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March 1, 2010
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
GAMES GOALIE GOPHS’ GO-TO
Minnesota freshman and Team Finland goalie Noora Raty has emerged as key to the Gophers’ national title hopes. When Raty, 20, left for the Olympics, she led the nation with a 0.80 GAA and .967 save percentage. Raty was behind Finland’s two historic one-goal wins over Team USA, at the 2008 worlds and the 2009 Canada Cup. The Olympic starter at 15 in Turin is a contender for the Patty Kazmaier Award as the nation’s top Div. I player. “She’s world-class,” Gophers coach Brad Frost told Minnesota’s Star Tribune. “She hates getting scored on. And she never, ever gives up on a play.”…
Nashville
THE KNEE-JERK reaction when it comes to the Predators is that they need offense. Makes sense, given the Preds are one of the few teams in the NHL without a 40-point man and that their power play has been near the bottom of the standings all season. On the other hand, the Preds have scored more goals than anyone expected thus far and were ranked 12th overall in even-strength tallies. So, Nashville’s greatest need is someone who can help on the penalty-kill, which has been uncharacteristically awful. Nashville lost some key penalty-killers this summer in Greg Zanon, Vern Fiddler and Scott Nichol, and the team hasn’t replaced them yet.…
San Jose
LET’S WORK backwards and focus on what the Sharks don’t need – another first round matchup against a talent-rich team disguised as a low seed that sneaks into the playoffs, like Anaheim last year. Good teams say it doesn’t matter what opponent you face in Round 1, but the Sharks – a team whose regular season success is only topped by its playoff disappointments – could use an injection of postseason confidence if they are finally going to have that deep playoff run. A first round opponent like Detroit, for example, could plant tiny seeds of doubt. On a more tangible level, San Jose could use more secondary scoring (or a monster night early in the playoffs from one of their big guns).…
Philadelphia
WHEN THN picked the Flyers to win the Cup this season, it expected big things from their top-end offensive arsenal. And while there have been flashes of brilliance, the scoring has been streaky, which explains why Philadelphia is battling just to make the playoffs. What’s missing? The most glaring need is a net-crasher, like a Mike Knuble, who provides crease traffic for Jeff Carter, Daniel Briere and Simon Gagne. There’s no denying Knuble, who was allowed to move to Washington via free agency, has been missed, especially on the power play. The Flyers generate plenty of shots, but too often opposing goalies have a clear look. Picking up a big body with a nose for the net would help.…
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