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.

January 28, 1977

The Hockey News January 28, 1977

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IN THIS ISSUE

Minor League Scoreboard

VANCOUVER&mdash;The City of Vancouver was preparing to spread the welcome mat for their first ever National Hockey League All Star game and indications were the hallowed walls of the Pacific Coliseum could very well reverberate with the sounds of vengeance.It goes without saying the Clarence Campbell Division All Stars are smarting over two straight losses at the hands of the Prince of Wales selects and they have vowed that things will be different this year.Coached by Philadelphia's Fred Shero, the Campbells will have a major representation of Flyer players to turn the tide on the Wales, something that they were unable to do in 1975 at Montreal when the Wales romped to a 7-1 win and again last year in the friendly confines of the Philadelphia Spectrum where the Wales All Stars prevailed again 7-5.All together there will be seven members of the Flyers, excluding Shero. on hand to represent the Wales Conference led by the Watson brothers. Jimmy and Joe, who are the first brother act to be selected to an NHL All Star team since the Espositos were chosen in 1972.The Vancouver classic, expected to attract an overflow crowd of 15,613, may develop into a showdown between Montreal and Philadelphia. While the Flyers placed seven on the Campbell's team, the Wales, who will be guided by Canadiens' coach Scotty Bowman, will have six players on the team. With 40 Ali Stars in uniform, that means Philly and Montreal will provide 13 players as well as the rival coaches.The Montreal contingent, headed by right winger Guy Lafleur. the only unanimous Wales selection in the poll conducted among members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Assocation in the nine conference cities, includes goaltender Ken Dryden, defensemen Larry Robinson and Guy Lapointe and left winger Steve Shutt.Goaltender Gerry Desjardins, center Gilbert Perreault and left winger Richard Martin are the Sabres selected while Toronto is represented by center Darryl Sittier, right winger Lanny McDonald and defenseman Borje Salming. Defenseman Brad Park will represent Boston.Bowman, under the rules of the All Star game, was permitted to add eight players to fill out the Wales roster. Chosen were defensemen Jim Schoenfeld of Buffalo and Serge Savard of Canadiens, centers Peter McNab of Boston and Washington's Guy Charron, left wings Nick Libett of Detroit and Al MacAdam of Cleveland, and left wings Marcel Dionne of L.A. and Pittsburgh's Jean Pronovost.All but two of the 12 original players named to the Prince of Wales team have played in at least one previous All Star game. The two exceptions are Desjardins and McDonald.Park is the All Star game veteran, having played in seven previous games. He had one goal and two assists in those contests. Martin, who has been in five games, has the most points of any of the selections. He scored one goal and added' \ three assists. Lapointe had two assists in three games.Here is the voting results for the 12 players named to Prince of Wales Conference Team:Goal&mdash;Dryden, 101; Desjardins, 90, Defense&mdash;Robinson, 124; Salming, 103; Lapointe, 80; Park, 69. Center&mdash;Sittier, 81; Perreault, 67. Right wing&mdash;Lafleur, 135; McDonald, 51. Left wing&mdash;Shutt, 131; Martin. 64.On the Campbell side of the ice, the five Flyers named are the Watson brothers, Jimmy and Joe, both defensemen. centers Bobby Clarke and Rick MacLeish and goaltender Bernie Parent.Goaltender Glenn Resch, defenseman Denis Potvin&mdash;the only unanimous Campbell selection&mdash;and left winger Clark Gillies are the Islanders named. Right wingers Rod Gilbert and rookie Don Murdoch represent the Rangers while defenseman Phil Russell of Chi-cago and left winger Eric Vail of Atlanta round out the starting 12 players.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011036/4155872-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg" title="f0003-01" width="595" height="1398"></div>Coach Shero picked defenseman Tom Bladon and right winger Gary Dornhoefer from his own club in announcing his eight add-ons for the game. Also selected to augment the starting team were defenseman Harold Snepsts of Vancouver, thelone member of the Canucks who will be playing before the home fans, centers Phil Esposito of Rangers and Garry Unger of St. Louis, right wing Wilf Paiement of Colorado and left wings Tom Lysiak of Atlanta and Minnesota's Tim Young.Among the 12 players voted to the team by the PHWA, Gilbert has the most experience in All Star game competition, having played in seven previous games. He had two assists in those contests. Highest point man among the 12 is-Potvin&mdash;three goals and one assist in three games. Clarke has been in six games and has two assists; Jimmy Watson, two games, nopoints; MacLeish, Joe Watson and Russell. one game each and no points.Bernie Parent has the most experience between he and Glenn Resch in All Star goaltending. Parent has been in four games and had nine goals against in five'and one-half periods.Here is how the voting went of the original 12 players named to the Campbell Team:Goal&mdash;Resch, 123; Parent. 70. Defense&mdash; Potvin, 135; Jimmy Watson, 55; Joe Watson, 43; Russell, 36. Center&mdash;Clarke, 129; MacLeish, 35. Right wing&mdash;Gilbert, 103; Murdoch, 83. Left wing&mdash;Vail 119;Gillies, 46.<div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-02891/4155865-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="1829" height="1349"><figcaption class="caption-body">Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin, top, and Canadiens' right wing Guy Lafleur were the only two unanimous selections for the NHL's 30th All Star game. Each received the maximum 135points. Lafleur was one of four Canadiens picked on the first team. (photo by Bruce Bennett)</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Canadiens, Flyers Dominate Teams For Vancouver's All Star Classic

<div class="byline">HARRY KLAFF</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0005-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-01940/4156017-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">BRYAN TROTTIER&hellip; He Holds The Key (Photo by Bruce Bennett)</figcaption></div>LONG ISLAND&mdash;Midway through a long hockey season, just about everyone is pretty sick and tired of old cliches. But the one the Islanders would rather not hear at all is the one stating that if a team holds its own on the road, it should be on its way to a successful season.That, of course, is based on the assumption that you will rack up at home. And as most Islanders fans know&mdash; especially those who pay their money to fill the expanding Nassau Coliseum&mdash;the locals haven't exactly been melting the ice with their blades&mdash;at home, at any rate.Last year the Islanders finished a solid second in the Patrick Division race, partly on the strength of a virtually unblemished record at home. For the 40 games at the Coliseum, the Isles fared a very healthy 24-8-8, something which produces an ample supply of points in the standings, and lots of happy faces heading homeward on the Long Island Expressway.This season is another story, though. Following a sound drubbing at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks (a club which had lost more games than any other in the league) on New Year's night by a score of 5-1, the New Yorkers' home record stood at 10-6-3. Considering that they had lost only two more in all of last season, this is not the kind of performance that championships and Stanley Cups are made of.But as poorly as the Isles have played at home of late, they continue to play consistent, solid hockey on the road&mdash;the kind that championships are indeed made of.Never known as a road team (last year was the first that they came away better than .500), the Islanders have put together some of their best efforts on enemy ice. Included on that list are sparkling victories over Philadelphia, Buffalo and Rangers, and a stunning three-goal outburst late in the third period which salvaged a tie out of an otherwise weak effort at St. Louis. But that sort of thing doesn't seem to happen at home.&ldquo;I can't explain it,&rdquo; said Bob Nystrom in an attempt to grope for the right words. &ldquo;Maybe we try too hard in front of our own fans. We want to please them, and that might put some added pressure on us. On the other hand, on the road we know that everyone is against us, so we just go out and play our type of game.&rdquo;Yet despite a couple of recent slumps, the Islanders are still in better shape point-wise than they were a year ago at this point. But many Coliseum spectators expected an easy first place finish this season, and anything less than that would be considered disappointing for them.If one thing could be pinpointed as an Islander weak spot this year, it would have to be center ice. Last year's cast featured rookie-sensation Bryan Trottier, steady Jude Drouin, and pesty Andre St. Laurent.But this year Trottier started slowly because of a knee injury, and did not regain top form until recently when a flurry of goals gave him but 10 for the season at the midway point. Drouin went through two drastic slumps, the second of which has seen him go 11 games without a single point.St. Laurent has given way to Bob Bourne, but Bourne also suffered through a mammoth dry spell which was only broken when he collected three goals in two games just after New Year's. Lome Henning, the superb penalty killer, has been used more frequently on regular shifts, but he is a defensive specialist and not a major offensive threat.The key, though, is Trottier. He was the reason the Islanders' potent power play last year, and for their club record of 297 goals. He is the future of Isles' offense and must be in top form if the New Yorkers are to be a threat.That, and an overall shape-up in front of the home town fans.ISLAND SOUNDS: Clark Gillies suffered a Charley horse in his thigh in the loss to Vancouver. It was the first serious injury the big winger had received since joining the Isles three years ago&hellip;Chico Resch returned to the nets against Buffalo on Jan. 2, and was superb in holding the Sabres to a 3-3 tie. Billy Smith had played in all four previous games. Attendance at the Canuck game was record 15,149. With new seats still being added, the final capacity of the Coliseum will be approximately 15.250 by the end of January. &#9632;

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Local Failures Hurt Islanders' Flag Hopes

<div class="byline">BILL FLEISCHMAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0002-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-02933/4155810-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">BOBBY CLARKE&hellip; Still Most Imposing Flyer</figcaption></div>PHILADELPHIA&mdash;General Keith Alien is certainly a stubborn chap.Alien's Philadelphia militia had been surrounded and left shell-shocked by Montreal's incredibly efficient troops, but Allen refused to concede a second consecutive Stanley Cup to Gen. Bowman's Canadiens.&ldquo;Until I see our top effort&mdash;individually and as a team&mdash;fail. I'm not saying we can't beat them,'' Allen said, his jaw thrust forward defiantly.&ldquo;Did you see anyone going well the other night, outside of Bernie. Dorny and Bennett?'' Allen asked, referring to Montreal's 6-4 nationally televised Monday night feature. &ldquo;I don't think that in my 10 years in the league I've ever seen a team play as well against us as they did. Even in the early expansion years we never got bombarded like that.&rdquo;Montreal's 55 shots on Bernie Parent, including a 19-3 first-period shot advantage in which Parent proved to everyone he is fully recovered from last season's neck surgery, broke the shot record against Philadelphia. The previous mark was 54. by Boston in a January 1970 tie.&ldquo;Let's face it.&rdquo; continued Allen. &ldquo;Montreal was outstanding. But we have enough hockey players, and I mean All Stars who can play a lot better.&rdquo;The Flyers themselves made no excuses, other than noting the Montreal stop was the fourth in a five-game, 6,500mile road trin. The Flyers could have used the mobile Jimmy Watson, who was still recuperating from a pre-Christmas eye injury. And Andre (Moose) Dupont was playing with a shoulder injury suffered two nights before in Cleveland.However, it's likely that even if the Flyers had smuggled Borje Salming, Gil Perreault and Marcel Dionne into orange sweaters, the Canadiens would have still severed Philadelphia's 20-game unbeaten march. The Canadiens were that magnificent.Allen will tell anyone willing to listen he firmly believes that when Parent is right, the Flyers have the world's best goaltender.&ldquo;Bernie is a helluva edge,&rdquo; Allen said. &ldquo;Remember, Montreal beat us by one goal in the first three games of the finals. I have to think Bernie would have made a difference in a couple of those games. Granted, Montreal has the edge on us on defense, but I still think our forwards are comparable.&rdquo;Scotty Bowman, surprisingly, may agree with Allen about the, rivals' forwards. Bowman was quoted in a Montreal Star interview as saying. &ldquo;We have a lot of forwards who are fringe. Everybody isn't automatically a star.&rdquo;Bowman presumably was referring to forwards such as Yvon Lambert. Murray Wilson. Mario Tremblay and perhaps Doug Risebrough and Doug Jarvis. If the Canadiens ever want to unload a few of them. 90 percent of the NHL's teams will gladly make an offer.Meanwhile, Allen and his associates were reviewing the Flyers' mid-season statistics which revealed that only Mel Bridgman (up 18 points) and Tom Bladon (up 14) had significantly improved their scoring over mid-season of a year ago.The biggest drops, of course, were with the Bobby Clarke-Bill Barber-Reg Leach line that set an NHL record of 141 goals last season. Barber was down 17 points, Clarke 18 and Leach a frown-producing 25 points. No complaints were heard about Clarke, however. He was still among the league's scoring leaders. Even if he didn't score a point, the three-time Hart Trophy winner would be an asset.In unofficial plus-minus figures, Dupont was the club leader at plus-29. Gary Dornhoefer (22) and Bridgman (21) were runnersup. The only minus players were Leach (-2) and Harvey Bennett (-11). Bennett's minus base was begun with the Washington Capitals. The Flyers seemed more than satisfied with Bennett's efforts. &#9632;

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Allen Refuses To Concede Canadiens Will Win Cup

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0002-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-011029/4155779-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Cincinnati Stingers went on a 26-goal rampage this past week and the hot man for the WHA club was Blaine Stoughton, who scored six times&mdash;including four in one game against Winnipeg. For details see page 22.</figcaption></div><h2>WILSON WINGS' COACH</h2>DETROIT&mdash;The Detroit Red Wings have a new coach&mdash;their fifth in the last six years. He's Larry Wilson, who steps up from the Baltimore Clippers of the Southern Hockey League, to take over the coaching reins from Alex Delvecchio and Billy- Dea, who had been sharing the job for the past two seasons.The Wings, who have been going from bad to worse in recent weeks, pulled in Wilson, the brother of Colorado Rockies' coach Johnny Wilson, in an attempt to get the Wings back on a winning track. The club has been hard hit with injuries and Wilson's task won't be an easy one. The change was announced by Delvecchio, the club's present GM and owner Bruce Norris. Detroit is presently battling Washington for last place in the Norris Division, some 41 points behind leading Montreal.<h2>BARONS FIRE GM</h2>CLEVELAND&mdash;Bogged down by poor attendance, the last-place Cleveland Barons decided to fire general manager Bill McCreary and install former NHL defense star Harry Howell in the job. Barons' chairman Mel Swig said Howell will take over duties on an interim basis.The Barons have drawn poorly since moving from California this season and Swig said he plans a giant promotion and publicity campaign to get Clevelanders familiar with the Barons in what probably will be a last-ditch effort to bring the club's sagging attendance up to NHL respectability. Swig said Howell will be acting director of operations while retaining his role as assistant GM. Howell returned to the NHL this season in an executive capacity after jumping to the WHA as a player and coach.<h2>NHL REFS WANT ACTION</h2>MONTREAL&mdash;The NHL Referees' Association wants the league to show a little more support in their decision making in the future. It seems the men in the striped shirts are not all that happy with the way the NHL has been assessing fines to coaches and players for their conduct and verbal abuse of officials.Many NHL officials are upset with the $500 fine handed Boston coach Don Cherry for remarks he made publicly denouncing referee Bruce Hood's handling of the Dec. 9 game between the Bruins and Flyers. Officials said they will meet with their lawyer, Jim Beatty of Brampton, Ont., and hope to present their grievances to the NHL owners. The NHL recently handed Rangers' Bill Goldsworthy a three-game suspension for a two-handed swipe at linesman Malcolm Ashford.<h2>WHA RAPS EAGLESON</h2>TORONTO&mdash;There is growing resentment between the WHA and NHL Players' Association managing director Alan Eagleson. It seems WHA president Bill MacFarland figures Eagleson might be guilty of a 'conflict of interest' in his efforts to arrange a super showdown series between the NHL's Stanley Cup champion and the Soviet Union next September.MacFarland said if Eagleson's motive is to improve the NHL players pension fund then he thinks he is abusing bis authority. Eagleson's plan calls for four games in Canada and four in the Soviet Union. He is also making plans for a North American tour by the Soviet National team in the Christmas period. Eagleson said the WHA is not included in his plans because it had agreed to leave the international competition to the NHL in 1977. Ben Hatskin of the WHA denies his league has made any such concession. &#9632;

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DEADLINE STOPPERS

PHILADELPHIA&mdash;Bobby Clarke, captain of Team Canada in its Canada Cup triumph last fall, feels the National Hockey League should clean up its own problems before heading into any more international competition.Clarke, who also is the captain and heart of the Philadelphia Flyers, says the NHL should concentrate on &ldquo;getting our own league stabilized.. .strengthening the weaker teams, before worrying about international competition.&rdquo;The smooth center, also president of the NHL Players' Association, has shown a lot of concern over dwindling attendance and the lack of competition in the NHL lately. His latest remarks were made last week following reports that plans are under way for annual games between NHL teams and clubs from the Soviet Union.On balance, says the Flyers' captain, the games against European teams are negative for the NHL by &ldquo;hurting its drawing card.&rdquo; He says it's not that &ldquo;the international games are a better brand of hockey, but national pride builds the involvement and league games don.'t seem so important&mdash;even though they may be just as good.&rdquo;Clarke agrees that big money is involved. In fact, he thinks that's the attraction for the Europeans, who &ldquo;can't sell out any games but the world championships or those against the Canadians.&rdquo; &#9632;

Clarke Claims NHL Is Putting Super Series Ahead Of Stabilization

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NHL's All Star Teams

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011087/4155955-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="445" height="457"></div>&bull; ED CHYNOWETH, progressive president of the Western Canada Hockey League, wants the member teams of his league to offer scholarships to players in I order to keep them in Canada and stop them from going to the united states to play college hockey&hellip;Clarence Schmalz, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey Association, said the trend to education had begun five years ago. &ldquo;Every team puts an emphasis on education now and will guarantee a university education for those players who have completed secondary school and some clubs force a player to sit out games if his scholastic marks are low,&rdquo; said Schmalz&hellip;New York Rangers will top the NHL in attendance for 1976-77. They play to SRO crowds of 17,500 every game and the best rivalry in hockey today is between the New York Islanders and the Rangers&hellip;Bill Nyrop, a product of AHAUS' Edina (Minnesota) amateur hockey program, is the sole American to break into Montreal Canadiens' lineup this season. The 24-year-old mustachioed defenseman would be a bigger star with any other NHL club as he'd have more ice time and the opportunities to display his talent&hellip; WHA All Star game was shown nationally on public television in the States, thanks in part to a grant from Connecticut General Life Insurance. A total of 170 outlets carried the game in the U.S. while Global televised it onrncc Canada.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021042/4155948-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="304" height="500"><figcaption class="caption-body">Bill Nyrop</figcaption></div>&bull; PHILADELPHIA FLYERS are furious at Bob Gassoff of St. Louis, charging him with attempting to gouge Paul Holmgren's already damaged right eye in a fight. Gassoff denied the gouge charge, saying he was only trying to remove Holmgren's helmet and protective shield. &ldquo;Then why did he have his finger behind my eye pulling at it?&rdquo; Holmgren asked&hellip;Ridicule taken by Holmgren for wearing the mask is ridiculous. The Minnesotaborn rookie is as tough as anyone in the league and doesn't try to hide behind the mask as people like Emile Francis have charged&hellip; Bob Plager, a St. Louis hardrock and a participant in previous years in Flyers-Blues brawls, said a Philly fan kept taunting him the night of the Gassoff-Holmgren fight. &ldquo;Things aren't like they used to be, are they Plager?&rdquo; the fan kept shouting. &ldquo;I was going to get mad,&rdquo; said Plager. &ldquo;Then realized the guy was right. We don't have a leader on this club. Gassoff fights and 19 guys watch him"&hellip; Pat Hickey is an exciting player with New York Rangers but his play like most other Ranger forwards has been overshadowed this season by Don Murdoch, the rookie sensation and cover boy of the February HOCKEY PICTORIAL-WORLD . Pat Connolly, the crack hockey announcer and known as The Talk of Nova Scotia,' is more popular than ever on his new radio show from 10 to two every day over Arnie Patterson's powerful CFDR. We'll match the team of Connolly and Patterson against anyone when it comes to hockey knowledge&hellip;Ballard Smith, vicepresident and general manager of the San Diego Mariners, makes it clear he would like to see the World Hockey Association reduced to eight teams from the current 12. There are several WHA owners of the same opinion&hellip;Bondex International still manufactures the best paint to use on the ice. Ice makers in hockey arenas have found the Bondex Polar Ice Paint does a superb job in coloring the various hockey markings.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-03937/4155941-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="300" height="490"><figcaption class="caption-body">Paul Holmgren</figcaption></div>&bull; NEW YORK ISLANDERS have hired Barbara Williams as their official power skating instructor, thus making her the first female skating coach employed by a single NHL club. There have been other girl skaters who've assisted NHL teams in power skating. ''We began experimenting with the idea of additional skating instruction for some of our players last summer and the results have been outstanding,&rdquo; said Bill Torrey, Islander general manager. &ldquo;If Barbara can work a few minutes a day with all of my players, it will be a tremendous boost for the second half of the season,&rdquo; said coach Al Arbour&hellip;Bill White is off to a great start as coach of the Chicago Black Hawks. One of the nicest guys in hockey, everyone is pulling for Bill to make good in his new post. The players are going all-out for him and his record so far is very impressive&hellip;Ken Schinkel will not be back as coach of Pittsburgh next season. He never wanted the job in the first place. Bep Guidolin is reported to have been offered the job&hellip;New England Whalers are drawing excellent crowds, in the WHA. Cap Raeder, Whalers' goalie and 19-year-old rookie defenseman Gordie Roberts, have both been outstanding for the club of late.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-04835/4155934-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="294" height="397"><figcaption class="caption-body">Gordie Roberts</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Ken McKenzie's PASSING THE PUCK

