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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011
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THE TIMES LEADER
www.timesleader.com
C A L D E R C U P P L AYO F F S
War of words pays off for Pens in first round Was the comeback against Norfolk aided by some trash talk? Some players think so. By TOM VENESKY tvenesky@timesleader.com
After watching Norfolk goaltender Dustin Tokarski give up a mere three goals in the first three games of their playoff series, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins knew they had to get the hot netminder off his game. So they ran their mouths. And it worked. In the following three games, Tokarski gave up 10 goals and the Penguins won the series. Sure, improved play was the main reason the Penguins were able to get enough pucks past Tokarski to win the final four games
of the series. But there were some little things – a few choice words, if you will – that helped. “Tokarski was a big part of their success in the first few games and we wanted to get under his skin,” said Penguins winger Geoff Walker. Because of where the entrances to the locker rooms are located in Norfolk, the Admirals players had to skate through the Penguins’ end of the ice after warmups. It was the perfect setup for Walker, who gave Tokarski an earful every time he skated by to leave the ice. “I think it worked,” Walker said. Before Game 5, Walker yapped in the face of Norfolk tough guy Pierre-Cedric Labrie at the red line and attracted a crowd. “We were getting under their
PENGUINS NOTES
NEXT GAME Charlotte at W-B/Scranton 7:05 p.m., Thursday Mohegan Sun Arena, W-B Twp.
skin,” Walker said. And the Penguins quickly got on the scoreboard, registering two power play goals in the first period to go on to a 2-1 win. During the same game, another Penguins player who isn’t exactly shy played a key role by drawing a penalty on Norfolk forward Marc-Antoine Pouliot that led to a power play goal.
•The Penguins held their first practice of the week on Tuesday at the Ice Rink at Coal Street. After two days off, head coach John Hynes said his players were anxious to get back on the ice and begin preparing for Thursday’s opening matchup against the Charlotte Checkers at home. • Forward Bryan Lerg didn’t practice on Tuesday. Hynes said Lerg was resting and added that he expects everyone to be healthy for Thursday. • Defenseman Joey Mormina is
thankful to be in the postseason again. As a member of the Adirondack Phantoms, Mormina missed the postseason for the first time in his AHL career. The fact that he had an extended summer didn’t help the disappointment that comes with not making the playoffs. “Everyone says you get to go home early, it’s a long summer,” Mormina said. “But to be honest, it was the most miserable summer I’ve had in a long time.”
Defenseman Joey Mormina got tangled up with Pouliot along the boards and drew the holding call before a scrum ensued. “I don’t know if it was the result of something I said previously, but he got frustrated and took my legs out,” Mormina said. “We end
up scoring the game-winning goal.” Getting under an opponent’s skin with verbal jabs may seem like a relatively easy thing to do, but there is a technique behind it. Walker said a player can’t get too consumed with running his
mouth and forget about keeping his own game in order. “You can’t just stand there all during warm-up and take yourself out of the game,” he said. Mormina added that the verbal punishment is more effective when it’s used in conjunction with solid physical play. He said that the right players have to be targeted as well. “Pick your spots. A good oneliner here and there might rattle a guy. Some guys shrug it off, so you have to focus on the ones that it affects and maybe it will get them off their game,” Mormina said. “But if you keep beating the same drum over and over, it’s easier for them to tune out. “You have to play physical, get in their face and be an agitator. It’s not just yap, yap, yap – you have to back it up.”
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP
GOLF
Tiger slowed again by knee injury, will miss Wells Fargo Mohawks score late, By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tiger Woods has a minor injury to his left knee and Achilles’ tendon that will keep him out of the Wells Fargo Championship next week, raising more questions that his health might be the biggest obstacle in his chase of Jack Nicklaus’ record. Woods said on his website Tuesday that he hurt himself hitting a shot during the third round of the Masters. It’s the fourth time he has missed a tournament because of his left knee. Woods did not say when he might return, but he hopes to be back in a few weeks.
