Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Strolling behind the batting cage, Matt Holliday watched his St. Louis teammates hit Friday and offered a simple tip:

"Get a good swing!" he hollered.

Great advice for anyone with a bat in hand at this World Series.

Despite the presence of Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Nelson Cruz and other top boppers, the Cardinals and Rangers have hardly dented the scoreboard while splitting the first two games. So far, they have scored a total of eight runs.

The last time there were fewer through the opening two games at a World Series? Try 1950, when Joe DiMaggio and the Yankees combined with Philadelphia for four.

"A lot of people thought this was going to be an offensive World Series," Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus said.

Blame the drought on a few factors: raw weather at Busch Stadium, good pitching and, perhaps most significantly, hitters facing arms they've never seen before.

Both teams have flailed at the plate, chasing sliders and curves that bounced, shattering bats and seeming to guess wrong on what pitches were coming next.

"We need to give good at-bats and get deeper and quit swinging at balls out of the strike zone," said the Rangers' Mike Napoli, who has hit the lone homer of the Series. He connected off Chris Carpenter, but maybe he had an edge — Napoli had been 3-for-3 lifetime against the Cardinals ace.

Fresh off their two-run rally in the ninth inning and a 2-1 win in Game 2, the Rangers start Matt Harrison tonight at Rangers Ballpark. Kyle Lohse goes for the Cardinals.

"It's a tough place to pitch, especially when you see those flags blowing in. It usually means that jet stream is going to right-center," Lohse said. "I think everyone in the league knows that."

Each team adds a designated hitter, with the AL rule in effect at Texas. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is making Lance Berkman the DH and putting Allen Craig, already with a pair of key pinch-hit RBI singles, in rightfield.

The Rangers likely will use Michael Young at DH, move Napoli to first base and put Yorvit Torrealba at catcher.

At this point, it might take more than a wind tunnel to help the hitters.

Texas is batting only .186; St. Louis is stuck at .203. Hamilton and Pujols are hitless, and Cruz has been held to a mere single after tearing through the AL Championship Series.

It seemed fitting, in fact, that when Texas scored those two runs Thursday both crossed on sacrifice flies.

Each team has scored four runs overall. In 1983, Baltimore and Philadelphia also combined for eight through two games; it's more than 60 years since the total was lower than this October.

"I think honestly we got out of our approach a little bit, maybe a little overaggressive trying to create things that necessarily weren't there," said Ian Kinsler, whose bloop single and steal keyed the Texas comeback. "If we can just relax and play our style of baseball, let the game come to us, we'll be all right."

Rangers outfielder David Murphy hopes it plays out that way, eventually.

"I feel like just watching the first two games, offensively, it's just a matter of who is going to make adjustments on the fly," he said. "We're facing their guys that we've never before, and it's the same thing on their side. The pitching performances have been good, but we have confidence in our offense to put up runs, as well."

By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Kentucky Fire isn't big on first impressions. She didn't stand out on a farm in Colorado. Nor was she particularly special upon her arrival at Derby Lane.

Now look at her.

Kentucky Fire is the top dog in Cal Holland kennel and among the win leaders at Derby Lane. She has won her past three starts. And in her past eight races — all at Grade A — she has six victories and a pair of seconds.

A year ago, success like that seemed unlikely. Kentucky Fire needed 43 starts to win at Grade C and 51 to win at Grade A. But she found the 660-yard course to be her bread and butter.

"I didn't know she could go that far or that she was going to become that type of dog," Holland said. "I put her (at 660) just to see what she could do. She does everything right and she's our house pet in the kennel."

Owned by Don Godby of Eaton, Colo., Kentucky Fire made her first 58 starts at 550 yards. In her first 660 race, she was knocked down. Now she runs longer and better than most. Kentucky Fire ranks second in the meet in wins with 12, two in back of Jw Titleist of Capabal. Her career-best time of 37.18 seconds at 660 is the meet's third fastest.

Kentucky Fire can set the pace or come from behind. Overall, she has 12 wins from 32 starts at 660, and nine in 62 races at 550. Kentucky Fire has been a runnerup twice this year in stakes: the 660-yard St. Petersburg Derby Consolation and 550-yard Gold Trophy Juvenile. In the Derby Consolation, she led by 4 lengths before being caught by Magic Finch.

"(Godby) never thought that much of (Kentucky Fire) on the farm," Holland said. "And even when I got her, she wasn't any great standout."

Kentucky Fire started her career slowly. In her first 26 races, not once did she have a clocking at 550 yards in less than 31 seconds. She lost 24 of them. The 60-pound greyhound is trained by Justin Holland, Cal's grandson. She is a 29-month-old female out of a litter from Dragon Fire and Rk's Tomb Raider. In 2006, Dragon Fire was an All-America first-team selection and win leader at Bluffs Run in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Rk's Tomb Raider was a multi-distance performer at Mardi Gras (formerly Tri-State) in Cross Roads, W.Va.

MORE DOGS: Defending champion McAllister kennel is Derby Lane's top operation again with a 177-161 win lead over Hambleton Racing after Thursday.

