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.

April 23, 1976

The Hockey News April 23, 1976

<h2>SERIES&lsquo;A&rsquo;</h2><h3>Fri. April 9</h3>EDMONTON 3, WINNIPEG 7<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0840/3741203-1-eng-US/f0030-082.jpg" title="f0030-08" width="584" height="525"></div><h3>Sun. April 11</h3>EDMONTON 4, WINNIPEG 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0932/3741196-1-eng-US/f0030-092.jpg" title="f0030-09" width="598" height="630"></div><h2>Series &lsquo;B&rsquo;</h2><h3>Sat. April 10</h3>CALGARY 3, QUEBEC 1<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1025/3741189-1-eng-US/f0030-102.jpg" title="f0030-10" width="588" height="376"></div><h3>Sun. April 11</h3>CALGARY 8, QUEBEC 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1121/3741182-1-eng-US/f0030-112.jpg" title="f0030-11" width="589" height="475"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1220/3741175-1-eng-US/f0030-122.jpg" title="f0030-12" width="592" height="281"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;C&rsquo;</h2><h3>Fri. April 9</h3>CLEVELAND 3, NEW ENGLAND 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1318/3741168-1-eng-US/f0030-132.jpg" title="f0030-13" width="590" height="503"></div><h3>Sat. April 10</h3>NEW ENGLAND 6, CLEVELAND 1<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1416/3741161-1-eng-US/f0030-142.jpg" title="f0030-14" width="601" height="532"></div><h3>Sun. April 11</h3>NEW ENGLAND 3, CLEVELAND 2<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1516/3741154-1-eng-US/f0030-152.jpg" title="f0030-15" width="596" height="503"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;D&rsquo;</h2><h3>Sat. April 10</h3>PHOENIX 2, SAN DIEGO 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1612/3741147-1-eng-US/f0030-162.jpg" title="f0030-16" width="586" height="202"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1712/3741140-1-eng-US/f0030-172.jpg" title="f0030-17" width="588" height="285"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1810/3741133-1-eng-US/f0030-182.jpg" title="f0030-18" width="559" height="683"><figcaption class="caption-body">BRUCE LANDON</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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IN THIS ISSUE

WHA Playoff Summaries

<h2>Tue. April 6</h2>SAN DIEGO 3, CLEVELAND 2<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-01254/3741040-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="588" height="429"></div>TORONTO 6, QUEBEC 10<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02197/3741033-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="590" height="604"></div>WINNIPEG 5, CALGARY 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03151/3741026-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="586" height="258"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04116/3741019-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="584" height="217"></div>PHOENIX 5, HOUSTON 8<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0659/3741012-1-eng-US/f0030-062.jpg" title="f0030-06" width="590" height="664"></div> &#9632;

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World Hockey Association Summaries

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0004-05" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-05595/3739692-1-eng-US/f0004-052.jpg"></div><h2>Bergeron Denied Recognition</h2>I realize that the New York Islanders have a fantastic recruit in Bryan Trottier, but I don&rsquo;t think that rookie Michel Bergeron for the Detroit Red Wings is getting the recognition hedeserves.Although Bergeron leads rookie goal scorers and Trottier leads rookie point getters I don&rsquo;t think you could compare them. What publicity does a player get on a bad team like Detroit?Team statistics prove that the only respective production line for Detroit is the line of Maloney - McKechnie - Bergeron. This line is the main offensive punch for the Wings and comprises the top three scorers of the team.If the Wings had a more presentable record or else if Bergeron played for a more competitive team like Pittsburgh, Toronto, Boston; I&rsquo;m sure that Bergeron would give the rookie Trottier a better race and a closer one for the Calder Trophy.I personally think highly of the youngster and believe that with rookies such as Bergeron. Polonich, the muscle of Maloney and Hextail, the Red Wings of next year will be more competitive.Keep up the good work and the NHL better keep their heads up for the Wings next vear.JIM BLOTSKY, Montreal, Que.<h2>Trade ForEspo Not Dionne</h2>In your March 19th issue, a fan suggested a trade sending Marcel Dionne to the Chicago Black Hawks for Dick Redmond and Phil Russell. &ldquo;The Beaver&rdquo; would give a nice supply of ammunition to the Hawks&rsquo; popgun offense and help their dwindling attendance figures, but Dionne&rsquo;s all-offense, nodefense style of play would give Billy Reay nightmares Redmond and Russell are a fine pair of defensemen and Reay probably wouldn&rsquo;t want to part with them unless he could get a player who could fit into the Hawks&rsquo; style of&rdquo; Play.I feel the best solution may be the disenchanted center in New York. Phil Esposito. Phil&rsquo;s value has declined, because of his sub-par season, and the Hawks would have to part with less than they would have for Dionne.Esp&lsquo;s success had many times been attributed to having Wayne Cashman and Ken Hodge digging the pucks out of the corner and feeding him in the slot. In New York he has nobody like that except coach John Ferguson; but in Chicago he could have the luxury of John Marks and Grant Mulvey.If he comes to Chicago. Espo may solve the Hawks&rsquo; offensive problems, raise attendance and win another scoringtitle.MICHAEL VLAHANDKEAS, Chicago, III.<h2>Liked Article On Murray Wilson</h2>I am writing to thank you for the article on Murray Wilson in your April 2nd issue. I&rsquo;ve been following the Canadiens since the &lsquo;7.3-74 season, and have found that Murray Wilson is very underrated.It&rsquo;s true that he isn&rsquo;t a flashy player but when he&rsquo;s given a job to do. such as keep an eye on a top scorer on the other team, he does it, and he does it well.Not many people notice him. when he&rsquo;s on the ice, but when he gets the puck and speeds down the ice. everyone sits up and takes notice. He may not score many goals, but he&rsquo;s one of the few players that can play well anywhere he&rsquo;s put.Again, thank you for the article. So few are written about him.JENNY RENWICK, Pointe Clase, Que.<h2>Wants Canadian As NHL Boss</h2>Over the past two seasons THE HOCKEY NEWS has alluded to, in one way or another, in each issue as to the question of Clarence Campbell&rsquo;s successor. Sam Pollock, Bob Sedgewick, Jim Cullen, and now even former Toronto Argonault, Mike Wadsworth are possible candidates cited.Sure it&rsquo;s time for a change but this constant banter of names and rumors is becoming ridiculous. What the NHL should have done is groom a vicepresent or aide to Mr. Campbell who knew the ropes and could step in immediately upon Campbell&rsquo;s retirement.But nevertheless, whoever the next man is, he must beCanadian.Hockey is Canada&rsquo;s sport, but you wouldn&rsquo;t know it from the number of pro teams in the States. We Canadians have exploited our national pastime and the election of a non-Canadian to the highest position in NHL hockey would mark a major step in the loss of Canada&rsquo;s hockey identity.I&rsquo;ve got nothing against our friends to the south, but they have all the sports they want, and they excel in nearly all of them.But hockey must remain Canadian, even though we&rsquo;ve practically sold it all away and the NHL presidency must remain Canadian as it has always been.PETERSTEPHENS, R.R. 1, Limehouse, Ont.<h2>Evans Seals Coach Of The Year</h2>I can&rsquo;t see how everyone overlooked-Jack Evans when selecting the Coach of the Year.Evans has done, under very difficult circumstances, an excellent job in rebuilding the California Seals into a respectable team. This is reflected in the Seals&rsquo; defense which has allowed fewer goals than, seven other teams in the NHL.With a little more talent and some good junior draft picks the Seals can be a contender within the next couple vears.P.J.AUMAIS Dollard des Ormeaux, Que. &#9632;

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FAN FORUM

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0018-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-02533/3740240-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">JEAN RATELLE&hellip; Two-Goal Flurry</figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-01663/3740247-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="196" height="331"></div>MONTREAL&mdash;Everything went according to form in the start of the 1976 Stanley Cup quarter-final playoffs.The Favorites won in all four series and none were actually extended as Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres registered opening victories in the best-of-seven playdowns.The Canadiens did a little too much bumping for the Black Hawks and skated away with a decisive 4-0 victory in game one of the series on Montreal ice. Goaler Ken Dryden had to handle only 22 shots and admitted the Hawks didn&rsquo;t have more than five good scoring chances.The Canadiens fired 37 shots at Tony Esposito of the Hawks as PeteMahovlich, Doug Jarvis, Larry Robinson and Jim Roberts scored once each.Chicago captain Stan Mikita was incensed at referee Ron Wicks&rsquo; calls. He called Wicks a very uncomplimentary name and then said, &ldquo;and you can print it. If Nixon (Richard Nixon) can use expletives, so can I.&rdquo;The French Connection was the big show for the Buffalo Sabres as they repelled the pesky New York Islanders. In all the line accounted for four of the five Sabres&rsquo; goals and picked up eight scoring points between them.Rene Robert led with two goals with Gilbert Perreault and Richard Martin contributing singles. Center Don Luce added the other Buffalo goal. Billy Harris, Bob Nystrom and Gary Howatt produced the Islander scoring.Buffalo coach Floyd Smith said the Sabres had something to prove to the Islanders when they skated out on the ice. &ldquo;The Islanders had beaten us the last two times in our building and we wanted to go out and play a real solid game. That&rsquo;s what we did,&rdquo; said Smith beaming.Islander coach Al Arbour admitted his team didn&rsquo;t play physical enough with the Sabres. It was one of those nights for the New Yorkers, who tried changing goalers at the start of the final period subbing Billy Smith for Glenn Resch, who had backstopped both preliminary round wins over Vancouver.Boston Bruins got a two-goal performance from Ranger castoff Jean Ratelie and a solid goaling job from Gil Gilbert to blank the Los Angeles Kings in game one of their series.Gilbert made 21 saves in registering his second Stanley Cup playoff shutout and he didn&rsquo;t have to work as hard for it as he does on some nights.The Bruins put the game away early on a pair of first-period power play goals by Ratelie and Ken Hodge and they never looked back. Defenseman Neil Komadoski of the Kings was serving double minors when the Bruins scored twice with the man advantageRatelle set up Dave Forbes with the third goal, again when the Kings were shorthanded, and came back to register the fourth Boston goal on another power play early in the third period.The win extended Boston&rsquo;s Garden unbeaten streak to 21 games since they last lost Dec. 23 to the same Kings.The Toronto Maple Leafs eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in a three-game preliminary series 2-1 and won the dubious honor of facing the two-time Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers for their efforts.The Leafs won 4-1 at home over the Penguins in game one before being blanked 2-0 by Michel Plasse in the second game on Pittsburgh ice. But the Leafs were not to be denied. They swept back to overpower the usually prolific Penguins 4-0 in Toronto to clinch the series.Goaler Wayne Thomas proved to be the hero of the series for the Leafs and many predicted the Leafs would be tough for the Flyers if they continued to get the kind of goaling Thomas showed in the three-game series.The Buffalo Sabres won the other preliminary round series from St. Louis Blues in three games in what was described as the best three playoff games played to date in the &lsquo;76 round.The Blues surprised the Sabres 5-2 in the first game as Chuck Lefley provided the offense with two goals while rookie netminder Ed Staniowski backed up the Blues offense with a spectacular performance in goal. Staniowski stopped 39 Buffalo shots.In the second game, the Sabres won 3-2 on Danny Gare&rsquo;s overtime period goal and finished the Blues off in game three when Don Luce poked in the winner, in overtime. &#9632;

f0018-02

No Surprises In Early Cup Action As Canadiens, Bruins, Sabres Win

<div class="byline">BY BOB VERDI</div>CHICAGO&mdash;Winning the Conn Smythe Division championship means never having to say you&rsquo;re sorry, even if your statistics are. Before the Chicago Black Hawks were able to huff, puff and blow Vancouver down, look what the season hath wrought:&bull;The Chicagoans won only 32 games. The last time they won fewer was in 1961-62, when the schedule was 70 games long.&bull;They garnered 82 points. The last time they dipped below that mark was in 1968-69, when the club finished last with 77 points.&bull;They surrendered 261 goals. The last time that happened was &mdash; are you ready &mdash; in 1950-51, when the mighty Black Hawks won 13 games and finished a solid last.If you get the picture that it was a difficult season in Chicago, you only get half the picture. It was very difficult.It&rsquo;s one thing to have one mediocre year, as the Hawks did last season while finishing third. It&rsquo;s another thing to have two mediocre years, and though first place came to the Hawks this time around, it will take a robust playoff performance to leave their finicky rooters wit ha feeling of satisfaction.&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like to use injuries as an excuse,&rdquo; said coach Billy Reay. &ldquo;But we did have an incredible run of them. Our club is the type that has to have everybody working, and the type that has to have everybody period. Once you take one guy out of the lineup, it means that the load is going to shift to another player. And pretty soon, you wind up wearing out your better hockey players.All hands were on deck, however, for the final weekend of the season when a tense, interesting scenario developed.On Friday night in Oakland, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the California Seals 5-0 to jump into a first place tie with the Hawks, who had one game in hand.On Saturday night in St. Louis, the Hawks jumped to a 2-0 lead but then were tied 3-3 by the Blues. Chicago thus led in points 80-79, entering the final day of the season. The Canucks, though, had one more victory.On Sunday afternoon in Vancouver, it became two victories. The Canucks ended their season with a victory over the Kansas City Scouts to finish with.8l points and 33 wins.The Hawks, with 80 points and only 31 wins, needed to beat the St. Louis Blues that night in Chicago to finish first.&ldquo;You could feel the tension in the room before the game,&rdquo; said Capt. Stan Mikita. &ldquo;He not only wanted the money, but we wanted the week off. Plus, everybody was writing how bad we were, so we wanted to prove them wrong.&rdquo;And the Hawks, in one of their better efforts of the season, handled and manhandled the Blues 72 on two goals by Pit Martin and Alain Daigle. First place!&ldquo;The unfortunate thing is that we had to go down to the wire like this,&rdquo; said Reay. &ldquo;We had a pretty good lead earlier in the season, but then we ran into that stretch where we won only one of 10 home games. That&rsquo;s what killed us. All along, we were doing OK on the road. But you have to win at home, and we didn&rsquo;t.The victory allowed the Hawks a luxury they dearly craved week off by virtue of the first round by in the Stanley Cup playoffs.The team had a number of minor bruises to nurse, and besides, the Hawks would need all the energy they could muster against their foes to-be; Montreal, Philadelphia or Boston.&ldquo;If we play our game,&rdquo; said Keith Magnuson, &ldquo;we can beat any of them. We have won a lot of big games this season. That&rsquo;s why we won our division. Even if we don&rsquo;t have as good a record as some of the other first place teams, winning is still pride.&rdquo;HAWK-TALK: Still no word on Joey Johnston. The spunky left wing remains in Toronto taking examinations following his nearfatal automobile accident last summer. This season has been a bust for him. and the Hawks are only hoping it&rsquo;s not his last season&hellip; Greg Vaydik, the Chicagoans&rsquo; No. 1 draftee last June, also had a lost winter. He was beat by a raft of injuries,&hellip; The last of which was a knee problem.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-02847/3739474-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg" title="f0002-02" width="554" height="723"><figcaption class="caption-body">STAN MIKITA &hellip; Felt Tension</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0002-02

Injuries Didn’t Help Claims Reay But Hawks’ Division Win A Struggle

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0002-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-01926/3739505-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Wow! Could be the reaction of defenseman Gerry Hart of the N.Y. Islanders after he scored a goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs this past week against Vancouver. For details see page 1 8.</figcaption></div><h2>CANUCKS BLAST MALONEY</h2>VANCOUVER&mdash;The Vancouver Canucks went out of the preliminary round of the Stanley Cup playoffs a bitter hockey team. Three members of the Canucks were highly critical of coach Phil Maloney and his methods of operating the club.Coaler Gary Smith, center and team captain Andre Boudrias and defenseman Tracy Pratt all openly rapped Maloney for not playing the &lsquo;right guys&rsquo; against the Islanders. The three maintain they would have had a better chance of winning had Maloney played the right players in the final weeks of the schedule. Maloney said Pratt and Smith had not been pulling their weight and benched bot in the playoffs. Both have asked to be traded before next season. Boudrias spent most of the year on the end of the Vancouver bench and isn&rsquo;t likely to stay with the Canucks.<h2>ORR RETURNS HOME</h2>BOSTON &mdash;Ailing defenseman Bobby Orr won&rsquo;t see any action whatsoever in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The super Bruin has returned to his ParrySound, Ont., home to recuperate further and Boston coach Don Cherry said Orr&rsquo;s going home had nothing to do with his contract demands. Orr has been negotiating for a new contract with the Bruins for nearly a year.Orr underwent knee surgery last Nov. 29 and needs more rehabilitation work. The Boston star said he personally felt he wasn&rsquo;t ready to play and the Bruins team doctor agreed Knee problems have plagued Orr all season limiting him to action in only 10 Boston games.<h2>MACE USED IN BRAWL</h2>BILLINGS&mdash;Police had to use Mace and nightsticks to break up a brawl involving players and fans during a Southwest Hockey League game between Butte Copper Kings and Billings Blazers.A dispute on the ice became a general donnybrook when both benches emptied and fans became involved when a spectator rushed out of the stands and struck a Butte player. The Butte coach needed four stitches after being clubbed. The game was not completed but the victory was awarded to Billings, which seemed strange, too.<h2>EX-HAB DEMANDS $50,000</h2>MONTREAL&mdash;Former Canadiens&rsquo; defenseman Jacques Laperriere says somebody owes his $50,000 and he wants to collect. The NHL, Montreal Canadiens and the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., have been named co-defendants in a lawsuit Laperriere has brought about to recover back insurance benefits.Laperriere, now coach of the Montreal Juniors of the Quebec Major Hockey League and a former stellar offensive defenseman with the Canadiens for 11 years, claims he is entitled to the $50,000 in insurance benefits because of a training-camp injury which he said wrecked his knee and rendered him totally disabled as a hockey player to perform in the NHL. &#9632;

f0002-01

Deadline Stoppers

<h2>NHL TEAMS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-03640/3739564-1-eng-US/f0002-032.jpg" title="f0002-03" width="474" height="677"></div><h2>WHA TEAMS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-04438/3739557-1-eng-US/f0002-042.jpg" title="f0002-04" width="480" height="467"></div><h2>OTHER LEAGUES</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-05313/3739550-1-eng-US/f0002-052.jpg" title="f0002-05" width="476" height="335"></div><h2>COLUMNISTS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-06217/3739543-1-eng-US/f0002-062.jpg" title="f0002-06" width="468" height="211"></div><h2>OTHER FEATURES</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-07132/3739536-1-eng-US/f0002-072.jpg" title="f0002-07" width="462" height="129"></div> &#9632;

f0002-03

WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT ALL

<div class="byline">BY BILL FLEISCHMAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-01931/3739609-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">The NHLs hottest scoring line of all time was the distinction earned this season by Flyers&rsquo; Reg Leach, left, Bobby Clarke, center, and Bill Barber. The trio scored 14 1 goals to put their names in the record books as the greatest goal-scoring line in the history of the NHL. How far the Flyers go this season in their attempt to win three straight Stanley Cups depends much on their hot line.</figcaption></div>PHILADELPHIA&mdash;The Flyers had just finished one of their rare bargain portraits. Ordinarily, Flyers&rsquo; hockey efforts are masterpieces. Oh, there are occasional angry splotches&mdash;but most painters are temperamental.However, this game, a 5-1 loss to the Islanders in the final week of the season, was direct from the crayon box. Even the kindest kindergarten teacher would reprimand the Flyers for a messy job.As usual, the Flyers candidly acknowledged their clinker.&ldquo;They (Islanders) really played well,&rdquo; said Don Saleski, surely one of the NHLs most improved players. &ldquo;We weren&rsquo;t anywhere near our best. If that was our best, we&rsquo;re in trouble.&rdquo;Many, including one opinionated and often-wrong New York based columnist, thought the Flyers were in trouble from the time Bernie Parent developed a serious pain in the neck. Without the award-winning Parent, many thought the twotime Stanley Cup champions would come tumbling down.When Rick MacLeish. the leading scorer in the playoffs the past two seasons, did go tumbling down Feb. 5 with torn knee ligaments, the critics who believe Fred Shero&rsquo;s lads are only one step above cavemen were convinced the Fivers would be taking an early spring vacation.Well, unless that&rsquo;s a misprint in your favorite newspaper, the Flyers finished with the NHLs second highest point total. They surpassed their clubrecord 113 points of last season and lost only 13 games.In brief, the smart money is on a Philadelphia-Montreal Stanley Cup final. Such a showdown would be a classic and restore some much needed prestige to a league that has been busy lately defending violence, lending money to rag-tag franchises, and campaigning for a network television contract.The Fivers&rsquo; strengths are many as they attempt to become the first team since the 1962-64 Toronto Maple Leafs to win three consecutive Stanley Cups.The most obvious asset is the Bobby Clarke-Reg Leach-Bill Barber line. No one has found a clever nickname for the line, but it is still the highest scoring strike force since Boston&rsquo;s Phil Esposito-Ken Hodge-Wayne Cashman. The Flyer line amassed a total of 141 goals to replace the Boston line in the NHL record book. Espo and his linemates scored a total of 140.Leach became only the second NHL player to ever score 60 goals in one season (the other player&rsquo;s initials are &ldquo;P.E.&rdquo; and it&rsquo;s not Prince Edward). Barber has emerged as the NHLs best two-way left winger. His 50-goal total wasn&rsquo;t bad. either.Clarke, of course, is in a class by himself. He is the game&rsquo;s best player, hardest worker, and shrewdest leader. That he was chasing Montreal&rsquo;s Guy Lafleur for the scoring title despite playing five fewer games is another tribute to Clarke&rsquo;s skill.The Flyers&rsquo; cast doesn&rsquo;t stop with Clarke&rsquo;s line. Saleski and his centerman, Orest Kind rachuk, are now solid offensive threats. Ross Lonsbery had just one goal in 24 games prior to the season&rsquo;s final weekend, but he is a reliable playoff performer.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-02797/3739602-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="1132" height="1741"><figcaption class="caption-body">BERNIE PARENT&hellip; He Could Be Question Mark</figcaption></div>Viral pneumonia cost Gary Dornhoefer a second 30-goal season, but Dornhoefer will be healthy and hitting for the playoffs.The Fivers&rsquo; biggest concern offensively will be how rookie Mel Bridgman fills in for MacLeish. Bridgman, the No. 1 amateur draft choice, had a satisfactory season, but he struggled at times working between Lonsberry and Dornhoefer. MacLeish is still aiming for a late-playoff return, but his effectiveness would be doubtful. But then, just having a MacLeish on the bench for a few shifts a game would be enough to giveopponents jitters.Defensively, the Flyers are sound. Jimmy and Joe Watson, Andre (Moose) Dupont, Tom Bladon and Larry (Izzy) Goodenough&rsquo; all have Stanley Cup experience. Rookie Jack Mcllhargey has shown he is a capable Ed Van Impe-type defender. Should one of the six blueliners be injured, Terry Murray will be available. Murray was impressive in three emergency appearances with the Flyers.If the defending champions have a problem, it is goaltending. But the thinkers who plot the Flyers&rsquo; success insist it is a pleasant problem. After newcomer Gary Inness had won his second start, Shero said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure now we have three capable goaltenders.&rdquo;The question is: which one. or ones, will play? Checking their current status:Wayne Stephenson: has to be No. 1 off his best NHL season&hellip; Led the league in games played most of the season, was matching Ken Dryden for most victories, and was among the top three in goals-against average.Bernie Parent: has been inconsistent in his comback attempt &hellip;biggest wqrrv is his timing&hellip;however, if Flyers reach finals, don&rsquo;t be surprised if Parent is No. 1 again.Gary Inness: more than capable&hellip;has already fit in with Flyers&rsquo; close family&hellip;excellent insurance.As Shero said, having three such goaltenders to choose from is a nice problem. And remember. the Flyers won the season series from Montreal. 2-1-1.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-03531/3739595-1-eng-US/f0003-032.jpg" title="f0003-03" width="530" height="1227"><figcaption class="caption-body">OREST KINDRACHUK &hellip;Provides Death</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0003-01

Hot Line, Team Depth Major Factors In Philly’s Bid To Emulate ‘64 Leafs

<div class="byline">By Ken McKenzie&#x2019;s</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-01983/3739661-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="445" height="454"></div>THE DEPARTURE of Emile Francis from the Rangers&rsquo; employ after a 16-year association is only the first of many changes expected in the New York operation before next season. Coach-GM John Ferguson has vowed the Rangers will be a contender and he is spending the time afforded him by the fact the Rangers didn&rsquo;t make the playoffs. Fergy is looking for more muscle, something the Gothamites lacked badly this year. The Rangers would dearly like to lure New York native Nick Fotiu away from the WHA New England Whalers. He&rsquo;s got the kind of tough-guy appeal Garden fans like Also there is talk the NHL club will dump their 30-year old Ranger insignia on their uniformsand come up with a new ice look for 1976-77&hellip;It&rsquo;s pretty hard to convince the hockey experts that anyone other than Montreal and Philadelphia will be in the Stanley Cup final in mid May. The same experts think that if there has to be a playoff upset the L.A.Kings with Rogie Vachon will be the ones to turn the trick. Observers claim Vachon is playing back to his old top NHL form and the Kings will be tough for anyone&hellip; Boston coach Don Cherry will continue to rotate Gilles Gilbert and Gerry Cheevers in goal for the playoffs. Cherry is aware of Cheevers, great playoff record in past years and he&rsquo;ll no doubt play him as often as possible. Cherry said that if anyone wrote a book on a goalie, he&rsquo;d have to do it on either Cheevers or Montreal&rsquo;s Ken Dryden. He said they&rsquo;re both super goalkeepers&hellip;Hockey scouts who watched the teams come down the stretch say rookie Ed Staniowski of St. Louis was the best netminder in the last few weeks. The Blues are rubbing their palms in anticipation of having Staniowski as their No.1 goaler next year.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-02939/3739654-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="280" height="400"><figcaption class="caption-body">Rogie Vachon</figcaption></div>IT ISN&rsquo;T very often an NHL or WHA club owner resorts to dumping beer on a game official. Jay Moore, the man who bankrolls the Cleveland Crusaders, lost his temper when his Crusaders dropped a crucial double overtime game to San Diego in the WHA schedule windup that cost the Cleveland duo second place. Moore was so incensed with referee Bob Kolari&rsquo;s call he doused the official with the foamy stuff and expects to be reprimanded by the league for his actions. There is growing concern among hockey people over the amount of eye injuries creeping into the game. Several pros in both the NHL and WHA have had their careers nipped by eye injuries the past two years. Kansas City defenseman Mike Baumgartner was one. A spokesman for the Canadian Institute for the Blind has revealed that 57 young Canadians have been blinded in one eye by high sticks and flying pucks. CIB officials are pressing for more protection for players&rsquo; eyes in view of their statistics&hellip;Philadelphia coach Fred Shero isn&rsquo;t likely to be involved in the September World Cup extravaganza. He&rsquo;s said no to Team Canada and will probably do the same to Team U.S.A. He detests All Star team formats&hellip; The California Seals&rsquo; Booster Club initiated a new award this season. It goes to the individual who contributes a deal to hockey during the past year. It was originated in Memory of Dr. Robert Willmott. a long-time club devotee and thefirst winner was Seals&rsquo; coach Jack Evans&hellip;Marv Albert, the voice of the Rangers, basketball Knicks and football Giants in New York has a new book out titled &ldquo;Marv Albert&rsquo;s Sports Quiz Book. Published by Grosset and Dunlop, the book contains quizzes of all sports with a heavy portion devoted to Mary&rsquo;s first love, hockey&hellip;And while we&rsquo;re on the subject of books. NHL director of advertising, Jeff Brooks, drops a line to inform the hockey public that the NHL has produced a special commemorative magazine for the NHL-Russian series. Anyone interested can obtain a copy for $2.50. including handling and postage, by writing the NHL, P.O. Box 12758, Philadelphia. Pa. 19134.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-03834/3739647-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="280" height="436"><figcaption class="caption-body">Ed Staniowski</figcaption></div>BOBBY HULL has told Toronto writer Jim Kernaghan that he is considering retiring from the game after this season Hull says it is simply a case of being bone-tired. The super scoring Winnipeg Jets&rsquo; ace attributes his weariness to a busy summer in l975 when hedisregarded hisdad&rsquo;sadvice and spent the off-season travelling to Europe to train and performing in a TV super star series when he should have been resting after a gruelling hockey season. Hull, who is 37 and playing his 19th pro season, says he wants to be part of Team Canada but didn&rsquo;t want to commit himself beyond that&hellip;Detroit Red Wings had been waiting patiently for Bill Lochead to produce and while he didn&rsquo;t set the NHL on lire this year, he showed promise for next season. But Lochead was involved in a car accident on his way home from Detroit at the close of the hockey season and now he&rsquo;ll undergo surgery to stabilize a neck injury that will keep him immobile for four months&hellip; Setting Reg Leach from California was one of GM Keith Alien&rsquo;s most astute moves for the Flyers. Leach certainly proved his worth with a 61-goal year&hellip;Bernie Wolfe says he isn&rsquo;t sorry the NHL season isover. The rookie netminder of the Washington Caps was feeling dog tired after playing 40 NHL games and facing down 40 to 50 shots per game. His 4.17 goals-against average was a credit to his net play considering he faced so many shots. The Caps are more than happy with the Montreal collegian.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-04732/3739640-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="285" height="435"><figcaption class="caption-body">Marv Albert</figcaption></div>OFFICIAL NATIONAL HOCKEY WEEKLYFounded October 1st, 1947Vol. 29No. 28APRIL 23, 1976Published weekly except monthly June through September by W.C.C. Publishing Ltd., 1434 St. Catherine Street West, Montreal, Canada H3G 1R7. U.S. c/o W.C.C. Publishing, 150 E. 58th Street, New York, N.Y. 10022.Kenneth W. McKenziePresident, Publisher and Advertising DirectorDon WallAssociate PublisherCharlie HalpinEditorial DirectorKeith LawtonAdministration ManagerPat Beale Advertising Co-OrdinatorRalph BridglandAsst. To EditorUnited States Advertising RepresentativesNEW YORK: BUI Hitzig, National Sporta Publishing Corp., 150 East 58th Street. New York. N.Y. 10022. Telephone (212) 593-2100. CHICAGO: Hooper Jonea & Associates, 3322 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago, III 60659. Telephone (312) 478-5544.ATLANTIC STATES (including New York. Boston. Buffalo & Philadelphia: Bob Bassinette, Baselnette/White, 50 East 42nd St.. New York. N.Y. 10017. Telephone (212) 986-6210.YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $9.50 in Canada $10.50 in the U.S.A, and $14.00 in Foreign Countries. Sec and class postage paid at New York, N.Y., 10001 and at additional mailing offices SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO 1434ST. CATHERINE STREET WEST, SUITE 217, MONTREAL, CANADA H3G 1R7. Second Class mail Registration No. 1327 All inquiries pertaining to subscriptions should be addressed to Subscription Dept, The Hockey News, 1434 St. Catherine St. W. Montreal, Canada H3G 1R7. Printed in Canada. &#9632;

