The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.

April 14, 1978

The Hockey News April 14, 1978

<h2><b>WCHL Leaders</b></h2><h3><b>Final Scoring Leaders</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-01282/4140533-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="592" height="996"></div><h3><b>GOALING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02217/4140526-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="586" height="295"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0036-01

OTHER LEAGUES

WESTERN CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE

<div class="byline">BY TOM HENSHAW</div><p>BOSTON&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>t was a bright June day in 1975 and the Boston Bruins&rsquo; brass was chortling over what the Good Fairy had left for them in the NHL amateur draft.</p><p>There was Doug Halward, &ldquo;the best young defensive defenseman in Canada.&rdquo; There was Barry Smith, &ldquo;the best defensive center available.&rdquo; There was Matti Hagman, &ldquo;our top-ranked European player.&rdquo;</p><p>There was also Stan Jonathan.</p><p>&ldquo;A real pier sixer,&rdquo; said general manager Harry Sinden, a statement that will be recognized immediately as &lsquo;Sindenese&rsquo; for &ldquo;he fights well.&rdquo;</p><p>Then, at a rare loss for anything else to say, Sinden passed on to the other youthful phenoms&mdash;Rick Adduono, Denis Daigle, Gary Carr and Bo Berglund (who?).</p><p>Hagman has come and gone. Halward has come and gone but keeps coming back again. Smith and Adduono stopped by once for a cup of coffee. Daigle, Carr and Berglund (who?) didn&rsquo;t even stop by.</p><p>And Stan Jonathan?</p><p>Well, the other day Stan Jonathan fought Kurt Walker of Toronto to a draw, giving away seven inches in height and 25 pounds; he decked Darryl Sittier with one punch for taking undue liberties with new teammate Dennis O&rsquo;Brien; and he scored his 25th goal of the season.</p><p>It was, in a phrase, just another night&rsquo;s work for Stan Jonathan.</p><p>At that point, he had nine goals and six assists in his last nine games and he would add another two goals and two assists to his streak two days later.</p><p>Everyone knows Stan Jonathan is tough. AU you have to do is look at his face. It&rsquo;s a face to which much has happened. That nose didn&rsquo;t come from minding, his own business on the ice.</p><p>But Stan Jonathan, 20-goal scorer, was a possibility that the NHL never thought it would have to consider.</p><p>&ldquo;I always knew he had the heart and the toughness to play in the NHL,&rdquo; said Roger Neilson, the Maple Leafs&rsquo; coach who had Jonathan in junior hockey at Peterborough. &ldquo;And it hasn&rsquo;t surprised me that he is playing well.</p><p>&ldquo;But his goal production is surprising. He&rsquo;s a much better puck-handler now than he was as a junior. He&rsquo;s really improved that a lot. He&rsquo;s really one of the top players in the league now, I think.&rdquo;</p><p>Bruins&rsquo; coach Don Cherry accepts Jonathan&rsquo;s 25 goals as sort of a bonus that&rsquo;s nice to have but really isn&rsquo;t necessary.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel the same way about him now as I did when he went an entire month without scoring a goal,&rdquo; said Cherry, who frequently refers to Jonathan as &ldquo;Blue,&rdquo; which happens to be the name of his tough little bull terrier, who is not expected to score 20 goals either.</p><p>&ldquo;If he doesn&rsquo;t score another goal the rest of the season I&rsquo;m happy with him as long as he keeps hitting, forechecking and grabbing the wing coming back.&rdquo;</p><p>And that goes for Blue, too.</p><p>&ldquo;There are two ways to stay on my club,&rdquo; Cherry concluded. &ldquo;One is to score 15 goals and hit everybody. The other is to score 40 goals.&rdquo;</p><p>Jonathan himself is just as surprised as everyone else at the number of pucks he has put into the net.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-011024/4137857-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg" title="f0002-01" width="581" height="1164"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>STAN JONATHAN&hellip;Didn&rsquo;t Surprise Neilson</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;I never really expected to score 20 goals in the NHL.&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But if you&rsquo;re forechecking you get a lot of opportunities. I had a lot last year. This year I&rsquo;ve had a little more experience and I can put those opportunities away.</p><p>&ldquo;The big thing is to get the puck on the net all the time. Don&rsquo;t miss the net. Make the goaltender make that stop and you get a lot of rebounds and a lot of loose pucks bounding around the net. Then there&rsquo;s always a chance to score.&rdquo;</p><p>How well Jonathan gets the puck on the net is demonstrated by the fact that last year he had the NHL&rsquo;s best average for accuracy&mdash;17 goals in 71 shots for a 23.9 percentage.</p><p>&ldquo;Sometimes,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;when you have a lot of time to shoot, you have a tendency to try to be cute and beat the goalie clean and pick a comer of the net to shoot at. That&rsquo;s when you miss the net.</p><p>&ldquo;A lot of pucks, probably over 75 percent, hit the goaltender and then go in. There&rsquo;s not too many goals scored on pretty plays. Mostly there&rsquo;s a lot of scrambling and the puck comes out and then it&rsquo;s in the net.&rdquo;</p><p>Which is a pretty accurate description of a Stan Jonathan goal, maybe even all 25 of them<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-01

THE NHL

Jonathan Exceeding Expectations As Bruin Draft Picks Come And Go

<div class="byline">BY WAYNE WARRINER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0024-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-01437/4139524-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MARK HOWE&hellip;Searching For Right Attitude</b></figcaption></div><p>HARTFORD&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>H</span>ome, sweet home! It&rsquo;s supposed to be an advantage to play on home ice. But seven games in nine days may be a bit much&mdash;especially when two of the seven are meaningless exhibition games.</p><p>The Whalers got their home stand off to a flying start by dumping the lowly Indianapolis Racers, 6-3. In the process they set a new World Hockey Association record when Gordie Howe, Mike Antonovich, and John McKenzie each lit the red light&mdash;all within 30 seconds in the second period.</p><p>The next night, however, the Winnipeg Jets came to town with the idea of wrapping up first place. The Whalers tried the physical approach in an effort to slow down the speedy Jets, and 23 minor penalties were called by referee Ron Ego during the contest. Although they were split almost equally between the two teams, the Jets took better advantage, scoring three power play goals to the Whalers one.</p><p>The game was evenly played most of the way but Ulf Nilsson gave the Jets a two-goal lead in the first minute of the final period. Brad Selwood tightened things up again with a nifty assist from the old master, Gordie Howe. However, it wasn&rsquo;t until the final minute that things got hectic.</p><p>A hooking penalty to Winnipeg&rsquo;s Ted Green set up a Whalers power play for the final minute and a half of the game.</p><p>Coach Neale soon pulled goalie Louie Levasseur for a two-man advantage. After a faceoff in the Jets zone, defenseman Barry Long dug the puck out of the comer and flipped it in an attempt to clear the zone. Barely eluding the Whalers&rsquo; point man the puck hit the boards in such a manner that it ended up on edge. In turning to retrieve the puck the Whalers&rsquo; defenseman could do little but race after the rolling disk which, by that time, was following a perfect arc into the middle of the Whalers net for a 53 final score.</p><p>The loss was discouraging but the Whalers had no time to lament because their next guests were to be the Houston Aeros&mdash;a team that was beginning to crowd them for second spot in the standings. In the initial stanza of that game the Whalers outshot the Aeros 12 to one. It looked like New England would pick up two points and thereby bury Houston. But none of the 12 shots found the net and five minutes into the second period Don Larway scored a power play goal for Houston and the Whalers seemed to fall apart.</p><p>Coach Neale later commented, &ldquo;that&rsquo;s that worst period I&rsquo;ve seen this team play since I&rsquo;ve been here.&rdquo; Houston made the goal stand up for a 1-0 victory and Neale accused his whole team of &ldquo;apathy from a team viewpoint&mdash;except (goalie) Smith.&rdquo; The team was down and their attitude was compounded by the fact they had to play a meaningless exhibition game the following afternoon.</p><p>The first period against the Swedish team was scoreless, but the Whalers sensed they could take the game &lsquo;in a walk&rsquo;. And after Mike Rogers hit early in the second period they were off and running. It turned into a fun afternoon and may have proved to be the tonic the team needs to get things rolling by playoff time. Beating anybody 6-0 can boost the morale.</p><p>When Edmonton came in the following afternoon, the Whalers were outshot but sewed up the game with three quick goals by Rogers, McKenzie, and Mark Howe. Mark went on to score his first hat trick of the season. Noting his difficulties in finding the net lately Mark said. &ldquo;I figured if I could get two or three goals it would help me a lot mentally. Once this team really gets its mind set&hellip;Anybody who&rsquo;s been in here (the locker room) the past month between periods&mdash;you can hear a pin drop! The team&rsquo;s been very down, and that&rsquo;s the only thing wrong.&rdquo; And so it&rsquo;s been&mdash;everybody seems able to diagnose the problem, but no one can come up with the antidote.</p><p>With the playoffs on the horizon someone better find the answer&mdash;soon!</p><p><b>QUEBEC</b>: The Nordiques began the week with a .500 record and ended it a game below&mdash;after three one-goal games. The Quebec City crew got off to a bad start at their Colisee when the Bulls charged in and dumped the Nords, 5-4.</p><p>The next encounter was back in the Bulls&rsquo; pasture and the Nordiques took full advantage of southern hospitality, beating Birmingham 4-3 in overtime. It was Chris Bordeleau who found the mark at 3:11 of the overtime session for his sixth goal since returning to the lineup.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02346/4139517-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="568" height="610"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CHRIS BORDELEAU&hellip;Overtime Winner</b></figcaption></div><p>Next stop on the southern tour was Houston, and there the Nordiques were rudely awakened by a first period blitz that found the Aeros in the lead 3-0 late in the period. But then WHA scoring leader, Marc Tardif, took matters into his own hands and began to turn things around. At 17:30 he drilled one home, to get the Nordiques on the board. The second period was scoreless but captain Tardif ripped the cords for two more in the third period.</p><p>Tardif&rsquo;s third goal was a shorthanded marker with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation. It knotted the count at 3-3 and forced the game into overtime. Unfortunately for the Nordiques, Houston&rsquo;s Morris Lukowich got the winner at 8:17 of the overtime period, thereby scuttling Quebec&rsquo;s drive toward a possible third-place finish.</p><p>Had they won, the Nordiques would have found themselves within a point of third-place Houston. Instead they dropped five points behind and were being challenged for fourth by Edmonton and the late-charging Cincinnati Stingers. The Stingers were to be the next visitors at the Colisee as the Nordiques looked ahead at a string of challenging contests.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-01

THE WHA

Exhibition ‘Chore’Aid To Whalers; Nordiques Face Challenging Finish

<div class="byline">&#x2014;BY BOB VERDI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011113/4138189-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="352" height="430"></div><h2><b>Caps&rsquo; Fans Still Loyal</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>ETTERS, LETTERS</b>, we get Hefty bags full of letters. And tor the last time this season, they will be printed in this space. Unless we get a nice one someday.</p><p>Dear Mr. Verdi:</p><p>I have always felt sorry for those people who truly believe they have a good sense of humor.</p><p>The last line of your article in the March 10 edition of THE HOCKEY NEWS concerning the Washington Capitals was a veritable laugh riot.</p><p>We aren&rsquo;t going to Japan or oblivion for that matter. We will continue to build our organization for the future and within three years, maybe your stinging wit and sarcasm will even be appreciated by us.</p><p>We have had a disastrous season on the ice but we are still averaging over 11,000 fans per contest, ranking us ahead of many NHL teams and every team in the WHA.</p><p>Washington is a fine hockey town and will continue to improve. He who laughs last, laughs best.</p><p><b>Andy Dolish,</b><br><b>Director of Marketing,</b><br><b>Washington Capitals</b></p><p>You are right, we are wrong. You belong in the NHL, we belong in Japan. The Caps have been bad theater on the ice but any organization which sells the game as you have deserves to be angry at our cheap shot. We welcome you back into the league you never really left. As for us, sayonara.</p><h2><b>Blues Deserve Apology</b></h2><p><b>I MUST PROTEST</b> the column you wrote on the St. Louis BLUES (not Blahs).</p><p>Don&rsquo;t you realize that:</p><p>1. The Blues nearly folded prior to the start of the season and only a miracle saved them from extinction. Thanks to the Ralston Purina Company, we still have the Blues.</p><p>2. The Blues lost Bob Gassoff, the most feared player in the NHL, in a tragic traffic mishap. He was the best defenseman the Blues ever had. Now the team is without a policeman.</p><p>3. Chucky Lefley, the Blues&rsquo; leading scorer in 1975-76, retired to play hockey in Sweden. I don&rsquo;t need to tell you what an asset he was.</p><p>4. Seventeen of 18 teams in the NHL signed their top draft choices. Guess what team didn&rsquo;t? Scott Campbell went with Houston of the WHA rather than St. Louis.</p><p>5. Ted Irvine, a hard-nosed left wing, retired.</p><p>I think you owe the Blues and their fans a public apology. Next year, the Blues will be back to win the Smythe Division followed closely by the Chicago Blank Hawks, Vancouver Cannots, Minnesota No Stars and Colorado Pet Rocks.</p><p><b>Danny Daugherty,</b><br><b>Lafayette, Ga.</b></p><p>You have some sound arguments concerning the blahs on the Blues. As for St. Louis winning the division next season&hellip;you can&rsquo;t be cereal, can you?</p><h2><b>Edwards Best Rookie</b></h2><p><b>BOB PULFORD</b> for coach of the year? For what? Winning the Smythe Division? My grandmother could coach in that division and win.</p><p><b>Jack Mauzer,</b><br><b>Fitchburg, Mass.</b></p><p>Sorry, no ladies permitted in the locker room.</p><p>If the writers don&rsquo;t vote Don Edwards of the Buffalo Sabres as rookie of the year, they should be investigated. Don&rsquo;t you agree?</p><p><b>Spence Sutton,</b><br><b>Tonawanda, N.Y.</b></p><p>What should be investigated is the NHL regulation which allows a player to perform in 25 games one season, then qualify as a rookie the next year. Why not 10 games or 15? But 25? With that kind of ground rule, how is a guy ever supposed to qualify for the sophomore jinx?</p><p>Is it true that Scotty Bowman is leaving the Canadiens?</p><p><b>Mary Gerster,</b><br><b>Philadelphia, Pa.</b></p><p>Lots of rumors, nothing definite. If he goes, Montreal has lost a good man, a very good man.</p><p>Who is the most bowlegged player in the NHL?</p><p><b>Kevin Coster,</b><br><b>Yankers, N.Y.</b></p><p>Hmmm&hellip;we have just printed our last letter of the season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0006-01

COLUMNISTS

HOCKEY TALK

Cover-01

IN THIS ISSUE

The Hockey News

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-02928/4137902-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg" title="f0002-02" width="837" height="1040"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-03695/4137895-1-eng-US/f0002-032.jpg" title="f0002-03" width="668" height="1048"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-04480/4137888-1-eng-US/f0002-042.jpg" title="f0002-04" width="861" height="1028"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b><i>Old Faces Wearing New Look</i></b></p><p><b>The recent NHL trading deadline spawned several players moves among the clubs. Here are three familiar NHL faces who turned up wearing new Jerseys. At left, Derek Sanderson was signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent. Dennis O&rsquo;Brien, center, was traded from Colorado to Boston Bruins just before the deadline. At right, Dan Maloney is shown wearing his new Maple Leaf colors after Detroit Red Wings traded him to Toronto for Errol Thompson.</b></p></figcaption></div><h2><b>Sinden Raps NHL Suspensions</b></h2><p>MONTREAL&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>H</span>arry Sinden is a firm believer that fines and not suspensions are the solution to disciplining NHL players. The Bruins&rsquo; GM sounded off after Boston Bruins&rsquo; winger Bobby Schmautz was suspended for two league games and Washington&rsquo;s Gordon Lane was set down for one for their parts in ice altercations.</p><p>Sinden said hockey should follow baseball&rsquo;s policy of not suspending players because the losers are the fans. The Bruins&rsquo; official says the best way to curb a roughian is to hit him in his pocketbook. Schmautz is the third Boston player to be suspended this season. Wayne Cashman and Terry O&rsquo;Reilly were the others.</p><h2><b>Tardif Second To Score 60th</b></h2><p>QUEBEC CITY&mdash;</p><p>Marc Tardif of the Nordiques joined hockey&rsquo;s select 60-goal club for the 1977-78 season and unless there is a flurry of goal-scoring in the final week of the NHL and WHA schedules, Tardif and Winnipeg&rsquo;s Anders Hedberg will be the only 60-goal men.</p><p>Hedberg pumped his 63rd of the year in the same game that Tardif hit for No. 57. The next night the high-scoring Quebec left winger broke loose for three goals, his 58th, 59th and 60th, against Houston. Guy Lafleur of Canadiens leads the NHL in goals with 58 and he could conceivably finish with 60 with three games to play.</p><h2><b>Shero Takes Shot At Referees</b></h2><p>PHILADELPHIA&mdash;</p><p>Flyer coach Fred Shero isn&rsquo;t one to complain but he thinks the NHL referees are being unjust to his players and he wants the league to launch an investigation into the matter.</p><p>Shero said he would welcome a review of the Flyers&rsquo; last 20 games just to see how many times his team was actually the culprit in penalties meted out to Philadelphia. Shero said he thinks someone higher than him should look into the possibility of probing some of the officials&rsquo; calls. The Flyers lead the NHL in penalty minutes with 1.562 followed by Washington with 1,258. Montreal, which leads the NHL overall, has the fewest with 695 minutes.</p><h2><b>No More &lsquo;Viennas&rsquo; For The NHL</b></h2><p>TORONTO&mdash;</p><p>Canada still doesn&rsquo;t have any players or a coach for the 1978 World hockey tournament starting this month in Prague but when the NHL does get around to naming their representatives, there will be no recurrence of the 1977 Vienna blowout in which Canada was humiliated on the ice and returned home branded as a bunch of hooligans.</p><p>The NHL will impose their own restrictions on their players who will travel to Prague and anyone getting out of line like they did at Vienna, will have to answer directly to the NHL. NHL executive vice-president Brian O&rsquo;Neill will be in charge of Team Canada discipline and he said he will deal harshly with offenders.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-02

DEADLINE STOPPERS

<div class="byline">BY CHARLIE HALPIN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011031/4137982-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GUY LAFLEUR&hellip;Led Voting And Named MVP</b></figcaption></div><p>MONTREAL&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders make the perfect parley for an All Star team&mdash;offensive power, defensive strength, the incomparable Guy Lafleur and the National Hockey League&rsquo;s most productive single forward line in Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies.</p><p>In the estimation of the readers of THE HOCKEY NEWS, it is a combination that borders on perfection.</p><p>At least that&rsquo;s the conclusion drawn from the balloting for the 31st annual HOCKEY NEWS All Star teams as selected by the fans. Voting was the heaviest in the poll&rsquo;s history and both the Canadiens and Islanders were the big favorites of the selectors.</p><p>Led by the sensational scoring Lafleur, who was voted both first team All Star right winger and most valuable player in the NHL this season, the Canadiens placed four players on the two teams&mdash;two on the first, Lafleur and goaler Ken Dryden, and two on the second team&mdash;defenseman Larry Robinson and left winger Steve Shutt.</p><p>The Islanders also won four places on the HOCKEY NEWS&rsquo; All Star teams, putting three&mdash;defenseman Denis Potvin, Trottier and Gillies&mdash;on the first team and one on the second, right winger Bossy, who was also chosen as the NHL&rsquo;s rookie of the year by the fans for 1977-78.</p><p>The &lsquo;Super Swede&rsquo; Borje Salming was the only player to break through the Canadiens-Islander first team monopoly. The Toronto defenseman was named to the first team for the second year in a row.</p><p>In addition to Salming, Dryden, Lafleur and Shutt were repeaters from the fans&rsquo; All Star teams of last season. Robinson, was on the first team last season, fell to the second team this year. Marcel Dionne of Los Angeles, the 1977 center, failed to make either team this season. Lafleur and Dryden were making their third straight appearance on the fans&rsquo; All Star teams.</p><p>The second team All Stars comprise Don Edwards, the brilliant Buffalo rookie goaltender, Robinson and Brad Park of Boston on defense, Darryl Sittier of Toronto at center, flanked by right winger Bossy and Shutt on the left side.</p><p>Lafleur was easily the favorite of the fans and the voting was weighted heavily in his favor. His total vote accumulation was the highest of any player followed by Potvin and Dryden. It seemed inevitable that the Canadiens&rsquo; great right winger would be named MVP giving him a poll &lsquo;double&rsquo; for the second successive year.</p><p>In the individual voting for positions, Dryden was an easy winner over Edwards in the balloting. The Buffalo goaler had to beat out Chicago&rsquo;s Tony Esposito and Vachon to make the second team.</p><p>On defense, Potvin polled the most votes with Salming a close second. Robinson and Park also were heavily supported but had to settle for the second team.</p><p>At center, Trottier barely edged Sittier for the first team. Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia, Buffalo&rsquo;s Gilbert Perreault and Jacques Lemaire of Montreal followed Sittier in the voting.</p><p>Lafleur was an overwhelming choice for right wing on the first team but Bossy won second team honors in a real dogfight with Toronto&rsquo;s Lanny McDonald and Terry O&rsquo;Reilly of Boston.</p><p>On the left side, Gillies, the bearded captain of the Islanders, was hard-pressed by Shutt and won the nod by the slimmest of balloting in the fans&rsquo; poll. Bill Barber of Philadelphia, Pat Hickey of the Rangers and Buffalo&rsquo;s Craig Ramsay also figured in the close left wing voting.</p><p>In an ironic twist to the All Star teams, it marked the second straight season the Philadelphia Flyers had failed to place a team member on the fans&rsquo; All Stars. It is a far cry from 1975 and 1976 when the Flyers actually dominated the readers&rsquo; selections.</p><p>Lafleur had little trouble winning the MVP vote over Trottier and Sittier and again it marked the second season in succession he has been voted the runaway winner of the NHL&rsquo;s best player award.</p><p>Bossy had an easier time winning the rookie of the year selection than he did gaining a second-team All Star berth. The Islanders&rsquo; brilliant freshman star beat out Buffalo&rsquo;s Edwards and big Barry Beck of Colorado for THE HOCKEY NEWS&rsquo; rookie award.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-02886/4137975-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="1069" height="924"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIKE BOSSY&hellip;Top Rookie And All Star</b></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-03599/4137968-1-eng-US/f0003-032.jpg" title="f0003-03" width="517" height="788"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>KEN DRYDEN&hellip;No. 1 Goaler</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-04359/4137961-1-eng-US/f0003-042.jpg" title="f0003-04" width="517" height="784"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DENIS POTVIN&hellip;1st Team Defense</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-05202/4137954-1-eng-US/f0003-052.jpg" title="f0003-05" width="516" height="776"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BORJE SALMING&hellip;1st Team Defense</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-06135/4137947-1-eng-US/f0003-062.jpg" title="f0003-06" width="521" height="788"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BRYAN TROTTIER&hellip;All Star Center</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-0787/4137940-1-eng-US/f0003-072.jpg" title="f0003-07" width="509" height="792"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CLARK GILLIES&hellip;Won Left Wing</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>How Fans Picked Them</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-0859/4137933-1-eng-US/f0003-082.jpg" title="f0003-08" width="861" height="696"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0003-01

Canadiens, Islanders Dominate All Stars As Fans Go For Power

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011082/4138041-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="481" height="484"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b><i>Ken McKenzie&rsquo;s</i></b></figcaption></div><p>&#9679; <b>PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</b>, the most penalized team in the National Hockey League, draw an average of 1,000 more spectators to out-of-town games than do Montreal Canadiens, the NHL&rsquo;s best team&hellip;Another oddity is that Pittsburgh Penguins, fourth most penalized team in the league and who will not make the Stanley Cup playoffs, attract more fans on the road than do the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, L.A. Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Rangers, Islanders or Atlanta Flames&hellip;Los Angeles Kings are booming Butch Goring for the Lady Byng Trophy. He certainly is a strong candidate. He is the club&rsquo;s top goal scorer, second highest point-getter and has served only two minutes in penalties. Goring is an aggressive, clean player who epitomizes exactly what the Lady Byng Trophy stands for &hellip; Birmingham Bulls have amassed more than 2,000 penalty minutes and four players accounted for more than half of this amount. The quartet are Steve Durbano, Gilles Bilodeau, Frank Beaton and Dave Hanson&hellip;New York Islander, goalkeepers have faced four penalty shots so far this season, and Vancouver&rsquo;s Ron Sedlbauer has taken two of them. Both unsuccessfully. Bill Smith stopped Sedlbauer but Philadelphia&rsquo;s Rick MacLeish scored. Chico Resch stopped both Sedlbauer and Rangers&rsquo; Don Murdoch&hellip;Talk about the Colorado Rockies leaving Denver to seek greener pastures appears to be abating of late. The team has been growing in acceptance and attendance as the season progresses&hellip;Wayne Rutledge and Ted Taylor recently took turns behind the Houston Aeros bench when Bill Dineen, general manager-coach, went home for a few days&hellip;Matti Hagman, the Finnish center picked up by Quebec in mid-season via the Boston Bruins, has played so poorly defensively of late that the Nor-diques benched him.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021037/4138034-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="281" height="408"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Butch Goring</b></figcaption></div><p>&#9679; <b>AS SOON</b> as his divorce is settled Jack Kent Cooke, owner of the Los Angeles Kings, plans to sell his sport holdings. At least that&rsquo;s the story making the rounds in L.A. Cooke, who now resides in Las Vegas, is also reported to have had another heart attack&hellip;New York Islanders recently held a 20-minute closed door meeting after a loss to Philadelphia. There was no ranting or raving, just sound criticism of each other&rsquo;s play&hellip;The Flyers will definitely have another major league goalie on their roster soon. They would like to land Gilles Meloche from the Cleveland Barons&hellip;Canadiens Pierre Larouche was married in a civil court ceremony in Montreal on a Tuesday afternoon and played his best game of the season the next night as Montreal defeated Pittsburgh, 6-2. &ldquo;Married life is greater?&rdquo; beamed Pierre&hellip;Detroit Red Wings amazing turn-around this year has been nothing short of fantastic. It just goes to show what can be accomplished with the right people in the job&hellip;All but four members of the Buffalo Sabres wear helmets&hellip;Minnesota North Stars are another NHL team that favors helmets Rumors persist that there is dissension in the Los Angeles Kings&rsquo; camp &hellip; Hardy Aastrom and Inge Hammarstrom are two of several Swedish players who are fed up with North American hockey and anxious to return to their native country in time to line up with Sweden&rsquo;s entry in the world championships in Prague starting April 26. Aastrom feels he wasn&rsquo;t given a fair chance at the Ranger&rsquo;s goalkeeping job&hellip;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-03932/4138027-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="289" height="484"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Gilles Meloche</b></figcaption></div><p>&#9679; <b>SONNY WERBLIN</b>, who now calls the signals for the New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden, is said to be ready to offer Rogie Vachon a stupendous contract for next season. The Rangers need steady goaltending and Vachon rates among the best. Rogie is playing out his option with the Kings&hellip;Gordie Howe is said to have been paid more money in his five seasons in the World Hockey Association than he was in 25 years in the NHL&hellip;Orest Hershick, new owner of the Long Beach team in the Pacific Coast League, says he has turned down offers from Fresno and other cities and will stay in the southern California community next season despite poor attendance&hellip;A first team All Star last season in the World Hockey Association, Darryl Maggs said he may play in Europe next season. Traded by Indianapolis, he has jumped Cincinnati because he &ldquo;wasn&rsquo;t enjoying hockey&rdquo;&hellip;In his career Butch Goring has averaged almost 12 points to every penalty minute, the greatest ratio in hockey history, yet he never has won the Lady Byng award. This year, his ratio has been 33 to one and no other contender is close&hellip;Colorado is pleased with the play of defenseman Mike Christie. His efforts in taking men away from the front of the goal have proved very effective for the Rockies&hellip;Reggie Leach isn&rsquo;t happy with his season, but the Philadelphia winger is working on getting his timing back for the playoffs. Two years ago Leach set a record of 19 goals in playoff play in winning the Conn Smythe Trophy&hellip;Attractive Carol Randall does a standout job on the NHL statistics. The Maritime native has been with the league for several years now working out of the Montreal office&hellip;National Collegiate All Star Tournament forward Mark Fidler of Boston University has two older brothers in professional hockey, Joe of the Pacific League and Mike, who&rsquo;s with the Cleveland Barons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-04830/4138020-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="292" height="468"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Mike Christie</b></figcaption></div><p>&#9679; <b>THE WESTERN CANADA</b> Hockey League is bulging with talented centers who will be eligible for June&rsquo;s amateur draft. Heading the list is Seattle Breakers&rsquo; Ryan Walter, followed closely by Bill Derlago, who scored 89 goals in 52 games, Steve Tambellini, Merlin Malinowski and Brent Peterson&hellip;You may have noticed the Boston Bruins aiming a lot of passes in the direction of rookie Bob Miller as the regular season drew to a close. That&rsquo;s because Miller entered April just one goal away from the 20-goal mark, which would give the Bruins a new National Hockey League record of 11 scorers with 20 or more goals in one season&hellip;Wayne Cashman became the 10th Bruin to score 20 this year on March 30&hellip;Attendance at the brand new Halifax Metro Center for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs&rsquo; games has not been up to the standards expected&hellip;A graduate of the Voyageurs&rsquo;, Montreal Canadiens&rsquo; defenseman Bill Nyrop rates as the defending Stanley Cup champions&rsquo; most improved player this year&hellip;Though the 1978 amateur draft will not be as rich in the depth of talent as last year, the pro clubs will get solid candidates through the first couple of rounds at least&hellip; Second place in the Smythe Division and a berth in the playoffs seems to bring out the worst in Vancouver and Colorado. Each team keeps offering the position to the other as the season runs out&hellip;One of the best success stories of the year has to be Boston&rsquo;s Terry O&rsquo;Reilly and his dramatic rise to the NHL&rsquo;s Top 10 in scoring.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-05691/4138013-1-eng-US/f0004-052.jpg" title="f0004-05" width="285" height="480"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Bill Nyrop</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0004-01

