Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 30, 1992

The official clothing item of the NHL ought to be a tie. . . .

The Kings are unbeaten in their last six games. Must be burning up the league, eh? Not exactly. They have won only two of those games. Four have been ties. . . .

Once upon a time, the league had a 10-minute, sudden-death overtime. The rule was changed in November of 1942 because of World War II. Tight train schedules made it necessary that games end on time, so overtime was scrubbed. . . .

Overtime was reinstated for the 1983-84 season, but the length was cut in half. If a team didn’t score in five minutes, the game was over. . . .

Of the 105 games that have gone into overtime this season, 72 have ended in ties. . . .

Overtime should be 10 minutes again. The last time I looked, the train schedules weren’t tight. . . .

One reason for the overtime at the Forum Tuesday night was that Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues scored his 50th goal in his 50th game this season. . . .

“Brett has the quickest delivery of any shooter I’ve ever seen,” said St. Louis assistant coach Bob Berry, who used to coach the Kings. “And he doesn’t waste anything. A lot of big scorers kill goalies in practice. He saves his stuff for the games.” . . .

However, Hull was not able to put a shot on goal in the first 38 minutes against the Kings. “Did they do anything special to you?” he was asked. “Yeah,” he replied. “I think it’s known as mugging.” . . .

The first thing that strikes you about Hull when you see him in the dressing room without skates is how short he is. The media guide lists him at 5-10, but that must be on tiptoes. At 201 pounds, he has the body of a short, well-conditioned heavyweight fighter. . . .

Bobby Hull Jr. wears a T-shirt that reads: “I Used To Be Bobby Hull’s Son. Now I’m Brett Hull’s Brother.” . . .

The odds were against Dave Taylor playing in one NHL game, let alone 1,000. He was the Kings’ 14th choice and the 210th overall in the 1975 amateur draft. . . .

Who would have thought that Corey Millen-Mike Donnelly-Kyosti Karjalainen would be the Kings’ hottest line? . . .

Wayne Gretzky should shoot more often. . . .

Tom Lasorda will be “honored” by the California Friars Club at its annual roast Tuesday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. . . .

Flu proved costly to Chris McCarron, who was not able to ride Twilight Agenda Saturday or Irish Twist Sunday at Santa Anita. Both won feature races and the jockey’s share of the purses was nearly $30,000. . . .

Laffit Pincay, who is closing on Bill Shoemaker’s all-time Santa Anita record, says Sandy Hawley is the most gifted jockey he has faced. . . .

All seven losses of Rocky Lockridge, who will attempt a comeback tonight against Rafael Ruelas at the Country Club in Reseda, have been in world championship fights. . . .

The Forum has improved its seating for boxing by elevating the ringside sections. . . .

Fight fan Jerry West is a regular at the Forum shows. . . .

Providence sophomore forward Michael Smith, a fine rebounder, is becoming the college version of Dennis Rodman. . . .

It’s hard to believe that Indiana is 66-93 against Purdue in their basketball rivalry. . . .

Atlanta Hawk rookie Stacey Augmon is proving wrong the critics who said he couldn’t shoot well enough to become an effective NBA player. With Dominique Wilkins out, the guard from Nevada Las Vegas will be asked to shoot more. . . .

The improvement of guard B.J. Armstrong has made the Chicago Bulls that much better. . . .

Baseball America polled scouts who rate these local players as the best prospects at their positions: Pepperdine first baseman Dan Melendez, Cal State Long Beach third baseman Jason Giambi and Cal State Long Beach shortstop Chris Gomez. Michael Moore of UCLA is rated as the second-best outfielder. . . .

Eric King was 6-11 with a 4.60 earned-run average with the Cleveland Indians last year. That is why the one-year contract the free agent signed with the Detroit Tigers is worth a paltry $1.2 million. . . .

Minnesota North Star tough guy Shane Churla is a cousin of Washington Redskin quarterback Mark Rypien. . . .

If the San Francisco Giants’ lease at Candlestick Park runs out in 1994 and the new San Jose stadium won’t be ready until 1996, where will the Giants play in 1995? . . .

After the retirement of backup quarterback Gary Kubiak, the Denver Broncos have put out feelers for Phil Simms of the New York Giants. . . .

New York Jet Coach Bruce Coslet on Plan B free agency: “It’s like college recruiting again. You’re selling your team, your area, and the amount of playing time.”