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0004-05" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-05696/4155986-1-eng-US/f0004-052.jpg"></div><h2>WHA Will Suffer If Howes Join Bruins</h2>If the Howe family does what Boston writers say they will (join the Bruins next season), Gordie Howe will leave the World Hockey Association with egg on his face.In the Dec. 10 issue of THE HOCKEY NEWS, a story quoting Gordie Howe states that the WHA &ldquo;is here to say.&rdquo;If Mr. Howe and his talented sons pack up for the National Hockey League, the younger league will surely suffer.So, on behalf of the WHA fans, I sincerely hope that the Howes can latch on with another WHA team, preferably the Whalers and not the Bruins.MARK THOMPSON, Simsbury, Conn.<h2>Does Ballard Think Leafs Are An NHL Powerhouse?</h2>I was amazed and perplexed after hearing of Toronto Maple Leaf owner Harold Ballard's latest publicity stunt. Big- hearted Harold wants the rest of the NHL owners to get together and donate amateur draft choices to such impoverished teams such as the Minnesota North Stars and Washington Capitals.Does Mr. Ballard consider his Maple Leafs to be an NHL power house? Among the teams that need draft picks, the Toronto Maple Leafs certainly stand out along with the so-called &ldquo;Sadsacks ' like Atlanta and Pittsburgh.It is enough to make any loyal Leaf fan fume with anger. After losing Rod Seiling to the St. Louis Blues because of his ni-serly penny-pinching, one would think Mr. Ballard would be satisfied but no, he even wants to get rid of the second-round draft pick he received as compensation.Where was Mr. Ballard last year when the league decided to not have an intraleague draft? Probably counting his money. Anyway, the result was that good players like Bobby Sheehan, Ralph Stewart, Simon Nolet and Don Awrey were unavailable to the clubs that desparately needed them.Mr. Ballard's suggestion is akin to ordering the Cincinnati Reds to surrender Joe Morgan to the expansion Toronto Blue Jays or asking the New England Patriots to please fork over Mike Haynes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers It is ludicrous.JOEY BROZA, Nakina, Ontario<h2>Fan Claims Flyers Over-rated Team</h2>The Philadelphia Flyers are the most over-rated club in the National Hockey League and to say they're in a class with Montreal is going too far.Sure, they won the Stanley Cup two years in a row and beat the Soviets in last year's Super Series. So what?The Montreal Canadiens play hockey as it should be played&mdash;a game of speed, skill and finesse.With these points in mind, I'd rate Montreal. Buffalo and the New York Islanders as being in a class by themselves. They are the most explosive and exciting teams to watch.It is only through intimidation and rough-house play that the Flyers have moved into the top. Aside from that, they're just an ordinary team and are far from being the &ldquo;world champions&rdquo; as coach Fred Shero claimed after their controversial victory over the Soviet Central Army.With the new NHL rules aimed at taking violence out of hockey. Shero's troops will be struggling to remain at the top.I predict that the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders will be the 1976-77 Stanley Cup finalists.EDDIE RUPERT, Fort Georges, Que.<h2>Rockies Get Praise For Demoting Durbano</h2>The decision to send Colorado defenseman Steve Durbano to the minors was welcomed by this hockey fan. People like Durbano, who add nothing to their team but major penalties, are what bring all the bad publicity to the National Hockey League.There are other teams who have players with excessive penalty minutes, but in almost every case, he also adds points. The few exceptions should get a one-way ticket to the minors.I've seen Durbano make senseless attacks on opposition players. A good example is the Dec. 18 game in Toronto when he slashed Toronto's Scott Garland across the face with his stick.Such actions are appalling and I'm glad to see someone take notice. Aggressiveness can be an exciting part of hockey, but not when carried to the extent where it can seriously injure another player.Bravo Colorado. Good riddance Durbano.IRENE OAKLEY, Vancouver, B.C.<h2>Teams With Most Points Should Make Playoffs</h2>The Stanley Cup was designed to give the best team the over-all championship, but how can you do that when the Smythe Division teams would not even be in the playoffs if they played in any one of the other divisions.I think that the only fair way to do it is to take the teams with the most points at the end of the season, rather than by the position they finish in their division.If a team such as Chicago cannot win but still remains in playoff contention while other teams such as the New York Rangers win, but aren't in the playoffs. I think something must be done.TERRY BOWEN, Derby, Vt.<h2>Pittsburgh Players Lacking Enthusiasm</h2>After watching the Penguins lose yet another game to the Washington Capitals (four in a row), I can't help but notice the contrast between the two teams.After watching about 100 Penguins games in the last three years, I can honestly say I have never seen a group of men with less pride or enthusiasm about their jobs.Though highly talented and highly paid, the Penguins never amount to much because they simply don't care as long as they get their big fat pay checks every week.On the other hand, the Caps, a bunch of second rate castoffs for the most part, are competitive and exciting because of their obvious desire and hustle.They want to win so bad, it hurts. Give me the Caps any day. I'm tired of paying $6 a game to see a bunch of overpaid, over-pampered athletes who don't care that they consistently lose to poorer teams and the rapidly decreasing crowds at the Civic Arena show that I'm not alone.ROBERT GUGLIELMON, Pittsburgh &#9632;

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FAN FORUM

Following are the latest player movements in hockey:<h2>NATIONAL LEAGUE</h2>ST. LOUIS &mdash; Bob Hess, defenseman, recalled from Kansas City of CHL as replacement for Bob Gassoff, defenseman, who is on injury list.CHICAGO &mdash; Dave Logan, defenseman, recalled from Dallas of CHL. Keith Magnuson, defenseman. and Alain Daigle, forward, both placed on disabled list.BOSTON &mdash; Clay Pachal, forward, recalled from Rochester of AHL as replacement for Wayne Cashman, forward, who is on disabled list with broken thum. Stan Jonathan, forward, recalled from Rochester.DETROIT &mdash; Fred Berry and Fern Leblanc, forwards, recalled from Kalamazoo of IHL. Peter McDuffe, goaler, recalled from New Haven of AHL and reassigned to Rhode Island of AHL.MONTREAL &mdash; Dave Elenbass, goaler, returned of Nova Scotia of AHL.MINNESOTA - Chris Ahrens, defenseman, recalled from New Haven of AHL, and reassigned to Rhode Island of AHL.WASHINGTON - Bob Paradise, defenseman, and Blair Stewart, forward. assigned to Springfield of AHL.<h2>WORLD HOCKEY ASSN.</h2>QUEBEC &mdash; Richard Grenier, forward, assigned to Maine of NAHL. Bill Prentice, defenseman, traded to Edmonton for future considerations.EDMONTON &mdash; Claude St. Sauveur, forward, returned to Calgary pending medical examination to determine if player had shoulder injury before trade.CALGARY &mdash; Butch Deadmarsh, forward, reacquired from Minnesota in exchange for Richard Lemieux, forward. Rick Sentes, forward, handed outright release. Andre Deschamps, forward, and George Pesut, defenseman, recalled from Tidewater of SHL.BIRMINGHAM &mdash; Wayne Carleton, forward, and Rich Hart, defenseman, handed outright releases. Jean- Luc Phaneuf, forward, and Peter Folco, defenseman, placed on waivers. Keith Kokkola, defenseman, signed to 10-game trial. Paul Heaver, and Jim Marsh, defenseman, handed outright releases.CINCINNATI &mdash; Bryan Maxwell, defenseman, assigned to Springfield of AHL. Pierre Guite, forward, traded to Quebec in exchange for Pierre Roy, defenseman.SAN DIEGO &mdash; Brad Rhiness and Tim O'Connell, forwards, assigned to Oklahoma City of CHL.HOUSTON - Murray Hall, forward, recalled from Oklahoma City of CHL and reassigned to Charlotte of SHL.<h2>AMERICAN LEAGUE</h2>HERSHEY &mdash; Ron Jones, defenseman, signed as free agent.NEW HAVEN &mdash; Claude Perriard and Barry Scully, forwards, signed to 10-game pro tryouts.<h2>CENTRAL LEAGUE</h2>DALLAS &mdash; Don Morris, defenseman, returned to Kalamazoo of IHLOKLAHOMA CITY - Ron Serafini, defenseman. signed as free agent. &#9632;

Hockey Players On The Move…

<div class="byline">BILL HEUFELDER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011118/4156072-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">PIERRE LAROUCHE&hellip; Ignored By Teammates (Photo by Bruce)</figcaption></div>PITTSBURGH&mdash;These are troubled times for Pierre Larouche. the precocious and immensely talented 21-year-old center of the Pittsburgh Penguins.The King, a self-proclaimed title, has seen his grand style dissipate to the point that he has asked the Penguins to trade him.&ldquo;It's no battle, no war,&rdquo; he insisted in discussing a meeting on the subject with assistant general manager Baz Bastien. ''It's just a fact that I want to be happy playing hockey again.&rdquo;Coming off two impressive games in which the Penguins played mighty Montreal to a tie and stopped Buffalo, 63, Larouche was noticeably ignored by relaxed teammates who were optimistic about their opportunity to hold onto second place in the Norris Division.The coolness created a strangeness in Larouche, the youngest player in National Hockey League history to trigger 50 goals, toward the sport in which he excelled at its highest level as a teenager.&ldquo;No matter what I do here, it's wrong,&rdquo; he said hopelessly. &ldquo;I can't even talk to the guys. They don't want to be on my side.&ldquo;I'm starting to hate hockey. I'm just going out there and doing nothing &ldquo;After word got out that Larouche had conferred with Bastien about the possibility of leaving town, the youngster made a determined effort to recover his skills. He gave an uncommonly strong checking performance the next night as the Penguins tied Vancouver 2-2, extending their unbeaten string to four games.The serious question that remains is how long will Larouche apply himself to fulfill an enormous potential. After recovering from a broken thumb, he went on a tear, triggering six goals in as many games before his performance withered against Montreal and Buffalo.Bastien, asked if he'd be willing to deal his enfant terrible, replied, &ldquo;That's a big if. It never entered my mind to trade him.&ldquo;He's not a detriment to the hockey club,&rdquo; the executive continued. &ldquo;Naturally, if he was, I'd get him the hell out of here.&rdquo;Several players have tried to relate to Larouche without success. They've given up, but worse, so did Larouche, at least until he showed a spark against the Canucks.&ldquo;Even if I go out and try to play hard,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;my mind is not on hockey. If Mr. Bastien can't do anything about trading me. I'll play the three years left on my contract and retire.&rdquo;However, nothing is simple about Pierre Larouche. He has a no-trade clause in his contract. While expressing a willingness to waive the clause, he wants to join &ldquo;a team that's going somewhere.&rdquo;Idolized earlier, Larouche senses the fans gradually turning against him. &ldquo;I can't stand people yelling at me like that,&rdquo; he says of their taunts.Larouche traces his deepening dilemma to the suspension received in early November for reporting late to practice. It was not his first offense, but he contends the punishment was too severe for the crime.The opinion is unanimous among his teammates that Larouche has been favored by management well beyond the point of good judgment, and that he has resisted all attempts to hasten his maturity so that it catches up with his talent.Now Larouche wants to play somewhere else. &ldquo;I think I'd be happier,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Maybe it would be worse, but I'd like to give it a try.&rdquo; &#9632;

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Larouche Plays Despite Hockey Hate, Wants Penguins To Negotiate Deal

<div class="byline">By JACK McCARTHY</div>BOSTON-Once upon a time, if you sneezed at the wrong moment, the Bruins would knock you down just to keep in practice. This has not been the case recently, however, at least not consistently, and coach Don Cherry and GM Harry Sinden are trying to rectify the matter.Cherry, of course, was a rough player throughout his minor league career, and Sinden. as Bruins' coach several years ago, stressed &ldquo;playing the body.&rdquo;On a recent road trip, Sinden tagged along and spent his time in the press box at Cleveland keeping score&mdash;not on goals and assists, but on &ldquo;hits.Said Cherry, &ldquo;We have to be concerned with playing our own game, and that means taking the body.&ldquo;I don't mean croaking guys, but just getting a piece of them. On the figures Harry kept in Cleveland, Terry O'Reilly (who else?) had nine hits in 10 attempts.&ldquo;If everybody did as well, we'd have about 150 hits a game. About 50 is usually good enough to win&hellip;&rdquo;In the &ldquo;old&rdquo; days of &ldquo;The Big Bad Bruins", Sinden would have needed a computer to keep score of the checks. And, one of the hitters was Derek Sanderson, who caused a flurry of excitement in Boston when the Bruins were on the road in Minnesota.&ldquo;The Turk&rdquo; was placed on waivers by the Blues, and it was circulated that he had been contacted by five clubs&mdash;Bruins, Rangers, Kings, Canucks and Sabres. However, Cherry said that, while he considered Sanderson a good hockey player, no one had said anything to him about picking up &ldquo;Dirty Derek.&rdquo;Former B's coach Tom Johnson, who was on the road with the Bruins at the time, shed a little light on the situation when he said, &ldquo;He's contacted us, but&hellip;Turk, of course, has a hefty salary, and also, Cherry pointed out that Boston had four centers on the roster and another, Doug Gibson, at Rochester.Sinden made a side trip to Quebec City to watch the Russians play the Nordiques, probably to watch Real Cloutier. There was speculation that Cloutier might wind up with the Canadiens eventually in some kind of deal with Boston via Chicago regarding Marty Howe, Mark's older brother&hellip;Bruins hold rights to Mark in the NHL.Meanwhile, Cherry expressed his satisfaction with the play of Rickey Smith, obtained from St. Louis for Joe Zanussi. Said the coach, &ldquo;Since he's been with us, he's a plus-seven. He just moves the puck and that's all I want him to do&hellip;&rdquo;With the arrival of Smith, came the departure of Darryl Edestrand to Rochester. A short time later. Hank Nowak, who had passed waivers, along with Dave Forbes, was also sent to Rochester&hellip;Forbes rejoined the team after passing the waiver test&mdash;at $30,000.The Bruins, of course, were having a rough time trying to stay close to Buffalo, and one of the reasons offered was their slow starting in recent games.Early in the season, when Boston made its great burst to pull out to 12 points ahead of Buffalo, the Bruins were 18-3-1. They then went 6-9-2. During this latter stretch, they were consistently outscored in the first period (10 out of 17 games), and thus were relegated to playing catch up hockey.This, in addition to sprucing up the body-checking department, was one of Cherry's concerns in the race to regain the division lead from the Sabres.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-01997/4156103-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="595" height="611"><figcaption class="caption-body">RICK SMITH &hellip;Moves Puck Well</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Lack Of Hitting Concerns Cherry

<div class="byline">&#x2013; BY BILL LIBBY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011109/4156141-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="421" height="476"></div><h2>Leach A Rare Bird</h2>REGINALD JOSEPH LEACH is a rare bird. As a hockey player, he is one of the swiftest of skaters, he is the fastest and the most accurate of shooters. He is not an all-around player. He is not the heaviest of hitters, nor the most persistent of defenders. But he is a genius at getting goals, an offensive specialist. So why not settle for that, which is so much more than most performers can offer? Why take this eagle and make a vulture of him?Which is what they want to do with him. Which is what they have always wanted to do with him. As an amateur, he had seasons when he scored 67 and 85 goals. Drafted into professional ranks in 1970, he came across coaches who were concerned that he did not play defense as well as offense. In Boston and Oakland he did not play a lot at times and scored only 60 goals his first five seasons. In Philadelphia he scored 61 last season alone.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-02998/4156134-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="838" height="1478"><figcaption class="caption-body">Reg Leach Is one of those rare hockey specialists&mdash;a genuine goal scorer, the kind of player that lifts hockey audiences. The Flyers are not all that concerned about Leach's defensive play so long as he produces the goals. (Photo by Bernie Moser)</figcaption></div>After being given away cheaply twice, he landed in Philly and had 45 goals his first season and 61 last season. Only one other player in the history of the National Hockey League ever scored 60 or more in a single season, Phil Esposito. Reggie Leach not only scored 61 during the regular season, but added 19 in the playoffs to total 80 for the complete campaign and no one else, not even Esposito, ever scored that many. Leach scored five in one game to tie a playoff record and at least one in 10 straight games to set a playoff record.IT WAS SIMPLY AWESOME. Under the pressure of the playoffs, it was staggering. Reggie admits, &ldquo;When I get hot like that I get the feeling every time I fire I'm going to get a goal. I feel larger than life, bigger than I am, and better than better players.&rdquo; He was that, for the five goals came on only seven shots and the 10-game streak was stretched on only 20 shots.Even Fred Shero had to admit, &ldquo;Some of those goals were among the most beautiful I've ever seen.&rdquo; I say &ldquo;even Fred Shero&rdquo; because the coach of the Flyers has at times found fault with Leach's all- around play and after his side lost the Stanley Cup seemed to decide Reggie was responsible. When the team started slowly this season. Reg was benched. &ldquo;When he begins to check, he'll get back on the ice,&rdquo; complained the coach.Well, he is a considerable coach, maybe the best in the business, and he knows how to win&mdash;one way, anyway. His way is to defend foes to death, check them all over the ice, and intimidate them with tough tactics. It works, too, though the Canadiens showed his last season that swift skating and swift sharp shooting is another way to win. This is the Leach way and it is the way he can help his team, which has plenty of players who play the other way.Bobby Clarke plays the other way better than anyone else and he helped Leach and Bill Barber burn enemy nets last season. As a line they totalled 141 goals and even Fred Shero rated it tops in performance in the league season. Even Bobby Clarke commented, &ldquo;Reggie could play defense, but when you have a player who can score 60 goals on offense why waste him? If he played defense and settled for 20 goals on offense it would be a waste.&rdquo;For a while this season it looked like Leach would settle for 20 goals, but he was restored to regular duty, he started to score again and his side went 20 games without a defeat. And as he nears 27 he is just approaching his peak.THERE IS THIS THEORY in this sport that a player is not of value if he is strictly a defensive player or strictly an offensive player and it is so much nonsense, frankly. It is sad that a good defensive defenseman can't make it these days if he can't skate and handle the puck the way the Bobby Orrs do, and depressing that a spectacular scorer like Leach is embarrassed because he doesn't skate his wing and check his man like one of those &ldquo;honest hockey players.&rdquo;Reggie Leach says, &ldquo;I don't like it, but I can live with it. I like the coach and I know he knows what he wants from a player. I used to be a two-way player as a junior, but I got out of the habit with the Seals, where it was every man for himself. I get lazy. I've got to get on myself to get going. I was a big 'plus' last year and I'd like to be again this year. I know that's what the coach wants too. I'm not discouraged. My wife encourages me. She says to keep playing.&rdquo;Long-haired, husky, dark, he does have a wife, Isabel, and a life beyond the arena. They have a son, Jamie, and a summer lakeside cottage in Canada. One writer wrote that Leach looks like one of those Eskimo carvings and speaks abouts as loud. He is softspoken and agreeable, not given to temper tantrums, which is just as well when you are an eagle, grounded and caged at times, but fabulous in flight at other times. &#9632;

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Hockey Ad Lib

<div class="byline">BOB VERDI</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-03" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-03846/4156172-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Hawks have a new coaching triumvirate with the ouster of Billy Reay. Here's new head coach Bill White flanked by assistants Stan Mikita, left, and Bobby Orr. The three will direct the Hawks' ice operations at least until the end of current season.</figcaption></div>CHICAGO&mdash;What is a White Christmas like in Chicago? A Bill White Christmas?Color is restless or apprehensive or challenging or reserved or confident or confused or a little bit of all the above. Bill White, coach, Chicago Black Hawks, is a man of many emotions these days&mdash;not all of which mesh. His psyche is full of square pegs and round holes.&ldquo;Good thing I planned to go home to Toronto for Christmas Day. had to get out of the country for a while,&rdquo; laughed White after taking over for William T. Reay, the incumbent of 13 '/a years who was summarily dismissed Dec. 22.The Black Hawks, who hardly ever perspired for Reay, responded to the new White regime with a lot of rah, rah, rah, sis-boom-bah and all that jazz. Which is really swell. If it lasts. White, who knows where it s at, has few illusions about how long he'll last and few conclusions as to why he's here in the first place.&ldquo;If I'd have known when they gave me this job that Billy Reay was going to be out of the organization completely, I would have resisted it&hellip;in fact, I think I would have refused it,&rdquo; said White, a 37-year-old gentleman who for many winters has spoken softly but carried an All Star stick on defense.&ldquo;It was my impression when they said they wanted to make a coaching change, that Billy was headed for the general manager's job. Just like they said he would be a month ago. I didn't know he'd have no job at all, and I'm not sure I understand why he doesn't.&ldquo;They said it wouldn't have worked to make me coach. Bobby Orr and Stan Mikita assistants, and still have Billy around. Well, why couldn't they have done something that still would have allowed him to be general manager next season? I see no reason why he shouldn't be. I don't really expect to still be around as coach then.&ldquo;I suppose if we win the Stanley Cup, they might consider keeping me around. But when this happened, they told me that I would be just a temporary coach, that it was only for the rest of the season.&ldquo;I'd be surprised if they have any plans for me after that. Doctors say my (nerve) injury might take three years before it fully recovers, so I don't expect to be playing. And if I'm not coaching, I probably won't be here.&rdquo;Not that While is treating his new job with indifference. His players have responded to the little things he's done to make the bathhouse a bit more relaxed. Example: Reay's Rules of Order precluded players knowing what flight they'd be taking to a road game until the day of the game. Soon after he took over, however. White distributed itineraries for the rest of the season. Little things.&ldquo;It's not going to be easy, but I'm not going to make a big issue of this change, either,&rdquo; said White. &ldquo;I'm going to do my best&mdash;we all are&mdash;and I've told the guys that I'm not going to be manipulated by anyone.&ldquo;The players in that locker room were my friends when I was playing and they still are. But I know that I'll have to be tough at times. I might not right away. I still feel a little awkward. But sooner or later, I'll have to be, and they know it. We all have a responsibility to give everything we can.&rdquo;Before White attempts to clean up the Hawk act on ice, he must clear the air. The emotional makeup of Les Black Hawks at New Year's was not totally healthy.&ldquo;There were a few noses out of joint over what happened and I understand because I respect Billy,&rdquo; said White. &ldquo;But I went in to tell the guys after talking with Billy, I know he holds no animosity toward them, that he doesn't think for a minute there was a plot to get him out or that we cost him his job.&ldquo;Bobby and Stan and I didn't engineer the thing. I don't know&hellip;there might have been some feeling about Bobby being an assistant coach in his first year here. Or there might have been resentment against me. There might have been resentment against me from Stan.&ldquo;I felt strange being named coach when he was only named assistant. I told him that if anybody belonged in this office, it was him. not me. But Stan said. I'm behind you 100 per cent.'&ldquo;And I think all the guys are startingto come around, guys like Dennis Hull, who are really upset over Billy. I think we all have an idea of how this came about and who made the decisions and why &ldquo;White, who still doesn't sit in Reay's old chair, has ideas on how the Black Hawks can become a better club&ldquo;We've got to be more aggressive, but before that, we've got to be more relaxed,&rdquo; he said. &#9632;

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White Speaks Softly In New Hawks Role

<div class="byline">BY PAT THOMPSON</div>TWIN CITIES&mdash;Score a point for the defensemen of the Minnesota North Stars.True, the North Stars have less than glittering defensive statistics, what with their total of 157 goals-against through their first 37 games and a couple of 10 and 11-goal losses.But since a 5-0 loss to Atlanta Dec. 10, no other team except Montreal has scored more than four against the Stars, and that was a 5-5 tie with the Canadiens.Gary Smith and Pete LoPresti in goal have received more support from the players in front of them, and the North Stars have resorted to a more physical approach.&ldquo;You really don't feel the bruises when you come up with a strong physical game you can win,'' said defenseman Fred Barrett. &ldquo;The bruises hurt only when you get bombed.&ldquo;Everybody has started bumping people around and this is what we have to do to turn things around. We have a young team and we have the size. It's a matter of using this ability. It's satisfying to know what you can accomplish with hard work.&rdquo;Barrett and his partners of Dwight Bialowas, Tom Reid, Nick Beverley, Lou Nanne, Doug Hicks and Dennis O'Brien are carrying their heads a little higher lately because of it.Coach Ted Harris dresses six of the above for each game and goes with three two-man shifts. The big addition, the coach said, was Beverley, the 29-year-old, defenseman the North Stars obtained from New York along with Billy Fairbairn for Bill Goldsworthy.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011070/4156210-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg" title="f0009-01" width="519" height="1151"><figcaption class="caption-body">FRED BARRETT</figcaption></div>&ldquo;Beverley has been a key man for us,&rdquo; said Harris. &ldquo;He has helped steady our defense.&rdquo;The unpredictable O'Brien has helped, too. More and more, his plays are pluses, and he turned what could almost be termed an incredible feat against Los Angeles on Jan. 5.With the Kings leading 2-0, O'Brien scored his first goal of the season and the 22nd of a 409- game career in the second period to start a comeback.&ldquo;Everybody has started bumping people around and this is what we have to do to turn things around. We have a young team and we have the size. It's a matter of using this ability,&rdquo; says Fred Barrett.The North Stars tied 26 seconds before the end of the second period on Ernie Hicke's eighth goal of the season and ended up 5-2 winners on goals by Hicke, rookie Jim Roberts and defenseman Doug Hicks in the last four minutes.It was Minnesota's second victory in a week over the Kings, drubbing the LA men 8-3 eight days before with a similar flurry that started when Barrett's first goal of the year broke open a 4-3 game.The North Stars would like to play like that more often or maybe just the Kings on the Met Sports Center ice sheet. In the last 16 games in Minnesota, the Stars are 13-2-2 against Los Angeles.Harris has been pleased with his defense and just as happy with Hicke's scoring from the left side. The impish winger has scored nine goals-in 37 games, but you have to consider he went the nrst 22 on the schedule without a point.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-02900/4156203-1-eng-US/f0009-022.jpg" title="f0009-02" width="528" height="1140"><figcaption class="caption-body">NICK BEVERLEY</figcaption></div>&ldquo;All Ernie needed was to gain his confidence back,&rdquo; said Harris. &ldquo;He was getting the chances, but nothing was going in for him. We need that scoring from the left side and he is starting to give it to us.&rdquo;Hicke scored two goals in that scoring derby in Montreal, as did left winger Steve Jensen. Also, rookie Jim Roberts, recalled in December, picked up three goals in a four-game span.&ldquo;Nick Beverley has been a key man for us. He has helped steady our defense,&rdquo; said North Stars' coach Ted Harris in tribute to the veteran rearguard who began the year with Rangers before being traded to L.A., who swapped him to the Stars.STAR DUST: Injured left winger Pierre Jarry, recuperating from knee surgery, will start skating for the first time since his Nov. 20 sidelining in Toronto&hellip; The North Stars remain the most unsuccessful road team in hockey, one victory in 18 games&hellip;"We didn't win that one in Montreal,&rdquo; said Harris, &ldquo;but anytime you tie the Canadiens in Montreal, it's almost worth a victory.&rdquo; &#9632;

