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Times staff


Thursday, February 7, 2013

TODAY

Boxing

Welterweights: Campbell vs. Bizier, 9 p.m., ESPN2

College basketball

Women: Maryland at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m., Sun Sports

North Carolina-Asheville at Virginia Military Institute, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Women: Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, 8:30 p.m., Sun Sports

Siena at Loyola (Md.), 9 p.m., ESPNU

College hockey

North Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

Michigan at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m., CBSSN

College lacrosse

Siena at Johns Hopkins, 5 p.m., ESPNU

Golf

PGA Europe: Joburg Open, 11 a.m., Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 3 p.m., Golf

Champions: Allianz Championship (taped), 6:30 p.m., Golf

High school girls soccer, state finals

Class A: Fort Myers Evangelical vs. Orange Park St. John's Country Day, 5 p.m., BHSN

Class 2A: Ocala Trinity Catholic vs. Pinecrest Gulliver Prep, 8 p.m., BHSN

NBA

Magic at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m., FSN

Clippers at Heat, 8 p.m., ESPN

Bulls at Jazz, 10:30 p.m., ESPN

NHL

Ducks at Stars, 8:30 p.m., NHL

Soccer

Mexican: Club Len at Monarcas, 8:30 p.m., ESPND

Saturday HIGHLIGHTS

College basketball

Temple at Dayton, 11 a.m., ESPNU

Michigan at Wisconsin, noon, ESPN; 620-AM

Florida State at Wake Forest, noon, ESPN2; 1040-AM

Mississippi at Missouri, 1 p.m., Ch. 10

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, 1 p.m., FSN

Akron at Miami (Ohio), 1 p.m., ESPNU

Arkansas at Vanderbilt, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 38

North Carolina at Miami, 2 p.m., ESPN; 620-AM

St. Joseph's at Massachusetts, 2 p.m., ESPN2

Delaware at George Mason, 2 p.m., CBSSN

USF at Villanova, 3 p.m., ESPNU; 98.7-FM

Kansas at Oklahoma, 4 p.m., ESPN

Valparaiso at Cleveland State, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Auburn at Kentucky, 4 p.m., Ch. 38

Memphis at Southern Miss, 4 p.m., CBSSN

Northwestern at Iowa, 4:30 p.m., Big Ten

Mississippi State at Florida, 5 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

Texas A&M at Georgia, 5 p.m., ESPNU

Iowa State at Kansas State, 6 p.m., ESPN2

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 6 p.m., ESPN

Fresno State at San Diego State, 6 p.m., CBSSN

Stanford at Arizona State, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Michigan State at Purdue, 7 p.m., Big Ten

Women: USF at Providence, 7:30 p.m., 1010-AM

LSU at Alabama, 8 p.m., ESPN2

Penn State at Nebraska, 9 p.m., ESPNU

Louisville at Notre Dame, 9 p.m., ESPN

New Mexico at UNLV, 9 p.m., NBCSN

Illinois State at Creighton, 10 p.m., ESPN2

St. Mary's at San Diego, 11 p.m., ESPNU

Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 1 p.m., Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 3 p.m., Ch. 10

NBA

Nuggets at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m., NBA

NHL

Lightning at Bruins, 1 p.m., Sun Sports; 970-AM

Penguins at Devils, 1 p.m., NHL

Coyotes at Sharks, 4 p.m., NHL

Maple Leafs at Canadiens, 7 p.m., NHL

Sunday HIGHLIGHTS

College basketball

Connecticut at Seton Hall, noon, BHSN

Indiana at Ohio State, 1 p.m., Ch. 10

N.C. State at Clemson, 1 p.m., Ch. 44

Tennessee at South Carolina, 1 p.m., Sun Sports

Women: Georgia at LSU, 1:30 p.m., ESPNU

St. John's at Syracuse, 3 p.m., ESPN

Women: Florida at Auburn, 3 p.m., Sun Sports

Women: DePaul at Connecticut, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

Women: Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Duke at Boston College, 6 p.m., ESPNU

Illinois at Minnesota, 6 p.m., Big Ten

Drake at Evansville, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Washington at USC, 10 p.m., FSN

Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 1 p.m., Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 3 p.m., Ch. 10

NBA

Clippers at Knicks, 1 p.m., Ch. 28; ESPND

Lakers at Heat, 3:30 p.m., Ch. 28; ESPND

Trail Blazers at Magic, 6 p.m., FSN

Spurs at Nets, 8 p.m., ESPN

NHL

Kings at Red Wings, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 8

Lightning at Rangers, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports; 970-AM

Devils at Penguins, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network; ESPND: ESPN Deportes; FSN: Fox Sports Net; NBCSN: NBC Sports Network.


Pierce and Celtics thump Lakers in Howard's return

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Times wires
Thursday, February 7, 2013

BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 24 and led a third-quarter surge as the Celtics routed the Lakers 116-95 on Thursday night, improving to 6-0 since losing point guard Rajon Rondo for the season with a torn knee ligament.

The Lakers had cut a 58-44 halftime deficit to 72-61 with 5:07 left in the third quarter. Then the Celtics went on a 23-8 run and led 95-69 going into the fourth. Pierce started the surge with a three-point play and ended it with a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left, giving him 12 points in the period.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 to lead the Lakers, who suffered their worst loss of the season despite the return of Dwight Howard after he missed three games with a sore right shoulder.

The Lakers had won six of their previous seven games, including all three without Howard, and had moved three games behind the Rockets for the final West playoff spot.

But they trailed by at least 11 points throughout the second half.

Previously, the Lakers' worst loss was 113-97 at Sacramento on Nov. 21.

