One goal nets one point [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Kaspars Astashenko scores the lone Lightning goal, but Jaromir Jagr responds to give Pittsburgh a 1-1 tie. Defense is not all bad, Ludzik says TAMPA -- Tampa Bay's defense allowed 109 goals (fourth-most in the NHL) and ranked 22nd in penalty killing before its game against Pittsburgh. Even Lightning players excited to see Lemieux TAMPA -- The 20-year-old slid into the padded blue seat, craned his neck and wondered in a voice that bordered on worried.

Hubert Mizell
Florida counts when it comes to football
You know how I like to brag about college football in Florida. Constantly, there comes powerful backup from Seminoles, Hurricanes and Gators.

Bucs
NFL hits three Bucs with fine
TAMPA -- Three Bucs were fined a total of $15,000 by the National Football League Thursday for doing the Bob 'N Weave, an end zone celebration made famous by the St. Louis Rams.

Alumni name Lynch DB player of year
TAMPA -- He was an All-Pro selection last season and he's going to the Pro Bowl again this season. But the awards don't stop there for safety John Lynch.

Green pacing the Packers
The running back has 81 first downs, second in the NFC.

College football
FSU's Outzen pleads no contest
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State senior quarterback Marcus Outzen pleaded no contest to a charge of simple battery, a misdemeanor, Thursday.

FSU's Cody comes back to practice
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State cornerback Tay Cody, who missed three practices with an intestinal virus that required IV fluids on Wednesday, returned Thursday.

College football briefs
Dye declares interest in Georgia coaching job

College basketball
Not dominant, but still a win
Bulls reach USF Shootout title game with a 79-66 win against Alcorn State.

Women's college basketball briefs
Second-half rout powers Rutgers

Men's college basketball briefs
Trio again powers Notre Dame

Seminoles overpower Division II Binghamton
TALLAHASSEE -- Antwuan Dixon scored 16 points and had seven rebounds to lead Florida State to a 79-57 win Thursday over Division II Binghamton University.

NHL
NHL briefs
Philadelphia puts a stop to San Jose's winning streak

NFL
Fiedler aiming to stop slide
After a strong start, the Miami quarterback is hoping his team doesn't repeat recent history.

NFL briefs
Carruth witness describes shooting

NBA
NBA briefs
McGrady shoots Magic past Bulls

Et cetera
Sports briefs
Clay Court Championship bolts Disney for Texas

Baseball briefs
Raines returns to Montreal for another shot at playing

Sports Tonight gets a face lift
When the folks at CNN's Sports Tonight had time to twiddle their thumbs last month, talk turned from dangling chads to changing Fred.

Preps
State's best 3A girls team clobbers Citrus
INVERNESS -- Top-ranked South Sumter was as good as advertised.

Gators have bright future with area's best
TAMPA -- A former state champion and three-time runner-up, Whitney Code ranks among the most successful players in the history of Florida high school golf.

Tarpon turns fortunes around
Fact No. 1: Tarpon Springs was 2-20 last season and returned two varsity lettermen this season.

Gaither, Jesuit win, set up Puma championship dual
TAMPA -- Two second-half goals by Bryce Wegerle kept Gaither's hopes of a No. 1 national ranking alive as the Cowboys beat Temecula Valley (Calif.) 2-1 in the Puma International on Thursday.

Cougar senior remains hot after big year
David Cosper is on a roll.

State's best 3A team clobbers Hurricanes
South Sumter jumps out to a big lead early and cruises to a 66-35 victory.