By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — When FC Tampa Bay's schedule was released, the prospect of playing five of its first six games at Al Lang Field was a cause for excitement. It offered the perfect opportunity to start the season with momentum.

But following Wednesday's 1-1 draw with FC Edmonton, in which FC Tampa Bay allowed the tying goal in the final moments of extra time, the club must hope its fortunes improve on the road.

FC Tampa Bay (1-2-3) takes to the road with just six points and a five-game winless streak.

"We brought it on ourselves," FC Tampa Bay coach Ricky Hill said. "I felt we played poorly as a team overall and made elementary mistakes at certain times, which brought unnecessary pressure on ourselves. I don't have any grumble with the actual score because I don't think we deserved any more than that."

At the half, Hill chastised his team for sloppy play, saying it was the poorest 45 minutes of the season.

"I'm glad the camera wasn't on in the dressing room at halftime and you weren't in there," Hill told reporters after the game, "because you'd have a better story to tell — and justifiably so. It was not acceptable."

His squad answered in front of an announced crowd of 1,775 with a Chad Burt score in the 51st minute. But it allowed an equalizer in the final seconds of the four-minute injury time.

Rookie goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, a Countryside High and USF alum, was moments away from his first win, making seven saves on 22 shots. But a free kick deflected in the box to Chris Kooy, who put a shot from 2 yards inside the far post to keep first-year Edmonton (3-0-3) unbeaten.

"Throughout the season, I think our story's been that we've played well but we've been unlucky," Attinella said. "I think we have to start taking it the other way. We didn't play well enough to win. The last minute of the game, they can't score no matter what the situation is. We played well for 93 minutes, but the 94th killed us."

Burt, a Northeast High grad, scored on a left-footed shot off a centering header from Pascal Millien.

FC Tampa Bay now plays three of its next four on the road.

"We're almost a quarter of the way through the season now," Burt said. "Sports is about winning, and we have to win."

Eduardo A. Encina can be reached at eencina@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

ATLANTA — Ian Desmond hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the 11th inning, Jayson Werth followed with a two-run homer and the Nationals beat the Braves 7-3 on Wednesday night.

Alex Cora drove in two with a bases-loaded single in the ninth as Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel blew a 3-1 lead. Washington improved to 5-1 in extra-innings games.

Atlanta's Eric Hinske, the former Ray, homered in the seventh in his first start of the season in right. He filled in for injured Jason Heyward.

With one out in the 11th, Scott Linebrink hit pinch-hitter Ivan Rodriguez with a pitch. With Rodriguez running, Cora singled to right, sending Rodriguez to third.

Desmond drove in both with his double down the third-base line. Werth followed with his sixth homer.

Brian McCann's two-run double in the first gave Atlanta the lead it held until the ninth.

Times wires
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

MIAMI — Behind Boston much of the season. Behind Boston much of the game. No more.

Not only has the Heat caught the Celtics, it has officially gone past them and into the Eastern Conference final.

Vanquishing the team it couldn't beat for so long with a 16-0 run to end the game, Dwyane Wade scored 34, LeBron James put the Heat up for good with a 3-pointer with 2:10 left on the way to a 33-point effort, and Miami topped Boston 97-87 to win its East semifinal series Wednesday night in five games.

James added a series-sealing 3-pointer with 40.4 seconds left, then turned and posed for fans.

"They make you fight for everything," James said. "You can never take the foot off the gas. You can never take a second off against that team."

So he kept playing, all the way to the final second.

A steal and two-handed slam six seconds later for good measure, followed by a Celtics turnover, got the party started.

Boston was done, worn down by a younger, more athletic opponent. The Celtics won the first three meetings this season, then lost five of the final six.

"It was a series that all of us wanted, really since training camp," said coach Erik Spoelstra, whose star-studded roster also includes forward Chris Bosh.

Wade was knocked over into some courtside seats trying to snare the final rebound, but that only prolonged the moment. James knelt in prayer for several seconds, then ran over to embrace Wade.

Next up for Miami: Chicago or Atlanta, in a series that might start as early as Sunday. Chicago leads 3-2.

"It's a great team," James said of Boston. "Like I said, I got the utmost respect for that team. They're the reason why all three of us came together, is because of what they did, that blueprint they had in '08 when they all came together."

Bosh finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds, including head-faking his way past Kevin Garnett for a tying dunk with 2:57 left.

The rest was up to James. He scored the final 10 points.

Ray Allen led Boston with 18 points, and Rajon Rondo finished with six points in 31 minutes, playing with a brace over the still-painful left elbow that he dislocated during Game 3.

"I know we gave a lot in Game 3," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "And I don't know if we could ever get that effort back."

Rivers revealed that he "probably will" return for an eighth season. "I don't believe this team is done," he said.

Center Shaquille O'Neal, who did not play, limped off into an offseason of uncertainty. It was the 40th time in Boston's last 43 games he was unable to play because of a lower-leg injury that derailed his 19th season.

Now the Shaq Watch is on. Whether he will come back is anyone's guess.

"This has been emotionally draining to him, more than you guys would know," Rivers said.

Heat 97, Celtics 87

BOSTON (87): Pierce 5-12 1-1 12, Garnett 6-13 3-8 15, J.O'Neal 1-3 1-1 3, Rondo 3-5 0-0 6, Allen 6-12 1-1 18, Green 3-5 2-2 9, Davis 2-5 2-2 6, Krstic 3-3 2-3 8, West 4-9 2-2 10. Totals 33-67 14-20 87.

MIAMI (97): James 11-20 6-9 33, Bosh 4-9 6-6 14, Anthony 0-3 1-2 1, Bibby 1-3 0-0 3, Wade 13-19 8-15 34, Jones 1-4 0-0 3, Chalmers 1-6 0-0 2, Howard 0-2 5-6 5, Miller 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 32-69 26-38 97.