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Stars' Defense Taking Physical Approach

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011096/4156248-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div><h2>A Good Hockey Year</h2>THE YEAR 1976 WAS A rather good one for the game of ice hockey, thanks to the Montreal Canadiens, Team Canada, Darryl Sittier, Bobby Orr, Bobby Hull, the St. Catharines Fincups, just to name a few. Here are a few Orr-accolades, awards and nonsense from '76.SPECIAL THANKS: To Rohhv Orr for nlavine in the Canada Cun when he shouldn't have because of his gimpy knees, and playing the game so well on guile and pure skill.RECOGNITION LONG OVERDUE: To Scotty Bowman as one first-rate coach for his handling of the Canadiens in their Stanley Cup and his excellence with Team Canada; to Brad Park and Jean . Ratelie, two guys who have been great, great players for a long time but had to esc'ape from New York to Boston before enough people realized how good they really are.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-02885/4156241-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="557" height="493"><figcaption class="caption-body">Scotty Bowman</figcaption></div>A ONE-FINGER SALUTE: To the owners of the Chicago Black Hawks for the clumsy way they sacked coach Billy Reay, who deserved much better; to Dave Schultz, for complaining that he was an unwilling participant in all those fights when he was a Philadelphia Flyer; to 2 NHL owners who figure more fighting is the remedy for sagging attendance.SAVE-OF-THE-YEAR: The incredible catch made by Team Canada's Rogie Vachon off his ear of a shot by Vladimir Martinec early in overtime of the Canada Cup deciding game against the Czechoslovakian nationals.THANKS FROM THE WORLD'S FATTIES: To Czech goalie Vlado Dzurilla, who is constructed like an upright air mattress; to Maple Leaf rookie goalie Mike Palmateer, who is small but owns a perfectly shaped pot belly.GAME-OF-THE-YEAR: The 1-0 Czech victory over Team Canada ; during the Canada Cup. If a better game of hockey has been played, name it!GOOD RESTAURANTS AROUND THE NHL CITIES: Tambellini's in Pittsburgh, the Midnight Sun in Atlanta, Tony's in St. Louis, the Warehouse in L.A., Charlie's in Minneapolis.ADULT ATTITUDE: The New York Rangers, for allowing female hockey writers into their dressing room.GOOD MOMENT: The Czech-Team Canada sweater exchange following the Canada Cup.<h2>Ovation For Foster</h2>OVATION WELL DESERVED: To Foster Hewitt at Maple Leaf i Gardens when he was introduced in ceremonies for Hockey Night In Canada's 25th anniversary celebrations.UNJUSTIFIED POOR-MOUTHING: Denis Potvin of New York ; Islanders did an article for a Canadian magazine on his feelings during the Canada Cup series, a brilliant piece of work. He was knocked un-mercifully for his frankness and some of the strongest detractors were guys who complain the most that hockey players never say anything worthwhile.THEY'RE STILL AROUND, FOR HEAVENS' SAKE: In 1977, there are still writers and broadcasters who refer to the team they're covering as &ldquo;we".FINANCIER-OF-THE-YEAR: The NHL player who tried to cash his T4 income tax slip at the bank.GREAT NAMES: Minnesota North Stars. A Talafous sounds like. the medicine you take when you have a Bialowas on your Hogaboam.<h2>Cheevers, The Horseman</h2>HORSE-OF-THE-YEAR: Royal Ski, owned by Bruin goalie Gerry Cheevers, whose stable has the colors of the Cleveland Crusaders, a WHA team which folded. R.S. should have a better fate heading for the Triple Crown races.BUT DOES HE KNOW &ldquo;MELANCHOLY BABY?": Hockey's most consistent performer was roger Doucet, who sings the anthem at the Montreal Forum. In the bar following the all-star game in Philadelphia, he brought a tear to every eye with his version of &ldquo;Auld Lang Syne.&rdquo;THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEWS: To Bobby Clarke. Serge Savard, Tiger Williams, Ken Dryden, Don Luce, Rogie Vachon, Gregg Sheppard, a few of the guys who always had the time. &#9632;

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FRANK ORR SAYS

<div class="byline">DICK JOHNSTON</div>BUFFALO-Oh, Danny boy, you are missed.A hockey player's worth to his team can't be measured exactly but what Daniel Gare, a 22-year-old right winger from Nelson, B.C., means to the Buffalo Sabres can be seen, at least, to some degree, from how the club has performed this season.Danny, a 50-goal scorer in 1975-76, had back problems when he reported to training camp last September. His back had been bothering him a bit last spring when the Sabres bowed out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the quarter-finals.Rest was needed for the back to get into top shape again. At least that's how it looks now. But Danny, who has the face of a choir boy and the heart of a gladiator, was picked for Team Canada in the Canada Cup international series.So he spent July working out to be ready for his first big chance in international play. Shortly after reporting to Team Canada's training camp, the back really began to bother the speedy forward. He played in only part of one game of the Canada Cup action. But he did get some rest and he figured he would be OK when he checked in at the Sabres' camp.Danny seemed all right, but not for long. The back began to ache again. He played through the exhibition schedule but he wasn't the Danny Gare of the year before. He scored one goal in the 10 preseason games, and that came in the last one.He played part time through six games at the start of the regular season and didn't score once. Then the Sabre brass persuaded the youngster to go home to British Columbia and rest. The club would pick him up when it played in Vancouver in mid-November.Danny rejoined the club there but did not play until Dec. 8, shortly after Jim Schoenfeld, the big redhead who captains the team and anchors the defense, returned after a bout with viral pneumonia.When the two were back in the lineup, the Sabres&mdash;who had been sputtering through in-and-out performances&mdash;suddenly perked up.Nine straight victories. From 12 points behind Boston, the National Hockey League's Adams Division leader, to first place. The Sabres, who had to struggle for goals early in the season, were scoring again and winning by comfortable margins.One of the reasons, coach Floyd Smith and players agreed, was that with Gare back, Smitty was able to rearrange his forward lines for better scoring balance. The opposition couldn't concentrate on one line&mdash;the French Connection&mdash;to check the Buffalo offense.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-03646/4156279-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="569" height="840"><figcaption class="caption-body">DANNY GARE&hellip; In Hospital</figcaption></div>Then Gare's back began to act up again. Into the hospital for examination and treatment. The Sabres' winning streak ended and they failed to win in their first four games of 1977. Nine goals in four games, a tie and three defeats.The loss of Gare didn't cause all this difference, of course. Every club has to figure on losing top players from time to time because of injury and illness.But the sidelining of Gare&mdash;who scored six goals and assisted on seven as Gil Perreault's right winger in his first seven games back, before the back began to bother him again&mdash;upset the scoring balance. Smitty had to reshuffle his lines.And Danny Boy has a spirit whose contribution can't be defined but is a definite asset to a hockey club. &#9632;

f0010-03

Sabres' Balance Upset As Gare Shelved Again

<div class="byline">RON WEBER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0011-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011049/4156317-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">GUY CHARRON&hellip; Leads Capitals Offense</figcaption></div>WASHINGTON&mdash;Taking a cue from Bill Libby, who always mileposts the progress of the Kings, we hereby bring a halfway look at the Washington Capitals.Halfway through year three the Caps (11-23-6) have eight more wins than they collected in either of their first two seasons&hellip;and the 28 points in the standings are five more than the first two first halves combined.Now that's progress. Of course, a callous type could point out the Caps had left a lot of room for improvement. But let's go on.The 157 goals allowed through 40 games this time are 52 less than last year, 58 less than year one. However, a scoring slump that began just before this past Christmas left the Caps with fewer goals (106) than last year at the 40-game milepost (110). The poor first edition got only 80 by the halfway mark.The shots against, though, reflect solid betterment, over 150 less than the previous teams. Shots for are up about 125.Slicing the seasons into quarters, the opening 20 games of this schedule show the highest win total ever: six. The second 20 contests show one less win, but two more ties balances that at 14 standings points apiece, better than the Capitals could manage in any of the eight segments of 'the first two years.Of all of the above, the most significant is the goals against. Washington set the all-time record of 446 scores permitted in their first season, knocked 52 off it last year&mdash;down to 394. When this reporter ventured another 52 off would be a nice accomplishment this time around, general manager Max McNab and coach lorn McVie asserted it had better drop more steeply than that.And so it has decreasing by exactly 52 in the first half of the season alone.The one area the Caps have retrogressed occurs when they have a numerical advantage on the ice. Their 16 power play goals are the league's low and the 11 shorthanded goals permitted easily the highest figure among the NHL's 18 teams. Last year this time they had 29 power scores and had given up only three. Three by the way was the final total. This time they figure to at least approach their NHL negative shorthanded goals allowed mark of 18. set in 1975.But over all. for the Washington Capitals, things are looking up.ICE CAPS: The Capitals ended the first half of the season with a rather odd game with Pittsburgh. The 3-3 tie at the Capital Center had only one penalty, against the Penguins' Wayne Bianchin for slashing. Bob Sirois, in his second game back from a broken thumb, had two goals. His center Guy Charron assisted on both, but was held without a shot on goal for only the third time all season. The Caps outshot the Pens for the third time this year (two wins, one tie) but only eight different men were in on the 26 shots. Gerry Meehan had eight, scoring his 140th career goal on snappy passes from Gordie Lane and Rick Bragnalo. The Caps went without a shot for the first six and a half minutes of the game, then got only one shot on goal in the third period.In the scoring slump that produced just 12 goals in seven games prior to the Pittsburgh stalemate, the Charron line tailed off to just two goals. Bragnalo and Ron Lalonde lit the most lamps in that stretch, three apiece.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-02872/4156310-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="522" height="989"><figcaption class="caption-body">HARTLAND MONAHAN &hellip; Nears Club Records</figcaption></div>The players in the press box were cut from six to two as Sirois and Jack Lynch (bruised tailbone) came off the injury list and Blair Stewart and Bob Paradise were sent to Springfield to play their way back into shape. Mike Lampman (neck) and Pete Scamurra (groin) remained sidelined.As they moved into the second half of the schedule the Caps hadn't given up a power play goal in six straight games. However, they had only one in eight games themselves.Charron led the club in goals (22). points (42) and shots-on-goal (132). That latter figure is just 36 short of the club mark. He's five goals, 17 assists and 17 points short of singleseason club records in those departments. Two goals by Hartland Monahan would give him Cap career records for goals and points.Of the season-long Caps Meehan had the fewest penalty minutes (two) and Lane the most (93). Monahan led in power play goals (six) and he and Meehan were tied in game-winners (three).The attendance was an unofficial 198, 161 an average of 9,908 for each of the 20 dates. &#9632;

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Caps Show Definite Improvement

<div class="byline">TONY GALLAGHER</div>VANCOUVER&mdash;If Orland Kurtenbach was a doctor, you could say he is using the treatment which allows the patient to cure himself.The patient is the Vancouver Canucks and the disease is an inability to attain respectability at home while being able to do such things as walk into Uniondale, N.Y. and beat the New York Islanders 51.Kurtenbach must make one of the most perplexing diagnoses in Vancouver hockey history in trying to deal with the ailment, and the symptons have a manic-depressive range.So far, he's chosen to steer clear of surgery. He claims the operations, trades as they are commonly called in hockey vernacular, are not always successful and they can cause hardships to various members of the team particularly if they are family men. Instead he has chosen to sit back in the three weeks he has been the coach of the club and see whether the team can work out their problem without a major shakeup.&ldquo;I don't believe in changing things just for the sake of change,&rdquo; says Kurtenbach. &ldquo;I wanted to have a look at the guys on this trip and then think out our position. I don't believe in making decisions under pressure. There is a lot involved. We're dealing with people, and when you move a man. you have to consider his family as well.&rdquo;It is that kind of attitude which the players really like in a coach, and that is probably the reason Kurtenbach is so widely respected among the people who know him well.But the problems may become so intense, that Kurtenbach may well have to try another approach if his club doesn't pick up in the near future. The Canucks have reached the halfway point in their schedule, and all they have achieved to date is the turning off of Vancouver hockey fans.At the 43-game mark of the 80-game schedule, the Canucks find themselves in last place in the Smythe Division, one point behind the Minnesota North Stars, who enjoy four games in hand.Hardly a classic position unless your're going to be great in the stretch. And that is Kurtenbach's job, to get the team playing well enough to not only get into the playoffs, but maybe slip ahead of Chicago into second place to get a little confidence back.A team that has won only four of its first 21 games at home has got to be wondering what is wrong, and that is exactly the position the Canucks find themselves in. Some players like Mike Walton have said that the team is pressing too hard and that they tend to tighten up in front of the supposedly critical home fans. Others say some players aren't working hard enough. But one thing is sure, the Canucks season would appear to hinge around an eight-game homestand which stretches from mid-January to early February and is broken up by the All Star game at the Pacific Coliseum. If they don't come out of their home trance at that point, the season can pretty well be kissed goodbye and Kurtenbach and the players know it.The team warmed up for that series of games with a trip which was six games in eight days, and through the first four games, they had played well but only managed three points. It looked like a rosy New Year for the team when they played on New Year's Day in New York and clobbered the Islanders. But they only managed a 2-2 tie with Pittsburgh in the next three games of the trip even though they played well in all three cities.The win over the Islanders was the most perfect game the team has played all year with one tough part&mdash;the torn knee ligaments suffered by the team's second highest scorer&mdash;Walton. He injured himself in a second period collision with Bryan Trottier and had to be taken back to Vancouver the following day where he underwent surgery and will be sidelined for close to 10 weeks. Hardly the thing the Canucks can afford when they are among the lowest-scoring clubs in the league. Further, it meant Kurtenbach had to switch Don Lever from his more comfortable left wing position back to center, and historically, Lever has never produced point-wise at center like he does on the wing.Kurtenbach said after the big win: &ldquo;It's just one game afld I'm not about to jump over the moon, but I was very pleased with the way the guys played. We can beat a lot of teams if we play like that.&rdquo;The team has continued to play in such a fashion, but now the problem has gone to something more specific&mdash;the puck refuses to go into the net. In Atlanta, the Canucks, playing their fourth game in five nights, outplayed the Flames for two periods but came out trailing 2-1 when they couldn't put the puck away on they chances. When the legs went in the third period, they ended up losing 4-1. In New York against the Rangers, they spent most of the night making Gilles Gratton look like one of the best goalies in the league. It seems when the Canucks get one problem solved, there is another to take its place.But regardless of what problems arise, they must start winning at home. The NHL is in enough financial trouble all over the circuit without ruining one of its healthiest towns because of a chronic loser &#9632;

Kurtenbach 'Thinking Out' Canucks' Ice Problems

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011070/4156372-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">Bernie Pascall, left, is the play-by-play announcer for the revived Western Canada TV hockey coverage while former NHL referee Lloyd Gilmour is the color analyst for the 16-game package.</figcaption></div>VANCOUVER-After a year without midweek hockey on television, the game is back for Western Canada fans. A game with a distinct Canuck look, a different crew and special interest for Western Canada's followers of the National Hockey League.The midweek series is the brainchild of BCTV's Ray Peters who acquired Canucks' non-Saturday and playoff rights from Hockey Night In Canada, put together a 16-game Wednesday package (eight home and eight road games) and is providing those games to all of B.C. and to CFAC's Calgary viewers.That's made a lot of viewers a lot happier than they were a year ago when there was no NHL coverage at all during the week, and since all 16 games this year feature the Canucks, the package has even greater meaning than any previous midweek hockey on CTV.Since a number of the Canuck players are from the west the games hold special interest when they're relayed into B.C.'s northland. BCTV enlisted the aid of HNIC's executive producer Ralph Mellanby. A seminar was set up, whereby every BCTV technician, videotape operator, director and producer was able to tap Mellanby's rich resource of expertise. When the Canucks are on the road, BCTV hires a director based on HNIC's recommendation, making the end product on the home set as pro-fessional a production as hockey fans have learned to expect.Bernie Pascall, BCTV's sports director, is the play-by-play announcer. Pascall is no stranger to the job. He handled similar duties for CTV during the Canada Cup series. Color analyst is retired NHL referee Lloyd Gilmour. Gilmour is well-known and well-liked in Vancouver media circles and he's demonstrating that he's just as prompt with an ad-lib as he was with a whistle. &#9632;

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Midweek Hockey Comes Back To NHL's West Coast Viewers

<div class="byline">VARTAN KUPELIAN</div>DETROIT-Where do the Red Wings go from here? Out of sheer desperation, the Red Wings started juggling bodies as they ushered in the new year with a sorry string of performances.Still, the losses and despair continued to pile up.The problem is simple, and one that general manager and coach Alex Delvecchio feared. Even though they were blessed with an easy schedule through the month of January, the Wings responded by playing their worst hockey in years.Seeking a solution, Delvecchio promoted four first-year pros from Kalamazoo of the International Hockey League. The kids were willing, but their experience just didn't let them compete successfully in the National Hockey League.Delvecchio promised a shakeup after the Wings were drubbed by the Colorado Rockies, 6-4, at Olympia. Before the holidays, Delvecchio said the Wings couldn't afford any &ldquo;sorry&rdquo; performances at home during the second half of the season, not if they were serious about making the playoffs.Well, they were sorry just the same.The Wings benched veterans Mike Bloom, Bobby Sheehan and J.P. LeBlanc and second-year pro defenseman Rick Lapointe, the club's No. One amateur draft choice in 1975.To replace them, first-year pros Kevin Schamehorn, Fred Berry, Dwight Schofield and Fern LeBlanc were called up from Kalamazoo.Schamehorn and LeBlanc had seen brief action in earlier one-game trials but Berry and Schofield made their big league debuts in Washington. The kids played well in the 2-2 tie with the Capitals and it was Schofield's goal with two minutes left which enabled the Wings to earn the draw.The kids went back to Kalamazoo the next night to help their team whip the Russian team, Spartak, 6-5, in an international exhibition with Berry chipping in a pair of goals.The next night, they were back in Detroit for their third game in three nights and, understandably, were tired and didn't perform with distinction. But then again, neither did the rest of the club and the Wings were embarrassed before the home folks, 7-2. by Minnesota.&ldquo;It was our worst game,&rdquo; said Billy Dea, who moved behind the bench in the absence of Delvecchio.The Delvecchio family was shocked by two deaths in a week. First Delvecchio's father, Frank, died in Thunder Bay. Then Delvecchio's mother-in-law, Mrs. John Plotko, mother of Mrs. Teresa Delvecchio, died after a lengthy illness in Thunder Bay.&ldquo;I'll have to wait until Alex gets back to see what we're going to do,&rdquo; Dea said.It was likely that the kids would be sent back to the minors for more seasoning with the veterans restored to duty. But that wouldn't solve the club's pressing problems.The Red Wings have had ample oppor-tunity to catch the floundering Los Angeles Kings in the Norris Division, but showed no signs of coming to life. In fact, there was a definite danger of falling behind Washington and into last place in the division.Delvecchio, a patient man, has tried everything he could think of. The club has little talent and less depth and injuries to players like Dan Maloney and Danny Grant take on epidemic proportions under those conditions.There doesn't seem to be a solution. The talent on the farm is just as thin, so where does he turn to for players?Over the years, the Red Wings have been deficient in the area of player procurement and that track record can't be changed overnight.So the Wings must continue to suffer, unless the players on hand suddenly decide that they've had enough and put out an extra effort. It is something that Delvecchio and Dea hoped would happen long ago, but the effort is seldom there the way it should be.Despite all the turmoil, Detroit remained within striking distance of third place. But, if in the next couple of weeks things don't improve, you can expect Delvecchio to start making wholesale changes, perhaps sending some of his expendable veterans to playoff-bound teams for future considerations, young players and draft choices.Delvecchio gave the current club a vote of confidence last summer when he didn't make any major changes. He said he was pleased with the progress the players on hand made late last season and that they deserved a year together to see what they could do.Well, they've had their chance and their performance has put the jobs of Delvecchio and Dea in jeopardy.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011028/4156403-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="594" height="757"><figcaption class="caption-body">DWIGHT SCHOFIELD&hellip; Gets Tying Goal</figcaption></div> &#9632;

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Wings Juggle Out Of Desperation

<div class="byline">FRANK ORR</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011051/4156434-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">WIVES FIGHT FOR LIVES: The Philadelphia Spectrum will be the scene of a gala carnival Tue. Feb. 1 when wives of the Flyers' players stage their annual charity event with proceeds going to the The Cancer Institute Of Hahnemann Hospital. Helping promote the carnival are from the left, Brenda Goodenough, Sandy Clarke and Lynn Kindrachuk. Fans will be invited to take shots at three Flyer goalers, who will stop pucks for charity. The Philly wives have been successful in recent years raising more than $35,000 for charitable events.</figcaption></div>TORONTO&mdash;The scenario was extremely heart-warming for Errol Thompson, the slick left winger of the Toronto Maple Leafs.Thompson scored 43 goals on the Leafs' behalf last season and when the 1976-77 National Hockey League season started, he anticipated a splendid term. Thompson was in great condition and his linemates, who are slightly better than an empty sweater, Darryl Sittier and Lanny McDonald, were fresh from their Team Canada success.Thompson potted a pair of goals in the Leafs' first three games of the schedule, then during that third contest, he collided with Los Angeles Kings' defenseman Ab DeMarco and fractured his wrist.Doctors set the break once but when a blood clot built up in the wrist, surgery was required to clear it away and reset the.break. Thompson went through two months of recuperation, including a long program of therapy to regain some use of his hand. His fingers were weak and lacked the proper feeling in them.Thompson rejoined the Leafs for a late December game at Cleveland and played a few shifts, mostly as a penalty-killer.On New Year's Day, the Leafs hosted Washington Capitals at Maple Leaf Gardens and early in the first period, Thompson skated out to take his old spot on the line with Sittier and McDonald.Inge Hammarstrom had filled that hole well during Thompson's absence, but Leaf coach Red Kelly wanted to re-unite his big line of last season as soon as possible.When the Leaf faithful spotted Thompson, they gave him a rather rousing ovation. Early in that shift, he rewarded them with a typical Thompson goal, the result of his great speed and good shot.Leaf defenseman Borje Salming dispatched Sittier on a rush up the middle, Sittier pulled a Cap defender to one side and slid a pass to his left. Thompson picked up the puck in full stride, moved towards Cap goalie Ron Low and ripped a hard wrist shot over Low's shoulder for his first score in more than two months.&ldquo;I'd read that Thompson was having problems shooting the puck because of his weak hand,&rdquo; Low said. &ldquo;Well, I can tell the world that there's absolutely nothing wrong with his shot.&rdquo;&ldquo;It was great to be back in the lineup and the fact that the fans remembered me really was a boost,&rdquo; Thompson said. &ldquo;I know I'll need some time to get my timing and feeling for the game-back completely but the goal was good because it showed me that I can still shoot the puck a little.&ldquo;The hand has been very slow coming around because there was some damage or disruption to the nerves which run my fingers. At times, a couple of fingers had very little feeling in them, sort of a numbness. It will be a while before the hand is normal again.&ldquo;Being away was a very frustrating time for me. I'd been skating as much as possible since the cast came off in late November and doing a great deal of therapy to get the strength back in my hand. But I was grumpy around home and not a very pleasant person. Now all I want to do is have a good second half to the season.&rdquo;Thompson and forward George Ferguson, who missed 21 games with a knee injury, returned at the same time to bring the Leaf roster up to some semblance of strength. During a six-week period, the Leafs were dressing only 16 skaters, one below the limit, and in some games only 15.&ldquo;A player of Thompson's calibre, of course, was a big loss for us and we missed Ferguson, too. because he can play all three forward positions,&rdquo; said Kelly. &ldquo;But when our roster was thin, we had to use players such as Sittier and McDonald for a heavy penalty-killing load plus their normal shifts. Ferguson and Thompson are good at that job and will ease the load.&rdquo;NOTES: Leaf defenseman Brian Glennie missed several games with a groin injury&hellip; Borje Salming has already tied his Leaf one-season assist record of 41, which he established last season&hellip; Leafs' rookie winger Kurt Walker has resumed workouts following a six-week absence with a knee injury and should be ready to play in late January. &#9632;

