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 11, 1980

The Hockey News April 11, 1980

<p>Preliminary round: Senes &lsquo;A, &lsquo;B&rsquo;, &lsquo;C&rsquo;, &lsquo;D&rsquo;, &lsquo;E&rsquo;, &lsquo;F&rsquo;, &lsquo;G&rsquo;, &lsquo;H&rsquo;.</p><p>Dates: Tues. Apr. 8, Wed. Apr. 9, Fri. Apr. 11, Sat. Apr. 12 and Mon. Apr. 14.</p><p>Quarter-final round: Series &lsquo;I&rsquo;, &lsquo;J&rsquo;, &lsquo;K&rsquo;,&rsquo;L&rsquo;.</p><p>Dates: Wed. Apr. 16, Thurs, Apr. 17, Sat. Apr. 19, Suri. Apr. 20, Tues. Apr. 22, Thurs. Apr. 24, Sat. or Sun. Apr. 26 or Apr. 27.</p><p>Semi-final round: Series &lsquo;M&rsquo;, &lsquo;N&rsquo;.</p><p>Dates: Tues. Apr. 29, Thurs. May 1, Sat. or Sun. May 3 or May <b>4,</b> Tues. May 6, Thurs. May 8, Sat. or Sun. May 10 or May 11, Tues. May 13.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

IN THIS ISSUE

Stanley Cup Playoffs

<p><b>DONALD R. WALL</b></p><p><i>Chairman and Publisher</i></p><p><b>TOM MURRAY</b></p><p><i>Editor In Chief</i></p><p>Advertising and Editorial Offices 214 King Street West&mdash;Suite 314 Toronto, Ontario. Canada M5H 1K4 (416) 598-1753</p><p>Executive Office</p><p>850 Third Ave.</p><p>New York, New York, 10022</p><p>(212) 593-2100</p><p>KENNETH W. McKENZIE</p><p><i>President and Founder</i></p><p>1434 St Catherine Street West</p><p>Montreal. Canada H3G 1R7</p><p>EDITORIAL STAFF</p><p>Charlie Halpin</p><p><i>Editorial Director</i></p><p>Mike Dennis, <i>Assistant Editor Cathy Munro, Copy Editor</i></p><p>Bob Hanley, <i>Editorial Consultant</i></p><p><i>Contributing Editors:</i></p><p>Stan Fischler, Frank Orr, Bob Verdi</p><p><b>ADVERTISING SALES OFFICES</b></p><p><b>Toronto:</b></p><p>Donald R. Wall</p><p>214 King Street West&mdash;Suite 314 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1K4 (416) 598-1753</p><p><b>New York:</b></p><p>Donald R. Wall 850 Third Ave,</p><p>New York, New York 10022</p><p>T2121 59.3-2100</p><p><b>Chicago:</b></p><p>Hooper, Jones & Associates 3322 W. Peterson Avenue</p><p>Chicago, Illinois 60659</p><p>(312) 478-5544</p><p><b>Boston:</b></p><p>Steve Ganak&mdash;Steve Ganak Ad Reps</p><p>Statler Office Building</p><p>Boston, Mass. 02116</p><p>(617) 542-6913</p><p>Joanne Hatch Advertising Service Manager (416) 598-1753</p><p><b>The HOCKEY NEWS</b> (ISSN 0011-3014), Is published weekly except monthly June throuoh September by W.C.C. Publishing Ltd., 214 King Street West-Suite 314, Toronto. Ontario M5H 1K4. (416) 598-1753. In U.S. c/o W.C.C. Publishing Corp., 850 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022.</p><p><b>YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES</b> S15.95 in the U.S.A., $15.95 In Canada, $19.95 In ForeiGn Countries. Send all subscription requests to THE HOCKEY NEWS, 214 King St. W&bdquo; Suite 314, Toronto, Ont., M5H 1K4. Please allow 4-6 weeks tor processing.</p><p><b>SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO</b> 1434 ST. CATHERINE STREET WEST, SUITE 217, MONTREAL, Crete H3G 1R7. Second Class main Registration No. 1327. All Inquiries pertaining to subscriptions should be addresed to Subecripiton Dept, The Hockey News. 214 King St, W, Suite 314, Toronto. Ont. M5H 1K4. Crete.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

The HockeyNews THE INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY WEEKLY • FOUNDED 1947

<h2><b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b></h2><h3>APRIL</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1468/4693331-1-eng-US/f0036-142.jpg" title="f0036-14" width="588" height="470"></div><p><b>End of schedule</b></p><h2><b>CENTRAL LEAGUE</b></h2><h3>APRIL</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1568/4693324-1-eng-US/f0036-152.jpg" title="f0036-15" width="574" height="312"></div><p><b>End of schedule</b></p><h2><b>INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE</b></h2><h3>APRIL</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1666/4693317-1-eng-US/f0036-162.jpg" title="f0036-16" width="574" height="464"></div><p><b>End of schedule</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0036-14

PRO GAMES TO COME…

<div class="byline">BY GLENN COLE</div><p class="dropcap"><span>M</span>ONTREAL&mdash;Rejean Houle really didn&rsquo;t expect to win the nomination from the Montreal chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for the Bill Masterton Trophy.</p><p>&ldquo;I missed all of those games with my broken jaw,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;So I was really surprised to win it, although I am happy.&rdquo;</p><p>Houle&rsquo;s victory in the Montreal voting was by one point over sophomore defenseman Rod Langway and Houle&rsquo;s name will now be submitted to the PHWA selection committee along with the results of the voting and the full PHWA will vote on the top five picks from the 21 NHL teams.</p><p>But the fact that Houle received some recognition for his untiring efforts was rather pleasing news to coach Claude Ruel. So was the fact that prize pupil Langway received a number of votes.</p><p>For it is these type of players who have been major contributors to the fine blend which Ruel has formulated during the second half of the 1979-80 season.</p><p>&ldquo;A guy like Rejean is not going to have the same number of points as someone like Guy (Lafleur), Pierre (Larouche) or Steve (Shutt), noted Ruel. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all people are looking for. They don&rsquo;t see the game the same way I do.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got some guys with 15 goals who will have been better than some guys who get 35 goals. The people in Montreal don&rsquo;t see the effort my players give on the road. They don&rsquo;t recognize the effort that people like Doug (Jarvis) or Bob (Gainey) gave me in New York. They just look at the points.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got guys with 15 goals who have been better than some who got 35 goals,&rdquo; said coach Claude Ruel.</b></p></div><p>&ldquo;Look at Rejean against Chicgo. I gave him a mission to stop Terry Ruskowski the same way that Doug Risebrough did in Chicago. It&rsquo;s a big job to do.&rdquo;</p><p>The Canadiens, coming off a pair of 5-5 draws against the Hartford Whalers, walked into New York&rsquo;s Madison Square Garden and whacked the Rangers 6-1 before returning home to wallop Chicago 8-4 and tie the New York Islanders 2-2 in a tight, playoffstyle game.</p><p>And people such as Houle and Langway all made superb contributions along with Larry Robinson, Denis Herron, Yvon Lambert and Brian Engblom.</p><p>Langway, who suffered a fractured nose in the home game against the Whalers, missed the game in New York, but came back to play a solid game against Chicago, scoring his seventh goal of the year into an empty net to douse any hopes Chicago might have had of coming back.</p><p>And just 18 seconds after Langway scored, popular Pierre Larouche fired his 50th of the season, becoming the first NHL player to enjoy 50-goal campaigns with two different teams.</p><p>&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;ll be able to sleep a little bit better now,&rdquo; said Larouche. &ldquo;I was starting to worry about it a little bit in the past few days, wondering if I was going into a slump.</p><p>&ldquo;But the team was going well and that was the main thing.&rdquo;</p><p>Ruel was booed by the Montreal fans when he lifted Larouche off the ice just before Langway scored after face-off specialist Doug Jarvis won a draw just outside of the Canadiens&rdquo; line.</p><p>On the face-off after Langway&rsquo;s goal, the Canadiens gained possession in the Chicago zone and Larouche found himself uncovered in the slot and converted a pass from Mark Napier into the eighth goal of the game and brought the house down.</p><p>&ldquo;I think I am the same player this year as I was last season,&rdquo; said Larouche the next day after practice. &ldquo;I am just getting more ice and the coach has more confidence in me.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m also getting a chance to play with two of the best players in the league in Lafleur and Shutt.&rdquo;</p><p>Larouche, who had nine goals in 36 games last season, figures he would have been gone from Montreal if Scotty Bowman had stayed. But Larouche was not about to knock his former coach, noting that while Bowman was happy in Buffalo, he was happy in Montreal.</p><p>But Larouche was not overjoyed after the game against the Islanders. In fact, he was in a good deal of discomfort after getting decked by a misplaced check by teammate Rick Chartraw, who was trying to nail Anders Kallur.</p><p>Larouche suffered a bruised shoulder which knocked him out of action for the balance of the regular season. The injury came only a couple of minutes after teammate Pierre Mondou suffered a charley horse and a groin injury.</p><p><b>IN PASSING&mdash;</b>Lafleur, who missed six games with a knee injury, last scored a goal in Montreal Feb. 16 and was bothered by sore ribs in the latter part of March.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011119/4691150-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="588" height="786"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Perseverance, a requirement for the Masterton Trophy, is one of the key qualities of Montreal nominee Rejean Houle.</i></figcaption></div><p>Chris Nilan, who was used on a sporadic basis for five games in a row, played regularly against the Rangers and did an excellent job alongside Doug Jarvis and Bob Gainey as Chartraw was dropped back to defend to replace the injured Langway&hellip;</p><p>X-rays of Langway&rsquo;s nose determined that he did not need surgery and he wanted to rejoin his teammates in New York, a night after picking up the injury, Doctors were afraid if he got a crack on the nose it would start bleeding and it would be difficult to stop.</p><p>Ruel reiterated that he would decide after the playoffs whether he would return to coach the Canadiens next season, although he told Gazette sports editor Red Fisher that he would not be back.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0007-01

Unsung Players Carrying Load For Canadiens

<div class="image-hero"><img title="Cover-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/cover-01762/4693786-1-eng-US/cover-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Groin Abol)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>MIKE LIUT:</b></p><p><b>LEADING ST. LOUS INTO THE PLAYOFFS</b></p><p><b>NORTH DAKOTA NEW NCAA CHAMPIONS</b></p><p><b>BRUINS&rsquo; SINDEN SAYS: &ldquo;I&rsquo;M DOING IT MY WAY&rsquo;&rsquo;</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Cover-01

GRETZKY BATTLES DIONNE

<p><b>VOLUME 33, NUMBER 28 APRIL 11, 1980</b></p><h2>The NHL</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-02983/4690819-1-eng-US/f0002-022.jpg" title="f0002-02" width="559" height="917"></div><h2>The Minors</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-03728/4690812-1-eng-US/f0002-032.jpg" title="f0002-03" width="553" height="175"></div><h2>The Colleges</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-04500/4690805-1-eng-US/f0002-042.jpg" title="f0002-04" width="562" height="169"></div><h2>The Amateurs</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-05369/4690798-1-eng-US/f0002-052.jpg" title="f0002-05" width="556" height="138"></div><h2>Columnists</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-06268/4690791-1-eng-US/f0002-062.jpg" title="f0002-06" width="561" height="261"></div><h2>Features</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-07178/4690784-1-eng-US/f0002-072.jpg" title="f0002-07" width="559" height="173"></div><h2><b>Coming Next Week</b></h2><p><b>In the last several months, the New York Rangers&rsquo; Don Duguay has suddenly become one of the hottest commodities in New York, drawing raves from &ldquo;jetsetters&rdquo; as well as Madison Avenue marketing and advertising honchos. But he is also an exciting player and a dangerous goal scorer who has really come on strong for the Rangers in the second half of this season. In next week&rsquo;s cover story, Ranger correpondent Rich Friedman will profile Duguay and reveal just how Ron has been able to combine his two careers.</b></p><p><b>Next week&rsquo;s issue will also feature college hockey&rsquo;s All American players for the 1979-80 season, as well as a wrapup of the NHL&rsquo;s regular season and a preview of the matchups in the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-02

Where To Find It…

<div class="byline">FRANK ORR&#x2019;S</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0002-011154/4690850-1-eng-US/f0002-012.jpg" title="f0002-01" width="330" height="361"></div><h2><b>Communicate! Communicate!</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HOSE WHO SAW</b> the Paul Newman movie, <i>Cool Hand Luke</i> well remember the scene in which the red-neck jailkeeper belted Luke on the side of his head with his rifle butt after one of Luke&rsquo;s escapes from the old prison farm and said, &ldquo;What we have here is a failure to communicate! &ldquo;</p><p>Well, a National Hockey League coach hasn&rsquo;t been hit on the melon with anything yet, although a few have been booted out the door, and many folks on all sides&mdash;players, management and owners&mdash;are complaining about a lack of communication.</p><p>When Bobby Kromm was sacked as coach of the Detroit Red Wings, some Wing players complained that they couldn&rsquo;t communicate with him.</p><p>Darryl Sittler gave up the captaincy of the Toronto Maple Leafs because, he said, a big part of the captain&rsquo;s job was to bridge the gap between the players and management, and he had no communication with general manager Punch Imlach.</p><p>In fact, Sittler said that he hadn&rsquo;t had any talks with Imlach &ldquo;but I&rsquo;ve had a couple of listens.&rdquo;</p><p>Fred Creighton was axed as the Boston Bruins&rsquo; coach and, again, a lack of player-coach communication was listed as one of the major reasons for his demise.</p><p>At the other end of the scale, the Philadelphia Flyers claim that excellent communications between coach Pat Quinn and the workers has played a big role in their fine season.</p><p>&ldquo;I try to keep things open all the time,&rdquo; Quinn said. &ldquo;That way small problems don&rsquo;t become big ones.&rdquo;</p><p>Sometimes, of course, communication becomes too open.</p><p>Colorado Rockies&rsquo; coach Don Cherry grabbed defenseman Mike McEwen on the bench and shook him. McEwen bolted the team for a few days, obviously thinking that Grapes over-communicated.</p><p>Anyway, the relationship between players and coaches, always an important one, never has been tested as severely as it has in recent seasons. It&rsquo;s just not in hockey these days, either, that the way the boss and the employees communicate determines to a large extent how well the job gets done.</p><p>The workers now want to be part of the decision-making, to have some input into the way things are done. No longer does the old autocratic, do-what-you&rsquo;re-told approach work in any area.</p><p>Of course, there are a few bosses&mdash;and coaches&mdash;who still try to operate that way. But unless they&rsquo;re the type of people who command respect and issue orders that, somehow, don&rsquo;t seem like orders, the troops will thumb their noses at them.</p><h2><b>The boss must boss</b></h2><p><b>THE MOST HECTIC</b> team in the communications area this season has been the Maple Leafs, where a great deal of the animosity between the players and Imlach was caused by the players&rsquo; feeling that communication with the GM was impossible.</p><p>Imlach countered by claiming that the players had been allowed to have far too much say in the operation of the team and the only job they had to do was to play hockey.</p><p>&ldquo;I have to have the right to run this team, to make the decisions and that&rsquo;s all there is to it,&rdquo; Imlach said.</p><p>The result was a wall between the dressing room and the front office.</p><p>On the other hand, Minnesota North Stars&rsquo; coach Glen Sonmor is a heavy believer in allowing the players to have input into the club&rsquo;s operation. At least once per month, Sonmor and his assistant coach Murray Oliver have a meeting with each player to discuss the team, the player and to hear any complaints or suggestions the worker might have.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel the meetings are an absolute necessity for several-reasons,&rdquo; Sonmor said. &ldquo;First, if there are some little things bothering the player, our discussions get them out in the open and often prevent them from becoming big problems.</p><p>&ldquo;As a coach, I find that the players&rsquo; suggestions are a big help to me. There might be an area of play that I&rsquo;m overlooking and the player will remind me of it, points like that.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>Professional aid?</b></h2><p><b>MAYBE IT&rsquo;S TIME</b> that hockey clubs enlist professional aid to make certain that communication operates at a high level. It is rather obvious that some sort of open forum between the workers and the front office is necessary, that benevolent dictatorship doesn&rsquo;t work and if the players are treated like pieces of equipment, they aren&rsquo;t likely to produce with much efficiency or enthusiasm.</p><p>European sports teams often have psychologists on their staffs to iron out any problems between the players and make certain that the player-coach relationship operates properly and that the workers feel that their minds, not just their physical skills, count for something.</p><p>Many NHL front-office people laugh at any suggestion that an outside professional would be useful.</p><p>&ldquo;If these players we have would do what they&rsquo;re told and work hard, they&rsquo;d have no trouble communicating with anyone,&rdquo; said one NHL general manager.</p><p>&ldquo;This organization, and the men who run it, make us players feel like mindless automotons,&rdquo; said a player on that team. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not trying to run the organization. But it would be nice to feel that we&rsquo;re wearing our helmets to protect something other than our hair.&rdquo;</p><p>The rate of turnover in NHL coaching positions indicates that something needs to be done to improve the relationships between coaches and players. The bad vibes are (a) costing too many men with a great deal to offer the game their jobs and (b) preventing too many teams with potential the chance to realize some of it.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0002-01

HOCKEY VIEWPOINT

<div class="byline">BY ARNOLD IRISH</div><p>&ldquo;Leeeee&hellip;yoot!</p><p>&ldquo;Lee! Yoot!</p><p>&ldquo;Lee! Yoot!</p><p>&ldquo;LEEEE&hellip;YOOT!</p><p>&ldquo;LEEEE&hellip;YOOT!</p><p>The sounds of hoarse voices chanting, not unlike rolls of thunder, cascade down onto the St. Louis Checkerdome&rsquo;s ice from the building&rsquo;s highest tiers, like water splashing down a falls, sweep across the playing surface and wash against the boards like breakers dashed against a wharf.</p><p>There is no mistaking the meaning of this spontaneous crowd reaction. Mike Liut, the Blues&rsquo; sensational first-year goalie, has withstood the onslaught yet again. He&rsquo;s turned back a barrage of enemy shots to preserve his team&rsquo;s status at a critical point, and St. Louis fans are responding with &ldquo;Standing O&rdquo; as players from both teams dart up and down the rink.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>&ldquo;People have a misconception about goalies,&rdquo; Liut says. &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t as dangerous as some think.&rdquo;</b></p></div><p>The Blues have made improvement in many areas, and there&rsquo;s enough credit to go around, but coach Red Berenson doesn&rsquo;t beat around the bush when asked to analyze how the team that last year permitted more goals-against than any other National Hockey League club now is in the playoffs.</p><p>&ldquo;It all begins with Liut,&rdquo; Berenson says, and the figures bear him out. Through their first 73 games, the Blues were 28-20-9 with Liut in goal and 2-11-3 with him watching from the bench.</p><p>The Blues only wish they could have secured his services sooner. They selected him on the fifth round (56th overall) of the 1976 amateur draft, but he played his final season at Bowling Green University and then toiled two years for Cincinnati in the nowdefunct World Hockey Association.</p><p>When he came to the Blues&rsquo; camp last autumn, Liut was just another WHA refugee whose statistics (4.25 goals-against in 27 games as a rookie, 3.47 in twice that many last season) were considered suspect by NHL purists.</p><p>&ldquo;I wanted success,&rdquo; Liut says. &ldquo;I wanted to become as good as I can be. To be able to play with anybody. I thought I was ready if I got a chance to play. I needed the St. Louis organization to give me the opportunity. Without that, I would still be a relative nonentity.&rdquo;</p><p>Liut believes he has improved each of his three seasons in pro hockey. &ldquo;I handle the puck better each year, which had always been something I was weaker in, and I communicate better,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a completely verbal thing, and it seems like a little thing, but what separates the pros from the amateurs are the little things you do well.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-02977/4690888-1-eng-US/f0003-022.jpg" title="f0003-02" width="602" height="758"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Mike Liut: The man behind the mask and the Blues&rsquo; success this season.</i></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011171/4690881-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg" title="f0003-01" width="1928" height="1529"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Red Berenson, the coach of the Blues, says that the success of the team this year &ldquo;all begins with Liut&rdquo;. Red&rsquo;s right, too: With Liut, above, in the nets the Blues are 28-20-9 so far this season. Without him they are a dismal 2-11-3.</i></figcaption></div><p>Liut&rsquo;s most noticeable trait on the ice is his fiery competitiveness, and teammate Tony Currie can vouch for the goalie&rsquo;s communications skill.</p><p>&ldquo;I hate to give up a goal,&rdquo; Liut says darkly, &ldquo;and I loudly curse out completely any guy who scores on me, in a game or in practice. That&rsquo;s nothing new. Any guys who think I didn&rsquo;t do that before weren&rsquo;t listening early on.</p><p>&ldquo;Tony came up from Salt Lake City at mid-season,&rdquo; Liut says. &ldquo;He has tremendous hands in front of the goal, and he scored on me so easily he made me look like a PeeWee. I&rsquo;m cursing him out, and Tony can&rsquo;t believe it. He says, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m in town 24 hours and this guy&rsquo;s screaming at me.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p><p>Mike, the third of fourth children born to Tony and Gloria Liut, began playing hockey when he was five years old, as a defenseman, and became a goalie at the age of six. &ldquo;We had a pond in the backyard,&rdquo; says Liut, the son of a Toronto builder, but he emphasizes that he wasn&rsquo;t from a wealthy family.</p><p>&ldquo;We were upper middle class, at best,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Comfortable. I didn&rsquo;t have a Corvette when I was 16, but I never lacked the essentials. In Canada, kids grow up playing on a pond in the backyard. It&rsquo;s like stickball in New York City.</p><p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a greater availability of outdoor rinks in Canada. The climate is more conducive to hockey. And down here (in the United States), hockey isn&rsquo;t as much of a community affair. Also, it&rsquo;s expensive.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s why a lot of American kids have a hard time making it in hockey. For Canadian kids, hockey is a way out. The American kids who can afford it don&rsquo;t need it. The kids I played with when I was young, hardly anybody&rsquo;s father owned his own business. Rich kids didn&rsquo;t play the game.&rdquo;</p><p>There was a time in his life when Liut got bored with being a goalie, but he didn&rsquo;t stay out of the nets long. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like homesickness,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;You go home the first time, and it&rsquo;s not everything you think you&rsquo;re missing. I played forward awhile and said, &lsquo;There&rsquo;s nothing to this; I&rsquo;m going to be a goalie again.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p><p>Athletics were second nature to Mike. &ldquo;My dad, my older brother and my older sister were all good athletes,&rdquo; the Blues&rsquo; goalie remembers. &ldquo;There was always someone to play catch with. Always someone to show you the way. Baseball was my dad&rsquo;s best sport. He pitched a little, but played the infield mostly. Third base in softball and a second base in hardball. In other words, no arm for third base in hardball.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve established myself,&rdquo; Liut says, &ldquo;by working my butt off every night.&rdquo;</b></p></div><p>&ldquo;My brother John is eight years older than me and my brother Paul is four years younger, but as kids we competed with each other. Being older, John couldn&rsquo;t lose to me, but I&rsquo;d be damned if I&rsquo;d let him win.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;d play hockey games in our basement with the doorway as the goal and a couple of couches together as the boundaries. There weren&rsquo;t too many rules; when you&rsquo;re a kid, you can do anything.</p><p>&ldquo;We used to play on our knees. You&rsquo;re inventive as hell when you&rsquo;re young. All we needed were some souvenir sticks half the normal size. We&rsquo;d hit sponge rubber pucks, the inside of rolls of tape, a rolled-up sock, a ping-pong ball, just about anything.&rdquo;</p><p>Unlike too many fathers, Mike&rsquo;s was perpetually available, but didn&rsquo;t try to live the life through his sons.</p><p>&ldquo;The old man was always around,&rdquo; the goalie recalls. &ldquo;A lot of parents would send you off. Mine were interested. They wanted to share. They always went to my games.</p><p>&ldquo;Dad never picked me apart. He always encouraged me. We always talked about each game. If I played bad, he said I played bad; if I played good, he said sox.</p><p>&ldquo;I was never pushed to go to college. I wanted to go on a hockey scholarship, and I did.</p><p>&ldquo;I remember the second year I decided to put the gear on. Back then, there was a stigma to playing goal. People would say, &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t let your kid be a goalie.&rsquo; And they&rsquo;d say, &lsquo;Goalies are weird.&rsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I put on the gear, and my old man went up to the coach and said, &lsquo;Whaddya doin&rsquo; lettin&rsquo; him put it on?&rsquo; He could have forbade it, but he didn&rsquo;t. He believes in letting time take its course.</p><p>&ldquo;I played baseball for my dad. He understands sports. He was aggressive, and that&rsquo;s the way I try to play. I always respected what he had to say. I still call him now. Sometimes we&rsquo;ll talk twice a week, sometimes every other week. He listens to our games on the radio. I&rsquo;ll talk with Mum, then I&rsquo;ll talk hockey with Dad. He&rsquo;s really perceptive.&rdquo;</p><p>Are goalies weird? &ldquo;People have a misconception about goalies,&rdquo; Liut says. &ldquo;It isn&rsquo;t as dangerous as some things. You&rsquo;re not letting guys shoot pucks at your head.</p><p>&ldquo;Defensemen block shots, catch the puck with their heads and break their jaws. Some goalies get hit by a puck. Other players get hit by Bryan Maxwell&rsquo;s fist, or Wayne Babych&rsquo;s fist. I don&rsquo;t see much difference between getting hit by a puck traveling 100 miles an hour or a 200-pound guy travelling 30 miles per hour.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the pressure that makes you goofy. A goalie feels the onus of winning a game, like a pitcher does in baseball. Except a pitcher only works every four games.</p><p>&ldquo;A forward can hide in the crowd. His wings can help him out. but playing goal means 60 minutes of solid concentration. If you aren&rsquo;t sharp, you get glommed.</p><p>&ldquo;You take a 2-1 loss as hard as 6-1 loss, but you have to give yourself a margin for error. There are a lot of variables. The score is not completely indicative. You&rsquo;ve got to take a loss to heart, but then you&rsquo;ve got to bounce back. Last night has to be ancient history.</p><p>&ldquo;Everything balances out. One time a guy bounces a shot off eight legs, and it goes in the net. Next time he beats you cleanly, and his shot hits the post.&rdquo;</p><p>Liut, who is giving St. Louis its best goaltending since Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall won the Vezina Trophy for the Blues in 1969, knows that the pressure on him has mounted this season and is certain to intensify the more he improves.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>&ldquo;Awards are great,&rdquo; Liut says, &ldquo;because you&rsquo;re acknowledged by the &lsquo;industry&rsquo;. But most hockey awards are political as hell.&rdquo;</b></p></div><p>&ldquo;When a goalie comes up, not much is expected of him,&rdquo; Liut observes. &ldquo;But, once he becomes successful, he must prevent his team from losing. You know the other team will storm, storm, storm. And you&rsquo;ve got to make four or five good stops to prevent a loss.</p><p>&ldquo;Actually, the pressure isn&rsquo;t much different from what (teammate) Bernie Federko goes through except the goalie is more noticeable, more immediately recognizable. If you win, the goalie gets the credit; if you lose, he gets the blame. Like the quarterback in football or the baseball pitcher.</p><p>&ldquo;Bernie can play well in every aspect, but fail to score, or he can play poorly&mdash;and if the other line gets the goals, that&rsquo;s good enough for us. But not for the fans.</p><p>&ldquo;A goalie can have a bad game and win, usually by 6-5 or 6-4, and it&rsquo;s embarrassing because they know how many you let in.&rdquo;</p><p>Is the pressure getting to Liut?</p><p>&ldquo;Well, I used to not smoke cigarettes at all and now it&rsquo;s up to five packs a day, I&rsquo;ve turned into a complete alcoholic and I&rsquo;ve been divorced twice since the season started,&rdquo; Liut says facetiously. He&rsquo;s single and a non-smoker. He&rsquo;ll take a drink if urged. &ldquo;Only at dinner,&rdquo; he says with a twinkle in his eye.</p><p>Hasn&rsquo;t he heard about how Glenn Hall used to throw up before every game and how Roger Crozier&rsquo;s hair fell out?</p><p>&ldquo;Your hair fell out, and you never played a game in goal,&rdquo; Liut observes, accurately. He&rsquo;s enjoying the conversation.</p><p>Has success spoiled Mike Liut? &ldquo;A lot of guys say, &lsquo;It&rsquo;s gone to his head,&rsquo; but I don&rsquo;t think they&rsquo;re interpreting it right,&rdquo; the Blues&rsquo; goalie says.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve established myself by working my butt off every night. My interests lie with the betterment of our hockey club rather than my own personal achievements. I&rsquo;ve never run anybody down in the papers and never jumped anybody personally except for not trying.</p><p>&ldquo;Guys come up to me after a goal and say, &lsquo;Sorry, Liut.&rsquo; But they don&rsquo;t have to apologize to me if they gave their best.&rdquo;</p><p>Liut, who has an undergraduate degree in business pre-law, thirsts for more knowledge. &ldquo;Maybe grad school,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I want to learn something else.&rdquo;</p><p>The odds are he&rsquo;ll practice law some day. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t be interested in criminal law, though,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If you hang out a shingle on Main Street, you become involved with kids up for the third time on auto theft or assault. The only way to make a name for yourself is to defend somebody guilty as hell and get &lsquo;em off. That&rsquo;s not a good crowd to run with. On the other hand, I find the subject of white collar crime very interesting.&rdquo;</p><p>Intellectually, Liut dislikes being pigeon-holed. &ldquo;I try not to be a pseudo-intellectual and I don&rsquo;t think you can measure a man&rsquo;s wisdom by his IQ,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Reggie Jackson tells everybody he has an IQ of 160. Who cares? My father only went to grade eight, and he&rsquo;s the most articulate individual I&rsquo;ve ever come across.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not an idealist&mdash;I agree it would be beautiful if we could work everything out, but we never could. I think life offers some problems, and you live around them as best you can. I believe some problems are insoluble, temptation being No. 1, closely followed by greed. People have hated and warred since the beginning of time.&rdquo;</p><p>Ironically, for someone who believes experience is a greater teacher than formal education, and despite the fact that pro hockey attracts more college players each year, Liut takes a lot of flak from hockey people about his classroom accomplishments.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll object to something, and some guy will say, &lsquo;I forgot you&rsquo;re Mister Education&rsquo; or Joe College or whatever. It&rsquo;s mostly good-natured, but I get a lot of grief over it. If I intimidate some because of my education, it&rsquo;s their own fault. College doesn&rsquo;t teach you facts; it teaches you to think, to challenge facts with theories and to stand up for yourself.</p><p>Liut, because of his WHA experience, isn&rsquo;t eligible for the Calder Trophy presented annually to the NHL&rsquo;s Rookie of the Year.</p><p>&ldquo;Awards are great because you&rsquo;re acknowledged by society&mdash;&lsquo;The industry&rsquo; as they say in the Academy Awards presentations&mdash;but most hockey awards are political as hell,&rdquo; the Blues&rsquo; goalie says.</p><p>&ldquo;If you were to be voted most valuable by your peers, that would take precedent over everything but the Stanley Cup. There are things we don&rsquo;t tell sports writers, but our peers know. You can&rsquo;t fool these guys. They know who came to play every night.</p><p>&ldquo;You can be as humble as you want, but everyone has an ego. If nobody had egos, we&rsquo;d all go live on the beach somewhere&mdash;which is not all bad&mdash;but everybody needs recognition even though you know how well you played and you&rsquo;re the one who has to wake up in the mornings and deal with it.</p><p>&ldquo;Awards aren&rsquo;t important, but they&rsquo;re nice to have,&rdquo; Liut says. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never seen anybody turn away from congratulations yet except maybe about six months after they got married.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0003-02

Liut Combines High IQ With Low Goals-Against

<div class="byline">BY BOB VERDI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011215/4690919-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="293" height="340"></div><h2><b>Terry&rsquo;s Unfriendly Skies</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>H</span>E WILL STICK</b> his proboscis in front of a puck, clench fists with an opponent a foot taller or wider, and take on an entire team if it might mean a point in the standings.</p><p>But fearless, Terry Ruskowski is not. Arrivals alarm him, departures terrify him, terminals make him all but terminally ill, and circling O&rsquo;Hare is loathsome.</p><p>The captain of the Black Hawks, you see, is afraid of flying. All great men have a fatal flaw, and being told to fasten his seat belt is Ruskowski&rsquo;s. Whether The Polish Prince will win this fight, too, only his hypnotist knows for sure.</p><p>&ldquo;I have been seeing somebody about the problem the last few months,&rdquo; Ruskowski was saying recently. &ldquo;I had to. It was getting to the point where it affected my playing. I have had a few sessions with him, and the big thing he&rsquo;s been trying to get me to do is relax. Nothing is going to happen, he keeps telling me.&rdquo;</p><p>Ruskowski was just a kid when the friendly skies became unfriendly to his otherwise stoic psyche. On his first plane ride, from Victoria to Calgary, the bottom fell out. The aircraft dropped like the value of a dollar and Ruskowski, who has made so many great assists, figured he finally had passed on to The Great Scorer.</p><p>&ldquo;I thought it was all over,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I told myself then I would never fly again.&rdquo;</p><p>But because Terry Ruskowski was to become an excellent hockey player, the promise was broken. Skating for a living means spending part of that life in airports.</p><h2><b>Weather Brings Worries</b></h2><p><b>&ldquo;WHAT BOTHERS ME</b> most is turbulence,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Takeoffs and landings aren&rsquo;t that bad, but if it gets bumpy in between, well, that does bother me. And when it gets bumpy, if I look out the window and can&rsquo;t see anything, that absolutely petrifies me.</p><p>&ldquo;If I look out and see the ground below, that&rsquo;s much better. Or if it&rsquo;s a night flight, and I can see the stars, that helps. It&rsquo;s the bad weather that really makes me worry. I&rsquo;ve planned vacations round what the weather is supposed to be the next day when my flight is due to take off.</p><p>&ldquo;When you&rsquo;re with a team, you can&rsquo;t do that. And flying a lot during the winter as I do, you get to hate certain airports. Boston, Buffalo, Denver. You figure that whenever you fly into there, the weather will either by snowy or windy. Oooh.&rdquo;</p><p>Before resorting to a hypnotist, Ruskowski endeavored to cure himself. He had heard that flying over the wing was safe, so he requested seats there. Then he moved to the back of the plane. Then to the very front. Still, when the engines purred, his knuckles invariably turned white.</p><p>&ldquo;At one point,&rdquo; he recalls, &ldquo;the nights before a road trip, I would force myself to stay up so I would be exhausted enough the next day. That way, I would sleep during the flight. Then, on some charter flights that we&rsquo;ve had, I went up to the cockpit to meet the pilot and see what was going on. I&rsquo;d explain my problem, and they told me the same thing. Relax.&rdquo;</p><p>Now, Ruskowski is succeeding&mdash;to a point. On most team trips, he plays cards with Grant Mulvey, Rich Preston and broadcaster Bud Kelly. Ruskowski still insists on a window seat, which can be a problem for concealing your hand.</p><p>&ldquo;If you hold your cards up, and your back is to the window, the guys facing you can see what you have in the reflection&mdash;particularly if it&rsquo;s dark out,&rdquo; he revealed. &ldquo;But I solve that by pulling down the shade. The minute it gets bumpy, though, I turn around, pull the shade back up, and see what&rsquo;s going on.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>Martinis Won&rsquo;t Help</b></h2><p><b>RUSKOWSKI IS NOT</b> the first modern professional athlete to yearn for the bus rides of yore. For years, Gump Worsley played game after game in goal for a dreadful New York Rangers&rsquo; team. Sans mask, he would face 45, 50 shots a game and barely blink. But put him on a runway, and he required three martins to restore the perspiration he was losing. Alas, Ruskowski eschews olives as much as holding patterns.</p><p>Hockey players being quick to pounce on teammates, idiosyncrasies, Ruskowski more than once has been teased in mid-bump by a wiseguy.</p><p>&ldquo;They look around and say, &lsquo;Terry, we ain&rsquo;t gonna make it,&rsquo; or something like that,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;But guys like Rich who know me well just leave me alone. The thing that bothers me most about flying is that you&rsquo;re not in control of your own destiny. In a car, it&rsquo;s up to you. In a plane, though, it&rsquo;s up to the pilot. I&rsquo;m getting better. A few months ago, Pat Ribble, who didn&rsquo;t like flying, was uptight during a flight. I wound up telling <i>him</i> to relax. And I don&rsquo;t get the white knuckles any more. The hypnotist tells me that just makes the blood flow faster. I&rsquo;m not the physical wreck I used to be, but</p><p>But Ruskowski&rsquo;s wife Carol is telling him to cool it, too. Nothing to worry about. What did she do before they were married last summer? She was a stewardess.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0004-01

