2B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 8, 2001 CLUBSPORTSWEEKLY Women's ice hockey continues unbeaten streak against Oakland SOUND OFF! Your chance to speak out on issues in Michigan sports ® Comment on the basketball team's con- ference-season-opening loss at Purdue. * Comment on the Baltimore Ravens' sur- prising run in the NFL playoffs. Be creative! Daily Sports wants Michigan sports feedback! Select fanfares will be printed in SportsMonday every week. This is your a chance to sound of! dallyfanfarefumkch~du.MAJREARAL/IY me1Idiiganuavg ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Josh Blackburn Hometown: Choctaw, Okla. Position: Goalie Sport: Hockey Year: Junior 13y Nawed SIkora ;Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's hockey club remained perfect Saturday by defeating Oakland 6-3 at the Troy Sports Center. After falling behind early by a goal, the Wolverines came on strong in the final two periods to take the lead and seal the victory. With the win, Michigan improved its already-flawless record to 14-0-1. It was the team's fourth consecutive win after its 1-1 tie with Western Michigan, and the fifth time this year it scored six or more goals in a single game. Coming off a long holiday break, it was important for the Wolverines to find the momentum they had at the start of the season to continue their impressive unde- feated streak. . "We came out very rusty last night," forward Caren Scott said. "But, we came out with a win, and that is what's impor- tant" Although Oakland jumped ahead early, Michigan was able to pick up the slack fairly quickly and come back to take the lead. By the end of the second period, the score was 4-2 in favor of the Wolverines. Michigan junior Stacey Kilarski was impressive in the victory, tallying two third-period goals in a single shift to put Michigan up for good. Captain Tory Deleeuwy also added a goal in the win- ning effort. Michigan will now come home to play top intrastate rival Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena. The teams will compete Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 9 p.m. "Next week against Michigan State will be one of the biggest games we play all year" Scott said. The Wolverines are not only looking to finish the season undefeated, but they are also looking to repeat as league champi- ons. "It's always difficult to play as the number one team in a division," Scott said. "But we have done a good job so far and we have to keep it up this weekend." Why: Blackburn came back with a vengeance from giving up 14 goals in 60 shots in the GLI the previous weekend by registering two consecutive shutouts over Lake Superior. In steering aside all 49 shots the Lakers sent his way, Blackburn earned his sixth and seventh career shutouts Background: Drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in 1998 (115th overall) Blackburn MARJORIE MARSHALL/DAILY DAILYSCOREBOARD 'M' SCHEDULE NFLPLAYOFFS Tomorrow Men's basketball vs. Indiana, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11 Women's basketball vs. Penn State, 7 p.m. Friday Jan. 12 Women's swimming and diving hosts Wolverine Invitational, 6 p.m Women's gymnastics vs. Oregon State, 7 p.m. Hockey at Ohio State, 7:35 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 Women's swimming and diving hosts Wolverine Invitational, all day Men's gymnastics at Windy City NHL STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division' Invitational (Chicago), 7 p.m. CST Men's basketball at Illinois, 7 p.m. CST Hockey at Ohio State, 7 p.m. Men's tennis at Big Ten Singles Championships (East Lansing), all day Men's track and field hosts Indiana dual, all day Women's track and field hosts Indiana dual, all day Sunday. Jan. 14 Wrestling at Wendy's Classic (Ashland, Ohio), noon Women's basketball vs. Ohio State, 2 p.m. Men's tennis at Big Ten Singles Championships (East Lansing), all day NBA STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Giants handle McNabb, Eagles SPORTSBRIEFS Seton Hall suspends superfrosh Griffin SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) - Freshman star Eddie Griffin and senior Kevin Wilkins were suspend- ed by Seton Hall for yesterday's game against Notre Dame for violat- ing unspecified team rules. Coach Tommy Amaker released a statement yesterday that referred to Seton Hall's 78-66 loss to No. 19 Georgetown on Saturday. Junior point guard Ty Shine was seen leaving the locker room with a bandage below his right eye - cov- ering an injury he did not have when he left the court following the game. University officials would not comment on how Shine was injured, of whether it was related to the sus- pensions of Griffin and Wilkins. Griffin has averaged 19.