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Nothing Wrong With Hand As Thompson Rewards Fans

<div class="byline">GARY McCARTHY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0015-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011009/4156465-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">KEN DRYDEN&hellip; League-Leading Five Shutouts (Photo by Rich Pilling)</figcaption></div>MONTREAL&mdash;The Canadiens established all sorts of National Hockey League records en route to their Stanley Cup triumph during the 1975-76 season. So, the big question in Montreal hockey circles when the Canadiens showed up for training camp this year was what the club could possibly do for an encore.The Canadiens established an NHL record for most victories and most points last season, winning 58 and tying 11 of their 80 games. The 127 points they earned in the standings was six points better than the previous mark held by the Boston Bruins.That sounds like a pretty tough act to follow, but based on their current performance, the Canadiens could wind up the 1976-77 campaign with as few as 10 losses. That would equal the record they already hold for a 78-game schedule, set back in 1972-73.How good are the Canadiens? Very good. They dominated the award money handed out by the NHL for the first half of the season and they also dominated the selections to the All Star team for the annual classic that was played Jan. 25 in Vancouver.After 42 games this season, the Habs had won 31 and tied another six and had a nine-point lead over their closest rivals&mdash;the Philadelphia Flyers&mdash;in the over-all NHL standings.In their own division&mdash;the Norris Division&mdash;the Canadiens held a 28-point lead over the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins. The division race was over shortly after it started.Even compared with last year, the Canadiens have shown an improvement in the 1976-77 season.After 40 games during the 1975-76 season, the Canadiens had won 28, lost six and tied six. They had scored 168 goals and had given up 81. Needless to say, they were in first place in the over-all NHL standings.After the halfway point of the 1976-77 campaign, the Habs had won 29, lost five and tied six. They had scored 194 goals and had given up 90. Again, they are in first place.The Canadiens don't even mind a little adversity now and then. They still manage to rise to the occasion&mdash;even when it/appears as though the odds are against them (which isn't often).Montreal was recently paralyzed by a 12-inch snowstorm that was accompanied by winds up to 35 miles an hour. The Habs were snowed in and couldn't leave on schedule for Denver, where they were to face the Rockies Jan. 11.So, the Habs left the day of the game by charter airplane and arrived in the Mile High City three hours before game time. The players hadn't had much sleep, because they were told by club officials to stay on standby and be ready to leave on a 30-minute notice. Most of the players were trapped inside the Forum anyway.Not having slept much, the Canadiens took to the ice, and blanked the Rockies 6-0. Alright, so the Canadiens were only playing the Rockies. The fact is that the Canadiens still played like the Canadiens&mdash;fast skating, balanced scoring and tough defensively.It was the first time in 96 games, going back to when they were the Kansas City Scouts, that the Rockies had been shut out. Believe it or not, that represented the longest current streak among the present NHL teams.&ldquo;Okay, okay,&rdquo; sighed Canadiens' coach Scotty Bowman. &ldquo;We go through everything we went through for the last 48 hours or so and we can still turn it on for a 6-0 win. But, look at who we beat. It's the Islanders I'm worried about.&rdquo;The New York Islanders haven't been losing many lately but they still trail the Canadiens by 14 points in the over-all standings although they hold three games in hand on the Habs.What also could be of concern to Bowman is the goals-against, but here again, the Islanders have given up eight more goals than the Habs and the Islanders have to play those three games they have in hand.Goalie Ken Dryden, who made 20 saves against the Rockies for his league-leading fifth shutout of the season, spoke about the Canadiens' long trip to Colorado after waiting for the storm to die down.&ldquo;Being tired after a day like the one we had is something a person worries about more than actually experiences,&rdquo; the big netminder said.&ldquo;I guess most of us thought we d be tired. Then we went out and found out we weren't really that tired after all.&rdquo;&ldquo;I thought they would be better than they were tonight.&rdquo; said Jacques Lemaire, referring to the Rockies. &ldquo;I'm really surprised 'The victory over the Rockies stretched their latest unbeaten streak to 11 games&mdash;nine wins and two ties. They haven't lost since Dec. 12 when they went down 5-2 against the Rangers in New York.HABS NOTES: Right winger Guy Lafleur has opened up a pine-point lead over teammate Steve Shutt and Marcel Dionne of Los Angeles in the individual scoring race. Lafleur has a league-leading 35 goals and an equal number of assists for 70 points&hellip;Veteran Jim Roberts, still bothered by a stomach injury, didn't make the trip to Colorado and St. Louis&hellip;During the trip to Denver, several members of the Canadiens and the press corps took some interest in the court case involving singer-actress Claudine Longet, former wife of singer Andy Williams. She's on trial over the death of one-time pro skier Spider Sabich&hellip;The Canadiens have returned goalie Dave Elenbaas to the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. He had been called up to act as a backup for Ken Dryden while Michel Larocque was sidelined with a foot injury. Larocque has fully recovered. &#9632;

f0015-01

Canadiens Coming Up With Their 'Encore'

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-01856/4156496-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

f0016-01

NHL SCORING and PENALTY STATISTICS

MONTREAL-The importance of first-round amateur draft choices to National Hockey League clubs is clearly demonstrated in a check of the leading point scorers among rookies so far this season.Six of the top 10 rookie scorers were first-round choices during the last three amateur drafts, headed by New York Rangers' surprising right winger, Don Murdoch, who is cruising towards an NHL record for goals by a rookie.The 20-year-old native of Cranbrook, B.C., whose older brother Bob is with Cleveland Barons, is just a little behind the pace Rick Martin of Buffalo set in 1971-72 when he scored 44 goals to set the rookie goal-scoring mark. After 47 games, Murdoch has 30 goals and 48 points. Martin had 32 goals at the same time in his first season with Sabres.Murdoch began the season at a torrid pace and was away ahead of any other rookies but in recent weeks some other first-year players have been narrowing the gap on Murdoch as far as statistics are concerned.Second in the points parade among rookies is Glen Sharpley of Minnesota with 17 goals and 36 points, followed closely by teammate Roland Eriksson, a native of Storatuna, Sweden, who has 15 goals and 33 points. Defenseman Richard Melhern of Atlanta leads rookie defensemen and is fourth overall among rookies with 32 points, including 23 assists, the most by any first-year player. Then follows Paul Gardner, Colorado, 17 goals, 31 points in 28 games, the best points-pergame average of any rookie this season; Willie Plett, Atlanta, 16 goals, 28 points; Mike Fidler, Cleveland, 12 goals, 27 points; Guy Chouinard, Atlanta, nine goals, 26 points; Mike McEwan. Rangers, eight goals, 26 points and Blair Chapman, Pittsburgh, eight goals, 22 points.Of the 10 leading pointmen among the rookies, Murdoch, Sharpley, Gardner and Chapman were first-round choices by their respective clubs in the 1976 amateur draft. Mulhern was Atlanta's first choice in 1975 and Chouinard was the same team's first choice in 1974. Most surprising performance among the leading rookies would have to be Eriksson, who joined Minnesota this season from the Swedish National Team. He was the North Stars' eighth choice and 131st overall in the 1974 draft.Meanwhile, Montreal right winger Guy Lafleur continues to lead the scoring parade with 72 points, including a leading 36 goals and an eight-point lead over runner-up Marcel Dionne of Los Angeles. &#9632;

NHL WEEK …In Review

<div class="byline">NORM MacLEAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0017-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-01748/4156558-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">PHIL ESPOSITO&hellip; Silencing The Gallery Gods (Photo by Rich Pilling)</figcaption></div>NEW YORK&mdash;It was Phil Esposito's finest moment as a New York Ranger. The often-booed 34-year-old center had just flipped the puck past Los Angeles Kings' goalie Rogatien Vachon to tie the game at 4-4 Only 50 seconds remained and it was the second straight final-minute game equalizer that Phil had produced. Two nights before, on Jan. 7, in Denver, Espo had knotted the Colorado Rockies 4-4.From high up in the Garden the crescendo of noise crashed in endless waves on the loge seats below and finally spewed out on to the ice itself. The Rangers' bench emptied and every player came out to hug and congratulate Esposito, their captain. The man who had been booed by Garden fans when he made an official presentation on behalf of the team to Rod Gilbert, the night Rocky played his 1,000th game on Dec. 12, was suddenly a hero.Seconds later, it all turned to ashes for the Rangers as Marcel Dionne got away and scored the winner 5-4 against goalie Gilles Gratton, but still Esposito's first Ranger hat trick, and his passing the 1,300 point mark had gotten through to the fans.&ldquo;I booed Esposito because he didn't produce as he had done in the past,&rdquo; insisted Sally Sicherman. &ldquo;He came to us advertised as a 50-goal scorer and he wasn't getting goals in that number.&rdquo;&ldquo;The booing of Esposito was a symbol of the frustrations of Ranger fans, without a winner since 1940, who had to take it out on someone. They were booing Emile Francis at the end&mdash;and to some Esposito represented Francis' last gamble to win the Cup,&rdquo; observed Gene Elliott, a 20-year Ranger season subscriber.&ldquo;Phil gave his heart and body for this team and still they booed him,&rdquo; lamented B.K. Head, an obvious Espo fan.&ldquo;Esposito stinks,&rdquo; said Anthony Shaw &ldquo;He doesn't get his shots off as fast as he used to, and he doesn't get the puck in the slot&mdash;and before tonight when he got it, not too much happened.&rdquo;Recently Esposito clashed with Fran! Brown of the Associated Press, Waltei MacPeek of the Newark Star Ledger ant Hugh Delano of the N.Y. Post and tolt this writer where to go. It was all over critiques which had been written on he play. His frustrations were showing through and at the time Espo said. &ldquo; wouldn't care if I was traded.&rdquo;Now, &ldquo;I don't want to leave here until we win the Cup. These young guys an really something and I know I'm helping them. I wanted to get 50 goals this year Scoring goals is a lot of luck. Suddenly you get a hot streak when the puck goes in and your total zooms. I have 23 now, 50 is still possible. A week ago, I would have thought it out of the question. Losing this game makes my hat trick meaningless. We just have to get ready for the next one.".&ldquo;I feel I am in the best condition of my career. I come back and back-check more than ever before. In Boston I stood in front of the net and Hodge and Cash . (Wayne Cashman) got the puck to me. Here I go in the corners as much as does Kenny (Hodge). On the power play we are looking to feed Donnie (Murdoch). It's a different situation, just as in Chicago, where I was supposed to feed the puck to Bobby Hull. And as for speaking up, in Chicago I sat between Hull and Chico Maki and never said a word. I've earned the right to speak my piece,&rdquo; continued Phil.In the house of horrors which the Garden was for the Rangers early on in the season, Esposito was the donkey to which failure was pinned. He had taken the place of Allan Stanley, purged by the gallery in 1953 and Harry Howell, benched and almost excommunicated in 1956.&ldquo;Get off the ice, Esposito, go back to Boston, you bum,&rdquo; screamed Igor, a bearded denizen of the upper Garden. &ldquo;You are too old.&rdquo;Esposito has, to some extent, beat back his critics with better play. His position was almost untenable&mdash;a superstar asked to turn a deteriorating team around. With the help of John Ferguson's youthful Raiders, 'Team Comeback' has the seal of Espo stamped on its front and center.BLUE CHIPS: Espo became the fourth player in NHL history to pass the 1,300 point mark with his first goal against Los Angeles Jan. 9. It was his 27th NHL hat trick&hellip;Rod Gilbert pulled a groin muscle against Colorado and will be out for a short time&hellip;Gilbert has informed the committee planning his night March 9 that he wants all donations to go to a fund for underprivileged youngsters in the metropolitan area.<h2>NHL Leaders</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-02634/4156551-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="595" height="1002"></div> &#9632;

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Espo Turns Ranger Jeers To Cheers

<div class="byline">ALAN TRUEX</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-01765/4156603-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="589" height="1026"><figcaption class="caption-body">TOM LYSIAK&hellip; Best Of Flames</figcaption></div>ATLANTARumors were flying faster than hockey pucks.Some reports had the Atlanta Flames about to be sold to Earl J. Thomas, a highly secretive multimillionaire from Miami.Other reports had the Flames already sold.But after two days of listening to the rumors&mdash;and denying them&mdash;Flames majority owner Tom Cousins effectively ended them. Cousins informed Thomas' corporation, the Thomas Holding Group, that the club was not for sale, and there would be no point in any negotiating.Representatives of Thomas had contacted Cousins' office seeking a meeting to discuss the purchase of the Flames. But a statement by Thomas' son Kingsley said, &ldquo;Negotiations for the purchase of the Flames were ended abruptly when a representative of Tom Cousins cancelled the first meeting which would have brought the principal together to discuss a sale.&rdquo;The reason given by Thomas for the cancellation was that Cousins feared the publicity surrounding the negotiations was having an adverse effect on the campaign by Gov. George Busbee and local businessmen to keep the Flames in Atlanta.Since Earl Thomas lives most of the year in Miami, there was some concern he would move the club to Florida if he bought it.Cousins insisted there never was any chance of Thomas buying the franchise. He said the only reason he ever considered the meeting was to see if Thomas wanted to invest money in the Flames as a minority shareholder.&ldquo;Frankly,&rdquo; Cousins said, &ldquo;all the publicity about the man piqued my curiosity. I agreed to meet with him as long as he understood that the franchise was not for sale. They decided there would be no point in having the conversation.&rdquo;Flames contact with Thomas, 66, was made originally by the team's vice president Bernie Geoffrion, according to several executives of the Flames and The Omni.Apparently told by Geoffrion that the team could be bought, Thomas came to Atlanta, where he has an apartment, and let it be known he was willing to buy the team.Cousins saw this all as an elaborate publicity move, although the Thomas Holding group has shown no history of seeking publicity. The Thomas Holding group claims to employ more than 60,000 people in its 157 &ldquo;holdings.&rdquo; The conglomerate maintains &ldquo;world headquarters&rdquo; just outside Altanta, with offices also in Worthington, Ohio, and Miami, Fla.Yet an extensive search through business records in Atlanta public libraries produced no mention of any of the Thomas holdings. &ldquo;This is very surprising,&rdquo; said an Atlanta library official in charge of corporate records. &ldquo;They are obviously trying to be very obscure.&rdquo;Whether they wanted the attention or not, for two days the Thomas Holding Group was the city's most talked-about corporation.But it all turned out to be only talk and rumors. Cousins took decisive and prompt action to reaffirm his intention to keep the Flames in Atlanta.He asserted there was no chance of the team being sold or moved &ldquo;so long as there continues to be as much support in Atlanta as there is at present.&rdquo;After numerous civic groups, including the Flames' players themselves, agreed to buy $25,000 blocks of tickets, attendance has been rising sharply over the past month. In fact, per-game attendance has risen from an average of under 10,000 to well above 11,000.The Flames finished their best half season in the history of the franchise, with 45 points in the 40 games.&ldquo;Talent-wise,&rdquo; general manager Cliff Fletcher said, &ldquo;this is the best team we've ever had, by far. Experience-wise though, that's something that concerns me.&rdquo;With six rookies, the Flames are a young hockey club, perhaps too young and error-prone to contest such Patrick Division heavyweights as the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders.But the Flames have continually played exciting enough hockey that interest in the sport appeared to be increasing, and the club become more solidly entrenched in Atlanta.FLAME NOTES: Curt Bennett finally broke a 12-game scoreless streak with his 13th goal in the team's 40th game. He has been playing far below his All Star standards of the last two years. A worse slump, though, was being carried out by right winger John Gould, who scored 66 goals the past two seasons for Vancouver.This year, Gould did not have a goal in his first 16 games with the Flames, after his trade from Vancouver. He was taking unprecedented abuse from the Omni crowds&hellip; Also having problems is goalie Dan Bouchard, whose goals-against average has swelled to 3.60.<h2>Looking At NHLGoalers</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-02616/4156596-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="595" height="2217"></div><h2>Team Penalties</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03457/4156589-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="591" height="848"></div> &#9632;

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Flames' New Surge At Box Office Douses Rumors Team Will Be Moved

The Philadelphia Flyers figured they'd have a shot at the cup this season if they could get Rick MacLeish's big shot back into their offense. Injuries forced the freewheeling Flyer center to miss the last 29 games of the schedule last season and the entire playoffs.Now MacLeish is back and the Flyers are rolling in old time form with the deadly- shooting MacLeish providing much of their offensive spark. MacLeish turned in a five- point week for the Flyers scoring four goals to raise his season totals to 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points.MacLeish scored twice in each game as the Flyers beat Minnesota 4-2 and Colorado 5-2 last weekend. At his present pace the Philadelphia scoring ace could eclipse his 50-goal year set in 1972-73. The Flyers are keeping their fingers crossed that MacLeish will stay healthy.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04324/4156634-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="518" height="571"><figcaption class="caption-body">RICK MacLEISH&hellip; Philadelphia Flyers</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0018-04

NHL'S… Player of the Week

<div class="byline">LARRY BORTSTEIN</div>DENVER-He arrives at the Colorado Rockies office at 8 a m. and usually leaves 12 hours later on nights when the team isn't playing. When there is a game, his workday stretches to 16 hours, and if a Rocky player sustains an injury during the game which requires quick medical attention, he usually accompanies the stricken athlete to the hospital and remains with him until all appears well.Perhaps no president of a National Hockey League club works as hard as Munson Campbell of Denver's NHL team, and it's hard to imagine that any other club executive could be as happy with what he's doing.&ldquo;This is a happy organization,&rdquo; Campbell was saying recently during a rare interlude. &ldquo;The happiest group of people I've ever been around in business. From the front office to the coaches to the players, everyone involved has a great deal of enthusiasm about the team and a healthy respect for one another.&rdquo;The 52-year-old Rockies' president doesn't offer comment on his previous employer in hockey&mdash;the ill-fated California Golden Seals. He first worked for the Seals when Charles 0. Finley ran (or was it ran down?) the club back in 1971. After leaving the Seals a year later, Campbell was &ldquo;drafted&rdquo; by the NHL governors to return to Oakland and oversee the team's operations after the league assumed control of the franchise in December, 1973.But it is abundantly clear that this distinguished-looking product of Yale's ivy halls has found peace and contentment in the Mile High City.&ldquo;I never lived in what you would call permanent quarters before,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;1 lived in a hotel in Oakland, and have been living in a hotel here since I got here. But now I've bought a condominium only two miles from the office. I'll be moving into it as soon as they get it all ready. 1 plan on making this my permanent home. I was divorced some years ago and never had any children, so this team has become my family.&rdquo;When the Seals departed the Bay Area for Cleveland last summer, Campbell was swept out by Mel Swig, the team's owner. &ldquo;I said then I'd never again become involved in building another hockey team.&rdquo; recalls Campbell, who had guided the ex-Seals to something approaching respectability after suffering through several dismal campaigns. &ldquo;But the more I looked into the situation in Denver, the more excited I became.&ldquo;This is a people business,&rdquo; he goes on. &ldquo;If we get beat it's because someone else's people are better than our people. But we have a great organization all the way down the line, and sooner or later our people are all going to be heard from.&rdquo;Campbell credits the location of the Rockies' franchise with keeping many of the players happy. &ldquo;I compare our location, near the mountains, to Western Canada,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;There's the outdoor life a lot of the guys seem to like. The availability of good housing high in the mountains. Sometimes when the guys get back from a road trip, I can't believe how they can jump in their cars and take that long drive to homes in the mountains.&ldquo;That's what comes with being young,&rdquo; he smiles. &ldquo;I prefer staying close to the office.&rdquo;Campbell has been involved with hockey since his days at Yale where he met Bruce Norris. That was in 1942. Over the next three decades, along with developing a very successful career as a marketing consultant, the native of Cincinnati learned from the Norris family the intricacies of running a major league hockey team. Campbell spent 20 years with the business department of the New York Times following his graduation from Yale in 1945. and rose through the ranks. He spent two years in London and Paris, establishing the business operations of the Times' international edition.After six years as senior vice president and director of the advertising firm of J.M. Mathes. Inc., Campbell entered the hockey business as vice-president of the Golden Seals under Finley. He doesn't think he'll ever leave the world of flashing skates and flying pucks.&ldquo;I think this sport demands more hours on the part of the front office than any others,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;But there's nothing else I'd rather do. I like being involved.&rdquo;Among the Rockies whom Campbell has escorted on trips to the hospital is goaltender Doug Favell, who tore up his right knee in October and only recently returned to action.&ldquo;I knew Doug was having a big problem,&rdquo; recalls Campbell. &ldquo;So I went with him to the hospital after he got injured. The first doctor we saw wanted to cut into Doug's knee right away. We refused. Then someone else wanted to put a cast on. We didn't think that was a good idea either because Doug has small legs to start with, like match sticks compared to his upper body, and a cast would only atrophy the muscles in his leg even further. So we bound him up and sent him for hydrotherapy, and he came back to us a lot sooner than any os us expected.&ldquo;Wilfie Paiement also had an injury,&rdquo; recalls the Rockies' president and governor. &ldquo;Jack Mcllhargey of the Flyers busted up his nose. But I didn't go with Wilfie to the hospital for that. He doesn't need me to have his nose sewn up.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-01733/4156665-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="591" height="1029"><figcaption class="caption-body">MUNSON CAMPBELL &hellip; 16-Hour Work Days</figcaption></div>Then Munson Campbell rearranged himself in his seat and went back to the myriad duties the Rockies do need him for. &#9632;

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Campbell Finding Peace In Denver

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0020-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-01567/4156703-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01416/4156696-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="1869" height="2084"></div> &#9632;