HORSES: Tampa Bay Downs trainer Jane Cibelli is attempting to become the first woman in the 65-year history of Monmouth Park to win a conditioning crown. Cibelli held a 31-25 win lead over Edwin Broome entering Friday. The Oceanport, N.J., season ends Nov. 6. … In the national win standings, Oldsmar five-time defending leading trainer Jamie Ness ranks second with 269, five behind Steve Asmussen. Deshawn Parker, who rode at the Downs last year, leads jockeys with 317.

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

METAIRIE, La. — Center Olin Kreutz has told the Saints that his playing days are over, informing the team that he has lost his passion for football.

"He has to feel really good about the passion he has got for the game and the love he has got for the game," his agent Mark Bartelstein said Friday. "He felt that slipping away, and he's just not someone who can go to work every week and collect a paycheck."

Kreutz, 34, was unavailable for comment.

The passion began to wane a few weeks ago, Bartelstein said, and this week, Kreutz met with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton.

Though Payton wouldn't discuss what was talked about, he said there had been no hint that this was the decision Kreutz would eventually make.

"I think it probably manifested itself later as the season went on," Payton said. "And it was something we had a chance to discuss quite a bit this week."

Payton said the Saints won't make a roster move yet, meaning they're still at the 53-man limit.

In August, Kreutz couldn't agree to a new contract with Chicago, the only NFL team he had played for, before signing a one-year, $2 million contract with New Orleans. The deal didn't include a signing bonus, so he'll be paid only for the weeks he was on the 53-man roster.

After starting the first three games, Kreutz missed two with an injury — ending a string of 137 consecutive starts. He started in last week's 26-20 loss to the Bucs. He was a six-time Pro Bowl pick and earned All-Pro honors twice.

Brian de la Puente, who started when Kreutz was hurt, will once again take over at center.

CHARGERS: All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates, who has been out for a month with a foot injury, went through a full practice for the first time this week.

LIONS: Running back Jahvid Best was ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta because of a concussion, and running back Jerome Harrison went on the reserve/nonfootball illness list after he was reportedly diagnosed with a brain tumor. ESPN reported this week that Harrison's tumor was revealed when he had a physical after being dealt to Philadelphia in a trade that was voided.

RAIDERS: Kyle Boller will start at quarterback on Sunday ahead of newly acquired Carson Palmer, NFL.com reported, but coach Hue Jackson denied that a choice had been made. It's likely both will play after the team traded with the Bengals to get Palmer this week. Also, former FSU kicker Sebastian Janikowski (left hamstring) missed his second straight practice.

RAMS: Quarterback Sam Bradford worked behind closed doors trying to test out his left high ankle sprain, but he did not practice and has not all week. If he can't play, A.J. Feeley will start Sunday at Dallas.

VIKINGS: A bipartisan group of Minnesota state lawmakers opposed to taxpayer subsidies for a new stadium proposed a plan to simply give the team the Metrodome. The plan from Democratic Sen. John Marty of Roseville and Republican Rep. Linda Runbeck of Circle Pines would transfer ownership of the facility in downtown Minneapolis to the team, contingent on the owners signing a 25-year contract and assuming operating costs. But the team wasn't interested. "Even stadium opponents understand the facility no longer works for the team," spokesman Jeff Anderson said.

OBITUARY: Former guard Gale Gillingham, who replaced Fuzzy Thurston in coach Vince Lombardi's lineup and went on to make the Packers Hall of Fame, died at his home in Minnesota while lifting weights, his son said. Mr. Gillingham was 67.

Friday, October 21, 2011

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Tony Stewart competes in NASCAR. His heart, though, belongs to open-wheel racing, and he spent the first 25 years of his life trying to get to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

When he did, in 1996, he and teammate Scott Brayton qualified first and second. Six days later, Brayton was killed during a practice run.

Stewart, a rookie that year, started his first 500 nine days later and led 44 laps until his engine blew — finally bringing an end to what was supposed to be a celebration of him fulfilling his lifelong dream.

But that's what racers do. They race, and they'll race in Sprint Cup this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, the first major series to run since St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon died in Sunday's IndyCar season finale in Las Vegas.

"It doesn't affect us, getting back in the car," Stewart said Friday at Talladega. "We all know that can happen every week. It's been a part of racing forever."

Only some in NASCAR knew Wheldon, a popular two-time Indianapolis 500 winner in a rival series. But his death touched everyone, and, 10 years after NASCAR's last fatality, brought the element of danger back to the spotlight.

Especially as NASCAR finds itself on its biggest and fastest track, where speeds can hit 200 mph and Carl Edwards' car went sailing into the fence in a 2009 last-lap accident. Debris flew into the grandstands, and seven fans were injured.

Five-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, who walked away from a nasty hit in Saturday night's race at Charlotte, was one of 10 drivers who tested at Charlotte on Monday, the day after Wheldon's accident.

"Getting in the car … deep in the back of my mind, just thinking about things and there's my marks in the wall in Turn 2 and I'm like 'Yeah, I had a bad angle, and I hit pretty hard,' " Johnson said. "I think we spend very little time as drivers thinking about it, right or wrong."

IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has called a driver meeting in Indianapolis for Monday, the day after a memorial service there.

