Weekes lashes out after loss [AP photo] Lightning goaltender says poor preparation led to Isles' 7-4 win. Cutting, pasting and blowtorching UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- It was eight hours before the Lightning faced the Islanders on Monday night at Nassau Coliseum, and it already was time for some stickwork. Lecavalier picks Boca Raton agency UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Lightning center Vinny Lecavalier has a new agent. The 20-year-old captain has come to terms with Impact Sports of Boca Raton. Injuries take their biggest toll on defense UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Injuries are mounting for the Lightning, especially on defense. Seven regulars sat out Monday night's game against the Islanders. Lindros gets okay to play TORONTO -- Eric Lindros has been cleared to play again, six months after he was knocked out of the playoffs with a concussion.

College football
National title game: FSU vs. ?
'Noles virtually clinch berth in BCS finale; Miami's lone hope is an Oklahoma upset.

Beamer rejects UNC's offer
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Frank Beamer is staying at Virginia Tech.

Bucs
Cowart, Phillips cry foul over Middleton's block
TAMPA -- Buffalo middle linebacker Sam Cowart, a former standout at Florida State, sustained a high ankle sprain in the second quarter of Sunday's game in Tampa.

King hurting; Zeier waits in wings
The Bucs' starting QB has back pain, which leaves the team thinking about getting the backup ready.

Dungy family adopts infant
TAMPA -- Bucs coach Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren, have adopted an infant boy.

NFL
Panthers pounce on Pack in second half
Carolina loses an early 14-0 lead, but wins 31-14 behind a veteran quarterback and a rookie running back.

Favre, Beuerlein won't be stopped by pain
Aches and soreness can be expected, so tough quarterbacks keep on playing.

Down the stretch, Colts err by going to air
The decision of Buffalo coach Wade Phillips to go for an onside kick against the Bucs Sunday might have gone down as the worst coaching call of the season, but Colts coach Jim Mora let Phillips off the hook with his own game-altering move hours later.

Around the NFC

Around the AFC

Giants keep Fassel's word with victory
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The New York Giants are back on track, and they're giving coach Jim Fassel the credit.

Defendant maintains innocence
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A co-defendant in Rae Carruth's murder trial said Monday he rejected plea agreements twice because he was innocent in the killing of the former Carolina Panther's pregnant girlfriend.

Devil Rays
Rays release five, send down one
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays cut ties with Quinton McCracken and Miguel Cairo on Monday after the players cleared waivers.

NBA
Westphal fired after 6-9 start
SEATTLE -- SuperSonics coach Paul Westphal was fired Monday, 15 games into a season marked by discord and losses.

Outdoors
Captain's Corner:
Cold water and the disappearance of scaled sardines means it is time for artificial bait for inshore anglers.

Light winds plague women sailors
Having lost the first day of racing Sunday because of rainy, windless conditions, the delayed opening round of the Rolex 2000 ISAF Women's Match Racing Championship was sailed in light and shifty conditions Monday.

College basketball
USF, post-Alaska: Chill out
Bulls warn their fans not to jump off the bandwagon despite the team's poor early showing.

Gators cruise by 58
GAINESVILLE -- Florida guard Teddy Dupay, his team leading by 40 points at halftime, knew the game was over. But the Gators' work Monday night was only half finished.