HOCKEY TALK

<div class="byline">BY PAT THOMPSON</div><p>BLOOMINGTON&mdash;The North Stars were worried for a time in mid-March about their goaltending.</p><p>What is it hockey people say about the playoffs? Something like, &ldquo;You have to have the goalie with the hot hand.&rdquo;</p><p>In March, with the snows finally starting to melt in Minnesota, the Stars were spinning on a winless streak of eight straight games. No one was pushing a panic button, considering all the injuries Minnesota had suffered. With 10 games left in the regular season, the Stars had lost 259 mangames to injuries.</p><p>There was optimism that many of the injured, like center Glen Sharpley and defensemen Gary Sargent, Brad Maxwell and Paul Shmyr would be ready for the playoffs. But there was some concern about the number of goals the Stars had been giving up.</p><p>That&rsquo;s about the time that Gary Edwards and Gilles Meloche set some feelings at ease.</p><p>Edwards, the 32-year-old native of Toronto, is a special case. He had not played in a month because of a back injury, but went out and led the Stars to a 6-1 victory in Hartford. The next time out he beat Pittsburgh, 4-3, to give him an unbeaten streak of 4-0-3 over his last seven starts.</p><p>Coming in cold like that is not new to Edwards. In the 1978-79 season, he started the Stars on their best stretch of that season by beating Atlanta in back-to-back games after spending considerable time on the bench.</p><p>He has gained a somewhat undesirable reputation, though. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know why, but I&rsquo;ve gotten a reputation that I can play well by sitting on the bench for two or three weeks at a time,&rdquo; Edwards said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a reputation that hurts me. Obviously, I feel I can play better with the more games I get.</p><p>&ldquo;Another thing is playing back-to-back games. Again, I&rsquo;ve gotten a bum rap about that somewhere. Maybe it&rsquo;s because of my size (59), but a lot of small goalies have very good records. The important thing now is to keep everyone ready for the start of the playoffs. You don&rsquo;t want any of your players going into the playoffs in a mental state of exhaustion.&rdquo;</p><p>Meloche, a 29-year-old Montreal resident who has a career-high 25 victories, saw his average slip over the 3.00 figure during the winless streak for the first time since the early season.</p><p>Then he started a game against the Boston Bruins and let in four goals the first period.</p><p>The Stars, down 4-2, exploded in the final two periods to win, 7-4, in scoring the most goals they ever have against a Boston team in 13 years in the NHL.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what the great goalies will do for you,&rdquo; Minnesota coach Glen Sonmor said. &ldquo;They can give up three or four goals early and then slam the door on you. Gilles was ticked off at himself and went out there and gave us a chance to get back into the game.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021153/4690974-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="590" height="788"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Gary Edwards has a reputation as a goalie who can come back strongly after a layoff, but he hopes to play more.</i></figcaption></div><p>Meloche&rsquo;s work included 17 saves the third period with Boston down just a goal and trying to get back in the game. &ldquo;I was just awful the first period,&rdquo; Meloche said. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t look pretty (four goals), but that game did a great deal for my spirit.&rdquo;</p><p>So the Stars intend to keep their goalies in good spirit in gearing up for the first round of the playoffs.</p><p>The team is also excited about its new dynamite line of Mike Eaves at center, Ron Zanussi at right wing and U.S. Olympian Steve Christoff at left wing.</p><p>&ldquo;They move the puck around like it&rsquo;s on a string,&rdquo; raved assistant coach Murray Oliver.</p><p>Put together because of the injury situation that has seven and sometimes eight first-year NHL players in the Stars&rsquo; lineup, this line accounted for 12 goals in a seven-game span with Christoff, a right shot who is more familiar with right wing and center, getting five.</p><p>&ldquo;This line has given us a tremendous shot in the arm,&rdquo; Sonmor said. &ldquo;They move the puck so well and they&rsquo;re so hard to contain. Somebody said it was coaching genius that I put those three together. What happened was that Tommy McCarthy was hurt, so I tried Christoff on the left side.&rdquo;</p><p>Eaves, Zanussi and Christoff each scored against the Bruins and they were on the ice for a fourth goal by defenseman Greg Smith.</p><p>&ldquo;If we play like this in the playoffs, look out,&rdquo; Zanussi said. &ldquo;Look out.&rdquo;</p><p><b>STAR DUST:</b> Al MacAdam scored his 40th and 41st goals against the Bruins, making him the second player in North Star history to score 40 or more goals in a season. Steve Payne became the third with his 40th against Colorado. Bill Goldsworthy is the other&hellip;Team captain Shmyr underwent surgery to have blocked nasal passages cleared&hellip;Timmy Young scored his 26th goal and is headed for his best scoring year since he set the Minnesota points record of 95 in 1976-77, despite the fact that he doesn&rsquo;t always have a set line to play and seldom plays on the power play&hellip;Bobby Smith, who missed 19 games, leads the team in assists with 52 and already has equalled his rookie scoring total of 74 points&hellip;The Stars have set a team record with 283 goals&hellip;Defenseman Don Jackson, a Bloomington native called up in the injury crisis, has filled in with steady play&hellip;The Stars will draw more than 500,000 fans for the first time since 197475.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0004-02

North Star Goalie Tandem Peaking For Playoff Time

<div class="byline">BY VARTAN KUPELIAN</div><p>DETROIT&mdash;The end came for Bobby Kromm as coach of the Detroit Red Wings on a Friday morning in Vancouver.</p><p>General manager Ted Lindsay walked through a hotel door&mdash;&ldquo;The most difficult thing I ever had to do,&rdquo; Lindsay said&mdash;and &ldquo;dismissed&rdquo; Kromm as coach five days after the Red Wing players publicly criticized their coach.</p><p>Two days after the initial salvo, team captain Dale McCourt said the players had lost respect for Kromm and could no longer play for him, a message that was originally delivered following a disastrous loss to the Winnipeg Jets on home ice. That defeat seriously jeopardized the Wings&rsquo; playoff chances and finally cost Kromm his job.</p><p>The problems that did in Kromm were not new. They lingered for most of his three seasons and finally erupted with the situation deteriorating and the club struggling near the bottom of the 21 team NHL.</p><p>&ldquo;I hate the word fired,&rdquo; Lindsay said. &ldquo;Bobby was dismissed. He&rsquo;ll still be on our payroll for two more years.</p><p>&ldquo;That Was the worst night I&rsquo;ve spent. I&rsquo;m a great sleeper. Nothing bothers me, but this did.</p><p>&ldquo;I love Bobby as a coach, I love his theories on coaching. It was just a condition on our club that we couln&rsquo;t live with any more. It was not his fault entirely.</p><p>&ldquo;I hated going through that door. I knew something was wrong on the club. I talked to the players about it. But when it became public in the papers&hellip;if you can keep it private, in the room, you can work things out. But once it got in the papers&hellip;</p><p>&ldquo;I admire Bob but it was one of those things. As for the problem areas, the less said about those, the better. I don&rsquo;t want to dwell on them.&rdquo;</p><p>Lindsay continued, &ldquo;If I was going to do something this was as good a time as any. I haven&rsquo;t given up on the season.&rdquo;</p><p>However, the Wings, after a 5-2 victory over Vancouver that night, lost to Colorado and then returned home to lose to Edmonton. A third straight defeat was a 10-1 thrashing administered by the Sabres in Buffalo.</p><p>The scenario began to unfold after the loss to the Jets in Detroit. Several players critized Kromm and predicted he was &ldquo;as good as gone.&rdquo; If not, another suggested, &ldquo;He should be,&rdquo; as the players anticipated the axe would soon fall.</p><p>McCourt implied that the problem was one of communication, or lack thereof, between Kromm and the younger players on the team. After the criticism appeared, Lindsay came out in support of Kromm but it was shortlived. But he denied it was the result of orders from owner Bruce Norris, who has watched as Lindsay inflated the payroll to $5 million annually without improving his team&rsquo;s performance.</p><p>&ldquo;Bruce has been telling me to straighten the club out all season,&rdquo; Lindsay said. &ldquo;I run the show. I respect his opinion. I talk to him every day, sometimes three times a day. I did tell him what the problem was on our club, he said, &lsquo;Ted, you&rsquo;re in control. Do what you have to do.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-011073/4691005-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="596" height="964"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Red Wings&rsquo; captain Dale McCourt contended that Kromm couldn&rsquo;t communicate with the younger players.</i></figcaption></div><p>Still, the losses pile up with Marcel Pronovost behind the bench. Pronovost, hired just three weeks earlier as an assistant to Kromm in the area of defense and defensemen, didn&rsquo;t get the title as coach. Lindsay took it himself even though his duties and respon-sibilities didn&rsquo;t change. He said he would look for a new coach during the off season, perhaps even a new coach and a new assistant.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0005-01

Wings Still Struggle Without Kromm

<div class="byline">KEN McKENZIE&#x2019;S</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-02794/4691057-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="326" height="358"></div><p>&bull; <b>THIS IS SUPPOSED</b> to be true&hellip;but it sure is hard to believe. The New York Rangers were playing a game in Madison Square Garden recently, and Mike Nykoluk, assistant coach of the Rangers, was behind the bench. Sonny Werblin, head honcho of the Rangers, wanted to speak with Fred Shero, general manager-coach of the Rangers and the highest paid at his position in hockey. Shero couldn&rsquo;t be located anywhere near where he should be during a game and after a great deal of searching Shero was finally found&hellip;and where do you think he was? In a little room watching a basketball game on television!&hellip;Needless to say, Mr. Sonny Werblin was wild!&hellip;Bill Adler, director of information and statistician of the Central Hockey League, says this year&rsquo;s playoffs should be one of the most interesting in years. Adler is one of hockey&rsquo;s top publicists and makes the job of Bud Poile, the Central League&rsquo;s president, that much easier. Eventually, the Central League should be a great professional hockey league. It isn&rsquo;t that way right now, but it should be!&hellip;If Herb Brooks isn&rsquo;t coach of the Los Angeles Kings next season (and we&rsquo;ll bet he will be) he will certainly be in the NHL somewhere. The U.S. Olympic team coach is in demand right now and he would be foolish to miss a golden opportunity&hellip;Scotty Bowman says that Danny Gare, courageous captain of the Buffalo Sabres, is the finest athlete he&rsquo;s ever coached. Since Scotty coached a few better than average athletes at Montreal, that is truly a fine compliment&hellip;Bobby Hull is wearing No. 16 for the Hartford Whalers. This is the same number he wore when he broke in with the Chicago Black Hawks&hellip;Ed Snider was vice president of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League before he became a key member of the Philadelphia Flyers organization and eventually the &ldquo;main man&rdquo;&hellip;Jim Rutherford, Detroit goalie, is one of the hockey scribes&rsquo; favorites. He is always available with a smile and a humorous comment.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03545/4691050-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="279" height="412"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Fred Shero</i></figcaption></div><p>&bull; <b>THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS</b> are hitting their peak at the right time. After a rather disappointing season the Islanders are currently playing their finest hockey all year. The recent 5-2 win over the front-running Philadelphia Flyers capped a sevengame winning streak and was one of the most accomplished pertormances in a long time. Butch Goring&rsquo;s arrival from Los Angeles coincided with the streak and needless to say he is delighted to be on a Stanley Cup contender&hellip;The Flyers, on the other hand, appear to have lost their zip of late and are far from sharp as they approach the Stanley Cup playoffs&hellip;Center Paul Evans of the Maine Mariners collected his 500th career point recently&hellip;Jacques Beauchamp, popular Montreal sports writer, is recovering from recent surgery&hellip;The Minnesota North Stars have averaged over 3,000 fans more per game this year than last. The North Stars will go over 500,000 attendance at Met Center for the first time since 1974-75&hellip;Dickie Moore, one of the finest players to ever wear the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens; made us laugh the other day when he said: &ldquo;The worst thing that can happen to a hockey player is that he starts to think. A hockey player is not smart enough to think.&rdquo; Moore is presently a very successful Montreal businessman&hellip;Luigi Cortese, an International Hockey League linesman, sang &ldquo;Oh Canada&rdquo; before a crowd of 4,436 in Kalamazoo the other night. He did an outstanding job and was given a standing ovation when he finished. Kalamazoo remains on top of the IHL for the 23rd week in a row and are on their way to capturing their first-ever Frank Gallagher Award (first in the North Division) as well as the Huber Trophy (overall League title.)&hellip;While Colorado&rsquo;s Don Cherry has done a super job in selling hockey in Denver he hasn&rsquo;t brought along some of the younger players as well as he might have. His critics say he stays too long with the veterans and that the youngsters haven&rsquo;t progressed as well as management believed they should have.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-04363/4691043-1-eng-US/f0005-042.jpg" title="f0005-04" width="273" height="400"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Paul Evans</i></figcaption></div><p>&bull; <b>ALAN EAGLESON</b> was praised to the heavens by Brian Kilrea, general manager-coach of the Ottawa 67s juniors, on a recent TV talk show. Kilrea is high on agents who are lawyers and says he always advises his players to go to Eagleson or a lawyeragent&hellip;More referees and linesmen will see action in this year&rsquo;s Stanley Cup playoffs than ever before. The league will send 10 referees and 18 linesmen into action for the preliminary round and the numbers will gradually be reduced until only three referees and four linesmen will work the final round. Several officials will be working their first NHL playoffs, while injured veteran referees Bruce Hood and Dave Newell will be ready for the playoffs&hellip;Bob Kent, president and part owner of the Atlanta Flames, has confirmed that he and majority owner Tom Cousins have been talking to Calgary people about the possibility of selling the NHL franchise to Calgary interests. He also stated that if the franhise does leave Atlanta it will be an outright sale. Other places which have shown an interest in purchasing the franchise are Dallas, Meadowlands, N.J., and Houston. Chances are that Calgary will be the eventual location for the money-losing Flames&hellip;It appears that there are more big-league teams in hockey than there are big-league coaches and that the top coaches get themselves managers&rsquo; jobs, where they are in a position to fire the underlings&hellip;The Toronto Maple Leafs are still deliberating over who to start in goal for the playoffs, Mike Palmateer or Jiri Crha&hellip;Guy Lafleur is the youngest player (28) to score 400 goals in the NHL and he did it in the fewest number of games (667)&hellip;Both Maurice Richard and Phil Esposito scored their 400th goals in their 690th NHL games&hellip;Morris Snider, affable general manager of the Port Huron Flags, has done a standout job with his team once again. Snider is one of the better minor league executives.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-05240/4691036-1-eng-US/f0005-052.jpg" title="f0005-05" width="273" height="403"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Morris Snider</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0005-02

PASSING THE PUCK

<div class="byline">BY BILL LIBBY</div><p class="dropcap"><span>L</span>OS ANGELES&mdash;Although they still were struggling as the regular season ran down, the three big defensive-styled players the Kings picked up late in the season&mdash;Jerry Korab, Billy Harris and Dave Lewis&mdash;gave them the look of a new team and the feeling they were going to be competitive in the playoffs.</p><p>General manager George &ldquo;Grumpy&rdquo; Maguire had turned into George &ldquo;Smiley&rdquo; Maguire and after a recent victory, owner Jerry Buss was down in the dressing room, grinning, shaking hands and congratulating newly acquired defenseman Jerry Korab every couple of minutes for &ldquo;scattering &lsquo;em like bowling pins&rdquo; when Korab joined a melee on the boards.</p><p>Korab has joined Doug Halward on defense for the power play. Both handle the puck well and have hard shots. Another defensive string had Lewis teamed with Rob Palmer, whom coach Bob Berry likes even though the fans seem to love to boo Palmer.</p><p>Rookie Jay Wells, 6-1, 205, is a hitter and one of the Kings&rsquo; hopes for the future. He and veterans Barry Gibbs, Brad Selwood and Randy Holt are serving as spares right now.</p><p>Another rookie hope for the future, Mark Hardy, 5-11, 190, was returned to the minors after a second short stay up top while veteran Rick Hampton remains on the injured list. That runs the defense roster to ten.</p><p>The question is: can the Kings come up with four rearguards who can play powerfully and consistently and who can clear opponents from in front of the net and dump the puck out of the defensive zone?</p><p>Harris helps up front, checks consistently and takes faceoffs. The Kings haven&rsquo;t been killing penalties well, but maybe Harris will. He gets the odd goal, 20 or so a season. His first as a King recently defeated Detroit.</p><p>With rookies Dean Hopkins, 6-1, 203; John Paul Kelly, 6-2, 205, and Don Howse, 6-0, 182, Harris adds to a new group of checking, hitting forwards who help their defense.</p><p>Since their &ldquo;new team&rdquo; was formed, the Kings have been giving up fewer shots and goals per game and have become more difficult to defeat.</p><p>Korab was playing out the option year on his contract and has to come to terms with the Kings before he settles in here. However he and his wife Mary Ann love the area and love the thought of being close to Las Vegas. Both love to gamble.</p><p>For the time being, she and 20-month-old son J.J. are coming in to stay with Jerry at a hotel. Lewis, wife Brenda, and three-year-old Ryan will also be at a hotel awhile as will Harris, a bachelor.</p><p><b>KINGS THINGS:</b> Lynn Carlson presented Steve with their second child, daughter Melissa Lynn, on March 16&hellip;Linda Lombardo presented Kings&rsquo; physician Stephen with son Jeffrey on March 15.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>Since the arrival of Korab, Harris and Lewis, the Kings have been giving up fewer shots and goals.</b></p></div><p>Ex-King, ex-Canuck Shelly Kannegiesser is back in town and doing some business with some players on a financial plan&hellip;Refusing to report to the minors, Syl Apps joins Murray Wilson on suspension&hellip;&rdquo;Cinderella Charlie&rdquo; Simmer became the second King and 22nd NHL player ever to score 50 goals in a season.</p><p>Simmer and Marcel Dionne are the sixth pair of teammates to get 50 goals in a season. The Bruins&rsquo; Phil Esposito did it with John Bucyk in 1970-71 and Ken Hodge in 1973-74, then it was the Flyers&rsquo; Reg Leach and Bill Barber in 1975-76, the Penguins&rsquo; Pierre Larouche and Jean Pronovost in 1975-76, and the Canadiens&rsquo; Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt in 1976-77. The most by teammates is 127 goals: Esposito had 76 and Bucyk 51 in 1970-71.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011254/4691088-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="596" height="1110"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>The Kings have taken on a new look in muscle and offense with the trade for big Jerry Karab.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0006-01

New Players Swing Kings’ Towards Defense

<p class="dropcap"><span>L</span>OS ANGELES&mdash;Herb Brooks, the coach of the gold medalwinning U.S. Olympic hockey team, has decided to wait until the end of the current National Hockey League season before deciding where he&rsquo;ll coach next year. &lsquo;</p><p>The much sought after Olympic coach has been reported to be in line for a number of head coaching jobs in the NHL next season. He recently denied he has been offered the coaching job of the Los Angeles Kings by owner Jerry Buss.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not moving on anything until I see where everything stands,&rdquo; said Brooks. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re listening to all offers and we&rsquo;re telling everyone that we will talk at the end of the season. That&rsquo;s what we told Dr. Buss.&rdquo;</p><p>There is speculation that Brooks might decide to take the Detroit Red Wings&rsquo; coaching job next season if it is offered to him because he has a 13-year-old son who is a promising hockey player. Brooks is reported to be interested in a city with a good minor hockey program so his son can develop his skills, and Detroit has a top kids&rsquo; hockey setup.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-02931/4691119-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="498" height="634"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Olympic coach Herb Brooks is adopting a wait and see policy on NHL coaching offers.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0006-02

Brooks Delays Decision

<div class="byline">BY NEIL MILBERT</div><p>CHICAGO&mdash;Doug Wilson is on the brink of becoming the highest scoring defenseman in the Black Hawks&rsquo; 54-year history.</p><p>More important, at age 22, he has matured into one of the best rear guardsmen in the National Hockey League and seemingly is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential.</p><p>With five games to go, Wilson had tallied 11 goals and assisted on 48 for 59 points, leaving him there shy of the team record for a defenseman (established by Dale Tallon in 1975-76).</p><p>A better way to put the kind of season Wilson is having into perspective is to compare his statistics to those compiled by three of the most decorated defensemen in the National Hockey League at the same stages of their careers.</p><p>In his third year, Brad Park finished with 44 points, Borje Salming wound up with 51, and Larry Robinson had 61.</p><p>Not only is Wilson making waves on offense, he&rsquo;s solid as Gibraltar when the opposition has the puck. Seeing him is believing him when he says: &ldquo;In some of my best games this year I haven&rsquo;t gotten a single point.&rdquo;</p><p>It wasn&rsquo;t until Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh that Wilson started putting it all together. Till then he&rsquo;d gone the first 26 games without getting a goal.</p><p>&ldquo;The main thing was regaining my confidence,&rdquo; says Wilson. &ldquo;During those first 20-some games I was pressing and down on myself. If E. J. (Coach Eddie Johnston) had put any pressure on me I think it would have been worse.</p><p>&ldquo;I was a little leery because of the left shoulder I separated when I fell into the boards against Pittsburgh (last Feb. 25). That was it for the year and I had to have an operation on the same shoulder that had been operated on before.</p><p>&ldquo;Dr. Lewis Kolb performed the operation and he had to cut some muscle which produced a lot of scar tissue. He put it back together the right way and I lifted weights and did stretching exercises after the operation but I was worried.</p><p>&ldquo;Finally, I just had to accept that 90 percent is as well as it&rsquo;s ever going to be and it&rsquo;s always going to be a little sore in the morning.&rdquo;</p><p>As a rookie, Wilson played with poise and tallied 34 points (14 goals and 20 assists). Last year his productivity dwindled. At the time the shoulder was separated he had 5 goals and 21 assists, statistics that fell far short of what seemed to be his potential as a sophomore.</p><p>&ldquo;I had to learn some things&mdash;on the ice and off.&rdquo; Wilson recalls. &ldquo;I had to learn to make contributing to the team my top priority. It used to be when I missed a night of going out on the town, I thought I really missed something. Now, I want to win first and then have a good time&mdash;not the other way around.</p><p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a completely new atmosphere on the team, starting on the top with E. J. He and the new people like Terry (Ruskowski), Rico (Rich Preston), Tommy (Lysiak), and Hutch (Dave Hutchison) spur you to strive for bigger things. I also can&rsquo;t forget Keith Brown (Wilson&rsquo;s partner on defense). He may be a rookie but he doesn&rsquo;t play like a rookie. Brownie is one of the best natural hockey players I&rsquo;ve ever seen.&rdquo;</p><p>Like Brown, Wilson committed himself to making a career of hockey when he was a teenager. &ldquo;I never really thought about anything else,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;I put all my marbles in one basket and I realize now that was taking a big chance. I didn&rsquo;t put very much effort in my school work.</p><p>&ldquo;If I could do it again, I&rsquo;d study harder and go to a U.S. university on a hockey scholarship. I got a good basic education when I was a little boy. My father was in the Air Force and I started school in England at age 3. We stayed until I was 6 years old. When we came back I was way ahead of the other kids and skipped some grades.&rdquo;</p><p>After playing junior hockey in Winnipeg and then with the Ottawa 67s, Wilson was the Black Hawks&rsquo; No. 1 draft choice (sixth overall) in 1977 and he made the team in training camp.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel I was kind of fortunate,&rdquo; says Wilson. &ldquo;Bob Pulford was just coming in as general manager and coach and was installing a new system. The other guys all had to learn a new system and impress a new coach so I was starting out even.</p><p>&ldquo;That was the year Bobby Orr sat out to try to rest his knee for his comeback and he also was a big influence. He kept telling me not to get down on myself and to play with confidence and not worry about making mistakes. It took awhile but I guess I&rsquo;ve finally got the message.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Defenseman Wilson’s Game Taking off

<p>Published by W.C.C. Publishing Ltd.</p><p>214 King St. West, Suite 314, Toronto, Ont. M5H 1K4</p><h2><b>The age span</b></h2><p><b>WHAT AN INCREDIBLE</b> year in the National Hockey League&mdash;gnarled veterans, fuzz-cheeked youngsters, and week-to-week stars running an astonishing new age gamut from 18 to 52 years!</p><p>Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers might vocalize the youngsters&rsquo; tributes in a song from The Fifties&mdash;&ldquo;They tried to tell us we&rsquo;re too young.&rdquo;</p><p>And Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers might be excused in paraphrasing that same song for the seniors&mdash;&ldquo;They tried to tell us we&rsquo;re too old.&rdquo;</p><p>But it was probably a new record in professional sport&mdash;an age difference of nearly 34 years in some of the players making NHL headlines this year. The season opened with 12 teenagers on league rosters, and the youngest of the lot was The Great Gretzky, at 18. But as teams went into the stretch drive for playoff positions, and Gretzky joined a tense battle with Marcel Dionne for the league scoring title, the talented Oiler had hit another birthday and had advanced to the age of 19.</p><p>As a magnificent new offensive talent, Gretzky may amass the most newspaper ink on the season, but significant marks have been made also by Ray Bourque, the young defenseman with the Boston Bruins, Laurie Boschman, a bright young center for Toronto, and several others.</p><p>It&rsquo;s interesting, too, that when the WHA went out of existence and the NHL embraced four of its survivors, the new teams brought both youth and seniority to the established league. They brought in three teenagers, and they also brought in such venerables as Gordie Howe and Davey Keon.</p><h2><b>The Great Gretzky</b></h2><p><b>CERTAINLY, THERE WAS</b> no more worthy newsmaker in the stretch drive than the Oilers&rsquo; exciting and superbly talented Wayne Gretzky, acknowledged as a new super athlete in his first NHL season, driving about in a Lincoln Continental, owning an escalating 21-year Edmonton contract that pays him nearly $300,000 this season, and having his hockey services insured with Lloyds of London for $5 million.</p><p>As the league&rsquo;s newest super player, Gretzky was team conscious, modest, level-headed and brimming with a quiet inner confidence.</p><p>As Bobby Orr had dominated an earlier era, some hockey railbirds thought Gretzky might dominate a new one with his total package of offensive skills&mdash;his moves, stick-handling, play-making, peripheral vision and pool-table picture of the playing surface.</p><p>He kept getting better and nobody really knew how great he could become. With a week to go in the schedule he had 49 goals but he also had the ability to open up holes for teammates by pulling away defenders (84 assists).</p><p>In a late stretch of 13 games he earned 14 goals and 16 assists and the tougher the pressure the better he responded.</p><p>Already selling season tickets for the Oilers&rsquo; 198081 season, Gretzky continues to astound coach Glen Sather as much as he astounds the fans.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve used him in four or five different line combinations and he seems to fit everywhere,&rdquo; said Sather. &ldquo;Sometimes his quickness and stick skills intimidate defenders and sometimes they hypnotize them. He always amazes me&mdash;he has a lot of quiet determination and I think he can reach any goal he sets for himself. He&rsquo;s intelligent, well-adjusted, team-oriented and he&rsquo;s the superstar of tomorrow.&rdquo;</p><p>In the final week of the schedule Gretzky was pulling his team closer to a playoff berth. And quite incredibly, for a first-year NHLer, he was battling for the scoring championship of the league.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

The Hockey News The International Hockey Weekly Founded in 1947

<div class="byline">BY ROGER NEILSON</div><p class="dropcap"><i><span>R</span>oger Neilson, the associate coach of the Buffalo Sabres, is opposed to the procedure the National Hockey League uses to break a tie, should one occur between two teams at the end of the regular season. Under the current system, the tie is broken by awarding whichever team has won the greater number of games during the reaular season the higher spot in the playoffs. If the two teams share the same number of wins, the team having the higher number of points in games between those two teams gets the higher berth. If they&rsquo;re still tied after these two criteria, the team that scored the greater number of goals wins out.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011215/4691229-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="300" height="390"></div><p><i>In the following piece, Neilson explains why he is opposed to this procedure.</i></p><p>I think two of the criteria are ridiculous. First of all, let&rsquo;s take overall wins during a season. Let&rsquo;s just suppose there was a 10-game schedule and the two teams involved ended up with records of 7-2-1 and 6-1-3. That&rsquo;s as even as you can be: One of the teams tied two games that the other team won and lost. Why is it better to have extra wins? It doesn&rsquo;t make any sense and it&rsquo;s absolutely no better because if one team has more wins, the other one has fewer losses.</p><p>As far as the third criteria&mdash;goals&mdash;is concerned, what the NHL is saying is that it&rsquo;s better to win a game by a 7-6 score than a 6-0 score. Goals certainly have to be taken into consideration&mdash;maybe as a second, rather than third, criteria in the tie-breaking process&mdash;but I think the season series between the two teams should be considered and <i>then</i> go to goals for and against. If they added up the goals-for and subtracted the goals-against, which is the way it should really be decided, it wouldn&rsquo;t be better to win a game by a 7-6 score rather than a shutout&mdash;which is the way it is now.</p><p>To say that a team should get a higher playoff spot because it has more wins is ludicrous; that&rsquo;s an awful way to lose a playoff spot. And the same thing goes with goals. A team could have an unbelievably better average because their goals-against may be 100 less than the team they&rsquo;re battling for that playoff spot. But if they score fewer goals they lose; it doesn&rsquo;t make any sense at all.</p><p>I&rsquo;d like to hear why the NHL uses this tie-breaking procedure. Maybe because they think it&rsquo;s easier for the fans. But if you ask nine out of 10 hockey fans, even in a knowledgable city like Buffalo, I&rsquo;m sure they wouldn&rsquo;t have any idea how it works.</p><p>When you&rsquo;re tied for a key spot and you get down to maybe the last playoff spot&hellip;you have to decide it all in the fairest possible way.</p><p>It might be better to flip a coin.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

NHL Needs New Tie-Breaking Procedure

<div class="byline">BY DAVE BRANCH</div><p class="dropcap"><i><span>D</span>ave Branch, the commissioner of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, and the executive director of the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, talked to THE HOCKEY NEWS recently about the relationship between the three leagues he oversees&mdash;the Western Hockey League and the Ontario and Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues&mdash;and the National Hockey League.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021062/4691260-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="287" height="495"></div><p>In order to get some perspective on what the relationship between the NHL and Junior hockey is now, you really have to go back and take a look at where it was about 13 years ago.</p><p>At that time, 1967, the whole concept of sponsorship of Junior teams by the NHL was done away with and both we and the NHL made a big mistake: We stopped communicating with each other and went our separate ways.</p><p>That communications gap was widened even further in the early 70s, when the World Hockey Association was born and Junior hockey became a pawn in the fight between the WHA and the NHL. There was even less dialogue between us and those two major leagues because they were too busy with antitrust suits and all sorts of other litigation to devote any attention to us.</p><p>Now, as we enter another decade, we&rsquo;re back to a one-league game, and the biggest need I think we have is to create what we&rsquo;ve both missed out on since 1967 and find out what each other&rsquo;s specific wants and needs are.</p><p>I think that we&rsquo;re off to a pretty good start. We&rsquo;ve had more meetings in the last six months with the NHL than we&rsquo;ve had all together in the last six years. And the more meetings of this type that we have, the more we&rsquo;re going to find out about each other and what we can do to help each other out.</p><p>If, for instance, the NHL coaches are complaining that some of the players they draft from our leagues aren&rsquo;t backchecking enough, we can identify where our instruction is lacking and improve in those areas.</p><p>There is no reason why this can&rsquo;t work out, especially when you consider how well our leagues are represented in the NHL. As of January 1, 1980, our statistics showed that of the 466 players in the NHL, 375&mdash;or 81 percent&mdash;came from our ranks.</p><p>In addition to that, 83 percent of the NHL&rsquo;s officials came from the OMJHL, QMJHL or WHL and 86 percent of the NHL&rsquo;s current head or associate coaches played or coached in one of those leagues.</p><p>There is certainly a solid enough foundation for some dialogue there, don&rsquo;t you think?<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-02

NHL And Juniors Closing Communications Gap

<div class="byline">BY BILL FLEISCHMAN</div><p class="dropcap"><span>P</span>HILADELPHIA&mdash;The New York Islanders, known throughout the NHL as Team Shrink, will be happy to know they had company during the regular season home-stretch.</p><p>The Philadelphia Flyers, who had outdistanced their competition by several furlongs (or is it fetlocks?) all season, suddenly turned human and qualified for discount rates at the offices of Drs. Quinn and Allen.</p><p>Playing more like the Winnipeg Jets than The Team That Wouldn&rsquo;t Lose during a record 35-game unbeaten streak, the Flyers wobbled through a bleak 0-4-3 span he Slump finally ended with a Bobby Clarke-led 5-2 victory over injury-riddled Quebec at the Spectrum, but analysts, flown in from Vienna, Stockholm and Uniondale, were still wondering: What in the name of Ed Snider&rsquo;s bank account had happened to this team?</p><p>The answers appeared simple. For openers, team defense in front of Pete Peeters and Phil Myre was in dreamland. Peeters, the usually reliable rookie goaltender who had gone 27 games without losing, dropped three consecutive decisions.</p><p>The Flyers&rsquo; second major problem is one that will likely haunt them into the playoffs: The defense corps is hurting.</p><p>Bob Dailey, one of the club&rsquo;s three top defenders, was idle, resting a damaged shoulder that some pessimists think will keep him sidelined the rest of the season. The Flyers&rsquo; other top two rearguards were also playing with pain&mdash;in different areas of their bodies. Jimmy Watson&rsquo;s aching back continues to bother him, while Norm Barnes, out 17 games with a severe abdominal strain, is less than 100 percent.</p><p>Another cause of the Flyers&rsquo; March chill was lack of a challenge. Their overall point lead had been so wide that many players started drifting, out of boredom, into bad habits.</p><p>&ldquo;I think we almost got everything we had wanted to get, and it was getting toward the end of the season,&rdquo; explained Ken Linseman, the Flyers&rsquo; scoring leader. &ldquo;Maybe we started doing things we shouldn&rsquo;t have. But, don&rsquo;t forget, a lot of other teams started getting better. They&rsquo;re fighting to get their last breath to get into the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>Watson pointed out that the Flyers&rsquo; slump occurred when the Canadiens, Islanders and Bruins were charging toward the playoffs.</p><p>&ldquo;A lot of these other teams are so much better than when we played them earlier in the season,&rdquo; said Watson. &ldquo;Another problem was, as well as we did&mdash;playing that hard for so long&mdash;made it very difficult to continue.&rdquo;</p><p>Pat Quinn still has confidence that his club will be a Stanley Cup contender. But the Flyers&rsquo; coach wasn&rsquo;t content to let the slide carry too close to playoff time.</p><p>Following a half-throttle 5-5 tie in Hartford, Quinn reviewed the game films, which confirmed his opinion: He rated the Flyers R (for Rotten), and then called a team meeting.</p><p>&ldquo;It was definitely a spanking kind of thing,&rdquo; said Quinn, who decided he wasn&rsquo;t reaching some players with other forms of instruction and communication. &ldquo;I spoke to the whole team. I didn&rsquo;t single anyone out, but this was for those guys who apparently haven&rsquo;t been listening.&rdquo;</p><p>One veteran who always listens, but sometimes doesn&rsquo;t put what he hears to efficient use, is Andre (Moose) Dupont. This has been a season of peaks and valleys&mdash;mostly valleys&mdash;for the 31-year-old Flyers&rsquo; veteran. A knee injury slowed him considerably early in the season. By mid-season, he had started working his way back into top form. Sadly for him, however, he also worked his way onto the most-likely-to-be-traded list.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s nice to be in demand,&rdquo; said the always-candid Moose, &ldquo;but now&rsquo;s not the time. I want to stay in Philly.&rdquo;</p><p>With Dailey, Watson and Barnes hampered by injuries and Behn Wilson, regarded by many as a potential star if he can start thinking clearly on the ice, playing below Quinn&rsquo;s expectations, the Flyers will need a dedicated veteran like Dupont if they expect to visit the Stanley Cup finals.</p><p><b>FLYERS&rsquo; FACTS:</b> Brian Propp, who regained the rookie scoring lead from Detroit&rsquo;s Mike Foligno, broke Bill Barber&rsquo;s club record (64) for most points by a rookie&hellip;Bobby Clarke suffered an ugly 20-stitch skate cut below his left eye against the Islanders.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011192/4691291-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg" title="f0009-01" width="612" height="972"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>According to Philadelphia&rsquo;s leading scorer, Ken Linseman, the club slacked off because it had accomplished most of its goals.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0009-01

