Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 10

Gap 10 Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Thursday, April 10, 1997 Buics adopt new ferocious look By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Bucco Bruce never played a down for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, yet no one received more criticism for the shortcomings of the NFL's worst team during the past two decades. NFL Fans and players loathed the plumed, winking pirate mascot blamed for the franchise's wimpy image, and they celebrated his Lyle wins Par 3 event AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) San-dy Lyle won the Par 3 contest Wednesday at Augusta National, beating Mark McNulty on the second playoff hole. The lighthearted event, always a favorite of the fans, is played on the scenic, nine-hole course adjacent to the course where the Masters begins Thursday.

Lyle and McNulty wound up tied with a 5-under-par 22 after nine holes. Lyle won with a birdie on the second playoff hole. There were four hole-in-ones for the second consecutive year, including one by McNulty at No. 3. Ben Crenshaw and Loren Roberts both aced the seventh hole, and Bob Tway needed only one shot at No.

9. TDM dismissal this week. Gone, too, are the fluorescent orange, red and white uniforms that were the laughingstock of the league, replaced Wednesday by jerseys, pants and helmets featuring new primary team colors of red, black and pewter. "We're not fooling around any more," team owner Malcolm Glazer said. "We mean business." Glazer unveiled a new logo consisting of a skull and crossed swords on a windswept red flag hanging on a cutlass-type sword, fulfilling a promise he made to consider such changes when he bought the team for a record $192 million two years ago.

"I don't think I hated the orange. I hated the comments that came with it," linebacker Hardy Nickerson said. "Perception and image mean a lot. When other teams get a load of these uniforms, and especially a load of what kind of football we're going to be playing, we're not going to be those 'same old Bucs' any more." About 1,000 fans gathered outside the Tampa Convention Center to be among the first to get a look at the new logo and Nickerson, quarterback Trent Dilfer and fullback Mike Alstott in full uniform. T-shirts, hats and other team products began arriving in stores early in the afternoon.

Nutmeg Mills, a Tampa-based producer of sports apparel and merchandise, estimated the company would deliver five times as many Bucs items Wednesday as it did all of last year. "We have what we think is the perfect uniform for a perfect team in a perfect city," Glazer said, hoisting a pewter-colored helmet that replaces the white headgear that bore Bucco Bruce's likeness on the sides. ASSOCIATED PRESS Linebacker Hardy Nickerson models the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new uniforms, which are Red, Black and Pewter and feature the team's new logo. Panthers put a halt to Devils' win streak Suns blaze into league playoffs NHL MIAMI (AP) Dave Lowry scored two of Florida's four third-period goals as the Panthers snapped New Jersey's six-game undefeated streak with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory Wednesday night. Rob Niedermayer added a goal and an assist and John' Vanbiesbrouck stopped 32 shots to end Florida's six-game winless streak (0-4-2).

The Devils' undefeated streak stopped at 5-0-1. Niedermayer and Lowry scored within two minutes of each other to give Florida a 2-1 lead. Lowry added another at 6:05 of the third to put Florida up 3-1. New Jersey came back on a five-on-three power play when Bobby Holik's point-blank goal at 14:23 cut the lead to 3-2, but Vanbiesbrouck weathered another power play with several outstanding saves. Canadiens 3, Isles 1 UNIONDALE, N.Y.

(AP) -Shayne Corson's power play tip-in with 4:27 left gave the Montreal Canadiens a victory over the New York Islanders, killing any Islander hopes of making the Eastern Conference playoffs. Blues 1, Blackhawks 0 CHICAGO (AP) The St. Louis Blues clinched a playoff High School (Continued from page 9) my gist?" If Woods takes the Masters, he would be the youngest champion in the history of the event, two years younger than Seve Ballesteros and Nicklaus. The fact that players rarely win in only their third try at the Masters, where knowledge of the course means so much, seems to be of no concern to Woods. "I don't care what anyone else says as always," Woods said.

"I just came here to win. I'll try to be as patient as possible." He said playing here twice as an amateur and having won on the PGA Tour gives him a confidence rare in a 21-year-old. "I'm tournament tough now," Woods said. "I feel comfortable just because it's my third time here. You know what to expect." Surely the tens of thousands of people who will be following Faldo and Woods in a first-round pairing made in a golf fan's dream will be hoping for a Matchup II, III and IV.

This tournament, known for its stirring finishes inevitably decided over the final nine holes, gets started with a first 18 that matches one of the best tacticians to play the game with perhaps the most physically gifted player ever. Certainly there are others to consider at the Masters this year. Tom Lehman has the game and the desire to win. Steve Elk-ington is on a roll. Ernie Els, with a U.S.