WHELDON AUCTION: Graham Rahal sparked an outpouring of support — and memorabilia — for an auction to benefit Wheldon's family. Rahal started the auction for the Dan Wheldon Family Trust Fund by donating the helmet, gloves and shoes he used in Las Vegas. Rahal announced plans on Twitter and soon items came from sources far and wide. IndyCar drivers Dario Franchitti and Tony Kanaan and NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch chipped in as did stars from other sports such as Larry Bird and Lance Armstrong. There is also an NFL jersey signed by Roger Staubach, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Warren Moon and Harry Carson. The auction is expected to begin Monday on eBay, which waived all fees, and Auction Cause, a Los Angeles-based auction management agency.

TRUCKS: James Buescher earned the pole for today's Coca-Cola 200 at Talladega with a lap of 177.676 mph. Clearwater's Ricky Carmichael starts fourth.

Colby Cole, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Admiral Farragut, led by Todd Macon and Rayshawn Jenkins, defeated Bradenton Christian 38-22 to move to 5-1 in Class 2A, District 5.

Macon opened scoring with a 36-yard run in the first quarter and took an interception back 50 yards in the third quarter to help the Blue Jackets take control. Jenkins caught three passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 33-yarder from Colby Robinson late in the third.

AFA (7-1) got a strong performance from its defense, holding Bradenton Christian to 82 total yards. The Blue Jackets also got two defensive touchdowns, the second a 30-yard fumble return by Brad Hyman to put the game out of reach at 38-15.

"Defense tonight was the answer; two defensive touchdowns and good hits on their QB made a big difference for us," AFA coach Chris Miller said.

Colby Cole, Times correspondent

Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

SPRING HILL — Hernando established itself with a historic win over Springstead on Friday night at Booster Stadium, the likes of which Eagles fans hadn't seen in decades.

Hernando defeated Springstead 42-0 to make its mark in the county rivalry and the Class 6A, District 6 standings. The loss was fourth worst in series history and the worst since Hernando beat the Eagles 55-0 in 1999.

In the 34 times that Hernando (6-2, 5-0) has played county rival Springstead (2-5, 1-4), the Leopards have almost always had close games. While they led the lifetime series between the teams 20-13 coming into Friday night, the Eagles had taken seven of the past eight meetings.

The Leopards wasted no time jumping ahead for their fifth consecutive victory this season. On the opening drive, Tyrail Hawkins broke a 52-yard touchdown run. That trip to the end zone would be just the tip of the iceberg for Hernando.

Hernando hit pay dirt five times in the first quarter. Hawkins (four carries, 96 yards, two touchdowns) scored twice, Jeremiah Jackson ran for a 32-yard touchdown, and Marqui Redding scampered in from 61 yards out. The other score came on defense when John Bronson recovered a fumble in the end zone.

"I think our ability to run the ball says a lot about our offensive line and our depth at running back," Hernando coach John Palmer said. "We got off the ball really well, and you saw that there are backs on this team that would be getting more touches on other teams."

Palmer pulled his starters at the start of the second quarter, and one of those backup tailbacks, Quentin Adams, took over. He ran for 111 yards on only seven carries, mostly in the second half. Things didn't change much for Springstead, which still had difficulty moving the ball.

With 7 yards of total offense at halftime, Eagles quarterback Tyler Mahla (4-of-11, 38 yards) came out of the locker room throwing, but the Hernando front gave him no time. With three sacks, including two from Malcolm Hudson (four this season), the Leopards forced Mahla to get rid of the ball earlier than he wanted to on multiple occasions.

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri has taken another step toward leaving the Big 12, and there is interest in the SEC in taking the Tigers.

The governing curators unanimously gave chancellor Brady Deaton the authority Friday to move the school out of the Big 12 if he decides that is in the school's best interest.

The Kansas City Star reported that the SEC expects to invite Missouri by the middle of next week, supporting a New York Times report earlier this week saying the move was "inevitable and imminent."

Deaton, who had earlier been given the okay to explore options, gave no timeline but indicated a move, if it happens, would not take long.

"We're not looking at a long time frame," Deaton said, adding any move would anticipate playing in another conference beginning next season.

While Deaton avoided saying he favors leaving the Big 12 or identifying the SEC as a landing spot, he did say, "We've provided information to the SEC."

"Missouri has not applied, nor has an invitation been extended," SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said.

However, SEC school presidents have informally discussed Missouri, and there's interest in adding the school, though no votes were taken, the Associated Press reported.

Indiana: Gunner Kiel, one of the nation's top high school quarterbacks, told Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson that he was rescinding his commitment to Indiana and would visit other schools.

Ohio State: Edward Rife, the Columbus tattoo parlor owner whose purchase of Buckeyes memorabilia triggered a football scandal, says he has received death threats and his family's finances have been destroyed. Rife pleaded guilty in June to drug trafficking and money laundering charges unrelated to the scandal. His sentencing is set for next week.

Late Thursday

UAB 26, UCF 24: Former Largo star running back Brynn Harvey scored his first touchdowns of the season, but the visiting Knights lost for the fourth time in five games when the Blazers' Ty Long kicked a 40-yard field goal with 21 seconds left. UCF (3-4, 1-2 C-USA) had taken the lead on Shawn Moffitt's 24-yard field goal. UCF starting quarterback Jeff Godfrey was relieved by Blake Bortles in the final quarter, but a last-play heave was intercepted at the goal line. "I thought we should have put Blake in sooner," UCF coach George O'Leary said.

