NUMERICAL NONSENSE

By DAVE THOMAS

19… Straight games in which the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed a power-play goal. That… 19… Straight games in which the Pittsburgh Penguins allowed a power-play goal. That streak was finally stopped Saturday night against Washington as the Pens won 6-3. The NHL record is 22 set the by the 1985 New Jersey Devils.

35.3… Points per game over the last three contests for Duke guard J.J. Redick. All three performances resulted in Duke victories in close ACC games over Florida State, UNC and Maryland. Redick is now averaging 28.7 points per game.

1… Olympic speed skating event it took American Chad Hedrick to win his first gold medal. Hedrick was a competitive inline skater and decided to take up competitive ice skating only after watching the 2002 Salt Lake games. Now, after his first Olympic competition, he is an Olympic champion.

3… Olympic Games American figure skater Michelle Kwan has attended and left without a gold medal. As the favorite in 1998 she claimed the silver, and then in ’02 she captured the bronze. Just yesterday Kwan announced she won’t be competing in this year’s games after reaggravating a groin injury. In her career she has won nine U.S. titles and five World Championships, but could never claim a gold medal.