Hockey Intrasquad Scrimmage Friday, 7:30 p.m. Yost Ice Arena SPORTS Thursday, October 6, 1988 Football vs. Michigan State Saturday, 12:15 p.m. Michigan Stadium The Michigan Daily Page 9 THE SPORTING VIEWS BY DAVID HYMAN The biggest news in sports this summer belonged to hockey. It is simply known as "The Trade." Wayne Gretzky, the best player ever to lace up a pair of skates, was traded to the Los Angeles Kings from the Edmonton Oilers. Tonight, the effects of the Gretzky trade will be felt around the NHL as the pucks will drop to open the 1988-89 season. Despite the loss of Gretzky, the Oilers still possess some of the best talent in the league and will try to defend their fourth Stanley Cup title in five years. With Grant Fuhr in goal and forwards Mark Messier, Craig Simpson, Jari Kurri and former King Jimmy Carson, Edmonton is still a favorite in the Smythe Division. THE CALGARY Flames saw last season's accomplishment of finishing first overall go for naught as the Oilers defeated their division rival in four straight games in the playoffs. The Flames are looking for the play of 1987 Rookie of the Year Joe Nieuwendyk, Hakan Loob and Gary Suter to propel them again. Even with Gretzky's arrival in L.A., the Kings should not challenge for the division crown. The Winnipeg Jets, led by forward Dale Hawerchuck, will reach the playoffs again. Vancouver is almost assured of another last-place finish. Despite the indefinite suspensions of forwards Bob Probert and Petr Klima for missing a practice and a team flight, the Detroit Red Wings still have enough talent to win the weak Norris Division. No other team in the division has the firepower to challenge Steve Yzerman and the remaining Wings. THE ST. LOUIS Blues, upset over the charges of sexual misconduct against center Doug Gilmour, promptly traded him to the Flames. Forwards Bernie Federko and Brett Hull pace the Blues. The Chicago Blackhawks are led by Denis Savard, one of the best centers in the league. The Minnesota North Stars, with winger Dino Ciccarelli, look to improve upon last year's last-place finish. As Gord Stellick, the Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager said, "We are looking to erase last season from our minds." It took the Boston Bruins 45 years, but they finally .up won't follow ,retzky to LA defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs last' year. Both teams remain the top contenders in the Adams Division. The Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Finals but bowed in four straight to the Oilers. Their strengths lie with veterans Ray Borque, Ken Linseman, Steve Kasper, and the goaltending tandem of Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog. The Canadiens, who finished first in their division, are led by the goaltending of Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward. The two allowed an astonishingly low average of 2.98 goals per game. Forwards Stephane Richer, Mats Naslund and Bobby Smith lead the offensive attack. THE HARTFORD Whalers, Buffalo Sabres and Quebec Nordiques will battle for the final two playoff spots. Hartford is propelled by right wing Kevin Dineen: and goalie Mike Liut. The Sabres are provided with strong defense in goalie Tom Barasso and defenseman Phil Housely. Forwards Michel Goulet and Peter Statsny lead the Nordique offense. The Patrick Division should provide the tightest race of all. Only seven points separated the six teams last season. The Philadelphia Flyers have the most talent in goalie Ron Hextall, forwards Brian Propp and Dave Poulin and defenseman Mark Howe. The team that surprised everyone last year was New Jersey, led by rookie goalie Sean Burke. The Devils were one game away from the finals and are looking to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row. The New York Islanders will miss defenseman Dennis Potvin, but will turn to former Wolverine Jeff Norton to fill his skates. Veterans Bryan Trottier, Brent Sutter, Pat LaFontaine and goalie Kelly Hrudey will allow the Islanders to challenge again. The Washington Capitals have the talent to win the division, but when the playoffs arrive, they always take a dive. The Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Rangers, the two teams that failed to reach the playoffs last season, are prepared to keep the race close. The Penguins have league MVP Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey. The Rangers biggest attraction is forward Guy Lafleur, who has come out of retirement at the age Sf 37, after recently being inducted into the Hall of Fame: KAREN HANDELMAN/Daily Spartans Jill Krumm (left) and Dawn Andrews block a spike attempt by Michigan's Julia Sturm Wednesday night at Crisler Arena. Michigan lost the match, three games to two. e~~s a Sers MSU beats 'M' spikers BY STEVEN COHEN Last night's five-set, heartbreaking loss to Michigan State should prompt observers of the Michigan women's volleyball team to ask one question: Will the real Wolverines please stand up? It seemed as if there were two Michigan teams on the court. The see-saw contest showed that if the Wolverines are to reverse their five-game conference losing streak, they will have to play with more consistency and sustain their intensity for the entire match. "Our whole team is real frustrated," said Michigan's first-year setter Autumn Collins. "We're 0-5 in the Big Ten, but it's not that we don't work as hard as every other team." MICHIGAN (10-8) came out aggressively and took the first game, 15-5. But the Spartans bounced right back and took the second game handily by a score of 15-3. MSU's big hitters, Jill Krumm and Becky Belanger, were able to take advantage of Wolverine mistakes. Michigan allowed the Spartans to score their points in bunches. IN GAME three a change in sides provided a spark for Michigan. The Wolverines jumped out to a 12- 2 lead as a great all-around effort propelled the team. Collins, emerging as the team quarterback in the absence of the injured Marie Ann Davidson, did a good job in setting up her teammates. Karen.Marshall, Wendy Raber, and Carla Hunter each had a few kills in the third game. Julia Sturm made a tough dig which led to a Wolverine rally, and the Wolverines won 15-5. The Wolverines lost the opportunity to put away the Spartans in the fourth game as the Spartans won, 15-5. MSU again was able to accumulate points in bunches. Leading 6-2, the Spartans quickly expanded their lead to 11-2. THE FINAL game showed the Wolverines at their best and worst. The Wolverines jumped out to a 10- 6 lead when a change in sides seemed to hurt them. When they switched over to the far end of the court, the Spartans banged out seven unanswered points. Having gained the momentum, MSU never looked back and withstood a late Michigan rally to win, 15-12. MSU - which lost to the Wolverines in four games earlier this season at the Ball State Invitational - improved to 5-6 and 3-2. "I'm very disappointed for the team, "said Michigan coach Joyce Davis. "The bright spot is that there are 13 games left in the conference." 'M' soccer club blanks Macomb The men's soccer club dominated play Wednesday at Mitchell Field, disposing handily of Macomb Community College by a score of 3- 0. The victory improved Michigan's record to 6-3-3. "I was very pleased with our effort today," said Michigan coach Mike Ruddy. "We played strong defense and had great midfield play." The Wolverines opened the scoring on a penalty kick goal by senior sweeperback and captain Steve Burns about two minutes into the game. The other goals were scored by junior striker Eric Moore and junior midfielder Matt Dikin. Michigan's next game is Friday at 4 p.m. at Mitchell Field against Ball State. - FROM STAFF REPORTS How to stand out.. 's The American Express! Card gets an outstanding welcome virtually anywhere yqu shop, whether it's for a leather jacket or a leather-bound classic. Whether you're bound for a bookstore or a beach in Bermuda. So during college and after, it's the perfect way to pay for just about everything you'll want. How to get the Card now. College is the first sign of success. And because we believe in your potential, we've made it easier to get the American Express Card right now. Whether you're a freshman, senior or grad student, look into our new automatic approval offers. For details, pick up an application on campus. Or call 1-800-THE-CARD and ask for a student application. The American Express Card. Don't Leave School Without It Winter Vacation in the Sun? "Take a break from the snow and the cold 1- mnkP ~r trvntiic~nc f('nX i m