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March 14, 2006
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.


SNAPSHOTS
Upon the NHL’s return after the Olympics, referees made it clear the tough obstruction rules will be maintained down the stretch. In six games on Feb. 28, the first night back, there were 26 hooking, 14 holding and 11 interference penalties called. In the Washington-Toronto game, refs Greg Kimmerly and Brad Watson signalled nine hooking minors alone. One NHLer playing on a team fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference was absolutely livid when informed the Red Wings had given their five Swedish Olympians permission to skip Detroit’s first game following the break against San Jose. The Sharks also are in a dogfight for eighth place and beat the short-staffed Wings 5-1. “How can the NHL allow that?” fumed the player. “That is not fair to…


Pressure on Giguere to steal victories
ON THE HOT SEAT For Anaheim to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003, when stellar play from Jean-Sebastien Giguere carried the team all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, the team’s No. 1 goalie will be the key man once again. With 16 wins in 37 games, 2.66 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and two shutouts at the Olympic break, Giguere did not rank among NHL leaders in any major statistical category, though his play had been mostly solid. Whether that will be enough for Anaheim to rise into the top eight in the West is debatable. Giguere doesn’t need to be Superman, but he’ll have to steal a few victories. The Ducks remain high on rookie goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who has played exceedingly well during…


IN THE NEWSROOM
The Name Game…What a Shame Senior writer Mark Brender came up with a terrific idea to accompany the Alexander Ovechkin cover story: let’s give our readers the chance to bestow a killer nickname on the young superstar – one along the lines of ‘The Great One’ and ‘Mr. Hockey’. We’d promote in the magazine, collect entries via our website and offer a snappy prize. Ovechkin bought in, and said he would pick the winner among our five finalists. We were stoked and ready to “go live” when senior writer Mike Brophy received an email from CCM: they launched the exact same contest on the same day! Our suspicious minds thought a conspiracy was afoot, but after some investigation, it was true – their promotion had been in the works for a…


Only one hot seat, but two candidates
ON THE HOT SEAT Left winger Sergei Samsonov has had a turbulent season, not exactly the type of campaign he wanted heading into unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. Samsonov, 27, has been slowed by nagging injuries, which happened to occur just as he’s hitting his stride. It has made his value to the Bruins – with whom he’s been with since being drafted eighth overall in 1997 – harder to gauge. Goalie Andrew Raycroft, who also has had an up and down year due to injuries, feels he’s finally healthy and ready for the stretch run. “I’ve never gone through things like the last two months, ever,” said Raycroft, who was 7-16-2 at the break. “We’ve got a month-and-a-half left,” Raycroft said. “Whatever happens, I want to go out and…