SOCCER Continued from Page 1B
chance a few minutes later. Kulesza took a restart from the left side and about 25 yards from goal and launched a perfect pass to Nulton, who connected on a header. A short time later, lightning brought a halt to the game with
“This is precautionary. We’re not at all concerned,” said Mark Steinberg, his agent at IMG. “He’s just listening to his doctors, which is kind of nice. He certainly didn’t listen to them before the U.S. Open in 2008.” Woods won that U.S. Open in a playoff for his 14th major. He hasn’t won a major since then, leaving him four behind the record 18 professional majors won by Nicklaus. Steinberg said Woods has been in a protective boot when he’s moving around and has not hit a shot since the Masters. He said Woods considered playing the Wells Fargo until Tuesday. Woods won at Quail Hollow in 2007 and
22:05 remaining. Although it appeared well west of the stadium, PIAA rules state a game must be stopped if lightning is spotted and play can’t resume until the 30 minutes after the last strike. It didn’t take too long for the lightning to arrive at the field and with a storm approaching quickly the game was called, moving Dallas to 5-0-2 and Coughlin to 4-1-1. Berwick is 60-1.
had not finished worse than 11th in four appearances until a year ago when he missed the cut with his highest 36-hole score. The following week is The Players Championship, which Woods won in 2001, although it is not among his favorite courses. He has finished in the top 10 only four times in 13 appearances and withdrew from the final round a year ago with a neck injury. Steinberg said there was a “reasonable chance” Woods will be at The Players Championship. “We’ll do the same next week, do an early to midweek test to see if it’s good enough where he can be hitting the ball,” he said.
Both teams started the game by hitting the post in the opening five minutes. Dallas took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as Vanessa Parsons chipped a pass to Ashley Dunbar, who finished off the play in the penalty area. Coughlin then controlled a good portion of the action, but Yang came up with her first big save by knocking away a 30-yard shot by Olivia Spagnola. “Even in the first half, I
thought we were dominating and doing a good job,” Spagnuolo said. “The second half we had the momentum and came out strong. That’s the breaks. That’s why we always tell them, ‘Make use of your opportunities.’ ”
Coughlin......................................................... 1 0 — 1 Dallas ............................................................. 0 1 — 1 First half: 1. DAL, Ashley Dunbar (Vanessa Parsons) 9th min; Second half: 2. COU, Ivy Nulton (Brittany Kulesza) 53rd. Shots: COU 11, DAL 8 Saves: COU 4 (Samantha Sax), DAL 9 (Gabby Oliveri, Amber Yang); Corners: COU 5, DAL 2. Game called with 22:05 remaining due to lightning.
H.S. TENNIS ROUNDUP
Hazleton Area prevails for 3-2 win over Crestwood The Times Leader staff
WRIGHT TWP. — Hazleton Area’s doubles team of Pete Gallagher and Tom Miley pulled out a three-set victory to help the Cougars defeat Crestwood 3-2 on Tuesday in a Wyoming Valley Conference boys tennis match. Tom Delahanty and L.J. Sidari won at No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Cougars (8-1), while Crestwood’s Joe Picket picked up a win at No. 3 singles. SINGLES: 1. Tom Delahanty (Haz) def. Alex Machalick 6-3, 6-2; 2. L.J. Sidari (Haz) def. Ross Gladey 6-2, 7-5; 3. Joe Pickett (Cre) def. Nick Bartal 6-4, 6-1 DOUBLES: 1. Pete Gallagher/Tom Miley (Haz) def. Neil Patel/Nikhil Patel 6-4, 4-6, 6-1; 2. Briley Marchetti/Steven Waskie (Cre) def. Don
Tedesco/Mauro Notaro 6-0, 6-1
MMI Prep 2
Tunkhannock 5, Wyoming Area 0
Steven Brand, Tyler Ryman and Anthony Molino helped the Spartans sweep in singles play.
Kyle Christy, Jordan Herbert and Josh Herbert won in singles action as Tunkhannock swept Wyoming Area. The teams of Mark Swick and Brent Christy as well as Robbie Hug and Matt Stroney won in doubles.
