August 14th, 2006 VOL. 1 ISSUE 1 moss gathers no tds, raiders still win! Jump to section by clicking image

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Associated Press MOSS GATHERS NO TDS, RAIDERS STILL WIN!

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Randy Moss wanted so badly to make a 2 - 0 triumphant return to Minnesota.

W 16-10 He wanted to put on a show for the fans who supported him so FINAL steadfastly during his seven years here, and greeted him so warm- W 16-13 ly Monday in his first game at the Metrodome since the Vikings OAKLAND 16 traded him to Oakland before last season. MINNESOTA 13 Instead, Moss endured a frustrating night and voiced his displea- sure with both coach Art Shell for the way he benched the receiver and the Vikings organization that shipped him away. QTR SUMMARY Raiders WR Randy Moss, left, is tripped up but not before he gains 16 yards Moss had one catch for 16 yards and Aaron Brooks looked ragged on a second quarter pass from Aaron Brooks, leaving Vikings cornerback 1 2 3 4 again in the Raiders’ 16-13 preseason victory. Dovonte Edwards, right, on the turf Monday. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) OAK 6 7 0 3 “I just wanted to come in and see the fans and give them some- That’s a good plan for the entire Raiders offense. 0 - 1 MIN 7 3 3 0 thing really to scream about because I’ve had my fun here in this Metrodome and they’ve had theirs, too,” Moss said. “That’s one Brooks finished 1-for-6 for 16 yards and was sacked twice by the thing I really just wanted to come back and just give back to the new-look defense, which held the Raiders to no first downs and just XXL PERFORMER fans. The organization? To hell with them.” 15 yards in one quarter of work. Moss, who lit up the Metrodome in the first seven years of his Brad Childress made his debut as Vikings coach, and the West Coast career, started the night with a feet-stomping tantrum after Brooks offense he brought from Philadelphia is the antithesis of what Min- didn’t see him wide open in the end zone. He said he was angry nesota fans saw when Moss was in purple. Those teams lived off 10/19, because Brooks got flushed to the right while Moss was on the left the big play, while the new Vikings will rely on short passes and a 148 YARDS and didn’t fault the quarterback for not getting him the ball. ball-control running game. 7.8 AVG After making his only catch against second-team cornerback Brad Johnson was 5-of-6 for 32 yards for the Vikings, who scored Dovonte Edwards in the second quarter, Moss was pulled. Moss their only TD in the first quarter on new fullback Tony Richard- 1 TD stormed off the field and threw his helmet in disgust, stewing on son’s 3-yard run. Ryan Longwell added two field goals, but missed the bench for the rest of the game. a 55-yarder that would have tied it in the fourth period. 2 INT “I was just more ticked because I’ve never in my career been tak- Fourth-string quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan drove the Vikings to the QB ANDREW WALTER en out of a game, preseason, during a drive,” Moss said with a Oakland 22 in the closing seconds and Childress elected to go for puzzled tone. “It’s funny to me. I don’t call the shots. I guess I just the win. Hiram Eugene intercepted O’Sullivan’s desperation heave go back to the drawing board.” into the end zone to clinch Oakland’s victory.

first QUARTER SECOND QUARTER

10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 s g n i k i v s g n i k i v r a i d e r s r a i d e r s 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10

START TIME OF D R I V E # OF YARDS RESULT START TIME OF D R I V E # OF YARDS RESULT TIME POSS BEGAN PLAYS GAINED TIME POSS BEGAN PLAYS GAINED 15:00 0:00 OAK 30 1 0 FUMBLE KICKOFF 11:27 0:52 MIN 20 3 3 PUNT 14:53 1:24 MIN 18 4 9 FIELD 09:47 0:45 OAK 23 3 0 PUNT 13:18 1:20 MIN 26 3 9 PUNT 08:46 1:40 MIN 24 5 15 PUNT 11:08 0:47 OAK 27 4 -9 PUNT 06:51 1:24 OAK 20 4 80 TOUCHDOWN 09:36 4:20 MIN 44 11 56 TOUCHDOWN 05:11 2:12 MIN 23 6 18 PUNT 05:01 0:46 MIN 38 4 1 02:45 2:02 OAK 15 9 28 PUNT 04:06 3:15 MIN 19 6 21 PUNT 00:31 0:28 MIN 32 6 45 FIELD GOAL 00:05 3:13 OAK 15 8 20 PUNT (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

SUNDAY MAY 21, 2006 VOL. 1 ISSUE 111 BONDS GETS A’S FOR NUMBER 714

(AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (AP

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) (AP (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) National League WEST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10 Arizona 24 18 .571 - 14-8 10-10 228 191 Won 2 6-4 Colorado 24 19 .558 .5 12-10 12-9 200 193 Won 2 4-6 LA Dodgers 23 20 .535 1.5 12-10 11-10 229 189 Won 3 7-3 bonds ties babe at 714 San Diego 23 20 .535 1.5 10-12 13-8 200 186 Lost 2 6-4 San Francisco 22 21 .512 2.5 11-10 11-11 208 212 Won 1 6-4 (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) American League WEST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA STRK L10 Oakland 22 20 .524 - 11-11 11-9 195 192 Lost 1 5-5 Texas 22 20 .524 - 9-12 13-8 224 203 Won 1 5-5 Seattle 19 25 .432 4 11-13 8-12 196 212 Won 2 5-5 LA Angels 17 26 .395 5.5 8-12 9-14 183 226 Lost 4 3-7

IP H ER BB K HR PQS J Schmidt 8.1 7 2 1 3 0 5 XXL PERFORMANCE A Benitez W 3-0 1.2 2 0 1 1 0 - barry bonds B Halsey 6.1 6 2 2 4 2 4 714 th hr K Calero L 0-1 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 - 4 2 HR R RBI SB O Vizquel 0 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E P Feliz 0 1 0 0 giants 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 11 0 B Bonds 1 1 1 0 R Durham 0 0 1 0 ATHLETICS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 9 0 S Finley 0 0 1 0 M Matheny 1 1 1 0 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) 714th homer, tying the legendary Ruth for second place on the all-time list. Hank Aar- Barry Bonds finally caught the Babe. But on is the all-time leader with 755. the San Francisco Giants needed that bat do it in the Bay Area. I’m glad they supported it. and glove of Pedro Feliz to beat the Oak- “It feels great. I can’t say enough about it,” The fans in the Bay Area are great.” land Athletics. Bonds said. “I got a whole lot off my chest. Maybe I’ll relax and play better now.” In his three other plate appearances, Bonds Bonds hit No. 714 in the first inning and Fe- struck out, flied out and was intentionally walked liz made a fine defensive play to force extra Booed by fans at virtually every ballpark be- twice. innings and delivered a key hit in the 10th cause of allegations of steroid use, the 41- as the Giants posted a 4-2 victory over the year-old Bonds surprisingly received more Behind the by Bonds, a homer by Mike Athletics. cheers at McAfee Coliseum. After being Matheny and eight strong innings from Jason greeted by his son, Nikolai, at home plate, Schmidt, San Francisco took a 2-1 lead into the Athletics A seven-time Most Valuable Player, Bonds Bonds came out of the dugout for a curtain ninth only to have Oakland tie it on a single by mark sent a 1-1 pitch from Brad Halsey -- whom call. Jay Payton. But that’s when Feliz took over. Chiu) Photo/Jeff (AP he was facing for the first time -- an -esti ellIs mated 390 feet deep into the seats in right- “It’s a great atmosphere here in Oakland. It With runners on the corners and one out, Feliz field in his first at-bat. It was Bonds’ was a surprise,” Bonds said. “It was great to made a lunging catch of a liner from Jason Ken- dall and ran to third base to double off Bobby Giants manager Felipe Alou came out to the Crosby and force extra innings. mound and closer Benitez started to leave the bullpen, but Alou decided to stick with his ace, After Omar Vizquel drew a walk off Kiko Cale- who was nearing 130 pitches. ro (0-1) in the 10th, Feliz singled to left-center field and Vizquel hustled around to third base Bobby Crosby reached when left fielder Jason with Feliz advancing to second on the throw. Ellison, attempting to make a diving catch off a Calero then intentionally walked Bonds before bloop, had the ball fall out of his glove when his Ray Durham sent Steve Karsay’s first pitch into glove hit the ground. Alou then went to Benitez, right field to score Vizquel. Steve Finley then who allowed a ground single to Payton that lined out hard to right field, plating Feliz with an plated Chavez with the the tying run. insurance run. Schmidt allowed two runs and seven hits in 8 Armando Benitez (3-0) worked around two 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out walks in the bottom of the frame to close out three. the Athletics, who had won five straight. Halsey, making his fourth start in place of in- Matheny snapped a 1-1 tie when he hit the first jured ace Rich Harden, yielded just the two pitch of the seventh inning off Halsey over the home runs and six hits in a season-high 6 1/3 Giants’ Barry Bonds (25) and Oakland left field fence for his third homer of the season frames. Athletics’ shortstop Bobby Crosby (7) ac- and Schmidt took the lead into the ninth. But knowledge each other in the 10th inning. the righthander walked Eric Chavez in a nine- Oakland’s Nick Swisher, who had reached pitch at-bat before retiring Frank Thomas on a base safely by hit or walk in 36 straight games, (AP Photo/Ben Margot) popout. went 0-for-5.

