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Section B · Page 8
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The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, April 11, 2001
Lemieux returned for the Cup
Rv Alkm Robinson
By Alan Robinson
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — He didn't come back for
the bumping and the checking, the back-to-back games, the incessant travel or yet another practice on the morning after a game.
He has plenty of NHL scoring titles, enough money (he owns the team, remember), a big enough house, plenty of awards.
Lemieux
What was missing from retiree Mario
Lemieux's life was not another Mercedes or below-pair round of golf or stock market tip.
it was this. The class for the Stanley Cup.
He won two Cups in 1991 and 1992 and, except for a lapse in concentration by arguably the best Pittsburgh Penguins team ever, might have won a third in 1993. In the hockey world, however, that's ancient history and, at age 35, Lemieux didn't feel all that old.
That's why he came out of retirement, dropped the 25 pounds or so he puton during 44 months without hockey, lifted weights and trained and conditioned himself like never before.
Heknowsitwillbedifficultforasixth-seeded
team to win the Cup — the Penguins aren't being mentioned as a legitimate contender in many pre-playoff forecasts — but he also knows they did it twice before as a low-seeded team. And he sees no reason why they can't do it again.
"That's been my plan all along, to come up big in the playoffs," Lemieux said yesterday, two days before the Penguins open their first-round series at Washington. "I felt very good the last few games I played, skating-wise and handling the puck. I think I'm very close to being 100 percent, feel better than I have."
Not that he was playing badly until now. He gave too many games to win the scouring title
— teammate Jaromir Jagr won iffor the fourth consecutive season — yet Lemieux would have won easily if he continued his 1.77 points per game average for an entire season. Jagr averaged 1.49.
"But this is what I've been waiting for ever since I stepped on the ice," Lemieux said. "I think everybody who plays this game plays it to win the Stanley Cup and it's here this week."
Lemieux can only hope Jagr feels the same way. The last two years, without Lemieux, Jagr led the Penguins to first-round upsets of top-seeded New Jersey in 1999 and second-seeded Washington in 2000.
However, Jagr said last week he would defer leadership of the team to Lemieux in the post-season because, "He's the man...this is his team."
Liemieux politely refused, and said it couldn't be a one-man show. While he may own the team, he said Jagr had to again be the leader in the playoffs.
"He's still going to be the guy we're going to look to when we need a big play or a big goal," Lemieux said. "It's going to be a big play for us if we're going to win the Stanley Cup. He's going to have to be a great leader in the playoffs the way he's been the last couple of years."
"He has to raise his game again, and we expect him to do that."
This is Lemieux's eight trip to the playoffs and the fifth time he's faced Washington. The Penguins have lost only once, in 1994, when Lemieux's back was hurting so badly he subsequently took a year off from the game.
Llemieux said the worst thing the Penguins could do, despite their 5-1 postseason record against Washington, was hull themselves intoa sense of security.
"They've had a great year, they're a great defensive team and have a great goalie and by no means is it going to be easy," Lemieux said. "Every shift is important, and our power play and penalty killing must be there. You have to raise your game in the playoffs; if not, you're going to be out quickly."
That's not what Lemieux had in mind when he made his surprise comeback.
"My goal is to win the Stanley Cup." Lemieux said. "It has been ever since I came back and I'm going to do everything I can to lead this team to the Stanley Cup finals."
Notre Dame's Murphy declares draft eligibility
The Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — All-American forward Troy Murphy has decided to make himself eligible for the NBA draft, but he still might play his senior season at Notre Dame
"This is something that I've
Murphy said he would work out for several teams but not attend pre-draft camps.
statement. "I feel that I owe it to myself to pursue this option. I've discussed my future with some agents, and although I haven't signed with anyone, I feel that it is best to take advantage of this opportunity."
Coach Mike Brey said Murphy did not attend the
news conference announcing his decision in part because he may not decide to return to the Irish.
Murphy has until June 20 to withdraw his name from the draft-eligible list and, by not signing with an agent, he can return to college without losing eligibility.
