By Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer


Saturday, May 21, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — Brett Maggard wasn't sure how he would be received by his new teammates on the Hernando baseball team.

Maggard, a left-handed pitcher who spent his first three years at rival Springstead, transferred to Hernando for his senior season. The Leopards returned a large portion of the team that a year earlier won a district championship and advanced to the Class 4A region finals for the first time since 2004.

Maggard had plenty to offer Hernando. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he is a hard-throwing southpaw who averaged at least one strikeout an inning during his junior year at Springstead.

But still, there was uncertainty in Maggard's head surrounding his arrival. Would he be viewed as a hired gun, with no real connection to the team or the players, or would he be accepted into the Hernando family?

"The other players made me feel real comfortable right off the start," said Maggard, who bears the scar from the ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow that robbed him of his sophomore season and shortened his junior year. "It was great. That's how you win ball games, team chemistry."

So far, it has won Hernando 26 games to be precise.

The Leopards will be looking for two more this week at the Class 4A state finals to complete the goal they set at the beginning of the year: winning a state title. The Leopards open Monday in the semifinals against Jesuit, the 4A runnerup a year ago.

"If you can create competition among your players for at-bats and starts, you'll have a solid, competitive team," Hernando coach Tim Sims said.

Maggard, who is 8-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 81 strikeouts this season, was one of four major additions to the Leopards' roster during the offseason.

J.T. Simpson, a right-hander who came in from Central after his grandfather, Mike Ellison, retired as the Bears head baseball coach following the 2010 season, helped solidify the Leopards rotation, going 7-2 with a team-leading 1.21 ERA and 94 strikeouts.

"Last year, they had two solid pitchers," Simpson said. "So coming in, I was hoping I could fill that role and continue to do what they had from last year and just pick it up where it left off. And when I found out Brett was coming over it really boosted our confidence."

Christian Arroyo made the move with Maggard from Springstead and now starts at shortstop. Arroyo, a sophomore, is batting .476 with three home runs and has been hitting fifth in the batting order during the playoff run.

Jake Johnson, a sophomore infielder who played for Nature Coast last season, had been in the five-hole for Hernando and was batting .500 before he dislocated his left wrist in a regular-season game against Wiregrass Ranch.

Johnson likely won't be healthy enough to play again this season. The other three transfers, however, could have a considerable impact on Monday's outcome.

"We all came here really with one main goal from the start, be state champions," Maggard said. "It's been since 1967 since a team from Hernando County has been to the state final four, so we're going at it."

They're not an all-star team from Hernando County.

But they're pretty close.

"That's what everybody's been saying," senior outfielder Ian Townsend said. "We've got to show it at states."

By Andy Villamarzo, Times Correspondent


Saturday, May 21, 2011

At Canterbury

Score

Canterbury 42 , Southwest Florida Christian 7

Spring game-breakers: Southwest Florida Christian, heading into its third season of varsity play, had no answers for Canterbury's ground attack, as the Crusaders piled up 364 yards on 26 carries. … Canterbury running back Brent O'Neal, who will be a senior next season, ran for 236 yards on 10 carries, including touchdown runs of 77, 13 and 58 yards. … Crusaders coach Bill Jones, one of the many new head coaches in Pinellas County making his debut, was pleased with his team's effort and was quick to point out to his players that they ran for more than 300 yards with such a young core returning. Canterbury has to replace five senior starters from a roster of 20 last season. … The Kings got their lone score on a 91-yard kickoff return by running back Bryan Genter in the third quarter to cut the score to 35-7.

Did you know? A scout from Florida International said he was impressed with several Crusaders, including DeSean Thomas, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound rising senior defensive end.

Audible 1: "Good showing for our offensive line today. We had two freshmen starting on the line today, so the future looks bright here at Canterbury." — Jones

Audible 2: "This is one of the better performances we have had. It's a new group, new offensive line, so I really didn't know what to expect today with all the changes." — O'Neal

Andy Villamarzo, Times correspondent

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

James Shields is creative. Rays coaches and catchers rave about all the different ways he throws his pitches, and hitters grumble about the confusing combinations. But he's pretty impressive off the mound, too. He loves to cook, has some musical skills, plays a decent round of golf. (Plus his wife, Ryane, has her own photography biz.) And he has just designed his second T-shirt, which will be given away at Friday's game.

"I think it's pretty cool," Shields said. "It's nice and simple, not as graphic-artsy as the last one. And not as loud. I went for more of a surf-style, more of a laid-back look, more casual. Threw a couple lines and some fades in there. It's a little more on the low side. You've got to go with the trends of what people are wearing these days."

Shields said he got good feedback on last year's version, which featured skulls, flaming baseballs and gothic type. This one plays off the latest "version" of his Big Game nickname, Juego G, which is short for Juego Grande.

Shields provided the design elements, chose from several versions, made several tweaks and had final say, including the color scheme.

"This is all me," he said. "I think people will like it. They liked the last one."

Interleague imbalance

Among the issues Rays manager Joe Maddon, and others, have with interleague play is the further imbalance it adds to the schedule. There are already built-in inequities in having teams from different divisions compete for a wild-card spot based on the current setup, which has the Rays playing 18 games against the Red Sox and Yankees while the Tigers, for example, might be feasting on the Twins and Royals. But while that's a known and transparent flaw, the interleague schedule is a much more (supposedly) random element, as the combination of maintaining "natural rivals" and apparently more-than-you'd think complications in pairing divisions (AL East vs. NL Central, etc.) makes for huge swings that could affect both the division and wild-card races. And it will only be a larger issue — assuming interleague play survives in the next labor agreement — if the playoff field is expanded, and restructured, putting more of an emphasis on winning the division. So how does it work out this year? Not as well for the Rays, who play the two best NL Central teams (Reds and Cards), as the Red Sox, who don't play either and get the added bonus of a series vs. the Padres (though also the Phillies). Or the Yankees, who miss the Cardinals but get the Rockies (plus six games with the Mets).

