Wisconsin Showing Signs Of Late-Season Resurgence

MADISON— All season long Wisconsin coach Bill “Rocket” Rothwell has claimed that the Badgers “are a heck of a hockey team,” the pitch of his voice rising with each pronouncement. But Wisconsin’s position in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings has pretty much cast a shadow over Rothwell’s credibility and judgment. His sentiments have been echoed from the depths of the league cellar. It seems, however, that the Rocket’s claims can’t be totally dismissed. Although the Badgers were in last place as of Jan. 30 with only six victories and a tie in 20 WCHA games, they have demonstrated since the first of the year that they might make one of the eight playoff spots. “I really think we’re going to make the playoffs,” says Rothwell, Wiscon sin’s acting head coach while Bob Johnson…

The USHL Scene

GREEN BAY— Heading into the final six weeks of the 1975-76 season, most playoff positions in the United States Hockey League are st ill wide open. Traverse City Bays moved back into first place in the Northern Division by scoring three consecutive wins at home over Sioux City and Milwaukee. Defenseman Bill Slewidge led Traverse City, picking up five goals and three assists including game-winners in 3-2 and 4-3 victories. Sioux City Musketeers opened up a 15-point lead in the Southern Division race by scoring road victories at Marquette and Green Bay. Center Rick Kennedy of Musketeers collected five points on three-game road trip to lead all scorers with 83 points. All Star defenseman Jim Peck collected four assists during the past weekend bringing his season’s point total to 54 and tying the mark…

CARTOON CORNER

Irving All Star MVP With Game-Saving Tally

MUSKEGON— Stu Irving of the Saginaw Gears won the most valuable player award and saved the North from defeat with a two-goal performance in the International Hockey League’s All Star game here. The second of Irving’s two goals let the North skate off with a 4-4 tie when it appeared the South would be the winners. Irving’s goal came on a power play in the final minute of play. He deflected a shot by Flint’s Kirk Bowman past South goalie Robbie Irons of the Fort Wayne Komets. Fort Wayne’s veteran defenseman Terry Pembroke had appeared to have scored the winner with less than three minutes remaining when he broke a 3-3 tie with a long screen shot. It was a well-played game with considerable hitting. Both teams skated well. There were no goals in…