European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 15, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday november 15, 1991 the stars and stripes c Page 25 Ivan Lendl stretches for a return against Jim courier wednesday night in Frank flirt during his 6-2,6-3  Downs Stich at world championship Hatcher leads capitals past rangers 5-3 by the associated press new York a the Washington capitals Are playing so Well that they re scoring game winning goals by losing control of the puck. Kevin Hatcher s tie breaking goal with 5 53 left in the third period gave Washington a 5-3 Victory against the new York rangers wednesday night. The capitals who trailed at one Point 3-1, extended their Lead in the Patrick division to three Points Over rank ers it who have been knocked out of the playoffs by the Caps the last two seasons. It was Washington a third straight Victory against new York this season and the second time this season the capitals have scored three third period goals to win a game at Madison Square Garden. Ironically Hatcher s goal came on a play he did no to even intend to make. First Dino Ciccarelli fed the Washington de Senseman As he darted toward the Ranger goal. Hatcher took the pass and tried to shift from his forehand to his backhand. But the puck Slid off his stick As he was briefly tied up by rangers defens Eman Joe Cirella. Goaltender John Vanbiesbrouc Slid out his right pad anticipating hatchery a move but watched helplessly As the puck Slid Between his pads and into the open Corner. A who am i kidding a asked Hatcher who also scored the winning goal in Washington a 5-3 Victory at the Garden on oct. 14. A that was Christmas in november. I wanted to shoot it or go around or something. I whiffed and the next thing i know its  the capitals who have won six of their last seven games have the no la a Best Road record 9-2-0. They also Lead the league in goals with 90. Washington goal tender Mike list made 27 saves to improve Nis record to 8-2-0. He stopped sex capital Mike Gartner five times including two tries from the Slot and one redirected shot at the  5, oilers 4 Pittsburgh a the penguins blew three two goal leads before Kevin Stevens completed a hat trick with a goal at 3 25 of overtime to beat Edmonton. Stevens who scored twice in the first nine minutes of the game was seated on the ice with Kevin Lowe on top of him when he tipped in Paul Coffey a shot from the lower left of the Circle. Frankfurt Germany apr Pete Sampras knows exactly How Michael Stich feels. There is always a bit of a letdown after a big win. Sampras was sympathetic and understanding but that did no to prevent him from beating Wimbledon Champion. The american won 6-2, 7-6 wednesday to open his Challenge at the at tour world championship in impressive style. Ivan Len meanwhile went 2-0 by beating top seeded Jim courier 6-2, 6-3 and virtually assured himself of reaching the semifinals. Guy forget kept alive his chances by beating Karel Novacek 6-3, 7-6. The Frenchman is now 1-1, while the czechoslovak dropped to 0-2 and is virtually eliminated. The $2.25 million year ending event pits the top eight players in the world who play under a round Robin format in two groups. The top two in each group Advance to the semifinals. Sampras won the . Open last year but then had a 16-11 match record through july this year. But he came into this tournament with a 32-5 record for the latter part of the year. Stich upset Boris Becker to win Wimbledon and followed up with three More tournament titles. But he has played More singles and doubles matches this year a 146 a than any other player on the tour. He also shot to no. 4 in world rankings from 38. A the has played a lot of Tennis this year after a year like that eventually you Are going to have to have a letdown a said Sampras who dominated Stich and never faced a break Point. A the was a bit nervous at the Start. He had an awful  Stich said there was no excuse. Quot i Wasny to on top of my game but he put pressure on me All the time. He played the big shots no won the important  beats Agassi Becker stops Stich by Nesha Starcevic Frankfurt Germany a Pete Sampras beat his . Davis cup team partner Andre Agassi 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, while Boris Becker won the crowd and the match against Wimbledon Champion Michael Stich at the at tour world championships thursday. Despite the loss Agassi the defending Champion who dropped to 1-1, could still Clinch a place in the semifinals. Sampras 2-0, also will have to wait until Friday to know if he is in the last four. That was because of Beckers 7-6 7-16-3 Victory Over his German compatriot that opened the Way for at thursday a thre Way tie atop the group while stick a _ Becker is now 1-1, dropped to 0-2 and was eliminated. In the last match thursday night Ivan Lendl eliminated Karel Novacek 6-2.6-2. In final group matches Friday Sampras plays Becker and Agassi meets Stich. If three players end with 2-1 records the tie is broken by percentage of sets won. The $2.25 million year end tournaments pits the top eight players in the world who Are split into two groups and play under round Robin format. The top two from each group Advance to the semifinals. Ivan Lendl already sure of a place in the semifinals kept his record perfect by beating Karel Novacek 6-2,6-2. The other semifinal berth from his group will be decided Friday in the match Between top seeded Jim courier and Guy forget. Becker seeded second Here took some revenge for his three set loss to Stich at Wimbledon. He has won Wimbledon three times but is still smarting Over the loss to Stich this summer. He rolled through the first set tiebreak and took it when Stich hit a Bachhand into the net. Stich seeded third had trouble with his serve in the second set and was broken in the fifth . 2 courier eyeing tight race for top Byro Mckinney staff writer Frankfurt Germany the Best top seeded Jim courier can Hope for at the at finals at the fest Halle Here this week is to make the race for no. 1 a Little tighter when the next season begins in january. Despite his no. 2 ranking and a 2-0 record against Frances one Man show Guy forget courier was not selected for the . Davis cup team for the nov. 25 finals. Instead coach Tom Gorman went with Andre Agassi 1-0 and Pete Sampras 1-2. And despite Edberg pulling out of the at finals due to an injury courier cannot overtake the swede in the rankings. But none of that faces this 21-year-old red headed slugger from Dade City Fla. Even if his ranking dives before he can grab that top rung courier knows that life does not begin nor end on the Tennis court. A i am just doing the Best i can and if i take a plummet Well that a the Way it goes sometimes a courier said. A but you know i am going to keep working hard and hopefully ill stick  and for courier missing out on the Davis cup finals Means hell get to put More time in one of life a other pleasures. A a in la be on the Beach a he said. A i done to mind. I need some work on my  couriers passive reaction reveals much about the emotional changes that have helped his ranking climb from no. 25 a year ago to what it is today. Instead of playing second to Agassi As he had throughout his career courier took the Bazooka forehand and stole Agassi a curtain Call at the French open final this year. Courier became the Sec Ond american in three years to win the grand slam at Roland Garros equating Michael changes 1989 coup against Stefan Edberg. But courier was t finished. He surprised a lot of critics by reaching the quarterfinals on grass at Wimbledon. And at the . Open he reached the finals before bowing out to Edberg. Courier credits much of that Success to being More Calm on the court. A i used to get More highs and lows out there As far As getting real pumped up and real upset at myself a he said. �?o1 try to keep it a More even