Here's a look at their interleague opponents, ranked by opponents winning percentage going into the weekend:

RAYS.517

6 vs. Marlins (.571)

3 vs. Reds (.568)

3 vs. Cardinals (.578)

3 at Astros (.341)

3 at Brewers (.477)

YANKEES .504

6 vs. Mets (.488)

3 at Cubs (.452)

3 at Reds (.568)

3 vs. Rockies (.548)

3 vs. Brewers (.477)

RED SOX .462

3 vs. Cubs (.452)

3 vs. Brewers (.477)

3 vs. Padres (.432)

3 at Pirates (.465)

3 at Phillies (.605)

3 at Astros (.341)

Rays rumblings

Astros owner-to-be Jim Crane can pine all he wants, but it's extremely, almost impossibly unlikely that exec VP Andrew Friedman would leave to go home to Houston (unless the future of the Rays' franchise is in true jeopardy). … Johnny Damon ranked as the third "nicest" player (behind Jim Thome and Raul Ibanez) in SI's annual poll of big-leaguers. … Humble rookie RHP Brandon Gomes on the experience of his first big-league road trips: "So first class, you can't even explain it to your buddies back home." … Former Ray Aki Iwamura, according to reports out of Japan, was dropped from the Rakuten Eagles active roster after hitting .169 in 24 games and told to lose weight. … Jays super-slugger Jose Bautista was a Ray briefly during a whirlwind 2004 season, claimed on waivers from the O's (who had taken him in the Rule 5 draft from Pittsburgh) then three weeks and a .167 average later, sold to the Royals for $50,000. … Former Ray Carl Crawford, to the New York Times, on the "biggest difference" of playing with the Red Sox than the Rays: "Being watched all the time, the attention you get."

Got a minute? | Kyle Farnsworth

Must-see TV? Ultimate Hunting, with Knight and Hale.

Band or singer you'd like to be on stage with? Hank Williams — probably Junior. But it'd be cool to be on stage with all three of them.

Worst job? Working on a horse farm, shoveling manure in the stables.

Ideal vacation spot? I went to Cody, Wyo., a couple years ago, that was pretty nice.

With your wife Shayla's permission, dream date? Shania Twain, I'd guess.

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA

The impossible comeback was over now, and for a moment — a brief, delicious moment — the improbable hero stood by himself in the unlikeliest of celebration.

Mike Smith's arms were raised in triumph, and still, he could not reach the soaring emotions of the moment. This was his day, his night, his victory.

The cheers washed over him — from a crowd he once wondered if he would ever hear again, in a league he once wondered if he would ever play in again, at a level he had never experienced before.

Turns out, this is what wonderful looks like.

And then his teammates were all over him. Steven Stamkos, and Marty St. Louis, and Vinny Lecavalier, and then everyone else. Yes, teammates always swarm a goaltender in victory, but this was something better. The rest of the Lightning players knew what Smith had given them and what he had endured to get there.

This was renewed hope. For a player who might as well have been thrown away, and for a franchise that appeared on the verge of being blown away.

Forever, this will be known as Smitty's Game. It was the game that Smith rescued a team that was headed in the wrong decision. This is the game he came off the bench, and he lifted his team, and he helped even the NHL Eastern Conference final at two games apiece. It was the game where Smith reinvented the perception of him.

Not bad for a player the Lightning was willing to give away a few months ago, was it?

Has there ever been a less-likely hero in a Tampa Bay game? Remember, this was the goaltender the Lightning put on waivers in December. This was the player the team sent to the minors. This was the player who was certain he would never again play for the Lightning. This was the player who wondered if he would ever play in the NHL again.

And there he was, savoring the moment. And feeling …

"Relief," Smith said.

Not validation. Not vindication. Not mistreated or misjudged or underappreciated. There in the moment he will remember until he is an old man, Smith felt … relieved.

"I hadn't played in too many playoffs, and it was loud and the adrenaline was going pretty good," he said. "I felt relief. And excitement. And I was pumped for our guys.

"Yeah, it's been a hard run, but I can't look at it like that. I'm just focused on trying to get better every day and trying to get mentally stronger. It's starting to pay off."

Yeah, you could say that. Smith faced 21 shots Saturday, and he stopped them all. He settled down his teammates, and he gave them ballast as they began their comeback.

Who saw this coming? For a while, it was as if Tampa Bay was willing to leave Smith by the side of the road. He was inconsistent, he was injury-prone, he was a reminder of a bad trade by a bad ownership group. When he was shipped to Norfolk — and if Dan Ellis hadn't been traded, who knows when he might have made his way back — it is fair to say there were not widespread protests.

"Clearing waivers, I thought I might never play again (in the NHL)," Smith said. "It only lasted for a few hours. After I thought about the situation, I decided to work really hard, to take the high road. The easy way would have been to give up and quit. The hard way is to bear down and work hard.

"You can't dwell on the past. Honestly, it's very rewarding, but I'm not going to stop here."

There is something warming about persistence, isn't there? There is something to say about endurance. Turns out, there is something to say about smothering the Bruins, too.

"I love these stories," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "Success doesn't build people. Failure builds people. You manage it, and then you know who you are. We know who he is. He's had a terrific attitude. He deserves this."

