The BulleTin • Thursday, June 17, 2021 A7
NHL PLAYOFFS
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I am getting
married, and my fiance’s
daughters, 19 and 21, are in
the wedding party. I have
purchased the dresses they
are wearing, which are light
and flowing. I have told the
girls that on the day of the
wedding I do not want them
wearing thong underwear.
The older one then went
to her dad and said she didn’t
want to wear regular under-
wear. He told her she could
wear whatever she wants. I
have tried telling them that as
young ladies there are times
you don’t wear thongs, and
under a flowing dress is one
of them.
It’s ONE DAY of their
lives. How can I get my point
across?
— Wise Bride in Phoenix
Dear Wise Bride: Explain
to your fiance exactly WHY
you are concerned about his
daughters wearing thong un-
derwear under their brides-
maid dresses and, when you
do, be graphic.
After that, if he still feels
the same, accept it. Then pray
no slip-ups occur while they
are dancing, and no strong
gusts of wind come along
when the wedding photos are
taken.
Dear Abby: I’m dating a
lady and committed to our
relationship, but every time I
visit her at her apartment, she
expects me to take her dog
out. The building has a pol-
icy that if the dog poops, you
have to pick it up and dispose
of it, so they have bags at dif-
ferent locations.
I don’t like doing it. I grew
up on a farm where we had
dogs, but never would I think
about picking up their poop.
It grosses me out. OK, so I
have been doing it for a cou-
ple of years, but I don’t want
to do it anymore. But if I say
that or don’t do it, she’ll think
I’m not committed to her.
What should I do?
— Dog Walking in Texas
Dear Dog Walking: Stand
up for yourself. Because you
feel so strongly, tell her that
from now on you will walk
her dog TOGETHER or
she’ll have to do it herself.
You may have been raised on
a farm, but you are now part
of a community with ordi-
nances against leaving excre-
ment on the streets. Your de-
votion to this person should
not be predicated upon your
willingness to perform a task
she should have been doing
herself.
Dear Abby: My wife and
I are having a minor argu-
ment, and we are seeking
your help in resolving it. We
live in an age when we com-
monly experience “conversa-
tions” with robo-calls, virtual
assistants (Alexa and Echo)
and phone routing software.
All this technology is pow-
ered by artificial intelligence.
So given that we are talking
to machines, do we need to
follow the rules of etiquette
with these robots? My wife
insists we should say “Thank
you” and “Please” to these
software creations, while I say
no manners are needed. Your
thoughts?
— Mulling It Over in Montana
Dear Mulling It: Although
it isn’t mandatory, I know
of at least one AI “assistant”
that would acknowledge the
courtesy.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
Semifinals full of ‘hunger’ for 1st Stanley Cup title
BY STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
When the Tampa Bay Lightning won
the Stanley Cup last year, it was the first
time most of their players and coaches had
ever lifted the trophy.
Now that they have savored the taste of
winning, they want to help trade deadline
pickup David Savard do the same in his
10th NHL season.
“We’ve all been in that situation before,”
said Lightning forward Patrick Maroon,
the only player to win the Cup in 2019 and
2020. “He wants to win his first champi-
onship. That’s why we play this game. We
play to win. He’s been working hard for us,
he’s been a great addition for us, so hope-
fully the guys can keep working hard for
him and finding ways for him because he
deserves it.”
Deserve has nothing to do with it in a
sport with so many unpredictable bounces
that create long-lasting legacies, but all four
teams left in the playoffs have at least one
player worth rooting for who is running
out of chances to win it all.
The Vegas Golden Knights have cap-
tain Mark Stone, forwards Max Pacioretty,
Jonathan Marchessault and Ryan Reaves
and defenseman Nick Holden on the
wrong side of 30 without a Cup ring. Andy
Greene, Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieri, Cal
Clutterbuck, Matt Martin and Josh Bailey
are in that club for New York. And Mon-
treal Canadiens captain Shea Weber isn’t
getting any younger at 35.
“Huge hunger,” said Vegas coach Peter
DeBoer, who has taken two teams to the
final but is looking for his first NHL cham-
pionship. “Especially veterans like that: Pa-
cioretty, Stone come to mind just because
these guys have been in the league for a
while now, and they know few and how
rare these opportunities are.”
Palmieri recently contemplated that rar-
ity thinking back to his last trip to the third
round: in 2015 as a fresh-faced 24-year-old
with Anaheim. The Ducks lost to Chicago
in seven and traded Palmieri to New Jersey
that summer.