PASSING THE PUCK

<div class="byline">BY FRANK ORR</div><p>TORONTO&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he situation was one which the Toronto Maple Leafs&mdash;or their cocky young goalie Mike Palmateer&mdash;didn&rsquo;t really need during the homestretch of a National Hockey League season.</p><p>The Leafs had a day off after a loss to the Bruins at Boston and, sometime that night Palmateer wound up in a hospital emergency ward to have a cut in his arm stitched.</p><p>By the time the Toronto news media finished with the story of the three-stich cut,&rsquo;some high old sensationalism was produced, including stories of loud parties and damaged apartments.</p><p>Palmateer had a simple explanation for the incident.</p><p>&ldquo;I went to the Sportsmen&rsquo;s Show with some friends and returned to my place at about 10:30,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I tried to close the drapes to go to bed but the track was broken. I climbed up on a chair to fix it, the chair was shaky and the leg buckled. I fell against the window and cut my arm when the glass broke.</p><p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t think it was serious and figured the trainers would fix it up at practice the next morning so I put a bandage around it and went to bed.</p><p>&ldquo;I woke up about two hours later, the bandage had come off and my arm was quite sore. I&rsquo;d lost a bit of blood, too, and felt weak. I called a friend of mine who&rsquo;s a policeman and he came over to take me to the hospital.</p><p>&ldquo;I was at the hospital a half hour, had three stitches and that&rsquo;s all there was to it. When I heard some of the stuff on the radio about it the next morning, I couldn&rsquo;t believe it. It was a little accident, that&rsquo;s all. I was alone at the time and there certainly wasn&rsquo;t any big party.&rdquo;</p><p>The Leaf hierarchy conducted an investigation into the incident, general manager Jim Gregory said that the club planned no disciplinary action.</p><p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s to discipline?&rdquo; Gregory said. &ldquo;Mike fell off a rickety chair adjusting a drape and cut his arm. That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;</p><p>Palmateer played in the Leafs&rsquo; next game, a 6-2 Maple Leaf Gardens loss to the New York Islanders in which he wasn&rsquo;t sharp. Gord McRae took over the nets the next night when Leafs lost, 4-1, to Philadelphia Flyers to stretch their losing skein to four games.</p><p>That losing streak late in the season caused more consternation in the Leaf front office than Palmateer&rsquo;s cut. The team&rsquo;s longest losing binge previously this season had been two games.</p><p>However, coach Roger Neilson regarded it merely as a flat</p><p>That includes a reduction in the icetime of the team&rsquo;s heavy workload stars, notably Borje Salming, Darryl Sittier and Lanny McDonald; the additional integration of newcomer Dan Maloney into the team&rsquo;s system and a tightening of the team&rsquo;s defensive play.</p><p>&ldquo;We just hit a flat spot and that&rsquo;s not unusual,&rdquo; said Sittier. &ldquo;Just before they beat us, the New York Islanders had been through five games where they really struggled. Even the Montreal Canadiens had a flat week earlier in the season.</p><p>&ldquo;Every season, I hit a week or so where I just don&rsquo;t have the bounce I usually have. But I always snap out of it and get rolling again.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-06411/4138072-1-eng-US/f0004-062.jpg" title="f0004-06" width="549" height="904"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIKE PALMATEER&hellip;Accident Was Fluke</b></figcaption></div><p>Leafs&rsquo; owner Harold Ballard also had a plan to return some of the bounce to the Leafs giving the team a two-day respite in Florida following a game in Atlanta.</p><p>LEAFS NOTES: The Leafs recalled winger Kurt Walker and defenseman Randy Carlyle from Dallas of the Central League and they&rsquo;ll stay with the team for the duration of the season&hellip;Rookies Ron Wilson and John Anderson were returned to Dallas. Wilson scored two goals in his stint with the Leafs and the Toronto club views him as an excellent future prospect with his slick puckhandling and good hockey instinct&hellip;Anderson missed several games during his stint with the Leafs after a freak accident. During a warm-up his hockey stick cracked and a sharp piece went through his glove and into his hand. He had to be taken to hospital to have it removed&hellip;Center Bruce Boudreau returned from a 14-game absence with a knee injury and Leafs expected to have forward Jack &lsquo;Valiquette (shoulder injury) back before the playoffs.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0004-06

Neilson Refuses To Panic Despite Leafs Going Flat

<div class="byline">BY DICK JOHNSTON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-01938/4138134-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="569" height="1192"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RICK MARTIN&hellip;Fully Recovered</b></figcaption></div><p>BUFFALO&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span> hockey team with only one right hand shooting forward? What is this, some club from Russia? Nope, it was the Buffalo Sabres on a western trip.</p><p>When they departed Buffalo to visit Los Angeles, Vancouver and Denver, the Sabres left behind Rene Robert, the right wing on what used to be the French Connection but had become Gil Perreault, Robert and different left wingers.</p><p>Then, in the first game of the trip, in Los Angeles, Danny Gare, right wing on the Don Luce-Craig Ramsay-Gare line, currently the highest-scoring line on the club, suffered an injury to his right knee.</p><p>It happened late in the game, when Gare was hit by the Kings&rsquo; Darryl Edestrand. Danny suffered slightly pulled ligaments in his knee and returned to Buffalo the next day.</p><p>Ironically, had Gare received a game misconduct penalty, as expected, earlier in the third period, he would not have been on the ice to get hurt.</p><p>Early in the final period, Gary Simmons, the Los Angeles goaltender, gave Perreault what Simmons later described as &ldquo;a two-hander&rdquo; on the back of Gil&rsquo;s right leg. The Sabres&rsquo; ace center went down on the ice and lay there as play proceeded the other way.</p><p>Gare jumped over the boards and skated out toward the Los Angeles goal, with defenseman Larry Carriere right behind him. Both became embroiled with Los Angeles players around the net as both teams joined in. The officials broke up the fracas before it really got started. The only player to be penalized was Carriere, who received a double minor and a game misconduct as first player off the bench. Perreault was not hurt seriously.</p><p>&ldquo;I should have got the first-player off penalty,&rdquo; said Gare, as he held an ice pack on his knee after the game, &ldquo;and if I did, I wouldn&rsquo;t have gotten hurt.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-02740/4138127-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="1188" height="1128"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DANNY GARE&hellip;Should Have Left Kings&rsquo; Game</b></figcaption></div><p>Gare&rsquo;s departure left Ric Seiling as the only right-hand shooting forward on the club during the rest of the trip. He is the right winger with Andre Savard and Gary McAdam.</p><p>Ramsay moved into Gare&rsquo;s right wing spot and Derek Smith replaced Ramsay on the left side.</p><p>Jim Lorentz, who replaced Robert as Perreault&rsquo;s right winger, is a left-hand shot who usually plays the right side.</p><p>Had Robert not gotten hurt, the French Connection probably would have been together for the western trip. Rick Martin, who missed 11 games after suffering a concussion against the New York Rangers, returned to action and coach Marcel Pronovost put him on Perreault&rsquo;s left side. Martin had been teaming with Savard and Seiling before he was injured.</p><p>Rico had trouble scoring for much of the season but when he returned he looked like the All Star left winger of old.</p><p>In his first six games after returning to action, Martin scored six goals and had four assists. He scored twice in the opener of the western trip, a 6-2 victory over the Kings.</p><p>While the Sabres were in Los Angeles, general manager George Maguire of the Kings said he had filed a tampering charge with National Hockey League headquarters over the signing of Carriere by the Sabres.</p><p>Punch Imlach&rsquo;, general manager of the Sabres, who was at the game, said the club had permission from the league to sign Carriere, who at the time was a free agent who had passed through league waivers.</p><p>Carriere was traded to the Kings by Vancouver at the start of the season but had played most of the campaign in the American League. He turned pro with the Sabres after being their second choice in the 1972 amateur draft.</p><p>He was traded to Atlanta in the 1975-76 season and subsequently went to Vancouver.</p><p>The Sabres had to play their second game of the trip&mdash;in Vancouver&mdash;without Carriere because he was suspended by the league for one game for the Los Angeles incident.</p><p><b>ICE CHIPS</b>: Prior to Gare&rsquo;s injury, the Luce-Ramsay-Gare line had 15 goals and 25 assists in the club&rsquo;s last 12 games. Perreault, who reached the 40-goal mark for the second time in his eight-year pro career, had 21 points in his last 16 games. When he hit the 40-goal mark, 24 had been scored on the road.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0005-01

Sabres Missing Right Hand Shots; Penalty Could Have ‘Saved’ Gare

<p>Following are the latest player movements in hockey:</p><p><b>NATIONAL LEAGUE</b></p><p><b>ATLANTA</b>&mdash;Greg Fox, D, recalled from Nova Scotia of AHL.</p><p><b>BOSTON</b>&mdash;Gilles Gilbert, G, returned to lineup from injury list. Jim Pettie, G, returned to Rochester of AHL.</p><p><b>BUFFALO</b>&mdash;Bill Stewart, D, recalled from Hershey of AHL.</p><p><b>CHICAGO</b>&mdash;Keith Magnuson, D, returned to lineup from injury list.</p><p><b>CLEVELAND</b>&mdash;Jeff Allan, D, recalled and placed on NHL roster.</p><p><b>COLORADO</b>&mdash;John McCahill, D, recalled from Tulsa of CHL and later reassigned to Philadelphia of AHL. Randy Pierce, RW. Joe Contini, C, and Dave Hudson, returned to lineup from injury list.</p><p><b>PHILADELPHIA</b>&mdash;Kevin McCarthy, D, and Orest Kindrachuk, C, returned to lineup from injury list.</p><p><b>MINNESOTA</b>&mdash;Don Jackson, D, signed to pro contract from Notre Dame University. Jackson will report to training camp.</p><p><b>TORONTO</b>&mdash;Jack Valiquette, LW, and Stan Weir, C, returned to lineup from injury list.</p><p><b>VANCOUVER</b>&mdash;Glen Hanlon, G, recalled from Tulsa of CHL as emergency replacement for Curt Ridley, G, who was placed on disabled list.</p><h2><b>WORLD HOCKEY ASSN.</b></h2><p><b>BIRMINGHAM</b>&mdash;Bob Stephenson, RW, recalled from Tulsa of CHL.</p><p><b>EDMONTON</b>&mdash;Owen Lloyd, D, signed to pro contract.</p><p><b>INDIANAPOLIS</b>&mdash;Rosaire Paiement, RW, returned to lineup from injury list.</p><p><b>HOUSTON</b>&mdash;Keke Mortson, C, signed to WHA contract for rest of season.</p><p><b>WINNIPEG</b>&mdash;Mike Ford, D, signed to WHA contract after returning from Sweden.</p><h2><b>CENTRAL LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>TULSA</b>&mdash;Dan Djakolovic, C, released as free agent.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Hockey Players On The Move

<div class="byline">BY HARRY KLAFF</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-02855/4138220-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Islander Goaler Billy Smith cooled off late this season after a great start.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(Photo By Bruce Bennett)</span></figcaption></div><p>LONG ISLAND&mdash;</p><p>As the Islanders struggled down the stretch of the regular season, perhaps looking too far ahead to the playoffs, it became more and more evident that there is one thing they will need to have a real chance of winning the cup&mdash;great netminding.</p><p>Not that Boston doesn&rsquo;t need the same as well. Ditto for Buffalo, Philly, Toronto, and even Montreal. The only way to capture that big hunk of hardware these days is not necessarily with a potent offense. When it comes down to it, especially in a tight, pressure-packed game, you still have to keep the puck out of your own net.</p><p>The Islanders have not had great goaltending this season. Glenn Resch and Bill Smith have each gone through occasional slumps, but on the whole, they have been good, and this certainly is not a knock on them. But if the Isles are going to succeed, they&rsquo;ll have to do better than that.</p><p>Good goaltending means holding down the fort as your team gives you a sizable cushion game after game. Occasionally if things get tighter, or if you&rsquo;re paired against another power, it means coming up with more big stops to keep the team afloat. Great goaltending means stopping everything in sight.</p><p>Even a goaltender having a good night is not going to stop them all. There are too many &ldquo;impossible&rdquo; situations when it comes to the art of stopping a puck. And there&rsquo;s always that sporadic shot that just slips through the pads, or that rebound that lands smack on the stick of a 50-goal scorer outside the crease.</p><p>There&rsquo;s nothing that can be done about the &ldquo;impossible&rdquo; situations, but its the others that determine the difference between good and great, and can well be the difference between ultimately parading around the rink with the Stanley Cup, and being sent packing after only one round.</p><p>Last season, Bill Smith was &ldquo;great&rdquo; in the playoffs, especially in the quarter-finals against the Sabres, who threw everything they had at him for four games. The Islanders played well, too, but the difference was at the other end of the rink where young Don Edwards had not quite reached the state of maturity he has reached this season. The result was a four game sweep for the Isles.</p><p>Smith faded somewhat against the Canadiens in the semis, but everyone figured this would be his year; the season that Smitty would move up to the accepted ranks of the Drydens, Vachons and Parents.</p><p>Bill started the season off well, but cooled off shortly after the All Star game where he won a car as the game&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player. In that game he clearly showed what could be done with great goaltending. Fans will remember that the superior Wales Conference bombarded him from every angle, yet after his 30-minute stint, the Campbell net had yet to be dented.</p><p>Smitty slumped afterward, and during one stretch he publicly stated that Resch, and not he, ought to be starting. Al Arbour took him at his word, and Chico started 11 of 15 outings, including five in a row.</p><p>Chico went six games without a loss, but with the exception of a spirited 4-2 win over Buffalo, he was hardly spectacular. He generally kept the puck out, but he gave Arbour some frantic moments when he left the crease to clear the puck, and he missed a couple of shots that he felt he should have had.</p><p>&ldquo;Earlier in the season I wondered if my head was screwed on right,&rdquo; said Resch. &ldquo;The year is almost over and at times I still wonder the same thing.&rdquo;</p><p>For the most part, an error or two on the part of the goaltender didn&rsquo;t change the outcome of the game until the team in general began to sputter with only a couple of weeks left on the schedule.</p><p>Suddenly the forwards couldn&rsquo;t find the net; and for that matter, they forgot how to forecheck and clear their own zone. In the span of one week, the Isles looked bad in tying St. Louis, horrendous in dropping their first decision to Atlanta since April, &rsquo;76, and feeble in succumbing to the Flyers for the first time this season.</p><p>&ldquo;We definitely have a problem,&rdquo; quoted former captain Eddie Westfall. &ldquo;We think we know what it is, and now it&rsquo;s a matter of solving it. What gets frustrating is that you can&rsquo;t turn it around overnight.&rdquo;</p><p>It isn&rsquo;t necessarily mandatory that a team go into the Stanley Cup playoffs red hot; one good, solid game has a way of making all the pieces slide back into place.</p><p>That&rsquo;s where the goalkeeping comes in. When the money is on the line, it&rsquo;s the club with the red hot netminding that usually rises to the top.</p><p><b>ISLAND SOUNDS</b>: The 5-2 loss to the Flames at the Coliseum was only the Isles&rsquo; third setback on home ice. The other two came at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens&hellip;The Islanders held their annual Easter Seals night on March 30th. The annual event is hosted by L.I.&rsquo;s chairpersons, Debbie and Denis Potvin&hellip;Potvin has a good chance for another 30-goal season, and his chances look better and better of regaining the Norris Trophy he lost last year to Larry Robinson&hellip;Smith finally returned to the nets on March 20th, as the Isles lost to Philly, 4-2. Smitty was beaten by Rick MacLeish on a penalty shot; he had stopped Vancouver&rsquo;s Ron Sedlbauer earlier in the year.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0006-02

Super Goaltending Must For Islanders To Win Cup

<div class="byline">BY VARTAN KUPELIAN</div><p>DETROIT&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>E</span>rrol Thompson didn&rsquo;t waste time making himself at home with the Red Wings. In his first game with Detroit, the fleet left winger scored two goals, including the tying goal with 2:06 left, to give the Wings a 3-3 standoff with the Kings in Los Angeles.</p><p>General manager Ted Lindsay dubbed the Thompson-Dan Maloney trade &ldquo;a move for the future; and an opportunity that we could, in no way, afford to bypass.&rdquo; In addition to Thompson, who scored 43 goals two seasons ago for Toronto, the Wings received a pair of No. 1 draft choices and a second rounder from the Maple Leafs in exchange for their captain, Maloney.</p><p>Afterwards, some called the trade &ldquo;a steal&rdquo; for Detroit and it may yet prove to be but Maloney&rsquo;s value could not be underestimated. He was, in every sense, the team leader and those who labeled him &ldquo;a journeyman&rdquo; after the trade&mdash;something they never did while he was here&mdash;took a cheap shot. Both Thompson and Maloney are 27.</p><p>On the same day, the Wings announced that veteran defenseman Thommie Bergman, who began his career with Detroit, had rejoined the club from Winnipeg of the World Hockey Association. Bergman assisted on Detroit&rsquo;s first goal in his debut, also against Los Angeles, before Thompson twice pulled the Wings even, at 2-2 and then at 3-3.</p><p>&ldquo;Thompson was the one we wanted,&rdquo; Lindsay said. &ldquo;They gave me a list of 15 players to pick from. Thompson&rsquo;s name was not on it. When they added him, along with the draft choices, we agreed.</p><p>&ldquo;I gave it long thought. I&rsquo;m not just interested in making this season&rsquo;s playoffs; I want to build a good organization and the only way to do it, I still believe, is through draft choices.&rdquo;</p><p>After his auspicious debut, Thompson said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m playing with some super people here. I&rsquo;ve only been here two days and I feel I&rsquo;ve known these guys all my life. It&rsquo;s great to be able to play and help the team get a point on the road.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the first time I&rsquo;ve been traded. You always think about it. I knew my days were numbered in Toronto but I didn&rsquo;t think anything would be done until the summer. I wasn&rsquo;t playing much there. Neilson didn&rsquo;t like my style. He issued an ultimatum that I play his way or not at all, and the situation went downhill from there. It got to be no fun at all.</p><p>&ldquo;I can tell you already there isn&rsquo;t the tension on this club there was in Toronto. It was unbelievable there. I don&rsquo;t mean just with myself; it was throughout the club. This team is looser. I could tell that immediately. I know they said I wasn&rsquo;t a two-way player with the Leafs. I didn&rsquo;t think it was quite as bad as they made it out to be. I had one of the highest plusses on the team.</p><p>&ldquo;The Wings took me for what I can do&mdash;there&rsquo;s no reason why I can&rsquo;t score 43 goals in a season again. I thought it might take a while to adjust but it didn&rsquo;t take any time at all. The players all shook my hand and made me feel as if I had been a part of this organization all my life.</p><p>&ldquo;Dan Maloney is a helluva hockey player but we&rsquo;re going to make the playoffs without him.&rdquo;</p><p>More than anything else, for the Wings, the timing was what caused some concern. The club was on its way to a playoff berth and the question was: what happens now?</p><p>&ldquo;This will ba a shock to some of the players but it shouldn&rsquo;t change the way they play. I think they all get paid,&rdquo; said Bobby Kromm, who should easily get the nod as the coach of the year this season.</p><p>Thompson moved into the left wing spot vacated by Maloney, alongside Andre St. Laurent and Dennis Polonich. Kromm said the line should &ldquo;make things happen.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;This town, the people and the organization have been good to me,&rdquo; Maloney said.</p><p>Bergman played almost three seasons for Winnipeg&mdash;two under Kromm&mdash;after leaving the Detroit organization midway through the 1974-75 season.</p><p>&ldquo;Thommie has something to prove here,&rdquo; Kromm said. &ldquo;If he plays like I know he can play, he has to be a big plus for us here in the stretch with his experience, size, and ability to move the puck, block shots and his winning attitude. He&rsquo;ll fit right in.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-01993/4138258-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="529" height="984"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ERROL THOMPSON&hellip;Auspicious Debut</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Bossy Leads Rookie Race By 20 Points</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-02789/4138251-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="535" height="409"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0007-01

Thompson At Home With Red Wings As Leafs Trade With Future In Mind

<div class="byline">&#x2014;BY BILL LIBBY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011104/4138296-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="424" height="464"></div><h2><b><i>Being Disconnected&hellip;</i></b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HERE HAVE BEEN MANY</b> great lines in hockey history, but not so many lately with the talented players spread more thinly over many teams and coaches shuffling lines at the drop of a puck. The greatest today are the Montreal Canadiens&rsquo; combination of Jacques Lemaire, Guy Lafleur, and Steve Shutt, and the New York Islanders&rsquo; set of Bryan Trottier, Clark Gillies, and Mike Bossy, but the best for quite a few years was the Buffalo Sabres&rsquo; &ldquo;French Connection&rdquo; of Gil Perreault, Richard Martin, and Rene Robert.</p><p>Buffalo&rsquo;s set had everything, including a great nickname. Perreault, a spectacular skater and stickhandler, and almost as much of a scorer as he wants to be, is, for my money, the most exciting player to watch perform in this sport today, ranking right up there in moves with Guy Lafleur and Marcel Dionne. Martin is a marvellous skater and shooter, an opportunistic player who has more shots than all but a few players. Robert is a hard-digging skater who checks, passes, and shoots with varied ability.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-02993/4138289-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="817" height="1184"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Sabres&rsquo; winger Rene Robert has had to make the physical and mental adjustments of no longer playing with French Connection linemates Gil Perreault and Richard Martin, but he says life still goes on.</b></figcaption></div><p>Collectively, they have been given considerable publicity and praise, but individually they have been neglected. Martin was first All Star left-winger for two seasons, then second All Star the last two seasons. Perreault was second All Star center the last two seasons. Robert was second All Star right-winger one season.</p><p>The French Connection with around 130 goals a couple of seasons, made the expansion Sabres respectable within a couple of years, and took the team to the Stanley Cup playoff finals. Perreault said, &ldquo;Sometimes three players just fit together and play well together. Rene and I play a lot alike and we pass the puck back and forth well. And all we have to do is pass to Richard to get a goal.&rdquo; Martin said, &ldquo;If you can&rsquo;t get goals with those guys passing to you, you don&rsquo;t belong in this league.&rdquo;</p><p><b>ROBERT SAID</b>, &ldquo;Gil and I do play a lot alike and Richard works with us perfectly. Gil and I change positions a lot. I might take the puck down the center and give it to him on the wing. The important thing is to give it to him because he can do so much with it. And Richard does just what he&rsquo;s supposed to do with it when he gets it. We&rsquo;ve gotten to know each other so well we play well together.&rdquo;</p><p>However, the last two seasons, two coaches, Floyd Smith and Marcel Pronovost, have disconnected the Connection a couple of times. After scoring 40 goals a couple of seasons, Robert settled for 35 and 33 the last two seasons, and he is not likely to hit 30 this season, when he has been benched by a back injury at times.</p><p>Playing with Don Luce and Craig Ramsay last season, Robert said, &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s face it, Don and Craig are diggers, not flyers. They throw the puck in and hustle after it. It&rsquo;s a different game and I have to adjust to it. My timing is off. I&rsquo;m no longer working with the puck on the fly the way I did with Gil and Richard when we carried it in. I&rsquo;m not getting the opportunities to make goals the way I did.&rdquo;</p><p>However, he does not necessarily think it is bad if the Connection is broken up for good. He says now, &ldquo;Other teams stopped us at times by concentrating on us and it may be best to spread us onto other lines to give us better balanced scoring punch. All the press wanted to talk to us and it put a lot of pressure on us and took a lot of attention away from other players who play well on this team. It wasn&rsquo;t right. We didn&rsquo;t want it that way. As far as I&rsquo;m concerned, the less said about me the better.&rdquo;</p><p><b>THEY HAVE BEEN THREE</b> of a kind off the ice as well as on it. None of the three asks for attention or enjoys interviews. Robert has been the most neglected, but it hasn&rsquo;t mattered to him. He is a tough, temperamental fellow from a family of 10 in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. His father was a millworker. Rene worked 16 hours a day for five summers carrying 400 or so 38-pound cases of beer a day at a brewery. &ldquo;In my family, you worked,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;We never missed a meal, but we never had any money to spare. I worked for my money.&rdquo;</p><p>Maybe it taught him to share and helped him play unselfishly on a star-studded line. The short, chunkv 29-year-old now has a family of his own with a wife, Johanne, a son, Michel, five, and daughter Melanie, one, and when Michel wouldn&rsquo;t share his toys one time Rene took them away for a week. &ldquo;As a kid, I wasn&rsquo;t spoiled, and I won&rsquo;t spoil my kids,&rdquo; he says. They have a handsome house in suburban Amherst and live a lake life when they return to Canada offseasons, but Rene says, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like life too soft.&rdquo;</p><p>His hasn&rsquo;t been. This is his 10th pro season and he played for four teams in the minors and for Toronto and Pittsburgh in the majors before Buffalo stole him for Eddie Shack in 1972. In the six full seasons since, Robert became Buffalo&rsquo;s first 100-point scorer in 1975 and is, in 1978, its most explosive clutch player as the Sabres carry another tremendously successful season record into another pressure-packed playoffs.</p><p>It doesn&rsquo;t matter who he is teamed with. He says, &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m with the Connection, fine; if not, fine. It bothered me when we were first broken up, but it doesn&rsquo;t any more. It was nice while it lasted and if we&rsquo;re not together again it will be a nice memory. Nothing lasts in life and you have to adjust to change every year, every month, every day. You don&rsquo;t die and you don&rsquo;t cry.&rdquo;</p><p>He isn&rsquo;t the kind to cry.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

Hockey Ad Lib

<div class="byline">BY RUSS WHITE</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-03" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-03841/4138327-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GUY CHARRON&hellip;Havina Another Great Season</b></figcaption></div><p>WASHINGTON&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he hapless Washington Capitals had a good reason for not going after Swedish players Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg, who are leaving the WHA&rsquo;s Winnipeg Jets to join the New York Rangers.</p><p>The reason was: Money.</p><p>It&rsquo;s the Capitals&rsquo; policy to make money, not spend it.</p><p>The Caps are hoping to have enough dough saved so they can splurge in the upcoming amateur draft. They want to be able to satisfy all the great prospects they&rsquo;re going to pick.</p><p>As the NHL season winds down, the Caps are fighting it out with the Minnesota North Stars to see who gets pick No. 1. Count on the Caps.</p><p>In a year, the Caps have gone from the most-admired, up-and-coming organization to a dead-ender. Pride and performance have been chucked. There&rsquo;s been little progress at Capital Centre and most of the fans are howling.</p><p>Some of the fans have been asking about Nilsson and Hedberg, who were signed by the Rangers for more than a million each for the next two years.</p><p>&ldquo;Max McNab and our scouts have been taking a very close look at the World Hockey Association this year,&rdquo; said Peter O&rsquo;Malley, president of the Capitals. &ldquo;Max liked both young men, but we feel the price was too high. We feel we can best serve our fans and improve our hockey team by concentrating on the amateur draft.&rdquo;</p><p>In the past, the Caps have &ldquo;chased&rdquo; at least one World Hockey League defector: Mr. Excitement, Craig Patrick.</p><p>A six-goal scorer for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in 1976-77, Patrick hooked on with the Capitals late the same year and produced seven goals. His work wasn&rsquo;t as good this year as he slumped to a mere goal. This meant a trip to Hershey.</p><p>WHA president Howard Baldwin is one who undoubtedly feels that the Rangers were crazy to spend all they did on the Swedes.</p><p>&ldquo;John Ferguson better be right in his assessment,&rdquo; Baldwin said. &ldquo;If a general manager spent $1.2 million of my team&rsquo;s money on two guys, and my team didn&rsquo;t win the championship, his butt would be in my office in a hurry.&rdquo;</p><p>Abe Pollin, the owner of the Capitals, has told the hockey fans that he is willing to spend on his team and he denies that he thinks of his basketball team (Washington Bullets), more than he does the hockey (Capitals).</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve spent more on the hockey team in the last four years than on the basketball team,&rdquo; Pollin said.</p><p>At $9.50, $7.50 and $4.50, it isn&rsquo;t an inexpensive evening to see hockey at Capital Centre and folks begin the good time by turning over $2 for parking.</p><p>The club hiked its ticket prices after the pleasantly mediocre 24-42-14 season last year but it wouldn&rsquo;t be advisable for another ticket rise after the way the Caps have played this year.</p><p>Guy Charron continued to give the fans the most for the money as he tried to match his 36-goal season of a year ago. Charron&rsquo;s goal total soared when he got three in an 8-3 victory over the Cleveland Barons. The Caps had an 8-0 lead after two periods and Charron had his hat trick and matched each goal with an assist.</p><p>The six-point effort tied Tom (Bomber) Williams for the Caps&rsquo; single game scoring record. If Charron added a fourth goal, that would have tied Stan Gilbertson&rsquo;s effort in the Caps&rsquo; final game of their first season.</p><p>Charron needed another day for that fourth goal, getting it in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues the afternoon after the Saturday night game with the Barons.</p><p>Bob Sirois, who plays on the Charron line, had five points against the Barons, scoring a pair of goals and assisting on three. Sirois has had a big year&mdash;21 goals and is minus one in his plus-minus table.</p><p>The Charron line&rsquo;s third member, exBaron Bob Girard, was a plus one since coming to the Caps. It&rsquo;s a shame the Caps didn&rsquo;t deal more often if they could have done as well as they did getting Girard.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-03

Capitals Looking At Amateur Draft For Improvement

<div class="byline">BY BILL FLEISCHMAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011065/4138358-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ROSS LONSBERRY&hellip;Carrying His Weight</b></figcaption></div><p>PHILADELPHIA&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>D</span>uring this season of Flyers&rsquo; frustration, the non-producers have seen their names in newspaper headlines and heard themselves identified on radio and TV broadcasts.</p><p>One name that wasn&rsquo;t listed among the culprits was Ross Lonsberry&rsquo;s. Those who don&rsquo;t watch games closely, those who only notice goal scorers or great goaltenders or fighters rarely appreciate Lonsberry even when the Flyers are winning regularly. Why should Lonsberry&rsquo;s situation be any different when the Flyers are struggling?</p><p>Until he scored his third NHL hat trick against Colorado late in the season, Lonsberry had only 2-9-11 figures in the previous 26 games. But unlike other Flyers, Lonsberry wasn&rsquo;t criticized or benched.</p><p>The reason for keeping the 31-year-old left winger in the lineup was he contributes in many other ways. If the Flyers were having a more successful season, Lonsberry would be a good choice to challenge Montreal&rsquo;s Bob Gainey for the new Selke Trophy as the league&rsquo;s top defensive forward.</p><p>Lonsberry is a coach&rsquo;s dream&mdash;steady and effective at both ends of the ice. If he isn&rsquo;t scoring, he is making plays to set up Flyers&rsquo; goals or prevent opponents&rsquo; goals. In the dressing room he is one of the veterans the younger players rely upon for advice.</p><p>When Fred Shero coached his 500th game with Philadelphia he was asked to select his all-time Flyers&rsquo; team. The left winger Shero chose was Lonsberry.</p><p>Although a few years ago Lonsberry was voted &ldquo;most underrated player&rdquo; in a poll of writers for the NHL&rsquo;s &ldquo;Goal&rdquo; magazine, Shero still says Lonsberry still doesn&rsquo;t get enough recognition.</p><p>&ldquo;Just watch him&mdash;he&rsquo;s a solid player,&rdquo; Shero says.</p><p>Lonsberry rarely shows much emotion, on or off the ice, but he admits he enjoys scoring his share of goals.</p><p>&ldquo;Everybody likes to score goals,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You like to contribute in your way, but you also like to score goals. I play every day and it gets frustrating (not scoring).&rdquo;</p><p>Affecting Lonsberry&rsquo;s season has been the play of his long-time linemates, Rick MacLeish and Gary Dornhoefer. MacLeish has had a good, but not great year. At midseason Dornhoefer was only a few skating strides from the pasture where aging right wingers are assigned, but then surfaced again as one of the best Flyers.</p><p>&ldquo;No one was going to panic over how Roscoe was playing&mdash;especially not him,&rdquo; said assistant coach Terry Crisp. &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t press, he never gets excited.&rdquo;</p><p>None of the Flyers&rsquo; coaches seemed excited over the dilemma facing them trying to select a goaltender for the playoffs. Rookie Rick St. Croix was thought by some observers to be the club&rsquo;s No. 1 goalie after starting every game of a six-game road trip.</p><p>However, the next thing St. Croix knew, he was back with the AHL Maine Mariners and Bernie Parent and Wayne Stephenson were alternating. Shero was counting on one of the veterans to fill the ever-popular &ldquo;hot goalie&rdquo; role and carry the Flyers into the playoffs.</p><p>The explanation for returning St. Croix to Maine was that he played well, but at this stage he wasn&rsquo;t better than either Parent or Stephenson. St. Croix, 23, did show he can play in the NHL, which frees GM Keith Allen to include one of his veteran goalies in any off-season trades.</p><p><b>FLYERS FACTS</b>: Orest Kindrachuk (sprained right knee and ankle) and Andre Dupont (sprained shoulder) were sidelined as the Flyers entered the season&rsquo;s final weeks&hellip;Despite the tension created by trade speculation, the Flyers could still joke about it. After practice on trade-deadline day, Reggie Leach, Bill Barber, Rick MacLeish and Rick Lapointe found &ldquo;Keith Allen wants to see you&rdquo; messages taped on their lockers. When their hearts started beating again, the four players could smile&mdash;barely.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0009-01