SINGLES -- 1. Kyle Christy (TUN) def. Davide Fanelli 6-3, 6-2; 2. Jordan Herbert (TUN) def. Trevor Alder 6-1, 6-0; 3. Josh Herbert (TUN) def. John Scrobola 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES -- 1. Mark Swick/Brent Christy (TUN) def. Nick Szewczyk/Tyler Manganello 6-2, 6-0; 2. Robbie Hug/Matt Stroney (TUN) def. Nick Leon/Conner Margon 6-0, 6-0.
Wyoming Valley West 3,
SINGLES -- 1. Steven Brand (WVW) def. Michael McGraw 6-1, 6-1; 2. Tyler Ryman (WVW) def. Balaganesh Natarajan 6-1, 6-1; 3. Anthony Molino (WVW) def. Justin Sheen 6-2, 6-1. DOUBLES -- 1. Corey Siscok/Ryan Twardzik (MMI) def. James Yozviak/Andrew Crossin 2-6, 6-0, 6-3; 2. Andrew Kempchinsky/Tyler Fulton def. Sabri Aboutanos/Chris Bloom 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Holy Redeemer 4, Coughlin 1
Pat Loftus and Pat Dockeray both won in singles play for the Royals. Josh Stankinas won at No. 3 singles for Coughlin. SINGLES -- 1. Pat Loftus (HR) def Greg Stankiewicz 7-6(4), 6-2; 2. Pat Dockeray (HR) def Jordan Okun 6-2, 6-7(3), 6-1; 3. Josh Stankinas (C) defDan McGraw 7-5, 2-6,6-4.
DOUBLES -- 1. Dan Geraghty/Cameron Pinta (HR) def Jeremy Melton/Mike Answini 7-6(2), 6-4; 2. Tyler Elias/Paul Chmil (HR)def Ben Manarski/ Teddy Wampole 6-0, 6-1.
Wyoming Seminary 5, Pittston Area 0
George Parkhurst, Bijoy Ghosh and Harry Parkhurst won in singles play as the Blue Knights swept the Patriots. James Curtis and Henry Cornell as well as Chris Kim and Jon Sidney won in doubles play.
SINGLES -- 1. George Parkhurst (SEM) def. Jeremy Homichek by default; 2. Bijoy Ghosh (SEM) def. Trent Woodruff 6-0, 6-1; 3. Harry Parkhurst (SEM) def. Tyler Woodruff 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES -- 1. James Curtis / Henry Cornell (SEM) def. Suraj Pursnani / Justin Coe 6-2, 6-0; 2. Chris Kim / Jon Sidney Apfelbaum (SEM) def. Austin Welch / Terry Briggs 6-3, 6-3.
edge out Pittston Area
The Times Leader staff
WILKES-BARRE – Maureen Lisman scored the lone tally of the match with just under eight minutes remaining as Meyers knocked off Pittston Area 1-0 on Tuesday in a Wyoming Valley Conference girls soccer match. She was assisted by Leanne McManus. Patriot keeper Jordan Cumbo stopped 15 shots, while Meyers’ Alivia Weidler made 11 saves. Pittston Area ................................................ 0 0 — 0 Meyers .......................................................... 0 1 — 1 Second half: 1. MEY, Maureen Lisman (Leanne McManus) 73rd min. Shots: PA 11, MEY 16; Saves: PA 15 (Jordan Cumbo), MEY 11 (Alivia Weidler); Corners: PA 1, MEY 5.
Wyoming Area 1, North Pocono 0
Habibah Njiaju scored the only goal of the game on a pass from Katie Scalzo as Wyoming Area defeated North Pocono. Caitlin Vitale had seven saves in goal for Wyoming Area.
North Pocono ................................................. 0 0 — 0 Wyoming Area................................................ 1 0 — 1 First half: 1. Habibah Njiaju (Katie Scalzo) 12th min. Shots: NP 15, WA 1; Saves: NP 4 (Meghan Utter), WA 7 (Caitlin Vitale); Corners: NP 2, WA 2.
BOYS TRACK
Tunkhannock 100, Hazleton Area 50
Gavin Colley won the 100, the 200 and the long jump as the Tigers defeated the Cougars. Ben Robinson placed first in two events, the 1600 and the 3200. Jimmy Hischar won the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles for Hazleton Area.
