BLACK HAWKS BITS

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. Hawks center Troy Murray has joined the legionof the lost. He has been hospitalized since late Monday withabdominal pains. He is undergoing tests and observation, and so farthe cause is undetermined. But Hawks coach Bob Murdoch said he hopedto have Murray back this weekend, with the Hawks at Toronto Saturdaynight and home against Boston Sunday night. Minnesota's Dino Ciccarelli pleaded not guilty Wednesday to chargesof indecent exposure. His next court date is Jan. 20 in EdenPrairie, a suburb of Minneapolis. Ciccarelli scored his 18th and19th goals Wednesday night.

Hawks right wing Rick Vaive scored his 24th and 25th goals. He tiedPittsburgh's Mario Lemieux for second place in the NHL ingoal-scoring, behind Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky. The Hawks' road record is 3-15-1. They have beaten Minnesota threetimes this season without a loss. The Hawks were 0-for-2 on the power play, holding Minnesota 0-for-5.The shots were even at 38 each. North Stars defenseman Craig Hartsburg has been bothered by achronic hip problem all season, but now he is out with a separatedshoulder. Goaltender Don Beaupre is out with a groin pull. Left wing Everett Sanipass returned to the Hawks' lineup. He hadmissed five games with back spasms. North Stars left wing Steve Payne is facing possible retirement.Payne has a recurrence of a neck injury which will require surgery atsome point.