Lonsberry Rates Spot On All-Time Flyer Team

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011091/4138389-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div><p><b>DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON HOCKEY?</b></p><p><b>Write to: FAN FORUM, The Hockey News, 1434 St. Catherine St., W., Montreal, Canada H3G 1R7</b></p><h2><b>New System Needed For Rating Goaltenders</b></h2><p>I have been a subscriber to THE HOCKEY NEWS for almost a year and enjoy Fan Forum very much. In this section as well as in many of the regular articles, there are often references to goaltenders and which one might be considered the best.</p><p>I believe that the NHL needs a new system or at least an expanded system of statistics for goaltenders. It would be more conclusive if statistics were published on shots per goal allowed and percentage of shots stopped along with goals-against averages.</p><p>These new statistics would provide a more accurate and complete analysis of a goaltenders&rsquo; performance and would shed new light on the so-called &ldquo;ranking&rdquo; of NHL puckstoppers. Watch out Ken Dryden.</p><p><b>KEN BOOK,</b><br><b>Margaretsville, N.S.</b></p><h2><b>Appeal To Broadcasters: Pulford For Best Coach</b></h2><p>I wish to appeal to the Broadcast Association to vote Bob Pulford as coach of the year.</p><p>He has brought the Black Hawks back to respectability which they have not had the last few years. He has brought in young players and dumped the &ldquo;old&rdquo; who were of no use to the team. I know he&rsquo;ll not sit still until he gets the players who&rsquo;ll help the Black Hawks become a &ldquo;power&rdquo; in the NHL once again.</p><p>He has gained the respect of his players, of the Black Hawk fans and now I hope the Broadcast Association shows him the same and names him coach of the year.</p><p><b>W.J. SCHWENN,</b><br><b>Burbank, Ill.</b></p><h2><b>Most Exciting Players Found In Montreal</b></h2><p>I am writing about the most exciting players in the National Hockey League, the Montreal Canadiens, whom I love watching play. Montreal has sone of the best players in the league like Guy Lafleur, Jacques Lemaire, Doug Risebrough, Doug Jarvis, Ken Dryden, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Rejean Houle to name a few.</p><p>Their farm team, the Nova Scotia Voyageurs could probably beat many of the NHL teams. Also the Canadiens&rsquo; management is the best.</p><p><b>WALLY SCHOFFER,</b><br><b>Crane Valley, Sask.</b></p><h2><b>Doesn&rsquo;t Agree With Verdi&rsquo;s Realignment</b></h2><p>I can not understand why a paper as good as THE HOCKEY NEWS would have Bob Verdi on its staff. After reading his column on realignment (March 10), I am convinced that a five-year-old who never saw a hockey game could do a better job.</p><p>His plan to eliminate the Colorado Rockies is truly stupid. The Rockies&rsquo; attendance is up about 50 percent over last year, with far fewer freebies and half-pricers. I can remember sitting in crowds around 2,000 watching the Denver Rockets, now the Denver Nuggets, play. They, are now leading the NBA in attendance for the second straight year. I also was part of an attendance of 5,861 and other sub 10,000 crowds to watch the Denver Broncos play. Their attendance records, even before last years&rsquo; Orange Crush, speaks for itself.</p><p>I am quite sure that Capitals&rsquo;, Aeros&rsquo;, and Bulls&rsquo; fans feel the same way about King Bob&rsquo; denying them NHL or WHA hockey. I would not be a bit surprised if Barons&rsquo;, Penguins&rsquo;, Stingers&rsquo;, and Racers&rsquo; fans would prefer to split Mr. Verdi, rather than their hockey teams.</p><p>If Capitals&rsquo; fans are taking up a collection to sent Verdi on a one-way tour of Japan, I will gladly donate.</p><p><b>MERLE SATTERLEE,</b><br><b>Denver, Colo.</b></p><h2><b>New York Rangers Are Promising Team</b></h2><p>I think the New York Rangers are one of the most promising teams in the NHL today. The average age of the team is around 25 and don&rsquo;t forget they have just acquired Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson from the Winnipeg Jets.</p><p>With guys like Don Murdoch, Pat Hickey, Dave Maloney, and Ron Greschner, their talent cannot be questioned, although only time can grant experience.</p><p>It should be no surprise to see the Rangers leading the Patrick Division if not all of the NHL in a season or two.</p><p><b>ANN HATCH,</b><br><b>Toronto, Ont.</b></p><h2><b>Support Hockey Or You&rsquo;ll Lose It</b></h2><p>I am writing to the people who enjoy the game of hockey and live close enough to a minor or major league team. Please support the team or like me you&rsquo;ll have nothing.</p><p>I was a supporter of the (Norfolk, Va.) Virginia Red Wings of the AHL, but at the end of the 1974-75 season they folded. Then I traveled to Richmond, Va., and supported the Redmond Robins (AHL) but they folded at the end of the 1975-76 season. By this time, Norfolk had a new team the Tidewater Sharks (Southern League). Again I was a diehard supporter but in mid-season of 1976-77, the entire league folded.</p><p>I was thrilled when it was announced that Hampton, Va., would have another AHL team the Gulls but it happened again with the team folding at mid-season this year. I know now that there probably won&rsquo;t be any more hockey teams in this area.</p><p>Also no television coverage at all and no writeups in the local sports pages on NHL or WHA hockey. I feel lucky if they even print the standings.</p><p>So take my advice from previous experiences: if you enjoy hockey and live close enough to a team&mdash;support it.</p><p><b>R.S. VARMETTE,</b><br><b>Franklin, Va.</b></p><h2><b>Praise For Persson As Underrated Islander</b></h2><p>I&rsquo;m a hockey fan and I&rsquo;m writing because I don&rsquo;t think Stefan Persson, the rookie defenseman of the New York Islanders receives enough recognition.</p><p>In his first 51 games, the young Swedish defenseman scored five goals and accounted for 41 assists and to think that last year&rsquo;s Norris Trophy winner Larry Robinson after 63 games this year had 11 goals and 37 assists.</p><p>I&rsquo;m not trying to put Robinson down, I just want to show that Persson is heading for future stardom. Despite playing about a dozen games less than other defensemen he was still in the top 10 for scorers among defensemen.</p><p><b>HARRIS BEDER,</b><br><b>Toronto, Ont.</b></p><h2><b>Don&rsquo;t Count Out Flyers In Playoffs</b></h2><p>Recently, most of the hockey talk around Philadelphia has centered around what&rsquo;s wrong with the Flyers. While the team has been inconsistent through much of the season, with some players performing below their capabilities, let&rsquo;s talk about what is right with the Flyers.</p><p>Goalie Bernie Parent has had some bad games, but he still leads the NHL in shutouts. He has come close to regaining his Vezina Trophy winning form of years past, and appears to be ready to lead the Flyers in their playoff drive.</p><p>Offensively the team has suffered, due to injuries to Gary Dornhoefer, Bobby Clarke, and another sub-par year from Reggie Leach. But Bob Kelly, Orest Kindrachuk, Paul Holmgren and Mel Bridgman have picked up the slack.</p><p>On defense the team has struggled, but improved over the past month. Kevin McCarthy has had a fine rookie season, with young Rick Lapointe playing extremely well since McCarthy&rsquo;s injury.</p><p>Although the Flyers may have lost some of the drive they once had, they still play hard, aggressive hockey and show a lot of character. Since Clarke&rsquo;s return the team has played extremely well.</p><p>Many people around the league seem to be looking past the Flyers as Stanley Cup challengers this year. This could be a dangerous attitude for any Philadelphia playoff opponent. The Flyers were considered long shots both years they won the cup. This attitude, coupled with the tremendous play of the Flyers down the stretch could be just what the doctor ordered for Philadelphia Stanley Cup hopes.</p><p><b>FRAN ZIMNIUCH,</b><br><b>Philadelphia, Pa.</b></p><h2><b>Time For Ziegler To Show Who&rsquo;s Boss</b></h2><p>I think that Toronto Maple Leafs&rsquo; owner Harold Ballard is becoming the Charles O. Finley of hockey.</p><p>NHL rules say that players must have their names on their sweaters and that nothing be written or stamped on the arena boards, but Mr. Ballard has ignored both of these rules.</p><p>Well, Mr. Ziegler, time to show who&rsquo;s running the NHL.</p><p><b>EDDY MINEAULT,</b><br><b>Edmonton, Alta.</b></p><h2><b>Boston Bruins NHL&rsquo;s Second Best</b></h2><p>The Bruins are the second best team behind Montreal in the NHL. To look at the list of key injuries to the Bruins, you would think that they must be struggling. But they are not struggling and should be recognized as the second best team above the Sabres, Islanders, Flyers and Maple Leafs.</p><p>Gregg Sheppard, an important cog in the Bruins&rsquo; machine missed 23 games. Bob Schmautz, the leading scorer on the team, before he was injured, missed 20 games with a broken heel. Gary Doak, the valuable defenseman has now missed 12 games and is expected to miss many more. First-round draft pick Dwight Foster has missed all but 14 games and all of the goalies, Gerry Cheevers, Gilles Gilbert and Ron Grahame have been out for at least part of the season.</p><p>How would the Islanders stand if they lost both Chico Resch and Bill Smith? Stan Jonathan, Wayne Cashman and Terry O&rsquo;Reilly have also been hurt for the Bruins.</p><p>Considering that these players missed all those games, the Bruins still have a comfortable lead over the Sabres in the Adams Division. If the Bruins were fully healthy they would have challenged the Canadiens for the honor of being the best team in the NHL.</p><p><b>JIM LUCCHESI JR.,</b><br><b>Easthampton, Mass.</b></p><h2><b>Don&rsquo;t Change Hockey To Suit TV&rsquo;s Needs</b></h2><p>Should NHL hockey be adjusted to suit television&rsquo;s needs? Absolutely not. What is wrong with two intermissions instead of one?</p><p>If knowledgeable people are running the show on the tube it should be no problem. Hockey Night in Canada certainly hasn&rsquo;t been affected after all these years.</p><p>Also the idea of adjusting the rules for new viewers is simply ridiculous. Hockey is not that tough a game to understand, especially compared to football.</p><p>If network television wants the great sport of hockey, then let&rsquo;s get going and do it. But if television intends to butcher the game it&rsquo;s best to leave it off the air.</p><p><b>RICH WELCH,</b><br><b>Crystal, Minn.</b></p><h2><b>Avid Ranger Supporter Switches To Islanders</b></h2><p>For 10 years I have been an avid New York Ranger supporter. But after sending Rod Gilbert out to pasture and signing Dallas Smith I can no longer root for this team.</p><p>Throughout the years the Rangers have traded young talent which includes &ldquo;Moose&rdquo; Dupont, Don Luce, Curt Bennett, Mike Murphy and Rick Middleton. While this was going on, Ranger management was giving shabby treatment to the stars of the Garden. Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure were given away. Vic Hadfield was traded for a weak defenseman and then Gilbert was released.</p><p>What more can Ranger fans go through? Starting today, I&rsquo;m willing to support the young Islanders and hope they don&rsquo;t make the same mistakes.</p><p><b>DANIEL ASKINAS,</b><br><b>Van Nuys, Ca.</b></p><h2><b>LETTER OF THE WEEK</b></h2><h2><b>Kindnesses Bestowed By Gallery Gods</b></h2><p>My husband and I are Los Angeles Kings fans who took a vacation in Boston and went to Boston Garden to watch the Kings and the Bruins. At the March 12 game we had tickets to sit among Boston&rsquo;s Gallery Gods, kind people who treated us like royalty.</p><p>They wined and dined us and made us feel more than welcome. They invited us to the Annual Gallery Gods DinnerDance held March 14 which raises money for the Heart Fund of which Bruins Johnny Bucyk is chairman.</p><p>Mr. Bucyk had with him John Wensink, Gregg Sheppard, Bob Miller, Stan Jonathan, Rick Smith and oldtimers Milt Schmidt and Pat Egan. We never had so much fun as with these players and the Gallery Gods who are a credit to the Bruins and to Boston.</p><p>We certainly will mail a contribution for the Heart Fund. Roger Naples and his committee really do things right with the Gallery Gods.</p><p><b>JANE & JIM MORRISON,</b><br><b>Los Angeles, Ca.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

OTHER FEATURES

FAN FORUM

<p><b>1. Who holds the Toronto Maple Leafs&rsquo; club record for most points by a rookie?</b><br><b>Howie Meeker&#9633; Gus Bodnar&#9633; Darryl Sittler&#9633;</b></p><p><b>2. The St. Louis Blues set a club record for points In their second NHL season. How many points did they achieve?</b><br><b>78 &#9633; 88 &#9633; 92 &#9633;</b></p><p><b>3. Which WHA team holds the record for the fastest four goals in one period, one minute and 45 seconds?</b><br><b>Houston&#9633; Winnipeg&#9633; Edmonton&#9633;</b></p><p><b>4. How many times since 1926 have Detroit Red Wings finished first in the NHL? (regular season)?</b><br><b>8 &#9633; 11 &#9633; 13 &#9633;</b></p><p><b>5. Which post &mdash; 1967 NHL expansion team besides Washington and Colorado (Kansas City) has never finished higher than third place?</b><br><b>Minnesota&#9633; Cleveland (Oak-Calif.)&#9633; Atlanta&#9633;</b></p><p><b>6. Which WHA team scored the most goals In a season, 371?</b><br><b>Quebec&#9633; Houston&#9633; Winnipeg&#9633;</b></p><p><b>7. How many active NHL players have had more than two four-goal games? One&#9633; Two&#9633; Four&#9633;</b></p><p><b>8. Which NHL player has the most career playoff pointe?</b><br><b>Gordie Howe&#9633; Stan Mikita&#9633; Jean Beliveau&#9633;</b></p><p><b>9. True or false: only one WHA player has ever had six goals In a single game?</b></p><p><b>10. 1969 was the first of six years the NHL All Star game was played on an East-West format? Who won the game?</b></p><h2><b>QUICK QUIZ ANSWERS</b></h2><p><b>1. Bodnar, 62 pointe. 2. 88. 3. Edmonton. 4. 13. 5. Atlanta. 8. Quebec. 7. Two (Phil Esposito and Rick Martin). 8. Beliveau. 9. False, no one has. 10. No one, It was a 3-3 tie.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Fans’ Quick Hockey Quiz

<div class="byline">BY MIKE DENNIS</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0011-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011044/4138444-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SERGE SAVARD&hellip;Displays Classic Skating Style</b> <span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Robert Shiver)</span></figcaption></div><p>MONTREAL&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>s expected the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up their third consecutive regular season championship in late March. A 2-2 tie in Boston Garden relegated the Bruins to no better than second place in the overall National Hockey League race and left the Canadiens in a position to equal their record output of a year ago, 132 points, should they win their remaining six games of the schedule.</p><p>They closed out their March portion of the schedule with a 6-2 yawner against the Pittsburgh Penguins and talk began about the Canadiens &ldquo;gearing down or up or whatever&rdquo; for the playoffs.</p><p>Your move Scotty Bowman.</p><p>His first bit of strategy involved giving a few regulars some rest and getting a few of the younger players into the remaining games of the season.</p><p>Against Pittsburgh, Bowman chose to sit out defenseman Bill Nyrop, captain Yvan Cournoyer and winger Bob Gainey who was nursing a bruised shoulder.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to give everyone as much ice time as possible,&rdquo; said Bowman, who used six defensemen on a regular basis throughout the game, thus enabling rookie rearguards Brian Engblom and Gilles Lupien regular shifts throughout the game.</p><p>For his part Engblom made the most of his 24th appearance of the season in the Canadiens&rsquo; 75th game of the campaign, scoring just 31 seconds after the opening faceoff on a drive from the point.</p><p>&ldquo;You got a nice bounce on that blast,&rdquo; kidded a teammate. &ldquo;No way,&rdquo; defended Engblom&rsquo;s father, Paul, who came in from Winnipeg to see the game, &ldquo;it was about four inches off the ice all the way.&rdquo;</p><p>It was Engblom&rsquo;s first NHL goal and he was naturally pleased.</p><p>Lupien also entered the game with a first&mdash;his first &ldquo;haircut&rdquo; compliments of several teammates who also shed him of his mustache. &ldquo;Now he looks like Herman Munster.&rdquo; said defenseman Pierre Bouchard.</p><p>Coach Bowman announced that both goaltenders would be seeing action to get ready for the playoffs and seemed to delight in the accomplishments of his charges.</p><p>&ldquo;Shutt&rsquo;s going after 50 (goals), Houle&rsquo;s after 30, we&rsquo;ve got Lafleur going for 60, and now those three (Yvon Lambert. Doug Risebrough and Pierre Mondou, who each scored their 17th against the Penguins) are heading for 20. Then there&rsquo;s Lafleur&rsquo;s scoring championship, the Vezina Trophy, and a chance to win 61 games, one more than last year.&rdquo;</p><p>For a player&rsquo;s analysis of the completion of the regular schedule the writer turned to Serge Savard, the 32-year-old blueliner, now in his 11th full season with the Habs.</p><p>Savard, whose word carries a lot of weight with the club and whose advice is often sought by younger players who quickly learn to value his judgement and straightforward nature, was asked if the team would be playing differently in anticipation of the playoffs.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so,&rdquo; Savard commented, &ldquo;perhaps the coach might change things around, get more people into the games, but we shouldn&rsquo;t play any differently.</p><p>&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s face it. We knew three weeks ago that we would win the overall title, but now that we have, that doesn&rsquo;t make our remaining games any less important.</p><p>&ldquo;You never want to give any team, especially one you might see in the playoffs, an edge. It&rsquo;s no time to give them any confidence.&rdquo;</p><p>You might describe Savard&rsquo;s attitude as &ldquo;le feu sacre&rdquo;&mdash;part of the mystique surrounding the pride of the Canadiens. They want to win every time out. Not just to win their division, to get the home ice advantage for the playoffs&mdash;every single game, every point is important to them.</p><p>Of the three acknowledged leaders of the Canadiens&rsquo; defense, Savard, Guy Lapointe, and Larry Robinson, a trio accepted as the most talented threesome ever to play in the NHL on the same team at the same time, Savard stands out as the stylish traditional defensive defenseman.</p><p>With eight goals and 39 points entering April, he&rsquo;s en route to his third successive year in the 40-50 point range. The year prior to that, (1974-75), Savard banged home 20 goals, rushing much more than he does now and scoring two goals in the final game of the season to join Lapointe as the Canadiens&rsquo; first 20-goal scoring defensemen (Lapointe had 28 that year).</p><p>Now with the powerful Robinson often lugging the puck deep into enemy territory, Lapointe displaying more offensive confidence after his pre-Christmas eye injury (he scored four assists vs. Pittsburgh) and the development of 25-year-old Bill Nyrop as a capable offenseman, Savard spends most of his time spinning away from the opposition with stylish strides and launching an offensive drive from his own side of center ice.</p><p>Occasionally though, he&rsquo;ll make the odd foray towards the oppositions net, weaving his way down the right side of the ice.</p><p>&ldquo;When we play six defenseman,&rdquo; laughed Savard, &ldquo;you kind of get the urge to get going out there, make a few moves.&rdquo;</p><p>Those moves, most everyone agrees, are something to see.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0011-01

Canadiens Striving To Maintain Advantages

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011065/4138482-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg"></div><h2><b>Old Pro Upgrades Hockey</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span>OGER CROZIER WAS</b> the hockey photographers best friend, an acrobatic goalie whose gymnastic poses made for exciting pictures. Now Crozier would like to become the goalie&rsquo;s best friend because he feels there are some steps which could be taken to aid the net-minders&rsquo; lot in life and, in turn, help the teams in hockey.</p><p>Crozier had an excellent 14-season career in the National Hockey League with Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres plus three games last season with Washington Capitals. At 36, Crozier abandoned the pads for work in the Caps&rsquo; front office.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-02903/4138475-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="460" height="574"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Roger Crozier</b></figcaption></div><p>He&rsquo;s a scout, assistant in just about everything, plus a television color man. Now that he&rsquo;s had time away from the net he&rsquo;s had a chance to see that the men who are in it could use a little aid.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s funny how goalies are regarded,&rdquo; Crozier said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not that they aren&rsquo;t considered important to a team but I read where one NHL coach said he didn&rsquo;t even regard his goalies as athletes.</p><p>&ldquo;They talk about a team having 17 skaters and two goalies, almost as if they don&rsquo;t belong in the same sentence. In the NHL guide, all the skaters and shooters are listed, then in a section at the back come the goalies.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not totally kidding when I talk about things that way. But I do have some ideas in regards to goalies. I&rsquo;ll tell you one thing, some of the smartest people I&rsquo;ve met in hockey have been goalies, the ones who knew the most about the game. Guys like Johnny Bower, Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall and Eddie Johnston were all really fine hockey minds.&rdquo;</p><p>Crozier has placed some of his thoughts on paper in the form of a proposal which he&rsquo;s dispatched to the NHL. Crozier&rsquo;s idea, and it&rsquo;s a sound one, is that there should be a special draft, separate from the large amateur harvest each year, in which only goalies are selected.</p><p>&ldquo;Goalies are a special breed, no doubt about it, so there should be a special draft for them, a reverse order selection before the main amateur draft,&rdquo; he explained.</p><p>&ldquo;Looking at junior goalies and trying to forecast their true pro potential is extremely difficult, if not impossible. A big reason is that many goalies don&rsquo;t have the maturity to handle an NHL job until they&rsquo;re 24 or 25.</p><p>&ldquo;Because of the difficulty in selecting a goalie with a good assessment of his true potential, a team which does draft one has a good chance to waste an important choice.</p><p>&ldquo;Having a goalie draft would eliminate that a little. Then a team at the bottom of the league that really needed a young goalie but didn&rsquo;t want to strike out by using a high selection in the draft to claim one would set both a goalie and a skater who would help.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>Wants To Coach Juniors</b></h2><p><b>CROZIER HAS ANOTHER</b> proposal which he plans to put forward, only this one would go to the junior leagues in Canada. He&rsquo;d like to do goaltender coaching for one or all of the three major leagues&mdash;Western Canada, Ontario or Quebec.</p><p>&ldquo;What I&rsquo;d like to do is work with the goalies on all the teams in, say, the Ontario League,&rdquo; Crozier said. &ldquo;Often even a good coach who wasn&rsquo;t a goalie himself has trouble helping his netminder.</p><p>&ldquo;I think if an experienced NHL goalie like myself could spend four days, a week or whatever time is needed with each team and work with their goalies it would speed up the development of the young goalies.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d work with them on techniques of the position but, more than that, get into the intangibles of the position&mdash;the psychology of the position, a little bit about how to handle the pressure and how important a goalie can be to team play.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel it would help to produce more, good young goalies for pro hockey.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>Young Man With Ideas</b></h2><p><b>CROZIER IS A MAN</b> with ideas who&rsquo;s receiving the opportunity to work in every area in the administration of a hockey team with the Caps.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a great experience for me because I&rsquo;ve had a chance to do everything,&rdquo; Crozier said.</p><p>&ldquo;Maybe somewhere down the road I&rsquo;ll get a chance to be an executive in this game. But there really is a great deal to learn which you never think about when you&rsquo;re playing. I&rsquo;m getting the chance to learn it here.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

FRANK ORR SAYS

<div class="byline">BY BILL LIBBY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-03" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03668/4138513-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RANDY MANERY&hellip;Most Consistent Defenseman</b></figcaption></div><p>LOS ANGELES&mdash;</p><p>When he took over as coach of the Kings, Ron Stewart stressed that he did not want to carry one player over the maximum, that he wanted to carry only the players who could play, that he would make do with what he had in the event of injuries, that he did not want to demean extra players by seating them in the press box during games.</p><p>As coach this season, however, Stewart has tried 32 players. He&rsquo;s had more players than he will have victories. He&rsquo;s had as many as half-a-dozen players at a time not dressed, and, as this is written, with the season swiftly grinding down to the end, has 24 players on the roster, or enough to play a two-platoon football game with punting and place-kicking specialists, too. There&rsquo;s so many players in the press box there isn&rsquo;t room for the press.</p><p>The new coach, Stewart, and new manager, George Maguire, have made many moves to try to improve the team. It has not improved, but they have tried. They have made more moves than a chess player playing 20 opponents at once. There have been so many players coming and going the Forum looks like one of those wartime dispersal points with uniformed men arriving and departing daily.</p><p>At season&rsquo;s start, Ernie Hicke, Randy Manery, Dave Taylor, Russ Walker and Rob Palmer had been brought in to replace Frank St. Marseille and Ab DeMarco, so the Kings started with a surplus. First, Walker, then Bob Berry, then Ernie Hicke, Tom Williams and Don Kozak were sent down. Later, Williams and Kozak were recalled. Neil Komadoski was sold and Gene Carr and Dave Schultz traded to Pittsburgh for Syl Apps and Hartland Monahan. Palmer was sent down, later recalled.</p><p>Larry Carriere was brought up for a few games, sent down, retired, and signed with Buffalo. Recently, Steve Short was brought up for a second time and sent down for a second time, both times having played but briefly. Charlie Simmer and Lorne Stamler were called up and sent down without even getting into a game. And, Darryl Edestrand bought from Boston.</p><p>You can&rsquo;t tell the players without a program. Thanks to hard-working John Wolf&rsquo;s programs, you can.</p><p>There have been many reasons for the constant changes. Injuries have deprived the team of well over 100 player games and required player replacements. And a lot of players have disappointed, both those who have been here and those who were brought in.</p><p>The defense has been disappointing and nine different defensemen have been used at different times. Manery has been the most consistent, so that trade rates a plus. Palmer has been good enough so the long spell he spent in Springfield is inexplicable.</p><p>Looking for more muscle, husky Carriere, obtained from Vancouver, was tried, but found wanting. The giant, though Short, obtained from Philadelphia, was found wanting, but was tried so little some players complained he never really got a chance to show if he could help.</p><p>Now, Edestrand, bought from Boston, is getting a trial. At 32, he has played for nine teams in 13 seasons as a pro, including St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh before Boston, but has spent most of his career in the minors and most of the last two seasons in the American League.</p><p>Up front, forwards such as Simmer and Stamler were called up and sent down so fast they didn&rsquo;t have to have skates and one wonders what they could have done wrong. Jim Moxey and Steve Clippingdale, who impressed in the preseason, wasn&rsquo;t called up at all.</p><p>Hicke was the team&rsquo;s fourth-leading scorer when sent down at mid-season and he hasn&rsquo;t been heard from since. Grant, who took his place, is a former 50-goal scorer who seems to have lost his shooting touch. He recently went 11 games without a goal and has only 10 at this time.</p><p>Williams, a 35-goal scorer last season, came back slowly from an injury, was sent down for 10 games, has been playing at top speed since returning, but has only 11 goals. Kozak, has played only infrequently since returning, and has not played since he suffered an infected, bleeding ear a few weeks ago.</p><p>Returns are not yet all in on the really controversial trade with the Penguins. Gene Carr went on a tear there to set career scoring records, but has slowed drastically and the team has stopped. It&rsquo;s more than he did here, but all Dave Schultz is doing is picking up penalties.</p><p>Syl Apps and Monanan haven&rsquo;t helped the Kings a lot, but haven&rsquo;t been given a lot of opportunity. Apps was the hottest King for awhile, then benched and used only occasionally on lower lines since. He had only one goal in one stretch of 24 games and went 14 games without a goal. Monahan, used on the third line or odd lines, currently is more than 20 games without a goal.</p><p>Apps has demonstrated great talent and was dynamic teamed with Marcel Dionne briefly but the two natural centers swiftly were parted when Dionne damaged a shoulder. It has been deemed too risky to return Dionne to a wing and Apps says he can&rsquo;t play a wing. So the only place Stewart has to play Apps is as a sub for third center Pete Stemkowski, behind Dionne and Butch Goring, and it is a waste.</p><p>Apps says, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t complained, but you asked so I have to admit I&rsquo;m disappointed.&rdquo; Monahan admits. A lot of people are disappointed at this point. All is chaos in this camp and there is pessimism over the playoffs as the leaders try desperately to settle an unsettled team.</p><p>It wasn&rsquo;t so long ago that owner Jack Kent Cooke felt he needed most to build stability into his team, but the way things have gone this year look for more changes next year.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-03

‘Revolving Door’ Policy Hampering Kings’ Play

<p><b>Special To The Hockey News</b></p><p>PITTSBURGH&mdash;</p><p>Pittsburgh Penguins enjoyed a return to their Civic Center home with a 6-3 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs which kept alive their very slim hopes of making it into the National Hockey League playoffs as the fourth wild card team.</p><p>Following a lengthy road trip which ended in a 7-1 loss to Minnesota, the Penguins picked up only one of a possible four points against Colorado and Detroit before heading for the top two cities in the NHL.</p><p>In back-to-back games, the Penguins were on the short end of 6-2 and 6-3 losses in Montreal and Boston, while the New York Rangers were widening their nearly insurmountable edge for the final wild card position.</p><p>Thus the added relief on April 2 when the Penguins overcame a 3-2 first-period deficit to double the Maple Leafs. And paired with a Rangers&rsquo; loss in Boston, the Penguins still have a chance to make the playoffs, if they can win their four remaining games and if the Rangers lose their final four contests. Trailing by seven points, even three wins and a tie won&rsquo;t be enough for Pittsburgh, since the Rangers have six more wins heading into the final week of the season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-02830/4138575-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="571" height="798"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JEAN PRONOVOST&hellip;Scores 38th Goal</b></figcaption></div><p>Keying the &ldquo;must&rdquo; win for the Penguins were Gene Carr who scored a pair of goals, his 17th and 18th of the season, and Rick Kehoe who bagged the game-winner in the second period, his 26th tally of the season. Tom Edur scored his 10th for the Penguins earlier in the game, and Wayne Bianchin with his 19th and Jean Pronovost, with his 38th goal of the campaign wrapped up the scoring in the third period.</p><p>Number one goalie Denis Herron, who has played nearly all of the Penguins&rsquo; last 30 games, was called upon to relieve Gord Laxton and shut out the Leafs to earn the victory.</p><p>Other bright spots were Pete Mahovlich who scored once in both Montreal and Boston and Tom Cassidy who scored his first goal of the season against the Bruins. To complete the schedule, Pittsburgh entertained Minnesota, visited Detroit, hosted Washington and finished on the road in Cleveland.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-02

