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Show TheSalt LakeTribune SPORTS M PREP BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL D-3 BE NBAPLAYOFFS D-4 NHL PLAYOFFS D-5 FRIBAY @ PREP TRACK D-6 MAY14, 1999 Facing Early Exit, Jazz Must Win ‘Any Way We Can’ But sprained knee may keep Ostertag on bench in Game 4 BY STEVE LUHM THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE CRAMENTO, Calif. — Six of the Jazz's last nine opening-round playoff serieshave gonethefive-gamelimit Anybody for seven of 1 ‘The Jazz certainly hopeso beca ter consecutive losses to the upstart Sac- ramento Kings, that’s plish tonight in all they can Game at ‘o Arena. The Jazz need a victoryjust to force a fifth game with Sacramento, Sundayat the Delta Center. If the Kings win, they will advance to the Western Conference semifinals against Portland. “It’s do-or-die,’ Trent NelsowTheSalt LakeTribune Buzz third baseman Chad Rupp runs down Twinsrunner Denny Hocking. The Twins won the exhibition, 10-9. Even-Tempered Koskie Homers TwinsPast the Buzz “I'd snap, and be up and downall the BY LAURENCE MIEDEM. A time,” said Koskie, who was one of 12 THE SALT LAKE TRIBU career, water coolers and clubhouse former Buzz players in town Thursday as the big-league team played its top minor-league affiliate in an exhibition gameat Franklin Covey Field. Koskie hit two homeruns to help power Minnesota to a 10-9 victory. equipment were fair game after a hitless game or a two-error day. Getting benched, or simply not playing every day, was intolerable. youdeal withit.” Tantrumsused to be Corey Koskie's specialty When the Minnesota Twins rookie third baseman beganhis professional “I'd be so frustrated sometimes that I'd want to cry,” said Koskie. “Youstill get upset and frustrated. Butit is how Koskieis not a regular starter for the first time in his six-year pro career. But he is actually thriving as a backup for the Twins because he’s finally discovered patience. Despite playing in just 18 of Minnesota’sfirst 34 games, Koskieis second on the team in batting average (.302), is tied for the team lead with three home runsandis tied for third with 13 RBIs. Hehit 301 with a team See BUZZ, Page D-4 Canada Rudely Bounced From World Hockey Tourney BY BRETT PRETTYMAN THE SALT LAKETRIBUNE MShootout Format Angers Canada_~—D2 LILLEHAMMER, Norway — There is no easy wayto lose a hockey game, day during the 1999 International Ice Mockey Federation championships. especially when it means being elimi nated from gold-medal contention in the World Hockey Championships, But this way wasespeciallytoughfor Cana da. The Canadianslost twice to the Czech Republic — once in regulation(6-4) and again in a tie-breaking shootout Thurs- Sweden rebounded from its Wednes- day loss to Finlandto win 2-1, but lost the tie-breakerin overtime. Canada and Sweden will play for the bronze medal; the Czech Republic and Finland go for the gold in another best-of-two series, starting Saturday. Advocates of the unique, best-of-two format will certainly use Thursday's games to support their format. Teams seemingly out of contention fought back, as one overcamethe odds to ad- “But that’s a sily said John Stockton. comment, I guess, be- cause it’s so obvious.” “Our mindset is, we've got to win, said Karl Malone. “Any way we can, we've got to win this ballgame.” After losing the series opener by 30 points, the Kings rebounded with a 10190 win in Game 2 and an 84-81 overtime victory in Game 3 on Wednesday night “They're as highas a kite right now,”” said the Jazz's Todd Fuller. “We had a chancetoput them awayearlyinthe se- After playing just 14 minutes in the first two games, Fuller played 26 min feredtheinjury, but he wokeupin pain ‘Thursday morning. Ostertagdidnot participate in the Jazz's afternoon practice and Shimenskycalled him “question able” for Game 4. If heplays, Ostertag certainly must contribute more than hedid in mes 2 and3, whenhe totaledfivepoints, nine rebounds and five blocked shots in 51 minutes. “I'mnot playing hard enough,” Oster- tag said, moreeffective, including Greg,’ Coach Jerry Sloan. “and nobody can change the way I play except me All our big people have got to be said culed and essentially dismissed the Jazz See JAZZ, Page D-4 DICK ROSETTA The Kings have taunted, elbowed, ridi won't bein day night had never wonaplayoff game sign a contract, However, she’s expected in Arco Arena, have reducedthe Jazz to quivering wannabes who have exhibited little resistance in Game 2 and 3 losses Right? Four rights don’t make a wrong. Just to participate today Utah Coach Frank Layden is empha sizing conditioning, something he has no- ticed the women's basketball players lack in comparison to