LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL? LEMIEUX COULD CLOSE ON DEAL

          Prospective Penguins Owner Mario Lemieux "is likely to
     close on his deal" to buy the team this week, according to
     Ann Belser of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE.  A five-page
     motion filed Friday by Penguins attorney Robert Sable said
     that the closing "was likely to begin yesterday and conclude
     tomorrow."  Though the closing did not start yesterday, U.S.
     Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz "moved up hearings on
     settlements of lawsuits related to the case to today, to
     help Lemieux and his investors finalize the purchase of the
     team."  Markovitz is expected to rule today on Penguins
     investor Morris Belzberg's takeover of the Southpointe
     Iceoplex and a five-year lease for the team to use the rink
     as its practice facility (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/24).