Giants’ Jason Ellison bobbles a ball that was hit by Oakland Athlet- San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics 1:05 PM PT ics’ Bobby Crosby in the Starters Season Rd/Hm Last Start Last 3 App ninth inning. GS REC ERA AIP REC ERA DATE OPP DEC IP H ER REC IP ERA M. Cain (R) 7 1-5 6.69 6.0 0-2 9.00 5/10 ChC L 5.1 7 7 0-2 11.1 10.32 (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) J. Blanton (R) 8 4-4 5.84 6.0 1-2 5.89 5/16 Sea W 7.0 7 2 1-2 20.0 5.40

Diamond notes

◊ Niekro’s career has been dogged by a variety of injuries, and earlier this season he was bothered by shinsplints. He stayed off the DL in 2005, but also dealt with nagging problems in the second half.

◊ Veteran Mark Sweeney has started in Niekro’s spot this week and is batting .300 on the roadtrip with three RBIs. He’s 3-for-6 the past two games.

◊ Rookie starter Matt Cain makes his first start since May 10 on Sunday vs. theA’s, and the right- hander feels skipping a turn helped him mentally and physically after a rough early season.

◊ Fifth outfielder Jason Ellison was a no-show in the Giants clubhouse pregame Saturday -- for good reason. Ellison was hitting in the batting cage, preparing for his first start of the season. (AP Photo/National Baseball Library, Cooperstown, N.Y.) bonds hIts 714th hr (AP Photo)

(AP Photo/File)

(AP Photos/Ben Margot)

(AP Photos/Ben Margot)

(AP Photos/Ben Margot) Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA J Schmidt 8.1 7 2 2 1 3 0 132-88 3.07 A Benitez (W, 3-0; B, 2) 1.2 2 0 0 1 1 0 27-15 0.00 Totals 10.0 9 2 2 2 4 0 159-103 Pitchers IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA B Halsey 6.1 6 2 2 2 4 2 93-56 3.15 R Keisler 1.2 2 0 0 1 0 0 24-13 2.08 K Calero (L, 0-1) 1.0 2 2 2 2 0 0 24-12 6.46 S Karsay 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7-6 2.70 Totals 10.0 11 4 4 5 4 2 148-87 H PLAYER G AB BA SLG OBP HR RBI R SB H BB K HBP IBB FB GB CS I Accardo, J 11 2 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Alou, M 23 82 .378 .671 .436 7 25 16 0 31 9 4 1 0 28 39 0 T Benitez, A 7 0 - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Y T Bonds, B 35 93 .226 .452 .474 5 14 21 0 21 40 13 4 17 41 24 0 I Cain, M 8 11 .182 .273 .182 0 0 0 0 2 0 7 0 0 0 2 0 T N Correia, K 10 3 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 G Durham, R 25 91 .220 .363 .273 3 13 13 1 20 7 13 0 0 28 41 0 D Ellison, J 34 15 .267 .400 .313 0 0 4 1 4 1 5 0 0 6 3 0 Fassero, J 10 4 .250 .250 .250 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 Feliz, P 42 166 .277 .494 .299 9 32 25 0 46 6 34 0 0 59 58 0 s Finley, S 37 113 .292 .469 .369 1 17 20 3 33 14 12 1 1 35 53 0 Frandsen, K 13 44 .250 .273 .340 0 2 4 0 11 1 6 5 0 9 21 1 a S Greene, T 10 28 .393 .571 .393 0 2 3 0 11 0 8 0 0 5 9 0 Hennessey, B 7 13 .231 .231 .231 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 0 0 1 5 0 n T Ishikawa, T 2 2 .500 .500 .500 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Kline, S 18 0 - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lowry, N 3 2 .000 .000 .333 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 A Matheny, M 38 130 .254 .354 .296 2 15 7 0 33 7 25 2 2 42 41 0 f Morris, M 9 18 .167 .167 .167 0 0 1 0 3 0 9 0 0 1 7 0 T Munter, S 18 0 - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 r Niekro, L 30 104 .240 .337 .295 2 18 13 0 25 8 15 0 0 34 40 0 I Ortmeier, D 6 7 .286 .429 .286 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 Schmidt, J 8 21 .095 .143 .095 0 0 2 0 2 0 7 0 0 5 7 0 a Sweeney, M 33 80 .250 .475 .299 3 13 9 0 20 6 11 0 1 22 35 0 S Taschner, J 6 0 - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n Vizcaino, J 22 52 .173 .192 .295 0 2 6 0 9 9 6 0 3 14 27 0 T Vizquel, O 41 144 .285 .389 .376 2 17 30 6 41 21 11 3 1 57 48 2 Giants’ Barry Bonds waits in the dugout in the ninth in- c Walker, T 6 0 - - 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 ning . (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) I Wilson, B 1 0 - - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 i Winn, R 42 161 .286 .447 .375 4 17 26 2 46 22 17 1 2 46 71 3 Worrell, T 16 1 .000 .000 .000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 s C Wright, J 8 21 .190 .190 .190 0 1 1 0 4 0 4 0 0 6 9 0 c S P PLAYER G W L S ERA GS CG IP H R BB IBB K #P GB FB HB HLD GF BS SO HR BF WP WHIP I Accardo, J 12 0 0 0 3.45 0 0 15.2 13 7 6 1 17 315 18 15 0 0 7 0 0 0 67 0 1.21 o Benitez, A 7 2 0 2 0.00 0 0 6.2 5 0 5 1 4 114 8 7 0 0 6 1 0 0 29 0 1.50 T Cain, M 8 1 5 0 6.69 7 0 40.1 44 32 15 0 29 683 54 60 0 0 1 0 0 9 180 3 1.46 C Correia, K 10 0 0 0 3.38 0 0 21.1 19 8 10 0 17 373 32 21 0 0 3 0 0 2 93 0 1.36 H Fassero, J 10 1 1 0 7.80 1 0 15.0 23 13 8 0 7 272 26 20 0 0 2 0 0 4 73 2 2.07 Giants’ I Hennessey, B 6 3 1 0 2.87 5 0 31.1 27 12 15 0 10 477 46 37 1 0 1 0 0 3 133 0 1.34 Steve Finley N Kline, S 18 1 1 0 3.65 0 0 12.1 11 7 9 0 6 197 17 13 0 5 2 0 0 0 54 0 1.62 congratu- G Lowry, N 4 1 1 0 3.38 4 0 21.1 20 8 9 0 11 345 33 29 0 0 0 0 0 2 92 1 1.36 lates Omar Morris, M 9 3 4 0 5.43 9 0 53.0 53 34 21 0 25 861 75 76 4 0 0 0 0 5 232 0 1.40 Vizquel. Munter, S 18 0 1 0 5.63 0 0 16.0 21 10 10 2 6 234 28 10 1 5 7 0 0 1 74 0 1.94 (AP Photo/ Schmidt, J 8 3 2 0 3.20 8 2 59.0 41 21 21 1 42 875 56 74 0 0 0 0 1 6 231 2 1.05 Kevork Taschner, J 6 0 0 0 34.71 0 0 2.1 11 9 2 0 3 80 4 6 1 0 1 0 0 1 21 1 5.57 Djansezian) Walker, T 6 0 1 0 15.19 0 0 5.1 9 9 5 0 3 113 6 8 0 1 1 2 0 1 28 1 2.63 Wilson, B 1 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 2.0 2 0 0 0 3 22 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 1.00 Worrell, T 16 2 1 6 6.91 0 0 14.1 19 11 3 0 7 224 20 26 1 0 9 1 0 6 66 0 1.53 Wright, J 8 4 3 0 4.23 8 0 55.1 50 29 20 0 29 824 108 41 3 0 0 0 0 6 230 3 1.27 H PLAYER G AB BA SLG OBP HR RBI R SB H BB K HBP IBB FB GB CS I Bradley, M 21 69 .246 .406 .373 3 8 10 2 17 13 15 1 0 23 26 1 T Chavez, E 35 127 .291 .575 .383 10 28 18 0 37 20 21 0 1 51 38 0 Y Crosby, B 35 133 .241 .391 .292 5 17 18 1 32 10 28 0 0 34 53 0 T Ellis, M 35 130 .254 .377 .340 3 11 19 3 33 12 25 5 0 42 39 0 I T Johnson, D 32 103 .184 .282 .282 2 5 12 0 19 14 16 0 1 32 39 0 N Kendall, J 31 101 .277 .327 .380 0 12 9 2 28 13 5 5 1 23 51 1 D G Kielty, B 12 46 .261 .304 .306 0 2 3 0 12 3 10 0 0 8 20 0 Kotsay, M 38 153 .288 .431 .349 3 19 20 0 44 14 18 1 1 51 61 1 Melhuse, A 15 49 .286 .531 .327 3 12 5 0 14 3 12 0 1 10 18 1 Payton, J 32 128 .250 .336 .271 1 8 21 1 32 4 14 0 0 42 48 1 Perez, A 14 25 .040 .040 .143 0 1 1 0 1 3 13 0 0 4 5 0 O S Scutaro, M 24 56 .161 .250 .288 0 5 7 0 9 10 12 0 0 17 18 0 Swisher, N 40 142 .303 .648 .400 13 34 36 0 43 22 34 3 1 57 33 1 A T Thomas, F 33 114 .184 .386 .309 7 20 14 0 21 20 18 1 0 55 32 0 Athletics pitcher Brad Halsey speaks during a news K A conference after he gave up the home run that gave San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds his 714th career home L T run. I (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) A S N P PLAYER G W L S ERA GS CG IP H R BB IBB K #P GB FB HB HLD GF BS SO HR BF WP WHIP T I Blanton, J 8 4 4 0 5.84 8 0 49.1 60 35 15 1 25 798 63 66 0 0 0 0 0 4 215 1 1.52 D T Calero, K 19 0 0 1 5.65 0 0 14.1 12 9 10 0 17 254 9 17 0 7 5 0 0 1 62 1 1.53 C Duchscherer, J 15 2 1 2 2.20 0 0 16.1 18 4 4 0 16 274 15 20 1 2 5 2 0 1 70 0 1.35 I Flores, R 3 0 0 0 6.75 0 0 4.0 5 3 1 0 4 79 2 9 0 0 1 0 0 2 18 0 1.50 H Gaudin, C 6 0 1 1 5.06 0 0 10.2 15 7 5 0 7 195 15 11 1 0 3 0 0 2 52 0 1.88 Giants ‘ Barry Bonds hits his 714th career home run. I C Halsey, B 12 1 2 0 3.21 3 0 28.0 28 12 12 1 16 441 49 28 3 0 1 0 0 3 122 0 1.43 (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) N Harden, R 5 3 0 0 4.06 5 0 31.0 20 14 15 0 28 499 34 27 0 0 0 0 0 2 122 0 1.13 S G Haren, D 9 4 3 0 3.86 9 1 65.1 61 28 9 1 44 936 92 78 5 0 0 0 0 11 268 2 1.07 Karsay, S 2 0 0 0 3.86 0 0 2.1 1 1 0 0 0 24 4 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 8 0 0.43 Keisler, R 2 0 0 0 3.38 0 0 2.2 3 1 1 0 3 55 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 11 0 1.50 Kennedy, J 18 2 0 1 2.19 0 0 12.1 14 4 7 2 9 242 22 12 1 5 5 0 0 0 58 1 1.70 Loaiza, E 4 0 3 0 8.35 4 0 18.1 30 17 9 1 6 329 21 30 0 0 0 0 0 3 89 0 2.13 Roney, M 2 0 0 0 3.00 0 0 3.0 3 1 0 0 0 42 3 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 0 1.00 Saarloos, K 12 2 1 1 4.70 3 0 30.2 39 22 10 0 15 488 64 34 2 0 3 0 0 5 142 1 1.60 Street, H 15 1 1 7 4.73 0 0 13.1 13 7 2 0 11 234 15 20 1 1 12 1 0 1 57 1 1.13 Witasick, J 3 0 0 0 5.40 0 0 5.0 6 3 4 0 3 101 8 3 1 0 2 0 0 1 24 0 2.00 Zito, B 9 3 3 0 3.27 9 0 55.0 43 20 23 0 37 925 64 70 6 0 0 0 0 6 225 2 1.20 (AP Photo/Skip Stewart)