men's players. TheStarzz will have two-a-day prac tices as long as Layden sees necessary, probably up until their last exhibition game on June 5 against Washington. ask Karl Malone, the NBA's to-be. Let's not get totally crazy, he in sists. They have taken their shots and lly, we haven't responded,” hesaid hursday, prior to what could have been Utah's first exhibition gameis at Washington on May 22 ussed his expec toes Utah's last practice of the lockout-short ened season. So, whythe hell not y're eager to see what “his 0 get back in Rick Kgan/The Salt Lake Tribune shape,” said Olympia Scott-Richardson, Soccer — Non-Contact Sport? “We're Clearfield goalie Jonathan Berry fends off the ball and Taylorsville’s Tyler Furness,left. Clearfield won the 5-A playoff, 3-0. See story, D8 See STARZZ, Page D-2 SCORELINE \ It could have been the ankle, it could havebeen Corliss, it could have been a number of things,” Russell said. “The as has-beens who forfeited their chances at true NBA greatness in consecutive Finals losses to the Bulls. Right? And the Kings, who before Wednes: town until June Veteran guard Dena Head also was missing Thursday because shehad yet to Minnesota 71 liamson(18 points) Utahhas walked on eggshells for two Margo Dydek and Philadelphia 07, Orlando 85 couldn't contain the Kings’ Corliss Wil- The Jazz are being intimidated by the games while the Kings have run asif scooting over wave of hot lava. Right’ NBAPlayoffs Russell sufferedhis injury in Game2 Heplayed 23 minutesin the third game, but he scored only four points and haveonly mere hours remaining to twist in the playoff wind. Right? it's down to business. San Antonio 85, thoughtheireffectiveness could be limited. devil-may-care Sacramento Kings and ‘The Starzz open training campthis AX don Anderson (back spasms) and How ardEisley (sore back) will probablyplay, hasplenty of companyontheir suddenly morning with 15athletes. Three others Veterans Wendy Palmer, Chantel Tre (' —it necessary) lengthy injuredlist Bryon Russell (sprained ankle), Shan After Three Games of Cheap Shots, When Will Jazz Start Fighting Back? less photos. who had a baby girl on April 7, Tonight — Utahat Sacramento, 8:30 p.m. *Sunday — Sacramento a! Ulah, IBA Unfortunately for the Jazz, Ostertag See CANADA,Page D-2 merous interviews and smiled for count goingto be doing alot of running, which is something wedida lot of whenI wasat Stanford Game 3 — Sacramento 84, Utah 84 (Ol) According to trainer Mike Shimensky, Ostertag doesn't remember whenhesuf After beating the Czechs on Wednes. day, Team Canada held a decisive edge. The Canadians would have to lose in regulation and then lose again in over. BY LYA WODRASKA THESALT LAKE TRIBUNE Thursday, the Utah Starzz gave nu training camp will belike. “T'm especially rea Kingslead series, 2-4 Game 4 — Utah 117, Sacramento 87 Game — Sacramento 101, Utah 90 utes in Game 3. He might be needed even moretonight, considering Greg Ostertag has a sprained knee. effort before losing. As Camps Opens free agent Krystyna Lara JAZZ VS. KINGS ries. But that’s gone." vance and the other put upa valiant Starzz Get Busy — Elena Baranova, Leah Hogsten/The Sait Lake Tribune Jerry Sloan and the Jazz are running out of time to stop Sacramento.A lossto the Kings tonight would end Utah's season. Lakers 68 ae @ Russell, Sloan Make Peace hockey, one teamhits, the other team hits back,” claimer: he suggested. Then, 10, Salt Lake 9 dis- "But youcan't get involved in sideshows." Whythehell not? ‘The Jazz are razor-thin close to being an NBAsideshow. And Maloneis the one physically sculptured matador who could quickly detour the Kings’ staia pedeto the West semifinal vs. Portland, No King player is deranged enough to challenge The Mailman's m: “I grantly spear Shandon Anderson. where will not be laid-back,” he says of Game 4. Sort of a take-no-prisoners ome Voila! The Sacramento theory Of course, Malone is not so ngeer, dike Hornacek's jaw? Without any retalia tion? who his target might be. Malone, who had a miserable first half in Game’, wheretrash-mouth Kings guard Jason Williams can undereul Stockton; where goon-squadveteran Jon Barry can Tariq Abdul-Wabad canreposition Jeff Malone hints he may employ some hockey tactics tonight in Game 4, “In Webber for instance, as to reveal fiist See ROSETTA, Page D-4 A quick look at keyfinal results in the world of sports Indiana 09, Milwaukee 91 Houston 102, L.A. Why has it cometo atotally ludicrous predicament, where the Kings’ Chris Webber canassault John Stockton, @ Rockets Rally to AvoidElimination American League Toronto 8, Kansas City2 Anaheim 2, New York ‘Texas 15, Baltimore 7 NHLPlayoffs Toronto Pittsburgh 2,07 Colorado 6, Detroit 2 |