f0004-01

PASSING THE PUCK

<div class="byline">BY JACK MCCARTH</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0005-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-01869/3739723-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">GERRY CHEEVERS &hellip; Ready For Playoffs</figcaption></div>BOSTON&mdash;There is a banner hanging from the balcony in Boston Garden which reads, &ldquo;We Are Believers in Gerry Cheevers&rdquo;. The authors of that sentiment have a lot of company.As the Bruins get into the meat of the playoffs, one thing is certain. The veteran goalkeeper who, with Eddie Johnston, the Montreal Irishman, was the backbone of the last two Boston Stanley Cup winners, will be counted on heavily again by the Bruins.It has become a Boston cliche, but it has been true, nonetheless, to say that Cheevers is-a &ldquo;money player.&rdquo; He rises to the occasion, and in Cup play, that is what you want.This is not to say he can take the Bruins to the Cup all by his lonesome, but when Harry Sinden, the Bruins&rsquo; GM, signed him after his release by the WHA, the playoffs were surely whathe had in mind.Not to ignore Gilles Gilbert, who undoubtedly will see a lot of action in the net, but Cheevers has been there many times before, and he has done well in the 14 or so games he has played since returning to Boston.A winner much more often than a loser, Cheevers sharpened up for these playoffs, in one instance, at least, by losing. If you read the headline that Buffalo had beaten Boston, 7-2, and noted that Cheevers was the losing goaltender, you would tend to dismiss this epic. But, although he, strangely enough in Buffalo, didn&rsquo;t get a star vote, he was indeed the star from a Boston, and any standpoint.With the Bruins minus a trainload of players, particularly on defense, Cheevers had 47 shots rained on him by the Sabres, while the ailing Bruins could produce only 19. Buffalo had the puck in the Boston zone all night, and Cheevers was immense.He showed that night thathe still has the reflexes and the competitiveness needed to play top goal in the NHL. The Bruins had already clinched their division title a lot of people were hurt also, but Cheevers played it like it was the finals of the Cup. Seven goals went past him, but none were his fault by any means. He wound up the Boston hero in a 7-2 loss. Believe it.That game must have given Don Cherry and Sinden a lift. The man was on his game alert, scrambling, diving, skating the puck out with his old gall, he was vintage Cheevers that night in Buffalo. If he can keep up, the Bruins will be tough.BOSTON BEANS: Gregg Sheppard was the winner of the annual Seventh Player Award, which is presented by Boston TV Channel 38 after a vote of the fans during the season&hellip;Shep had to dress to accept the award from station boss Bill Flynn at on-ice ceremonies, then skated off to get back into civies&hellip; Injured thumb&hellip;Speaking of Cheevers, he lauded Dallas Smith, the quiet defenseman from Hamiota, Manitoba, after one game, saying, &ldquo;Dallas was the big gun. He always is. You know, he never gets noticed, but as long as I&rsquo;ve known him, and it&rsquo;s been a long time, he&rsquo;s been right up there with the three top defensemen in the league. He ought to get the Norris Trophy&hellip;&rdquo;Jean Ratelle, who has played so superbly for Boston since the trade with New York, got his 100 th point with 34 goals and 66 assists and then went on from there&hellip;If there is a stemwinder on this team, Jean is it&hellip;When the Bruins clinched first place in the division. Brad Park, who has been doing radio analysis with Bob Wilson, hoisted a toast and said, &ldquo;First time I was ever with a first place club. It&rsquo;s great, and you can credit all the guys&hellip;Ooops, almost forgot that Sheppard won the Dufresne Trophy as MVP in home games voted by the writers&hellip;He got a new Dodge station wagon for winning the Seventh Player, also&hellip; &#9632;

f0005-01

Cheevers Many Believers Know Their Money Goaler Key To Boston Cup Bid

<div class="byline">By Bill Libby</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011014/3739761-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="290" height="359"></div>THE WISDOM OF THE SCOUTS is not infallible. All National Hockey League teams passed over Danny Gare on the first round of the professional draft of eligible amateurs in the summer of 1974 and the Buffalo Sabres did not select him until the second round. This despite 68 goals in 65 games his last season as a junior with the Calgary Centennials of the Western Canada Hockey League. Possibly, they were concerned with his size. He stood three inches under six feet and weighed less than 170 pounds. However, his toughness should have been reflected in his total of 238 minutes in penalties.Forty seconds into his first exhibition contest last season, the boyish Gare mixed with Philly bad-boy Dave Schultz. Asked David on his way to the penalty box, &ldquo;What are you, a tough guy?&rdquo; Answered Danny, &ldquo;Yeah, I am.&rdquo; He admits he was just trying to prove he wouldn&rsquo;t back down from anyone, which more than 200 penalty minutes his first two seasons up top have proven. The kid, as his teammates call him, has beefed up a bit and become a top two-way player. He scored 31 goals last season when he was third in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Eric Vail and Pierre Larouche and was shooting at the 50-goal mark late this season.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-02784/3739754-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="780" height="939"><figcaption class="caption-body">Danny Gare likes to play under pressure.</figcaption></div>Clearly, at the age of 21 this is a budding super star. He not only can shoot and score, but skate, handle the stick, make proper passes and defend with tenacity. As the Sabres surged into the playoffs, Danny was a key figure. He scored seven goals in 17 games of last season&rsquo;s playoffs so seemed immune to pressure despite his youth. &ldquo;Oh, I felt the pressure. But 1 expected to feel pressure. I gained a lot of confidence during my first season and a lot more this season. I think I have the ability to perform under pressure. I think the more important a game is the more put into it,&rdquo; the youngster explained.Danny is an explosive player He got his first big league goal in his first shift on the ice in the opening game last season, after only 18 seconds. This was in Boston and he was playing with Don Luce and Craig Ramsay on a line against the Bruins&rsquo; first line of Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Wayne Cashman. &ldquo;I was awed&rdquo; admits Dan. &ldquo;but the puck went right into their end. I went right for the net. Craig went for the corner, dug the puck out and shot it. It went off the net onto my stick. I stood there looking at it. &lsquo;Well, shoot it, you dummy,&rsquo; I said to myself. I shot it and it went in. Once around the league, I lost my awe of the great players. I found I could play with them.&rdquo;The first game his mother ever saw in the NHL, in Vancouver when the family went to see Danny play early in the season, he scored a goal. The first nationally-televised game he played in, against mighty Montreal he scored a goal&hellip;in overtime to win the game. &ldquo;I needed that one,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;We were up a goal with time running out when I went to block a shot by Jacques Lemaire. The puck bounced off my stick and over Roger Crozier&rsquo;s shoulder to tie the game with only 24 seconds left. I felt terrible. But the guys were good to me about it in the dressing room before the overtime. Four or five minutes into it? Donny passed to Rammer and he passed to me and I put it between Ken Dryden&rsquo;s legs. I say to myself. &lsquo;There is a good Lord up there, after all.&rsquo; I guess Ken wasn&rsquo;t so sure.THE SABRES&rsquo; DEFENSE is suspect, but not its offense The reunited &ldquo;French Connection&rdquo; line of Gil Perreault, Richard Martin and Rene Robert is the most spectacular in this sport. Its members topped 120 goals this season. And when you have a second line of Luce, Ramsay and Gare that is essentially a defensive line, but totalled more than 85 goals offensively you have something extra. Luce and Ramsay are the Sabres top penalty-killing pair. Rested after practicing this specialty, they sat out every third shift or so last season, so it was remarkable the idled Gare got so many goals. Nor did he play on the power play. This season he has seen a little added action with specialty units. &ldquo;I like the extra ice time,&rdquo; Gare remarks. &ldquo;But I just do what I&rsquo;m asked to do.&rdquo;He admits he didn&rsquo;t have much hope of breaking into the regular lineup in training camp prior to last season. He recalls, &ldquo;I would have been happy if I just made the bench and only played the odd shift. But they put me on the line with Donny and Rammer and we seemed to click together right off. I played well in camp and I got off to a fast start when the season started. I couldn&rsquo;t have had better teammates. Donny and Rammer kept telling me how. good I was and when I got down they talked to me out of it and got me up. I learned a lot from them.&rdquo;Ramsay says, &ldquo;We learned a lot from him. We learned how to holler for the puck,&rdquo; he laughs. Gare laughs and adds. &ldquo;This season we talked about the &lsquo;sophomore jinx.&rsquo; We talked about a guy having to work harder his second season, which is all the so-called sophomore jinx is, I think. You can&rsquo;t live on last year. You have to get better.&rdquo;He did. He scored a goal in the opening game of the season, against Detroit, then got his first hattrick in the second game, against Toronto, and has been flying ever since, a consistent scorer with a quick, accurate wrist shot, and a consistent all-around player. He&rsquo;s begun to get a lot of publicity, but is determined to let it go to his head. He sighs and says, &ldquo;My old coach, Scotty Munro, who passed away, God rest his soul, always said you can&rsquo;t eat the newspapers. He impressed on me that you earn your way in life be what you do, not what people say about you. I think I&rsquo;ve established myself now, but I know it won&rsquo;t mean anything if I let up. A guy can go bad fast. There&rsquo;s a lot like that around. I love the game and want to make a real mark in it.&rdquo;HE HAILS FROM an athletic background. He was born in Nelson. British Columbia, in May of 1954. His father is a physical education instructor at the University of Notre Dameinthat town, who still skates well enough to center Danny and Ernie Jr. in summer exhibition games. Older brother Ernie Jr. plays for Spokane of the Western International League, and younger brother, Morey, is a big winger now in junior ranks. He has three sisters &mdash; who are figure skaters. Mary Ann and Jennifer still are in school, but Glenda is a professional. Mom, Kathy, just keeps the skates sharp and the training table full. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re a close family. I think they&rsquo;re proud of me. I&rsquo;m proud of them,&rdquo; Danny says.He has not yet started his own, though he has purchased a a house of his own in the Buffalo suburb of Williamsville, which is unusual for a bachelor. &ldquo;I look at it as a good investment,&rdquo; says the handsome blond who will not escape women for long. He has a 600-member fan-club full of young ladies inviting him to parties and dances, but says he proceeds properly. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re good kids, but I wouldn&rsquo;t want to date any nine-year-olds,&rdquo; he grins. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been going out with a girl from Ed monton. but we don&rsquo;t know where it will lead. I take the odd girl out. I&rsquo;m enjoying my fame. I figure money is to be spent. But I&rsquo;m rather reserved, really, and I&rsquo;m not going to run wild &#9632;

f0006-01

Hockey Ad Lib

<div class="byline">BY FRANK ORR</div>TORONTO&mdash;Although a last week sag cost them their target of sixth place in the overall National Hockey League standings, the Toronto Maple Leafs were heartened by their seventh-place conclusion. That matched Leafs against Pittsburgh Penguins in the preliminary round of the Stanley Cup playdowns.That finish represented a climb of six places following the club&rsquo;s 13th spot in 1974-75 and even owner Harold Ballard, often his club&rsquo;s severest critic, admitted that the improvement was encouraging in a reconstruction season for the Leafs.&ldquo;We made gains, no doubt about that,&rdquo; Ballard said. &ldquo;Several young players improved a great deal and we&rsquo;re only two or three players away from being a top contender. This league&rsquo;s going to hear from us in the future.&rdquo;One thing the &lsquo;75-76 Leafs accomplished was to rewrite a large section of the club record book. They scored a record 294 goals, a figure which included several individual standards.&mdash;Leaf captain Darryl Sittier&rsquo;s 100 points (41-59) smashed the mark of 85, set in &lsquo;70-71 by Norm Ullman.&mdash;Lanny McDonald produced a 37-56-93 point total, smashing the Leaf mark for right wingers, 75 points by Rick Kehoe in&rsquo;72-73.&mdash;Defenseman Ian Turnbull scored 20 goals, topping Babe Pratt&rsquo;s Leaf record of 17, established in 1943-44.&mdash;Borje Salming tied Pratt&rsquo;s point mark for Leaf defensemen, 57.&mdash;Winger Tiger Williams acquired 306 minutes in penalties. Previous Leaf high was 200 minutes by Jim Dorey in &lsquo;68-69.In addition, Sittier set and tied, several Leaf single-game marks when he had his six-goal, four-assist night against the Boston Bruins in February.Perhaps the pivotal factor in the Leaf resurgence was the work of goalie Wayne Thomas. Acquired from the Montreal Canadiens last spring after he hadn&rsquo;t played a single game in the &lsquo;74-75 season, Thomas demonstrated that the year&rsquo;s inactivity didn&rsquo;t dull his abilities.Thomas played in 64 Leaf games and had a 3.19 goals against average. Only a slight mid-season sag cost him an average of below 3.00.&ldquo;Every team which has any success must be able to look back over its season and point to games where a point or a couple of points were earned because of the goalie&rsquo;s work,&rdquo; said Leaf coach Red Kelly.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-03554/3739792-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="562" height="855"><figcaption class="caption-body">IAN TURNBULL &hellip;New Scoring Mark</figcaption></div>&ldquo;Last season, there were few games where that was true. This season, though, we earned points in many games because of Thomas. It&rsquo;s encouraging, too, that, at 28, he&rsquo;s Reading into the best seasons of his career.&rdquo;Kelly also pointed to other uplifting features of the Leaf season &mdash; the maturing of McDonald and Errol Thompson into front line wingers, the excellent improvement in the play of youngsters Williams, Pat Boutette, Ian Turnbull and Jack Valiquette, the strong season of defense veterans Rod Seiling and Brian Glennie and the brilliant play of the team&rsquo;s top stars, Sittier and Salming.&ldquo;We need strengthening in a couple of spots but we have to rate this season as an excellent one,&rdquo; Kelly said. &ldquo;When we decided to rebuild with kids, we knew we&rsquo;d be a streaky sort of club because that&rsquo;s how kids operate. But we developed some strong team spirit under Sittier&rsquo;s captaincy and made steady progress.&rdquo;NOTES: Injuries to Inge Hammarstrom and Greg Hubick depleted Leafs&rsquo; forward brigade for the playoffs. Hammarstrom required surgery to repair severely torn knee ligaments and Hubick&rsquo;s ruptured spleen was removed&hellip;Leafs summoned winger Scott Garland from their Central League farm team, Oklahoma City Blazers, for the playoffs&hellip;The Leafs used defenseman Bob Neely as a winger in the late stages of the season. Although he prefers playing on the backline, Neely performed well as a forward where his mobility and size are an asset. &#9632;

f0006-03

Leafs’ Year Branded Success By Ballard As Kids Come Through

<div class="byline">BY TONY GALLAGHER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0007-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-01914/3739830-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">GARY SMITH&hellip; Didn&rsquo;t Produce The Big Games</figcaption></div>VANCOUVER&mdash;After an 80-game schedule, it turned out to be fate that pitted the Vancouver Canucks and the New York Islanders against each other in the first round of the NHL playoffs. But it&rsquo;s indeed strange when both teams are unhappy about their final position.The Canucks were disappointed in not winning the Smythe Division when it was theirs for the taking. The Islanders have got to be a little worried about the Canucks. They didn&rsquo;t beat them all year, and in fact haven&rsquo;t beaten them in Uniondale in two seasons.As Bill Torrey, the GM of the Islanders pointed out on his last trip into Vancouver: &ldquo;We bring out the best in them and they bring out the sleepiest in us.&rdquo;There&rsquo;s a reason for that, says Vancouver coach and general manager Phil Maloney.&ldquo;They play such a disciplined, orthodox style. You always know where they&rsquo;re going to be because they play their positions so well.&rdquo;But the Silver Fox doesn&rsquo;t think the Canucks&rsquo; seeming success against the Islanders will mean much in the suicide series.&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t lost to them all season (Vancouver had three wins and two ties) but that doesn&rsquo;t mean much in a short series. The cliche about anything can happen certainly applies in a best-of-three series.&rdquo;But while the Canucks are not really unhappy with their first round opponents, it was the bye into the quarter-finals that they missed by one point that burned them the most.The reasons were simple really, why the Hawks finished ahead of them.For one, Gary Smith did not repeat his invincibility act of the previous year when he finished with a 32-24-9 won-lost-tied record, six shutouts and a 3.09 goals against average that easily made him the club&rsquo;s most valuable player. This season he was 20-24-6, with two shutouts and a 3.50 goals against average, which is not really bad but nothing like the previous year.Captain Andre Boudrias had real problems with his form as well. He finished with 38 points compared to his career high of 78 last season, as he found it difficult scoring from the end of the bench, where he sat most of the year along with Paulin Bordeleau.Further, the Hawks had a more successful year, and probably the most important single factor was that the Canucks were soundly thrashed in the meetings between themselves and Chicago. The Hawks won four, lost one and tied one against Vancouver, generating more than enough points to tip the scales against the Canucks.Further, the Canucks road record was not quite as good this year as last, as they were 15-20-5 last year for 35 points but only 1121-8 for 30 points this season, and only 2-11-4 before Christmas.But the whining over what was and what wasn&rsquo;t over the year must end and the Canucks must look to their series with the Islanders. The players don&rsquo;t necessarily like games with New York as they tend to come out with more cuts and welts in one game than they get in a season against the other clubs.On the Islanders last trip into Vancouver, Don Lever was cut by Jean Potvin&rsquo;s high stick in the lip for 15 stitches; John Gould was clipped for 12 by Gerry Hart, Garry Monahan received big welts on his face from a check by Denis Potvin, and in the three fights, Clark Gillies, Garry Howatt and Bob Nystrom were certainly not losers in their respective bouts against John Grisdale, Ron Sedbauer and Harold Snepsts.But as far as the score goes, defenseman Mike Robitaille was bubbling with enthusiasm.&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t mind playing the Islanders, or for that matter Toronto or Buffalo in the playoffs,&rdquo; said the man Vancouver fans consider as the most. underrated player on the club. &ldquo;Those guys always bring out our potential the most. We have to play up to those clubs and we usually do.Canucks will need a little luck and the continued fine play of their new goalie discovery Curt Ridley if they hope to survive. Ridley, who has supplanted Smith as the number one goaltender, was undefeated in regular season play with six wins and two ties to his credit and one of those wins came against the Islanders.They&rsquo;ll have to thwart the New York power play, which is one of the best in the league, and that can be difficult for Vancouver, who have had a miserable year killing penalties.CANUCK NOTES: Dennis Ververgaert finished the season with 37 goals, one short of the club record held joinly by Bobby Schmautz and Don Lever&hellip;Rick Blight finished with 25 goals, one short of Ververgaert&rsquo;s club record for rookies.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-02765/3739823-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="568" height="613"><figcaption class="caption-body">MIKE ROBITAILLE</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0007-01

Canucks Bitter Over Blowing Title

<div class="byline">BY HOWIE MEEKER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011004/3739861-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="448" height="562"></div><h2>Flames Big Surprise&hellip;</h2>IMMEDIATELY AFTER I heard that Chicago had womped St. Louis 7-2 in the final game of the NHL schedule, I went scurrying for that piece of paper where six months earlier I had written down how I thought the teams would finish. What? You call yourself a hockey fan and you don&rsquo;t do the same thing? Ah, come on. It&rsquo;s great fun. Besides it keeps those of us who some call experts from really starting to think we do know more than the average hockey fan. We just happen to be lucky enough to be in a position where our employer has the where-with-all to scatter our predictions all over the country, whether you want them or not. You have quite an advantage. If you are as bad as I am, you should forget the whole deal and start over again with the playoffs.OK In the Patrick Division, Philadelphia and Islanders had to be one-two but Atlanta to finish 15 points ahead of New York Rangers? &lsquo;No Way&rsquo; What happened? I think the Russian coach hit the nail on the head when, he said, &ldquo;They are a little fat, aren&rsquo;t they?&rdquo; The Rangers probably left training camp in the poorest physical condition of any team in the league and then the trades broke their back. The disposing of their two veteran goaltenders (Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure) and then the big one Espo and Vadnais for Park and Ratelle, was all in favor of the Bruins in the first year.In the Smythe Division I predicted St. Louis, Vancouver and Chicago. No one in hockey has a greater respect for defense than I. I should have known that Billy Reay and Tony Esposito could get more out of a poor attack than anyone else in the league. Vancouver&rsquo;s Gary Smith is a real guesser. Last year he guessed right. Sooner or later he had to go sour.Next to, or perhaps even ahead of the importance of defense in a winning system, is a good sound experienced front office. I ve seen quite a few things happen in St. Louis in recent years that make me wonder about their leadership. So, I blew the Smythe Division, but good.<h2>Pulford Was Sabotaged&hellip;</h2>TO REGAIN a little credibility and bolster my ego, I&rsquo;ll take the Norris section next. We were &ldquo;dead on&rdquo; calling Montreal by a country mile over L. A. Bob Pulford parlayed a system of defense and discipline into a fabulous season in &lsquo;74-75, but management in its hurry to win a Stanley Cup, cut the legs from under him by giving up toughness and experience for offense. Pittsburgh, holy cow how they can score goals. Just a great team to watch perform. No defense, but offense to burn with 339 goals - second best in the league. Two 50-goal scorers, Pierre Larouche and Jean Pronovost, and that kid Larouche has the ability to bring the fans right out of their seats. If Penguins management can obtain discipline behind their blueline, pick up three good checkers without giving away too much offense, then the NHL will have another free-wheeling, crowd-pleasing team the likes of Canadiens, Buffalo and Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is so close, it must be driving Wren Blair bananas.The Adams Division blew it again. Who figured Harry Sinden could convince the Jacob brothers, shortly after they bought the Bruins, to trade Esposito and thathe&rsquo;d find some genius in New York who would send Brad Park packing. The throw-ins Jean Ratelle and Carol Vadnais - performed so well offensively for both clubs. Ratelie collects over 100 points for Boston which he is supposed to do and Vadnais gets a bucket full of points for New York. However, he was hired to stop goals, not score them. Rangers had a whopping 333 goals against.Sure I picked Buffalo to finish ahead of Boston, but Sinden coach Don Cherry, Park, Ratelle, Sheppard and company were just great. Bobby Orr got them on the right path after the trade and they never looked back. Cherry insisted and got a disciplined system and effort and the big bad Bruins laughed their wav through a tremendous season. Sinden was at it again late in the season, getting goalie Gerry Cheevers from the WHA to help in their run for Lord Stanley&rsquo;s mug.The Sabres had a better than average season, 105 points, 46 wins, 339 goals. They tried but injuries and goals against and a very good effort by Boston shot us both down.<h2>Leafs Showed Something&hellip;</h2>THE LEAFS? Sure, I had them tagged for third. The Leafs aren&rsquo;t part of the upper echelon yet but there are some very encouraging signs, such as the 294 goals they scored, compared to the 276 against.Philadelphia was sound enough to gain points in all but 13 games, without super goalie Bernie Parent and for half the season high scoring Rick MacLeish.The Islanders and Al Arbour are here to stay with loads of young experienced talent and a new whiz kid who owns the puck, rookie Bryan Trottier.The Canadiens of Montreal proved they have everything: offense, defense, depth, excellent front office leadership and this year, discipline behind their blueline.Boston, without Orr and Park are more than competitive. When they rejoin their team, the Bruins are almost as good as any.Buffalo has the machinery. All they need is a little more grease for consistency.One step below the big five are Pittsburgh, Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Chicago and Atlanta and there is no doubt that there is sufficient talent presently playing professional hockey to raise the level of the remaining teams who are still that half step below the elite.The playoffs - Yes, I did it again. You&rsquo;d think I&rsquo;d have more sense. I predicted the winners of the two-out-of-three elimination series and when my wife, Grace, saw that I picked Toronto over Pittsburgh, she made a little wager. If I don&rsquo;t get four for four, I have to do the dishes for a week. Come on Leafs!Howie Meeker is a TV analyst an Hotkey Night In Canada, teaches young hotkey players the hne, points of the game through he&rsquo;s CBC How Meeker Hockey School television show and operates two summer hockey schools located at Tnmty College School and Stanstead College. He ts a former NHL rookie of the year winner and player on four Stanley Cup winners with Toronto Maple Leafs before retiring &#9632;

f0008-01

HOW IT IS

<div class="byline">BY RON WEBER</div>WASHINGTON&mdash;Consistency. That&rsquo;s one of the big things you strive for in sports. A certain level at least approaching excellence is a target, too, but consistency is pursued just as hard and often. Indeed, more coaching hairs may have gone gray, or just gone, over a lack of consistency than anything else. All teams are troubled by its misplacement at some time. For the poorer teams it is a plague.Under Tom McVie the Washington Capitals have been more consistent in starting the puck out of their zone, at head-manning it, at picking up the opponent and in clearing the crease. The inept games, the bad periods, the shiftless shifts have become fewer and further between. But, like a shadow on a partly cloudy day, inconsistency lingers nearby ready to reappear at the drop of a puck.Such was the mid-week that turned March into April. The Capitals were to meet the two most belligerent teams in the league, those representing the cities of Detroit and Philadelphia. One&rsquo;s riding high these days, the other muddling along. But both pound on you. try to grind you down and have passed the grade on toughness long ago.First it was the Red Wings storming into Capital Center, bent on avoiding the onus of first team to lose three games in one season to the Caps &mdash; also, perhaps, a bit testy over the loss of their fine voung winger Michel Bergeron, who sustained an eye injury in a Capital encounter six days previous.The game ended with seven players, including five Red Wings, in the penalty box or dressing room (thru eviction). Detroit&rsquo;s 83 penalty minutes were the most ever by a Capitals opponent, as was the two team total of 121. Enroute, Dennis Polonich and Bugsy Watson became the two most penalized players in a single Red Wing season, passing the likes of Ted Lindsay and Howie Young. But the point of all this is, the Capitals brushed off the bullies, broke Ed Giacomin&rsquo;s streak of shutout goaltending at 150 minutes and subdued Detroit 5-3.Mike Lampman got two unassisted goals and Gerry Meehan had his fourth two-goal game as a Cap. Bernie Wolfe hung tough in goal, and got lots of help out front. A good, consistent effort, right?It is 48 hours later. This scene, the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Bill Barber has just completed his yearly hat trick against Washington, but the picture that remains in the mind is one shot Ron Low stopped. Barber batted down a flip with his glove, settled it at his skates, cranked up a slap shot from ten feet &mdash; and nobody checked him &mdash; not even after the shot. 62 times (a Flyer record 25 in one period) they directed the black disc at poor Mr. Low. It reminded one of a shooting drill in a workout, all those shots and no checks. The Broad Street Bullies didn&rsquo;t bother with bullying (the game went 33 minutes without a penalty at one point), they didn&rsquo;t have to. The Washington pussycats had bedded down the the night.Flyer winger Reggie Leach recovered from the euphoria of his sixtieth goal to be quoted as saying &ldquo;Those guys quit early. They must have decided to avoid getting hurt after we popped in four quick goals.Buy maybe that&rsquo;s being overly harsh. Let&rsquo;s just term the Capitals&rsquo; 11-2 loss on April Fools Day as one lacking&hellip; ah yes&hellip; consistency.ICECAPS: The two Caps goals in the Philly defeat were by Tony White, breaking a slump with an unassisted effort; and Blair Stewart, off a 2-on-l pass from Lampman with six seconds to go. That goal pinned Flyers captain Bobby Clarke with only his 14th &ldquo;minus&rdquo; all season. Incredible. Also incredible was greedy Philadelphia coach Fred Shero, with insurmountable leads playing four forwards to run up the score. Clarke was specifically sent out on the ice with 14 seconds to go. The defense of that would probably allude to his scoring race with Guy Lafleur, but what if he&rsquo;d been injured?&hellip; The record for shots against the Capitals in one game is 65, set by Pittsburgh on the Ides of March, 1975&hellip; When the Capitals went from November to January without a win they had no idea their 25-game stretch would stand alone as the record for just two months. Needless to say, they were glad to defer to the Scouts&hellip; Gerry Meehan came from Atlanta with 27 points, gained in 48 games. He picked up 27 for the Capitals in just 29 games. But for one night, the Flames came out ahead on the trade as Bill Clement collected a goal and two assists in a 3-1 victory for the Deep South. Atlanta got only two minutes in penalties in that one, Detroit their 83 in the very next game &mdash; the low and high marks for visitors in the two years&rsquo; play at Capital Center. &#9632;

