Star-Phoenix from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • 13

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan The StarPhoenix SPORTS B3 Tuesday, October 22. 2002 Glory returns to baseball in Game 2 It BRIEF 0 CHRIS HARRIS Global Sports Special Olympics hand out awards Saskatoon's Joel Birtles and Yorkton's Morgan Urzada have been named athletes of the year by Saskatchewan Special Olympics. Birtles has been active in sports for 16 years, competing in eight provincial and National james, as well as the national summer games in Prince Albert and the Canada Games in London, Ont. Birtles participates in bowling, golf, swimming and track and field. Urzada was the top skier at the 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Hum request of a friend.

And of course, it would have been nice if he had given the ball to a kid, rather than to his financial advisor, but that's reality. The new NHL season in upon us, and if early happenings are any clue, Mario Lemieux looks 100 per cent and should be on his way to his seventh scoring title. Although it should be nip and tuck with Colorado's dynamic duo of Peter i Forsberg and Joe Sakic. Also take note, Detroit rookie Henrik Zetterberg will capture the Calder trophy. Also if your pool is yet to be held, load up on power play specialists, as penalties have increased.

Finally, a big tip of the hat goes to not only the athletes who comprise both the high school football and soccer teams in the city, but to the fans that come out to support them. The weather has taken a turn for the worse the last few weeks, however attendance hasn't suffered. Fri- day night at Gordie Howe Bowl, the Marion Graham fans, despite the fact their team was down 26-0, were still cheering, along with the BJM faithful, who were on the positive end of the score. And by all indications this week's football quarterfinals promise to keep fans cheering. ticket line-up an announcer during the ChicagoDetroit game remarked: "It's been a tough week for (Bears defensive end) Bryan Robinson, after he was picked up on a DUI." Were we supposed to feel sorry for this profession football player who makes more to put on his helmet than most do in a year? In the same breath, they added that Bears running back Anthony Thomas had a good week, after saving a man from a burning car.

"The highs and lows," they added. And that was it. No more about the DUI, it was simply brushed off as nothing. As if the arrest was an everyday occurrence, comparable to stubbing your toe. Sticking with the NFL, 49ers receiver Terrell Owens had sports fans buzzing after his 'Sharpie' display against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.

debate has ranged from embarrassing to the sport, to creative and fun, to no big deal. If you have the talent Owens possesses, then why not? It has to be considered better than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tacky chorus line celebrations. After all, Owens didn't do it to show anybody up. He did it at the It's 12:20 a.m. Monday and I've been putting off writing this column.

This could be explained by more than a few reasons: I'm a procrastinator, I thrive under pressure, and lastly, and the one I'm going with; This week in sports has simply been that good, and a plethora of issues spring to mind. How fitting that Sunday, nine years to the day, baseball fans were witness to the greatest World Series game since the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies battled to a 15-14 decision in Game 4. Yes, I know what you're going to say. And yes, Game 6 in '93 was pretty good, what with the whole Joe Cartergame winning home run episode. That however, was only a single moment Game 4 had it all.

It was raining off and on in Philly. The Jays were up 7-6 after only three innings, much like Sunday, when the Angels were up 7-5 after the third. Remember in '93, Jays pitcher Todd Stottlemyre sliding into third base, cutting his chin in the process? How about Lenny Dysktra's two home runs? Or even Ricky Henderson crossing home plate with the winning run? After Sunday's game, the comparisons were bound to be made and with good reason. Right from the Angels jumping out to a 5-0 lead, to Tim Salmon's two round trippers, until Barry Bonds hit his fifth dinger of the postseason in the top of the ninth, the action was intense, exciting and dramatic all at once. It was what baseball was all about, and reminded me of a quote from James Earl Jones in the movie Field of Dreams: "It (baseball) reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.

No salaries, no agents, just baseball. Bouncing around the NFL Sunday boldt, winning three gold medals. She also earned five gold medals at the Regina Invitational Track and Field meet and competed at the national summer games, where she gave the athlete's oath. The Special O's team of the year was the 26-member Regina track and field team, which recorded 108 top 10 finishes in provincial competition. Grant Urban of Regina, head coach of the Regina track program, and Nikita Jundt of Estevan, a swim coach, were named coaches of the year while Yollande Ladebruk of Prince Albert was named volunteer of the year for her efforts with the Prince Albert Special Olympics.