Boredom, Injuries Shrank Flyer Lead

<div class="byline">BY PAT CALABRIA</div><p class="dropcap"><span>L</span>ONG ISLAND&mdash;His body is constructed like a squashed beer can. The legs are short, but thick. The hips, like those of most hockey players, are wide. And when Butch Goring takes his choppy strides, he skates with his shoulders hunched, as if pushing a wheelbarrow.</p><p>Goring is anything but sleek and streamlined, and at 5-9 and 165 pounds, he has a knack for bulldozing players off a puck and unleashing checks full of starch. That&rsquo;s always been his way.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m here to play my game, not to try anything different,&rdquo; Goring said. &ldquo;I think everyone has a pretty good idea of how I play. That&rsquo;s what they expect.&rdquo;</p><p>Goring is a dependable center and a tireless checker, which is why the Islanders landed him from the Los Angeles Kings under the stroke of the March trading deadline. The price was high&mdash;Dave Lewis and Billy Harris&mdash;but Goring was the best available player at his position.</p><p>&ldquo;All I want to do is help out and take a little bit of pressure off Bryan Trottier&rsquo;s line,&rdquo; Goring said. &ldquo;The Islanders need a little balance. That No. 1 line is great, but you need more than that. I think there are enough players here so we can make it work.&rdquo;</p><p>Goring is familiar with the perils of a lopsided offense. The Kings had Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer&mdash;and then Goring, and no one after that. &ldquo;No good,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>So Arbour finally feels comfortable with subtracting Clark Gillies from Trottier and Mike Bossy. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to see what happens,&rdquo; Arbour said. &ldquo;I like the idea of playing Clarkie with Butch, I&rsquo;ll say that.&rdquo;</p><p>That might leave Kallur to play with Trottier and Arbour likes that, too. Suddenly, the team believes it has as much balance as it needs. The trade also may have its effect elsewhere.</p><p>&ldquo;I think we can use it as a starting point,&rdquo; Bob Lorimer said. &ldquo;Before, we&rsquo;d think, &lsquo;Okay, we&rsquo;re going to get out of this slump and we&rsquo;re going to start tomorrow.&rsquo; But we had nothing to base it on. We weren&rsquo;t playing well. There weren&rsquo;t any changes. If we want to, we can grab hold of the trade and use it to get us going.&rdquo;</p><p>And Goring has gotten the Islanders going. He scored an assist in his second game with the team, a 6-2 win over St. Louis. In that game, Goring was on ice for three goals in the first period. He added a goal in the next game, a 6-1 win in Chicago and played well again in the 6-3 victory that ran the team&rsquo;s winning streak to four games.</p><p>He had been used to kill penalties, backing up Bourne and Kallur. He has been used on a second power-play unit, backing up Trottier. Besides that, Goring is as good a faceoff player as the team has.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy to be here,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always said I wanted to play for a team that was used to winning. The Stanley Cup has been my chief goal. It didn&rsquo;t look like that was about to happen in Los Angeles. And I&rsquo;m not getting any younger.&rdquo;</p><p><b>ISLAND INCANTATIONS:</b> The Islanders still have not lost a game with Goring in the lineup. They checked Montreal to a 2-2 stalemate at the Forum for their third tie, along with five wins with Goring aboard and then blasted the Nordiques in Quebec City 9-6 led by three Goring goals. Butch also added one assist&hellip;Anders Kallur and Mike Bossy had the goals against the Canadiens as the Islanders twice lost one-goal leads. They also lost the chance to become the first team in 50 years to sweep a series from the Canadiens (Boston accomplished the feat in 1929-30) when they let Montreal escape with the tie. The Islanders had won their first three meetings with the defending Stanley Cup champions this season&hellip;With three games to play, the Islanders were tied with Minnesota for fifth place overall with 86 points and were one point ahead of Chicago. Both Chicago and Minnesota, however, held a game in hand over the Islanders. The cross-town rival Rangers were four points back, also with a game in hand&hellip;Bryan Trottier scored his 40th goal and added two assists against Quebec to pass the 100-point mark for the third year in succession. He&rsquo;s the fourth player in the league to hit the century mark this season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Goring Proves To Be Islander Good-Luck Charm

<div class="byline">Compiled By CATHY MUNRO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-02967/4691377-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="578" height="323"></div><h2><b>A Heart Is Soaring Over Butch Goring</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>M</span>ike Murphy said it&mdash;but not all of it! Losing Butch Goring was like a death in the family&mdash;but not the natural acceptable kind it would have been with his retirement in a few years, along with the retirement of his No. 19 jersey.</p><p>Goring was up there in the top 10 scorers during the first part of the season, which was also his best for points. Then, when Marcel Dionne&rsquo;s line was broken with Charlie Simmer&rsquo;s and Dave Taylor&rsquo;s injuries, Butch&rsquo;s line was given to him. And when they played shorthanded Butch was taken off, robbing him and his fans of the thrill of his shorthanded goals.</p><p>Sure, I know Dionne scores more goals. A commercial net fisherman catches more fish, too, but I&rsquo;ll take the thrill of one fighting trout on light tackle to a bushel of fish from a net. All teams would like a goal-scoring machine, but when Goring gets that puck and goes deking up ice&mdash;head, shoulders, hips and feet all scrabbling in different directions&mdash;wow! The heart pounds, adrenalin pumps, and the goose bumps break out&mdash;a hell of a thrill even if he doesn&rsquo;t score. And when he does&mdash;sheer ambrosia!</p><p><b>Jan Miller</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Santa Ana, CA</i></p><h2><b>Don&rsquo;t Sell NHL Short</b></h2><p>The U.S. Olympic hockey team deserves everything they get as a result of the job they did at Lake Placid. Herb Brooks put together a team with elan and enthusiasm, capable of tremendous effort. Watching them play with such speed and intensity was marvelous.</p><p>The Soviet team is very good but they are overrated. A good deal of their reputation is based on a performance against an NHL All Star &ldquo;team&rdquo; that has never played as a unit and never will.</p><p>Now, I&rsquo;d like to suggest something. Suppose a first-place team from one of the North American junior leagues were to strengthen themselves with a few players and they went to the Soviet Union to play a series that included some of their lower echelon teams (for points while the rest of the league played some kind of round robin to make up the difference in points available). Ten to one the North Americans would beat the Soviets and return with a winning record.</p><p>The Soviets do have a fine hockey team and we should pay attention to the European style of play, they sell the game as hockey, not as a tag team brawl. What happened in Vancouver the same night as the Lake Placid hockey game should be condemned, but let&rsquo;s not sell our game short, and let&rsquo;s start evaluating the Soviet team with respect instead of awe.</p><p><b>Andrew W. Frew</b><br>&nbsp;<i>East Providence, RI</i></p><h2><b>Canadia(e)ns Play Clean Hockey, Too</b></h2><p>I&rsquo;ve just read Bob Verdi&rsquo;s column on the United States team in the XIII Winter Olympics, and it would appear Mr. Verdi and most other sportswriters are jumping on the same bandwagon&mdash;that the clean-cut U.S. college boys are showing Canadians how to play hockey the way it would be played.</p><p>Well, I&rsquo;d hate to dispute such so-called experts, but there just happens to exist a team in the good ol&rsquo; NHL which year in year out has set an example to the entire hockey world as to how the game should be played. They are called the Montreal Canadiens, and they&rsquo;ve won 22 Stanley Cups in the process. They defeated the same Russian team that the Olympians beat and by a far greater margin in play. If the ice surface was larger, I&rsquo;d still put my money on the Guy Lafleurs, Bob Gaineys and Larry Robinsons in a seven-game series with the Russians over the American Olympic team.</p><p>The Montreal Canadiens are consistently the cleanest team in hockey and it&rsquo;s difficult to remember them in any fisticuffs, let alone a bench-clearing brawl. Except for the two fluke years when the Philadelphia Flyers bullied their way to two Stanley Cup wins, I think you&rsquo;ll find that the Stanley Cup winners usually represented the cleaner style of play.</p><p>These writers shouldn&rsquo;t have to kowtow to the sudden American belief that they&rsquo;ve invented clean entertaining hockey. We&rsquo;ve got a lot of it in our own backyard.</p><p><b>K. G. Hollett</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Vancouver, B.C.</i></p><h2><b>Don&rsquo;t Forget Tommy Williams!</b></h2><p>Frank Orr&rsquo;s &ldquo;Hockey Viewpoint&rdquo; in the March 14, 1980 edition of <i>THE HOCKEY NEWS</i> claimed that the only member of the 1960 United States Olympic hockey team to become a pro player was Jack McCartan. In making this statement, Mr. Orr has overlooked the 10-year NHL career of Tommy Williams, a member of the 1960 team. Williams was, in fact, the only American-born player in the NHL at one time during the 1960s.</p><p>I also add my &ldquo;Thank you&rdquo; to that of millions for the thrills provided by the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team. It is gratifying to know that a majority of these players will compete professionally and realize an opportunity that eluded most of their 1960 counterparts.</p><p><b>Jerome Green</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Minneapolis, MN</i></p><h2><b>End To Canadian Supremacy?</b></h2><p>What a pleasure it was to watch the U.S. Olympic hockey team do more for nationalism in two weeks than all our great leaders have done in my lifetime. I did notice something missing from all the Olympic teams however&mdash;no goons. The absence of players in the mould of John Wensink, Randy Holt, Dave Schultz or Nick Fotiu did wonders for true hockey fans. I hope the NHL takes notice that these type of players have no place in the league.</p><p>The performance of the U.S. team was incredible, but not as unbelievable as some have led us to believe. The Soviets struggled with both Finland and Canada before meeting the Americans. Even though it took a supreme effort, the Americans knew that if they stuck to their style of play they would stay within striking distance.</p><p>I wonder if this fine performance is the beginning of a trend? The country&rsquo;s two hotbeds, the Iron Range of Minnesota and metropolitan Boston have been turning out many quality hockey players. And, almost half of the players on the U.S. team have been drafted. If this trend continues, the U.S. should put an end to Canadian hockey supremacy in North America, as they did to the great myth of the invincible Soviets.</p><p><b>Frank Greenberg</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Hull, MA</i></p><h2><b>P.E.I. Ranks Right Up There!</b></h2><p>I am writing in reference to Ken McKenzie&rsquo;s &ldquo;Passing The Puck&rdquo;, in the January 18th issue.</p><p>Mr. McKenzie stated that the province of Ontario, with 176 players in the NHL out of a population of eight and a half million, boasts the highest number of players from their province than any other of Canada&rsquo;s 10 provinces. He went on to say that Quebec was next with 70, then Saskatchewan with 41, Alberta with 32, followed by Manitoba with 26, and the Maritimes with 11.</p><p>As a Prince Edward Islander, I am tired of our province being grouped together with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland, and called simply &ldquo;The Maritimes&rdquo;. We are a province on our own and I believe that if Mr. McKenzie looked at Prince Edward Island as a separate province (population approximately 118,000) and did a little calculation as to population-player percentage, he would find that we rank right up there with the best of them!</p><p>The majority of those players from the Maritimes come from little old P.E.I., a fact that Islanders are very proud of. Here is a list of them: Bob MacMillan (Atlanta); Errol Thompson (Detroit); Al MacAdam (Minnesota); Bob Stewart (Pittsburgh); Rick Vaive (Toronto); John Hughes (Vancouver); Bill MacMil-. Ian, coach of the Islanders. Rick Vaive may not have been born here but his mother is an Islander and he grew up and played his minor and first of junior hockey here. No matter&mdash;we still rank right up there!</p><p><b>Howard Mahar</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Charlottetown, P.E.I.</i></p><h2><b>A Suggestion For Realignment</b></h2><p>I was delighted recently to hear of NHL president John Ziegler&rsquo;s proposal for realignment. Placing all the Canadian teams within a conference rather than a division is an excellent idea. I would like to offer some suggestions of my own.</p><p>The NHL could be divided into a National and American hockey conference. With in each conference there would be an east and west division. Here is how such an arrangement would work:</p><p>American Hockey Conference, East Division: New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington. There is room for New Jersey in this division if expansion occurs.</p><p>West Division: Atlanta, St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles.</p><p>National Hockey Conference, East Division: Boston. Hartford, Montreal, Quebec Toronto, Buffalo.</p><p>West: Minnesota, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver, Colorado.</p><p>There are numerous rivalries within each division and opportunity for more to grow. The introduction of an unbalanced schedule would increase the intensity of these rivalries and attendance would most certainly increase as a result.</p><p><b>Bernie Horn</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Brandon, Manitoba</i></p><h2><b>Nordiques Lucky To Have Hislop</b></h2><p>Congratulations on finally recognizing one of the most valuable newcomers to the NHL in Jamie Hislop of the Quebec Nordiques. (Buddy O&rsquo;Connor&rsquo;s article, March 21).</p><p>In the nearly three years that Hislop played for the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA, fans came to know and love him for his intense determination and always hustling style of play.</p><p>I certainly hope the citizens of Quebec realize what a truly talented young man they have on their team.</p><p><b>Patti Dahlheimer</b><br>&nbsp;<i>Cincinnati, OH</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-02

FAN FORUM

<div class="byline">BY RICHARD FRIEDMAN</div><p>NEW YORK&mdash;Are the Rangers ready to roll over and die come playoff time&mdash;or are they simply playing possum?</p><p>The Rangers entered the final week of the season, and their last battle for home-ice. advantage, reeling from another week of inconsistent play and yet another third-period letdown, an occurrence that has become all too routine.</p><p>Following a Monday night game against the Detroit Red Wings, they had three games against tough Patrick Division rivals to look forward to: a home match against the Atlanta Flames on Wednesday, and a weekend road trip to Nassau Coliseum to face the Islanders, and the season&rsquo;s finale in Philadelphia.</p><p>Against such formidable opponents, the Rangers attempted to erase the memories of third-period blowouts at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and last Friday, the Flames in Atlanta. But a ray of hope was provided by a strong showing in a 3-3 tie against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, March 25 at Madison Square Garden.</p><p>G.M.-coach Fred Shero described the Sabres game as &ldquo;the best game for both teams I&rsquo;ve seen this year. Both teams skated hard and the outcome was in doubt all the way.&rdquo;</p><p>Don Maloney&rsquo;s game-tying goal at 2:19 of the third period demonstrated just how explosive, and versatile, the Rangers can be. Maloney excels in the corners and behind the net, where he loves to dig the puck out and feed his linemates, but this time he was on the receiving end of a pass from Dean Talafous, broke in all alone on Sabres&rsquo; goalie Don Edwards, faked one way and beat Edwards on his glove side.</p><p>&ldquo;When you&rsquo;re playing the Rangers, you never want to get behind,&rdquo; said Sabres&rsquo; left wing Craig Ramsay. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re a funny team. They can explode anytime, and you never know when they&rsquo;ll break a game open.</p><p>&ldquo;It can be kind of scary, knowing their potential.&rdquo;</p><p>But against the Oilers and Jets the week before, the Rangers had folded in the third period. They skated with the Canadiens for most of the first two periods, entered the third trailing 2-1, gambled and tried to break the game open and quickly fell behind, 3-1, and sagged the rest of the way, finally losing 6-1.</p><p>The following Friday&rsquo;s game in Atlanta was a disturbingly similar let-down. The Rangers reverted to what has become their shaky late-season form, taking an early 2-0 lead and giving up a goal in the second period and three more in the third, and losing 4-2.</p><p>The first Flames&rsquo; goal was set up by one of literally dozens of busied plays, and the second, on a powerplay, came on a 60-foot shot by Kent Nilsson that dropped on Rangers&rsquo; goalie John Davidson.</p><p>Then, the Rangers disintegrated, and Willi Plett&rsquo;s goal from the slot put the Flames ahead to stay. Paul Henderson&rsquo;s empty-net goal finished the scoring.</p><p>Much is made of the fact that the regular season becomes meaningless once 16 teams begin the opening round of the playoffs. But the Rangers entered the final week of the season in contention for a respectable fifth-place overall finish, with the potential of dropping to ninth and losing the first-round home-ice advantage. The list of their possible opponents was equally long.</p><p>Sure, they won just two of their final 12 games last season before advancing all the way to the finals, but there is no guarantee that they can repeat their 1979 performance and magically recapture the intensity that carried them past the Islanders in the semifinals.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011231/4691346-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="601" height="715"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>The digging of Don Maloney provides a steady contribution to the Rangers&rsquo; erratic attack.</i></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;There were many good signs,&rdquo; said Phil Esposito after the tie against the Sabres. &ldquo;We would have liked to win, but we played with intensity and confidence.&rdquo;</p><p>That confidence vanished just three days later in the game&mdash;a big game&mdash;against the Flames, a game in which the Rangers made many mistakes and gave away the puck more than 20 times.</p><p>But these games will be meaningless when the playoffs start in the second week of April and perhaps Sabres right wing Rick Dudley will have spoken the truest words of all:</p><p>&ldquo;The Rangers are a dark-horse team in the playoffs, just like they were last year. More teams feel they have a shot at winning the cup this year&mdash;but the Rangers showed us last year that they thrive during the playoffs.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

Rangers Repeating Familiar Pattern

<div class="byline">BY TOM HENSHAW</div><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>OSTON&mdash;When Harry Sinden, then a callow youth of 33, was named coach of the sad sack Boston Bruins for the first time on May 10, 1966, he knew exactly what he wanted.</p><p>&ldquo;I would like,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to have a team that skates like the Montreal Canadiens, checks like the Detroit Red Wings and is mean like the Toronto Maple Leafs.&rdquo;</p><p>The Bruins of 1980 check like the Wings of 1966; they&rsquo;re meaner than the Leafs of &lsquo;66 and if they don&rsquo;t skate like the Canadiens&hellip;well, two out of three isn&rsquo;t bad.</p><p>Four years later, when the Bruins were on the eve of winning their first Stanley Cup in 29 years, Sinden elaborated on his earlier statement.</p><p>&ldquo;When I came here, this team had no identity,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It was just a bunch of individuals. People were skating around and shooting but they were all working for themselves.</p><p>&ldquo;All the other teams had identities. Montreal had the fast-skating Canadiens. Toronto was known for backchecking. Detroit forechecking. New York passing. Chicago, the big shooters.</p><p>&ldquo;The Bruins had nothing. Nothing at all.</p><p>&ldquo;The thing I&rsquo;ve tried to say at the beginning of each year is that there are no out of bounds in this sport. The field is enclosed by boards. You can&rsquo;t escape. You have to use everything and be prepared for anything once you step on that field.</p><p>&ldquo;You have to hit people when you can. You have to hit people to win.&rdquo;</p><p>If there is anything that the Boston Bruins of 1980 are known for&mdash;and have been for the past dozen years&mdash;it is hitting. They forecheck and hit. They back-check and hit. They hit in both ends. They hit in center ice.</p><p>It is a team built in an image created by Harry Sinden, first as coach and then general manager, and if you want to understand why four ostensibly successful coaches have lost their jobs in the past seven years, perhaps first you must come to grips with that fact.</p><p>The Jacobs brothers of Buffalo may own the team. Paul Mooney may be president. Terry O&rsquo;Reilly may lead the troops on the ice. Whoever is coaching may be behind the bench. But they are Harry Sinden&rsquo;s Bruins.</p><p>They were 31-16-5 and comfortably in second place on Feb. 5, 1973, when Sinden fired Coach Tom Johnson one morning just before practice. His Bruins were starting to slip, ever so slightly.</p><p>&ldquo;Something had to be done to get the team going and it sure wasn&rsquo;t going for me,&rdquo; said Johnson, who had coached the same team to the Stanley Cup only nine months before.</p><p>The Bruins had just lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the Stanley Cup finals in 1974 when Coach Bep Guidolin was not offered a new contract (i:e. fired).</p><p>One of the stark memories of that playoff series was Sinden leaving his seat in the stands and charging down on the Boston bench to argue with the coach and Guidolin imploring a police officer to &ldquo;get him the&hellip;.out of here!&rdquo; Bep wasn&rsquo;t doing right by Harry&rsquo;s Bruins.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011204/4691408-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="616" height="698"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>&ldquo;You have to hit people when you can,&rdquo; says &ldquo;new&rdquo; Bruins&rsquo; coach Harry Sinden. &ldquo;You have to hit to win.&rdquo;</i></figcaption></div><p>They took the Montreal Canadiens down to the wire in three consecutive Stanley Cup playoffs and Coach Don Cherry was not offered a new contract (i.e. fired).</p><p>&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t operate too well as a conservative club,&rdquo; said Sinden thinking aloud after a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh in last year&rsquo;s quarterfinals. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re better as a swashbuckling team.&rdquo; His Bruins were losing the Sinden stamp and he didn&rsquo;t like it.</p><p>And now Fred Creighton, who could not &ldquo;motivate&rdquo; the team. His successor: Harry Sinden, no longer a callow youth but every bit as fiercely devoted to his team, which proceeded to go on a three-game tear with wins of 5-2, 7-2 and 7-1.</p><p>&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t run out of bounds in this sport&hellip;&rdquo; Sinden was saying.</p><p>&ldquo;You just can&rsquo;t avoid that type of contact if you want to be a winner in this league. It&rsquo;s simply a matter of knowing that and facing up to it.</p><p>&ldquo;That part of the game is not part of your natural instincts to play hockey. The stickhandling, the passing, the shooting, they arc all natural, instinctive things.</p><p>&ldquo;The checking part of the game is the applied part. You must apply yourself to it. It won&rsquo;t happen by itself. Call it motivation, if you like.&rdquo;</p><p>Which leads to the point of this essay:</p><p>Is it possible that no one but Harry Sinden can coach Harry Sinden&rsquo;s Bruins?<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

Bruins Reverting To Sinden Style

<div class="byline">BILL LIBBY&#x2019;S</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021023/4691446-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="318" height="367"></div><h2><b>Kid With Courage</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>M</span>IKE FOLIGNO IS</b> a ruggedly handsome Detroit Red Wing with immense heart and desire and the guts of a drill sergeant. His rugged looks come from a broken nose which winds its ways down his long, angular face from a head topped by a lot of curly dark hair. The guts and heart were displayed earlier this season when he spoke out against his teammates for lack of hustle and careless play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03708/4691439-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="290" height="378"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Mike Foligno</i></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;It took guts to stand up and say what he did,&rdquo; said former Red Wing coach Bobby Kromm. Not many rookies would dare. It showed me that Mike has the kind of leadership qualities we need.&rdquo;</p><p>One of the Detroit players said, &ldquo;It took crazy is what it took. The kid&rsquo;s crazy. But he&rsquo;s good. He was playing better than we were, so what could we say? Anyway, everyone has his say around here. This club has been crazy for years.&rdquo;</p><p>The Red Wings have not exactly been a placid, successful or stable ship in recent years. Maybe it started when Ned Harkness came in from Cornell with his college habits and rules and drove the players relentlessly until he was finally fired. Or when Marcel Dionne came in as a rookie and blasted everyone in sight. Dionne was soon gone, too, and now general manager Ted Lindsay is trying to get the club to play the way he used to play&mdash;tough and aggressively.</p><p>As the season winds down, the Red Wings are struggling as usual, but the scouting staff has done its job. The Wings haven&rsquo;t had a Rookie of the Year since 1965&mdash;goal-tender Roger Crozier&mdash;and only three in the last 30 years, but lately they&rsquo;ve come up with outstanding first draft picks: Dale McCourt, Reed Larson, Willie Huber, and now Foligno, who is a strong challenger for the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.</p><h2><b>He Has Confidence</b></h2><p><b>THE SIX-FOOT-ONE,</b> 190-pound Foligno has a powerful body, strong arms and legs, good speed and agility, good puckhanding ability and a great shooting touch. A rightwinger, he scored 143 goals, assisted on 168, and totalled 311 points in his last three seasons with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League. Last season was his best, as he scored 65 goals and 85 assists and won the OMJHL&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player award.</p><p>Foligno recently eclipsed the 30-goal and 30-assist mark to take over the scoring lead among rookies in the NHL and he may come close to 40-40-80 by season&rsquo;s end, not a bad start to what could be a lengthy NHL career.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always worked hard on the ice,&rdquo; Foligno said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always wanted to win very much and was willing to do what I had to do to win. I&rsquo;ve always been impatient with players who didn&rsquo;t put out. I have a lot of ability and I want to use it. I looked around me earlier this season in Detroit and saw there were players who weren&rsquo;t playing to their utmost ability. I didn&rsquo;t think I had to be 30 years old and in the league 10 years to speak up and say I didn&rsquo;t like what I saw. I don&rsquo;t regret doing it, but it&rsquo;s sort of a sore point with some of my teammates, though most treat me well. They understood something was missing and they could see somebody had to speak up.&rdquo;</p><p>Mike Anthony Foligno (pronounced Fo-Leen-O) is 21 years old and was born in January, 1959, in Sudbury, Ont. His father, Pierino, and mother, Carmela, were from Italy. Times were tough for them and they moved their family to the little town of Molise, outside of Rome, for six years before returning to Sudbury when Mike was seven. His dad, a bricklayer, died of cancer when Mike was 10. His mom worked as a cook to support the family and Mike and sisters Teresa and Carla all went to work early to help out.</p><p>&ldquo;I was a laborer,&rdquo; Mike recalled recently.&rdquo;I laid bricks like my old man had for a masonry company. I worked in a soda pop factory, carrying cases of pop and loading trucks; I worked with a wire brush and grinder in a steel plant. Times were always tough for us and we never were as well off as others. But we stuck together and endured it and got by. We&rsquo;re survivors and now with the money I make the family will be all right forever.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>His Father Is Watching</b></h2><p><b>FOLIGNO SPEAKS ITALIAN</b> fluently, though English is his main language. Speaking of his father, he said: &ldquo;I remember him well. I remember him taking me to my first hockey game. He put me on his shoulders and I watched from there. I loved being with him and I&rsquo;ve loved the game ever since. But the way I look at it, if he was alive he wouldn&rsquo;t be able to go to all of my games, anyway. This way, I know he&rsquo;s at every game, watching me, and I&rsquo;m playing for him as much as for anyone.&rdquo;</p><p>Foligno, who likes the outdoors, and enjoys camping and fishing, also loves the hockey life. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s all I expected and more,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I love travelling to exciting cities, meeting interesting people and having experiences I wouldn&rsquo;t otherwise have. I&rsquo;d like it better if we were winning more, but I hope the day will come when I can play with a team that wins the Stanley Cup.&rdquo;</p><p>Of his success, Foligno said, &ldquo;I know I can play with the best, but I also know I still make a lot of mistakes and have a lot to learn. My teammates have taught me a lot; I like them speaking up when I do something wrong. And with the help of a few Hail Marys maybe we can get better.&rdquo;</p><p>Foligno once said that &ldquo;between every ocean there is a desert. This is my desert.&rdquo;</p><p>When asked what he meant by that, he replied, &ldquo;Sometimes a player runs dry and lands in the desert. A guy like Marcel Dionne can even find an oasis in the desert. For me so far, I haven&rsquo;t even hit the desert; it&rsquo;s been mostly ocean.&rdquo;</p><p>And it looks like there&rsquo;s nothing but clear sailing ahead.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-02

HOCKEY AD LIB

<div class="byline">BY STAN FISCHLER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011146/4691477-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="307" height="362"></div><h2><b>The Cat Comes Back</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>S ELLA FITZGERALD</b> tells us in her classic song, &ldquo;Pick Yourself Up,&rdquo; when you&rsquo;re knocked down, the best prescription is to &ldquo;pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.&rdquo;</p><p>Emile (The Cat) Francis knows Ella Fitzgerald&rsquo;s tune by heart. First, as a professional goalie, then as coach, manager and more recently as president of the St. Louis Blues, the Cat has known the thud of head hitting canvas. At times, Emile was this close to a kayo but invariably came back to fight&mdash;and win&mdash;again.</p><p>What better proof than the once-mighty, then mangled St. Louis Blues. Just two-and-a-half years ago the Missouri franchise was virtually bankrupt, bothered and bewildered. Francis, the only remaining mortal on the club&rsquo;s payroll, was summoned to an NHL governors&rsquo; meeting. The consensus was that the league would bury the St. Louis sextet and mark the coffin: &ldquo;Blues, 1967-78, R.LP.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;The night before that NHL meeting,&rdquo; The Cat recalls, &ldquo;my phone rings. It&rsquo;s a call from St. Louis telling me that our last potential investor had backed out on us. Now, we had nobody left with money to keep the club going.&rdquo;</p><p>Did Francis quit? Never. He hummed a few bars of &ldquo;Pick Yourself Up&rdquo; and then went about the business of saving the Blues.</p><p>&ldquo;When the meeting started,&rdquo; Francis recalls, &ldquo;a governor asked me how we were doing and I told him we were close to putting a deal together. He laughed. So, I said, &ldquo;Look here, the St. Louis Blues will be in this league long after your club disappears.&rdquo; Just then, someone tells me I&rsquo;ve got an emergency phone call from St. Louis.</p><p>&ldquo;So, I leave the room, pick up the phone and the guy on the other end tells me I <i>must</i> get the next plane back. I tell him impossible. I&rsquo;m face-to-face with the owners. It would look bad for me to leave. He says, if you want to save the Blues <i>get on that plane! &ldquo;</i></p><p>The Cat conducted an orderly retreat and jetted back to St. Louis where a limousine awaited him. He was whisked to the corporate offices of the Ralston-Purina Company, whose assets you and I should have only one-millionth of.</p><p>&ldquo;I was introduced to R. Hal Dean, the chairman-of-the board. He told me his company was interested in buying the Blues&mdash;but only if I would stay on with the club.&rdquo;</p><p>Francis shook hands on the deal, walked out the door and realized he had a multi-million dollar cartel behind him&mdash;but no hockey team.</p><p>&ldquo;It was awful. The WHA had raided us. One of our young defensemen, Bob Gassoff, had gotten killed that summer in a motorcycle accident and training camp was about to begin.&rdquo;</p><p>Instead of crying, Francis went to work. &ldquo;When you&rsquo;re in this business as long as I have been you see the good days and the bad days. You learn to accept both. If you can&rsquo;t you&rsquo;d better get out of it.</p><h2><b>Drafts, Deft Deals</b></h2><p><b>INSTEAD OF PANICKING,</b> Francis rebuilt the Blues with prudent draft picks and deft deals. Using his goalie radar, The Cat perceived special qualities in Mike Liut, who has since emerged as a young Tony Esposito.</p><p>The bottom line is that the Blues are now a playoff team and St. Louis once again is a hot hockey town.</p><p>There&rsquo;s a moral to this and it has to do with handling hard times. Francis talked about the subject after hitting the canvas in 1975, when the Islanders upset his Rangers in a three-game playoff. And he says it again now that he&rsquo;s on his feet again.</p><p>&ldquo;The way I&rsquo;ve always operated, when you get knocked on your bottom, you&rsquo;ve got to pick yourself up, roll up your sleeves and go back to work again. What you don&rsquo;t do is hide in the closet.&rdquo;</p><p>Ella Fitzgerald couldn&rsquo;t have said it better.</p><p><b>NEXT WEEK:</b> NHL managers, players and coaches talk about <i>their</i> lowest points, how they picked themselves up, and the philosophy which enabled them to rebound from adversity.</p><p><b>NOTES:</b> Flames&rsquo; coach Al MacNeil is annoyed that 20-year-old defenseman Paul Reinhart isn&rsquo;t mentioned as a Calder (Rookie of the Year) Trophy candidate&hellip;&ldquo;Not only has Paul played well,&rdquo; MacNeil tells me, &ldquo;but he made the transition from 50-goal scorer in junior hockey to an NHL defenseman in one year.&rdquo;&hellip;When I asked Reinhart who <i>his</i> choice for the Calder was, he picked Mike Folig-no of the Red Wings&hellip;Like his predecessor, Clarence Campbell, NHL prexy John Ziegler frequently allows owners to cry on his shoulder&hellip;Latest was Armand Pohan of the Rockies, who moaned low about Don (Grapes) Cherry and the Mike McEwen episode&hellip;Speaking of Grapes, no less than 20 photos of him adorn the cover of the Rockies&rsquo; press guide. The only problem is that the handbook didn&rsquo;t reach the media until mid-March, by which time the Denver skaters were out of playoff contention&hellip;Latest in the post-Olympics bonanza for U.S. coach Herb Brooks is a spot on NBC&rsquo;s TV magazine show &ldquo;Speak Up America.&rdquo;&hellip;Is there a correlation between non-helmet wearers and winners? The Philadelphia Flyers, with the best NHL record, have no less than nine (9) players without helmets&hellip;The Kings, Black Hawks, Rockies and North Stars reportedly are fighting realignment.</p><p><b>RANGERS&rsquo; ANNIVERSARY:</b> No established NHL club has gone longer without winning the Stanley Cup (1940) nor finishing first (1942) than the New York Rangers. Therefore, a pair of memorial celebrations are in order this month. The first should take place on April 13th, marking the day, 40 years ago, when Bryan Hextall, Sr., scored a sudden-death overtime goal against Toronto for The Big Apple&rsquo;s last Cup. The second fete should be held April 23 in honor of the last time the New Yorkers reached the seventh game of the finals. That happened 30 years ago against Detroit. In that one Pete Babando of the Wings beat goalie Chuck Rayner in the second overtime shortly after the Rangers&rsquo; Dune Fisher had hit the goal post behind Harry Lumley. Some Ranger watchers believe that this lengthy Cup drought helps explain the extraordinary deportment of frustrated fans at Madison Square Garden.</p><h2><b>Memorial Celebrations</b></h2><p><b>TALE OF TWO BOBBYS:</b> Late last season the Flyers had been whipped, 8-2, by the Islanders. Dejected as he was, Philly captain Bobby Clarke fulfilled a request to visit Tom Conway, a teenager who was hospitalized with cancer. At the hospital, Clarke presented Conway with his Flyer&rsquo;s jersey.</p><p>The gesture immeasurably boosted Tom&rsquo;s spirit. In subsequent days the lad frequently would tell doctors, nurses and visitors that he &ldquo;got this jersey from my friend, Bobby Clarke&rdquo;.</p><p>Tom died not long ago and was buried in Clarke&rsquo;s jersey, as he had requested. It was a special gesture, complimenting Bobby&rsquo;s visit. Folks at the hospital say that Clarke did so much for Tom&rsquo;s spirit that Conway lived a good six months longer than the doctor&rsquo;s original prognosis.</p><p>In a similarly sensitive gesture, Bobby Orr visited the home of Joey Giffune. Orr previously had been forced to cancel a scheduled visit with Joey in Massachusetts General Hospital where the youth was being treated for cancer. But three days later Orr turned up at the Giffune home for a surprise visit with gifts under his arms. It was one of the happiest days of Joey&rsquo;s life.</p><p>When Orr phoned the family recently to check on his friend, he learned that Joey had died. For the Giffune family, Orr&rsquo;s compassion and generosity always will be remembered.</p><p><b>MEDIA NOTES:</b> The <i>New Yorker</i> Magazine&rsquo;s Mark Singer turned a few sweet phrases in praise of jazz critic-hockey scribe Ira Gitler and his vagabond hockey team known as Gitler&rsquo;s Gorrillas&hellip;Exploitation of the U.S. Olympic Team continues unabated. ABC-TV has slated a three-hour made-for-TV movie to air in 1981&hellip;It will be called &ldquo;Miracle-on-Ice&rdquo; and will tell &ldquo;the rest of the story, the human story,&rdquo; says producer Frank Von Zernock&hellip;Jacques Plante and Boomer Geoffrion have been invited back for another Lite Beer commercial&hellip;The Sunday <i>Times</i> magazine considered an article on agent Art Kamlnsky, who handles most of the U.S. Olympians, but dropped it because of the lateness of the season&hellip;The Boston <i>Herald-American&rsquo;s Joe</i> Fitzgerald doped out the dumping of Bruins&rsquo; coach Fred Creighton thusly: &ldquo;Harry Sinden felt and the players felt that the Bruins were getting lethargic. What gets me is that the &lsquo;esprit de corps&rsquo; evaporated when Sinden let Cherry go. It was Sinden&rsquo;s choice to let Cherry go and that caused the team irreparable harm, emotionally. Sinden created the problem. It&rsquo;s Harry&rsquo;s own fault. But (Sinden&rsquo;s) going behind the bench again is a very gutsy move.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