Kevin Garnett had 15 points and became the 16th player in NBA history to score 25,000 when he hit an 11-foot turnaround jumper.

"It always feels good when you can give them a little old-fashioned beatdown in your house, no matter what direction these teams are going," Pierce said. "It'll always be a rivalry. Everybody's always going to watch."

Howard had nine points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes before fouling out with 5:07 left. Before the game, Howard had responded to Bryant, who said: "We don't have time for (Howard's shoulder) to heal. … We need some urgency."

"I want to play," Howard said. "(But) if I go down, then what? Everybody's life is going to go on. I don't want to have another summer where I'm rehabbing and trying to get healthy again. I want to come back and have another great year."

Union leader to fight: Billy Hunter, the players union leader who was put on indefinite leave last week by an interim executive committee, defended his reputation in an interview with the New York Times in the wake of an independent audit that assailed his business and hiring practices.

Hunter, 70, indicated he would not leave without a fight.

"I intend to exercise all my options as of this moment," said Hunter, who has led the union since 1996. He maintains he is owed $10.5 million on a contract that runs through 2016, even if he is fired.

The audit found no criminal wrongdoing by Hunter, although it concluded that he failed in his fiduciary obligations and had put personal and family gain ahead of union interests.

"Never. Absolutely not true," Hunter said. "They didn't find one dime missing."

Hunter said the union was $5 million in debt when he took over and now has $80 million in its reserves. Its members are among the most highly compensated athletes in the world.

"Where's the detriment?" he said.

Around the league: For the first time this season, the Clippers had all their players practicing Thursday, meaning if there are no setbacks, they could be at full strength against the Heat tonight. Forward Blake Griffin (hamstring) and guards Jamal Crawford (sore right shoulder), Chris Paul (bruised kneecap) and Chauncey Billups (tendinitis in his left foot) were listed as game-time decisions. … The Bulls and Raptors have had trade discussions that would send Carlos Boozer to the Raptors for Andrea Bargnani, ESPN reported. To make the salary-cap math work, other players with smaller contracts would have to be added to the deal. … Hawks guard Lou Williams had reconstructive surgery on his ACL tear in his right knee. Recovery can take from nine months to a year.

Celtics 116, Lakers 95

L.A. LAKERS (95): World Peace 2-13 1-2 5, Clark 2-6 1-2 5, Howard 4-8 1-6 9, Nash 4-9 0-0 9, Bryant 9-15 9-9 27, Jamison 4-9 2-4 11, Blake 2-5 2-4 7, Meeks 5-12 2-2 13, Duhon 1-2 0-0 2, Morris 0-0 0-0 0, Ebanks 2-6 0-0 5, Sacre 1-2 0-1 2. Totals 36-87 18-30 95.

BOSTON (116): Pierce 10-17 3-4 24, Bass 4-5 0-0 8, Garnett 6-10 3-4 15, Lee 6-12 0-0 13, Bradley 4-11 2-2 10, Collins 1-1 0-0 2, Green 6-13 6-6 19, Terry 5-6 3-5 15, Wilcox 3-4 2-4 8, Barbosa 0-6 0-0 0, Melo 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 46-87 19-25 116.

L.A. Lakers 23 21 25 26— 95

Boston 27 31 37 21— 116

3-Point GoalsL.A. Lakers 5-23 (Blake 1-1, Nash 1-2, Jamison 1-3, Ebanks 1-3, Meeks 1-5, Bryant 0-1, Duhon 0-1, Clark 0-2, World Peace 0-5), Boston 5-11 (Terry 2-2, Green 1-1, Lee 1-2, Pierce 1-4, Bradley 0-1, Barbosa 0-1). Fouled OutHoward. ReboundsL.A. Lakers 56 (Howard 9), Boston 54 (Wilcox 9). AssistsL.A. Lakers 16 (Nash 5), Boston 25 (Pierce 6). Total FoulsL.A. Lakers 19, Boston 28. TechnicalsL.A. Lakers defensive three second, Boston defensive three second. A18,624.

Lightning falls to Devils

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, February 7, 2013

NEWARK, N.J. — This is how frustrating things got for the Lightning on Thursday night against the Devils:

Coach Guy Boucher was mad enough at referee Don Van Massenhoven for what seemed a questionable tripping call on Marty St. Louis and a questionable high-sticking call on Adam Hall that he got a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

That led to two third-period five-on-three goals for the Devils in 14 seconds, by Andy Greene and Patrick Elias, the turning point in a 4-2 New Jersey victory at the Prudential Center.

"I will certainly not comment on that," Boucher said about the referees but then added, "I didn't see any penalties. I didn't see anything. I just watched the video. I didn't see anything. I guess I have to look at it another 20 times."

It was the third straight loss for the Lightning (6-4-0), which was outshot 27-19, including 11-4 in the second period. The power play was 0-for-4 with two shots and is 1-for-17 on the road.

Oh, yeah, and there was another bad goal allowed by Anders Lindback, who lost the puck after stopping Anton Volchenkov's second-period shot, allowing Adam Henrique to pop in the rebound.

Nate Thompson tied the score with 6:41 left in the second, and Ilya Kovalchuk's shorthanded goal with 2:26 left after a turnover by Sami Salo made it 2-1.

So, despite an uneven effort, Tampa Bay was still in it. Birthday boy Steven Stamkos even had a chance to tie it 3:13 into the third but missed the net from in close with goalie Marty Brodeur out of position.

"I just missed an open net, not much to it," Stamkos, 23, said. "I thought I made a great play to be patient with it and not rush it, and pulled out the goalie. I just went far side with it. When things aren't going your way and you're not getting the bounces, those don't go in."