Ah, but what else does he deserve?

A start in Game 5, perhaps?

As of today, that is the discussion. As amazing as Dwayne Roloson has been throughout the season — and the first two rounds of the playoffs — he hasn't been quite as imposing against the Bruins. Twice, he has been pulled. In each of the other two games, he gave up goals so soft you could make s'mores from them.

So would you go with the goaltender who brought the team this far or the one who gave you life Saturday?

"We have our No. 1 goaltender," Boucher said. "He's taken us to this place. (This game) doesn't change the status."

Should it? You could certainly build an argument for Smith. He has been in two games now and has stopped all 29 shots. In fact, if you look at Smith's past nine games, he has a 6-1-1 record with a 1.5 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage.

That said, Boucher isn't much for reactionary moves. He thought the first-period problems Saturday were more about turnovers than goaltending. Besides, Roloson has been his best chance for victory for too many nights to change now.

The thought here is he'll stick with Roloson for Game 5, but he might go to Smith more quickly. And if Game 5 doesn't go well for Roloson, don't be surprised to see Smith in Game 6.

"It's a coach's decision," Roloson said. "It's not about individuals in our locker room. It's about winning."

Smith, by the way, said he doesn't expect to start. He expects Roloson to start and to play well.

And if not, Smith is ready.

Frankly, that sounds a lot better than it has in a long, long time.

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Blue Jays 7, Astros 5

TORONTO — Jose Bautista hit two homers to increase his major-league-best total to 18, and Yunel Escobar added a tiebreaking shot for the Blue Jays. Bautista had a majors-high 54 last season after posting a previous best of 16. He's on pace to smash that mark. "It's always a surprise when you keep hitting home runs," Bautista said. "I'm not surprised about the RBIs or the fact that I'm playing well."

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Cardinals 3, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jake Westbrook started a critical 1-2-3 double play to end a fourth-inning threat as the Cardinals won for the fifth time in six games. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Westbrook got Jeff Francoeur to ground to the mound. Westbrook threw to catcher Yadier Molina, who whipped the ball to first to complete the double play. Matt Holliday snapped the scoreless tie in the eighth with a two-run homer.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA — Bucs free agent MLB Barrett Ruud has come to terms with his reality: He can do nothing about matters controlled by forces beyond his reach.

He can't influence the decisions of federal judges hearing complex arguments between the NFL and its players. And nothing he personally does will put an end to this two-month-old NFL lockout that is preventing him from advancing to the next stage of his career.

So, Ruud is left with this: Whenever football begins again, he'll be evaluated by what he has done, which he feels is quite impressive — thank you very much.

When the lockout is lifted, and free agents are permitted to sign contracts, Ruud believes he'll have a solid reputation with clubs — whether the Bucs or others — based on his past play. It's the only thing he's sure about in a time of widespread uncertainty.

"That part I'm comfortable with," Ruud said. "The four years I've been starting, I've been pretty productive. That part doesn't worry me too much. What does worry you is things like, how long will free agency be? What will the mood of free agency be? We are kind of the first class in history to (hit the market) after a draft.

"I'm sure teams have already scouted all the (free agents) they're interested in, but what will their thoughts be if the lockout ends, say, Aug. 15? What's their thoughts on free agency then? That's the stuff you kind of stress about. But the productivity and what I have as a resume, that stuff doesn't bother me."

If you listen to talk radio — hardly a cross section — you quickly learn Ruud has detractors. But Ruud is proud to be the guy who can say he is Tampa Bay's leading tackler the past four seasons, during which he has been the starting middle linebacker, essentially the quarterback of the defense.

Still, he hears constant criticisms of his game from fans who say he's, well, soft. Give Ruud credit for perspective. When the topic is raised, he basically laughs it off.

"It's not like there are a ton of people that hate me," he said. "They just happen to be very vocal."

Ruud won't even speculate on the chances of a return to Tampa Bay. The Bucs drafted Washington LB Mason Foster last month and have initial plans to use him as a middle linebacker, something that would give the team significant leverage in any potential negotiations with Ruud and makes his departure more likely.

But wherever Ruud ends up, he remains confident that team will know full well the sort of player it's getting. In his opinion, the videotape speaks for itself.

PRICE GETTING RIGHT: DT Brian Price is back in Tampa continuing his rehab from the pelvic fracture that cost him most of his rookie season last fall, and he admits the road back is long.

But Price said missing out on last season has made him hungrier.

"I'm easing my way back," said Price, who is working with a personal trainer at a local gym. "I'm not worrying about it. It's a rare injury, but everybody goes through something. I don't play this game for money. I just want to be great. I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I'm focused. I don't even have a haircut right now. I look grimy. I'm just working, man."

Price, who is working with injured teammate Arrelious Benn, said part of his reason for returning to the Tampa area from his home in Los Angeles was to avoid distractions from friends and family.

During the brief time the NFL lockout was lifted last month (before an appeals court issued a stay of the lower court's ruling), Price checked in at One Buc Place to consult with the training staff. The staff gave him clearance to proceed to the next phase, so Price is running lightly and doing more cardio. He has even added Zumba dance classes to his routine, though he joked he's often the only male student in the sessions. Also, self-defense and boxing classes offer dual benefits: conditioning and improving hand use, the latter of which helps in shedding blockers.

And much of the motivation for all of this goes back to his inability to help the Bucs last season, when the 2010 second-round pick spent 11 games on injured reserve and was severely limited as early as offseason workouts.

