Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — After seven weeks of bitter back-and-forth, failed talks and growing uncertainty about the 2011 season, a federal judge ordered an immediate end to the NFL lockout.

But there are many hurdles to clear and questions to answer before pro football is back on track.

U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson gave the players a victory Monday in their fight with the owners over how to divide the $9 billion business, granting their injunction request to lift the lockout.

The fate of next season, however, remained in limbo: The NFL filed a notice of appeal questioning whether Nelson exceeded her jurisdiction, seeking relief from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis. Hours later, the league filed a motion for an expedited stay, meaning it wants Nelson to put her ruling on hold to let the appeals process play out. The 8th Circuit is known to be conservative and often rules in favor of employers. Nine of the 11 active 8th Circuit judges were appointed by Republican presidents.

What happens in the next few days is murky. Some players under contract might show up today at their teams' headquarters, many hoping to collect workout bonuses.

"The players have said all along, 'The law is on our side.' Judge Nelson's ruling reaffirms our contention," said Jay Feely, the former Jesuit and Storm standout who was Arizona's player rep before the union dissolved last month.

Bills safety George Wilson confirmed that the NFL Players Association e-mailed players late Monday suggesting they report to work today. He said players were told they should be granted access under normal circumstances and if they are denied access the teams would be in violation of the judge's ruling.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the NFL Network that any player who shows up to team facilities will be allowed in.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said players were eager to resume court-ordered mediation to resolve the fight.

In a room packed with lawyers, players and league officials, Nelson denied the contention of NFL lawyer David Boies that she shouldn't have jurisdiction over a labor dispute with an unfair negotiation charge against the players pending with the National Labor Relations Board.

Nelson recognized the NFLPA's decision to "de-unionize" as legitimate because it has "serious consequences" for the players.

Nelson declared that players are likely to suffer harm by the lockout, a legal requirement for granting the injunction, and wrote that they're feeling the hurt now.

She cited their short careers, arguing that monetary damages wouldn't be enough relief.

Nelson didn't tackle the issue of the antitrust lawsuit filed last month when the union broke up.

Seth Borden, a labor law expert at McKenna, Long and Aldridge in New York, emphasized that Nelson stuck to one topic in a multifaceted dispute.

"The judge was very clear that the ultimate resolution of the players' claims against the league is not dealt with in this," he said. "Only one issue she has addressed here: whether or not the effort of the owners to disallow the players from playing at this time potentially violates the antitrust laws. It certainly tilts some leverage back toward the players."

If the injunction is upheld, the NFL must resume business. It could invoke 2010 rules for free agency, meaning players would need six seasons of service before becoming unrestricted free agents when their contracts expire, instead of four years. The requirement for restricted free agents would be four years, and there would be no salary cap.

In a statement, the NFL again argued its belief that "federal law bars injunctions in labor disputes" and expressed confidence the appeals court would agree.

"But we also believe that this dispute will inevitably end with a collective bargaining agreement, which would be in the best interests of players, clubs and fans. We can reach a fair agreement only if we continue negotiations toward that goal," the NFL said.

Players and owners are scheduled to meet again May 16.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

. Up next

at Twins

Tonight-Thursday

What's new: 1B Justin Morneau, below, returned to the lineup over the weekend with a pair of two-hit games after missing five with a flu he caught in St. Petersburg. LF Delmon Young, a former Ray, is expected back tonight after missing five games with sore ribs and the flu. Michael Cuddyer has become the regular second baseman, allowing the Twins to have him, Jason Kubel and DH Jim Thome in the lineup together. Joe Nathan, who took himself out of the closer's role after struggling at the Trop, looked sharp again in a ninth-inning assignment Sunday. C Joe Mauer remains on the DL.

Key stat: The Twins scored five or fewer runs in each of their first 19 games, just the fifth team overall, and first since the 1972 Brewers, to be that inoffensive that deep into the season.

Connections: Young is a former Ray; Twins CF Denard Span is a Tampa Catholic product. Rays 1B Dan Johnson is a native Minnesotan.

Series history: The Twins lead 57-47 all time and 32-20 in Minnesota, though the Rays were 3-1 at Target Field last season.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

Classic Wide World of Sports: 7 p.m. on ESPN Classic. A marathon of the old ABC show, which debuted 50 years ago this month.

E:60: 7 p.m. on ESPN. The latest episode of the news magazine includes features on White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.

