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December 16, 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.
UNDER FIRE
WHL They wouldn’t come right out and say they are victims of discrimination, but you don’t have to be a mind-reader to know what Western League club executives are thinking. When the Canadian International Hockey Committee announced Nov. 21 the 26 players invited to the national team selection camp (in Calgary, Dec. 14-22), only three WHLers were included. They were right winger Sheldon Kennedy and defenseman Dan Lambert from the Swift Current Broncos and left winger Darcy Loewen of the Spokane Chiefs. Last season, 13 WHL players were on the 20-man team which won the gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Moscow. This year’s tournament is scheduled for Dec. 26-Jan. 4 in Anchorage, Alaska. “It strikes me as funny,” said Saskatoon Blade general manager Daryl Lubiniecki, who wasn’t laughing. “If you look at…
FUHR SUFFERS DOG DAYS IN NET
A year ago, Grant Fuhr was a leading candidate for the Hart Trophy. When all of the ballots were counted, the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltender was the first runner-up to Pittsburgh center Mario Lemieux for most valuable player honors. The first quarter of this season produced a different story. Just ask Fuhr. “I’m playing like a dog,” said the Vezina Trophy-winning Fuhr after he was hooked for the second straight start—a 7-4 loss to the Calgary Flames Dec. 2. “I’m fighting the puck. I’ve had more bad games this year than in my first seven years as a pro.” The refrain has been all too familiar for Fuhr this season. Nov. 6 in Detroit: “Guess where it went? I can’t understand which hole it went in. Any guesses. The first 20 don’t count,” snorted Fuhr…
REDSKINS USE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Miami of Ohio coach Bill Davidge was ready to try anything—even playing mind games. He invited Miami-area sports psychologist Patti Holmes to speak to his 2-8-0, eighth-place team Nov. 23. The Redskins responded with their third win of the year, a 6-3 victory over Bowling Green Nov. 26. It was just Miami’s second win in 19 games in the Bowling Green State University Arena. The session lasted 4½ hours, 3½ hours longer than planned. “Winning is all attitude,” said Davidge. “We just didn’t believe we could do it. Winning creates winning. “Things went so smooth and the kids came back pumped up. The captains said it was unbelievable,” he said. “She gets the kids involved with games and things. It’s not like she sits and talks.” The success was short-lived, however, as Bowling Green broke…
SELDOM-USED DIONNE CONTEMPLATES RETIREMENT
While one of the New York Rangers’ 37-year-olds was pleasing crowds every time he touched the puck, the other was watching from the press box. In a 10-6 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 4, Guy Lafleur recorded four assists. At the same time, Marcel Dionne was sitting out his fifth straight game. “Maybe,” quipped Dionne, an 18year veteran of the NHL, “I should take four years off like the Flower (Lafleur) and then come back. “I’m not embarrassed. Guy is a good man. He still has the power, the charisma. I’m happy for him, really,” he said. “I don’t think the fans chanting for Guy is a putdown to me.” The turn of events was so drastic that Dionne was talking about a midseason retirement, even though he had a respectable 16…
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