(AP Photo/Tim Stewart)

MONDAY JULY 10, 2006 VOL. 1 ISSUE 157 out of his gourd

(AP Photo/Skip Stewart) (AP Photo/Skip Stewart)

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (AP Photo/Skip Stewart) CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY OUT OF HIS GOURD USG SHEETROCK 400 By CHRIS JENKINS AP Sports Writer Kenseth tangled with Gordon during the March 26 race at , and Gordon shoved him in a physical confrontation after the race. JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - accused Jeff Gor- don of spinning him out on Sunday in retribution NASCAR officials fined Gordon $10,000 and put for an accident earlier in the season. him on probation until Aug. 30. Kenseth figures 2006 Top 10 Results Gordon just waited for that controversy to die down F ST CAR DRIVER Gordon’s answer: So what if I did? to serve up his revenge. 1 13 #24 “I certainly didn’t mean to wreck him,’’ Gordon “He is not going to do it next week or the week 2 1 #31 said. “But I didn’t mind moving him out of the way, after,’’ Kenseth said. “He will wait. So I know it was either.’’ 3 23 #5 intentional, but that is OK. Part of it is my fault - we 4 4 #29 got slow.’’ A bang from Gordon’s bumper sent Kenseth spin- 5 25 #8 Jr. ning out of the lead with four laps to go in regula- Gordon said he didn’t blatantly wreck Kenseth on 6 5 #48 tion during Sunday’s Nextel Cup race at Chicago- purpose. But given the recent history between the 7 18 #41 * land Speedway, allowing Gordon to hold on in a two drivers and Gordon’s hunger to race his way two-lap overtime period to win his second race of into NASCAR’s version of the playoffs, Gordon said 8 19 #2 the season and 75th of his career. Kenseth should have expected rough treatment. 9 38 #07 * 10 10 #18 J.J. Yeley * Kenseth, who dominated the second half of the “When it came down with five to go, he should race and appeared to be on his way to his third have expected, if I could get to his bumper, there victory of the season when Gordon hit him, said was going to be some action,’’ Gordon said. “One, Gordon did it on purpose to pay him back for a because of what happened in Bristol - and I’m not brush earlier this season. saying I just was going to wreck him, but you better believe I was going to make life difficult on him. And “That wasn’t an accident,’’ Kenseth said. Jeff Gordon holds up his trophy. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) then No. 2, just ‘cause we’re hungry right now.’’

Jeff Gordon smokes his tires after winning Kenseth took the lead on lap 202 and held it for 62 laps. But a sudden surge from Gordon in the clos- the USG Sheetrock 400. (AP Photo/Skip Stewart) ing laps allowed him to catch Kenseth in Turn 2.

Gordon then tapped Kenseth’s rear bumper with his front bumper.

“I didn’t really see it, so I can’t really speculate too much,’’ said , Kenseth’s crew chief. “But from what I could see, Matt went to bottom to go Jeff Gordon,left, gets a hug from his fincee Ingrid around (), and Jeff drove into him.’’ Vandebosch in Victory Lane. (AP Photo/Skip Stewart) Second-place finisher Jeff Burton, a former team- Pole sitter Jeff Burton, inside, and , outside, B-52 flies over the Chicago- mate of Kenseth’s at Roush Racing, initially declined lead the pack to start the race. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Land Speedway during the comment because he didn’t see what happened. opening ceremonies at the start of the USG Sheetrock But after wincing during a television replay, Burton 400 NEXTEL Cup series said, “Matt’s a hard-nosed racer, and there’ll be auto race, at ChicagoLand retribution for that, I’m sure.’’ Speedway in Joliet, Ill.

Burton said if NASCAR isn’t willing to issue rough (AP Photo/Skip Stewart) driving penalties, it will be up to drivers to settle issues on the track.

“If NASCAR doesn’t handle it, then we need to handle it,’’ Burton said. “And that’s OK.’’

Gordon said he knew the tangle would overshad- ow his victory to some extent.

“Still, it’s a great victory for us,’’ Gordon said. Kyle Busch in the 5 It was Gordon’s first victory at the suburban Chi- car heads through a cago track, and his second victory of the 2006 turn in a crowd. season. Gordon won two weeks ago at Infineon Raceway June 25. (AP Photo/Skip Stewart)

With Sunday’s victory, Gordon climbed two spots to 10th in the standings, improving his chances of qualifying for the 10-race, season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup championship format.

Kenseth’s rough day didn’t end with the Gordon incident. He ran out of gas and had to pit, then collided with during the ``green/ white/checkered’’ overtime period officials added to the end of the race to allow it to finish under green. Kenseth finished 22nd but remains second in the points standings to Jimmie Johnson.

Burton, trying for his first victory since 2001, fin- ished second, followed by Kyle Busch, Kevin Har- vick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jeff Gordon, left, leads Kevin Harvick through a turn.

Jeff Gordon, 29, drives out of pit road past Jeff Bur- ton and the 31 car.

Matt Kenseth in the 17 car drives through a turn ahead of Jeff Gordon in the 24 car.

Jeff Gordon drives the 24 car through a turn. All AP Photos on this page by Skip Stewart Crew members change tires on NAS- Matt Kenseth (17), and Ken CAR Nextel Cup driver Jeff Green’s 66 Schrader (21) head down the Best Buy during a . straight away. (AP Photo/Tim Stewart) (AP Photo/Skip Stewart)