"I didn't really watch too many games," Price said. "It was kind of depressing. I'd never really been hurt before. I'd been really blessed. … I have a mind-set now where I never want to be in this position again. I want to make this a great journey."

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

White Sox 9, Dodgers 2

CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle earned his record 24th interleague victory, and Paul Konerko had three RBIs for the White Sox. Buehrle won his third in four starts and passed Jamie Moyer for the interleague wins lead. "I go out there and try to show them that the American League is better," Buehrle said. "Every year, it's nice to see American League teams winning. Obviously, we feel like it's a better league, and we just go out there and try to show it."

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Indians 2, Reds 1

CLEVELAND — Travis Buck hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh to lift the Indians. Buck connected with two outs against Homer Bailey, who took a one-hitter into the seventh. With Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner on the disabled list, Cleveland didn't show a hint of offense until Asdrubal Cabrera started the seventh by grounding a single between first and second. Bailey got two quick outs before Buck, serving as the DH in place of Hafner, drove the first pitch from the right-hander over the wall in right-center.

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Orioles 8, Nationals 3

BALTIMORE — Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven solid innings to win for the first time since opening day, and Nolan Reimold's two-run homer keyed a four-run third for the Orioles. Guthrie hadn't won in his past seven starts and went in with the poorest run support of any AL starter. Baltimore, which ended a four-game losing streak, hadn't scored while he was on the mound in his previous three starts.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning coach Guy Boucher wanted no credit for what the Lightning did Saturday.

"The players," he said, "did everything."

But after Tampa Bay's stunning 5-3 victory over the Bruins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, players said Boucher's talk between the first and second periods was a turning point.

Or should we say the calming point.

The Lightning was down 3-0, each goal scored after a sloppy turnover. Goaltender Dwayne Roloson had been pulled for the second time in three games, and the sellout crowd of 21,216 at the St. Pete Times Forum sensed doom.

That sense was exactly what the coach did not want to project, so he reminded the players of the resiliency they have shown. He reinforced that there was no reason to panic.

"It was a great speech," wing Simon Gagne said. "He was real calm. He said when you believe, anything is possible."

The result was startling. Tampa Bay scored five unanswered goals — three in 3 minutes, 58 seconds of the second period — to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

Teddy Purcell started the onslaught with two goals in 1:03 of the second to set a Tampa Bay playoff record for the fastest two goals by one player. Sean Bergenheim's playoff-best ninth goal after he stole the puck from Tomas Kaberle tied the score at 3 with 9:07 left in the second.

Gagne, who had a goal and three points and was plus-4, got the winner 6:54 into the third. Marty St. Louis had an empty-netter, and goalie Mike Smith stopped all 21 shots he faced as the Bruins fell for the first time in seven games in the playoffs in which they led after the first.

"It's now a best-of-three," wing Ryan Malone said. "We know nothing has really been accomplished. It's going to be a battle here to the end."

You expected a battle from the start, considering Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said after his 31-save Game 3 shutout that he felt comfortable in net.

"We didn't like what he said, that it was easy to play against us," Gagne said.

"A lot of guys," Boucher said, "were fired up for this game."

But first-period giveaways by defensemen Victor Hedman and Marc-Andre Bergeron and center Steven Stamkos led to two goals by Patrice Bergeron (one shorthanded), another by Michael Ryder and a 3-0 Boston lead.

Roloson looked bad on two of the goals and was pulled with 2:02 left in the period after allowing three goals on nine shots.

But Boucher said he generally liked the way Tampa Bay was playing — it outshot Boston 10-9 — which is why he said he decided his talk between periods "was not about the whip."

"We had legs," he said. "We were flying. Why get down when you've got the ammunition to make it happen?"

"He made us feel like we would find a way," Bergeron said. "He said we weren't going to fold and give them the game. He made sure the message was clear."

Malone sent a message when he decked Boston 6-foot-9 defenseman Zdeno Chara, causing a turnover that led to Purcell's first goal. Malone, with five shots, three hits and two takeaways, sparked Gagne's winner with a neutral-zone takeaway.

"We got outworked," Thomas said. "They took over. They outplayed us. They started getting scoring chances, and we stopped getting scoring chances."

After Boucher's speech.

"I don't want any credit for what the players do on the ice," the coach said. "Everybody knows we've been resilient this year. Whether it comes from me, anybody on our staff or our leaders, they're the ones that do it."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA — While the Lightning celebrated, the Bruins searched for answers. While the Lightning breathed a sigh of relief, the Bruins just, well, sighed. While the Lightning rejoiced in tying the East final at two games, the Bruins lamented not taking a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Separated by a couple of hundred feet after Saturday's Game 4, the teams had different views of the Lightning's 5-3 victory. For Tampa Bay, it was about a comeback that might have saved the season. For the Bruins, it was the one that got away.

"Obviously, we're not happy," said Bruins center Patrice Berge­ron, who scored twice. "It's frustrating."

After striking for three first-period goals, the Bruins were 40 minutes and a plane ride home from being able to wrap up the series Monday night in Boston. Instead, the Bruins limp home with their confidence shaken and still two wins shy of reaching their first Stanley Cup final since 1990.

"They took over," Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said. "They outplayed us. They started getting scoring chances, and we stopped getting scoring chances."

The result was three goals by the Lightning in a span of 3:58 that tied the score with 9:07 left in the second period.

"After they scored a few goals, we almost looked like we were paralyzed out there; just weren't reacting, weren't moving," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "And it just snowballed from there."

The Bruins never recovered.

The Lightning swarmed the Bruins to start the third, getting the winner from Simon Gagne at 6:54 before Marty St. Louis' empty-netter in the final minute sealed the game.

