Today marks the fourth anniversary of Ray Bourque becoming the third NHL defenseman to score 1,000 career points. The Bruins player reached the milestone after getting a goal and two assists in 1992 in a 5-5 tie with the Capitals.
Wait, huh? Bourque retired seven years ago.
Today also is the third anniversary of the Mavericks’ record-setting 18 3-pointers in a 137-120 victory over the Nuggets in Denver in 1996.
Wha’? Who’s editing this math?
And, if the books are correct, today is the eighth anniversary of Gordie Howe’s 800th NHL goal in the Whalers’ 3-0 win over the Blues.
Something is askew, like some time-warp bending of the space-time continuum. Or not. Today is Feb. 29 — a leap year date on the calendar only every four years.What happens before midnight can’t be topped again for date-specific history until 2012.
That gives the Nuggets, who host the L.A. Clippers tonight at the Pepsi Center in a nationally televised 8:30 p.m. game on ESPN, a chance to make their mark for years to come.
The Nuggets made waves Wednesday when they reached the 100-point mark in the third quarter en route to a 138-96 victory over the SuperSonics in Seattle.
And in the week this town has experienced — Peter Forsberg’s return, Adam Foote’s return, the Rockies already winning again — it seems anything can happen.
Friday to Saturday will be a giant leap toward a busy stretch run in the NBA and NHL.
The big-ticket weekend kicks off the month of March. The Avalanche returns to town Saturday for a 6 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Kings (ALT). The game marks a 17-game sprint to the finish of the regular season for the playoff-hungry Avs.
AROUND TOWN
Wrestlers grapple for Beijing.
Henry Cejudo, a two-time Colorado prep champion from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, shocked the wrestling world two years ago when, while still in high school, he became the youngest wrestler to win a national championship. Now a 21-year-old two-time national champ, Cejudo and a bevy of others from the Western Hemisphere will flock to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this weekend for the Pan American Championships. The tournament is the final stateside opportunity for wrestlers to qualify for the Olympics. And Cejudo, who will wrestle freestyle at 121 pounds, is looking for a spot in Beijing. Add notable names — world championship silver medalist Mike Zadick (132 pounds); Olympic silver medalist Guivi Sissaouri (132) of Canada; Olympic bronze medalists Ivan Fundora (163) of Cuba and Alexis Rodriguez (264.5) of Cuba, among others — and the Pan Ams should shape into a cutthroat draw.
Today
9 a.m. – Elimination, repechage rounds: Greco-Roman
5 p.m. – Opening ceremony
5:30 p.m. – Finals, award ceremonies: Greco-Roman
Saturday
9 a.m. – Elimination, repechage rounds: women’s freestyle
4:30 p.m. – Finals, award ceremonies: women’s freestyle
Sunday
9 a.m. – Elimination, repechage rounds: men’s freestyle
5:30 p.m.- Finals, award ceremonies: men’s freestyle
STAY ON THE COUCH
Runnin’ the Strip worth watching.
With just two races in the books, it’s too early to be talking standings. But if the current NASCAR points list illustrates anything, it’s Kyle Busch’s close-but-not-quite run so far this season. Two fourth-place finishes have him atop the standings. And he’ll be looking to break through to the winner’s circle Sunday at the UAW-Dodge 400 at the Las Vegas Speedway. But Busch is not favored to win the race. It’s the big names getting good odds this week — Jimmie Johnson is 4-to-1 to win, followed by Jeff Gordon (6-1) and Carl Edwards (9-1). Action airs on KDVR-31 starting at 1:30 p.m.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Greyhounds marking milestone.
Mile High Greyhound Park goes live Saturday, opening for its 60th season in Commerce City. The park opened July 27, 1949, to a then-enormous crowd of more than 17,000, according to racing veteran and park director Bill Lee. In celebration of starting its seventh decade, Mile High will bring back 1940s-era prices, with 25-cent programs, drinks and food. Saturday’s opener will feature a 15-race matinee starting at 1 p.m., with some dogs familiar to the racing scene. Then, the track will settle into its regular schedule, with 12-race cards Monday through Thursday and 15-race performances Friday-Saturday. Find results and information at . And find out how to give a home to a retired greyhound at adopt-a-greyhound.org.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Mushin’ online in Alaska.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska is one of the last remaining old-fashioned tests of human/animal fortitude. The race, which starts its 36th running Saturday with a ceremonial start, runs 1,150 miles from Anchorage to Nome, through blizzard conditions and sub-sub-zero temperatures. And for the first time this year, fans can follow live updates of the race online at . Top racers will carry a GPS-like device that updates position and condition every 15 minutes. Buena Vista’s Lachlan Clarke will be among the record-high 96 mushers in this year’s race, which also includes defending champion Lance Mackey of Fairbanks, Alaska.
