Slap Shot

MONTREAL -- The Washington Capitals, hoping to build on a strong performance in Philadelphia Thursday night, came away with their second big Eastern Conference victory, beating the Montreal Canadiens, 5-3, last night before 16,495 at the Forum.The Capitals, within one game of .500 at 13-14-2, reclaimed fourth place in the Eastern Conference.It was Kevin Hatcher's slap shot with 7:25 gone in the third period that made it 4-3, and the Caps made the lead hold up through wave after wave of Montreal attacks.

Mr. Flip always has felt a special affinity with Paul Newman. It could be because of his tremendous body of work or his appealing persona. But it's really because Mr. Flip often has been mistaken for him. (When the paper bag is off, of course.) Newman, who died Friday at 83, made what surely is one of the funniest sports-related movies ever, Slap Shot, and he also starred in other films with sports themes - Somebody Up There Likes Me (boxing), The Hustler and The Color of Money (pool) and Winning (auto racing)

MONTREAL -- Tomas Sandstrom's slap shot with 3 minutes, 54 seconds remaining gave Sweden a 3-2 victory yesterday over the Soviet Union, which, with its second consecutive defeat, was in danger of failing to make the medal round in the Canada Cup hockey tournament.The Swedes, meanwhile, revived their hopes after an opening-game loss to the United States.Trailing by 2-0 after two periods, the Soviets tied it on goals by Alexei Zhamnov and Alexander Semak.Then Thomas Steen sent Sandstrom in on a counterattack down the left side, and he sent a slap shot past goaltender Mikhail Shtalenkov.

Kasia Brandes started her hockey career by playing in-line (roller) hockey in the Jewish Community Center's league in Owings Mills. She began playing when very young, usually being either the only girl or one of just a few who competed with boys. But Brandes soon began to stand out. The combination of her smooth skating ability that often left other players in the dust and her booming slap shot made the skinny left wing a player that coaches enjoyed working with. She even won a playoff game on a 50-foot slap shot with two seconds left.

Mr. Flip always has felt a special affinity with Paul Newman. It could be because of his tremendous body of work or his appealing persona. But it's really because Mr. Flip often has been mistaken for him. (When the paper bag is off, of course.) Newman, who died Friday at 83, made what surely is one of the funniest sports-related movies ever, Slap Shot, and he also starred in other films with sports themes - Somebody Up There Likes Me (boxing), The Hustler and The Color of Money (pool) and Winning (auto racing)

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals made more beautiful passes, set up more wonderful scoring opportunities than their fans -- what there were of them last night -- had seen in a long time.But an elusive slap shot that went off the arm of New York Islanders goalie Tommy Soderstrom with 6:52 to go and slid ever so slowly through the crease and over the goal line kept the Capitals from defeat. That goal and sent the game to overtime, in which Steve Konowalchuk scored his second goal of the night with 2:44 left to lift the Caps to a 4-3 victory.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- It lasted three weeks and included victories over the Penguins, Bruins, Rangers, Red Wings and Devils. Seven victories in a row and nine wins in 10 games, making the Washington Capitals the hottest team in the NHL.But after beating some of the league's best for the past month, the Caps lost to one of the worst last night. The Hartford Whalers reeled off three goals late in the first period and Washington never recovered, losing, 6-3, before 8,207 at the Hartford Civic Center.

LANDOVER -- Aesthetically, it was very nice. Players in different shades of blue with splashes of red and white, swirling around the ice.The Capitals did what they do best, outshooting the other team (34-19), but lost to the Quebec Nordiques, 4-3.The Nordiques, doing what the Capitals allow their opponents to best, rallied from a 3-1 deficit on three power-play goals to send Washington off on a three-game road trip carrying a six-game winless streak."It's individuals," said Capitals center Mike Ridley.

LANDOVER -- Playing for the Washington Capitals obviously agrees with goalie Rick Tabaracci.Two games started. One shutout recorded.Tabaracci stopped every shot Montreal mustered last night, as the Capitals beat the Canadiens, 4-0.It was the second shutout of Tabaracci's career."