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National League Summaries

The Cincinnati Stingers returned to the WHA spotlight as the league's best offensive club last week with an overpowering 26-goal onslaught in four games as Blaine Stoughton emerged as the individual star.Stoughton, the young winger who jumped the NHL Toronto Leafs for the Cincinnati Stingers, had his most productive week of the WHA season when he pumped in six goals&mdash;four of them in one game as the Stingers went on the rampage.Stoughton's nine-point week raised his season total to 56 points and his four goals in a 6-4 win over Winnipeg gave him 29 for the season in 42 games. Stoughton, playing with rookie center Peter Marsh, who also picked up nine scoring points last week, is rapidly moving to the top of the team scoring lead.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05182/4156786-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="536" height="579"><figcaption class="caption-body">BLAINE STOUGHTON &hellip; Cincinnati Stingers</figcaption></div> &#9632;

f0022-05

WHA'S… Player of the Week

<div class="byline">BY GEORGE BILYCH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-01452/4156755-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="586" height="1046"></div>CALGARY-The standings suggested it. The calendar insisted upon it. Finally, nearing mid-January, Joe Crozier started his shakeup of the Calgary Cowboys.For six weeks Crozier kept saying it would happen. But the threats obviously fell on deaf ears. Finally, when the Cowboys' lackluster output showed no signs of abating, he swung into action.Within a span of 24 hours he: (a) reacquired winger Butch Deadmarsh from Minnesota in a trade _for Richard Lemieux; (b) gave Rick Sentes (his fourthleading scorer with 10 goals and 14 assists) his outright release; (c) called winger Andre Deschamps and defenseman George Pesut up from the minors and (d) named Peter Driscoll the club captain.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02354/4156748-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="589" height="1023"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03289/4156741-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="573" height="1010"><figcaption class="caption-body">The Calgary Cowboy have turned their team upside down in order to get the club moving. Peter Driscoll, top, was named the new team captain. Below, left, Rick Sentes, a long-time Calgary favorite, was released outright, and former Cowboy Butch Deadmarsh, right, was repurchased from the Minnesota Fighting Saints.</figcaption></div>That comprised a solid weekend's work but in addition Crozier added a quick trip to Winnipeg where he reportedly continued trade talks with the Jets' Rudy Pilous and Al Rollins, the top gun of the Phoenix Roadrunners.What spurred Crozier into this rash of activity was a 4-1 loss to the Oilers in Edmonton. That finally convinced Crozier that the current crop of Cowboys wouldn't do.It marked the second straight game in which the Cowboys failed to produce a victory that would have vaulted them into fourth spot over Edmonton. More important, it marked their 14th loss against only one victory and two ties on the road this season.Within minutes of that defeat becoming official he announced that he'd given the current outfit enough rope and that they had now succeeded in hanging themselves. Within 24 hours the player movements had begun.In Deadmarsh he reacquired a 26-year-old right winger whom he'd sent packing in September along with Mike Antonovich and Pat Westrum to Minnesota for the rights to Jim Harrison. Harrison chose to go to the courts instead, winning a judgment that his contract had been violated, and wound up with the Chicago Black Hawks. The Cowboys eventually settled for a pair of draft choices.A 26-goal scorer with the Cowboys last season. Deadmarsh had contributed nine in 35 games with the Saints this year. But it wasn't his scoring eye that Crozier was after. It was, rather, the other attributes that Butch possesses.&ldquo;When I let him go in September I felt I had enough muscle but obviously, that hasn't been the case,&rdquo; said Crozier. &ldquo;I needed some jam and here's a forward who can play either wing, kill penalties and give me that jam. Besides, he's a good team man and excellent in the dressing room.&rdquo;Crozier should know his subject well. He groomed him in Cincinnati (AHL) and then brought him up with him to Buffalo. When Crozier jumped to the WHA with the Vancouver Blazers, Deadmarsh, who by this time had wound up in Kansas City, was soon following him to the B.C. coast.Crozier suggested he hated to lose Lemieux, but said he was the only man (Minnesota GM) Glen Sonmor would take.&ldquo;I'd much rather have given him four or five other guys but Glen wasn't buying any of that,&rdquo; said Crozier. &ldquo;I don't suppose Lemieux got a real good chance here. We had him at left wing most of the time whereas his natural position is center.&rdquo;Lemieux, who had been acquired from Nova Scotia Voyageurs during the off season. had contributed six goals and 1 assists in 33 games.Crozier's obvious leaning to more muscle was undoubtedly what terminated Sentes' association with the squad Deschamps and Dave Kryskow, ; forward Crozier had called up iron Tidewater earlier in the week, both per form by the code that things happen ii the corners and are not reluctant to venture into such territory.Kryskow. a 15-goal scorer with Atlant last season, got off to an auspicious star with the Cowboys, scoring in each of hi: first two games.&ldquo;He's been the most plesant surprise of all,&rdquo; said Crozier. &ldquo;Maybe if he'd been around all season I'd have had a few less sleepless nights.&rdquo;Adding turmoil to the Cowboys' seem was the fact that their Tidewater farm club in the Southern League folded and placement of their minor league personnel created some problems. Eventually they all found a home with Erie of the North American League.EDMONTON: The Oilers continued to keep their distance in fourth place though their three-point lead over the Cowboys isn't particularly secure considering the Calgarians have five games in hand. Of consolation to Bep Guidolin, though, is the realization that hose five represent games on the road, an area in which the Cowboys have been a total blank.Peter Morris, the 21-year-old left winger who had been sent to Springfield after recovering from a fractured skull, returned to Edmonton&mdash;without being recalled.WINNIPEG: The Jets appeared to have righted themselves with three straight victories at home but there is considerable concern they may have less success in hanging on to coach Bobby Kromm.Every since the Canada Cup matches in September it's been rumored that Kromm, in possession of a two-year contract offer, would take up residence in Detroit next year while handling the Red Wings from the coaching box. Kromm has not denied the stories but, in turn, said he had given the Jets the opportunity to make him an attractive counter-offer that would keep him in Winnipeg.Since the Jets returned from Moscow. Kromm's future plans have been of particular interest, especially since he chose to hand the coaching reins to Lars-Erik Sjoberg for one game.<h2>WHA Leaders</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04221/4156734-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="600" height="997"></div> &#9632;

f0022-01

Cowboys Undergo Wholesale Changes; Edmonton's Morris Pondering Future

<div class="byline">GREG NOBLE</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0023-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01428/4156817-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body">RON PLUMB&hellip; Steady Hockey Is Key</figcaption></div>CINCINNATI&mdash;The youthful Cincinnati Stingers demonstrated to a record home crowd and, more importantly, to themselves, that scoring five or six goals isn't the only way to win a hockey game.The Stingers' enthusiasm is for scoring goals, not for playing defense. They were the top scoring team in the World Hockey Assn., although not the top' team in the standings in the Eastern Division.So, the Stingers figured to get a big boost in confidence from their 2-1 victory over the San Diego Mariners. In this case, the Stingers out defensed the best defensive team in the league.&ldquo;The key thing was, we played steady hockey,&rdquo; noted defenseman Ron Plumb. Rick Dudley's deflection goal in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and thrilled the crowd of 13,660Plumb, whose shot Dudley deflected for the game-winning goal, also was the star of the Stingers defensive effort.''We're a young team and sometimes we have a problem getting everybody settled down,' said Plumb. &ldquo;We want to go out in the first period and get a big lead right away. When we force the play like that, we leave ourselves open sometimes.&ldquo;The thing you want to do is play steady hockey for three periods, and wait for the breaks to come. We've done that the last two games,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Maybe you don't score four goals in the first period. Maybe you only score one goal in the whole game. But you're going to win more games than you lose.&rdquo;Only the night before, the Stingers broke out of a seven-game losing streak with a 7-1 victory over the Birmingham Bulls. Goaltender Norm Lapointe lowered his GAA to 2.95 with the two victories Richie Leduc scored three goals in the two games.Leduc, the team's All Star center and top scorer, signed a new four- year contract. He was also voted Stingers Player of the Month for December by the Cincinnati news media.Dennis Abgrall was challenging New England's George Lyle for top scoring honors among rookies. Abgrall, once 15 points behind Lyle, trailed by just six points with 15 goals and 19 assists.The Stingers called up right winger Jamie Hislop from Hampton in the Southern League and assigned defenseman Bryan Maxwell to Springfield in the American league.BIRMINGHAM: The Bulls staged a wild rally for their fourth victory in six games before embarking on a road trip where they found success harder to come by.At home against Phoenix, the Bulls scored three goals within 92 seconds to overcome a 5-3 deficit and earned an 8-5 victory. Tim Sheehy scored two goals and Gilles &ldquo;Bad News&rdquo; Bilodeau recorded his first WHA goalCoach Pat Kelly beseeched his club to give a total 60-minute effort. &ldquo;We've proved we can skate with any team in the league,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It's just a matter of three periods of consistent play every game.&rdquo; But the players failed to heed his words and dropped a 7-1 decision at Cincinnati and a 4-1 verdict at Winnipeg. Against the Stingers, the Bulls seemed unconscious on defense and allowed three easy goals in the first five minutes.In player moves, veteran forward Wayne Carleton and defenseman Richard Hart were released, and forward Jean-Luc Phaneuf and defenseman Pete Folco were put on waivers. The club gave defenseman Keith Kokkola a 10-game trial.INDIANAPOLIS: Road trips generally mean eating meals in hotel coffee shops, sitting around for hours in airports, and losing. The Racers had been having pretty good luck on the road, in defiance of that. That was before three straight games in Canada. The Racers got drilled by the Oilers in Edmonton, lassoed by the Cowboys in Calgary and shot down by the Jets in Winnipeg.The three-gmae losing streak was their longest of the season and dropped them into a tie for third place in the Eastern Division. After two narrow losses. 2-1 to Winnipeg and 4-3 to Calgary, the Racers gave up three third-period goals to Edmonton, losing 5-3.Goaltender Michel Dion, somehow left off the All Star team, still maintained a 2.93 goals against average, fifth best in the league. &#9632;

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Stingers Turn T o Defense As Club Starts Winning

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-01442/4156855-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="939" height="760"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02350/4156848-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="2454" height="3071"></div> &#9632;

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SCORING AND PENALTY STATISTICS

QUEBEC CITY&mdash;Marc Tardif returned to the Quebec City lineup Jan. 4 to give the Eastern Division leading Nordiques the most potent attack in the World Hockey Association as the league entered the second half of the 1976-77 season.Last season's scoring leader and most valuable player scored four points in each of Quebec's three league and increased his point total to 58 for 29 games.Real Cloutier and Chris Bordeleau, Tardiff's linemates, each had nine point weeks as Quebec stretched its win streak to six games and its lead over the remainder of the Eastern Division to 10 points. Cloutier scored his fifth hat trick of the season and now has a career total of 11, third best in the league behind Bobby Hull (16) and Danny Lawson (12). Cloutier joined the WHA when he was 18 years old and has accumulated 111 goals in this, his third season.The Nordiques have four players in the top five scoring leaders. Besides Cloutier and Tardif. Chris Bordeleau is third with 61 points. Serge Bernier is fourth with 60.Louis Levasseur and the Minnesota Fighting Saints are tops in league goaltending departments. Levasseur leads all goalies with a 2.60 goals against average, a save percentage of 92.5 percent and a goals against frequency of 13.25.Over the last 25 games, Minnesota has the best record of any club. Accumulating 33 points with 15 wins and three ties. West Division leading San Diego is second with 32 points in their last 25 games and Indianapolis, who dropped two one goal games this week is third with 31 points.International hockey series came to a conclusion at Quebec City. The Soviet National Hockey Team exercised power, proficiency, super star abilities and cool-headed passing to register six straight wins between their losses in the opening game to New England, 5-2, and their final game against Quebec 6-1, before a Canadian national television audience.At the half way point of the season the WHA attendance has shown an increase of 86,000 fans have been regular WHA games. For the International Series there was an additional 147,748 for the 14 games, an average of 10.563. Combined attendance totals 1.956,648 for an average of 7,708.New anti-violence rules put into effect this season has not only decreased the number of penalties in an average game, but it has cut 20 minutes off the average playing time. Average penalty minutes in a WHA game this season is 27.5, down from 33.8 at this point last year. The average length of a WHA game is now two hours and 19 minutes. &#9632;

WHA WEEK …In Review

HARTFORD&mdash;Financial difficulties threw a pall of L gloom over the World Hockey Associa-tion's Annual All Star game here as officials arrived to find serious problems facing them to keep the league afloat.With the Minnesota Fighting Saints throwing in the towel for the second time I in as many years, the WHA was also ' confronted with a financial crisis in India napolis where playing members of the Racers agreed unanimously to accept a salary deferment for the rest of the season to save the franchise.There was also the problem of sorting out the sale of seven members of the defunct Minnesota Saints to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that was made over the strong protest of the New England Whalers, who laid claim to two of the players. The loss of the Fighting Saints reduces the WHA to 11 teams, five in the Eastern Division and six in the West. The Saints, who were coming on strong in recent weeks on the ice,-fell flat at the box office and were getting deeper into debt when they announced they were suspending operations and promptly cancelled scheduled games against Quebec and New England, both on the road. The Saints last game was Fri. Jan. 14 at home as they pounded Indianapolis 9-5.The Saints sold seven players in a lastditch effort to cut their payroll costs and raise working capital but the move didn't ease the situation. Among those sold to the Oilers were goaler Lou Levasseur, defenseman Bill Butters, and forwards Dave Keon, John McKenzie, Mike Antonovich and the Carlson brothers &mdash; Steve and Jack. Keon and McKenzie reportedly said they weren't interested in joining Edmonton. Keon. McKenzie and Antonovich formed the Saints' No. 1 production line and Bep Guidolin, the coach of the Oilers, said he would keep the line intact when the players reported.The Indianapolis situation may have resolved itself with the players pledge to play out the remainder of the season even though they'll be forced to accept a partial salary deferment. The amount of the deferment was not disclosed but reports pegged it at less than 25 per cent.Racers' coach and director of player personnel Jacques Demers said the players would be repaid in full at the conclusion of the season.&ldquo;It's been said of players that they just receive and receive,&rdquo; said Demers. &ldquo;Well, the players in Indianapolis have turned around and given.&rdquo;Indy captain Hugh Harris reflected Demers' remarks. &ldquo;The players feel that we .are obligated to put a little something extra into the future of hockey in Indianapolis,&rdquo; commented Harris.Club president Harold Ducote said the move by the players will help solidify the future of hockey in Indianapolis and &ldquo;we have a future&rdquo; said Ducote.Ducote s optimism was based on three things: the players' decision, new capital injected into the club by the owners and other steps' that have been taken by friends of the Racers. Ducote didn't elaborate.It appears the Minnesota situation will get top priority from the All Star game delegates. Certain questions must be answered.There had been no cancellation of the Minnesota franchise by the trustees, according to Ducote. Should that action be taken at these meetings, a method of player dispersal must be formalized.It further must be determined which players' contracts were breached by the team's inability to meet the payroll. In the event of a breach, the offended player may be considered a free agent who may negotiate with any team.Beyond that, the will of the players may become a factor.Controversy developed over the player sale almost as soon as it was announced. Whalers expressed their displeasure with Minnesota's attempted player raffle, claiming that Edmonton had reneged on an offer to deal the Carlson brothers to New England.Should the formal dissoluton of the Fighting Saints be decided at the meetings, it would mark the second demise in less than a year of a Minnesota franchise. Last February, the original Fighting Saints died after a lengthy, lingering financial illness.Reports of the club's financial trouble was common in recent weeks, especially after a lawsuit against the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce alleged the chamber did not honor its commitment of financial support.Fighting Saints' president Bob Brown said all attempts- a sell the franchise to local owners had failed and there was little hope the team could be revived.Spokesmen for Oilers said they intended to send as many as three former Saints to the Whalers.Oilers paid an estimated $250,000 in the deal.Gord Robson, Oilers' executive vice-president and a key man in the deal, said that the Carlson brothers were ticketed for delivery to New England if the deal went through. Coach Bep Guidolin later said Butters also probably would go to the Whalers.Guidolin and Robson had been working on the deal since a trustees meeting recently at Houston where the Saints said they might not be able to finish the season.&ldquo;I asked Bep who he wanted from their club,&rdquo; Robson said. &ldquo;He told me and we went to work on the deal.&rdquo;Guidolin said he hoped Keon, Antonovich and McKenzie would report. The line would fill a major need of the Oilers, who have scored fewer goals than any other WHA team.There was a report that top WHA officials would also delve into other club's present financial situations to see where the league stood. Other WHA teams, notably Houston and Phoenix, were experiencing some problems.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02276/4156917-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="593" height="1613"><figcaption class="caption-body">DAVE KEON &hellip; . Sold To Oilers</figcaption></div><h2>How WHA Team Did</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-01379/4156910-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="583" height="507"></div> &#9632;

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Saints Sell 7 Players Before Folding; Racers' Pay Thinned To Save Franchise

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World Hockey Association Summaries

<div class="byline">Doug McConnell</div>SAN DIEGO&mdash;&ldquo;I couldn't be more proud of my guys, &ldquo; declared San Diego Mariners' coach Ron Ingram after a 6-3 loss to the touring Soviet All Stars.The game was played before a sellout crowd of 13,029 but just as the Mariners aroused interest in the community, left town on a road trip.&ldquo;They did everything I wanted them to do against just a super super team,&rdquo; added Ingram, &ldquo;but we were playing seven men. That referee (Viktor Dumbroski) practiced with them today. He was out there, skating around, joking with them.What is that?&rdquo;The Mariners complaints were not against penalties called on them. They figured they were justified. The complaints were about the calls which weren't made against the Russians.&ldquo;They should have had two penalties when we were ahead 2-0.&rdquo; Andre Lacroix noted two occasions on which Kevin Devine was tripped. &ldquo;If we had scored then, it might have been a different game.&rdquo;The Russians took the lead for the first time on a power play goal late in the second period and added another power play goal early in the third.The Mariners had no power play opportunities.Soviet coach Boris Kulagin disagreed. Naturally.&ldquo;If the referee called every penalty,&rdquo; said Kulagin, &ldquo;San Diego would have been playing a man short all night.&rdquo;&ldquo;Actually,&rdquo; said Paul Shmyr, who had played against the Soviets in 1974, &ldquo;it was better than I expected when I heard he was going to do the game. He was worse than that in Moscow.&rdquo;&ldquo;The worst thing is, when you yell at him, he doesn't understand you&hellip; very frustrating,&rdquo; said John French. &ldquo;We'll never play a better team than that. Holy bleep, are they good !&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-01371/4156979-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="589" height="876"><figcaption class="caption-body">KEVIN MORRISON&hellip; Spectacular Goal</figcaption></div>&ldquo;I can't believe how much better they are than in *74,&rdquo; added Lacroix.&ldquo;They are outstanding forecheckers now,&rdquo; said Shymr. &ldquo;They didn't used to do that at all. They used to let you come right out of your end with no trouble.&rdquo;At even strength, the Soviets were only one goal better than the Mariners.San Diego tied the score with five minutes remaining on a goal by Shmyr, but as they applied the pressure for the equalizer, the Soviets scored twice to wrap it up.Don Burgess and Wayne Rivers had given the Mariners their surprising 2-0 lead.Back in their own league, the Mariners were demonstrating some superiority of their own.They nipped the New England Whalers in Hartford, 2-1, for their eighth win in nine games. It leaves them with a 24-13-2 record, the best in either division, and a healthy lead over second place Houston in the West.Norm Ferguson s power play goal late in the second period was the winner but Kevin Morrison provided the most spectacular. The burly defenseman, one of the league's best puck movers, took a rebound from Ernie Wakely, carried it up center ice and drove a shot from the blueline off goaltender Cap Raeder's glove.The Houston Aeros were victims of an experiment by Bobby Kromm but won two of three in a swing through Western Canada.With Kromm letting the Jets play without a coach, attempting to shake them out of a four-game losing streak, the Aeros were beaten 5-2 by Winnipeg.John Tonelli's power play goal late in the third period broke a 3-3 tie and Rich Preston added an insurance goal into an empty net in the final minute to give the Aeros a 5-3 victory at Edmonton.The Aeros' 4-3 victory the following night was their first ever in Calgary. They lost both games there last season and were beaten 6-4 by the Cowboys in Calgary earlier this season.The Cowboys are likewise winless in Houston.Calgary took a 2-1 lead in the second period on a pair of goals 38 seconds apart by Lynn Powis and Don Tannahill but Houston came back with consecutive goals by Glen Irwin, Tonelli and Preston.The Roadrunners' skid continued with a 4-1 setback in Indianapolis and an 8-5 loss in Birmingham.The Runners have lost eight straight on the road and 13 of 15 home and away.The Racers were in command all the way, doing all their scoring before Seppo Repo hit for Phoenix at 11:31 of the third period.At Birmingham, the Roadrunners came back from a 3-1 deficit to lead 5-3, then wilted before five unanswered goals.Gary Kurt was shaken up with the score tied, was replaced for 44 seconds by Clay Hebenton and returned, but when the big veteran surrendered a pair of goals in 76 seconds, was replaced the rest of the way by Hebenton. &#9632;

f0027-01

Ingram Proud Despite Loss To Soviet Union

<div class="byline">DONALD BERNS</div>ST. LOUIS&mdash;For the second time in his managerial career Emile Francis has decided he doesn't want Derek Sanderson on his hockey team.Early last season in New York Francis, then general manager of the Rangers, traded Sanderson to the St. Louis Blues for a draft choice.This season as coach and general manager of the Blues, Francis tried to trade Sanderson, then put him on waivers, then gave other National Hockey League teams a chance to take Sanderson without even paying the waiver price and then gave Sanderson the opportunity to negotiate his own deal with some other NHL club.Francis insists his attitude toward Sanderson is based only on Sanderson's performance.&ldquo;If he had played well this season, he wouldn't be in this situation,&rdquo; said Francis. &ldquo;A player's value to the team is based on what he's doing now.&rdquo;Sanderson had been hampered by injuries earlier this season and had missed eight games. He played with a hurt wrist in some games and had eight goals and 13 assists in 32 games, a better scoring efficiency than generated by hustlers Red Berenson or Claude Larose and nearly as good as the pace of Garry Unger.The talented Sanderson, who turned 30 this past summer, is not at the end of his major-league career. Like some other high-salaried players, he needs other reinforcements for his motivation to excel. Perhaps Francis is unable to supply the necessary motivation for Sanderson, or perhaps Sanderson is not responsive to Francis' methods of running a team. In either case the result for their relationship is a washout.The dropping of Sanderson from the Blues was the most startling of several moves made by Francis. He also sent goalie Ed Staniowski, center Bernie Federko and right wing Rick Bourbonnais to the Blues' Kansas City farm club and called center Doug Palazzari and goalie Doug Grant from Kansas City. As it turned out Sanderson didn't make a deal with another NHL club and accompanied Staniowski, Federko and Bourbonnais to Kansas City.Staniowski started the season as the Blues' No. One goalie and at one point had played twice as many games as vetern backup Eddie Johnston. But the 21- year-old netminder became less dependable, and at the time he was demoted his goals-against average was 4.20 in 23 games. At that point Johnston, the reliable old pro, had played as many games as Staniowski and was thriving on the heavier workload.Both Grant and Yves Belanger were playing well in the nets for Kansas City, a team player-coach Barclay Plager is prodding to impressive accomplishments. Either Kansas City goalie could have been called to the Blues. Belanger has played 42 games in the NHL, Grant 46.Palazzari, who spent the whole season with the Blues two years ago and played last season at Providence, was called to step in as the Blues' fourth center behind Unger, Berenson and Larry Patey.Staniowski lost his last two games, 2-1 to Washington and 7-1 to Philadelphia before being sent to Kansas City. With Johnston in the nets the Blues beat Los Angeles, 4-3, and lost to Vancouver, 5-2.The Blues' chairman of the board, Sidney Salomon Jr., suffered a heart attack while vacationing in Florida and was in the hospital at Boca Raton. Salomon, 66, was to recuperate in Florida for several weeks before returning to his home in St. Louis.Sid Salomon III, president of the Blues, commutes to St. Louis for some of the Blues' games. He lives in Kansas City, where he is active as the top administrator in the daily affairs of the farm club With both Salomons taking less active roles in the day-to-day administration of the Blues, Francis has been given a free hand in running the franchise. No one doubts Francis is the boss, and the recent player maneuvers have been his decisions. &#9632;