Bill Parcells' Draft Confidential: 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. Mike Tirico hosts as the former NFL coach shares his strategy for and philosophy of the draft.

By Ed Walker, Times Correspondent
Monday, April 25, 2011

Bait trouble: Continuing bait problems have forced anglers in the North Suncoast to fish with alternative baits. For reasons unknown, the scaled sardines that are normally abundant this time of year have been hard to come by on the grass flats. While diving a few miles offshore, we have discovered big schools of scaled sardines hugging the bottom over rock piles, but they have been difficult to catch in quantity.

Switching it up: Threadfin herring have been fairly abundant around the gulf passes. Though they are a bit larger than most flats anglers prefer, they do work well for jumbo speckled trout, snook and redfish. Look for them rippling the surface along the channel edges where the gulf meets the bay water. Jigging a No. 8 Sabiki rig with a 1-ounce sinker tied to the bottom of it will get you two or three threaders per cast. Be careful not to put too many threaders into the livewell. They need lots of oxygen and die quickly when stressed.

The old standby: Live pinfish are usually not the top choice for inshore guides, but with bait being tough this year, many of those guides have been fishing with them more. There is no shortage of pinfish on the flats, though catching them with a cast net is not the most efficient technique. I have several pinfish traps I pull every morning on my way to the dock. Lately they have produced 150 small to medium pinfish.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at info@lighttacklecharters.com or (727) 944-3474.

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

The situation

While almost everyone has the Bucs taking a defensive end with the 20th overall pick, consider this: protecting franchise QB Josh Freeman, left, is a priority. This is a pretty good draft for offensive linemen, and the Bucs can't predict the future of G Davin Joseph and T Jeremy Trueblood, both free agents. Re-signing Joseph is a priority whenever the free agent period begins. Trueblood, who missed a month with a knee sprain, lost his starting right tackle job to James Lee. The Bucs had good contributions from rookie Gs Ted Larsen and Derek Hardman. If C Jeff Faine, who has missed 12 games in the past two seasons with an assortment of injuries, is healthy, Jeremy Zuttah can return to guard. Pro Bowl LT Donald Penn is the only offensive lineman to start all 16 games for the Bucs in 2010. General manager Mark Dominik has studied the Colts and Patriots and knows how those teams invest in the offensive line to protect QBs Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, respectively.

What they're looking for

The Bucs could benefit from selecting an offensive lineman at any position except center. Right tackle is a concern despite Lee's improvement. Pass protection for Freeman comes to mind, but a solid run blocker can make his job easier.

Fitting the bill

The Bucs have had success drafting Wisconsin offensive linemen; LT Paul Gruber, the fourth overall pick in 1988 and a mainstay for 12 seasons, comes to mind. The Badgers pump out blocking talent. Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, left, is battle tested and could play right tackle or guard if he falls to the Bucs.

Top 10 prospects

Best guess

Because the Bucs have to generate a better pass rush, it's hard to fathom not drafting a defensive end in the first round. But there are quality choices on the offensive line in the later rounds. A player like Wisconsin's John Moffitt makes sense in Rounds 2-3.

Rick Stroud, Times staff writer

Monday, April 25, 2011

Two Patriots sign with Los Angeles Valley College

Pinellas Park's Chris Bonny and Wilbert Knight signed with Los Angeles Valley College this past week, Patriots coach Ken Crawford said.

Bonny and Knight both played on the offensive and defensive line. Bonny was selected to the Pinellas Senior All-Star Game last season. Knight broke his hand and missed the last few games in 2010.

They helped the Patriots finish 5-5.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

Quote of the day

"It's just a nice little bear hug just like the one you get from your grandpa."

James Shields, offering further explanation of the hugging ritual between him and David Price

Rays at Twins

When/where: 8:10 tonight; Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS

RH Wade Davis (2-2, 2.73)

TWINS

LH Francisco Liriano (1-3, 7.40)

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis beat the Twins at home April 15 and the White Sox on April 20, allowing one run over seven innings both time, working with less velocity and more command. His prior start at Target Field didn't go well as he allowed three homers, two to Jim Thome. Overall he is 1-0, 5.71 in three starts vs. the Twins.

