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December 29, 1978
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.
‘Super Kid Gretzky Puts Punch Into Edmonton’s Sagging Offense
EDMONTON— Wayne Gretzky and his Edmonton Oilers teammates struggled through one of the lowest stretches of the season last week until Gretzky, almost singlehanded, pulled them out of it. The 17-year-old superstar marched off the bench in the second period to score three goals—the first three-goal performance of his professional career—as Edmonton bumped Cincinnati Stingers 5-2 to end a five-game losing streak. He fired his first goal after the Oilers had fallen behind 2-1, then produced the third and fourth tallies of the game for Edmonton before veteran Bill Flett wrapped up the decision with an empty-net goal in the final minute. The Oilers’ performance, reminiscent of their play in the six-game winning streak at home two weeks previously that sent crowds at the 15,248-seat Edmonton Coliseum soaring to beyond 13,000, vindicated the patience…
Hockey Players On The Move
Following are the latest player movements in hockey: NATIONAL LEAGUE ATLANTA—Ed Kea, D. assigned to Tulsa of CHL to play himself into condition after returning from injury list. BOSTON—Jim Pettie, G. and Bill Bennett, LW, recalled from Rochester of AHL, Bobby Schmautz, RW, placed on disabled list with broken nose and eye injury. Gilles Gilbert, G, placed on disabled list with bruised elbow. Al Secord, LW, placed on disabled list with pulled rib muscle. BUFFALO—Don Edwards, G. returned to lineup from injury list. Randy Ireland, G, returned to Hershey of AHL. CHICAGO—Tim Higgins, RW, and Doug Lecuyer, LW, recalled from New Brunswick of AHL. COLORADO—Andy Spruce, LW, returned to lineup from injury list. Clayton Pachal, LW, placed on disabled list with knee injury. DETROIT—Dave Hanson, LW, sold outright to Birmingham of WHA. Mai Davis, LW, returned to…
Harrison, Hawks Headed For Hassle
CHICAGO— And you thought it was easy to send a player to the minor leagues? So did the Black Hawks until a week or so ago when they tried to demote center Jim Harrison to their New Brunswick club of the American Hockey League. Harrison, a physical type who must bump to succeed, has been bothered by back problems since he joined the Hawks from the World Hockey Association. he played in 50 games his first season, scoring 18 games but last year he played in only 26 games and scored twice. This season, in 21 games, he had four goals, five assists and only 22 penalty minutes. Not bad numbers but not great, so general manager-coach Bob Pulford, after much cogitation, decided to give Harrison the ship ahoy. At which point Al Eagleson, famed…
Imlach Paid The Price For Being Mr. Nice Guy
Columnist Bob Verdi deals on many subjects this week but he touches on two that are close to his heart: Punch Imlach’s firing by the Sabres and Bobby Hull’s ‘return’ to the Chicago Black Hawks. Bobby Hull Returning? NEWS: PUNCH IMLACH gets fired as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. Views: There’s a word for what the Sabres did to Imlach, but let’s keep it clean. Punch is tough, old school, crusty, autocratic and maybe he should have banned a few of his players from the team plane rather than a writer. But the Buffalo Sabres have the third best winning percentage of any NHL franchise—only Montreal and Philadelphia are better. And The Aud would have been Fort Knox even if the Knox brothers hadn’t owned the Sabres, because the Sabres always fill…
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