Boston 24 25 24 14— 87

Miami 16 31 24 26— 97

3-Point Goals—Boston 7-15 (Allen 5-10, Green 1-1, Pierce 1-3, West 0-1), Miami 7-19 (James 5-7, Bibby 1-3, Jones 1-3, Wade 0-1, Miller 0-1, Chalmers 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Boston 36 (Garnett 11), Miami 53 (Bosh 11). Assists—Boston 15 (Pierce 4), Miami 13 (Wade 5). Total Fouls—Boston 25, Miami 19. A—20,208.

Jackson's exit: Coach Phil Jackson informally wrapped up his tenure with the Lakers three days after the two-time champions were swept out of the playoffs by the Mavericks.

The Lakers have no imminent plans to replace him, but Jackson left only the slightest doubt he's done.

"I have no plans to return," Jackson, 65, said. "Today, I'm sure. What it's going to be like in six months, I'm not sure."

Star Kobe Bryant has been vocal in his support of assistant coach Brian Shaw as the next coach, yet he realizes the Buss family has just begun to mull its options. General manager Mitch Kupchak said the Lakers will be "deliberate" in choosing a successor.

"In Los Angeles, typically we hire coaches and they stick with us for a long time, and hopefully win championships," Kupchak said. "We think this team can still win."

All-Rookie team: Clippers forward Blake Griffin was a unanimous choice on the first-team all-rookie team selected by coaches. Griffin was joined by Wizards guard John Wall, Knicks forward Landry Fields, Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Spurs guard Gary Neal.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

CLEVELAND — This time, David Price was only mad at himself.

The four perfect innings he started with against the hot-hitting Indians and the shutout he took into the eighth hardly seemed to matter as Price stood at his locker after the 8-2 win Wednesday, again disappointed that he fell short of a complete game.

"I've got to be able to finish a game better than that," he said. "The eighth and ninth innings right now are what's giving me trouble. I want to be able to finish these games."

No one else in the Rays clubhouse had any complaints with what otherwise was a sterling effort — five hits, seven strikeouts and no walks.

"He was very good," manager Joe Maddon. "Very good."

The Rays are used to seeing such excellence from Price, who earned his fifth win and also got a bruise on his right wrist — with about 10 stitches imprinted from the ball — after being hit by a line drive.

They saw a few other encouraging signs as well on Wednesday as they improved to 21-15 overall, and a major-league-best 20-7 since their 1-8 start:

Three hits from Sam Fuld, who had only three total in his previous 11 games (and 50 at-bats), dropping his average from .350 to .238. With two ground ball singles and a line drive, he had his first three-hit game since April 22 and hiked his average back up to .254.

"That's what he looked like when he got off to that great start," Maddon said. "We've got to get him back more on the ground and on a line and stay out of the air."

Two RBIs from Ben Zobrist, who hadn't driven in a run in 10 games after knocking in 10 during the day-night doubleheader in Minnesota on April 28.

And even a rally-starting bunt single by the now officially suspended-for-two-games B.J. Upton, who doesn't usually drop down in nonsacrifice situations but could benefit greatly from doing so given his speed.

"(Third baseman Jack Hannahan) gave it to me, so I took advantage of it," Upton said. "A lot of times I look down there and they're playing it, and I'm not that great of a bunter. I'll take my chances swinging a bat right now. Maybe I need to get a little bit better at it."

Price was perfect through the first four innings, and smooth in doing so, before allowing a double to Carlos Santana to open the fifth. He notched six more outs, then allowed another double to Asdrubal Cabrera to start the seventh. Then he got three more before doubles to Orlando Cabrera and Matt LaPorta, losing the shutout in the eighth.

"Whether I go eight or nine, I don't want to give up runs right there," Price said.

Price was visibly upset when Maddon took him out of his last start after 82/3, and an earlier one in the ninth. But when he threw 21 pitches in the eighth Wednesday to push his total to 112, and with a key start against the Yankees coming on Monday, he knew what was coming and had no objections.

Maddon has come to understand, and appreciate, Price's quest for perfection, and not take it personally.

"He's just that competitive," Maddon said. "He's a lot of fun in games when he's not pitching. But otherwise he is really competitive — as competitive as any guy I've ever been around."

The night wasn't without some satisfaction for Price, as he ran down Shelley Duncan's pop-up just on the foul side of the first-base line to end the eighth.

"I told everybody I'm catching one fly ball this year," Price said. "So that was my one."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes,com.

Times wires
Thursday, May 12, 2011

NEW YORK — Rookie Eric Hosmer hit his first career homer then delivered the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 11th, sending the Royals to a 4-3 comeback victory over the Yankees on Wednesday night.

Hosmer hit a soaring shot into the second deck in rightfield in the fourth. Wilson Betemit had a tying RBI single in the eighth for Kansas City and Jeff Francoeur drove in a run in the 10th.

Joakim Soria allowed Curtis Granderson's tying RBI single in the bottom of the 10th, but the Royals bounced back to end a seven-game road skid and win for the sixth time when trailing in the eighth inning or later.

New York's Buddy Carlyle walked Chris Getz to lead off the 11th. Luis Ayala came in to face Alcides Escobar, who laid down a sacrifice bunt. Jarrod Dyson followed with an infield single and Melky Cabrera was walked before Hosmer's fly to centerfield.

The Yankees stranded 15 baserunners.

Times wires
Thursday, May 12, 2011

Cubs 11, Cardinals 4

CHICAGO — Former Ray Matt Garza got his first win at Wrigley Field as the Cubs scored their most runs this season. Chicago scored six in the third after a 53-minute rain delay, added four in the fifth and tied a season high with 17 hits, four by Starlin Castro. Garza went five innings in his fifth start at the Cubs' home park.

Times wires
Thursday, May 12, 2011

Giants 4, D'backs 3

SAN FRANCISCO — Andres Torres delivered the go-ahead RBI double, former Ray Aubrey Huff hit a tying home run and the Giants rallied from three down. Miguel Tejada doubled in the sixth to chase starter Armando Galarraga, and scored on Torres' double off Juan Gutierrez. San Francisco is four games over .500 for the first time this season.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

The Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday announced the signing of prospect Richard Panik to a three-year deal. The contract is believed worth $2.2 million if he plays in the NHL.