Sanderson's Letharav Earns Trip To Minors

<div class="byline">RICK PASSAN</div>CLEVELAND-What could be as dangerous these days as getting shot out of a cannon?Or walking a tightrope between the World Trade Center's twin towers?Or jumping over 20 buses on a motorcycle?Playing right wing for the Cleveland Barons, that's what.It's too bad the Barons did not take out insurance policies on the right wingers who began the 1976-77 season. By Jan. 5, the starting right side was totally wiped out.First, Fred Ahern broke his arm in Montreal. In that same game, Len Frig sustained a Charley horse that sidelined him for two weeks.How did Frig, normally a defenseman, get into this piece? He was playing on the right wing at the time of his injury.Next to fall was veteran starboard skater Gary Sabourin, the original 100 percenter. Sabby's knee ligaments came loose in early December. Two weeks later, he went under the knife.Then Jim Pappin, who retired last season and tried one more comeback, hung them up for a second and final time. That's three.Then came the crusher.The lone remaining survivor&mdash;and that is an appropriate word here&mdash;was Bob Murdoch, who started slowly this season but came on strong in December. An eight-game explosion raised his goal total to 14, second-best on the club.On Jan. 5, Murdoch skated to the bench with 13 minutes left in what turned out to be a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. The next day, it was announced Murdoch would undergo surgery for tom knee cartilage.The situation, to understate it a bit, ' was desperate. One could not be blamed I for saying no if coach Jack Evans asked him to play right wing.The 3-2 loss to Boston was the Barons' sixth in a row. The next game was against . the Vancouver Canucks, much healthier i by comparison.The Barons started Frank Spring, Jim Moxey, Phil Roberto and Frig on the right side.Spring, for whom stardom has been forecast for several seasons, came up from Salt Lake City and has contributed abundantly. The six-foot-three, 215 pounder ripped home seven goals in his first 12 games.Moxey began the season on the left wing, went down to Salt Lake for a brief spell and returned to his portside residence. He replaced Murdoch on the Barons' explosive 3M Line and scored two goals in two games there.Roberto was picked up as a free agent after the Colorado Rockies cut him adrift in late December.In the game against Vancouver, the Barons registered an 8-4 thumping. Roberto scored twice with Moxey and Frig joining in the scoring parade.But the right wing jinx surfaced a bit. Frig got himself thrown out of the game at the end of the second period after insisting on continuing an argument with Vancouver defenseman Harold Snepsts.And Spring was on the receiving end of a well-placed elbow by Canucks' rearguard Bob Dailey early in the third period and had his bell rung. &#9632;

Right Wing Jinx Wipes Out Five Cleveland Skaters

HALIFAX-Everybody wants to be &ldquo;number one"&hellip;The Oakland Raiders in the NFL, the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL and the Cincinnati Reds in baseball are the number one teams in their respective professions. The Nova Scotia Voyageurs are the American Hockey League's &ldquo;number one&rdquo; team and from the looks of things here at the halfway point in the season the Vees are going to remain on top all the way to spring.The Vees, who captured the Calder Cup last spring, picked right up where they left off in October by taking first place after the first week of play and have not yielded that position since despite some heavy pressure by the New Haven Nighthawks and Rochester Americans.At one point, about three weeks ago, the Nighthawks appeared headed for first place as they were a short two points behind the leading Vees. But the Hawks couldn't make the final step and now it's the Americans' turn as they have taken over second place from the faltering Hawks.But, the Vees keep winning on the road as well as at home. Last week for example the Vees played all four of their games away from the friendly confines of the Halifax Forum and came away with a 2-1-1 record and hiked their leading edge over the Americans to a 'fat' nine points.How do they do it, how do they continue to win?&hellip;The Vees seem to have all the right ingredients in the winning formula. A solid offense that seems to click under pressure, a solid defense that can stop you cold and, if need be, punish you as well.Actually the Vees offense has been a team effort. While several Rochester and New Haven players have dominated the top 10 scoring list, the Vees seem to concentrate unselfishly on winning games rather than scoring a lot of &ldquo;unnecessary goals&rdquo; so to speak.Save rookie Rod Schutt and two-year veteran Pierre Mondou, Nova Scotia has been virtually out of the scoring race, but never out of the standings race. Schutt, another Montreal find in the juniors, has been among the top 10 since the start.Peter Lee, another Vees rookie, has also been there and so have Gordie McTavish and Pat Hughes to name a few, but the real key to the Vees success is the fact that every member of the Vees, except defenseman Greg Fox with only 16 games played and Paul Woods with only seven games played, have at least one goal to their credit. While Schutt has been the team leader most of the season six other Nova Scotia players have scored in double figures and 10 players have one or more game-winning goals. That's a team effort.It is clear to see that the Vees have a lot of talent, but a good deal of credit has to be directed to coach Al McNeil who has kept the Vees headed in the right direction.Defensively the Vees are right back on top in the race for the Harry (Hap) Holmes Trophy for the fourth straight season. Eddie Walsh and Dave Elenbaas, a couple of chaps who seem to own this trophy, have allowed only 124 goals in 40 games, not to mention a healthy contribution from little Maruice Barrett early in the season. Gilles Lupien, Greg Fox, Chuck Luksa, Mike Busniuk and Brian Engblom give the Vees an experienced and tough defensive corps, all of whom will collect a lot of votes come All Star team.It should also be noted here that not all has been rosy for the Vees. For the most part of the season they have been forced to go with one goaltender. Walsh was on the sidelines at the start with an injury suffered in training for the Canada Cup series. Elenbaas was in Montreal backing up Ken Dryden.This left it all up to an untested rookie from the Quebec Remparts, Maurice Barrett, who appeared so small he could almost back into the net without hitting his head. But, Barrett quickly proved himself worthy of the job as he collected two shutouts and backstopped the Vees into first place in the early stages of the season. Walsh came back and so did Elenbaas, but Dave has been forced to make a few trips back to Montreal, which is certainly to his credit, but more important to the Vees Walsh has been able to handle the job on his own.Up front the Vees have had their problems too. Paul Woods was not ready in October due to a serious ankle injury and Pierre Mondou was also in Montreal at the start as was Engblom. This lei most of the offense up to rookie talent and like Barrett they didn't let McNei down. Schutt quickly established himself as a scorer. Peter Lee and Cliff Cox Bruce Baker and Hughes also made big contributions as the Vees took first am made it clear they intended to stay there<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01314/4157072-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="565" height="683"><figcaption class="caption-body">PIERRE MONDOU&hellip;Among Leaders</figcaption></div>ROCHESTER: The Amerks have undergone some player changes in the past few weeks and it all seems to be for the better as they have moved into the second spot and the number one spot in challenging the Vees leadership.Boston has sent veteran AHL and NHL talent to the Amerks in Darryl Edestrand and Hank Nowak and both have been a big help to the Rochester team in their efforts to overtake the Vees.Doug Gibson and Gordie Clark continue to pour on the offense and there seems to be no stopping this talented duo. Others who have been scoring include Rene Drolet, Jim Jones, Ron Garwasiuk, Rick Adduono and Mike Byers. At the present time the Amerks are in the happy position of having too many players, a situation that several other teams would like to find themselves in.NEW HAVEN: The Hawks have fallen off their pace of late but are certainly not out of the race at this early stage. They are currently resting only one point behind the Amerks after losing some key games the past two weeks. New Haven and Rhode Island traded away wins last week and then lost a big one in Rochester at the end of the week.New Haven coach Parker McDonald has given Claude Periard and Barry Scully a shot at the AHL as he signed them both to tryouts last week. Both players were with the Richmond team in the Southern League before they tossed in the towel there.The temporary loss of veteran defenseman Larry Sacharuk, Gary Gildart and Doug Jarrett through injuries and recall also have hurt the Hawks efforts.HERSHEY: The Bears have been the hottest item in the AHL of late and most of the credit goes to gpalie Don Edwards, who last week registered two consecutive shutouts hiking his total to three for the season to lead the league.Edwards blanked the Vees in Hershey and then turned the same trick in Springfield two nights later.SPRINGFIELD: Gary Dineen picked up his first victory as the new coach in Springfield last week but it wasn't an easy one. His charges managed to come off with a 6-5 victory over Rochester in overtime last Saturday. That gives Dineen and the Indians a 1-3 record in their last four games, but the record is not a true indication of the Indians' play since Dineen took over three weeks ago.With the addition of veteran talent from Washington in Bob Paradise and Blair Stewart, plus some obvious new enthusiasm instilled by Dineen the Indians are on the move. Nova Scotia coach Al McNeil commented recently after his Vees had squeeked out a 5-4 win in Halifax over the Indians, &ldquo;we were lucky to win this one. The Indians are a vastly improved team and are going to be anytning out pushovers the rest of the season.''Although Andre Peloffy continues to lead the team in scoring, several other players including defenseman Jean Lemieux. Bob Ritchie, Alex Forsyth and John Paddock have picked up their scoring touch, not to mention Peter Lafram- boise who scored two in the Indians win over the Amerks.RHODE ISLAND: The Reds have acquired the services of veteran NHL defenseman Steve Durbano and also picked up Chris Ahrens from New Haven last week. They will add some needed muscle to the Reds attack, since Ken Murray is still sidelined with a foot injury.The Reds gave up goalie Peter McDuffe to get Ahrens. This leaves the Reds with two solid goalies in Bruce Landon and Bob Sauve.The Reds, despite suffering from injury and recall troubles, have managed to remain in the race which is a credit to the players like Wayne Muloin.<h2>AHL Team Scoring</h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02247/4157065-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="1275" height="2287"></div><h2>Where AHL Teams Play</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03158/4157058-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="592" height="790"></div> &#9632;

f0029-01

Balanced Offense Keeps Vees On Top

<div class="byline">BILL BROPHY</div>MADISON-With the Western Collegiate Hockey Association season half over, the talk was not so much how Wisconsin held a two- point lead over Michigan and North Dakota or how only five points separated ninth place Michigan Tech from fourth place Notre Dame.No. instead the talk was about fighting, not forechecking; of goons, not goalies and violence, not victories.It all came about because of a weekend of pugilistic action around the league. There were 30 penalties called, including two game disqualifications for fightning. in Wisconsin's 7-1 victory over Minnesota at Madison Wis. Jan.7. The Gophers had 18 of those penalties including a fightning penalty on Don Micheletti. The Badgers' penalties included a major to Murray Johnson.Things simmered down the next night and the Gophers edged the Badgers 5-4 in a thriller with only 14 penalties called.The Michigan-Colorado College series in Ann Arbor never reached such moments of silence. Referees whistled 47 penalties for 130 minutes in Michigan's pair of victories.In Friday's 6-4 Michigan win, goalies Paul Mitchell of ,CC and Rick Palmer fought after the game and were each given disqualification penalties as minor skirmishes broke out elsewhere on the ice.The next night&mdash;when Michigan won 8- 7&mdash;four players were ejected for fighting&mdash;Colorado's Dean Magee and Rich Pracht and Michigan's Dan Hoene and Kris Manery. That penalty and subsequent suspension of one game snapped Manery's string of playing 138 straight games for the Wolverines.&ldquo;This type of fightning is not good for our league,&rdquo; said one WCHA official. &ldquo;People can say that the officials are not in control of a game. But when you're calling 30 or more penalties a game, that's more than enough penalties to keep a game under control. The coaches have to discipline their kids too.&rdquo;Where things were more calm around the league. Notre Dame took a pair of games from UMD and climbed to fourth place. Brian Walsh had seven points on his third hat trick of the year Jan. 7 in a 75 victory and another goal the next night in a 6-2.Walsh, the Irish captain, now has 17 goals and 18 assists. His 35 points leads Wisconsin defenseman Craig Norwich (429-33), Mike Eaves of Wisconsin (13-1730) and Roger Lamoreaux of North Dakota (10-20-30). Dan Lempe. the freshmen center from UMD is fifth in scoring with 28 points (11-17).Tech and North Dakota split a series at Houghton. Stu' Ostlund gave Tech a 4-3 win in the opener while Lamoreux's hat trick won the finale. Tech scored five of 12 power play goals in the series, and peppered goalie Pete Waselovich with 54 shots Saturday.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-01351/4157110-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="517" height="615"><figcaption class="caption-body">KRIS MANERY &hellip; Blew Record</figcaption></div>In the other series, Michigan State downed Denver 5-4 and tied the Pioneers 5-5.WCHA NOTES: Minnesota and Notre Dame split a series Dec. 29-30 at the St. Paul Civic Center. But the big news was the two-night crowd of 18,821. The series was a Notre Dame home set, moved because of a conflict at South Bend&hellip;Michigan Tech won its fifth Great Lakes championship by downing Michigan 7-6 in the finals of the holiday tournament in Detroit.<h2>Looking At College Races</h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02278/4157103-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="1234" height="2448"></div> &#9632;

f0030-01

Violence Takes Over WCHA Ice Play; Wisconsin Keeps Lead As Race Tightens

<div class="byline">BY JIM CAUCHON</div>TORONTO&mdash;Sit back and enjoy the tale of Brian Jones and his strange but true, weird yet wonderful Ryerson Rams university hockey team.While contemplating the perils of this peculiar operation, please bear in mind, that Mr. Jones and friends are comfortably on top of their Ontario Central Division loop by nine points with an outstanding 8-1-1 mark.Oddity runs rampant through the 76-77 Ram edition, which Jones, last season's Ontario Universities' coach of the year, handles with a confident low-key style.For openers, recruiting is taken with a grain of salt at Ryerson. The coach believes that he can &ldquo;work with the material at hand, thereby creating a thoroughly enjoyable situation.&rdquo; He has to accept that attitude. Ryerson isn't exactly the greatest drawing card for building hockey stars.First off, the site for all Ram home contests is minute Moss Park Arena. A dingy, 500-seat hut ranking as the smallest in Canadian college circles. Ryerson, however, has taken seven out of a possible 10 points there.The major reason for an &ldquo;either you want it or you don't&rdquo; idea at Toronto's third university, is that the school is a polytechnical institute, or so the title RPI says. There are no three or four year graduate programs. A student heads there for some practical experience over two years in the field a career looks possible in. Therefore, hockey mainly takes a backseat.So the coach relaxes the pressure tactics' recruiting entails, but is more than happy to have friends offer assistance as two of this campaign's rookie crop indicate.Goaltender Steve Parnham and defenseman Mike Daikoff, out of junior hockey in Orillia, Ont., were recommended to Jones by their former high school teachers.&ldquo;We weren't taking any chances with them. I made sure that they got here by personally helping process their applications and, in Daikoff's case, setting up Mike in a make-up course he needed to stay here. Both guys have done a great job.&rdquo;Parnham had a 3.00 goals against average in three appearances before New Year's. Jones didn't want to single out Diakoff's play too emphatically because he was afraid the other five guys on the back line would &ldquo;get mad at him.&rdquo;So he credits all of them including second team All Stars Frank Sheffield and Digby Bourke as being a major reason the Rams are on top.Besides Parnham, another '76 OUAA (Central) All Star guards the pipes in tough fashion. Ken Hall, who attended the Buffalo Sabres' rookie camp this past fall, has stood the brunt of the oppositon's attacks. So his 5.00 GAA is a bit deceiving.They've been winning with weak defense however, because the Rams have come up with a dynamite offense. The gunfire, averaging 6.2 goals a game, has been led by forwards Rick Darling (7-1219), Sam Smith (10-8-18), Doug Howe and Gary Landry. Darling and Smith picked up four and five points apiece in last week's twin wins.Jan. 8 found the Rams knocking off Royal Military College 5-2. The following night it w..s Trent falling victim to the Ryerson onslaught 8-5. Both road wins raised the club's record to a perfect 5-0 on foreign soil.&ldquo;In our case, we consider our record as for real as anybody else's 8-1-1 mark. We tied Waterloo 3-3 in pre-season. They're at 6-4-1 and rated 10th in the country. We're 8-1-1 and nowhere. It makes me mad, and I know it makes my boys mad. &ldquo;Perhaps being bounced 14-0 by York in last year's OUAA playoffs solidified the Central's slight reputation. &ldquo;But it's not our fault,&rdquo; says the mentor.&ldquo;I've called Brian Chambers of (York) and Tom Watt (Toronto). They don't want to play us. Got no time, they say. We couldn't find anybody over the holidays, of university calibre, to give us a good game. What good was it for us to beat a community college team 18-6 last week? None at all.&ldquo;Facing Ottawa (East) next week is what we've been waiting for. Were planning to kick the bleep out of them.&ldquo;We're now playing the best we have all year. We've got spirit, feeling and the guys are doing the job without any push from me. It's been fun. so far.&rdquo;Energy is certainly something Brian Jones is not short on. Maybe that's why he's on top.Elsewhere, sixth-ranked Concordia University toppled fifth-rated University of Toronto's Varsity Blues 7-5 last week to capture their own invitational tourney.Goaltender Mike Griffin was the instrumental force in deny the buzzing Blues forwards any more scores while his teammates Randy Boubly, Mark Fierentino and Alex Westgate counted to rebound from a 5-4 third period deficit&hellip;John Bevaney scored with 40 seconds remaining in regulation play to give the Alberta Golden Bears a 4-3 comeback win over the Calgary Dinosaurs in Canada West play. The victory was the first of a weekend sweep for the Bears who stayed two points ahead of the pesky British Columbia Thunderbirds, who collected a twin bill of their own 7-4 and 8-0 over the Saskatchewan Huskies&hellip;The surprising Regina Cougars took two out of three from the lowly Brandon Bobcats to move right in behind Manitoba in the hectic Great Plains race. Barry Clarke helped immensely in the Saturday 10-7 win with a hat trick. The Lakehead managed to stumble into the lead by picking up just one of a possible three victories against the Winnipeg Wesmen. Frank Venasky and Dave Vescio tallied twice apiece to lead the Nor 'Westers to their series-ending 7-5 victory&hellip;The Maritimes had little activity except for an impressive pair of road wins by the Mt. Allison Mounties over the University of New Brunswick 5-3 and 7-5 and another cliffhanger that league-leading St. Francis Xavier always manages to come out on top of. This time edging Dalhousie 3-2&hellip;Quebec was inactive gamewise but did obtain the services of Laval University for the remainder of the campaign. A teacher strike closed down things in the first half of the school year&hellip;And Ontario got back to form after Christmas break with a rousing slate of games. Aside from Ryerson's surge, top-rated York University pounded out a pair of victories over Laurentian to stay ahead of the Varsity Blues And the University of Waterloo lost hold of its number 10 ranking in Canada by bowing two out of three times during the week. Western's Dave Nadeau, with nine goals and 12 assists, is still ahead of Ontario's top scorers. St. Francis Xavier's Bob Stephenson leads all Canadian scorers with 30 points in 11 games. &#9632;

Little Ryerson Looms As Big Ontario Threat

<div class="byline">TOM BURKE</div>DURHAM-The University of New Hampshire strung together three straight victories to take over sole possession of first place in ECAC Division One during the first week of January. But coach Charlie Holt, while enjoying his team's lofty stature, was more cautious than your ordinary first place mentor.&ldquo;We'll get our come-uppance later on,&rdquo; he smiled after his charges had defeated Boston College 7-4, despite being outshot 43-27.&ldquo;Our schedule has us on the road for 10 of our last 13 games. But so many of our games have been like tonight's&mdash;we didn't really deserve to win, but at the end of the game I looked up and we were ahead of the other team.&rdquo;Other wins for UNH that week came in their second straight Blue-Green tournament win, also coming on friendly Snively Arena ice. The Wildcats rebounded from a 3-0 deficit to whip Princeton 7-4 in the first round while co-host Dartmouth was losing to Providence 6-4. Sophomore Frank Roy had two goals and two assists for UNH while Tommy Byers had a pair of tallies for PC, snapping a four game Friar losing skein.The final of the Blue-Green saw New Hampshire squirt out to a 4-1 lead, only to squander it and let PC tie the count midway through the third frame. But senior defenseman Joe Rando netted the winner at 14:37 and tourney MVP Ralph Cox clinched it with his third goal with 2:53 to play.&ldquo;We weren't unaware of what Princeton could do,&rdquo; explained Holt later. &ldquo;They still grabbed that early Iead anyway, and we had to fight back. I really think that we re like almost every other team. There's very little difference among most of the teams in the league this year. As long as we make the top eight somewhere, I'll be happy.&rdquo;New Hampshire's 9-1 record and veteran roster should ensure a playoff berth, even allowing for a late slump. The eight seniors on the roster remember well the upset loss in the playoff quarterfinals at the hands of Harvard last March. The return of Olympic star Bob Miller to his center ice position has steadied the already potent UNH offense. Senior goalie Dan Magnarelli was brilliant with 39 saves against BC. and no defensive corps in the East has more battle experience than UNH's top four of Paul Powers, Tim Burke, Jim Harvie and Rando. While Holt is certainly correct about the 17-team league's balance this year, his team and Clarkson, at 8-1 in league play, shape up as the teams to beat.While New Hampshire may look ahead to their travels with some apprehension, Pennsylvania's rookie coach Bob Finke must wish he could have more road trips like his two-game Boston swing. The Quakers, not considered a playoff contender and off poorly with a 1-6 league record, journeyed to the Hub and knocked off third place BC 9-7. Then after a day of rest, Penn whipped fifth place Northeastern 5-2 to tighten things up even further.Tom Whitehead, a sophomore from London, Ont., registered a hat trick, including the winner at 8:24 of the third period, against BC. The score was tied up at seven different times during the game, and Penn had the odd goal when it counted. Dave Taylor clinched the win with an empty net goal at 19:48.There was no such nail biting at the Boston Arena. Penn vaulted out to a 2-0 lead and didn't look back. Bruce Carrick scored twice and Carl Jackson stopped 39 Huskie shots.&ldquo;We've got to hope for some more wins like this,&rdquo; Finke said after the BC game. &ldquo;We play it tight to the vest and hope we can get a big goal at the right time.&rdquo;Finke inherited a veteran team with 13 seniors on the roster when he took the coaching reins last spring. A large graduation exodus this June will mean that he and assistant Connie Schmidt must have a good recruiting year to bring Penn back to contention. Road trips like this one certainly won't hamper their efforts.&ldquo;You know, when I can persuade a player to come to Penn and show him around, he's usually impressed with the place,&rdquo; explained Finke, a Minnesota native. &ldquo;But when kids just go on hearsay, I have a tough time.&ldquo;Tonight's game is something we really need,&rdquo; he went on. &ldquo;After it was over, a couple of high school players came into the dressing room and introduced themselves to me. Our win got them interested in Penn hockey.&rdquo;<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-03192/4157172-1-eng-US/f0031-032.jpg" title="f0031-03" width="546" height="584"><figcaption class="caption-body">BOB FINKE&hellip; Gotta Have Hope</figcaption></div>Finke and Schmidt must overcome the handicap of having little local amateur hockey from which to draw their talent. Virtually every player must be imported from distance, although Finke points to such comers as Colgate freshman goalie Drew Schaefer from nearby St. David's as typical of the kind of player he'd like to attract to the Class of 23 Rink.&ldquo;There are a few kids like Drew around our area,&rdquo; he smiled. &ldquo;I want to find them.&rdquo;Elsewhere in the East, Boston University ran off three straight to jump to fourth place. The Terriers, shaking off an early slump, bumped Colgate 10-4 and St. Lawrence 8-5 to win the Madison Square Garden tourney. Then they journeyed to Cornell to nip the Red 7-6 in overtime with Rick Meagher scoring at 0:50 of the extra period in Lynah Rink.The Cornell victory was the seventh &ldquo;legitimate&rdquo; in a row for BU, dating back to 1971-72. One forfeit Big Red victory was recorded in 1973-74 after BU had scored a 9-0 triumph at Ithaca. This renewal was a wild shootout where in Jim Craig stopped 39 Cornell shots to 38 for Big Red's John Van Der Mark and Steve Napier.Harvard impressed television viewers In the first ECAC Saturday afternoon telecast by edging Brown 4-3 in Cambridge. Freshman Jon Garrity, the son of BU great Jack Garrity, tallied on the power play with 1:56 to play in the game for the winning marker. Garrity had replaced the injured Gene Purdy on man advantage situations, and he took a feed from Bill Hozack behind the net to pop home the big one.Harvard couple the win over Brown with a 10-0 laughter against last place St. Lawrence, also at Watson Rink. Hozack had five points in the win which aided Harvard tp push their heads above the.500 mark to a 5-4 league record. Brown, the pre-season favorite, slipped to 4-5.Vermont, another slow starter, unobtrusively slided into third spot with a 7-3 win over Yale. Seven different players scored for the Catamounts, who raised their record to 7-4. Earlier in the week. Cornell dealt UVM and 8-6 loss at Ithaca with the winning goal coming from defenseman Jeff Roche at 17:10 of the final frame.A total of nine teams squeezed between 7-4 Vermont and 4-5 Brown, or between third and 13th places, as the nectic week ended. Though there's a long way to go before any playoff seedings occur, the ECAC would be wise to announce as soon as possible their formula for determining the top eight slots. A committee's decision after such a crazy, wonderful, frenetic race ought to cause very little satisfaction and a load of ill feelings. Let's leave subjectivity out of it.<h2>How They Rate in NCAA Poll</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-02246/4157165-1-eng-US/f0031-022.jpg" title="f0031-02" width="586" height="879"></div> &#9632;