Penguins’ Win Prevents Elimination

<div class="byline">BY NORM MacLEAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0013-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011023/4138544-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>AWARDS&rsquo; WINNERS: The 1978 Patrick Awards&rsquo; dinner was the occasion to honor four men who have contributed outstanding service to hockey In the United States. From the left, William Wirtz, president of the Chicago Blacks, Rangers&rsquo; center Phil Esposito, William Thayer Tutt, who is president of the Amateur Hockey Association of the U.S., and Tom Fitzgerald retired former hockey writer of the Boston Globe, who is still a selecting member for the NHL&rsquo;s Hall of Fame entrants.</b></figcaption></div><p>NEW YORK&mdash;</p><p>John Ferguson&rsquo;s policy of going with youth has been vindicated by the New York Rangers&rsquo; stretch run of six games unbeaten&mdash;and their virtual clinching of a playoff position.</p><p>Dave Maloney, the National Hockey League leader in the plus-minus stats at the three-quarter post, analyzed the team&rsquo;s turn-around, saying, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what happened, whether we won a couple of games by luck or skill, but suddenly there was confidence on the bench in the ability of the guy sitting next to you to do the job.</p><p>&ldquo;When we came back from a four-goal deficit in Minnesota (March 19, 7-7), and then beat St. Louis, everyone discounted it because of the opposition, but it helped. We also didn&rsquo;t mess up against Washington as we had done in the past.</p><p>&ldquo;The big guys have come through for us in the stretch. Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais have played great and so has John Davidson. Walter Tkaczuk has been super all year, very consistent, but he got even better when it really meant everything. Winning breeds confidence, and the one helps the other. Now, when I have the puck I can be 99 percent certain my winger is where he is supposed to be on the boards,&rdquo; continued Maloney.</p><p>Maloney, last year&rsquo;s MVP, is one of four Ranger defensemen who have carried the team in February and March. Dave, only 21, works with Vadnais. Dave Farris, the sophomore professional who returned from New Haven in mid-year, has proved his point with solid play while working opposite Ron Greschner.</p><p>Davidson rose to the occasion with a run of sparkling play in goal, then tailed off a bit, but rallied to beat Toronto March 25, 5-2, and the arch-rival cross town Islanders 5-1, March 29.</p><p>&ldquo;Davidson was the difference in the Islander game,&rdquo; noted coach Jean Guy Talbot.</p><p>The giant six-foot-three inch, 205-pound, 25-year-old goalie is 14-10-4. His partner, Wayne Thomas, who returned against the Blues in St. Louis March 22, after not playing since Feb. 23, is 12-18-7. Early in the season Thomas played against the tougher opponents.</p><p>&ldquo;I went well for awhile, then played well even though we lost to Boston (March 18) in an afternoon TV game,&rdquo; said Davidson. &ldquo;I was excited about that, because it went back to Western Canada and it was the first time I was on network TV. The next night we had that 7-7 shootout in Minnesota. Then Thomas played in St. Louis. Playing against Toronto, (March 25), was the key to keeping my confidence.&rdquo;</p><p>He added, &ldquo;Dave Farrish has been super and so has Vadnais.&rdquo;</p><p>Up front, super star Phil Esposito earned that status once more with a run of play which has him with 37 goals and 41 assists for 78 points with six games to go. Esposito, 36, should once again reach the 40-goal level, after missing it in his first two seasons as a Ranger. He had 14-7-21 in a 12-game stretch.</p><p>He popped his 29th career hat trick against the Washington Capitals on March 24, setting a new NHL record in the process. Esposito had been tied with Bobby Hull, a former teammate with Chicago.</p><p>The Rangers&rsquo; forward lines, as presently constituted, have Esposito with Dan Newman and Mark Heaslip, Tkaczuk with Steve Vickers and Lucien DeBlois or Eddie Johnstone and Wayne Dillon centering for Pat Hickey and Ron Duguay.</p><p>The switch of Duguay from center to right wing, and the insertion of Dillon in the regular lineup were key moves in the Rangers successful playoff run.</p><p>Duguay fired his second career hat trick against Washington, went three quarters the length of the rink to score against St. Louis, (March 27, New York 52), and scored his 20th goal of the year against the Islanders.</p><p>His conversion compares with the Islanders switch of Bob Bourne to left wing, -from center. Bourne has proved to be a skillful winger, with extra speed and at, six-two and 210-pounds, may be even stronger in the corners.</p><p>Even Nick Fotiu got into the act against the Islanders, scoring the tieing goal at 1-1, on a 30 footer from the slot, when Esposito found him with a pass. Nick also assisted on DeBlois&rsquo; 22nd goal of the year.</p><p>The Ranger fans in the sold-out Madison Square Garden went crazy over Fotiu&rsquo;s second goal of 1977-78, and rejoiced in the fact that their number 22 had scored, whereas the Islanders&rsquo; number 22, Mike Bossy, was prevented from scoring his 50th goal.</p><p>Vadnais, noting the enthusiasm said, &ldquo;I am looking forward to the playoffs now. I think we can be tough against whoever we play. We&rsquo;re not going to roll over for anyone.&rdquo;</p><p><b>BLUE CHIPS</b>: Don Murdoch (shoulder) returned to action with power play duty against the Islanders March 29&hellip;The Ranger power play continues to rate highly in NHL stats. They lead the NHL in total power play goals with 74. and are third in percentage behind Montreal and the Islanders&hellip; Esposito is second in power play goals to the Islanders Mike Bossy. Bossy has 22, Espo 21&hellip;GM John Ferguson refused goalie Hardy Aastrom&rsquo;s request to leave the New Haven (AHL) farm and return for practice with Team Sweden. The Swedes want Aastrom for the Prafye World Tourney in late April.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

Rangers’ Confidence Grows As Playoffs Near

<div class="byline">BY AL SMITH</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011046/4138606-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>LUCK OF THE DRAW: Members of the Atlanta Flames took time off from their ice duties to assist Louisville Hockey Stick in picking the winner of their January free stick contest. Shown drawing the winning coupon belonging to 12-year-old Paul O&rsquo;Hern of Middletown, N.J., are from the left, Ken Houston, goaler Dan Bouchard, trainer Norm Mackie, Dick Redmond and Pat Ribble.</b></figcaption></div><p>ATLANTA&mdash;</p><p>To say Ken Houston didn&rsquo;t have some dry spells this season would be like saying Death Valley isn&rsquo;t arid.</p><p>The six-foot-two, 200-pound left winger had his problems at the beginning of the season. At one point a 20-goal season seemed impossible for the Dresden, Ont., native who is in his third season with the Atlanta Flames.</p><p>Big things were expected of the 24-year-old winger who connected for 20 goals his first full season, 1976-77, in the National Hockey League. But after 15 games, this year, Houston had found the net only three times and things were to get worse.</p><p>Goal No. 4 didn&rsquo;t come until just before Christmas&mdash;a 17-game scoring drought. During that time, Houston&rsquo;s, play dropped off so badly that he was benched for five games.</p><p>His return to the lineup didn&rsquo;t bring any spectacular results right away, either. He got his fifth goal in the Flames&rsquo; 36th game and a 20-goal season seemed like a dream.</p><p>&ldquo;My goal was always at least 20,&rdquo; Houston said. &ldquo;But at one point this season 15 would have looked good after the way I got started.&rdquo;</p><p>In the early going Houston was shuffled around and never got established on a set line. It was a frustrating time.</p><p>&ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t playing the body or forechecking like I should,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But I still didn&rsquo;t feel I should be sitting out. I felt I was going to be traded and I didn&rsquo;t want to go. I want to stay in Atlanta, because I feel this team has so much potential&mdash;we&rsquo;re so young.&rdquo;</p><p>Once back in the lineup, Houston did start using his body more. He didn&rsquo;t run everything in sight, but he did get in front of people and he started going to the net.</p><p>Then things began to happen.</p><p>He got two goals against the Colorado Rockies in game No. 41 and in the next 30 games he scored at a clip of a goal every other game. His 20th goal, which seemed so impossible in the early part of the season, came against the Rockies March 14.</p><p>The highlight of Houston&rsquo;s goal-splurge came on March 8 against the Vancouver Canucks when he scored his first NHL hat trick with three goals and an assist.</p><p>&ldquo;I got a good look at what was going on down on the ice when I was sitting out,&rdquo; Houston said. &ldquo;And you tend to second guess everyone. But it&rsquo;s frustrating.</p><p>&ldquo;The only thing you can do is wait until you get back on the ice and do the best you can.&rdquo;</p><p>Things started to click for Houston right at the time the Flames needed him most. Rookie Harold Phillipoff injured a knee and was to miss 13 games.</p><p>Phillipoff had been the team&rsquo;s most consistent hitter and was a big reason the Flames were at the .500 mark. Without him and linemates Johnny Gould and Bill Clement it would have been a disasterous start for the Flames.</p><p>Things looked bad for the Flames, for at the time of Phillipoff&rsquo;s injury, the Phillipoff&mdash;Gould&mdash;Clement combination was the team&rsquo;s most productive unit.</p><p>Houston was put in Phillipoff&rsquo;s place and things started happening for him and the Flames.</p><p>&ldquo;Kenny fits right in,&rdquo; Gould said. &ldquo;He plays the same style as Harold and we&rsquo;ve worked well together.&rdquo;</p><p>But as they say, &ldquo;All good things have to come to an end.&rdquo; And so did the Gould-Clement-Houston combination. Clement broke an ankle blocking a shot and was lost to the Flames for three weeks.</p><p>But a funny thing happened to Houston, the line and the Flames.</p><p>Rey Comeau moved into the spot vacated by Clement and the line still produced. On top of this the Flames had two other lines that were producing. It marked the first time this season the Flames have had three units scoring with any regularity.</p><p>Guy Chouinard. Bob MacMillan and Eric Vail made up one combination and captain Tom Lysiak centered between Willi Plett and Phillipoff, who had returned from his injury.</p><p>&ldquo;Everyone&rsquo;s contributing now,&rdquo; Houston said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re a hungry hockey team and everyone&rsquo;s doing their job. The hitters are hitting and the scorers are scoring. This is the first time I can remember having three lines all scoring at the same time.&rdquo;</p><p>As far as his own success in the latter part of the season goes, Houston says it&rsquo;s a combination of little things.</p><p>&ldquo;I finally got some confidence,&rdquo; Houston said.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-01

Houston Breaks Out After Lengthy Dry Spell

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-01851/4138889-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="357" height="752"></div><h2><b>ATLANTA</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-02718/4138882-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="145" height="130"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03574/4138875-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="741" height="630"></div><h2><b>BOSTON</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04450/4138868-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="125" height="128"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05344/4138861-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="739" height="608"></div><h2><b>BUFFALO</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-06281/4138854-1-eng-US/f0016-062.jpg" title="f0016-06" width="118" height="119"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-07255/4138847-1-eng-US/f0016-072.jpg" title="f0016-07" width="736" height="641"></div><h2><b>CHICAGO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-08235/4138840-1-eng-US/f0016-082.jpg" title="f0016-08" width="163" height="154"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-09212/4138833-1-eng-US/f0016-092.jpg" title="f0016-09" width="731" height="634"></div><h2><b>CLEVELAND</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-10190/4138826-1-eng-US/f0016-102.jpg" title="f0016-10" width="139" height="143"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-11176/4138819-1-eng-US/f0016-112.jpg" title="f0016-11" width="739" height="591"></div><h2><b>COLORADO</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-12159/4138812-1-eng-US/f0016-122.jpg" title="f0016-12" width="125" height="124"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-13145/4138805-1-eng-US/f0016-132.jpg" title="f0016-13" width="746" height="681"></div><h2><b>DETROIT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-14138/4138798-1-eng-US/f0016-142.jpg" title="f0016-14" width="156" height="90"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-15128/4138791-1-eng-US/f0016-152.jpg" title="f0016-15" width="733" height="595"></div><h2><b>LOS ANGELES</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-16124/4138784-1-eng-US/f0016-162.jpg" title="f0016-16" width="194" height="124"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-17116/4138777-1-eng-US/f0016-172.jpg" title="f0016-17" width="727" height="592"></div><h2><b>MINNESOTA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-18109/4138770-1-eng-US/f0016-182.jpg" title="f0016-18" width="154" height="135"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-19101/4138763-1-eng-US/f0016-192.jpg" title="f0016-19" width="732" height="678"></div><h2><b>MONTREAL</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2082/4138756-1-eng-US/f0016-202.jpg" title="f0016-20" width="143" height="114"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2176/4138749-1-eng-US/f0016-212.jpg" title="f0016-21" width="745" height="647"></div><h2><b>ISLANDERS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2274/4138742-1-eng-US/f0016-222.jpg" title="f0016-22" width="138" height="131"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2371/4138735-1-eng-US/f0016-232.jpg" title="f0016-23" width="730" height="616"></div><h2><b>RANGERS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2469/4138728-1-eng-US/f0016-242.jpg" title="f0016-24" width="141" height="137"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2564/4138721-1-eng-US/f0016-252.jpg" title="f0016-25" width="724" height="617"></div><h2><b>PHILADELPHIA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2661/4138714-1-eng-US/f0016-262.jpg" title="f0016-26" width="161" height="111"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2752/4138707-1-eng-US/f0016-272.jpg" title="f0016-27" width="723" height="612"></div><h2><b>PITTSBURGH</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2850/4138700-1-eng-US/f0016-282.jpg" title="f0016-28" width="146" height="140"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-2943/4138693-1-eng-US/f0016-292.jpg" title="f0016-29" width="737" height="690"></div><h2><b>ST. LOUIS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3043/4138686-1-eng-US/f0016-302.jpg" title="f0016-30" width="108" height="96"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3143/4138679-1-eng-US/f0016-312.jpg" title="f0016-31" width="733" height="622"></div><h2><b>TORONTO</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3238/4138672-1-eng-US/f0016-322.jpg" title="f0016-32" width="127" height="131"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3338/4138665-1-eng-US/f0016-332.jpg" title="f0016-33" width="724" height="587"></div><h2><b>VANCOUVER</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3434/4138658-1-eng-US/f0016-342.jpg" title="f0016-34" width="117" height="84"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3520/4138651-1-eng-US/f0016-352.jpg" title="f0016-35" width="730" height="623"></div><h2><b>WASHINGTON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3619/4138644-1-eng-US/f0016-362.jpg" title="f0016-36" width="177" height="98"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-3719/4138637-1-eng-US/f0016-372.jpg" title="f0016-37" width="718" height="631"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0016-01

NHL SCORING AND PENALTY STATISTICS

<div class="byline">BY LARRY BORTSTEIN</div><p>DENVER&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>ill McKenzie and Denis Dupere, a couple of 29-year-old veterans from whom little had been heard this year, were helping lead the Colorado Rockies in their late-season fight for a playoff spot. McKenzie and Dupere also may have been fighting for their National Hockey League lives.</p><p>Injuries decimated the Rockies in March, just as they have much of the year, and McKenzie was summoned from the Philadelphia Firebirds to replace Michel Plasse in goal. Earlier, Dupere had been recalled to help out with penalty-killing and as a playmaker.</p><p>Suddenly, both men were playing important roles. McKenzie was in the Colorado cage for a 2-2 tie in Cleveland, then played in back-to-back ice victories over Vancouver, 3-1, and Detroit, 6-4.</p><p>Dupere was centering a line between Wilf Paiement and Mike Kitchen, who had moved to left wing from defense, and both wingers, along with Denis, were coming through with important goals and points. In his first eight games back with the Rockies, Dupere had four goals and six assists. Paiement was breaking out of his goal-scoring drought at the same time, while Kitchen scored his first goal of the campaign, the game winner against the Canucks on St. Patrick&rsquo;s night.</p><p>As pleased as both McKenzie, the redhaired netminder, and Dupere. the dark, mustachioed centerman, were with their clutch showings, neither man was willing to concede that a role in the Rockies&rsquo; future was in his own future.</p><p>&ldquo;I always felt that if I had a chance,&rdquo; said McKenzie, who has made previous NHL stops with Detroit and Kansas City, &ldquo;I could do the job. But my wife Cathy and I want to start a family, and I don&rsquo;t know if I can take being sent back and forth to the minors much longer.&rdquo;</p><p>Ray Miron earlier in the season, when McKenzie was recalled from the minors for a 19-day fill-in role, said that the Ohio State graduate &ldquo;was as good as anyone coming into a situation cold.&rdquo; Bill&rsquo;s consecutive victories over Vancouver and Detroit were his first two wins of the season, and doubled his victory total of the past two seasons combined. He was 02-1 for last year&rsquo;s Rockies, for whom he appeared in five games, and 1-16-1 for the Kansas City Scouts of 1975-76.</p><p>He was 30 seconds short of his second major league shutout in the 3-1 triumph over the Canucks, when Chris Oddleifson knocked home the only score of the game for the visitors. Coach Pat Kelly termed it &ldquo;the most complete effort for the team all year.&rdquo; The crowd of 16,110 was the largest ever to see a hockey game in the state of Colorado, and of course was a record turnout at a Rockies&rsquo; contest.</p><p>Dupere admits he&rsquo;s a good spot player and relies on help from other players to be most effective. &ldquo;But I had a good camp last fall and thought I&rsquo;d have more of a chance than they gave me in the beginning of the season.&rdquo; he recalled.</p><p>&ldquo;But then they started picking up other guys in trades, so I figured I&rsquo;d be sent down,&rdquo; Denis went on. &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t sure if the Rockies would ever call me back up. I know I&rsquo;m slow, but I also know there are things I can do to help this team. But maybe it&rsquo;s coming time for my wife Jane and our new baby to stay home in Canada during the winters. I&rsquo;ll have to see.&rdquo;</p><p>Both McKenzie and his wife are studying for their master&rsquo;s degrees at Ohio State during the off-season, and Mac is also entertaining notions that he may leave a hockey career behind. &ldquo;I think I&rsquo;ve given a lot of myself to the game.&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and it&rsquo;s been good for me. But there are other things I can do, and maybe I should start thinking about doing them.&rdquo;</p><p>In the meantime, though, while there was still some life left in the Rockies in the dwindling days of the regular season, the spark provided by this pair of journeymen veterans was helping the club, as well as perhaps helping them project themselves into the Rockies&rsquo; future plans.</p><p><b>ICE PEBBLES</b>: Have the Rockies had perhaps too many 10-cent Beer Nights this season? Some fans at recent beer nights have become so unruly toward opposing players and game officials that there have been complaints about spectators who throw filled beer cups on the ice, and otherwise physically and verbally abuse people not wearing the Rockies&rsquo; colors. Bobby Kromm was very critical of the fans&rsquo; behavior here after the Red Wings&rsquo; recent outing at McNichols Arena&hellip;It didn&rsquo;t help Kromm&rsquo;s feelings toward Denver when the Rockies stormed to five second-period goals, their largest 20-minute outburst of the year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-01743/4138920-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="557" height="1128"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DENIS DUPERE&hellip;Coming On Strong</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0017-01

Dupere, McKenzie Lead Rockies’ Playoff Drive

<p>MONTREAL&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ith one week remaining in the National Hockey League&rsquo;s 1977-78 regular-season schedule, there are still positions to be decided with the most important being the winner of the Clarence Campbell Conference championship, awarded to the team from either the Smythe or Patrick Division with the most points at the end of the season.</p><p>While Montreal Canadiens have clinched the Prince of Wales championship, New York Islanders and Philadelphia are vying for both the Patrick Division and Campbell Conference titles. Islanders hold a five-point lead although Flyers have played one game fewer. The winner will receive award money totaling $5,000 per man as each title is worth $2,500 per player.</p><p>In the race for the final wild-card playoff spot, New York Rangers need either one point in its final four games or Pittsburgh not win its remaining four games. If the teams finish with the same number of points, Rangers would advance by virtue of having more wins. New York has 29 wins and 71 points while Pittsburgh has 23 wins and 64 points.</p><p>Colorado and Vancouver are battling for the other playoff spot with Colorado leading by two points while both clubs have three games remaining. If both finished with the same number of points, the tie would be first broken by the team with most wins, followed by fewest losses. Vancouver presently has 19 wins to Colorado&rsquo;s 18, but Vancouver has 42 losses compared to 39 for Colorado.</p><p>Individually, Islanders&rsquo; Mike Bossy became the first rookie and second youngest player in NHL history to record 50 goals when he scored two power-play goals in Islanders&rsquo; 3-2 win against Washington. Montreal&rsquo;s Pierre Larouche scored 53 goals during the 1975-76 season while with Pittsburgh, recording his 50th five months after his 20th birthday. Bossy celebrated his 21st birthday, Jan. 22. Bossy&rsquo;s two power-play goals also gave him 24 for the season a figure that only one other NHL player has ever reached. Rangers&rsquo; Phil Esposito scored a record 28 power-play goals while with Boston during the 1971-72 season and had other seasons of 27 and 25.</p><p>Montreal&rsquo;s Guy Lafleur appears to be headed for his third straight NHL scoring title with 129 points and a 10-point lead over Islanders&rsquo; Bryan Trottier. Lafleur would join Gordie Howe, who won four straight titles from 1951 through 1954, and Esposito, with four straight from 1971 through 1974, as the only players to win more than two consecutive championships.</p><p>Lafleur with 58 goals and Bossy with 51 are the only players to reach the 50-goal mark&mdash;Montreal&rsquo;s Steve Shutt has 47&mdash;and the last time fewer than three players reached that mark was 1970-71 when only Esposito with his record 76 goals and Boston teammate John Bucyk with 51 topped the 50-goal figure.</p><h2><b>How NHL&rsquo;s Races Look</b></h2><h2><b>DIVISION LEADERS</b></h2><p><b>(Byes Into second round)</b></p><p>1. Montreal 125</p><p>2. Boston 111</p><p>3. Islanders 106</p><p>4. Chicago 80</p><h2><b>FIRST ROUND</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-02630/4138951-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="573" height="400"></div><h2><b>PLAYOFF PAIRINGS</b></h2><p><b>First round:</b> 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7</p><p>3 vs 6, 4 vs 5</p><h2><b>OUT OF PLAYOFFS</b></h2><p>1. Cleveland 56</p><p>2. St. Louis 51</p><p>3. Washington 42</p><p>4. Minnesota 41</p><p>(*GTP&mdash;games to play<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-02

Rockies, Canucks Going Down To Wire For Final Playoff

<div class="byline">BY DONALD BERNS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03453/4139034-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="569" height="1196"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TONY CURRIE&hellip;He Works At It</b></figcaption></div><p>ST. LOUIS&mdash;</p><p>The day Barclay Plager was named coach of the St. Louis Blues he spoke most highly of a lad he left behind in Salt Lake City.</p><p>&ldquo;Tony Currie is a sure major leaguer,&rdquo; Plager said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt he&rsquo;ll be able to help this team. He had 33 goals when I left the coaching job in Salt Lake.&rdquo;</p><p>With Plager&rsquo;s strong endorsement and the needs of the struggling Blues, the immediate guess was that Currie soon would be in a St. Louis uniform.</p><p>Two games later Currie, a right wing, and goalie Doug Grant were summoned from the farm team.</p><p>&ldquo;I know Currie can score in the minor leagues,&rdquo; Plager said. &ldquo;I want to see what he can do in the NHL.&rdquo;</p><p>The 20-year-old Currie, who was the Blues&rsquo; fourth-round draft choice a year ago, has shown he belongs in the NHL. He has carried his share of the scoring load while skating on a line with Bernie Federko and Brian Sutter and has shown steady improvement.</p><p>&ldquo;Currie has to work at being a major leaguer and he knows it,&rdquo; Plager said. &ldquo;He works hard at it.&rdquo;</p><p>Currie&rsquo;s adjustment to the major leagues has been rapid but not simple.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lot different than the Central League,&rdquo; Currie said. &ldquo;After I first came up, I hesitated on the ice. I knew what I wanted to do but I couldn&rsquo;t do it fast enough.</p><p>&ldquo;The guys are so much quicker in the NHL, and they&rsquo;re a lot smarter and a lot more organized,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;At first I wasn&rsquo;t reacting fast enough, and they were taking advantage of me.&rdquo;</p><p>For Currie or any rookie there also is the psychological adjustment to playing with the best.</p><p>&ldquo;I kept realizing I was playing with the guys I used to watch on television,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;My first reaction was to stand on the ice and watch them. But I just kept telling myself that I&rsquo;m in their league now and I can play with them.&rdquo;</p><p>Plager did not throw his promising rookie against the opposition&rsquo;s top left wingers. Each game was a different team and a new challenge for Currie, who played his junior hockey in Edmonton and Portland.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve felt comfortable in this league since our game in New York against the Islanders,&rdquo; Currie said. &ldquo;The more I play against these guys the more I know I can play with them.&rdquo;</p><p>The Islander game was Currie&rsquo;s ninth in the NHL, so his adjustment has been quite rapid.</p><p>&ldquo;I have more confidence in carrying the puck,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but the most difficult thing for me is positional play&mdash;knowing where your man is at all times.</p><p>&ldquo;I also have learned that you can&rsquo;t make mistakes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;When you make a mistake in this league, there&rsquo;s usually a scoring opportunity.&rdquo;</p><p>The Blues under Plager and with Currie have been a better team than they were earlier in the season. Both have helped the Blues to show their fans some hope for next season.</p><p>The Blues showed some spark with a well played 5-4 win over the Chicago Black Hawks and followed that game with a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals. But they were embarrassed in a 6-1 loss to the New York Rangers. The Rangers scored four of their six goals on power plays, and Pat Hickey scored while the Rangers were shorthanded. Ron Greschner scored a hat trick, and Phil Esposito had two goals.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re flat,&rdquo; Plager said. &ldquo;It was one of those games when nothing goes right, the kind of game you like to forget.&rdquo;</p><p>Plager used three lines, and the need for Currie on the right side was evident. Bill Fairbairn was out with a back injury, Brian Ogilvie was out after thumb surgery, and Claude Larose still was hampered by a shoulder injury picked up in mid-season. With Larose on one line and Currie on another, Plager was using Jim Roberts as the other right wing. Roberts had played wing earlier in the season under coach Leo Boivin, but Plager had moved Roberts to defense before Fairbairn&rsquo;s injury.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-03

Currie’s Quick Adjustment To NHL Makes A Prophet Of Blues’ Plager

<h2><b>NHL Leaders</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-01760/4139003-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="613" height="828"></div><h2><b>Team Penalties</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-02611/4138996-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="585" height="616"></div><h2><b>Looking At NHL Goalers</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-01728/4138989-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="1133" height="2544"></div><h2><b>NHL&rsquo;S &hellip; <i>Player of the Week</i></b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ashington Capitals played their best week of the season taking four points in four games, with three of the games against the top three clubs in the National Hockey League. And Guy Charron kept doing what he does best, scoring goals in leading the way.</p><p>Charron broke his own club record of 36 goals in a season, with a seven-goal week, which upped his 1977-78 total to 37. He scored three goals against the Boston Bruins to start the week, giving the Caps their first point of the season against Boston with a 4-4 tie. Charron scored the last two goals in the third period for the tie.</p><p>Against Colorado, Charron had two goals, including the winner in a 4-3 contest and added another goal in a 3-2 loss to the Islanders. He capped the week with a goal and an assist in Washington&rsquo;s 4-4 tie with Montreal, the first point the club ever earned against the Canadiens.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04321/4138982-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="517" height="672"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GUY CHARRON&hellip;Washington Capitals</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0018-01

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

<div class="byline">BY TONY GALLAGHER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0019-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-02589/4139065-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CLAIRE ALEXANDER&hellip;Proving Worth On Power Play</b> <span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Robert Shaver)</span></figcaption></div><p>VANCOUVER&mdash;</p><p>There is probably no way in which Claire Alexander will ever escape the handle &lsquo;Orillia Milkman.&rsquo;</p><p>But since he&rsquo;s stuck with it, he may as well enjoy the title because he has certainly brought his brand of cream to the bland offense of the Vancouver Canucks.</p><p>Alexander was rescued from the Toronto Maple Leafs organization by general manager Jake Milford some 30 games ago, and he has shown he welcomes the chance to get back into the National Hockey League.</p><p>Since joining Canucks, he has been the most productive scorer on the club, averaging a point a game, all this while playing a regular shift on defense and on the right point on the power play.</p><p>Milford recognized that he was the class of the Central League, when the 32-year-old native of Orillia was leading the league in scoring. He negotiated with Toronto general manager Jim Gregory for Alexander&rsquo;s services, and after about three weeks of discussions on and off, made a deal whereby he could get back into the NHL.</p><p>Alexander was brought to Canucks for cash, all Canucks had to do was pick up the rest of his salary for the year. He is not under contract to any club for next year, even though the Leafs apparently offered him a contract earlier in the season.</p><p>What is becoming increasingly certain is that Milford will be offering Alexander a contract next season, even if he can only play on the power play.</p><p>Typical of the comments about his ability are this one from St. Louis Blues coach Barclay Plager.</p><p>&ldquo;He shoots the puck as well as anybody I&rsquo;ve ever seen,&rdquo; said Plager. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure glad that Vancouver brought him up though. He was closing in on my Central League scoring records. I should have taken his legs out from underneath him when I had the chance.&rdquo;</p><p>Plager could afford to be generous in praise. He had just watched two of Alexander&rsquo;s two goals go for naught in a 4-3 St. Louis win over Canucks. But there are other tributes.</p><p>When Canucks were playing a recent game in Cleveland, about five minutes before the start of the game, coach Jack Evans stepped into the press room near the dressing rooms at the Cleveland Coliseum and said: &ldquo;Are these stats right?&rdquo; He was pointing at the goals and assists credited to Alexander. Obviously he had to do something to prevent the right-side shooter from getting away his cannon from the point.</p><p>Alexander was not really bitter about the way the Leafs treated him, despite the fact that he seemed to drop out of sight after playing so well in the Stanley Cup playoffs two years ago.</p><p>&ldquo;They offered me a contract while I was in Tulsa, but I didn&rsquo;t want to sign for any more time down there,&rdquo; said Alexander. &ldquo;This is the only place to play. I can&rsquo;t complain about the way things went for me in Toronto. That organization treated me really well, almost as well as this organization treats people. But they had two offensive defensemen in (Borje) Salming and (Ian) Turnbull, and they couldn&rsquo;t really use me.&rdquo;</p><p>The same could certainly not be said for Canucks, as Alexander has been a large part of their offense since he joined the club. He is often thought to be a little weak on the defensive part of his game, but it is hard to distinguish him from some of the other defensemen on the team, who are not having their best years.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always been weak on my defensive part of the game,&rdquo; said Alexander. &ldquo;Vancouver knew that when they got me. Sometimes it really bothers me and I lie awake and just cry about it.&rdquo;</p><p>That concern about his play has made him one of the most favorites among the Vancouver fans, and has made him quite popular among the players as well.</p><p>Meanwhile Canucks head into the thick of their battle with Colorado Rockies for the last playoff spot in the Smythe Division.</p><p>Of late, coach Orland Kurtenbach has been going with just three lines, leaving Mike Walton and rookie Jere Gillis spending a lot of time on the bench along with Brad Gassoff.</p><p>Walton has joined Alexander on the point on the power play while Gillis is seeing just spot duty. Gassoff, who was playing extremely well before an ankle injury slowed him, has been used very little.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-02