LANDOVER -- Goalie Don Beaupre put on a show for the 15,655 at the Capital Centre last night, as he led the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 National Hockey League victory over the Minnesota North Stars.Beaupre, winning his 18th game of the season, stopped shots with his stick, gloves and pads; he made diving saves, sliding saves and lunging glove saves. In all, he stopped 33 shots.The only shot to elude him was during a power play in the third period. Former Philadelphia Flyer Brian Propp scored on a shot from the left circle that caromed off the far post and into the cage behind Beaupre.

THINGS I AM NOT doing this year: Sailing aboard the Disney Magic to the Persian Gulf. (I'm going to limit my seafaring to Ed Kane's Water Taxi.) Reading any letters that begin, "Dear Moron." (So, Frank, Bill, you can put down your crayons now.) Answering certain questions. ("You want that super size?" "Is this gonna be in the Sunpaper?" "NudeMarvinXX has just sent you an Instant Message. Would you like to respond?") More things I'm not doing this year: Consuming anything that's blue. (Pepsi Blue, this means you, and no more Sky Light snowballs.

He's the guy with the funny-looking swing and the funny-sounding accent, a player who draws stares and sets records wherever he plays.Now, as a rookie on the PGA Senior Tour, Allen Doyle is doing what he did during a late-blooming amateur career -- winning.With three victories and $1,062,831 in earnings, Doyle has gone from curiosity item to Player of the Year candidate."I always had to shoot a score to show people I could play," Doyle, 51, said Tuesday at Hobbit's Glen Golf Club, where he was preparing for this week's $1.3 million State Farm Senior Classic.

LANDOVER -- A boisterous crowd at USAir Arena got plenty of hockey excitement last night as the Washington Capitals ground out a 4-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers.The victory came with last-minute heroics from right wing Jason Allison, who scored with 1: 48left to give the Caps a 3-2 lead. The game-winner completed a play started by Steve Konowalchuk and kept alive by Todd Krygier.Allison's goal from the slot was followed by a goal from Dale Hunter, who scored into an open net with 18.2 seconds left.

The fact that our two major winter sports have reached their respective championship series makes for an inevitable comparison.The NBA is, of course, riding high, with its marquee player, Michael Jordan, and marquee team, the Chicago Bulls, in its ultimate showcase, bringing strong ratings for NBC.Meanwhile, the NHL plays the little league that could, continuing a solid if not spectacular climb on the way to imprinting itself in the American consciousness as...

LANDOVER -- The Washington Capitals made more beautiful passes, set up more wonderful scoring opportunities than their fans -- what there were of them last night -- had seen in a long time.But an elusive slap shot that went off the arm of New York Islanders goalie Tommy Soderstrom with 6:52 to go and slid ever so slowly through the crease and over the goal line kept the Capitals from defeat. That goal and sent the game to overtime, in which Steve Konowalchuk scored his second goal of the night with 2:44 left to lift the Caps to a 4-3 victory.

TORONTO -- As the NHL and its players union resumed negotiations here yesterday, a group of children waited outside the meeting, hoping to catch sight of a player and grab an autograph.It was Thanksgiving in Canada, and even an autograph from a hockey player in street clothes is better than nothing -- which is all any hockey fan has gotten so far this season.During a three-hour meeting that included four owners and seven active players yesterday, the NHL Players Association presented its latest counterproposal.

PHILADELPHIA -- The music blared throughout the Washington Capitals locker room yesterday evening, a sure sign that things are going right. And any time the Capitals can beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, at The Spectrum, things are definitely going right."

LANDOVER -- A boisterous crowd at USAir Arena got plenty of hockey excitement last night as the Washington Capitals ground out a 4-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers.The victory came with last-minute heroics from right wing Jason Allison, who scored with 1: 48left to give the Caps a 3-2 lead. The game-winner completed a play started by Steve Konowalchuk and kept alive by Todd Krygier.Allison's goal from the slot was followed by a goal from Dale Hunter, who scored into an open net with 18.2 seconds left.

LANDOVER -- Aesthetically, it was very nice. Players in different shades of blue with splashes of red and white, swirling around the ice.The Capitals did what they do best, outshooting the other team (34-19), but lost to the Quebec Nordiques, 4-3.The Nordiques, doing what the Capitals allow their opponents to best, rallied from a 3-1 deficit on three power-play goals to send Washington off on a three-game road trip carrying a six-game winless streak."It's individuals," said Capitals center Mike Ridley.