Panik, 20, a 6-foot-1, 218-pound right wing drafted 52nd overall in 2009, had 27 goals, 56 points in 51 games last season for Belleville and Guelph of the Ontario junior league.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

USF Bulls freshman quarterback Jamius Gunsby, who had stepped away from the Bulls' football team in the middle of spring drills to focus on his schoolwork, has transferred to Georgia Military College, where he'll play with the hopes of transferring to another major-college program.

"He's an outstanding athlete, tall, quick, with a big arm, and if he applies himself, he can challenge for our quarterback job," said GMC coach Bert Williams, who signed Gunsby on Wednesday. "We'll bring him in at quarterback and see what he can do for us."

Gunsby, from LaGrange, Ga., redshirted in his only year with the Bulls, falling behind another true freshman, then-walk-on Bobby Eveld, last fall in battling for the backup job to starter B.J. Daniels. This spring, challenged by early enrollee Matt Floyd for the Bulls' No. 3 job, he went to Bulls coaches halfway through spring saying he needed more time to focus on his classwork.

Williams said he did not know whether Gunsby would need one or two seasons at GMC before he could graduate and transfer to another program. The small college in Milledgeville, Ga., is probably best known to USF football fans as one of the schools that former Bulls running back Andre Hall attended before joining the Bulls in 2004.

With Gunsby's departure, USF again has only three quarterbacks on scholarship -- Daniels will be a junior this fall, and Eveld, who was placed on scholarship in December, is a rising sophomore; Floyd will be the No. 3 quarterback in his first fall with the Bulls. He's the third scholarship player to transfer from the Bulls this spring, following receiver T.J. Knowles and fullback Chase Griffiths, though none of the three saw enough playing time to earn a letter last fall.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

CLEVELAND — Rays manager Joe Maddon is usually all about the process, the how sometimes mattering even more than the what, and he had plenty to discuss after Thursday's 7-4 matinee win over the Indians.

There were seven solid innings from James Shields, plus a pair of pickoffs. A faith-rewarding clutch hit by Reid Brignac. The perfectly executed squeeze bunt by Elliot Johnson. A pair of ninth-inning "jug" runs delivered by Evan Longoria. More solid work from the bullpen.

But Maddon also acknowledged the significance of the accomplishment, as the Rays came into Cleveland, where they had lost 18 straight until winning twice in July, and took two of three from the surprising Indians, who have the best record in the American League and top home mark in the majors.

"If you're looking for a little bit of a litmus test, there it was," Maddon said. "Where are we at right now? How we doing? Played three good games in Baltimore, come here and lose a really tough game on the first night and then come back and beat them two games in their own yard, which is not an easy thing to do this year, or historically for us. So for a whole bunch of different reasons, I'm really pleased with our guys."

Since a 1-8 start that seems forever ago, the Rays are a major-league best 21-7. And — though they'll see the Yankees for the first time on Monday, and have faced only one other above-.500 team (the Angels) — they are starting to believe in the possibilities.

"The way we're playing right now, I think we can go and play against anybody," reliever Joel Peralta said. "The last couple weeks we've finally put the good hitting, defense and pitching together, which didn't happen early in the season. And the bullpen has been really good, and it was supposed to be the question mark of the team.

"Definitely, it's been fun. It's been awesome. We can compete with anybody right now."

Added DH Johnny Damon, a veteran of seven playoff teams: "I like what I see."

The Rays won Thursday's game their way — with a big game from their starter and lots of little things all around the field.

Shields ran his winning streak to four over his past six starts, with a 1.33 along the way, by blanking the Indians through five. And when they scored a couple off him in the sixth, he took care of ending the rally himself, picking Orlando Cabrera off second. After he nabbed Michael Brantley earlier, Shields shared the major-league lead with Oakland's Brett Anderson with five.

"They were big," Shields said.

Maddon has remained confident in Brignac, who was hitting .183 overall and had gone a team-record 104 at-bats without an extra-base hit, and the young shortstop delivered with a two-run double that sparked their four-run second.

"Hopefully this will get me going," Brignac said. "I know I hadn't had an extra-base hit all season, so a little monkey's been on my back."

The Rays added to the lead in the fifth when Johnson delivered — "beautifully" — on Maddon's go-to play, the squeeze bunt with men on first and third and one out. Then Longoria, hit by a pitch for the second straight game, delivered two more with a ninth-inning double. And Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth teamed for the final six outs.

"To be a playoff team, which we believe we are, you can't beat yourself," Maddon said. "You have to do the little things well."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

CLEVELAND — Rays manager Joe Maddon is usually all about the process, the how sometimes mattering even more than the what, and he had plenty to discuss after Thursday's 7-4 matinee win over the Indians.

There were seven solid innings from starter James Shields, plus a pair of pickoffs. A faith-rewarding clutch hit by shortstop Reid Brignac. The perfectly executed squeeze bunt by second baseman Elliot Johnson. A pair of ninth-inning runs delivered by third baseman Evan Longoria. More solid work from the bullpen.

But Maddon also acknowledged the significance of the accomplishment, as the Rays came into Cleveland, where they had lost 18 straight until winning twice in July, and took two of three from the surprising Indians, who have the best record in the American League and top home mark in the majors.

"If you're looking for a little bit of a litmus test, there it was," Maddon said. "Where are we at right now? How we doing? Played three good games in Baltimore, come here and lose a really tough game on the first night and then come back and beat them two games in their own yard, which is not an easy thing to do this year, or historically for us. So for a whole bunch of different reasons, I'm really pleased with our guys."

Since a 1-8 start that seems forever ago, the Rays are a major-league-best 21-7 and alone atop the AL East. And — though they'll see the Yankees for the first time on Monday and have faced only one other above-.500 team (Angels) — they are starting to believe in the possibilities.

"The way we're playing right now, I think we can go and play against anybody," reliever Joel Peralta said. "The last couple weeks we've finally put the good hitting, defense and pitching together, which didn't happen early in the season. And the bullpen has been really good, and it was supposed to be the question mark of the team.

"Definitely, it's been fun. It's been awesome. We can compete with anybody right now."

Added DH Johnny Damon, a veteran of seven playoff teams, "I like what I see."