Them St. Louis was called for a phantom tripping penalty and Hall 18 seconds later for high-sticking as he followed through on a clearing attempt.

That's when Boucher had words with Van Massenhoven, who teed him up. Greene and Elias scored to make it 4-1 with 4:44 left.

So, to recap, that was 0-for-4 on the power play for the Lightning, and two-five-on-three goals allowed and a shorty while falling to 1-3-0 on the road.

"It's frustrating, especially since we got some opportunities," left wing Ryan Malone said, "and the refs are going to call what they're going to call. We have to get the job done."

Devils0224
Lightning0112

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesLarsson, NJ (interference), 9:36.

Second Period1, NJ, Henrique 3 (Volchenkov, Elias), 3:28. 2, TB, Thompson 2 (St. Louis), 13:19. 3, NJ, Kovalchuk 3, 17:34 (sh). PenaltiesMikkelson, TB (tripping), 4:37; Salvador, NJ (delay of game), 10:25; Barch, NJ (tripping), 13:58; NJ bench, served by Butler (abuse of officials), 16:23.

Third Period4, NJ, Greene 2 (Clarkson, Elias), 15:02 (pp). 5, NJ, Elias 3 (Kovalchuk, Greene), 15:16 (pp). 6, TB, Carle 2 (St. Louis, Stamkos), 17:45. PenaltiesSt. Louis, TB (tripping), 13:29; Hall, TB (high-sticking), 13:47; TB bench, served by Bergeron (abuse of officials), 13:47; Hedman, TB (hooking), 17:25; Clarkson, NJ (diving), 17:25. Shots on GoalTB 8-4-7—19. NJ 11-11-5—27. Power-play opportunitiesTB 0 of 4; NJ 2 of 4. GoaliesTB, Lindback 5-3-0 (27 shots-23 saves). NJ, Brodeur 5-1-2 (19-17). Referees—Chris Rooney, Don Van Massenhoven. LinesmenDerek Nansen, Ryan Galloway.

Illini beat buzzer to shock Hoosiers

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Times wires
Thursday, February 7, 2013

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Tyler Griffey made an uncontested layup at the buzzer as Illinois beat Indiana 74-72 on Thursday, the fifth straight week the nation's No. 1 team has lost.

The Hoosiers (20-3, 8-2 Big Ten) led 69-59 after Christian Watford's two free throws with 4:21 left.

But D.J. Richardson made consecutive 3-pointers for the Illini (16-8, 3-7) then hit a jumper on the run to tie it at 70 with 1:17 to go. After the teams exchanged baskets, Indiana's Victor Oladipo lost control of the ball. He recovered to block a layup by Richardson, the ball going of bounds with 0.9 seconds left to play.

Griffey, open after setting a screen, took the inbounds pass from Brandon Paul and gently laid the ball into the basket.

"I just made a simple curl cut and left two guys behind me," Griffey said.

Indiana coach Tom Crean said the play was a lot like the other breakdowns that let Illinois rally: "We didn't communicate."

No. 4 Duke 98, N.C. State 85: Mason Plumlee scored 30 for the host Blue Devils, who avenged a 84-76 loss on Jan. 12. Duke (20-2, 7-2 ACC) led by as many as 21 in handing the Wolfpack their third straight loss. Plumlee fell two points shy of the career high he set last week at Wake Forest.

Texas A&M 70, No. 21 Missouri 68: Fabyon Harris' 3-pointer with 12 seconds left lifted the host Aggies. The Tigers (16-6, 5-4 SEC), 0-5 in true road games, trailed by as many as 15 in the second half. They had the ball and the lead with 30 seconds left. But Phil Pressey threw the ball away.

Jackrabbit scores 53: Nate Wolters scored 53 to lead visiting South Dakota State past Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne 80-74. Wolters' 53 are the most this season by a Division I player, bettering the 47 of Oakland's Travis Bader on Jan. 24.

Notre Dame will wait to leave Big East

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame will stay in the Big East for at least one more season.

Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said the school wants to leave the Big East for the ACC before the required 27 months' notice but failed to reach a financial agreement to do so before next season.

The 27 months would take the Irish to after the 2014-15 season, but Swarbrick said he would like to leave after 2013-14.

"Negotiations are ongoing," he said.

Women: Tar Heels coach wins No. 900

BOSTON — Coach Sylvia Hatchell earned her 900th victory when No. 16 North Carolina beat Boston College 80-52.

Among women's coaches, only Hatchell, Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt have won 900 games (though Rutgers' C. Vivian Stringer is two away). Three men's coaches — Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Bob Knight — have won 900 games.

Xylina McDaniel had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Tar Heels (21-3, 9-2 ACC).

No. 8 Penn St. 76, Indiana 54: Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas each scored 20 for the visiting Nittany Lions. Penn State (19-3, 9-1 Big Ten) went on a 15-2 run to go up by 18 in the second half.

No. 9 Georgia 61, Auburn 58: Jasmine Hassell scored 15 for the host Bulldogs. Georgia (20-3, 8-2 SEC) made only 2 of 16 shots from the field over the first 10 minutes of the second half.

No. 10 Kentucky 79, Arkansas 74 OT: Bria Goss scored 16 of her 17 after halftime for the visiting Wildcats. Kentucky (20-3, 8-2 SEC) trailed by eight with 6:51 left in regulation.

No. 12 Tennessee 64, LSU 62: Bashaara Graves stole the ball, saw her shot blocked, got the rebound and scored with a second left to lift the visiting Vols (18-5, 9-1 SEC).

No. 15 South Carolina 65, Alabama 53: Aleighsa Welch had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Ashley Bruner 15 points and 11 rebounds for the visiting Gamecocks (20-3, 8-2 SEC), who never trailed.