Frank approach: Liriano hasn't been as sharp as during his 13-10, 3.62 2010 season, but he's getting there based on his last outing in Baltimore on Monday. A Friday rainout pushed him back until tonight, and for good reason: He is 2-1, 2.16 in five starts vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Liriano

Kelly Shoppach 4-for-14

B.J. Upton 4-for-11

Ben Zobrist 1-for-7

Twins vs. Davis

Michael Cuddyer 2-for-8

Jim Thome 2-for-4, 2 HRs

Delmon Young 3-for-8

On deck

Wednesday: at Twins, 8:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (0-3, 7.08); Twins — Nick Blackburn (1-3. 4.01)

Thursday: at Twins, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.32); Twins — Scott Baker (1-2, 3.24)

Friday: vs. Angels, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (3-2, 3.19); Angels — Ervin Santana (0-3, 5.51)

Saturday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (2-1, 2.35); Angels — Jered Weaver (5-0, 1.23)

Happy homecoming

1B Dan Johnson said he greatly enjoys playing at home in Minnesota (which he last did in 2007 with Oakland) and seeing all the friends and relatives who come out to the games. It was just paying for the tickets that was a bit problematic and something he won't do again. "It crushed me," he said. "I think we left 200-some tickets one game and 175 another. So it ended up being like a lot — especially when it's coming out of your paycheck."

Rankings of the day

2-3-13 Rays ranks among AL teams in fielding percentage, ERA and batting average.

Damon's hit list

A look at where Johnny Damon stands on the all-time list:

75. Steve Garvey 2,599

76. Ed Delahanty 2,593

77. Luis Gonzalez 2,591

78. Johnny Damon2,590

79. Julio Franco 2,586

80. Reggie Jackson 2,584

Source: Stats, Inc.

First things first

Remember that talk a couple of weeks ago about the Rays hitters being more aggressive earlier in the count? Well, it has worked out pretty well. While the Rays rank 27th overall in the majors with a .227 average, when they put the first pitch in play, they have a .391 average, tied with the Royals for second in the majors behind the Brewers (.394). The problem? On all other pitches, the Rays are hitting .205.

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

NEW YORK — Former Rangers president J. Thomas Schieffer was hired by commissioner Bud Selig on Monday to run the Dodgers, less than a week after Major League Baseball took over operation of the franchise from owner Frank McCourt.

Schieffer, younger brother of Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer, took over immediately. In seizing control of the franchise, MLB told the Dodgers that any expenditure of $5,000 or more would have to be approved.

Schieffer, 63, served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives in the 1970s after being elected at age 25. President George W. Bush appointed him ambassador to Australia in 2001, a job held until he became ambassador to Japan from 2005 to 2009. In business, Schieffer managed investments in oil and gas.

"Tom is a distinguished public servant who has represented the nation with excellence and has demonstrated extraordinary leadership throughout his career," Selig said in a statement.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the appointment wouldn't affect his team's approach.

Meanwhile, Dodgers C and former Ray Dioner Navarro, out since mid March with a strained oblique, was activated from the disabled list. C A.J. Ellis was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

DUKES ARRESTED: Troubled former Rays OF Elijah Dukes was arrested Sunday on an exit ramp of I-75 in Tampa and charged with driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license. Dukes, 26, was released from Hillsborough County Jail on a $250 bond.

A'S: RH reliever Michael Wuertz was activated from the 15-day disabled list, and LHP Bobby Cramer was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

D'BACKS: INF Willie Bloomquist went on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. Former Rays INF Josh Wilson was called up from Triple-A Reno.

PHILLIES: A second exam on RH reliever Jose Contreras' strained right forearm was "more positive" than the first, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. An MRI exam is scheduled for today.

RANGERS: RHP Brandon Webb, still trying to come back from right shoulder surgery in 2009, needed 16 pitches to get through two perfect innings in an extended spring training game. RHP Tommy Hunter, who sustained a right groin strain in spring training, threw live batting practice.

YANKEES: RHP Phil Hughes, on the disabled list because of a "dead arm," had a setback in his rehabilitation, cutting short a bullpen session after about a dozen pitches.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — RHP James Shields planned to keep a couple of balls and the lineup cards as memorabilia from his back-to-back complete game victories. Now he'll have another souvenir: the American League player of the week award and the Game Time watch that comes with it.

Shields was honored for his stellar performances, beating the White Sox 2-1 for his first win since August then coming back Sunday to shut out the Blue Jays 2-0. For two games, he allowed eight hits (and a .138 average), struck out 16, walked only three and threw 200 pitches total.

With the improvement considered a direct result of a spring training change in his delivery, Shields (2-1, 2.35) believes he can keep pitching this way.