Open title, and Phil Mickelson, with 10 victories al-ready, are two twenty-something guys overshadowed by Woods' sudden burst on the scene. And a rebound by Greg Norman from his collapse of last year would forever establish an already considerable reputation as one of the most resilient athletes in the history of any sport. "I think Greg's going to be up there," Mickelson said about who the contenders are this week. "I think Faldo is going to be up there. I think Tiger's going to do well, too.

Did I mention him?" Mickelson's joking reference to Woods as an afterthought indicates how much is expected of Woods in his first Masters as a pro. Lindros (Continued from page 9) Samuelsson was "more of a defensive action than offense. Nonetheless, this type of conduct can not be tolerated." Lindros, who missed 28 games earlier this year with various injuries, has a dramatic impact on the Flyers. Over his five years in Philadelphia, they are 34-39-8 without him in the lineup. After taking a number of hits he felt were illegal but weren't called penalties against the Rangers, Lindros went after Churla in the second period, taking a four-minute high-sticking penalty when he broke the Ranger tough guy's nose.

Trailing 2-1 at the time, the Rangers scored twice while Lindros was in the box to turn around the game. Lindros then punctuated his frustration at the end of the game by cross-checking Samuelsson in the chin, opening a gash that took 15 stitches to close. Lindros, who had never been suspended in his five-year NHL career before Wednesday, has learned to keep his composure, and is willing to let others fight his battles assuming he has teammates willing to do so. When none do, it's Lindros' Jury (Continued from page 9) The remaining charge against Mesa was filed after police said they found a handgun in Mesa's vehicle when he was arrested Dec. 27.

Mesa has not been with the team since the trial began. Indians general manager John Hart issued a statement saying the team was pleased with the verdict. "The Cleveland Indians organization has supported Jose Mesa throughout this entire ordeal," Hart said. "We are now looking forward to returning our attention to the playing field." Christie Alomar, wife of Indians catcher Sandy Alomar, sat in the courtroom holding hands with Mesa's sister-in-law, Elsa Mantilla. Both clapped and yelled as the first innocent verdict was read.

The judge asked both to leave the courtroom. "I didn't mean any disrespect to the court, but I was just so happy," said Mrs. Alomar after court adjourned. The jurors considered testi To find a pairing as much of a signpost of the passing of one era into another you'd have to go back to the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills near Denver.

Paired in the final 36 holes of that tournament were 47-year-old Ben Hogan and 20-year-old Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus finished second to Arnold Palmer and his play prompted Hogan to say: "I played with a kid today who should have won this tournament by 10 strokes." Woods, with three victories in 14 tournaments since turning pro, has emerged with as much flash as Nicklaus 35 years ago. Faldo, meanwhile, is at the peak of his skills, playing as well as he did when he won five majors from 1987-92. The extra club Faldo has in his bag this week is experience. This is his 14th Masters and he has won three times.

"I think there is a learning curve of playing Augusta and the discipline of playing the golf course when it's great to make par and walk," Faldo said. "It's not impossible," he said about a Woods victory, "but I think that experience does help here." Faldo and Woods it's a masterful match-up. nature to take matters into his own hands. In the offseason, the Flyers brought in three enforcers Daniel Lacroix, Dan Kordic and Scott Daniels with the idea that somebody would stand up for Lindros, but that didn't happen against the Rangers. Still, Lindros didn't blame the Flyers' tough guys.

"Toughness comes from the entire team," he said. "It's important to play tough as a team." Team toughness was one of the big topics at a team meeting Wednesday morning before the team's practice in suburban Philadelphia. After the practice, but before the suspension, both Lindros and coach Terry Murray said the Flyers won't stand by if the Rangers, a potential playoff opponent, go after their best players. "If they're going to go out against Johnny (LeClair) and well then we'll then let's go after Leetch and Gretzky," Lindros said. "If this is the way it's going to be, then let's send our players after them, and I'm sure it will stop." "If the plan is to go after our better players, we have to do the same thing," Murray said.

mony from eight prosecution witnesses. Messerman rested his case Monday without calling anyone to the stand. "Most of the time before the verdict is announced it is very scary. This time the verdict was much less scary," Messerman said. "I thought that the verdict was going to be not guilty." Assistant Prosecutor Frank Gasper said he did not think Mesa's celebrity entered into the jury's deliberations.

He said more evidence would have helped the prosecution's case. "The initial investigation could have been better," he said. Mesa pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays organization and the Baltimore Orioles before joining Cleveland in 1992 and emerging as one of baseball's best relief pitchers. He converted 46 of 48 save chances while leading the Indians to their first AL pennant since 1954. From 1901 to 1954, the Philadelphia Athletics had only three managers Connie Mack, Jimmy Dykes and Eddie Joost.

