Leafs Set Plans For New Arena

The Toronto Maple Leafs have proposed building a $175.5 million (U.S.), 19,000-seat waterfront arena to replace the 66-year-old Maple Leaf Gardens, the oldest rink in the National Hockey League.

The Leafs have been looking for a new site since a potential agreement with the National Basketball Association’s Raptors fell through. The team’s proposal for Exhibition Place, the former home of the Toronto Blue Jays, has been approved by Exhibition Place’s board of governors.

While team officials have spoken before about moving to a new location, this is the first concrete step they’ve taken toward that end.

“A deal isn’t a deal until the shovel is in the ground. So until we make this final, things can still happen,” said Tom Anselmi, Maple Leafs arena search project director.

The Leafs would open the arena in time for the 2000-2001 NHL season.

Hunt moved too fast

A Columbus, Ohio, court has ruled that Lamar Hunt was premature in appealing a ruling that said he is not part-owner of the NHL expansion franchise awarded to Columbus.

The 10th Ohio District Court of Appeals on Monday dismissed his appeal, bringing a Franklin County Common Pleas Court jury trial scheduled for February a step closer.

Once the case is concluded in common pleas court, the final decision can be appealed.

On the ice

Fredrik Olausson and Alex Hicks scored third-period goals as the Pittsburgh Pengins extended their unbeaten streak to six games with a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins are 5-0-1 with a season-best fourgame winning streak. They have won all three of their games against Carolina this season.

Rod Brind’Amour scored two goals and Garth Snow stopped 26 shots to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-1 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo.

Eric Desjardins scored the other goal for the Flyers, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Michael Peca scored for Buffalo, which has lost four of its last six games.

This and that

Former Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Patrick Lalime signed with the International Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins after he was unable to agree to terms with the National Hockey League team. … The Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Darren Van Impe on waivers from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. … Boston Bruins right wing Rob DiMaio has been informed that he had been fined $1,000 for his slashing of Dallas center Mike Modano last Saturday, but wouldn’t be suspended.