Capitals Still Not Consistent At Windup

<div class="byline">BY DICK JOHNSTON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-01970/3739916-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">RICHARD MARTIN&hellip; Missed 50-Goal Plateau</figcaption></div>BUFFALO&mdash;The Buffalo Sabres secured fourth place in the National Hockey League&rsquo;s overall standing by tying and defeating their division winners, the Boston Bruins, in a three-day stretch while the challenging New York Islanders lost to the New York Rangers and tied the Atlanta Flames.In those two games against the Bruins &mdash; a 4-4 tie in Boston and a 7-2 win in Buffalo &mdash; the French Connection again proved that its members are playing better than ever now that they are together again.In the two Boston games Gil Perreault and his wingers, Rick Martin and Rene Robert, scored six goals and picked up a total of 15 points. They were on the ice for only one goal against.Martin, trying for his third straight 50-plus goal season, missed No. 50 in the third period of the victory over Boston when Gerry Cheevers, the Bruins&rsquo; goalie, made a phenomenal save.Robert and Martin broke into the Boston zone, two on one. Robert&rsquo;s pass put Martin in the clear. Cheevers came far out on the hard-shooting left winger, however, and stopped Martin&rsquo;s shot with his stick.Cheevers, suffering only his second defeat since he rejoined the Bruins, played a sensational game despite yielding seven goals. The Sabres outshot the Bruins, 47-18.The Connection gothelp in this game from a line that didn&rsquo;t do much offensively in the 4-4 tie. The Don Luce-Craig Ramsay-Danny Gare combination did not, in fact, put a shot on the net in the game in Boston.&ldquo;We weren&rsquo;t aggressive enough in Boston,&rdquo; Ramsay noted. &ldquo;We weren&rsquo;t getting the puck and taking it into their end, but just shooting it in. Tonight we took it in and worked plays.&rdquo;&ldquo;I played pretty terrible in Boston,&rdquo; Gare said. &ldquo;I decided I had to do something to turn it around.&rdquo;He did. Ramsay set him up for a goal at the 2:05 mark. Danny scored another goal later, then Ramsay also scored one. Gare&rsquo;s second gave him 47 for the season. He had another nullified by an offside call and he hit the goal post on another nullified by an offside call and he hit the goal post on another shot.The youngster needed every one he could get because he had only two games remaining to hit 50 in his second pro season.Gerry Desjardins, who already had set a season record for victories in a season by a Sabres netminder, recorded win No. 28 in that game.Desjardins this season broke the record set by Gary Bromley, 26, in 1974-75. Bromley played exactly one game for the Sabres this season and doesn&rsquo;t expect to be with the club in 1976-77.ICE CHIPS: The 15 points picked up by the French Connection in the two Boston games gave Perreault, Martin and Robert a total of 92 in 17 games since they were reunited as a line. With two games left in the season, the three had a total of 127 goals, only four less than their league-leading total of a year ago. This time, of course, all the goals weren&rsquo;t scored as a line. Martin switched to right wing on another line for some time and Robert was off Perreault&rsquo;s wing for several games.Figures compiled for the first 76 games of the season showed Pete McNab as the Sabres&rsquo; most accurate shooter, with a .194 average on 24 goals in 124 shots. Pete, who led the entire league last season with a .244 average, went into a slump at the time that the Sabres as a team emerged from their slump and he hasn&rsquo;t been playing much of late.Rookie goaltender Bob Sauve rejoined the club for the play oils after helping the Charlotte Checkers to the Southern League championship. The 20-year-old from the Laval juniors had two shutouts, a 6-1 won-lost record and a 1.43 goals-against average in the playoffs.Another Buffalo-owned netminder, Don Edwards, made THE HOCKEY NEWS second All Star team for the American League. He plays for Hershey. &#9632;

f0009-01

French Connection Proved Reunion Was Right Move

<div class="byline">BY HARRY KLAFF</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-01992/3739947-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="557" height="1909"><figcaption class="caption-body">BRYAN TROTTIER &hellip;Double Award</figcaption></div>LONG ISLAND&mdash;It didn&rsquo;t take lone before the 19-year-old Vai Marie, Sask, native changed his status from &ldquo;candidate&rdquo; to &ldquo;shoo-in&rdquo;. Every pointhe notched after March 4th was an additional star in the record book after he broke Marcel Dionne&rsquo;s rookie scoring mark with a full month remaining in the season.Ever since he first tried on an Islander uniform at training camp last September, center Bryan Trottier has been touted as a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy as the NHL&rsquo;s top freshman.With only a couple of games left on the calendar, Trottier had surpassed the 30-goal and 90-point plateaus. His nearest competitor for point honors among first year men was Detroit&rsquo;s Michel Bergeron, who stood some thirty points behind.With the regular season quickly drawing to a close, many people became aware of another Trottier statistic. Of the top 25 NHL scorers, only Boston&rsquo;s Jean Ratelle has served less penalty minutes and only by a margin of one &mdash; 19 to 18. In other words, completely overlooked in this great rookie campaign are the qualities which make him a prime candidate for another trophy &mdash; namely the Lady Byng.&ldquo;He certainly deserves to win it as much as anyone else; that&rsquo;s for sure,&rdquo; says Bryan&rsquo;s right winger. Billy Harris. &ldquo;Maybe he even deserves a little more consideration because of his age. He has all the qualities of the Lady Byng winner.&rdquo;&ldquo;The Lady Byng Trophy represents a great deal of all around skill, and Bryan has it,&rdquo; adds captain Ed Westfall. &ldquo;And his penalty total would be even less if he didn&rsquo;t get that major penalty for charging against Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. That play wasn&rsquo;t even a minor penalty, let alone a major.&ldquo;But thethingthat has made him so great for us is his maturity. It reflects in his game; he&rsquo;s so cool and strong. In my eyes, he deserving of the award.&rdquo;&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t even know I was eligible,&rdquo; was just about all Trottier could manage after being questioned on the subject. &ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;ll take it,&rdquo; he laughed.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to change my style because of it, that&rsquo;s for sure. I got this far this season by playing one type of game. I&rsquo;m not going to change to try to win an award.&rdquo;Trottier played his junior hockey in the WCHL from both sides. In his first season of Junior A as a sixteen-year-old, Bryan totalled only ten minutes in the box. He increased this to 76 in his second year, and spent 103 minutes in the bin with Lethbridge in 1974-75.&ldquo;I was never really the type of player that went out looking for trouble.&rdquo; continued Bryan. &ldquo;You never walk away from it, and in the juniors there&rsquo;s plenty of rough stuff. But I never looked at myself as a brawler in any way.&rdquo;Ratelle figures to be a leading contender for the trophy. Ratty cracked the 100-point mark for the second time in his career this season, and is looking to place his name on the Byng for the second time. He captured the Byng back in 1971-72, the year the G-A-G line with Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert went wild and lifted the Rangers to the Stanley Cup finals.Trottier has packed more into one rookie season than most players pack into a lifetime. In his first appearance in a regular season game at the Nassau Coliseum, he scored a hat trick and added two assists to break a club record. Since then it has been one honor on top of another.ISLAND SOUNDS: Glenn Resch played six games in a row between March 20th and 31st. Billy Smith finally, took over on April 1st as the Islanders tied Atlanta for the fourth time, 1-1&hellip;Ralph Stewart&rsquo;s injured ankle didn&rsquo;t respond to treatment and was placed in a hard cast. Stewart hadn&rsquo;t seen action since Mar. 2nd&hellip;Clark Gillies became the proud father of a little girl on April 1st. The new arrival named Jocelyn checked in at 6 lbs. 10 oz&hellip;The Potvin brothers are now the second highest sibling act in NHL history. Denis&rsquo; assist against the Flames gave them 164 points, pushing them ahead of the Mahovlich&rsquo;s. The Hulls rank first with 171 points set in 1968-69&hellip;Defenseman Dave Lewis finally returned to action after missing seven games with an injured ankle&hellip;The Isles went into the final weekend needing only one more power play goal to set a new NHL mark in that department. They had tied Montreal&rsquo;s standard of 92 earlier in the week. &#9632;

f0010-01

Islanders Tout Trottier For Byng

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-01965/3739985-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg"></div><h2>Interesting, Eh?</h2>That a bench-clearing brawl between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, the second such fracas for the Wings in two nights, was brushed off by National Hockey League president Clarence Campbell as nothing unusual. At least, it seemed to some people that a gang fight that went on for more than 30 minutes in a hockey game was a trifle unusual.&bull; That the last-ditch stand of the Toronto Toros to earn a World Hockey Association playoff spot generated almost as much interest in ten days in Toronto as the Maple Leafs did in an entire season. The Toros even drew some big crowds for the late games in their unsuccessful bid. Maybe it&rsquo;s the same as the golf duffer who always gets a par on the 18th hole and that brings him back to the course again.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-02826/3739978-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="580" height="597"><figcaption class="caption-body">Jean Ratelie</figcaption></div>&bull; That the Toros&rsquo; high-priced Frank Mahovlich would claim that the team&rsquo;s 17-game winless streak was a turning point in the season. Undoubtedly, it did have some effect on the club&rsquo;s finish.&bull; That the NHL selection committee, which is seeking a successor to president Campbell, would interview lawyer Mike Wadsworth, a former football players, for the position.&bull; That all 18 NHL governors have made their decision on the new president. The only problem is each governor seems to favor a different man for the job.&bull; That the Philadelphia Flyers and some Philly newspapers would refer to Dennis Polonich as the Detroit Red Wings&rsquo; &ldquo;midget goon.&rdquo; Polonich, for heavens sake, is 5&rsquo;6&rdquo; and 165 pounds.&bull; That the Toronto Globe and Mail sports section now has a regular feature called &ldquo;Sports in Court&rdquo; and its content usually consists of charges against hockey brawlers in the courts.&bull; That the Maple Leaf players listed by owner Harold Ballard back in October as the ones he wanted to trade the most&mdash;Lanny McDonald, Rod Seiling and Brian Glennie &mdash; played a major role in the club&rsquo;s climb to a seventh place finish in the overall standings.<h2>Shero Has Said No</h2>&bull; That Fred Shero, the coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, has insisted all along that nothing could induce him to take the job as coach of Team Canada 1976 for the World Tournament. He claims the All Star concept is impossible because the proper cohesion can&rsquo;t be built into such a team in a month of summer training. But his name is mentioned as a candidate for either TeamCanada orTeam U.S.&bull; That neither the CBC nor CTV nor their local outlets in Toronto were interested in telecasting the Leaf-Pittsburgh preliminary playoff round. The games were carried by CITYTV, a local Toronto channel, which is widely known in hockey circles. Teams and scouts once flocked to Toronto on Friday evenings when the station aired its famous &ldquo;Baby Blue Movie&rdquo;, which featured soft core porno.&bull; That since the Baby Blue was cancelled, there are far less hockey scouts in Toronto on Friday evenings. Of course, to give the benefit of the doubt, it could be that Marlboro juniors no longer play home games as often on Friday.&bull; That Phil Esposito led only one NHL category this season. His 19 power-play goals were the most by any player.<h2>Bruins Just Roll On</h2>&bull; That the Boston Bruins, with more wounded than the Viet Cong, continued to roll along because of their disciplined defensive play.&bull; That Jean Ratelie, at 35, finally is receiving the accolades he deserves as a hockey player following his trade from the New York Rangers to the Boston Bruins. Could it be that Rangers always expected something more while the Bruins are more than happy with what he gives?&bull; That Detroit Red Wings have staked their future on a team that plays with maximum belligerence. Can others be far behind?&bull; That there are rumbles out of Montreal that several Canadien players are unhappy with coach Scotty Bowman. Isn&rsquo;t it always that way in Montreal just before Les Habitants win another Stanley Cup?&bull; That Boom-Boom Geoffrion continues to bounce back into NHL administration. The former coach of Atlanta Flames will return to the club as assistant general manager. &#9632;

f0012-01

FRANK ORR SAYS

<div class="byline">BY BILL HEUFELDER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-03" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03644/3740016-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">MICHEL PLASSE&hellip; Gets Nod For Playoffs</figcaption></div>PITTSBURGH&mdash;The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the fourth Stanley Cup playoff of their nine-year existence in a questionable state.Stunned a year ago by the New York Islanders who scrambled back after losing three straight to sweep the last four in the quarterfinals, the Penguins, with basically the same lineup, shouldn&rsquo;t lack for incentive.What they&rsquo;ve been sorely lacking as the regular season wound down was consistency. Even the addition of veteran defenseman Ed Van Impe from the Stanley Cup champion Philadelphia Flyers failed to brake their alarming looseness.Pittsburgh finally overtook sccond-place Los Angeles in the Norris Division, but threaten to finish third again due to a damaging lapse in the final two weeks of the campaign.Entering the playoffs, coach Ken Schinkel was vitally concerned about two areas, neither of them having to do with offense which Pittsburgh obviously has mastered. The Penguins could finish no lower than fourth, and possibly second, in goal production.However, they had surrendered roughly 130 more goals than Montreal which finished with the best defensive record in the National Hockey League.So Schinkel was concerned about checking at both ends of the ice. &ldquo;We have to do more forechecking,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not getting in the other team&rsquo;s end quick enough. And we&rsquo;re not getting back fast enough. Without the backchecking, we have problems in our own end. The defensemen aren&rsquo;t able to dump the puck to anyone.&rdquo;He acknowledges the Penguins might have been influenced been a couple of accomplishments which were at stake. Jean Pronovost succeeded in reaching the 50-goal mark for the first time in a very productive eight-year career, and 20-year-old Pierre Larouche closed extremely fast to surpass the same figure.&ldquo;Subconsciously, your linemates are looking for the guy a little more than usual rather than doing what they&rsquo;re supposed to do. I think, the same thing happened with Montreal and Philadelphia. Montreal was trying to keep Guy Lafleur on top in the scoring and Philadelphia was trying to help Bobby Clarke catch him.&ldquo;When that happens, your goals-against record suffers.&rdquo;With nothing more at stake than the Penguins reach at least the semi-final playoff round for the first time since 1970, they may tighten their defense. Schinkel is pleased with what Van Impe, a late-season acquisition, has added, although the 35-year-old defenseman has been affected by inactivity.&ldquo;You have to remember he didn&rsquo;t play very much for Philadelphia this year,&rdquo; Schinkel said, &ldquo;and Philadelphia continually goes with six defensemen.&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been pretty mufh staying with four defensemen, so when we have back-to-back games, I notice it wears on Vanlmpe.In the playoffs, we&rsquo;ll stay with four defensemen. If we happen to fall behind by a few goals in a game, I&rsquo;ll use Dennis Owchar or Colin Campbell instead of Van Impe because they are more offensive minded and have a better shot.&rdquo;In goal, Schinkel predictably will stay with Michel Plasse, who has been about as inconsistent as his teammates. &ldquo;For some reason, Mike will play really well one night, but if he plays again the next night, he doesn&rsquo;t play quite as well.&ldquo;Hopefully, he can stay sharp in the playoffs. He hasn&rsquo;t been as consistent as he should be.&rdquo;Schinkel also will accent the important of hitting, which has been a familiar theme in Pittsburgh this year. &ldquo;We have to hit,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mean to go out there and wipe out everybody, but you&rsquo;ve got to be bumping guys every chance you get.&rdquo;PENGUIN NOTES: Schinkel indicated that wingers Wayne Bianchin and Jacques Cossette would be his choice for emergency duty in the playoffs&hellip;Help might be needed soon as the Penguins were concerned with the condition of Vic Hadfield&rsquo;s knee&hellip;Idled by strained ligaments in the knee, Hadfield will have off-season surgery on it for an unrelated damage.Bianchin and Cossette played alongside Jean-Guy Gratton, the Hershey-owned center who captured the American League scoring title&hellip;Owchar has been bothered by an inner-ear problem that occasionally affects his equilibrium. &#9632;

f0012-03

Schinkel Showing Concern Over Defensive Lapses

<div class="byline">By Bill Fleischman&#x2019;s</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-01948/3740054-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="289" height="439"></div>MENTION the &ldquo;Philadelphia Flyers&rdquo; to people and they immediately think of Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, Fred Shero, Rick MacLeish, and Dave Schultz.Keith Allen&rsquo;s name is frequently forgotten in association with the Orange Army. There are probably some who would stammer, rub their chins and mumble, &ldquo;Uh, why, the Flyers&rsquo; general manager is, uh Ed Snider?&rdquo;Wrong, Ed Snider is the Flyers&rsquo; board chairman, the man who had the good sense to hire Keith Allen when the Flyers were just another original NHL expansion team. Now, nine years later, the Flyers have won two Stanley Cups, conquered the Soviets in a one-game summit meeting, and are pointing toward an appealing final series with Montreal.The name in the Stanley Cup record book under &ldquo;Manager&rdquo; is Keith Allen. He is in pretigious company with other managers of Stanley Cup winners, people such as Sam Pollock, Punch Imlach, Frank Selke, Jack Adams and Conn Smythe. Even though Allen isn&rsquo;t as colorful as Imlach or hasn&rsquo;t had an NHL division named after him like Smythe, he belongs in the elite company.After coaching the Flyers to first and third-place finishes in their first two seasons, Allen switched to the assistant GM&rsquo;s job. When Bud Poile was dismissed in mid-season of the Flyers&rsquo; third year, Allen moved up and has been in command ever since.ALLEN&rsquo;S DEALS have brought MacLeish, Reg Leach, Ross Lonsberry, Wayne Stephenson, Andre Dupont, Terry Crisp and Mel Bridgman to Philadelphia. Allen&rsquo;s market dealings form a remarkable record in that he has never completed a trade that has hurt the Flyers.The latest example of business at Allen&rsquo;s Swap Shop was the Gary Inness deal. Although he is still able to help another club, defenseman Ed Van Impe was near the end of his value to the Flyers. Presto! Allen sends Van Impe and reserve goalkeeper Bobby Taylor to Pittsburgh for Inness. a solid 26-year-old goalie with proven NHL ability. It&rsquo;s no wonder yours truly nicknamed Allen &ldquo;Keith the Thief.&rdquo;Allen&rsquo;s contentment at remaining in the background of the Flyers&rsquo; efficient, often-controversialshow has kept his low profile intact. It&rsquo;s a position he doesn&rsquo;t seem to mind.&ldquo;I know the media people love Freddie and he&rsquo;s always saying something,&rdquo; says the 52-year-old former defenseman who played parts of two seasons with Detroit. &ldquo;Maybe the hockey people recognize what we have done here more than the person in the street.While Allen isn&rsquo;t as quotable as Shero &mdash; who is? &mdash; media people have great respect for Allen. Despite a busy schedule that keeps him on the telephone almost continually, Allen always has time for the press whether it&rsquo;s during business hours or at home at night.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-02795/3740047-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="1116" height="1176"><figcaption class="caption-body">Keith Allen, left, and Ed Snider together have made Philadelphia a force in the NHL with two Stanley Cup wins.</figcaption></div>RARE EXAMPLES of Allen losing his temper are: Sit near him in the Spectrum press box during a game and you&rsquo;ll hear heated criticism of a referee if he thinks penalties against Flyers&rsquo; opponents are overlooked. He has complained about negativism in the Philadelphia press.Perhaps his angriest outburst was the summer after the Flyers upset Boston for Stanley Cup 1. Another in a series of stories surfaced on Shero returning to his beloved St. Paul, Minn, to supervise the now-defunct WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints. From his New Jersey seashore summer home, Allen made it clear he was tired of Shero&rsquo;s continued hints about leaving Philadelphia Shero hasn&rsquo;t discussed leaving lately.The Allen-Shero relationship largely explains the Flyers&rsquo; success. They frequently confer, but Allen manages and Shero coaches.&ldquo;We both respect each other,&rdquo; Allen says. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t force myself on him and I guess that&rsquo;s the way we want it.&rdquo;Marcel Pelletier has been Allen&rsquo;s trusted sidekick since the Flyers&rsquo; GM reported in from Seattle of the Western League. Pelletier probably knows Allen as well as anyone in hockey.&ldquo;Not getting publicity doesn&rsquo;t bother Keith,&rdquo; says Pelletier, &ldquo;because we&rsquo;re winning and everything is so great. The big thing is Snider knows the job Keith is doing. You don&rsquo;t fool Snider.&ldquo;Keith has more respect from hockey people than any GM in the league. He&rsquo;s welcomed in any team&rsquo;s office. Some GM&rsquo;s go in another office, they aren&rsquo;t welcomed. I&rsquo;ve never heard a bad word said about Keith.&rdquo;Bernie Parent had some bad words to say about the Flyers&rsquo; organization after he was traded to Toronto and during his tumultuous season with the WHA Blazers. But Parent never singled out Allen.The Allens &mdash; wife Joyce, sons Brad, 23, and Blake, 14, and daughter Tracy, 16 &mdash; have lived in the same suburban Philadelphia home since Keith joined the Flyers.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s big enough for us,&rdquo; says Keith. &ldquo;We have over an acre of land. It&rsquo;s nice and quiet and we&rsquo;re very happy there.&rdquo;The Flyers, obviously, are very happy with Keith Allen. His class and stability continues tow in respect for an organization that has more than its share of arrogance. As one Canadian-based NHL observer said, &ldquo;The Flyers have a lot of people in their front office who think they&rsquo;ll be on top forever.&rdquo;If Keith Allen is afflicted with such delusion, it doesn&rsquo;t show. And, as long as he is dealing in his quiet way, the Flyers will probably be on top. &#9632;

f0014-01

HOCKEY WORLD

<div class="byline">BY GEOFFREY FISHER</div>OAKLAND&mdash;On a club loaded with rookies that were so young that they had to show identification to buy a beer, a rookie named Robert Girard is a sort of conversation piece around the igloo of the California Golden SealsGirard, who turned 27 April 12, has just completed his first tour of duty in the NHL and it was a tour that surprised him, pleased his coach, and impressed his linemates, a couple of veterans named Wayne Merrick and Gary Sabourin.With three games remaining to be played before packing away their gear and heading home to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs on television, Girard had rung up 15 goals and 26 assists.Not bad for an old rookie who had given up hockey at the age of 15 because he thought he was too underweight to succeed in the professional leagues.And particularly encouraging it was for a native of Montreal who had never played as a forward until converted from a defenseman by coach Jack Evans when he coached the Seals&rsquo; Salt Lake City farm club two seasons back.Girard had never played anything but defense from the earliest days as a Junior when he was in the Montreal Canadiens organization.At Salt Lake where he was invited by the Seals to report three years ago, the roster was loaded with left-handed rearguards.&ldquo;I converted him to a forward spot by necessity,&rdquo; explains Evans who also moved up from Salt Lake City at the outset of this season to take over as coach of the Seals.Evans, who puts great emphasis on defensive play, wanted to put together a fourth forward line at Salt Lake and Girard was his choice to fill one of the slots.&ldquo;I like a strong forechecking club and I wanted a line that could be used mainly for checking and penalty killing. The first night I put the Girard line together they scored six goals and Bob got a &ldquo;hat trick&rdquo;.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-03605/3740085-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="572" height="849"><figcaption class="caption-body">BOB GIRARD &hellip;Never Too Old</figcaption></div>Girard has played forward ever since.&ldquo;I really loved being a defenseman,&rdquo; says the very eligible bachelor with a soft French accent. &ldquo;But I figured if I could help the team at left wing that was OK with me.&rdquo;Girard admits he is pretty proud of his first season in the NHL.&ldquo;Even in the mjnor league last year I scored only 13 goals at left wing but now all of a sudden I have the feeling that I am on my way.&rdquo;He also admits that the conversion from defense to forward has not been without its difficulties.&ldquo;As a defenseman my job was to control the puck and wait for a chance to put it on the stick of one of my forwards. I was able to use some hesitation to pick the right spot. As a forward I have had to work at breaking that habit and to speed up my timing in getting a pass to one of my linemates.&rdquo;Evans sees a bright future for his &ldquo;old rookie&rdquo;.&ldquo;Bob started at the lowest level of pro hockey.&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;moving from the Eastern-Southern League to the Central League two years ago. He had a good year last season and now a good record in the NHL. It says something for him and his desire to be a real success.&rdquo;Evans points out that there have been some outstanding success stories of defensemen who converted to forward and he cites Red Kelly as a classic example. Kelly played 20 seasons in the NHL, about 15 as a defense star and five more as a forward star.And as for &ldquo;old rookies&rdquo; there have been some great ones in NHL history such as Jimmy McFadden who played for Detroit and Chicago.&ldquo;Jimmy made rookie of the year with the Red Wings when he was an ancient 29,&rdquo; recalls Evans.As for Girard, Evans&rsquo; satisfaction with his play is influenced by more than his scoring record.&ldquo;Bob has been a plus player all season,&rdquo; he says, referring to the very important plus-minus statistic kept on all players that indicates how many goals scored when on the ice as compared with how many were scored against the player&rsquo;s team when he is on the ice.Girard is candid about his freshman NHL season.&ldquo;I thought it would be a tougher league to play in,&rdquo; he says.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure my debut was made a lot easier because of the help I got from my linemates, Wayne (Merrick) and Gary (Sabourin).&rdquo; &#9632;

f0014-03

Seals’ Girard’s Future Bright

<div class="byline">BY BILL LIBBY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0015-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-01915/3740116-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">NEILKOMADOSKI&hellip; Unsung Kings&rsquo; Hero</figcaption></div>LOSANGELES&mdash;The second season is the most important season. The Kings concluded a disappointing regular season pointing to atone in this season&rsquo;s playoffs for their disappointing playoff of last year.&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t have any excuses if we play poorly in the playoffs this season,&rdquo; coach Bob Pulford pointed out ominously. Added manager Jake Milford, &ldquo;If we do, we&rsquo;ll know our personnel isn&rsquo;t good enough.&rdquo;The Kings totalled 105 points on a 42-17-21 record last season, but lost the opening playoff series to Toronto, one win to two losses, despite the home-ice edge.The Kings fell off 20 points to a 38-33-9 record this season, but clinched the home-ice edge for the opening series with Atlanta two games from the finish.They did this dramatically, shifting from only one win in six games to only one loss in seven near the end.Wins are all fans care about. Despite the addition of colorful super star Marcel Dionne, attendance dipped for the first time in five seasons, slipping from 505,107 to 495,433, from an average of 12,628 to one of 12,385.This was disappointing as it had been believed the development of a competitive club would send southern California hockey interest soaring. Is 12,000 the hard core of fans here abouts?The club&rsquo;s quarters were 12-6-2, 9-11-0, 9-8-3 and 8-8-4. Their halves were21-17-2and 17-16-7.Their road record fell from 2010-10 to 16-20-4, their home mark from 22-7-11 to 22-13-5. Two months from the end of the season they seemed certain to set a new mark for wins at home, but won only seven of their last 16 and settled for 22 for the third straight season.Going into the season, Pully had predicted their road record was bound to decline a little, but their home mark figured to rise.Going into the season, the trade of Dan Maloney and Terry Harper for Dionne figured to help them offensively and hurt them defensively. However, they fell off offensively and defensively.They went from plus 84 in goals for-and-against at 269-185 to minus two at 263-265. They never caught up from an 0-16 start their first two games.Apparently the trade hurt, but there are those who feel it was not that so much as a drop in performance by such returnees as Bob Nevin, Bob Berry, Mike Murphy, Tom Williams, Juha Widing, Larry Brown, Bob Murdoch and Shelly Kannegiesser.Nevin, for example, tallied 18 less times. Widing was benched and tallied 10 less times. Brown, Murdoch and Kannegiesser were less effective defensively, which contributed to a fall from a 2.24 goals-against average to 3.16 for Regie Vachon and from 2.34 to 3.55 for Gary Edwards. But the goalers were not as sharp, either.Still, it was the team&rsquo;s second-best season-record ever and players such as Butch Goring, Vic Venasky, Don Kozak, Mike Corrigan, and Neil Komadoski enjoyed good years. Gary Sargent was an impressive rookie, through he fell from favor with management. It is possible the team potential is higher than it was before the trade.Team MVP Dionne fell from 47 goals, 74 assists and 121 points with Detroit to 40 goals, 54 assists and 94 points in LA, but he had less help on his line. With more help, he could lead this team to the top. As expected he set team records in goals and points, but only matched Widing&rsquo;s club mark for assists.Following Dionne in goals were Goring with 33, Murphy 26, Corrigan 22, Berry 20, Kozak 20, Williams 19, Venasky 18, Nevin 13, Frank St. Marseille 10, Gene Carr eight, Widing seven and defensemen Sargent eight, Ab DeMarco seven, Murdoch six, Kannegiesser four, Komadoski three and Brown one. Dave Hutchison remained without a goal for three major league seasons. Carr missed the last half with a back injury, while Widing and St. Marseille were used infrequently.Williams and Corrigan scored 10 goals each the last quarter, but Williams scored five of his in two consecutive games while Corrigan spread his over nine games. Mike tied a team record by scoring in five straight games and set an NHL record by becoming the first player ever to score 20 or more at all three forward positions. A left-winger this season, he previously had 20-goal seasons as a right-winger and a center.Corrigan and Berry previously held the club highs for goals with 37 and 36, Nevin and Widing for points with 72 and 70. Berry scored only two goals the final quarter, Nevin, St. Marseille and Widing only one each. Nevertheless, management named Nevin the most inspirational player, as well as Komadoski the most unsung. Previously the fan club made these selections.Trailing Dionne in assists were Nevin with 43, Murphy with 42, and Goring with 40, and in points Goring with 73, Murphy 68, and Nevin 55. Murphy benefitted from Dionne&rsquo;s centering, but not as much as expected. Corrigan cashed in once he was located on that line. Goring, selected most popular player, collected 24 points his final 15 games, playing alongside Nevin.Komadoski clearly was the club&rsquo;s best defenseman. Like last season, Vachon played about two out of three games&mdash;51 to 29 for Edwards. Vachon wound up 26-205 with six shutouts, Edwards 1213-4 with no shutouts, but they did not get the defensive help they got from defensemen and forwards alike last season. &#9632;

f0015-01

Kings Hope Playoffs Will Salvage Season

KATOWICE&mdash;A World Hockey Tournament with North American professionals? They said it would never happen, but it has.For the first time ever American professionals are competing in the 1976 World tournament with the United States team and some of the names on the Yanks&rsquo; lineup are plenty familar to National Hockey League and World Hockey Association fans back home.For a start the U.S. team has several members of the Minnesota North Stars and Minnesota Fighting Saints in their lineup. One of them goaler, Mike Curran, showed his best netminding form as he blanked Sweden 2-0 to give the Americans their first victory in the tournament. A couple of Central and American Leaguers, Billy Klatt and Craig Sarner, provided the scoring offense for the U.S. team as well. Earlier the U.S. played to a 3-3 tie with Finland with Klatt, a one-time WHA performer, Brad Marrow and William Schneider scoring once each.Among the other professionals on the U.S. team are goalie Peter LoPresti, defenseman Lou Nanne and forwards Mike Antonovich, Tom Youghans and Steve Jensen. In addition there is Curran, forwards Gary Gambucci, who played with both Minnesota teams and New Haven in the AHL, and Sarner, who once ranked high in the Boston Bruins&rsquo; organization.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-01755/3740154-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="565" height="651"><figcaption class="caption-body">MIKE CURRAN &hellip; Blanked Swedes</figcaption></div>The U.S. had a 1-0-1 record in their first two starts and were hopeful of upsetting the big powers in the tournament &mdash; Czechoslovakia and Russia. The Soviets are smarting from a 6-4 upset handed them by Poland, a team they manhandled in the recent Olympic hockey tourney at Innsbruck. Two days after the defeat of the defending World hockey champions by the host Poles, Czechoslovakia came along and whomped the same Polish team 12-0.The sight of pros in the world classic created quite a stir among amateur hockey zealots who have long resisted the play-for-pay skaters. While professionals reinstated as amateurs have competed previously in world competition, this is the first time that players still pros, and playing actively in the NHL, have participated after the International Ice Hockey Federation made rule changes last year to allow the pros in.However, despite the presence of the pros on the U.S. team, observers still are pointing towards a showdown between the Russians and Czechs for the title. If the Americans come through and steal the title it will be considered an upset by world hockey standards.The Czechs have looked most imposing in the tourney. They won their first two games and were unbeaten and unscored upon with a 22-0 record having also beaten East Germany 10-0.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03518/3740147-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="1123" height="1183"><figcaption class="caption-body">STEVE JENSEN&hellip; Product Of North Stars</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0016-01

