41.   The goal was the third of the season for McKay, who returned Thursday night after missing nine games with a pulled groin muscle.

42.   The second-year corner Thomas Randolph has not played a preseason game because of a pulled groin.

43.   The Rangers were in an emotional funk, having lost their starting goaltender, Mike Richter, who suffered a severely pulled groin muscle Saturday night in Edmonton.

44.   Then there was the pulled groin.

45.   There was some question as to whether Oilers quarterback Chandler would be able to play the entire game because of a pulled groin muscle.

46.   They again played without All-Star starting shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who is bothered by a pulled left groin that has kept him out of four straight games.

47.   Tight end Rob Porter sat out Thursday with a pulled groin. . . .

48.   Vince Carter, the sophomore swingman who suffered a pulled groin muscle in the second-round victory over Colorado, is expected to start against California.

49.   Petteri Nummelin was back after missing a game because of a pulled groin.

50.   Pierce had to leave the court briefly in the second set to get tape wrapped over a pulled groin muscle that she blamed for hampering her serve and retrievals.