love to see that" E-mail: gulittinorthjersey.com sized centermen and we're going to have to counter with some good-sized center-men, and I think we have an opportunity to do that A guy like Rupp can play that position and help us and you certainly take in that factor." Rupp showed a flair for the dramatic in his stints with the Devils last season, beginning with a two-goal outburst in his first NHL game against Florida on Jan. 13.

Three of his five goals were game-winners. But he saved his biggest for Game 7 against Anaheim. He began the Finals as an extra player, staying in shape just in case he was needed. When the Devils were struggling to find a replacement for Nieuwendyk, who was out with a torn oblique muscle, Rupp got his opportunity. He became a Stanley Cup hero in the deciding game, deflecting in a Scott Nie-dermayer shot to snap a scoreless tie, and later assisting on two goals in a 3-0 victory.

Much of the night is still a blur to him. "I just remember gloves and everything being thrown up in the air," he said. His feet are back on the ground now and realizes what he did last June doesn't guarantee him a job in New Jersey in October. "I'm not cocky, but I know I can play at this level," he said. "I want to be here with the team from Day One.

The short time I was here last year, I saw how close the players are, and I'd like to go to battle with MY DAYS WITH THE CUP JAY PANDOLFO, JULY 24-25 During his day and a half with the Stanley Cup, left wing Jay Pandolfo repeatedly saw how professional sports' most famous trophy can open doors. For example, on Friday night, July 24, after Pandolfo, his brother, Mike, and some friends had spent the night at some establishments in Boston's North End, the limo bus that was supposed to transport the group had disappeared. One of Pandolfo, a native of Winchester, posed for a few snapshots and the deal was done. The next day, Pandolfo stopped by town square and headquarters of the Boston police and fire departments for pictures and autographs. Along the way, the manager of the band Aerosmith, a friend of Pandolfo's father, approached and asked if the band could get a peek at the Pandolfo's friends approached a Boston police officer and asked if he could drive them and the Cup back to their hotel.

The officer thought it was a joke at first, but once he realized he was serious, he offered his services in exchange for a favor. "You boys can have a ride," he said, "if my lieutenant and I can get a picture." Cup. Pandolfo was headed to Cape Cod for a small gathering of friends and family that afternoon and the band's recording studio in Andover was on the way. "It was like five minutes off the highway," Pandolfo said. 'They were really excited to see it." This is the only thing that has seen more parties than us," Steven Tyler, the band's lead singer, exclaimed.

Brooks probably asleep at wheel Burke, Whitman are among leaders THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PAUL, Minn. Former U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks probably fell asleep at the wheel before his fatal car crash last month, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Patrol. The coach of the 1980 -7 ination of evidence, State Patrol investigators believe that Brooks most likely fell asleep at the wheel," said a State Patrol statement.

"It was pretty much what we thought the report would say," Brooks' son, Dan, told the Star Tribune. "The State Patrol investigated the scene, and talked to eyewitnesses, the people my dad was with that weekend, and the coroner, and concluded to the best of their ability that he fell asleep. We would have been surprised if we learned he had been stung by a bee or something like that." On the day of the accident, Brooks attended a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame celebrity golf event in Eveleth, leaving at about noon to catch a flight from Minneapolis to Chicago. He veered off the road in a 70-mph zone of the freeway near Forest Lake.

The Anoka County coroner's office ruled Brooks was thrown from his vehicle and died of blunt-force chest and abdominal in juries. He was 66. "We'll probably never know for sure what happened, but the marks on the roadway indicate fatigue was involved," State Patrol Lt. Chuck Walerius said. Brooks also coached the North Stars and Penguins, and led the University of Minnesota to three NCAA titles.

Canadien suffers eye injury MONTREAL Montreal Canadiens' forward Chad Kilger was hospitalized Tuesday after sustaining a serious eye injury from an accidental nigh stick in training camp. "It's frightening," team doctor David Mulder said of the injury, multiple fractures around Kilger's left eye socket Mulder said there was bleeding in the eye area and that the sinuses also were affected. Doctors were waiting for swelling to go down to take further tests. Mulder said it may take a few days to determine the exact extent of the injury. "Miracle on Ice" team was returning from a fund raiser Aug.