U.S. Pros Make Debut In World Ice Tourney

<h2>WORLD TOURNAMENT</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-02648/3740185-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="594" height="238"></div> &#9632;

f0016-02

HOW THEY STAND

<div class="byline">BY MORLEY HOWE</div>MILWAUKEE&mdash;Milwaukee Admirals are just one game away from capturing the United States Hockey League playoff championship after opening their best-of-five series against the Green Bay Bobcats with a pair of wins.Paced by the outstanding goaltending of Jean Marie Pominville, the Admirals shutout Green Bay in the first game of the finals, 7-0 and then escaped with a 5-4 triumph the next night for a strangehold on the series.Pominville turned aside 46 drives in the series opener to gain his shutout and benefitted from two-goal performances from Phil Wittliff and Jean Trottier before an overflow crowd at Neenah, Wisconsin. The Bobcats were forced to move their home games due to prior arena committments.The following night, Pominville faced 48 shots from the sticks of the Bobcats, while his mates could only manage 22, but Milwaukee held on for their one-goal victory, their sixth playoff win in a row.Speedster Bruce Saulnier, recently imported from Nova Scotia led the Admiral offense with a pair of goals while Tom O&rsquo;Brien countered with a pair for the Bobcats.Twin brothers Pierre and Gilles Quintal both received game misconducts during the second period of the second contest. Pierre is now suspended indefinitely following earlier confrontations with referre Art Jarrett, with a decision expected from the league soon. &#9632;

Around The USHL

<h2>SERIES A&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03404/3740358-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="574" height="79"></div>(Buffalo wins best-of-three series 2-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Thu. April 6Buffalo 2 af St. Louis 5Thu. April 8St. Louis 2 at Buffalo 3Fri. April9St. Louis 1 at Buffalo 2<h2>SERIES &lsquo;B&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04298/3740351-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="577" height="76"></div>(Islanders wins best-of-three series 2-O)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. April 6Vancouver 3 at N.Y. Islanders 5Thu. April 8N.Y. Islanders 3 at Vancouver 1<h2>SERIES &lsquo;C&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05225/3740344-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="573" height="82"></div>Los Angeles wins best-of-three series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. April 6Atlanta 1 at Los Angeles 2Thu. April 8Los Angeles 1 at Atlanta 0<h2>SERIES &lsquo;D&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06185/3740337-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="577" height="83"></div>(Toronto wins best-of-three series 2-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. April 6Pittsburgh 1 at Toronto 4Thu. April 8Toronto 0 at Pittsburgh 2Fri. April9Pittsburgh 0 at Toronto 4<h2>SERIES&lsquo;E&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-07160/3740330-1-eng-US/f0018-072.jpg" title="f0018-07" width="577" height="79"></div>(Montreal leads best-of-seven series 1-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. April 11Chicago 0 at Montreal 4<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Tue. April 13Chicago at MontrealThu. April 15Montreal at ChicagoSun. April 18Montreal at ChicagoTue. April 20Chicago at MontrealThu. April 22Montreal at ChicagoSat. April 24Chicago at Montreal<h2>SERIES &lsquo;F&rsquo;</h2>TORONTO vs PHILADELPHIA(Best-of-seven series)Mon. April 12Toronto at PhiladelphiaTue. April 13Toronto at PhiladelphiaThu. April 15Philadelphia at TorontoSat. April 17Philadelphia at TorontoTue. April 20Toronto at PhiladelphiaThu. April 22Philadelphia at TorontoSun. April 25Toronto at Philadelphia<h2>SERIES G&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-08135/3740323-1-eng-US/f0018-082.jpg" title="f0018-08" width="577" height="80"></div>(Boston leads best-of-seven series 1-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. April 11Los Angeles 0 at Boston 4<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Tue. April 13Los Angeles at BostonThu. April 15Boston at Los AngelesSat. April 17Boston at Los AngelesTue. April 20Los Angeles at BostonThu. April 22Boston at Los AngelesSun. April 25Los Angeles at Boston<h2>SERIES &lsquo;H&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-09116/3740316-1-eng-US/f0018-092.jpg" title="f0018-09" width="575" height="80"></div>(Buffalo leads best-of-seven series 1-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. April 11Islanders 3 at Buffalo 5<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Tue. April 13Islanders at BuffaloThu. April 15Buffalo at IslandersSat. April 17Buffalo at IslandersTue. April 20Islanders at BuffaloThu. April 22Buffalo at IslandersSun. April 25Islanders at Buffalo<h3>PLAYOFF SCORING</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-10103/3740309-1-eng-US/f0018-102.jpg" title="f0018-10" width="579" height="153"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-1199/3740302-1-eng-US/f0018-112.jpg" title="f0018-11" width="586" height="1767"></div> &#9632;

f0018-03

Stanley Cup Scoreboard

ATLANTA&mdash;Their inability to mount any kind of an offense cost the Atlanta Flames and Vancouver Canucks dearly in the preliminary round of the 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs.Both clubs were swept out of the best-of-three prelim series and between them they could only manage five goals in four games, hardly enough to win anything let alone a playoff series.The Flames were dumped 2-0 by the Los Angeles Kings as they lost the series opener 2-1 in L.A. and went back to the Omni and were completely handcuffed by goaler Rogie Vachon as they went down to a 1-0 defeat. The Canucks were beaten 2-0 by the New York Islanders.Atlanta goaler Dan Bouchard gave up three goals in two games, which would have normally been enough for the Flames to pull out a victory but the team went flat on offense behind Bouchard.In game one, Tommy Williams did the Flames in almost singlehandedly as he scored the first goal after 50 seconds of play in the opening period and came back to set up what amounted to the winner by Bob Nevin. Defenseman Barry Gibbs of Atlanta cut the Kings margin to one goal when he deprived Vachon of a shutout with only 5:24 left to play in the game.When the teams returned to Atlanta for the second game, both Vachon and Bouchard were on the firing line again and Vachon showed he wouldn&rsquo;t be deprived this time as he slammed the door on the Flames.Bouchard did a masterful job holding the Flames in the game and it was only with a minute and 44 seconds of regulation time remaining and overtime inevitable that veteran left winger Bob Berry swept in to beat Bouchard with the game&rsquo;s only goal. It was a heartbreaker for the Flames but the Kings savored the victory as they mobbed Vachon who had registered four regular season shutouts including one against Atlanta.The ironic part of Berry&rsquo;s goal he said after the game was that he was merely trying to pass the puck behind the Atlanta net when it struck Bouchard&rsquo;s skate and bounced into the net.The Vancouver Canucks were defeated 2-0 by the New York Islanders in what amounted to an easy win for Al Arbour&rsquo;s disciplined skaters. Goaler Glenn Resch starred in the first game as the Islanders recovered from a shaky start to muscle the Canucks off the puck. Five different Islanders figured in the goal scoring. Billy Harris, Lome Henning, Gerry Hart, Billy MacMillan and Bob Nystrom registered singles. The New Yorkers scored three times in the second period to break out from a 2-2 score and put the game out of reach of the Canucks. Dennis Ververgaert, John Gould and Bob Dailey were the Vancouver scorers.In the second game in Vancouver, Garry Howatt and Clark Gillies scored goals 32 seconds apart in the third period to wind up the series in the Islanders&rsquo; favor. Resch again was the star of the game as he stopped 29 shots. &#9632;

Atlanta, Vancouver Swept Out In Prelims

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-01634/3740508-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="775" height="961"></div>Warning Health and Welfare Canada advises that danger to health increases with amount smoked &mdash; avoid inhaling. Av. per cigarette Regular: 16mg. &ldquo;tar&rdquo; 1.2mg. nicotine King 18mg &ldquo;tar&rdquo; 1.3mg. nicotine.<h2>SERIES &lsquo;A&rsquo;</h2><h3>Tue. April 6</h3>BUFFALO 2, ST, LOUIS 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-02523/3740501-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="594" height="430"></div><h3>Thu. April 8</h3>ST. LOUIS 2, BUFFALO 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-03410/3740494-1-eng-US/f0019-032.jpg" title="f0019-03" width="596" height="507"></div><h3>Fri. April 9</h3>ST. LOUIS 1 BUFFALO 2<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-04349/3740487-1-eng-US/f0019-042.jpg" title="f0019-04" width="590" height="504"></div><h2>SERIES&lsquo;B&rsquo;</h2><h3>Tue. April 6</h3>VANCOUVER 3, ISLANDERS 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-05286/3740480-1-eng-US/f0019-052.jpg" title="f0019-05" width="591" height="525"></div><h3>Thu. April 8</h3>ISLANDERS 3, VANCOUVER 1<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-06222/3740473-1-eng-US/f0019-062.jpg" title="f0019-06" width="585" height="154"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-07194/3740466-1-eng-US/f0019-072.jpg" title="f0019-07" width="596" height="282"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;C&rsquo;</h2><h3>Tue. April 6</h3>PITTSBURGH 1, TORONTO 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-08178/3740459-1-eng-US/f0019-082.jpg" title="f0019-08" width="591" height="229"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-09154/3740452-1-eng-US/f0019-092.jpg" title="f0019-09" width="593" height="202"></div><h3>Thu. April 8</h3>TORONTO 0, PITTSBURGH 2<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-10135/3740445-1-eng-US/f0019-102.jpg" title="f0019-10" width="592" height="355"></div><h3>Fri. April 9</h3>PITTSBURGH 0, TORONTO 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-11119/3740438-1-eng-US/f0019-112.jpg" title="f0019-11" width="599" height="384"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;D&rsquo;</h2><h3>Tue. April 6</h3>ATLANTA 1, LOS ANGELES 2<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-12111/3740431-1-eng-US/f0019-122.jpg" title="f0019-12" width="343" height="56"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1392/3740424-1-eng-US/f0019-132.jpg" title="f0019-13" width="591" height="307"></div><h3>Thu. April 8</h3>LOS ANGELES 1, ATLANTA 0<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1484/3740417-1-eng-US/f0019-142.jpg" title="f0019-14" width="589" height="378"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;E&rsquo;</h2><h3>Sun. Apr. 11</h3>CHICAGO 0, MONTREAL 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1574/3740410-1-eng-US/f0019-152.jpg" title="f0019-15" width="596" height="403"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;G&rsquo;</h2><h3>Sun. April 11</h3>LOS ANGELES 0, BOSTON 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1667/3740403-1-eng-US/f0019-162.jpg" title="f0019-16" width="591" height="480"></div><h2>SERIES &lsquo;H&rsquo;</h2><h3>Sun. April 11</h3>ISLANDERS 3, BUFFALOS 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1758/3740396-1-eng-US/f0019-172.jpg" title="f0019-17" width="589" height="482"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-1849/3740389-1-eng-US/f0019-182.jpg" title="f0019-18" width="1808" height="1869"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Islanders&rsquo; line of defense forms upas Goaler Glenn Resch backs up defenseman Jean Potvin during early playoff action. Resch was in goal for Islanders&rsquo; two-game sweep over Vancouver in Stanley Cup preliminary series.</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Stanley Cup Playoff Summaries

<div class="byline">BY NORM MacLEAN</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaMONTREAL&mdash;As the 1975-76 Stanley Cup playoffs opened, the Montreal Canadiens were rated as 6-5 to win it all by Jimmy &ldquo;The Greek&rdquo; Snyder, the famous Las Vegas odd smaker. The defending champions, the Philadelphia Flyers, were rated 8-5 by the betting folk.An interesting sidelight surfaces. The team which has won the Vezina Trophy has won 10 of the last 20 Stanley Cups. That makes the Canadiens about even money. Perhaps Jimmy The Greek knows what he is doing.With Ken Dryden in the nets, and backup Bunny Larocque not included as a co-winner because he didn&rsquo;t play the required 25 games. Montreal allowed only 174 goals.Dryden&rsquo;s average was 2.03 with Chico Resch of the Islanders at 2.07. The Canadiens&rsquo; success was a tribute to coach Scotty Bowman, who slightly revamped the Habitants&rsquo; theories on fire wagon hockey.&ldquo;I told our players at the beginning of the year that if they reduced the number of goals against, we could win the Stanley Cup. It worked in the season, let&rsquo;s see what happens now.&rdquo;Fred Shero, the Flyers coach still claims. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have the best players, but we do have the best team. Our system works.&rdquo;It is a negative system, which relies on the other guys making a mistake in their own end and capitalizing on it.The Canadiens&rsquo; Guy Lafleur won the scoring championship with 125 points, getting 12 winning goals, as did teammate Yvan Cnnmover and the Fivers&rsquo; 61 goal winger Reggie Leach. Bobby Clarke, the runnerup to Lafleur had the most assists, 89&mdash;and made a fifty goal scorer out of Bill Barber, as well as creating most of Leach&rsquo;s opportunities.If the Flyers meet Montreal in the finals, they feel they can maintain their usual strangehold on Les Canadiens. They edged the wearers of the bleu, blanc and rouge 21-1, with Montreal winning the last game in the Forum.Bowman&rsquo;s troops were unable to handle the slightly less than Flyer type checking of the Buffalo Sabres in last spring&rsquo;s playdowns, so why should they take Philly this year? Because Bernie Parent is not the old Bernie, and Rick MacLeish will watch from the sidelines. In addition, the Flyers appeared tired in the stretch, although that may be a mirage.With all this talk about Philadelphia and Montreal, what about the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks, the winners of the Adams and Smythe Divisions? Boston, better this year than highly touted Buffalo, is no longer a team with a star complex. With Phil Esposito in New York, and both Brad Park and Bobby Orr on the sidelines, they continue to win. They have to rate third, mainly on being together, and on the great play of center Jean Ratelie, who may have had his greatest year.Chicago&rsquo;s win is a product of once more being in the right place at the right time. But the Hawks are defensively tough and could surprise.If Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston rate as the big three, the little three has to be Buffalo, the Islanders and Chicago. Can the Sabres put their defense back together? Will the Islanders, under the pressure of great expectations this year, do as well as last year?&ldquo;We want to do well so badly, it puts heavy pressure on us,&rdquo; admitted Resch, whose starry goaltending led the New York surge last year. &ldquo;You can feel the pressure. Everyone wants to do well, but we all worry.&rdquo;If form holds, certainly the Cup should go to one of the above six clubs, but it&rsquo;s worth mentioning that last year, the opening round alone, saw three upsets. The Islanders edged the Rangers in sudden death overtime, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat Los Angeles, and the Hawks wiped out Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito and the Bruins.The semi-finals might pair the Bruins and Flyers and the Canadiens with Buffalo, but the Sabres didn&rsquo;t even win their opening game with a sky high St. Louis team. Make that the Islanders versus Montreal. And remember the Isles also did well against Les Habitants, winding up 1-2-1. And they tied Montreal&rsquo;s 1974-75 power play record with 92.Goaltending usually prevails in the Stanley Cup. Bernie Parent brought Philadelphia home two years in a row, but Ken Dryden is back in top form this year. It might get down to who is better. Dryden, Boston&rsquo;s tandem of Gerry Cheevers and Gilles Gilbert or the Islanders&rsquo; Resch. If that seems to skip Wayne Stephenson, Gary Inness and Parent, make the most of it. But we have been wrong before.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-01481/3740539-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="558" height="1391"><figcaption class="caption-body">KEN DRYDEN &hellip;Key To Regaining Cup</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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History Shows Winning Vezina Trophy Has Produced IO Stanley Cup Winners

<div class="byline">BY NORM MacLEAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0021-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01325/3740570-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Rod Gilbert, right, shown with Rick Middleton, was one of the few bright spots in the dismal New York hockey picture this year Gilbert was named the Rangers&rsquo; MVP.</figcaption></div>NEW YORKJohn Bowie Ferguson won 14, lost 22 and tied 5 in his opening jaunt as coach of the New York Rangers. He took over a hopeless situation in mid season, stirred the competitive fires of his minions, but because of many different problems was unable to push the Rangers into a playoff spot.The Blueshirts won four of the last five, beating Philadelphia&rsquo;s Stanley Cup champions 2-0 in the finale, after absorbing a horrendous 10-2 pasting from the cross town Manders in the previous game.&ldquo;We gave them something to remember us with,&rdquo; said Fergy. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s show business. Go out laughing.&rdquo;Ferguson was pleased that his team bounced back from the Islander slaughter and exited proudly.&ldquo;He came into the room and reminded us that we were playing in front of our own people,&rdquo; revealed goalie John Davidson. &ldquo;It helped us get ready.&rdquo;Ferguson does a lot of brave talking about better performances from some of his present troops. He gave center Walter Tkaczuk and right winger Billy Fairbairn full ice against the Flyers.&ldquo;I wanted to see what they could do against Bobby Clarke&rsquo;s line.&rdquo; said Fergy. &ldquo;they did quite well. I wanted to look at them for future evaluation.&rdquo;Nonetheless, the Rangers need to be overhauled. A quiet check shows that Phil Esposito&rsquo;s salary figure as mentioned here recently isn&rsquo;t quite as high as estimated. It comes out to about two thirds of the $385,000 figure mentioned. That makes Phil more tradable, but Ferguson still insists &ldquo;Esposito&rsquo;s my man.&rdquo;The Rangers have a problem in goal. Davidson was named the winner of the Player&rsquo;s Player award, but realistically he is quite a distance from being a Stanley Cup winning goalie. Gilles Gratton should get a full shot next year.John is inconsistent, giving up the odd soft goal and dumping rebounds. He is a great competitor, and with a stronger supporting cast might be brought along.The Rangers defense allowed the most goals in the team&rsquo;s history, a terrible 333. They were blown out in at least ten games during the season, most of which came when the other guys scored goals in bunches. Carol Vadnais, obtained from the Bruins in The Trade, had a commendable offensive year, but still isn&rsquo;t the best defensive rearguard ever to don a Ranger uniform. Ron Greschner and Dave Maloney are youngsters with promise, but Greschner had a poor second season. Maloney was rushed into the breach and played pretty well. He is combative, but may have been in over his head in the NHL. There aren&rsquo;t too many Bobby Orrs, who can play in the big time, before they reach 20. Dave was drafted at 17, and played for Providence and the Rangers before reaching the normal draft age.A rival NHL general manager said, &ldquo;Maloney is a good hockey player. He will get better, but he is one of the reasons that the old draft age was the best. The kid was forcefed, and really got a baptism under fire.&rdquo;Dave was banged up pretty badly by Curt Bennett of the Atlanta Flames, then fractured 5 an ankle against Pittsburgh on March 21. But at 20, hope and pure talent will rise again.John Bednarski has the heat of a lion, but his talent quotient is somewhat below NHL. Nick Beverley is a pure defensive defenseman, and should stick somehow. But he is not a leader, either in the dressing room or on the ice.Doug Jarrett, a hitting rearguard, never really got full ice except for a short period in December and must be considered a question at this time. He is 32, and might make it back to regular duty, but training camp will answer the question on Dougie.Up front, Rod Gilbert earned the MVP award he received prior to the final game &mdash; and might just have been the only Ranger who wouldn&rsquo;t have been booed by the crowd. Gilbert had a good season, went both ways, logged 36 goals&rsquo; 50 assists and 86 points, despite missing ten games with a bad knee. Although it isn&rsquo;t mentioned anymore, Rod still resents not havingbeen namedthe captain. He is &ldquo;numero uno&rdquo; in the hearts of Ranger fans, and his plaintive &ldquo;It&rsquo;s so bad it&rsquo;s unbelievable,&rdquo; is understood by the long suffering Ranger fans.In the finale, Ferguson gave Wayne Dillon only one shift, leaving that young man very unhappy in the dressing room. The high priced former WHA star has a reputation for nonchecking, if slick offensive play. He finished with 21-24-45, which isn&rsquo;t bad considering his limited ice overall.&ldquo;He can&rsquo;t check his hat,&rdquo; said a rival player, summing up Dillon&rsquo;s weakness.Peter Stemkowski, long maligned as fat and overstuffed. played center for Steve Vickers and Gilbert in the finale. He may survive again. Never fast, She knows how to play the game, can rise to the occasion and while not a fighter, is respected in the fisticuffs department.If he remains in New York, the key is Esposito. It wasn&rsquo;t his fault that the &ldquo;new&rdquo; Rangers as assembled by Emile Francis after The Trade, had no feeling of togetherness &mdash; and were very much a fragmented group of in people. But Espo had, by his own admission, a &ldquo;despicable season,&rdquo; one he hopes to correct next year. He must take charge, as captain, and lead the Rangers somewhat like Denis Potvin does the Islanders.&ldquo;Potvin has become a good ice general,&rdquo; observed Ferguson. &ldquo;He is a real leader.&rdquo;What is accomplished in the off seasons may decide the Rangers fate next year. Look for a spate of changes. &#9632;

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Ferguson Plans Changes, Faced With Mammoth Job

<div class="byline">BY ALAN TRUEX</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-01353/3740615-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="499" height="448"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02268/3740608-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="466" height="457"></div>ATLANTA&mdash;In an effort to turn around sliding attendance and interest in their sport, the Atlanta Flames are bringing back one of hockey&rsquo;s most captivating characters, Bernie Geoffrion.The Boomer, who coached the Flames during their first two and a half years of existence, will return to Atlanta next season as a television color commentator. He will also do extensive publicity and promotional work for the Flames.Probably the most popular professional coach Atlanta has ever had, Geoffrion symbolized hockey in Atlanta and was generally credited as the main reason for its initial acceptance.But last February, Geoffrion resigned for unknown reasons, and the Boom days were over. Omni attendance instantly began to falter, and it has been off approximately 1,200 per game this season, with just two sellouts.&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;m gonna work on,&rdquo; Geoffrion said, &ldquo;bringing the fans back There&rsquo;s no reason why Atlanta Shouldn&rsquo;t sell out all their games, like the Islanders do.&rdquo;Geoffrion left the Flames&rsquo; organization near the end of last season, taking a job in Montreal as an advisor and agent for pro hockey players.But with the bidding war between he National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association all but over, hockey agents are finding their services less in demand and their commissions lowered. So Geoffrion began to look at opportunities to get back with a team.He was offered promotional jobs with St. Louis and the California Seals, but when Flames general manager Cliff Fletcher approached him in early March, the Boomer was immediately interested in a return to Atlanta.Even when Geoffrion left here last year, he said, &ldquo;My heart has always been in Atlanta and always will be.&rdquo; But at the time, the Flames would not make him the multi-year offer he desired.John Wilcox, who was president of the Flames at that time, was not one of Geoffrion&rsquo;s many admirers, and he made no effort to keep him in Atlanta.But when Fletcher replaced Wilcox as Flames president this season, the door was reopened for Geoffrion&rsquo;s return. The Hall of Fame right winger has been hired for a period exceeding three years.In his new capacity, Geoffrion will speak often at clubs and banquets. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a great salesman and a great showman,&rdquo; Fletcher says, &ldquo;and he can devote the time to promoting the sport that Fred (Creighton, Flames coach) and I don&rsquo;t have the time for.&rdquo;While Geoffrion&rsquo;s value as a promoter is indisputable his rejoining the Flames may have some troublesome side effects. Creighton is bound to feel a bit uneasy with his overwhelmingly popular predecessor back as the center of attention.Furthermore, Geoffrion, despite his personable nature, was not well liked by most of his players. It will be interesting to see how everyone gets along, now, particularly with the Boomer in a position to comment on the team as a TV analyst.FLAMES NOTES: Dan Bouchard&rsquo;s goaltending continued to get even better as the Flames wrapped up their regular season play&hellip;Tim Ecclestone, who along with Bill Clement has given the Flames some of the best penalty killing in the league, suffered a knee sprain in the 79th game of the season and was ruled out for the first round of the playoffs.There was not a mad rush to the box office when playoff tickets went on sale here. Less than 50 percent of the season ticket holders exercised their options to buy the playoff package&hellip;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03234/3740601-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="576" height="665"><figcaption class="caption-body">BERNIE GEOFFRION &hellip;Magic Touch</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Flames Rehire Geoffrion To Bring Fans Back

<div class="byline">BY PAT THOMPSON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0023-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01333/3740646-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">BILL GOLDSWORTH&hellip;Scoring Slump Hurt Stars</figcaption></div>TWIN CITIES&mdash;The Minnesota North Stars are taking an early vacation for the third straight season, once again locked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs after their worst season in history.The North Stars officially bowed out with one of their better efforts against Boston, tying the Bruins 2-2 in the Boston Garden behind rookie goalie Paul Harrison.That left the North Stars with a season record of 20-53-7 and 46 points, their fewest since admitted into the NHL for the 1967-68 season.Obviously, the major rebuilding task is still underway, and the next step will be the amateur draft and selection of the No. 3 player in the first round. Needs are evident. Although the Stars set a team record for penalty minutes this year, they were meek in moving people off strategic positions on both ends of the ice.&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to see us get a good defenseman who can mix it up and we need a big right winger to go with Bill Goldsworthy and Dean Talafous on that side,&rdquo; said coach Ted Harris, who completed his first season behind the bench. &ldquo;I understand some pretty good players will be available in the draft to help us fill some of our needs.&rdquo;Realistically, filling those two positions will help immensely, but more than two players are needed to turn around the North Stars&rsquo; slide in points and in the turnstiles.One highly placed official in the Stars&rsquo; executive chain figured the team currently possesses 11 players (not goalies) &ldquo;who can be qualified NHL players.&rdquo;That would leave seven to eight open spots for the training camp prospects next September.General manager Jack Gordon already has signed some of the new hopefuls, including 23-year-old forward Tom Younghans, a 5&rsquo;11&rdquo;, 175-pounder who was a standout on the University of Minnesota national championship team this spring.&ldquo;He is the hard-nosed type of individual we are looking for,&rdquo; said Gordon. &ldquo;He is a talented young player, but even more important, he is an extremely hard worker. There&rsquo;s no substitute for that quality.&rdquo;Younghans scored 19 goals and 24 assists in 44 games for the championship Minnesota club.Gordon and the Stars look like they&rsquo;ve come up with a gem of a left winger in U.S. Olympian Steve Jensen, who scored seven goals in the 19 games he played with the team since signing in February.And other youngsters like Tim Young, 18 goals and 33 assists in his rookie season of 63 games; Dean Talafous, 18 goals and 30 assists, and Bill Hogaboam, 28 goals and 33 assists, give the club potential.The North Stars did accomplish one objective. They reduced their goals-against thanks largely to Cesare Maniago&rsquo;s play, by 38 goals this season but their scoring was the second lowest in the NHL.&ldquo;Statistically, we need more goal scoring,&rdquo; said Harris. &ldquo;Part of that is from stressing defense at the start of the year. To be a playoff team, there has to be scoring without giving away too much.&rdquo;Part of the scoring lapse could be attributed to the knee and ankle injury Bill Goldsworthy suffered in December. When he returned from a 12-game absence in January, he scored only 10 goals the rest of the year and finished with 24.There were some surprises. Pierre Jarry, obtained in an offseason trade with Detroit, scored 21 goals although tailing off late in the year. Ernie Hicke, who also slumped at the finish, had his best year with 23 goals.Defensively, Doug Hicks is starting to show improvement, and Dwight Bialowas came up from New Haven to contribute five goals and 18 assists from the blueline.STAR DUST: Teammates picked Maniago as their MVP and Young as the top rookie with writers tabbing Fred Barrett as best defenseman and fans choosing Jarry as most popular&hellip;Hogaboam and Young tied for scoring honors, 51 points each&hellip;Hicke, Hicks and Dave Cressman played every game this year, Barrett and Dennis O&rsquo;Brien, who missed the finale with a broken finger, all but one, and Bryan Hextail played 79 games with Detroit and the North Stars &hellip;Injuries hit Blake Dunlop the hardest, forcing him to miss most of the second half after knee surgery&hellip;Attendance fell drastically, from an average of 13,587 to an average of 9,661&hellip;Minnesota&rsquo;s nine year log in the Boston Garden reads: 0-23-5&hellip;Stars Pete LoPresti, Lou Nanne, Mike Antonovich and Steve Jensen agreed to join the under-manned U.S. team for the Group &ldquo;A&rdquo; World Tournament in Poland&hellip;The team is being coached by John Mariucci. North Star director of college scouting and famed NHL enforcer of the 1940s. &#9632;

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North Stars Hope To Recoup With Rebuilding Program

