In Philadelphia, Rich Hofmann writes on the Stanley Cup
Playoffs and the increased amount of "lassoing" and
"stickholding:" "Get Cup Crazy? Nah. The NHL needs a new
slogan as it embarks on another springtime caravan. ...
Handcuffs, not fisticuffs. ... In the NHL in springtime,
it's sometimes hard to see the stars through the clouds"
(PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 4/17). In Deseret, Brad Rock previews
the NHL playoffs under the header, "This Is The Time Of Year
To Be Cool." Rock: "Hockey's rise in popularity isn't an
accident. NHL players are more accessible, and agreeable,
than their counterparts" (DESERET NEWS, 4/15).....U.S.
Soccer announced a sell-out of 57,877 at Foxboro this Sunday
to watch the U.S. National team play Mexico in a World Cup
qualifier. That will be followed by the MLS Mutiny-
Revolution game (U.S. Soccer). Pending Franklin County OH's
approval of a referendum on a new sports complex, MLS has
awarded MLS Cup 2000 and the 2001 MLS All-Star game to
Columbus. MLS Commissioner Doug Logan made the announcement
in Columbus on Monday (MLS).