ON THE CONTRARY

<div class="byline">BY BUDDY O&#x2019;CONNOR</div><p class="dropcap"><span>Q</span>UEBEC CITY&mdash;As the regular season winds down and the playoffs rapidly approach, it is becoming more and more apparent as each day goes by that the Nordiques have two chances of qualifying for this year&rsquo;s post-season festivities&mdash;slim and none.</p><p>But that fact did not faze general manager Maurice Filion recently as he talked about his team&rsquo;s performance this year and its prospects for the future.</p><p>&ldquo;We now definitely know,&rdquo; Filion said, &ldquo;that the Nordiques belong in the National Hockey League and that if we can stay healthy&hellip;we will have one helluva season next year.</p><p>&ldquo;The club&rsquo;s overall play,&rdquo; Filion went on, &ldquo;completely dissipated the false ideas of a lot of hockey people who said when we came into the league that we would only be a hanger-on. I can&rsquo;t say enough about the players on our team; they have proved that we are a competitive team and that we will be even more so as years go by.&rdquo;</p><p>When asked what he thought was the strongest forte of the club all season, he replied unhesitantly, &ldquo;Our goaltending. Michel Dion has been wonderful for us. People claimed that we would be very weak in goal, but our guys again proved them wrong. Both Dion and Goran Hogasta have been great.</p><p>&ldquo;For me,&rdquo; Filion went on, &ldquo;the biggest surprise of the year had to be the play of Jamie Hislop. I really have to tip my hat to him; he played well in every game of the season for us and gave us so much more than we thought he could give. He never let up for one moment all season.&rdquo;</p><p>Filion also had nice things to say about defenseman Dale Hoganson. &ldquo;What more could we have asked of Hogy?&rdquo; Filion wondered. &ldquo;He was used most of the time for 40 to 45 minutes a game and we never heard a complaint. He&rsquo;s a great competitor.&rdquo;</p><p>While Filion realizes that it is players like Hislop, Hoganson and Dion that will enable the Nordiques to have, as he put it, &ldquo;one helluva season&rdquo; next year, he nevertheless wishes that it could have happened this season.</p><p>&ldquo;Injuries,&rdquo; Filion said wistfully, &ldquo;that would have to be my biggest disappointment this year. At the start of the season everyone thought we&rsquo;d have one of the best power plays in the league. &ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t turn out that way, but look &bull; at the guys we lost because of injuries: Serge Bernier, Robbie Ftorek, Marc Tardif, Buddy Cloutier and, most recently, Jacques Richard. Where do you go from there?&rdquo;</p><p>And as for next year?</p><p>&ldquo;We have some really good kids who are coming up in the organization,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and who knows who we&rsquo;ll be able to pick up in the amateur draft in June. Take those factors and add in our promising attendance figures and we really don&rsquo;t have a lot to complain about. We are very happy about the outcome this year and look forward to next season.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-02871/4691508-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="571" height="824"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Dale Hoganson was praised by the Nordiques for handling a heavy workload without complaining.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0013-02

Nordiques Look To Brighter Future

<div class="byline">BY TONY GALLAGHER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011186/4691539-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="605" height="656"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Jake Milford has been offered an extension of his contract by the Vancouver club&rsquo;s board.</i></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>V</span>ANCOUVER&mdash;While the Canucks may have gone into their traditional tailspin, it hasn&rsquo;t stopped Chairman of the Board Frank Griffiths from giving general manager Jake Milford a vote of confidence.</p><p>Milford, who had one year remaining on his contract to manage the hockey club, was given a one-year extension of the same contract by Griffiths, who seems unconcerned about Milford&rsquo;s age&mdash;64. If Milford were to finish the contract as it has been amended, he will be 66 going on 67 years old, a demanding enough chore for anyone, let alone a man who will soon be collecting his Canada pension.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not the travel, it&rsquo;s the pressure which gets to you,&rdquo; Milford was saying recently when it was rumored that he may retire at the end of this year. &ldquo;It is probably a little more difficult to watch the games now. It&rsquo;s tough.&rdquo;</p><p>What is even tougher on Milford, and something he never mentions, is the fact that his workload and hours are especially difficult because he&rsquo;s a GM way out in the boondocks of the NHL on the west coast, where life starts three hours later than it does everywhere else in the league.</p><p>So to keep in touch with the rest of his colleagues for business, Milford usually gets up around 6 a.m. and starts work before 7. It&rsquo;s a good thing he is a morning person. He rarely leaves the office before 4 in the afternoon, an extremely demanding schedule.</p><p>He has a lot of friends in hockey and it&rsquo;s no secret that the recent death of Muzz Patrick shook him up. But Milford is reluctant to slow down his schedule; he&rsquo;s what you&rsquo;d call a workaholic.</p><p>While his team may not have soared in the standings, Milford does his best work in terms of business. He has kept the payroll of the Vancouver Canucks down and though attendance would certainly be better if the team were winning a few more hockey games, particularly at home, Milford has been able to keep the bottom line fairly attractive to Western Broadcasting, owners of the club.</p><p>Milford also says that coaches Harry Neale and Dave Dunn will both definitely be back next season to keep building their program. While the heads of Fred Creighton and Bobby Kromm are still rolling, Neale and Dunn have been given free rein to continue what they&rsquo;ve been doing over the past two seasons. Both have one year remaining on their existing contracts and Milford probably made the announcement to allay any fears of questions that may be circulating in the minds of fans and the media.</p><p>Working in Neale&rsquo;s favor in this regard is the fact that the team has changed coaches and general managers far too often in the past.</p><p>Under Neale and Dunn, the team improved the first year by five points over the 57 they had two seasons ago and had 60 points going into their final homestand. They gained a tie with Buffalo to up their total to 61 points but then lost the next two games to Detroit and Quebec in the most dismal fashion, and any improvement in the actual number of points they achieve will be underscored by the poor homestand at a time when the team badly needed points to make the playoffs.</p><p>The Canucks&rsquo; biggest problem of late is not an unusual one. They are not scoring goals, and most notably they are not scoring goals early. In six of their last seven games, the Canucks have not scored in the first period and in their last three they haven&rsquo;t scored until the third period. Needless to say it can be pretty difficult to win hockey games under those circumstances.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-01

Milford’s Working, But Canucks Are Fading

<div class="byline">BILL FLEISCHMAN&#x2019;S</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-02957/4691570-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="288" height="358"></div><h2><b>Fearless Forecast Time</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>T&rsquo;S TIME AGAIN</b> for Fleischman&rsquo;s Fearless Forecast, a prediction service that ranks right up there for accuracy with Jimmy the Greek&rsquo;s hot tips or your favorite TV weatherman&rsquo;s latest guess.</p><p>Predicting hockey races is a million laughs compared to my debut in this business as a forecaster. In Burlington County, N.J., the good citizens take their high school basketball seriously. It was my task, twice a week, to forecast the outcomes of the games, complete with scores.</p><p>Can you imagine the peril of walking into a gymnasium for a game after writing that the home team would lose by, oh, a mere 20 points? It isn&rsquo;t easy keeping a stiff upper lip when, walking to the press table, several livid fans are screaming, &ldquo;Fleischman, you stink!&rdquo;</p><p>One night, a coach with whom I had a good working relationship strolled by with our newspaper tucked under his arm. The coach smiled as he sat down to watch his team warm up. Unable to stifle my curiosity I walked over and asked what he was smiling about. &ldquo;Well, you predicted we would lose tonight,&rdquo; the coach replied. &ldquo;I just called you every name in the book. My team thinks you&rsquo;re the biggest dummy to ever sit at a typewriter. Thanks.&rdquo;</p><p>Predictably, the coach&rsquo;s underdog team won that night.</p><h2><b>It&rsquo;s A Fun Race</b></h2><p><b>AH, BUT HE COULDN&rsquo;T</b> drive me out of the forecasting service then and I&rsquo;m still willing to give it my best slapshot. Here (a fanfare, please, from the nearest NHL arena organist) is the FFF 1980 Stanley Cup lineup:</p><p><b>BEST BET.</b> None.</p><p>How&rsquo;s that for courage? This year&rsquo;s race is the most fun to handle since Montreal began its current reign back in, what year was it? 1963? There really is no unanimous choice, which is great news for a league that required an 80-game schedule to judge just five teams out of 21 unworthy of playoff competition.</p><p>If Tiger Williams would shove me up against a wall and demand, as only he can, &ldquo;C&rsquo;mon, you snivelling wimp, act like a man and make a choice,&rdquo; I would anoint Montreal as my pick for a fifth consecutive Stanley Cup&mdash;with Buffalo a close second.</p><p>Claude (The Bland) Ruel has done a remarkable job putting the Canadiens&rsquo; pieces back together after a disastrous start. Ruel can coach, and the Canadiens can still play like the champions they are. A few veterans may be showing their age, but as my good friend Red Fisher wrote, &ldquo;Like the winning Canadiens&rsquo; teams of other years, they have stared down adversity. A flood of little-known names have played well and appear to be improving from game to game.&rdquo;</p><p>Montreal&rsquo;s big question mark will be goaltending. Denis Herron has had a brilliant season, but he has never shouldered the Montreal tradition in the playoffs. Still, make the Canadiens 2-1 favorites.</p><p>Buffalo has an important ingredient Montreal had for four consecutive Cups&mdash;Scotty Bowman. The Sabres also have skating, scoring and excellent goaltending. The defense looks young and, except for Jim Schoenfeld and Bill Hajt, inexperienced. But make the Sabres&rsquo; odds 3-1.</p><p>At 5-1 are Boston and Philadelphia. Harry Sinden rocked the hockey world, especially Fred Creighton&rsquo;s, when the Bruins&rsquo; managing director fired Creighton in the regular-season homestretch. The Bruins had the league&rsquo;s fourth best record, but Sinden felt they wouldn&rsquo;t get any better this season and Harry is smart enough to know that age and injuries are slicing away at the Bruins&rsquo; Cup hopes.</p><h2><b>Cheevers Carries B&rsquo;s</b></h2><p><b>YOU HAVE TO LIKE</b> the Bruins&rsquo; spirit, and the talent is there to grind away for a Cup this spring. But if Gerry Cheevers, one of the all-time pressure goaltenders, falters or is injured, the Bruins will be slobbering in their scrod again.</p><p>Philadelphia&rsquo;s March muddle was a combination of injuries to its defense, suddenly mediocre goaltending, and boredom caused by leading the league all season. The Streak was genuine&mdash;the Flyers played that well for 35 games&mdash;and they could rediscover the groove. However, at the moment it&rsquo;s unlikely the Flyers will reach the finals.</p><p>Put the rejuvenated Islanders at 10-1 and assign the Rangers, Chicago and Minnesota to the John Anderson (the Presidential candidate, not the Toronto player) Longshot Tent.</p><p>See how much fun this is? Maybe if I&rsquo;m right about Montreal, all my friends in Burlington County will throw a party for me. The bonfire could include all those old newspaper predictions I&rsquo;m sure some of my fans have saved.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-02

HOCKEY WORLD

<div class="byline">BY AL SMITH</div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>TLANTA&mdash;If the Flames are to improve on their atrocious playoff record of one victory in 13 games and never being able to advance to the second round, they are going to have to play a more aggressive style of hockey.</p><p>And one player who must have an active part in this different style is Willie Plett. The 6-3, 210-pounder would rather forget the past and start a new season when the playoffs begin.</p><p>Through 74 games, the Calder Trophy winner for the 1976-77 season had only 11 goals and while he wasn&rsquo;t writing off the entire season, he wanted to get on with another phase.</p><p>&ldquo;I think I can help the team in the playoffs,&rdquo; Plett said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to forget the first 74 games and start over. But if we&rsquo;re going to win in the playoffs, we&rsquo;ve got to be more aggressive.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s where I think I can help more and I think this team can play that style. You don&rsquo;t win in the playoffs by trying to make the fancy play,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You win by dumping the puck into the other team&rsquo;s end and dumping it out of your own and chasing. You&rsquo;ve got to play a grinding style and you have to work hard&mdash;as hard as you can every time you&rsquo;re on the ice.</p><p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to forget the deking at the blue line and play a grinding game. The teams that try to handle the puck too much in the playoffs are the teams that are going to get beat.&rdquo;</p><p>Since his rookie season, when he scored 33 goals, Plett hasn&rsquo;t come close to that figure again. He had 22 for the &lsquo;77-78 season, and 23 last year, but his name is one of the few that never arises when trade rumors abound around the team.</p><p>As general manager Cliff Fletcher says, &ldquo;Just his presence on the bench is of great value to us.&rdquo;</p><p>In other words, with Plett around, few players take liberties with the Flames&rsquo; smaller and less aggressive players. He is recognized as one of the best fighters in the National Hockey League, and is more than willing to drop his gloves with anyone.</p><p>Plett&rsquo;s presence on the bench was evident recently in a game against the Edmonton Oilers, when Plett picked up 12 minutes in penalties with only 11:20 left in the game. It could have been an early shower for the 24-year-old pugilist, but shortly after he had left the ice, he was called back.</p><p>He spent the remainder of the game in the penally box, because coach Al MacNeil wanted to keep him available.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a good man to have around in case anything breaks out,&rdquo; MacNeil said. &ldquo;If the benches clear or anything else happens, I&rsquo;d like to have him there.&rdquo;</p><p>Heading into the playoffs, Plett was getting more ice time, as teams went to a tighter checking, more aggressive style, and Plett liked the extra action.</p><p>&ldquo;I think Al&rsquo;s trying to play me more,&rdquo; Plett said. &ldquo;And I think I can help.&rdquo;</p><p>Aggressive hockey is right up Plett&rsquo;s alley.</p><p><b>HOT NOTES:</b> The Flames seemed to be getting away from their three goalie rotation, with Olympic gold medal winner Jim Craig missing a turn. In his last two starts, athough it must be mentioned the team didn&rsquo;t play well in front of him, Craig was anything but spectacular. Of 28 shots on goal, he allowed 10 goals and didn&rsquo;t come up with a big save, while at least three of the goals could have been soft.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Aggressive Plett Could Fuel Flames

<div class="byline">BY VARTAN KUPELIAN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0015-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011127/4691639-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Not only has Mike Foligno become the scoring leader among rookies and the first in his class to reach 30 goals, but he&rsquo;s also a leader on his Detroit Red Wing club.</i> <span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Steve Babineau)</span></figcaption></div><p>Everybody&rsquo;s talking about the &ldquo;super rookies&rdquo; of the 1979-80 National Hockey League season.</p><p>&ldquo;Last year&rsquo;s crop, with a Bobby Smith, was outstanding and I didn&rsquo;t think there would be another like it for a long time,&rdquo; said Coach Glen Sonmor of the Minnesota North Stars. &ldquo;But this crop is outstanding, too.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;This is one of the better groups in years,&rdquo; added Tom Johnson, Boston&rsquo;s assistant general manager. &ldquo;I know, in our own position, we drafted seven players (two in the first round) and out of those we think five will eventually play in the NHL.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t heard anybody say a bad word about any of the rookies,&rdquo; said Ray Miron, the Colorado general manager.</p><p>&ldquo;There are really some great first year players,&rdquo; offered Washington GM Max McNab.</p><p>And so it went. The bumper crop of NHL rookies&mdash;not to mention the first-year NHL playlers like the incredible Wayne Gretzky, Mike Liut, Craig Hartsburg, Mike Gartner and the rest&mdash;is getting rave notices everywhere you go.</p><p>Gretzky&rsquo;s status as a &ldquo;non-rookie&rdquo; was determined by the terms of last summer&rsquo;s expansion when the NHL grew to 21 teams. His eligibility for the Calder Memorial Trophy would have turned the balloting into a landslide. Now, it&rsquo;s a different matter altogether. there&rsquo;s a dandy race shaping up and the question of who&rsquo;s best depends largely on who you ask.</p><p>For a moment, however, let&rsquo;s consider Gretzky.</p><p>&ldquo;We were aware with the terms of expansion that he would be ineligible, that all players who had played more than a certain number of games in the World Hockey Association would not be considered,&rdquo; said Larry Gordon, general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. &ldquo;But we kind of think that a player 19 years of age, in his first year in the NHL certainly deserves all the consideration he can get.&rdquo;</p><p>Without Gretzky around to worry about, there&rsquo;s a wide-open chase with Philadelphia goalie Pete Peeters, Detroit forward Mike Foligno and Boston defenseman Ray Bourque the front-runners. Brian Propp of Philadelphia, the early pace-setter, has fallen a notch below the others and then there&rsquo;s a wide range of contenders with many teams offering a contender or two of their own.</p><p>Minnesota&rsquo;s Bobby Smith, the first pick overall in the 1978 draft, won the Calder Trophy a year ago. The year before it was Mike Bossy, and before that, in order, Willi Plett, Bryan Trottier, Eric Vail, Denis Potvin, Steve Vickers and Ken Dryden.</p><p>Peeters, 22, challenged the record for most games without a loss (30, held by Gerry Cheevers) before suffering his first setback. Through 62 Flyer games, and 30 of his own, his record was 23-2-5 with an immaculate 2.54 goals-against. He was the Flyers&rsquo; ninth-round pick in the 1977 amateur draft, the 134th player selected.</p><p>&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to give it to Peeters,&rdquo; said Toronto GM Punch Imlach. &ldquo;With a record like that, he deserves it. Even if he loses a couple more games, so what?&rdquo;</p><p>Said Larry Gordon, &ldquo;The goaltender in Philadelphia has to be considered. He almost took the record away from Cheevers, a record I thought would never be broken.</p><p>&ldquo;The two most impressive rookies I&rsquo;ve seen are Foligno and Peeters.&rdquo;</p><p>Foligno led the rookies in scoring through the early stages of March with 33 goals and an equal number of assists. In addition, he was developing into a team leader and a cornerstone for the Wings in their rebuilding efforts.</p><p>&ldquo;I feel very strongly that the top two are Mike Foligno and Ray Bourque,&rdquo; said Cliff Fletcher of Atlanta. &ldquo;I feel they&rsquo;re ahead of the league.&rdquo;</p><p>See&mdash;it all depends on who you ask.</p><p>Bourque certainly is very highly rated, one of the leading contenders for the Calder and rightly so. He&rsquo;s an amazing young defenseman. He added a goal and two assists in a three-point performance in Detroit to establish a club record for most points by a rookie (surpassing Gregg Sheppard), and then proceeded to smash the League mark of most points by a rookie defenseman, 60, shared by Reed Larson and Barry Beck.</p><p>&ldquo;Bourque&rsquo;s got great character, a good head on his shoulders, all the hockey ability anybody would want to have&mdash;anticipation, skating, shooting, passing,&rdquo; Johnson said.</p><p>&ldquo;Bourque? What can you say? He was another Brad Park right off the bat. In the long run, he&rsquo;ll be the best. He&rsquo;s absolutely got it all&mdash;plus humility and character,&rdquo; said Washington&rsquo;s McNab.</p><p>He added, however, that it&rsquo;s difficult to ignore Peeters&rsquo; accomplishments.</p><p>&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t discount him no matter how good a team he&rsquo;s got in front of him. His record is phenomenal. There&rsquo;s never been a team to put together a streak like Philadelphia&rsquo;s without great goaltending,&rdquo; McNab said.</p><p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t seen much of Peeters, so I can&rsquo;t comment,&rdquo; said the Red Wings&rsquo; Ted Lindsay. &ldquo;Propp was always a good goal scorer but he&rsquo;s tailed off after a good start.</p><p>&ldquo;I think Bourque, after Foligno, will end up being the best pro. He&rsquo;s a real fine young player. I happened to catch more Boston games, that&rsquo;s the only reason I speak more about Bourque.&rdquo;</p><p>One last observation about the front-runners from Minnesota&rsquo;s Sonmor: &ldquo;I&rsquo;d have to say Foligno and Bourque are tops, until you stop to think about Peeters.&rdquo;</p><p>After that standout group, there&rsquo;s a strong supporting cast which includes Paul Reinhart of Atlanta, Laurie Boschman, Bill Derlago and Rocky Saganiuk of Toronto, Dave Lumley and Risto Siltanen of Edmonton, Bengt Gustafsson of Washington, Ron Wilson of Winnipeg, Anders Kallur of the New York Islanders, Keith Brown of Chicago, Tom McCarthy of Minnesota, Brad McCrimmon of Boston, Lindy Ruff of Buffalo, Perry Turnbull of St. Louis and more.</p><p>Reinhart, an underage choice, is among the top 14 rookie scorers as a defenseman.</p><p>&ldquo;After that group&mdash;Foligno, Bourque&mdash;I&rsquo;d rate Reinhart up there with the rest,&rdquo; Fletcher said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s outstanding defensively, plays the point on the power play, takes a regular shift and he&rsquo;s one of the strongest individuals I&rsquo;ve seen back there. The fact that he played most of his last year in junior (Kitchener) as a centerman makes him very adept at handling the puck.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-02840/4691632-1-eng-US/f0015-022.jpg" title="f0015-02" width="542" height="688"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Pete Peeters, top, gained a lot of support with his long unde-feated run for Philadelphia, while Boston&rsquo;s defenseman Ray Bourque is already a standout at age 19.</i></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-03647/4691625-1-eng-US/f0015-032.jpg" title="f0015-03" width="602" height="669"></div><p>McNab figures that Gustafsson is in the elite group as well.</p><p>&ldquo;For actual skills, like quickness, puckhandling, Gustafsson is as good as any first year pro I&rsquo;ve ever seen,&rdquo; the Washington GM said. &ldquo;But the NHL style is all by itself, and it takes time to adjust to.&rdquo;</p><p>Edmonton&rsquo;s Gordon said Lumley, a forward who was running fourth in the rookie scoring race behind Foligno and Propp, and Siltanen, a defenseman with strong offensive credentials as well, have &ldquo;both played really well for us.&rdquo;</p><p>The Bruins have another rookie defenseman who has been overshadowed by teammate Bourque. He&rsquo;s Brad McCrimmon.</p><p>&ldquo;If he was our only rookie defenseman, he&rsquo;d be drawing quite a few raves,&rdquo; Johnson said. &ldquo;We knew we needed two defensemen in the first round. We had him rated higher than Central Scouting. Our chief scout, Gary Darling, paid a little special attention to McCrimmon and he liked what he saw.&rdquo;</p><p>As an underage selection, the Maple Leafs weren&rsquo;t about to put any pressure on Boschman in his first pro season.</p><p>&ldquo;You like to have success right off the bat but it&rsquo;s not that easy,&rdquo; Imlach said. &ldquo;Our attitude with Boschman was that there would be no pressure, no nothing, just for him to play on the club and we&rsquo;d be happy with that. Most feel the same way.&rdquo;</p><p>Boschman, another of the leading scorers among the rookies, was making the transition to the NHL successfully and showing improvement with each game.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Wide-Open Race For Rookie Honors

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-01989/4691691-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg"></div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> MOCXEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-01874/4691684-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="602" height="734"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-02720/4691677-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="598" height="2665"></div><h2>TEAM PENALTIES</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03558/4691670-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="580" height="554"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

<p>MONTREAL&mdash;There are only a few things definite at this time about the National Hockey League&rsquo;s 1979-80 regular season. Among them:</p><p>The 840-game schedule ends next Sunday, April 6.</p><p>The Philadelphia Flyers have won the overall championship and the $8,000 per player which accompanies that and the Patrick Division title ($5,000 for the overall title and $3,000 for the divisional crown). It&rsquo;s the first time Flyers have led the NHL.</p><p>The Montreal Canadiens and the Chicago Black Hawks have won the Norris and Smythe Division championships, respectively and the $3,000 per man monetary award.</p><p>The Colorado Rockies and the Winnipeg Jets are the only teams mathematically eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>Unless there is a complete defensive collapse, the Buffalo Sabres have won the Vezina Trophy.</p><p>Among things still to be decided are second, third and fourth places in the overall standings. Buffalo and Montreal each have 102 points and Boston 101. The Canadiens and the Bruins have three games each to play and the Sabres four.</p><p>There is a 15-point gap between Boston and fifth place but only six points separate five teams&mdash;Minnesota and the New York Islanders each have 86; Chicago has 85; Rangers 82; and Atlanta 80. The Islanders have three games left and the other four teams each have four.</p><p>Six points separate ninth-place Atlanta and l0th-place St. Louis but the Blues have no more than a three-point lead over the next three teams&mdash;Los Angeles, 72; and Toronto and Pittsburgh, 71 each. The Leafs have four games left and the other three teams each have three. The Hartford Whalers are 14th with 69 points and four games to play. Only three points separate four teams battling for the final two playoff positions. The Edmonton Oilers are 15th with 66 points, two more than Washington and Vancouver and three more than Detroit. Detroit has four games left to play and the other three clubs have three each. Quebec, with four games left, is 19th with 59 points, five fewer than Washington and Vancouver.</p><p>Edmonton&rsquo;s sensational 19-year-old, Wayne Gretzky, has turned the individual scoring race into a two-player duel. He collected 12 points in three games last week&mdash;including six against Toronto to move into a tie with Marcel Dinonne of Los Angeles. Each has 133 points. Dionne, who has finished runner-up twice and third another time in the Art Ross Trophy hunt but has never won it, has 53 goals and is tied with linemate Charlie Simmer for the lead in that department. Guy Lafleur of Montreal, a three-time winner, is third with 119 points. If two or more players are tied in points, the tie-breakers are: 1) Most goals. 2) Fewest games. 3) First goal of season. The last first-place tie was in 1961-62 when Bobby Hull of Chicago and Andy Bathgate of New York Rangers each had 94 points in 70 games. Hull won with 50 goals to Bathgate&rsquo;s 28.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Flyers Clinch First Overall NHL Title

<div class="byline">BY JIM MATHESON</div><p>EDMONTON&mdash;The kid only weighs 170 pounds, but he&rsquo;s got the strongest shoulders in the National Hockey League.</p><p>Wayne Gretzky, sometimes called Agent 99, has virtually carried the upstart Oilers to the brink of a playoff berth as the season winds down. There can be little debate: with 133 points Gretzky is the biggest thing to hit the NHL since Bobby Orr came out of Parry Sound more than a decade ago.</p><p>&ldquo;For a 19-year-old to play on a new team in the league and to do as well as he has,&rdquo; said the Leafs&rsquo; unofficial captain Darryl Sittler, &ldquo;well, it&rsquo;s unbelievable.</p><p>&ldquo;To me, he&rsquo;s got to be the most valuable player in the league.&rdquo;</p><p>Sittler volunteered the assessment <i>before</i> the teenage center scored six points March 29 to almost single-handedly KO the Leafs 8-5 on national TV.</p><p>The win was the Oilers&rsquo; fifth in a row, a season high, and it lifted the rookie NHL club into solid position to grab either the 15th or 16th spots.</p><p>Heading into the final week, the Oilers were riding a 7-for-8 streak and had 66 points, two more than the Washington Caps, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings.</p><p>While much of the credit for the Oilers&rsquo; performance should go to winger Blair MacDonald, a prime candidate for Lady Byng honors and maybe the Frank Selke trophy for defensive prowess; along with the recent arrival of goalie Ron Low (Quebec) and Don Ashby (Colorado); not to mention defenseman Lee Fogolin and centre Stan Weir, Gretzky continues to hog the limelight.</p><p>&ldquo;Is he something or what?&rdquo; crowed Low, who&rsquo;s won seven of his eight games for the Oilers since coming from Nords in mid-March. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s 19 going on 35.&rdquo; Low had just witnessed a virtuoso Gretzky performance as he racked up his sixth four-point game of the season in a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Atlanta Flames.</p><p>In the third period, Gretzky pulled away from two defenders to score on a breakaway, then made a lightening switch from his forward to his backhand on a two-on-one break with Dave Lumley to completely confuse Olympic goalie Jim Craig. Late in the period, he had a large hand, along with Fogolin, in helping set up Ashby&rsquo;s winner.</p><p>&ldquo;When he scored the second goal in the third, he skated past the Atlanta bench and they just looked at him stunned,&rdquo; said Bryan Watson, the Oilers&rsquo; assistant coach. &ldquo;Their mouths were hanging open.&rdquo;</p><p>In Toronto a few-nights later, it was an Evening with Wayne Gretzky&mdash;exciting fare with touches of drama and a few chuckles thrown in. He scored his 48th goal with one second to play in the first period, sweeping around the net to lift a shot past Mike Palmateer. &ldquo;I swear he willed the clock to stop so he could score,&rdquo; laughed veteran Toronto <i>Star</i> writer Frank Orr.</p><p>He added No. 49 with a hard slapper from 35 feet that rang off the post past Palmateer. Gretzky joked that the Leaf goalie had to have missed the shot because &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t break a pane of glass with it.&rdquo; But seriously it went where most Gretzk shots go&hellip;in the corners.</p><p>Late in the third he made a phenomenal pass to Ashby, the ex Leaf, for his third of the game (to go with three assists). He waited from Here to Eternity behind the net before throwing a perfect relay into the slot to make it 7-5. &ldquo;The guy has radar,&rdquo; chuckled Ashby. It was his fourth assist of the game.</p><p>But the chuckles came in the dying seconds, just after Ashby had missed on a break away after a nifty relay from the Kid. With a wide-open net staring him in the face, he blew a chance for his 50th goal. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe I did it,&rdquo; said Gretzky. &ldquo;Not only did I mis the net, I put the shot into th 15th row.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-04426/4691746-1-eng-US/f0017-042.jpg" title="f0017-04" width="600" height="1014"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Wayne Gretzky&rsquo;s phenomenal play and scoring has opponents and teammates shaking their heads.</i></figcaption></div><p>If the Oilers do hold on to a playoff berth, Agent 99 shoud be held responsible.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-04

Oilers Count On Agent 99 To Book Spot in Playoffs

<div class="byline">BY CHUCK MOODY</div><p class="dropcap"><span>P</span>ITTSBURGH&mdash;What has happened to a Pittsburgh Penguin team that was in first place in the Norris Division briefly in the first week of January but has now become perilously close to not making the Stanley Cup playoffs?</p><p>The most popular person to blame for the perils of the Penguins is coach Johnny Wilson, by both fans and the news media alike. Wilson is frequently booed by hostile fans at the Civic Arena and signs and chants of &ldquo;We want Herb Brooks&rdquo; or &ldquo;We want Bob Johnson&rdquo; ring from the balconies.</p><p>Is Johnny Wilson the cause of the Penguins troubles? Probably not, at least not entirely.</p><p>When the season began Wilson and general manager Baz Bastien decided to go with two 22-year-old goaltenders. They traded veteran Denis Herron to Montreal and went with Greg Millen and Rob Holland. MiHen, with one season of National Hockey League experience and Holland, a rookie, were called upon to man the game&rsquo;s most critical position.</p><p>Millen showed periods of brilliance early in the season but weakened under a constant barrage of shots given up by an ineffective defense. Holland proved to be adequate, but with both lacking in experience, it is obvious that Penguin management&rsquo;s gamble of going with two young goaltenders has backfired.</p><p>The problem of who dresses and plays among the Penguin&rsquo;s eight defensemen has also been a game of musical chairs all season. Ron Stackhouse and Russ Anderson have been the only two consistently solid defensemen all year, while Mario Faubert has played well but has been a victim of the numbers game.</p><p>Bob Stewart, who was obtained from St. Louis early in the season, started well, but was on the ice for a large number of opponents&rsquo; goals as the season progressed. Randy Carlyle, one of the club&rsquo;s top defensemen last year, has been a disappointment all season, never showing the offensive abilities that he displayed last year. Various injuries have added to his ineffective season.</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>It has become obvious that the Penquins need a 40 or 50-goal scorer to be successful.</b></p></div><p>It appears Dale Tallon has not fully recovered from a broken leg late last season, and his play has been spotty when he has dressed. Kim Clackson leads the Penguins in penalty minutes and is used almost exclusively for his propensity to hit and mix it up.</p><p>The offensive abilities that Tom Bladon showed in Philadelphia have never surfaced since being traded to Pittsburgh, and he watches from the press box as often as he plays.</p><p>The second favorite target for shouldering the blame for the Penguins&rsquo; lack of success is center Gregg Sheppard. Sheppard signed a multi-year contract last summer for the highest amount ever paid a Penguin and was called the best player on the team by management at the time of the signing.</p><p>Sheppard scored 30 or more goals in three different seasons while playing for Boston, but has yet to score 20 in either of the two seasons he has been in Pittsburgh.</p><p>However, people have a tendency to forget that he scored those goals in Boston playing on a power play unit that included such players as Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. The Penguins have no players on their roster like those two.</p><p>Perhaps that is the biggest part of the Penguins&rsquo; problem this season&mdash;an overrating of the talent they do have.</p><p>For a number of games after he was sidelined for the season with a broken ankle, Greg Malone continued to lead Pittsburgh in scoring with 51 points in 51 games. Only after playing 69 games did Rick Kehoe tie Malone in points, and Kehoe is the only Penguin with a chance to score 30 goals this season.</p><p>It has been said a number of times that the Penguins are a well balanced club without any. superstars. Somehow that balance was tipped in the wrong direction, and it has become obvious that they need a 40-or-50-goal scorer on the club.</p><p>A number of other things have contributed to the Penguins&rsquo; ineffective showing this season, not the least of which is their impotent power play and their inability to kill penalties.</p><p>Overall, the Penguins need to get away from their &ldquo;well balanced&rdquo; unit and get out and obtain a &ldquo;superstar&rdquo; or two. To do that team owner Edward J. DeBartolo will probably have to part with some of the money he has obtained by building shopping center complexes throughout the United States.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Skidding Penguins Were Overrated