3200 RELAY -- 1. TUN (Robinson, Nole, Siegel, Damiani) 9:14; 2. HAZ. 110 HURDLES -- 1. HAZ Hischar 14.8; 3. TUN Proulx; 3. TUN Ide. TRIPLE JUMP -- 1. TUN Atkins 41’ 10 ½; 2. TUN Felker; 3. HAZ Minnick 100 -- 1.TUN Colley 10.9; 2. HAZ Finnicum; 3. HAZ Barlino. 1600 -- 1. TUN Robsinon 42.7; 2. TUN Ayers; 3. TUN Novack. SHOT PUT -- 1. TUN Houser 38’ 10 ½; 2. TUN Kresge; 3. TUN Greene. 400 -- 1. HAZ Barlos 51.1; 2. TUN Damiani; 3. TUN Siegel. 400 RELAY -- 1. TUN 43.7. 300 HURDLES -1. HAZ Hischar 44.4; 2. TUN Proulx; 3. TUN Nole. POLE VAULT -- 1. TUN Karnopp 12’6; 2. HAZ Campbell; 3. TUN Dewitt. DISCUS -- 1. HAZ Finkelstein 111’; 2. TUN Houser; 3. HAZ Kokinda. LONG JUMP -- 1. TUN Colley 20’7 ¾; 2. TUN Felker; 3. TUN Auriemma. 800 -- 1. TUN Damiani 2:21; 2. TUN Siegel; 3. HAZ Moore. 200 -- 1. TUN Colley 22.5; 2. TUN Baldwin; 3. TUN Atkins. 3200 -- 1. TUN Robinson 10:17; 2. HAZ Tombasco; 3. TUN Ayers. JAVELIN -- 1. HAZ Kokinda 147’; 2. HAZ Galteri. 1600 RELAY -- 1. TUN (Nole, Barber, Siegel, Damiani) 3:48; 2. HAZ. HIGH JUMP -- 1. HAZ Hiscana 6’3; 2. HAZ Petrilla; 3. HAZ Osadchy.
GIRLS TRACK
Hazleton Area 86, Tunkhannock 64
Bria Edwards won the 1600 and the 3200 as Hazleton Area Postponements picked up the victory against The Honesdale at Tunkhan- Tunkhannock. nock game was postponed and Amanda Hunt placed first in not rescheduled. The Hanover the 200 and the100 for the Tigers. 3200 RELAY -- 1. HAZ 10:41; 2. TUN. 110 HURArea at MMI Prep game was DLES -- 1. TUN Fornataro 12.8; 2.HAZ Sitch; 3. TUN moved to May 13. Swenson. TRIPLE JUMP -- 1. TUN Nole 32’9; 2.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Wyoming Seminary 9, Southern Lehigh 7
Annabelle Jones scored three goals to help the Wyoming Seminary girls lacrosse team defeat Southern Lehigh. Emily Granger and Anna Romanowski both scored two goals in the victory for the Blue Knights.
HAZ James; 3. HAZ Smith. 100 -- 1. TUN Hunt 12.8; 2. TUN Distasio; 3. HAZ Garzio 1600 -- 1. HAZ Edwards 54.5; 2. HAZ Petsuck; 3. TUN Wooten. SHOT PUT -- 1. TUN Alguire 28’; 2. HAZ Yurchak; 3. HAZ Longo. 400 -- 1. HAZ Buchman 63.6; 2. TUN Dymond; 3. HAZ Marchetti. 400 RELAY -- 1. TUN 51.4. 300 HURDLES -- 1. TUN Swenson 52.7; 2. TUN Heck; 3. HAZ Sitch. POLE VAULT -- 1. TUN Distasio 9’; 2. HAZ McGuire; 3. HAZ Fornataro. DISCUS -- 1. HAZ Appleman 87’; 2. HAZ Yurchak; 3. TUN Stevens. LONG JUMP -- 1. HAZ Smith 14’10; 2. TUN Nole; 3. HAZ Sitch. 800 -- 1. HAZ Kozel 2:38; 2. HAZ Petsuck; 3. TUN Williams. 200 -- 1. TUN Hunt 26.2; 2. HAZ Buchman; 3. TUN Distasio. 3200 -- 1. HAZ Edwards 13:06; 2. TUN Nootten; 3. HAZ Papp. JAVELIN -- 1. HAZ Franzosa 127’3; 2. TUN Alguire; 3. TUN Sherman. 1600 RELAY -- 1. HAZ 4:32; 2. TUN. HIGH JUMP -- 1. TUN Nole 5’4; 2. HAZ Smith; 3. HAZ James.