"To put your name into the pool doesn't mean you're not coming back." Brey said.
Murphy also considered leaving after last season but returned in hopes of leading the Irish to their first NCAA tournament in 11 years.
He did exactly that — averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game — as the Irish (20-10) reached the second round of the tournament.
Since the season ended, Murphy has heard all kinds of predictions as to where he would go. Brev said.
But by declaring for the draft, he could continue to seek input.
"By entering his name, I think it's a natural progression of his career," Brey said. "And it gives him more time to evaluate what his stock will be."
Murphy is the fifth Irish player to score more than 2,000 points. His 2,010 career points leave him 500 behind the Notre Dame's all-time leader, Austin Carr.
If Murphy does decide to forego the draft, he could still join an elite list of 10 players who have been three-time Associated Press first-team All-Americans. Those on the list are Oscar Robertson, Bill Walton, Lew Alcindor, Pete Maravich, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gola, Jerry Lucas, David Thompson, Ralph Sampson and Wayman Tisdale.
Ewing and Tisdale were the last ones to accomplish the feat, both in the 1983-85.
Murphy also was one of five finalists for the Wooden Award this past season.
Would you like to tell prospective students why KU is a wonderful place to go to college? Ku To learn more about becoming a KU Admissions Counselor,come to our information night.
KU Visitor Center Thursday, April 12 5:30 p.m.
Pregnant?
Birthright can help 1-800-5504900
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL PREGNANCY TESTS AND REFERRALS
Trinity Episcopal Church
Thursday, April 12:
6:00pm Supper and Maundy Thursday
Service
Holy Week Services
Thursday, April 12:
6:00pm Supper and Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 13:
12:00pm Stations of the Cross
7:00pm Good Friday Service
Saturday, April 14:
7:30pm Great Vigil
Sunday, April 15:
8:00am & 10:30am Easter Sunday Service
Easter Egg Hunt following 10:30 service
10th and Vermont 843-6166
top of the hill is KU students' chance to vote for the best of Lawrence Fill out this form or the form on kansan.com with your favorites; return it to the Kansan business office, 119 Stauffer-Flint Hall.
Your name will be placed in a drawing for a dinner for two at the winner of the Best Overall Restaurant and for gift certificates. Deadline: April 20, 2001
restaurants
Best Mexican: ___
Best Chinese: ___
Best Breakfast: ___
Best Burgers: ___
Best Subs: ___
Best Italian: ___
Best Steakhouse: ___
Best Vegetarian: ___
Best Pizza: ___
Best Wings: ___
Best Bagels: ___
Best Buffet: ___
Best Ice Cream: ___
Best Coffee House: ___
Best Atmosphere: ___
Best Overall: ___
Best Sports Bar:
Best Drink Specials:
Best Dance Club:
Best Place to Play Pool:
Best Bartenders:
Best Place to Meet Girls or Guys:
Best Atmosphere:
Best Workout Facility:___
Best Hair Salon:___
Best Massage:___
Best Tanning Salion:___
Best Nail Place:___
Best Tattoo Shop:___
beauty services
Best Carwash:___
Best Grocery Store:___
Best Travel Agent:___
Best Gas Station:___
Best Car Services:___
Best Bank:___
Best Hotel:___
Best Eye Doctor:___
Best Lawyer:___
Best Chiropractor:___
Best Flower Shop:___
Best Laundromat:___
Best Golf Course:___
Best Dry Cleaners:___
Best Movie Rental:___
Best Auto Dealer:___
Best Liquor Store:___
retailers
Best Bookstore:___
Best Music Store:___
Best Shoe Store:___
Best Men's Clothing:___
Best Women's Clothing:___
Best Sporting Goods:___
Best Bike Shop:___
Best Jewelry:___
Best Department Store:___
Best Electronics Store:___
Best Furniture Store:___
Best Furniture Rental:___
Best Pet Store:___
miscellaneous
Best Apartment Complex: ___
Best Cellular Phone Carrier: ___
Best Pawn Shop: ___
Best Place to Study: ___
Kansan
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
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