"When you're up, you almost sit back a bit," Bruins center Brad Marchand said. "You think that the game is over, and that's what we did. We thought we had them. We took it for granted."

That's what happened. So what happens now?

"We've seen it all (throughout) the playoffs," Bergeron said. "Momentum changes during a game and also during a series. So we're going back home and playing our game. We can't feel sorry for ourselves."

It did appear that not long after the game the Bruins were on the road to recovery from what you would believe is a devastating loss. Most players said they aren't expecting a hangover for Game 5 on Monday.

"No, because it is what it is. It's 2-2," Thomas said. "I don't know what the use of worrying about that would be, but I think the focus should be on winning the series."

Tom Jones can be reached at tjones@sptimes.com.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA — Lightning right wing Teddy Purcell said it was a shift he'll never forget.

Purcell, who is coming of age in his first playoffs, sparked Tampa Bay's 5-3 come-from-behind win over the Bruins on Saturday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final with two goals in 1:03 of the second period.

It was the fastest two goals by a Lightning player in a playoff game, coming nearly seven years to the day after Ruslan Fedotenko scored twice in 2:18 in Game 4 of the East final against the Flyers on May 20, 2004.

Purcell, 25, couldn't have picked a better time to perform the feat. He brought the Lightning within a goal after it trailed 3-0.

Purcell's 15 playoff points (four goals, 11 assists) rank second on the team, behind Vinny Lecavalier's and Marty St. Louis' 17, and are tied for third in the NHL.

"I think he's one of the best players in the league right now," defenseman Victor Hedman said. "With the confidence and the poise he has with the puck, he's been tremendous for us."

Though coach Guy Boucher has talked about how Purcell has elevated his game in the playoffs in terms of battle level, drive and physical play, the goals showcased his offensive skill and poise.

On Purcell's first goal, 6:55 into the second period, he was coming off a line change when Simon Gagne and Ryan Malone put pressure on Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara behind the Boston net and caused a turnover. Gagne found Purcell in the right circle, and Purcell faked a shot to deke a Bruins defenseman, went to his backhand and slid the puck past goalie Tim Thomas.

Just more than a minute later, Purcell received a pass in the right circle again. This time he patiently carried the puck closer, allowing more traffic to get in front of Thomas, before ripping a wrist shot in.

"I don't think Thomas saw it," Purcell said. "I put it on net and lucky it went in. It was a good shift for me, one I'll always remember, for sure."

Purcell, who said his first playoff game felt like his first NHL game in terms of nerves, has grown in confidence throughout the postseason, and that has allowed his skills to come out.

"I think what we're discovering with Teddy now is that when it's a tough game, when it's a close environment type of game where there's not much space out there, he can do the same now as what he did before when he had a lot of space," Boucher said.

"To me, that's a major evolution of his game, because that means what he was doing in the American league and college ranks, he can do it in games now, and not just during the regular season. He's doing it in the biggest games."

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

PARIS — The expected can be comfortable, just as chaos can be exciting. A good measure of both will be found at the French Open beginning today — keen anticipation on the men's side, offset by utter unpredictability among the women.

The men's No. 1 seed, Rafael Nadal, is seeking his sixth championship at Roland Garros, which would equal Bjorn Borg's record. The women's No. 1 seed, Caroline Wozniacki, has never won a Grand Slam event.

The men's No. 2, Novak Djokovic, is 37-0 this year and could eclipse John McEnroe's Open era record start of 42-0 by reaching the semifinals. The women's No. 2, Kim Clijsters, who last played Roland Garros in 2006, has been out since March because she hurt her ankle dancing at a wedding.

Third-seeded Roger Federer has won 16 Grand Slam titles, more than any other man. The third-seeded woman, Vera Zvonareva, has not won one.

And so it goes. For the men, anything other than a Nadal-Djokovic final — besides an appearance by Federer, perhaps — would be an upset.

Anything on the women's side will be largely unexpected.

Today's schedule features matches for No. 8 Samantha Stosur — the Tampa resident garnered worldwide attention last year by finishing as the runnerup at the French — and No. 10 Jelena Jankovic, a three-time semifinalist. Among the men playing on opening day is No. 7 David Ferrer, who is hoping to join the list of Spaniards with a Roland Garros crown.

Most of the biggest names begin play Monday or Tuesday.

Nadal has maintained a stranglehold on this event, where he is 38-1. His loss to Robin Soderling in 2009's fourth round opened the door to Federer's lone French title.

And while Soderling (a two-time finalist, seeded fifth) and No. 4 Andy Murray carry hopes of capturing their first Grand Slam title on the red clay, it is hard to imagine anyone not named Nadal, Federer or Djokovic holding the Coupe des Mousquetaires in two weeks.

"Probably, this year, the favorite is Djokovic," Nadal said.

Djokovic smiled when he heard that. "I say he's the favorite," he said.

The women's bracket is less a funnel toward the finish than a blender. Last year's winner, Francesca Schiavone of Italy, was seeded 17th. Fifth this time, she is one of 17 or more players harboring realistic title hopes.

Serena and Venus Williams are absent, each with injuries, leaving the women's bracket without a seeded American.

Clijsters, who won last year's U.S. Open and this year's Australian Open, is a two-time finalist at Roland Garros (2001, 2003), but she has not played here since leaving the game to start a family.

The opening is there, perhaps, for Wozniacki. Then again, maybe it will be Zvonareva, or No. 4 Victoria Azarenka. Or Maria Sharapova, lurking at No. 7 and coming off a claycourt victory at Rome, where she beat Azarenka, Wozniacki and Stosur.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

MIAMI — That 1-8 start might not be such a distant memory for the Rays after all.