Alexander Most Productive Canuck Since Trade

<div class="byline">BY RICH PASSAN</div><p>CLEVELAND&mdash;</p><p>Wonder why the Cleveland Barons have gone nowhere this season? A long look at some statistics reveals why.</p><p>With the exception of a mid-season period during which the Clevelanders played .500 hockey for 15 games, the 197778 National Hockey League campaign has been one long nightmare.</p><p>In the first 71 games of the season, the Barons&rsquo; mighty attack scored more than four goals on just 10 occasions. That means 61 games in which the goaltenders and defense were forced to limit the opposition to four goals or lose.</p><p>That&rsquo;s very difficult pressure under which to work. And the strain proved much more than the Cleveland backliner corps could absorb.</p><p>Goaltenders Gilles Meloche and Gary Edwards have been forced to see a steady stream of rubber. And while both like to be active in goal, neither expected to be this active. Facing upwards of 35-40 shots a night every night can wear down the confidence of any goalkeeper.</p><p>The result has been staggering.</p><p>In those first 71 games, the opposition has scored more than four goals on 29 occasions. That represents roughly 37 percent of the games.</p><p>Eleven times, Barons&rsquo; opponents have gone over the five-goal mark. There have been more blowouts of Cleveland this year than in any season in recent memory.</p><p>Towards the end of March, the Barons were winless in 12 games with just one victory in their last 19. They are playing listless hockey and the least little setback on the ice affects the entire club in a negative fashion.</p><p>Once the opposition grabs a lead, they rarely lost it. One of the exceptions was a 4-4 tie against Minnesota in which the Barons came from behind four times.</p><p>During their little streak of good hockey back in January and the early part of February, the Barons never let down. They played intense hockey. It became more intense after the trades that brought J.P. Parise and Jean Potvin from the Islanders and Chuck Arnason and Rick Jodzio from Colorado.</p><p>The attitude of the club changed dramatically. Veteran defenseman Bob Stewart said he hadn&rsquo;t seen enthusiasm like it in his six years with the club. Everybody was enthused. The club was not the patsy any more.</p><p>After the All Star break, everybody was looking forward to battling Pittsburgh, Detroit and the Rangers for the last two wild-card playoff spots. Nobody was going to buckle under the pressure, they said.</p><p>The opposition apparently had been forewarned because that&rsquo;s exactly what the Barons did. Since the All Star break, the Clevelanders have won just two games.</p><p>It has been a puzzle to general manager Harry Howell and coach Jack Evans.</p><p>Both men concede a major overhaul is needed. But they also add it must be done intelligently. Players must be traded, but they must bring something valuable in return.</p><p>The 1978-79 season will be pivotal for the Barons. Owners George and Gordon Gund will drop $2.5 million this season and probably will not go beyond next season if it is anything like this season.</p><p>The Barons must show some improvement if they are to earn the support of the Cleveland and Akron fans. It is up to Howell and Evans to provide that improvement.</p><p>Their jobs will not be easy and they know it. There is so much to improve on, it will be difficult to pick a place to start.</p><p>They&rsquo;ll do it first in the amateur draft, which has produced little or no help in the last several years. Then Howell will go the trading route, hoping for the best.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-01563/4139096-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="574" height="1204"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JACK EVANS&hellip;Puzzled By Club</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-01

Major Overhaul Needed By Barons

<div class="byline">BY BOB VERDI</div><p>CHICAGO&mdash;</p><p>Ron Oakes, voice of the Chicago Black Hawks, once worked for a newspaper. But he also has his good points.</p><p>Hardly a day goes by without someone, somewhere comparing Oakes to Danny Gallivan, renowned voice of the Montreal Canadiens. In hockey circles, that would be deemed as the ultimate compliment.</p><p>&ldquo;A couple of people have told me that, and all I can say is that it&rsquo;s a real honor,&rdquo; Oakes said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t copy Danny consciously, and as a kid growing up in Canada, I actually heard Foster Hewitt more out of Toronto than I did Danny out of Montreal.</p><p>&ldquo;I grew up out West and therefore you usually got more of Toronto&rsquo;s games than Montreal&rsquo;s. But being compared with Danny is very flattering. He&rsquo;s the Vin Scully of hockey.&rdquo;</p><p>Oakes is completing his first season with the Black Hawks, which is to say that he is completing his first season of fulfilling a dream. He&rsquo;s worked junior hockey, minor league hockey, and World Hockey Association, but he always had his mind set on that plum of plums&mdash;one of 18 play-by-play jobs in the NHL.</p><p>&ldquo;You keep hoping, you know, that someday you&rsquo;ll get a chance,&rdquo; Oakes said. &ldquo;I certainly didn&rsquo;t think this would be the year. I was home in San Diego, which is where my family still stays, and just a week or so earlier I had gotten word that my talks with another NHL club had fallen through.</p><p>&ldquo;There was talk that a change would be made with another team&rsquo;s broadcast setup, but it just didn&rsquo;t happen, so I figured no way this year. Then one night in San Diego&mdash;never forget it, about 8:30&mdash;the phone rings. Guy on the other end says &lsquo;This is Bob Fulford calling from Chicago. We want to know if you&rsquo;d be interested in broadcasting our games this year.&rsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I thought a minute and said, &lsquo;OK, who is this really?&rsquo; The voice said &lsquo;This is Bob Pulford,&rsquo; and I said, &lsquo;Yes&rsquo;.&rdquo; After that night, Oakes took a crash course in learning what the Black Hawks were all about. He recalls that opening night in Philadelphia was not smooth as silk, but since then, he has brought WCFL listeners a clear, accurate picture.</p><p>&ldquo;Working with Pully and Bobby Orr has been great,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;And I feel fortunate to have Lou Angotti as color man. It&rsquo;s been a very enjoyable season. You know, it&rsquo;s hard not to get involved with a club personally when you broadcast for them.</p><p>&ldquo;Some announcers could do it, but that&rsquo;s not my style. So you wind up going pretty much as the team goes. If the club is struggling, I feel like I&rsquo;m probably going to struggle in the broadcast.&rdquo;</p><p>Oakes got into broadcasting quite by accident. He wrote high school sports for the Vancouver Province for several years, then returned to Winnipeg to be married. There was no newspaper opening there, so he took a job with radio station CKRC.</p><p>He moved from there to Calgary, where he was sports director of the outlet being opened by the Canadian Broadcasting Company.</p><p>Then, in 1966, he went to the sunshine of San Diego, where he handled games for the San Diego Gulls of the Western League. Their general manager was Max McNab, current GM of the Washington Capitals and an Oakes admirer.</p><p>In 1972, Oakes jumped to the WHA Vancouver Blazers and a year later handled the first network telecast by the WHA on CBS&mdash;the Winnipeg Jets and Bobby Hull vs. the Minnesota Fighting Saints. Oakes&rsquo; color man was Gerry Chee vers, who had jumped from the Boston Bruins to the Cleveland Crusaders.</p><p>His work was first noticed by Pulford two seasons later when Oakes handled cable telecasts for the Los Angeles Kings games. Pulford coached there, though Oakes remembers seeing very little of his current boss.</p><p>&ldquo;Only on game nights,&rdquo; he recalled.</p><p>But Pulford remembered Oakes, and with the distinct Canadian flavor he now broadcasts the Black Hawks a la Danny Gallivan.</p><p>If it sounds like a dream, it is.</p><p><b>HAWK TALK</b>: Eddie Johnston won his first game as a Black Hawk goalie wnen he beat the Vancouver Canucks March 26, 4-3&hellip;As expected the Hawks have hooked up with WFLO, Channel 32, for telecasts of the team&rsquo;s road playoff games this season. That&rsquo;s the first time the Hawks will have been on local television in two seasons&hellip;Ha wks upped their Stanley Cup playoff tickets by as much as 50 percent, meaning that the top seat could be a whopping $18.75.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02404/4139127-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="576" height="748"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RON OAKES&hellip;Adds Canadian Flavor</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-02

Hawks’ Broadcaster Successfully Fills His Lifetime Dream

<div class="byline">BY PAT THOMPSON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0021-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01411/4139158-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GLEN SHARPLEY&hellip;Wants To Stay In Minnesota</b></figcaption></div><p>BLOOMINGTON&mdash;</p><p>Lou Nanne did not sound worried about his Minnesota North Stars getting keyed up for their meaningless late-season games.</p><p>No way the Stars could make the playoffs, especially after a 12-game winless stretch dashed out all those hopes from late February through the middle of March.</p><p>But the Stars were taking on a role of a spoiler with spurts of good hockey. They broke their winless streak with a 7-1 rout of the Pittsburgh Penguins as Glen Sharpley scored two goals and an assist and put together a three-game undefeated streak with ties against Cleveland (the Barons tying in the final two seconds) 4-4 and the New York Rangers 7-7.</p><p>&ldquo;My players should have no problems getting up for games,&rdquo; said Nanne, Minnesota&rsquo;s six-week GM-coach. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re all fighting for jobs next season. I expect maybe 10 or 12 of our current players will still be with the team and I am using these games to see who wants to play here.&rdquo;</p><p>Sharpley is a case in point. He is one of several players who will finish below his scoring totals of last season when he hit 25 goals as a rookie. A last-month surge will put him nearer that figure and he will complete his two-season total with more than 100 points.</p><p>The 21-year-old center admitted the season has been quite a struggle for him but that a strong finish would salvage something.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel much better now than I have most of the year,&rdquo; Sharpley said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why. I&rsquo;m happier for one thing. Not being traded may have taken some of the pressure off. I never really did want to leave the club and I hope I&rsquo;ll still be here come September. The way Louie is dealing, though, you can&rsquo;t tell.&rdquo;</p><p>There was one report that Sharpley was headed to Buffalo, where his junior coach Marcel Pronovost is handling the Sabres. &ldquo;A friend told me something was in the wind,&rdquo; said Sharpley, &ldquo;but nothing came of it. I&rsquo;m looking forward to playing in Minnesota next season.&rdquo;</p><p>Nanne, meantime, has said that no one on the club is &ldquo;untouchable&rdquo; if the right deal came along.</p><p>&ldquo;The right deal must have come along,&rdquo; said Doug Hicks as he picked up his equipment bag. The 22-year-old defenseman, already in his fourth full season, found himself headed to Chicago for a player to be named later and the rights to goaltender Eddie Mio, who is playing in the WHA.</p><p>Nanne also sent the Hawks a third round draft choice from the 1980 pool, provided the Stars sign Mio, who is owned by Birmingham but is playing in Indianapolis.</p><p>It was Nanne&rsquo;s first NHL trade, but just one of almost a dozen transactions he has made in building for next season.</p><p>Already, he had brought in defensemen Bill Butters and Bryan Maxwell from the WHA for this season and picked up defenseman Jim McKenny&rsquo;s salary from Toronto for next. He acquired goalie Gary Smith on waivers from Washington, signed winger Kelly Greenbank after he was released on waivers from Montreal and picked up two collegians for late season trials, defenseman Jim Boo from the University of Minnesota and left winger Dean Magee from Colorado College.</p><p>Boo saw action in one game and, as agreed, reported to Fort Worth of the Central League.</p><p>Magee, a strapping six-foot-two winger out of Banff, Alta., got the same arrangement but had not yet received his flight plans for the Central League.</p><p>Also, Notre Dame&rsquo;s six-foot-three defenseman Don Jackson was working out with the Stars before joining the U.S. national team for the world tournament in Prague in late April. Jackson was a third round draft choice in 1976 and hopes to make the club next fall.</p><p>There are other deals in the works. Nanne wants to pick up Gary Sargent, a Minnesota-born defenseman who is playing out his option with the Los Angeles Kings. Another report has Phil Esposito interested in finishing his career in Minnesota.</p><p><b>STAR DUST</b>: Nanne says he has decisions to make on the 12 players whose contracts are up at the end of the season&hellip;They are Dean Talafous, Paul Harrison, Pete LoPresti, Roland Eriksson, Tom Younghans, Fred Barrett, Tom Reid, Tim Young, Harvey Bennett and minor leaguers Dwight Bialowis, Richard Nantais and Bill Hughes&hellip;Reid has missed most of the last half of the year with a severe skin rash, but plans on a comeback with specially designed equipment to prevent a recurrence&hellip;Rookie defenseman Brad Maxwell, with 17 goals, has become the highest goalscoring defenseman in Minnesota history and should exceed the team&rsquo;s scoring record for a defenseman the last two weeks of the year&hellip;Mike McMahon set the record with 14 goals and 33 assists in Minnesota&rsquo;s first season in 1967-68&hellip;Nanne has been very complimentary on the all-around play of centers Sharpley and Tim Young, who had been shut out in the point column only once in a 13-game span&hellip;Defenseman Jerry Engele, on loan to Fort Worth for a week, rejoined the Stars.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0021-01

Next Year’s Jobs At Stake As Stars Act As ‘Spoilers’

f0022-06

NATIONAL HOCKEY SUMMARIES

<h2><b>WHA&rsquo;S&hellip;<i>Player of the Week</i></b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>O</span>ne player cannot singlehandedly carry his team to the playoffs the Cincinnati Stingers learned last week as despite the five-goal efforts of All Star Robbie Ftorek, the Stingers lost four games and slipped from sixth to seventh place.</p><p>Ftorek had more than half his team&rsquo;s goals as the rest of the players could manage only a total of four goals in the four games. When Cincinnati lost 6-4 in Quebec, Ftorek had two of the goals. He also had the only Stinger goals in 6-1 and 5-1 losses to New England and Birmingham and had one of the team&rsquo;s three goals in a 6-3 loss to Indianapolis.</p><p>The five goals put Ftorek over the 50-goal mark at 52 and with 48 assists he has exactly 100 with five games to play. Last season, Ftorek collected 117 points, including 46 goals.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03247/4139486-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="536" height="576"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ROBBIE FTOREK&hellip;Cincinnati Stingers</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0024-03

WORLD HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

<div class="byline">BY JIMMY BRYAN</div><p>BIRMINGHAM&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he exciting stretch run of the 1977-78 hockey season isn&rsquo;t the only item catching the attention of the front office of the Birmingham Bulls these days.</p><p>As the Bulls came to the wire locked in a tense struggle with Cincinnati to make a post-season playoff position, president John Bassett and his front office staff are already into the season of 1978-79.</p><p>The wheels are turning because Bassett is convinced of hockey&rsquo;s bright future in Birmingham, and because his game plan is to make this franchise one of hockey&rsquo;s best. The dynamic principal owner has taken the bull by the horns, so to speak.</p><p>The main man has taken telephone in hand and is leading a campaign to enlarge the season ticket base of hockey&rsquo;s southernmost representative. Bassett is confident the World Hockey Association will be in business not only next season but for other seasons down the road. And he plans, with general manager Gilles Leger and coach Glen Sonmor, to build the Bulls into a first-class operation both on and off the ice.</p><p>&ldquo;I want to play hockey in Birmingham,&rdquo; Bassett says flat out. &ldquo;I like it here, my family likes it here, and there&rsquo;s no way I want to go back to Canada right now. We have the potential to be the finest franchise in the league. We have a beautiful building and our local ownership is as strong as anybody&rsquo;s in the league.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to have a winning hockey program, too,&rdquo; Bassett vowed. &ldquo;I hope the people in Birmingham realize it&rsquo;s a lot tougher to build a hockey team than a football team. When coach (Bear) Bryant at Alabama needs a football player, he can go to any high school in America and get the player. The market is much smaller in hockey. There are only two places to go, the Canadian Junior program or the colleges in the states.</p><p>&ldquo;There are only a limited number of quality players available each year and competition is fierce for them. It&rsquo;s tough to build, a slow process.&rdquo;</p><p>Bassett points out the Bulls have progressed steadily since hitting rock bottom in Toronto three years ago. In 197576, the record was 24-52-5, 53 points. Last year in Birmingham it was 31-46-4, 66 points. The Bulls have surpassed last season&rsquo;s totals with five games to go this season.</p><p>&ldquo;Look at this,&rdquo; Bassett says, pulling a current roster from his files. &ldquo;We have only eight players who were here a year ago, and there&rsquo;ll be more changes next year. But there&rsquo;s not a player here who doesn&rsquo;t want to stay. These Canadian guys love the weather and the city.</p><p>&ldquo;So, you&rsquo;re damn right I&rsquo;m gonna get on the phone and sell season tickets. The players are, too. We have too good a thing going here to lose it. What this league has to do is quit talking about this franchise and that franchise applying to the NHL.</p><p>What the owners need to do is get 100 percent behind our league and win the confidence of our fans.</p><p>&ldquo;We have a fine, competitive league this season, since reducing the number of teams from 12 to eight. But since the Winnipeg financial fiasco a couple of months ago, our crowds have been off about 3,500 per game.</p><p>&ldquo;The people here have been through a league-folding situation with the World Football League and they won&rsquo;t tie themselves to another situation of that type either emotionally or financially.</p><p>&ldquo;We have the fan potential,&rdquo; Bassett points out. &ldquo;We drew the largest crowd in league history last year, had four of the league&rsquo;s top 10 crowds, the largest first two years&rsquo; attendance in the history of the league and we&rsquo;re fifth in attendance this year.&rdquo;</p><p>Bassett feels too many negative forces have pulled against the Bulls, beginning with ill-fated merger talks during the summer. Bassett is the only WHA owner who refused to accept the terms of the NHL. He came out looking good to Birmingham fans.</p><p>The result was an increase from 1,800 season tickets the first year to 4,249 this year. He seeks a base of 6,500 for next season, then onward and upward from there.</p><p>It is likely similar movements are going in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, two franchises which have had their problems this year, too. Birmingham, Cincinnati and Indianapolis are the three bottom teams in the league.</p><p>With Indianapolis eliminated from the playoff chase, coach Bill Goldsworthy said it would be a matter of pride for his team to finish strongly, and get a good start toward next season. The Racers came on strongly after Goldsworthy took over the coaching reins late in the season.</p><p>But it was Cincinnati and Birmingham right to the wire for the final position. It made for an exciting finish in those two cities, as two of the team&rsquo;s final half dozen games were against each other, one in each city.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-01374/4139562-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="867" height="1378"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02272/4139555-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="874" height="1375"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BEING BULLISH: The Birmingham Bulls are staging a dramatic stretch drive to win a WHA playoff berth and much of their offensive power has come from the sticks of rookie Ken Linseman, left, and veteran Paul Henderson. Henderson leads the Bulls in goal scoring with 37 while the sensational Linseman is right behind with 35.</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-01

Bassett ‘Bullish’ On Birmingham’s Ice Future

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1763/4139757-1-eng-US/f0026-172.jpg" title="f0026-17" width="565" height="1488"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1852/4139750-1-eng-US/f0026-182.jpg" title="f0026-18" width="1808" height="1292"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1945/4139743-1-eng-US/f0026-192.jpg" title="f0026-19" width="568" height="1501"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>The Cincinnati Stingers are battling every inch of the way in their bid to gain a WHA playoff berth. It hasn&rsquo;t been easy for the Stingers, who have iced a team in which youth and seasoned performers have played their part. Goaler Michel Dion, left, and Peter Marsh, right, represent the Stinger youth movement. In center, defenseman Pat Stapleton provides the club with experience along with such older pros as Rick Dudley, Hugh Harris and Robbie Ftorek.</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-17

Stingers Blend Old And New In Playoff Bid

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02308/4139705-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="736" height="668"></div><h2><b>BIRMINGHAM BULLS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-01387/4139712-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="154" height="168"></div><h2><b>CINCINNATI STINGERS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03265/4139698-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="131" height="154"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04210/4139691-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg" title="f0026-04" width="734" height="727"></div><h2><b>EDMONTON OILERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-05173/4139684-1-eng-US/f0026-052.jpg" title="f0026-05" width="186" height="185"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-06140/4139677-1-eng-US/f0026-062.jpg" title="f0026-06" width="736" height="734"></div><h2><b>HOUSTON AEROS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-07128/4139670-1-eng-US/f0026-072.jpg" title="f0026-07" width="253" height="110"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-08116/4139663-1-eng-US/f0026-082.jpg" title="f0026-08" width="724" height="603"></div><h2><b>INDIANAPOLIS RACERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-09110/4139656-1-eng-US/f0026-092.jpg" title="f0026-09" width="202" height="157"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-10105/4139649-1-eng-US/f0026-102.jpg" title="f0026-10" width="736" height="711"></div><h2><b>NEW ENGLAND WHALERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-11101/4139642-1-eng-US/f0026-112.jpg" title="f0026-11" width="210" height="218"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1293/4139635-1-eng-US/f0026-122.jpg" title="f0026-12" width="731" height="617"></div><h2><b>QUEBEC NORDIQUES</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1391/4139628-1-eng-US/f0026-132.jpg" title="f0026-13" width="182" height="187"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1483/4139621-1-eng-US/f0026-142.jpg" title="f0026-14" width="732" height="650"></div><h2><b>WINNIPEG JETS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1575/4139614-1-eng-US/f0026-152.jpg" title="f0026-15" width="195" height="204"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-1667/4139607-1-eng-US/f0026-162.jpg" title="f0026-16" width="722" height="650"></div><h2><b>Looking At WHA Goalers</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-01366/4139600-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="1102" height="804"></div><h2><b>WHA Leaders</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02276/4139593-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="589" height="1111"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-02

WHA’S SCORING AND PENALTY STATISTICS

<div class="byline">BY JOHN McCLAIN</div><p>HOUSTON&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>L</span>ast year the Houston Aeros lost Gordie, Marty and Mark Howe, plus goaltender Ron Grahame. The Howes signed with the New England Whalers and Grahame with the Boston Bruins. If the New York Islanders have their way, the Aeros will lose another player.</p><p>The Islanders are pursuing John Tonelli, New York&rsquo;s second-round draft choice last summer. Tonelli, who recently turned 21, is on the final year of his contract with Houston. Although Tonelli has been more than happy with the Aeros, the opportunity to play for one of the best teams in the NHL is appealing.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what I&rsquo;m going to do,&rdquo; says Tonelli, who has divided his time between center and left wing this season, his third with the Aeros. &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t made a commitment. Sometimes I feel like I&rsquo;d rather be in Houston next season, but other times I think I might like to be in New York. So I can&rsquo;t say one way or another.&rdquo;</p><p>Signed as an underaged junior from the Toronto Marlboros in 1975, Tonelli has played with a major lawsuit hanging over his head. He was sued for $165,000 by the Ontario Hockey Association club, and although he won the initial decision, an appeal was filed.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03191/4139795-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="559" height="832"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JOHN TONELLI&hellip;All-Around Athlete</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like to think about the lawsuit because it gets me down,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It could be another year before there&rsquo;s a decision on the appeal.&rdquo;</p><p>The lawsuit is the only thing that gets Tonelli down. He has developed into one of the better young players in the World Hockey Association, and his potential is unlimited. At six-foot-one, 195-pounds. he has the size to hold his own against anyone. He is a swift skater with an explosive shot. Because of his strength and intensity, he is tough to slow down.</p><p>&ldquo;Tonelli has played as well as anyone in our league at times this year,&rdquo; says Andre Lacroix, the Aeros&rsquo; leading scorer. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not talking about just scoring. I&rsquo;m talking about all phases of the game. He&rsquo;s the best forechecker I&rsquo;ve ever seen. He has as much potential as any player I&rsquo;ve seen.&rdquo;</p><p>Tonelli had 17 goals and 32 points in his rookie season at left wing. As a center last year, he scored 24 goals and 55 points. Although he missed the first month of this season with a strained knee, he has been scoring close to a point a game while playing on different lines because of injuries to his teammates.</p><p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t really matter if I play on a wing or at center,&rdquo; Tonelli says. &ldquo;I have to concentrate on picking up my winger if I&rsquo;m not at center, where I have more freedom to roam.&rdquo;</p><p>Still, Tonelli draws more attention at center. He is the picture of concentration. especially when forechecking.</p><p>&ldquo;Forechecking is the strongest part of my game right now,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;but I don&rsquo;t want to be known just for that. I should be a backchecker first.</p><p>&ldquo;I guess the reason I&rsquo;ve improved is because I&rsquo;m skating with my head up. I still don&rsquo;t have it up as much as I&rsquo;d like all the time, and I sometimes have to tell myself, &lsquo;Hey, get your head up&rsquo; during a game.</p><p>&lsquo;When I have my head up, I see more of the ice. My first two years I had my head down, and I only saw part of my wingers. Now I can see all of them, and my passing has improved.&rdquo;</p><p>Tonelli is one of the top plus-minus players among the Aeros. He is superb defensively. He works the power play and kills penalties.</p><p>&ldquo;I guess the secret to killing penalties, as well as being a good forechecker, is anticipation and aggressiveness,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Sometimes I go too hard and burn myself out by chasing the puck.&rdquo;</p><p>Excellent physical conditioning is another factor in Tonelli&rsquo;s success. After games, he does 40 sit-ups and works out with weights.</p><p>&ldquo;This year I&rsquo;ve really worked on my conditioning,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I used to see other athletes in such good shape they never seemed to get tired. I decided I should be that way, so I work out all the time. Because I&rsquo;m in better condition, my confidence has improved.&rdquo;</p><p>It&rsquo;s been said that Tonelli does his stick-handling around an opponent&rsquo;s eyes. That&rsquo;s not quite true, but he always uses his stick when chasing an opponent with the puck. When he is tied up, he yanks his stick and his body away ferociously, so few will go out of their way to hold him.</p><p>&ldquo;Tonelli&rsquo;s one of the best athletes around,&rdquo; says Aeros&rsquo; coach Bill Dineen. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s one of the best young, all-around players in the game, and there&rsquo;s no telling how much he can accomplish in the next few years. No one is willing to work harder and to put out more effort than Tonelli. He&rsquo;s going to be a great one.&rdquo;</p><p>But where will Tonelli be playing&mdash;New York or Houston?</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not going to let him get away,&rdquo; Dineen insists.</p><p><b>EDMONTON</b>: Right wing Bill Flett continues his excellent season. He scored his 40th and 41st goals in a recent victory over Cincinnati. &ldquo;I think Flett is having an outstanding season,&rdquo; says Houston&rsquo;s Andre Lacroix. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s done an excellent job adjusting to his center, Rop Chipperfield. Chipperfield likes to hold onto the puck until the last instant and then pass to his wingers. Flett has been able to take the pass at the last second and score&rdquo;&hellip;Blair MacDonald scored his 30th goal in the same win over Cincinnati and added his 31st and 32nd in a 6-2 conquest of Winnipeg before a sellout crowd of 15,599 at Edmonton Coliseum&hellip;Another goal scorer of note for the Oilers has been right wing Norm Ferguson. After slacking offensively midway through the season, Ferguson&rsquo;s scoring picked up. He scored his 24th, 25th and 26th goals in the victory over Winnipeg&hellip;Left wing Pierre Jarry, purchased recently from the Minnesota North Stars, started his Edmonton career on a line with Chipperfield and Flett. Coach Glen Sather later moved Jarry with Ferguson and center Juha Widing.</p><p><b>WINNIPEG</b>: A road game at New England was the Jets&rsquo; first action after the announcement that Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson had signed for next season with the New York Rangers. The Whalers immediately tested the Swedes as if they had just come into the league. Hedberg got into one of his rare fights with Marty Howe. Nilsson also was subject to some abuse. However. Hedberg and Nilsson didn&rsquo;t let it bother them, leading the Jets to a 5-3 victory over the Whalers, who had to give up their hopes of overtaking Winnipeg for first place. &ldquo;This was as close to playoff hockey as you&rsquo;ll find during the regular season,&rdquo; Jets&rsquo; coach Larry Hillman said after the game. It was Winnipeg&rsquo;s sixth victory over New England in the last seven games between the two top teams in the WHA&hellip;Hillman talks of pride, character and discipline as being primary ingredients in the Jets&rsquo; success. An example came in a recent game. When Dave Kryskow got angry at himself for a bad play, he broke his stick in disgust. Hillman promptly benched Kryskow for the rest of the game.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04140/4139788-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="472" height="582"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BILL FLETT&hellip;Adjusting Well</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0027-03