Dale Earnhardt Jr.(8), and (44) head down the straight away. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Pole setter Jeff Burton drives the 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet (20), and through a turn ahead of Tony Stewart. (AP Photo/Skip Stewart) ( 22) head down the straight away. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Lap 270 -- CHECKERED Lap 257 -- Kyle Busch has im- gets the free pass. Lap 202 -- A group of cars tops FLAG: Jeff Gordon wins the proved two positions in the last Lap 228 -- YELLOW FLAG: Mi- off with fuel. USG Sheetrock 400. 10 laps and gets around Kevin chael Waltrip slaps the wall after Harvick for fifth. cutting a rear tire. The same Lap 200 -- • Matt Kenseth spins as he lap he made contact with Ryan stayed out to lead a lap before crosses the finish line after Lap 247 -- Matt Kenseth’s lead Newman in three-wide racing making his stop. tangling with David Stremme. is 1.503 seconds over Jeff Gor- with Clint Bowyer. Kenseth hits hard into the wall don. Lap 199 -- Matt Kenseth leads as he finishes 21st, just ahead Lap 220 -- GREEN FLAG: Matt the field onto pit road for what of Stremme in 22nd. Lap 240 -- Ryan Newman is Kenseth gets things started could be the final pit stop. significantly off the pace and again. • Tony Stewart has a chassis Lap 268 -- GREEN FLAG: Jeff has dropped to 33rd. Newman 1. Matt Kenseth adjustment and some air pres- Gordon leads the field to green. is silent on the radio. 2. Jeff Gordon sure in 13.5 seconds 3. Jeff Burton • Matt Kenseth is out in 13.4 Lap 267 -- Tony Stewart is out Lap 237 -- GREEN FLAG: Matt 4. Tony Stewart seconds to lead everyone off pit of gas. Kenseth takes the green once 5. Kevin Harvick road again. • Jeff Burton is third off of pit Lap 267 -- Matt Kenseth is out 1. Matt Kenseth Lap 216 -- (10th) and road of gas and heads to pit road. 2. Jeff Gordon Reed Sorenson (11th) lead a 3. Jeff Burton handful of cars down pit road as Lap 198 -- YELLOW FLAG: Lap 265 -- NASCAR has posi- 4. Tony Stewart the top nine drivers stay out. Jer- goes spinning tioned Matt Kenseth in eighth 5. Kevin Harvick emy Mayfield gets the free pass through the infield grass after place, behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. getting loose off of Turn 2. He Lap 234 -- None of the leaders Lap 215 -- YELLOW FLAG: El- does not hit anything. Lap 264 -- NASCAR is review- pit. gets the free liott Sadler spins into the grass ing the video of the spin, while pass. with some rear damage. He had Lap 179 -- reports Matt Kenseth’s crew is arguing a flat tire after making contact he is without third gear. that he should be positioned in Lap 233 -- YELLOW FLAG: with Greg Biffle fifth place after the spin. Casey Mears turns around and Lap 174 -- GREEN FLAG: Matt hits the wall with some rear Lap 212 -- Denny Hamlin comes Kenseth gets racing started again. Lap 263 -- YELLOW FLAG: damage. He got loose in Turn 1. down pit road for an unsched- Dale Jarrett may have missed a Matt Kenseth spins as Jeff uled stop. His left-rear tire was shift on the restart, sending cars Gordon is on his tail. Kenseth Lap 232 -- GREEN FLAG: Matt going down onto the apron to avoid him. radios to his crew that Gordon Kenseth gets his Ford going in 1. Matt Kenseth spun him and should receive a front of a list of . Lap 203 -- GREEN FLAG: Matt 2. Kevin Harvick . 1. Matt Kenseth Kenseth leads the field to green. 3. Tony Stewart 2. Jeff Gordon 1. Matt Kenseth 4. Jeff Gordon Lap 262 -- The lead is just a few 3. Jeff Burton 2. Jeff Gordon 5. Jeff Burton car lengths now, or 0.284 seconds. 4. Tony Stewart 3. Tony Stewart 5. Kevin Harvick 4. Jeff Burton Lap 172 -- stayed Jeff Gordon celebrates with his crew members after winning the Lap 259 -- Jeff Gordon has cut 5. Kevin Harvick out to lead a lap before making USG Sheetrock 400. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Matt Kenseth’s lead to 0.978 Lap 229 -- None of the leaders pit. his pit stop. seconds. Lap 171 -- Matt Kenseth leads • Dale Earnhardt Jr. is out in Lap 128 -- Mark Martin is in Lap 107 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is • Denny Hamlin takes four tires up 10th place to make his pit the field down pit road. 15.9 and will restart eighth and stops in just 13.8 seconds. less than a car-length away from and makes some changes stop, while teammate Casey • Tony Stewart is in for four tires • Fuel only for Reed Sorenson, Reed Sorenson gives up his leader Kevin Harvick, but both • gets the free Mears heads to pit road right in 14.3 seconds who beats everyone off pit road top-five spot to make a stop. will have to pit within 15 laps. pass behind him. • Matt Kenseth is out in 13.7 in 3.8 seconds Jimmie Johnson is in for tires. seconds and wins the race off • Matt Kenseth takes two tires to Lap 105 -- Matt Kenseth Lap 68 -- YELLOW FLAG: De- Lap 50 -- Jeff Burton has led pit road come off second Lap 127 -- Kevin Harvick’s crew (eighth) and Greg Biffle (12th) bris is on the track. every lap. • Kevin Harvick is out second • Jeff Gordon takes four tires brings him in a lap early be- are the only Ford drivers in the 1. Jeff Burton after a 13.8-second stop and will restart seventh cause Dale Earnhardt Jr. pitted. top 20. Lap 63 -- After being the first car 2. Jeff Gordon • Jeff Burton improved four posi- Ryan Newman is also in and to pit road, Reed Sorenson is 3. Brian Vickers tions fifth Lap 139 -- YELLOW FLAG: De- has a 14.2-second stop. Lap 100 -- Richard Childress now running sixth. 4. Kevin Harvick • David Stremme gets the free bris is on the track once again. Racing has led all but 10 laps 1. Jeff Gordon 5. Bobby Labonte pass Lap 126 -- LEAD CHANGE: today. 2. Jeff Burton Lap 132 -- LEAD CHANGE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives up the 3. Brian Vickers Lap 40 -- Carl Edwards reports Lap 170 -- YELLOW FLAG: Tony Stewart gets his bonus lead to Jeff Gordon to make his Lap 89 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 4. Matt Kenseth he knocked the front alignment Terry Labonte’s engine has points before hitting pit road stop. The team makes an air- moves to second place around 5. Kevin Harvick out when he hit the wall. He is blown. He is coasting around to and giving the lead back to Dale pressure adjustment after some Bobby Labonte. Both drivers running 42nd, one lap down. pit road. Earnhardt Jr. to complete the convincing by the driver. are complaining of how their Lap 61 -- LEAD CHANGE: Jeff cycle of green-flag stops. cars have trouble turning in the Gordon takes over the lead as Lap 30 -- Reed Sorenson has Kyle Busch makes his stop. cracked the top 10 after starting Lap 160 -- All 43 drivers are still 1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Lap 125 -- Bobby Labonte gives middle of the corners. Gordon’s lead is just two car- 18th, while Jeff Gordon is run- running, with run- 2. Kyle Busch up his top-five run to get his lengths over Jeff Burton. ning fifth after starting 13th. ning 43rd, four laps down. 3. Jeff Gordon racecar free. Lap 72 -- GREEN FLAG: Kevin 4. Kevin Harvick Harvick gets things going again Lap 60 -- LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Lap 15 -- Carl Edwards brushed Lap 148 -- LEAD CHANGE: 5. Reed Sorenson Lap 124 -- Kyle Busch begins with a mix of strategies as the Burton gives up the lead to hit pit the wall and has somewhat pan- Matt Kenseth moves past Reed green-flag stops for tires and top seven cars did not stop. 1. Kevin Harvick road, while Jeff Gordon follows caked his right side. He’s run- Sorenson for the lead, and Kev- Lap 131 -- LEAD CHANGE: slight damage repair. him. Both exit pit road side-by- ning 31st. in Harvick follows for second. Matt Kenseth gets his five bo- 2. Bobby Labonte 3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. side. Kyle Busch takes the lead. nus points and gives the lead to Lap 121 -- Jeff Gordon has Lap 10 -- Tony Stewart has Lap 144 -- GREEN FLAG: Reed Tony Stewart. caught Dale Earnhardt Jr. as the 4. Ryan Newman 5. Kyle Busch Lap 59 -- snags moved into 17th position after Sorenson leads the field to the two run separate lines through the pit-road commitment cone starting 34th. flag. Lap 130 -- LEAD CHANGE: lapped traffic. Lap 69 -- Jeff Gordon and Jeff under the front of his Ford. He 1. Reed Sorenson Jeff Burton is in and gives the Burton lead half the field back will be penalized. Lap 7 -- Matt Kenseth (sixth) 2. Matt Kenseth lead to Matt Kenseth. Burton’s Lap 115 -- After starting third to pit road while Kevin Harvick may have a tire going down, but 3. Kevin Harvick stop for four tires takes 13.8 in the car he has driven to all stays out to become the leader. Lap 58 -- Mark Martin is making he has passed up pit road twice 4. Tony Stewart seconds. Kurt Busch and Brian four victories, has a wedge adjustment to fix his because of communication 5. Kyle Busch Vickers are in. fallen to 28th position, the last • Matt Kenseth makes an air- problem of falling behind. problems. Turns out no prob- car on the lead lap. pressure adjustment and takes • Greg Biffle and lems, just a loose racecar. Lap 141 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Lap 129 -- LEAD CHANGE: Jeff two tires in 6.4 seconds are in leads the whole field down pit Gordon gives the lead to Jeff Lap 109 -- LEAD CHANGE: • Brian Vickers is out with two • Tony Stewart has a clean, fast 3:46 p.m. -- GREEN FLAG: Jeff road. Burton for a 15.2-second stop. Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets around tires in 6.9 seconds stop Burton and Brian Vickers lead • Kyle Busch makes little chang- Kevin Harvick for the lead by • Jeff Gordon just gets a splash the field to green for the USG es and is out in 13.4 seconds maintaining his high line around of fuel in less than 4 seconds Lap 57 -- Reed Sorenson gives Sheetrock 400 at Chicagoland. BULLISH BURTON 2006 Nextel Cup Series Schedule