After another dismal offensive showing in Saturday's 5-3 interleague loss to the Marlins, Rays manager Joe Maddon said they way they're hitting now - or, more accurately, not hitting now - is reminiscent of their early season ineptitude. Not coincidentally, they are in a 2-6 skid that has cost them their hold on first place.

"We've got to do better offensively," Maddon said. "If you look at the bad start that we went through, a lot of it was based on kind of the game you saw tonight - we weren't hitting. A lot of good things are happening, we just have to be more consistent at the plate."

The problem is that it has been nearly a team effort.

Which is how a starter like Florida's Javier Vazquez, who came in with a 7.55 ERA and actually had looked worse, could shut the Rays (25-21) down and shut them for seven innings, allowing only three hits. (And worse when their ace, David Price, put them in a 2-0 hole with a rough first inning, then allowed a two-run homer to light-hitting Omar Infante in the seventh.)

They finished, even after a bit of a madcap eighth-inning comeback that featured five pinch-hitters, scoring three runs and getting the tying run on, with five for the day.

That made it nine straight games without reaching double digits in hits, and obviously it's showing on the scoreboard as they've tallied three runs or less in seven of their last nine games. Also in their at-bats.

"I think we're all probably pressing a little too much," Johnny Damon said. "Some guys are struggling right now."

As much as Maddon like to tinker, there isn't much even he can do.

Consider:

Sam Fuld continues to fizzle, his slump extending to his 10-for-86 and his average, which was at .350 less than a month ago, down to .229 and his playing time likely to be cut.

Ben Zobrist is in a 2-for-26 funk, hitless on the trip, and has one homer and three RBIs in May.

Evan Longoria is admittedly lost at the plate, chasing too many pitches, trying to do too much and getting nothing done, going 3-for-30 and without an RBI over his last eight games.

Reid Brignac, whose playing time has already been reduced, continues to flail, striking out 18 times in his last 58 at-bats, with six hits during that span and a .170 overall average.

And playing under NL rules this weekend, they have a pitcher hitting ninth.

"So," Maddon said, "that's like five guys that are not on top of their offensive games right now."

Actually, he missed a spot, as catchers John Jaso and Kelly Shoppach have a combined .191 average with four homers and 17 RBIs.

"We definitely need to get more hits," Johnny Damon said. "And get some hits from the big guys."

No one in the Rays lineup is a bigger star than Longoria, and his frustration was obvious talking about his performance since having a couple of good games after returning May 3 from the disabled list (strained oblique).

"It's as frustrating for me as it is for everybody else at this point," he said. "Eventually I'm going to hit. At some point. Hopefully sooner than later."

Maddon said he thinks Longoria is chasing too many pitches, making weak contact on pitches he shouldn't swing at rather than waiting for ones he can drive, and also is still showing some effects of his layoff.

But Longoria, hitting .211 with two homers and 8 RBIs through 20 games, said it's more about the pressure he's put on himself.

"I'm trying to do too many things, trying to make too many things happen at once," Longoria said. "And when something goes bad in the first at-bat or I feel something I haven't felt before, I'm just thinking too much instead of just going back to the simple approach that I've always had."

At this point, anything different can only help.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

TAMPA — The referee believed Steve Downie embellished his fall after a hit into the boards by Bruins RW Nathan Horton late in the second period, calling the Lightning wing for diving.

But the resulting injury from Downie hitting his head on the glass — and on the ice — was serious enough for him to miss the rest of the game and leave his status going forward uncertain. Coach Guy Boucher would say only Downie is "day to day."

Downie was unavailable for comment.

On the play, which came with 2:35 left, Downie was checked into the boards behind the Bruins net by Horton, who was initially called for boarding (later changed to roughing). Downie was slow to get to the bench afterward and headed straight for the locker room.

Lightning LW Simon Gagne said he was surprised to see Downie called for diving but added Downie's reputation for getting into conflicts could have played a role.

"He's Steve Downie, so maybe it'd be a little different if it's me or somebody else," Gagne said. "It's part of his game. We don't want him to change it."

Boucher said he had never seen a call like that but praised the referees for how they've done in Tampa.

"If it's a mistake and the (referees) make only one during the entire game, they're like coaches and players if they limit their mistakes," Boucher said. "The referees have been great the past two games. They let the players play.

"It's not a cheap series."

MOVING ON: D Victor Hedman said he made a "bad play" on the turnover behind the net that led to Bruins C Patrice Bergeron's first goal but didn't let it get to him during the rest of the game.

"I tried to reverse (the puck), but I got a little handcuffed," Hedman said. "It was a bad play by me. I can't reverse it that close to the net. I had to reverse it further around the corner.

"Other than that, I felt good out there and felt good making plays. But you can't get down on yourself just because you do a mistake."

IN AND OUT: C Dana Tyrell returned after missing 10 games with a foot injury. Tyrell was excited to be back but said he had to labor through the flu during his 4 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time.

"I didn't have too good of a night; didn't sleep," he said. "I was getting IVs between every period. I'll feel better for the next game."

DEJA VU? The last time the Bruins blew a three-goal lead in the playoffs was Game 7 of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals. The Flyers, who already had overcome a 3-0 series deficit, overcame a 3-0 first-period deficit and won on a goal by Gagne, who also scored the winner Saturday.