Rowing coach given volunteer honour Bob Haver, co-founder of the Saskatoon Rowing Club, has been honoured as one of nine recipients of the 2002 Saskatchewan Volunteer Awards for Sport, Culture and Recreation. Haver has served on the executive and as coach with the Saskatoon Rowing Club. He was the provincial rowing coach in 2001 and led Saskatchewan's junior athletes to seven gold medals at the prairie championships, three medals at the Canada Summer Games, and 16 medals at the Canada Cup. Sprewell sues New York Post NEW YORK (AP) Latrell Sprewell sued a newspaper, spouted off and got suspended Monday. i I.IIIII.U...L.L1IM .1 111 J.W.

I I. Xr PFC: Hilltops put seven players1 on all-star team Continued from B1 Saskatoon place-kicker-punter Braden Suchan was named outstanding special teams player after leading the PFC with 76 points. 1 Seven Hilltops were named to the all-star squad: offensive lineman Kurt Wallace, running back Travis Weiss and defensive lineman Garrett Houle in addition to Mackesey, Guebert, Yausie and Suchan (as punter). Sargeant expressed disappointment that at least two other Hilltops were overlooked, i "(Rush end) Chris Eckert led the league in sacks this year (with seven) and Mike Zinkowski had a great year," said Sargeant. "It's easy to think that maybe a couple of kids got overlooked.

But maybe that will give them some motivation to go out and earn the respect of their peers because that's basically who votes for them." Team success will be the true measuring stick, added Sargeant. "We're a team of 60 players and we're all in it for the right reasons." For a complete list of award winners and all-stars, please see Page B5. Carter becomes a Dolphin MIAMI (AP) The Miami Dolphins lured Cris Carter out of the broadcast studio and out of retirement thanks to some arm-twisting by one of their biggest fans: Dan Marino. The former quarterback persuaded HBO colleague Carter to put his TV career on hold and join the Dolphins to bolster their injury-plagued receiving corps. Carter, who ranks second to Jerry Rice in career receptions and touchdown catches, signed a one-year contract Monday that will pay him $550,000, with another $700,000 possible through incentives.

When the Dolphins first contacted Carter last Wednesday, he was reluctant to return. Marino swayed him. "Marino's crazy," said Carter, who turns 37 next month. "I had squashed the whole idea 'I'm not going to do it'. Danny and I were getting ready to go into the studio, and I tell him, and he just goes ballistic 'You've got to do it.

You can still play. It's a great situation for By Saturday, Carter had a tentative deal with the Dolphins, and their 23-10 loss Sunday to Buffalo underscored the need to up On a day tilled with developments related to Sprewell's injured right hand and his relationship with the New York Knirks. the rift he- AP File Photo Minnesota Vikings receiver Cris Carter came out of retirement and out of the broadcast booth Monday to join the Miami Dolphins If Pittsburgh Steelers victory Monday night over the Colts. 'Z1 tween everyone in Jerome Bettis scored On tWO Short FYTRA POINTS- The Hilltnrrc visit volved only seemed to worsen. In the morning, pressed into starting roles because of injuries combined for just four catches.

Tommy Maddox threw two touchdown passes to Hines Ward following Indianapolis mistakes to lead a 28-10 Sprewell touchdown runs in the first half before me Edmonton Huskies for Sunday's PFC leaving with a sprained left knee as the final (1:45 p.m., CK750). The first-place Steelers, helped by their special teams, Huskies led all-star voting with 10 players opened a 21-0 lead. named to the first team. Sprewell agent grade the passing game. Ray Lucas threw four interceptions in his first start since 1999, and Dedric Ward and James McKnight announced a $40-million lawsuit against the New York Post for its account of how he got hurt.

Sprewell later met with reporters and denounced the way the Knicks have treated him, which was followed by an announcement from the team that Sprewell had been suspended one game for failing to follow his rehabilitation procedures. i3 2002 TTIfl 1fft i A Tin II 1 1 II A Local curling teams sweep Alberta 'spiel By Doug McConachie SP Sports Editor Alberta may be oil rich, but seven Saskatchewan curling teams drained Medicine Hat of more than $32,000 in the past five days, with Saskatoon's Jolene Mclvor and Brian Humble both winning their events to pocket $14,000 at the Medicine Hat Charity Classic. Mclvor, just a year out of junior curling, teamed with two sisters to edge Switzerland Nicole Starausak 5-4 in the $12,100 final Sunday, earning them the $4,000 top prize. Monday, Humble, who won six straight to get to the final, bounced Kerrobert's Brad Heidt 7-2 to earn $10,000. The loss was worth $6,000 for Heidt, who also lost to Humble 8-1 in A play downs.

