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Sunday, February 03, 2002

Compiled by Dejan Kovacevic

When Cleveland Browns fans littered their field with beer bottles and other debris in December, it made national headlines.

When Kings fans did it eight days ago at Staples Center, also because of anger with officials, it barely registered a pulse in Los Angeles. Even though more than two dumpsters were needed to lug away all the trash.

Shortly after the 4-2 loss to the Avalanche, Coach Andy Murray shrugged it off: "I thought the fans were great. I think they were just like us. They were frustrated."

A day later, contacted by the Los Angeles Times, Murray stuck to his view: "They thought we were getting hosed, and that was their reaction. For me to criticize fans for being supportive, I don't think I can."

Finally, two days later, when the Times continued pursuing the story, team president Tim Leiweke denounced the incident.

"We have a reputation here of our fans not getting that worked up, so I loved it that we were so emotional," he said. "But I hated that they showed it in that way."

That, predictably, caused Murray to shuffle: "After the game, I wasn't sure what happened. I can't condemn the fans' support, but throwing stuff on the ice is wrong."

The trash is all that stinks on the Kings' ice anymore. They finished January at 11-3, the first 11-win month in franchise history, finally resembling the fast-paced outfit that was a blast to watch in the playoffs last spring.

*The Kings aren't the only torrid team in their conference. The Canucks might have made an even bigger splash, going 10-2-1-1 with an incredible scoring margin of 62-33. There are many shining brightly, notably Markus Naslund, but General Manager Brian Burke points elsewhere. "The single biggest story has been the emergence of Brent Sopel," he told the Vancouver Province. At 25, he has matured into a dynamic offensive force and has produced four goals, four assists in his past six games.

Expect that, no later than this summer, agents representing draft picks will seek bonuses for playing in the new YoungStars Game. The Wild's Marian Gaborik, 19, has 18 goals but failed to make the main All-Star Game, thus missing out on a $100,000 bonus. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets' Espen Knutsen, owner of eight goals and a minus-18 rating, was added to the main game. Was it because he is 30?

Leave it to Scott Bowman to chime in with what others around the league are too timid to discuss. He told the Detroit Free Press the NHL is taking a gamble by allowing its players to participate in a high-octane tournament in midseason: "There's 100 players going to play four to six games and, with 500 hockey man-games, you just hope nobody gets hurt. There are going to be some injuries. We know that."

Predators Coach Barry Trotz could be a bit guilty of trying to tout his goaltender to Herb Brooks, or he could be simply telling the truth. Aware Tom Barrasso is struggling in Carolina, he told the Tennessean, "I really believe it's a two-horse race right now between Mike Richter and Dunny," meaning Mike Dunham, considered No. 3 in most eyes for months now.

The Sharks' Patrick Marleau was blown away by facing Mario Lemieux for the first time here Wednesday. He asked teammate Stephane Matteau to get him a signed stick -- and succeeded -- then gazed in admiration from the bench. His impression? "I didn't realize how big of a man he is."