"I feel like I go out and give the team a chance to win every fifth day, but yeah, I'm feeling really good right now," Shields said Sunday. "I'm going to try to stay even-keeled and stay as consistent as I can."

The weekly award was Shields' second; he also won in April 2008 for beating Toronto and Boston. And it was the second straight for a Rays player, as Johnny Damon was co-player of the previous week with Angels RHP Dan Haren.

MINNESOTA NICE: 1B Dan Johnson is looking for something to change after a career-worst start that has him sporting a .131 average, lowest of any player in the majors with at least 60 at-bats.

He's banking that four days at his home just outside Minneapolis, hanging out with sons Kaden and Blake, eating his wife Holly's most-excellent cooking, sleeping in his own bed and visiting with friends and other relatives, can make a difference.

"Hopefully getting home will change up the karma a bit and make everything good," he said.

What's most frustrating, Johnson said, is how well he feels he has been swinging and how bad his luck has been on balls he hits.

"It's been horrendous," he said. "I don't comprehend it. I can't figure it out. I went through a stretch where I was just lining out almost every time, then I got hit in the hand and had like four days off and then I had to get the swing going again. … It feels like there's been 40 guys out there fielding them."

J.P. DUTY: LHP J.P. Howell had a second successful rehab appearance for the extended spring training team, allowing two hits and striking out three over 11/3 innings and throwing 17 of his 25 pitches for strikes.

"Good day, glad to pass another test," Howell texted. "With each step more happiness."

Howell, nearing recovery from May 2010 shoulder surgery, now moves up to the Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs, with plans to start Thursday's game in Port Charlotte, throwing up to 30 pitches. He is expected to rejoin the Rays around May 16-17.

ON TARGET: Manager Joe Maddon is a big fan of Target Field, and not just because the Rays went 3-1 there in its inaugural 2010 season. Maddon likes the look, the layout and the vibe created around the downtown ballpark, dropping a subtle hint regarding the Rays' future.

"Loved it," he said. "Except for a little bit of glare (off the buildings), they did a really good job. The small footprint downtown I think would look really good in other parts of the United States as well. I was very impressed with the facility."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning goaltender Dwayne Roloson was asked if his spectacular three-save sequence Monday night was a product of anticipation or skill.

"You forgot to mention luck," he said. "I just tried to get whatever I could on the puck."

The saves and Steve Downie's winning goal 22 seconds later were the focal point of Tampa Bay's 4-2 victory over the Penguins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, a win that for the second time saved the Lightning from elimination.

With the best-of-seven series tied at three games apiece, a Game 7 showdown is Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

"We've just played two Game 7s," coach Guy Boucher said. "That fifth game was a do-or-die for us, and that sixth game was do-or-die. The seventh game for us is do-or-die."

Downie, whose goal 4:55 into the third broke a 2-2 tie, added two assists. Sean Bergenheim, Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone had goals, with Malone's coming at 9:34 of the third on a breakaway in which he slapped the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury.

The penalty kill maintained its hold on Pittsburgh's power play, going 5-for-5 and 29-of-30 in the series, and the team blocked 26 shots (defensemen Eric Brewer and Brett Clark had six each).

But the Penguins — who scored first and became the first team in this series to do that and lose — shot themselves in the foot, too, especially right wing Chris Conner, who 9:10 into the second period and with the Penguins trailing 2-1 flubbed a penalty shot as the puck rolled off his stick.

"They have some momentum on us now," Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang said. "They're playing great, and they're playing within their system. We have to regroup, have to make sure we're ready to go and play our best game of the year."

The Roloson-Downie sequence was the Lightning highlight.

Roloson, who had 27 saves and whose .941 save percentage is second in the playoffs, stopped Max Talbot twice (forehand, backhand) from in close and then Pascal Dupuis.

The sequence took seven seconds, had the sellout crowd of 20,309 at the St. Pete Times Forum howling and came less than a minute after Jordan Staal's screened shot tied the score 2-2.

Downie's first playoff goal came off a pass from Vinny Lecavalier and was helped by Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek, who slid into the leg of Fleury as he tried to cover the puck Downie shot from in close.

"We stuck to our game plan and played disciplined," Downie said. "It was an all-around effort."

With some skill and a little bit of luck as well.

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

TAMPA — It's one of hockey's least glamorous jobs. Yet, it very well might win the Lightning this first-round series against the Penguins.

