Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
May 2, 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.
Whipped dogs happy to see end of season
THE GOOD Curtis Joseph proved he’s still a capable NHL goalie by carrying the Coyotes for most of the season. He won 32 games and finished with a 2.91 goals-against average. Rookie defensemen Zbynek Michalek and Keith Ballard played all 82 games and matured quickly. Mike Comrie and Shane Doan each scored 30 goals, the first Phoenix duo to do so since 1996-97. THE BAD The Coyotes never won more than three games in a row and won just 19 home games. Ladislav Nagy (knee) was done in February, yet still finished with a team-high 41 assists. Petr Nedved flopped and was traded to Philadelphia. THE UGLY “Operation Slap Shot” rocked the team and it never recovered. Coach Wayne Gretzky spent more time answering questions about his wife’s gambling habits than he…
Under-17 squad showing mettle
The under-17 U.S. national development program team, eligible to play for the NAHL’s playoff title for the first time, is on quite a roll. Having gotten past a gritty Traverse City squad in five games – 1989-born forward C.J. Severyn scored the series-winner in a 1-0 Game 5 triumph – Team USA then went on to challenge Cleveland for the league’s North Division title. The under-17s are getting consistent scoring from 6-foot, 187-pound forward Brennan Vargas; responsible defending from Notre Dame recruit Ian Cole; and stellar netminding from Bowling Green recruit Josh Unice, who carried a 1.19 goals-against average through five post-season games. All born in 1989, Brennan Cole and Unice are eligible for the 2007 NHL draft.…
Naslund stumbles, but Sedin line rises
THE GOOD The Sedin twins finally emerged as impact players and, along with new buddy Anson Carter, gave Vancouver a consistent scoring threat every time they stepped on the ice. All three had career years and became fan darlings. Henrik Sedin improved by 33 points, Daniel by 17 while Carter led the team in goals with 33, five more than his previous best. THE BAD Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison struggled almost from the outset. They all finished as minus players, led by Naslund’s ghastly minus-19. Naslund was 25 points shy of his career-high, Bertuzzi by 26 and Morrison by 15. THE UGLY Long-term injuries cost the Canucks a playoff spot. No. 1 goalie Dan Cloutier (knee) missed 61 games, while defensemen Ed Jovanovski (abdominal), and Sami Salo (shoulder) both…
Don’t touch playoff OT
For years at The Hockey News, we clamored for change to the NHL’s on-ice product. We argued it needed an infusion of excitement and that all ideas deserved to be heard and considered, no matter how radical. Nothing should be dismissed out of hand because some of the craziest concepts can spawn positive results. And we stand by that philosophy. Which explains why we haven’t laughed ourselves silly over the whispers to change the overtime format in the playoffs. That’s right. Some brainiacs are actually suggesting the most magical part of our game be altered. The rationale includes making the package more palatable for TV and to help maintain competitive balance. Earlier this year, the notion was floated that with shootouts being so well received, why not consider them for post-season at some point in…
Made possible with the support of
