Apology Not Enough

An apology and $3,000 check from the American men’s hockey team is not enough to settle the case of trashed rooms at the Winter Olympics, the U.S. Olympic Committee’s top officials said Monday.

USOC executive director Dick Schultz and president Bill Hybl said they still hoped for individual apologies from the two or three players believed involved in the vandalism at the athletes’ village almost a month ago.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t settle the situation,” Schultz said. “I’d still prefer to receive apologies from the individuals directly involved.”

Hybl, sounding a bit more conciliatory, said he also would like to receive individual apologies, but was more interested in a “concerted effort to support sports” from the team members, perhaps in the form of payment to youth athletics.

Last Friday, U.S. team captain Chris Chelios sent an apology and a $3,000 check to Japanese Olympic officials for the damage teammates caused to their rooms after losing to the Czech Republic.

Potvin honored

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Felix Potvin was named the NHL player of the week.

Potvin posted a 3-1-0 record with a 1.25 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

Ludwig sitting out

Just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, the Dallas Stars face the prospect of losing yet another defenseman with Craig Ludwig’s suspension pending a review of his hit on Anaheim winger Teemu Selanne.

Ludwig was suspended Monday. A review of the hit, which touched off a series of melees late in Friday night’s game at Reunion Arena, was to be scheduled, presumably, for today.

Murray pact extended

Veteran center Rob Murray has signed a two-year contract extension with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Terms were not disclosed.

On the ice

Montreal goalie Andy Moog held his team in the game long enough for the Canadiens to earn a 3-3 tie with the Calgary Flames in Montreal.

He stopped all 10 Calgary shots in the third period and 28 of 31 in the game.

Wayne Gretzky set up four goals and Alexei Kovalev scored twice and added two assists, leading the New York Rangers to a 5-4 victory over the visiting Ottawa Senators, keeping New York’s fading playoff hopes alive.

In San Jose, Calif., second-period goals by Tony Granato and Marcus Ragnarsson lifted the San Jose Sharks to a key 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

With the win, San Jose moved into a tie with the Chicago Blackhawks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In Philadelphia, Colin Forbes scored two goals and Ron Hextall narrowly missed his 24th career shutout as the Philadelphia Flyers beat Toronto 4-1.