The Windsor Star from Windsor, Ontario, Canada • 11

Section The Windsor Star Stat Line The prospect of fatherhood hasn't diminished Jeff Gordon's enthusiasm for racing. RageB2 FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007 SPORTS EDITOR MARK FALKNER SI 9-255-5769 BASEBALL Tigers' Rogers on 1 5-day disabled list. Page B4 windsorstar.com Detroit 2 Nashville 1 4 M.2$ ft Wings even with Precis, Sabres Wings, Stars preview, B3 a is Star News Services NASHVILLE, TENN. The Predators had Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya and Jason Arnott on the ice, the goalie pulled for the extra attacker and a man advantage on a power play. And still they couldn't push the puck past Chris Osgood to force overtime.

That sums up their struggle to end Detroit's run atop the Central Division and the Western Conference only to keep coming up short head-to-head. Pavel Datsyuk scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and had an assist, and the Red Wings beat Nashville 2-1 Thursday night and moved back into a Nashville blew a chance to pad its lead and has four games left to win a franchise-best 50th game. Three of those are at home. Not that anyone is making excuses, but several Predators pointed out they were short-handed with five forwards out Forsberg, who played nearly 22 minutes, said they tried to battle despite running low on forwards and are frustrated at not having control in their own hands. "We have to rely on Detroit losing two points, and we go undefeated.

It was two huge points we lost today," he said. See TROTZ LAMENTS, B3 tie with the Predators atop the NHL. The Red Wings, Predators and Buffalo all have 105 points, but Detroit has a game in hand on Nashville with its four of final five games left against Central Division cellar dwellers Columbus and Chicago. Detroit coach Mike Babcock said he isn't worrying about standings, finishing first or fourth. "We're in the playoffs and, one through eight, I don't know who we want to play Which team do we match up best against? I can't figure it out, so I'm not spending any time doing it," Babcock said.

TIGHT WIN: Nashville's Paul Kariya, left, and Detroit's Chris Chelios chase the puck Thursday in Nashville, Tenn. Detroit won 2-1. ap photo Thrashers 3 Maple Leafs 2 i Kr 4t 1 i '1 1 Toronto gains valuable point in post-season race Star News Services ATLANTA During his first 10 NHL seasons, Slava Ko-zlov played for Detroit teams that were perennial Stanley Cup contenders. That's hardly been the case since Atlanta traded for him in 2002, but the Thrashers now have the postseason in their sights. "Right now, with (four) games left, we picked up one point last night and two points today," Kozlov said.

"That was huge." Kozlov scored two goals, including the game-winner on the power play with 46.4 seconds remaining in overtime, to help Atlanta end a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday. The Thrashers have never made the postseason, but coach Bob Hartley, in his fifth season with Atlanta, believes the less experienced players feed off veterans like Kozlov. 'Sixth sense' "Slava orchestrates everything and positions himself in front of the net," Hartley said. "He is so poised out there that it's like he has a sixth sense." Kozlov gave the Thrashers a 2-1 lead 2:15 into the third period with a tip-in of Andy Sutton's slap shot from the left circle. Marian Hossa made it 1-0 early in the first with his 42nd goal for Atlanta, which increased its lead over idle second-place Tampa Bay to five points in the Southeast Division.

Toronto's Hal Gill made it 2-2 with 13:20 remaining, which had won three of four to begun the night two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. See LEAFS CLOSER, B3 fll II 11 A CI: ROAD LOSS: Atlanta left-winger Pascal Dupuis, right, battles for the puck against Toronto defenceman Hal Gill during the first period Thursday in Atlanta. Toronto twice battled back from one-goal deficits before losing 3-2 in overtime. ap photo: Gregory smith PRODUCTIVE PARTNERS: Ontario skip Glenn Howard, right, smiles as he speaks with Richard Hart during their 11-1 win over New Brunswick at the Canadian Men's Curling championship in Hamilton. cp me photo World Curling Championships Canadian rink linked to Windsor Hart enjoys support of tight-knit curling family By Dave Waddell star sports writer There'll be more than just the normal curiosity among the area's curling community when the men's world championships begin Saturday in Edmonton.

Richard Hart, who plays third on Glenn Howard's Canadian championship rink, has become an adopted son of the tight-knit local curling crowd. Having married into one of the distinguished families of local curling when he exchanged vows with Margaret Rumfeldt, Hart is also the brother-in-law of two of the best curlers this area has produced in Rob Rumfeldt and Mike Altenhof, while his father-in-law Bob Rumfeldt built a reputation as a player and University of Windsor men's curling coach. "Naturally, I met my wife at a curling club," joked Hart, who has an impressive curling pedigree himself with a 1998 Olympic silver medaL "We understand a Pair of Ontario titles, a hmm hiah iha Brier crown and now nis nownignme first appearance at the expectations are for world championships. Canadian teams." "Ifs tight little group (of curlers) down there. Richard Hart Our three kids, my par-, ents and Margaret's parents are all going to Edmonton, so it'll be a nice experience for the family.

We'll have a little cheering section." With record crowds expected at RexaU Place, support will be the least of the Canadians' problems. Handling the pressure and expectations of winning that all Canadian curling teams face will be the bigger challenge. "We understand how high the expectations are for Canadian teams. It's the same expectations we have for ourselves. To doing anything else but win would be a disappointment." Hart added one of the reasons Canadian teams have done so well at the world championship and Olympic levels is they arrive battle tested.

"It's harder for a Canadian team to make the worlds than it is for any other country because we play so many games and teams to get there," the 38-year-old Hart said. "Some teams don't have to qualify." Beat Olympic champ Gushue Howard's foursome lost in the Ontario finals in their first season. Last year, they lost in the Brier final before getting over the hump last month against defending Olympic champion Brad Gushue. Gushue, ironically, won his gold medal in Turin with Howard's older brother Russ, who was the skip when Glenn Howard won his two world championships as his brother's third. "The other three guys have won two world championships at various levels, and I curled in the Olympics.

We're also pretty familiar with the field. The field at the worlds will be comparable in depth to the Brier." A world championship would be a major addition to a resume he hopes will also eventually include a gold medal from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. "A world championship would be a crowning moment for me," Hart said. "I'm proud of my Olympic silver, but it was a disappointment." dwaddelimhestmcanwest.com or 519-255-577? 'ext. 412 25' 'P LADIES E(PAD YOUR CLOSET! Over 4,000 Pairs of Ladies Shoes 2s S2 0 iRlTiliF.