No. 18 Dayton 78, Xavier 68: Samantha MacKay had 18 points and seven assists for the host Flyers. Tied at 36 in the second half, Dayton (20-1, 8-0 Atlantic 10) went on a 21-7 run.

No. 20 Delaware 77, Towson 55: Elena Della Donne had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the visi­ting Blue Hens (19-3, 10-0), who have won 28 straight Colonial Athletic regular-season games.

USF game time moved: Because of the 1-3 feet of snow predicted for Providence, USF's game there Saturday was moved from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

. fast facts

Gators forward out indefinitely

GAINESVILLE — Florida junior forward Will Yeguete will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today.

"He's going to be out … best-case scenario would be the remainder of the regular season, and we'll probably re-evaluate it then," Florida coach Billy Donovan said Thursday.

Yeguete has been slowed by tendinitis all season.

"He's had some significant swelling over the last several weeks, and he's got some floating chips and cartilage in there," Donovan said. "So he's got to have … it cleaned out."

Yeguete has played in all 21 games, averaging six points, and he is the team's second-leading rebounder at 6.3 per game.

This is the second straight season an injury has derailed Yeguete's season. In 2012, he broke his left foot on Feb. 21. Florida lost four of its next five games.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Lightning-Boston game moved to 7 p.m. Saturday

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

The start time of the Lightning's game today with the Bruins at TD Garden has been changed to 7 p.m., the league announced, due to concerns over a storm expected to bring up to 30 inches of snow to Boston. The game, originally scheduled for 1 p.m., will be televised by Sun Sports and broadcast on 970-AM.

The weather is not expected to affect Tampa Bay's game with the Rangers at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in New York.

Dirty Girl mud run is 'filthy fun'

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By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors/Fitness Editor
Friday, February 8, 2013

DADE CITY

Stephanie Garcia likes to play dirty.

"Growing up, my brother I were always outside," the 33-year-old science teacher from Tampa said. "I don't have a problem with mud."

Garcia, who started exercising to lose weight, is one of the more than 1,000 women who paid $100 and signed up for today's Dirty Girl Mud Run in Dade City.

"It is going to be 3.1 miles of fabulously filthy fun," said Garcia who has enlisted a gang of girlfriends to run the obstacle course with her. "You can't be scared. You just have to go for it."

What separates the Dirty Girl races, and the Pretty Muddy held in Tampa in December, from other obstacle runs is that they are women-only events.

"It is part of a national trend, not just with obstacles races and mud runs but with half-marathons as well," said Pete Williams, a Safety Harbor author who writes about endurance and adventure sports.

"Women love the camaraderie these events offer," said Williams, who just released a book, Obstacle Fit. "A big part of the appeal is that they can do these events together."

Garcia, who weighed 400 pounds when she began her fitness regimen three years ago, was a little scared when she did her first mud run two months ago.

"I didn't know if I could make it over the obstacles," said Garcia, who has shed 120 pounds since she began working out. "But this event is not timed, and any obstacle that participants don't feel comfortable completing, they can take a detour and skip it."

Event organizers said many women feel more comfortable running, jumping and climbing with only other women rather than in a group that includes men.

"There is absolutely no judgment," Garcia said. "It's all about having a great time and feeling that awesome sense of accomplishment. It's all about girl power."

Andrea Neukom, marketing director for the Dirty Girl, said the event is designed to help women get outside their comfort zones. "Nobody is pushing you. … Go as far as you can go," she said. "A lot of our participants have never even done a 5K before, so when they finish this, they really feel like they have done something."

The Dirty Girl series has proved popular. The 2013 schedule contains 60 races. That's up from 25 in 2012.

"This is no Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder," Neukom said, referring to other series of obstacle-course races. "I think the only similarity is that there is mud involved."

The Dirty Girl series kicked off its 2013 season last week in San Diego. This weekend's race is the first time the tour has come to Florida.

Garcia said she is running today for her mother, Judy, who had breast cancer and died in April. Dirty Girl recently partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Entries are free to breast cancer survivors, and participants are given the option of raising money for research.

"I know if my mom was still here, she would be running right there beside me," Garcia said. "But my teammates and I will be thinking of her every step of the way."

Lightning tries to overcome road woes

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

BOSTON — Teddy Purcell said he and his Lightning teammates don't feel any different when they play on the road compared to at home.

And coach Guy Boucher said Tampa Bay's play on the road this season "is not even comparable" to last season, when the team was second-worst in the league.

So, why is the Lightning still struggling on the road?

"We can't go from being awful on the road last year to all of a sudden be outstanding," Boucher said Friday. "There is a process to it, and we're on the way there. I really believe it."

It is a bit of a tough sell when you consider the results so far.

The Lightning, 6-4-0 overall and a dominant 5-1-0 at home, is 1-3-0 on the road. It has been outscored only 11-10, but has been outshot in each game and is 1-for-17 on the power play.

"We're not off to the start we want," Purcell said.

Worse, there were times in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Devils Tampa Bay showed some of the worst characteristics of last season's team that was 13-22-6 away from home. There were turnovers in the neutral zone and at the opponent's blue line, difficult and unsuccessful entries into the offensive zone, bad passing and missed scoring chances.

But Boucher insisted any similarities to last season's team is more perception than fact.

"It's not even comparable to last year's games," he said. "Last year on the road, awful in our zone, no offense, scared, backcheck bad, all over the place in all situations. That's not what we're looking like. We've got good structure. We're keeping with other teams. We're right there with them."

To Boucher, all it will take for the Lightning to start getting results — that is, playing at least .500 on the road — is attention to details or as he described it, "focusing on the process."