<h2><b>WAYNE GRETZKY&hellip;Edmonton Oilers</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ayne Gretzky, the kid with the golden touch, showed NHL fans what he&rsquo;s all about this past week as he stormed into a first-place tie in his head-to-head battle with Marcel Dionne of the L.A. Kings for the league&rsquo;s individual scoring championship.</p><p>Gretzky, who collected 12 scoring points in three games with the Edmonton Oilers, moved into a deadlock with Dionne, each with 133 points. Both players have three games left to play in the final week of the schedule. Gretzky faces Minnesota, Colorado and Vancouver while Dionne encounters Vancouver twice and Colorado once.</p><p>The 19-year-old scoring sensation of the Oilers scored four times, raising his season total to 49, and had eight assists, giving him 84 for the year, which makes him the No. 1 playmaker in the NHL. Dionne has 53 goals and 80 assists for 133 points.</p><p>Gretzky capped a fantastic week by picking up six scoring points in the Oilers&rsquo; 8-5 conquest of the Leafs, a performance unsurpassed on Toronto ice this season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

NHL Player Of The Week

<div class="byline">BY FRED PIETILA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-01893/4691801-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="600" height="1466"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Bobby Schmautz was the first person to openly criticize former coach Fred Creighton&rsquo;s tactics in Boston.</i></figcaption></div><p>DENVER&mdash;Bobby Schmautz likes what he&rsquo;s seen of Denver in the last six weeks or so.</p><p>&ldquo;Mountains, evergreens, scenerv. I like it.&rdquo; the 35-year-old Schmautz said, avoiding the main question of what he likes about the Rockies as a National Hockey League team.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got some pretty good young players here. Some good talent. They&rsquo;re going to start fresh next year in training camp. Once you get it going in training camp and get your team set, you just go from there,&rdquo; Schmautz said.</p><p>Schmautz is one of many new players the Rockies have picked up in this very transitional season under coach Don Cherry. Forty-three different players have worn the Rockies&rsquo; uniform so far this season.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got a young defense and that&rsquo;s the toughest position to play when you&rsquo;re young. They&rsquo;ll get better. And I think we&rsquo;ve got heart and soul here.</p><p>&ldquo;I think if we put together a team here that can win consistently and is working hard all the time, the people will come out,&rdquo; Schmautz said.</p><p>As soon as Schmautz voiced his bitterness about the Boston Bruins&rsquo; management and coach Fred Creighton in December, many figured it was just a matter of time before he wound up reunited with his old friend and former coach Cherry.</p><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. It&rsquo;s a funny thing,&rdquo; Schmautz said. &ldquo;They could have traded me to Colorado earlier. Two months later they let me go to Edmonton for Dan Newman and cash, so why not make a trade with Colorado?&rdquo;</p><p>Schmautz finally wound up with the Rockies in a straight player trade for left winger Don Ashby, who had spent most of the season in Fort Worth in the Central Hockey League.</p><p>Schmautz&rsquo; contributions with Colorado, on and off the ice, can&rsquo;t be measured accurately by statistics. He&rsquo;s a team man who the players look up to and he keeps everybody loose at all times. Most of all&mdash;he speaks his mind. That&rsquo;s what caused his departure from the Bruins.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s somewhat like me,&rdquo; Cherry said. &ldquo;He says what he thinks and sometimes through life that gets you in trouble. But if you&rsquo;re honest, it balances out.&rdquo;</p><p>Cherry talked of Schmautz&rsquo; troubles with Creighton and general manager Harry Sinden in Boston. &ldquo;He just said what everybody on the team was thinking,&rdquo; Cherry said. &ldquo;They had lost four out of five games and someone had to take the blame. Schmautz was the man management blamed even though he&rsquo;d only played in one of the four games the Bruins had lost.&rdquo;</p><p>Schmautz talked about the troubled times he had in Boston in November and December. &ldquo;I told him (Sinden) the same thing about Creighton at the time,&rdquo; Schmautz said. &ldquo;Then after I get traded and after Creighton got fired, Harry Sinden is saying what I was trying to tell them before. What I said wasn&rsquo;t a knock against Creighton&rsquo;s coaching ability. It was just that he&rsquo;d taken all the fire out of the guys,&rdquo; Schmautz said.</p><p>Schmautz&rsquo; future is somewhat up in the air considering he becomes a free agent on June 1. The Rockies agreed with Edmonton not to re-sign Schmautz until after June 1 as part of the complicated trade between Boston and Edmonton.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-01

Life As Rockie Suiting Schmautz

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0019-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-01849/4691856-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Pierre Larouche of the Montreal Canadiens was one of three NHLers to reach the 50-goal plateau this past week. He scored his 49th and 50th as the Habs defeated Chicago 8-4. Others who joined Larouche in the 50-goal spotlight were Blaine Stoughton of Hartford and Buffalo&rsquo;s Danny Gare.</i> <span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Steve Babineau)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>Leafs&rsquo; Smith Charged</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>S</span>T. CATHARINES&mdash;Toronto Maple Leaf coach Floyd Smith was charged with impaired driving and criminal negligence causing death by the Ontario Provincial Police in connection with a March 14 accident on the Queen Elizabeth way which killed two Pennsylvanians.</p><p>Smith, 44, was in the Buffalo General Hospital recuperating from a broken kneecap, bruises and cuts, when informed of the charges.</p><p>Smith&rsquo;s car crossed through the dividing median and struck a vehicle operated by Donald Osinski, 42, of Fairview, Pa. A passenger in the Osinski car, Anna Joint, 47, of Erie Pa. was killed instantly while Osinski died in hospital on March 18.</p><h2><b>Gottlieb Appointed</b></h2><p>NEW YORK&mdash;National Hockey League president John Ziegler, announced that under a new plan of organization for NHL public relations, Rodger Gottlieb has been appointed to the position of director of media relations. Ziegler stated further that under the new plan a director of public relations would be appointed, who will be responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the complete long and short range planning of all phases of NHL public relations.</p><p>Gottlieb has served as assistant public relations director since September, 1979, and as editor of <i>GOAL</i> Magazine since he joined the League in 1975. He will also continue to be involved with <i>GOAL</i> in a managerial capacity.</p><p>In announcing Gottlieb&rsquo;s appointment, Ziegler stated: &ldquo;We are fortunate to have someone with Rodger&rsquo;s abilities and experience to fill this position. We feel that this appointment will enhance the league&rsquo;s ability to serve the news media, member clubs and our fans.&rdquo;</p><p>Gottlieb, 27, is a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, where he majored in journalism and communications. A resident of New York city, Gottlieb will continue to be based on the league&rsquo;s New York office and will be assisted by Mike Griffin and Patricia Dillon. Grffin, based in the league&rsquo;s Montreal office, will assume the position of assistant media relations director, while Dillon will remain as public relations associate.</p><h2><b>10 Refs For Playoffs</b></h2><p>TORONTO&mdash;NHL Referee in Chief Scotty Morrison admits his officiating staff has been badly depleted by injuries but he said he will send 10 referees and 18 linesmen to oversee the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>Morrison said that some of the officials will be making their first appearance in the playoffs. With eight preliminary round series to staff, plus AHL and CHL playoff games, Morrison has been forced to juggle his officials around.</p><p>Injuries have cut heavily into the top NHL officiating staff. Ron Wicks is out for the year with a back injury, Dave Newell is only now getting over broken ribs and Bruce Hood is also just shaking off the effects of a disc problem in his back. He has been idle for nearly a month.</p><h2><b>Donates Gold Medal</b></h2><p>EVELETH&mdash;Mark Pavelich has donated his Olympic hockey gold medal to the United States Hall of Fame at Eveleth, Minn.</p><p>Roger Godin, executive director of the Hall of Fame, said the 22-year-old Pavelich, who is an Eveleth native, wanted the medal to be donated to the hockey shrine in memory of the U.S. victory in the Olympic Games at Lake Placid. Godin added that Pavelich&rsquo;s medal will be on display in the newly planned Olympic team exhibit.</p><h2><b>Watters Wings&rsquo; GM?</b></h2><p>TORONTO&mdash;The Detroit Red Wings may have a new coach and general manager next season. Rumors persist that Bill Watters will fill the GM role.</p><p>Watters, who has been No. 1 assistant to Alan Eagleson, executive director of the NHL Players&rsquo; Association for the past 10 years, has left Eagleson&rsquo;s employ to strike out on his own. He said he plans to make a change in his career.</p><p>A report circulated around Toronto that Watters would get the GM job held by Ted Linnsay at Detroit. The Red Wings had no comment on Watters or on a new coach for next year to replace Bobby Kromm, who was fired last week. No mention was made re-garding interim coach Marcel Pronovost.</p><h2><b>Olympians Spurn NHL</b></h2><p>CALGARY&mdash;Canada&rsquo;s hockey Olympians are not interested in turning pro at this time and will remain intact for a five-country tournament to be held in Sweden.</p><p>While their fellow U.S. Olympians have cashed in on their gold medals by signing with NHL teams, the Canadian team has remained together with one exception. Goalie Bob Dupuis signed with Edmonton Oilers and after one game was sent to the minor leagues with Houston. The team&rsquo;s other goaltender, Paul Pageau, has returned to his Shawinigan Junior team for the Quebec League playoffs.</p><p>Another Olympian, Glenn Anderson, turned down an offer from Edmonton to play with Seattle of the Western Junior Hockey League.</p><h2><b>Dionne Scores 380th</b></h2><p>LOS ANGELES&mdash;Marcel Dionne reached another scoring milestone last week in the NHL when he scored his 380th career goal. He moved past Detroit&rsquo;s Ted Lindsay into 18th place on the NHL&rsquo;s alltime scoring list. Lindsay quit after scoring 379 goals.</p><p>Others who moved ahead on the all-time list included Phil Esposito, with his 709th career goal, and Jean Pronovost with his 366th to tie Jacques Lemaire for 22nd place on the list.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-01

SLAPSHOTS

<div class="byline">BY TOM MURRAY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0019-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-02652/4691887-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>For the past 25 years, Rajah the bird and Colin Kerr have been welcomed with open arms by everyone from Johnny Carson to Jimmy Carter to the Pope. But they couldn&rsquo;t make the grade in the press box at Maple Leaf Gardens.</i></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>ORONTO&mdash;When the Brantford Alexanders recently upset the Toronto Marlboros in the quarterfinals of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League playoffs, winning the series in four games straight, practically all of the credit for the victory went not to the coach, the goalie, or the fans&hellip;but to a bird.</p><p>A bird?</p><p>Yes, that&rsquo;s right, a bird. Not just <i>any</i> bird, mind you, but a Mynah bird named Rajah, who is insured by Lloyds of London for $12,000,000, has had a three-hour audience with the Pope, met three different U.S. Presidents&mdash;&ldquo;Jimmy Carter,&rdquo; says Colin Kerr, Rajah&rsquo;s owner, spokesman and caretaker, &ldquo;touched him before he won in 1976&rdquo;&mdash;has appeared on practically every TV and radio talk show in the world (4,012 and counting; Johnny Carson&rsquo;s <i>Tonight Show</i> was the most recent), and has been the subject of over 8,000 newspaper and magazine stories in the last 25 years. He is also the only bird to have met the Queen of England&mdash;&ldquo;He pooped on her,&rdquo; says Kerr&mdash;the only bird to be married by a vested member of the clergy in an official church ceremony, the only bird to have his own record&mdash;the &ldquo;Mynah Bird Hop&rdquo; has sold 100,000 copies&mdash;and the only bird to be represented by a lawyer; Alan Eagleson, according to Kerr, is very anxious to add Rajah to his already lengthy list of clients.</p><p>The reason for all of this acclaim is that Rajah has this uncanny ability to bring good luck and fortune to anyone with whom he comes in contact.</p><p>&ldquo;All it is is energy,&rdquo; explains Kerr, who has been carrying Rajah all over the world since getting the bird as a gift in India 25 years ago. &ldquo;Nothing more. You give energy to the bird, show him that you believe in him and his powers and he&rsquo;ll give it right back to you. It&rsquo;s a confidence builder. Good things will happen to anybody who believes in this bird.&rdquo;</p><p>The most recent benefactor of those &ldquo;good things&rdquo; are the Brantford Alexanders, who adopted Rajah as their official good luck charm only after Kerr, a big fan of the Marlboros, was told by Marlies&rsquo; GM Frank Bonello, &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t need your bird to win.&rdquo;</p><p>That was all Kerr had to hear, and he and Rajah promptly joined forces with the Alexanders, who, although a mite skeptical at first, were soon avidly touching the bird, rubbing his cage, and screaming, &ldquo;Rajah! Rajah! Rajah!&rdquo; before each game of the series&mdash;in which they were big, big underdogs.</p><p>&ldquo;But that didn&rsquo;t matter,&rdquo; Kerr says. &ldquo;What was important was that they <i>be-lieved</i> in the bird and derived energy from him. That, plus the fact that the poor Marlie players must have been psyched out are why the Alexanders won.&rdquo;</p><p>Unfortunately, not everyone is as smitten with Kerr and Rajah as Johnny Carson, the Queen of England, the Pope and the Brantford Alexanders. Take, for instance, Stan Obodiac, the public relations man for the Toronto Maple Leafs.</p><p>&ldquo;Obodiac,&rdquo; Kerr says indignantly, &ldquo;threw Rajah and I out of the press box at the Gardens. It was during that recent Toronto Oldtimers game against Montreal. Johnny Bower (the Leafs&rsquo; goaltending coach) was at one of the Marlie-Alexander games and he saw the excitement that Rajah was creating and he asked me to bring him into the Leafs&rsquo; Oldtimers&rsquo; locker room before the game.</p><p>&ldquo;Well, I did,&rdquo; Kerr goes on, &ldquo;and all of the players touched Rajah for good luck and they went out and won, 8-7. Then when Rajah and I went up to the press box to watch the game, Obodiac saw us and said, &lsquo;You&rsquo;re the son of a b&mdash;with that bird that beat our Marlies. Get out of here! &lsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;So we did,&rdquo; Kerr said. &ldquo;We were given a police escort out of the Gardens and we never got a chance to see the game.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s too bad, too,&rdquo; Kerr continues, &ldquo;because I just <i>know</i> Rajah could do wonders with the Maple Leafs. The team has no energy now. The fans sit on their hands and there&rsquo;s no excitement at the games. What the Leafs should do is let me take Rajah into the Gardens before a game and let all 16,000 fans come up and touch the cage for good luck. Then, when the team comes out the energy will flow from the players to the fans and vide versa because everyone will know that the Leafs are going to win. Even Johnny Bower told me that Rajah is what the Maple Leafs need right now.&rdquo;</p><p>Harold Ballard, are you listening?<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-02

Mvnah Bird Has Magic Touch For Brantford

<div class="byline">BY PAT DOYLE</div><p>WINNIPEG&mdash;Craig Norwich wonders how much longer he&rsquo;ll be a member of the Winnipeg Jets.</p><p>&ldquo;To tell you the truth,&rdquo; says Norwich, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if I fit into this club&rsquo;s plans. I have somewhat of an understanding of what they&rsquo;re trying to do here, but I don&rsquo;t know if it includes me.&rdquo;</p><p>What the Jets are attempting to do, of course, is put together a National Hockey League club which will eventually challenge for the Stanley Cup.</p><p>This year being their first in the NHL, the Jets are a long way from recognizing that goal, so Norwich&rsquo;s role in any future success of the Winnipeg franchise is in doubt.</p><p>&ldquo;I plan to play out this contract then quit,&rdquo; says Norwich, who had 43 points heading into the final two weeks of the season. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got two years left on my contract, plus an option year, and it&rsquo;s up to me if I play out the option.&rdquo;</p><p>Norwich, a 24-year-old native of Edina, Minn., plans to go into the sporting goods business when he&rsquo;s through with hockey. Or, he may turn back to college to complete his degree in psychology.</p><p>Norwich describes his first season with the Jets as &ldquo;very frustrating.&rdquo; He got off to a good start and played a lot of hockey in the first half of the year, but the young defenseman hasn&rsquo;t been relied upon too heavily in the last two months. Often, he&rsquo;s the fifth man in coach Tom McVie&rsquo;s rotation.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02471/4691949-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="598" height="728"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>A promising start has turned into a frustrating season for Jets&rsquo; defenseman Craig Norwich.</i></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think anybody likes to get traded,&rdquo; Norwich says when asked if he&rsquo;s looking to get out of Winnipeg. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s sort of a demeaning thing. But, if something comes along that would help this club and help me&hellip;&rdquo;</p><p>Norwich claims there are other NHL teams interested in him, although he refuses to reveal their identities.</p><p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t talked to them,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;but through my agent I&rsquo;ve found out there are teams looking for somebody who plays my style of hockey.&rdquo;</p><p>Norwich is an offensive defenseman who led all World Hockey Association rearguards in assists last season with 51. He spent his first two pro seasons with the Cincinnati Stingers of the WHA after leaving the University of Wisconsin, where he was a twotime All American.</p><p>The Jets got down to work on next season when they signed Swedish center Anders Steen.</p><p>Steen, who led the Swedish Elite Division in scoring with 30 goals and 17 assists this winter, is no relation to Thomas Steen, the player chosen fifth by Winnipeg in the 1979 entry draft.</p><p>Anders Steen comes equipped with a rather large chasis&mdash;6-&frac12; 204-pounds&mdash;and he spurned offers from other NHL clubs before agreeing to join the Jets.</p><p>&ldquo;We have watched Anders for two years now,&rdquo; says Winnipeg general manager John Ferguson, who recently returned from a scouting mission in Finland and Sweden. &ldquo;There is no doubt about his ability. There were a number of other clubs who obviously shared our feelings. I consider this signing a very important step in the building process that we have started here in Winnipeg.&rdquo;</p><p>Swedish players, of course, are no strangers to Winnipeg. The Jets have played with as many as eight in their lineup at one time.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0020-02

Norwich Wonders Whether He Suits Winnipeg Style

<div class="byline">BY STEVE WINTER</div><p class="dropcap"><span>L</span>ANDOVER&mdash;The Capitals entered the final week of regular season play still deep in a toothand-nail battle with nine other NHL teams in the race for those last few remaining playoff positions.</p><p>Three weeks ago, the club was riding high, they had just set a team record with a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1), and owned the league&rsquo;s second best record (12-5-3) since the All Star break. The Stanley Cup playoffs, after six frustrating years, seemed at long last, a certainty, and the 12th and 13th spots in the overall standings were not at all out of the question. Club morale bristled at an all-time high, and the players started thinking in terms of which team they would meet in the first-round of post-season play.</p><p>Suddenly though, the roof caved in, as the Capitals awoke to find themselves deep in the throes of a three-game losing streak. With visions of their long-sought-after playoff hopes apparently fading away, the Caps called a quick time out to re-evaluate their chances. Washington hockey fans grumbled, as they kept one eye peeled on the antics of their unpredictable heroes. Around the league, however, the Capitals were drawing similar degrees of attention, particularly among the NHL&rsquo;s &ldquo;hierarchy&rdquo;.</p><p>&ldquo;Despite their recent problems, of all the teams in the bottom half of the standings, the Washington Capitals are the team we&rsquo;d least prefer to face in the playoffs,&rdquo; noted one Philadelphia Flyer official; and a quick survey of teams around the league seems to concur.</p><p>&ldquo;Even though the Capitals are at the bottom of the playoff rung, that&rsquo;s a deceptive position,&rdquo; said Islanders&rsquo; coach Al Arbour. &ldquo;Throughout the year, injuries have kept them down, literally and figuratively.</p><p>&ldquo;But over the last few months, they&rsquo;ve been as tough as any team in the NHL. If we meet them in the playoffs, the Islanders would have to prepare for a young and enthusiastic team.&rdquo;</p><p>Arbour&rsquo;s sentiments were echoed by a neighboring rival, 20 miles west, who&rsquo;s seen&mdash;over the years&mdash;more than his share of the Capitals&rsquo; success.</p><p>&ldquo;The way the Capitals have played over the last part of the regular season, you&rsquo;d have to rate them as one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs,&rdquo; said Phil Esposito, whose Rangers suffered a 5-4 loss to Washington on December 15, in what&rsquo;s been considered by many the Capitals &ldquo;turning point&rdquo; this year.</p><p>&ldquo;They certainly hit their stride at the right time,&rdquo; Espo said; &ldquo;and during the playoffs, that&rsquo;s often the most important factor. We&rsquo;ve always had tough times at the Capital Centre, so you can be sure that the Rangers will be extra careful if we come up against the Capitals.&rdquo;</p><div class="sidebar"><p><b>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter who we face in the playoffs,&rsquo; said GM Max McNab. &ldquo;The main thing is to get there.&rdquo;</b></p></div><p>Gilles Meloche, the classy goaltender of the Minnesota North Stars, knows what it means to be extra careful against the Capitals. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had pretty good success against the Caps, so I really wouldn&rsquo;t mind facing them in the playoffs; but they&rsquo;ll be a tough team to beat, because they skate like hell.</p><p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve got a good, young defense, and Wayne Stephenson is playing super in goal for them; and any time you&rsquo;ve got a hot goaltender, especially in the playoffs, you never know how far you can go.&rdquo;</p><p>Don Cherry, one-time coach of the Boston Bruins, now coaching at Colorado, also views Stephenson as a key factor in the Capitals&rsquo; success, but also mentioned another area in which the Capitals&rsquo; strengths are evident.</p><p>&ldquo;I think they have a chance to go very far in the playoffs, because all three lines skate quickly,&rdquo; Cherry said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s not a wide variance between the three lines&mdash;they&rsquo;re all quick, solid NHL lines, and they keep constant pressure on you. This is not true of most teams in the National Hockey League.</p><p>&ldquo;And also, they&rsquo;ve got the hot goaltender, and a hot goaltender can take you a long way. I wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised to see them go far in the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>Peter McNab, the high-scoring center for the Bruins who is also Caps&rsquo; GM Max McNab&rsquo;s son, wouldn&rsquo;t be surprised either.</p><p>&ldquo;I think they&rsquo;ll be extra tough in the playoffs, judging from the way they&rsquo;ve played down the stretch, especially against us. (The Caps won 6-4, over the Bruins at the Capital Centre and tied 3-3 in Boston Garden recently.) In the third period of our game down there, they carried the play against us, and that meant a victory for them.</p><p>&ldquo;Up in Boston, they were playing for a win in the third period, even though the score was tied. In past years, they would have been thrilled just to tie; that&rsquo;s the difference.&rdquo;</p><p>In past years, the Capitals didn&rsquo;t have Gary Green roaming behind the bench, and that, many people agree, is another difference.</p><p>Green, a psychology major from the University of Guelph, assumed control of the Capitals from Danny Belisle in mid-November, and immediately instilled the Capitals with a &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve Got To Believe&rdquo; and &ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t No Stoppin&rsquo; Us Now&rdquo; attitude. The result, Green hopes, will pay off, in the form of an appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>Green learned the ropes of professional hockey through many circles, but most notably from a fellow named Roger Neilson.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-01687/4691918-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="592" height="672"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Caps&rsquo; coach Gary Green is an outspoken advocate of the &ldquo;power of positive thinking.&rdquo;</i></figcaption></div><p>Neilson said. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ll be emotionally sky-high, and they&rsquo;ll be getting great support from the fans, which will be a big boost.</p><p>&ldquo;They might even be a surprise team in the playoffs because they have that experienced goaltending, and a tough enough style. And now, with Denis Maruk back from injuries, it gives them a balanced scoring attack, and that makes them very dangerous.&rdquo;&ldquo;</p><p>As for the Capitals, they consider themselves &ldquo;dangerous&rdquo; enough to bump any NHL team out of a first-round best-of-five &ldquo;mini-series.&rdquo;</p><p>But as for who they&rsquo;ll find themselves paired-against, &ldquo;It really doesn&rsquo;t matter,&rdquo; said Mac McNab. &ldquo;Any of those top teams are going to be just as tough as one another. &ldquo;The main thing, first, is to get there.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0020-01

Caps Could Be Threat In Playoffs

<div class="byline">BY MIKE DENNIS</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0021-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-01513/4691980-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Bruce)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>ORONTO&mdash;Wilf Paiement&rsquo;s playoff record reads: Two games played, no goals, no assists, seven minutes in penalties. He&rsquo;d like to add a few positive numbers to that record during April and hopefully, May, as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.</p><p>His record during nearly six complete National Hockey League regular seasons, though, is impressive. Paiement&rsquo;s 170 goals and 378 points&mdash;most of them coming while he was playing for the lowly Colorado Rockies and their equally inept predecessors, the Kansas City Scouts&mdash;were vital considerations when the Leafs sent one of the best right wingers in the NHL, Lanny McDonald, and promising young defenseman Joel Quenne-ville, to Denver in return for right winger Paiement and another accomplished sniper, Pat Hickey.</p><p>&ldquo;I was disappointed at first,&rdquo; recalls the 24-year-old Paiement, an ebullient sort from a family of 18 (he&rsquo;s the youngest). &ldquo;Everybody&rsquo;s got their pride and thinks that they can do the job, but Toronto&rsquo;s a great city to play in&hellip;the best, and I&rsquo;m looking forward to getting playoff experience. I didn&rsquo;t want to be a loser any longer.&rdquo;</p><p>After five years with the Scouts and Rockies, Paiement had had just one chance at post-season action, April, 1978, when the Rockies very nearly upset the Philadelphia Flyers in the preliminary round, suffering two narrow losses, one of them in overtime.</p><p>In his first 37 games with the Leafs, Paiement, who&rsquo;s been teamed with Darryl Sittler and Terry Martin, scored 17 times to display the kind of consistency he used to tally 41 goals in the 1976-77 campaign and 87 points in the following season.</p><p>&ldquo;I worked very hard for those 41 goals,&rdquo; said Paiement. &ldquo;It just seems that when you work hard and get results that you want to keep on working hard.&rdquo;</p><p>When asked to analyze his style Paiement replied, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a strong skater and I can shoot the puck well. I guess you might say I&rsquo;m not that good a stickhandler.&rdquo;</p><p>Good enough, however, to have made a major contribution to the scoring rampage of Sittler, who&rsquo;s blazed through the second half of the season enjoying streaks like the one in which he scored 20 goals and 22 assists in 25 games.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s the best center I&rsquo;ve ever played with,&rdquo; said Paiement of Sittler. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s number one in the league as far as I&rsquo;m concerned. He works so hard and his attitude is great for the team.</p><p>&ldquo;Terry Martin opens up a lot of holes for our line, too,&rdquo; Paiement continued. &ldquo;He skates so well.</p><p>&ldquo;When I first came to the team, (just after Christmas and the birth of Wilf and Susan Paiement&rsquo;s daughter, their first child) there was a lot of pressure, a lot of stories in the papers about how bad things were going,&rdquo; Paiement said, &ldquo;but for the past month or so, everything&rsquo;s been great.</p><p>&ldquo;We have a lot of young players with talent and all we&rsquo;ve got to do is to put our abilities together. We&rsquo;ll surprise somebody in the playoffs, I&rsquo;m sure.</p><p>&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter who we play because if you&rsquo;re going to win the cup, you&rsquo;re gonna have to play them all along the way,&rdquo; Paiement concluded.</p><p>In the space of less than two years, Paiement has played for no less than five coaches (six if you count Dick Duffs two-game stint) including Pat Kelly, Aldo Guidolin and Don Cherry in Colorado, as well as Floyd Smith and Joe Crozier with the Leafs, but says it&rsquo;s entirely up to the player to make the adaptations.</p><p>&ldquo;It takes a while to adapt but if I don&rsquo;t play right, it&rsquo;s nobody&rsquo;s fault but mine,&rdquo; Paiement said.</p><p>Wilf Paiement may have never played for a.500 club in the NHL but he&rsquo;s got the attitude of a winner.</p><p><b>LOOSE LEAFS:</b> Paiement had his second hat trick as a Leaf and third of the season. He now has 30 goals on the second to last Saturday night of the regular season but it went for nought when the Leafs dropped an 8-5 decision to the Edmonton Oilers and Wayne Gretzky. Or was it the other way around? Gretzky was sensational with two goals and four assists giving him a total of four goals and six assists in his two games in Maple Leaf Gardens&hellip;Some freak injuries were responsible for some last-minute changes in the Leafs&rsquo; roster. First, defenseman Dave Farrish slipped off a curb and sprained his ankle, then left winger Dan Maloney tripped over Jiri Crha&rsquo;s goal stick in practice and slid into the boards, breaking his thumb in three places. The Leafs would have to make the semifinals for Maloney to see any more action this year&hellip;When defenseman Carl Brewer came up with a pulled groin muscle at the same time, the call went out to Moncton and the New Brunswick Hawks sent up defenseman Greg Hotham, who spent the first half of the season with the Leafs before several roster changes pushed him out as well as Ron Wilson, who can play defense and all three forward positions. Wilson had an assist on a power play goal in his first start and played mainly on the blueline, especially after Borje Salming was cut for four stitches in the Edmonton match midway through the second period and did not return for further action&hellip;The Leafs clinched a playoff spot with just over a week to go in the schedule but the loss to Edmonton hurt them badly in their attempt to catch St. Louis for 10th place overall in the standings.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0021-01

Opportunity For Playoffs Prods Paiement’s Production

<div class="byline">BY DICK JOHNSTON</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0022-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-01574/4692011-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>UFFALO&mdash;It&rsquo;s a great feeling, says Danny Gare, to be a 50-goal scorer again. And he was glad he didn&rsquo;t have to worry about No. 50 through the last week of the season when the Buffalo Sabres had some important games to think about.</p><p>Gare is captain of the Sabres and his main objective is to lead the club to second place in the National Hockey League standing.</p><p>After he scored his 50th goal of the season, against the Detroit Red Wings March 27, he said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad that&rsquo;s out of the way. It was good to have a game like this, where we could take a few chances. Everybody certainly was trying to help us get it.&rdquo;</p><p>The goal was Buffalo&rsquo;s 10th in a 10-1 win over the Red Wings. It came with less than 2 minutes left to play and was the Sabres&rsquo; fifth goal of the third period. It also was Gare&rsquo;s second of the game.</p><p>No. 50 climaxed a return to form for Gare after three years of battling back trouble, other injuries and frustration.</p><p>Danny hurt his back in Team Canada training camp in 1976 and, until this season, he never again was right. A good rest last summer, when he was recovering from mononucleosis, apparently was what he needed.</p><p>The swift right winger still does stretching exercises daily to keep his back muscles loose and he hasn&rsquo;t had any trouble this season.</p><p>Danny&rsquo;s centerman, Derek Smith, quarterbacked the play for No. 50, according to Danny. Smith said he would win the draw on a faceoff in the Detroit end and send the puck back to defenseman Mike Ramsey for a shot. Gare should break for the goal to put in the rebound.</p><p>It didn&rsquo;t work out exactly that way but Smith did win the draw and his left winger, Tony McKegney got the puck back to Ramsey. Ramsey&rsquo;s shot was off the net but bounced off the back boards to where Gare was racing in. Danny drove it home with his famous wrist shot.</p><p>It was another big experience for Ramsey, in an excitement-filled season; helping Gare, who scored 50 in 1975-76, become one of only 12 NHL players to score 50 goals in two or more different seasons.</p><p>Gare got 50 in 1975-76.</p><p>Ramsey moved from the gold medal-winning United States Olympic team right into a regular defense position on one of the NHL&rsquo;s top teams.</p><p>He is one half of probably the youngest defense duo in the league. The big Minnesotan turned 19 in December. He teams, on the Buffalo defense, with Larry Play-fair who is 21 and in his first full NHL season.</p><p>Within two seasons of hockey, Ramsey has moved from being a freshman reserve on the University of Minnesota team to a job as a regular with the Gophers, to all-tournament defenseman on the national collegiate champions to the U.S. Olympic champions to a regular job in the NHL.</p><p>Playfair, too, has made great progress. He played 26 games for Buffalo last season but spent most of the campaign with Hershey in the American League. At the start of the season, Larry played little. He could be classified as the seventh of seven backliners the Sabres had and Coach Scotty Bowman was using three pairs.</p><p>Playfair worked himself into spot duty and did some good work. Then, when Jerry Korab was traded to Los Angeles and Ramsey joined the club, Playfair came into his own.</p><p>The Sabres&rsquo; three-man coaching staff of Bowman, Roger Neilson and Jim Roberts, pondered now to break Ramsey in. Finally they decided that the Jim Schoenfeld-John Van Boxmeer and Bill Hajt-Richie Dunn combinations were working too well together to break them up.</p><p>So, they decided to team Ramsey with Playfair.</p><p>&ldquo;This apparently gave Larry confidence, knowing we had the confidence to use him with the rookie,&rdquo; Roberts, who works with the defensemen, mentioned. &ldquo;Larry had to be the leader of the two, being the older and more experienced, and he took the responsibility and took it well.</p><p>&ldquo;He is playing some good, consistent hockey for us.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-01

