While Stars Slid, Musil Improved

BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—Frantisek Musil has always used just one method to measure personal success. But under those guidelines, his second NHL season was a bust. “It’s a really hard year to judge because I was always brought up as a team player,” said the Minnesota North Star defenseman, who defected from Czechoslovakia in 1986. “You can only be happy if the team does well.” That philosophy leads only to trouble when you play for the NHL’s worst team. It can also be inaccurate. Granted, Musil has yet to fulfil the enormous expectations of scouts, but there was improvement in his second season. Considering his surroundings, two of his accomplishments were notable. While the North Stars were piling up 495 man-games lost to injury and ill ness, Musil was one of only two Stars—Basil McRae…

STANLEY CUP SCOREBOARD

Filion ‘Promoted’ Out Of Nords’ GM Post

QUEBEC CITY—After 14 seasons as Quebec Nordique general manager, Maurice Filion has moved into a different office. The 56-year-old Filion, the Nords’ top hockey man since the 1974-75 season when Quebec played in the WHA, was appointed vice president of hockey operations April 19. Team president Marcel Aubut called the move a promotion, but outside observers viewed it as a firing of sorts. “The team needed a new sense of direction, a new approach, a new philosophy,” said Aubut. “But Maurice will still be a very important cog in our everv-day work. “We created a new post in our organization, and it isn’t just for show. We couldn’t afford to keep someone around just because we think he’s a good guy. “Maurice has not been sent out to pasture. We still require his services. And…

Flickering Flames Lament Puny Power Play

CALGARY—Regular-season statistics don’t mean much in the playoffs, the Calgary Flames have found. In scoring on a remarkable 28.5 per cent of their power-play opportunities this year, the Flames recorded the best success rate in the league. The Flames lived off their special teams in the regular season but through three games of the Smythe Division final they were dying by them. The Flames found themselves down 3-0 to the Edmonton Oilers, knowing they either needed to make history in their next four games or they were history. Only two NHL teams—the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders—had ever come back from that deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series before. If there was a single, overriding reason for the Flames’ disappointing play, it was the failure of their not-so-special teams. Consider: • In game…