That includes understanding how to limit limiting turnovers, especially at the start and end of periods, being more selective when forechecking so as not to leave too much ice undefended and working more efficient offensive-zone entries all while managing the surges of an opponent pumped up by the home crowd.

A better power play would help as well as Boucher has bemoaned the lack of motion and shots, quite different from the power play Tampa Bay shows at home, where it is No. 1 in the league at 44.4 percent (12-for-27).

"The thing is, we're in these games," Purcell said. "It's not like we're getting blown out. Our focus just isn't there for a full 60 minutes. If we do that for a game, gain some confidence and get on a little path we'll be fine."

How much time is there before players get frustrated?

"At some point there has to be some results so we can get something positive to feel good about ourselves and get some confidence," Boucher said. "It's just we can't get that until we take care of the process."

That continues tonight against the 7-1-1 Bruins at TD Garden.

"Are we winning (today)? I don't know, but it has to be part of the process," Boucher said. "Right now we have to stick with it and add on these little details to make us tilt over so we're not at the other end of the spectrum like we were last year."

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

Preview: USF vs. Providence women's basketball

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

.Tonight

USF women at Providence

When/where: 7:30; Alumni Hall, Providence, R.I.

Radio: 1010-AM

Records: USF 15-6, 4-4 Big East; Providence 7-15, 2-7.

Notable: Originally scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff, the game was pushed back to allow for cleanup of the heavy snow expected in Rhode Island. … The Bulls need this road win as they try to move onto the bubble for the NCAA Tournament. … USF has the top two free-throw shooters in conference play. Inga Orekhova and Andrea Smith are both hitting 94.7 percent.

By Greg Auman, Times staff writer


Preview: Florida-Mississippi State basketball

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By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

. Today

No. 2 Florida vs. Mississippi State

When/where: 5; O'Connell Center, Gainesville

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Records: UF 18-3, 8-1 SEC; Mississippi State 7-14, 2-7.

Notable: The Gators will be without junior F Will Yeguete for at least the remainder of the regular season (knee surgery). That puts pressure on C Patric Young, particularly because reserve F Casey Prather has not returned to full strength from a high ankle sprain. … Tampa freshman G Michael Frazier III most likely will see much more playing time.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

USF at Villanova basketball preview

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

. TODAY

USF men at Villanova

When/where: 3; Pavilion, Philadelphia

TV/radio: ESPNU; 98.7-FM

Records: USF 10-12, 1-9 Big East; Villanova 14-9, 5-5.

Notable: USF beat Villanova three times last season, but the Bulls will do well to salvage a split this season in a disappointing conference run. … The Wildcats won 63-50 in early January, getting a 42-32 edge on rebounds. … There are opportunities for USF. Villanova has the Big East's worst 3-point defense, and it is worst in the league in assist/turnover ratio.

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Preview: FSU vs. Wake Forest basketball

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Times staff
Friday, February 8, 2013

. TODAY

Florida State at Wake Forest

When/where: Noon; Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, N.C.

TV/radio: ESPN2; 1040-AM

Records: FSU 13-9, 5-4 ACC; Wake Forest 10-12, 3-7.

Notable: The Demon Deacons have lost five of six, including their past four by an average of 19 points. … F Travis McKie (14.5 ppg) and G C.J. Harris (14.4) are the only Wake players averaging more than 8.2 points. … FSU seeks its fifth straight win over Wake.

Times staff

Captain's Corner: Head offshore for mangrove snapper

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By Jay Mastry, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 8, 2013

What's hot: Mangrove snapper have made it worth venturing offshore. We caught more than two dozen Tuesday as well as Thursday morning on the incoming water. Natural hard bottoms 13 miles southwest of St. Pete Beach provided nonstop action with a variety of species as long as the tide was moving. Most of our snapper preferred the 3-inch whitebaits.

Tip: Focusing on smaller baits and lighter tackle has been more productive with mango. It's worth the time to gather small whitebaits. Too big of a bait on 20-pound tackle is no match for grouper that likely will break you off.

Encouraging news: While fishing in 43-50 feet just south of the Egmont ship channel, there was no evidence of red tide or fish kill.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

Lashmet kennel lands on solid ground

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By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, February 8, 2013

ST. PETERSBURG — A strong stomach helps John Lashmet with life's speed bumps.

In 2008 he and wife Jill drew up a five-year retirement plan: Move to Fort Lupton, Colo., race dogs at Mile High Greyhound Park in Commerce City and improve their financial status at America's highest-paying noncasino dog track. Two months after their arrival, the facility closed, eventually depleting their savings.

Several years ago they purchased a kennel at Orange Park near Jacksonville. The operation had more quantity than quality and had to be restocked.

Now the Lashmets are trying their luck at Derby Lane. Again, the start was challenging.

"There were some factors I hadn't thought about (compared with Orange Park)," said John Lashmet, 58. "The lure is so much quieter that the dogs couldn't hear it, and the (starting) box lid at Jacksonville had real wide slits to see through in the front (they are narrower at Derby Lane). Our dogs were breaking dead last for two to three weeks.

"The water at Derby Lane was different, so we've worked hard on that. And we used to haul dogs 20 miles to race at Jacksonville (the compound is onsite at Derby Lane)."

Lashmet and trainer Tom Artzer may have gotten the kinks out. Lashmet dogs have improved their in-the-money finishes recently to 65 percent with top-four showings. The kennel had its first three-win performance Feb. 1. And top sprinter Lk's Now R Never may be a threat in the $64,000 Sprint Classic, Derby Lane's richest 550-yard stakes race that begins Feb. 16.