11 in northeastern Minnesota when his mini-van went off the highway and rolled. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. The report confirmed Brooks who coached the EMERSON Mike Burke Jr. of Montammy, Ed Whitman of Knickerbocker, and Frank Esposito Jr. of Brook-lake share the first-round lead at the New Jersey PGA Section Championship after shooting 5-under-par 67s on Tuesday at Hackensack Golf Club.

Dave Laudien of Howell Park is fourth with 68 entering today's second round of the three-day event Tom Sipula of Edgewood and Craig Lindsey of Madison are tied for fifth at 69. Three favorites are outside the top 20. Former PGA Tour veteran Bill Britton of Eagle NORTH JERSEY GOLF Oaks is tied for 22nd with 72. Brent Studer of Manasquan River, the NJPGA Player of the Year standings leader, and Mark Schaare of Knob Hill are tied for 26th with 73. William Johnson Jr.

of White Beeches and Ed Os-owski of North Jersey are among those tied for 33rd with 74. Chris Dachisen of North Jersey, considered a potential top-10 finisher, struggled to a 77. BROOKS Rangers and Devils wasn't drinking, speeding, talking on his cellphone, or having a health problem before the crash. Patrol officials said weather and road conditions were ruled out as contributing factors. "Based on witness statements and exam- THE BOTTOM LINE ON AIR SPORTS BRIEFS SPORTS CALENDAR Thu.

Fri. I Sat. Sun. Mon. i Tue.

Sept. 18 Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Sept. 21 Sept.

22 Sept. 23 ujxp Wed. Sept. 17 BALT 7pm YES Yankees IB. IB.

i CHI CHI 6pm tl5pm i 8pm. i 8pm YES I YES i YES i YES BALT 7 pm YES IB. 7 p.m. YES MONT 7 pm FSNY Mets Green. Chiefs' star Priest Holmes (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game at Houston.

ET CETERA Dick McGuire (Knicks), Harry Howell (Rangers), Bob Wolff (broadcaster), the Liberty, and Vince McMahon (pro wrestling) will be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame Thursday afternoon. MONT 1 MONT lpm 1p.m. Ch.ll iCh.ll CHI 2:20 pm MSG MONT 7 pm FSNY PITT 7pm MSG" C0LUM i Metros Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins, 8 p.m., ESPN-AM 1050 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Texas at Virginia Tech, 7:30 pm, ESPN BOXING John McDermott vs. Nicotey Popov, Stephen Foster vs. Alexander Abra-menko, 11 p.ra.SHO GOLF European PGA: German Masters, PGA 84 Lumber Classic, 4 p.m., ESPN Nationwide Tour Boise Open, 5p.m,GC MLS SOCCER Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution, 730 p.ra, ESPN2 730 p.m.

I MSG HOCKEY Cammi Granato and Angela Rug-giero are among seven two-time Olympians selected Tuesday for the U.S. women's team that will play in the Four Nations Cup in Sweden from Nov. 5-9. SOCCER The MetroStars acquired Polish national team forward Andrzej Juskowiak as a replacement for injured forward Jaime Moreno (back). FOOTBALL The 49ers waived kicker Jeff Chandler and signed former Giant Owen Pochman.

The Saints signed former Jet safety Victor BASEBALL Mets at Chicago Cubs, 220 p.m., MSG, ESPN, WFAN-AM 660 Yankees at Baltimore Orioles, 7 p.m., YES, WCBS-AM 880 Florida Marfins at Philadelphia Phillies, 7 p.m., ESPN Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins, 8 p.m, ESPN2 Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers.10 p.m., ESPN Thursday BASEBALL Yankees at Baltimore Orioles, 7 p.m., YES, WCBS-AM 880 Montreal Expos at Mets, 7 p.rru, FSNY, WFAN-AM 60 Shaded boxes indicate home games. '-Also on ESPN. "-Abo on FSNY in AUTO RACING The expected path of Hurricane Isabel has prompted NASCAR to cancel the on-track activities scheduled for Thursday and Friday at Dover International Speedway in Delaware. Sept. 27 1 Rutgers 7pm i MSG i Sunday lpm Ch.2 I Sunday WASH 1 4pm I i Ch.5 Giants Jets.