Gare Scores 50th As Sabres Peak For Playoffs

<div class="byline">BY WAYNE WARRINER</div><p class="dropcap"><span>H</span>ARTFORD&mdash;A record of 16-10-4 since the halfway point of the National Hockey League schedule appears to have been the key factor in getting the Hartford Whalers into position for the 1980 playoffs in their first year in the league. Naturally, the prospect has Whaler coach Don Blackburn beaming: &ldquo;Since January we have played well against everybody,&rdquo; Blackburn said. &ldquo;In the beginning, it may have been a case of our newness in the league. We didn&rsquo;t know some of the lesser teams and our players were not as familiar with some of our opponents.&rdquo;</p><p>When asked about possible playoff matchups Blackburn stated simply, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care who we play. I just want to be there.&rdquo;</p><p>But first the Whalers had to face a crucial three-game stretch with the iron of the NHL, facing Montreal, Philadelphia and Montreal again.</p><p>Earlier in the year the Hartford team had managed a tie in Montreal&rsquo;s Forum but later were blown out of their own arena, 7-2, by the Habs. Still, they were determined to pick up a point or two out of the six that were available.</p><p>In the first contest, the Whalers were soon down by two goals and the picture was bleak. By the third period the Canadiens had built the margin to four, 5-1. Then, with less than 13 minutes to go in the game, Jordy Douglas flipped one by Denis Herron. Mark Howe quickly followed to narrow the score to 5-3 and set the stage for a pair of goals by Blaine Stoughton&mdash;the last one just 12 seconds before the final buzzer.</p><p>Two nights later it was Philadelphia who got a late goal to grab a point away from Hartford in another 5-5 final. Then it was off to the Forum, where the next night the Whalers battled the Canadiens to&mdash;that&rsquo;s right, another 5-5 tie. This time it was Montreal who staged the comeback after being down 4-0. The Whalers were a tired but happy group as they returned to Hartford.</p><p>The ancient mariners of the Whaler roster were holding up very well during the final drive toward the playoffs. Gordie Howe stepped in to fill the right wing spot vacated when Tom Rowe was sidelined with a hip-pointer, arid ol&rsquo; Grampa played as well as he has all year. Center Dave Keon gives the line over 50 years of experience even though left wing Jordy Douglas is only a second-year man.</p><p>Gordie, 52, never misses a practice and still participates in all drills. Keon, 40, is the same way, but he works so hard all the time that coach Blackburn finally decided to order Dave to skip a practice now and then in order to preserve his energies for his additional, penalty-killing and power play&rsquo; duties.</p><p>Bobby Hull, 41, was just rounding into form when word came that a close personal friend had been seriously injured in an auto accident. Whaler management gave Bobby permission to remain at his friend&rsquo;s bedside until the situation improved, and Bobby missed the three big games and had, at this writing, not yet returned to the team.</p><p>With the sudden loss of Hull and an injury to Marty Howe, the Whalers had to send a hurry call to their Springfield farm club for help. The call went to left wing Steve Alley and right wing Ray Nuefeld.</p><p>The two-had been expected to arrive in time to suit up for the game against the Flyers, but due to diverted flights and other delays, they barely made it for the second period faceoff. (The Whalers had only 15 players dressed for the opening drop.) So Alley and Nuefeld took their first shift in the middle of the second stanza without the benefit of a warmup.</p><p>Twenty-four hours later, in the Forum, the two performed very</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-01528/4692066-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="492" height="1032"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Sophomore Jordy Douglas, teams with Grandpa However Keon, became the third why to score 30 goals.</i></figcaption></div><p>34 games and had been 16-10-8. Overall during the year, when Mark has failed to collect at least a point, the Hartford team has gone 3-15-8.</p><p>With Mike Rogers and Blaine Stoughton combining so well together and piling up enough points to put each of them among the top 10 scorers in the league, their linemate&mdash;left wing Pat Boutette&mdash;has not been getting much notoriety. The Whalers have a few unsung heroes this year but none is more deserving of an award than Boutette.</p><p>Pat&rsquo;s rugged work along the boards and in front of the net has created many scoring situations for his speedy and opportunistic linemates. The trade that brought Pat into the Hartford fold is being touted as one of the best that director of hockey operations Jack Kelley has made. Giving up Bob Stephenson, who was toiling for the Whalers&rsquo; Springfield farm team, in order to steal Boutette away from Toronto, has turned into quite a coup.</p><p>Boutette&rsquo;s value goes beyond his contribution to Hartford&rsquo;s high scoring line. Pat also serves as an effective penalty killer, as well as working with his linemates on the power play.</p><p>Douglas, the sophomore out of Flin Flon, Man., became the Whalers&rsquo; third 30-goal scorer. He joins Rogers, who eclipsed the 40-goal mark, and Stoughton who is closing in on his personal high of 52 goals (with the WHA&rsquo;s Cincy Stingers in 1976-77).<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0023-01

Whalers Sail Through Critical Stretch

<div class="byline">BY JIM LEAHY</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>The Vees had won five during a late-season drive were poised to catch New wick. During the week, they Maine 6-5 in overtime before at the Metro Center and then game back to edge the Mariners 3-2 in Portland. Down in Springfield, the Vees skated to a big 7-4 win over the Indians.</p><p>Defenseman Bill Root came off the injured list and right winger Jim Lawson was signed to a try out contract. The big news was the signing of Richard Grenier, who certainly knows where the net is.</p><p><b>NEW HAVEN:</b> The Nighthawks started off the week losing at home to Syracuse and they ended it beating those same Firebirds 3-1 on the road. In between, they blasted Rochester 12-4 and edged Hershey 5-3. New Haven has just about clinched the AHL regular season championship, their first ever.</p><p>Some 4,108 saw the Nighthawks lose a rare home game when Syracuse came up with a super effort to earn the 5-3 win. Bill Lochead scored his 42nd of the year and the &lsquo;Hawks got solo tallies from Chris Kotsopoulos and Frank Beaton.</p><p>The win in Rochester set all kinds of records. Lochead established a new AHL mark with his seventh hat trick and the 12 goals were a New Haven team record for regular season play. In the 5-3 win over Hershey at the Coliseum, some 5,480 saw rookie Lance Nethery score twice. Up in Syracuse, Wayne Thomas played an outstanding game in the nets and the Nighthawks received their scoring from Dave Silk, Josh Guevremont and Claude Larose. The contest was marred by a stick-swinging battle between New Haven defenseman Dan Clark and Firebird John Stewart. Each received match penalties and will undoubtedly be severely punished by the league.</p><p><b>NEW BRUNSWICK:</b> The Hawks reversed a losing streak and won three straight to maintain a three-point lead over Nova Scotia in the wild Northern Division race. It will be all over in that division by the time this edition of THE HOCKEY NEWS reaches our readers. Who will win is anybody&rsquo;s guess.</p><p>Despite losing coach Joe Crozier to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Hawks won all three games on the road. They beat Adirondack 4-3, Binghamton 3-2 and Syracuse 11-5. An important game between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in Halifax, was on tap for the following week.</p><p>Goaltenders were in the news all week. Murray Bannerman went back and forth between Chicago and Moncton. Rookie Tom O&rsquo;Toole stayed exactly one day on the club&rsquo;s roster, Paul Harrison was injured and Vincent Tremblay came back from an injury. Forwards Bob Warner and Greg Vadyik were dropped and tough left winger Gord Gallant was added. Left winger Bob Stephenson came back from Toronto, but he was sidelined with an injury almost immediately upon his return.</p><p><b>SYRACUSE:</b> Three goals in the final period lifted the Firebirds to an upset 5-3 win in New Haven. It was the first road victory for the club since February 2nd. John Smyrke, Roland Cloutier and Louis Sleigher found the range as the &lsquo;Birds broke open a tight 2-2 contest. But three straight losses brought Syracuse back to reality after the win in New Haven. They dropped a 5-4 contest in Glens Falls, lost 11-5 at home to New Brunswick and were defeated 3-1 in Syracuse by New Haven. In the loss to the Southern Division champions, Richard David was the only Firebird to score in a game seen by 3,045 at the War Memorial.</p><p>As the action ended for the week, Syracuse was tied with Rochester for third place in the Southern Division. The Firebirds had a commanding eight-point lead over the last place Binghamton Dusters. Unless a complete collapse occurs, the Syracuse Firebirds will make the Calder Cup playoffs.</p><p><b>ADIRONDACK:</b> After beating Syracuse and Binghamton, the Wings lost a tough 4-3 game to New Brunswick and fell four points in back of Springfield. The Wings are trying to overtake Springfield and earn a spot in the playoffs. However the one-goal defeat at the hands of the Hawks had to be demoralizing&hellip;</p><p>Center Dennis Sobchuk returned to action after being out for a while, so the Red Wings sent rookie left winger Larry Elson back to Kalamazoo.</p><p><b>ROCHESTER:</b> Geordie Robertson scored his first goal after coming back from a broken thumb and the Amerks skated to a 2-2 overtime tie against Hershey. Randy Ireland got the win, improving his record to 3-1-3 during the last seven games. He was injured in that game and was forced to miss the contest against New Haven. Rookie John Harrington, the ex-Olympian, got his welcome to pro hockey when he had several teeth loosened and suffered a concussion when hit with an elbow during the Hershey game. Rochester defenseman Mark Toffolo was slapped with his third game misconduct of the season and was subsequently suspended for one contest by the league.</p><p>The wild 2-2 tie with the Bears was the highlight of the week since it was all downhill from that point on. A midweek crowd of 3,617 sat in shocked disbelief as the Amerks were literally pulverized 12-4 by the New Haven Nighthawks. Goaltender Ed Walsh suffered the onslaught as Nighthawk skaters had a field day on the Amerk defense. After that loss, the Amerks played well in a 1-0 defeat at home against Springfield. A trip over to Maine was another blowout. The Mariners destroyed Rochester 9-4.</p><p><b>SPRINGFIELD:</b> The Indians are having a grand year. Few AHL observers gave them much of a chance prior to the start of the season, since they would be the top development team for the NHL Hartford Whalers. The Whalers were also picked to be the weakest of the four new teams. If they keep working hard, the Tribe will make the playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-01557/4692097-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="598" height="738"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Hershey&rsquo;s Mike Haworth received a one-game suspension for incurring three game misconduct penalties this season.</i></figcaption></div><p>The Indians did lose two of three, but the Red Wings were only able to gain a point in the standings. After dropping a 6-3 contest in Hershey, the Indians visited Rochester and came up with a big 1-0 victory. That had to be one of their most important wins of the latter part of this campaign. Unfortunately, Nova Scotia breezed by the Tribe 7-4 at the Big E Coliseum while Adirondack was losing to New Brunswick.</p><p><b>MAINE:</b> The Mariners scored four times in the third period but Nova Scotia came back in overtime to beat the defending AHL champions 6-5. Rookie left winger Dave Saatzer sent the crowd of 3,979 in Halifax into orbit when he scored the game-winner just five seconds into the extra session. A few days later the same teams met in Portland. Some 6,175 were at the Civic Center hoping for a Mariner win but the Vees skated to a 3-2 victory.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-01

Two Rowdy Bears Suspended By AHL; pyageurs Catch Fire For Stretch Run

<p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>NDIANAPOLIS&mdash;A sprained knee sidelined red-hot goalie Richard Brodeur, and sent Checker coach Bert Marshall anxiously in search of a backup for Jim Park.</p><p>For one night the backup was 33-year-old Rocky Farr, now a real estate salesman in Fort Worth. Otherwise the backup goalie was to be trainer Craig Smith.</p><p>Park was in the nets as the Checkers opened the week with a 7-2 romp at home against Birmingham. Brodeur was hurt in the second period of a 4-2 loss in Houston. Park suffered a 3-2 loss in Dallas, but the next night his mates staked him to a 5-2 win in Fort Worth, temporarily scuttling the Texans&rsquo; bit for second place.</p><p>Six different Checkers had scored before Birmingham finally counted in the third period Tuesday. But the next afternoon Houston jumped into a 3-0 lead and couldn&rsquo;t be caught. An early lead in Dallas didn&rsquo;t stand up. In Fort Worth the Checkers trailed 1-0 until they scored five-times in a span of five-and-a-half minutes in the third period on goals by Kevin Devine, Alex McKendry, Kelly Davis, Neil Hawryilw and Ed Pizunski.</p><p><b>OKLAHOMA CITY&mdash;</b>The Stars kept in the thick of the fight for playoff spots with three home victories over Dallas (3-1), Tulsa (7-2) and Birmingham (6-2),but then lost a showdown battle in Houston, 2-1, to fall three points behind the Apollos and Tulsa, who were tied for fifth place.</p><p>Newly-acquired goalie Jim Corsi worked all four games. Forward Robbie Laird reinjured his back, and the Stars brought in right wing Dino Ciccarelli, a 50-goal scorer for the OHA London Knights. Ceccarelli had counted 169 goals in 224 games in the classy Ontario Major Junior League.</p><p>Defenseman Peter Shier, who had the only OC goal in Houston.</p><p>The parent Edmonton Oilers send down left wing Karl Makkonen. Right wing Dale Baldwin and ran his point scoring streak to 10 games. Center Joe Contini had collected points in 14 of 15 starts.</p><p>Late goals by Contini and Jon Fontas won the game against Dallas. After forging ahead of Tulsa in the second period, the Stars wrapped it up with four goals in the third&mdash;by Rob Flockhart, Ken Kuzyk, Kelly Greenbank and Alex Pirus. Dave Delich got the first two goals in the rout of Birmingham, and Fontas also scored twice. Corsi made 41 saves in Houston, but the Apollos won it in the last period. Corsi, who began the season with Apollos, received a standing ovation from the crowd.</p><p><b>HOUSTON:</b> Ace Bailey&rsquo;s Apollos won only two games in a busy, five-game week, and fell into a fifth-place tie with Tulsa. The Apollos lost at home to Salt Lake, 5-4, but beat Indianapolis, 4-2, before going on the road to lose in Fort Worth (4-1) and Tulsa (5-1). A return to Sam Houston Coliseum resulted in a 2-1 triumph over surging Oklahoma City. center Scott Currie, both from the University of Bemidji came in for pro tryouts.</p><p>Injuries depleted the forward lines. Alex Tidey bruised a shoulder, after just coming back from a layoff with pulled stomach muscles, Ron Areshenkoff had a pulled hamstring, Doug Patey suffered a knee injury, and Mark Miller had a wrist problem. Tom Roulston was back in the lineup, but a floating cartilage in a knee made his readiness a day-to-day question. Edmonton recalled winger Wayne Bianchin, and loaned goalie Clay Hebenton to Syracuse in the American League.</p><p>Former Canadian Olympic goalie Bob Dupuis was shelled in Tulsa, Don Cutts replaced him after the Oilers took a 4-1 lead late in the middle period.</p><p>Two goals in 51 seconds of playing time turned the game around against Indianapolis. Roulston scored with one second left in the first period and Dean Magee netted one after 50 seconds of the next period.</p><p>After Oklahoma City scored in the second period, Owen Lloyd tied it for Houston 39 seconds later. Roulston got the winning goal at 5:40 of the third.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Indy Races for Back-Up Goaltender

<div class="byline">BY TOM LOBAUGH</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>DALLAS&mdash;&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve just got to work our tails off,&rdquo; was coach John Muckler&rsquo;s advice to his Black Hawks, as they entered the next-to-last week of the regular schedule, still in last place, but by no means out of the playoff picture.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re no longer in control of our own destiny,&rdquo; Muckier commented. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have enough games left with the teams we have to catch. We&rsquo;ve just got to do our best, and hope we get some breaks.&rdquo;</p><p>The Hawks&rsquo; &ldquo;best&rdquo; was surprising. After seeing their five-game winning streak snapped in Oklahoma City, 3-1, they came home to beat Indianapolis, 3-2, then went into Salt Lake and won and tied in a two-game set with the first-place Eagles. That left them three points behind seventh-place Oklahoma City, and six back of Houston and Tulsa, who shared fifth and sixth places (the last two playoff berths).</p><p>Dave Ross got the first goal in Oklahoma City, but that was ail the Hawks could muster against OC goalie Jim Corsi. Dallas also spotted Indy an opening goal, but won its fifth straight game at home when Jeff Bandura scored in the first period, and Steve Hazlett and Gerry Minor connected in the second.</p><p>For a change, the Hawks got on the scoreboard first in the Saturday game at the Salt Palace. Rob Tudor and Ross gave Dallas a 2-0 advantage, with Brad Gassoff and Hazlett completing the scoring in the final period.</p><p>In a Monday rematch the Hawks had to come from behind three times to tie. Brad Smith got the last two Dallas goals, one with 49 seconds left in a wild first period, and the tying tally on a rebound of his own breakaway shot early in the third. Tudor and Drew Callander also had Hawk goals in a first period that left the Eagles on top, 4-3.</p><p>Ken Ellacott was doing all of Dallas&rsquo; goaltending. Defenseman Bruce Affleck&rsquo;s cut eye healed, and he didn&rsquo;t miss any action.</p><p><b>TULSA:</b> Mike Smith&rsquo;s Oilers were magnificent at home, and something else on the road, as injuries continued to thin the roster.</p><p>They suffered their sixth straight loss on the road, a 7-2 setback in Oklahoma City. But they returned to the Assembly Center to rout Houston, 5-1, and Birmingham, 6-3, for their fifth straight win at home, their eighth game without a loss.</p><p>Lindsay Middlebrook&rsquo;s stalwart goaltending keyed both victories. Rookie Benoit Gosselin had a hat trick against Houston (his first in the Central League after four for Dayton in the International League). Two goals against Birmingham ran Gosselin&rsquo;s hot streak to eight goals in four games.</p><p>The victory over Houston pulled the Oilers into a fifth-place tie with the Apollos, and when both teams won the next night, they were only three points back of fourth-place Birmingham.</p><p>Right wing Bob Guindon had a thumb broken in seven places in the Houston game, and left wing Dave Hoyda reinjured a knee. Center Bud Stefanski sat out a one-game suspension for leading the charge off the bench in a late flare-up at Oklahoma City.</p><p>That left coach Smith with only seven forwards. Winger Glen Tomalty was flown in from Dayton the next night, and goalie Gary Smith suited up as an extra forward, &ldquo;just in case&rdquo;. (He got into the game for the last 57 seconds, after the Oilers had wrapped up the victory.) Backup goalie for the night was Yves Deschens, a junior from Quebec City, who had been working out with the Oilers. To start the new week, the Oilers brought in Greg Deflice, a junior defenseman from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League.</p><p><b>SALT LAKE:</b> In spite of being outclassed, 6-1, in Fort Worth, coach Jack Evans&rsquo; Golden Eagles wrapped up their second straight regular-season title (and their third in six seasons), as second-place Indianapolis also bowed that night in Houston.</p><p>Earlier the Birds blew a two-goal lead in Houston, but came back to win, 5-4. But they followed their loss in Fort Worth by dropping a 3-1 game in Birmingham and a 4-2 contest at home against Dallas, before being tied by the Hawks in a rematch, 4-4.</p><p>Doug Palazzari, who had wrapped up the points title, and was leading the league in both goals and assists, sat out the entire week with an assortment of injuries, which the club termed &ldquo;minor&rdquo;.</p><p>Rookie Joe Mullen, who had the only goal against Birmingham and two in the tie with Dallas, suffered a twisted knee in the latter game, and was out indefinitely along with Bobby Simpson, who split his left elbow in the first Dallas game. Center Red Laurence was seeing limited action after missing 19 games with a broken ankle. Defenseman Len Frig was summoned to St. Louis on an emergency basis. Rookie defenseman Dan Fergus and forward Don Boyd were called up from Port Huron in the International League.</p><p><b>BIRMINGHAM:</b> The fading Bulls turned the tables on Salt Lake&rsquo;s regular-season champions, 3-1, but weren&rsquo;t so</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-01484/4692128-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="466" height="750"></div><p>league leaders. Ingarfield and Adduono also scored against Indianapolis and OC, while in Tulsa it was ats again le pair by Dale Lewis and one by Adduono.</p><p>Defenseman Dave Archambault from Northeastern University was brought in for a pro trial.</p><p><b>FORT WORTH:</b> The Texans&rsquo; fans had grown so accustomed to winning at home that a two-out-of-three week seemed almost disap-pointing. After their 14-game home winning streak&rsquo; was snapped the previous week, they bounced back to trim Salt lake (6-1) and Houston (4-1), but suffered a 5-2 loss to Indianapolis. That left Fort Worth two points behind the third-place Checkers.</p><p>Nelson Pyatt and Andy Spruce each scored twice in beating Salt Lake. Gary Dillon scored twice in the final period to beat Houston. Michel Plasse lost his shutout bid with 3:30 left in the Salt Lake game, when Joe Mullen tallied for the Eagles.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-01

Black Hawks Need Breaks To Reach Playoffs

<div class="byline">BY BUD GALLMEIER</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>pushed up his heart cavity and his left lung was punctured. He also had broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and a tear in the esophagus.</p><p>Still, Tucker was back on the ice just three months later and he says the accident is just a bad memory today.</p><p>Since joining the Gears, Tucker has posted a 5-1-2 record and has played a key role in Saginaw&rsquo;s climb to the top of the north division in the IHL&mdash;Saginaw is also now the overall leader.</p><p>Tucker launched the Gears&rsquo; move to the front with a 5-1 victory over previous leader Kalamazoo. He finished the job with a 2-2 tie in Fort Wayne. In between the Gears nipped Toledo on the road, 4-3, and edged Flint at home, 2-1. Bobby Froese was in the nets for those two victories.</p><p>The 3-0-1 week ended a 23-week stay on top of the mountain for the K-Wings, defending Turner Cup champions.</p><p>While Saginaw was skating to the tie in Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo was losing at Grand Rapids, 4-2. Goalie Gordie Laxton, who led the Owls to the league championship last season, was the difference. He kicked out 32 Kalamazoo shots.</p><p>The loss ended a week of frustration for the K-Wings, who lost three straight. In addition to losing to the Gears and Owls, Kalamazoo dropped a 5-2 decision at home to Port Huron.</p><p>As the league race entered its final two weeks, Saginaw was the overall leader with 90 points. Kalamazoo is one point back. Port Huron was third in the overall race with 86 points, followed by Fort Wayne, the south division leader, with 83.</p><p>Port Huron stayed in contention with a 2-2-0 performance. The Flags lost a game at Milwaukee, 10-8, and to Toledo at home, 5-2. In addition to winning at Kalamazoo, the Flags registered a 2-0 shutout at Flint.</p><p>Flint didn&rsquo;t enhance its position, failing to pick up a point in three starts. Two of the games were on home ice. In addition to Port Huron, Milwaukee also defeated the Generals, 5-4. The other loss came at Saginaw, 2-1.</p><p>Muskegon stayed alive in the playoff picture by picking up four of a possible eight points. The Mohawks defeated Fort Wayne, 42, and managed 4-4 and 2-2 ties with Grand Rapids and Toledo, respectively. The loss was at Dayton, 6-1.</p><p>Looking at the south divsion:</p><p><b>FORT WAYNE:</b> The Komet drive for a higher overall finish suffered a setback when center Terry McDougall, last year&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player, suffered badly bruised ribs in a game with Muskegon. The clever little center could miss the rest of the season. But he is expected to be available for the playoffs.</p><p>The Komets managed just one victory during the week, a 9-2 romp over Grand Rapids at home. The Komets dropped a pair of road games at Muskegon, 4-2, and Milwaukee, 7-4, before returning home and settling for a 2-2 tie with Saginaw.</p><p><b>TOLEDO:</b> The Goaldiggers moved closer to fifth place overall with a 2-1-1 week. The victories came on the road at Port Huron, 53 and Milwaukee, 4-2. At home, Toledo dropped a close 4-3 decision to Saginaw and tied Muskegon 2-2.</p><p><b>MILWAUKEE:</b> The Admirals took over third place in the south&mdash;a secure playoff spot, but their grip is shaky. The Admiral lead over Grand Rapids and Dayton is only a single point.</p><p>Actually, the 3-2-0 week was disappointing and four of the games were on home ice. Milwaukee lost two of those to Dayton, 74, and Toledo 4-2. Victories were scored over Port Huron 10-8 and Fort Wayne, 7-4. Milwaukee also won a 5-4 game at Muskegon.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-01506/4692183-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="603" height="891"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>After nearly being killed in a car accident, Ted Tucker is back in the nets for Saginaw.</i></figcaption></div><p><b>GRAND RAPIDS:</b> The Owls were 1-2-1 during the week. Their lone victory was a 4-2 triumph over Kalamazoo. The tie came at Muskegon, 4-4. On the road, Grand Rapids lost to Fort Wayne, 9-2, and Dayton, 6-5.</p><p><b>DAYTON:</b> The Gems kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-1-0 week. The six points boosted Dayton into a tie with Grand Rapids for last place in the south division. Each team has 60 points, one less than Milwaukee.</p><p>The victories came over Muskegon 6-1, Grand Rapids, 5-1, and over Milwaukee, 7-4. The lone defeat was a 5-1 reverse at Kalamazoo.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-01

Miracle Man Tucker Sparks Saginaw To Top

<div class="byline">BY PATRICK LYON</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>BALTIMORE&mdash;Nobody knows how things can change overnight better than a minor hockey league hockey coach, and the Clippers&rsquo; leader Gene Ubriaco is a prime example.</p><p>Just recently, Ubriaco had the choice of keeping four fine goaltenders, including 23-game winner Jim Weaver, back-up Olympic goalie Steve Janaszak, Hannu Kampurri and John Rockwell. It was a tough decision, but the Clippers retained Weaver and Janaszak and Kampurri was recalled to Oklahoma City.</p><p>Just when the situation appeared to be settled, things again became disrupted when Janaszak left the team after recording a 2-1 record and 5.21 goals-against average and returned home to White-nead, Minnesota, to mull over his future in pro hockey.</p><p>That left the Clippers in a quandary since Weaver is still mending and unable to play after suffering a broken thumb. Not one to panic, Ubriaco went out on a scouting mission to Canada and returned with young goalie Jay O&rsquo;Connor of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.</p><p>Ubriaco put the pressure on rookie O&rsquo;Connor, who just completed a season in junior hockey, by making O&rsquo;Connor his starting goalie against the first-place Erie Blades in his EHL debut. The 20-year-old lost the contest, 5-3, but impressed the league leaders by kicking out 27 shots.</p><p>O&rsquo;Connor did not let his initial appearance rattle him and he responded by winning his next two games, a 7-3 decision over Hampton and a 6-4 win against the Mohawks that sewed a third place for Baltimore and improved their record to 36-25-4.</p><p>Ubriaco is well aware that O&rsquo;Connor can do the job, and figures his Clippers should be strong in the goaltending department for the playoffs. Weaver was expected back soon and his 23-15 record, plus four shutouts, and a 3.08 GAA mark will be another big boost for Baltimore.</p><p>Henry Taylor and Barry Alter garnered two goals and two assists in beating the Aces. Warren Young had two goals and two assists with Ron Friese adding two and defeating Utica.</p><p>Defenseman Kim Spencer was moved to the wing because of numerous injuries, and the burly backlincr responded with six goals in six games in his new position.</p><p>Young and Henry Taylor occupied spots among the top 10 scorers; Young was fifth with 86 points and Taylor seventh with 76 points. Taylor is the EHL pacesettei with five shorthanded goals. Dave Herpst is also among the individual leaders with eight winning tal lies.</p><p>Baltimore was expecting a sell out of 10,175 fans for their final game of the season with the Mohawks. In their first year back in pro hockey, Baltimore averaged 3,970 fans per game and 138,000 for the season.</p><p><b>ERIE:</b> The Blades continued their hot streak by going 15 straight games without a loss. The latest victims of the first-place Blades were Johnstown, 7-5, and Baltimore 5-3.</p><p>Erie&rsquo;s streak helped them to wrap up the regular season cham pionship as time ran but on the Rifles&rsquo; comeback hopes. For coach Nick Polano it was his second consecutive regular season crown.</p><p>Daniel Poulin, the EHL&rsquo;s highest scoring defenseman, spurred Erie to their win over Johnstown as he contributed a hat trick and an assist.</p><p>Defenseman Greg Tebbutt had two goals in beating the Clippers with Stan Guiutzan flipping in a goal and two assists.</p><p>Polano gave starting goalie Terry walker a well deserved rest with back-up Mark Evans recording his second win against two losses in the Red Wings&rsquo; tilt. Walker came right back to stymie Baltimore and earn his 25th victory.</p><p>Gulutzan and Poulin have moved into second in league scoring with both players sporting 89 points. Poulin is in the No. 1 spot with 62 assists, and Gulutzan is tops in hat tricks with four. The Blades have scored 14 hat tricks as a team, also a league high.</p><p><b>UTICA:</b> Coach Larry Mickey is very proud of his goaltending and he has every right to be with shot blockers Tom O&rsquo;Toole and Jim Stewart splitting six shutouts this year. The Mohawks are tied with the Clippers for most shutouts.</p><p>Stewart earned his third blank job and improved his record to 148-1 when he shutout Richmond. 1-0 on the road. Stewart turned back 34 shots by the Rifles and Mickey ordered his charges to concentrate on defense during the final period. Brian Drumm got the only goal early in the first period. He has been playing extremely well lately and had two goals and one assist to help Utica post a 5-4 win over Johnstown. Tom Jacobs had a goal and two assists, with Ed Smith and Cam MacGregor getting the other goals.</p><p>Utica&rsquo;s short three-game win streak came to an end on home ice when the Clippers claimed a 6-4 decision. MacGregor had a pair, with Bob Ferguson and Lee Keller also scoring.</p><p><b>RICHMOND:</b> The Rifles are getting balanced scoring and good defense since Muzz MacPherson took over as coach. Richmond has yielded just two goals in a three-game stretch and MacPherson is very happy to be back in the EHL after being fired by the Hampton Aces a couple of months back.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s nice to come back into the league,&rdquo; said the colourful coach. &ldquo;There is a real challenge here and we&rsquo;re gearing toward the playoffs with hard work. Richmond has always been known as a skating team, but now we&rsquo;ll combine that with a more aggressive type of play.&rdquo;</p><p>After suffering a 1-0 shutout to Utica, Richmond turned around and did the same to Hampton as goalie Tom Semenchuk was in the nets for an 8-0 whitewash of the Aces. Semenchuk rejected 30 shots in recording his third shutout and lowered his GAA to 2.95, best in the six-team league. Mike Clarke led the charge with two goals and two assists.</p><p>With top scorer Lawrie Nisker on the sidelines with a strained knee, new center Dan McCarthy has filled in admirably with three goals and two assists in four games. McCarthy was reunited with old linemate Clarke, both players having toiled with Flint a season back.</p><p>Richmond dropped a tough 5-4 overtime loss to Hampton, before trumping the Aces 8-1 behind Ray Kirupis&rsquo; two goals and two assists and John Corrizeaus pair.</p><p>The Rifles took the Virginia Governors&rsquo; Cup by winning their season series with Hampton. Richmond won 10 of 13 games with one ending in a tie.</p><p>In 33 games, Richmond drew 115,323 fans. Nisker is tops in the league with 16 power play goals and Kent Reardon paced all six clubs with eight game-winning goals.</p><p><b>JOHNSTOWN:</b> The Red Wings&rsquo; modest two game win skein was stopped by losses to the Blades and Mohawks.</p><p>Wes George posted a hat trick in a losing cause with Johnstown falling 7-5 in Erie to the Blades. Paul Mancini and Randy Betty also lit up the red light for the Flood city crew.</p><p>Returning home, the Red Wings came out on the short end of a 5-4 contest with the Mohawks despite two goals by Pierre Tremblay and Dave MacQueen. Returning from the injured list, MacQueen added two assists with Brian Paton chipping in three.</p><p>MacQueen will be the first player in the EHL to eclipse the 100-point mark; the talented rookie already has accumulated 98 points in 59 games.</p><p>Colin Ahern and Tremblay are other Johnstown players in the top 20 in scoring, with Ahern totalling 64 points and Tremblay 63.</p><p><b>HAMPTON:</b> It has been learned that the Aces&rsquo; franchise was put up for sale by owners Gerry Decker and Jim Humphrey. There are two groups who are interested and are meeting with the present owners for a possible sale sometime in the future.</p><p>The Aces ended a frustrating six-game losing streak when they engineered a 5-4 overtime upset over archrival Richmond. Rick Parafuk got the game-winning goal in the extra period for Hampton&rsquo;s 16th win in 65 starts.</p><p>Following their victory the Aces proceeded to fall in their next three games, 8-1 in Richmond, 7-3 against Baltimore, and 8-0 in Richmond.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-01485/4692214-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="558" height="1191"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0027-01

Crowded Clipper Crease Thins Out; Erie Successful In Title Defense

<div class="byline">BY VIRG FOSS</div><p class="dropcap"><span>P</span>ROVIDENCE&mdash;Even when he was out of the game with a broken clavicle, senior Mark Taylor showed why he was the driving force behind North Dakota&rsquo;s run to the NCAA ice hockey championship.</p><p>Taylor broke his left clavicle (collarbone) just 10 minutes into the championship game as North Dakota manhandled Northern Michigan 5-2 for the national title.</p><p>He set up the first Sioux goal seconds after suffering the injury, then went to the dressing room where his injury was diagnosed.</p><p>When his teammates filed into the dressing room after the first period, Taylor was lying on the floor receiving medical attention.</p><p>&ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t go out there now and win the national title, I&rsquo;m going to beat up each one of you with my good arm,&rdquo; said the alltime leading scorer in North Dakota history.</p><p>It was that kind of leadership and team spirit that lifted North Dakota to its third national championship ever. The Sioux also won titles in 1959 and 1963.</p><p>This year&rsquo;s title team may have been the best in school history. It finished with the most wins ever, posting a 31-8-1 record. And it finished with 14 straight wins, coming down the stretch like a steamroller.</p><p>The heroes in the championship game were Taylor&rsquo;s linemates, Doug Smail and Phil Sykes. Smail fired in four of the five goals and Sykes got the other, along with four assists. Sykes finished with the most points in the tournament (7) and made the all-tournament team, along with Smail, defenseman Marc Chorney, Cornell&rsquo;s Roy Kerling and Northern Michigan&rsquo;s Steve Weeks and Tom Laidlaw.</p><p>That North Dakota was able to regroup without its leader was a tribute to the depth and caliber of the team. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know of another team in the country that could lose a player of the caliber of Taylor and regroup to win the title. He may be the best player in the country,&rdquo; said Minnesota coach Brad Buetow, a spectator at the finals.</p><p>The loss of Taylor was a sad moment for his teammates. Chorney, an all-league defenseman, said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy that we won but I&rsquo;m so sorry for Mark. All year long he talked about carrying the championship trophy around the rink in Providence. That&rsquo;s how he wanted to be remembered (by the fans). And now he was unable to do it,&rdquo; said Chorney.</p><p>And the end of a glorious season was a sad moment for the eight seniors on North Dakota&rsquo;s team. &ldquo;I should be happy, because I am. But all I can do is cry. This has been the best time of my life.&rdquo; said senior center Rick Zaparniuk, the 5-7, 155-pound playmaker who finished as the fourth-leading scorer in school history.</p><p>&ldquo;We went out in style. I&rsquo;m really going to miss this team. To look around this room and know it&rsquo;s the last time I&rsquo;ll play with these guys is pretty sad,&rdquo; said senior wing Rick Myers.</p><p>Senior wing Erwin Martens had another viewpoint. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m the only guy on this team who has gone down in scoring totals each year. &ldquo;But I have no regrets,&rdquo; Martens said. &ldquo;We all knew Mark (Taylor) was out of the game when he got hurt, and that just served to weld the team together. I think that showed the real character and class of this team.&rdquo;</p><p>It was a performance head coach Gino Gasparini will long remember, too. &ldquo;This might have been our most gutsy performance of the season,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve played under tremendous pressure (as defending WCHA champs) from Day One. We all pulled together tonight. The sad thing about it for me is that we&rsquo;ve got eight seniors on this team I&rsquo;m going to miss very much. They were a big part of my life.&rdquo;</p><p>Smail&rsquo;s four goals were the lift North Dakota needed. &ldquo;When Mark got hurt,&rdquo; Smail said, &ldquo;we felt we all bad to take over. We&rsquo;ve been a team like that all year. We owed them. We outplayed Northern Michigan in those two games during the year, but we couldn&rsquo;t put the puck in the net. We had confidence we could beat them.&rdquo;</p><p>Northern Michigan beat North Dakota 4-2 and 4-3 earlier on Northern Michigan&rsquo;s home ice.</p><p>But when the chips were down in Providence, North Dakota, the No. 1 ranked team in the national poll, proved that they indeed belonged there.</p><p>They returned home to Grand Forks, N.D., where they were honored at a reception at the Winter Sports Center, where 2,000 fans showed up to cheer their team one last time.</p><p>It was a wonderful way to end a wonderful season.</p><h2><b>All Tournament Team</b></h2><p><b>Goal&mdash;STEVE WEEKS, Northern Michigan</b></p><p><b>Defense&mdash;TOM LAIDLAW, Northern Michigan</b></p><p><b>Defense&mdash;MARK CHORNEY, North Dakota</b></p><p><b>Forward&mdash;ROY KERLING, Cornell</b></p><p><b>Forward&mdash;DOUG SMAIL, North Dakota</b></p><p><b>Forward&mdash;PHIL SYKES, North Dakota</b></p><p><b>MVP&mdash;DOUG SMAIL, North Dakota</b></p><h2><b>Champions Of NCAA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02339/4692276-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="369" height="849"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0028-02