The Lightning's penalty killers continued to shut down the Penguins' power play Monday, killing off all five of Pittsburgh's five-on-four advantages in Tampa Bay's 4-2 victory. And the totals for the series are stunning: the Penguins have been on the power play 30 times and have one goal. Considering the series is now headed to a winner-take-all Game 7, one can suggest that if the Lightning penalty-killers hadn't been this proficient, the Lightning would be packing up for the offseason instead of packing for Pittsburgh.

"Our penalty-killers have been on the same page," the Lightning's Dominic Moore said, "and we've been really reacting well together."

They reacted best in the second period Monday night, killing off four power plays, including three in a 12-minute span just after the Lightning had taken a 2-1 lead. The penalty-killers then put the clamps down with the Lightning nursing a 3-2 lead in the third.

Led by Sean Bergenheim, Adam Hall, Nate Thompson, Moore and defensemen Mattias Ohlund, Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman, the Lightning has turned the Penguins' power play into a nonfactor. Well, those players and goalie Dwayne Roloson.

"Your best penalty-killer has got to be your goalie," Thompson said.

"Roli has been awesome," Brewer said.

But Roloson hasn't need to be spectacular because the penalty killers have been that good.

"I think the biggest thing is when they come into the zone, we make them dump it in," Thompson said. "We're taking away their time and space and not letting them set up. So, it's that and blocking shots."

Thompson led all Lightning forwards Monday night with four blocked shots, all on wicked slap shots from only a few feet away.

"There is no mentality to it," Thompson said with a laugh. "It's just what you have to do. This is playoffs. You have to be willing to sacrifice your body and block the shot with whatever you can. Every guy is willing to do that."

All of this should come as no surprise. The Lightning was ranked among the NHL's top five in killing penalties for most of the season and finished eighth overall. In these playoffs, the Lightning is second, only because Montreal's penalty-killers are 15-for-15.

"Now," Moore said, "we've got to continue to do it."

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

White Sox 2, Yankees 0

NEW YORK — Phil Humber held the Yankees hitless until Alex Rodriguez grounded a single up the middle with one out in the seventh inning, and the White Sox made the effort stand up to win for the second time in 12 games. Chicago snapped a 23-inning scoring drought in the fourth when Carlos Quentin doubled and scored on Adam Dunn's grounder. The White Sox added a run in the ninth after a popup fell behind the mound in front of charging shortstop Derek Jeter.

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

Figure Skating

Japan's Kozuka wins qualifying

MOSCOW — It seemed only fitting that when the world championships finally got under way, a Japanese skater was atop the standings.

Takahiko Kozuka easily won the men's qualifying Monday at the world championships, which were moved from Japan after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that has left 27,000 people dead or missing. Worlds were scheduled to begin March 21 in Tokyo, and the International Skating Union didn't announce a new venue until March 24.

"Even though this is the qualifying round, it is another competition. So I felt nervous," said Kozuka, among the favorites for the men's title after winning the bronze medal at the Grand Prix final. "But I felt very comfortable to skate my whole long program. It was a good experience before the final."

The top 12 in qualifying advanced to Wednesday's short program, joining the 18 direct entries.

Qualifying continues today for ice dance and the women.

Kozuka finished almost 30 points ahead of Sweden's Alexander Majorov despite putting a hand down on his quadruple toe loop. He did eight clean triples, including two triple axels, and finished with 165 points. Michal Brezina of the Czech Republic was third (130.87).

Tennis

Top seed Youzhny wins at BMW Open

Mikhail Youzhny opened his BMW Open title defense with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over wild card Matthias Bachinger in Munich.

Youzhny is seeded first at the tournament, where he was twice runnerup.

In other first-round matches, fourth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis defeated Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7-2), 6-3; sixth-seeded Sergiy Stakhovsky advanced when Denis Istomin quit while trailing 5-1; and Horacio Zeballos defeated Robert Kendrick 6-4, 6-4.

Barcelona open: Magdalena Rybarikova upset top-seeded Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-1 in the opening round. The 72nd-ranked Rybarikova broke the 2007 Wimbledon runnerup twice in the first set and three times in the second.

Jurisprudence

Commonwealth organizer jailed

The spiraling investigation into India's troubled Commonwealth Games landed its chief organizer behind bars in New Delhi — a long-anticipated arrest after months of allegations and cries of corruption over the event.

