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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Seahawks prepare with Wallace under center

Seattle may start quarterback Seneca Wallace against the Eagles. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
From staff and wire reports

Matt Hasselbeck has returned to Los Angeles for a second visit to a back surgeon, leaving Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren to prepare for Sunday’s game in Seattle against Philadelphia with Seneca Wallace as his starting quarterback.

“Right now, he’s our quarterback,” Holmgren said of Wallace on Monday.

Hasselbeck was having another evaluation on the bulging disk in his back, Holmgren said. The disk is pushing on a nerve that is weakening the three-time Pro Bowler’s hyperextended right knee.

Unless Hasselbeck passes a strength test so he can practice before Friday, he will miss his fourth consecutive game on Sunday for Seattle (2-5) against the Eagles (4-3).

“Matt’s thing is the same: He’ll rehab during the week and see how it is,” Holmgren said. “Right now, it’s on a week-to-week basis.”

Wallace completed 15 of 25 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown and did not turn the ball over in a 34-13 win at San Francisco on Sunday.

Steroid cases under investigation: Six to eight players are under investigation by the NFL for violating the league’s drug policy by taking Bumetanide – a weight-loss diuretic that is considered a masking agent for steroids.

A person familiar with the case provided the number of players involved, saying estimates of a higher figure were untrue. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the players are appealing the findings.

AFL realigns divisions: The Arena Football League realigned its divisions, placing the two-time (2006-07) Eastern Division champion Dallas Desperados in the Southern Division.

New Orleans recently dropped out of the AFL, leading to the realignments.

Weber State receiver suspended: In Ogden, Utah, Weber State receiver/returner Bryant Eteuati was suspended indefinitely after being arrested on outstanding warrants.

Eteuati is scheduled to appear in court Monday on charges of third-degree felony assault and a misdemeanor count of failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

Hockey

Koivu, Wild remain hot

Mikko Koivu assisted on goals by Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and Brent Burns to lead the Minnesota Wild over the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in St. Paul, Minn.

The Wild (6-0-1) are the only NHL team without a regulation loss despite playing the past five games without star Marian Gaborik.

Koivu leads Minnesota with 13 points and is among the league leaders in assists with 12.

Red Wings win in shoot out: Valtteri Filppula took advantage of a sloppy turnover to score the tying goal with 1:54 left in the third period, and the Detroit Red Wings got goals from Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in a shootout to beat the Los Angeles Kings at home 4-3.

Rangers wrangle Islanders: Rangers captain Chris Drury scored his first two goals and Henrik Lundqvist made 28 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Islanders in the first New York-New York matchup of the season in Uniondale, N.Y.

Ryan Callahan and Scott Gomez both netted their third goals of the season for the Rangers, who have won three straight and nine of their first 12 (9-2-1).

Bruins earn overtime win: Dennis Wideman scored 3:18 into overtime and Tim Thomas made 27 saves, leading the Boston Bruins to a 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton, Alberta.

Wideman scored on the power play after Shawn Horcoff went off for hooking midway through the extra period. He beat Oilers goaltender Dwayne Roloson high to the glove side.

Gymnastics

Gymnasts will need ID

Beginning Jan. 1, all junior and senior gymnasts who represent their countries at most international meets will need a license from the International Gymnastics Federation.

The licenses will include gymnasts’ name, sex, country and date of birth, and be their proof of age for their entire career.