By CHRIS JENKINS 02/16/06 Gatorade Duel 1 Daytona International Speedway AP Sports Writer 02/16/06 Gatorade Duel 2 Daytona International Speedway 02/19/06 Daytona International Speedway Polesitter Jeff Burton wasn’t able to get his 02/26/06 Auto Club 500 California Speedway first victory since 2001, as slight handling 03/12/06 UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway problems and an ignition box problem relegat- 03/19/06 Golden Corral 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway ed him to a second-place finish after leading 03/26/06 Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway 60 laps early. 04/02/06 DIRECTV 500 04/09/06 Samsung/RadioShack 500 “We were close, we “And in today’s game, you 04/22/06 Subway Fresh 500 Phoenix International Raceway can’t be almost there. You’ve got to be all the 04/30/06 Aaron’s 499 Talladega Superspeedway way there (to) win these races.’’ 05/06/06 Crown Royal 400 Richmond International Raceway Still, it is the ninth top-10 finish in the past 12 05/13/06 Dodge Charger 500 races for the resurgent Burton, who climbed 05/20/06 NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge Lowe’s Motor Speedway three spots to fourth in the points. 05/28/06 Coca-Cola 600 Lowe’s Motor Speedway 06/04/06 Neighborhood Excellence 400 Dover International Speedway “We’ve been running well this year,’’ Burton by Bank of America said. “Obviously, we haven’t won in a long Jeff Burton climbs out of the car after his 06/11/06 Pocono 500 time. That’s no big secret. I wish it was, but it’s qualifying run for the USG Sheetrock 400. 06/18/06 3M Performance 400 Michigan International Speedway not. But we’re working really hard.’’ Burton won the with a top 06/25/06 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Infineon Raceway speed of 181.674 m.p.h. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) 07/01/06 Pepsi 400 Daytona International Speedway 07/09/06 USG Sheetrock 400 Chicagoland Speedway NEXT VENUE 07/16/06 New England 300 New Hampshire Intl Speedway 07/23/06 Pennsylvania 500 Pocono Raceway 08/06/06 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Indianapolis Motor Speedway 08/13/06 TBA Watkins Glen International 08/20/06 GFS Marketplace 400 Michigan International Speedway 08/26/06 Sharpie 500 Bristol Motor Speedway 09/03/06 Sony HD 500 California Speedway 09/09/06 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Richmond International Raceway 09/17/06 Sylvania 300 New Hampshire International Speedway 09/24/06 Dover 400 Dover International Speedway 10/01/06 Banquet 400 by ConAgra Foods Kansas Speedway 10/08/06 UAW-Ford 500 Talladega Superspeedway 10/14/06 Bank of America 500 Lowe’s Motor Speedway 10/22/06 Subway 500 Martinsville Speedway 10/29/06 Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway 11/05/06 Dickies 500 Texas Motor Speedway 11/12/06 Checker Auto Parts 500 Phoenix International Raceway 11/19/06 Ford 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway CHICAGOLAND SPDWY USG SHEETROCK 400 RESULTS-UNOFFICIAL RESULTS-UNOFFICIAL CONT.

Fin St Car Driver Make Sponsor Pts/Bonus Laps Status Fin St Car Driver Make Sponsor Pts/Bonus Laps Status 1 13 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 185/5 270 Running 36 12 #12 Ryan Newman Dodge Mobil 1 55/0 268 Running 2 1 #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 175/5 270 Running 37 43 #32 Chevrolet Tide-Downy 52/0 268 Running 3 23 #5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet CARQUEST 170/5 270 Running 38 37 #178 Chevrolet 49/0 268 Running 4 4 #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet GM Goodwrench 165/5 270 Running 39 42 #26 Jamie McMurray Ford LENOX Industrial Tools 46/0 268 Running 5 25 #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 160/5 270 Running 40 39 #96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 43/0 267 Running 6 5 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe’s 150/0 270 Running 41 35 #06 Todd Kluever Ford 3M Post-it 40/0 267 Running 7 18 #41 Reed Sorenson * Dodge Target 151/5 270 Running 42 40 #21 Ken Schrader Ford Little Debbie 37/0 266 Running 8 19 #2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 142/0 270 Running 43 26 #44 Terry Labonte Chevrolet Kellogg’s 34/0 167 Out of Race 9 38 #07 Clint Bowyer * Chevrolet Jack Daniel’s 138/0 270 Running 10 10 #18 J.J. Yeley * Chevrolet GSK/Astellas VESIcare 134/0 270 Running NEXTEL CUP-STANDINGS (YTD) 11 27 #16 Greg Biffle Ford National Guard 130/0 270 Running 12 6 #43 Bobby Labonte Dodge ChexMostPopularDriver.com 132/5 270 Running 13 2 #25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet GMAC 124/0 270 Running

Driver +/- Driver 14 7 #11 Denny Hamlin * Chevrolet FedEx Kinko’s 121/0 270 Running Rank +/- Points Behind Starts Poles Wins 5 Top 10 Top Rank Points Behind Starts Poles Wins 5 Top 10 Top 15 14 #10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline/Stanley Tools 118/0 270 Running 1 -- Jimmie Johnson 2651 LDR 18 1 3 7 14 23 -- Scott Riggs 1771 -880 17 1 0 0 4 16 29 #1 Martin Truex Jr. * Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops/Tracker 115/0 270 Running 2 -- Matt Kenseth 2603 -48 18 0 2 10 11 24 -3 Dale Jarrett 1747 -904 18 0 0 0 2 17 15 #22 Dave Blaney Dodge Caterpillar 112/0 270 Running 3 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2394 -257 18 0 1 6 8 25 +1 Bobby Labonte 1681 -970 18 0 0 1 3 18 9 #6 Mark Martin Ford AAA 114/5 270 Running 4 +3 Jeff Burton 2327 -324 18 2 0 4 11 26 -1 Jeff Green 1653 -998 18 0 0 0 0 19 30 #7 Chevrolet Jim Beam 106/0 270 Running 5 -1 Kasey Kahne 2303 -348 18 4 4 6 10 27 +2 J.J. Yeley* 1609 -1042 18 0 0 0 2 20 21 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 103/0 270 Running 6 -- Mark Martin 2291 -360 18 0 0 2 8 28 -- Robby Gordon 1603 -1048 18 0 0 0 1 21 8 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford USG Sheetrock 110/10 270 Running 7 -2 Tony Stewart 2274 -377 18 0 2 8 9 29 -2 1574 -1077 18 0 0 0 0 22 20 #40 David Stremme * Dodge Lone Star Steakhouse/Saloon 97/0 270 Running 8 -- Kyle Busch 2265 -386 18 1 0 6 9 30 +3 Dave Blaney 1497 -1154 18 0 0 0 0 23 3 #9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW/McDonald’s 94/0 270 Running 9 -- Kevin Harvick 2253 -398 18 0 1 6 9 31 -1 1492 -1159 18 0 0 0 1 24 16 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW/AskDrZ.com 91/0 270 Running 10 +2 Jeff Gordon 2219 -432 18 0 2 6 8 32 -- Jeremy Mayfield 1479 -1172 18 0 0 0 0 25 11 #42 Casey Mears Dodge Texaco/Havoline 88/0 270 Running 11 -- Greg Biffle 2172 -479 18 2 1 4 9 33 -2 Ken Schrader 1445 -1206 18 0 0 0 1 26 31 #14 Chevrolet Waste Management 85/0 269 Running 12 -2 Denny Hamlin* 2169 -482 18 1 1 3 6 34 -- Sterling Marlin 1441 -1210 18 0 0 0 1 27 22 #66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy 82/0 269 Running 13 -- Kurt Busch 2087 -564 18 2 1 4 7 35 -- 1311 -1340 18 0 0 0 0 28 33 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Wells Fargo 79/0 269 Running 14 -- Carl Edwards 2026 -625 18 0 0 5 8 36 -- David Stremme* 1287 -1364 17 0 0 0 0 29 32 #38 Ford M&M’s 76/0 269 Running 15 -- Casey Mears 1991 -660 18 0 0 1 5 37 -- Travis Kvapil 1194 -1457 15 0 0 0 0 30 36 #55 Michael Waltrip Dodge NAPA Auto Parts 73/0 269 Running 16 +2 Clint Bowyer* 1937 -714 18 0 0 1 5 38 -- Tony Raines 1026 -1625 12 0 0 0 0 31 41 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 70/0 269 Running 17 -1 Jamie McMurray 1921 -730 18 0 0 2 6 39 -- 1026 -1625 14 0 0 0 0 32 34 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 72/5 269 Running 18 -1 Ryan Newman 1915 -736 18 1 0 2 5 40 -- Terry Labonte 891 -1760 11 0 0 1 1 33 17 #01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet U.S. Army 64/0 268 Running 19 -- Elliott Sadler 1870 -781 18 1 0 1 4 41 -- 766 -1885 12 0 0 0 0 34 28 #4 Scott Wimmer Chevrolet AERO Exhaust 61/0 268 Running 20 -- Brian Vickers 1857 -794 18 0 0 2 4 42 +1 Kenny Wallace 390 -2261 7 0 0 0 0 35 24 #100 Chevrolet Burger King 58/0 268 Running 21 +3 Reed Sorenson* 1801 -850 18 0 0 1 4 43 -1 * 372 -2279 6 0 0 0 0 22 -- Martin Truex Jr.* 1774 -877 18 0 0 0 1 44 -- 308 -2343 2 1 0 1 2 (Continued) WORK OVERTIME TO BEAT SPURS DAL 119 SA111 DIRK, MAVS

(AP Photo/EricGay) (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 2006 WEDNESDAY JUNE 21, 2006