India had hoped the two-week international sporting competition in October would boost its role on the world stage. Instead, it was deeply embarrassed by accusations of graft, construction delays and cost overruns as the games' budget ballooned by billions of dollars beyond the $412 million price tag organizers initially estimated.

Reports about filthy athletes' accommodations, unfinished construction projects and security problems further battered the country's image and encouraged scorn against the organizing committee chief, Suresh Kalmadi.

Investigators said the 67-year-old Kalmadi — the highest-ranking official arrested in the case — has been charged with conspiracy, accused of favoring a Swiss company in the purchase of equipment for timing and scoring events.

Times wires

Times staff, wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a sharply worded rebuke of Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, the NCAA on Monday accused him of withholding information and lying to keep players on the field who had accepted improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor.

In a "notice of allegations" sent to the school, the NCAA said the violations relating to Tressel, 58, are considered potentially major. Ohio State was not cited for the most serious institutional breach because Tressel hid information from his superiors for more than nine months.

In a 13-page indictment of Tressel's behavior, the NCAA said Tressel, Ohio State's coach for 11 seasons, permitted players to compete while ineligible; "failed to deport himself … (with) honesty and integrity," and lied when he filled out a compliance form in September that said he had no knowledge of any violations by any player.

Athletic director Gene Smith said he would not comment until the case is resolved. The university said in a statement the allegations were consistent with what it self-reported to the NCAA on March 8.

Tressel appeared at an awards banquet outside Cleveland on Monday night to accept a coaching award named for his late father, Lee. He ignored reporters' questions.

The university has 90 days to respond to the NCAA's request for information before a scheduled date before the infractions committee Aug. 12.

Ohio State reported the violations last year, then fined itself $250,000 and suspended Tressel for five games next season when it learned Tressel had withheld information.

The allegations revolve around five players found in December to have sold the merchandise to Columbus tattoo parlor owner Edward Rife and were suspended for five games next season, although they were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl. Tressel said later he was alerted to what his players were doing in April 2010 but did not tell school officials until they asked him about it in January, prompting his suspension.

The NCAA said the players — Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting — would not face further penalties.

fiesta bowl: Nine of the 11 members of an NCAA panel that will help decide the scandal-plagued bowl's fate attended a bowl-sponsored retreat in 2008 that included free meals, resort rooms and golf outings, according to an attendee list obtained in a public records request by Playoff PAC, a group that advocates a playoff system. The Postseason Bowl Licensing Subcommittee is scheduled to meet with Fiesta Bowl officials this week to decide whether to revoke the bowl's license. Subcommittee chairman Nick Carparelli, Big East senior associate commissioner and whose name was on the list, said he didn't see any conflict of interest.

Nebraska: Coach Bo Pelini is getting a new five-year contract to ward off teams that might want to hire him, athletic director Tom Osborne said. Pelini gets an immediate $425,000 raise, to $2.775 million, and will earn more than $3 million a year starting in 2014.

Basketball: UF fills last assistant spot

Florida Atlantic assistant Matt McCall will fill the third and final vacancy on Gators coach Billy Donovan's staff.

McCall has spent the past three seasons as an assistant at FAU under Mike Jarvis. He previously spent several years at Florida with its program while earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

"Matt … knows the University of Florida and he knows me," Donovan said. "I felt, in losing three assistant coaches, that it was really important to have a level of familiarity on my staff.''

Times staff writer Antonya English contributed to this report.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

TAMPA — Penguins RW Chris Conner played less than 10 minutes Monday night, but he could have been the star had things gone his way on two big plays.

Conner missed on two great scoring opportunities in the Lightning's 4-2 win in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. He shot wide from the slot on a three-on-one in the second period, and he flubbed a penalty shot seven minutes later.

Conner, a third-line forward, is not known as a scorer, but he had the right idea on his odd-man rush chance, which came with the score tied 1-1. Conner sent a wrist shot toward the left post, appearing to try to catch goalie Dwayne Roloson shifting in the other direction, but the puck slid wide.

Lightning D Victor Hedman, the lone defenseman back, said he got a stick on the shot. "That was a big play," Hedman said. "I just tried to block the shot quick. Roli would have saved it, but it was good to see it go by. It was very close."

Then, with the Penguins down 2-1, Conner was awarded a penalty shot after getting tripped on a breakaway by D Pavel Kubina.

But as Conner skated in on Roloson, he tried to move the puck to his forehand and lost control of it. Because he couldn't start over, Conner retrieved the puck in the left circle and slapped a desperation shot, which was saved by Roloson. Conner was unavailable for comment after the game.

