Sports 2000

Tiger Woods shot a 65 today to lead after the first round of the Quail Hollow Championship. Phil Mickelson fired a 67. The Charlotte event was named the Wachovia Championship through 2008. However, the financial services company decided to pull its name–albeit not its sponsoring money–from the tournament this year, the last of its contract with the event.

Vancouver defeated visiting Chicago, 5-3, in the first game of a best-of-seven NHL Western Conference semifinal series.

Chicago outlasted guest Boston, 121-118, in triple overtime to even the series at three. The teams played extra time for the fourth time during the series, a NBA record. Meanwhile, Orlando eliminated Philadelphia in convincing style, 114-89, to take the series in six games.

Selena Roberts has written a book that cites unnamed sources who say Alex Rodriguez took performance-enhancing drugs while in high school and since he joined the New York Yankees. After at first denying that he ever used steroids, Rodriguez admitted to using performance enhancers while playing for the Texas Rangers. It’s not a shock that he’d take drugs to build his career as a young player. At age 18, he was the first overall pick in the amateur draft. Nor it is surprising he’d want to remain a top-flight player by any means necessary, especially in a brutal market like New York while sporting the richest player contract in sports history.

Denver eliminated guest New Orleans in five games tonight in the NBA playoffs, 107-86. Denver will host Dallas in a second-round series beginning Sunday. Meanwhile, Atlanta forged a 3-2 series lead by thumping visiting Miami, 106-91.

The UEFA Champions League contested the first leg of its semifinals this week. Chelsea and Barcelona played to a scoreless draw in Spain Tuesday. Manchester United edged visiting Arsenal Wednesday, 1-0. Chelsea and Arsenal host next week’s second legs.

The Quail Hollow Championship starts Thursday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be among the players in the field. Anthony Kim is the defending champion.

Washington finished its comeback tonight by defeating New York, 2-1. The Capitals trailed, three games to one, before rallying to claim the NHL playoff series in seven games.

Carolina surprised host New Jersey in game seven Tuesday, 4-3, ending the postseason’s first round. Wednesday is an off night before the conference semifinals start Thursday. All times listed are Eastern.

Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks, Thursday 9 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings, Friday 7 p.m.

Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, Friday 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals, Saturday 1 p.m.

The NBA playoffs are nearing the end of the first round. Dallas eliminated San Antonio in five games, 106-93. Portland stayed alive by beating guest Houston, 88-77. Houston still leads the series, three games to two.

Boston edged Chicago in overtime, 106-104, to take a 3-2 series lead. Orlando handled Philadelphia, 91-78, to forge a 3-2 series advantage.