<div class="byline">BY DONALD BERNS</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0024-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-01341/3740677-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">ED STANIOWSKI&hellip;Played Exceptional In Goal</figcaption></div>ST. LOUIS&mdash;The St. Louis goaltending corps, in turmoil several times this season, finally made room for Ed Staniowski.Staniowski was the Blues&rsquo; top pick in last June&rsquo;s amateur draft. St. Louis chose him almost simultaneously with the trading of John Davidson to the New York Rangers, and Blues&rsquo; officials said at the time the drafting of Staniowski made possible the trading of Davidson.Staniowski came to training camp with a rave review by Glenn Hall, the Blues&rsquo; special consultant on goaltending. But Staniowski found three other goalies in camp and he was the odd man out.With Staniowski in Providence the Blues had Eddie Johnston, Yves Belanger and Gilles Gratton in the nets.Gratton quit the team in December after an argument with former coach Garry Young, and Staniowski was called from Providence but played in only three games before he was sent back a month later for regular work. Johnston became the No. 1 goalie as Belanger faltered. When Belanger was sent to Providence in early March Staniowski was summoned again and received a substantial amount of work in spelling the 39-year-old Johnston.Staniowski has played some exceptional games and has accomplished much toward securing a job for next season.The 20-year-old Staniowski says, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very young and have to learn a lot but I plan to be around for awhile. It wouldn&rsquo;t hurt my pride to have to go to Providence again, but I&rsquo;m very fortunate to be in the National Hockey League.&rdquo;Staniowski has a composure that is not common to goalies of his age or experience. He amazed St. Louis coach Leo Boivin, a cool customer himself, in a game against Pittsburgh. Staniowski, playing his eighth NHL game, gave up Jean Pronovost&rsquo;s 51st goal of the season when the game was only six seconds old, then shut out the Penguins until Pierre Larouche, another Pittsburgh sharpshooter, got his 46th goal of the season with a screen shot on a power play in the third period as the Blues won, 5-2.&ldquo;That first goal didn&rsquo;t even shake him up,&rdquo; said an admiring Boivin. &ldquo;He settled down and played &lsquo;em tough.&rdquo;&ldquo;I made a mistake on that first goal because I didn&rsquo;t step back,&rdquo; said Staniowski, &ldquo;but I guess we learn from our mistakes.&rdquo;Staniowski is learning rapidly and he gives much of the credit to JohnBton, the old pro who has the patience and kindness to impart some knowledge to a man half his age.&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to admit the reason I have confidence is Eddie Johnston,&rdquo; said Staniowski, who shares a room with Johnston when the team is travelling. &ldquo;He shows me how to get up for a game, how to warm up. He knows the shooters; he knows everything about the game.&rdquo;Even though Staniowski has not been tested thoroughly in the NHL, he appears to be the Blues&rsquo; goalie of the future. Johnston, who loves regular work, is heading toward his 40th birthday.The 1975-76 season has been unsettled for the Blues&rsquo; goal tending. A year ago the two regular goalies were Davidson and Belanger. Now the first two are Johnston and Staniowski, a young man who has been given a chance for a major league career and is making the most of his opportunity. &#9632;

f0024-01

Staniowski Winning Blues’ Goaling Job For Next Year

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0026-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-01292/3740708-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

f0026-01

NHL’s Top PP Scorers

As a result of interest in studying the Soviet&rsquo;s scientific approach to the game of hockey plans are underway to expand the size of the group going to Moscow. During the last two years, the Soviets limited the number of visiting coaches to 45. THE HOCKEY NEWS has learned that Dr. Ed Enos, who pioneered the establishment of the study program, is on his way to Moscow to petition the USSR Ice Hockey Federation to permit more coaches and hockey administrators to become involved in the 1976 study.Fred Shero, one of the 1974 participants, says the course &ldquo;certainly was one of the greatest learning experiences in my entire hockey career. The overall program was excellent and the course is a must for any serious student of the game of hockey. Their scientific approach to every sport is very impressive.&rdquo;The course has been organized on a non-profit educational basis with tuition, (6 credit hours), complete meals, accommodations, air and land transportation, sightseeing. Cultural and sporting events for 81,095. The arrangements in Moscow are being subsidized financially in part by the Sports Committee of the USSR.Two possible time periods are being considered. The study will be conducted either from June 3rd &mdash; 19th or May 13th &mdash; 28th.For an application form, interested parties should write:THE INSTITUTE OF COMPARATIVEPHYSICAL EDUCATIONCONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, LOYOLA CAMPUS,7200 Sherbrooke St., W., Montreal, P.Q.Canada H4B1R6Or phone Mrs. Corrigan (514) 482-0320, ext. 733. &#9632;

SOVIET HOCKEY STUDY EXPANDS

MONTREAL&mdash;Phil Esposito is still the king of the power play in the National Hockey League, despite his poorest season in nine years, the last six of which he had led the league in scoring.Esposito finished the 1975-76 campaign with a total of 19 power play goals. 16 of them in 62 games with the Rangers, while three others were scored with the Boston Bruins. In all. Esposito notched 35 goals, his poorest output since 1967-68. his inaugural year in Boston.Three players, scoring leader Guy Lafleur of Montreal, as well as Pierre Larouche of Pittsburgh and Denis Potvin of the Islanders, were tied for second spot in power play goals with 18 each.Lafleur finished the season with 125 points and had a total of 56 goals, while Larouche joined the 50-goal circle in his sophomore season by potting 53 markers in all.Potvin, who became only the second defenseman to ever score more than 30 goals in a single season. joining Bobby Orr who has accomplished the feat five times, had a total of 31 goals this year.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02236/3740763-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="562" height="1099"><figcaption class="caption-body">PHIL ESPOSITO &hellip; Still Has Scoring Touch</figcaption></div>Jean Ratelie of Boston was alone in fifth place in the power play goals category-with 17,15 of them since his trade from the Rangers.Next came Billy Harris of the Islanders. who scored half of his goals, 16 on the power play, followed by Philadelphia&rsquo;s Bill Barber, who had 15, and Gilbert Perreault of Buffalo, who scored 14 power play goals.There was a log-jam of players tied at the 13 mark in power play goals. Heading the list was 52-goal scorer Jean Pronovost of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Errol Thompson of Toronto, who fired 43 goals on the season.Also included in the group at 13 were St. Louis &lsquo;Iron Man&rsquo; Unger, who had 39 goals. Boston&rsquo;s Johnny Bucyk who had 36 and Gary Dornhoefer of the Flyers, who had a total of 28 goals this season.One unusual note is the fact that Reg Leach of Philadelphia, the league&rsquo;s leading goalscorer with 61, was far down the list in power play goals. He netted just 10. &#9632;

f0026-02

Espo Still Power Play Leader Despite Disappointing Season

Thinking of attending or sending someone to a Youth Hockey Camp? If so, you can&rsquo;t be without the brand new and unique 1976 GUIDE which fully describes over 30 summer boarding hockey camps and schools for boys 6-18 in Eastern U.S. and Canada, all 1 hour to a day&rsquo;s ride. Why spend $4.00 in stamps and countless hours of writing when for $1.90 you can have this valuable writeup on each and every listed camp including program, ice time, cost, living conditions, instructors, dates, off ice activities, services, etc.Bulk discounts for orders of five or more are available. To order a copy, send $1.90 check or money order which includes postage and handling to:Creative Info Services38 Garden Parkway, Norwood, Mass. 02062. &#9632;

1976 SUMMER GUIDE TO YOUTH HOCKEY CAMPS

<div class="byline">BY RICH PASSAN</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY. LTD. Arnold Street, Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U. S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY. LTD. Arnold Street, Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U. S. and CanadaINDIANAPOLIS&mdash;Jacques Demers knew it all along, despite all his critics.&ldquo;I had a lot of criticism,&rdquo; said Demers, who has led his Indianapolis Racers to the top of the heap in the World Hockey Association&rsquo;s tight East Division race. &ldquo;But I knew if I got the players playing together, we would win.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the most talented club in the league,&rdquo; continued the 31-year-old coach, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s the best as a team.&rdquo; And the Racers went out and proved it by reeling off a 10-game unbeaten streak (7-0-3) that gained them first place.Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Racers were the only East club to have clinched a spot in the Avco Trophy playoffs. They split their final two games, (both with New England), and finished on top by a slim one point over Cleveland and three over New England. The Cincinnati Stingers missed the playoffs, endingin last place.Comfortable is the perfect adjective because for a while, a team could slip from first place into last with a loss and go from the basement to the top with a victory.Demers credits Indy General Manager Jim Browitt with helping him develop the Racers into a contending team. &ldquo;It took a little time, but he was behind me all the way,&rdquo; said Demers, who was behind the bench of the old Chicago Cougars last season.Demers and Browitt made 27 changes throughout the campaign, making some moves that did not please the fans. One saw high-scoring Bobby Whitlock shipped to the minor leagues.&ldquo;A lot of fans liked him. but I knew he couldn&rsquo;t make this hockey club,&rdquo; said Demers, who has stressed two-way play. Whitlock preferred to play only one end of the ice and suffered the consequences.Another move saw young goaltender Michel Dion brought up from the minors.&ldquo;When I put in Michel, a lot of people questioned it,&rdquo; said Demers, who turned out to be a genius with the move. Dion has the WHA&rsquo;s best goals-against average of 2.70 and was unbeaten in nine games before dropping a 4-1 decision to Houston.However, he came right back and stopped the Toronto Toros at Maple Leaf Gardens in the game that assured the Racers of postseason action. Dion lost 11 of his first 12 games, including five straight by one goal, before getting hot.After tightening the defense, Demers sought some offensive punch in a lineup that wouldn&rsquo;t scare a minor league goalie. He dealt away several fan favorites for the likes of high-scoring forwards Renald Leclerc and Mike Parizeau and then picked up veteran Dave Keon.Now the Racers have a fine blend of offense and defense. They have gone from being laughed at to respectable to contender in less than two years. &ldquo;This team making the playoffs is the biggest comeback in hockey,&rdquo; Demers declared.When ballots for coach of the year roll in, don&rsquo;t be surprised that Demers&rsquo; name appears on quite a few of them.CINCINNATI: The Stingers were knocked out of it. They remained in contention with an important 5-2 victory over Cleveland in their last home game of the season but ended up losing their last league game the one they had to win to make the playoffs to the Crusaders 6-3 in Cleveland.Just a couple of days earlier, in their Businessman&rsquo;s Special, the Stingers were walloped by the Phoenix Roadrunners, 7-2. The Queen City skaters were never in this one, the Runners bombing for tour unanswered goals in the opening period.For the Cleveland game, coach Terry Slater surprisingly benched center iceman Soupy Campbell and defenseman and captain Mike Pelvk. Slater believed they were not providing the leadership down the stretch.At the same time, Slater had his troops wearing the road uniforms at home and rearranged the configuration of the dressing room to have defense tandems and linemates on the forward lines sitting together.CLEVELAND: The Crusaders welcomed back center Jim Harrison after the high-scoring center iceman missed a couple of weeks with an aggravated knee injury. He didn&rsquo;t score in a 5-1 victory over the New England Whalers, but he set the tempo early with some heavybodychecking.The Crusaders were locked in a three-way tie with Cincinnati and New England going into the final weekend but came out with second place ahead of the Whalers while relegating the Stingers to last place and a spot outside the playoffs. The Crusaders faced New England in the first round of the Avco Trophy play.Left winger Gary Jarrett finally snapped his Cleveland jinx. Jarrett&rsquo;s first 13 goals this season came on the road. He scored twice in the New England triumph&hellip;Gary MacGregor has seen more bench time down the stretch and has not pleased coach John Wilson with his performances thus far. The normally high-scoring center has just five goals and three assists in 34 games.NEW ENGLAND: The Whalers went down to the final weekend before settling their playoff fate. They needed at least a split with Indianapolis in the final two games and a Cleveland victory over Cincinnati to get in. As it turned out they made it to third, two points ahead of Cincinnati.The Harpoonists who have been hit hard by the injury jinx all season, had to finish the campaign without their best goaltender, Christer Abrahamsson, and one of their best defensemen, Brad Seiwood.Abrahamsson, should the Whalers make the playoffs, is a question mark. So, too, is Selwood. The addition of Ron Busniuk from Minnesota has helped some defensively, but Bruce Landon has had to be a one-man goaltending team. Only inexperienced Cap Raeder backs him up.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-01259/3740818-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="562" height="1198"><figcaption class="caption-body">RON BUSNIUK &hellip;Helped Whalers</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Indy Outhustles Whalers, Crusaders To Make Prophet Of Coach Demers

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0029-07" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0755/3740915-1-eng-US/f0029-072.jpg"></div>Most Valuable Player &mdash; Marc Tardif, QuebecRookie of The Year &mdash; Mark Napier, Toronto &#9632;

f0029-07

WHA All Star Teams

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0848/3740981-1-eng-US/f0029-082.jpg" title="f0029-08" width="447" height="563"><figcaption class="caption-body">RON GRAHAME &hellip;Goaler</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0943/3740974-1-eng-US/f0029-092.jpg" title="f0029-09" width="452" height="599"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARTY HOWE &hellip;Defense</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1037/3740967-1-eng-US/f0029-102.jpg" title="f0029-10" width="445" height="587"><figcaption class="caption-body">PAUL SHMYR &hellip;Defense</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1132/3740960-1-eng-US/f0029-112.jpg" title="f0029-11" width="445" height="592"><figcaption class="caption-body">ROBBIE FTOREK &hellip;Center</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1228/3740953-1-eng-US/f0029-122.jpg" title="f0029-12" width="452" height="593"><figcaption class="caption-body">REAL CLOUTIER &hellip;Right Wing</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1322/3740946-1-eng-US/f0029-132.jpg" title="f0029-13" width="440" height="594"><figcaption class="caption-body">BOBBY HULL &hellip;Left Wing</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0029-08

Second Team Selections

<div class="byline">BY CHARLIE HALPIN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01223/3740884-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="523" height="592"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARCTARDIF &hellip;Selected MVP</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02184/3740877-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="520" height="586"><figcaption class="caption-body">JOE DALEY &hellip; First Team Goal</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03127/3740870-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="529" height="609"><figcaption class="caption-body">PAT STAPLETON &hellip; First Team Defense</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0497/3740863-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="523" height="583"><figcaption class="caption-body">J.C. TREMBLAY &hellip; Most Versatile</figcaption></div>MONTREAL&mdash;The Canadian Division was the guts of the World Hockey Association&rsquo;s 1975-76 season and it evoked little surprise that when it came time to name All Stars, the Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques, the two power clubs of the division, were the major recipients.Led by scoring champion Marc Tardif, who walked away with double honors in the fourth annual WHA All Stars selections conducted by THE HOCKEY NEWS, the Nordiques and Jets dominated the teams placing seven players on the 12-man squad.Tardif, who scintillated WHA audience this year with a fabulous 48-point scoring year to set a league record and counted 71 goals to become major league hockey&rsquo;s only 70-goal man, was chosen both as the first team left winger and the most valuable player in the WHA this season. Tardif was a unanimous choice for the All Star team and received most of the votes for the MVP voting as well.The Canadian champion Winnipeg Jets put three players on the first team and one, Bobby Hull at left wing, on the second team to monopolize the All Star picks. Hull&rsquo;s two regulinemates, center Ulf Nilsson and right wing Anders Hedberg, the two former Swedish National team stars, were named to the first team along with Jets&rsquo; goaler Joe Daley to give Winnipeg a sweep of half the team positions.Defenseman Pat Stapleton of Indianapolis, probably the WHA&rsquo;s premier backliner, was chosen for one defense spot along with J.C. Tremblay, the versatile Quebec Nordique, who was as valuable defensively to Quebec as Tardif was offensively.The West Division titleholders, Houston Aeros, placed two men on the second team with goaler Ron Grahame and defenseman Marty Howe getting the call. Also chosen on defense was Cleveland&rsquo;s Paul Shmyr. Little Robbie Ftorek, who set all kinds of Phoenix club records this season and produced a 113-point and 41-goal year, was picked as the second team center. Real Cloutier of Quebec ended a remarkable season scoring 60 times and achieving 114 points to be chosen as the right winger with Hull on the left side.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0588/3740856-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="768" height="1264"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Winnipeg duo of Ulf Nilsson, left, and Anders Hedberg won first team All Star berths. Nilsson was voted to center and Hedberg was named the best right winger.</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0669/3740849-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="910" height="1264"></div>The other individual award was the naming of the WHA&rsquo;s Rookie of the Year and the decision was a difficult one with at least four young performers in the running. The final choice was Mark Napier of the Toronto Toros, who scored 43 goals in 78 games in his rookie season to edge out goaler Michel Dion of Indianapolis, the unknown freshman credited with coming on the WHA scene midway in the season and leading the Racers into first place in the East Division race.For a few selection meant a return to last year&rsquo;s honors on THE HOCKEY NEWS&rsquo; teams, Fov Tremblay, who does everything so well and helps coach the Nordiques defensively, it was second his second firat team nomination in two years. Hull was first team in 1975 and Tardif was on the second team. This time around they exchanged and deservedly so.Hull had another sterling year for the Jets with 53 goals and 123 points but his performance was overshadowed by young Tardif, who came on strong this campaign as a twoway performer while contributing so much to the Quebec offense. Tardif led the WHA in both goals and assists this year.No WHA All Star team would be complete without Hedberg and Nilsson. Hedberg was selected as the 1975 Rookie of the Year and his choice proved an astute one as he emerged as the best right winger in his second year in the league. He had 105 points and scored 50 goals.Stapleton&rsquo;s choice was a tribute to the little guy&rsquo;s determination and sound play behind the Indianapolis blueline. He was partnered with the player who set a WHA record of over 350 penalty minutes in rookie Kim Clackson. But it didn&rsquo;t deter Stapleton in the least. He managed 44scoring points in 80 games and directed 205 shots at opposing netminders. Indy coach Jacques Demers credited Stapleton with settling the Racers&rsquo; defense down all season long.Grahame, Marty Howe, Ftorek and Cloutier are newcomers to THE HOCKEY NEWS&rsquo; All Stars teams. Shmyr is returning from last year&rsquo;s second team. &#9632;

f0029-01

Nordiques’ Tardif Wins Double Honors; Canadian Teams Dominate Voting, Awards

(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0580/3741071-1-eng-US/f0030-052.jpg" title="f0030-05" width="536" height="576"></div> &#9632;

f0030-05

How WHA Finished

<h2>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0747/3741102-1-eng-US/f0030-072.jpg" title="f0030-07" width="589" height="1434"></div> &#9632;

f0030-07

WHA Leaders

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-0686/3741241-1-eng-US/f0031-062.jpg" title="f0031-06" width="568" height="645"><figcaption class="caption-body">RICK JODZIO &hellip; May Face Charges</figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-01233/3741248-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg" title="f0031-01" width="124" height="346"></div>QUEBEC CITY &mdash;Violence erupted in the start of the World Hockey Association playoffs with the league&rsquo;s scoring champion Marc Tardif carried from the ice on a stretcher in a brawl-filled second game of the Calgary-Quebec quarter-final series.Tardif, who closed the regular season last week with a record 148 scoring points and became the only major leaguer to reach the 70-goal plateau this season, was felled by a vicious charge from Calgary&rsquo;s Rick Jodzio that sent him to hospital with a concussion.City authorities were also involved in the matter as they launched an investigation to see if assault charges would be brought against Jodzio for his unwarranted attack on Tardif.The rugged Calgary Cowboys jumped the Nordiques 2-0 in the first two games of their best-of-seven series winning 3-1 in a peacefull opening game and taking the fight-filled second encounter 8-4, both of which were played on the Nordiques&rsquo; home ice and put them at a disadvantage with the next two games scheduled for the Corral in Calgary.Quebec coach Jean-Guy Gendron was fuming after the second-game defeat. &ldquo;In 20 years of hockey, I&rsquo;ve never seen the likes of it,&rdquo; said Gendron of Jodzio&rsquo;s first-period attack on Tardif.Jodzio came off the Calgary bench at the 6:10 mark of the first period racing 80-fact across the ice to charge Tardif with a high stick across the face. With Tardif semiconscious, Jodzio provoked a bench-clearing brawl when he dropped his gloves and unleashed a flurry of punches to the head of the fallen Tardif. While both benches emptied on the ice, Tardif &lsquo;was removed on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital for observation for a mild concussion. He was kept overnight and released and the Nordiques hoped he could get back into action when the series moves to Calgary for games three and four.The Nordiques said criminal charges would be filed against Jodzio. WHA vice-president Bud Poile witnessed the incident but offered no comment after the game.Referee Steve Dowling was hard pressed to control tempers and it took nearly two hours to play the 20-minute first period. The referee received help from 20 Quebec city policemen to restore order. Dowling sent the teams to their dressing rooms when the fighting stopped and banished five players from each team from the game, including Jodzio and Quebec&rsquo;s Gord Gallant, both of whom received match penalties. In all Dowling called 194 minutes in penalties.While the fighting occupied the spotlight, the Cowboys got two-goal performances from Gavin Kirk and George Morrison to overpower the Nordiques for the second straight game.In the other Canadian Division semi-final series, hockey was more the order of the day even though goaler Joe Daley of the Winnipeg Jets received a rare match penalty for swinging his stick at an Edmonton player in the second game of the series.The Jets were easily the masters of the Oilers winning both games in Winnipeg 7-3 and 5-4 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, which moves to Edmonton&rsquo;s Coliseum for games three and four.Ulf Nilsson provided the winning goal for the Jets in game two when he scored after 54 seconds of overtime play to break a 4-4 tie.It was Nilsson&rsquo;s second goal of the game and the third for his line. Bobby Hull scored once for the Jets on a pass from Nilsson.Daley was banished from the game in the first period when he tripped Rusty Patenaude as he skated through Daley&rsquo;s goalcrease. Moments later Patenaude skated back through the crease and hit Daley with his stick. Daley took off after Patenaude striking him a blow on the shoulder with his goaling stick. Patenaude received a minor penalty for spearing and Daley was thrown out of the game for intent to injure. Curt Larsson replaced Daley the rest of the way in the Winnipeg goal.Dave Dryden of Edmonton played a spectacular game as he kicked out 57 of 62 shots directed at him by the powerful Jets.</div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-0773/3741234-1-eng-US/f0031-072.jpg" title="f0031-07" width="568" height="611"><figcaption class="caption-body">ULF NILSSON &hellip;Winner In Overtime</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0031-06

Calgary Jumps Nordiques Winning Twice On Quebec Ice

CLEVELAND&mdash;The New England Whalers breezed past the Cleveland Crusaders in their best-of-five World Hockey Association playoff start and the Whalers really rubbed it in to the Crusaders as they won the last two games on Cleveland ice.The Whalers won the right to advance to the East Division finals against the Indianapolis Racers in a best-of-seven series to determine the opposition for the U.S. final in which the surviving teams in both the East and West divisions will play off for the right to oppose the Canadian Division winner in the WHA&rsquo;s first Canada-U.S. championship final under the league&rsquo;s new playoff format.New England won 5-3 in the series opener at home before going on to Cleveland to clean up the Crusaders 6-1 and 3-2 for a three-game sweep.Goaler Bruce Landon was in nets for all three New England victories as the Whalers came on to outhustle and outscore the Crusaders 14-6. &#9632;

Whalers Sweep Crusaders For Easy Playoff Victory

<h2>SERIES &lsquo;A&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-02187/3741324-1-eng-US/f0031-022.jpg" title="f0031-02" width="587" height="76"></div>(Winnipeg leads beat-of-seven series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. April 9Edmonton 3 at Winnipeg 7Sun. April 11Edmonton 4 at Winnipeg 5<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Wed. April 14Winnipeg at EdmontonFri. April 16Winnipeg at EdmontonSun. April 18Edmonton at WinnipegWed. April 21Winnipeg at EdmontonFri. April 23Edmonton at Winnipeg<h2>SERIES &lsquo;B&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-03156/3741317-1-eng-US/f0031-032.jpg" title="f0031-03" width="581" height="76"></div>(Calgary leads best-of-seven series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sat. April 10Calgary 3 at Quebec 1Sun. April 11Calg ary 8 at Quebec 4<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Wed. April 14Quebec at CalgaryFri. April 16Quebec at CalgarySun. April 18Calgary at Quebec.Wed. April 21Quebec at CalgaryFri or Sat. Apri. 23-24Calgary at Quebec<h2>SERIES &lsquo;C&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-04124/3741310-1-eng-US/f0031-042.jpg" title="f0031-04" width="590" height="77"></div>(New England wins best-of-five series 3-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. April 9Cleveland 3 at New England 5Sat. April 10New England 6 at Cleveland 1Sun. April 11New England 3 at Cleveland 2<h2>SERIES &lsquo;D&rsquo;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-05110/3741303-1-eng-US/f0031-052.jpg" title="f0031-05" width="586" height="75"></div>(Best-of-five series tied 1-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. April 9San Diego 2 at Phoenix 3Sat. April 10Phoenix 2 at San Diego 4<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Tue. April 13San Diego at PhoenixThu. April 15Phoenix at San DiegoFri or Sat Apr. 16-17San Diego at Phoenix &#9632;

f0031-02

Avco Scoreboard

GP&mdash;Games played; G&mdash;Goafs; A&mdash;Assists; P&mdash;Points;PM&mdash;Penalty Minutes; SOG&mdash;Shots on Goal; SC% &mdash;Scoring Percentage.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-20/3741537-1-eng-US/f0032-202.jpg" title="f0032-20" width="790" height="796"></div><h2>CALGARY</h2>COWBOYS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-01234/3741530-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="169" height="158"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02174/3741523-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg" title="f0032-02" width="727" height="619"></div><h2>CINCINNATI</h2>STINGERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-03119/3741516-1-eng-US/f0032-032.jpg" title="f0032-03" width="172" height="191"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0475/3741509-1-eng-US/f0032-042.jpg" title="f0032-04" width="726" height="566"></div><h2>CLEVELAND</h2>CRUSADERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0545/3741502-1-eng-US/f0032-052.jpg" title="f0032-05" width="206" height="205"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0629/3741495-1-eng-US/f0032-062.jpg" title="f0032-06" width="728" height="638"></div><h2>EDMONTON</h2>OILERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0721/3741488-1-eng-US/f0032-072.jpg" title="f0032-07" width="207" height="199"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0818/3741481-1-eng-US/f0032-082.jpg" title="f0032-08" width="727" height="592"></div><h2>HOUSTON</h2>AEROS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-0912/3741474-1-eng-US/f0032-092.jpg" title="f0032-09" width="267" height="192"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-1010/3741467-1-eng-US/f0032-102.jpg" title="f0032-10" width="727" height="547"></div><h2>INDIANAPOLIS</h2>RACERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-117/3741460-1-eng-US/f0032-112.jpg" title="f0032-11" width="231" height="166"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-126/3741453-1-eng-US/f0032-122.jpg" title="f0032-12" width="729" height="567"></div><h2>NEW ENGLAND</h2>WHALERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-134/3741446-1-eng-US/f0032-132.jpg" title="f0032-13" width="258" height="128"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-143/3741439-1-eng-US/f0032-142.jpg" title="f0032-14" width="725" height="617"></div><h2>PHOENIX</h2>ROADRUNNERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-153/3741432-1-eng-US/f0032-152.jpg" title="f0032-15" width="167" height="148"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-163/3741425-1-eng-US/f0032-162.jpg" title="f0032-16" width="723" height="581"></div><h2>QUEBEC</h2>NORDIQUES<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-173/3741418-1-eng-US/f0032-172.jpg" title="f0032-17" width="197" height="197"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-182/3741411-1-eng-US/f0032-182.jpg" title="f0032-18" width="729" height="566"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-19/3741404-1-eng-US/f0032-192.jpg" title="f0032-19" width="1278" height="955"><figcaption class="caption-body">Despite his ageing years, Gordie Howe still managed to reach the 100-point mark this season and ended up as the Houston Aeros&rsquo; No. 1 point man. Howe had 98 points going into the final WHA game of the year and came out with a productive night to finish with 102, including 32 goals.</figcaption></div><h2>SAN DIEGO</h2>MARINERS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-21/3741397-1-eng-US/f0032-212.jpg" title="f0032-21" width="169" height="178"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-22/3741390-1-eng-US/f0032-222.jpg" title="f0032-22" width="719" height="543"></div><h2>TORONTO</h2>TOROS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-23/3741383-1-eng-US/f0032-232.jpg" title="f0032-23" width="218" height="232"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-24/3741376-1-eng-US/f0032-242.jpg" title="f0032-24" width="724" height="594"></div><h2>WINNIPEG</h2>JETS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-25/3741369-1-eng-US/f0032-252.jpg" title="f0032-25" width="178" height="166"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-26/3741362-1-eng-US/f0032-262.jpg" title="f0032-26" width="728" height="589"></div><h3>GOALING LEADERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-27/3741355-1-eng-US/f0032-272.jpg" title="f0032-27" width="718" height="390"></div> &#9632;

f0032-20

SCORING AND PENALTY STATISTICS ‘

<div class="byline">BY DOUG McCONNELL</div>PHOENIX&mdash;The Roadrunners clinched second place in the World Hockey Association&rsquo;s West division, overcoming food poisoning to half the team to wallop the Cincinnati Stingers in a noon hour business day special at Cincinnati, but returned home to the embarrassment of an 8-2 drubbing by the Houston Aeros on their season-end awards night.Jim Boyd scored as the Roadrunners built up a 4-0 first period lead at Cincinnati, but was too ill to continue and 20-year old Dave Gorman moved into the center ice slot from his wing position to take up the slack.Gorman scored a goal and three assists for his first four point game. Gorman had been averaging just one point every four games.The Roadrunners surrendered their 87th power play goal of the season and their 21st to Houston in a game which turned into a rout with five second period goals by the visitors. The former WHA record of 76 was set last season by Phoenix.Houston had won eight in succession and nine of 10 with Phoenix this season.Team captain Al McLeod was named the winner of the Sandy Hucul Award as the team&rsquo;s moat inspirational and dedicated player.Kevin Devine&rsquo;s goal for San Diego with 5:06 remaining at Houston was a milestone.It was his 20th of the season, gave the San Diego Mariners a 4-3 victory over the Houston Aeros and assured them a berth in the World Hockey Association playoffs.They meet the Phoenix Roadrunners in the best-of-five first round.The Mariners also lost 4-2 at Cleveland, almost guaranteeing the Crusaders a spot in the playoffs, and became the Aeros 32nd home ice victim by a 5-2 count&hellip;Andre Lacroix scored one of the two goals at Cleveland, his 28th of the season, to reach the 100-point plateau. The two-time scoring champion is tied for eighth among WHA marksmen.John French scored the other at Cleveland, his 25th, while Norm Ferguson counted his 37th in the loss at Houston.Ernie Wakely&rsquo;s 3.29 goals against average is fifth among WHA regular goaltenders. Michel Dion of Indianapolis leads with 2.74. Joe Daley of Winnipeg has a 2.84 mark, Jack Norris of Phoeni a 3.18 mark and Ron Grahame of Houston a 3.26 average. &#9632;