B-CU 14, Norfolk St. 6: Jackie Wilson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Keith Stroud in the third quarter and visiting Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-2 MEAC) held the Spartans without an offensive touchdown for the first time in 70 games against a Division I-AA opponent.

Chad Wise, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — Nature Coast Tech celebrated homecoming with a defense-laden 16-13 win over Mitchell on Friday night.

The Sharks had junior Matt Breida to thank for the two touchdowns, as he ran for 154 yards on 23 carries.

Mitchell (4-4) opened the game with a successful onside kick and scoring drive. An encroachment penalty against the Sharks on fourth down gave the Mustangs a first down, and Mordell Holley made sure it did not go unpunished.

But neither team had much going offensively, trading five consecutive four and outs before Nature Coast tied the score in the second quarter.

"We were scared," Sharks coach Charles Liggett said. "(Breida) got hit, ankle (early in the first half). We were worried he wasn't coming back in."

Mitchell opened the second half with another extended drive and touchdown, but Codi Folsom's PAT was blocked, setting the stage for the Sharks to take the lead with just one possession. 

On Nature Coast's first drive of the fourth quarter, Breida rushed six times out of eight called plays, ran for 49 yards combined and finished with the touchdown. 

Mitchell had one last chance to score, but took a holding penalty in the end zone for a safety. Down three points and without a timeout, the Mustangs failed on the onside kick and watched as the Sharks took a knee to wind down the clock. 

"If we can put something together and win the next two games, we're conference champs," said Liggett, whose team is out of the playoff picture.

"Winning tonight was huge to give them that confidence."

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

NEWARK, N.J. — Michal Handzus and Ryane Clowe scored shootout goals and the Sharks celebrated captain Joe Thornton's 1,000th NHL game with a 4-3 victory over the Devils on Friday night.

Thornton had a goal and set up Joe Pavelski's tying tally with 32.4 seconds left in regulation to help the Sharks snap a three-game losing streak and end the Devils' three-game winning streak. Clowe also scored in regulation for San Jose.

Thornton joins the Flyers' Jaromir Jagr and the Ducks' Teemu Selanne as the only active players with 1,000 points in their first 1,000 games, the Elias Sports Bureau said. He is the 266th player to reach 1,000 games.

Zach Parise scored on a second-period penalty shot — the first successful penalty shot in the league this season on four attempts — and Patrik Elias and David Clarkson had the other goals for New Jersey, which got 38 saves from Johan Hedberg.

Devils center Jacob Josefson, their top draft pick in 2009, broke his right clavicle crashing into the end boards in the first.

game highlights: Johan Franzen scored two power-play goals and added an assist to help the host Red Wings remain unbeaten with a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets. Detroit (5-0-0) and the Capitals (6-0-0) are the only unbeaten teams. They play tonight. Columbus (0-6-1) is the only winless team.

prospal: be like marty: Even before Friday's loss, the Blue Jackets' Vinny Prospal had reached a breaking point six games into his tenure with the team. The wing, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, told the Columbus Dispatch the players needed to work harder, show more urgency and practice with a better attention to detail. Prospal, with his seventh team and who played his 985th career game Friday, said a good example for them is his former Lightning teammate Marty St. Louis: "That guy, when he's not scoring, he goes out there and he battles like crazy. He shoots with purpose. He goes to the net with purpose. That's what makes you appreciate the hockey player and the person. He has achieved so much over his career, and still, if he's not scoring, he doesn't just say, 'Oh, (the heck with) it, it will come.' No, no. He works through it.

around the league: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien pleaded not guilty to four counts stemming from an August arrest during a boating outing in suburban Minneapolis. The charges include boating while intoxicated and refusing to take a blood or urine test. … Predators defenseman Shea Weber was fined $2,500 by the league for a hit from behind on the Canucks' Jannik Hansen on Thursday. Weber, a finalist for the league's best defenseman award last season, was assessed a minor penalty for boarding and another two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.

First Period—1, New Jersey, Elias 2 (Kovalchuk, Clarkson), 13:53 (pp). Penalties—Palmieri, NJ (illegal check to head minor), :59; Winchester, SJ (goaltender interference), 3:27; D.Murray, SJ, major (fighting), 7:21; Boulton, NJ, major (fighting), 7:21; D.Murray, SJ (roughing), 12:49; Thornton, SJ (cross-checking), 15:22; Larsson, NJ (holding stick), 19:29.

Second Period—2, New Jersey, Parise 3 (penalty shot), :36 (sh). 3, San Jose, Thornton 1 (Pavelski, Boyle), 15:18. 4, San Jose, Clowe 2 (Havlat, Couture), 16:21. Penalties—Salvador, NJ (interference), 6:34; Palmieri, NJ (goaltender interference), 9:55; Boyle, SJ (high-sticking), 17:49.

Third Period—5, New Jersey, Clarkson 2 (Tedenby, Greene), 13:18. 6, San Jose, Pavelski 3 (Thornton, Clowe), 19:27. Penalties—Pelley, NJ (tripping), 7:03.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None.

Shootout—San Jose 2 (Pavelski NG, Handzus G, Clowe G), New Jersey 1 (Kovalchuk G, Parise NG, Elias NG). Shots on Goal—San Jose 7-20-13-1—41. New Jersey 6-5-6-2—19. Power-play opportunities—San Jose 0 of 5; New Jersey 1 of 4. Goalies—San Jose, Niemi 1-1-0 (19 shots-16 saves). New Jersey, Hedberg 3-0-1 (41-38).