Heidt had advanced to the final by edging Saskatoon's Doran Johnson 5-4 in 11 ends while Humble swept by Swift Current's Max Kirkpatrick 6-2 in eight ends. Both Johnson and Kirkpatrick shared $8,000. Jeff Sharp of Saskatoon, who lost 7-5 to Heidt in the championship, also took home $2,5000, leaving Saskatchewan men with the lion's share of the $34,000 men's prize money. tii 1 lll lll I II SUIT mJIIJ Jl Knicks president Scott Layden announced the suspension, which will cost Sprewell $140,000 l90th of his salary. Already banished from the team until he can make "a positive contribution," Sprewell will now be officially banned from Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night when the Knicks play the Utah Jazz.

Former Twin denies assault charges MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett declared he is not guilty of charges he dragged a woman into a restaurant bathroom and groped her. "Let the process play its course. I know I'm innocent of these charges," Puckett said Monday as he left the county jail. Puckett spent less than a half hour at the jail for a booking procedure and appearance before a judge, who set Nov. 19 for a pretrial hearing.

Puckett remains free on his own recognizance. According to the complaint, the victim was waiting to use the women's restroom at the restaurant on Sept. 6 when Puckett grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the men's room. She told police Puckett pushed her into a stall and put his hand on one of her breasts. She said after a friend of hers yelled into the restroom, Puckett let her go.

Priest admitted abuse, says ex-NHLer BOSTON (AP) Former NHL veteran Chris Nilan testified that the highest-ranking Boston Archdiocese official implicated in a sex scandal admitted molesting three boys more than 20 years ago. Nilan is friends with the priest, Monsign-or Frederick J. Ryan, who was vice-chancellor under then-Boston Cardinal Hum-berto Medeiros. Ryan sexually abused David Carney and two others, and maintained a sexual relationship with one of the two others until three years ago, Nilan said in June. Nilan was questioned about a lawsuit brought by Carney against Ryan and the archdiocese.

Nilan's sworn testimony was filed Monday. Nilan also is a friend of the three alleged victims. He said he confronted Ryan after accusations surfaced earlier this year. 6 6 We started a little slow Maegan wasn't feeling well so she held the broom and I swept and it all came together.) Jolene Mclvor Mclvor victory was the biggest she's had since graduating from juniors. The 21-year-old Nutana skip, with sister Rene at third, Maegan Strueby second and sister Michelle at lead, won their opening MEN'S BASKETBALL Orlulirr 21, iWi -A HI Wmitj likan Mm 15 ftwi tumit Iniwsitt i bbMnM lute IS Ma Inmniu Friday.

(Ii IoImt JsjMO Mi fartl Mimilj Wfflla IS taim lAmiij "'t Imffiilj iMaUitNa lite IS tuMi i lm Mi game, then dropped their second, before bouncing back with five straight victories. TOURNAMENT Saturday, Oduber mi am fM. km MKr farin flar MM MgMr We started a little slow Maegan wasn reeling well so she held the broom and I swept and it all came together," says Mclvor. This team has been in the planning stages for five years the three Mclvors played together in 1997 but then Rene and Michelle, both older, graduated out of juniors and Jolene ended up playing with Maegan. "We always planned to get back together and give it another shot," and this was the year.

TD11SD1Y, OCTOBER 21, 2002 TODAY, OCTOBER 26, 2002 mm mwm op saslitciewai 1m MM' Mn (Mr (ai MM WniH H'S'S BraAn liiimil) Mill I itiimi) i (km llinn liiiirrii Mrtfcp Mta Mai tmmW Safefe i HI nasaa St S3 The rink qualified this year to play in the Dynamic Super League, lost in the semi-tinals ot Casino Regina a week ago, and then hit pay dirt in Medicine Hat. Budget OiredWest nmm if mmm mm mmm of mm E2 mm wvsm mm MEHOBUL lllfBBSITV SElUmH Mclvor had a last rock hit and stick for the win. The showing in Regina, losing to Cindy Street (who went on to win the event), really boosted the team's confidence, she says, TteSurHKwiix creatively Ufa. and there's been no growing pains because "we're all family. Even Maegan is practically like family." The rink will take one day off (today), then head to Win Came co nipeg tor the JVC Classic this weekend.

They re turn home for the Park Town Classic beginning Oct. 31..