FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2003
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5P
Wild want to remain in playoffs
The Associated Press
51. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild played two of their best games of the season this week.
What do they have to show for it? One goal scored, six goals allowed and two losses.
"I always say it's how you play that will s at i s f y you" coach
Jacques Lemaire said yesterday, a day after the Wild lost 3-1 to Colorado. Colorado leads the best-of-seven playoff series 3-1 going into Game 5 tomorrow night in Denver.
Maybe you're not always happy with the result, but if everyone is working hard and doing their best, even though you don't get the result you want, sometimes you have to be satisfied with that."
The Wild don't appear to have a choice.
Lemaire said his players had done everything he had expected of them in their first-ever playoff series.
They've played better in each game; they've played well on defense; they've given themselves plenty of scoring chances; and their goaltending has been exceptional.
In short, they've played well enough to beat an above-average NHL team — in the regular season.
But not well enough to beat the Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Plavoffs.
The Avs' goal is to reach the finals and win the cup. The Wild appear to be using this postseason, a bonus in their first-ever winning season, as a learning
"I want them to be happy about what they have done and the way they have played," Lemaire said after yesterday's practice. "They are playing well and I'm proud of them."
experience.
"I think the guys will come back tomorrow and feel a little better than they do today. It takes time to recover."
The lack of goals has been the most disappointing aspect.
After erupting for three goals in the second period of their Game 1 win, the Wild offense was held to a single goal for most of Game 2 until Andrew Brunette added one with only seconds remaining.
Then came Patrick Roy's shutout in Game 3, the Wild's first home playoff game. In Game 4, the fans were on edge throughout, cheering nearly every possession, booing the officials and waiting
for that elusive first goal. The Wild found the puck in front of the net several times, but couldn't penetrate Roy, whose years of playoff experience showed.
Roy would've had his second straight shutout, but Marian Gaborik narrowly slipped a shot between his pads in the third period.
"Couple shifts were unbelievable," right wing Sergei Zholtok said. "It looked like the puck had nowhere to go but in the net, and then it hits the D, hit Patrick and won't go in. ... They know what they're doing. Give them credit."
Although they surpassed expectations this year, it's hard for the players to not feel disappointed. But they're doing their best to stay optimistic about tomorrow's game. The Wild didn't lose more than three straight games this season, a streak they can still keep intact.
Quarterback working through injury
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. - Since he was hands off during full-contact workouts this spring, it's uncertain how much improvement, if any, Nebraska quarterback Jamal Lord has made since last season.
As for the two quarterbacks behind Lord, coach Frank Solich has made it clear that he's
disappointed they haven't performed better.
That being the case, the Cornhuskers' offensive coaches can count on high anxiety this summer regardless of what happens in tomorrow's Red-White Game at Memorial Stadium.
"We're not there yet," new offensive coordinator Barney Cotton said. "I'm glad we've got 29 more practices."
Cotton's charge is to make what had become a predictable offense into one with a bit more panache.
He has promised more passing, but has found it difficult to get his plan off the ground because of inconsistent line play and poor performances by the quarterbacks.
Solich is frustrated by the lackluster play of Lord's No. 2 backups — junior Mike Stuntz and redshirt freshman Curt Dukes.
Judging from practices, receiver Ross Pilkington said. Cotton remains committed to putting the ball in the air.
"For Nebraska football, it's going to be a drastic change," Pilkington said. "We're throwing it a lot more on first down. It's not so much deep passes, but short passes to work in with the run."
Cotton said he expected there to be a 2-to-1 run-pass ratio in the spring game.
Aside from protection issues, the question is whether the Huskers have a quarterback who can consistently deliver the ball to the backs and receivers.
Pilkington said Lord's passing
had improved since last season.
"He's going to have a chance to make plays on early downs," Pilkington said, "and I think it will open up the passing game a lot and let him show off his arm."
Lord, a senior, is 10 of 19 for 86 yards, with one interception, in two scrimmages this spring.
He will be limited in the spring game because of a quadricep pull.
pun
Dukes was 1 of 2 for 11 yards,
with an interception, in last Saturday's scrimmage.
He was held out of the previous week's scrimmage because of continuing knee soreness related to his off-season surgery.
Canseco taking bids for fan companionship
The Associated Press
MIAMI - Jose Canseco plans to profit while under house arrest for his part in a 2001 nightclub brawl.
Cansecoo's Web site is accepting bids to spend an afternoon with the 1988 American League MVP. The opening price is $2,500.
www.josecanseco.com received 268 bids as of yesterday after no on although it was impossible to determine how many were
Canseco
"Hey, you know, he's still a celebrity," said Canseco's attorney, Manny Hillman. "There are a lot of people out there who like to hang out with celebrities."
legitimate. The top offer of $30,000 was from a fan identifying himself as Joe Blow. There was also a bid for $0. An earlier offer of $1 billion was removed from the site.
