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December 30, 1961

December 30, 1961

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.

IN THIS ISSUE

Rudy Tries To Check Chi Sag With Line Switches

Involved In Line Changes CHICAGO, Ill.— For the first time in two seasons the Chicago Black Hawks shuffled their forward lines the night of Dec. 13. It wasn’t a wholesale shuffle—in fact it involved only the right wings on all three regular forward lines. And it only lasted for one period. At the start of the second period Coach Rudy Pilous immediately shifted his lines back to their normal alignment. “I could see it wasn’t going to work,” said Pilous. “The centers, particularly, weren’t skating well. They were having a hard time adjusting. We’re not pushing the panic button here and we’re not making changes just because the fans yell about things. This is our living and we are certainly as much interested in making the moves that are best for the club as the…

IN THIS ISSUE

Now It Can Be Told—Don Played With Broken Hand

TORONTO, Ont.—They don’t build ‘em any tougher than Leafs’ No. 2 goalie, Don Simmons. The 30-year-old netminder admitted recently that he played six games—three with Rochester, three with Leafs—despite a painfully fractured left hand. “What could I do about it!” was his comment. “Leafs needed me with (Johnny) Bower out, so I played. After all, that’s what I’m paid to do.” The break is in the back of the hand, his stick hand. And every time he had to use the heavy goalie stick “it hurt like the devil.” Simmins faulted himself for his troubles. “My glove was getting old; matter of fact, it was a wreck,” he said. “I kept forgetting to put some extra padding behind the guard then I stopped a shot with it. “I had it X-rayed in Rochester. Nothing showed. The pain…

IN THIS ISSUE

College Coaches Vote To Adopt NHL Ref. System

BOSTON, Mass.— New England college hockey coaches have proposed the adoption of the National Hockey League’s officiating system. The use of the system, under which a game is officiated by a referee with the assistance of two linesmen, has been proposed by Ralph “Cooney” Weiland, coach of Harvard University. Weiland’s proposal has been seconded by New England contemporaries concerned with a more uniform interpretation of the rules than is now provided by the system of using two referees. Said Weiland, who coached the Boston Bruins to their last Stanley Cup, “I think that if the sole responsibility for calling penalties were given one referee it would improve our game.” Said Harry Cleverly, coach of Boston University, “You can’t get two men to call plays the same way. I’m very much in favor of such a…

IN THIS ISSUE

HOCKEY SCRAPBOOK

FACE-OFFS There’s a pair of basic rules to follow if you want to be good at face-offs: Go for the man if you miss the puck and get a good grip on that stick, get your weight on it. Remember those and you can’t go far wrong. If you want a good example of an expert at the ticklish art of winning a face-off, watch Leafs’ Red Kelly. When Kelly is beaten to the puck (and that’s not too often) he quickly takes his man—that’s the time to keep your eyes on his feet. He’ll frequently kick the puck back to a teammate. Matter of fact, he’s so adept at this trick Leaf manager-coach Punch Imlach, referring to a great soccer player, calls him “The Stanley Matthews of hockey.” Other tips include—every once in a…