Sioux Won Without Best Player

<div class="byline">BY TOM RTTRKF</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0028-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-01480/4692245-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Fred Burgaff (14) of North Dakota lets loose with a left on Northern Michigan&rsquo;s Walt Kyle during showdown game for 1980 NCAA championship at Providence, R.I. Favored Sioux came through to win game 5-2. North Dakota&rsquo;s win gave WCHA its second successive NCAA title, Minnesota won it last year.</i> <span class="photo-credit">(AP Laserphoto)</span></figcaption></div><p>juggled his lines and used both Rick Zaparniuk and Frank Burggraf between Smail and Sykes and the fulsillade continued.</p><p>At 12:48, Smail notched his second on a pass from Sykes, with Travis Dunn assisting. Then at 3:18 of the third with Burggraf and Northern&rsquo;s Keith Hanson in the penalty box, Smail took a flip feed from Sykes near the corner, stepped to the front and drilled a third goal past Weeks. That was it for second period scoring, although nine minor penalties were called and North Dakota had a 20-5 edge in shots.</p><p>Sykes scored unassisted at 8:02 of the third before Joyce and Terry Houck gave the Cats a slim hope with tallies at 14:29 and 15:26. Buoyed, Northern assaulted Jensen but Smail nailed the lid on at 18:21 with assists to Sykes and Burgaff after Jensen turned aside a bid by Walter Kyle at the other end.</p><p>Kyle, a Wildcat junior and cocaptain, was continuing an unusual hockey odyssey into this year&rsquo;s NCAA&rsquo;s. In 1978, he scored two goals in Boston College&rsquo;s 6-2 win over Bowling Green, the first team ever to represent the CCHA in the national finals. Ironically, that game also took place in the Providence Civic Center.</p><p>Kyle then transferred to Northern, sat out a year for hip surgery, and played a key role in the Wildcats&rsquo; surge to prominence during the current campaign. Against Cornell on Friday, Walt collected his team&rsquo;s first goal at 7:53 of the first period, picking up a loose puck behind centerman Jeff Pyle in the left wing circle after a faceoff and wristing it past Darren Eliot.</p><p>That goal negated Brock Tred-way&rsquo;s marker which opened the scoring at 3:27 when the junior winger batted home a centering pass from Joe Gallant.</p><p>That was it for scoring in the period, although Northern&rsquo;s experience and skill threatened to break the game open several times. With the weave and flow pattern similar to that of the Swedish National team as they maneuvered through the neutral zone, the Northern forwards would time and again accelerate through or around the Cornell defensemen for good scoring bids on Eliot.</p><p>Even though the defensemen had trouble picking up the coverage of charging forwards, Eliot was playing well and Cornell&rsquo;s swarming forechecking created some befuddlement of its own on Wildcat defenders. Even when Tom Laidlaw broke away for an unassisted goal and Joyce knocked home a crease pass on an early second period power play for Northern, Cornell didn&rsquo;t buckle.</p><p>Freshmen Greg Reid and Jeff Baikie each were left unattended in the slot, and both beat Weeks with wrist shots to tie the score by 13:38 of the second frame. Even though Weeks had only five saves to seven for Eliot in the period, it looked as though Cornell had solved something in its offensive zone.</p><p>The count remained knotted through the rest of the period and ten minutes of the third until Joyce, a right handed shot, sped down the left side on a pass from Mike Mielke, passed Doug Berk with a shoulder fake and cut out through the slot to jam a forehand shot past Eliot. Psyched, the Cats attacked furiously, and Eliot stopped them point blank a number of times.</p><p>The backbreaker came at 17:43 when a Cornell forward, carrying over the blue line on a 3-on-2, dropped a pass straight back to a Wildcats&rsquo; defender. The rush reversed direction, and Don Waddell found himself alone at the crease to tip in a pass from Mielke. Roy Kerling scored a meaningless goal with five seconds to play as the Cornell carriage finally turned back into a pumpkin. The eighth place ECAC Division One finishers had indeed represented the East well. Ending up with a 16-15 record, Cornell gave a 34-6-1 crew all they could handle before packing it in.</p><p>North Dakota&rsquo;s 4-1 win over Dartmouth might have been a true measure of the teams&rsquo; relative talents. Yet the score was 1-0, Dartmouth in front, with less than ten minutes to play. The statisticians had just passed word around the press box that the last 1-0 semifinal game was back in 1967 when Cornell had knocked off these same Fighting Sioux. Then Sykes beat Bob Gaudet off a 2-on-l from the right faceoff circle at 11:16.</p><p>That goal opened the floodgates. Dusty Carroll followed up a 2-on-l to drill home a rebound from high in the slot at 12:23. Rick Zaparniuk scooped home a soft shot from the right circle at 14:53, and Sykes rounded things out with a breakaway goal at 16:16 while the Sioux were shorthanded.</p><p>Dartmouth, unexpectedly, was the team that came out hitting hard and often in the first period. When the Sioux responded with some extra-stick-and-elbow-poking, more often than not the Ivy boys backed away rather than retaliated. Dartmouth held an 8-7 shot advantage and a 1-0 lead when Mark Bedard shot the puck off Bob Iwabuchi&rsquo;s pad from behind the goal line after a flurry in front.</p><p>But the tide turned in the second period. While the Sioux&rsquo; edge was only 6-3 in shots, and no goals were scored, Gaudet had to make several acrobatic saves. The Greenies escaped, but only temporarily. They defended well, but got few chances of their own. A key play came with 14:49 remaining in the game when Iwabuchi stopped Joe Jangro and Dennis Murphy on a 2-on-l. The save rallied the Sioux, Sykes scored a few minutes later, and Dartmouth bowed for the second consecutive year to the men from Grand Forks.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-01

North Dakota Tames Wildcats For NCAA Crown

<h2><b>NCAA PLAYOFFS</b></h2><p>Championship Game</p><p>North Dakota 5, Nor. Michigan 2</p><p>Consolation Game</p><p>Dartmouth 8, Cornell 4</p><p>Preliminary Games</p><p>North Dakota 4, Dartmouth 1</p><p>Northern Michigan 5, Cornell 4</p><h2><b>ECAC CONFERENCE</b></h2><h3><b>DIVISION I</b></h3><p>Championship</p><p>Cornell 5, Dartmouth 1</p><p>Consolation</p><p>Providence 6, Clarkson 5</p><p>Quarter-Finals</p><p>Cornell 5, Boston College 1</p><p>Providence 8, Coigate 3</p><p>Clarkson 8, Vermont 3</p><p>Dartmouth 8, RPI 0</p><h2>WCHA CONFERENCE</h2><p>Second Round</p><p>North Dakota 10, Notre Dame 4</p><p>North Dakota 7, Notre Dame 4</p><p>(North Dakota wins two-game total-goal series 17-8 and No. 1 ranking for NCAAs.)</p><p>Minnesota 5, Colorado College 3</p><p>Minnesota 8, Colorado College 1</p><p>(Minnesota wins two-game total-goal series 13-4)</p><p>First Round</p><p>North Dakota 8, Michigan State 5</p><p>North Dakota 5, Michigan State 3</p><p>(North Dakota wins two-game total-goal series 13-8)</p><p>Minnesota 7, Michigan Tech 2</p><p>Minnesota 6, Michigan Tech 3</p><p>(Minnesota wins two-game total-goal series 13-5)</p><p>Notre Dame 8, Michigan 3</p><p>Michigan 4, Notre Dame 3</p><p>(Notre Dame wins two game total-goal series 11-7)</p><p>Colorado Coll. 4, Minn-Duluth 3</p><p>Colorado Coll. 7, Minn-Duluth 6</p><p>(Colorado College wins two-game total-goal series 11-9)</p><h2>CCHA CONFERENCE</h2><p>Championship</p><p>Northern Michigan 7, Ferris St. 3</p><p>Northern Michigan 8, Ferris St. 6</p><p>(Northern Michigan wins two-game total-goal series 15-9</p><p>Semi-Finals</p><p>No. Michigan 11, Bowling Green 3</p><p>No. Michigan 3, Bowling Green 3</p><p>(Northern Michigan wins two-game total-goals series 14-6)</p><p>Ferris State 4, Ohio State 4</p><p>Ferris State 8, Ohio State 4</p><p>(Ferris State wins two-game total-goals series 12-8)</p><h2>NCAA PLAYOFFS</h2><h3>DIVISION II</h3><p>Championship</p><p>Mankato State 5, Elmira 2</p><p>Consolation</p><p>Lowell 8, Merrimack 7</p><h2>ECAC PLAYOFFS</h2><h3>Division II East</h3><p>Semi-Final Playoffs</p><p>Merrimack 5, Bowdoin 4</p><p>Lowell 4, Holy Cross 2</p><p>Final Playoffs</p><p>Merrimack 4, Lowell 0</p><h3>Division II West</h3><p>Semi-Final Playoffs</p><p>Plattsburgh St. 4, No. Adams 3</p><p>Oswego St. 4, Middlebury 2</p><p>Final Playoffs</p><p>Oswego St. 8, Plattsburgh St. 3</p><h2>CIAU TOURNAMENT</h2><p>Championship</p><p>Alberta 7, Regina 3</p><p>Preliminary Games</p><p>Alberta 2, Calgary 0</p><p>Regina 7, Moncton 4</p><p>Regina S, Guelph 2</p><p>Alberta S, Concordia 4</p><p>Moncton 6, Guelph 5</p><p>Calgary 5. Concordia 1</p><h2>ONTARIO CONFERENCE</h2><p>Finals</p><p>McMaster 5, Guelph 3</p><p>Guelph 3, McMaster 1</p><p>Guelph 4, McMaster 3</p><p>Semi-Finals</p><p>(Guelph wins best-of-three series 2-1)</p><p>Semi-Finals</p><p>Toronto 4, Guelph 3</p><p>Guelph 5, Toronto 2</p><p>Guelph 4, Toronto 0</p><p>(Guelph wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><p>McMaster 3, Queen&rsquo;s 2</p><p>McMaster 8, Queen&rsquo;s 1</p><p>McMaster wins best-of-three series 2-0</p><p>Quarter-Finals</p><p>Guelph 8, Laurentian 6</p><p>McMaster 4, Waterloo 3</p><p>(Sudden-death games)</p><h2>QUEBEC CONFERENCE</h2><p>Finals</p><p>Concordia 5, Trois-Rivieres 0</p><p>Concordia 8, Trois-Rivieres 5</p><p>(Concordia wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><p>Semi-Finals</p><p>Concordia S, Ottawa 2</p><p>Concordia 3, Ottawa 2</p><p>(Concordia wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><p>Trois-Rivieres 7, Bishop&rsquo;s 2</p><p>Trois-Rivieres 8, Bishop&rsquo;s 2</p><p>(Trois-Rivieres wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><h2>ATLANTIC CONFERENCE</h2><p>Finals</p><p>Monclon 10, Dalhousie 7</p><p>Moncton 6, Dalhousie 0</p><p>(Moncton wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><p>Dalhousie 7, St. F. Xavier 3</p><p>St. F. Xavier 3, Dalhousie 1</p><p>Dalhousie 4. St. F. Xavier 2</p><p>(Dalhousie wins best-of-three series 2-1)</p><p>St. Marv&rsquo;s 5, Moncton 4</p><p>Moncton 4, St. Marv&rsquo;s 5</p><p>Moncton 5, St. Marv&rsquo;s 4</p><p>(Moncton wins best-of-three series 2-1)</p><p>Quarter-Finals</p><p>St. Marv&rsquo;s 4, Mt. Allison 0</p><p>St F. Xavier 7, UNB 4</p><p>(Sudden-death games)</p><h3>CANADA WEST</h3><p>Finals</p><p>Calgary 3, Alberta 1</p><p>Calgary 2, Alberta 0</p><p>(Calgary wins best-of-three series 2-0)</p><h3>GREAT PLAINS</h3><p>Finals</p><p>Brandon 6, Regina 3</p><p>Regina 6, Brandon 5</p><p>Regina 5, Brandon 3</p><p>(Regina wins best-of-three series 2-1)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Playoff Picture

<h2><b>ECAC CONFERENCE</b></h2><p>(Final Standings)</p><p>DIVISION 1</p><h3><b>EAST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01414/4692471-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="562" height="177"></div><h3><b>WEST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02298/4692464-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="573" height="151"></div><h3><b>IVY DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03193/4692457-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="562" height="178"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-04131/4692450-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="558" height="670"></div><h2><b>WCHA CONFERENCE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-05114/4692443-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="560" height="275"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0692/4692436-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="563" height="900"></div><h2><b>CCHA CONFERENCE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0775/4692429-1-eng-US/f0029-072.jpg" title="f0029-07" width="566" height="176"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0867/4692422-1-eng-US/f0029-082.jpg" title="f0029-08" width="570" height="622"></div><h2><b>ONTARIO CONFERENCE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-0962/4692415-1-eng-US/f0029-092.jpg" title="f0029-09" width="557" height="326"></div><h2><b>QUEBEC CONFERENCE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1054/4692408-1-eng-US/f0029-102.jpg" title="f0029-10" width="562" height="205"></div><h2><b>ATLANTIC CONFERENCE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><h3><b>EAST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1149/4692401-1-eng-US/f0029-112.jpg" title="f0029-11" width="567" height="126"></div><h3><b>WEST DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1245/4692394-1-eng-US/f0029-122.jpg" title="f0029-12" width="562" height="150"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><p><b>EAST DIVISION</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1338/4692387-1-eng-US/f0029-132.jpg" title="f0029-13" width="563" height="269"></div><p><b>WEST DIVISION</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1435/4692380-1-eng-US/f0029-142.jpg" title="f0029-14" width="563" height="251"></div><h3><b>GOALTENDING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1531/4692373-1-eng-US/f0029-152.jpg" title="f0029-15" width="552" height="314"></div><h2><b>CANADA WEST</b></h2><h3><b>Final Standings</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1629/4692366-1-eng-US/f0029-162.jpg" title="f0029-16" width="548" height="132"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1727/4692359-1-eng-US/f0029-172.jpg" title="f0029-17" width="551" height="397"></div><h2><b>GREAT PLAINS</b></h2><h3><b>Final Standings</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1827/4692352-1-eng-US/f0029-182.jpg" title="f0029-18" width="551" height="159"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-1922/4692345-1-eng-US/f0029-192.jpg" title="f0029-19" width="560" height="306"></div><h2><b>ROCKY MOUNTAIN</b></h2><h3><b>Final Standings</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-2019/4692338-1-eng-US/f0029-202.jpg" title="f0029-20" width="556" height="154"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-2119/4692331-1-eng-US/f0029-212.jpg" title="f0029-21" width="559" height="468"></div><h3>PLAYOFF GAMES</h3><p>Preliminary round</p><p>New Mexico 12, Wyoming 7</p><p>No. Colorado 6, Brigham Young 4</p><p>Brigham Young 12, Wyoming 5</p><p>Semi-finals</p><p>New Mexico 8, No. Colorado 3</p><p>Brigham Young 8, No. Colorado 3</p><p>Finals</p><p>New Mexico 6, Brigham Young 4</p><p>New Mexico wins championship)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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How They Stand

<p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>URLINGTON&mdash;Craig Homola&rsquo;s hockey season was the kind of year every college player dreams about: He was the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference&rsquo;s scoring champion, Player of the Year and first team All Star all at the same time.</p><p>The 5-9, 180-pound native of Eveleth, Minn., swept the boards in the 1979-80 ECAC Division I campaign as he won the league scoring crown with 67 points, was chosen as the division&rsquo;s outstanding player and capped his brilliant performance this season for the Vermont Catamounts by being selected as one of the three first-team All Star forwards.</p><p>Homola racked up 28 goals and 39 assists to edge out teammate Tom Cullity for the league scoring championship, a feat that no doubt influenced the selectors when it came to picking the top player of the year. The young Vermont star is a prime candidate to become an All American when the selections are announced after the 1980 NCAA tournament at Providence.</p><p>Homola, who turned down an opportunity to play for the United States Olympic team, tied an ECAC record by scoring at least one point in every game for 32 straight games dating back to January, 1979 and continuing through January, 1980. Homola scored four game-winners for the Catamounts this season.</p><p>The ECAC also announced that Mark Fusco, a freshman defenseman for Harvard, was the league&rsquo;s Rookie of the Year. Fusco, also Harvard&rsquo;s leading scorer this season with 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points, had six power play goals and turned in a pair of two-goal games.</p><p>Vermont, which finished on top of the west division of the ECAC three-section race before the Catamounts folded in the first round of the playoffs, dominated the ECAC All Star team selections along with Boston College and Clarkson, with each placing three players on the two teams.</p><p>All American defenseman Louis Cote is the only repeater from last year&rsquo;s All Star teams. The Vermont star, who was on the first team last season, was returned to the defense again this year along with Andre Aubut of Maine. Others on the first team included Mike Prestidge of Clarkson and Mark Brownridge of Dartmouth, who finished third and fourth respectively in the final ECAC scoring race.</p><p>Besides Homola and Cote on the first team, Vermont goalie Sylvain Turcotte was chosen on the second team. Others on the second team were defensemen Ed Small of Clarkson and Scot Kleinendorst of Providence, and forwards Bill Army of Boston College, Steve Cruickshank of Clarkson and Bill O&rsquo;Dwyer of Boston College and Providence&rsquo;s Steve O&rsquo;Neill, who were tied for the third forward position in the voting.</p><p>Cote will be graduating this season from Vermont and will likely become a top prospect for the pro draft conducted by the National Hockey League. If he makes the jump from college ranks to the pros next season, Cote will follow goalie Jim Craig and defenseman Jim Korn, both of whom are in the NHL this season after making last year&rsquo;s ECAC All Star teams.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-01464/4692502-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="616" height="886"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>After winning the scoring championship and making the first All Star team, Vermont&rsquo;s Craig Homola was chosen as the ECAC Player of the Year.</i></figcaption></div><p>Other ECAC All Stars who turned pro from last season include defenseman Jack O&rsquo;Callahan (B.U.) and forwards Joe Mullen (B.C.) and Bob Gould. O&rsquo;Callahan was a member of the gold medalwinning U.S. Olympic team this year along with Craig. He will report to the Chicago Black Hawks in the fall at training camp.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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Vermont’s Homola Captures Double ECAC Honors

f0030-02

ECAC All Star Teams

<div class="byline">BY MORRIS DALLA COSTA</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>OTTAWA&mdash;A coach&rsquo;s goal for the playoffs is to get his team playing winning hockey going into the &ldquo;second season.&rdquo;</p><p>Ottawa 67&rsquo;s coach Brian Kilrea did just that. Going into the playoffs Ottawa had won 15 games in a row, and they kept that streak going right into the playoffs, winning their first two quarterfinal games against the Oshawa Generals. Ottawa has lost only one game since the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League All Star game in February. What was supposed to have been the best opening series in the OMJHL has turned into a one-sided affair with Ottawa winning 7-2 in Ottawa and 5-2 in Oshawa. Before the loss Generals sported a 31-3 regular season mark at home.</p><p>Jim Fox, who came back from a knee injury in the final six games to score 12 goals, had a pair of goals in the first game. Linemate Yvan Joly had a goal and four assists with superb blueliner Doug Crossman getting a pair of goals. Single markers went to hard working Dan Fascinato and Mario Cerri. Mitch Lamoureux and Peter Horachek scored for Oshawa.</p><p>Four of Ottawa&rsquo;s goals came on power plays. They also had a shorthanded marker. In the second game&mdash;a rough, oftentimes brutal affair&mdash;Crossman, Doug Smith, John Linseman, Sean Simpson, and Kevin Konings had single goals, while Bob Crawford had the only two Oshawa goals.</p><p>&ldquo;We still think it&rsquo;s going to be a rough series,&rdquo; says Fox. &ldquo;Every game is a big one for us because they have the type of team that can come back. We played well as a team the entire second half of the season because everyone worked.&rdquo;</p><p>A lot of credit for the excellent second half and the quick start in the playoffs has to go to the work of the defensive corps and the goaltending duo of Mike Vezina and Jim Ralph. In both playoff games, with Vezina in the opener and Ralph in the second, the 67&rsquo;s clearly outdistanced Generals&rsquo; netminder Roland Melinson, who has played poorly.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a nice dilemma to have, not knowing who to play, since both goaltenders are playing so well,&rdquo; said Kilrea. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ll probably both play in the same sequence in the next two games.&rdquo;</p><p>The difference in the series to date has been the performance of the foot soldiers, those players who don&rsquo;t get all the press. Mario Cerri, Randy Cunneyworth, Smith&mdash;an exceptional minor midget&mdash;and tough guy defenseman Randy Boyd have all stood out. Oshawa now has to win twice in Ottawa&mdash;and the chances of that happening aren&rsquo;t good.</p><p>In the other playoff scries, the Sudbury Wolves capped an upset preliminary series win against Kingston in three games. The Wolves defeated Kingston in their final two games, 5-2 and 7-5. In the 5-2 contest, it was Mike Allison coming through in the crunch with a pair of goals. John Kirk, Norm Stefan, and Rob Mazzuca hit for singles. Bernie Nichols and Mike Stothers scored for Kingston.</p><p>In the final game of the series it was Mazzuca, Kirk and Wayne Groleau getting third-period goals to break a tight game wide open.</p><p>John Ciotti, in his first OMJHL game, scored twice for the Canadians. Sudbury opened against Peterborough in Peterborough and stunned the defending Memorial Cup champions, 4-3 in overtime. Allison was by far the best pldyer on the ice, scoring all four Sudbury goals.</p><p>&ldquo;We just got tremendous work from Allison and Don Beaupre in goal,&rdquo; said Sudbury coach Andy Laing. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t play well enough to win the first two periods but we scratched until we came up with the win.&rdquo;</p><p>in the Emms division, Niagara Falls will face a rested Windsor Spitfires&rsquo; squad. The Flyers were taken to the limit by the London Knights, who forced a fifth game in the series by defeating the Flyers, 3-2. Rookie netminder Frank Caprice stopped 32 shots against the Falls.</p><p>Joe Patterson scored a pair of goals for the Knights, one of them with his club shorthanded. Dino Ciccarelli had the other London goal. Kevin McClelland and Brian Carroll scored for Niagara.</p><p>The Flyers didn&rsquo;t wait long to put London away in the final game, 8-4. They jumped into a 6-0 first period lead and then coasted to the win, scoring four times in less than three minutes. Steve Ludzik and Pat Graham had two goals each for Flyers and Alan Wiley, Tony Collard, Dave Simpson and Patterson scored for London.</p><p>The Windsor-Niagara Falls series could prove interesting. The Flyers have had good success against the Spitfires during the regular season but the Windsor club has played stubborn hockey in the stretch drive. The series could be a survival of the fittest.</p><p>The biggest surprise in the playoffs has been the elimination of the Toronto Marlboros in four games by the Brantford Alexanders. It was a case of too much firepower for the Alexanders, who finished the regular season in third spot behind the second-place Marlies.</p><p>The Alexanders defeated Toronto 5-3, 6-1, 5-4, and 4-2. The Brantford squad had exceptional net-minding from Rick Pikul, especially in the opening game, when he made 49 saves, and in the third game, which went into overtime. The Marlboros made a determined bid to win the contest in the extra frame but Pikul made three big saves.</p><p>Mike Bullard finally won it at the 13-minute mark of the overtime period with his second goal of the game. In the opening contest Kevin Lavallee and Greg Terrion had two goals each to pace the vaunted Brantford attack.</p><p>Overage player Brian Gualazzi had a pair of goals for Toronto in the opener and top-scoring Marlie Wayne Crawford had the other.</p><p>The second contest was aLl Brantford, with Dave Newsome getting a pair of goals. Jerome Dupont had the lone Toronto goal.</p><p>The final contest saw Lavallee and Terrion again score two goals each, with Lavallee getting the winner with less than four</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-01430/4692564-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg" title="f0031-01" width="534" height="934"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Ottawa Hot Streak Extends To Playoffs

<p class="dropcap"><span>O</span>SHAWA&mdash;Generals&rsquo; coach Paul Theriault has suspended team captain Jim Mellon for the remainder of the OMJHL playoffs. The suspension has set off a furor in both the Generals&rsquo; camp and around the league.</p><p>Theriault suspended Mellon for reporting late for practice and refusing to pay a fine. The Oshawa captain felt he had a good enough reason for not making the practice.</p><p>&ldquo;My father and I had just received news that my brother had crushed his leg while working on an oil field in Alberta,&rdquo; Mellon said. &ldquo;I had to drive my father to the Toronto International Airport to meet my brother. Practice was for noon and I got there at 12:15.&rdquo;</p><p>Mellon was then fined $10 and told to pay it before practice that night. When he didn&rsquo;t, Theriault told him he wouldn&rsquo;t be able to attend practice. Mellon then went home to &ldquo;think things over.&rdquo; He decided to pay the fine but when he told Theriault of this decision, the coach had already suspended him for a game, doubled the fine and asked the captain to apologize to the team for missing the evening&rsquo;s practice.</p><p>&ldquo;I was going to pay the first fine, even though I felt it was wrong,&rdquo; Mellon said. &ldquo;When he doubled it, after all the problems I&rsquo;d gone through, it just made the situation worse. It wasn&rsquo;t the money. It was the principle of the thing.&rdquo; And with that, Mellon we home to Ottawa.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Generals Suspend Captain Mellon

<div class="byline">BY GREGG DRINNAN</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>the end, of course, the two division winners meet in the WHL&rsquo;s best-of-seven final.</p><p>As the playoffs began here&rsquo;s the way the match-ups looked:</p><h2><b>EASTERN DIVISION</b></h2><p>The first-place Regina Pats were ready to meet the Lethbridge Broncos who edged out the Saskatoon Blades for the final playoff spot. The Pats won six of eight regular-season games with the Broncos and aren&rsquo;t expected to have much trouble advancing.</p><p>The Calgary Wranglers, who finished second, and the fifth-place Brandon Wheat Kings were 20 points apart at the end of the regular season and the Wranglers were winners seven times in eight regular-season games, outscoring Brandon 48-21, but most people gave the Wheat Kings a fighting chance of winning this one. It will be one of those classic battles: the smaller, faster Calgary crew against the big, burly Wheat Kings.</p><p>In perhaps the most even series of them all, the third-place Medicine Hat Tigers and the fourthplace Billings Bighorns will lock horns. They played each other eight times in the regular season and each team won four, with Billings outscoring The Hat 34-30 on the series. Both teams were playing excellent hockey as the 72-game schedule drew to a close so flip a coin!</p><h2><b>WESTERN DIVISION</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s the first-place Portland Winter Hawks, the Victoria Cougars and the Seattle Breakers in that double home-and-home roundrobin affair. The clubs play each other four times, twice at home and twice on the road. Over the season, Portland won seven of 12 from Victoria and had beaten Seattle 16 times in 18 games.</p><p>Meanwhile, Victoria won nine of 15 games against Seattle.</p><p>Portland and Victoria should advance, but of course, this is junior hockey and anything can happen.</p><p><b>BRANDON:</b> Left winger Darren Halasz scored at 17:02 of the third period to give the visiting Wheat Kings a 4-4 tie with the Saskatoon Blades. Goaltender Ron Popplestone had a hot hand, kicking out 47 shots, including nine in overtime. That single point was the first the Wheat Kings earned in five games in Saskatoon this year.</p><p><b>LETHBRIDGE:</b> The visiting Broncos earned a 3-3 tie with the Calgary Wranglers, thanks mainly to goaltender Cleo Rowein. Calgary outshot Lethbridge 52-21 on the game and 7-1 in overtime, but Rowein came up big. The Broncos then picked up a very important victory, dumping the visiting Saskatoon Blades 6-2. Kim Bosch scored his 16th and 17th goals and Gord Williams got No. 55 as the Broncos finished two points ahead of the Blades to earn the Eastern Division&rsquo;s sixth and final playoff spot.</p><p><b>SASKATOON:</b> Kelly Kuspira scored his 16th and 17th goals as the Blades earned a 4-4 tie with the Wheat Kings in Saskatoon. Veteran Kevin MacNaught had his 38th and 39th goals in an 8-3 loss to the Tigers in Medicine Hat, while Glen Ganchar scored his 40th in a 6-2 loss to the Broncos in Lethbridge. The Blades were winless in their final 13 games to finish out of the playoffs.</p><p><b>PORTLAND:</b> John Multan&rsquo;s 32nd goal at 11:30 of the second period stood up as the winner as the Winter Hawks got past the visiting Billings Bighorns 2-1 before 6,209 fans. Portland then pulled to within one win of clinching its third consecutive Western Division title by dumping the visiting Victoria Cougars 5-2. Tim Tookey sparked the Hawks, before 8,452 fans, with his 56th goal and three assists</p><p><b>VICTORIA:</b> Rookie Bud McCarthy&rsquo;s 14th goal, at 18:39 of the second period, was the winner as the Cougars edged the visiting Billings Bighorns 3-1. Greg Adams scored twice&mdash;his 56th and 57th&mdash;and Brad Palmer added another pair&mdash;giving him 41&mdash;as the Cougars came out of New Westminster with a 7-4 win over the Bruins. Center Barry Pederson scored goals No. 50 and 51 as the Cougars dumped the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers 7-4. Adams and Palmer also scored two goals apiece in the win. Adams collected his 60th goal in a 5-2 loss to Portland.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-01443/4692619-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="606" height="910"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Regina&rsquo;s Doug Wickenheiser won the WHL scoring title with 170 points. He scored 87 goals.</i></figcaption></div><p><b>SEATTLE:</b> The Breakers won their fifth consecutive game, beat ting the visiting Billings Bighorns. 4-2. Glenn Anderson, who starred with the Canadian Olympic team, had both Seattle goals in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Victoria Cougars.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0032-01

Line Teams Competing For Berth In Cup Play

<p class="dropcap"><span>a</span> 5-3 win over the Wheat Kings in Brandon. Rookie center Glenn Merkosky&rsquo;s 47th goal, on a second-period penalty shot, stood up as the winner. Back in Brandon two nights later, the Wranglers beat the Wheat Kings again, 6-4, beat Garry Slezak led the way with two goals, his 27th and 28th. Sheldon Currie got his 30th and Warren Skorodenski kicked out 45 shots.</p><p><b>MEDICINE HAT:</b> Rookie left winger Ken Solheim had his first WHL three-goal game, leading the Tigers to an 8-3 romp over the visiting Saskatoon Blades. Solheim then scored two more&mdash;giving him 51&mdash;in a 7-4 loss to the Cougars in Victoria. Brad Kempthorne had three third-period goals and Solehim scored twice in the opening period as the Tigers beat the Bruins 7-3 in New Westminster.</p><p><b>BILLINGS:</b> Dale Cross scored two goals as the Bighorns started a West Coast road trip off with a 62 win over the Bruins in New Westminster. The Bruins broke the game open with three third-period goals. The Bighorns then dropped three narrow decisions, losing 3-1 to the Cougars in Victoria, 2-1 to the Winter Hawks in Portland and 4-2 to the Breakers in Seattle.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

ats, Wranglers Set Scoring Mark

<div class="byline">BY DANNY YOUNG</div><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p><b>LOUISVILLE</b> HOCKEY STICKS</p><p>QUEBEC&mdash;Since the Montreal Juniors and the Quebec Remparts finished the season with identical point totals, it was expected that their quarter-final playoff series would be a close one.</p><p>But the Remparts, lacking the leadership of defensemen Gaston Therrien, Norm Rochefort, and Dave Pichette&mdash;upon whom they had depended throughout the season&mdash;played very poorly against Montreal.</p><p>Therrien, the club&rsquo;s leading scorer with 39 goals and 86 assists, sat out the first two games of the series with a two-game suspension for pushing a linesman. Therrien&rsquo;s absence was felt immensely at both ends pf the ice, and Pichette and Rochefort were unable to pick up the slack. More than ever before, Therrien&rsquo;s role as quarter back of the Remparts was fully appeciated.</p><p>The first game of the series at the Montreal Forum went to the Juniors, 6-4. Quebec scored the first goal of the game, but Montreal came back with four straight goals. Denis Savard and Alain Bouchard each scored twice for Montreal. Dan Rioux replied with a goal and two assists for Quebec.</p><p>Game two was a fiasco for the Remparts. The Juniors scored five goals in less than three minutes to take an early lead, and then went ahead 7-0 before Quebec got their first goal. At one point, the shots on goal were 21-2 in favor of Montreal, who went on to win, 8-3.</p><p>Rochefort, who starred on Trois-Rivieres&rsquo; past two championship teams, had one of the poorest games of his three-year junior career. To make matters worse, he hurt his knee in the third period when he took Montreal&rsquo;s Mike Krushelynsky out of a play. That injury kept him out for the remainder of the series.</p><p>Therrien returned for game three, and scored a goal to start a Quebec rally. Trailing 3-0, the Remparts came back to tie the game. After two periods the score was 4-4. Montreal&rsquo;s Francois Lecompte scored the only goal of the third period, however, and the Juniors took a three games-to-none lead, putting the Remparts one game away from elimination.</p><p><b>SHERBROOKE:</b> The Hull vs. Sherbrooke series ended as expected with the Beavers taking four straight.</p><p>In the first game, Hull led 3-2 after the first period, but Sherbrooke came out of the dressing room to score nine consecutive goals and eventually win, 11-6.</p><p>Sherbrooke&rsquo;s Sean McKenna and Hull&rsquo;s Jean Poulin each scored hat tricks.</p><p>In game two, Hull scored first, but Sherbrooke took over again. Norm Aubin scored twice to lead a 7-3 win.</p><p>Down 3-0 in game three, Hull came back to tie it before losing 64. Ricky Secco scored twice for Sherbrooke. Mike Brisebois replied with two for Hull.</p><p>Sherbrooke advanced to the semis with a 3-2 win in Hull, their best defensive performance of the series.</p><p><b>CHICOUTIMI:</b> After three games, Chicoutimi led Trois-Rivieres two games to one as the home team won each game. Opening the series in Chicoutimi, Gilles Hamel and Robert Millette each scored twice in a 7-2 win. The game was filled with penalties, with the referee handing out 15 minors, 10 majors, and two misconducts.</p><p>In Trois-Rivieres for game two, the Draveurs trailed 2-1 but came back to win, 4-2. The winning goal was scored by who else but Jean-Francois Sauve.</p><p>Back in Chicoutimi for game three in front of 4,963 fans, the largest playoff crowd so far, rookie Luc Girard scored twice in a 3-2 Sagueneens&rsquo; victory.</p><p><b>CORNWALL:</b> The first three games of the Shawinigan-Cornwall series were also won by the home team. In game one, six Cornwall scorers contributed to a 6-3 win.</p><p>In game two, Cornwall scored first, but Shawinigan scored the next five and won 5-2. Chris Thel-land scored twice for Shawinigan. Dale Hawerchuk had both Cornwall goals.</p><p>Returning to Cornwall for game three, the Royals outshot the Cataractes 40 to 28 and triumphed 9-3. Gilles Crepeau scored a hat trick and Dan Daoust added two for Cornwall. As demonstrated by the results, the home advantage is playing a significant role in the playoffs as it did all season long. During the regular season,</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-01401/4692674-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg" title="f0033-01" width="552" height="762"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>The Quebec Remparts didn&rsquo;t get the leadership they expected from their defense corps&mdash;including Dave Pichette.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0033-01

Defensive Letdown Grounds Remparts

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0034-16" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1661/4692981-1-eng-US/f0034-162.jpg"></div><p><b>(Overall team point race after games of Sun. March 30)</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-16