"I've seen stranger things happen than that thing, and it still ends up in the net," Roloson said. "So you've got to stay focused on your job."

SAME PAGE: Coach Guy Boucher called C Sean Bergenheim a warrior and said he has come up in big games all season.

Monday, for the second time this series, Bergenheim scored a key goal, one that put the Lightning ahead 2-1 in the second period. He also had the tying goal late in Game 4 to get the Lightning into overtime, where it lost 3-2.

On the play Monday, Bergenheim scored after taking an impressive no-look pass from C Dominic Moore, who had curled almost around to the other side of the net. Both said chemistry had a lot to do with executing the play.

"I think we've played enough together all season long that we kind of read off each other," Moore said.

EYES CLOSED: RW Ryan Malone sealed the win with a breakaway goal, ripping a slap shot from between the circles past G Marc-Andre Fleury's glove.

"It's one of my go-to's: close my eyes and see where it goes," Malone said.

Malone knows Fleury well; they were teammates in Pittsburgh.

"He's quick and very flexible," Malone said. "I didn't know what I was going to do. I think I tried that before in practice, and he probably saved me a couple times, so he wasn't expecting it."

Malone also said he's not worried about a league review of an elbowing call on him when he hit Penguins F Pascal Dupuis late in the second.

"I don't think that was an elbow," Malone said. "My elbow was at my hip.

"I was pretty shocked (that they called it). … I've done that hit seven days a week and twice on Sunday."

MISCELLANY: RW Teddy Purcell scored his first career playoff goal. He has four points in his past two games. … D Randy Jones, D Matt Smaby, RW Mattias Ritola, C Dana Tyrell, C Blair Jones and G Dustin Tokarski were scratched.

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — The Flyers have their captain for Game 7.

Forward Mike Richards sidestepped a punishing hit instead of delivering one Monday and will be in the lineup for a win-or-else Game 7 tonight against Buffalo in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

That's good news for the Flyers. That's bad for the Sabres, who are seething.

Buffalo wanted Richards suspended by the league for plowing center Tim Connolly headfirst into the boards in Game 6. Connolly, who has a history of head injuries, left the game and will not play tonight. Coach Lindy Ruff said Monday that Connolly was "not doing very good."

Richards was penalized for boarding. In Game 4 he was whistled for a 5-minute major for elbowing Patrick Kaleta. That's two questionable hits too many for Buffalo. Goalie Ryan Miller called Richards reckless.

"The guy who was complaining the most about how we were getting away with murder has delivered two of the dirtiest hits in the series," Miller said. "A blatant elbow to the face, that is something that the league said they were going to try and take away, and driving Tim Connolly headfirst into the boards … it wasn't just a hit. It was a push. It was blatant."

The league didn't punish Richards further, nor did it hold a disciplinary hearing on the hit.

Richards isn't disputing the hit was hard. He's just glad he has the opportunity to play tonight.

Though he said earlier in the series the Sabres got away with "murder" on the ice, Richards wasn't interested in another heated exchange of words. "I'm worried about helping the team out and getting one by the goaltender (today)," he said.

In Connolly's place, the Sabres should have Derek Roy in the lineup for the first time since Dec. 23.

Roy was their leading scorer when he tore a quadriceps. Ruff teased that Roy might not be ready to play. But Roy insisted he'll be in the lineup.

'hawks-canucks: Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis blasted the officiating as one-sided in the West series, which is tied 3-3 after his team blew a 3-0 lead. Game 7 is tonight, with Vancouver facing the possibility of becoming the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after winning the first three games. Gillis cited a number of statistics, but Chicago has a 27-16 advantage in power plays, 22-12 in the past four games. "You can say it's sour grapes," Gillis said. "I'm not sure how you explain that discrepancy." Coach Alain Vigneault, who pulled a stunner in goal in Game 6 by starting backup Cory Schneider, said he will go back to Roberto Luongo tonight. Schneider left the game with cramping in his right leg. … Chicago forward Bryan Bickell had surgery to repair a lacerated wrist tendon and is out tonight. He was injured in Game 2 when he was hit by a skate. He missed Game 3 but played in 4-6.

Best defenseman finalists: The Bruins' Zdeno Chara, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and the Predators' Shea Weber are the finalists for the Norris Trophy. Lidstrom, a six-time winner, was second among defensemen with 62 points. Chara, the 2009 winner, had 44 points and led the league in plus-minus at plus-33. Weber is a finalist for the first time after scoring 48 points. The winner will be announced June 22 at the league's awards ceremony.

