WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Thursday

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Brian Boucher's 23 saves helped the Flyers
surprise the Devils 2-1 on the road in Game 1 of their first-round
Eastern Conference playoff series. The win gives the Flyers home
ice advantage heading into Game 2 tomorrow night.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Ottawa Senators shocked the defending
Stanley Cup champs with a 5-4 playoff-opening win in Pittsburgh
last night. Evgeni Malkin scored twice on power plays, but the
Penguins came out flat against Ottawa. Sidney Crosby had three
assists, but couldn't get a shot on goal until the third period.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Associated Press has learned 76ers coach
Eddie Jordan will be fired today after one season on the job. The
Sixers closed out a dismal season with a 125-111 loss to Orlando
last night. They've finished with a 27-55 record. The team is now
looking for its fourth coach in three seasons.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Aubrey Huff's first inside-the-park home
run helped the Giants sink the Pirates 6-0 yesterday. It was also
Huff's first home run in a Giants uniform. Giants starter Jonathan
Sanchez struck out 11.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Chase Utley had two homers and Shane
Victorino drove in a career-high five runs as the Phillies doubled
up the Washington Nationals 14-7. The defending NL champs are now
7-1 on the year. The Phillies' offense made up for a poor outing by
Kyle Kendrick, who gave up six runs in 1 and 2-3 innings.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is out two
to four weeks with a calf strain. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
says an MRI has revealed a mild to moderate strain of Rollins'
right calf. He's been placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Philadelphia has called up Wilson Valdez from Triple-A Lehigh
Valley to replace Rollins on the roster.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he will
decide soon whether to punish Steelers quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger for his off-the-field troubles. Goodell made the
comments at a dinner honoring Steelers chairman Dan Rooney last
night.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Ben Roethlisberger is back with his Pittsburgh
teammates and taking part in offseason conditioning work.
Roethlisberger showed up at the Steelers' practice facility
yesterday. Prosecutors in Georgia have decided against charging the
quarterback over an alleged sexual assault in Georgia.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jeff Garcia says he's open to a third stint
in Philadelphia. The former Pro Bowl quarterback tells The
Associated Press that he's had discussions with the team about
returning, but nothing is imminent. The Eagles traded Donavan
McNabb last week, leaving Kevin Kolb (kahb) as the starter.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Dad Vail Regatta will be staying in
Philadelphia for at least the next four years. Aberdeen Assets
Management has announced a new sponsorship deal for the event. The
regatta features more than 3,000 rowers from 120 colleges and
universities in the United States and Canada.


AMERICAN LEAGUE
Wednesday's Games
Kansas City 7, Detroit 3
L.A. Angels 5, N.Y. Yankees 3
Boston 6, Minnesota 3
Tampa Bay 9, Baltimore 1
Texas 6, Cleveland 2
Chicago White Sox 11, Toronto 1
Seattle 4, Oakland 2
Thursday's Games
Texas (Harrison 0-0) at Cleveland (D.Huff 0-1), 12:05 p.m.
Boston (Wakefield 0-0) at Minnesota (Liriano 0-0), 1:10 p.m.
L.A. Angels (Kazmir 0-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Hughes 0-0), 7:05 p.m.
Chicago White Sox (F.Garcia 0-1) at Toronto (Eveland 1-0), 7:07
p.m.
Baltimore (D.Hernandez 0-1) at Oakland (Sheets 0-0), 10:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Wednesday's Games
Chicago Cubs 7, Milwaukee 6
San Francisco 6, Pittsburgh 0
Philadelphia 14, Washington 7
Florida 5, Cincinnati 3
St. Louis 2, Houston 1
Colorado 6, N.Y. Mets 5, 10 innings
Atlanta 6, San Diego 1
Arizona 9 L.A. Dodgers 7 11 innings
Thursday's Games
Houston (Norris 0-1) at St. Louis (Lohse 0-0), 1:40 p.m.
Milwaukee (Suppan 0-0) at Chicago Cubs (Zambrano 1-1), 2:20 p.m.
Washington (Olsen 0-0) at Philadelphia (Happ 1-0), 3:05 p.m.
N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 1-0) at Colorado (De La Rosa 1-0), 3:10 p.m.
Atlanta (T.Hudson 0-0) at San Diego (Latos 0-0), 6:35 p.m.
Cincinnati (Harang 0-1) at Florida (Jo.Johnson 0-1), 7:10 p.m.
Arizona (Haren 1-1) at L.A. Dodgers (Kuroda 1-0), 10:10 p.m.

NBA
Wednesday's Games
Dallas 96, San Antonio 89
New Orleans 123, Houston 115
Detroit 103, Minnesota 98
Oklahoma City 114, Memphis 105
Atlanta 99, Cleveland 83
Milwaukee 106, Boston 95
Chicago 98, Charlotte 89
Washington 98, Indiana 97
Toronto 131, New York 113
Miami 94, New Jersey 86,2OT
Orlando 125, Philadelphia 111
L.A. Clippers 107, L.A. Lakers 91
Golden State 122, Portland 116
Phoenix 100, Utah 86

End of Regular Season

NHL PLAYOFFS
Wednesday
Ottawa 5, Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa leads series 1-0
Philadelphia 2, New Jersey 1, Philadelphia leads series 1-0
Phoenix 3, Detroit 2, Phoenix leads series 1-0
Colorado 2, San Jose 1, Colorado leads series 1-0
Thursday
Montreal at Washington, 7 p.m.
Boston at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Vancouver, 10 p.m.