PHOENIX (AP) From almost certain lottery team to playoff darkhorse, the Phoenix Suns have made one of the most remarkable one-season transformations in NBA history. The Suns, who lost their first 13 games, now have a 10-game winning streak. That's two NBA record-book notations in one sentence worst start by an eventual playoff team, and the only squad to have double-digit losing and winning streaks in a season. Predictably, they also have a new look. Of the five players who started in a 96-82 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov.

1, only Wesley Person is still on the roster, and Jason Kidd, acquired in a trade Dec. 26, has had an enormous impact in the late surge that has lifted Phoenix to a 37-39 record with six games left. The victory string includes two wins each over playoff heavyweights Seattle and Houston. "There was a stretch of our schedule where we won nine out of 13, but our schedule was softer," said Danny Ainge, the coach since Cotton Fitzsimmons retired after going 0-8. "But to win 10 in a row against some of the teams that we've had makes NOW M.C.S.

Keystone Low st Air Griffey M.C.S. Adult's $5497 Official Team ffl kC ri AMA Mizuno Sultan wxtT NBA it more significant and more satisfying." Hornets 136, Celtics 111 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -Charlotte tied a franchise record with its 50th victory Wednesday night, a 136-111 triumph over Boston's depleted Celtics in which the Hornets scored the most points in the NBA this season. Bulls 86, Pacers 80 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Chicago Bulls, already assured of the homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, pushed the Indiana Pacers a game closer to staying home, period. Jazz 101, Lakers 89 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -Utah clinched the Western Conference's top playoff seed with its 14th straight victory, 101-89 over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hawks 116, 76ers 101 PHILADELPHIA (AP) Dikembe Mutombo blocked three straight shots in a nine-second span and the Atlanta Hawks set a season record with 23 steals. Mutombo finished with six of the Hawks' 13 blocks, which tied the team season high. M.C.S. Diamond Elite 34 Adult's $4997 Kid $4" 97 Bona Fide Low Adidt't $3 g97 Kid't $2997 3azbok Pea far 1M VALM0NT SHOPPING CENTER HAZLETON I 0TNII 10CM10MI Right Price spot by beating the Chicago Blackhawks behind Grant Fuhr, who made 23 saves for his 20th career shutout. Brett Hull, back after missing three games with a groin injury, scored midway through the first period as St.

Louis reached the postseason for the 18th consecutive year. Senators 5, Whalers 4 KANATA, Ontario (AP) -Ottawa kept its playoff hopes alive when Randy Cun-neyworth scored with 7:11 left in the game to give the Senators a victory over the Hartford Whalers. The win left the two teams tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Stars 3, Maple Leafs 2 DALLAS (AP) Greg Adams touched off Dallas' three-goal second period on a power play as the Stars extended their home unbeaten streak to 1 1 games with a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Toronto leading 1-0 three minutes into the second, Adams tied the score by knocking home the rebound of Daryl Sydor's slap shot 18 seconds into a power play.

Basketball great performance against De La Hoya, a fighter nine years younger who many think could be a boxing superstar for years to come. Whitaker may be a step slower, but he's as fit as he's been since his days as a lightweight champion. And he's just as quick with a quip as he has been in a pro career that has now spanned 13 years. "This is not the music awards of a concert of some kind," Whitaker said at Wednesdas final prefight news conference. "This is the Academy Awards.

And I figure about 8:00 or 8:30 Saturday night I'll be picking up my Oscar." MGI! I J) sizes I If may vary from store to store Indiana compromises on state tournament INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indiana's high school basketball champion will be determined through a "tournament of champions" among winners of four classes. The executive board of the Indiana High School Athletic Association voted 11-0 Wednesday for the new tournament, which will be in effect for boys and girls basketball the next two seasons. "This gives the smaller schools a chance to win," IHSAA commissioner Bob Gardner said. "But to get there, they still have play some awfully good basketball and beat some awfully good teams." The new tournament is a compromise between the IHSAA and critics of the new four-class tournament that was scheduled to begin next season, replacing Indiana's storied 87-year-old single-class tournament. Gardner worked out the compromise with state lawmakers who have been working against the multiclass tournament.

Applause broke out in the Indiana House when the compromise was announced on the chamber floor. T' Aso NJke-r 'cam Hats Boxing Whitaker feeling 'Sweet' for fight with De La Hoya LAS VEGAS (AP) Pernell Whitaker dropped his hands, stuck out his chin and wiggled his hips in the middle of the ring as Jeff Mayweather came after him. Sweet Pea was feeling fine, and he couldn't resist one last bit of showmanship in his final sparring session before he defends his WBC welterweight title Saturday night against Oscar De La Hoya. "I feel like a young man again," Whitaker said. "The way my legs have come back I feel like a kid again.

I'm ready to do the things I used to do as a lightweight." At 33, Whitaker is trying to turn the clock back for one last SNEAKER ECING The Right Stuff..