Until this run, he had played five playoff
games since.
“I don’t think you necessarily took it
for granted, but it’s kind of something you
Chris O’Meara/AP file
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman David Savard (58) before Game 1 of a semifinal playoff series
against the New York Islanders in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday.
expected to come at the end of the year,”
Palmieri said Tuesday. “Making the switch
to Jersey, that’s something that you kind
of lost sight of. To have the opportunity to
come here and help this team to achieve a
goal is something you dream about, and
it’s an opportunity that I definitely don’t
want to let go to waste.”
Savard never advanced this far during a
decade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, so
he understands that mentality. Much like
Palmieri, changing teams at the deadline
gave him this opportunity.
Unlike Palmieri, Savard is surrounded
by teammates who have won it all recently.
“They know how to win, and that’s why
it was so exciting for me to come here,”
Savard said. “It’s a fun experience for me,
and I’m just trying to enjoy every moment
right now. ”
The Islanders have a general manager
in Lou Lamoriello who won the Cup three
times with the Devils and a coach in Barry
Trotz who won in 2018 with Washington.
But Nick Leddy is their only player with a
Cup ring, so the hunger is deep on Long
Island even if Greene was the only player
alive (in diapers) during New York’s early
‘80s dynasty days.
“So many people have a connection to
back in the glory days when they won four
straight,” 29-year-old Brock Nelson said.
“The teams, the players that have come
through here, there’s lots of history.”
More recent history is full of near-
misses for lots of players left in the post-
season. Nine Vegas players remain from
the inaugural season when they reached
the final before losing to Trotz’s Capitals;
DeBoer, Greene and Zajac got to Game 6
against Los Angeles in 2012 and Weber led
Nashville to the 2017 final before getting
beat by Pittsburgh.
Just as the Lightning are playing for Sa-
vard, Canadiens players are motivated by
trying to get Weber the championship that
has so far eluded him.
“This guy competes every day, cares for
the group, has no ego,” said veteran Eric
Staal, who won early in his career with
Carolina in 2006. “He goes out about his
business every single day, and those are
guys you love to play with. I think our
young guys see that daily every day, and
everybody knows the importance of the
opportunity that we have.”
By Georgia Nicols
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
Track
Continued from A5
MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci-
sions today until 9 p.m. Pacific time. The Moon is in Virgo.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021: You are
witty, entertaining, creative and adaptable. You have a debonair, outgoing
style, and yet you are a serious person with serious concerns. You can be
impulsive. In a nine-year cycle, you are now in a one year, which means this
a time of fresh beginnings and new starts. Be receptive to all possibilities.
Open any door!
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Today you are aware of your health. Or perhaps your pet. (Woof!) More
likely, you will have to work for the benefit of someone else, and, further-
more, you might not get credit for what you’re doing. (Whaaat?) Bummer.
Tonight: Patience.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
This is a relatively easygoing day. If you can, schmooze with others.
You’re also interested in the arts, music, movies and fun outings. Romance
will be more passionate and involved today. You also feel protective of some-
one. Tonight: Relax.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Today you want to retire by yourself in a private place because it feels
good. It’s the perfect day for some navel gazing or pleasant relaxation in
a private way. (You might realize how much your habits dictate your life.)
Tonight: Domesticity.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
In conversations with others today, you feel the need to establish an
emotional bond. You want the real thing — the nitty-gritty. You don’t want
superficial chitchat. You need a meaningful conversation. Anyone? Anyone?
Bueller? Anyone? Tonight: Be curious.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
You might identify with your possessions today, which is why you might
want to show something off. Or perhaps you won’t lend something to some-
one because it’s too precious. You’re focused on your money today, which is
why you are also more aware of your spending habits. Tonight: Watch your
spending.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today you feel more emotional than usual — no question. You are
emotionally giving and also emotionally demanding. This is because you
feel a strong need to relate to others today. Note: It’s good to know that your
luck is slightly better today, which is why you can ask the universe for a favor.
Tonight: Explore.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Your pace has been a tad hectic and busy lately, which is why today you
will welcome solitude in beautiful surroundings, preferably with a nice snack,
something tasty. You will also have a chance to collect yourself and pull your
act together before you take it on the road. Tonight: Enjoy solitude.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
A conversation with a friend, possibly a female, will be meaningful for
you today. No doubt you will feel a bonding with this person that is reas-
suring to you. In fact, this increased trust or closeness will encourage you to
share your dreams for the future with them. Why not? Tonight: Be friendly.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You should be aware of the fact that people notice you more than usual
today. Do you need to do some damage control? Check your zipper? This is
the kind of day where you might have a public argument with a loved one.