Roadrunners Stagger Down Stretch To End Second

<div class="byline">BY DOUG McCONNELL</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0033-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01210/3741592-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARTY HOWE&hellip; Set Record For Defensemen</figcaption></div>HOUSTON&mdash;The Houston Aeros broke the World Hockey Association record for most power play goals in a season, scoring a pair in a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Mariners to raise their total to 75 with one game remaining.The Winnipeg Jets set the former record, 74, last season.The Aeros counted four power play goals in an 8-2 rout of the Phoenix Roadrunners tospoil the Roadrunners&rsquo; awards night and remind the Phoenix team of the domination the Aeros have held in the series between the two teams.Houston has counted 21 power play goals against the Roadrunners in winning eight consecutive games and nine of 10 this season.The Roadrunners have allowed 87 power play goals, well over the league 4 record of 76 they set last season.The Aeros finished 22 points ahead of the second place Roadrunners in the Western Division standings and posted 106 points overall, the same number as the Winnipeg Jets, the Canadian Division champs. The Aeros. however, won nine games 53&mdash;52, and took the league title as the result.If Houston and Winnipeg should meet in the Avco World Trophy finals, the extra home game goes to the team with the best record, which would be Houston.The Aeros&rsquo; 5-2 win over San Diego and 8-5 romp over Phoenix in the league windup, pushed Houston&rsquo;s record to 33 home ice victories, passing Quebec for the best home-ice record and the WHA record. The former record of 30 home ice victories was set by New England in 1972-73.Houston has won 20 on the road. Winnipeg has the best road record with 22 victories.Don Larway netted his 30th goal of the season, against San Diego.Old pro Gordie Howe scored two goals in a 4-1 win at Indianapolis, ending the Racers&rsquo; 10-game unbeaten streak, and his oldest son, Marty. scored a goal, raising the team record for goals by a defensemen to 14. Marty had the former record of 13.During the week of his 48th birthday, Howe reached the 98 point mark, and finished up with 102. the same as Quebec&rsquo;s Serge Bernier. Howe was 32-70-102 to lead all the Aeros in points.Larry Lund, the team&rsquo;s second leading scorer (24-49&mdash;73) is out with a broken right thumb, the result of a collision with Robbie Ftorek of Phoenix. but is expected back for the playoffs.Ted Taylor is out for an indefite period with refactory mononucleosis all though team physician Dr. Al Knoll said Taylor might be able to return for some of the playoffs.Taylor has 15 goals and 25 assists in 68 games.&ldquo;Teddy&rsquo;s value to our team isn&rsquo;t shown in the statistics,&rdquo; said coach Bill Dineen. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s our captain. He leads our club, and he&rsquo;s a good penalty killer.&rdquo;Down on the farm, Bob Liddington underwent surgery to repair torn knee ligaments. &ldquo;With Liddington out. we won&rsquo;t call anyone up,&rdquo; said Dineen. &ldquo;You know, we&rsquo;re fortunate to have our depth. We&rsquo;ll keep working hard because everyone&rsquo;s going to need the work &#9632;

f0033-01

Houston Sets Record For Power Play Goals

<h2>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02174/3741668-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="589" height="529"></div><h2>FINALGOALING RECORDS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03133/3741661-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="589" height="459"></div> &#9632;

f0034-02

AHL Leaders

<div class="byline">BY AL FISCHER</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaIn the parlance of William Shakespeare. &ldquo;All&rsquo;s well that ends well.&rdquo;For the Richmond Robins, every-thing ended exceedingly well, as the American Hockey League concluded its 40th season of regular campaigning.The Robins culminated a three-week drive that produced six victories and a pair of ties in their last 10 starts, the resurgent Richmond crew awarding their faithful fans with a second place finish on the final night of the season.While New Haven was losing to Rochester on the final night of the season, the Robins received an all out team effort that produced a 4-1 victory over Providence, a victory that vaulted the Robins into a point tie with New Haven for second place, both with identical 29-39-8 records for 66 points.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-01227/3741630-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="578" height="1033"><figcaption class="caption-body">JEAN-GUY GRATTON &hellip; Scoring Champ</figcaption></div>However, the Robins were awarded the runner-up spot and the important home ice advantage by virtue of their edge in the season&rsquo;s series with New Haven.The second-place finish was a well earned accomplishment for coach Larry Wilson and the Richmond club.They got off to a fast start, but then were inundated by injuries and recalls, and went into a prolonged slump that threatened their playoff chances.Just three weeks ago, theyheld only a slim one-point margin over Baltimore in the battle for the division&rsquo;s last playoff berth, but a combination of a complete Baltimore collapse and Richmond&rsquo;s own return to its former aggressive style produced the needed impetus for the final playoff push.The addition of Steve Hull and Don McLean, on loan from Calgary and the return of Gordie Smith, helped settle a somewhat unsettled defense and the Robins moved into the first round of the playoffs with renewed confidence.Wilson was optimistic about his team&rsquo;s chances of going &ldquo;all the way&rdquo; and many hockey &ldquo;experts&rdquo; shared that feeling with the Robins&rsquo; coach.The only player not to have benefitted greatly from the last drive, was club scoring leader Larry Fullan, who produced just five points in the Robins&rsquo; last eight games.His late season dropoff in production however, was not a source of undue concern for Wilson, who predicted a return to form of the veteran center once the playoffs got underway.Richmond fans were expected a tough, physical series with New Haven, and felt that with Steve Short. McLean and Smith available to throw their weight around, the Robins are confident they will stay around longer than their three previous visits to the playoffs when they were eliminated in the first round.NEW HAVEN: While the Robins came with a rush to over-haul the Hawks for second place and the advantage of home ice in the playoffs, coach Parker MacDonald was not unduly worried, since the Hawks played just about as well on the road. In fact, the Hawks, along with Baltimore, finished under the 500 mark at home, including a tie and a loss in their final two games of the regular season campaigning.A 4-2 loss to Rochester in the season finale, deprived the Hawks of second place as Richmond deadlocked the Hawks in standings points and the Robins were awarded the second spot by virtue of an edge in the season series between the two clubs.Tom Colley finished the season as the club&rsquo;s top scorer and made a late but vain rush for the league&rsquo;s goal scoring title.The Hawks won only one of their last five games, but some excellent defense and goaltending enabled them to pick up three ties in that span.Collev&rsquo;s 69 points gave him a share of 10th place among the league&rsquo;s top scorers, while Rick Chinnick deadlocked for a share of the 20th spot with 61 points.In somewhat of a surprise. MacDonald nominated Pete McDuffe to open in the goal for the first game of the playoffs. Of his three goalies available, McDuffe had seen the least action, but did boast the best won-lost percentage among the threesome.The Hawks were league leaders in three categories, two of them rather dubious distinctions. The Hawks received the most game misconduct penalties and also the most match penalties. On the credit side, the Hawks boasted a league-leading figure of 11 hat tricks, with Brian McCutcheon showing the way with three.A significant factor in the New Haven-Richmond playoffs was the Hawks&rsquo; failure to post a winningihome record. They showed a 16-18-4 mark at home, the same figure posted by Baltimore, the only other team in the league with a losing home record.Richmond also held a 6-4-2 season&rsquo;s series edge over the Hawks, another factor that had the experts picking Richmond to eliminate MacDonald&rsquo;s club.HERSHEY: The Bears finished with a 39-31-6 record, an improvement of 12 games over last season, and there were many reasons for that improvement.The most significant thing is the goals for and goals against column. Hershey increased its goal production by 45 over the 1974-75 campaign and reduced the goals allowed by 28.Their 304 goals earned them a share of second in the league in goal scoring, while the goal allowed mark of 275 was third best.Individual honors went to Jean-Guy Gratton, who emerged as the league&rsquo;s top scorer with 93 points, including a league high of 58 assists. Gratton is the fifth Hershey player to win the scoring title, and the first since Gil Gilbert in the 1968-69 campaign. Other Bear scoring leaders include Wally Kilrea, 1942-43; Red Sullivan, whose 119 points in 1953-54 are still a league record, and Willie Marshall, the league&rsquo;s all-time leader, who won his only individual title in 1957-58.Excellent goaltending and a vastly under rated defense helped to lower the goals against figure, a mark that coach Chuck Hamilton stressed would be one of the major achievements the Bears would strive for at the start of I training camp.Don Edwards and Gordon Laxton shared the goaltending burden for the Bears, and although both were well above the 3.00 mark in goals allowed, they made the clutch save when needed. Laxton&rsquo;s 23-12-2 won-lost-tied record was the league&rsquo;s second best mark. Only Nova Scotia&rsquo;s Dave Elenbaas showed a better record.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-0488/3741623-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="569" height="642"><figcaption class="caption-body">GORDIE SMITH &hellip;Lends Muscle</figcaption></div>The Bear defense was in a constant state of flux as parent clubs Buffalo and Pittsburgh made countless recalls of the likes, of Mario Faubert, Ken Breitenbach, Lee Fogolin and others.However, Hamilton has now-achieved a somewhat intact lineup that will guide Hershey&rsquo;s playoff destiny as they await the outcome of the Richmond-New Haven series that will determine the Bears&rsquo; opponent.Pittsburgh returned Faubert, Buffalo did likewise with Breitenbach, although Fogolin did remain with the Sabres. Faubert and Breitenbach join Ron Jones, Bob Stumpf and Larry Big-nell on the Bear backline and those five are as good as any in the league.The Bears posted an excellent 26-9-3 record at home, a mark that is expected to make them the favorite in their first playoff series. That and the fact that they allowed only 120 goals at home is enough to fuel the Bears&rsquo; confidence.BALTIMORE: The Clippers finished on a dull note, dropping their season finale at home to Springfield in a battle of division losers.The defeat was the 13th straight for Baltimore and there are rumblings that some constructive moves must be made if the team is to return for another season in the AHL.Assurances to the contrary, many of the Baltimore backers have issued statements that unless something is done quickly, they would pull out of their investment.A tieup with a National League club is supposedly in the works and a drive for a $250,000 season ticket sale is being organized.It was learned that vote to bring in a new general manager had been turned down, at least for the moment and Terry Reardon was still calling the shots.The Clippers were a paragon of futility, scoring the least amount of goals and surrendering the second highest.They lost all seven individual season&rsquo;s series and were extremely feeble against Northern Division teams, posting a miserable 8-28-4 record. Even Springfield&rsquo;s last place Indians in the North dominated the Baltimore club, winning seven of 10.If there were any bright spots, it was the play of the Fred Speck, Don Grierson and Dennis Giannini line. Speck, returning to the AHL after a sojourn in the WHA, was the team leader with 75 points, ranking him seventh in the league; Grierson finished with 38 goals in his first season, while the veteran Giannini lit the lamp 36 times and just fell short of his 200th AHL career point.A sought after 4,500 gate never really materialized and the Clippers finished with an estimated $200,000 in losses, the third consecutive year in the red.The defense, riddled by injuries all season, must be completely rebuilt and a much stronger promotional program adopted if the Clippers are going to make any headway. &#9632;

f0034-01

Wilson Optimistic Robins Will Go All The Way In Calder Cup Hunt

<div class="byline">BY AL FISCHER</div>ROCHESTER&mdash;A battle of high-powered offenses was in the offing as the Amerks faced off against Providence in their Calder Cup first round best-of-five playoff opening at the War Memorial.The Amerks scored 304 goals, second only to Nova Scotia during the regular season, while the Reds beat opposition netminders 294 times.Four of the Amerk snipers ranked in the top 20 in league scoring, the largest representation of any club, while the Reds placed two in the charmed 20 circle.Leading the way was Gordie Clark, returned to the Amerks from Boston in time for playoff duty. Clark&rsquo;s 79 points ranked him fifth in the league.Joining Clark among the league&rsquo;s elite were team captain Barry Merrell. Amerk goal-scoring leader Dave Hynes and diminutive Rene Drolet.Hynes finished with 37 goals despite missing 13 games due to injury, while Clark was the club assist leader with 49.Ironically, the Amerks duplicated their exact record of 1974-75 by posting a 42-25-9 record, only to finish second, this time to Nova Scotia. Even their goals allowed figure was the same, 243. although their goal production slipped a little from 317 to 304.The Amerks were looking to repeat last year&rsquo;s first-round success when they eliminated Nova Scotia, before bowing in the smei-finals to Springfield&rsquo;s eventual Calder Cup champions.PROVIDENCE: The Reds went into the series against Rochester boasting a 6-5-1 advantage in the season&rsquo;s series between the two clubs, including a 5-1 advantage on Providence ice.At first, due to the lack of ice availibility. it appeared that the first two games would be played in Rochester, which naturally would give the Amerks a decided advantage. However the schedule maker gave the Reds a break, with a series opener in Rochester April 4 and the clubs then moved over to Providence for game No. 2 on April 7.Rookie Greg Holst finished the campaign as the third leading scorer in the league, making a strong bid to become the third consecutive Red to win the Garrett Memorial Trophy as the outstanding first-year man, hoping to duplicate the feats of Jerry Holland and Rick Middleton.Jerry Byers was the only other Red to crack the top 20 although Lynn Powis. no longer with the club is also carried.Providence officials are estimating a possible $300,000 deficit this year.The Reds were team leaders in two important categories, their 91 power play goal stopping the list, while Providence penalty killers registered 13 short-handed scores.NOVA SCOTIA: Three young Vovageurs ranked in the top six among league scorers. Ron Andruff, a HOCKEY NEWS All Star selection, led the way with 88 points as runnerup to league leader Jean-Guy Gratton, of Hershey, Andruffs 42 goals were a league high.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-01218/3741699-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg" title="f0035-01" width="598" height="805"><figcaption class="caption-body">RON ANDRUFF &hellip; Big On Winners</figcaption></div>Guy Chouinard, with a 40-40-80 mark was fourth and rookie star Pierre Mondou was sixth with a 34-43-77 breaddown. Mondou is waging a battle with Providence rookie sensation Holst for the Garrett Memorial award that goes to the League&rsquo;s top rookie. Mondou was selected in a coaches poll as the best first year man.The Voyageurs led in almost all offensive categories, goals, assists, unassisted goals, and were the only team to boast winning records both at home and on alien ice. They were a brilliant 28 &mdash; 6-4 at home and showed an enviable road record of 20-14-4.The defense was also the League&rsquo;s best, a trademark of Montreal farm clubs. Dave Elenbaas, the All Star goalie, and his partner Ed Walsh registered seven shutouts as the Voyageurs allowed only 209 goals. Elenbaas concluded the season with a 2.38 average and Walsh at 3.06 to share the Holmes trophy.Andruffs nine-game winning goals were tops in the league, as was Nova Scotia&rsquo;s penchant for scoring the first goal of the game in 49 of 76 starts.The Voyageurs held a season&rsquo;s edge in every series, posting a 7-3-2 mark against Providence and a 6-4-2 record against Rochester, one of whom they will meet in their initial playoff action, it was Rochester which eliminated the Voyageurs in the first round last year.SPRINGFIELD: An estimate $300,000 deficit has certainly displeased owner Eddie Shore.His decision to go independent left him high and dry at the beginning of the season and only a last minute partial working agreement with Kansas City, provided the Indians with enough players to open the campaign.A poor start was compounded by recalls and injuries and Springfields fans have become annoyed with the club&rsquo;s losing ways.A fast finish in the last two months prevented wholesale disaster as the Indians struggled in vain to catch Providence for the final playoff berth.Their 33-39-4 mark ironically would have been good enough for second place in the South.Norm Dube emerged as the club scoring leader, his 69 points earning him a share of tenth place among the league&rsquo;s scorers.Billy Inglis, the popular Springfield team captain, hit a personal milestone when he registered his 200th AHL career goal in the season&rsquo;s finale against Baltimore. &#9632;

f0035-01

Amerks, Reds Loaded With Big Shooters

<h2>AMERICAN LEAGUE</h2>(find Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02182/3741947-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="597" height="330"></div><h3>PLAYOFFS</h3>Quarter-Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03135/3741940-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="598" height="79"></div>(Rochester wins best-of-five series 3-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. April 4Providence 3 at Rochester 5Wed. April 7Rochester 3 at Provdence 1Fri. April 9Providence 4 at Rochester 6<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04109/3741933-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="594" height="76"></div>(Richmond wins best-of-five series 3-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sat. April 3New Haven 1 at Richmond 4Sun. April 4Richmond 2 at New Hoven 1Wed. April 7New Haven 1 at Richmond 4<h3>SEMI-FINALS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0586/3741926-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="598" height="82"></div>(Best-of-aoven series tied 1-1)<h2>CENTRAL LEAGUE</h2>(final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0668/3741919-1-eng-US/f0035-062.jpg" title="f0035-06" width="598" height="180"></div>(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)<h3>PLAYOFFS</h3>SEMI-FINALS<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0759/3741912-1-eng-US/f0035-072.jpg" title="f0035-07" width="596" height="75"></div>(Tulsa leads best-of-seven series 3-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Wed. April 7Oklahoma City 2 at Tulsa 5Fri.April 9Oklahoma City 3 at Tulsa 5.Sat. April 10Tulsa 3 at Oklahoma City 0<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Wed. April 14Tulsa at Oklahoma City.Fri. April 16Oklahoma City at TulsaSat. April 17Tulsa at Oklahoma City.Sun. April 18Oklahoma City at Tulsa<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0843/3741905-1-eng-US/f0035-082.jpg" title="f0035-08" width="597" height="76"></div>(Dallas leads best-of-seven series 2-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Wed. April 7Salt Lake 1 at Dallas 3Fri. April 9Salt Lake 1 at Dallas 4Sat. April 10Dallas 6 at Salt Lake 7.<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Mon. April 12Dallas at Salt LakeWed. April 14Salt Lake at DallasFri. April 16Salt Lake at Dallas.Sat. April 17Salt Lake at Dallas.<h2>INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE</h2>(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0941/3741898-1-eng-US/f0035-092.jpg" title="f0035-09" width="596" height="352"></div><h3>PLAYOFFS</h3>Quarter-Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1033/3741891-1-eng-US/f0035-102.jpg" title="f0035-10" width="586" height="82"></div>(Saginaw wins best-of-seven series 4-1).<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. March 30Saginaw 3 at Muskegpn 4Fri. April 2Muskegon 2 at Saginaw 7Sat. April 3Saginaw fMmuskegon 0Sun. April 4Muskegon 1 at Saginaw 5Wed. April 7MuAegon 3 at Saginaw 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1129/3741884-1-eng-US/f0035-112.jpg" title="f0035-11" width="599" height="87"></div>(Dayton wins best-of-seven series 4-2).<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. March 30Kalamazoo 2 at Dayton 3Fri.April 2Dayton 4at Kalamazoo 6Sat. April 3Kalamazoo 0 at Dayton 4Tue. April 6Dayton 3 at Kalamazoo 2Wed. April 7Kalamazoo 3 at Dayton 0Thu. April 8Dayton 4 at Kalamazoo 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1222/3741877-1-eng-US/f0035-122.jpg" title="f0035-12" width="586" height="76"></div>(Pert Huron wins best-of-seven series 4-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Wed. March 31Flint 2 at Port Huron 5Fri. April 2Port Huron 6 at Flint 3Sat. April 3Flint 1 nt Port Huron 3Sun. April 4Port Huron 6 at Flint 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1319/3741870-1-eng-US/f0035-132.jpg" title="f0035-13" width="588" height="74"></div>(Fort Wayne wins best-of-seven senes 4-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. March 30Toledo 5 at Fort Wayne 9Wed. March 31Fort Wayne 4at Toledo 3Sat. April 3Toledo 3 at Fort Wayne 4Sun. April 4Toledo 4 at Fort Wayne 6Semi-Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1419/3741863-1-eng-US/f0035-142.jpg" title="f0035-14" width="591" height="80"></div>(Port Huron leods best-of-seven series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sat. April 10Port Huron 3 at Saginaw 2Sun. April 11Port Huron 3 at Saginaw 1<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Wed. April 14Saginaw at Port Hu. onSat. April 17Saginaw at Port HuronSun. April 18Saginaw at Port HuronTue. April 20Pert Huron at SaginawFri.April 23Port Huron at Saginaw<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1516/3741856-1-eng-US/f0035-152.jpg" title="f0035-15" width="592" height="79"></div>(Dayton leads best-of-seven series 1-0).<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sat. April 10Fort Wayne 2 at Dayton 5<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Wed. April 14Dayton at Fort WayneFri. April 16Fort Wayne atDaytonSat. April 17Dayton at Fort WayneWed. April 21Fort Wayne at DaytonSat. April 24Dayton at Fort WayneSun. April 25Fort Wayne at Dayton<h2>NORTH AMERICAN LEAGUE</h2>(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1615/3741849-1-eng-US/f0035-162.jpg" title="f0035-16" width="592" height="360"></div>(*&mdash;Suspended operations.)<h3>PLAYOFFS</h3>Quarter-finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1712/3741842-1-eng-US/f0035-172.jpg" title="f0035-17" width="594" height="83"></div>(Becuce wins best-of-five series 3-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. March 19Maine 3at Beauce 5.Sat. March 20Beauce 6at Mame 10.Sun. March 21Maine 3 at Beauce 9.Tue. March 23Beauce 6at Maine 3.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1811/3741835-1-eng-US/f0035-182.jpg" title="f0035-18" width="595" height="79"></div>(Syracuse wins best-of-five series 3-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. March 19Mohawk Valley 3 at Syracuse 4.Sat. March 20Syracuse 2 at Mohawk Valley 4.Mon. March 22Mohawk Valley 1 at Syracuse 6Tue. March 23Syracuse 8 at Mohawk Volley 3.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1910/3741828-1-eng-US/f0035-192.jpg" title="f0035-19" width="592" height="79"></div>(Johnstown wins best-of-five senes 3-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. March 21Johnstown 1 at Buffalo 5.Mon. March 22Buffalo 4 at Johnstown 6.Wod. March 24Buffalo 2 at Johnstown 8.Thu. March 25Johnstown 2at Buffalo 3.Sat. March 27Buffalo 0 at Johnstown 1 (forfeit)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-2010/3741821-1-eng-US/f0035-202.jpg" title="f0035-20" width="590" height="78"></div>(Philadelphia wins best-of-five series 3-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. March 19Erie 5 at Philadelphia 10Sat. March 20Philadelphia 2 at Erie 3.Sun. March 21Erie 8 at Philadelphia 3.Tue. March 23Philadelphia 7 at Erie 4.Thu. March 25Erie 4 at Philadelphia 6.Semi-Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-215/3741814-1-eng-US/f0035-212.jpg" title="f0035-21" width="592" height="82"></div>(Beauce wins best-of-seven senes 4-0)<h3>GAMES COMPUTED</h3>Fri. March 26Syracuse 4 at Beauce 5.Sun. March 28Syracuse 7 at Beauce 10Tue. March 30Beauce6 at Syracuse 4Thu. April 1Beauce 6 at Syracese 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-223/3741807-1-eng-US/f0035-222.jpg" title="f0035-22" width="589" height="81"></div>(Philadelphia wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. March 28Johnstown 4 at Philadelphia 5.Mon. March 29Philadelphia 3 at Johnstown 6.Tue. March 30Johnstown 5 at Philadelphia 7.Thu. April 1Philadelphia 4 at Johnstown 3.Fri. April 2Johnstown 10 at Philadelphia 14.Final<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-233/3741800-1-eng-US/f0035-232.jpg" title="f0035-23" width="582" height="81"></div>(Best-of-seven series tied (2-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Tue. April 6Philadelphia 7 at Beauce 5Wed. April 7Philadelphia 4 at Beauce 7Fri. April 9Beauce 1 at Philadelphia 6Sat. April 10Beauce 7 at Philadelphia 6<h3>GAMES TO COME</h3>Mon. April 12Philadelphia at BeauceWed. April 14Beauce at PhiladelphiaThu. April 15Philadelphia at Beauce<h2>SOUTHERN LEAGUE</h2>(final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-243/3741793-1-eng-US/f0035-242.jpg" title="f0035-24" width="598" height="174"></div><h3>PLAYOFFS</h3>Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-253/3741786-1-eng-US/f0035-252.jpg" title="f0035-25" width="583" height="79"></div>(Charlotte wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sun. March 21Hampton 2 at Charlotte 5Tue. March 23Hampton 2 at Charlotte 3Wod. March 24Charlotte 1 at Hampton 5Fri. March 26Charlotte 4 al Hampton 1Sat. March 27Hampton 0 at Charlotte 8<h3>Semi-finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-262/3741779-1-eng-US/f0035-262.jpg" title="f0035-26" width="592" height="82"></div>(Charlotte wins best-of-seven series 4-2)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-272/3741772-1-eng-US/f0035-272.jpg" title="f0035-27" width="592" height="84"></div>(Hampton WNH host of seven aeries 4-0)<h2>UNITED STATES LEAGUE</h2>(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-282/3741765-1-eng-US/f0035-282.jpg" title="f0035-28" width="591" height="306"></div><h3>Semi-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-292/3741758-1-eng-US/f0035-292.jpg" title="f0035-29" width="589" height="82"></div>(Green Bay wins best-of-five series 3-2)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-302/3741751-1-eng-US/f0035-302.jpg" title="f0035-30" width="588" height="76"></div>(Milwaukee wins best-of-three series 2-0)<h3>Quarter-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-312/3741744-1-eng-US/f0035-312.jpg" title="f0035-31" width="590" height="78"></div>(Milwaukee wins best-of-three aeries 2-0)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-322/3741737-1-eng-US/f0035-322.jpg" title="f0035-32" width="586" height="74"></div>(Traverse City winsbest-of-three aeries 2-0)<h3>Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-332/3741730-1-eng-US/f0035-332.jpg" title="f0035-33" width="585" height="81"></div>(Milwaukee leods best-of-five series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Milwaukee 7, Green Bay 0Milwaukee 5, Green Bay 4 &#9632;