Aeros Are Intent On Keeping Tonelli; Edmonton Sharp Before Full House

<h2><b>Where WHA Teams Play</b></h2><h3><b>APRIL</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-01353/4139945-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="532" height="228"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-01a/4139938-1-eng-US/f0028-01a2.jpg" title="f0028-01a" width="539" height="279"></div><h2><b>The WHA Scoreboard</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Mon. April 3)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02257/4139931-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="584" height="286"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Tue. March 28</b></p><p>Edmonton 4 at Indianapolis 3</p><p>Winnipeg 3 at Houston 5</p><p>Cincinnati 4 at Quebec 6</p><p>Finland 3 at New England 7</p><p>Sweden 4 at Birmingham 7</p><p><b>Wed. March 29</b></p><p>Cincinnati 1 at New England 6</p><p><b>Thu. March 30</b></p><p>Edmonton 1 at Houston 5</p><p>Winnipeg 4 at Indianapolis 1</p><p><b>Fri. March 31</b></p><p>Edmonton 2 at Birmingham 5</p><p><b>Sat. April 1</b></p><p>Cincinnati 1 at Birmingham 5</p><p>Edmonton 4 at Indianapolis 1</p><p>Winnipeg 2 at Quebec 4</p><p><b>Sun. April 2</b></p><p>Houston 1 at Quebec 7</p><p>Cincinnati 3 at Indianapolis 8</p><h2><b>WHA&rsquo;s Scorers</b></h2><h3><b><i>&hellip;This Week</i></b></h3><p><b>BIRMINGHAM</b>: Alley 4. Stewart 12.13, Gorman 13,14, Napier 33, Mahovlich 13,14, Linseman 34,35.</p><p><b>CINCINNATI</b>: Greig 3, Ftorek 48,49,50,51,52, Legge 6, Gilligan 9, Debol 1.</p><p><b>EDMONTON</b>: Guite 15, Sobchuk 11. Chipperfield 32,33, Jarry 2,3, Sandbeck 1, Rota 8, Callighen 19, McKay 1, Micheletti 14.</p><p><b>HOUSTON</b>: West 8,9,10. Lacroix 32, Ruskowski 15, Larway 19, Hansis 10,11,12, Gray 30, Lukowich 39, Campbell 8.</p><p><b>INDIANAPOLIS</b>: Driscoll 25,26,27,28, Leduc 35,36,37, St. Sauveur 33, Morrison 17, Larose 23, Leclerc 11.</p><p><b>NEW ENGLAND</b>: Mark Howe 24, Antonovich 27, Roberts 14, Rogers 26,27,28.</p><p><b>QUEBEC</b>: C. Bordeleau 7,8, Cote 1, Boudrias 10, S. Bernier 24, Sutherland 21,22, Lariviere 6, Tardil 57,58,59,60, Fitehner 14,15, Cloutier 52,53,54, J. Bernier 10.</p><p><b>WINNIPEG</b>: Guindon 18,19, Kryskow 17,11. Nilsson 36,37, Hedberg 62,63, Baird 15, Powis 14.</p><h2><b>Tue. March 28</b></h2><h2><b>EDMONTON 4, INDIANAPOLIS 3</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>No scoring.</p><p>Penalties: None.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton, 1&mdash;Guite (Semenko, McLeod) 1:43, 2&mdash;Sobchuk 10:39, Indianapolis, 3&mdash;Driscoll (St. Sauveur, Wilkins) 15:22.</p><p>Penalties: Sandbeck (minor, major) Devine (major) 10:47. Zuke 19:10.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton, 4&mdash;Chipperfield (Jarry, McKay) 6:55, Indianapolis, 5&mdash;Leduc (Larose, Marotte) 13:54, 6&mdash;Driscoll (Marotte, St. Sauveur) 16:26.</p><p>Penalties: Semenko 2:08, Busniuk, Leclerc (double majors) 2:25, Larose 2:51.</p><h3><b>OVERTIME PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton, 7&mdash;Jarry (Chipperfield, Primeau) 1:49</p><p>Penalties: None.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03196/4139924-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="586" height="105"></div><p>Attendance: 5,463.</p><h2><b>WINNIPEG 3, HOUSTON 5</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Winnipeg, 1&mdash;Gumdon (Lesuk, Bromley) 3:43. 2&mdash;Kryskow (Hull, Sullivan 8:43. Houston. 3&mdash;West (Hansis) 13:48.</p><p>Penalties: Lukowich 6:48, Clackson 9:26, 13:48, Huskowski 15:19.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Houston, 4&mdash;Lacroix (Campbell) 2:28. 5&mdash;Huskowski (Campbell, Lukowich) 4:48.</p><p>Penalties: Clackson, Huskowski 7:03, Clackson 13:24</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Houston, 6&mdash;Larway. (Lacroix, Tonelli) 12:37, 7&mdash;Hansis (Huskowski) 15:53, Winnipeg, 8&mdash;U. Nilsson (Baird) 17:19.</p><p>Penalties: Dunn, Tonelli (majors) 18:45.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-04154/4139917-1-eng-US/f0028-042.jpg" title="f0028-04" width="580" height="103"></div><p>Attendance: 6,873.</p><h2><b>CINCINNATI 4, QUEBEC 6</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec. 1&mdash;C. Bordeleau (Hagman, S. Bernier) 3 04, Cincinnati. 2&mdash;Greig (Hislop) 4:06, 3&mdash;Ftorek (Norwich) 8:58, 4&mdash;Legge (Dudley) 12:14, Quebec, 5&mdash;Cote (Lariviere, Fitchner) 18:54, 6&mdash;Boudrias (Fitchner) 19:40</p><p>Penalties: Stapleton 2:34, Weir (double minor) 5.54. Stewart (double major, misconduct) Carroll (double minor, game misconduct,) Fitchner (minor, major) Sutherland (major, misconduct) 7.41. Legge 15:43, Lariviere 19:17.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec. 7&mdash;S. Bernier (Tardif, C. Bordeleau) 2:40. 8&mdash;.Sutherland (Brackenbury, Fitchner) 14:04</p><p>Penalties: Dudley 0:47, Ftorek 1:15, Stewart (major, game misconduct), Harris (misconduct), Weir (major) 18:01.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec, 9&mdash;Lariviere (P. Bordeleau, C. Bordeleau) 12:59. Cincinnati. 10&mdash;Ftorek (Deadmarsh) 14:36.</p><p>Penalties: S. Bernier 2:27, Brackenbury 9:00, Dudley (misconduct) 12:59, C. Bordeleau (misconduct) 14:36, Cincinnati bench (served by Abgrall) 18:29. Brackenbury 19:54.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-05134/4139910-1-eng-US/f0028-052.jpg" title="f0028-05" width="583" height="106"></div><p>Attendance: 9,521.</p><h2><b>Wed. March 29</b></h2><h2><b>CINCINNAT11, NEW ENGLAND 6</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>New England, 1&mdash;Mark Howe 4:45, 2&mdash;Antonovich (Plumb, Marty Howe) 11:09. 3&mdash;Roberts (Keon, Selwood) 18:12.</p><p>Penalties: Hangsleben 12:35, Dudley 13:14, Greig 16:24, Stewart. McKenzie 19:26.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>New England. 4&mdash;Rogers (Roberts, Mark Howe) 15:50.</p><p>Penalties: Hangsleben 4:15, Roberts 13:36, Lahache 16:34.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>New England, 5&mdash;Rogers (Selwood, G. Howe) 1:19. Cincinnati, 8&mdash;Ftorek (Legge) 13:57. New England. 7&mdash;Rogers 17:05.</p><p>Penalty: Antonovich 15:30.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-06116/4139903-1-eng-US/f0028-062.jpg" title="f0028-06" width="585" height="108"></div><p>Attendance: 7,916.</p><h2><b>Thu. March 30</b></h2><h2><b>EDMONTON 1, HOUSTON 5</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>No scoring.</p><p>Penalties: McKay 3:18, Troy (double minor, major). Tonelli (minor, major), 6:37, Gray 8:58, Sandbeck 11:00. Busniuk 13:49, Lukowich, 16:11.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Houston, 1&mdash;Hansis (Ruskowski, Campbell) 10:42. 2&mdash;Gray (Taylor, West) 17:01.</p><p>Penalties: Hansis 5:12, Jarry 6:31, Tonelli 12:42.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Houston, 3&mdash;Lukowich (Schella, Wakely) 10:24. 4&mdash;Hansis (Lukowich, Ruskowski) 10:35. Edmonton. 5&mdash;Sandbeck (Sobchuk) 15:46. Houston, 6&mdash;Campbell (Ruskowski) 17:58.</p><p>Penalties: Tonelli 1:08. MacDonald 2:36, Semenko (double minor) Zuke, Campbell 4:57, Ruskowski 6:40. Semenko, Campbell (majors) 10:47, Gray 10:56, Taylor 15:37.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-07106/4139896-1-eng-US/f0028-072.jpg" title="f0028-07" width="585" height="107"></div><p>Attendance: 7,014.</p><h2><b>WINNIPEG 4, INDIANAPOLIS 1</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Winnipeg. 1&mdash;Hedberg (U, Nilsson) 1:27. Indianapolis, 2&mdash;Leduc 12:48. Winnipeg, 3&mdash;Baird (Moffat, Sullivan) 14:14.</p><p>Penalties: Clackson 1:10, U. Nilsson 5:13.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Winnipeg, 4&mdash;Gumdon (Hull, Powis), 10:05. 5&mdash;U. Nilsson (Hull, K. Nilsson) 18:15.</p><p>Penalties: Clackson 6:56, Wilkins 16:50, Baird 19:21.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>No scoring.</p><p>Penalty: Clackson 4:57.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-0897/4139889-1-eng-US/f0028-082.jpg" title="f0028-08" width="587" height="106"></div><p>Attendance: 5,485.</p><h2><b>Fri. March 31</b></h2><h2><b>EDMONTON 2, BIRMINGHAM 5</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Birmingham. 1&mdash;Alley (Gorman, Stewart) 9:35, 2&mdash;Stewart (Gorman, Alley) 12:34.</p><p>Penalties: Chipperfield 8:59, Cassolato 9:48, Callighen 13:38, Hoganson 17:38, Callighen 19:35.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Birmingham, 3&mdash;Gorman (Stewart) 14:47.</p><p>Penalties: Beaton (minor, major) Sandbeck (minor, major, misconduct) 8:20, Lloyd 10:04, Lmseman 12:44.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Birmingham, 4&mdash;Napier (Langway, Noris) 2:37, Edmonton. 5&mdash;Rota (Callighen, Busniuk) 3:35, Birmingham^ 6&mdash;Mahovlich (Turkiewicz) 11:52, Edmonton. 7&mdash;Callighen (Rota, Busniuk) 19:43.</p><p>Penalties: Busniuk 8:20, Beaton 14:41.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-0991/4139882-1-eng-US/f0028-092.jpg" title="f0028-09" width="579" height="110"></div><p>Attendance: 7,153.</p><h2><b>Sat. April 1</b></h2><h2><b>CINCINNAT11, BIRMINGHAM 5</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Birmingham, 1&mdash;Mahovlich (Noris, Napier) 3:36, 2&mdash;Lmseman 4:01, Cincinnati, 3&mdash;Ftorek (Hislop, Dudley) 10:23.</p><p>Penalties: Beaudoin 4:53, Deadmarsh 7:08. Lmseman 9:26, Lahache 18:19.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Birmingham. 5&mdash;Gorman, (Tukiewicz, Stewart) 19:17. 6&mdash;J.C. Stewart (Hughes) 13:17.</p><p>Penalties: Harris 7:41. Beaton 10:13, Tukiewicz 14:27, Handrahan 18:23.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1088/4139875-1-eng-US/f0028-102.jpg" title="f0028-10" width="581" height="102"></div><p>Attendance: 11,111.</p><h2><b>EDMONTON 4, INDIANAPOLIS 1</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton. 1&mdash;Chipperfield (Jarry, McDonald) 1:43, Indianapolis, 2&mdash;Driscoll (St, Sauveur) 3:02, Edmonton. 3&mdash;Jarry (Chipperfield) 15:50.</p><p>Penalties: Chipperfield 7:29, Micheletti 11:32, Patenaude 11:32, Busniuk 14:30, Driscoll 14:30, Busniuk 19:03.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton, 4&mdash;McKay (McDonald, Busniuk) 14:15.</p><p>Penalties: Edmonton bench (served by Jarry) 6:50, Busniuk 10:34, McLeod (served by Rota), Sandbeck (major), Callighen (major) Irwin (major) Paiement (major) Parizeau 13:25.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Edmonton, 5&mdash;Micheletti (Zuke, Sobchuk) 10:21.</p><p>Penalty: Wilkins 9:53.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1180/4139868-1-eng-US/f0028-112.jpg" title="f0028-11" width="588" height="87"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-11a/4139861-1-eng-US/f0028-11a2.jpg" title="f0028-11a" width="487" height="35"></div><p>Attendance: 6,029.</p><h2><b>WINNIPEG 2, QUEBEC 5</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>No scoring.</p><p>Penalties: Hull, Dorey 2:16, Sutherland 2:59, Lacombe, Hedberg (double minors) 10:03, Clackson, S. Bernier (majors) 14:57, Baird Baxter 15:10, Hedberg (double minor) 15:50.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec. 1&mdash;C. Bordeleau (Tardif, Cloutier) 12:48, 2&mdash;Tardif (Cloutier) 19:04, Winnipeg, 3&mdash;Powis 19:22.</p><p>Penalties: P. Bordeleau 3:41, Dunn (major) Fitchner 8:05, Sjoberg 8:40, Lesuk 11:07, Sutherland 15:59.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec, 4&mdash;Cloutier (Tardif, Cote) 1:06, 5&mdash;J. Bernier (Brackenbury, Sutherland) 8:02,</p><p>6&mdash;Fitchner (Dorey, Baxter) 16:53, Winnipeg, 7&mdash;Hedberg (Lesuk, Guindon) 19:24.</p><p>Penalties: Clackson 0:24, Dorey. U. Nilsson 1:55, C. Bordeleau 11:14, Baxter, U. Nilsson 13:16, Lesuk. Lacombe 16:37.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1276/4139854-1-eng-US/f0028-122.jpg" title="f0028-12" width="587" height="106"></div><p>Attendance: 9,700.</p><h2><b>Sun. April 2</b></h2><h2><b>CINCINNATI 3, INDIANAPOLIS 6</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Cincinnati. 1&mdash;Gilligan (Lahache) 4:45, 2&mdash;Ftorek (Hislop, Stapleton) 9:28, Indianapolis, 3&mdash;Driscoll (Leclerc, Morrison) 10:53, 4&mdash;St. Sauveur (Driscoll) 14:04, 5&mdash;Leduc (Larose) 18:06.</p><p>Penalties: Norwich, Parizeau (double minors) 2:34, Morrison 6:04, Parizeau 11:43, Gilligan, Parizeau (majors) 15:34, Wilkins 15:48.</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Indianapolis, 6&mdash;Morrison (Stoughton, Parizeau) 6:23.</p><p>Penalties: Leclerc 8:50, Norwich 10:17.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Indianapolis, 7&mdash;Larose (Morrison, Patenaude) 2:56. 8&mdash;Leclerc (Driscoll, St. Sauveur) 12:23, Cincinnati. 9&mdash;Debol (Lahache) 15:33.</p><p>Penalties: Marsh (major, misconduct), Irwin (major) 2:42, Marsh (game misconduct).</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1370/4139847-1-eng-US/f0028-132.jpg" title="f0028-13" width="581" height="104"></div><p>Attendance: 5,475.</p><h2><b>HOUSTON 1, QUEBEC 7</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec, 1&mdash;Tardif (Cloutier, Larividre) 10:38, Houston, 2&mdash;West (McLeod) 15:48.</p><p>Penalties: Sutherland 2:34. Baxter, Campbell (minor and majors) 9:25, McLeod 10:08, Hansis 11:42, Brackenbury 19:03. o</p><h3><b>SECOND PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec, 3&mdash;Fitchner (Brackenbury, Baxter) 3:30, 4&mdash;Cloutier (Lacombe) 19:58.</p><p>Penalties: Lacroix 7:21, Baxter 7:56, LariviBre, Schella 18:03.</p><h3><b>THIRD PERIOD</b></h3><p>Quebec. 5&mdash;Sutherland (Fitchner, Brackenbury) 1:45. 6&mdash;Tardif (Cloutier, Baxter) 5:34, 7&mdash;Tardif (Cloutier, Evans) 13:24, 8&mdash;Cloutier (C. Bordeleau, Lacombe) 14:04.</p><p>Penalties: Sutherland 2:04, Lukowich 3:08, Gray 6:05. Baxter 6:35.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1462/4139840-1-eng-US/f0028-142.jpg" title="f0028-14" width="581" height="106"></div><p>Attendance: 9,943.</p><h2><b>WHA Team Rosters</b></h2><p><b>*&mdash;Rookie</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1561/4139833-1-eng-US/f0028-152.jpg" title="f0028-15" width="2361" height="1021"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1651/4139826-1-eng-US/f0028-162.jpg" title="f0028-16" width="578" height="848"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ANDERSHEDBERG&hellip;Scored 63rd Goal</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0028-01

WORLD HOCKEY ASSN. SUMMARIES

<h2><b>Where AHL Teams Play</b></h2><h3><b>APRIL</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01309/4139976-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="487" height="484"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0029-01

AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE

<div class="byline">BY JIM LEAHY</div><p>SPRINGFIELD&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hat if the World Hockey Association were to fold at the end of this season and the New England Whalers were not allowed to join the National Hockey League? That scenario, which is a possibility, would suddenly give the owners of the American Hockey League Springfield Indians the power to force the Whalers out of the Springfield area. Sounds crazy? It could happen.</p><p>If the WHA folds and the Springfieldbased Whalers are not admitted to the NHL, the Whalers would have no league to play in. The obvious solution would be to join the AHL but that franchise is held by George Leary and company who would probably love to see the Whalers come with their hat in hand. Since the AHL franchise in Springfield is already taken and you can&rsquo;t have two AHL teams in the same city, Leary is in the driver&rsquo;s seat. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this rather interesting drama.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Springfield Indians won three straight last week to run their unbeaten streak to eight games. The Tribe beat the Firebirds 5-3 on Thursday night in Philly, New Haven 4-2 in Springfield on Friday and Hershey 8-3 on Saturday at the Big E Coliseu. In each contest, the Indians skated with two men under the limit due to an injury to Pete LaFramboise and the recall of Charlie Simmer.</p><p>Player-coach Bob Berry has a 6-2-3 record since taking over the club but cites &ldquo;hard work by everyone on the squad and improved defensive play as reasons for the teams hot streak.&rdquo;</p><p>Captain Andre Peloffy played his 400th regular season AHL game against Hershey and celebrated with a goal and two assists to tie him for seventh place in the AHL scoring race. Steve Clippingdale and Russ Walker have also been hot as the Tribe attempts to keep ahead of Nova Scotia in the battle for second place, and the all-important home ice advantage in the upcoming Calder Cup playoffs.</p><p><b>NOVA SCOTIA</b>: The Vees have posted a 4-3-2 record during the past two weeks but are still five points in back of the Indians. Last week it was an even split in four games.</p><p>Tuesday night in Halifax, the Vees edged Binghamton 5-3 and the club beat Hershey 5-3 the next night in Chocolatetown. Back in Canada for games on Friday and Sunday against Rochester, the Voyageurs were on the short end of both contests.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02244/4140014-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="554" height="588"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JERRY BYERS</b></figcaption></div><p><b>BINGHAMTON</b>: Injuries, recalls and poor defense have plagued the Dusters since the season began. Pierre Laganiere and Rod Bloomfield are still on the injured list and Floyd Lagache has been recalled by Cincinnati. It&rsquo;s been a tough season for the new AHL club.</p><p>Last week they dropped three of four. Nova Scotia, Philadelphia and New Haven came out on top and the Dusters won an 8-3 decision from Hershey.</p><p><b>MAINE</b>: The Mariners were in action only once last week and they beat the Philadelphia Firebirds 3-2 in overtime down in Philadelphia. Paul Evans scored a goal in the sudden death overtime period to give the Mariners the win. The goal by Evans, his second of the game, assured the first-year Mariners of a playoff berth. The overtime victory also tied the Mariners with the &rsquo;75-76 New Haven Nighthawks for the AHL record of five overtime wins on the road.</p><p>Maine holds a comfortable five-point lead on the second place Springfield Indians in the race for the top spot in the Northern Division. In addition, the Mariners have three games in hand on Springfield. Al Hill and Blake Dunlop are 1-2 in Mariner scoring and goaltender Rick St. Croix leads the AHL with a 2.85 GAA including two shutouts.</p><p><b>ROCHESTER</b>: Three wins in three games last week propelled the Rochester Americans into first place in the Southern Division. Rochester has now won four of seven and holds a slim one point lead over New Haven.</p><p>The Amerks beat New Haven 2-1 on Wednesday night in Rochester and then flew to Nova Scotia for two contests with the Voyageurs. On Friday night the Amerks handed the Vees a 3-1 loss and they repeated the performance with a 6-2 win over Nova Scotia on Sunday.</p><p>Unfortunately, defenseman Darryl Edestrand, one of the top defensemen in the AHL, was traded by the parent Boston Bruins to Los Angeles. Edestrand, 32, is in his 13th season as a pro and has played parts of four seasons with the Amerks.</p><p>&ldquo;Losing Darryl certainly will put an extra burden on our other defensemen,&rdquo; remarked coach Duane Rupp. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great break for him. This move will allow him to play two or three more seasons, and do it in the NHL,&rdquo; said Rupp.</p><p>&ldquo;The move is certainly a pleasant surprise,&rdquo; said Edestrand. &ldquo;I have mixed emotions about it though. While I&rsquo;m back in the NHL, I&rsquo;m leaving a great group of fans, owners and players and Duane Rupp here in Rochester.&rdquo;</p><p><b>NEW HAVEN</b>: The slumping Nighthawks have lost four of their last six and relinquished their grip on first place in the Southern Division. After dropping games to Rochester (2-1) and Springfield (4-2) last week, the Nighthawks posted a 7-5 come-from-behind win over the Binghamton Dusters on Sunday.</p><p>Playing before a capacity crowd of 4,978 in Binghamton, coach Parker MacDonald pulled Hardy Aastrom after the first period and inserted Doug Soetaert who held the fort while the Nighthawks rallied.</p><p>MacDonald continues to juggle his lines. Bud Stefanski now centers a line with Ken Hodge and Jerry Byers. Tom Colley pivots Dale Lewis and Brad Becker and Bobby Sheehan is in the middle of Greg Hickey and Frank Spring. A fourth line has Greg Holst at center with Dan Chicoine and Mike Keating or Benoit Gosselin.</p><p><b>HERSHEY</b>: Losing three of four last week didn&rsquo;t help the Bears who now have dropped six of their last seven. The Bears outshot Nova Scotia 34-31 but lost 5-3 at Hershey. They outshot the Dusters in Binghamton 45-28 and lost 8-3 and they outshot the Indians Saturday night in Springfield and again dropped an 8-3 contest.</p><p>In an attempt to turn things around, coach Chuck Hamilton iced a new line Sunday against the Firebirds. Joe Kowal, just back from the Buffalo Sabres, moved to center with Tony White on left wing and Steve Andrascik on right wing. In the injury department are centers Claude Noel and Ron Areshenkoff, both probably out for the season.</p><p><b>PHILADELPHIA</b>: The Firebirds lost their third straight game Sunday night in Hershey as the Bears rolled to a 9-5 victory. Joe Kowal&rsquo;s hat trick for the &lsquo;Birds was the only bright spot in the losing effort. The week started with a 6-2 win over the Binghamton Dusters at the Civic Center. Springfield came to town on Thursday and skated away with a 5-3 decision. Saturday night, some 8,018 fans were at the Civic Center to see their Firebirds drop a thrilling 3-2 decision in overtime to the rough Maine Mariners.</p><p>In the Mariner game, rookie Firebird defenseman Kevin MacDonald was fiercely checked to the ice and swallowed his tongue. Trainer Marty Ward rushed to the ice and saved MacDonald and the Firebird player was able to skate off the ice to the dressing room where he received 36 stitches for cuts inflicted by a high stick. Guy Delparte of the Mariners also suffered the same fate as a result of a tough body check. Both Firebird trainer Marty Ward and Mariner trainer Sudsy Settlemyre were able to pull Delparte&rsquo;s tongue back into his mouth and avoid serious complications. He too needed stitches.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03157/4140007-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="552" height="870"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ANDRE PELOFFY&hellip;Celebrated Occasion</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0029-02

Indians May Affect Whalers’ Fate; Amerks Pass Slumping Nighthawks

<h2><b>Where CHL Teams Play</b></h2><h3><b>APRIL</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-01346/4140087-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="522" height="176"></div><h2><b>CHL Team Scoring</b></h2><h3><b>DALLAS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02274/4140080-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="587" height="591"></div><h3><b>KANSAS CITY</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03206/4140073-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="590" height="540"></div><h3><b>FORT WORTH</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04141/4140066-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="582" height="304"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04a/4140059-1-eng-US/f0030-04a2.jpg" title="f0030-04a" width="583" height="353"></div><h3><b>SALT LAKE</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0594/4140052-1-eng-US/f0030-052.jpg" title="f0030-05" width="575" height="583"></div><h3><b>TULSA</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0670/4140045-1-eng-US/f0030-062.jpg" title="f0030-06" width="579" height="533"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0030-01

CENTRAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

<div class="byline">BY TOM LOBAUGH</div><p>KANSAS CITY&mdash;</p><p>&ldquo;I guess you could say we killed penalties pretty well,&rdquo; said Larry Wilson in the understatement of the week. His Kansas City Red Wings had just played more than half a game shorthanded, and still the Wings came up with a 6-2 victory in Dallas.</p><p>Considering the fact the Wings were outshot, 41-22, in the penalty-killing marathon, they had to make the most of their opportunities while at even strength.</p><p>Left wing Danny Gruen came up with the first four-goal night of the Central League season, tallying twice in the first period, twice in the third.</p><p>&ldquo;Danny had a great night,&rdquo; Wilson agreed. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s in better shape now, and he has really worked hard.&rdquo;</p><p>Gruen, a 25-year-old from Thunder Bay, who has bounced around 10 professional clubs in six seasons, shared the CHL scoring leadership back in 197273, when he was a rookie with the Fort Worth Wings. After three seasons (five clubs) in the World Hockey Association, he returned to the National League late last season with the Colorado Rockies, who had obtained his rights from the Detroit Red Wings.</p><p>The Rockies returned Danny to Detroit in August, and he started the season with the Kansas City Wings. But he tore up a knee in the season-opener, had to have surgery, and didn&rsquo;t resume playing until late January, then was promptly sidelined another two weeks with a leg injury.</p><p>Kansas City had to face 14 Dallas power plays in the Sunday night victory, and allowed the Hawks only one power play goal. &ldquo;I gave a lot of guys a shot at penalty killing.&rdquo; Wilson related, &ldquo;but mostly I go with J.P. LeBlanc and Brian McCutcheon, then send in Don Martineau and Bob Ritchie.&rdquo;</p><p>Kansas City was given 57 minutes in penalties. &ldquo;A lot of them we deserved,&rdquo; Wilson admitted, &ldquo;but some of them we didn&rsquo;t. And I think the referee overlooked a lot of things by the other team.&rdquo;</p><p>Captain Larry Giroux received 14 penalty-minutes in that game, after collecting 16 two nights earlier, as the Wings played a 4-4 tie in Fort Worth. It seemed Larry was trying hard to catch league-leader Alain Belanger of Dallas. The latter collected 22 minutes in four games, but saw his once-wide margin pared to 10 minutes over Giroux, 238 to 228.</p><p>Dwight Schofield got the first goal of the game in Dallas, before Gruen started his personal bombardment, and Mike Bloom had a power play goal in the second.</p><p>In the game at Fort Worth, Giroux, McCutcheon, Gruen and Fred Berry did the KC scoring, but the Texans tied it up with 29 seconds left in regulation time, and the two teams played 10 scoreless minutes of overtime.</p><p>The tie and victory gave Kansas City a string of three road games without defeat&mdash;a skein the Wings would have to extend, because most of March they were playing on the road. They had pulled to within four points of Tulsa in the fight for the fourth and last playoff position, with eight games to play.</p><p>Bloom, with 69 points, climbed to second place on the league scoring chart, but was 17 behind league-leader Doug Palazarri of Salt Lake. The two shared the CHL lead in assists, with 49. Giroux was tied for eighth in the league scoring, with 52 points, and J.P. LeBlanc had 51 to tie for 10th.</p><p>The parent Detroit Wings recalled left wing Steve Coates and sent him to Maine of the American League.</p><p><b>TULSA</b>: Two losses to Dallas, one in overtime, ran the Oilers&rsquo; losing streak to four (and six out of seven starts), but coach Johnny Choyce wouldn&rsquo;t give up.</p><p>His confidence was justified, as the Oilers snapped out of their slump to hand the first-place Salt Lake Golden Eagles a 5-3 licking in the Tulsa Assembly Center. It was the finale of the season series, which went to Tulsa, eight games to seven.</p><p>The week started with a 6-1 debacle in Dallas, when the Hawks scored four times in the second period. It appeared the slump was broken when the Oilers jumped to a 2-0 lead in the rematch at home, and led, 3-1, early in the third period.</p><p>&ldquo;We made three mistakes on defense and they cost us,&rdquo; Choyce observed, &ldquo;two in the third period and one in overtime.&rdquo; Jim McKenny, a one-time Oiler, scored the tying and winning goals, the latter after 2:43 of overtime play.</p><p>Alex Forsyth, who makes a habit of scoring against Dallas, got the lone Oiler goal against Pierre Hamel in the Tuesday rout. It was Alex&rsquo;s 12th goal of the season, his eighth against the Hawks.</p><p>For the weekend games Choyce was able to dress a full team of 19 men for the first time in six weeks, but only because several were playing with injuries. Wingers Rob Flockhart and Rob Tudor were playing with injured hands, and Scott Garland with a groin pull.</p><p>Defenseman John McCahill from the University of Michigan returned to resume his pro trial.</p><p>Rick Hodgson and Cam Botting gave the Oilers early command, and Red Laurence scored early in the third period, but the Tulsans couldn&rsquo;t hold off the Dallas rally.</p><p>One night later the Oilers jumped in front, saw two early leads vanish, but came back to win. Goals by Brian Hill and Botting were matched by Eagle Doug Palazzari, but Tulsa went ahead to stay on Larry Goodenough&rsquo;s goal with a two-man power advantage in the second period. Ralph Stewart also had a power goal in the third, and Flockhart scored an empty-netter with 27 seconds left.</p><p><b>DALLAS</b>: The Black Hawks broke even for the week, beating Tulsa twice, 61 and 4-3 (overtime), but losing at home to Salt Lake (4-2) and Kansas City (6-2). They remained in a second-place tie with Fort Worth, four points behind leagueleading Salt Lake, but six ahead of fourthplace Tulsa.</p><p>Reggie Kerr had the hat trick in the home rout of Tulsa. He had two goals in the second period, and his last cameon a power play with only 20 seconds left in the game. Dan Hinton had opened the scoring in the first period, while Jean Savard and Greg Vaydik joined Kerr in the second-period barrage.</p><p>Wylie started the Hawks rally with a second-period goal in Tulsa Saturday. It was his 146th career goal, breaking the club record held by Michel Archambault. Don Ashby and Jim McKenny scored in the third to make a 3-3 tie, and McKenny won the game after 2:43 of overtime with a short shot out of a scramble.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-0754/4140118-1-eng-US/f0030-072.jpg" title="f0030-07" width="571" height="751"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>REG KERR&hellip;Routed Tulsa</b></figcaption></div><p>Savard and Mike O&rsquo;Connell got the Dallas goals in the home loss to KC. The loss left the Hawks with a better road record (18-15-1) than at home (17-15-2). as they had won eighth of their last 11 on the road.</p><p>Right wing Kurt Walker, was called up to Toronto after the Saturday victory and left wing Hinton suffered a groin pull Sunday, leaving Dallas with but 13 skaters. Right wing Alain Belanger, the league-leading penalty-getter (238 minutes), had to sit out the Sunday game on an automatic one-game suspension for drawing his third game misconduct in Tulsa Saturday.</p><p><b>SALT LAKE</b>: For the third time this season, the Golden Eagles ran up a string of four straight road wins, but the bubble burst in Fort Worth.</p><p>The Big Birds began a long road trip with four games in as many nights: They won in Fort Worth, 7-2, and in Dallas, 4-2. But veteran goalie Gary Smith scissored the string with a 4-0 shutout in Fort Worth, and then the Eagles absorbed a 53 loss in Tulsa.</p><p>Little center Doug Palazzari virtually wrapped up the league scoring championship. He had six goals and two assists for the week, running his point total to 86. Doug led the leaguein goals (37) and was tied for the lead in assists. He also had nine winning goals to lead the league and break a franchise record, and 16 power play goals, which gave him similar honors.</p><p>Palazzari had two goals in the victory at Fort Worth, where John Smrke also scored two, and Ken Kuzyk, Floyd Thomson, and Rick Bourbonnais had singles.</p><p>It was two more goals for the leagueleader in Dallas, as Thomson and Mike Korney also had a hand in the lamplighting.</p><p>All that offense came to a grinding halt against Smith in Fort Worth. But the next night Palazzari scored twice in Tulsa, tying the score twice, only to see the Oilers come back and win the game.</p><p>Smrke was fifth in the league scoring race (58 points), Lyle Bradley tied for ninth (52), and Thomson tied for 10th (51). Ed Staniowski clung to the CHL goaltending lead on a 2.91 average.</p><p>The Eagles lost forwards Ken Richardson and Mike Crombeen on callups to the St. Louis Blues.</p><p><b>FORT WORTH</b>: A loss, a tie, and a big shutout victory, all at home meant a break-even week for Billy MacMillan&rsquo;s Texans. They were outclassed, 7-2, by Salt Lake, rallied to tie Kansas City, 4-4, and then avenged that loss to the Eagles with Gary Smith&rsquo;s 4-0 shutout.</p><p>Doug Rombough and Alex Pirus got goals in the loss to Salt Lake. Goalie Don Cutts was stung for five goals in 29 minutes before being replaced by Smith.</p><p>Against KC the Texans had goals from Pirus, Rombough, and Jamie Gallimore, but had to pull goalie Smith in the last minute of regulation time to get the tying goal by Alex McKendry with 29 seconds to play.</p><p>Smith&rsquo;s shutout goaltending on Sunday was backed by two goals from Richie Hansen, Pirus scored for the third straight game, and Kelly Greenbank tallied the opener.</p><p>Hansen&rsquo;s 68 points held third place in the CHL scoring race. Cutts was second among league goalies on a 3.04 average.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0030-07