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) NO RELIEFFROM HEAT INDALLAS VOL. 1 (AP Photo/David J.Phillip) ISSUE 142 (AP Photo/David J.Phillip) FIRST NBA TITLE D-WADEMVP AS HEAT WIN MIA 95DAL 92

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip) h e a t m a v e r i c k s no relief from heat in dallas SCHEDULE/RESULTS PLAYERS M FG 3FG FT OR TR A TO STL BLK PF PTS 95 6/8 6/11 6/13 6/15 6/18 6/20 6/22 D. Wade, SG 33 10-18 0-0 16-21 3 10 5 5 4 3 4 36 THU SUN TUE THU SUN TUE THU 2006 A. Walker, PF 30 6-17 0-6 2-3 3 11 2 0 1 1 2 14 U. Haslem, PF 28 8-13 0-0 1-4 4 10 1 3 2 0 3 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S. O’Neal, C 24 4-11 0-0 1-4 3 12 1 2 0 1 5 9 DAL DAL MIA MIA MIA DAL DAL 92 J. Williams, PG 24 1-7 1-7 0-0 0 1 7 2 0 0 0 3 DAL DAL MIA MIA MIA MIA J. Posey, SF 13 2-5 1-4 1-2 0 5 0 3 2 0 2 6 90 99 98 98 101 95 FINAL 1 2 3 4 T G. Payton, PG 12 1-3 0-1 0-0 0 1 2 2 0 0 3 2 MIAMI 23 26 22 24 95 MIA MIA DAL DAL DAL DAL

h e aA. t Mourning, C 11 3-4 0-0 2-3 1 6 0 1 0 5 4 8 DALLAS 30 18 20 24 92 80 85 96 74 100 92 S. Anderson, SF 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 By GREG BEACHAM game deficit to win the NBA finals Totals 35-78 2-18 23-37 14 56 18 19 9 10 23 95 XXL in six. Wade, the obvious finals 44.9% 11.1% 62.2% PERFOrMANCE Sports Writer MVP, cemented his superstardom with a dominant four-game perfor- PLAYERS M FG 3FG FT OR TR A TO STL BLK PF PTS DALLAS (AP) -Pat Riley first prom- mance capped by four pressure- D. Nowitzki, PF 35 10-22 1-2 8-8 3 15 2 1 0 2 5 29 ised it 11 years ago: a packed, final-minute free throws victory parade down Biscayne in the same building where Miami J. Terry, PG 31 7-25 2-11 0-0 0 1 5 2 2 0 1 16 Boulevard. Shaquille O’Neal guar- went down two games to none. D. Harris, PG 24 2-4 0-0 2-3 3 3 4 4 2 0 5 6 anteed it two summers ago, vow- J. Howard, SF 21 5-16 0-2 4-4 3 12 0 1 4 1 5 14 ing to add a fourth ring to his big He even missed a pair in the wan- dwyane wade hand in his new city. ing seconds, giving Dallas a final D. Diop, C 14 1-3 0-0 0-1 0 4 1 0 0 2 3 2 36 pts, 10 rebS shot to tie. But Jason Terry missed E. Dampier, C 20 0-1 0-0 1-2 3 8 0 2 1 1 2 1 And with one tenacious game after an open look for 3, and Wade Fantasy J. Stackhouse, SG 17 5-13 2-6 0-0 1 4 3 3 2 1 5 12 another in these NBA finals, Dwy- grabbed the and flung it heat ane Wade delivered both. joyously into the stands as time M. Daniels, SG 11 4-6 0-1 4-5 2 2 1 0 0 0 2 12 PTS REB ASST expired. A. Griffin, SF 4 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 D. Wade 36 10 5 The Miami Heat are champions for D. Mbenga, C 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the first time, thanks to two basket- Where there’s a Wade, there’s a Totals 34-92 5-22 19-23 16 50 16 13 12 7 29 92 A. Walker 14 11 2 ball greats who made good on their will. His grace added a fifth ring to m a v e r i c k s promises - and the next great one, Riley’s finger - third-most among 37.0% 22.7% 82.6% U. Haslem 17 10 1 whose promise seems unlimited. NBA coaches - and the first jew- elry in Shaq’s collection with no S. O’Neal 9 12 1 The man they call “Flash’’ had 36 connection to . Heat fans cheer for Shaquille J. Williams 3 1 7 points and 10 rebounds in the teeth of a hostile Dallas crowd Tuesday “The great Pat Riley told me we O’Neal MAVERICKS night, capping his magnificent were going to win today,’’ said after he scored PTS REB ASST playoffs and the Heat’s sizzling O’Neal, who had nine points and against the Mav- D. Nowitzki 29 15 2 four-game comeback by leading 12 rebounds. “I didn’t have the ericks as they Miami past the Mavericks 95-92. best game. But D-Wade’s been watch the game J. Terry 16 1 5 doing it all year. He’s the best play- on a big screen “It’s one of the best feelings, next er ever.’’ D. Harris 6 3 4 at the American to my wife and my son, that I’ve Airlines Arena J. Howard 14 12 0 ever had in my life,’’ Wade said. Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and 15 in Miami. “I’m going to live it up!’’ rebounds for the Mavs, but Dallas (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) D. Diop 2 4 1 The Heat roared back from a two- couldn’t manage the last basket continued below h e a t m a v e r i c k s

2006 it needed to topple Wade’s deter- front of more than 20,000 Dallas 1988, claimed he never consid- No Player GP GS PPG FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PTM 3PTA 3PT% mination. With their crowd booing fans still furious at every NBA of- ered the possibility Miami wouldn’t 3 Dwyane Wade 22 22 28.1 209 423 49.4 186 229 81.2 14 37 37.8 every call and seething with ev- ficial and commissioner David finish with four straight wins. 32 Shaquille O’Neal 22 22 18.9 174 280 62.1 67 178 37.6 0 0 0 ery missed opportunity, the Mavs Stern for the Mavs’ three losses in 8 Antoine Walker 22 22 13.3 108 266 40.6 29 51 56.9 48 142 33.8 missed their own chance for their Miami last week. Owner Mark Cu- “I packed one suit, one shirt and 55 Jason Williams 22 22 9.6 74 178 41.6 38 45 84.4 25 88 28.4 first title. ban stoked the furor with his antics one tie,’’ he said before the game. after Game 5, which resulted in a “That’s it.’’ 40 Udonis Haslem 21 21 8.2 66 137 48.2 40 56 71.4 0 1 0 The Heat finished the franchise’s $250,000 fine earlier Tuesday. 42 James Posey 21 1 7.3 47 109 43.1 26 35 74.3 34 79 43.0 18th season with one of the Riley tied John Kundla with his fifth 20 Gary Payton 22 0 6.0 48 113 42.5 18 25 72.0 17 57 29.8 league’s greatest rallies in a finals, But while the Mavs worried about title as a head coach. Only Phil 33 Alonzo Mourning 20 0 3.6 23 33 69.7 26 39 66.7 0 0 0 and the last period of Game 6 was every perceived slight, the Heat fo- Jackson and Red Auerbach have 5 Derek Anderson 8 0 3.0 6 20 30.0 7 8 87.5 5 14 35.7 appropriately gritty. cused on fulfilling the promises of more, with nine apiece. 51 Michael Doleac 8 0 2.0 7 13 53.8 2 2 100.0 0 0 0 Riley and O’Neal. Miami nursed a narrow lead, taking O’Neal, who fought foul trouble, 49 Shandon Anderson 12 0 1.1 4 13 30.8 4 6 66.7 1 3 33.3 an 89-85 advantage with 2:36 left “I came to Miami because of this was held to two of his worst career heat MIAMI 30 Earl Barron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 on two jumpers by James Posey. young fella right here,’’ O’Neal playoff games in the earlier Dallas 24 Jason Kapono 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jerry Stackhouse cut it to a point said, indicating Wade. “I knew I debacles, and he endured another 25 Wayne Simien 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 with a 3-pointer in his first game wanted to make him better.’’ extraordinary struggle at the free- 44 Matt Walsh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 back from suspension, but after throw line in the series. None of it 1 Dorell Wright 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Udonis Haslem and Dallas’ fans both booed and will matter to the Big Champ: He’ll Total 22 0 96.3 766 1588 48.2 443 674 65.7 144 421 34.2 traded jumpers, Wade hit two free cheered the trophy presentation, take a special pride in winning his throws with 26 seconds left. and Stern was jeered repeatedly. first ring without Bryant. No Player GP GS PPG FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PTM 3PTA 3PT% 41 Dirk Nowitzki 22 22 26.9 186 397 46.9 197 221 89.1 22 65 33.8 Erick Dampier then fumbled a Cuban stole the finals spotlight Their partnership resulted in three 31 Jason Terry 21 21 19.0 156 344 45.3 59 71 83.1 29 90 32.2 pass on Dallas’ next possession, earlier in the day, getting socked titles and four finals trips for the Los 5 Josh Howard 22 22 16.8 135 293 46.1 76 95 80.0 24 63 38.1 and Wade fought to get the loose with the fine for his complaints Angeles Lakers, but their clashing 42 Jerry Stackhouse 21 1 13.8 106 263 40.3 58 74 78.4 20 59 33.9 ball. He hit two more free throws about the officials and general con- egos caused a power struggle that with 17.7 seconds to play, but after spiracy theory. All of Dallas caught led to Shaq’s trade. O’Neal has 34 22 14 9.5 80 167 47.9 50 71 70.4 0 8 0 Howard hit a pair, Wade missed the Mavs’ us-against-the-world no such problems with Wade, and 25 Erick Dampier 18 2 5.2 34 62 54.8 26 42 61.9 0 1 0 two with 10.3 seconds left. vibe: Signs supporting Cuban and their cohesion peaked in Miami’s 44 19 8 3.7 32 57 56.1 7 8 87.5 0 0 0 suggesting a league conspiracy four finals wins. 2 Keith Van Horn 14 3 3.6 20 59 33.9 3 3 100.0 8 28 28.6 But Terry missed an open 3-point- against the Mavs dotted the stands 6 Marquis Daniels 19 0 2.9 21 50 42.0 12 16 75.0 2 4 50.0 er. It was the last of 11 straight for Game 6, and fans screamed at Riley, the slick-haired strategist 7 DeSagana Diop 21 17 2.7 23 36 63.9 11 17 64.7 0 0 0 misses, and the final disappoint- Stern in his courtside seat. who led the Lakers to four titles ment in the Mavs’ otherwise re- in the 1980s, now has vindication 10 11 0 0.7 3 15 20.0 2 2 100.0 0 7 0 markable season. But the series actually was con- from those who criticized his de- dallas 28 D.J. Mbenga 6 0 0.7 1 3 33.3 2 2 100.0 0 0 0 trolled by Wade, who ascended to cision to take over the club from 13 Doug Christie 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 “We made a lot of progress this the most elite tier of NBA stars. He coach Stan Van Gundy early in the 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 year,’’ said Dallas’ Avery Johnson, scored 121 points in three victories season. mavericks 24 Pavel Podkolzin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 the NBA’s coach of the year. “We in Miami before capping it with one 33 6 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 aimed high this year, and I told more tenacious win. Leaning on Riley’s savvy in coach- them that a lot of teams have to ing veterans and defense, the Total 22 0 100.1 797 1750 45.5 503 622 80.9 105 325 32.3 go through this. This will really hurt Riley wiped away tears while hug- Heat rolled through the postsea- this summer. I hope they work out ging his players, and Miami crowd- son with surprising force - never And the Heat’s roster is studded Alonzo Mourning played through Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, hard, make me a better coach. I’m ed onto the hastily assembled even facing a seventh game. Riley with stars who never won a title. 13 seasons, two retirements and Posey, Haslem - all endured serious ready to try it again.’’ podium with the excitement of a now has seven rings, counting his Point guard Gary Payton reached a serious kidney ailment for a career troubles, and now they’re all high-school graduation. single championships as a player the finals with three teams before championship. champions, too. Miami hung onto the clincher in Riley, who won his first ring since and an assistant coach. finally grabbing the ring, while h e a t m a v e r i c k s