The Rays won Thursday's game their way: a big game from their starter and lots of little things all around the field.

Shields ran his winning streak to four over his past six starts, with a 1.33 ERA along the way, by blanking the Indians through five innings. And when they scored a couple of runs off him in the sixth, he took care of ending the rally himself, picking Orlando Cabrera off second. After he nabbed Michael Brantley earlier, Shields shared the major-league lead with Oakland's Brett Anderson with five.

"They were big," Shields said.

Maddon has remained confident in Brignac, who was hitting .183 overall and had gone a team-record 104 at-bats without an extra-base hit, and the young shortstop delivered with a two-run double that sparked their four-run second.

"Hopefully this will get me going," Brignac said. "I know I hadn't had an extra-base hit all season, so a little monkey's been on my back."

The Rays added to the lead in the fifth when Johnson delivered — "beautifully" — on Maddon's go-to play, the squeeze bunt with men on first and third and one out. Then Longoria, hit by a pitch for the second straight game, delivered two more runs with a ninth-inning double. And Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth teamed for the final six outs.

"To be a playoff team, which we believe we are, you can't beat yourself," Maddon said. "You have to do the little things well."

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Thursday, May 12, 2011

TAMPA — Imagine being a baseball pitcher and finding out that the 17-inch-wide plate had suddenly shrunk to 8½ inches. Or a hockey player learning that the width of the goal had been cut in half.

Seem outrageous? Welcome to the world of an Arena Football League kicker.

"It's been an adjustment," Storm kicker Kyle Chilton said with a chuckle, "to say the least."

In a league predicated on high-flying offense, knocking the ball through the uprights presents a problem for even the most experienced kickers. Forget about field goals. Extra points sometimes become an adventure.

"It's not as easy as it looks," coach Dave Ewart said. "(The uprights) can look pretty small out there."

A standard NFL crossbar measures 18 feet, 6 inches wide and sits 10 feet off the turf. In the Arena League, the crossbar is just 9 feet across and 15 feet off the ground.

For Chilton, a rookie from Clearwater, the degree of difficulty is ratcheted up even more because of the Storm's current practice conditions. Tampa Bay works out at the Larry Sanders Progress Village, which doesn't have AFL uprights.

"What I usually do is find a light post and try to hit it," Chilton said. "You have to get creative."

The Storm isn't cleared to practice in the St. Pete Times Forum until the Lightning is done with the NHL playoffs. With the way the Lightning is playing, the Storm might wait a while.

But kicking the ball through the narrow uprights isn't the only problem Chilton faces. The entire timing process of the kick is different from the outdoor game due to a shorter snap to the holder. Chilton said that creates a change in body positioning.

"Your plant foot gets to a different spot, so your body angle is different," he said. "You end up being more over top of the ball."

Chilton has had his ups and downs while getting adjusted. He ranks 11th in the league in scoring (44 points) but has struggled with extra points, connecting on just 73 percent.

But Chilton also played a huge part in one of the Storm's wins this season. He connected on a 44-yard field goal as time expired to help Tampa Bay beat the host Soul 51-48 on April 15.

"That felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest," he said. "The guys had all stood by me and picked me up earlier in the season when I was struggling, and to hit that just boosted my confidence so much."

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor
Thursday, May 12, 2011

“I probably received 200 e-mails,” said Taylor, an avid blue-water angler. “Some of them were pretty bad.”

The guest column that triggered the uproar among a small but vocal few was fairly innocuous. R.P. Hite, a fisherman from Apollo Beach, urged his fellow anglers to “support rebuilding of overfished species, protect and enhance water quality and habitats and support proactive ways to prevent overfishing.”

Hite's column also urged anglers to support a more conservative approach to fishery management, which apparently angered the e-mailers.

A subsequent call to action, circulated to members of the local spearfishing community, began: "Meet our new enemy. His name is R.P. Hite." Taylor, the yacht broker, said one of the e-mails referred to Hite, the chief operating officer at Savage Yachts, as a "terrorist."

Hold on a minute. Enemy? Terrorist? Shouldn't these labels be reserved for people who fly planes into buildings?

A little background

The real issue here is grouper, a species often referred to as a "sport fish" but which should be more accurately characterized as a "meat fish." Anglers and spear fishermen don't want to catch and release grouper for sport. They want to catch and kill grouper to eat.

This species is one of Florida's most valuable resources. For years, various members of the grouper family have been targeted by the state's commercial fishing industry and more recently, with increased effectiveness, by the state's recreational anglers.

The nearly dozen species of grouper that have recreational or commercial value are managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, a federal agency many sport fishermen say is too large, cumbersome and slow to act.

Complicating matters is the fact that fisheries management, practiced anywhere in the world, is more art than science. Think about it. How do you count the fish in the sea? The answer is you don't. You "sample" a small percentage of the stock, plug the numbers into a complicated computer model, and make a guesstimate using "the best available science."

Fishery managers probably could come up with a better way to assess fish populations, given unlimited resources, but it is hard to convince elected officials and the public to invest more taxpayer dollars in the process given the fact that we are fighting two foreign wars and digging ourselves out of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

Turning on each other

So recreational anglers wring their hands in frustration, complain about bad science, outdated data and the damage done to the local economy. Occasionally, they also lash out at their own, re: the unfortunate Messieurs Hite and Taylor.

But accusations and innuendo do nothing to further The Cause. In the end, gross hyperbole does more harm than good.

Take, for example, a recent rumor concerning President Barack Obama.

Several talk-show hosts, including Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, repeated information from an online column (which was later deleted) that accused the administration of seeking to ban sportfishing.

The claim was investigated by the St. Petersburg Times' Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact.com team, which gave the statement a "Pants of Fire" rating — a designation awarded the most egregious of factual errors.

But while recreational fishermen argue among themselves about catch rates and who gets what slice of the pie, a far more serious issue has gone relatively unnoticed. The Florida Legislature just gutted the state's growth management laws, a move that could ultimately have a devastating impact on coastal habitat.

Ask any marine biologist or oceanographer to name the No. 1 issue threatening the future of most fish stocks and they will not point to recreational anglers, commercial longliners or spear fishermen. The answer is habitat loss.