f0035-02

LOOKING AT THE MINOR LEAGUE SCOREBOARD

<div class="byline">BY TOM LOBAUGH</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICM & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICM & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaOKLAHOMACITY&mdash;&ldquo;Gritty Pierre&rdquo; they&rsquo;ll have to call him now. The courage of 23-year-old goaltender Pierre Hamel, trying to play in spite of a concussion. Apr. 3, may explain how the Oklahoma City Blazers grabbed a CHL playoff spot the next night, when the odds were stacked against them, and there were charges some of the players had given up.The young Montreal native, who broke in with the Blazers last year from the senior Trail. B.C. Smoke Eaters, was injured when he banged his head against a goalpost (those pipes are supposed to be the goalie&rsquo;s friends!) while making a save midway of the second period in a Saturday night game at home against Tulsa.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-01196/3741992-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="565" height="987"><figcaption class="caption-body">JIM WILEY &hellip;Finished Strong</figcaption></div>After receiving a doctor&rsquo;s attention on the ice. Hamel, sick and groggy, was helped to the Blazer dressing room for further treatment. Mike Palmateer took over the net duty.A few minutes later, trainer Al Bryant&rsquo;s attention was claimed by another injury as center Don Ashby was struck in the calf of his left leg by an Oilerslapshot.When Ashby was carried into the dressing room on a through stretcher. Pierre announced he had to get back to the rink. Bryant agreed, figuring Hamel would watch the game from the bench. But Pierre paused at the bench only long enough to pick up his mask and stick, then relieved Palmateer for the last 4:46 of the middle period. Coach Ray Miron thought the trainer had OK&rsquo;d Hamel&rsquo;s return. Still sick when the period ended, the youngster was restrained from going back for the third period.He was hospitalized overnight for observation, while the Blazers bussed to Dallas for the final game of the regular schedule. Released with a clean bill of health, he flew to Dallas to rejoin his mates, but watched the Sunday game from the bench.Successive losses to the Oilers, a 5-4 heartbreaker in the closing seconds at Tulsa, and a 5-2 disaster at home, had left the Blazers with only the faintest hopes of making the playoffs. Two points out of fourth place, they had to win in Dallas Sunday night, and hope the Fort Worth Texans lost to Tulsa on the opposite end of the D-FW Turnpike.The Blazers took care of their half of the assignment, jumping out to a four-goal lead before the Black Hawks found the net. Late in the third period they learned the Oilers had taken care of the other half of their requirements, downing the Texans. 3-1, in Fort Worth.Oklahoma City&rsquo;s closing 4-2 triumph in Dallas left the Blazers and Texans tied for fourth place, but the Blazers took the final playoff spot, owning 32 victories to Fort Worth&rsquo;s 29. That sent Oklahoma City into a best-of-seven semi-final series against first-place Tulsa, another uphill assignment. since the Oilers had an 11-5-4 edge in their season series and closed with four straight victories over the Blazers, two in Oklahoma City.Complicating matters, the Blazers had to play their home playoff games in the old. State Fair Arena, where they had a miserable record in January and February The downtwon Myriad was booked up for April.<h2>Goalers Put Blazers In Playoffs&hellip;</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02146/3741985-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="578" height="597"><figcaption class="caption-body">PIERRE HAMEL &hellip;Given Clean Bill</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03108/3741978-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="570" height="593"><figcaption class="caption-body">MIKE PALMATEER &hellip;Held Blazers In</figcaption></div>Palmateer had a shutout for almost 54 minutes of the decisive game in Dallas, before Rob Palmer spoiled it.The Blazers lost a kev performer for the playoffs, when right wing Garland was called up by the injury-plagued Toronto Maple Leafs for their postseason action.Center Tom Cassidy, who had been challenging for the CHL individual scoring lead, was limited to a lone assist the final week of the schedule. He wound up in second place with 85 points, 11 off the pace of Tulsa&rsquo;s Jim Wiley.Richardson&rsquo;s short handed goal midway of the third period was the clincher in the come-from-behind earlier home victory over Dallas. Paul Evans had ignited the rally in the second period, and Ashby got the winning goal at 1:33 of the third.TULSA: Danny Gloor is learning to be a baker in his father&rsquo;s shop at Mitchell, Ont. But it&rsquo;s doubtfull anything he bakes next summer will seem as sweet as the goal Danny scored with seven seconds remaining at the Assembly Center, Apr. 2. That one, Gloor&rsquo;s 23rd, provided a thrilling 5-4 victory over Oklahoma City and clinched first place for Tulsa, since the second-place Dallas Hawks had already fallen to Fort Worth.The title-clincher was the eighth straight victory for the sizzling Oilers, and they closed out the schedule with 10 straight, goingon to road victories in OkeCity and Fort Worth (5-2 and 3-1). Goalie Bruce Bullock had worked nine straight games, includingthe title clincher. Dan Brady took over the for the last two victories. The schedule ran out before the Oilers could match the league record of 11 straight victories by Omaha in 1963-64.The Oilers did tie a league mark with 45 victories for the season, matching Omaha&rsquo;s 1970-71 performance. With 100 points, Tulsa fell one shy of that Omaha club&rsquo;s mark. However, the Knights had a 72-game schedule that season, compared to the current 76-game slate.Jim Wiley finished on a hot note, with three goals and three assists in three games, wrapping up the league scoring crown on 96 points 11 ahead of his closest rival. Small wonder he was named the Oilers&rsquo; most valuable player.SALT LAKE: Closing with three straight victories over Tucson, after an earlier win over Fort Worth, the Golden Eagles locked up third place and prepared for a semi-final playoff series against the Dallas Black Hawks.After yielding an early goal to the Texans, the Eagles came back to win on two goals by Rick Kessell and others from Gary Holt and Frank Spring.A late Maverick rally gave the Eagles a scare at home, after they had jumped to a 3-0 first-period lead, but Salt Lake held on for a 5-3 victory in the Salt Palace. Moving to Tucson, the games weren&rsquo;t close. 7-1 and 9-6, with the Mavericks getting three goals in the final 10 minutes.Defenseman Tom Price made club history by scoring three shorthanded goals in two nights, two in the third period of the 7-1 Saturday romp. Spring ran his league-leading goal total to 44 in the Saturday game, and Lyle Bradley broke an 18-game goal scoring drought in the Friday game.Brent Meeke, Spring and Bradley made it 3-0 in the first period of that game. Price&rsquo;s shorthanded goal and another by Holt made it 5-2 in the second, and the Eagles&rsquo; Ernie Miller had to hold off the rallying Mavs in the third.Tucson got the first goal at home the next night, but the Big Birds came back quickly as Kessell and Bradley scored in the first period. Wayne King and Spring in the second. Holt counted early in the third, before Price got his two shorthanded goals three and a half minutes apart.Miller was in the nets for that breeze. Olympic goalie Jim Warden played the schedule windup, ending his first pro campaign with a 2-2 record. Holt. Bobby Geoffrion, Glenn Patrick and Kinggot the Eagles off to a 4-2 first-period lead. Patrick scored again, followed by Kessell and Denis Meloche to make it 7-3 after six minutes of the second. Paul Tantardini scored a pair in 26 seconds in the third, and it was 9-3 before the late Tucson surge.Tantardini wound up with a leagueleading penalty total of 325 minutes. Warren (Butch) Williams was voted the Eagles&rsquo; most valuable plaver.TUCSON: Mike Hobin&rsquo;s hat trick in the final games was the only cheery note forTucson fans, as the Mavericks dropped their last four games, three of them at home. After a 4-1 home loss to Fort Worth, the Mavs lost a 6-5 game in Salt Lake, then bowed twice more to the Eagles. 7-1 and 9-6.The red-thatched Hobin, 21-vear-old center who played the last half of last season for Tulsa, scored once in each period of the finale, giving him 27 goals for his first full pro season. After falling behind by five goals in the first 23 minutes against Fort Worth, the Mavericks almost pulled it out. Norm Cournover. Rick Newell and Hobin scored in the second period. After another Texans&rsquo; tally in the third. Mike Sleep and Gordie Titcomb narrowed the deficit.Two goals by Dan Mandryk and one by Sleep figured in a futile rally at Salt Lake. Sleep scored early in the Saturday game at home, but the Mavs were blanked by Ernie Miller for the last 55 minutes. Dave Walter, Neil Lyseng and Steve West joined Hobin in scoring in the season finale, which was never as close as the final score made it seem.FORT WORTH: For the second straight year the Texans were squeezed out of aplavoff berth, tying for fourth place but losing the playoff spot to Oklahoma City on victories. Last year in a similar situation, Tulsa edged out Fort Worth for third place in the Southern Division.It was Tulsa which killed the Texans&rsquo; playoff hopes this time, with a 3-1 decision in Fort Worth the last night of the regular schedule. The Texans needed a win or a tie to stay ahead of Oklahoma City, which was winning in Dallas.After a 4-1 setback in Salt Lake, the Texans appeared to have a playoff berth wrapped up, as they won in Tucson, 6-5, and in Dallas, 4-1, But Dallas won the rematch in Fort Worth, 2-1 and the loss to Tulsa rang down the curtain.With right wing Alf Handrahan still plagued with a lower back problem, the Texans brought in Glen Johnson from Erie in the North American League for the final week.Two shorthanded goals by Phil Hoene in a 33-second span of the first period featured the victory in Tucson. Ron Kennedy and Dennis Abgrall also scored in the first period, and Dave Salvian made it 5-0 after 3:20 of the second. But the Texans needed Salvian&rsquo;s tally in the third period to choke off the Maverick rally.The previous night in Salt. Walt Ledingham gave the Texans an early lead, but it had evaporated before the first 10 minutes were gone.Fort Worth scored three power play goals, and another only seven seconds after a Dallas penalty had expired, to take the Friday game in Dallas. Bill Hughes was tremendous in the nets, as the Texans were outshot, 50-39. Brad Anderson got the game&rsquo;s only evenstrength goal in the first period. Ledingham and Salvian counted on power plays in the second period, and Lome Stamler in the third.Needing only a tie in the last two games, both at home, the I exans couldn&rsquo;t do it. After Bob Bourne tied the Saturday game as the second period started, the Texans quickly fell behind again, and furious third period rally (12 shots to Dallas&rsquo; couldn&rsquo;t change the picture. Against Tulsa the final night the Texans were shut out until Bourne scored at 14:50 of the third period. That cut the gap to 2-1 but Fort Worth couldn&rsquo;t muster another goal, and the empty net invited Tulsa to score again.DALLAS: Five goals in their last four games didn&rsquo;t inspire much confidence as the Hawks headed into the playoffs against Salt Lake. Dallas did manage to win one of those contests a 2-1 affair in Fort Worth, but they lost to Oklahoma City twice. 3-1 and 4-2, after playing a scoreless tie against the Blazers.Right wing Gary Donalson missed the week with a bruised rib cage, but was expected back for the playoffs, defenseman Dave Elliott was written off with a knee injury, but blueliner Dave Logan came back from a groin pull.To fill the squad the Hawks recalled center Kirk Bowman and winger Ted Bulley from Flint in the International League. And defenseman Yvon Bilodeau signed a contract the last day of the regular schedule, after his 15-game pro trail was used up.Right winger Moe L&rsquo;Abbe who received most of the honors on Awards Night, opened the scoring in the Mar. 31 game at Oklahoma City, but the Hawks couldn&rsquo;t score again. Michel Archambault&rsquo;s power play goal in the third period was too little, too late in the home loss to Fort Worth. Archambault and Koleff scored in the closechecking victory in Fort Worth. The futile late rally in the finale against Oke City produced goals by Rob Palmer and Duane Wylie.With stingy goaltending from Mike Veisor and Bob Volpe, the Hawks had their best defensive record in history, an average yield of 2.77 goals per game. With 83 power play goals, they led the CHL for the second straight year, and the bird time in nine seasons. &#9632;

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Blazers Get Help From Oilers Grabbing Last Playoff Spot

<div class="byline">BY JACK GATECUFF</div>ST. CATHARINES&mdash;Ontario Hockey Association president Clift&rsquo;e Phillips and OHA Major Junior A commissioner Clarence (Tubby! Schmalz have made it perfectly clear that certain players and coaches in the provincial league must clean up their act or suffer the consequences.In one of the longest suspensions in recent years Phillips and Schmalz banned Sault Ste. Marie forward Tim Coulis for the next 12 games.Many connected with junior A &mdash; and spectators too &mdash; felt that a crack down was long overdue.Whether there have been more violent incidents this year than in the past is open to question but they have definitely been publicized more and the OHA Major Junior A repution for tough but relatively clean hockey has been soiled.Coulis, an 18-year-old left winger, has had a history of suspensions since joining the Sault from Kenora of the Manitoba Junior A League in October.When he was promoted to the Greyhounds he was already sitting out a two-game suspension, which the OHA honored.He was rejected from his first game with the Sault and as the season carried on he sat out two games for a game misconduct; eight for molesting an official, five for hair-pulling and four for butt-ending.In a playoff game with Oshawa Gen erals he allegedly butt-ended or crosschecked Generals&rsquo; star Paul Gardner after the play had been whistled down.Gardner lost three teeth and suffered a serious facial cut and missed the next game.When he incurred another heavy penalty the following game in the Sault the OHA and Schmalz finally lowered the boom Excluding the 12-game suspension Coulis, a talented if misguided young man. had been out of about 20 games because of misconduct and if the Greyhounds are eliminated before the. current playoffs are over he must serve the remainder of the suspension next year.Sault general manager Angelo Bum-bacco and coach Muzz MacPherson were two of the few who felt the penalty was too severe.&ldquo;Tim Coulis is the best professional prospect at 17 (he turned 18 in February) of any player I&rsquo;ve seen in the league,&rdquo; MacPherson said.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just not fair to suspend him for eight more games (he already had four and keep him out of the playoffs.&ldquo;The league is not trying to help this kid &mdash; they&rsquo;re trying to break his heart. It&rsquo;s just not right.&rdquo;MacPherson, who has done an excellent job in the Sault and got the Greyhounds into the playoffs for the first time in their four-year history, is highly-respected but in this case was obviously carried away in his protection of young Coulis.The Sault player has been given many chances to stick to hockey this season but seems to have gone out of his way to incur the wrath of the hierarchy &mdash; and opposing players.In the awards department McCourt as expected, won the Bill Hanley Trophy as the player best combining gentlemanly conduct with excellence of play.The trophy is in recognition of the work done by Hanley who retired last year after almost a quarter century as OHA executive-manager.McCourt was an excellent choice.He was also selected to the first All Star team at center and has established club records for points the past two seasons.The nephew of Marlie coach George Armstrong, McCourt had 33 goals and 73 assists in 1974-73, seventh best in the league, then increased those totals tooo goals and 84 assists this season for fourth place in the league points.Many consider him the best pro prospect in Canada but, after four seasons in Major Junior A &mdash; one with Sudbury and three with Hamilton &mdash; he has one moreyear of eligibility left.Meanwhile on the ice, four teams remained in the championship hunt. Toronto Marlboros. Hamilton Fincups, Sudbury Wolves and the Ottawa 67s were engaged in division finals for the right to meet for the overall league title.The Sault Greyhounds gave Sudbury more opposition than the Wolves expected before bowing 4-2-1 in the nine point division semi-final series. The Wolves moved on against Ottawa after the 67s similarly knocked Kingston Canadians out in their nine-point Leyden Division semi-final series, also by 4-2-1.The Ottawa-Kingston series drew capacity or near-capacity crowds throughout. The 67s had more than 8,000 in their Ottawa arena for one game while the Canadians regularly attract a full house of better than 3,500.The first upset occurred in the Emms Division as Marlboros. the defending Memorial Cup champions who struggled to a third place finish this year, ousted second place London Knights in six games.The Marlies have come along extremely well in recent games under coach Armstrong and while they are still underdogs, should give Hamilton Fincups a real argument in the division final, even after losing the first two games to the Fincups 9-4 and 7-5.Toronto has also been strengthened by the return of goaltender Kevin Walton who was out three games with a shoulder injury. &#9632;

OHA Hands Sault Star 12-Game Suspension; McCourt Wins Award, Center AH Star ‘Berth

<h2>ONTARIO MAJOR LEAGUE</h2>Semi-Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-01177/3742096-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg" title="f0037-01" width="597" height="98"></div>(Hamilton loads eight-point series 7-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Hamilton 9, Toronto 4Hamilton 7, Toronto 5Hamilton 5, Toronto 5Hamilton 3, Toronto 0<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02137/3742089-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="592" height="77"></div>(Eight-point series tied 2-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Ottawa 7, Sudbury 4Sudbury 7, Ottawa 3<h2>Preliminary Round</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-03103/3742082-1-eng-US/f0037-032.jpg" title="f0037-03" width="588" height="81"></div>(Kitchener wins six-points series, 6-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Kitchener 5, St. Catharines 3Kitchener 6, St. Catharines 3St Cathar ines 7, Kitchener 2Kitchener 7, St. Catharines 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0483/3742075-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="586" height="75"></div>(Sault wins six-point series6-4)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Oshowa 5, Sault Ste. Marie 4Sault Ste Marie 6, Oshowa 2Oshawa 5, Sault Ste. AAarie 3Sault Ste AAarie 6, Oshowa 2Sault Ste Mane 6, Oshawa 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0567/3742068-1-eng-US/f0037-052.jpg" title="f0037-05" width="590" height="78"></div>(Toronto wins eight-point series 8-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Toronto 4, London 2Toronto 6, London 1London 5. Toronto 2Toronto 5. London 2Toronto 6 London 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0653/3742061-1-eng-US/f0037-062.jpg" title="f0037-06" width="585" height="78"></div>(Ottawa wins eight-point series 9-4)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Ottawa 4. Kingston 2Kingston 6, Ottawa 3Ottawa 5. Kingston 4Ottawa 3, Kingston 3Ottawa 6. Kingston 3Kingston 4, Ottawa 2Ottawa 3. Kingston 2<h3>SEMI-FINALS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0739/3742054-1-eng-US/f0037-072.jpg" title="f0037-07" width="589" height="79"></div>(Hamilton wins eight-point series 8-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Hamilton 12, Kitchener 4Hamilton 7, Kitchener 1Hamilton 7, Kitchener 3Hamilton 4, Kitchener 0<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0835/3742047-1-eng-US/f0037-082.jpg" title="f0037-08" width="587" height="76"></div>(Sudbury wins eight-point series 9-5)<h3>Games completed</h3>Sudbury 7, Sault Ste. Marie 3Sault Ste. Mane 3, Sudbury 2Sudbury 11, Sault Ste. Marie 2Sault Ste. Marie 4, Sudbury 2Sud bury 8, Sault Ste. Marie 0Sudbury 4, Sault Ste. Marie 4Sudbury 5, Sault Ste. Marie 2 &#9632;

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Amateur Races

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0037-09" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0927/3742127-1-eng-US/f0037-092.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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OHA All Star Teams

<div class="byline">BY BUD GALLMEIER</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGERHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICM & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGER IHOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICM & BRADSBY LTD Arnold Street Wallaceburg Ontario Sold in U.S and CanadaThe last time the Fort Wayne Komets made the International Hockey League playoffs they skated through the opposition in a near-perfect performance. A late season charge carried the Komets to the regular season championship in 1972-73 and the momentum continued in the post-season activity. Fort Wayne won it all, losing but once in nine playoff encounters as the Komets whipped Flint in five games and then wiped out Port Huron in the championship series in four straight.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-01209/3742158-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg" title="f0038-01" width="565" height="1623"><figcaption class="caption-body">JEFF ABLETT &hellip;Lifted Komets</figcaption></div>Fort Wayne fans are dreaming of another such playoff bid this time out. The Komets celebrated their return to playoff competition following a two-year absence by dumping the defending champion Toledo Goaldiggers in four straight. The sweep boosted the Komets&rsquo; string of unbeaten playoff games to nine and gives them 12 victories in the last 13.Two late season additions have been credited by coach Ralph Keller as making the difference for the Komets in the IHL&rsquo;s second season. &ldquo;Jeff Ablett has given us a little more experience and Ken Wright has added some muscle,&rdquo; Keller commented following the Komets&rsquo; clinching 6-4 victory in Fort Wayne&rsquo;s spacious Memorial Coliseum which housed close to 10,000 fans for the final two games.Ablett, a member of the 1973 Turner Cup champions, joined the Komets just at the cutdown following a season in Sweden. Wright also arrived at the deadline after being cut loose by Toledo.Continued steady performances by little Terry McDougall, super rookie Sid Veysey and hustlin&rsquo; Robbie Laird also were major factors in the Komets&rsquo; four-game sweep. McDougall led the Komets in scoring with 10 points. Veysey and Laird each pumped in four goals. Laird, who scored just 15 goals last season, sparked the Komets-in a 95 romp in the opening game with the three-goal hat trick. And he scored the winner as the Komets ended a season-long famine in TcJedo with a 4-3 thriller whicn put Toledo in a two-game hole from which they never dug out.The key game of the series was game No. 3, played in Fort Wayne. Toledo, which had been accused of &ldquo;laying down&rdquo; by coach-manager Ted Garvin following the 9-5 loss in the series opener, rushed to a 3-0 lead and was still on top, 3-1, with less than five minutes remaining. But the Komets exploded for three goals in the final four minutes and 56 seconds to turn certain defeat into sudden victory.Veteran defenseman Terry Pembroke, playing with the enthusiasm of a rookie, ignited the comeback by driving home a long screen shot. Then Veysey took over. He tied the game with a short drive after taking a perfect pass from Dan O&rsquo;Driscoll. And with just 45 seconds remaining, Veysey pumped home a rebound for the winner.The Komets also had to come from behind in the fourth game. Toledo took a 2-0 lead and after the Komets had pulled into a 5-2 lead with five unanswered goals, the Diggers fought back to within one with still nine minutes remaining in the final period. But the Komets braced and put the game out of reach with McDougall&rsquo;s open net goal for a 6-4 finish.The four-game sweep sends the Komets into the South Division finals against the winner of the Dayton-Kalamazoo go-around &mdash; most likely the Gems. Dayton, a runaway winner of the South Division and overall league titles, struggled to an overtime triumph against Kalamazoo in the opening game of the series, 3-2, and then dropped a 6-4 decision in the second game at Kalamazoo. But the Gems regrouped to win the next two and appeared ready to advance to the next plateau.A wild brawl followed the opening game of the series, played in Dayton&rsquo;s Hara Arena. Chief participants were the two coaches &mdash; Ivan Prediger of Dayton and Bob Lemieux of the K-Wings. Prediger and Lemieux went after each other in the exitway. As a result, the two drew one-game suspensions. In addition, Lemieux was fined $300 and Prediger $100, an unbalanced assessment which did little to cool Lemieux&rsquo; temper. Bill Riley, who scored 10 winning goals for the Gems during the regular season, got the winner in overtime.Kenny Mann led the young K-Wings in the second game victory scoring the three-goal hat trick before 5,0.42 fans who thoroughly enjoyed Kalamazoo&rsquo;s first playoff victory in its young history, Dayton won the third game behind Jim Petti&rsquo;s goaltending magic, 40 and took a commanding, 3-1 edge with a 3-2 squeaker in the fourth game back in Kalamazoo.Meanwhile, back in the North Division Port Huron duplicated Fort Wayne&rsquo;s trick with a four-game sweep of Flint and North Champion Saginaw-had Muskegon on the ropes after four games, leading 3-1.The Muskegon-Saginaw series was marred by a couple of benchclearing brawls. Both benches emptied after the first period of the opening game in Muskegon, won by the Mohawks, 4-3. Another similar episode transpired in the third game &mdash; gjso in Muskegon. This donnybrook came late in the game and five players got pitched. The Gears won it behind Mario Lessard&rsquo;s shutout goaltending, 4-0. Saginaw had evened the series with a 7-3 romp in game two&rdquo;at Saginaw as D&rsquo;Arcy Ryan led the attack with three goals. Saginaw then moved to within one victory of eliminating the Mohawks by taking the fourth game back in Muskegon, 51.Port Huron had snapped a three-year jinx in eliminating Flint in four straight. The key was a 6-3 victory in the second game at Flint which gave the Flags a 2-0 lead. The victory was the first for Port Huron in the IMA Sports Arena since Jan. 21 of 1973 when coach Bobby McCammon was still playing defense.Port Huron bad opened the series with a 5-2 victory in Port Huron, paced by Len Chalmers&rsquo; two goals. The victory at Flint was followed by a 3-1 verdict in the third game back in Port Huron and the Flags closed out the series with a 6-5 squeaker in Flint. Terry McDonald got the winner in the last three minutes of play. &#9632;

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Komets’ Fans Anxious After Quick Ouster Of Toledo

<div class="byline">BY BRUCE PENTON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-01191/3742196-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="568" height="607"><figcaption class="caption-body">BERNIE FEDERKO &hellip;Player Of Year</figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-02141/3742189-1-eng-US/f0039-022.jpg" title="f0039-02" width="580" height="601"><figcaption class="caption-body">DON MURDOCH &hellip;Hurt In Brawl</figcaption></div>NEW WESTMINSTER&mdash;This is the capital of junior hockey in Western Canada. In about one month, New Westminster Bruins&rsquo; coach Ernie McLean hopes to be able to proclaim the lower mainland city as No. 1 in Canadian junior hockey circles.The Bruins had the most successful regular season of any other team before it. Most wins, most points, most goals scored&mdash;463, a phenomenal 6.4 per game &mdash; as they ran roughshod towards easy winners of the inaugural Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as over all standings&rsquo; champions.The Bruins&rsquo; feat at dominating the league ranked with the greatest individual feat &mdash; that of Saskatoon Blades&rsquo; Bernie Federko taking the scoring title with 187 points, 19 better than the old record set in 1967-68 by Bobby Clarke.With those two remarkable achievemeted out and the whole sordid mess received national television and newspaper coverage which lasted too long for the good of the game not to suffer.Player of the Year &mdash; Bernie Federko.Disappointment of the year &mdash; Edmonton Oil Kings, thought&rsquo;by most to have one of the more talented teams in the league, stumbled their way to a second-straight fifth-place finish in the Western Division.Blackest day of the year &mdash; Feb. 20, in Saskatoon, where a wild brawl broke out between the Blades and Victoria Cougars. As a result of the game, three Blades were hospitalized, two of them were finished for the season, charges of assault were laid, suspensions were meted out and the whole sordid mess received national television and newspaper coverage which lasted too long for the good of the game not to suffer.Individual game of the year &mdash; Over-age right winger Mike Bradbury of Brandon Wheat Kings tied two league records with six goals (also two assists) in an 11-5 win in Flin Flon over the Bombers. Five of those goals (two short-handed) came in the final period. Bradbury kept up his hot stick, scoring 14 goals and seven assists in Brandon&rsquo;s final five games of the season.Most over-used quote &mdash; &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m responsible for violence in hockey, then I don&rsquo;t want to be in it.&rdquo; So said Patty Ginnell, who resigned as Victoria coach after the Feb. 20 brawl in Saskatoon. Because of the hubbub the brawl caused, the quote was used over and over again. Then, when Ginnell returned to coach at the start of the playoffs, it was recycled, many times too often. P.S. No one man is responsible for violence in hockey.Greatest feat by a defenseman &mdash; Winnipeg Clubs&rsquo; Kevin McCarthy, who finished 12th in the league scoring race, setting defensive records for assists (88, old record: 71) and points (121, old record: 103).Worst decision &mdash; By the league&rsquo;s board of governors, who thought up a playoff system whereas, as it turned out, provincial rivalries were thrown out, travelling expenses were doubled or tripled and teams were rewarded (by meeting inferior opposition) for finishing lower in the standings than other teams.Most unusual incident &mdash; After a wild brawl in Medicine Hat between the Tigers and Lethbridge Broncos, visiting coach Mike Sauter spent an hour or so in a Medicine Hat jail for his own protection, somebody said. No charges were laid, it was just that the police figured it was the smartest thing to do to avoid further trouble.Most impressive rookie &mdash; Brandon&rsquo;s 17-year-old Bill Derlago, the only freshman to exceed 100 points, finishlying with 49 goals and 53 assists for 102 points. Lethbridge&rsquo;s Steve Tambellini was next, about 10 points back.Hard-luck player of the year &mdash; Winnipeg&rsquo;s Gord Blumenschein, who was the league&rsquo;s highest scorer until he went down with cartilage trouble in his knee and missed about two months. The 19-year-old center returned after surgery and gave a good shot at the 100-point mark, finishing with 94.Hard-luck coach &mdash; A six-way tie, as a half dozen mentors either quit or were fired. Calgary led the list, going through two&mdash;Dave Amadio and Bert Olmstead, who was fired with two games left in the season. Other casualties were George Dorman (Winnipeg), Mel Pearson (Flin Flon), Earl Ingarfield (Lethbridge), and Doug Messier (Edmonton).Best road stretch &mdash; Kamloops Chiefs, early in the season, when they went undefeated in something like 12 road games to set a league standard for road excellence.Best home stretch &mdash; New Westminster Bruins all season, during which they lost just twice in 36 games &mdash; 7-6 to Calgary and 3-2 to Lethbridge. On the season the Bruins outscored their opposition 275-96 in Queen&rsquo;s Park Arena.Individual disappointment of year &mdash; Danny Lucas&rsquo; sudden departure from Victoria Cougars. A sensational (113 points) rookie last year at just 16, Lucas got in a huff with coach Patty Ginnell around Christmas, packed his bags and went home to Powell River. And no, he never returned and his fate is still unlearned. The disappointment involved is that WCHL fans were robbed of watching this extraordinary talent in action.Line of the year &mdash; Medicine Hats&rsquo; high-scoring trio of Greg Carroll, Don Murdoch and Morris Lukowich, which scored well over half of the Tigers&rsquo; goals, finishing with 213, an average of three per game. They also had 474 points. Remarkable!Most underrated player &mdash; Medicine Hat&rsquo;s Tom Bast, a great 18-year-old speedster who had the misfortune of playing on the Tigers&rsquo; second line, behind the offensive machine which led the team. Still he was getting work on the power-play, which helped Bast finish with 91 points.Best rule innovation &mdash; The one concerning fights, and who would know better about that than Patty Ginnell, the man who proposed that when a fight breaks out, other players on the ice must proceed directly to in front of their respective players&rsquo; benches or risk getting a game misconduct. It worked well, with none of that usual waltzing around when other players automatically paired off.There are the highlights. More, obviously, will come as the playoffs get into full swing. In opening games this week, there was the odd surprise, but the favored teams, by the end of the week, were in control.Victoria Cougars won twice at home and once in Regina for a 7-1 points&rsquo; lead over the Pats. In the game the teams tied, Pats held a 3-0 lead at one stage. Victoria needs just a tie to eliminate Regina.New Westminster barely beat Brandon 3-2 in their opening game of the best-of-nine series. Glen Hanlon, Wheat King goalie, was the difference in that one with 40 stops.Medicine Hat Tigers, playing without 88-goal man Don Murdoch in the first two games, led Edmonton Oil Kings three games to one in their best-of-seven. The lone Edmonton win was in Medicine Hat. Murdoch was out due to injuries he received in a fight against New Westminster&rsquo;s Clay Pachal in the last regular-season game at the Vancouver Coliseum, watched by almost 10,000 fans. Apparently, three Tigers, Murdoch included, came off the bench when the fights started, but that wasn&rsquo;t mentioned on the official game report. As a result, Murdoch wasn&rsquo;t suspended, but Pachal got two games&mdash;the length of Murdoch&rsquo;s recuperation.Meanwhile, Saskatoon Blades are having trouble with underdog Lethbridge Broncos, who earned a tie in Saskatoon in the second game of the best-of-seven series. Blades won the opener 9-4.The other series is strictly a homeice affair, as Kamloops won twice in its building over a highly-competitive Winnipeg Clubs&rsquo; team. Then the Clubs won the third game, in Winnipeg, 8-5. &#9632;

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Record-Breaking Bruins Set Sights On Bringing National Title To WCHL

<h2>WESTERN CANADA LEAGUE</h2><h3>Preliminary Round</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-03109/3742325-1-eng-US/f0039-032.jpg" title="f0039-03" width="590" height="79"></div>(New Westminster wins eight-point series 8-0)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>New Westminster 3, Brandon 2New Westminster 9, Brandon 2New Westminster 5, Brandon 3New Westminster 9, Brandon 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0492/3742318-1-eng-US/f0039-042.jpg" title="f0039-04" width="589" height="79"></div>(Eight-point series tied 6-6)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Saskatoon 9, Lethbridge 4Saskatoon 3, Lethbridge 3Lethbridge 5, Saskatoon 4Lethbridge 4, Saskatoon 2Saskatoon 7, Lethbridge 2Saskatoon 6, Lethbridge 6<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0573/3742311-1-eng-US/f0039-052.jpg" title="f0039-05" width="590" height="77"></div>(Kamloops wins eight-point series 8-4)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Kamloops 4, Winnipeg 2Kamaloops5. Winnipeg 2Winnipeg 8. Kamloops 5Kamloops 3, Winnipeg 3Kamloops 2, Winnipeg 2Kamrbops 6, Winnipeg 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0660/3742304-1-eng-US/f0039-062.jpg" title="f0039-06" width="589" height="81"></div>(Victoria wins eight-point series 9-3)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Victorio 3, Regina 1Regina 6, Victoria 4Victoria 9, Regma 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0751/3742297-1-eng-US/f0039-072.jpg" title="f0039-07" width="591" height="80"></div>(Medicine Hat won eight-point series 8-2)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Victorio 3, Medicine Hot 2Victoria 2, Medicine Hat 2<h3>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0845/3742290-1-eng-US/f0039-082.jpg" title="f0039-08" width="598" height="703"></div><h2>CENTENNIAL CUP</h2><h3>Eastern Quarter-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0938/3742283-1-eng-US/f0039-092.jpg" title="f0039-09" width="610" height="85"></div>(Guelph wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1034/3742276-1-eng-US/f0039-102.jpg" title="f0039-10" width="590" height="75"></div>(Rockland wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1132/3742269-1-eng-US/f0039-112.jpg" title="f0039-11" width="589" height="76"></div>Charlottetown wins best-of-seven series 4-2)<h3>Eastern Semi-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1229/3742262-1-eng-US/f0039-122.jpg" title="f0039-12" width="592" height="82"></div>(Charlottetown leads best-of-seven series 1-0)<h3>Western Quarter-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1325/3742255-1-eng-US/f0039-132.jpg" title="f0039-13" width="596" height="81"></div>(Prince Albert leads best-of-seven series 1-0)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1422/3742248-1-eng-US/f0039-142.jpg" title="f0039-14" width="587" height="74"></div>(price Grove loads best-of-seven series 1-0)<h2>WESTERN INTERNATIONAL</h2>Finals<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1521/3742241-1-eng-US/f0039-152.jpg" title="f0039-15" width="590" height="78"></div>(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Spokane 1, Cranbrook 3Spokane 5, Cronbrook 4<h2>SEMI-FINALS</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1619/3742234-1-eng-US/f0039-162.jpg" title="f0039-16" width="591" height="78"></div><h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Cranbrook 7, Kimberley 3Kimberley 1, Cranbrook 4<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1716/3742227-1-eng-US/f0039-172.jpg" title="f0039-17" width="589" height="77"></div><h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Spokane 4, Trail 6Trail 4, Spokane 7Spokane 7, Trail 4 &#9632;

