Saturday Roundup

Super Mario sits out fifth game with sore groin

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -- Mario Lemieux's nagging groin kept him out of the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup Saturday night for the fifth time in six games.

Lemieux, the NHL's leading scorer, was expected to play against the Florida Panthers. He is still listed as day-to-day.

The 37-year-old center played against Boston on Monday, after missing two games, but was only on the ice for six shifts in the first period. He also sat out victories on Wednesday at Carolina and Friday at Tampa Bay.

Wickenheiser scoreless, but victorious in second game

SAVONLINNA, Finland (AP) -- Hayley Wickenheiser -- the world's dominating female hockey player -- had 13 shifts and almost 11 minutes in her second game for her team Salamat on Saturday.

A week ago, the Canadian Olympic star became the first woman to record a point in a men's pro hockey game, assisting on a goal in the Finnish League.

On Saturday, her team, Salamat, won against SaPKo 5-2 and continues to lead its group.

Wickenheiser was impressive in a few face-offs and was credited with one shot, but failed to make a bigger impression among the men, who often subconsciously seemed to back off from harder physical contact against her.

SaPKo got its first goal from a mistake by Wickenheiser. Still, she said she was content with her performance. Wickenheiser said her game was improving, particularly her offensive play.

She insisted that the heavy media attention was not affecting her play.

Blue Jackets send down Darche again

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets assigned forward Mathieu Darche to Syracuse on Saturday, the second time this month he has been sent back to the AHL.

Darche was recalled on Wednesday and went scoreless that night in a 4-3 loss at home to Anaheim. He also spent one day in Columbus earlier this month, but didn't get into a game before being returned to the Crunch.

The 26-year-old Darche has played in 24 games with the Blue Jackets the past two seasons, with one goal and one assist. He has a team-best 15 goals and nine assists in 39 games this year at Syracuse.

 

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