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August 19, 1981
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.
A Look At Team Finland
HANNU LASS1LA, IFK Helsinki.—Because Markus Mattsson has already faced all of the pros compel ing in the 1981 Canada Cup series, it isn’t likely the 27-year-old Lassila will get the starting goaling assignment in the upcoming tournament. But he is highly qualified and the desperate Finns are certain to give him a shot at the action. The 5-8. 154-pound netminder posted a 3.39 GAA in 11 National League games. MARKUS MATTSSON, Winnipeg Jets—A veteran of two years in the World Hockey Association and two in the National Hockey League at the age of 24. Mattsson played in two games in the 1976 Canada Cup. He broke into the NHL with a fine 3.25 goals-against average in 21 games but saw his average soar to 4.50 in 31 appearances with the Jets…
Soviet Players To Watch
Vacheslay Fetisov (Fe-tee-soy) has been described as the Bobby Orr of the Soviet Union. In 1978, he directed the Soviet junior team to a world title and was so impressive he earned immediate promotion to the national lineup. The Russians were victorious at the main global tournament in Prague and Fetisov, only 20. was their best player. He was named to the All Star team on defense. Fetisov missed the 1979 season because of a back injury but scored nine points in seven games at the Olympics the following winter. He is now in the forefront of the superb youngsters who are changing the face of the Big Red machine. At 23, he is a modern type of rearguard, equally skilled on offense and defense—and tough, besides. With him on the Soviet blueline are…
A Look At Team Czechoslovakia
JIRI KRALIK, Dukla Jihlava—During the 1976 Canada Cup series, goalkeeping was one of the highlights of the Czech National team’s performance. Vladimir Dzurilla was the man of the hour for the Czechs just as Kralik will have to be this time around. The 29-year-old goalie has become his country’s top netminder replacing first Dzurilla and then Jiri Holecek. Kralik has performed in 269 league games and 37 international matches. KAREL LANG, Zoter Brno—Possibly the Czechs’ goalie of the future, the 23-year-old Lang sparkled in the recent 1981 World Cup championships in Stockholm and will be making his first start in Canada Cup play with this year’s tournament. A relative newcomer to the Czechoslovakian National scene, Lang has impressed everyone. He has played in 17 International games and is certain to get…
Anonymous ’76 Team Made Big Contribution
The United States entry in the only previous Canada Cup, in 1976, was coached by Bob Pulford, with assistant Harry Neale. Judging by the amount of respect the team generated, it could have been coached by Rodney Dangerfield. But that was a time when most of the U.S. players who had ventured into the game beyond the collegiate level were struggling for survival in the World Hockey Association’s comparative obscurity or on National Hockey League farm clubs. That was before the 1980 Olympics, when Team USA not only commanded respect across the U.S., but captured the hearts of the hockey world. In that fall of ’76, Team USA couldn’t even capture the expense accounts—let alone hearts—of U.S. newspapers. Only a couple of reporters followed every Team U.S. game; most reporters from U.S. NHL…
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