First Period—1, Detroit, Franzen 3 (V.Filppula), 9:03 (pp). 2, Detroit, Franzen 4 (V.Filppula), 14:21 (pp). 3, Columbus, Brassard 2 (A.Johnson, Nash), 15:18. Penalties—Holmstrom, Det (boarding), 3:24; Umberger, Clm (holding), 8:25; MacKenzie, Clm (slashing), 14:01; Brassard, Clm (slashing), 18:14.

Second Period—4, Detroit, Datsyuk 2 (Holmstrom, Zetterberg), :27. Penalties—Dorsett, Clm, major (fighting), 2:23; Ericsson, Det, major (fighting), 2:23; Franzen, Det (hooking), 8:19; Nash, Clm (roughing), 17:19; Hudler, Det (roughing), 17:19; Lidstrom, Det (hooking), 20:00.

Third Period—5, Columbus, A.Johnson 1 (Prospal, Vermette), 1:42 (pp). 6, Detroit, Lidstrom 2 (V.Filppula, Holmstrom), 7:46 (pp). 7, Detroit, V.Filppula 2 (Franzen, Lidstrom), 18:33 (en). Penalties—Tyutin, Clm (interference), 5:43; A.Johnson, Clm (delay of game), 5:52; Franzen, Det (cross-checking), 11:54; K.Russell, Clm (interference), 19:04; Bertuzzi, Det (roughing), 19:04. Shots on Goal—Columbus 11-13-10—34. Detroit 12-7-14—33. Power-play opportunities—Columbus 1 of 4; Detroit 3 of 5. Goalies—Columbus, Mason 0-6-1 (32 shots-28 saves). Detroit, Howard 4-0-0 (34-32).

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

DETROIT — The Red Wings' power play is in full flight after an 0-for-18 start.

Johan Franzen scored two of Detroit's three power-play goals and added an assist, and Valtteri Filppula had a goal and three assists to help the Red Wings remain unbeaten with a 5-2 victory over the winless Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Detroit (5-0-0) and the Capitals (6-0-0) are the only unbeaten teams. The play tonight in Washington. Columbus (0-6-1) is the only winless team.

"We've been struggling a little bit (on the power play)," Franzen said. "I don't think we ran a set play that we worked at. It was kind of just getting the puck to the net and create opportunities. That usually helps. Don't overthink it and just get pucks to the net."

game highlights: Captain Joe Thornton had a goal and set up Joe Pavelski's tying tally with 32.4 seconds left in regulation, and the Sharks got a 4-3 shootout win over the host Devils in Thornton's 1,000th NHL game. Devils center Jacob Josefson, their top draft pick in 2009, broke his right clavicle crashing into the end boards in the first.

prospal: be like marty: Even before Friday's loss, the Blue Jackets' Vinny Prospal had reached a breaking point six games into his tenure with the team. The wing, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, told the Columbus Dispatch the players needed to work harder, show more urgency and practice with a better attention to detail. Prospal, with his seventh team and who played his 985th career game Friday, said a good example for them is his former Lightning teammate Marty St. Louis: "That guy, when he's not scoring, he goes out there and he battles like crazy. He shoots with purpose. He goes to the net with purpose. That's what makes you appreciate the hockey player and the person. He has achieved so much over his career, and still, if he's not scoring, he doesn't just say, 'Oh, (the heck with) it, it will come.' No, no. He works through it."

around the league: Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien pleaded not guilty to four counts stemming from an August arrest during a boating outing in suburban Minneapolis. The charges include boating while intoxicated and refusing to take a blood or urine test. … Predators defenseman Shea Weber was fined $2,500 by the league for a hit from behind on the Canucks' Jannik Hansen on Thursday. Weber, a finalist for the league's best defenseman award last season, was penalized for boarding and unsportsmanlike conduct in the game.

First Period—1, N.J., Elias 2 (Kovalchuk, Clarkson), 13:53 (pp). Penalties—Palmieri, NJ (illegal check to head minor), :59; Winchester, SJ (goaltender interference), 3:27; D.Murray, SJ, major (fighting), 7:21; Boulton, NJ, major (fighting), 7:21; D.Murray, SJ (roughing), 12:49; Thornton, SJ (cross-checking), 15:22; Larsson, NJ (holding stick), 19:29.

Second Period—2, N.J., Parise 3 (penalty shot), :36 (sh). 3, San Jose, Thornton 1 (Pavelski, Boyle), 15:18. 4, San Jose, Clowe 2 (Havlat, Couture), 16:21. Penalties—Salvador, NJ (interference), 6:34; Palmieri, NJ (goaltender interference), 9:55; Boyle, SJ (high-sticking), 17:49.

Third Period—5, N.J., Clarkson 2 (Tedenby, Greene), 13:18. 6, San Jose, Pavelski 3 (Thornton, Clowe), 19:27. Penalties—Pelley, NJ (tripping), 7:03.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None.

Shootout—San Jose 2 (Pavelski NG, Handzus G, Clowe G), N.J. 1 (Kovalchuk G, Parise NG, Elias NG). Shots on Goal—San Jose 7-20-13-1—41. N.J. 6-5-6-2—19. Power-play opportunities—San Jose 0 of 5; N.J. 1 of 4. Goalies—San Jose, Niemi 1-1-0 (19 shots-16 saves). N.J., Hedberg 3-0-1 (41-38).

