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December 12, 1986
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.
Indy Sniper A Handy Guy To Have Around
INDIANAPOLIS—Ron Handy is, hoping “somebody up there” is watching. He may have more than one “somebody” in mind, but of immediate concern is “somebody” in the National Hockey League. The’ Indianapolis center was off to his best start ever—he led the International League in scoring and that was among the major reasons the Checkers led the West Division. Three of his team-high 11 goals came at Salt Lake City as the Checkers defeated the Golden Eagles in two of three games-in an important early-season series. The two teams were battling for the top spot in the West before Indianapolis opened a five-point gap. The 23-year-old, had indeed, been Handy to have around. He considered playing in Europe this season after two years in Springfield for the New York Islanders. He was late in making up…
Bears’ Batman And Robin Expected To Score
HERSHEY—Tim Tookey and Ross Fitzpatrick, the Hershey Bears’ Dynamic Duo, don’t feel they deserve any extra credit for their personal early-season success. They say they are just doing their jobs. What they won’t say, is that with out their significant offensive contributions, the defending Southern Division champions would really be in trouble. With Tookey, a veteran playmaking center, and Fitzpatrick, a sniper at left.wing, accounting for almost 50 per cent of Hershey’s goals in the first 16 games, the Bears were 7-8-1 and close to the cellar. “Even though we were scoring for the first few games, we still weren’t (winning,” said Tookey, the American league’s top scorer with 28 points (17) seven weeks into the season. Fitzpatrick’s 14 goals was third most in the league, one behind co-leaders Bruce Boudreau of Nova…
SCOREBOARD
North Dakota, Minnesota Leading The Pack
GRAND FORKS—Midway through the Western Collegiate Hockey Association double round-robin league schedule, it’s a good time to step back and look at the bright—and not so bright—happenings around the league. North Dakota definitely ranks as the surprise team of the year. The Fighting Sioux, picked to finish third by league coaches in the pre-season poll, won 12 of their first 14 games. The Fighting Sioux have been winning big—averaging 6.4 goals per game and allowing 3.1, far and away the best in the league. Why the turnabout for the Sioux, who were 7-7 at this same time last year? Two main reasons are sophomore center Tony Hrkac and freshman goalie Ed Belfour. Hrkac, back after a one-year stint with the Canadian national team, was not only the top scorer in the league with 33…