Penalty-Killing Spurs K.C. Hopes; Eagles’ Road Skein Bubble Bursts

<h2><b>Where IHL Teams Play</b></h2><h3><b>APRIL</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-01321/4140149-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg" title="f0031-01" width="530" height="498"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0031-01

INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

<div class="byline">BY BUD GALLMEIER</div><p>SAGINAW&mdash;</p><p>As the International Hockey League entered the final three weeks of its 80-game season, only three teams appeared secure in their positions.</p><p>Defending league and playoff champion Saginaw was moving in on another North Division crown with a nine-point spread over second-place Kalamazoo. Fort Wayne had a 13-point spread over Toledo in the South and the Diggers were 10 to the good over third-place Milwaukee.</p><p>But the lineup for the post-season playoffs apparently will have to wait awhile. Maybe the final week of the season&mdash;if not the final weekend, or games.</p><p>As Fort Wayne coach Gregg Pilling puts it, &ldquo;There are races going on everywhere.&rdquo;</p><p>Pilling and his Komets are involved in one of the battles&mdash;for the league championship and the accompanying Huber Trophy. The Komets and Saginaw are skating neck-and-neck with one head-to-head confrontation still to go.</p><p>Which of the two finally wins out could be academic. In the season series thus far the two have played better in the other&rsquo;s building than at home. The Komets have yet to lose in Saginaw while the Gears have a couple of ties and a win in the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.</p><p>As pointed out earlier, Toledo has a lock on second place in the South&mdash;barring a late-season collapse. But the Diggers apparently will have to wait to learn their first-round opponent.</p><p>Milwaukee&rsquo;s young Admirals currently hold the No. 3 spot in the South but Grand Rapids Owls are just a stride or two away.</p><p>Actually, the Admirals have two teams to worry about&mdash;the Owls and Muskegon of the North. The three teams figure to fight it out for the final playoff position as the first four places&mdash;rather teams as the order of finish is still far from decided&mdash;in the North appear set.</p><p>Milwaukee headed into the final three weeks with a four-point lead on Grand Rapids. The Owls, in turn, were just two ahead of the Mohawks.</p><p>The race for second in the North remains a keen battle between Kalamazoo, Port Huron and Flint. The K-Wings currently are second, two points ahead of Port Huron. The Generals trail Port Huron by three.</p><p>If the season ended now, Saginaw and Flint would square off in one of the Northern semi-finals with Kalamazoo and Port Huron filling the other bracket. In the South, it would be Fort Wayne against Grand Rapids and Toledo facing off with Milwaukee. All playoff series will be four-of-seven.</p><p><b>SAGINAW</b>: The Gears enjoyed a highly successful road trip after leaving home in the wake of a 2-1 loss to Kalamazoo. The Gears pitched a pair of shutouts in Milwaukee with Lorne Molleken and Pierre Chagnon sharing the first shutout, a 6-0 breather. Molleken started the game but was injured in the second period and Chagnon relieved him.</p><p>Chagnon did it on his own in the second game, a 4-0 masterpiece. Kevin Kemp featured the offense with a hat trick in the 6-0 game.</p><p>The trip ended with a 3-3 tie in Fort Wayne.</p><p><b>KALAMAZOO</b>: A second straight home sellout (5,235) greeted the K-Wings following a successful road trip and was treated to a 3-2 thriller over Grand Rapids. The Wings picked up four of six points on a three-game road swing, featured by a 2-1 win at Saginaw. A 5-2 win at Muskegon and a 5-3 loss at Milwaukee were included in the trip.</p><p>Following the win over Grand Rapids the K-Wings showed the effects of playings seven games in nine days and dropped a 6-1 battle at Port Huron.</p><p><b>PORT HURON</b>: The Flags had a good week, winning three straight at home&mdash;all against Northern Division rivals. The Flags nipped Flint, 6-5, hurried Kalamazoo, 6-1, and edged past Muskegon, 4-3.</p><p>The home stand followed an 8-2 bombing in Fort Wayne as the Flags were hit with a five-goal final period.</p><p><b>FLINT</b>: The Generals&rsquo; bid for a higher finish will rest on the goaltending talents of rookie Randy Ireland. Ireland became the last line of defense when Bill Oleschuk was called up by the Philadelphia Firebirds. The Generals have recalled Rick Szabo, released earlier, as backup. But because rosters were frozen at the 16-player limit, Szabo can play only if Ireland is injured.</p><p>Ireland responded to the new responsibility like a seasoned veteran. He beat Grand Rapids, 4-2 and was credited by coach Marc Boileau as being the difference. &ldquo;When you get good goaltending a lot of things fall into line,&rdquo; Boileau said after the victory.</p><p>In subsequent tests, the Generals dropped a 6-5 decision at Port Huron but bounced back to edge Muskegon at home, 4-3.</p><p><b>MUSKEGON</b>: Gerry Moore, who has been out of hockey since leaving as coach of the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA, took over Muskegon Mohawks for interim pilot Bryan McLay. There were signs the Mohawks would react favorably to the tutoring of Moore.</p><p>Following a 5-2 loss at Kalamazoo, the Mohawks unleashed their most devastating offensive performance of the season against Toledo at home, bombing the Diggers, 9-1. The line of Jeff McDill, Gret McPhee and Neil Hawryliw accounted for 14 points.</p><p>The Mohawks subsequently dropped a pair on the road&mdash;by one-goal margins. They lost at Flint and Kalamazoo again, each by identical, 4-3 scores.</p><p><b>FORT WAYNE</b>: Dan Bonar featured the Komets&rsquo; week by establishing a new point record for Komet rookies. The stocky little center picked up his 95th point on an assist in the Komets&rsquo; 3-1 victory at Toledo to break the previous record of 94 set last year by Rob Tudor. Bonar is also within reach of the goal record for rookies&mdash;set at 53 last year by Ron Zanussi, now with the Minnesota North Stars. Bonar has 42 goals.</p><p>As a team, the Komets went 3-1-1 with an even break in two games at Toledo, the key. After dropping a 6-2 decision on a Friday night, the K&rsquo;s returned on Tuesday and posted a 3-1 victory with rookie Murray Bannerman performing magic in the nets.</p><p>The Komets also posted 7-3 and 8-2 wins over Grand Rapids (road) and Port Huron (home), respectively, while skating to a 3-3 tie at home with Saginaw.</p><p><b>TOLEDO</b>: The Diggers also had a good week&mdash;but still lost ground in their chase with Fort Wayne. Toledo went 3-2-0 with home victories over Grand Rapids (7-4), Fort Wayne (6-2) and on the rod at Grand Rapids (6-2). In addition to the 3-1 loss to the Komets the Diggers were bombed in Muskegon, 9-1.</p><p><b>MILWAUKEE</b>: The Admirals, lowest scoring club in the league, suffered through additional frustration while dropping the second of two straight shutouts to Saginaw&mdash;the top defensive club in the league.</p><p>A 4-0 loss was followed by a 6-0 whipping in a game which saw two apparent Milwaukee goals disallowed. One&mdash;by Daniel Lecours&mdash;was ruled never in the net. Another&mdash;by Gary Morrison&mdash;went in but Morrison was detected with his stick above the shoulder.</p><p>The double defeat followed a 5-3 win over Kalamazoo at home.</p><p>Attendance continued to be very encouraging, however. The two-game series with Saginaw drew a total of 9,277 fans.</p><p><b>GRAND RAPIDS</b>: The Owls came up with nothing during a five-game week but didn&rsquo;t suffer as far as position is concerned. At least not much.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-03189/4140180-1-eng-US/f0031-032.jpg" title="f0031-03" width="572" height="858"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RANDY IRELAND&hellip;Played Like Veteran</b></figcaption></div><p>The Owls were still just four points behind Milwaukee and two points up on Muskegon in the battle for the final playoff position. Three of the losses during the week were on the road&mdash;at Toledo (7-4), Flint (4-2) and Kalamazoo (3-2). What hurt were 7-3 and 6-2 whippings at home by Fort Wayne and Toledo, respectively.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0031-03

IHL Playoff Race May Go To Final Weekend

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0031-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-02243/4140211-1-eng-US/f0031-022.jpg"></div><p>WINDSOR&mdash;</p><p>The International Hockey League will honor the most outstanding American-born rookie performer this season the new Ken McKenzie Troply.</p><p>The award, presented to the IHL by the publisher of THE HOCKEY NEWS, Ken McKenzie, will be voted on by managers and coaches of the nine league teams. McKenzie is the founder and president of THE HOCKEY NEWS.</p><p>The IHL has announced that eight U.S. - born players are eligible for the McKenzie Trophy, two from Grand Rapids and one player each from Flint, Toledo, Muskegon, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo and Milwaukee.</p><p>Following are the American-born players along with their former amateur teams:<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0031-02

Eight Americans Eligible For Ken McKenzie Trophy

f0032-01

WCHA All Stars

<div class="byline">BY VIRG FOSS</div><p>DENVER&mdash;</p><p>There were no surprises on the annual All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association team announced recently by the Denver Post.</p><p>League champion Denver and runnerup Wisconsin each claimed two berths on the six-man first team with North Dakota and Minnesota-Duluth gaining one spot each.</p><p>The first team featured the league&rsquo;s top goalie, three of the top four scorers and the two leading scoring defensemen as picked by a vote of coaches, sports information directors and media covering the WCHA.</p><p>Denver landed goaltender Ernie Glanville and center Doug Berry on the All Star team while Wisconsin placed center Mark Johnson and Mike Eaves, the coscoring leaders in the league.</p><p>North Dakota&rsquo;s Bill Himmelright and Duluth&rsquo;s Curt Giles were the blueliners chosen for the select team and they ranked one-two in league scoring for defensemen.</p><p>Glanville was the only goalie in the WCHA with an average under 3.00 this year. The senior from New Westminister, B.C., had a sparkling 2.57 average while compiling a .915 save percentage, also the best in the league. He registered one of the four shutouts posted by WCHA goalies this year.</p><p>Berry tied for fourth in league scoring with 64 points, six behind Johnson and Eaves, Wisconsin&rsquo;s dynamic duo. Berry, a junior, had his best year at Denver while picking up 25 goals and 39 assists in 32 games.</p><p>Johnson, a sophomore, had an amazing year. The son of Wisconsin coach Bob Johnson was the league&rsquo;s leading goal scorer with 39 and ranked high in assists with 31 in 31 games.</p><p>Eaves, a senior, finished second to Colorado College rookie Greg Whyte in assists with 45 to Whyte&rsquo;s 46 while adding 25 goals to share the scoring championship.</p><p>Himmelright, a junior blueliner, headed North Dakota&rsquo;s rise to a tie for fifth in the final league standings in the final year under coach Rube Bjorkman, who resigned in January.</p><p>Himmelright led all defensemen in scoring with eight goals and 38 assists. He also became North Dakota&rsquo;s all-time leading scoring defenseman and broke the school record for assists in a season with 41.</p><p>Giles, a mainstay at Duluth for three years, did for Duluth what Himmelright did for North Dakota. Giles, also a junior, had nine goals and 31 assists while steadying a youthful Bulldog team.</p><p>Denver swept another honor when Marshall Johnston was named the coach of the year. Johnston was a runaway winner over Bjorkman, second in the balloting. Johnston took Denver to a 27-5 regular season record, the most wins in history by a WCHA champion.</p><p>Colorado College&rsquo;s Greg Whyte was named the rookie of the year. Whyte tied for fourth in league scoring with 64 points to become the third Colorado College player in four years to win that honor. Senior Jim Warner and junior Dave Delich were previous winners from Colorado College.</p><p>&ldquo;Greg was a good choice for the award,&rdquo; said Colorado College coach Jeff Sauer. &ldquo;He is perfectly suited for college hockey. He has size, speed, enthusiasm and generates excitement when he&rsquo;s on the ice.&rdquo;</p><p>Named to the second team were Wisconsin junior goalie Julian Baretta, a first team choice a year ago; Denver defensemen Greg Woods, a junior, and Lex Hudson, a senior; Denver forward Perry Schnarr, a sophomore; CC&rsquo;s Whyte and Delich and Minnesota&rsquo;s Steve Christoff, a sophomore.</p><p>Meanwhile, Grand Forks television station WDAZ-TV came out with its sixth annual All-WCHA team as chosen strictly on a vote by the players.</p><p>The only difference on the first team came at defense, where Minnesota&rsquo;s Bill Baker, a junior, was voted first team in place of North Dakota&rsquo;s Himmelright. The WDAZ-TV poll did not list a second team.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02248/4140280-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg" title="f0032-02" width="570" height="614"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BILL HIMMELRIGHT&hellip;Sioux Record-Breaker</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-03173/4140273-1-eng-US/f0032-032.jpg" title="f0032-03" width="578" height="602"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DOUG BERRY&hellip;Fourth In Scoring</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0032-02

Denver, Wisconsin Dominate Spots On WCHA’s 1978 All Star Squads

<div class="byline">BY JIM SCHNEIDER</div><p>BOWLING GREEN&mdash;</p><p>They didn&rsquo;t win the 1978 National Collegiate Athletic Association title this time but the day may not be too far away when they will.</p><p>This was the general feeling around the Central Collegiate Hockey Association after the Bowling Green Falcons distinguished themselves by winning the consolation event in their first ever stab at the national United States college championship.</p><p>It&rsquo;s not history that Boston University won it all and that it was an all-Eastern final in which BU toppled Boston College for the NCAA crown, but it will long become a cherished memory here and throughout the CCHA that Bowling Green first knocked off Colorado College in the special CCHA-WCHA playoff and won the trip to Providence for the 1978 NCAA&rsquo;s.</p><p>And it will also make the past CCHA season the most successful in history that the same Falcons from Bowling Green went out and upset mighty Wisconsin 4-3 in the consolation final of the Providence tournament.</p><p>It seemed like only yesterday that Bowling Green, boasting balanced scoring, a veteran defense and a pair of spectacular freshmen goaltenders, the CCHA title away from St. Louis University giving the Falcons their second championship in the past three years.</p><p>It was easy to see the Falcons were loaded with potential for the trip down East. They had been waiting years for the confrontation with the WCHA and when BG came through triumphant against Colorado College, it seemed nothing could stop the Falcons when they headed for the NCAA&rsquo;s.</p><p>Beaten by Boston College in the first round didn&rsquo;t deter the Falcons. They stormed back and stuck it to Wisconsin just as they had been doing all season to their foes right here in the CCHA while winning their second conference championship at the expense of St. Louis.</p><p>The Falcons did it in convincing style with a 25-7 overall record and a 15-3 CCHA mark. In fact, BG finished the regular season with an 18-game home winning streak to set a team record.</p><p>In CCHA competition the Falcons were 10-0 at home and scored 96 goals and allowed just 42 in 18 games. The next best league record was St. Louis University with a .500 record (20-15-1 10-10 CCHA) with 83 goals in 20 games, while St. Louis was second in defense allowing 71 goals in 20 games.</p><p>The Falcons are coached by Ron Mason who pushed his career coaching percentage to .701 (257-102-12) at the finish of the regular season. Mason, who is in his fifth year at Bowling Green, has now had seven 20-win seasons in a row including two years at Lake Superior State College. Mason was the CCHA coach of the year for the 1975-76 season.</p><p>The balance in the BG attack stems from the fact that the top three lines have combined for 135 goals for an average of 45 goals a line. In fact the line totals are 46,44, and 45.</p><p>Leading scorer John Markell (29-19-48) from Cornwall, Ont., played on the right wing of the top scoring line with Mark Wells (10-26-36), at center. The left wing on the all junior line for the Falcons is Paul Titanic of Toronto, who has scored seven goals.</p><p>Sophomore Tom Newton (20-16-36), joined the 20-goal club for the first time at BG after missing all of the 1976-77 season after knee surgery. T. Newton plays on the right side with senior tricaptains Dave Easton (13-17-30); and left winger Byron Shutt (11-27-38), the brother of Montreal Canadiens&rsquo; left winger Steve Shutt.</p><p>Senior Mike Hartman (27-12-39), recently became the second BGSU player to score 100 goals in a career, and he centers the third line with senior Steve Murphy (7-16-23), a Montrealer, on right wing and either Steve Dawe, or Bruce Newton on the left side.</p><p>Spearheading the defense was AllAmerican candidate Ken Morrow, a junior from Flint, Mich., who has been an All-CCHA selection his first two years at BG and an all-tournament selection in both the Great Lakes Invitational and the Cornell Tournament.</p><p>Morrow&rsquo;s partner is senior John Mavity, a two-time All-CCHA performer and the all-time leading defensive goal scorer at BG.</p><p>Senior tri-captain Tom Thomas, and sophomore Mike Cotter form the other regular defensive unit. Thomas was selected the most valuable defenseman on the team by his teammates the past two seasons.</p><p>The big question mark for the Falcons at the start of the season was the goaltending as Mason had to replace Mike Liut and Al Sarachman after four successful seasons.</p><p>The two replacements, Brian Stankiewicz, and Wally Charko, both Canadians, filled the bill and then some. Stankiewicz captured the CCHA goaltending title with an amazing 1.83 mark that included shutouts over Northern Michigan and St. Louis. He allowed three goals in his last four league starts and his 9-1 win over Lake Superior clinched the title for BG.</p><p>Charko had to battle illness several times, but lists wins over Notre Dame, 51 and St. Louis, 3-2 on his record.</p><p>All in all it was a super team effort that took Bowling Green so far and so close to becoming National champions.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Bowling Green Looking Ahead After First Taste Of NCAA’s

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01293/4140335-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg" title="f0033-01" width="925" height="931"></div><h2><b>Guarding the Post</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he number of times play gets behind the net makes it essential the goalie know how to guard the short side by hugging the post. That puck can easily slide just inside the post or be jammed through a small space between it and the goalie&rsquo;s pads.</p><p>You&rsquo;ll see from the illustration that the goalie&rsquo;s right pad is jammed against the post and his stick is poised to sweep the puck out of danger. Be sure your skate blade is sideways to the play and you have a good grip on the goal frame with your free arm.</p><p>Note these two things: The skate blade turned against the play will let you push off fast towards the open side of the net if the puck goes out in front. The grip on the frame will allow you to shove your body away fast if the puck goes out front.</p><p>Learn all these little tricks and try to think of a few of your own.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0033-01

Hockey for Minors

<div class="byline">BY RICHARD PROCTOR</div><p>KITCHENER&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>fter dropping the first two games in overtime to Toronto Marlies, the Kitchener Rangers swept the final three matches to move into the Emms Division semi-finals against the first place London Knights.</p><p>In the second quarter-final series, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defeated Kingston Canadians three games to two with the deciding victory on the road. Greyhounds now meet Ottawa 67s in the semi-finals of the Leyden Division.</p><p>In the other series, both Peterborough Petes and Hamilton Fincups are leading their opponents three points to one in eight-point series. Petes lead Oshawa Generals, while the Fincups are in front of Windsor Spitfires.</p><p>Kitchener Rangers chose to do it the hard way, losing the first two games by identical 5-4 Scores in sudden-death overtime. But with team captain Don Maloney pointing the way. Kitchener rebounded to tie the series 2-2 and set the stage for the final game on home-ice.</p><p>In game five. Rangers withstood a robust assault by Toronto in the first 10 minutes of the game. Goalie Bob Parent, playing his best game of the series, held Toronto to just one goal, that by hardworking center Gary Dillon.</p><p>Rangers tied the game before the first period ended on one of three power play goals. They took the lead in the second period on a short-handed goal by Maloney. While Marlies rallied twice to tie the game, they never did regain the lead, losing 6-4.</p><p>It was a rough series, with games three and four ending in fights and near brawls. Coaches Bob Ertel of Kitchener and Marlies&rsquo; George Armstrong felt their key players were being intimidated, although both stoutly denied they were instructing any of their players in such a manner.</p><p>Ertel did say the only way to beat the fast-skating Toronto team was &lsquo;by slowing them down&rdquo; and they accomplished this as the series went along. Toronto seemed to lack the size or spirit in the corners as their wingers were unable to get the puck out to high scoring centers like Dillon and Rob Gamer.</p><p>Before the series began, Marlies acquired goaltender Bob Froese from Niagara Falls Flyers to replace injured Terry Wright. Stuart Birenbaum was in goal for Toronto&rsquo;s first win. But he started slowly in game two and was replaced by Froese, who played the rest of the series.</p><p>Parent, who came to Kitchener from Windsor last fall, was solid throughout the series.</p><p>Brad Thiessen scored the overtime goal in game one. Relegated to penalty-killing status late in the season, Thiessen had just helped kill off a penalty when he got a sudden breakaway at center ice. He was prepared for Parent to come diving out, stepped around him and found the empty net.</p><p>In the second game at Maple Leaf Gardens, Pat Graham scored his second goal of the game after seven minutes of overtime and Marlies were up 2-0. Graham was playing regularly only because four Marlies were ejected during the contest. Dillon did all the work on the goal and also started Marlies off with a power play goal in the first minute of the second period. Brian Paton and Glen Duncan had the other Toronto goals.</p><p>Kitchener bounced back in game three with a 6-3 win. Rangers line of Paul Reinhart, Bob Schnurr and Tim Zwijack accounted for four goals with Brian Schnurr and Jody Gage adding singles.</p><p>Rob Garner with two and Scott McGeown scored Toronto&rsquo;s goals.</p><p>In the critical fourth game played in Toronto, Maloney set-up the first three Ranger goals before he received a game misconduct late in the second period. Bruce McKay, Doug Sulliman, Dale Hunter and Brian Schnurr had Kitchener goals while Thiessen, Jim Peplinski and Dave Aquin scored for Toronto.</p><p><b>SAULT STE. MARIE</b>: The Kingston-Sault series as close as Toronto-Kitchener. Both teams won their two home games. Meaning, the deciding game would be played in Kingston, which finished one point ahead of the Greyhounds in the standings. In game five, Greyhounds struck fast and furious, outscoring Canadians 4-1 in the first period. Kingston whittled away to knot the score at 5-5, but with less than three minutes to play, left-winger Dave Watson scored to give the Greyhounds a 6-5 victory. Paul Mancini had three goals for the Sault with Tom McLeod and Dan Lucas adding singles.</p><p>In game three, Mancini and McLeod each scored twice as Greyhounds squared the series 2-2 with a 6-2 win. Wayne Gretzky scored once and added three assists.</p><p>Gretzky, who finished second in the scoring race behind Bob Smith, was named the Leyden Division rookie of the year and voted the league&rsquo;s most gentlemanly player by the 12 coaches.</p><p>Canadians opened the series with a 4-3 home-ice win in sudden-death overtime on Behn Wilson&rsquo;s goal. McMonagle the team&rsquo;s overage player, had an excellent series. He scored twice in that game with Mike Gillis adding the other goal.</p><p>Greyhounds evened the series 1-1 with a 6-4 win on Gretzky&rsquo;s three goals. Defenseman Craig Hartsburg scored twice and Arthur Rutland added a single.</p><p>Tony McKegney with two, McMonagle and Gillis scored for Kingston.</p><p>Kingston rallied to a 2-1 lead in games with a 5-2 victory in game three, thanks to two power play goals by defenseman Brian Crombeen. Simurda, Gillis, and Dave Clement had singles with McLeod and Watson scoring for the Sault.</p><p><b>PETERBOROUGH</b>: The opening game of the Petes-Oshawa series was actually two games in one. Peterborough had a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes, then stood around as Oshawa roared back to tie the game 5-5. Dan Lane&rsquo;s goal with only two seconds remaining, gave the Generals the tie.</p><p>Bob Crawford, Diego Odino, Mike Pidgeon and Tom McCarthy had the other Generals&rsquo; goals. Steve Larmer scored twice for Peterborough with Jeff Brubaker, Bill Gardner and Bob Atwell adding singles.</p><p>Gary Green&rsquo;s Petes got squared away in game two, held in Oshawa. winning 31. Terry Bovair and Mike Meeker gave Petes a 2-0 lead before defenseman Charlie Huddy made it 2-1. Brubaker scored the clincher into an empty net for a 3-1 lead in points.</p><p><b>HAMILTON</b>: Fincups and Windsor Spitfires also opened with a tie in Windsor. John Kibyuk scored twice for the Spitfires and John Barrett added a single. Greg Terrion, Rob Mierkalns and Al Secord replied for Hamilton who gained the important initial point on the road.</p><p>In the return game in Hamilton, Secord scored twice in a 3-2 Fincups win. Dennis Houle had the other Hamilton goal, while Bo Schryer and Joel Quenneville scored for the Spitfires.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-01321/4140366-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="577" height="802"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GARY DILLON&hellip;Marlies&rsquo; Best</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-01

Rangers Advance Via Rough Road; Petes, Fincups Open Narrow Leads

<h2><b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Mon. April 4)</b></p><h3><b>NORTHERN DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-01306/4140495-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg" title="f0035-01" width="574" height="136"></div><h3><b>SOUTHERN DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02249/4140488-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="577" height="193"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Mon. March 27</b></p><p>Philadelphia 1 at Nova Scotia 1</p><p><b>Tue. March 28</b></p><p>Philadelphia 2 at Nova Scotia 7</p><p>Maine 4 at Rochester 6</p><p><b>Wed. March 29</b></p><p>Binghamton 3 at Hershey 5</p><p>Springfield 2 at Maine 5</p><p>Rochester 2 at Philadelphia 5</p><p><b>Thu. March 30</b></p><p>New Haven 4 at Nova Scotia 5</p><p><b>Fri. March 31</b></p><p>New Haven 2 at Nova Scotia 4</p><p>Maine 1 at Philadelphia 4</p><p>Binghamton 1 at Rochester 9</p><p>Hershey 3 at Springfield 4</p><p><b>Sat. April 1</b></p><p>Maine 6 at Hershey 5</p><p>Rochester 3 at Philadelphia 3</p><p>New Haven 1 at Springfield 5</p><p><b>Sun. April 2</b></p><p>New Haven 5 at Binghamton 1</p><p>Hershey 1 at Maine 4</p><p>Springfield 2 at Nova Scotia 3</p><p>Philadelphia at Rochester Ppd.</p><h2><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03185/4140481-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="578" height="536"></div><h2><b>GOALING RECORDS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04151/4140474-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="582" height="292"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04a/4140467-1-eng-US/f0035-04a2.jpg" title="f0035-04a" width="575" height="218"></div><h2><b>CENTRAL LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Mon. April 3)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-05116/4140460-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="573" height="158"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Mon. March 27</b></p><p>Dallas 4 at Salt Lake 6</p><p><b>Tue. March 28</b></p><p>Fort Worth 3 at Tulsa 3</p><p><b>Thu. March 30</b></p><p>Tulsa 0 at Fort Worth 6</p><p>Dallas 5 at Salt Lake 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 31</b></p><p>Salt Lake 1 at Dallas 3</p><p>Kansas City 8 at Tulsa 2</p><p><b>Sat. April 1</b></p><p>Salt Lake 5 at Dallas 4</p><p>Kansas City 0 at Fort Worth 4</p><h2><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0697/4140453-1-eng-US/f0035-062.jpg" title="f0035-06" width="577" height="296"></div><h2><b>GOALING RECORD</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0788/4140446-1-eng-US/f0035-072.jpg" title="f0035-07" width="577" height="324"></div><h2><b>INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Mon. April 3)</b></p><h3><b>NORTH DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0870/4140439-1-eng-US/f0035-082.jpg" title="f0035-08" width="575" height="163"></div><h3><b>SOUTH DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-0966/4140432-1-eng-US/f0035-092.jpg" title="f0035-09" width="579" height="130"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Tue. March 28</b></p><p>Fort Wayne 2 at Milwaukee 1</p><p>Saginaw 0 at Kalamazoo 1</p><p><b>Wed. March 29</b></p><p>Fort Wayne 6 at Milwaukee 3</p><p>Grand Rapids 2 at Toledo 5</p><p><b>Fri. March 31</b></p><p>Fort Wayne 3 at Flint 4</p><p>Port Huron 1 at Kalamazoo 3</p><p>Saginaw 3 at Toledo 4</p><p>Muskegon 2 at Milwaukee 7</p><p><b>Sat. April 1</b></p><p>Flint 5 at Fort Wayne 4</p><p>Milwaukee 3 at Muskegon 6</p><p>Toledo 4 at Port Huron 4</p><p>Kalamazoo 4 at Saginaw 5</p><p><b>Sun. April 2</b></p><p>Fort Wayne 3 at Port Huron 3</p><p>Saginaw 3 at Flint 4</p><p>Muskegon 6 at Kalamazoo 6</p><p>Grand Rapids 5 at Toledo 10</p><h2><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1056/4140425-1-eng-US/f0035-102.jpg" title="f0035-10" width="582" height="450"></div><h2><b>GOALING RECORDS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1151/4140418-1-eng-US/f0035-112.jpg" title="f0035-11" width="584" height="116"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-11a/4140411-1-eng-US/f0035-11a2.jpg" title="f0035-11a" width="579" height="691"></div><h2><b>PACIFIC HOCKEY LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Fri. March 31)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1242/4140404-1-eng-US/f0035-122.jpg" title="f0035-12" width="585" height="139"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Sat. March 18</b></p><p>Long Beach 4 at San Diego 8</p><p><b>Tue. March 21</b></p><p>Phoenix 6 at Long Beach 2</p><p><b>Wed. March 22</b></p><p>San Francisco 8 at Long Beach 2</p><p>San Diego 5 at Phoenix 7</p><p><b>Fri. March 24</b></p><p>Long Beach 3 at Phoenix 6</p><p><b>Sat. March 25</b></p><p>Phoenix 2 at San Diego 5</p><p><b>Sun. March 26</b></p><p>Phoenix 5 at Long Beach 4</p><p><b>Tue. March 28</b></p><p>San Francisco 0 at San Diego 2</p><h2><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1337/4140397-1-eng-US/f0035-132.jpg" title="f0035-13" width="576" height="370"></div><h2><b>Who They&rsquo;re Affiliated With&hellip;</b></h2><h2><b>NHL TEAMS</b></h2><p>1&mdash;Montreal</p><p>2&mdash;Chicago</p><p>3&mdash;Boston</p><p>4&mdash;Rangers</p><p>5&mdash;Detroit</p><p>6&mdash;Toronto</p><p>7&mdash;Philadelphia</p><p>8&mdash;Los Angeles</p><p>9&mdash;St Louis</p><p>10&mdash;Minnesota</p><p>11&mdash;Pittsburgh</p><p>12&mdash;islanders</p><p>13&mdash;Vancouver</p><p>14&mdash;Buffalo</p><p>15&mdash;Atlanta</p><p>16&mdash;Cleveland</p><p>17&mdash;Colorado</p><p>18&mdash;Washington</p><h2><b>WHA TEAMS</b></h2><p>19&mdash;New England</p><p>20&mdash;Quebec</p><p>21&mdash;Winnipeg</p><p>22&mdash;Houston</p><p>23&mdash;Indianapolis</p><p>24&mdash;Edmonton</p><p>25&mdash;Cincinnati</p><p>26&mdash;Birmingham</p><h2><b>INTER-LEAGUE</b></h2><p>27&mdash;Boston (NHL) & St. Louis (NHL)</p><p>28&mdash;Montreal (NHL) & Atlanta (NHL).</p><p>29&mdash;Pittsburgh (NHL) & Houston (WHA)</p><p>30&mdash;Washmgton (NHL) & Buffalo (NHL)</p><p>31&mdash;independent</p><p>33&mdash;Los Angeles (NHL) & New England (WHA)</p><p>35&mdash;Chicago (NHL) 4 Toronto (NHL)</p><p>36&mdash;Vancouver (NHL) & Atlanta (NHL)</p><p>37&mdash;Islanders (NHL) 4 Minnesota (NHL)</p><p>40&mdash;Detroit (NHL) 4 Atlanta (NHL)</p><p>41&mdash;St Louis (NHL) 4 Washington (NHL)</p><p>42&mdash;Chicago (NHL) 4 Colorado (NHL)</p><p>43&mdash;Vancouver (NHL) 4 Minnesota (NHL)</p><p>44&mdash;Buffalo (NHL) 4 Philadelphia (NHL)</p><p>45&mdash;Islanders (NHL) 4 Atlanta (NHL)</p><p>48&mdash;Rangers (NHL) 4 Cleveland (NHL)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0035-01