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UNH's Holt Looks Cautiously Ahead; Lowly Penn Putting It All Together

<div class="byline">BILL ADLER</div>KANSAS CITY&mdash;Following his clearing waivers in the National Hockey League former WHA- NHL glamor boy Derek Sanderson headed for Kansas City. The 30-year-old center was one of the original bonus selections in the WHA-NHL war. Sanderson received a great deal of money and fanfare while the hockey fans were recipients of very little in return. This former native of Niagara Falls, Ontario reached his glory days with the Boston Bruins during the late 1960's.tReplacing Sanderson in St. Louis was Doug Palazzari, who started the season in Kansas City and was the sparkplug of the KC attack. At the same time that Palazzari left, goaltender Doug Grant followed him to St. Louis while second-year professional Ed Staniowski moved from St. Louis to Kansas City. One other player movement saw the Kansas City team acquire the services of second year defenseman Rick Lapointe from the Detroit Red Wings as an injury to Gordon Buynak had depleted the defense corp of the Blues.Grant made his final start in Kansas City a successful one. recording his second shutout of the season 7-0 over Salt Lake City on Jan. 7. Three goals by rookie John Smrke and two off the stick of another Kansas City rookie sensation, Bernie Federko, highlighted the offensive show for the Blues.Staniowski made his initial Central Hockey League appearance in Fort Worth falling victim to the red-hot Texans 5-1. The Texans jumped quickly on the 20-year-old netminder for three first period tallies. Rookie Brian Sutter spoiled the Texans' shutout bid with a third period goal.DALLAS: Players and fans both turned up in Fair Park Coliseum as the Black Hawks began their second half push for a playoff berth. With Dave-Logan and Duane Wylie returning from Chicago. Kurt Walker and Randy Carlyle have joined the Hawks from Toronto. Walker and Carlyle, a pair of tough defensemen. will give coach Roger Neilson much needed strength on the blueline.After playing only one home game in their last 10 contests which put the team on the road almost four weeks, the Hawks returned to home ice and were welcomed by 6,664 fans in a 1-1 tie with Fort Worth. The Hawks outshot the Texans 46-24 for the evening but could only manage a goal by Dan Hinton 41 seconds into the contest.The following evening. 4,405 fans returned to Fair Park and witnessed a victory for the Hawks as they edged Salt Lake City 5-4. A major penalty to the hot-tempered Walker aroused the second year pro and he later drew two more minors along with a misconduct, a game misconduct and a gross misconduct. All of which forced the Hawks to play seven minutes short buy the Hawks killed the most of the time allowing only one goal during that span.SALT LAKE: Coach Marv Edwards would certainly like to move back into that fourth and final playoff spot which he saw his Golden Eagles slip out of last week following three straight defeats, two at the hands of Dallas, the team that dislodged them in fourth.The Eagles continue to be the mystery team of the CHL, one night looking like the cup was the furthest thing from their minds. One of the major areas of concern has to rest in the inconsistency of the goaltending for the Golden Eagles this season. So far this year Edwards has been unable to maintain a consistently strong effort from his three top goalies, Ray Martyniuk, Larry Hendrick and Jim Warden. However, all three of them are most capable of providing the Golden Eagles with the type of effort needed to return them to the top four in the league.Last week began on a strong note with a 5-2 home ice triumph over Dallas with rookie Rick Shinske netting a pair of goals along with one each by Angie Moretto, Charlie Simmer and Denis Meloche. Hendrick stopped 23 shots to earn the victory.FORT WORTH: With 10 wins and two ties in their last 14 games, John Choyce has his Texans in full stride as they continue to close the gap on leading Kansas City. Solid goaltending from Bill Hughes and Don Cutts has been the key to the recent surge by the Texans that has raised everyone's spirits in Fort Worth as the Texans look for their first championship in 11 years.Hughes was in net when the Texans stopped the Blues 5-1 in Fort Worth. The win was the fourth for the Texans in seven games with the Blues (one contest ended in a tie) this season. Hughes turned aside 36 shots to remain undefeated on home ice with eight wins and one tie for the season. Russ Walker scored a pair of goals while Glenn Goldup, Mike Kaszycki and Dave Salvian added the other Texan tallies.The previous evening in Dallas it was Cutts' turn to provide the heroics turning aside 45 shots to preserve a 1-1 tie against the Black Hawks.OKLAHOMA CITY: The Blazers continue to experience difficulties on defense which has afforded them only one victory in their last 15 starts. However, no one can find fault with the work of Pierre Hamel who has done his best to stem the tide for the Blazers.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-01331/4157210-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="572" height="607"><figcaption class="caption-body">DEREK SANDERSON&hellip; Joins Blues</figcaption></div>In Fort Worth, Hamel turned aside 45 shots but still fell victim to a three-goal third period rally by the Texans who defeated the Blazers 5-3. Ted Hodgson (second goal of the night) and Gary Donaldson scored midway in the final period to give the Blazers a slim 3-2 lead but a late rush by the Texans prevented the upset victory.TULSA: The search continues in Tulsa for that ever-elusive coach. However, the Oilers are not dismayed by all of this and they continue to play good sound hockey under the leadership of director of player personnel, David Poile.Highlighting the action for the Oilers was a 10-3 win in Oklahoma City. Larry Romanchych registered his second hat trick of the season.With his strong offensive showing last week, Romanchych has moved into the third spot among CHL scorers with 44 points while teammate Syd Veysey ranks sixth with 40 points.<h2>CHL Team Scoring</h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02253/4157203-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg" title="f0032-02" width="1231" height="2048"></div> &#9632;

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Leading Blues Land 3 NHL Castoffs

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0033-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01298/4157241-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg"></div> &#9632;

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OHA Team Scoring

<div class="byline">BY RALPH BRIDGLAND</div>LONDON&mdash;Kingston Canadians placed three players on the Leyden Division first All Star team while London Knights had three players selected to the Emms Division's first team in ballotting conducted by Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior 'A' coaches.The Leyden and Emms Division All Stars will meet in the All Star game Feb. 3 in Sudbury.Center Ken Linseman, right winger Mike Crombeen and left winger Tony McKegney of the Canadians were selected to the Leyden Division first All Star squad.The first team was completed by Peterborough Petes' goaltender Greg Millen, defensemen Craig Hartsburg of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Ottawa 67s' Doug Wilson. Brian Kilrea of Ottawa was chosen as the first team coach.Goaltender Pat Riggin, defenseman Brad Marsh and coach Bill Long were the Knights selected to the Emms Division first team.Joining them were defenseman Trevor Johansen of Toronto Marlboros. center Dale McCourt and left winger Mike Keating of St. Catharines Fincups and right wing John Anderson also of the Marlboros.Marsh, McCourt, Millen and Hartsburg were the only players to receive the maximum 15 voting points from coaches on a 3-2-1 scoring basis.The league All Star game will be the first since the mid-1960s when it was held in Niagara Falls.Here are the Emms Division selections:FIRST TEAM: Goal-Pat Riggin, London; left defense-Brad Marsh, London; right defense-Trevor Johansen, Toronto center-Dale McCourt, St. Catharines; right wing-John Anderson, Toronto; left wing-Mike Keating, St. Catharines; coach-Bill Long, London.SECOND TEAM: Goal-Al Jensen, St. Catharines; left defense-Gaston Gingras. Kitchener; right defense-Willie Huber St. Catharines; center-Red Laurence Kitchener; left wing-Al Secord, St. Catha rines; Lynn Jorgenson, Toronto; right wing-Ric Seiling, St. Catharines; Dwighl Foster. Kitchener; coach-Bert Temple ton, St. Catharines.Here are the Leyden Division selections :FIRST TEAM: Goal-Greg Millen, Peterborough; right defense-Craig Hartsburg, Sault Ste. Marie; left defense-Doug Wilson, Ottawa; center-Ken Linseman, Kingston right wing-Mike Crombeen. Kingston; left wing-Tony McKegney, Kingston; coach-Brian Kelrea, Ottawa.SECOND TEAM: Goal-Bob Daly, Ottawa; right defense-Jphn Baby, Sudbury; left defense-Bob Gladney, Oshawa center-Ron Duguay, Sudbury; right wingRandy Pierce, Sudbury left wing-Dave Hunter, Sudbury; coach-Jim Morrison, Kingston.OHA NOTES: The Windsor Spitfires have been winning since acquiring Behn and John Wilson from Ottawa. The brothers accumulated 17 points in their first three games&hellip; Oshawa Generals picked up their first point on the road this season in their last game before the holiday break. Jim Jackson. Stelio Zupancich and Jim Carter scored for the Generals in 3-3 tie in Kingston&hellip; Despite a lack of fan support, Toronto Marlboros will continue to play some of their home games in Brantford. &#9632;

Kingston, London Each Place Three Players On First Teams

<div class="byline">BUD GALLMEIER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-01326/4157303-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="581" height="948"><figcaption class="caption-body">JIM KOLEFF&hellip; Sets Torrid Streak</figcaption></div>FLINT-A threat made late in 1976 could reap big dividends for Flint coach and manager Ken Carpenter. Disturbed over the lack of scoring balance, Carpenter threatened to &ldquo;move some people. Not move them around, move them out if we don't begin to get some balanced scoring.&rdquo;Carpenter didn't name any names but statistics left no doubt as to whom the &ldquo;people&rdquo; were. Clyde Simon was suffering through a 15-game scoring famine. Pierre Giroux had come up empty in 12 straight games. Mike Powers, who started with a rush when joining the Generals from Columbus, was 0-for-6. And Ted Bulley had not scored in one of his 10 games on the road.Conversely, Jim Koleff bagged 25 goals in the last 29 games, Mike Clarke had hit 23 in 26 and Jeff McDill 11 in the last 16. Carpenter did some line switching but didn't get the desired results.Carpenter's blast followed a 5-3 loss in Fort Wayne, a defeat resulting from a complete foldup by the Generals in the third period. &ldquo;I don't understand it,&rdquo; Carpenter said. &ldquo;We re in the game for two periods and the score is still tied in the third period. Then we get two shots on the net.&rdquo;To a suggestion his club may not be in shape. Carpenter barked, &ldquo;I think we're the best conditioned team in the league. We play well in the third periods at home.&rdquo;Carpenter's players got the message. They closed out the 1976 portion of their season with a 5-4 triumph at Port Huron and followed with an impressive. 8-3 rout of Muskegon at home. The two-game spurt left the Generals just one point behind North Division leader Kalamazoo and with a January schedule which could propel the Generals toward an ultimate division championship.Significant factors in the victory at Port Huron were a pair of goals by Powers, ending his slump; and one by Simon. The second of Powers' goals was the winner.KALAMAZOO: Another Monday dawned with the K-Wings still sitting at the head of the class in the North. It was the 13th straight Monday Bob Lemieux's lads had enjoyed such a view. But Lemieux could see a bad omen in the 13th. Saginaw's Gears, skating better than any other club, had the same view. The two clubs were tied for the No. One spot.One couldn't fault the K-Wing performance. They swept a pair of games, including a critical, 6-3 triumph at Columbus. At home, Kalamazoo bombed Muskegon. 8-3, with Al Genovy scoring the hat trick to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd of 5,127 fans. Genovy has been on a scoring spurt which has netted 11 goals and 12 assists in 11 games.SAGINAW: The Gears exploded for 27 goals in four games as they won three and tied a road game at Muskegon to move into a tie with Kalamazoo for the North Division lead.The four-game blitz was climaxed with a 9-1 romp over Toledo at home, a game which saw the Gears score eight goals in the third period. Dennis Desrosiers led the attack with the three-goal hat trick, his second in three games. Desrosiers got the hat in a 9-5 blitz of another South Division power&mdash;Dayton&mdash;earlier.PORT HURON: Injuries have slowed the Flags down somewhat. Tom Ross was injured in a 5-4 loss to Flint and will be out for at least two games. The injury to Hank Lehvonen is more serious. Lehvonen was injured in a loss to Saginaw and will undergo surgery on his knee. Coach Bob McCammon was looking for a replacement.MUSKEGON: It wasn't a very good week for the Mohawks. They managed only one point in four starts. The point came from a 3-3 tie at home with Saginaw. In three road games the Muskegon defense gave up 20 goals while the offense could contribute just six. The low point was a 4-0 shutout at Fort Wayne.,TOLEDO: An injury to Pierre Chagnon has put the burden of goaltending for the Diggers on rookie Mark (Wyatt) Earp. Chagnon suffered a knee injury and is out indefinitely. Earp helped the Diggers snap a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 triumph over Dayton&mdash;marking the first time Toledo had won with a goalie other than Chagnon or Ted Tucker (now with Muskegon) in the nets. But Earp was the victim of a Saginaw offensive explosion his next time out. Saginaw exploded for eight goals in the third period to bury Earp and the Diggers, 9-1.COLUMBUS: Following a 3-2 squeezer I over Toledo at home, the Owls managed a 5-5 tie on the road at Fort Wayne in a game which saw Columbus blow a 3-0 lead. Columbus took a 3-0 lead in the first period and were still leading by two goals with just eight minutes to play.<h2>IHL Team Scoring</h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02261/4157296-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="1260" height="2413"></div> &#9632;

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Carpenter's Threats Show Results; Injuries. Road Losses Hamper Gems

<div class="byline">BY BRUCE PENTON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0035-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-01308/4157334-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg"></div>BRANDON&mdash;Success, so fleeting to Brandon Wheat Kings in the past, has come in a thunderous cascade in the 1976-77 season and coach Dune McCallum is wishing it never ends.Acutally, all he hopes for when it does have to end is that his Wheat Kings win their final game of the season. So calm, cool and calculated, McCallum might not even argue if he was tossed in the showers following his team's Memorial Cup triumph.Memorial Cup. Brandon. Those two words have never been used together before, except with the words don't have a chance' in between. In fact, Brandon has made it past the first round of playoffs only once in its 10-year WCHL existence.The Wheat Kings, behind the outstanding goaltending of Glen Hanlon, the scoring power of centers Bill Derlago. 18. and over-age Danny Bonar, and the astute defensive play of rookie Brad McCrimmon and veterans Wayne Ramsey and Terry Hochstetter. have become the undisputed power of the far- reaching Western Canada Hockey League.After 41 games, the Wheaties had lost only six times. Their point-pace is 116. four better than the record New Westminster Bruins established last season. They could win more than the record 54 games (also New West's, from last year) if they take 24 victories in their final 31 games. They could also lose the least number of games. (The record is 11 by the 1972-73 Saskatoon Blades in a 69- game schedule.) WCHL teams now play a 72-game schedule.The Wheat Kings lead their division, the weak East, by 29 points over Saskatoon Blades. At present, Brandon is the lone Eastern Division entry with a record better than .500. Nearly two-thirds of the Wheat King games (44 of their 72) are against Regina, Saskatoon. Flin Flon and Winnipeg, teams with a combined record at this writing of 43-85-20.That fact will obviously endear the Wheat King chances of toppling some seasonal records. But they've proven in the past they can play with the league's stronger teams too, and McCallum's only hope is that the Wheat Kings don't get stale from playing weaker teams so often.The true measure of a team's success is what happens on the road. And it's the Wheaties road record that has made Brandon fans more confident than ever that this is the year for a legitimate shot at the Memorial Cup.In six west-coast games in which Hanlon started, Brandon was undefeated.Included in the six were 3-2 and 5-1 victories over the Bruins, and a 5-2 decision in Portland, where the Winter Hawks rarely lose. The journey ended with a 7-0 whitewashing over Kamloops Chiefs, with Hanlon making 48 saves.Other impressive road wins were 11-4 in Winnipeg. 10-4 in Flin Flon and 8-2 in Lethbridge against the then-leading Broncos of the Central Division. Brandon is 15-5-2 on the road for the season.Sophomore Derlago leads the scoring race with 94 points in 41 games and his 17-year-old linemates. Brian Propp and Ray Allison, are Nos. Two and Three. Never before have three players from one team dominated the WCHL s scoring columns at the end of the season. The Wheaties have a chance this year.WINNIPEG: The Monarchs won two straight to pull into a third-place Central Division tie with Calgary, but with four games in hand. Tom Roulston's hat trick was the difference in a 5-2 win at home over Saskatoon and Guy Lash, in a horrible slump of late, set up four goals as Winnipeg trimmed Regina 8-3.FLIN FLON: The Bombers picked up goalie Paul Howes from Brandon one day after the 19-year-old had backstopped the Wheat Kings to an 8-4 win. Howes started the season with Winnipeg. Coach Mickey Keating watched goalie Don Crockett and backup Ralph Bradbury allow 18 goals in two losses (10-4. 8-4) to Brandon and went shopping. He got Howes on sale. Kim Davis scored his 35th goal in the 8-4 loss and Jordy Douglas scored twice, once shorthanded.REGINA: The Pats winless skein was stretched to a continuing record of 31 as they lost 6-3 in Saskatoon and 8-3 at home to Winnipeg. &ldquo;This team isn't as bad as its record (2-32-5),&rdquo; said coach Bob Turner. &ldquo;We will have a shot at catching Flin Flon,&rdquo; which is 15 points ahead of the last-place Pats. Greg Ing scored a goal in each game, giving him a teamleading 15 for the season.SASKATOON: The Blades beat the hapless Pats 6-3 then lost twice on the road, to Winnipeg and Brandon, to even their seasonal record at 17-17-3. Center Dell Chapman, 19, quit the team to pursue his education.MEDICINE HAT: Tigers stretched their unbeaten streak to 11 games with a 7-6 home-ice win over Calgary, as Ron Areshenkoff scored three times and linemate Ron Hill connected for his team-leading 31 goal. But on a trip west, the streak was snapped with a 5-3 loss in Kamloops.<h2>WCHL Team Scoring &#9632;</h2>

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Success Finally Falls On Brandon

<div class="byline">BY CHARLIE JAWORSKI</div>BINGHAMTON&mdash;With two new wings, Broome Duster Rod Bloomfield is flying high above the NAHL scoring race.As a matter of fact, the five-foot-eight, 160-pound center is threatening to make a runaway of the scoring race near the midpoint of the season.Through the Dusters' first 34 games, the durable Bloomfield has scored 27 goals and added 62 assists, his 89 points a considerable cushion over Syracuse rookie Tom Milani who had 66 points.A more determined Bloomfield and new linemates are the reason &ldquo;The Franchise ', as he's called in Binghamton, is off to his finest start in pro hockey.With Dave Staffen on his left wing, Bloomfield has a durable and hard-nosed winger who has an eye for the net as his league-high 36 goals would suggest.With Pierre Laganiere on his right, Bloomfield has a smart hockey player with good puck sense around the net. The former American Hockey League All Star doesn't possess the strength of Staffen, but then Staffen doesn't possess Laganiere's stickhandling ability.Laganiere, who came to the Dusters as a free agent after playing mostly in Europe last season, was in a three-way tie for third in the scoring race, with Staffen holding down the No. Six spot. Staffen was acquired in an off-season trade with Maine.The trio has played together for all but an eight-game span beginning on Thanksgiving night when coach Larry Kish thought he'd spread the wealth. The Dusters were only 4-4 during that span, so Kish reunited the line, and the team won five of eight including a thrilling 6-5 win over Syracuse in which Laganiere scored the winning goal with one second left in the game.It was virtually a must win for the Dusters who would have trailed the league-leaders by nine points had they lost, but instead cut the gap to five.Surprisingly, Bloomfield has not been scoring goals regularly. In his last seven games, the native of Parry Sound, Ont., who has made his permanent home in the Binghamton area, has tallied just twice. But in that span, he had an outlandish 21 assists including a league-record sevenassist performance in one game.With 89 points, Bloomfield is just seven behind the total he amassed all last rZ season. Barring injury, he'll also beat his other two seasons in the league, 119 points in 1973-74 and 109 in 1974-75 when he was voted the league MVP. In a seesaw battle, he has surpassed and managed to stay ahead of Maine's Paul Larose as the NAHL's all-time leading scorer.&ldquo;When I coached against Roddie,&rdquo; said former Cape Codder coach Kish, &ldquo;I knew he was a tremendous competitor. When I came here (midway through the 1975-76 season), I found out he was a better competitor than I thought he was. As a matter of fact, I probably underestimated him. As captain, he's done a great job both on and off the ice this season. His actions speak louder than his words.&rdquo;In the first season of the NAHL, Bloomfield finished tied for third in scoring with Larose, behind Luc Simard and Rejean Giroux. The following season, he gave Syracuse's Bobby Jones a battle before finishing second to Jones' 114 points. Last season, he finished 12th, Beauce's Joe Hardy more than doubling his point production in setting an NAHL and pro hockey record for assists and points.Should Bloomfield continue at his present pace, he would still fall short of Hardy's accomplishments of 148 assists and 208 points.But, then again, maybe Hardy can give Bloomfield some encouragement soon.The Dusters picked Hardy in the dispersal draft of Beauce Jaros players and it was thought he had a broken hand. However, Hardy said it was found to merely be ligament damage and he's expected to be playing for the Dusters by at least late January, a month earlier than expected.JOHNSTOWN: The Jets' hottest line is Jean Tetreault, Robbie Walton and Dave Birch. The trio accounted for 23 of the team's 42 goals in a 13-game span beginning Dec. 10. Center iceman Walton, acquired from Erie along with Bob Whitlock and Les Burgess, had 10 goals and 13 assists in that span and Birch three goals and eight assists. Right winger Tetreault had 10 goals and 15 assists in that span and including his stay with Tidewater in the Southern League, has 28 goals this season through the Jets' 4-2 win on Erie ice. Rookie Darrell Ferner was expected to be back in uniform after a dislocated shoulder had kept him out of action since Thanksgiving.MAINE: The Nordiques got quick dividends on a couple of new acquisitions. Paul Daigle, obtained from the Philadelphia Firebirds who drafted him from the defunct Beauce Jaros, scored two goals in his first game for Maine. The second goal was the gamewinner at 10:16 of the third period in a 5-4 win over Philadelphia. The other new face was left winger Richard Grenier, sent down from Quebec. It took Grenier one game to get going, however, before he pumped in the winning tally on a breakaway at 3:05 of overtime to give Maine a big road win in Utica. &ldquo;We should be winning more than we are,&rdquo; said general manager Maurice Ducharme. &ldquo;We aren't consistently playing well.&rdquo; Languishing in sixth place, the Nordiques are again flirting with the .500 mark after shaking off a five-game winless streak. Rene Villemure, acquired in the dispersal draft of Beauce players, has also joined the team.MOHAWK VALLEY: For the first time since the Comets began play in the NAHL &frac34; seasons ago, the team topped the .500 mark with a 5-2 home-ice win over Philadelphia. But it didn't last long, as a three-game losing streak followed. MV blew a 3-1 lead in Binghamton to lose, 6-5, on New Year's Eve, then started the new year off on the wrong foot with a 2-1 home-ice loss to Maine. Mike Zuke, among the league leaders with 32 goals, tailed off during the losing streak, and only got one point in the three defeats.ERIE: When a shutout is recorded by the Blades, you had to figure it was Lynn Zimmerman. Wrong. Cam Newton, getting his first start of the season, beat Maine on its home ice, 2-0, kicking aside 23 shots in his first start in an Erie sweater. Zimmerman was getting a well- deserved rest after starting in the team's first 33 games. He won 16 of them to lead the league in that category. Rick Dorman, acquired from Johnstown, leads team with 120 penalty minutes. He rang out the old year in style in a 5-3 loss at Johnstown. Dorman set a team record with 26 minutes in penalties in one game, three minors, a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct.PHILADELPHIA: Defenseman Peter Filco joined the team, selected by the Firebirds in the dispersal draft of Jaros players. Coach Gregg Pilling was suspended and fined for the third time this season for waving a white towel from the players' bench with a stick, according to public relations man Bruce Cooper. This time Pilling was suspended for five games and fined $500 by commissioner Jack Timmins who called his actions detrimental to the league.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03163/4157379-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="575" height="849"><figcaption class="caption-body">ROD BLOOMFIELD&hellip; &ldquo;The Franchise"</figcaption></div>SYRACUSE: The Blazers never quit in Binghamton, trailing 4-2 and 5-3 before losing 6-5. Jim Cowell, with two goals in that game, has to be the story of the year in Syracuse, 21 goals, 41 assists for the 1975-76 season&mdash;but 28-28, before the halfway point of this season.At the beginning of last season, the Vancouver Canucks bought out his contract and he joined the Blazers where old coach Dan Belisle was.<h2>Where NAHL Teams Play</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-01287/4157372-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="594" height="793"></div><h2>NAHL Leaders</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02220/4157365-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="594" height="779"></div> &#9632;

