Notes on a Scorecard - April 16, 1991

Now that wasn’t so bad, after all. . . .

Sure, it took the Kings six games to eliminate the team with the worst record in the NHL playoffs. But nobody won an opening series more quickly. And while Los Angeles is able to rest for the Smythe Division finals that begin Thursday at the Forum, Calgary and Edmonton must decide the War of Alberta tonight. . . .

Larry Robinson, the pillar of a defense that allowed Vancouver only 10 goals in the past five games, got my vote as the Kings’ most valuable skater in the series. . . .

Of course, goaltender Kelly Hrudey was the most valuable non-skater. His stop of Steve Bozek’s breakaway attempt in the second period of the second game--Vancouver short-handed and leading, 2-0--turned the series around. . . .

Brad Jones, the fastest King, deserves to suit up every night. . . .

Will the Kings change the name of their mascot, Kingston, now that the San Jose Sharks have hired George Kingston as their first coach? . . .

I don’t think Chicago Blackhawk goalie Ed Belfour will be asked to play 74 regular-season games next season. . . .

You know hockey has changed when the Kings sell out the Forum every night and the Buffalo Sabres can’t sell out the Aud for playoff games against Montreal. . . .

At the Masters, a TV announcer talked about an “unforced error.” . . .

That famous football factory, Slippery Rock, has an NBA prospect in guard Myron Brown. . . .

Michigan-bound 6-foot-10 center Chris Webber was the best player in both the Dapper Dan and McDonald’s All-American games. . . .

What visiting coach is the UCLA rooting section going to razz at Pauley Pavilion now that Digger Phelps has left Notre Dame? . . .

Boston Celtic Coach Chris Ford, whose mouth never will be confused with Red Auerbach’s, hasn’t been assessed a technical foul all season. . . .

Tom Lasorda to San Diego second baseman Bip Roberts on opening day at Dodger Stadium: “If we don’t win today, I hope you do.” . . .

Pittsburgh is shopping Bobby Bonilla but getting more trade inquiries about Barry Bonds. Bonilla becomes eligible for free agency after this season and Bonds after next season. . . .

Roger Clemens’ three-hitter over Cleveland Saturday improved his record to 68-18 in games after Boston defeats. . . .

Kevin Mitchell has never hit a grand slam. . . .

The Chicago White Sox have 18 first-round draft choices on their roster. . . .

Craig Lefferts of San Diego isn’t the best relief pitcher in the National League, but he sprints to the mound from the bullpen the fastest. . . .

UCLA’s Othello Henderson finished third in a three-man 110-meter hurdle race Saturday at Drake Stadium, ran into the locker room, put on his pads and then reported to opening day of spring football practice next door as a free safety. . . .

Like other NCAA teams, the Bruins get only 15 days in pads. Saturday was one of them, and Tommy Maddox was throwing the ball in midseason form. . . .

USC, which has a 3 1/2-game lead over Stanford going into this weekend’s series against Arizona State at Dedeaux Field, is trying to win a Pacific 10 Southern Division baseball championship for the first time. The division was created in 1979 when the Arizonas joined up. . . .

Quincy Watts’ 45.59 clocking in the 400 meters at Drake Stadium Saturday was the second fastest in the nation this year. . . .

Todd Marinovich, who made a good impression while visiting NFL teams, has been elevated to a low first-round or high second-round draft possibility. . . .

It will be the Kentucky Oaks instead of the Kentucky Derby for Withallprobability after her defeat to M.C. Hammer’s Lite Light in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park. . . .

Owner R.D. Hubbard assures us that the groom of Santa Anita Budweiser Breeders’ Cup winner Fire The Groom has nothing to worry about. . . .

Magic Johnson and Greg Bell attend more sporting events than any other two athletes in town. On Sunday, Magic went to the Dodger-Padre game; Bell chose the Long Beach Grand Prix. . . .

Michael Moorer, one of the many light-heavyweight champions, is up to 210 pounds and will fight as a heavyweight on the Evander Holyfield-George Foreman undercard Friday at Atlantic City. . . .

Boxing promoter Don Elbaum after entering a prison to serve a six-month sentence for tax evasion: “I can’t believe how many people I know in here.”