First Period—1, Detroit, Franzen 3 (V.Filppula), 9:03 (pp). 2, Detroit, Franzen 4 (V.Filppula), 14:21 (pp). 3, Columbus, Brassard 2 (A.Johnson, Nash), 15:18. Penalties—Holmstrom, Det (boarding), 3:24; Umberger, Clm (holding), 8:25; MacKenzie, Clm (slashing), 14:01; Brassard, Clm (slashing), 18:14.

Second Period—4, Detroit, Datsyuk 2 (Holmstrom, Zetterberg), :27. Penalties—Dorsett, Clm, major (fighting), 2:23; Ericsson, Det, major (fighting), 2:23; Franzen, Det (hooking), 8:19; Nash, Clm (roughing), 17:19; Hudler, Det (roughing), 17:19; Lidstrom, Det (hooking), 20:00.

Third Period—5, Columbus, A.Johnson 1 (Prospal, Vermette), 1:42 (pp). 6, Detroit, Lidstrom 2 (V.Filppula, Holmstrom), 7:46 (pp). 7, Detroit, V.Filppula 2 (Franzen, Lidstrom), 18:33 (en). Penalties—Tyutin, Clm (interference), 5:43; A.Johnson, Clm (delay of game), 5:52; Franzen, Det (cross-checking), 11:54; K.Russell, Clm (interference), 19:04; Bertuzzi, Det (roughing), 19:04. Shots on Goal—Columbus 11-13-10—34. Detroit 12-7-14—33. Power-play opportunities—Columbus 1 of 4; Detroit 3 of 5. Goalies—Columbus, Mason 0-6-1 (32 shots-28 saves). Detroit, Howard 4-0-0 (34-32).

First Period—1, Carolina, Harrison 1 (Tlusty, Bra.Sutter), 6:52. Penalties—D'Agostini, StL (holding), 18:15.

Second Period—2, Carolina, Bra.Sutter 2 (Dwyer), 1:33. 3, St. Louis, Arnott 3 (Langenbrunner, Jackman), 5:18. 4, St. Louis, Backes 2 (Oshie), 16:09. Penalties—None.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Ruutu, Car (hooking), 2:17.

Overtime—5, St. Louis, D'Agostini 3 (Sobotka, Pietrangelo), 3:58. Penalties—Jackman, StL (hooking), :16. Shots on Goal—Carolina 10-12-3-4—29. St. Louis 11-20-9-3—43. Power-play opportunities—Carolina 0 of 2; St. Louis 0 of 1. Goalies—Carolina, Ward 3-2-1 (43 shots-40 saves). St. Louis, Elliott 2-0-0 (29-27).

Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

ZEPHYRHILLS — Resurgent Zephyrhills continued its turnaround season and took one step closer to a possible playoff berth with a dominating performance in Friday's 49-0 homecoming win over Class 5A, District 6 foe Ridgewood.

The Bulldogs (5-2, 5-0) share the 5A-6 lead with Pasco and play at Fivay next week, with the winner of that game likely becoming the district runnerup. Zephyrhills, which had just five wins the previous two seasons, last made the playoffs in 2006.

"Our No. 1 goal is to play in the postseason," Zephyrhills coach Reggie Roberts said. "We win next week, we're in."

Jamal Roberts ran for three touchdowns and passed for another — all in the first half — to lead the Bulldogs. The senior quarterback finished with 122 yards (87 rushing, 35 passing).

Roberts burst up the middle for a 54-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage before making Ridgewood (1-7, 1-4) pay for back-to-back turnovers.

Two fumble recoveries led to Roberts' 10-yard scoring pass to Justin Swanstrom and his 4-yard scramble into the end zone.

Zephyrhills built a 42-0 halftime lead on scoring runs of 41 and 22 yards by Devario Mathis and Roberts, respectively, and Devon Brockington's 69-yard fumble return.

The second half was played with a running clock, the third time Zephyrhills has won this year under that format. The Bulldogs added a 2-yard touchdown run by Jacob Smith in the third quarter to close out the scoring.

Ridgewood's offense struggled with quarterback Bob Peck passing for 73 yards and Tyler Vito gaining 45 yards on 13 carries.

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

CHICAGO — Theo Epstein resigned from the Red Sox on Friday with a year left on his contract as general manager to become president of baseball operations for the Cubs, a team that has gone 103 years without a World Series title.

With Epstein at the helm, the Red Sox ended an 86-year World Series title drought in 2004 and won it again in 2007.

Cubs fans can only hope he will do the same thing. Chairman Tom Ricketts fired GM Jim Hendry in July after another disappointing season.

The teams negotiated for more than a week over compensation the Red Sox would receive for letting Epstein, 37, out of his contract. In the end, they decided that would be resolved in the near term. Epstein will reportedly receive a five-year deal worth about $18.5 million in Chicago.

The Red Sox are expected to name assistant GM Ben Cherington as Epstein's replacement. Boston must also find a manager to replace Terry Francona.

The Cubs are also interested in hiring Padres general manager Jed Hoyer for that position, where he would be reunited with Epstein, according to various reports. They worked together in Boston.

