Sunday, October 05, 2003

By Dejan Kovacevic, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

When Josef Melichar left the ice at Southpointe Sept. 14 clutching his long-troublesome shoulder, the Penguins feared they might have lost a key piece of their defense for a long stretch, possibly the year.

When Melichar participated in the team's annual black-and-gold scrimmage yesterday at Mellon Arena, they had reason to believe he will not miss a game.

Melichar received clearance from doctors two days ago to resume full-contact workouts after tests found no significant damage to his surgically repaired left shoulder. That means, barring a setback, he should be ready for the season opener Friday at home against the Los Angeles Kings.

"I hope so," Melichar said. "There's no problem right now, so I'm happy about that."

Morozov, McKenna out

Right winger Aleksey Morozov and left winger Steve McKenna missed the scrimmage, and both are uncertain for the opener.

Morozov was bedridden a fourth day by a virus which has sapped him of strength. Coach Eddie Olczyk said he will be absent again today and possibly beyond.

"He's kind of taken a turn for the worse," Olczyk said. "If he's not back early in the week, it will be tough to be ready for the opener. It's tough if you're healthy and don't skate for four or five days."

Olczyk said he expects McKenna, whose eye was bloodied by a puck Thursday, to be out until the middle of the week. That could put him out of the opener, as well.

No Fleury talks

Allan Walsh, agent for goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, said last night he had no communication with the Penguins yesterday.

If Fleury is not signed by 3 p.m. Monday, he must be returned to Cape Breton, his team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Malone hat trick

Left winger Ryan Malone scored three goals in the Gold team's 8-4 loss to Black yesterday.

Left winger Mario Lemieux had two goals and three assists for Black. Other Black goals were by centers Martin Straka, Milan Kraft and Mike Eastwood, left winger Kelly Buchberger, defenseman Dick Tarnstrom and Melichar. The other Gold goal was by right winger Matt Bradley.

Tip-ins

The new edition of The Hockey News lists one top Hobey Baker Award candidate from each of the four NCAA Division I conferences, and two of them are Penguins draft picks: Noah Welch, a defenseman at Harvard, and Ben Eaves, a center at Boston College. ... The Penguins announced to the 3,000-plus season-ticket holders yesterday that there will be a "booming" horn sound for goals this season. ... The practice today at Mellon Arena, which starts at 11 a.m., is open to the general public. Admission and parking is free, and several players will sign autographs after the session.

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