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LOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY. LTDArnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U. S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTDArnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U. S. and Canada&mdash;PHILADELPHIAWhen the North American Hockey League&rsquo;s post-season round began a few weeks ago most everyone was adamant about one thing &mdash; if the favored Beauce Jaros stumble on the way to the title the one team that could topple them would be the Philadelphia Firebirds.Well, the fired-up Birds are making prophets out of the NAHL prognosticators as they continue to bring the powerful Jaros to their knees in the best-of-seven championship series.Beauce, with a phletora of 100-point scorers and an imposing season long record that saw them run away and hide from the rest of the NAHL, wasn&rsquo;t having things the way the Jaros quite expected.The teams headed back to St. Georges de Beauce near Quebec City for the fifth game of the series all tied at 2-2 and there is a good chance the finals will go the sevengame limit the way the Firebirds are turning it on in the playoffs.Gregg Pilling&rsquo;s Philly skaters opened the series with a 7-5 upset right in little old Beauce. The Jaros won the second game at home 7-4 but once the teams headed to Philadelphia for games three and four, the Firebirds were hard to handle. They won game three by a convincing 6-1 score and only lost the fourth 7-6 to the Jaros, who have been behind throughout the series. On top of that, the Firebirds have outscored the Jaros 23-20 in the series and nobody outscores a team like Beauce. Over the regular 74-game schedule they collected an unbelievable 462 goals. The Firebirds were No. 2 in this department with 373.Both teams earned their way into the NAHL finals mostly because they had the offense to carry the load. The Jaros ousted Maine 3-1 in the quarter-finals and took Syracuse Blazers out in four straight in the semi-finals, a performance that stamped them as the team to beat for the cup.But on the other hand, the Philly Firebirds weren&rsquo;t exactly struggling in their playoff matchups. They ousted Erie 3-2 in the quarter-finals and knocked off the defending league champion Johnstown Jets 4-1 in the semi-finals. The Jets finished as the top team in the West Division, six points ahead of the Firebirds.The stage is now set for the big games in the final series with Beauce having the advantage of two of the last three at home should the series go all the way to seven games.No one is betting the Philadelphia Firebirds can&rsquo;t pull it off. &#9632;

Firebirds Pushing Favorite Beauce To Limit In Showdown For NAHL Title

BILLINGS&mdash;Blazers are fired up is the word heading back to Billings while their hockey team makes a determined effort to take over sole possession of third place in the Southwest Hockey League.The Blazers opened their final road trip with three consecutive wins, including a pair of decisions over league-leading Albuquerque Chaparrals.Down to just a dozen skaters, due to sickness and injuries, the Blazers &ldquo;Dirty Dozen&rdquo; turned in a 6-5 win against Amarillo before adding back-to-back 5-2 victories over the front-running Chaparrals.&ldquo;Their performances must be attributed to a total team effort,&rdquo; claimed coach Bing Juckes. &ldquo;If they keep up the pace, we&rsquo;ll be there come the final round of the playoffs.&rdquo;AMARILLO: Wranglers&rsquo; coach Cal Swenson was disappointed in his losses against the Minot Raiders and Billings, but the Wranglers hopes for first place were rejuvenated when the Blazers beat Albuquerque on consecutive nights. The Wranglers welcome the addition of Pat Severyn, whose brother Marc is with the team. The Amarillo Wranglers Booster Club has presented coach Vern Quaroni and captain Dave Crook of the Billings Blazers with bouquets of flowers in their appreciation for a job well done in Albuquerque.ALBUQUERQUE: Although the Chaparrals dropped two games to the Blazers by twin scores of 5-2, they retained first place. The Amarillo Wranglers are in the driver&rsquo;s seat for the league leadership since the Chaparalls have played 70 games to Amarillo&rsquo;s 68. Coach Bob Gernander announced the loss of the services of winger Steve MacDonald for the season with a separated shoulder. Also lost to the team was defenseman Jeff Hyman-son who joined the United States team in the World Tournament in Poland.MINOT: The Raiders completed their home season with a back-to-back series with the Butte Copper Kings. Raider manager Ron Lyons has announced the signing of Tony Bodnar at center as well as Gary Boskill, the brother of current Raider player Ron Boskill. The Raiders will close their 1975-76 season with a three-game road trip to the southern portion of the league, facing Amarillo twice and Albuquerque once.BUTTE: There appears to be a race for the wire between the Copper Kings and Billings as they wind up regular season play. The Blazers currently have the edge, but coach Les Jackson of the Kings is confident of retaining third place as the season winds down. The Kings will be facing Minot and Billings twice each.Following the completion of an unfinished game against Billings from earlier in the season, the two teams will wind up their regular season schedules in a head-to-head battletodecidethird place. &#9632;

SOUTHWEST LEAGUE ROUNDUP

QUEBEC CITY&mdash;As the second game of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semi-final series between Quebec Remparts and Cornwall Royals moved back here, the Remparts were rejoicing after quickly taking over the home ice advantage with a 5-3 road win in Cornwall.But if they&rsquo;ve learned anything from the previous playoff round, its that the Royals, coached by Orval Tessier, have proved to be a team that can come back from adversity.While Quebec and Trois Rivieres moved through the quarter-finals with relatively easy five-game series, defeating Sorel Black Hawks (5-3 in the final g me) Chicoutimi Sagueneens, (7-2 to advance) respectively, Cornwall did it the hard way against the Montreal Juniors.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-157/3742404-1-eng-US/f0041-152.jpg" title="f0041-15" width="564" height="719"><figcaption class="caption-body">NORMAND DUPONT &hellip;Wins Award</figcaption></div>Not only did the Royals lose their home-ice edge by dropping the first game to the Montreal skaters in Cornwall, 4-2, but they were very nearly blown out of the Forum in their return match in Montreal, dropping a 7-1 decision.Coach Tessier promised a rapid about-face, and the Royals responded with four consecutive victories to eliminate Montreal from the playoff scene. The last game was a 5-3 triumph in the Forum.And so Ron Racette&rsquo;s Remparts may have to guard against overconfidence as they tangle with the Royals with their newly-gained home-ice &ldquo;advantage&rdquo;The league&rsquo;s other semi-final series pits the Western Division champion Sherbrooke Beavers against Trois Rivieres in what should be a mere formality for the Beavers.However, Sherbrooke had a peck ot trouble with the lowly Hull Festivals. taking six games to dispose ot the pesky Hull squad. The Beavers finally clinched the series with a 4-3 decision.They&rsquo;ll be facing a hot Trois Rivieres team, too, which erupted for 37 goals in five games against Chicoutimi, and which boast four of the top 10 scorers in the playoffs thus far.Cornwall&rsquo;s Bill Smith leads with 15 points, while Daniel Desjardins of Trois Rivieres and Denis Turcotte of Quebec are tied for second with 14 points apiece. Richard Dalpe and Claude Huard of Trois Rivieres are next with 13 points each, followed by Glen Sharpley of Hull. Robert Picard of Montreal, Danny Geoffrion of Cornwall and Richard David of Trois Rivieres all with 11 points.Remparts&rsquo; rearguard Jean Gagnon was named the league&rsquo;s top defenseman for the season and the winner ot the Butch Bouchard Trophy, league offices announced recently.Gagnon, who received seven of a possible nine votes for the trophy, is in his final year of junior eligibility. He also finished a close second to Peter Marsh of the Beavers, who was voted the most effective player and given the Michel Briere Trophy. Marsha center, placed third in league scoring with 156 points, including 75 goals.Other awards went to Normand Dupont of Montreal as the most gentlemanly player, (Frank Selke Trophy) and to Shawinigans&rsquo;s Marc Bonamie as rookie of the year (Coaches&rsquo; Trophy). &#9632;

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Cornwall Striving To Provide Stumbling Block For Sherbrooke-Quebec QMHL ‘Showdown’ Final

<h2>QUEBEC MAJOR LEAGUE</h2><h3>Semi-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-01123/3742526-1-eng-US/f0041-012.jpg" title="f0041-01" width="616" height="85"></div>(Sherbrooke leads bost-of-seven series 2-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sherbrooke 10, Trois-Rivieres 5Sherbrooke 8, Trois-Riviere 6<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0276/3742519-1-eng-US/f0041-022.jpg" title="f0041-02" width="598" height="80"></div>(Quebec leads bost-of-sovon series 2-0)<h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2>Quebec 5, Cornwall 3Quebec 3. Cornwall 1<h3>Quarter-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0351/3742512-1-eng-US/f0041-032.jpg" title="f0041-03" width="598" height="79"></div>(Sherbrooke wins bost-of-soven series 4-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Sherbrooke 4, Hull 3Hull 7, Sherbrooke 5Sherbrooke 5, Hull 3Hull 6, Sherbrooke 4Sherbrooke 7, Hull 2Sherbrooke 4. Hull 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0440/3742505-1-eng-US/f0041-042.jpg" title="f0041-04" width="556" height="78"></div>(Cornwall wins best-of-seven series 4-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Thu. March 25Montreal 4 ot Cornwall 2Sun. March 28Cornwall 1 at Montreal 7Tue. March 30Montreal 2 at Cornwall 4Thu. April 1Cornwall 6 ot Montreal 4Fri. Apr. 2Montr eal 3 at Cornwall 5Sun. April 4Cornwall 5 at Montrel 3<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0532/3742498-1-eng-US/f0041-052.jpg" title="f0041-05" width="541" height="78"></div>(Quebec wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. March 26Sorel 5 at Quebec 6Sun. March 28Que bee 4 at Sorel 6Mon. March 29Sorel 2 at Quebec 5Thu. April 1Quebec 4 ot Sorel 3Fri. Apr. 2Sorel 3 at Quebec 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0627/3742491-1-eng-US/f0041-062.jpg" title="f0041-06" width="544" height="79"></div>(Trois-Rivieres wins best-of-seven series 4-1)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Fri. March 26Chicoutimi 2 at Trois-Rivieres 7Sun. March 28Chcoutimi 2 at Trois-Rivieres 12Tue. March 30Trois-Rivieres 5 at Chicoutimi 8Thu. April 1Trois-Rivieres 6 at Chicoutimi 4Sat. April 3Chicoutimi 2 at Trois-Rivieres 7<h2>SOUTHWEST LEAGUE</h2>(Standings on Fri. April 2)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0724/3742484-1-eng-US/f0041-072.jpg" title="f0041-07" width="586" height="155"></div><h3>LEADING SCORERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0822/3742477-1-eng-US/f0041-082.jpg" title="f0041-08" width="593" height="359"></div><h2>NEW YORK METRO JUNIOR</h2><h3>Quarter-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-0916/3742470-1-eng-US/f0041-092.jpg" title="f0041-09" width="599" height="83"></div>(Americans win best-of-five series, 2-0, one tied)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-1016/3742463-1-eng-US/f0041-102.jpg" title="f0041-10" width="592" height="79"></div>(Suffolk wins best-of-three series 2-0)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-1116/3742456-1-eng-US/f0041-112.jpg" title="f0041-11" width="600" height="71"></div>(Bergen-Rockland wins best-of-five series 2-1, one tied)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-1211/3742449-1-eng-US/f0041-122.jpg" title="f0041-12" width="600" height="79"></div>(Westsiders win best-of-five series 2-0, one tied)<h3>Semi-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-137/3742442-1-eng-US/f0041-132.jpg" title="f0041-13" width="590" height="59"></div>(Americans lead best-of-five series 1-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><h2>N.Y. Americans 7, N.Y. Westsiders 3</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-147/3742435-1-eng-US/f0041-142.jpg" title="f0041-14" width="601" height="85"></div>(Bergen-Rockland leads best-of-five series 1-0)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Bergen-Rockland 4, Suffolk 3 &#9632;

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<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0041-16" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-164/3742557-1-eng-US/f0041-162.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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QMHL All Star Teams

<div class="byline">BY STEVE WAID</div>LOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY. LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaLOUISVILLE SLUGGER HOCKEY STICKSMade in Canada by HILLERICH & BRADSBY, LTD Arnold Street. Wallaceburg. Ontario Sold in U.S. and CanadaROANOKE&mdash;Hope sprang eternal at the Southern Hockey League post-season meetings April 5 in Roanoke.After a turbulent season in which financial problems plagued five of the SHL&rsquo;s six teams, there was considerable doubt as to the future of the league. Certainly, the league couldn&rsquo;t go through another season like 1975-76 and it would have to take steps to avoid the money problems that belabored it throughout the season.At the league meetings in Roanoke, a lot of the league&rsquo;s difficulties were hashed out and league commissioner Jack Riley left the meeting optimistic that things at long last were beginning to move in the right direction.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-01122/3742588-1-eng-US/f0042-012.jpg" title="f0042-01" width="571" height="831"><figcaption class="caption-body">JACK RILEY &hellip; He&rsquo;s Optimistic</figcaption></div>First, all six league franchises committed themselves for next season. It was uncertain whether or not a few of the teams would continue to operate&mdash;most notably Charlotte and Roanoke. But after meeting, these two joined with Hampton. Tidewater, Greensboro and Winston-Salem in a committment to continue operations next season.&ldquo;I&rsquo;m encouraged,&rdquo; said Riley after the meeting. &ldquo;We all came here to determine just what we would do next year and we have determined that we will have a league.&rdquo;Riley said that some of the franchises understandably still have financial problems to solve. But each franchise was armed with a plan to restructure itself, if necessary, to come back next season.Hampton, which wound up the regular season in second place and lost to Charlotte in the SHL finals, has no money problems. The Gulls&rsquo; strong attendance allowed the franchise to make a few dollars this season. Consequently, the Gulls are going full steam for next season.Charles Wornom, the president of the Gulls, was in attendance at the meeting along with Hampton general manager Charlie Newsome and coach-John Brophy. Wornom rejected any potions that Hampton would move to the American Hockey League because of his team&rsquo;s success this season. He said the AHL was far too expensive and that Hampton could offer a good hockey product at a lower cost.Tidewater, represented by team owner Dr. Jack Kasdin and general manager Kevin Johnson, admitted that it had a problem with operating capital for next season, but Johnson said that Tidewater was being helped considerably by a good season ticket sale.Johnson said that he had 400 seasontickets committed in writing and he hoped the team could sell 1,500. Head-ded that the team would be happy with 1.000 season tickets, which, he said, would improve the team&rsquo;s capital outlay considerably.Roanoke, hampered considerably by financial problems this year, nonetheless determined that it would come back after majority stockholder Henry Brabham and general manager Jack Chipchase attended the meeting.Brabham said that the Rebels are open for business as far as season ticket and advertising sales are concerned. He said that he knew of potential new&rsquo; investors in the team, and, if the team could clear legal obstacles, a public partnership sale in the team could begin to raise even more money.&ldquo;We now know that the SHL is coming back and Roanoke is coming back with it.&rdquo; said Brabham.Charlotte seemed to be carrying the heaviest burden at the meeting, since former team president a Al Manch declared that his organization was through with hockey and had officially withdrawn its interests.However, Charlotte, which won its second consecutive SHL title this past season, was represented at the meeting by coach-general manager Pat Kelly, who served as a spokesman for a new group of potential owners. Evidently, these owners have an interest in acquiring the Charlotte franchise provided they can make proper arrangements with Manch and the city of Charlotte both of which claim ownership of the team.The league said it would welcome Charlotte with open arms if a new ownership did indeed take over. League officials seemed optimistic that Charlotte, which has enjoyed a hockey team for 20 years, would again have a team.Greensboro is seemingly well into the hands of new owners, as Bob Long, a marketing executive, represented the team at the meeting. Long has a group of owners who want to move the team from the Piedmont Sports Arena back into the the seat Greensboro Coliseum. Long is working closely with Colsieum head Eugene Johnson, who also wants to see hockey return to his building.The league was satisfied that his new group would restore the financially-plagued Generals to their former strong status in the league.Salem owner Jim Crockett was not present at the meeting, hut when contacted by telephone, he said that the Polar Twins&rsquo; office was open and selling season tickets for next year with every intention of coming back. Croc kett also said that he thought it would be a good idea if all league teams paid their debts to the league and show the proper financial credentials to insure stability for the coming season as soon as possible.With so much housecleaning of its own. it would seem unlikely that the league would talk of expansion. But it did. Richmond, now in the AHL, has long been considered a prime SHL. franchise in the future.While Richmond had no representative at the meeting, it&rsquo;s generally known that team owner Claiborne Robins has seriously considered moving his team into the SHL. There is also another group in Richmond ready to put a team in the league if Robins decide to get out of hockey altogether.In other matters, the league adopted overtime play for next season and will study the possibility of using WHA referees. Also, the league will take under advisement methods of reducing gross payroll budgets and limiting players weekly salaries. &#9632;

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SHL Gets Assurances It Will Operate Next Season

<div class="byline">BY JOHN ARNOLD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-0283/3742619-1-eng-US/f0042-022.jpg" title="f0042-02" width="906" height="1221"></div>SOLUTION IN APRIL 30 ISSUE<h2>ACROSS</h2>1. Wears No. 14 for Minnesota.4. An NHL general manager, (init)6. The NHL had 4 of these for 1 st place this season.9. Former Ranger nicknamed &ldquo;Bones&rdquo;.10.Rick Blight was born in this month, (abbr)11. Skating requisite.13. &mdash;Diego.14. A WHA defenseman (init)15. 22nd and 15th letters of the alphabet.16. Met Pittsburgh in the 1st round of the NHL playoffs (abbr)17. Former NHLforward.20. Pictured player is 6&rsquo;2&rdquo;. (abbr.)21. 1st and 5th letters of the alphabet.22. 14th and 9th letters of the alphabet.23. Former Leaf Captain nicknamed &ldquo;Teeder&rdquo;.28. Ex-Canuck captain, (init)29. Won Western Hockey League rookie award in 1965-66.<h2>DOWN</h2>1. Pictured player.2. These brothers once played for the Leafs.3. One of the Flames answers to this.4. An NHLcaptain.5. Same as 21 across.7. Initials of former Ranger Guidolin.8. Former St. Louis goaltender.12. Scored 78 goals for Beauce this year.14. An NHL coach answers to this.15. Former NHL defenseman nicknamed &ldquo;Moose&rdquo;.18. First name of one of the Wings.19. City in Nevada.24. One of the Flames, (init)25. Ex-Red Wing Reibel. (init)26. A Penguin defenseman. (init)27. 25th and 1st letters of the alphabet.<h2>LAST WEEK&rsquo;S ANSWERS</h2><h2>ADROSS</h2>1. IMLACH5. R.H.7. NO.8. UKES.9. GORDON.12. ARE.13. STEAK.16. REG.17. ONE.18. IAN.20. TEN.22. ERA.23. R.E.24. L.B.25. EDWARD.28. DOUGLAS30. BRUNETEAU.<h2>Down</h2>1. INGARFIELD2. MOORE.3. ADD.4. HUNT.5. REGAN.6. H.S.10. REGINA.11. O.S.14. E.O.15. KENNEDY.19. ARBOUR.21. ERR.25. EGAN.26. WALT.27. A.S.29. G.A. &#9632;

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HOCKEY CROSSWORD

<div class="byline">BY HOWIE STALWICK</div>SPOKANE&mdash;It has been said by more than one Western International Hockey League follower over the years that &ldquo;WIHL&rdquo; stands not so much for the latter as for &ldquo;Western International Homers League.&rdquo; But don&rsquo;t tell Spokane&rsquo;s Flyers.The Flyers have won four of their five tough away clashes thus far in post-season play, and their latest road triumph allowed the club to return home for the next two finals I games with Cranbrook even-up with the Royals at one win apiece.Actually, Spokane coach and general manager Tom Hodges felt his squad played their best finals game in a 3-1 opening loss on Cranbrook ice, but he&rsquo;s decided to keep the Flyers&rsquo; 5-4 victory of the following night all the same.Both contests in Cranbrook drew capacity crowds of 1.538 to tiny Memorial Arena, and the fan count figures to rise considerably above that now that the series shifts to the more spacious Spokene Coliseum, if the two teams keep up their spectacular early play.Goaltending has been the first and last name of the game for both Cranbrook and Spokane in the first two matches, as Royal ironman Leo Karchie attempts to offset the Flyers&rsquo; solid one two combo of Henry Durkin and Frank Turnbull.The league&rsquo;s two-time defending &ldquo;goaltender-of-the-year.&rdquo; Karchie out-spectaculared Durkin in the opening game while making 26 often-sensational stops, five fewer than the fine young Flyer netminder.After first Spokane and then Cranbrook scored single, unanswered tallies early in the first and second periods, respectively, Brian Dickie notched the winner for the Royals at 4:11 of the final stanza when his desperation attempt to simply hold the puck in at the Spokane blueline weaved through a protective screen and beat Durkin.Gerry Cover cinched the Cranbrook triumph when he hit an empty net with 1:40 to goSpokane earned the key break even road decision the next night when Turnbull steered aside 44 shots, compared to a mere 18 for Karchie.Despite the shots discrepancy. Spokane had the upper hand throughout much of the game, helped substantially by the tremendous two-way play of defenseman Murray Kennett.The Flyer blueliner has never been better this season than in the playoffs, and his four assists the second night included one on Bob Trembecky&rsquo;s game-winning goal with 2:28 left to play.The Royals&rsquo; efforts to pull Karchie from the nets tor an extra skater were thwarted by Spokane&rsquo;s persistent checking until there were just 48 seconds left, and Trembecky and Bob Stoyko helped drown the late Cranbrook offensive fire by winning crucial face-offs.So, the series now moves south of the border, and with it comes a tight race for the post-season scoring title.Flyer right winger Nels Venerus presently leads in both goals and total points with seven and 14. respectively, but Gover is now just twodigits back at 4-8-12 along with Kennett (2-10-12).Kennett presently paces all play off scorers with 10 assists along with teammate Ken Gustafson, who is tied with Trembecky (6-5) in points at 11.Karchie is way ahead of everybody in goaltending with a 2.86 average lor seven games. Durkin has worked four contests with a 3.75 mark, and Turnbull is third in the league at 4.00 after three outings &#9632;

The WIHL Scene

<h2>MIDWEST JUNIOR LEAGUE</h2>(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-01121/3742723-1-eng-US/f0043-012.jpg" title="f0043-01" width="596" height="132"></div><h3>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0285/3742716-1-eng-US/f0043-022.jpg" title="f0043-02" width="596" height="703"></div><h3>FINAL GOALING RECORDS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0367/3742709-1-eng-US/f0043-032.jpg" title="f0043-03" width="594" height="329"></div><h2>PLAYOFFS</h2><h3>Semi-Finals</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0454/3742702-1-eng-US/f0043-042.jpg" title="f0043-04" width="586" height="78"></div>(Hennepin wins best-of-seven series 4-1<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>Austin 4, Hennepin 1Hennepin 4, Austin 3Hennepin 6, Austin 1Hennepin 10, Austin 9Hennepin 7, Austin 5<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0544/3742695-1-eng-US/f0043-052.jpg" title="f0043-05" width="591" height="75"></div>(St. Paul wins best-of-seven series 4-2)<h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3>St. Paul 6, Bloomington 1Bloomington 5, St. Paul 0St. Paul 7, Bloomington 4Bloomington 4, St. Paul 3St. Paul 4, Bloomington 2St. Paul 7, Bloomington 3<h2>NEW ENGLAND JUNIOR</h2>(Final Standings)<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0633/3742688-1-eng-US/f0043-062.jpg" title="f0043-06" width="596" height="195"></div><h3>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0731/3742681-1-eng-US/f0043-072.jpg" title="f0043-07" width="591" height="265"></div><h3>Leading Goalers</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0823/3742674-1-eng-US/f0043-082.jpg" title="f0043-08" width="592" height="142"></div> &#9632;

f0043-01

<div class="byline">BY BILL HILTS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-0922/3742754-1-eng-US/f0043-092.jpg" title="f0043-09" width="337" height="406"></div><h2>Midwest League</h2>The Midwest Junidr Hockey League Clark Cup Playoffs opened the end of March with first-place Austin meeting fourth-place Hennepin, and Bloomington taking on St. Paul in best-of-seven series.The Mavericks, who have a 7-6-1 record against Hennepin in regular season play, go into the playoffs off three straight losses, two of them to the Nordiques. Bloomington compiled an 8-5-1 record against the Vulcans, who won the Clark Cup in 1973-74 then lost it to the Jr. Stars last Year.After a season of seesawing for standings, only 11 points separated Austin from Hennepin. In the first MJHL season, there was a 79-point spread between regular season co-champions Thunder Bay and Minnesota and lastplace Chicago. Last year, the difference between first place (Minnesota) and last (Austin) at season&rsquo;s end was 46 points.Following the Clark Cup playoffs, Austin, as home team, and the Clark Cup Champion, (or runnerup, if Austin wins the playoffs) will represent the MJHL in the National Junior &ldquo;A&rdquo; Championships, which will be held at Austin&rsquo;s Riverside Arena April 9-11.<h2>Manitoba League</h2>Final regular season statistics show Ken Krentz of Selkirk Steelers the scoring leader in many departments. Krentz notched the scoring crown with 109 points. He also netted 45 goals and 64 assists, both tops in the MJHL.Jim Misener of Dauphin was runnerup in the scoring race with 98 points on 40 goals and 58 assists. Anthony Gurniak of West Kildonan was third with 36 goals and 55 assists for 91 points. Brett Vincent of Brandon had 87 points, Ray Creasy of Portage had 85 points, Tom Legge of St. James had 84 points and Rich Peters of West Kildonan had 83 points.Other individual leaders were Tim Lockridge of Brandon - 253 penalty minutes. Owen Connolly of Dauphin with five shorthanded goals. Tom Legge of St. James with 19 power play goals; Dave Stekler of the Monarchs with seven winning goals and Jim Misener of Dauphin with 10 winning assists.In the goaltending department, Bruce Friesen of the Saints had the best GA average at 3.80. Jerry Caputo of West Kildonan was tops in shutouts with two. Phil Campeau of St. James led in three categories &mdash; most games played - 44, most completed games 38 and most minutes played 2544.<h2>New York-Penn League</h2>The Empire Cup Playoff Series is in full swing at this writing and the Rochester Monarchs swept four straight games in their semi-final set with the Southtown Cougars.The companion series has the league and State Champion Amherst Knights bumping heads with the pesky Niagara Falls Mangs Sharks. The Knights were quite confident it would be a short series withthe fourth-place finishers, but the determined Sharks thought differently. After dropping the first two games, the Niagara Falls juniors came back with a win. then another close loss to Amherst and then another win in the fifth game At the break point, so Amherst can participate in the U.S. National Jr. Tourney, the record stands at three wins for the Knights and two for the Sharks.In the Knights vs. Sharks opener, the Barton brothers. Bob and Pat each netted a goal apiece for Amherst, along with Derek Embody, Dale Guynn and Stu Campbell. Sharks scores were notched by Lou Rosetti and Harry Roberts.The third game saw Tim Simon, moved from defense to forward for that game, come up with a sterling performance, playing a solid all-around game, besides recording a pair of third period goals and as many assists to lead the Sharks to a 5-4 win. Tom netted the game winner at 15:37 of the final stanza. Other Shark scorers were Dave Raham, Jim Rickard and John Donaldson. Vic Talarico logged four assists. Knight scorers were Jeff Browns-chidle, Stu Campbell, Leo Lynett and Greg Jantzi.Amherst took the fourth game 5-3 with single goals by Jantzi, Mal Sheedy, Lynett, Embody and Paul Hamilton. Shark goals were by Rosetti, Bill Pippard and Mike Andrejcak.Pippard potted the winner in the fifth game at 18:35 of the third, which saw the Sharks win again by a 5-4 count. Mike Brigante netted a pair and singletons were fired by Roberts and Rosetti. Tom Wilde led Amherst with a pair of markers, with singles by Brownschidle and Jantzi.<h2>Great Lakes League</h2>Little Caesars swept Series &ldquo;A&rdquo; from the Oakland Chiefs, three games to none, to gain entry into the finals against the winner of the Jr. Wings - Paddock Pools series. Caesars took the first game on a shutout by Gred Kwiatkowski 8-0. Jeff Lawson had two goals and an assist and Tom Manning and Tom Michalek each scored once and assisted twice. Mike Hourigan. Tim McGraw, John Draheim and Tim Gitary also scored goals for Caesars.Little Caesars, with the aid of three first period goals, downed the Chiefs 4-3. in game two. Caesars first frame tallies were by Michalek. Lawson and Manning. Michalek added another goal at 6:50 of the second period that proved to be the winner. Oakland goalie Rudy Varvari stopped Caesars the second half of the game, while counterpart Jim Nista allowed one goal per period. The Oakland goals were scored by Tom Wylie, Jim Dales and Mark Jackson.To close out the series. Dean Turner scored two goals, including the game winner at 12:57 of the third period to pace Little Caesars to a 5-4 triumph over the Chiefs. Manning. Dave Ross and Draheim also notched goals for the winners, as Michalek accounted for three assists and Don Waddell and Hourigan two assists apiece. The Oakland goals were scored by Pete Poirier, Marshall Reyes, Rodger Moy and Wylie Kwiatkowski was the Caesars goalie, and Doug Ross wasOaklands net minder in the finaleAs of this writing the companion series between Paddock Saints and Detroit Jr Wings is deadlocked at two wins each In the opener Joe McClellan. Bob Peterson and Jack McKinch each scored two goals as the Paddock Pools Saints surprised the Jr Wings 8-5. Despite being outshot .14-38. the Saints made their shots count, as Pools goalie Frank Van Biesbrouck played an outstanding game to give the Saints an early series advantage. Mike Lackie and John Haddad also netted goals for the winners. Bryan Cammett topped the Wings with two markers, with Brian Gillum. Dave Gandini and Dave Feamster adding singlecounts &#9632;

f0043-09

JUNIOR JOTTINGS

PHILADELPHIA&mdash;The Philadelphia Flyers compiled the best record in the National Hockey League on home ice this season, taking 74 of a possible 80 points, while the Montreal Canadiens. the NHL&rsquo;s overall points leaders, had the best road record amassing 58 points.Philadelphia was 36-2-2 at the Spectrum, while the Canadiens finished with the second best home ice record. 32-3-5, for 62 points.On the road, Montreal fashioned an impressive 26-8-6 record for their 58 points. The Bruins were the runners-up with a 21-10-9 record for 51 points, followed by the New York Islanders at 18-13-9 for 45 points. Flyers were fourth in road play with a mark of 15-11-14 tor 44 points. &#9632;

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April 23, 1976

WHA Playoff Summaries

World Hockey Association Summaries

FAN FORUM

No Surprises In Early Cup Action As Canadiens, Bruins, Sabres Win