NHL’s Overall Point Race

<p>ATLANTA: Nilsson 36, Lever 32, Plett 11, 12, MacMillan 18, 19, Houston 21, Nilsson 37, 38, Henderson 7.</p><p>BOSTON: Lalonde 9, 10, Bourque 15, 16, Middleton 40, Marcotte 4, Secord 23, McCrimmon 5, O&rsquo;Reilly 19, Cashman 11.</p><p>BUFFALO: Ramsay 18, 19, Dudley 9, Perreault 35, McKegnev 18, Van Boxmeer 11, Gare 49, 50, 51, McClanahan 2, Luce 11, 12, Halt 3, Mongrain 4.</p><p>CHICAGO: Wilson 11, Bordeleau 7, Murray 14, 15, Preston 31, Sedlbauer 22, O&rsquo;Connell 5, Lysiak 24, 25, Fox 4, Daigle 7, Bulley 13, Mulvey 38.</p><p>COLORADO: Robert 27, Deblois 23, 24, 25, Valiquette 24, Comeau 2, Berry 7, Schmautz 22, 23.</p><p>DETROIT: Thompson 30, 31, Larson 21, Foligno 35, 36, Nedomansky 33, 34, Korn 4, 5, Labraaten 29, McCourt 28, Mahovlich 15.</p><p>EDMONTON: Fogolin 5, Messier 11, Gretzky 46, 47, 48, 49, Ashby 7, 8, 9, 10, Lumley 19, 20, MacDonald 43, 44, Hicks 9, Murdoch 26, 27, Weir 32.</p><p>HARTFORD: Boutette 9, 10, Stoughton 50, 51, Carroll 12, Rogers 41.</p><p>LOS ANGELES: Simmer 51, 52, 53, Goldup 7, 8, Dionne 53, Harris 17,18, 19.</p><p>MINNESOTA: Young 29, 30, 31, Christoff 7, 8, B. Smith 24, 25, 26, Zanussi 13, 14, Payne 41, McCarthy 15.</p><p>MONTREAL. Shutt 44, 45, Lambert 18, 19, 20, Tremblay 15, Larouche 49, 50, Langwav 7, Jarvis 11, Mondou 30.</p><p>ISLANDERS: Howatt 8, Bourne 13, 14, Trottier 38, 39, 40, Henning 3, Kallur 22, Bossy 51, D. Potvin 8, Goring 23, 24, 25, Gillies 18, Merrick 12, Tonelli 14.</p><p>RANGERS: Nilsson 13, Esposito 33, Don Malonev 22, Vickers 26, Talafous 8, Greschner 19, Johnstone 14, Beck 13, 14.</p><p>PHILADELPHIA: Holmgren 27, 28, 29, 30, Clarke 11, 12, Propp 32, 33, 34, Ververgaert 13, Hill 16, Gorence 6, 7, Barber 40.</p><p>PITTSBURGH: Hughes 18, Stackhouse 6, Marshall 9, Schutt 16, 17, 18, Libett 14, Kehoe 26, Stewart 3, Ferguson 20.</p><p>QUEBEC: Tardif 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, Thomas 8, Hislop 17, 18, 19, Brackenbury 6, Baxter 6, 7, Cloutier 36, 37, 38, P. Stewart 2, Chipperfield 20.</p><p>ST. LOUIS: Federko 33, 34, Turnbull 12, 13, Babych 25, Harper 1.</p><p>TORONTO: Anderson 24, Kaszycki 12, Vaive 20, Paiement 28, 29, 30, Saganiuk 22.</p><p>VANCOUVER: Williams 28, 29, McCarthy 12, 13, 14, Gradin 28, Butler 10, Boldirev 27, 28, 29, Lupul 9.</p><p>WASHINGTON: Gustafsson 20, 21, Mulvev 13, 14, Gartner 35, Edberg 21, Sirois 14.</p><p>WINNIPEG: Moffat 9, 10, Manery 9, 10, Markell 9, Christian 4, 5, 6, Stamler 8.</p><h2><b>NHL LEADERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2426/4693019-1-eng-US/f0034-242.jpg" title="f0034-24" width="561" height="406"></div><h2><b>TOP ROOKIE SCORERS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2520/4693012-1-eng-US/f0034-252.jpg" title="f0034-25" width="568" height="384"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-24

NHL’S SCORERS THIS WEEK

<h2>MARCH</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1755/4693057-1-eng-US/f0034-172.jpg" title="f0034-17" width="568" height="36"></div><h2>APRIL</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1851/4693050-1-eng-US/f0034-182.jpg" title="f0034-18" width="587" height="876"></div><p><b>(End of schedule)</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-17

WHERE NHL TEAMS PLAY

<p><b>(Standings on Mon. March 31)</b></p><h2><b>NORRIS DIVISION</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1949/4693109-1-eng-US/f0034-192.jpg" title="f0034-19" width="566" height="146"></div><h2><b>ADAMS DIVISION</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2042/4693102-1-eng-US/f0034-202.jpg" title="f0034-20" width="567" height="126"></div><h2><b>PATRICK DIVISION</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2134/4693095-1-eng-US/f0034-212.jpg" title="f0034-21" width="559" height="123"></div><h2><b>SMYTHF DIVISION</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2230/4693088-1-eng-US/f0034-222.jpg" title="f0034-22" width="573" height="151"></div><h2><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h2><p><b>Mon. March 24</b></p><p>Washington 1 at Toronto 6</p><p>St. Louis 7 at Hartford 5</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Buffalo 3 at Rangers 3</p><p>Philadelphia 2 at Islanders 5</p><p>Edmonton 5 at Atlanta 4</p><p>Chicago 4 at Montreal 8</p><p>Pittsburgh 4 at Vancouver 2</p><p>Los Angeles 5 at Colorado 2</p><p>Toronto 2 at Minnesota 7</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>St. Louis 2 at Washington 4</p><p>Hartford 0 at Winnipeg 7</p><p>Edmonton 5 at Detroit 2</p><p>Chicago 7 at Quebec 2</p><p><b>Thu. March 27</b></p><p>Quebec 2 at Philadelphia 5</p><p>Pittsburgh 2 at Los Angeles 2</p><p>Detroit 1 at Buffalo 10</p><p>St. Louis 1 at Boston 7</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Rangers 2 at Atlanta 4</p><p>Islanders 2 at Montreal 2</p><p>Hartford 4 at Vancouver 4</p><p>Pittsburgh 0 at Colorado 5</p><p>Minnesota 2 at Winnipeg 1</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Rangers 4 at St. Louis 3</p><p>Philadelphia 3 at Washington 3</p><p>Hartford 2 at Los Angeles 2</p><p>Quebec 7 at Detroit 9</p><p>Edmonton 8 at Toronto 5</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Islanders 9 at Quebec 6</p><p>Atlanta 2 at Philadelphia 4</p><p>Washington 0 at Pittsburgh 4</p><p>Montreal 1 at Buffalo 1</p><p>Minnesota 3 at Vancouver 5</p><p>Colorado 2 at Chicago 2</p><p>Winnipeg 1 at Boston 3<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-19

NHL SCOREBOARD

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-01455/4692950-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="263" height="387"></div><h2><b>Mon. Marcn 24 WASHINGTON 1, TORONTO 6</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02369/4692943-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="579" height="626"></div><h2><b>ST. LOUIS 7, HARTFORD 5</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03275/4692936-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="584" height="677"></div><h2><b>Tue. March 25 BUFFALO3, RANGERS 3</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-04188/4692929-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="563" height="578"></div><h2><b>PHILADELPHIA 2, ISLANDERS 5</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-05144/4692922-1-eng-US/f0034-052.jpg" title="f0034-05" width="573" height="655"></div><h2><b>EDMONTON 5, ATLANTA 4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-06118/4692915-1-eng-US/f0034-062.jpg" title="f0034-06" width="573" height="601"></div><h2><b>CHICAGO 4, MONTREAL 8</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-07108/4692908-1-eng-US/f0034-072.jpg" title="f0034-07" width="577" height="677"></div><h2><b>PITTSBURGH 4, VANCOUVER 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-08100/4692901-1-eng-US/f0034-082.jpg" title="f0034-08" width="574" height="549"></div><h2><b>LOS ANGELES 5, COLORADO 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-0990/4692894-1-eng-US/f0034-092.jpg" title="f0034-09" width="630" height="799"></div><h2><b>TORONTO 2, MINNESOTA 7</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1087/4692887-1-eng-US/f0034-102.jpg" title="f0034-10" width="569" height="729"></div><h2><b>Wed. March 24 ST. LOUIS 2, WASHINGTON 4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1180/4692880-1-eng-US/f0034-112.jpg" title="f0034-11" width="577" height="575"></div><h2><b>HARTFORD 0, WINNIPEG7</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1277/4692873-1-eng-US/f0034-122.jpg" title="f0034-12" width="584" height="576"></div><h2><b>EDMONTON 5, DETROIT 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1368/4692866-1-eng-US/f0034-132.jpg" title="f0034-13" width="576" height="575"></div><h2><b>CHICAGO 7, QUEBEC 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1464/4692859-1-eng-US/f0034-142.jpg" title="f0034-14" width="597" height="646"></div><h2>Thu. March 27 QUEBEC 2, PHILADELPHIA 5</h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-1561/4692852-1-eng-US/f0034-152.jpg" title="f0034-15" width="617" height="113"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-2328/4692845-1-eng-US/f0034-232.jpg" title="f0034-23" width="569" height="605"></div><h2><b>PITTSBURGH 2, LOS ANGELES 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02340/4692838-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="561" height="572"></div><h2><b>DETROIT 1, BUFFALO 10</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03264/4692831-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="564" height="716"></div><h2><b>ST. LOUIS 1, BOSTON 7</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04216/4692824-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="584" height="673"></div><h2><b>RANGERS 2, ATLANTA 4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-05171/4692817-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="610" height="571"></div><h2><b>ISLANDERS 2, MONTREAL 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-07143/4692810-1-eng-US/f0035-072.jpg" title="f0035-07" width="564" height="481"></div><h2><b>HARTFORD 4, VANCOUVER 4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-08124/4692803-1-eng-US/f0035-082.jpg" title="f0035-08" width="572" height="675"></div><h2><b>PITTSBURGH 0, COLORADO 5</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-09118/4692796-1-eng-US/f0035-092.jpg" title="f0035-09" width="595" height="472"></div><h2><b>MINNESOTA 2, WINNIPEG1</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-10103/4692789-1-eng-US/f0035-102.jpg" title="f0035-10" width="572" height="508"></div><h2><b>Sat. March 29 RANGERS 4, ST. LOUIS 3</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1195/4692782-1-eng-US/f0035-112.jpg" title="f0035-11" width="578" height="525"></div><h2><b>PHILADELPHIA 3, WASHINGTON 3</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1283/4692775-1-eng-US/f0035-122.jpg" title="f0035-12" width="572" height="504"></div><h2><b>HARTFORD 2, LOS ANGELES 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1372/4692768-1-eng-US/f0035-132.jpg" title="f0035-13" width="579" height="594"></div><h2><b>QUEBEC 7, DETROIT 9</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1458/4692761-1-eng-US/f0035-142.jpg" title="f0035-14" width="568" height="832"></div><h2><b>EDMONTON 8, TORONTO 5</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-1549/4692754-1-eng-US/f0035-152.jpg" title="f0035-15" width="566" height="752"></div><h2><b>ISLANDERS 9, QUEBEC 6</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2514/4692747-1-eng-US/f0037-252.jpg" title="f0037-25" width="572" height="748"></div><h2><b>ATLANTA 2, PHILADELPHIA4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2612/4692740-1-eng-US/f0037-262.jpg" title="f0037-26" width="569" height="689"></div><h2><b>WASHINGTON 0, PITTSBURGH 4</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-279/4692733-1-eng-US/f0037-272.jpg" title="f0037-27" width="586" height="528"></div><h2><b>MONTREAL 1, LBUFFALO 1</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-287/4692726-1-eng-US/f0037-282.jpg" title="f0037-28" width="582" height="535"></div><h2><b>MINNESOTA 3, VANCOUVER 5</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-296/4692719-1-eng-US/f0037-292.jpg" title="f0037-29" width="566" height="656"></div><h2><b>COLORADO 2, CHICAGO 2</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-306/4692712-1-eng-US/f0037-302.jpg" title="f0037-30" width="568" height="530"></div><h2><b>WINNIPEG 1, BOSTON 3</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-315/4692705-1-eng-US/f0037-312.jpg" title="f0037-31" width="562" height="550"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-01

NATIONAL LEAGUE SUMMARIES

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0035-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-01430/4693147-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg"></div><h2><b>All Time Scorers</b></h2><p>(Including Sun. Mar. 30)</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-06152/4693140-1-eng-US/f0035-062.jpg" title="f0035-06" width="583" height="896"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0035-01

NHL TEAM ROSTERS

<h2><b>AMERICAN LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Tues. April 1)</b></p><h3><b>Northern Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-01410/4693262-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="580" height="159"></div><h3><b>Southern Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02306/4693255-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="580" height="275"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Adirondack 4 at Binghamton 2</p><p>Nova Scotia 3 at Hershey 2</p><p>New Brunswick 2 at Maine 8</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Nova Scotia 5 at Adirondack 6</p><p>Hershey 7 at Syracuse 5</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Syracuse 6 at Binghamton 5</p><p>New Haven 2 at Hershey 4</p><p>Adirondack 4 at Maine 5</p><p>New Brunswick 5 at Springfield 5</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>New Brunswick 4 at Maine 3</p><p>Nova 2 at Rochester 5</p><p>Adirondack 3 at Springfield 4</p><p>Binghamton 2 at Syracuse 3</p><h3><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03234/4693248-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="573" height="430"></div><h3><b>GOALTENDING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-04161/4693241-1-eng-US/f0036-042.jpg" title="f0036-04" width="576" height="613"></div><h2><b>CENTRAL LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Tue. Apr. 1)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-05124/4693234-1-eng-US/f0036-052.jpg" title="f0036-05" width="599" height="343"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Mon. March 24</b></p><p>Dallas 4 at Salt Lake 4</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Fort Worth 3 at Oklahoma City 4</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Birmingham 3 at Fort Worth 4</p><p>Tulsa 0 at Houston 1</p><p>Indianapolis 5 at Salt Lake 3</p><p><b>Thurs. March 27</b></p><p>Oklahoma City at Birmingham 4</p><p>Houston 4 at Indianapolis 5</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Oklahoma City 2 at Birmingham 5</p><p>Fort Worth 1 at Dallas 4</p><p>Houston 1 at Salt Lake 5</p><p>Indianapolis 1 at Tulsa 5</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Dallas 1 at Fort Worth 4</p><p>Birmingham 4 at Houston 2</p><p>Indianapolis 5 at Oklahoma City 2</p><p>Salt Lake 3 at Tulsa 3</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Salt Lake 6 at Dallas 4</p><h3><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-06104/4693227-1-eng-US/f0036-062.jpg" title="f0036-06" width="581" height="302"></div><h3><b>GOALTENDING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-0798/4693220-1-eng-US/f0036-072.jpg" title="f0036-07" width="578" height="479"></div><h2><b>INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Wed. April 2)</b></p><h3><b>NORTH DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-0893/4693213-1-eng-US/f0036-082.jpg" title="f0036-08" width="576" height="152"></div><h3><b>SOUTH DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-0987/4693206-1-eng-US/f0036-092.jpg" title="f0036-09" width="571" height="273"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Toledo 4 at Milwaukee 2</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Muskegon 6 at Fort Wayne 8</p><p>Kalamazoo 7 at Toledo 5</p><p>Grand Rapids 0 at Milwaukee 8</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Fort Wayne 5 at Port Huron 2</p><p>Flint 4 at Kalamazoo 3</p><p>Dayton 5 at Toledo 1</p><p>Muskegon 4 at Milwaukee 7</p><p>Saginaw 7 at Grand Rapids 5</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Dayton 3 at Fort Wayne 6</p><p>Muskegon 5 at Port Huron 6</p><p>Kalamazoo 3 at Flint 4</p><p>Grand Rapids 7 at Saginaw 2</p><p>Milwaukee 2 at Toledo 7</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Toledo 0 at Flint 2</p><p>Dayton 4 at Saginaw 8</p><p>Muskegon 1 at Kalamazoo 4</p><p>Fort Wayne 4 at Grand Rapids 10</p><h3><b>LEADING SCORERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1084/4693199-1-eng-US/f0036-102.jpg" title="f0036-10" width="568" height="408"></div><h3><b>GOALTENDING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1181/4693192-1-eng-US/f0036-112.jpg" title="f0036-11" width="577" height="800"></div><h2><b>EASTERN LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Standings on Wed. April 2)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1277/4693185-1-eng-US/f0036-122.jpg" title="f0036-12" width="582" height="273"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Baltimore 8 at Hampton 0</p><p>Johnstown 6 at Richmond 6</p><p><b>Thurs. March 27</b></p><p>Richmond 5 at Utica 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Baltimore 6 at Utica 3</p><p>Johnstown 0 at Erie 15</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Johnstown 3 at Erie 6</p><p>Utica 3 at Baltimore 8</p><p>Hampton 3 at Richmond 9</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Wed. April 2</b></p><p>Richmond vs. Baltimore</p><h3>LEADING SCORERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1374/4693178-1-eng-US/f0036-132.jpg" title="f0036-13" width="574" height="257"></div><h2>PLAYOFF GAMES</h2><h3>Semi-Finals</h3><p>(Best of seven series)</p><p>UTICA vs ERIE</p><p>Wed. April 2</p><p>Utica at Erie</p><p>Fri. April 4</p><p>Erie at Utica</p><p>Sat. April 5</p><p>Utica at Erie</p><p>Tue. April 8</p><p>Erie at Utica</p><p>Wed. April 9</p><p>Utica at Erie</p><p>Fri April 11</p><p>Erie at Utica</p><p>Tue. April 15</p><p>Utica at Erie</p><h2>BALTIMORE VS RTCHMOND</h2><p>(Sites Undecided)</p><p>Fri. April 4</p><p>Richmond vs Baltimore</p><p>Sat. April 5</p><p>Richmond vs Baltimore</p><p>Other dates unsettled)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0036-01

MINOR SCOREBOARD

<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;Washington</p><p>17&mdash;Colorado</p><p>18&mdash;Edmonton</p><p>19&mdash;Hartford</p><p>20&mdash;Quebec</p><p>21&mdash;Winnipeg</p><h2>OTHER AFFILIATIONS</h2><p>22&mdash;Chicago&mdash;Toronto</p><p>23&mdash;Boston&mdash;Los Angeles</p><p>24&mdash;Quebec&mdash;Pittsburgh</p><p>25&mdash;Edmonton&mdash;Winnipeg</p><p>26&mdash;Montreal&mdash;Chicago</p><p>27&mdash;Vancouver&mdash;Islanders</p><p>28&mdash;Boston&mdash;Pittsburgh</p><p>29&mdash;Atlanta&mdash;Colorado</p><p>30&mdash;Washington&mdash;St. Louis</p><p>31&mdash;Los Angeles&mdash;Hartford</p><p>32&mdash;Que.&mdash;Islanders&mdash;Buff.</p><p>33&mdash;St. Louis&mdash;Philadelphia</p><p>34&mdash;Boston&mdash;Hartford<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Who They’re Affiliated With…

<h2><b>ADIRONDACK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1761/4693425-1-eng-US/f0036-172.jpg" title="f0036-17" width="536" height="548"></div><h2><b>BINGHAMTON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1857/4693418-1-eng-US/f0036-182.jpg" title="f0036-18" width="549" height="515"></div><h2><b>HERSHEY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-1956/4693411-1-eng-US/f0036-192.jpg" title="f0036-19" width="537" height="531"></div><h2><b>MAINE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2055/4693404-1-eng-US/f0036-202.jpg" title="f0036-20" width="548" height="481"></div><h2><b>NEW BRUNSWICK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2152/4693397-1-eng-US/f0036-212.jpg" title="f0036-21" width="542" height="534"></div><h2><b>NOVA SCOTIA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2251/4693390-1-eng-US/f0036-222.jpg" title="f0036-22" width="542" height="532"></div><h2><b>NEW HAVEN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2348/4693383-1-eng-US/f0036-232.jpg" title="f0036-23" width="544" height="508"></div><h2><b>ROCHESTER</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2446/4693376-1-eng-US/f0036-242.jpg" title="f0036-24" width="544" height="488"></div><h2><b>SPRINGFIELD</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2542/4693369-1-eng-US/f0036-252.jpg" title="f0036-25" width="542" height="556"></div><h2><b>SYRACUSE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-2639/4693362-1-eng-US/f0036-262.jpg" title="f0036-26" width="540" height="534"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0036-17

American Hockey League Team Scoring

<h2><b>ONTARIO MAJOR LEAGUE</b></h2><p>(Final Standings)</p><h3><b>Leyden Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-01360/4693617-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg" title="f0037-01" width="566" height="176"></div><h3><b>EMMS DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02252/4693610-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="565" height="167"></div><h3><b>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-03187/4693603-1-eng-US/f0037-032.jpg" title="f0037-03" width="561" height="379"></div><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/f0037-04151/4693596-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="566" height="108"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Fri. March 21</b></p><p>Oshawa 2 at Ottawa 7</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Ottawa 5 at Oshawa 2</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Oshawa 2 at Ottawa 1</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Ottawa 3 at Oshawa 6</p><h3><b>GAMES TO COME</b></h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Oshawa at Ottawa</p><p><b>Thu. April 3</b></p><p>Ottawa at Oshawa</p><p><b>Fri. April 4</b></p><p>Oshawa at Ottawa</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-05128/4693589-1-eng-US/f0037-052.jpg" title="f0037-05" width="560" height="127"></div><h3><b>GAMES COMPLETED</b></h3><p><b>Tue. March 18</b></p><p>Brantford 5 at Toronto 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 21</b></p><p>Toronto 1 at Brantford 6</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Brantford 5 at Toronto 4</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Toronto 2 at Brantford 4</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-06105/4693582-1-eng-US/f0037-062.jpg" title="f0037-06" width="557" height="104"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Thu. March 27</b></p><p>Sudbury 4 at Peterborough 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 29</b></p><p>Peterborough 6 at Sudbury 2</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Sudbury 6 at Peterborough 5</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Peterborough at Sudbury</p><p>Thu. April 3</p><p>Sudbury at Peterborough</p><p><b>Fri. April 3</b></p><p>Peterborough at Sudbury</p><p><b>Sat. April 5</b></p><p>Sudbury at Peterborough</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0787/4693575-1-eng-US/f0037-072.jpg" title="f0037-07" width="553" height="110"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Niagara Falls 3 at Windsor 5</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Windsor 3 at Niagara Falls 5</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Niagara Falls 6 at Windsor 9</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Windsor at Niagara Falls</p><p><b>Thu. April 3</b></p><p>Niagara Falls at Windsor</p><p><b>Fri. April 4</b></p><p>Windsor at Niagara Falls</p><p><b>Sat. April 5</b></p><p>Niagara Falls at Windsor</p><h2><b>WESTERN LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings</b></p><h3><b>Western Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0878/4693568-1-eng-US/f0037-082.jpg" title="f0037-08" width="570" height="124"></div><h3><b>Eastern Division</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-0966/4693561-1-eng-US/f0037-092.jpg" title="f0037-09" width="562" height="224"></div><h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2><p>Seattle 4, at Portland 5</p><p><b>(End of Schedule)</b></p><h3>FINAL SCORING LEADERS</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1060/4693554-1-eng-US/f0037-102.jpg" title="f0037-10" width="559" height="273"></div><h2><b>PLAYOFF GAMES</b></h2><h3><b>EAST DIVISION Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1148/4693547-1-eng-US/f0037-112.jpg" title="f0037-11" width="555" height="104"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Brandon 2 at Calgary 3</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Brandon 8 at Calgary 6</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Calgary 4 at Brandon 5</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Calgary 2 at Brandon 1</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Brandon 8 at Calgary 2</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Brandon at Calgary</p><p><b>Thu. April 3</b></p><p>Brandon at Calgary</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1241/4693540-1-eng-US/f0037-122.jpg" title="f0037-12" width="559" height="103"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Lethbridge 7 at Regina 8</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Lethbridge 2 at Regina 9</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Regina 7 at Lethbridge 4</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Regina 4 at Lethbridge 3</p><h3><b>WEST DIVISION Semi-Finals</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1336/4693533-1-eng-US/f0037-132.jpg" title="f0037-13" width="550" height="130"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Billings 4 at Medicine Hat 1</p><p><b>Thu. March 27</b></p><p>Billings 3 at Medicine Hat 4</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Medicine Hat 3 at Billings 2</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Medicine Hat at Billings</p><p><b>Mon. March 31</b></p><p>Billings at Medicine Hat</p><p><b>Wed. April 2</b></p><p>Medicine Hat at Billings</p><p><b>Thu. April 3</b></p><p>Billings at Medicine Hat</p><h3>DOUBLE ROUND-ROBIN</h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1434/4693526-1-eng-US/f0037-142.jpg" title="f0037-14" width="554" height="104"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Seattle 4 at Portland 2</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Portland 7 at Seattle 3</p><p><b>Sat. March 29</b></p><p>Portland 1 at Victoria 3</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Mon., March 31</b></p><p>Seattle at Victoria</p><p><b>Tues., April 1</b></p><p>Portland at Seattle</p><p><b>Wed., April 2</b></p><p>Victoria at Portland</p><p><b>Fri., April 4</b></p><p>Seattle at Victoria</p><p><b>Sat., April 5</b></p><p>Victoria at Portland</p><p><b>Sun., April 6</b></p><p>Victoria at Seattle</p><p><b>Mon., April 7</b></p><p>Seattle at Portland</p><p><b>Tues., April 8</b></p><p>Portland at Victoria</p><p><b>Thurs., April 10</b></p><p>Victoria at Seattle</p><p><b>Apr. 11-22</b></p><p>Best-of-seven winners meet.</p><h2><b>QUEBEC MAJOR LEAGUE</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><h3><b>LEBEL DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1532/4693519-1-eng-US/f0037-152.jpg" title="f0037-15" width="560" height="148"></div><h3><b>DILIO DIVISION</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1627/4693512-1-eng-US/f0037-162.jpg" title="f0037-16" width="556" height="148"></div><h3><b>FINAL LEADING SCORERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1723/4693505-1-eng-US/f0037-172.jpg" title="f0037-17" width="564" height="290"></div><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/f0037-1822/4693498-1-eng-US/f0037-182.jpg" title="f0037-18" width="568" height="130"></div><h2>GAMES COMPLETED</h2><p><b>Fri. March 21</b></p><p>Hull 6 at Sherbrooke 11</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Sherbrooke 7 at Hull 3</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Hull 4 at Sherbrooke 6</p><p><b>Thurs. March 27</b></p><p>Sherbrooke 7 at Hull 2</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-1918/4693491-1-eng-US/f0037-192.jpg" title="f0037-19" width="572" height="134"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Thurs. March 20</b></p><p>Shawinigan 3 at Cornwall 6</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Cornwall at Shawinigan 5</p><p><b>Wed. March 26</b></p><p>Shawinigan 9 at Cornwall 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Cornwall 2 at Shawinigan 2</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Shawinigan 5 at Cornwall 6</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Cornwall at Shawinigan</p><p><b>Thurs. April 3</b></p><p>Shawinigan at Cornwall</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2018/4693484-1-eng-US/f0037-202.jpg" title="f0037-20" width="566" height="138"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Fri. March 21</b></p><p>Trois-Rivieres 2 at Chicoutimi 7</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Chicoutimi 2 at Trois-Rivieres 4</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Trois-Rivieres 2 at Chicoutimi 3</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Chicoutimi 6 at Trois-Rivieres 11</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Trois-Rivieres 4 at Chicoutimi 5</p><h3>GAMES TO COME</h3><p><b>Tue. April 1</b></p><p>Chicoutimi at Trois-Rivieres</p><p><b>Wed. April 2</b></p><p>Trois-Rivieres at Chicoutimi</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2118/4693477-1-eng-US/f0037-212.jpg" title="f0037-21" width="575" height="134"></div><h3>GAMES COMPLETED</h3><p><b>Fri. March 21</b></p><p>Quebec 4 at Montreal 6</p><p><b>Sun. March 23</b></p><p>Quebec 3 at Montreal 8</p><p><b>Tue. March 25</b></p><p>Montreal 5 at Quebec 4</p><p><b>Fri. March 28</b></p><p>Montreal 4 at Quebec 7</p><p><b>Sun. March 30</b></p><p>Quebec 2 at Montreal 7</p><h2><b>NATIONAL JUNIOR</b></h2><p><b>(Final Standings)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2217/4693470-1-eng-US/f0037-222.jpg" title="f0037-22" width="563" height="164"></div><h3><b>FINAL LEADING SCORERS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2316/4693463-1-eng-US/f0037-232.jpg" title="f0037-23" width="546" height="790"></div><h3><b>GOALTENDING RECORDS</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-2415/4693456-1-eng-US/f0037-242.jpg" title="f0037-24" width="534" height="296"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0037-01

AMATEUR SCOREBOARD

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0038-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-01420/4693669-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(Photos by Steve Babineau)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>Hail to the Chief!</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><i><span>T</span>he Boston Brums recently retired Johnny Bucyk&rsquo;s No. 9 jersey, and &ldquo;The Chief&rdquo; was on hand at Boston Garden for ceremonies that honored his brilliant 23-year NHL career. In the picture above, Johnny is presented with a genuine Indian headress by the Bruins&rsquo; Stan Jonathan as former NHL president Clarence Campbell applauds in the background. At right, Bucyk&mdash;who will remain with the Bruins as a &ldquo;goodwill ambassador&rdquo;&mdash;dons his Bruins jersey for the final time as a special banner is hoisted to the rafters, where it joins a similar banner commemorating another Bruin great&mdash;Bobby Orr.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02331/4693662-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="1188" height="1807"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03256/4693655-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg" title="f0038-03" width="1168" height="1303"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Colburn Hvidson III)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>A family affair</b></h2><p><i>When it was time for U.S. Olympian Dave Christian to sign his NHL contract with the Winnipeg Jets a while back, the ceremony took place on &ldquo;Dave Christian Day&rdquo; in the youngster&rsquo;s hometown, Warroad, Minn. And instead of using a table when he made it all official, Dave simply plunked the contract down on a bed of sticks at the family business, Christian Brothers Stick Co.&mdash;owned by Dave&rsquo;s father, Billy, and uncle, Roger&mdash;and signed as Winnipeg GM John Ferguson looked on approvingly.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-04191/4693648-1-eng-US/f0038-042.jpg" title="f0038-04" width="1813" height="1491"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(Photo by Paul Kellogg)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>A night for &lsquo;Pie&rsquo;</b></h2><p><i>Not to be outdone by their rivals up the road apiece in Boston, the Hartford Whalers recently held a &ldquo;night&rdquo; for one of their great former players&mdash;Johnny &lsquo;Pie&rsquo; McKenzie. The beaming 22-year NHL veteran stood alongside his wife, Joyce, as Whalers&rsquo; captain Rick Ley made a presentation.</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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HOCKEY PEOPLE

<div class="byline">BY ARNOLD IRISH</div><p class="dropcap"><span>S</span>T. LOUIS&mdash;Story problems. You remember those handy-dandy little jawbreakers from arithmetic class back in your grade school days, don&rsquo;t you?</p><p>Example: A St. Louis Blues rookie named Perry Turnbull scored only four goals in his team&rsquo;s first 60 games, then eight goals in his team&rsquo;s next 12 games. If he had scored at the same rate in the first 60 games as in the next dozen, on what day of the week would he be in Emile Francis&rsquo; office trying to renegotiate his contract? Or, if Perry had continued at his original clip through 72 games, what time would his flight leave for Salt Lake City?</p><p>Since neither contingency materialized, one can only speculate what might have been, but it&rsquo;s a fact that with eight games to go, Turnbull was at 12 goals and counting.</p><p>The Blues had been counting&mdash;on big things from Turnbull, that is&mdash;since well before their NHL season opened last October.</p><p>In fact, so confident were St. Louis brass that the 6-0, 200-pound rookie winger (after all, he&rsquo;d scored 75 goals a year ago in junior hockey for Portland in the Western League) would take the league by storm that the club&rsquo;s marketing department focused an advertising program around Turnbull.</p><p>Television viewers were treated to shots of Perry lacing on his blades, skating onto the ice and muscling an opponent off the puck. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s putting the check back in the Checkerdome!&rdquo; blared a voiceover rich with anticipation.</p><p>The check got put back into the Checkerdome, all right, but by a motivated band of no-names. Turnbull, who had used his size and strength to overwhelm opponents around the nets in Junior A, seemed lost against players of comparable size and strength.</p><p>Also lost was his confidence. He admitted to being uptight, even at practice. He couldn&rsquo;t relax.</p><p>Turnbull didn&rsquo;t begin relaxing until recently when Blues&rsquo; coach Red Berenson put him opposite right winger Blair Chapman on a line centered by opportunistic Blake Dunlop. That line accounted for seven of the Blues&rsquo; 11 goals through their 8-4 loss March 20 in Atlanta, a game in which Turnbull scored his 11th and 12th goals.</p><p>Turnbull took only five shots in Atlanta, and received a wicked cut on the forehead for his troubles, but only three sensational saves by Flames&rsquo; goalie Dan Bouchard prevented Perry from getting a hat trick.</p><p>&ldquo;Right after I got my second goal, 53 seconds into the second period on an assist from Dunlop, I began thinking about the hat trick,&rdquo; Turnbull said following the game as he pressed an ice bag against the stitched-up gash over his left eye.</p><p>&ldquo;I had a lot of good chances for that third goal. They let me stand in the slot on power plays. They were giving me room, and I was hoping to tap one home.&rdquo;</p><p>Turnbull owes a lot of his recent success to the imaginative playmaking of Dunlop, who since Berenson succeeded Barclay Plager as coach, has seemed to be oddman-out.</p><p>Berenson was looking for a line to complement the one centered by Bernie Federko, and when Mike Zuke&rsquo;s line began producing, Dunlop&rsquo;s playing time decreased to the point where he was getting three or four shifts a game at most. He saw some action on the point for the Blues&rsquo; anemic power play, centered a checking line for Ralph Klassen and Hartland Monahan, but that was about it.</p><p>Dunlop, who had 20 goals last season for Philadelphia, pushed his total up to 15 with a recent spurt. His slow start probably could be explained in part by the fact he was centering a line for Wayne Babych and Chuck Lefley, both coming off shoulder injuries. Now that Turnbull is hot, Dunlop&rsquo;s line may be asked to carry the Blues down the stretch to what they hope will be a home-ice playoff advantage.</p><p>The loss to Atlanta kept them below the break-even mark at 2931-12 and they played only 3-7-2 hockey before a 7-5 win over Hartford mathematically assured them of a playoff berth.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re in a slump, and we&rsquo;ve got to turn it around,&rdquo; Turnbull said, prior to the victory against Hartford. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s been happening lately has us all bothered. I still think there&rsquo;s time for us to reach our potential and turn things around. With luck, we could peak right for the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-01395/4693700-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="600" height="1164"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>St. Louis rookie Perry Turnbull was so uptight, he couldn&rsquo;t relax in practices.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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April 11, 1980

Stanley Cup Playoffs

The HockeyNews THE INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY WEEKLY • FOUNDED 1947

PRO GAMES TO COME…

Unsung Players Carrying Load For Canadiens