WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Wednesday

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux
scored two goals apiece, and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the New
York Islanders 6-2 last night for their first win under new coach
Peter Laviolette. Brian Boucher, taking over No. 1 goalie duties
from injured Ray Emery, made 22 saves for the Flyers, who broke a
five-game losing streak.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Flyers goalie Ray Emery will undergo surgery
today to repair a torn muscle in his lower abdomen, and is expected
to miss about six weeks. The Flyers, who lost five straight and
eight of nine, recalled goalie Johan Backlund from the Adirondack
Phantoms, but will rely heavily on Brian Boucher.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Following their off day yesterday, the
Philadelphia Eagles are back at practice today. They're getting
ready to take on the New York Giants Sunday night at the
Meadowlands in a big game for both teams. Eagles head coach Andy
Reid is reportedly on the verge of signing a contract extension.
But Reid won't comment on the matter.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Steelers are promising to be a
changed team as they try to stop a four-game losing streak that is
threatening to end their chances of repeating as Super Bowl
champions. The 6-6 Steelers are trying to save a season that's
slipping away. They'll attempt to stop the slide when they play the
1-11 Cleveland Browns tomorrow.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - With the Pittsburgh Steelers fast running out
of games and his left knee still not healed, star safety Troy
Polamalu isn't certain if he will be back this season. Polamalu is
hopeful of playing again in 2009, but he says there is no
definitive date for his return. Polamalu hasn't been cleared to
practice, much less play.


NBA
Tuesday's Games
Charlotte 107, Denver 95
Toronto 94, Minnesota 88
Boston 98, Milwaukee 89
Memphis 111, Cleveland 109, OT
New Orleans 96, Sacramento 94
New Jersey 103, Chicago 101
Dallas 102, Phoenix 101
Orlando 97, L.A. Clippers 86
Wednesday's Games
Chicago at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Portland at Indiana, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Golden State at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
New Orleans at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Sacramento at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
Utah at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Tuesday's Games
Philadelphia 6, N.Y. Islanders 2
Montreal 4, Ottawa 1
Nashville 4, Vancouver 2
Anaheim 4, Dallas 3, OT
Wednesday's Games
Florida at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Carolina at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Washington at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Atlanta at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.
Los Angeles at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.