When Lester Raines left Derby Lane in December for Southland Park in West Memphis, Ark., he told Lashmet about the St. Petersburg vacancy. Lashmet's kennel was third in the Orange Park win standings upon moving.

"I thought we'd tear through (Derby Lane)," Lashmet said. "It has a long home stretch, and we've got big closing dogs."

He said the convenience of the St. Petersburg compound has lowered his weekly expenses $700. Lashmet also leases dogs at Birmingham (Ala.), Bluffs Run (Council Bluffs, Iowa), Tucson (Ariz.) and Southland Park. Lashmet names his greyhounds with the prefix Lk's for Lashmet kennels.

The shutdown of Mile High Park was a blow to Lashmet. Before moving to the 30-acre Colorado farm where he whelps and trains greyhounds, Lashmet had always lived at the homestead of his great-grandfather in Manter, Kan., land that Lashmet now owns.

"Financially, after six to eight months (in Colorado), we were ruined," Lashmet said. "Before that, we had stayed out of the business for 14 years and got back in. The love for watching the greyhounds race and training them is just something really hard to stay away from."

HORSES: Spectacular Sky is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the $50,000 Manatee Stakes (Race 8, 3:55 p.m.) today at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar.

Preview: Bruins at Lightning

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, February 8, 2013

. Tonight

Lightning at Bruins

When/where: 7; TD Garden, Boston

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Lightning has lost four straight in Boston while being outscored 19-5. … C Vinny Lecavalier leads the Lightning with 20 goals and 49 points in 47 games against the Bruins. … Boston is second in the league with a 92.3 percent penalty kill (36-for-39). It is last in the league with an 8.8 percent power play (3-for-34). … Bruins C Patrice Bergeron's 63.4 win percentage on faceoffs leads the league among players with at least 100 draws.

With path clearer, Snedeker shares lead

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Times wires
Friday, February 8, 2013

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Brandt Snedeker goes into the weekend at Pebble Beach with another chance to win, this time without golf's biggest stars in his way.

Snedeker played bogey-free at tough Spyglass Hill for 4-under 68 Friday, giving him a share of the lead with Ted Potter in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Potter three-putted his final hole at Monterey Peninsula for 67.

Hunter Mahan was among a group of four one shot behind with one more round before everyone has played all three courses in the rotation.

Snedeker, at 8-under 134, believed he was at an advantage because he plays Pebble Beach for the final two rounds. Also, Tiger Woods isn't playing, and defending champion Phil Mickelson was six shots behind. Snedeker was runnerup the past two weeks, four shots behind Woods at the Farmers Insurance Open, then four shots behind Mickelson in the Phoenix Open.

"(I) keep running into guys who are or who are going to be in the Hall of Fame," Snedeker said this week.

Potter won the Greenbrier Classic last year as a rookie for a peculiar footnote in history. He is the only player to win a PGA Tour event in which Woods and Mickelson missed the cut. But Potter had missed nine out of the 12 cuts going into the Greenbrier, then missed four of nine after his win.

"It's just a funny game like that," Potter said. "Some weeks you play really well and you get the right kicks and everything goes well. And then there are weeks you can still hit the ball well and get the bad kicks."

Tampa resident Ryuji Imada was 4 under after shooting 73 at Spyglass Hill.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh led the pro-am. He is playing with Jason Day, whose late string of birdies gave him 68 at Spyglass Hill for a 136 total.

CHAMPIONS: Bernhard Langer and Tom Pernice Jr. shot 6-under 66 to tie for the first-round lead at the Allianz Championship in Boca Raton. Langer birdied three of the last four holes.


Miami promotes interim AD

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Times wires
Friday, February 8, 2013

CORAL GABLES — Blake James was not privy to many details of the NCAA investigation into Miami's athletic compliance practices until he became the Hurricanes' acting athletic director four months ago.

Even after learning what sanctions the school could face, he still wanted the job permanently.

He got it Friday, the "acting" tag removed from his title. He replaces Shawn Eichorst, who left in October for the same job at Nebraska.

"It was an interview process that probably's been longer than most, but one that was a great experience and one that I valued tremendously," said James, in his third stint in UM's athletic department. "And obviously I look forward to moving this program forward. I think we have great days ahead, a great staff, great coaches, and I'm looking forward to bringing us back to the top."

The announcement came shortly after a meeting of the university's board of trustees.

It's a critical time for the athletic department, especially the administration, where virtually everyone in the employee directory has been a relatively new hire or has assumed a new role in the past couple of years.

The school has been part of an NCAA investigation for more than two years, the scope of which became publicly known in August 2011 when Yahoo Sports published claims made by former booster and convicted Ponzi scheme architect Nevin Shapiro, who said he gave so-called "extra benefits" such as cash and gifts to UM players, coaches and recruits over eight years.

"This is a job that I've wanted for my 20 years in this business," said James, who declined to specifically discuss the status of the NCAA investigation.

The NCAA was expected to give UM its long-awaited notice of allegations last month, before essentially suspending its investigation while seeing if its rules were broken during the process.

More recently, the baseball program has been linked to a Major League Baseball investigation into performance-enhancing drug use and if those products were acquired from an antiaging clinic in South Florida. One member of Miami's strength and conditioning staff was named in a report about the clinic. The school said it is investigating.

Women's Top 25

NO. 4 STANFORD 73, ARIZONA 43: Chiney Ogwumike had 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the host Cardinal (21-2, 10-1 Pac-12).

NO. 5 DUKE 62, VIRGINIA 41: Haley Peters had 16 points as the visiting Blue Devils (21-1, 11-0 ACC) used a 21-5 run for their 20th consecutive win over the Cavaliers.