H . S. B OYS VO L L EY BA L L RO U N D U P
North Pocono remains perfect after tough road challenge from Dallas The Times Leader staff
Crestwood 3, West Side Tech 0
DALLAS — Dom Verdetto posted 25 kills to help North Pocono stay undefeated with a 3-2 victory over Dallas Tuesday. The Trojans (9-0) won by scores of 25-16, 19-25, 27-25, 23-25, 15-10. Ryan Rinaldi dished out 57 assists. Aaron Weir led Dallas with 13 kills and seven blocks, while David Miller had 17 digs.
The Comets won by scores of 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 as A.J. Krysicki posted eight points and eight kills. Nick Banos added 14 points and six kills for Crestwood, while Jake Prohaska (6 points, 4 kills) and Pat Henry (3 points, 5 kills) also contributed. For the Titans, Tyler Atherholt had three kills and four blocks, Nick Space marked five
DAHLBERG
Even after Pryor and the others were punished, it wasn’t until confronted with the emails in January that Tressel admitted to NCAA and school officials that a violation had occurred. And this from a coach who preaches responsibility and integrity in his book, “The Winners Manual For The Game of Life.” Tressel might try reading the
Continued from Page 1B
At that point, Tressel not only knew about the memorabilia sales by quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others, but had made numerous phone calls and sent emails to other people about it.
blocks and Derrick Eyerman contributed five points.
added seven blocks.
Hazleton Area 3, Berwick 0
Edwin Medina had 26 digs and 12 points as the Cougars defeated Berwick with scores of 25-11, 25-19 and 25-21. Trevor Marszlaek added 12 digs and eight kills. Devin Bowman finished with nine points and five digs for the Bulldogs while Justin Johnson
Michael Shmakov finished with 23 service points, 19 kills and 15 aces as Coughlin defeated Nanticoke. Coughlin won with game scores of 25-23, 25-14 and 25-16. Brian Suchoski added 29 assists while Marcus Grzedzinski (six kills, five service points) also contributed. Justin Coskey had six kills and four
book himself, especially where he quotes Longfellow as saying: “It takes less time to do the right thing than to explain why you did it wrong.” Trouble is, Tressel hasn’t spent much time explaining what he did wrong. At the same March 8 news conference where Gee and athletic director Gene Smith were declaring their undying loy-
alty to the 10-year coach, Tressel never admitted to anything other than poor judgment and never apologized for knowingly breaking the rules. With the arrogance only a $3.5 million a year football coach can muster, he declared he was his own biggest critic and that “I don’t think less of myself at this moment.”
Coughlin 3, Nanticoke 0
service points in the win. Cael Evans had 14 kills for Nanticoke.
had six service points, three assists and two digs
Lake-Lehman 3, Hanover Area 0
Keyton Winder had 17 kills and five blocks to lead Meyers to victory over Wyoming Area by scores of 25-18, 25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 15-7. Tony Richards led the Warriors with six kills, 25 assists and four aces, while Cody Gates had 11 kills and four blocks.
Kevin Masters notched six kills, three assists and three digs as Lake-Lehman won by scores of 25-5, 25-8, 25-14. Tim Price pitched in with 25 service points, five assists and three kills, while Zack Bevan Others are beginning to think less of Tressel, though, and the NCAA is not done with him yet. The tone of Monday’s letter suggests there will be penalties greater than Tressel’s five-game suspension, and they could be aimed at Tressel himself. By then, maybe the higher-ups at Ohio State will figure out there are other football coaches who
Meyers 3, Wyoming Area 2
can beat Michigan, too. They’ll send Tressel packing and find a coach who can win without having to lie. But probably not until the university president is done shining Tressel’s boots. Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org