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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Silence By U.S. Could Be Costly

Associated Press

With U.S. hockey players maintaining a “conspiracy of silence” about trashed rooms at the Winter Games, a top Olympic official is considering teamwide sanctions that could ban the players from future competition.

Since returning from Nagano, the 23 NHL players have kept silent about the culprits who caused $3,000 in damage to the three Olympic Village rooms, U.S. Chief of Mission Paul George said Thursday.

“My feeling is, if no one is willing to own up to it then perhaps we have to consider serious sanctions against the team,” he said. “I would hope that these people would recognize the error of their ways, and have the courage and character to come forth.”

One sanction George is considering would prevent the players from competing in future Olympic and international competitions. Others would prohibit them from attending a White House visit for Olympians scheduled next month or would require them to return commemorative Olympic items.

George plans to make a recommendation on sanctions to the U.S. Olympic Committee’s executive board after he receives the results of the NHL investigation into the vandalism. The USOC board will make the final decision.

USOC spokesman Mike Moran said a teamwide sanction has never been imposed, to his knowledge. But, he added, “this is one of the most serious violations of our Code of Conduct that we have ever had by individual or a team at the games.”

Lacroix suspended

Philadelphia Flyers forward Daniel Lacroix was suspended Thursday for three games and fined $1,000 by the NHL for cross-checking New York Islanders defenseman Rich Pilon.

Pilon, although struck on the head, was not seriously injured on the play Tuesday night.

On the ice

Chris Gratton and Rod Brind’Amour each had a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers did all their scoring in the second period for a 3-2 victory over the struggling Washington Capitals on Thursday night in Washington.

At Pittsburgh, Ron Francis scored his second goal of the game late in the third period to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-2 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Jason Allison beat goaltender Martin Brodeur with a great move early in the third period to give the Boston Bruins a 1-1 tie with the New Jersey Devils at East Rutherford, N.J.

New Jersey extended its unbeaten streak to nine games (7-0-2).

At Kanata, Ontario, Alexei Yashin had three assists to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 4-2 victory over Colorado.