NO. 7 MARYLAND 73, WAKE 63: Tianna Hawkins and Alyssa Thomas scored 23 apiece and combined for their team's final 15 points as the Terrapins (19-3, 10-1 ACC) won their ninth straight.

NO. 21 COLORADO 61, OREGON ST. 47: Chucky Jeffery had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the host Buffaloes (17-5, 6-5 Pac-12).

Sports in Brief

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Times wires
Friday, February 8, 2013

Tennis

Returning Nadal earns two wins

VINA DEL MAR, Chile — Rafael Nadal, back from injury, won two matches at the VTR Open on Friday.

He beat Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1, 6-4 to reach the singles semis. Then he and Juan Monaco beat Carlos Berlocq and Leonardo Mayer 6-3, 6-4 to reach the doubles final.

Nadal hadn't played for seven months because of a sore left knee. He had played five matches in four days on clay and not lost a set. He faces Jeremy Chardy today; the finals are Sunday.

"I felt better (Friday) than the first day," he said. "That gives me confidence … we're going in the right way."

Autos

Wallace highlights Hall ceremony

Rusty Wallace was the biggest name of NASCAR's fourth Hall of Fame class. The winner of 55 races and the 1989 Cup title called his induction in Charlotte, N.C., "the biggest day of my driving career." Also going in were innovative mechanic and crew chief Leonard Wood, ex-series champs Buck Baker and Herb Thomas, and ex-car owner Cotton Owens.

Colleges

LSU hires fired Ravens coordinator

Cam Cameron, fired as Baltimore's offensive coordinator before its Super Bowl run, was hired by LSU for the same position, cbssports.com reported. He and LSU coach Les Miles worked on Bo Schembechler's staff at Michigan during the 1980s. Cameron takes over for Greg Studrawa, who will become offensive line coach.

Softball: Lindsey Richardson pitched a five-inning no-hitter as host USF, coming off a World Series berth, beat Marshall 8-0 in its season opener.

Et cetera

Baseball: Arizona and 2B Aaron Hill, 30, agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal running from 2014-16. Since 2009, his 96 homers are fewer than only the Braves' Dan Uggla (118) and Yankees' Robinson Cano (111) among second baseman. … Miami signed 3B Chone Figgins to a minor-league deal. The Brandon High grad was released by Seattle despite being owed $8 million in 2013. … Seattle's Felix Hernandez said he won't pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

NFL: Rob Ryan, fired as Cowboys defensive coordinator, interviewed for the same job with the Saints. Georgia coordinator Todd Grantham withdrew from consideration.

Soccer: Tom Sermanni debuts as U.S. women's coach today against Scotland in Jacksonville.

Times wires

Power-play goals lift Stars

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Times wires
Friday, February 8, 2013

DALLAS — Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn scored power-play goals to help the Stars beat the Ducks 3-1 on Friday. Alex Goligoski, a healthy scratch Wednesday, added two assists for Dallas, which has won three straight

The Stars went 2-for-5 on the power play after going 1-for-16 over the previous five games. And they outshot an opponent for the first time this season (28-21).

The Ducks also lost goaltender Jonas Hiller. He left after the first period with what the team called a lower-body injury.

Caps GM calm: Washington has a league-low five points, but general manager George McPhee said he will not make any rash moves. "It's not over; nothing that a couple of wins won't really help," he said. "We're not going to do anything short term. We're not going to blow anything up."

Around the league: With defensemen Willie Mitchell (knee) and Matt Greene (back) possibly out for the season, the Kings got Keaton Ellerby from the Panthers for a fifth-round draft pick. He has no points and is minus-2 while averaging 15:11 of ice time. … Calgary No. 1 goalie Miikka Kiprusoff is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, and center Mikael Backlund is out 4-6 weeks after spraining a knee ligament Thursday at Columbus. … Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang will miss his second game today with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day. … Detroit wing Todd Bertuzzi is out indefinitely with a sore back.

at Stars2013
Ducks0101

First Period1, Dallas, Daley 1 (Roy, Eriksson), 8:48 (pp). 2, Dallas, Ja.Benn 4 (Morrow, Goligoski), 12:59 (pp). PenaltiesStaubitz, Ana (roughing), 8:11; Perry, Ana, major (fighting), 11:02; Robidas, Dal, major (fighting), 11:02; Staubitz, Ana, served by Palmieri, major-game misconduct (spearing), 12:34; Souray, Ana (roughing), 19:01; Perry, Ana (roughing), 19:01; Nystrom, Dal (roughing), 19:01; Fiddler, Dal (roughing), 19:01; Roussel, Dal (roughing), 19:01.

Second Period3, Anaheim, Bonino 4 (Sbisa, Perry), 15:23. PenaltiesRome, Dal (boarding), 2:44; Roussel, Dal (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:08.

Third Period4, Dallas, Eriksson 4 (Roy, Goligoski), 12:46. PenaltiesPalmieri, Ana (goaltender interference), 3:39; Winnik, Ana (roughing), 6:03. Shots on GoalAnaheim 7-13-1—21. Dallas 16-5-7—28. Power-play opportunitiesAnaheim 0 of 3; Dallas 2 of 5. GoaliesAnaheim, Hiller 3-2-1 (16 shots-14 saves), Fasth (0:00 second, 12-11). Dallas, Lehtonen 6-2-1 (21-20).