Most of our recreational and commercially valuable species spend some point of their life cycle in the estuary. Fish such as grouper need the sea grasses and mangroves to survive. Lose the habitat and we lose our future.

While these words may seem incendiary to some, it is a journalist's job to speak truth to power — which in this case is not the elected officials or federal fishery managers, but you, the recreational angler.

Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach of the Green Bay Packers, had some advice that served him well against complex football defenses, but it can also be applied to the complicated world of modern fisheries management: "People who work together will win."

It is as simple as that.

By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Thursday, May 12, 2011

The West Hernando Cougars youth football and cheerleading program will have registration for the coming season over the next several weeks.

Officials will be at Delta Woods Park on Deltona Boulevard in Spring Hill for sign-ups from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: Sunday, May 22, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, and June 25.

The Cougars' season starts July 11, with a 10-game football schedule. The cheerleaders participate in competitions around the Tampa Bay area.

The football registration fee is $195 per child, with flag football $125. The fee includes rental of pads and a personalized jersey to keep. The cheerleading fee is $225 with a full uniform to keep. There is a $10 for every sibling also registered.

Call Bobby McFarland at (352) 585-6524 or visit westhernandocougars.com.

PHCC CHEERLEADING: Pasco-Hernando Community College will have tryouts for its cheerleading squad at 6 p.m. May 25 in the fitness center at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

Tryout preparation sessions will be at 6 p.m. May 23 and 24. Skills required for the final tryouts will be taught during the preparation period.

Cheerleaders promote school spirit on campus and at all home basketball games. Team members also support additional PHCC athletic programs, host fundraisers and participate in community service projects throughout the year.

Male and female PHCC students, including incoming freshmen, returning sophomores and transfer students in good academic standing, may try out.

For information, visit phcc.edu/athletics/cheerleading.

DUNES WOMEN'S GOLF: The league had its annual member-guest tournament April 14, with 72 golfers participating in a best-ball format.

Members prepared a breakfast, and a catered lunch was provided as well.

The duo that came in first with the low gross score was Dot Cleary and her guest Shari Pfannenstein with a 66. They edged out Betty Richmond and her guest, Nancy Groth, (67) by one shot.

In net scoring, the team of Bev Pickens and guest Pat Saisi placed first. Ruby Foust and Rusty Ryal came in second, with Karen Berch and Ann Piechota rounding out the top three.

Nancy Stewart and Ro Newsome won the member closest-to-the-pin awards, while Groth and Ryal took home the guest closest-to-the-pin awards.

MLB HIT, PITCH & RUN: Brooksville will host the Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition for area youths at 1 p.m. Saturday at Tom Varn Park in Brooksville.

The event is free, but officials ask entrants to arrive early to register. All participants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and fill out a registration/waiver form prior to the start of competition.

Competitors are divided into four age divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 12-14. The winners will have a chance to advance through four levels of competition, including team championships at major league ballparks and the national finals at the 2011 MLB All Star Game.

No child that participated in the event at the Hernando YMCA on May 1 may participate in this event.

For information, call Tina Nichols at (352) 540-3835.

KIWANIS SUPERKIDS TRIATHLON: The third annual Kiwanis SuperKids Triathlon will take place May 21 at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

Limited to the first 200 participants, the event has three age groups: 5-8, 9-12 and 13-18. All who participate will receive an award. There will be swimming, biking and running. Helmets are required for the biking portion.

Sign-in is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 20. Participants should bring their bikes for inspection and overnight securing. The triathlon will begin at 7:15 a.m. the next morning.

For information, visit kidssupertriathlon.com.

HYL FOOTBALL: The Hernando Youth League is beginning registration for the 2011 season.

Teams are available for kids ages 5 to 15. Registration will be June 11 at Ernie Wever Park in Brooksville.

Registration forms are available at leaguelineup.com/hylfootball. Forms must be presented at time of sign-up. The cost is $125, and space is limited.

For information, call Rick Hankins at (352) 346-0000 or send e-mail to popwarnerhernando@gmail.com.

JEROME BROWN GOLF: World Woods Golf Club, north of Brooksville, is hosting the Jerome Brown Golf Classic on June 4, sponsored by Bright House Networks.

Proceeds will benefit the Jerome Brown Youth Foundation. For an entry fee of $65 per golfer, participants get 18 holes, a cart, lunch and a cap. The format is a four-person scramble.

Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon. The shotgun start will be at 1 p.m.

For information, call Dianna Rusk Yoder at (352) 796-2526.

BRITISH SOCCER CAMP: The First Hernando Youth Soccer Club has teamed up with Challenger Sports to host a weeklong British soccer camp July 18 to 22 at Anderson Snow Park in Spring Hill.

Each child will work with a member of the team of more than 1,000 British coaches being flown to the United States exclusively to work with summer programs. Challenger Sports will hold more than 3,000 camps this summer and coach more than 120,000 children between the ages of 3 and 19.

Space is limited, and parents are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible. To attend for a half day from 9 a.m. to noon, the cost is $117 for the week for ages 5 to 18. For a full day, the fee is $165 for ages 10 to 18. Goalkeepers ages 10 to 18 may attend from 5 to 8 p.m. for a cost of $117.

Each camper will receive a T-shirt, soccer ball, poster and a personalized skills evaluation.

For information, call Robert Andreu at (813) 283-4523 or send e-mail to robertandreu@bellsouth.net. To register, visit challengersports.com.

KIWANIS GOLF: The Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks is hosting the 41st annual Brooksville Kiwanis Golf Invitational on June 1.

The cost is $75 per golfer, which includes golf, cart, dinner and prizes. The shotgun start is set for 1 p.m. The format of the tournament is a four-man scramble. First come, first served. The registration deadline is May 20.

Cash prizes, door prizes and prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive will be awarded. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For information, call Barbara Hitzemann at (352) 442-3412 or visit kiwanisclubofbrooksville.org.

To notify us of community sports achievements or coming events, contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

TAMPA — As a teammate of wing Sean Bergenheim's with the Islanders for almost two years, Lightning center Nate Thompson said you could always see his ability was there.

