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October 8, 1976
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.
Realignment, New Playoff Format Among Changes For WCHL Teams
CALGARY— If the Western Canada Hockey League ever played two straight seasons with the same by-laws, the same teams and the same talent, things might get boring. To prevent that, governors are always looking for changes, it seems, and this season, they’ve gone to the extreme. Not only has the league moved into foreign territory (Portland, Ore.) but it has decreased the number of over-age players from four to one. and completely realigned the divisional arrangement. Not to mention designing a completely original playoff format which will probably confuse some people, but excite many more. The league had its earliest-ever opening night Sept. 22 when Brandon Wheat Kings battled the Monarchs, formerly known as the Clubs, in Winnipeg. The reason for the early start is a four-team tournament scheduled for over the Christmas season, involving…
Capitals Hope Lalonde Can Become Key Man In Improving Record
WASHINGTON- In baseball, they called Oakland outfielder Joe Rudi “underrated” so much that pretty soon he wasn’t — underrated any more. That may happen to Washington Capitals center Ron Lalonde, but don’t bet on it. Even though Ron’s temperament is even and his performance is consistent, his NHL career has had its up and downs. One of the biggest downs was last year around Thanksgiving when he was sitting on the bench for the losingest team in hockey. Then Tommy Williams went from leading playmaker to benchwarmer to minor leaguer in short order and Lalonde got some playing time. The first game Tom McVie coached in the NHL was a shutout against Detroit on New Year’s Eve. Asked who played well despite the drubbing, the first name out of McVie’s mouth was Ron Lalonde. Looking…
Bowman Claims World Hockey Title After Canada Sweeps Strong Czechs
MONTREAL Team Canada convinced everyone they were the best, but no one really lost in the Canada Cup competition. For the gallant Czechoslovaks there was recognition that they had pushed the greatest Canadian team ever assembled to sudden-death overtime in the deciding game; for the revamped Russians the realization that their junior players were coming of age; for the disappointed Swedes and their North American professionals a big win over Team Czechoslovakia; for the Finns a win over archrival Sweden; and for Team USA a victory over Finland and near misses against Canada and Czechoslovakia. Scotty Bowman, the “head” coach of Team Canada’s quartet, observed, “We beat them (Czechs) three of four counting an exhibition. They are the World Champions. That makes us tops, right? We have more individual ability and more experience…
DEADLINE STOPPERS
STEPHENSON WANTS OUT PHILADELPHIA- Wayne Stephenson has become disenchanted with the Philadelphia Flyers. He has asked to be traded and has informed the NHL club that he wants his present contract renegotiated. To show his displeasure he has not shown up at the Flyers’ training camp. Stephenson came into hockey prominence last season when he was forced to step into the goaling breach with the Flyers after Bernie Parent was immptiiizcd by a neck injury and was unable to play. Stephenson claims his contract stipulated he was to be a backup netminder only and since he was thrust into a starting role that lasted all season, he felt the Flyers should have, rewritten his contract. Gary Inness is currently backing up Parent with Stephenson a no-show in camp. TARDIF BACK ON ICE QUEBEC CITY— Tardif’s rehabilitation…
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