Sports on TV/Radio for Sunday, February 10

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Times staff
Friday, February 8, 2013

College basketball

Women: North Carolina at Georgia Tech, 11:30 a.m., ESPNU

Connecticut at Seton Hall, noon, BHSN

Women: Michigan at Purdue, noon, Big Ten

Women: USF at Providence, 1 p.m., 1010-AM

Indiana at Ohio State, 1 p.m., Ch. 10

N.C. State at Clemson, 1 p.m., Ch. 44

Tennessee at South Carolina, 1 p.m., Sun Sports

Women: Houston at Rice, 1 p.m., FSN

Women: Georgia at LSU, 1:30 p.m., ESPNU

Women: Michigan State at Penn State, 2 p.m., ESPN2

Women: Mississippi State at Missouri, 2 p.m., Ch. 38

Women: Holy Cross at Lehigh, 2 p.m., CBSSN

Women: Minnesota at Illinois, 2 p.m., Big Ten

St. John's at Syracuse, 3 p.m., ESPN

Women: Florida at Auburn, 3 p.m., Sun Sports

Women: Tulane at Tulsa, 3 p.m., FSN

Women: DePaul at Connecticut, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

Women: Kentucky at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m., ESPN2

Women: Ohio State at Northwestern, 4 p.m., Big Ten

Duke at Boston College, 6 p.m., ESPNU

Illinois at Minnesota, 6 p.m., Big Ten

Drake at Evansville, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Washington at USC, 10 p.m., FSN

College hockey

Providence at New Hampshire, 4 p.m., CBSSN

Golf

PGA Europe: Joburg Open, 9 a.m., Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 1 p.m., Golf

PGA: Pebble Beach Pro-Am, 3 p.m., Ch. 10

Champions: Allianz Championship (taped), 7 p.m., Golf

High school basketball

Chester (Pa.) at Philadelphia Neumann-Goretti, 6 p.m., ESPN2

NBA

Clippers at Knicks, 1 p.m., Ch. 28, ESPND; 620-AM

Lakers at Heat, 3:30 p.m., Ch. 28, ESPND; 620-AM

Trail Blazers at Magic, 6 p.m., FSN

Spurs at Nets, 8 p.m., ESPN

NHL

Kings at Red Wings, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 8

Lightning at Rangers, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports; 970-AM

Devils at Penguins, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

Rugby

USA Sevens, 2 p.m., NBCSN

USA Sevens, 4 p.m., Ch. 8

Soccer

Holland: Roda JC at Ajax, 8:30 a.m., ESPND

EPL: West Ham at Aston Villa, 8:30 a.m., FSC

EPL: Everton at Manchester United, 10:30 a.m., FSC

Mexican: Tigres at Toluca, 1 p.m., Univision

Tennis

Fed Cup: United States at Italy, 7:30 a.m., Tennis

ATP: VTR Open final, 4 p.m., Tennis

TV: BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network; ESPND: ESPN Deportes; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel; FSN: Fox Sports Net; NBCSN: NBC Sports Network.

Lightning's hectic day in the snow

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, February 9, 2013

BOSTON — To say Ryan Belec's Saturday was a bit hectic was like saying the Northeast got a bit of snow.

The Lightning's director of team services — that is, the guy who handles all the travel arrangements — had contingencies built around contingencies as Tampa Bay waited to see if its game with the Bruins at TD Garden would be played.

When at 2:45 p.m. word came from the league the game was postponed, a casualty of a storm that dropped about 25 inches of snow Friday night and Saturday, Belec finally could focus on one plan: getting the team to New York for tonight's game with the Rangers.

"It was hectic," Belec said. "A lot of communicating with the hotel in Boston, the hotel in New York, our airline, the bus company; just a lot of phone calls and emails and text messages."

With Boston's Logan Airport closed, the Lightning at 4 p.m. began a five and a half-hour bus trip to Manhattan amid speculation the game with the Bruins would be rescheduled for April 25, which would make it the second-to-last game of the season.

"Although both clubs and the assigned on-ice officials are in Boston, travel conditions remain too hazardous for fans, security personnel and TD Garden staff to get to the arena," the league said in a statement.

"Probably the right call," Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. "And the safest one, too."

• • •

Not that the Lightning wasted the day. At 9:45 a.m., with the snow still flying and wind still howling, the team took a bus to TD Garden for a morning skate.

The way coach Guy Boucher figured it, Tampa Bay didn't skate Friday. And because at the time the Bruins game was still on, it would not skate before facing the Rangers, as that game would be the second of a back-to-back.

"I like the hotel," Boucher said. "But when you're enclosed like that, everybody is breathing the same air. So to see some hockey, feel some hockey, guys want to get on (the ice)."

But as the bus tried to make a left turn onto a narrow, unplowed street, forward motion stopped. Then snowballs hit the driver's window as it appeared the thrower was upset the bus had destroyed a neat pile of snow removed from the sidewalk.

But driver Jason Stirk, 29, of Boston, said the thrower wanted to get his attention.

"He wanted to tell me I had some room to back up," Stirk said.

Stirk did that, and after reaching a plowed main road, he picked up a police escort to the arena.

"Not too bad," Stirk said of the trip. "(That corner) was the only thing I was worried about."

• • •

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said he had no input into the league's decision to postpone the game. And though he said he's "not crazy" about when the game might be played — it would be the second game of a back-to-back — he added, "There's nothing you can do about it, so there's no sense worrying."

Saturday's postponement might even help Tampa Bay in that it won't face the Rangers tonight as part of a back-to-back.

"And even if we played (in Boston), there wouldn't be any people there," Hedman said.

"It's unfortunate," center Nate Thompson said. "You just have to roll with the punches. You can't control the weather."

Or the vagaries of a previously reliable charter bus. At a rest stop on Interstate 95 in Connecticut, the bus door lost air pressure and would not fully close. Beyond the obvious safety issue, it also was 25 degrees outside.

After the driver was walked through several trouble-shooting steps by his home office, the problem was resolved, and the trip continued.

"All in all," Belec said, "a pretty good day."

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