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May 4, 1984
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.
Oilers Answer The Crucial Call
EDMONTON—Glen Sather called role call about the time Easter Sunday hams were being carved. Gretzky? “Yeow!” Kurri? “la!” Coffey? Linseman? And on down the line… The collection of affirmative responses from previously absent chaps with crudentials added up curtains for the game, but outdistanced Calgary Flames. Perspective, if not complete sanity, finally settled into the series that was posthumously extended into the holiday weekend as the resurrected Oilers arrived en masse for the initial occasion, bouncing the Flames 7-4 and capturing the long-overdue Smythe Division championship 4-3 in games. The Oilers now advance along the Stanley Cup trail against the Minnesota North Stars, 4-3 overtime victors over St. Louis Blues in another seven-game debate. “Our team sooner or later had to break out,” said Sather, the Oiler general manager-coach, who cringed as his team squandered a 3-1…
BLUELINES
A bitter feud is simmering between Whaler boss Emile Francis and St. Louis owner Harry Omest. So far, Francis has done all the talking, twitting the savior of the team from which he ran. Francis’ subjects have ranged from Omest’s fiscal operations to the Blues’ dealing Bob Brooke to the Rangers. The acrimony has reached a point where St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Ron Cobb wrote a story headlined, Omest-Francis Feud Is Among Hockey’s Best. While Francis needles, Omest remains discreetly silent, smiling only long enough to say: “I’m not interested in discussing anything about Mr. Francis formerly of St. Louis-!”…Bryan Lewis has somehow emerged as the favorite of the NHL refereeing high command. One source says the zebra-keepers are down on Bruce Hood…Flyer Hall of Famer and goalie aide. Bernie…
Wings Have Dozen Reasons To Be Happy
DETROIT—Ah, the difference. “Last year we worked hard but didn’t have enough depth to get us through March and into the playoffs,” said Red Wing coach Nick Polano. “It becomes frustrating during the off-season. “Absolutely…it’s a different feeling making the playoffs. Everyone’s happy, everyone’s able to enjoy the summer.” Certainly, there are many Red Wings who will be able to look back at 1983-84 and savor the season. Without stretching the imagination, it’s possible to come up with as many as a dozen Wings who can look back on it and say they had their best National Hockey League season. Of course, three of them are rookies and a couple of others are defensemen whose contributions can’t be measured by statistics. Ivan Boldirev—Converted from center to left winger in the first week of the season,…
HOCKEY VIEWPOINT
Annual Whine Festival AS AN ANNUAL spring event, it ranks right up there with April showers, daffodils and good work from Billy Smith. The Whine About The Referees And How They Ruin The Game Festival And Spring Gala is perhaps even better attended this year than ever. The participants are National Hockey League general managers, coaches and players, some broadcasters and, if you can believe it, a few writers. The target for their affection is a dandy, sitting out there in the open, all fat and striped, really unable to hit back in an open way. I suppose one should state his biases before commenting on the state of refereeing in the NHL. I’ve watched quite a few playoff games this spring and—this might surprise you—I haven’t seen a single one that was…
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