Looking At The Minor League Scoreboard

<div class="byline">BY BRUCE PENTON</div><p>BRANDON&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>R</span>yan Walter of Seattle Breakers, called a &ldquo;Bobby Clarke, but with more talent&rdquo; by one Western Canada Hockey League general manager, should be the first WCHL player chosen in this summer&rsquo;s draft of 20-year-old amateur hockey players, results of a survey taken by The Brandon Sun show.</p><p>Walter, a strong center who captained Team Canada at the world junior tournament over Christmas in Quebec, edged out Brandon Wheat Kings&rsquo; goal-scoring star Bill Derlago for the No. 1 position.</p><p>Based on a point system of 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, eight for third, etc., Walter compiled 382 points, barely ahead of Derlago&rsquo;s 373.</p><p>Third in the balloting was Wayne Babych, a right-winger with Portland Winter Hawks. Babych is an Edmonton native playing in his fourth WCHL season.</p><p>Rounding out the top 10 were Steve Tambellini, Lethbridge Broncos&rsquo; center; Brent Peterson, a center with Portland; Merlin Malinowski, captain and center with Medicine Hat Tigers; Curt Fraser, a four year veteran from Winnipeg who has played his entire career with Victoria Cougars; left-winger Paul Mulvey of Portland, another fourth-year player; defenseman Larry Playfair of Portland; and right-winger Stan Smyl of New Westminster Bruins.</p><p>Walter, who played two games with Kamloops Chiefs as a 15-year-old and nine the next year, joined the WCHL as a full-time player in 1975-76, as a 17-year-old. The New Westminster, B.C. native had 35 and 41-goal seasons before scoring 54 times this year and adding 71 assists. His career totals are 138 goals and 182 assists for 320 points, about 15th on the all-time WCHL list.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03161/4140564-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="584" height="668"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BRIAN PROPP&hellip;Scoring Champion</b></figcaption></div><p>Derlago, a speedy center from Beulah, Man., who missed playing for Team Canada this winter due to a knee injury, scored a league-leading 89 goals in just 52 games this year, and finished with a career total of 234, second only in league history to another former Brandon star, Ron Chipperfield, now with Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association.</p><p>Babych and Tambellini were also members of Canada&rsquo;s world-junior tournament team. Babych will finish his four-year career with about 350 points, about 120 of them coming this season. He had 119 points with one game to play. Tambellini wound up with 155 career goals and has nearly 200 assists for his three seasons.</p><p>Scoring leader Brian Propp, who finished his sophomore year with 182 points, was a near-unanimous choice as left-winger on the first All Star team. Joining him on the first team are Derlago and Babych, defensemen Brad McCrimmon of Brandon and Playfair, and goalie Tim Thomlison of Billings.</p><p>Doug Wickenheiser of Regina Pats, a 16-year-old who finished with 37 goals and 88 points, was voted the top rookie, easily outpolling Portland defenseman Keith Brown. Brandon&rsquo;s Laurie Boschman, a 99-point man, was third while John Ogrodnick, overlooked by many because he played 14 games with New Westminster last year, finished fourth despite a 58-goal campaign. Another player overlooked by the voters was Regina&rsquo;s rookie Gerry Galloway, who would have qualified because he only played 18 previous WCHL games. Galloway finished with 108 points including 54 goals.</p><p>Ironically, the man voters chose as the league&rsquo;s best coach. Seattle&rsquo;s Les Calder, found himself out of the playoffs on the final weekend. Calder, who had his Breakers in second place in the Western Division most of the season before they faltered at the end, nosed out Billings Bighorns&rsquo; rookie coach Dave King. Mickey Keating of Flin Flon was third.</p><p>Walter, finished on top of another division&mdash;that in voting for the WCHL&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player. He edged Tambellini of Lethbridge for the honor. Malinowski of Medicine Hat and Wheat Kings&mdash;Propp and Derlago&mdash;took the next three positions.</p><p>Results of this poll are unofficial; the actual WCHL awards, voted on officially by league coaches and managers, will be announced during the playoffs.</p><p><b>NEW WESTMINSTER:</b> Needing at least a split of their final two games with Portland to make the playoffs, the Bruins made no mistakes beating the Winter Hawks 6-4 in the first of the two games to clinch a playoff berth. Stan Smyl and Kent Reardon, a rookie who has been the Bruins&rsquo; third-leading goal-getter since Feb. 1, scored two goals each in that game. A crowd of 4,319, the largest ever for a junior game in New Westminster, was on hand for the Easter Sunday special. Scott&rsquo;McLeod&rsquo;s hat trick, giving him 36 goals, led another Bruins&rsquo; win, 113 over Medicine Hat.</p><p><b>VICTORIA:</b> Facing a legitimate do-or-die situation, the Cougars earned their playoff berth by whipping the Breakers 62 in Seattle, shuffling Ryan Walter, Errol Rausse and company to the sidelines with the win. Geordie Robertson led the way with two goals as the Breakers drew 3,511, their biggest crowd of the year, to what turned into a wake. Cougars made it official the next night, getting six points from Robertson to nip Medicine Hat 10-8 before a 4,500-strong crowd.</p><p><b>SEATTLE:</b> Going home for their final three games after a tie and win in Billings, the Breakers needed two wins to clinch a post-season berth. They got the first one, 11-1 over Medicine Hat, with Rausse, Dwayne Lowdermilk, Lenny Dies and Walter getting four points each. But they dropped their next two to be eliminated, 5-3 at the hands of Portland and 6-2 in the crucial match with Victoria.</p><p><b>PORTLAND:</b> With first place clinched about three weeks earlier, the Winter Hawks headed into the final week in a spoilers&rsquo; position. And that they did, knocking off the Breakers 5-3 in Seattle&mdash;where they were undefeated in seven games this year&mdash;and then losing to New West to nullify any hope the Breakers may have had to finish in any position but fourth in the West. Wayne Babych hit the 50-goal mark in his second-to-last game, the second straight year at that plateau for the four-year vet.</p><p><b>BRANDON:</b> The Wheat Kings warmed up for the start of playoffs by getting three of a possible four points at home with Flin Flon, tying 5-5 and winning 9-6 as Bill Derlago fired six goals in the doubleheader to give him a league leading 89. But in the playoff opener, the Wheaties were stunned 3-2 at home by lowly Regina, losing on an overtime goal. Dune McCallum&rsquo;s charges faced the situation of playing their next three games on the road, including back-to-back matches in Flin Flon. Brian Propp was crowned the scoring champ with 182 points, the second-highest total in league history.</p><p><b>REGINA:</b> Rookie Mike Blaisdell, 17, who played but six games with the Pats in a semi-regular role, donned the hero&rsquo;s crown for the Pats as they opened the post-season. Blaisdell&rsquo;s goal at 10:49 of the first overtime period gave the Pats a 3-2 triumph over powerful Brandon to take the early lead in the Eastern Division round-robin playoff. Larry Ell, a 21-goal man during the regular season, also played ah important role for the Pats, doing an outstanding checking job on Derlago, holding him to one assist.</p><p><b>SASKATOON:</b> Nobody can accuse Ken Federko of sloughing off, just because his Blades were well out of playoff contention. The 18-year-old sophomore center was in on 60 percent of Saskatoon&rsquo;s goals in the final two months of the year, and he finished with 118 points, tying him for 12th in the league scoring race. Blades lost their final game of the season, 8-4 in Flin Flon, as Wes George finished his three-year career by scoring twice, giving him 38 goals for the season.</p><p><b>FLIN FLON:</b> Three Bombers hit personal milestones as they finished out their regular schedule with an unimportant 8-4 win over Saskatoon. Los Angeles-born Steve Blue scored once to hit the 40-goal mark, Glenn Hicks twice for a 50-goal season and Jordy Douglas once to hit the 60-mark. Hicks edged Douglas for the team&rsquo;s individual point scoring title, 119-118.</p><p><b>CALGARY:</b> The Wranglers had a sorry end to a dismal, last-place season. Playing in Lethbridge to wind things up, they led 6-5 in a brawling encounter before Broncos&rsquo; Steve Tambellini tied it with less than two minutes to play. Upset, they deliberately put too many men on the ice to resume play, so referee Paul Corcoran awarded the Broncos a penalty shot. As Tambellini was in the process of skating in on the free shot, goalie Warren Skorodenski knocked the net from its moorings, so the Bronco captain was awarded the goal. President Ed Chynoweth would undoubtedly hear a complete report from Corcoran and lay down some penalties.</p><p><b>LETHBRIDGE:</b> Tambellini&rsquo;s free&rsquo; goal gave him a four-goal performance in that final game, giving him 75 for the season and a career total of 155. Rookie Earl Ingarfield, son of the former NHLer and Lethbridge coach, scored his 25th goal of the year in that final game. Broncos are favored to win the Central Division and advance into the WCHL&rsquo;s final playoff round against reps from the other two divisions.</p><p><b>MEDICINE HAT:</b> With a playoff berth secured, the Tigers took it easy on a western road swing to complete their 72-game schedule. And take it easy they did, except for a 10-8 loss in Victoria, where they put up a struggle until the bitter end. Four players, Dave Snopek, Cal Halasz, Jim Nill and Merlin Malinowski, scored two goals apiece. Malinowski wound up with a team-leading 48 goals and 126 points. Nill finished with 47 goals. Tigers were out-scored 28-6 in their other three games, all losses.</p><p><b>BILLINGS:</b> The Bighorns finished one game over .500 for the season, after a 1-12 final week. Two goals and two assists by Cal Roadhouse paced a 6-5 win over Lethbridge in a warmup game for what could be the divisional final series; Kevin Willison and Harvie Pocza had two goals each and rookie Blake Stafford scored once and set up three others as they tied 7-7 in Lethbridge; and Roadhouse set up three goals, including Willison&rsquo;s 20th of the year, in a 5-5 home-ice tie with the Breakers. Their other game was a 4-2 home-ice defeat at the hands of Calgary.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0036-03

Breakers’ Walter Expected To Lead Graduates

<h2><b>ONTARIO MAJOR LEAGUE</b></h2><h2><b>Playoff Games</b></h2><h3><b>Quarter Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-01292/4140763-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg" title="f0038-01" width="580" height="77"></div><p>(Kitchener wins best-of-five aerlea 3-2)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Toronto 5, Kitchener 4</b></p><p><b>Toronto 5, Kitchener 4</b></p><p><b>Kitchener 6, Toronto 3</b></p><p><b>Kitchener 4, Toronto 3</b></p><p><b>Kitchener 6, Toronto 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02229/4140756-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="582" height="77"></div><p>(Sault wins beat-of-flve aerlea 3-2)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Kingston 4, Sault Ste. Marie 3</b></p><p><b>Sault Ste. Marie 6, Kingston 4</b></p><p><b>Kingston 5, Sault Ste. Merle 2</b></p><p><b>Sault Ste. Marie 6, Kingston 2</b></p><p><b>Sault Ste. Marie 6, Kingston 5</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03171/4140749-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg" title="f0038-03" width="583" height="79"></div><p>(Hamilton loads eight-point series 7-1)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Hamilton 3, Windsor 3</b></p><p><b>Hamilton 3, Windsor 2</b></p><p><b>Hamilton 7, Windsor 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-04121/4140742-1-eng-US/f0038-042.jpg" title="f0038-04" width="582" height="80"></div><p>(Peterborough loads eight-point series 7-3)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Peterborough 5, Oshawa 5</b></p><p><b>Peterborough 3, Oshawa 1</b></p><p><b>Peterborough 6, Oshawa 4</b></p><p><b>Peterborough 6, Oshawa 2</b></p><h3><b>Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-0593/4140735-1-eng-US/f0038-052.jpg" title="f0038-05" width="583" height="80"></div><p>(London wins eight-point series 8-0)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p>London 9, Kitchener 2</p><p>London 4, Kitchener 3</p><p>London 4, Kitchener 3</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-0672/4140728-1-eng-US/f0038-062.jpg" title="f0038-06" width="577" height="78"></div><p>(Ottawa leads eight-point series 4-2)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Ottawa 13, Sault 8te. Marie 3</b></p><p><b>Sault Ste. Marie 8, Ottawa 5</b></p><h2><b>WESTERN CANADA LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>Playoff Gamas</b></p><p><b>Round-Robin Series</b></p><h3><b>EASTERN DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-0764/4140721-1-eng-US/f0038-072.jpg" title="f0038-07" width="580" height="102"></div><h3><b>CENTRAL DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-0849/4140714-1-eng-US/f0038-082.jpg" title="f0038-08" width="580" height="82"></div><h3><b>WESTERN DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-0942/4140707-1-eng-US/f0038-092.jpg" title="f0038-09" width="582" height="79"></div><h3><b>Playoff Results</b></h3><p><b>Regina 3, Brandon 2</b></p><p><b>Billings 6, Lethbridge 3</b></p><p><b>Victoria 6, Portland 3</b></p><p><b>Flin Flon 8, Regina 5</b></p><p><b>Medicine Hat 7, Billings 4</b></p><p><b>New Westminster 5, Portland 3</b></p><h2><b>QUEBEC MAJOR LEAGUE</b></h2><h2><b>Playoff Games</b></h2><h3><b>Quarter-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1039/4140700-1-eng-US/f0038-102.jpg" title="f0038-10" width="582" height="84"></div><p>(Trols-Rivleres wins eight-point series 8-0)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Trols-Rivleres 7, Quebec 3</b></p><p><b>Trois-Rivleree 8, Quebec 0</b></p><p><b>Trols-Rivleres 8, Quebec 3</b></p><p><b>Trols-Rivleres 5. Quebec 4</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1134/4140693-1-eng-US/f0038-112.jpg" title="f0038-11" width="579" height="84"></div><p>(Cornwall wins eight-point aerlea 8-0)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Cornwall 11, Hull 3</b></p><p><b>Cornwall 5, Hull 2</b></p><p><b>Cornwall 7, Hull 0</b></p><p><b>Cornwall 10, HuliO</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1229/4140686-1-eng-US/f0038-122.jpg" title="f0038-12" width="580" height="71"></div><p>(Montreal wins sight-points series 8-0)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Montreal 6, Verdun 3</b></p><p><b>Montreal 6, Verdun 4</b></p><p><b>Montreal 8, Verdun 4</b></p><p><b>Montreal 3, Verdun 2</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1321/4140679-1-eng-US/f0038-132.jpg" title="f0038-13" width="579" height="81"></div><p>(Sherbrooke wins eight-point series 9-1)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Sherbrooke 5, Laval 0</b></p><p><b>Sherbrooke 7, Laval 5</b></p><p><b>Sherbrooke 9, Laval 4</b></p><p><b>Sherbrooke 4, Laval 4</b></p><p><b>Sherbrooke 6, Laval 4</b></p><h2><b>WESTERN CANADA LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><h3><b>WEST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1417/4140672-1-eng-US/f0038-142.jpg" title="f0038-14" width="575" height="134"></div><h3><b>CENTRAL DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1515/4140665-1-eng-US/f0038-152.jpg" title="f0038-15" width="588" height="108"></div><h3><b>EAST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-1612/4140658-1-eng-US/f0038-162.jpg" title="f0038-16" width="586" height="115"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Mon. March 20</b></p><p><b>Medicine Hat 2 at Portland 8</b></p><p><b>Tus. March 21</b></p><p><b>Flln Flon 9 at Saskatoon 7</b></p><p><b>Now Westminister 2 at Victoria 9</b></p><p><b>Medicine Hat 1 At Seattle 11</b></p><p><b>Calgary 4 at Billings 2</b></p><p><b>Wed. March 22</b></p><p><b>Flln Flon 5 at Brandon 5</b></p><p><b>Lethbridge 5 at Bllllnga 8</b></p><p><b>Thu. March 23</b></p><p><b>Medicine Hat 3 at New Westmlnoeter 11</b></p><p><b>Portland 5 at Seattle 3</b></p><p><b>Fri. March 24</b></p><p><b>Regina 7 at Saskatoon 9</b></p><p><b>Flin Flon 8 at Brandon 9</b></p><p><b>Victoria 8 at Seattle 2</b></p><p><b>Bllllnga 7 at Lethbridge 7</b></p><p><b>Sat March 25</b></p><p><b>Medicine Hat 8 at Victoria 10</b></p><p><b>Saskatoon 4 at Rin Flon 8</b></p><p><b>Sun. March 28</b></p><p><b>Portland 4 at Now Westminster 8</b></p><p><b>Calgary 8 at Lethbridge 7</b></p><p><b>Mon. March 27</b></p><p><b>New Westminster 0 at Portland 0</b></p><h2><b>ONTARIO MAJOR LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><h3><b>Emms Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-179/4140651-1-eng-US/f0038-172.jpg" title="f0038-17" width="587" height="184"></div><h3><b>Levden Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-188/4140644-1-eng-US/f0038-182.jpg" title="f0038-18" width="580" height="162"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEAOERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-197/4140637-1-eng-US/f0038-192.jpg" title="f0038-19" width="581" height="556"></div><h2><b>ONTARIO SENIOR LEAGUE</b></h2><h2><b>Playoff Games</b></h2><h3><b>Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-206/4140630-1-eng-US/f0038-202.jpg" title="f0038-20" width="574" height="82"></div><p>(Brantlord leads best-of-soven series 3-0)</p><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Brantford 7, Thunder Bay 5</b></p><p><b>Brantford 8, Thunder Bey 3</b></p><p><b>Brantford 7, Thunder Bay 5</b></p><h3><b>Seml-Flnsls</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-215/4140623-1-eng-US/f0038-212.jpg" title="f0038-21" width="575" height="76"></div><p>(Thunder Bay wine beet-of-sovon series 4-1)</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-225/4140616-1-eng-US/f0038-222.jpg" title="f0038-22" width="585" height="80"></div><p>(Brantford wins beet-of-seven series 4-2)</p><h2><b>QMHL All Star Teams</b></h2><h3><b>FIRST TEAM</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-233/4140609-1-eng-US/f0038-232.jpg" title="f0038-23" width="1018" height="275"></div><h3><b>SECOND TEAM</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-243/4140602-1-eng-US/f0038-242.jpg" title="f0038-24" width="1021" height="268"></div><h3><b>THIRD TEAM</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-253/4140595-1-eng-US/f0038-252.jpg" title="f0038-25" width="1020" height="274"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Amateur Scoreboard

<div class="byline">BY DANNY YOUNG</div><p>SHERBROOKE&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>t&rsquo;s playoff time in the Quebec Major Junior League, which also means scouting season. Besides offering more intense competition, the playoffs serve as a showcase for the league&rsquo;s outstanding graduating seniors.</p><p>Sherbrooke&rsquo;s Ron Carter is one of the players who draws special attention. Carter was the league&rsquo;s leading goal scorer with 88, and leading point getter with 174.</p><p>The number 88 is lighting up the eyes of pro scouts who are fishing for another Mike Bossy. Bossy proved that he could score in the pros after his prolific scoring record in the QMJHL. With this reasoning. Carter is a bright prospect.</p><p>Ron couples his great scoring ability with good size (six-foot-one, 200-pounds). His checking ability has improved considerably and can no longer be considered a weak point.</p><p>&ldquo;Coach Delage kept pressuring me to improve my checking and made sure I had a good attitude,&rdquo; Carter says.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-262/4140801-1-eng-US/f0038-262.jpg" title="f0038-26" width="570" height="722"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BOB CRAWFORD&hellip;Royals&rsquo; Standout</b></figcaption></div><p>Besides his excellent wrist shot, it is difficult to explain what makes Carter the super goalgetter he is. &ldquo;A lot of people ask me how I score so many goals. Some say I&rsquo;m a natural scorer. I just try to set up plays. When I set up a play, I usually get the puck in a good position to score.&rdquo;</p><p>Carter is thankful for the help he received from his teammates during his years in Sherbrooke. &ldquo;Many of the players helped me with their experience. They taught me to always have a positive attitude.&rdquo;</p><p>Ron&rsquo;s two greatest thrills were winning the scoring championship this year and going to the Memorial Cup last season. If the native of Chateauguay, Quebec realizes his potential, he has many more in store.</p><p>The Montreal Juniors dominated the league&rsquo;s annual awards by receiving four of the seven major individual honors. Captain Kevin Reeves, Montreal&rsquo;s superb centerman, was given two awards for being the league&rsquo;s most valuable player and most gentlemanly player. Defenseman Mark Hardy, who has one year remaining in the juniors, was selected as the best defenseman. Rookie of the year honors went to Denis Savard of Montreal for offense and Normand Rochefort for defense. Both players are amazing performers who will be heard from in the future. Cornwall&rsquo;s Tim Bernhardt received the award for best goals-against average, 3.69, and Ron Carter was the scoring champion.</p><p><b>CORNWALL</b>: The Royals eliminated the Hull Olympics in the quarter-finals of the QMJHL playoffs with four straight wins, the last two by shutouts, 7-0 and 100. Several players excelled in the series, but the two standouts were goalie Tim Bernhardt and forward Bob Crawford. Bernhardt allowed just five goals while facing 116 shots on goal. Crawford had 10 points in the series including a dazzling four-goal performance during the fourth game. The Royal attackers averaged just under 50 shots per match.</p><p><b>MONTREAL</b>: The Juniors were the second team to advance to the semi-finals, ousting Verdun in four games. Goalie Marco Baron was the star of the final 3-2 victory and played well throughout the series. &ldquo;I can stop the first shots,&rdquo; Baron said. &ldquo;If the defensemen take care of the rebounds, which they did, we can keep the puck out of our net. Denis Savard was Montreal&rsquo;s leading scorer with one goal and eight assists. According to Montreal&rsquo;s captain, Kevin Reeves, the Juniors are playing their best hockey of the year.</p><p><b>TROIS RIVIERES</b>: Michel Bergeron&rsquo;s Draveurs took Quebec in four straight games. They won the last game, 5-4, on a late third period goal by Richard David. David, who was on and off during the second half of the season, has come on strong in the playoffs. He scored eight goals and four assists in the four games. Carey Haworth was superb with nine points against his former teammates. Trois Rivieres outscored Quebec 26-11.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-272/4140794-1-eng-US/f0038-272.jpg" title="f0038-27" width="564" height="666"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RON CARTER&hellip;He&rsquo;ll Go High</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Beavers’ Carter Top Draft Prospect; Montreal Dominates Annual Awards

<h2><b>WESTERN INTERNATIONAL</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-01271/4140930-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="582" height="161"></div><h2><b>MANITOBA-ASSINIBOINE LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-02201/4140923-1-eng-US/f0039-022.jpg" title="f0039-02" width="586" height="213"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-03154/4140916-1-eng-US/f0039-032.jpg" title="f0039-03" width="581" height="346"></div><h3><b>GOALING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-04129/4140909-1-eng-US/f0039-042.jpg" title="f0039-04" width="585" height="159"></div><h2><b>U.S.-MIDWEST LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><h3><b>U.S. CONFERENCE</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-05100/4140902-1-eng-US/f0039-052.jpg" title="f0039-05" width="579" height="109"></div><h3><b>MIDWEST CONFERENCE</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0683/4140895-1-eng-US/f0039-062.jpg" title="f0039-06" width="584" height="108"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Bloomington 4, Austin 4</b></p><p><b>Waterloo 6. Green Bay 2</b></p><p><b>Bloomington 2, Sioux City 1</b></p><p><b>Waterloo 6. Green Bay 2</b></p><p><b>Sioux City 4, Waterloo 1</b></p><p><b>Bloomington 11, Green Bay 6</b></p><h2><b>N.Y.-PENN JUNIOR</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standlnga)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0770/4140888-1-eng-US/f0039-072.jpg" title="f0039-07" width="590" height="160"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0863/4140881-1-eng-US/f0039-082.jpg" title="f0039-08" width="589" height="324"></div><h2><b>GREAT LAKES JUNIOR</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-0954/4140874-1-eng-US/f0039-092.jpg" title="f0039-09" width="586" height="164"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1049/4140867-1-eng-US/f0039-102.jpg" title="f0039-10" width="594" height="566"></div><h2><b>ONTARIO SENIOR LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1143/4140860-1-eng-US/f0039-112.jpg" title="f0039-11" width="585" height="212"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1240/4140853-1-eng-US/f0039-122.jpg" title="f0039-12" width="585" height="373"></div><h3><b>GOALING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1335/4140846-1-eng-US/f0039-132.jpg" title="f0039-13" width="587" height="298"></div><h2><b>N.Y. METRO JUNIOR</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1431/4140839-1-eng-US/f0039-142.jpg" title="f0039-14" width="588" height="217"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADER8</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1528/4140832-1-eng-US/f0039-152.jpg" title="f0039-15" width="584" height="672"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0039-01

Looking At The Races

<div class="byline">BY MIKE LYNCH</div><p>SPOKANE&mdash;</p><p class="dropcap"><span>S</span>pokane&rsquo;s Flyers and their captain, center Ron Huston, led the way as the Western International League schedule was completed amid a flurry of records.</p><p>Huston won individual honors with 119 points on 35 goals and 84 assists. The veteran of National League and World Association play skated in all 52 league games for the Flyers.</p><p>Huston&rsquo;s assist total is a league record and the overall total broke by one point the league record of 118 set by Walt Peacosh of Kimberley during the 1965-66 season.</p><p>Spokane scored 328 goals, a league standard in that category, and won 39 games. The victory total matched a record high by Nelson in a 50-game season in 1966-67.</p><p>Spokane clinched its first league ti-tie in three seasons with a burst of nine straight victories down the stretch. The Flyers lost their final game, however, to Cranbrook.</p><p>The last-gasp victory gave Cranbrook second over Kimberley while Trail finished fourth for the last British Columbia playoff spot with fading Nelson fifth.</p><p>Despite the loss to Cranbrook, the Flyers served notice on playoff opponents. Spokane outscored the opposition by an imposing 87-27. There were some extraordinary individual performances including a five-goal game by center Mendel Vysohlid.</p><p>The top three finishers split up AU Star team honors while aU got into the scoring act. Kimberley&rsquo;s Len Hicks and Cranbrook&rsquo;s Barry Marcheschuk tied for the goal-scoring title with 42 each. Marcheschuk scored 11 times in the last four games.</p><p>Spokane, Cranbrook and Kimberley each placed four men on the first and second AU Star teams as Trail and Nelson were shut out. Nelson got some recognition when forward Lee KeUer was selected as rookie of the year.</p><p>Kimberley placed right wing Glen Walton, left wing Hicks and defenseman Barry Cummins on the first team. Others were Spokane defenseman Ted McAneeley and center Huston and goahe Ray Martyniuk of Cranbrook.</p><p>On the second team it was right wing Danny Spring and defensemen Bob Craig and John Migneault of Cranbrook; left wing Dale McMulUn and goalie Frank Turnbull of Spokane; and center Ken Ireland of Kimberley.</p><p>Ireland, Hicks and Walton skated as a strong unit for Kimberley all season. McAneeley and Spring, World Hockey Association teammates, were both playing coaches this season.</p><p>In addition, McAneeley was honored with a trophy as the league&rsquo;s top defenseman and Martyniuk was selected for a goaltending award.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1626/4140968-1-eng-US/f0039-162.jpg" title="f0039-16" width="531" height="611"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TED MCANEELEY&hellip;Top Defenseman</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-1722/4140961-1-eng-US/f0039-172.jpg" title="f0039-17" width="529" height="559"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RAY MARTYNIUK&hellip;First Team All Star</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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April 14, 1978

WESTERN CANADA HOCKEY LEAGUE

Jonathan Exceeding Expectations As Bruin Draft Picks Come And Go

Exhibition ‘Chore’Aid To Whalers; Nordiques Face Challenging Finish

HOCKEY TALK