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Bloomfield Flies High For Dusters; Maine's New Acquisitions Paying Off

<div class="byline">BY MIKE LYNCH</div>KIMBERLEY&mdash; With the new year barely begun, it was apparent that some members of the Western International League were not too wild about 1977, at least not the January portion of it.For example, Kimberley and Nelson, first and third respectively with 1976 on the wane, were in difficulty as 1977 began Cranbrook and Spokane, second and fourth at the end of 1976, were looking forward to a brighter year.Kimberley, still not together, lost four of five to end the year. The Dynamiters, who enjoyed the oft-mentioned 13-game winning streak early in the season, lost three straight to Cranbrook. the defending league champs.Cranbrook, defending league champion, continued as the circuit's hottest club. In the three key wins over Kimberley the Royals outscored the Dynamiters 15-3. This after Kimberley had won three and tied one of the first five meetings.Nelson lost 7-5 on New Year's day in the traditional home game against Spokane. The Leafs won seven of eight to move into third but the loss to defending Allan Cup champion Spokane was the third straight. The Leafs have some games in hand but only a one-point lead on Spokane.Spokane played two strong games under playing coach Ted McAneeley's aggressive checking style, only to lose because of lack of success around the opposition net, despite plenty of opportunties.However, the Flyers won 6-3 in Trail and then 7-5 in Nelson on Jan. 1. Spokane was down 4-2 midway of the second period but scored five straight goals to take charge. Nelson was without defenseman Bob Mclvor, the team captain because of injury.Trail is still looking for its 10th win. Coach John Van Horlick, playing on defense despite being injured by a shot in the mouth, felt the club rebounding with two straight wins to end a seven-game losing streak. However, the Dec. 26 loss to Spokane ended Trail's 1976 schedule.While it would appear that most of the league's clubs have their rosters set for the balance of the season. Spokane may make some major changes before the mid-January deadline. The Flyers have plans to add offensive punch.Jim Stanfield and Bob Trembecky, a pair of centers who have not seen action this season, could be back on the roster. Both have been idle because of job conflicts. In addition Trembecky has been recovering from knee surgery from a non-hockey injury.Both players are former winners of the league's most valuable player award. Stanfield won the scoring title two years ago and had 33 goals in 33 games last season before leaving to play in the North l American League. Trembecky was named MVP in the Allan Cup series and was honored with a Canadian Amateur Hockey Association award. &#9632;

The WIHL Scene

<div class="byline">BY GARY MCCARTHY</div>SOREL&mdash;It appears as though recent statements made by Rodrigue Lemoyne, owner of the Sorel Black Hawks of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, have awakened some of the people of Sorel.Faced with the thought that the Black Hawks' franchise may be transferred to another city in Quebec, about 100 team fans immediately sent a telegram to Maurice Martel, the member of the Quebec National Assembly for Richelieu County.The fans are hoping that the Parti Quebecois member for their riding can intervene in the situation.&ldquo;It is absolutely necessary for the Black Hawks to remain in Sorel because the Hawks are our baby,&rdquo; the fans said in their telegram to the government member.Last week, Lemoyne said that dwindling attendance and a general lack of enthusiasm and support from the people of Sorel made him feel that he could no longer survive in that city.There has been talk that Verdun, a suburb of Montreal and once a hotbed for junior hockey in the Montreal region, may get the Sorel franchise. -However, before a move is made, Lemoyne was scheduled to meet with civic authorities in an effort to save the franchise and keep it operating in Sorel, a shipping center about 45 miles east of Montreal.According to sources close to the situation, the city of Sorel is not likely to agree to certain demands made by Lemoyne. What demands he has made are not exactly clear, but it is presumed that he wants to get some civic backing.&ldquo;What are our chances of staying in Sorel?&rdquo; Lemoyne asked. &ldquo;At this point, I really can't say.&rdquo;Lemoyne is not taking any chances about his demands. He has been going through with plans for operation move and he was even seen talking on a few occasions recently with Michel Racicot, a Verdun businessman.Lemoyne, who also is the business agent for Pierre Larouche of the Pittsburgh Penguins, recently took over full control of the team.He also took himself from behind the bench as coach in the front-office overhaul and concentrated his efforts on making the franchise a success in Sorel.QUEBEC: The Quebec Remparts, despite a 3-1 loss to the Cornwall Royals, managed to hold onto first place in the Frank Dilio Division by a slim point over the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs. Two goals by Graeme Nicholson and one by Danny Geoffrion gave the Royals the win. Jean Savard, with his 55th goal of the season, prevented the shutout.TROIS-RIVIERES: The Draveurs missed a great chance to pull ahead of the Remparts in the division. While the Remparts were losing to the Royals, Hull walloped the Draveurs 6-2. Denis Pomerleau, certainly rated as one of the stars in the league, did a lot to beat the Draveurs by scoring twice. Yves Richer and Daniel Cloutier scored for the Draveurs.CHICOUTIMI: The Sagueneens. trying to make it a three-way race in the Dilio Division, were humuliated 9-4 by Sherbrooke to remain three points behind the Remparts in the division. Sylvain Locas, another of the big stars in the league, has scored 38 goals this season and has a league-leading 65 assists.SHAWINIGAN: The Dynamos continue to struggle on the ice. dropping a 4-3 decision to the Laval Nationals. The Dynamos have won only 10 games of the 43 they have played this season.SOREL: The Black Hawks are having problems everywhere they go this year. They aren't drawing at home and the news that the team may be moving to a Montreal suburb has added to the turmoil. The Black Hawks suffered a 4-3 setback against Montreal for their 31st loss of the season. They have only nine wins and five ties in their 45 games so far this season. Luc Deblois continues as the club's leading scorer with 31 goals and 48 assists for 79 points.SHERBROOKE: Rick Vaive, the product from Prince Edward Island, had the Beavers' fans cheering last Sunday night when he scored three goals in a 9-4 win over Shawinigan.<h2>HOW THEY STAND</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-01250/4157434-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg" title="f0037-01" width="601" height="2207"></div> &#9632;

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Sorel Hawks May Switch to Verdun; Montreal's Picard Facing Surgery

NORFOLK&mdash;The struggling Southern Hockey League continued to do business with its three remaining teams but there was hope that the league would be able to consumate an agreement with the North American Hockey League for a partial interlocking schedule to keep the circuit in operation for the rest of the 1976-77 season.SHL commissioner Jack Riley said that future plans for the league will be determined this week after a meeting between the governors of the NAHL, commissioner Jack Timmins, representatives of the three remaining SHL clubs, and Riley.It is believed the SHL could be interested in playing interlocking games with the seven teams in the NAHL with points counting in the standings of both leagues. Riley said he would consult with officials of the Hampton Gulls, Charlotte Checkers and Baltimore Clippers in an effort to determine if the three remaining SHL franchises are desirable of playing an inter-league series with the NAHL. Failing attendance and financial problems forced Greensboro. Tidewater, Winston Salem and Richmond to suspend operations last week.However, Riley said it rested with the NAHL to decide if the league wanted to engage the Southern League teams in an inter-locking schedule. There was speculation that NAHL teams had mixed feelings about travelling so far south to play games because of the expense.Riley said pending a decision by the NAHL on inter-league games, the SHL would continue to operate from week to week with three clubs. A five-game schedule had been drawn up from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22 with games in Baltimore, Hampton and Charlotte.On the ice, the Hampton Gulls picked up two wins in three games to maintain their first-place margin over Tidewater, which is one of the four disbanded franchises. The Gulls have 59 points giving them a 21-point bulge over the other two active SHL entries, Baltimore and Charlotte, who are tied with 38 each.The Checkers split a pair of home-and- home games with Hampton and tied Balimore 4-4 in their other league start.<h2>HOW THE STAND</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-01297/4157465-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg" title="f0038-01" width="620" height="2513"></div> &#9632;

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SHL Carrying On With Three Teams Eves Interlockino Plav With NAHL

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0038-03" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03176/4157527-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg"></div>Defencemen must always remember their job is to help the goalie before the puck Is shot at the net. If a defenceman can't prevent a shot, he must keep out of the way so the goaltender can see It coming.Draw an Imaginary square on the ice with the forward corners touching the faceoff circles and the back corners at the red line beside the goal.If you're defending against an attack in close, stay out of the square. If you're standing inside it you're too close and will block the goalie's view of the play. &#9632;

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Minor Hockey Tips

<div class="byline">&#x2013;By Bill Hilts</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-01276/4157558-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="344" height="418"></div><h2>New Brunswick League</h2>The Moncton Beavers have been purchased by two Dieppe businessmen. Dieppe being just on the outskirts of Moncton. The Beavers also saw their coach, Gerry Caron, resign and Paul Cormier currently coach of the U de M Jayvees take over in New Brunswick Jr. 'A' League changes. The Beavers have started rolling. They now sport a 5-7 record. The Beavers outlasted the Fishermen this past week 5-4 with four Junior B' players being used in that game due to injuries. Beaver regulars Marc Beliveau out with a fractured ankle, brother Gerry Beliveau out with a separated shoulder, Rene Leger out with tom knee ligaments and Marshall Jardine out with a knee injury. The Four Jr. B' players were Dan Hickes, Paul Daigle, Charles Bourgeois and Lonnie Thompson, younger brother of Toronto's Errol Thompson. Young Hickes and Bourgeois got assists while Thompson scored proved to be the winning goal .G. Des Roches of Cape Pele leads scorers with 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points. K. Allaby of Red Wings second with 28 points, including league leading 23 assists. Other scoring leaders are A. LeBlanc, B. LeBlanc and M. Malenfant, all Cape Pele with 25. 24 and 21 points respectively. D. Chassion of U de M also has 21 points&hellip; Red Wings Dave Bradley leads goalies with 3.20 GA average, followed by Terry Saulnier of Cape .Pele with 4.14 GA average.<h2>N.Y. Metro League</h2>For the third time in five meetings the New Hyde Park Arrows defeated the N.T. Metropolitan Jr. Hockey Assn, defending champion New York Americans. The Americans were beaten 6-5 in their first game under new coach Bob Ciota. Ciota is a veteran Met League pilot, having seen service in Oyster Bay and with the Brooklyn Stars entry of the Greater New York City Ice Hockey League. For Arrow coach Bill Conforte the victory, giving his team the season series three games to two, was an &ldquo;all together&rdquo; effort. The game saw two spectacular performances by the league's two leading scorers. Arrow Enn Kunnapas and New Yorker Bob Schunke. The Arrows took a 4-1 advantage into the third period when Tom Campbell and John O'Connor padded their lead. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game American Larry Planet began a New York rally with a goal that cut the Arrow edge to three markers. The New Hyde Park checking game, which dominated the first two periods, succumbed to repeated New York forays against netminder Mike Scatturo. Even goalie Scatturo's aggressive play could not stop goals by Schunke and Andy Yaciuk within 26 seconds of each other. In the waning minutes of the game the Arrows played shorthanded and New York pulled their goaltender for a sixth skater. Scatturo made a brilliant stick save on a one-on-one shot and cleared the puck over the blueline to insure the win. Kunnapas ended the game with one goal and four assists.<h2>Saskatchewan League</h2>According to Kevin Waugh, the Southern Division of the Saskatchewan Amateur Jf. Hockey League has really tightened up with Weyburn and Moose Jaw running neck and neck, each with 48 points. Melville is third with 36 points, Estevan 30 points, Regina-28 and Yorkton- eight&hellip;Prince Albert has a comfortable lead in the Northern Division with 55 points. Closest contender is Swift Current with 46 points, Battlefords has 28, Humboldt-26 and Saskatoon-15 &hellip;Doug Smail of Moose Jaw continues to set the league scoring pace with 40 goals and 36 assists for : 76 points. Paul Krywouchka of Prince Albert has 63 points, Tim Fylyma of Battleford has 60 points, Tim Nickle and ; Cyril Andreas of Moose Jaw have 59 and 57 points respectively. Dave Moore and Eric Ponath of Prince Albert have : 56 and 54 points; Wayne Merkle of Swift Current has 54 ; points, Ron Matsalla of Yorkton has 52, Franco Disciglio of : Saskatoon has 49 and Dennis Dohie has 49 points.<h2>N.Y.-Penn League</h2>Southtown Cougars, NY-Penn Jr. Hockey League leaders i for most of the first half of the season, continue their downward slide and now have dropped off the pace to fourth position behind league-leading Rochester Monarchs, Syracuse Stars and third-place Niagara Falls Mangs harks&hellip;The Cougars lost to Stars 8-7, then dropped Binghamton Barons 6-5&hellip;Chris Reichart and Lou Martin are tied for Southtown scoring lead with 27 points each. Ray Jarmusz, a high-scoring defenseman. has 25 points and Jeff Stitt, though having played just 15 games, has 24 points&hellip; Rochester Monarchs dropped Sharks 5-3 with Bob Stuewe scoring a pair for Rochester. Rick Kozlowski, Wilf David and Clint Campbell shot singletons. Shark goals were fired by Mike Richardson, Dan Nolan and Sam Crogan. Buffalo Blades took a 2-0 lead, then Sharks came back with four straight, but Blades popped a pair in closing minutes of third to pull out a 4-4 tie. Jim Rickard had a pair for Sharks, Tim Igo a pair for Blades. Shark singles were by Joe Barrick and Dan Nolan. Blades singles by Don Osborn and Mike Denz. Blades goalie Bill Kaminska was super, facing 42 shots&hellip;Sharks dumped Cougars 6-3. Mike Richardson fired a hat trick for the winners, with singles by Tim Ryan, Robbin Hill and Dan Nolan. Cougar goals were fired by Dick Lynch, Jeff Stitt and Ed Kirchberger.<h2>B.C. Junior League</h2>The Kelowna Buckaroos continue to lead the British Columbia Jr. A' League Interior Division with 29 wins, 12 losses and one tie for 59 points. The Penticton Vees are close on their heels with 58 points (28-11-2), followed by Vernon Vikings with 38 points, Kamloops Braves 24 points and Merritt Centennials 20 points. .. The Coastal Division is led by Nanaimo Clippers with a 27-11-1 record for 55 points. The Langley Lords are the closest with 40 points, followed by Bellingham Blazers 38 points, Maple Ridge Bruins 37 points and Abbotsford Flyers 27 points.. Kevin Maxwell of Penticton continues to lead individual scoring race with 35 goals and 53 assists for 88 points. He's followed closely by Scott MacLeod of Kelowna with 85 points (37-48). Rick Ben-ningshof and John Oliver both of Kelowna have 81 and 80 points respectively. Gord McKay of Penticton has 78 points and Rod Danchuk of Kelowna has 78 points. Next are a pair of Maple Ridge players. John Ogrodnick and Terry Kirkham, each with 68 points and Erkki Lehtonen of Bellingham with 68 points&hellip; Penticton goalie Jim Scammell leads the league with a fine 3.33 GA average. John McKerrow of Kelowna has a 3.75 GA average. Keith Ferner of Vernon 3.94; Andy Moog of Kamloops 4.06; Steve Hanna of Nanaimo 4.33; Randy Struch of Kelowna 4.53; Pat Murphy of Penticton 4.58 and Andy Gourlay of Nanaimo 4.71.<h2>New England League</h2>The Great Bay Vikings snapped an 11-game losing streak by deadlocking the Tri-Valley Squires 5-5 in the New England Junior Hockey League&hellip;Coach Glenn Hunter's Vikings were actually only 12 minutes away from their second win, holding a 5-3 lead, when the Squires came back on goals by Dennis Sholes and defenseman Dick Breault to earn the stalemate. Carl Anania scored two goals, including his third shorthanded tally of the campaign which ranks him second in the NEJHL in that department, for the Vikings. Kirk Morgan, who scored 21 goals last season, but had lit the lamp but once in 22 previous games this year, broke out of his personal scoring slump with two goals for the Squires. Brian Hopkins also came up with 38 saves in the Tri-Valley nets&hellip;In exhibition action, the Cape Cod Cubs, who will enter the NEJHL next year, won their first game after two losses, trimming Great Bay 6-4. Scott Farrell tallied twice for the Cubs as Terry Milan and Dave Blauer teamed up for 47 saves. Don Gebo and Bob Sullivan each had a goal and assist for the Vikings. The Cubs then succumbed to the Tyngsboro Huskies 9-3 as Jimmy Donovan fired in three goals and Dale Metzier a pair for the Huskies&hellip;In other exhibition activity, the NEJHL-leading Fitchburg Wallopers won their own holiday invitational tournament handily. The Wallopers beat Mt. Wachusett Community College 10-3 in the opening round, then blitzed Tyngsboro 11-2 in the finals. The Huskies had reached the final by ripping Fitchburg State College 11-4.<h2>Midwest League</h2>Nils Sundquist, president of the Hennepin Nordiques. announced tnat former NHL star Murray Oliver has joined the club as advisor. Oliver, center ice man and penalty killing specialist, retired after the 1974-75 season with the Minnesota North Stars. In 1,162 pro games. Oliver put together a career record of 283 goals, 470 assists and 753 points over 18 seasons&hellip;Now director of youth programs for the Northland Group, makers of hockey sticks, Oliver still holds several individual records with the North Stars. &#9632;

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JUNIOR JOTTINGS

<div class="byline">BY BILL LIBBY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0004-01127/4157596-1-eng-US/c0004-012.jpg" title="C0004-01" width="625" height="1263"><figcaption class="caption-body">MARCEL DIONNE &hellip; Close To Top (Photo by Steve Babineau)</figcaption></div>LOS ANGELES&mdash;The pessimist sees the glass as half empty, the optimist sees it as half full. This saying could apply to the current campaign of the Kings.You could say they have wasted half a season. Or you could say they still have half a season to go. There is still time to straighten out for the real season is yet to start&mdash;the playoffs&mdash;provided, of course, the Kings make them. The way they are playing, they may not.Following a first quarter of 8-6-6, the Kings skidded to a 5-11-4, which tied for the second worst of the 18 quarters of Bob Pulford's coaching regime. This put them at 13-17-10, which ties two other halves as the worst of his regime.Since the others came when the club was being built up. presumably it has gone back to the beginning. Manager Jake Milford admits, &ldquo;We have gone back 1 expected more.&rdquo;Milford says, &ldquo;We can make excuses, but we can't justify them. Every team has to handle problems. We simply have played poorly.&rdquo;A 13-game winless streak showed that. Since then the club has come through only occasionally. The Kings play a good game and don't always win it. Then they play a bad one and always lose it. They started out complaining about their rough road schedule, but were as ' successful away from home, 6-8-6. as at home, 7-9-4.The Kings finished the first half with the first game of a seven-game road-trip, so presumably in the several weeks before this sees print they will have dug themselves deeper into the hole they now occupy.They played well enough to win, but lost to St. Louis, which has lost more than it has won. Then they went into Minnesota and played poorly and lost for the second straight time to a team which had beaten no other team in the last 15 games.The Kings won five of their first six home games, but when they completed the first half of their home schedule by beating Boston it was only the club's second victory in the last 14 in their Forum. Previously, the second 16.005-fan sellout of the season, against Philly. saw the Kings shut out for the second straight time before a big turnout. It is bad enough to be beaten, but worse when a big crowd does not get even one chance to cheer.Attendance after 20 home dates was at 243,921, an average of 12,196 per game, well under last season's average of 12,625.Milford, whose hands have been tied as far as trades go, but expected one to materialize, says, &ldquo;I'm beginning to feel maybe we just don't have the talent we thought we had. Few players have improved and quite a few have gone back. But if Pully can pull the team together there is still time for improvement&rdquo; Maybe the sun burns it out of them, but here there is a history of lack of improvement among the most promising players.Rookie Glenn Goldup, who was supposed to improve the team up front, tore ligaments in his knee at training camp, but is skating now and was sent to Fort Worth to play himself into shape. Veteran Bob Murdoch improved the back line when he returned from a foot injury, and defenseman Ab DeMarco was demoted to the Central League club.It is not clear whether first-year pro Steve Clippingdale has absorbed any checking techniques, but he has been scoring so well at Fort Worth, especially on the power play, that the promising forward may be called up for a trial any time now.Curiously, in goals for and against, the Kings, at 130-131, are a bit better than they were this time last season, 129-135, when they had lost the same number of games, but had won eight they now have tied. A little more offense would have helped as much as more defense.Midway through the schedule, Tom Williams led the team with 22 goals. Marcel Dionne had 21. Mike Murphy 15, Butch Goring 13, and Gene Carr a career- high 12. These five had 83 goals, the other seven forwards only 26.Murphy went the first 19 games of the second quarter without a goal before he tallied two in the 20th. Bert Wilson went 18 before he tallied in the last two. Don Kozak had only one goal in the quarter.<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/c0004-0286/4157589-1-eng-US/c0004-022.jpg" title="C0004-02" width="590" height="818"><figcaption class="caption-body">TOM WILLIAMS &hellip; Top Goal Scorer</figcaption></div>Dionne led in assists with 35 and points with 56. Although playing wing as much as his best position, center, and with a variety of secondary forwards, he is close to the league lead in scoring, which is remarkable.Goring had 32 assists and 45 points and is an inspiration.Sargent has seven goals, while the other six defensemen who have played have only 11. However, the husky youngster has been as inconsistent defensively as the rest. Dave Hutchison recently sat out the fourth league suspension of his short career.In goal Rogie Vachon is 12-13-8 with a 3.00 or so that doesn't show how well he2019s played, while after six starts Gary Edwards is 0-4-2 and 4.50.So now we are in the second half and starting the drive to the finish in a three way duel with Detroit and Pittsburgh for the division's last two playoff positions. &#9632;

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January 28, 1977

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