Bergenheim, 27, a former-first round pick, had the speed, the relentlessness, and a scoring touch that dated to his junior days in his native Finland.

"I think it was just a matter of him putting it together," Thompson said.

Bergenheim certainly has this year, especially in the playoffs, where he's tied for the NHL lead with seven goals heading into Saturday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against the Bruins at the TD Garden. He's thrived in the opportunities provided in a "fresh start" with the Lightning after "hitting a wall" during five seasons in New York, where he felt somewhat stuck in a defensive role.

But in a season when Bergenheim's confidence, and minutes, have grown, coach Guy Boucher said the third-liner realized he's not just a "grinder," adapting his game into a more complete player.

And while not many expected Bergenheim to score seven goals in his first 11 postseason games, after having 14 in the regular season, Boucher points out playoff-style hockey is made for the fiesty 5-foot-10, 200-pound Fin.

"When you're in the playoffs, there's no space out there," Boucher said. "You've go to battle it out in small environments and that's exactly where he shines. He's a hustler, he's a guy that gives you everything he's got and goes in headfirst. That's the definition of the playoffs."

Bergenheim gives a lot of credit to his linemates, center Dominic Moore and wing Steve Downie, a trio that Boucher said played as well as the Lightning's top two lines in the Capitals series. But Bergenheim also feels he's able to play more relaxed, while making some adjustments in his positioning that has put him in the right spots.

"He's been a force out there, he's been dominating the games," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "Every time he's on the ice, it seems like something is going to happen."

•••

Bergenheim grew up in Helsinki, Finland, admiring fellow Fin Teemu Selanne, who became a 10-time NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup champion. He remembers, as a kid, sending away trading cards of Pavel Bure and Eric Lindros, and how pumped he was when the star forwards replied with an autograph.

The only hockey hero Bergenheim never saw play was his father, Christian, who was a goalie in a Finland pro hockey league, but quit at age 23. Bergenheim read up on his dad through newspaper articles, and has one of his old jerseys in a frame.

"I wanted to be a goalie, too," he said, smiling.

But Bergenheim turned into a talented forward prospect, getting drafted 22nd overall by the Islanders in 2002. He scored a career-high 15 goals in 2008-09 with New York, but dropped to 10 last year.

"When I came into the NHL, I just wanted to stick," Bergenheim said. "I was in a defensive role, and stayed in that role. Whether if it was maybe I didn't play good enough to deserve more minutes, but I was always put in that role."

With the Lightning, Bergenheim saw his role expanded, including over 84 minutes on the power play (compared to just 12 minutes 21 seconds with New York in 2009-10, albeit in 17 fewer games). And when Tampa Bay's top forwards were hurt, Bergenheim was given a shot to step in.

"Here, you always get the feeling that you can do more, and if you do better, you're going to get more too," he said.

After last season, Bergenheim said he "needed a change," and, it turned out, the Lightning needed a third-line wing. General manager Steve Yzerman said, in scouting the Islanders in previous years as vice president of the Red Wings, said he always noticed Bergenheim, how he was first on the puck. Bergenheim felt it was a "good fit," signing a one-year, $700,000 deal.

What the Lightning got was a bit of a bargain, a checking forward came up big in big games.

"Every time there's been pressure, he's been there and he's been one of our better players," Boucher said. "You know, some people freeze under pressure. Some people fly away from it and some people fight. He fights."

And Bergenheim, so far, has been enjoying the ride.

"The way it's worked out," Bergenheim said. "Has been greater than expected."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

TAMPA — As a teammate of wing Sean Bergenheim with the Islanders for almost two years, Lightning center Nate Thompson said you could always see his ability was there.

Bergenheim, 27, a first-round pick in 2002, had the speed, relentlessness and scoring touch that dated to his junior days in his native Finland.

"I think it was just a matter of him putting it together," Thompson said.

Bergenheim certainly has done that this year, especially in the playoffs, where he's tied for the league lead with seven goals heading into Saturday's Game 1 of the East final against the Bruins. He has thrived in the opportunities provided in a "fresh start" after "hitting a wall" during five seasons in New York, where he felt stuck in a defensive role.

In a season in which Bergenheim's confidence and minutes have grown, coach Guy Boucher said the third-liner realized he's not just a "grinder," becoming a more complete player.

And while not many expected Bergenheim to score seven goals in his first 11 postseason games — after having 14 in the regular season — Boucher points out playoff-style hockey is made for the feisty 5-foot-10, 200-pounder.

"When you're in the playoffs, there's no space out there," Boucher said. "You've got to battle it out in small environments, and that's exactly where he shines. He's a hustler. He's a guy that gives you everything he's got and goes in headfirst. That's the definition of the playoffs."

Bergenheim gives a lot of credit to his linemates, center Dominic Moore and wing Steve Downie, a trio Boucher said played as well as the Lightning's top two lines against the Capitals in the second round. But Bergenheim also believes he's able to play more relaxed while making adjustments in positioning that put him in the right spots.

"He's been a force out there. He's been dominating the games," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "Every time he's on the ice, it seems like something is going to happen."

Bergenheim grew up in Helsinki admiring fellow Finn Teemu Selanne, who became a 10-time All-Star and Stanley Cup champion. He remembers, as a kid, sending away trading cards of Pavel Bure and Eric Lindros and how pumped he was when the star forwards replied with an autograph.

The only hockey hero Bergenheim never saw play was his father, Christian, who was a goalie in a Finnish pro league but quit at age 23. Bergenheim read up on his dad through newspaper articles and has one of his jerseys framed.

"I wanted to be a goalie, too," he said, smiling.

But Bergenheim turned into a talented forward, getting drafted 22nd overall by the Islanders. He scored a career-high 15 goals in 2008-09 but dropped to 10 last season.

"When I came into the NHL, I just wanted to stick," Bergenheim said. "I was in a defensive role and stayed in that role. Maybe I didn't play good enough to deserve more minutes, but I was always put in that role."