2006

Heat hold up the Larry Dwyane Wade hold his O’Brien Trophy after beating MVP trophy as teammate the to win Shaquille O’Neal, right, the NBA Championship in looks on. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Game 6. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Shaquille O’Neal hugs coach Pat Riley after winning the NBA Championship. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Shaquille O’Neal, right and Dwyane Wade embrace after beating the Dallas Mavericks 95-92.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip) h e a t m a v e r i c k s

2006

Heat coach Pat Riley, right, helps lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy after beating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Dwyane Wade and James Posey, left, and Antoine Walker. Antoine Walker (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam) celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Trophy. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade holds his Most Valuable Player trophy following a 95-92 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip) h e a t m a v e r i c k s

2006

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban Mavericks fans show their sentiments before the start of Game 6. walks off the court following a (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam) 95-92 loss. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Jason Terry (31) Erick Dampier (25) and Dirk Nowitzki (41) show their concern. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Dirk Nowitzki (41) collides with Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP PHOTO/CP, Paul Chiasson)

(AP PHOTO/CP, Paul Chiasson) TUESDAY JUNE20,2006 could befiner nothing (AP Photo/KarlDeBlaker) VOL. 1 (AP Photo/KarlDeBlaker) ISSUE 141 FOR HURRICANES CAM WARDWINS CONN SMYTHE CAR 3EDM1

(AP PHOTO/CP, Ryan Remiorz) (AP PHOTO/CP, Ryan Remiorz) o i l e r s h u r r i c a n e s NOTHING COULD BE FINER

PENALTIES MONTREAL CANADIENS POWERPLAY FACE-OFFS # Per Temps Joueur / Player MIN Punition / Penalty (GOALS-OPP) 1 1 1 11:03 6 J. SPACEK 2:00 Holding EDM CAR EDM % CAR % 6/5 6/7 6/10 6/12 6/14 6/17 6/19 2 1 17:33 2 M. GREENE 2:00 Interference 1 0-1 0-3 O 8-7 53 7-7 50 MON WED SAT MON WED SAT MON 3 1 19:55 18 E. MOREAU 2:00 Hi stick 2 0-2 1-2 D 7-7 50 7-8 47 3 0-1 0-0 N 13-14 48 14-13 52 3 EDM EDM CAR CAR EDM CAR EDM 4 2 4:10 6 J. SPACEK 2:00 Holding T 0-4 1-5 T 28-28 50 28-28 50 @ CAR @ CAR @ EDM @ EDM @ CAR @ EDM @ CAR 5 2 17:21 94 R. SMYTH 2:00 Hooking Time 7:00 7:08 6 3 19:39 94 R. SMYTH 2:00 Roughing FINAL 1 2 3 F CAR CAR EDM CAR EDM EDM CAR EDMONTON 0 0 1 1 5 5 2 2 4 4 3 PENALTIES GOALS BY SHOTS ON PENALTIES- PERIOD GOAL MIN CAROLINA 1 1 1 3 EDM EDM CAR EDM CAR CAR EDM # Per Temps Joueur / Player MIN Punition / Penalty EDM CAR EDM CAR EDM CAR 3 STARS 4 0 1 1 3 0 1 1 1 3:17 12 E. STAAL 2:00 Interference - Goaltender 1 0 1 1 5 10 1 3-6 1-2 C. Ward By PAUL NEWBERRY 2 0 1 2 8 11 2 2-4 2-4 1 CAR 2 2 16:16 7 N. WALLIN 2:00 Hooking Associated Press this go. Too many guys on this 3 1 1 3 10 6 3 1-2 2-4 22 Saves 3 2 16:21 4 A. WARD 2:00 Delaying Game- National Writer team deserve it.’’ T 1 3 T 23 27 T 6-12 5-10 F. Kaberle Puck over glass 2 CAR 4 3 12:38 6 B. HEDICAN 2:00 Roughing 1 Goal RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -Rod A couple of low-scoring defen- Brind’Amour lifted the Stanley seman, Frantisek Kaberle and 5 3 19:39 11 J. WILLIAMS 2:00 Roughing Carolina Hurricanes celebrate defeating M. Cullen Cup above his head, tears of joy Aaron Ward, put Carolina ahead. the Edmonton Oilers. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) 3 CAR 2 Assists streaming down his face. This one Justin Williams finished off the was for the captain and all those Oilers, scoring an empty-net goal FANTASY Carolina old-timers whose names with 1:01 remaining after Edmon- are going on hockey’s most re- ton playoff star Fernando Pisani vered trophy for the first time. broke up Cam Ward’s shutout OILERS early in the third. Of course, they couldn’t have GOALS done it without the kid. Oilers defenseman Chris F. Pisani (14) Pronger, a stalwart throughout ASSISTS Rookie goalie Cam Ward stopped the playoffs, gave up the puck in R. Murray (4) R. Torres (7) nearly everything that came his the Carolina zone and wound up way, finishing off a brilliant play- making a helpless dive to SAVES Markkanen 24 offs with a rock-solid performance Williams’ gimme into the goal that in Game 7. The Hurricanes skat- had been vacated by Jussi Mark- HURRICANES ed away with their first Stanley kanen in favor of an extra skater.

GOALS Cup title, beating Edmonton 3-1 A. Ward (2) in the winner-take-all finale Mon- Bret Hedican, among the con- F. Kaberle (4) J. Williams (7) day night. tingent of 30-something play- ers who had never won the cup, ASSISTS M. Recchi (9) “It’s just surreal,’’ said Brind’Amour, leaped for joy after Williams’ shot M. Cullen (13,14) the team’s 35-year-old captain, went in. The crowd of nearly C. Stillman (17) his eyes still red after he left ice. 19,000, which stood throughout E. Staal (19) B. Hedican (9) “The guys on this team have the game, went into a frenzy. been through years and years of SAVES Wa r d 2 2 heartache. After Game 6, I knew In the return of hockey after a there’s no way we were letting season-ruining lockout, the cup

continued below continued below o i l e r s h u r r i c a n e s

1 ST P E R I O D oilersEDMONTON RK Player Pos GP G A P +/- PIM OT PP SH GW S S% TOI/G Sft/G FO%

S R E L I O 1 CHRIS PRONGER D 23 5 16 21 26 11 0 3 0 0 57 8.8 35.2 31:09 0.0 1 A. Ward (2) 1:26 2 SHAWN HORCOFF C 23 7 12 19 12 6 1 1 2 1 40 17.5 29.8 21:47 53.8 M. Recci M. Cullen 3 FERNANDO PISANI R 23 13 4 17 10 4 1 3 5 1 45 28.9 25.0 17:09 27.3 4 ALES HEMSKY R 23 6 11 17 14 -1 0 4 2 0 45 13.3 22.3 16:06 16.7 1 5 RYAN SMYTH L 23 7 9 16 18 0 0 4 1 0 60 11.7 28.9 21:38 47.8