The teams said they would hold news conferences Tuesday.

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA — Justin Leonard described his round Friday at Disney as a "fun, easy day." He shot 9-under 63 for his lowest round of the year, tying him for the lead with Henrik Stenson and Bio Kim at the Children's Miracle Network Classic at 12-under 132.

It was only after his round that he felt as though he was on Thunder Mountain without having left the course.

Leonard is 144th on the PGA Tour money list but not worried about keeping his tour card because he is exempt through 2012. Because of a misprint in the media guide, reporters didn't understand how he was exempt, leading to confusion — and a brief spell of panic for Leonard — as tour officials researched regulations to confirm the answer.

By the time he headed for the Magic Kingdom for a parade with his four children, all was well.

The leaders were two shots clear of Nick O'Hern.

Webb Simpson and Luke Donald, battling for the money title, played the opening two rounds at 7-under 137, meaning they will be paired again today after playing the first two rounds together. Simpson has a $363,029 lead; Donald tops the world rankings.

The stress is at the bottom of the money list. The players at Nos. 123, 124 and 125 — D.J. Trahan, Bobby Gates and James Driscoll — made the cut.

Kim, who shot 65, is at No. 168 and has to finish no worse than second to avoid qualifying school. Stenson, who had 64, is at No. 180 but is exempt through 2014 for winning the Players Championship.

Leonard also has no concern about next year.

"I did call the tour a couple months ago and asked about my status. I'm exempt for next year, so I'm not playing with that kind of pressure," Leonard said. "I don't know how, I just am. I gave the same look to the telephone. 'How is this guy still exempt?' "

His British Open win in 1997 came with a 10-year exemption. Starting in 2003, the tour began adding to the 10-year exemption with every win. Leonard won five times after 2003, thus he is exempt through 2012.

LPGA: Azahara Munoz carded 6-under 66 to share the lead with Anna Nordqvist after the second round of the inaugural Taiwan Championship in Yang Mei. Both were at 7-under 137. Tampa resident Kristy McPherson was at 146, and Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse was at 154.

Lauren Burg, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

LARGO — Indian Rocks Christian scored 21 first-quarter points to rout Northside Christian.

The Golden Eagles were led by the senior trio of Jake Voitier, Sean Culkin and Casey Woods. Woods went 5-of-9 for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Culkin had three receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns, and Voitier had 11 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

IRC also got a glimpse of a promising future. Eighth-grader Zeke McGoughy was called up from the junior varsity and had eight rushes for 40 yards and the Golden Eagles' final touchdown.

"He will be a real good player," IRC coach Mark Buchanan said. "It was good for him to get this experience."

Northside was led by senior Jason Piquette (3-of-9 for 41 yards and a touchdown) and sophomore Tristan Lewis (four carries for 67 yards).

Lauren Burg, Times correspondent

Lauren Burg, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

LARGO — Indian Rocks Christian scored 21 first-quarter points to rout Northside Christian.

The Golden Eagles were led by the senior trio of Jake Voitier, Sean Culkin and Casey Woods. Woods went 5-of-9 for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Culkin had three receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns, and Voitier had 11 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

IRC also got a glimpse of a promising future. Eighth-grader Zeke McGoughy was called up from the junior varsity and had eight rushes for 40 yards and the Golden Eagles' final touchdown.

"He will be a real good player," IRC coach Mark Buchanan said. "It was good for him to get this experience."

Northside was led by senior Jason Piquette (3-of-9 for 41 yards and a touchdown) and sophomore Tristan Lewis (four carries for 67 yards).

Lauren Burg, Times correspondent

Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

SHADY HILLS — Led by quarterback R.J. Perciavalle, Bishop McLaughlin edged Shorecrest 28-21 Friday.

Two minutes into the second quarter and trailing 7-0, Bishop McLaughlin's offense started to heat up.

Perciavalle threw over the middle to Austin Meyers, who leaped over the defender and came down with the reception for first and 10 on Shorecrest's 24-yard line. On the next play Perciavalle connected with Jordan Betancourt to even the score at 7.

On their first possession of the second half, the Hurricanes (2-5) took the lead on Evan Barhonovich's 26-yard reception.

After the Chargers (2-5) went three and out, the Hurricanes drove 71 yards, finishing with Betancourt's 6-yard run that gave Bishop a 20-7 lead.

Shorecrest's defense forced a fumble in Bishop's end zone, recovered by Alex Delgado that made it 20-14.

Perciavalle answered once again for Bishop McLaughlin. After a nice return to midfield by Betancourt on the kickoff, Perciavalle hooked up with Barhonovich again, this time from 46 yards out.

Barhonovich finished with six catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Perciavalle was 19-for-24 with 320 yards and three touchdowns.

Shorecrest cut the lead to seven with 10 seconds left in the third quarter when quarterback Dakota Hirsch completed a 22-yard pass to Alex Drexler, but the Chargers didn't get any closer.

Times wires
Friday, October 21, 2011

Tennis

ATP against extending open

The ATP Tour is opposed to extending the U.S. Open to 15 days, executive chairman and president Adam Helfant said.

The U.S. Open has staged a Monday men's singles final the past four years because of weather. The U.S. Tennis Association, which organizes the Open, said this week it is considering a format change and could switch permanently to a Monday finish for the men's final.

