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December 8, 2014
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.
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
SHAWN THORNTON HAD A LONG LIST of things to do once the Florida Panthers’ charter touched down in Boston. Fighting, which he was known for over his seven years as a Bruin, wasn’t on his agenda. It also wasn’t far from his mind. “I’d beat up my own sister if it got us two points,’’ Thornton said when asked if he might drop the gloves against his old teammates. Thornton’s Boston reunion, however, had more to do with the business of his thriving charity. Everyone seemingly wanted a piece of Thornton’s time. He tried to give them what they wanted. “Could we make it kind of quick?’’ Thornton asked reporters after Florida’s 2-1 overtime loss Nov. 4. “I have a lot of family and people to see.’’ Thornton, 37, was told he…
FIGHTING FOR A JOB
EARLIER THIS SEASON, A WEEK BEFORE HIS 33rd birthday, Bobby Robins played his first, and possibly only, three NHL games. He wore a Boston Bruins sweater and played for a total of 22 minutes and 45 seconds, took kneeing and charging penalties and got into two fights. That’s a grand total of three games, 22 minutes and 45 seconds, two minors and two fighting majors more than the vast number of players who chase the dream of playing in the NHL. It was a dream that was a long time coming, one that came into focus on a summer afternoon in 2010 as Robins looked out over Lake Michigan from a rooftop patio in the tiny town of Algoma, Wis. He had just been given a new lease on life, but…
‘UNDERTAKER’ UNDERACHIEVES
IN A CORNER OF THE RANGERS’ dressing room at their training center in the New York suburbs, Dylan McIlrath removed his helmet. Two cuts appeared near his left eyebrow. “He got me with the last one,” McIlrath said. They were the only remnants of another throwdown in the brief NHL career of the kid dubbed ‘The Undertaker’ during his Western League days with Moose Jaw. This bout, pretty much a draw, had been with Blues right winger Ryan Reaves. It was McIlrath’s second tussle in three career NHL games. “He made a bypass earlier in the game and then, off the draw, we both kind of looked at each other and, yup,” McIlrath said. “He’s from Winnipeg (too) so I’m definitely familiar with what type of player he is and what…
A Close Shave To The Longest Shutout Streak
THE LONGEST SURVIVING OFFICIAL NHL RECORD among goalies dates to Hall of Famer Alex Connell, who choreographed nearly eight hours of perfect play against marksmen such as Howie Morenz and Frank Boucher in January and February 1928. However, 87 years later, his incredible streak is in need of a recalculation. There have been worthy attempts to scale Connell’s monster six consecutive shutouts, most notably the five straight by modern-day record-holder Brian Boucher. However, Boucher only clocked 332:01 in 2003–04, nothing when compared to Connell’s pipe play that was abetted by the game’s early rules. Connell’s record was set in the NHL’s original Dead Puck Era. Despite rule changes in 1927-28 to combat low goal production – forward passing was introduced in the defending and neutral zones, and goalie pads were trimmed from…
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