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.3 blocks, lead- ing the Pirates in all three. Spartans' Hill to enter NFL Draft EAST LANSING (AP) - Michigan 7State senior cornerback Renaldo Hill is passing up a chance for a fifth year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. Hill, a three-year starter, could have petitioned the NCAA for a fifth year if he completed his undergraduate degree prior to the opening of preseason camp in August. "With the academic course load I needed to carry to graduate, it would have been nearly impossible for me to get all of the work done," Hill said in a statement Saturday on the Michigan State athletic department's Web site. "I certainly think I could have bettered my position for the NFL Draft with another season in college, but it's in my best interest to enter the draft now." Gonzalez close to signing with Tribe CLEVELAND (AP) - Bad back and overpriced. Those were the main reasons the Cleveland Indians showed little interest in signing free agent slug- ger Juan Gonzalez. And then Manny Ramirez left. Now Gonzalez is reportedly close to signing a one-year, $12 million contract to replace Ramirez in right field for Cleveland and hit cleanup in the Indians' batting order. Gonzalez said in Friday's editions of El Nuevo Dia in Puerto Rico that he chose the Indians because he likes to hit at the Jake, and because of his close rela- tionships with Cleveland All-Star sec- ond baseman Roberto Alomar and out- fielder Wil Cordero. New Jersey Philadelphia Pittsburgh NY Rangers NY Islanders Northeast Division Toronto Ottawa Buffalo Boston Montreal Southeast Division Washington Atlanta Carolina Tampa Bay Florida W 20 17 17 16 11 W 20 20 20 14 11 w 18 16 14 12 7 L T RT Pts 1170 47 148 0 42 146 1 41 211 1 34 214 2 28 L T RTF 124 3 126 0 13 3 1 165 4 234 2 Pts 47 46 44 37 28 Pts 44 37 34 31 26 GF GA 126 89 109 110 113 113 129 143 85 116 GF GA 126 99 115 90 104 93 99 123 96 119 GF GA 106 98 111 127 83 101 98 124 82 113 Philadelphia New York Miami Orlando Boston New Jersey Washington Central Division Charlotte Milwaukee Cleveland Toronto Indiana Detroit Atlanta Chicago W L 24 8 21 12 20 15 14 19. 12 22 11 22 7 27. W L 213 13 18 15 16 15. 16 17. 15 19. 14 20. 12 21. 6 26. LT 13 16 6 16 4 19 5 19 7 RT 1 I 2 2 5 Pct GB .750 - .636 3 .571 5 .424 10 .353 13 .333 13 .206 18 Pct GB .618 - .545 2 .516 3 .485 4 .441 6 .412 7 .364 8 .188 14 Pct GB .656 - .629 - .618 1 .559 3 .545 3 .485 5 .303 11 Pct GB .706 - .697 .5 .700 1 .645 2 .486 7 .333 12 .324 13, WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division St. Louis Detroit Nashville Chicago Columbus Northwest Division Colorado Vancouver Edmonton Calgary Minnesota Pacific Division San Jose Dallas Phoenix Los Angeles Anaheim Wt 26 22 14 14 13 W 26 20 18 13 12 L T RT 6 4 0 133 3 18 7 1 193 2 224 2 Pts GF GA 56 129 72 50 119 107 36 89 107 33 95 112 32 87 126 L T 8 5 11 4 17 6 15 7 17 7 RT 0 4 1 4 2 Pts 57 48 43 37 33 GF GA 112 89 133 109 113 112 95 108 83 91 GF GA 108 84 106 81 93 80 134 124 99 124 San Antonio Dallas Utah Minnesota Denver Houston Vancouver Pacific Division Portland LA Lakers Sacramento Phoenix Seattle Golden State LA Clippers WIL 21 11. 22 13. 21 13. 19 15. 18 15. 16 17. 10 23. W L 24 10 23 10. 21 9 20 11 17 18 11 22. 11 23, EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)- All the New York Giants needed to put the Philadelphia Eagles in a hole this time was the opening kickoff. After that, Jason Sehorn and the defense simply made life miserable for Donovan McNabb. Ron Dixon raced 97 yards untouched with the opening kickoff and Sehorn tipped a ball to himself and scored on a spectacular 32-yard interception return as the Giants defeated the Eagles 20-10 yesterday to advance to the NFC title game for the first time since 1990. The Giants will host Minnesota next week for the right to go to Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 28 for the Super Bowl. The Vikings beat New Orleans 34-16 on Saturday. The victory was the Giants' sixth straight since coach Jim Fassel guar- anteed that the team would make the playoffs for the first time since '97, but this one was by far their worst performance in the streak. Luckily, it came against a team New York has dominated since Fassel. took over four years ago. The Giants Baltiore shocks Titans in T ennmessee NASHVILLE (AP) - In one cor- ner was the illustrious Ray Lewis. In the other were two total unknowns. Together, they sent the Baltimore Ravens into the AFC title game. Baltimore's Keith Washington blocked a field-goal attempt and Anthony Mitchell returned it 90 yards for the go-ahead score as the Ravens again brought out the worst in place- kicker Al Del Greco in beating the Tennessee Titans 24-10 yesterday. Lewis, the NFL's defensive player of the year, clinched it with a 50-yard interception return