The Davis Cup semifinals are the weekend after the Open. Players who make the Open final would have less time to recover and prepare if they played the title match on Monday, Helfant said.

More tennis

Monfils, Blake gain semis in Stockholm

Top seed Gael Monfils beat Kevin Anderson 7-5, 7-5 Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Stockholm Open. He plays sixth seed Milos Raonic. Tampa resident James Blake advanced and plays Jarkko Nieminen.

Kremlin Cup: Dominika Cibulkova advanced to her second straight semifinal, beating top seed Vera Zvonareva 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals at Moscow. Marion Bartoli withdrew with an illness, handing Agnieszka Radwanska a spot in the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul.

ET CETERA

pan am games: Connor Fields, the No. 1-ranked BMX rider in the world, won gold despite a snapped chain in his second heat that sent him flying over his handlebars. He helped push the United States into triple digits in the medals table at Guadalajara, Mexico.

Media: NBC Sports has agreed to move from New York to Stamford to take advantage of tax breaks, adding to a growing film and TV presence in the southwestern Connecticut city.

Times wires

Justin Dargahi, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 21, 2011

TAMPA — In a game filled with explosive plays, one explosive player stood out.

Carrollwood Day's Robert Davis scored five touchdowns to help the Patriots outlast Cambridge in a 54-35 shootout Friday night.

Neither team could sustain much on defense as the teams combined for 846 yards of offense and 12 touchdowns.

Carrollwood Day (5-3, 3-3) scored touchdowns on its first four possessions.

Davis scored his first touchdown on a 5-yard run, which came between passing scores of 15 and 55 yards from Deuce Gruden to Andy Embody.

The Lancers (5-3, 4-3) made it 26-14 midway through the second quarter after Phillip Johnson found Robbie Robertson for a 22-yard touchdown, but Cambridge could get no closer.

Davis put the game out of reach in the third quarter after scoring on a pair of 60-yard plays (one on an interception, the other on a run) to finish with 250 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Despite his individual performance, Davis was still only concerned with the what the team has to do going forward.

"We are just focusing on finishing the season with five straight wins," Davis said. "We know to make the playoffs we need to at least finish 7-3."

Embody finished with two receptions for 70 yards and two scores and added a third touchdown on a 28-yard run.

Johnson finished with 203 passing yards and three scores for Cambridge while teammate Brandon Park added 128 yards of offense (64 rushing, 64 receiving) and two touchdowns.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent


Friday, October 21, 2011

DOVER — Seffner Christian dug itself a 14-point first-half hole, was unable to recover and lost for the first time in a month, dropping its homecoming game 20-7 against the Community School of Naples at Strawberry Crest on Friday night.

"I felt the effort in the first half wasn't there," Crusaders coach Steve Lewis said. "The second half was more like it, but it was too little, too late."

The loss ended the Crusaders' five-game winning streak and it was their first defeat since a season-opening loss to Mount Dora Bible.

"They were a really good team," quarterback Tanner Richardson said. "And they hit very hard."

The Crusaders (5-2) had a tough time getting their normally potent offense on track. Seffner Christian came into the game averaging 47 points during its winning streak, but its lone score came on a 10-yard pass from Richardson to Joe Hagel with 58 seconds left in the third quarter.

"We felt we could do some throwing against them," Lewis said. "But they are a very tough team, and we knew that coming in."

Hagel's TD cut it to 14-7, but the Crusaders were unable to capitalize in the fourth. Seffner Christian's defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a muffed punt gave the ball right back to the Seahawks (4-4). Naples then missed a short field goal, but the Crusaders threw interceptions on back-to-back possessions, with the second returned 31 yards for a sealing TD.

Crusaders linebacker Caleb Gude was taken to a hospital with an apparent neck injury in the third quarter. Lewis said Gude had feeling in all his extremities when he left in the ambulance.

By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent


Friday, October 21, 2011

DOVER — Seffner Christian dug itself a 14-point first-half hole, was unable to recover and lost for the first time in a month, dropping its homecoming game 20-7 against the Community School of Naples at Strawberry Crest on Friday night.

"I felt the effort in the first half wasn't there," Crusaders coach Steve Lewis said. "The second half was more like it, but it was too little, too late."

The loss ended the Crusaders' five-game winning streak and it was their first defeat since a season-opening loss to Mount Dora Bible.

"They were a really good team," quarterback Tanner Richardson said. "And they hit very hard."

The Crusaders (5-2) had a tough time getting their normally potent offense on track. Seffner Christian came into the game averaging 47 points during its winning streak, but its lone score came on a 10-yard pass from Richardson to Joe Hagel with 58 seconds left in the third quarter.

"We felt we could do some throwing against them," Lewis said. "But they are a very tough team, and we knew that coming in."

Hagel's TD cut it to 14-7, but the Crusaders were unable to capitalize in the fourth. Seffner Christian's defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but a muffed punt gave the ball right back to the Seahawks (4-4). Naples then missed a short field goal, but the Crusaders threw interceptions on back-to-back possessions, with the second returned 31 yards for a sealing TD.

Crusaders linebacker Caleb Gude was taken to a hospital with an apparent neck injury in the third quarter. Lewis said Gude had feeling in all his extremities when he left in the ambulance.