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

Pirates 4, Nationals 2

PITTSBURGH — Brandon Wood hit a two-run double in his first game for the Pirates, part of a four-run fourth in front of a sparse crowd at soggy PNC Park. Paul Maholm retired the final 13 batters he faced in seven strong innings as Pittsburgh made up the original series opener that was postponed by rain Friday. Announced paid attendance was 12,457, but only about 2,600 showed up.

Times wires
Monday, April 25, 2011

Marlins 5, Dodgers 4

MIAMI — Omar Infante lined a two-out RBI single that leftfielder Jerry Sands misjudged in the ninth, capping the Marlins' two-run rally. Scott Cousins' two-out grounder scooted under shortstop Jamey Carroll's glove for an error to tie it. Ex-East Lake standout Chris Coghlan, who homered twice, was intentionally walked ahead of Infante's hit.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

Three stars

Steve Downie: The Lightning wing had a hand in three of the team's four goals, including scoring the winner 4:55 into the third period. He assisted on the first two goals.

Nate Thompson: The Lightning center had a great all-around game, from blocking shots on the penalty kill to racking up hits.

Dominic Moore: The Lightning center made a great no-look pass from behind the net after a forecheck to set up Sean Bergenheim's goal in the second period that made it 2-1 Tampa Bay. He also made plays all over the ice.

Quote to note

"These games are so much fun to play. Every single game you have to win. It's that playoff mentality. You do anything you can to win. You would throw yourself headfirst in front of a shot if you have to. I'm just enjoying it very much."

Lightning W Sean Bergenheim, on the playoffs

The series Tied 3-3

Game 1, Penguins 3, Lightning 0: Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury wows.

Game 2, Lightning 5, Penguins 1: Lightning jumps on sluggish Pens early.

Game 3, Penguins 3, Lightning 2: Pens respond fast after Lightning ties it.

Game 4, Penguins 3, Lightning 2 2 OT: James Neal gets the winner 3:38 in.

Game 5, Lightning 8, Penguins 2: Steven Stamkos' two goals lead the rout.

Game 6, Lightning 4, Penguins 2: Steve Downie scores 1:07 after the Pens tie it at 2 in the third. Ryan Malone adds insurance.

Wednesday: at Pittsburgh, TBA, Sun Sports, 970-AM

Pain in the neck

Dustin Tokarski said he felt the blood seeping out of his neck and from under his chin but didn't realize how bad the wound was until he asked teammates on the bench. "I asked them, 'Is it a little cut or is it bad?' " AHL Norfolk's goalie recalled Monday. "Their eyes opened." With the Admirals out of the playoffs, Tokarski and teammates Mattias Ritola and Blair Jones were called up to Tampa Bay. It was the first look at Tokarski since he needed 27 stitches to close the skate-blade gash under his chin and on his neck sustained in an early April game with Hershey. "I heard it was within millimeters to within a quarter of an inch to being pretty bad by an artery," said Tokarski, who next season will wear a plastic extension off his mask to protect his neck. "I was lucky in that regard."

Gimme shelter

Lightning players — if not at the direction, at least at the strong suggestion of coach Guy Boucher — spent Sunday night at a hotel near the St. Pete Times Forum. The idea, W Sean Bergenheim said, was to give Game 6 more of a road-game feel. "The coach wanted us to have the mentality we had in those games," Bergenheim said of Tampa Bay's two victories at Pittsburgh. "Kind of shake things up a little bit." "I've been part of that as a player," said Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, who then wondered about the Lightning considering themselves the road team. "They didn't go as far as to give the gate ticket revenues to us, did they? Still a home game for them."

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 25, 2011

Boucher: Stamkos' eye possibly poked

The details are sketchy, but Lightning coach Guy Boucher said he saw Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik try to at least poke an eye of center Steven Stamkos.

Boucher refused to elaborate. He said it happened during a scrum in front of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury 5:26 into the third period that resulted in roughing penalties to the Lightning's Victor Hedman and Pittsburgh's Chris Kunitz, and a goalie interference penalty on the Lightning's Ryan Malone.

Stamkos declined to comment. The Penguins were gone by the time Boucher spoke. It is believed Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will speak to the league.

Damian Cristodero, Times staff writer