after wrestling the ball from the arms of Eddie George. The two touchdown returns accounted for more yards than Baltimore's offense, which was held to 134 yards. The Ravens now go to Oakland to play the Raiders this Sunday in the conference title game, the first time the franchise has been that far since the then-Cleveland Browns lost to Denver in1989. The Titans, who were a yard away from tying the Super Bowl last sea- son, go home after posting the NFL's best regular-season record at 13-3 to ponder how to add punch to their offense. Divisional playoffs: SATURDAY, JANUARY 6 Minnesota 34. New Orleans 16 Oakland 27, Miami 0 Baltimore 24, Tennessee 10 NY Giants 20, Philadelphia 10 Conference championships: JANUARY 14 Minnesota at NY Giants, 12:30 p.m. (FoX) Baltimore at Oakland, 4 p.m. (CBS) Super Bowl XXXV, Tampa, Fla. JANUARY 28, 6 P.M. (CBS) have beaten the Eagles nine straight times, including three this seaso The Giants tried to be gene s against the Eagles this time, turning the ball over three times, but Sehorn, Michael Strahan (two sacks) and the rest of the defense confounded McNabb for the third time thi$ sea- son. He was sacked six times for 41 yards in losses and the Eagles were limited to 186 total yards. McNabb, who was 20-for-41 for 181 yards and one interception, - n't get Philadelphia to the endzA until a blocked punt set up a 10-yard TD pass to Torrance Small. But the Giants recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. W L T RTPts1 23 9 5 0 51 21 114 1 47 16 1 101 43 ! 17 157 1 42 13195 4 35! Yesterday's game. CAROLiNA 5, NY Islanders 2 DETROIT 3, Colorado 2 CicA4o 6, Tampa Bay 3 EDMONTON 4, Columbus 2 Today's games Pittsburgh at Washington, 7 P.M. Philadelphia at St. Louis, 8 P.M. Dallas at NY Rangers, 8 P.M. Nashville at Vancouver, 10 P.M. Yesterday's games TORONTo 94, Seattle 92 VANCOUVER 120, Milwaukee 117 Minnesota 108, PHOENIX 88 Washington at New York, inc. Charlotte at Denver, inc. LA Clippers at LA Lakers, inc. Today's games Portland at Boston, 7 p.m. New Jersey at Cleveland. 7:30 p.m. Golden State at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Chicago. 8:30 p.m. Indiana at LA Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Minnesota at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m. '1 REC SPORTS INTRAMURALS ..F. The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING Intramural Basketball Officials Needed!! No Experie Necessary Officials Paid for A Games Wo I Tce D~T- Get a Free =Shirt I lxrmmdMOOOP e-*VW-Atk 40""Ilk "W"Wa rovoN t-I Do you suffer from asthma. .1 Subjects are needed to participate in a clinical research study to evaluate the effectiveness of an investigational drug for asthma. Participants must be: Men or women between 18 and 70 years old An asthmatic for 6 months or longer Willing to stop current medication or only use Ventolin Able to complete 6-7 outpatient visits over 6-8 weeks The Ravens and Raiders will collide Sunday to decide the AFC Super Bowl rep. Silver and Black hiandles Miami OAKLAND (AP) -Tory James*- n't wait until he reached the end zone to start celebrating. The Oakland cornerback high- stepped for the final 25 yards of his 90- yard interception return that started the Raiders on a 27-0 rout of the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. The victory sent Oakland to the AFC championship game for the first time since the 1990 season. The Raiders, who have not been in the playoffs since 1993, will play Baltire next weekend. Rich Gannon completed 12 of 18 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Tyrone Wheatley ran for another score and rookie Sebastian Janikowski kicked two field goals. The Dolphins, who had won three straight regular-season games in Oakland, couldn't overcome a 20-0 first- half deficit. The Raiders have allo d only two touchdowns in their las 5 quarters at home. It was the latest postseason humilia- tion for the Dolphins, who have been beaten by the combined score of 127-10 at this stage of playoffs the last three years. Vikings Offense is trouble for Saints MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - "Beira quarterback on this offense, all I have to do is be calm and know what we're try- ing to do, and get the ball in the right guys' hands," Daunte Culpepper said after throwing for three touchdowns in leading Minnesota past New Orleans 34-16 Saturday. Displaying the firepower that made them the second-highest scoring team in the NFC, Minnesota advanced te conference championship game. Randy Moss caught touchdown pass- es of 53 and 68 yards, Cris Carter added a 17-yard touchdown reception and Culpepper showed no signs of a sprained ankle that limited him in the Vikings' three-game slide to end the reg- are INTRAMURALS ll rked Flexible Hours Training Clinics Continue I