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March 18, 1988
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.
Spell Broken As Nighthawks Beat Indians
New Haven coach Don Perry used reverse psychology to help his Nighthawks rid themselves of an Indian curse. The Nighthawks were 0-10-1 against the Springfield Indians this season before winning 6-4 on Feb. 26 at Springfield. “It was a long time in coming,” said Perry, whose team was in fifth place Feb. 29, one point ahead of Springfield in the Northern Division. They trailed fourth-place Nova Scotia for the final playoff spot by five points. “It was a nice feeling,” said Perry. “You could see in our players’ faces that they were quite happy to do it.” New Haven’s record was 24-36-5 for 56 points, while Springfield was a point back at 24-33-7. Before the game, Perry didn’t mention anything about the Indians’ domination of his team. A different strategy backfired on the Nighthawks’ previous…
Swift Current’s Sakic Super In Sudden-Death
Just call Joe Sakic Mr. Overtime. The Swift Current Bronco center scored three overtime goals in a two-week period, all on the road. But he couldn’t explain his prowess. “It’s not like they’ve been end-to-end rushes or anything,” said Sakic, Quebec’s first pick in the 1987 NHL entry draft. “I guess I’ve just been in the right place at the right time.” Sakic’s overtime streak began on Feb. 12 when he scored 28 seconds into OT to give the Broncos a 6-5 win over Saskatoon. Five days later, he scored 47 seconds into the 10-minute sudden-death extra period as Swift Current beat Prince Albert by the same score. And on Feb. 24, Sakic’s goal at 1:12 of overtime lifted the Brones to yet another 6-5 win, this time over Lethbridge. Three nights after beating…
McKenney’s All-Star Games Overshadow Lone Cup Win
In his 13-year NHL career, center Don McKenney played on one Stanley Cup-winning team, the 1963-64 Toronto Maple Leafs. But it doesn’t rank as a high-light for the 53-year-old McKenney, now an assistant hockey coach at Northeastern University in Boston. McKenney tore ligaments in the fifth game of the Cup final and watched from behind the bench as the Leafs defeated Detroit 4-0 in the seventh game to complete a two-game comeback and win the series. “I was very happy, but you would actually like to be on the ice when it did happen,” said McKenney, who had a goal and five assists in the final series before his injury. For McKenney, a Lady Byng Trophy winner in 1959-60, playing in seven all-star games is what he remembers best. One game was as a…
Leafs Suffer Double-Digit Embarrassment
TORONTO—John Brophy kicked the Toronto Maple Leafs when they were down March 5. And few could argue it was undeserved, following a humiliating 10-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at Maple Leaf Gardens. But the players seemed to believe it was ill-timed. Brophy ended a post-game player meeting prematurely when he opened the dressing room’s closed doors to, reporters. Ed Olczyk stopped the media, saying the meeting had not yet adjourned. When Brophy noticed the doors were closed again, he re-opened them forcefully—one with a backward kick. “I don’t want these doors closed,” said Brophy, apparently believing the players should answer quickly for their dreadful performance. Tension enveloped the dressing room. Most players refused comment on Brophy’s actions. Others took it philosophically. “We were having a meeting; it was interrupted,” said right winger Gary Leeman. “He’s the coach. What…
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