With the Lightning, Bergenheim saw his role expanded, including more than 84 minutes on the power play (compared with just 12 minutes, 21 seconds with New York in 2009-10, albeit in 17 fewer games). And when Tampa Bay's top forwards were hurt, Bergenheim was given a shot to step in.

"Here, you always get the feeling that you can do more, and if you do better, you're going to get more, too," he said.

After last season, Bergenheim said he "needed a change." It turned out the Lightning needed a third-line wing. General manager Steve Yzerman, in scouting the Islanders in previous years as vice president of the Red Wings, said he always noticed Bergenheim, how he was first on the puck. Bergenheim felt it was a "good fit," signing a one-year, $700,000 deal.

What the Lightning got was a bit of a bargain, a checking forward who came up big in big games.

"Every time there's been pressure, he's been there, and he's been one of our better players," Boucher said. "Some people freeze under pressure. Some people fly away from it, and some people fight. He fights."

And Bergenheim, so far, has enjoyed the ride.

"The way it's worked out," Bergenheim said, "has been greater than expected."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Steve Papen, Times Correspondent
Thursday, May 12, 2011

What's hot: Red grouper fishing continues to follow a summer trend. Live baits will outproduce frozen baits for the rest of the summer. Although there have been good numbers of legal fish in depths of 70-100 feet, the larger fish have been caught in 130 feet and deeper. Concentrate on spots that have an abrupt depth change or roll-off in the bottom, with a large bait show on the low side of the roll.

Other targets: The annual run of blackfin tuna should reach the area any day now. These fish usually come in right behind the spring kingfish run. Targeting these fish can be tricky, as they are open-water swimmers. Look for fish busting bait on the surface. In most cases there are bonito in these busts, but where there are bonito, there should be tuna. When a school is located, start a steady but light flow of live chummers, such as whitebait or threadfin herring, to keep the fish around the boat. Tuna are what I like to call "fish of opportunity," as they are hard to target but quite easy to catch when you find them.

Kingfish: The end of the run is here. This year's run was a bit slower than previous years, mainly due to water temperatures that changed so much so fast. Kingfish are sensitive to temperature, and they have been known to move as much as 50 miles in a day. Look for some stragglers in depths of 60 feet or more.

Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 or fintasticinc.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

TAMPA — The Lightning ran a drill Thursday at the St. Pete Times Forum in which four of five offensive players went to the front of the net.

Players engaged in two-on-two puck battles. And a breakaway drill also was a two-player race for a loose puck.

"You feel it, for sure, in your lungs," C Steven Stamkos said.

But beyond getting players in shape during what will be a 10-day layoff before the start of Game 1 of the East final on Saturday, the drills were a reminder of how they must play against Boston — by getting bodies in front of G Tim Thomas and gaining control of the puck.

"They have such an outstanding goalie," LW Sean Bergenheim said. "Hopefully we're going to be there for the rebounds."

"Obviously with the battle drills and skating, you're trying to get your game habits to win, especially against Boston," Stamkos said. "They have a great goaltender and a great defense we have to penetrate through. We're going to have to find a way."

The trouble was, C Dominic Moore said, players still are "pretty rusty," and coach Guy Boucher agreed ("not sharp").

Part of that, Boucher said, is "in Tampa, it's sunshine and there are palm trees. It feels like a vacation."

More to the point, though: "You'll never re-create game situations," he said. "You can do all the battling you want, all the skating you want. You'll never get to the level of an NHL playoff game. So the first period for us and for them is going to be a little shocker."

FEELING FINE: LW Simon Gagne, out since the opener of the East semifinal after his head slammed off the ice, said he will not be tentative in Game 1.

"I was ready to come back against Washington," he said. "I've felt good since it happened."

"We've been extremely careful about it," Boucher said. "He's the one who has been trying to push it because he's feeling really, really good. I thought he was flying (Thursday)."

NOT SO FINE: Boucher said he believes D Pavel Kubina (concussion-like symptoms) might play in the series, "but we won't see him at the beginning."

LINEUP: With D Randy Jones (high ankle sprain) playing just a combined 19 minutes, 11 seconds over the past three games, Boucher admitted his spot in the lineup might be an issue.

At the same time, he added, "Right now, we have a winning formula. We don't necessarily want to change that."

SIGNED: Highly regarded prospect Richard Panik signed a three-year deal believed to be worth $2.2 million if he plays in the NHL. The right wing, drafted in the second round (52nd overall) in 2009, had 27 goals and 56 points in 51 games last season for Belleville and Guelph of the Ontario junior league.

WATCH PARTIES: The Lightning will host watch parties at Shots restaurant at the Times Forum and on the West Plaza for Games 1 and 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be free parking in the West and VIP East lots and entertainment on the plaza before the games.

ODDS AND ENDS: A Lightning-themed sand structure will be at Tampa's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park today. Construction is from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. … A banner supporting the team will be hoisted at 11 a.m. today on the side of Tampa's Municipal Office Building. A free lunch will be offered.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 12, 2011

CLEVELAND - So how good did SS Reid Brignac's first extra-base hit of the season feel?

Good enough that after slicing the two-run double to left he didn't know to run hard.

"He kept his head down so well he didn't know where the ball was," manager Joe Maddon said. "We had to yell, "Run, Forrest, run." And then he finally took off."

The first six weeks of Brignac's first season as the everyday shortstop hasn't gone well, and the distinction of being the only player in the majors with at least 50 plate appearances who didn't have an extra-base hit, along with a .183 average, hadn't helped. Going back to a double last September, he'd gone a team-record 104 at-bats and 35 games without an extra-base hit (both marks held by the shortstop he replaced, Jason Bartlett), though he said he wasn't aware of the specifics.

"When I'm going good I don't want to know my stats and when I'm going bad I don't want to know 'em," Brignac said. "I just know they weren't good."

Brignac, the smile returning to his face for the first time in a while, said he's learned from his struggles.

"I've got some tougher skin now," he said. "And I know how it feels to be at the bottom and have to work your way back up to what you expect out of yourself and what your teammates and coaches expect out of you as well."