HURRICANES 6 SERGEI SAMSONOV L 23 4 11 15 14 2 0 1 0 0 37 10.8 19.9 14:33 0.0 7 JAROSLAV SPACEK D 23 3 11 14 20 -2 0 2 0 0 43 7.0 33.3 26:09 0.0 8 C 23 6 5 11 20 5 1 0 1 0 43 14.0 28.8 19:05 51.0 9 RAFFI TORRES L 21 4 6 10 16 1 0 1 1 0 40 10.0 19.7 13:14 0.0 2 ND P E R I O D 10 JARRET STOLL C 23 4 6 10 24 -4 0 2 1 1 49 8.2 26.3 17:09 57.0 11 STEVE STAIOS D 23 1 5 6 28 1 0 1 0 0 28 3.6 31.0 21:45 0.0

S E N A C I R R U H 12 JASON SMITH D 23 1 4 5 16 5 0 0 1 0 14 7.1 30.3 22:32 0.0 13 MARC-ANDRE BERGERON D 18 2 1 3 14 0 0 2 0 0 17 11.8 20.8 14:55 0.0 14 ETHAN MOREAU L 20 2 1 3 17 0 0 0 0 0 38 5.3 21.5 14:39 46.2 2 F. Kaberle (4) 4:18 15 BRAD WINCHESTER L 10 1 2 3 4 -2 0 0 1 0 9 11.1 13.2 9:13 0.0 C. Stillman M. Cullen PP

OILERS 2 hurricanesCarolina RK Player Pos GP G A P PIM +/- SH PP GW OT S S% Sft/G TOI/G FO% 1 ERIC STAAL C 24 9 18 27 6 0 0 7 1 1 84 10.7 26.3 19:54 41.6 2 CORY STILLMAN L 24 9 16 25 14 12 0 4 3 2 73 12.3 23.4 18:49 66.7 3 ROD BRIND’AMOUR C 24 12 6 18 16 8 0 6 4 0 75 16.0 29.5 23:50 57.4 3 RD P E R I O D 4 JUSTIN WILLIAMS R 24 6 11 17 32 11 1 0 1 0 70 8.6 27.8 21:41 0.0 5 C 24 4 12 16 12 1 0 2 1 0 52 7.7 21.4 15:43 40.0 6 DOUG WEIGHT C 23 3 13 16 20 -3 0 2 0 0 35 8.6 20.9 15:26 44.7 7 RAY WHITNEY L 23 9 6 15 14 -1 0 5 1 0 39 23.1 19.3 14:08 0.0

S R E L I O 3 F. Pisani (14) 1:03 R. Murray R. Torres 8 MARK RECCHI R 24 7 8 15 18 -5 0 2 2 0 44 15.9 22.4 16:30 42.8 9 FRANTISEK KABERLE D 24 3 9 12 8 -8 0 2 0 0 31 9.7 26.1 18:27 0.0 4 J. Williams (7) 18:59 E. Staal B. Hedican 10 BRET HEDICAN D 24 2 8 10 40 5 0 0 0 0 21 9.5 31.5 22:45 0.0 3 11 ANDREW LADD L 16 2 3 5 4 -1 0 0 1 0 12 16.7 14.5 9:25 0.0 4 12 NICLAS WALLIN D 24 1 4 5 12 4 0 0 1 1 19 5.3 25.1 16:36 0.0 HURRICANES 13 MIKE COMMODORE D 24 2 2 4 33 0 1 0 0 0 27 7.4 29.2 19:22 0.0 14 AARON WARD D 24 1 3 4 16 -1 0 0 0 0 17 5.9 28.8 21:41 0.0 15 GLEN WESLEY D 24 0 2 2 16 2 0 0 0 0 15 0.0 24.3 16:13 0.0 o i l e r s h u r r i c a n e s

went to Tobacco Road - territory his title. “It honestly feels like a ing wins champi- 1993, or Edmonton its blew out Carolina 4-0 in Game 6. off the other way with the puck. best known for college basketball dream to me.’’ onships, make no first cup since 1990, He swept in on Markkanen, who and NASCAR racing. mistake about it. when the remnants of That’s where the comeback end- made a good save off his chest. Ward, the Conn Smythe Trophy We had the best the Gretzky-Messier- ed. Brind’Amour made sure of “I can’t describe it,’’ said Hedican, winner as the most valuable player goalie in the play- Coffey-Fuhr dynasty that, urging on his teammates to But Mark Recchi, another member who lost in two previous trips to in the playoffs, wasn’t even Caroli- offs.’’ won the last of its five finish what they started. of the 30-something club whose the finals. “Both times were gut- na’s No. 1 goalie at the beginning titles in seven years. “He’s the leader of this team,’’ only championship came 15 years wrenching. I’ve got the scars. But of the postseason, but the 22-year- The Hurricanes were born in the ago, passed out from be- tonight, all that work, all that hard old rookie got the call when Martin old World Hockey Association as Pisani came through again, hind the net and the puck work, and our the Boston-based scoring his playoff-leading ricocheted to Aaron Ward team winning, it New England 14th goal by crashing the net moving in from the point. all paid off.’’ Whalers, and en- to knock in a rebound at 1:03 He beat the screened tered the NHL in of the third. Markkanen had Markkanen with a slap It paid off, too, 1979 playing out another strong game with 24 shot through a half-dozen for Glen Wesley, of Hartford. When saves, several of them daz- players milling about in Doug Weight their demands for zling. front of the goal. and Ray Whit- a new arena were ney. Along with turned aside, the It wasn’t enough. It was the Hurricanes’ first Brind’Amour team headed south score in 95:01, since the and Hedican, in 1997. “It’s just a matter of a few second period of Game 5. they had been bounces and that’s the differ- in the league The first two years ence today,’’ Markkanen said. Carolina thought it had an- for a total of 78 in Carolina were a “They were just a little bit bet- other goal in the final sec- seasons with- dismal experience, ter.’’ onds of the period when out winning the the team forced to Craig Adams backhanded cup. play 80 miles away The series looked as if it would a bouncing puck off and in Greensboro be a rout when Carolina ral- over Markkanen, who Now, they’ll all while a new arena lied from a three-goal deficit to lost sight of it flipping to- get their names was built in Raleigh. win Game 1 and blew out the ward the net. Defenseman on it. Weight, So few fans turned Oilers 5-0 in Game 2. The Oil- Steve Staios dove into the who didn’t play up in the beginning ers also had to cope with the goal and touched it with his Raffi Torres and Hurricanes’ Rod because of an that the upper deck loss of playoff star Dwayne Jarret Stoll, left, and right glove, enough to stop Brind’Amour battle along the boards. Hurricanes’ Bret Hedican injured right (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) was curtained off. Roloson, who had played ev- play on a delayed penalty shoulder, put ery minute of the postseason battle against the board. call even though the puck on his uniform Now, the Hurri- in goal until he went out with a (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) appeared to cross the line and came out to hoist the trophy. It Gerber struggled in an opening canes are champions, capitalizing knee injury in the opener. with 4.1 seconds left. leaned a bit toward his right side, round against Montreal. on their second trip to the finals. Cam Ward said. “Once again, he but he didn’t come close to drop- Four years ago, they were beaten But, led by Markkanen and Pisani, came up huge for us.’’ Carolina finally made it 2-0 with ping it. The young star wound up winning in five games by Detroit. the Oilers rebounded from a 3-1 just over four minutes gone in the more games in the playoffs (15) deficit. They pulled out an over- Right from the start, Carolina second. Kaberle fired a slap shot He and the others waited too long than he did backing up Gerber The Oilers have nothing to be time win in Carolina - with the cup seized the momentum with the over a diving Edmonton defense- to let it slip away. during the regular season (14). ashamed of, becoming the first somewhere in the bowels of the sort of energy and passion that man Jason Smith, whose sweater eighth-seeded team to make the RBC Center, waiting to be handed had been missing since Game 5. appeared to catch part of the puck “I still can’t believe it,’’ said Wes- “The kid came in when we were finals under the current format. out if the Hurricanes won. Erik Cole delivered a big hit at and cause it to dip under Mark- ley, a 37-year-old defenseman down and out,’’ Brind’Amour said. But they failed to bring Canada its center ice to force Edmonton into kanen’s left pad when he had his who might retire now that he has “He brought us to life. Goaltend- first champion since Montreal in Edmonton returned home and a turnover, and Matt Cullen took glove out to make the save. o i l e r s h u r r i c a n e s

Cory Stillman pours champagne on teammate Mike Recchi as the team celebrates in their locker room after defeating the Edmonton Oilers. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Oilers watch as the Hurricanes celebrate Hurricanes celebrate their with the Game 7. The Oilers lost after winning Game 7. 3-1 in the deciding game. (AP PHOTO/CP, Paul Chiasson) (AP PHOTO/CP, Paul Chiasson) o i l e r s h u r r i c a n e s

Goalie Cam Ward holds up the Conn Smythe Tro- Cam Ward (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Owner Peter Karmanos (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Coach Peter Laviolette (CP PHOTO/Paul Chiasson) phy for most valuable player in the playoffs. (AP PHOTO/CP, Ryan Remiorz)

Mike Commodore (AP PHOTO/PAUL CHIASSON) Rod Brind’Amour (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker) Glen Wesley (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) Ray Whitney (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)