MISCELLANY: After losing the faceoff battle the past two games, Tampa Bay won 60 percent (39 of 65) Saturday. Vinny Lecavalier won 14 of 21, Steven Stamkos 9 of 14 and Adam Hall 7 of 12. … Lecavalier and RW Marty St. Louis are tied with the Sharks' Joe Thornton for the playoff lead with 17 points. … With Tyrell back in the lineup, C Blair Jones was scratched.

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

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

ATLANTA — About 200 Thrashers fans gathered Saturday to tailgate outside Philips Arena for perhaps the final time.

With the Thrashers reportedly close to being sold and moved to Winnipeg, the fans blamed their ownership group, Atlanta Spirit.

"We've been lied to for six years," said Jenn Peters, 30, choking back tears as she flipped through a collection of ticket stubs. "It's hard to watch as a fan because … you can voice your opinion, and you can show up, but that's all you can do."

It didn't help the mood that showing up was Harry the Hawk, mascot of Atlanta's NBA team, also owned by Atlanta Spirit.

"It's the Atlanta Spirit shoving their other asset in our face, which is just deplorable," said Bryce McNeil, 33, a professor at Georgia State.

No-shows were members of the front office and ownership. The gathering was held in conjunction with the team's annual select-a-seat event for season-ticket holders. Salespeople were inside the arena processing credit card orders for games in Atlanta next season.

"It's a very poorly run organization," said Howard Baron, 54, a CPA and investment adviser, who bought four season tickets to push his total to 16. "And what (commissioner) Gary Bettman said the other night was true — that it's a funny way to show it by not buying tickets — but the problem is if you … buy tickets, you're stuck with this ownership group forever. It's a double-edged sword."

Blame also spread to Bettman for seemingly being complicit in rushing the team's sale and move. Around the arena parking lot, a Bob Dylan quote from his 1965 song Desolation Row was posted in several spots: "And here comes the blind commissioner. They've got him in a trance."

West final: The statuses of key Canucks defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome didn't sound good heading into today's Game 4 against the Sharks.

Ehrhoff and Rome left Friday's 4-3 Game 3 loss after hits by San Jose wing Jamie McGinn. McGinn was given a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct for his hit on Rome, who was bloodied. He didn't receive additional discipline from the league despite it being his second game misconduct in five postseason games.

Ehrhoff and Rome sat out practice in San Jose, and coach Alain Vigneault wasn't optimistic about them playing today.

Sharks center Logan Couture, tied for third with seven playoff goals, skated after leaving Game 3 after colliding with a teammate.

West final

Canucks 2, Sharks 1

Game 1: Canucks 3, Sharks 2

Game 2: Canucks 7, Sharks 3

Game 3: Sharks 4, Canucks 3

Today: at San Jose, 3, Ch. 8

Tuesday: at Vancouver, 9, Versus

Thursday: at San Jose, 9, Versus *

Saturday: at Vancouver, 8, Versus *

* If necessary

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Bruin killer

If the Bruins never see Simon Gagne, right, again in the postseason, it will be too soon. Gagne had the winning goal and three points and was plus-4 on Saturday, and he has six goals in eight playoff games against Boston, including two winners last season for the Flyers. "What happened last year is behind," Gagne said. "I'm playing on a different team. Boston is a different team." The result, though, seems to be the same.

Number of the day

15-5 Combined playoff record of the Lightning and Bruins when they are outshot by opponents.

Put up your dukes

When Lightning D Marc-Andre Bergeron, left, fought Bruins C Rich Peverley at the end of the first period, it was his second NHL career fight (not including preseason) and first since April 5, 2003, for the Oilers vs. Calgary's Scott Nichol. "I felt like we were off a little bit and we needed some emotion, so why not give it a try," Bergeron said about why he went after Peverley and pretty much fought him to a draw. "It's going to put me also in the game and make me feel like I'm doing something."

Three stars

RYAN MALONE: The Lightning wing played a great all-around game. He sparked the first goal with a big hit on Bruins D Zdeno Chara and set up the winner after a steal in the neutral zone.

TEDDY PURCELL: The Lightning wing scored the team's first two goals as he continues to elevate his game in the playoffs.

MIKE SMITH: The Lightning goalie once again was strong in relief of Dwayne Roloson. He had 21 saves and shut out Boston in 42:02 of play.

Notable comeback

The Lightning came back from at least two goals down in the playoffs for the second time. The first: In 1996 it trailed the Flyers 3-1 in Game 3 of the first round and won 5-4 in overtime.

Quote to note

"He's a warrior. He pays the price in so many areas. We notice it every game and every shift he plays. He inspires the team."

Lightning coach Guy Boucher, on Ryan Malone (assist, five shots, three hits)

Tickets

Wednesday's Game 6 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa is sold out. Unused team tickets might be released that day. Check with the box office at (813) 301-6600 and Ticketmaster (outlets, ticketmaster.com, toll-free 1-800-745-3000).

The series

Tied 2-2

Game 1, Lightning 5, Bruins 2: Three goals in 1:25 of the first spark Lightning.

Game 2, Bruins 6, Lightning 5: Bruins score five in the second.

Game 3, Bruins 2, Lightning 0: Bruins prevail in tight defensive game.

Game 4, Lightning 5, Bruins 3: Lightning scores five unanswered goals.

Monday: at Boston, 8, Versus, 970-AM

Wednesday: at Tampa, 8, Versus, 620-AM

Friday: at Boston, 8, Versus, 970-AM*

* If necessary

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points during an off night for both of the game's superstars, and the Mavericks built a huge lead early before hanging on for a 93-87 victory over the Thunder on Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference final.

