The San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars played two full games and then some on Sunday night in Texas in the eighth longest game in NHL history. Dallas net-minder Marty Turco made a franchise record 61 saves, while Evgeni Nabokov grabbed 53 in the 2-1 loss. Brenden Morrow scored the winning goal 9:03 into the fourth overtime. It was a tough loss for the Sharks, who played their asses off to get back in the series after going down 3-0. The Stars were certainly the deserving team, as they managed three out of four OT victories in the set. Damn—four overtimes in a six game series??

As is lately the case, another wait till next year for Bay Area sports.

Say it ain’t so, Marvin!

Hall of Fame to be wide receiver of the Indianapolis Colts, Marvin Harrison, is under investigation after a shooting incident outside his North Philadelphia bar, Playmakers. Apparently there was an argument, followed by an altercation outside, shots were fired, and Harrison’s opponent was hit in the hand. Police have linked a gun to Harrison, but no charges have yet to be filed.

I just don’t want to picture Marvin Harrison as some sort of punk. He’s always been classy on the field, and I would like to keep that image in my head. We’ll see how it shakes out…

Tomorrow is the first Saturday in May, which means it’s time to bust out your widest brimmed hat and celebrate the 20 galloping three-year olds of the Kentucky Derby! Go, ponies, go! Which noble steed will stand tall and proud, draped in a blanket of roses, posing for pictures in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs? Will it be Big Brown? Colonel John? Or an upset??? Regardless, you betta be boozed up on the traditional Kentucky Derby drink: The Mint Julep!

White Men Can’t Jump, but a recent report shows Black Kids Can’t Swim:

Nearly 60 percent of African-American children can’t swim, almost twice the figure for white children, according to a first-of-its-kind survey. Stark statistics underlie the initiative by the national governing body for swimming. Black children drown at a rate almost three times the overall rate. And less than 2 percent of USA Swimming’s nearly 252,000 members who swim competitively year-round are black.

Of course, like many of the societal ills facing the African American community, not being able to swim has its roots in America’s racist past:

The minority swimming gap has deep roots in America’s racial history. For decades during the 20th century, many pools were segregated, and relatively few were built to serve black communities.

John Cruzat, USA Swimming’s diversity specialist, said these inequalities were compounded by a widespread misperception—fueled by flawed academic studies—that blacks’ swimming ability was compromised by an innate deficit of buoyancy.

“There are people who still give credence to these stereotypes, even in the black and Hispanic community,” said Cruzat, who wants to break the cycle that passes negative attitudes about swimming from one black generation to another.

Former NBA star and socialite Dennis Rodman was arrested and charged with domestic violence after he allegedly struck a woman at a Los Angeles hotel.

In early 2003, Rodman was arrested on charges of domestic violence at his home in Newport Beach in Southern California’s Orange County for allegedly hitting his then-fiancee on her lip. His ex-wife Michelle Moyer said in her divorce filing that Rodman had a history of domestic violence. The star has had a difficult time coping with a recent divorce, and suffered from substance abuse, Rodman’s manager Steve Simon told the Los Angeles Times.

Patterns? DO NOT PIGEONHOLE DENNIS RODMAN!

After another disappointing playoff ousting, the brass in Dallas have relieved popular head coach Avery Johnson (nicknamed “The Little General”) from his duties. While Johnson was blessed with the league’s highest payroll, and such stars as Dirk Nowitzki, Johnson could not escape the shadow of his 23-24 record in playoff games (set against his impressive record of 194-70 in the regular season). Sucks for you, Avery. I always dug your style, man.