The family business

Like father, like son. Well, not the nose. Nick Foligno wants no part of that. Like father, like son. Well, not the nose. Nick Foligno wants no part of that. “I just made a joke to him the other day after some guy cracked me right across the nose and I told him ‘I’m done with hockey; I’m going to have a nose like you pretty soon’,” said Nick, breaking into laughter recounting a kitchen-table discussion with his father. There’s no mistaking Mike Foligno spent 15 years in the NHL — his nose is a testament to the way he played the game. And Nick, who’s scoring at more than a point-per-game clip to lead Sudbury, hopes he can emulate his dad’s career in some way. “It’s neat to have your father coach you, especially seeing…

Pavelec paves way for dark horse Eagles

Rookie goalie Ondrej Pavelec is widely considered the best stopper in the QMJHL and his ability to steal games makes Cape Breton a dangerous team entering the playoffs. The Czech Republic native was selected 41st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005. Pavelec, 18, had a 2.56 goals-against average and .928 save percentage in 59 games. “I think Pavelec will be runner-up (to Quebec right winger Alexander Radulov) for league MVP,” said Cape Breton coach Pascal Vincent. “He’s been playing outstanding for us all season. We were not expected to have this kind of success and he’s the big reason for it.” Cape Breton, 39-22-2-3, was sixth in the 18-team QMJHL with four games remaining. Quebec, Chicoutimi, Moncton and Acadie-Bathurst are regarded as the top contending teams. “We’re confident,” Vincent said. “We like our…

Trading Thornton cuts the power

POWER PLAY Here’s where Boston misses Joe Thornton most. The Bruins ranked ninth in the NHL (19.2 per cent) at the time of his Nov. 30 trade; they’d plummeted to 24th (15.6 per cent) at the season’s three-quarter pole. Injuries also factored greatly. Center Alexei Zhamnov, defenseman Brian Leetch, right winger Glen Murray and point man Jiri Slegr have all missed significant time. PENALTY KILLING Occasionally erratic, but a strength (usually top 10) most of the season – remarkable, considering the erratic goaltending of the first half. Boston gets good results from super-sized defenseman Hal Gill and rookies Milan Jurcina and Andrew Alberts. Selke Trophy candidate P-J Axelsson is one of the best in the business. The addition of blueliner Brad Stuart and center Wayne Primeau in the Thornton trade has also been…

Loss of weight brings goal gains