Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Slap shots

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 1, 2001

FRIENDLY EMBRACE: Teemu Selanne scored his first three goals Thursday since being traded from the Mighty Ducks to the Sharks, and he did it, of course, against Anaheim. The first goal, which came in Selanne's seventh game with San Jose, was a one-timer from below the faceoff circle that former teammate Paul Kariya was late in defending.

As Selanne turned to celebrate, Kariya brushed him.

"I thought he was going to give me a big hug," Selanne said.

The two close friends embraced outside the Ducks locker room after the game.

UNKIND CUTS: Thrashers defenseman Chris Tamer began giving haircuts a couple of years ago, though he has no formal training.

"My brother-in-law and I were sitting on the deck and decided to cut each other's hair," he said. "We probably shouldn't have been drinking, and we shouldn't have done it in the dark. The next morning I had patches all over the place and the bangs weren't cut. The night before I thought it was great."

Tamer recently gave haircuts to teammates Ray Ferraro and Dean Sylvester.

"Never again," Ferraro said. "He did mine in seven minutes and Dean's in four. After that, he had trouble getting clients."

Said Tamer: "I figured they would both go out and score hat tricks, and then everyone would want haircuts. It didn't work out that way."

STAR POWER: Oilers rookie center Domenic Pittis recalled the day about 20 years ago when his father took him to a sporting goods store in Calgary to see Wayne Gretzky.

"I was about 5 years old and there was this long line," Pittis said. "I finally got up to the front and Wayne looked at the Montreal Canadiens jersey I was wearing -- I loved Guy Lafleur -- and he asked me where my Oilers sweater was. I started crying and ran away and hid in the store."

SPEAKING OF GRETZKY: Every Monday and Thursday he plays pickup hockey with movie people and musicians.

"Kiefer Sutherland doesn't know if he's wearing a black or white sweater, he gives the puck away so much," Gretzky said, laughing.

CHARMED LIFE: Wild defenseman Willie Mitchell scored his first NHL goal Sunday against Vancouver. Better yet, the game was televised back to British Columbia, allowing family and friends to watch. "I must be pretty lucky that way because I grew up watching the Vancouver Canucks," Mitchell said. "My grandfather, who is 74 and still plays hockey, was watching and probably had to get out the oxygen mask."

-- Compiled by Damian Cristodero.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright