U.S. Team May Need To Give Formal Apology

The U.S. Olympic Committee may not only bar members of the men’s hockey team from future Olympics for vandalizing rooms in Nagano but may also demand formal apologies from them.

Though the USOC declined to discuss its plans until a afternoon news conference today, president Bill Hybl said the committee was determined to deal with the vandalism as quickly as possible.

“We are not sweeping it under the rug,” he said.

After an hour-long conference call Tuesday, the USOC’s officers agreed to turn the case over to executive director Dick Schultz and Hybl, their two highest-ranking members.

Schultz was to talk with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow, president of the NHL players’ association, today and brief them on the USOC’s next steps, according to sources who spoke on the condition they not be identified.

Schultz said Monday that the USOC’s ultimate punishment would be banning the team’s 23 players from future Olympic berths if no one came forward to take responsibility for the vandalism.

On the ice

Tim Taylor had a goal and two assists and the Boston Bruins scored three power-play goals to beat Detroit 6-3 Tuesday night in Detroit, handing the Red Wings their third straight loss.

The Bruins, who won for the fourth time in their last six games, ended a nine-game losing streak to Detroit that dated back to Dec. 31, 1991.

The Philadelphia Flyers, despite being outshot 35-19, came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in their first game under new head coach Roger Neilson, tying the visiting New Jersey Devils 2-2 in Philadelphia.

In Uniondale, N.Y., Jason Wooley’s power-play goal at 7:42 of the third period lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-2 tie with the New York Islanders.

New Jersey extended its undefeated streak to 12 games (8-0-4).