(People can hear you hissing.) Tonight: Relax.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Because you long for some stimulation and adventure today, you want
something to happen! You don’t want the same old, same old. Obviously, if
you want a different result, you have to do something different to make this
happen. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Meet people from differ-
ent backgrounds. Tonight: Test new ideas.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Although this is a playful, fun-loving time for you, you can’t ignore busi-
ness. What’s happening with your bank account and other red-tape matters?
Take care of loose details or, at least, check them out so you know what’s
happening. Tonight: Do homework.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today you have to be cooperative with others, especially those who are
closest to you. Make nice with them. That’s because the Moon is opposite
your sign. In two weeks, when the Moon is in your sign, they have to make
nice with you. Tonight: cooperate.
Prandini, the 2015 winner of
The Bowerman Award, made
the U.S. Olympic team in the
200 in 2016 with a memorable
dive across the finish line to
place third and prevent Allyson
Felix from making the team in
that event. She’s entered in the
200 as well next week and has
season-best times of 11.16 in
the 100 and 22.43 in the 200.
“It’s exciting that it’s here
now finally,” said Prandini, who
trains in Austin, Texas, and is a
volunteer assistant coach for the
Longhorns program. “I feel like
we’ve been waiting for it for two
years. Just the fact that we get to
step on the line and race at the
Olympic Trials is exciting.”
Entered in the men’s 100 are
the three fastest Ducks of all-
time — school record-holder
Cravon Gillespie, No. 2 Kyree
King and current freshman Mi-
cah Williams.
Gillespie has run 9.96 this
season, and King (9.97) and
Williams (10.0) have both set
PRs.
“Leading up to this I put in
tremendous work on and off
the track, changing a lot of dif-
ferent things,” Gillespie said.
“Really going to go out here
and do what I do best and that’s
going and having fun.”
This will be the second
Olympic Trials meet for Gilles-
pie, who was a junior college
prospect when he competed
in Eugene in 2016. He didn’t
have a home meet during his
record-setting senior season at
Oregon in 2019 because Hay-
ward Field was under construc-
tion.
“Everybody always wants to
see you do well and you always
get the standing ovation when
you get there,” Gillespie said.
“It just means a lot to be able to
come back for the Olympic Tri-
als, to know you have a home-
field advantage.”
Williams isn’t the only cur-
rent Oregon team member
entered in the meet. Recent
NCAA champions Cooper
Teare (1,500 and 5,000), Cole
Hocker (1,500) are both en-
tered, as are Jonathan Harvey
(400 hurdles), Kiana Phelps
(discus), Jackson Mestler (3,000
steeplechase), Jack Yearian
(1,500), Isaiah Griffith (triple
jump), Ben Milligan, (high
jump), Rhesa Foster (long
jump), Alysah Hickey (long
jump) and Dominique Ruotolo
AP file/Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
From left, Cravon Gillespie, Kyree King, and Isiah Young compete in the men’s 100-meter dash final during the
USATF Golden Games at Mount San Antonio College in May in Walnut, Calif. Gillespie won the race. Young fin-
ished second and King finished in fifth. Gillespie and King were both standouts for the Oregon Ducks. At right,
current Oregon Ducks runner Cooper Teare competes in the men’s 5,000 meters during the NCAA Division I
Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on Friday in Eugene.
“Everybody always wants to see you do well and you always
get the standing ovation when you get (to Hayward Field).
It just means a lot to be able to come back for the Olympic
Trials, to know you have a home-field advantage.”
— Cravon Gillespie, former Ducks sprinter who is running in the U.S.
Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene
(triple jump). Reed Brown’s
(1,500) status is still pending.
Centrowitz, who won the
first U.S. gold in the 1,500 since
1908, is one of eight entered at
that distance with Oregon ties.
The others are Hocker, Teare,
Yearian, Brown, Sam Prakel,
Colby Alexander and John
Gregorek.
Centrowitz recently ran
3:35.26, the fastest time of any-
one in that group — but just
barely, as Hocker ran 3:35.35
last weekend to win the NCAA
title.
Other notables include 2016
Olympic 110 hurdles final-
ist Devon Allen and five-time
NCAA 800 champion and 2019
World Athletics outdoor silver
medalist Raevyn Rogers.
“(Hayward Field) is always
special,” Prandini said. “But
Hayward magic is a little more
magical for people who are
wearing the ‘O’ or who have
worn the ‘O’ before.”