Dallas, which tied with the Heat for the league's best road record during the regular season, won its fourth straight playoff road game and reclaimed homecourt advantage two nights after letting it get away in Game 2.

Nowitzki shot 7-of-21 from the field, but the Mavs still called on him in the clutch to hold off Oklahoma City's late charge.

"He's the best; even if he's not making shots early, he wants the ball to make a play," Dallas guard Jason Kidd said.

NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant also struggled from the field, hitting 7 of 22 shots to finish with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Russell Westbrook responded to a fourth-quarter benching with 30 points, helping the Thunder rally from 23 points down to make it interesting in the final minutes.

Dallas blew a 23-point lead in the final 13 minutes in the first round at Portland and led by 22 with 17 minutes to go this time.

Even with Nowitzki struggling, the Mavs leaned on the big German with the Thunder closing the gap. Nowitzki got the ball on 10 of 11 possessions and scored just three times, but it was enough to keep Oklahoma City at bay.

Westbrook and Daequan Cook missed 3-pointers that could've gotten the Thunder within three, and Westbrook then lost the ball out of bounds before Jason Terry's jumper stretched the lead to 86-78 with 1:42 left.

Nowitzki added a jumper from the left elbow to put the lead back at eight after Durant hit two free throws, and Dallas held on from there.

Mavericks 93, Thunder 87

DALLAS (93): Marion 9-13 0-0 18, Nowitzki 7-21 3-3 18, Chandler 3-3 2-4 8, Kidd 4-10 3-4 13, Stevenson 3-6 0-0 8, Stojakovic 3-7 0-0 7, Terry 3-12 6-6 13, Barea 2-5 0-0 4, Haywood 2-5 0-1 4. Totals 36-82 14-18 93.

OKLAHOMA CITY (87): Durant 7-22 10-11 24, Ibaka 4-11 1-2 9, Perkins 0-2 4-4 4, Westbrook 8-20 13-14 30, Sefolosha 2-3 0-0 4, Harden 2-9 3-4 7, Collison 4-4 1-1 9, Maynor 0-1 0-0 0, Cook 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-74 32-36 87.

Dallas 27 25 18 23— 93

Oklahoma City 12 24 20 31— 87

3-Point Goals—Dallas 7-21 (Stevenson 2-3, Kidd 2-5, Stojakovic 1-3, Terry 1-4, Nowitzki 1-6), Oklahoma City 1-17 (Westbrook 1-2, Sefolosha 0-1, Cook 0-2, Harden 0-4, Durant 0-8). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Dallas 45 (Chandler 15), Oklahoma City 56 (Durant 12). Assists—Dallas 21 (Kidd 8), Oklahoma City 11 (Durant 5). Total Fouls—Dallas 24, Oklahoma City 17. Technicals—Chandler, Stevenson, Westbrook, Oklahoma City defensive three second. A—18,203 (18,203).

Gator keeps focus

MIAMI — Heat forward Udonis Haslem admits he has thought about the significance of tonight's game.

He is likely to receive a big ovation from the AmericanAirlines crowd when he enters Game 3 against the Bulls. But enjoying it can wait. There are more important things to worry about.

"I'll enjoy it after the game," the former Florida Gator said.

He will play at home for the first time since returning from foot surgery. When he is called to the scorer's table, it could draw a similar reaction to when Alonzo Mourning returned in 2005.

"He will earn whatever reception he gets," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We're all pleased that he's able to contribute."

Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011

CONCORD, N.C. — Carl Edwards won the $1 million and then he wrecked.

Edwards led all 10 laps of the final segment in Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway to win the $1 million top prize, then promptly tore up his No. 99 Ford as he tried a celebratory burnout on the frontstretch.

It appeared Edwards' car hit a manhole cover as he drove through the grass along the frontstretch. He got out, sprinted to the flag stand, grabbed the checkered flag and headed into the stands to celebrate with fans.

"When you end up with grass on the windshield after the race, that isn't good," Edwards said. "I had no clue that drain culvert was there.

"There was all the pressure of the world on the final pit stop. I feel so bad about tearing up the car, but Bob (Osborne, his crew chief) said he had a faster one for next week."

The win is Edwards' first in the nonpoints race.

Kyle Busch finished second, with Zephyrhills' David Reutimann third.

"For what we had, it was a really good night," Busch said. "I thought we had a winning car. We got beat tonight on speed and, unfortunately, we were second-best."

Busch started from the pole but was soon overtaken by Greg Biffle, who took command of the first 50-lap segment.

Four-tire stops were mandated on Lap 25 and when that cycle ended, Biffle continued to lead and held on to the end of the 50-lap segment.

Most teams exercised the option to pit, but strategies varied. Edwards led at the start of the second 20-lap segment, followed by Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, Biffle and Regan Smith.

While racing closely with Biffle on Lap 57, Kahne hit the wall off Turn 2, bringing an early end to his night. At end of segment No. 2, Edwards held the lead.

Busch passed Edwards for the lead immediately after the restart for the third segment. After a side-by-side battle, Edwards passed Busch for the lead on Lap 86 and held it to the end of the 20-lap segment.

Edwards stayed on top after a mandatory four-tire pit stop and held the lead throughout the final 10-lap segment.

In the Sprint Showdown to determine which drivers would race into the main event, David Ragan passed Brad Keselowski late in the 50-lap event to win. Both advanced as did Dale Earnhardt Jr., who got the final spot in the fan vote. A record 2.4 million votes were cast.

Also, Earnhardt's team owner, Rick Hendrick, said he was close to re-signing the sport's popular driver to a new contract. Earnhardt's current deal expires at the end of the 2012 season.