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April 25, 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.
FAN SHOOTOUT WITH Raffi Torres
TAYLOR ENGEL, FROM QUILL LAKE, SASK., ASKS If you could improve one part of your game, what would it be? “My defensive game. Playing defensive hockey is a big part of the game and I'd like to be known as a well-rounded player.” JESSICA FRILAK, FROM MORINVILLE, ALTA., ASKS What do you do to break out of a scoring slump? “I try and simplify my game and not get too tied up in thinking about how to change things. Playing my game and being prepared every night will help me break out of any slump.” JORDAN DOBROHOCZKI, FROM MIDDLE LAKE, SASK., ASKS Who is the hardest goaltender to play against in the NHL and why? “Martin Brodeur. He's so big and covers so much net, it’s hard to find an open hole. His career speaks…
Don’t blame Kitchen for Blues bad year
COACH’S APPROACH Mike Kitchen’s contract runs out at the end of this season and his future, along with all other Blues employees, is up in the air because of the impending ownership change. A new GM could mean a new coach. But everyone in the organization agrees the team’s disastrous season, in which they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1979, is not Kitchen’s fault. In his first full NHL season, he has done as well as he could with the injury-riddled, AHL-heavy lineup he was given. (With a standard-issue NHL lineup in 2003-04, he went 10-7-4 after replacing Joel Quenneville.) Even when the team was flailing through its several lengthy losing streaks, players were giving a good effort and on the few occasions when all of the…
MIGHTY DUCKS
HOW THEY BEAT YOU Anaheim’s favored style is old-school, with a heavy reliance on solid defense and goalie J-S Giguere, winner of the 2003 Conn Smythe Trophy. The Ducks must skate and be strong on the forecheck to create enough offense to win. HOW THEY’RE EXPOSED The biggest concern is penalties. The Ducks thrive when they stay out of the box and are among the best at even strength. Anaheim’s penalty-killers are strong, but can’t afford to be tested too often. QUESTION MARK Rookies Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Chris Kunitz and Francois Beauchemin head a list of untested playoff performers that also includes blueliner Joe DiPenta and forwards Andy McDonald, Joffrey Lupul and Jonathan Hedstrom. KEY STAT As they will almost certainly begin on the road, the Ducks could use a repeat of…
HURRICANES
HOW THEY BEAT YOU The Canes base their game on puck pursuit and possession, attacking in transition and when set up in the offensive zone. They wear teams down for two periods, then capitalize in the third. They’re also adept at taking advantage of the two-line pass. HOW THEY’RE EXPOSED When Carolina brings less than its best effort, there are plenty of holes left to exploit. And while the Canes can grind, they’re not a tough bunch. QUESTION MARK Goalie Martin Gerber’s playoff experience consists of 20 minutes in 2003. But he has been excellent in other high-pressure situations – in Sweden, where he won a title in 2002, and in international play for Switzerland. KEY STAT Carolina has eight 50-point scorers, a team record. And that doesn’t include Josef Vasicek, the team’s…
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