But while some Canseco fans submitted bids, others who know the slugger were dismayed.
"It's not exactly the best PR move," said his former agent, Juan Iglesias. "People around him always try to give him the best advice. Whenever something comes up as bad timing, it's usually because he thought of it on his own."
The Web site offer began April 9, and bids will be accepted through Saturday.
"Spend the afternoon with
Jose at his house in South Florida," the site says. "Ideas for activities: Private powerhitting instruction, private martial arts instruction, workout with Jose, and cook out by the pool...
Canseco will provide roundtrip limousine service from the airport, but overnight accommodations and airfare aren't included. The highest bidder can bring along a guest who's younger than 18 at no extra cost.
"Cashiers check or money orders only."
"Jose loves kids," Hillman explained.
Judge Leonard Glick said the auction was OK with him. He sentenced Canseco on March 17 to two years' house arrest on an aggravated battery conviction.
"As long as there's no criminal act going on, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it," Glick said. "It's free enterprise_a little unusual form, but free enterprise."
Hillman and Iglesias agreed that the auction winner will have a good time with Canseco.
"He's got a lot of toys, a lot of cars, a nice pool, a gym and a batting cage," Iglesias said.
Hillman said: "Is it worth $6,000? Or $10,000. Or $50,000? I don't know."
Hillman and Iglesias said they tried to contact Canseco by phone about the auction without success. Canseco didn't return a phone message from The Associated Press.
"He's under house arrest," Iglesias said. "You'd think you could reach him."
Umpire attacker's bond at $250,000
The Associated Press
The 24-year-old Dybas came out of the stands and grabbed
CHICAGO - A judge set bond at $250,000 yesterday for a man who attacked an umpire during a Chicago White Sox game.
Eric Dybas of Bolingbrook was charged with one count of felony aggravated battery and one count of misdemeanor criminal trespass.
umpire Laz Diaz around the legs during Tuesday night's game between the White Sox and Kansas City Royals.
Dybas was the fourth fan to run onto the field that night. The other three did not attack anyone and were charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
Dybas appeared in court yesterday with his lawyer. Cook County Judge Nicholas Ford called Dybas' actions disturbing
and said nobody should be subjected to violent acts at a ballpark.
Defense attorney Frank Kosttouros said his client has an alcohol problem and his behavior was a result of that. The lawyer also said Dybas is sorry for what he did.
Last September, Kansas City coach Tom Gamboa was pummeled by a father and son just yards from where Tuesday's attack took place.
White Sox out-homer Royals
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Esteban Loaiza matched a career high with 11 strikeouts and Carlos Lee's grand slam was one of four Chicago homers as the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 8-2 yesterday.
Loaiza (3-0), a nonroster invitee to spring training, won his third straight start. He didn't give up a hit until Brandon Berger led off the fifth with a single and allowed one run and four hits ir
The right-hander had a 15inning scoreless streak snapped in the sixth when Dee Brown drove in a run with the third of three Kansas City singles in the inning.
six strong innings.
After a fan attacked an umpire Tuesday night, there was no trouble the rest of the series.
Lee's sixth career slam gave Chicago an 8-0 lead in the fifth against Chris George (2-1), who gave up all four Chicago homers in four 2-3 innings.
Miguel Olivo and Tony Graffanino hit back-to-back solo shots in the second and Paul Konerko added another solo homer in the third. Maggilio Ordonez had an RBI single in the first, extending his hitting streak to 13 games.
Lee and Konerko entered batting.174. Lee's homer was his first of the season and came right after Konerko was intentionally walked to load the bases following a walk to Jose Valentin and a double by Frank Thomas.
The devotion known as "Stations of the Cross" is an adaptation of a custom widely observed by pilgrims to Jerusalem, the offering of prayers at a series of places in the city traditionally associated with Jesus Christ's passion and death.
Station I: 9:15am Jesus is Condemned to Death
Station II: 9:30 Jesus Takes Up His Cross
Station III: 9:45 Jesus Falls the First Time Under the Cross
Station IV: 10:00 Jesus Meets His Mother
Station V: 10:15 Simon of Cyrene is Forced to Take Up the Cross
Station VI: 10:30 Vejonica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Station VII: 10:45 Jesus Falls a Second Time
Station VIII: 11:00 Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Station IX: 11:15 Jesus Falls a Third Time
Station X: 11:30 Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Station XI: 11:45 Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Station XII: 12:00pm Jesus Dies on the Cross
Station XIII: 12:15 The Body of Jesus is Placed in the Arms of His Mother
Station XIV: 12:30 Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
Sponsored by: Apostolic Catholic Church, Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA), Ecumenical Christian Ministries (PCUSA/Presbyterian, UCC/United Church of Christ, Brethre Quaker), Canterbury House (Episcopal), and United Methodist Christian Ministry. Call ECM 843-4933 for more information.
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