ORLANDO'S HIT KING: With two hits, DH Johnny Damon tied Sanford's Tim

Raines (and Hall of Famer Rabbit Maranville) for 73rd place on the alltime hit list with 2,605. Damon is excited to pass Raines, whom he has great respect for and considers the hit king of all players who grew up in the Orlando area.

But since Damon already has a key to the city from winning the 2004 World Series, he said it's up to home clubhouse equipment manager Chris Westmoreland to provide the proper souvenir.

"I get a nice ball and a plaque that Westy is going to make up for me," he said.

QUICK WORK: RHP Joel Peralta used his "quick pitch" delivery to get C Carlos Santana looking at strike three, and then looking at umpire John Tumpane in frustration, to end the eighth.

Peralta started doing it last season with Washington and has employed it several times this season, including one that left White Sox 1B Paul Konerko grumbling. "It's been working, so I'll keep doing it," he said.

Added Maddon: "One of those products of winter ball that I love."

UPTON DOWN: CF B.J. Upton said he felt kind of odd watching the win on TV in his hotel room as he served the first of his two-game suspension stemming from his May 4 ejection. "I didn't really know what to do with myself," he said. "But I watched a good baseball game."

Sam Fuld played center in his absence Thursday and is set to do so again tonight, with Matt Joyce in left and Ben Zobrist in right.

J.P. DUTY: LHP J.P. Howell was to make the second of back-to-back appearance for Triple-A Durham on Thursday night, the last significant test in his rehab from May 2010 shoulder surgery. If all goes well, he will pitch again for the Bulls Monday and rejoin the Rays Wednesday or Thursday in Toronto.

PRICE CHECK: LHP David Price had his right wrist wrapped, but said there was no residual issues from being struck by a line drive Wednesday. "He said he's fine," Maddon said. "I think he's just doing that to draw attention to himself."

MISCELLANY: Joyce went 1-for-3 to maintain his average at .358 and hung on to the AL batting lead for a third straight day. ... The Rays 13-5 road record is best in the majors. .. RHP James Shields got his first win in seven tries over the Indians, the lone AL team he hadn't beaten. ... Before tonight's game, the Rays will "retire" the radio call signs of slain St. Petersburg police officers Thomas Baitinger, David Crawford and Jeffrey Yaslowitz. ... Instant replay was used to uphold the call that Asdrubal Cabrera's eighth-inning shot to right was a triple and not a home run. ... As a staff, the Rays have made eight pickoffs, two more than last season's total.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Thursday, May 12, 2011

TAMPA — Officially, there is nothing wrong with Ryan Malone.

The surgically repaired knee? Knee's fine. The muscle tear in his stomach? Old news. And if there was a jagged bone sticking through his skin? Nothing but a flesh wound.

Officially, there is no reason Malone barely practiced this week. No reason he spent more than an hour in the trainer's room while everyone else was dressing on Thursday.

Bumps, bruises and lacerations don't count. Sprains, strains and contusions are occupational hazards.

"That's the price you pay. You wear them with pride," Malone said grinning, after emerging from the trainer's room with a towel around his waist.

"If you're a hockey player and you don't have stitches in your face or a broken nose or you're not missing some teeth, I don't know about you."

And so, today, the gauze comes off. The aspirins are swallowed, the stick is held and the Lightning's biggest forward prepares to take up residence in front of the Boston net.

On a team with some of the NHL's more flashy scorers, Malone is the one-man brute squad. The guy who stands his ground near the crease, and waits for pucks and punches.

That he obviously hurt himself in Game 5 of the Pittsburgh series is irrelevant. His number of shifts are up, and he's scored three goals in his past six games.

"I don't know if the guy knows what pain is, to be honest with you," said Lightning coach Guy Boucher. "He's very courageous going to the net, and blocking shots. Being first on the puck and getting hit hard to make the play happen. That's his trademark. That's who he is. And certainly a lot of our players take a lot from that.

"Before the year started, I heard all kinds of things about how this guy is a warrior. And through the big games this year, I saw it. And in the playoffs, he's just been incredible."

If possible, even more will now be necessary from Malone. The Bruins have size. They have a toughness on defense. They have what may be the hottest goaltender in hockey.

And as quick as Marty St. Louis is, as wicked as Steven Stamkos' shot is, as creative as Vinny Lecavalier is, the Lightning is going to need some garbage goals in this series.

Tampa Bay will need a player who is willing to stand in front of Tim Thomas and block his vision. The Lightning will need someone willing to wait for deflections, rebounds and loose pucks. That is the career Malone, 31, has carved out for himself in the NHL.

"He's been a horse his whole career," Stamkos said. "And that's the kind of guy you need."

It is an odd way to make a living. To invite punishment, and to expect pain. Naturally, Malone says it's not that bad. That, before rule changes, there were more punches in the back of the head and heavy cross checks than today.

If that's true, why don't more guys stand their ground in front of the net?

"The pucks are still coming at you pretty good. It's not usually safe in that area," Malone said. "The way shots come these days, especially with people tipping pucks, sooner or later you're going to get one in the head."

Like the one that broke his nose when he was in the playoffs with the Penguins in 2008? Or the one that broke his jaw when he was playing in Europe during the lockout in '05?

Still, this is the style the 6-foot-4 Malone must play. This is why the Lightning signed him to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract three years ago. And this may be why Tampa Bay struggled so much in March when Malone was sidelined.

Boucher suggested it was no coincidence that Tampa Bay was 32-22 in games Malone played, and 14-14 when he was out of the lineup.

Even though he was limited to a career-low 14 goals, Malone creates scoring opportunities by disrupting the defense in front of the net.

Essentially he plays the puck like a goaltender, moving from side to side to screen the play and be in position to deflect shots. All the while, fending off sticks and shoves.

"You take your beating and you keep moving," Malone said. "The main thing is to keep giving back, and keep going back."

For a moment, Malone is silent. Almost as if he's working out a better explanation in his head. And then the perfect depiction occurs to him.

"My son (Will) is 3, and he's realizing it," Malone said. "He whacked the 1-year-old with his stick across the shin, and then told him, 'It's okay, Cooper. It's hockey.' "

Yes, it certainly is.

John Romano can be reached at romano@sptimes.com.