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January 20, 1989
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.
‘IMMATURE’ PENGUINS SLIDING BACK INTO PATRICK PACK
The Pittsburgh Penguins, perched atop the Patrick Division for more than a month, clearly savored the view. But they had an entirely different perspective as they closed out the first half of their season. The Vancouver Canucks beat Pittsburgh 7-5 at the Civic Arena Jan. 7, a loss that—coupled with victories by Washington and the New York Rangers the same night—pushed the Penguins back into third place in the Patrick. Until that evening, they had held at least a share of first place every day since Dec. 3. It was the Penguins’ third loss in four games, and prompted coach Gene Ubriaco to mention the possibility of a trade and/or player movement between Pittsburgh and Muskegon, where the Penguins’ international League franchise is located. “We have a depth chart,” Ubriaco said. “And we’re going to…
COULD THE KGB MAKE FTOREK TALK?
John Ziegler says it was news to him the Soviets have been invited to place a team in the National Hockey League. Gee. Up until then, I thought it was great news. Let ’em in, I say. My heart is filled with glasnost. My throat is filled with Stoly. I think it’s high time the NHL quit Stalin around on this very important matter. My biggest reservation with adding a Soviet team is the same one I have about expansion. I fear if the league’s growth is unchecked, we are eventually going to run out of table space at Chez Paree in Montreal. Nevertheless, we have to be pragmatic about this. No double standards. Admittedly, the Soviets record on human rights could use some improvement. But the NHL has been running its own forced…
UNEVEN EFFORT
INCONSISTENT PEFORMANCE KEEPS CANADA FROM MEDALS The harsh reality is that Canada got what it deserved at the World Junior Championships. Nothing. “We were,” said head coach Tom Webster, “the fourth-best team in this tournament.” And a fourth-place team goes home empty-handed—a painful result in an event Canadians apply the gold standard. Canada finished with a 4-2-1 record, the same as Czechoslovakia. Those teams played to a 2-2 tie in their only meeting, but the bronze medal went to the Czechoslovaks on goal differential (plus-17 to Canada’s plus-8). The Canadians’ two losses came against gold-medalist Soviet Union (6-1-0), a 7-2 mismatch, and silver-medalist Sweden (6-1-0), a.5-4 decision. Victories were recorded against fifth-place United States, sixth-place Finland, seventhplace Norway and last-place West Germany. The Czechoslovaks, meanwhile, were full value for the bronze. They were the lone team to beat…
HAWK GOALTENDING NOW IN BELFOUR’S HANDS
The Chicago Blackhawks have had their No. 1 goaltender chosen for them. Ed Belfour is their last hope, after injuries to Darren Pang and Jimmy Waite. “I want to be the starter and I’ll work as hard as I can until that day comes,” said Belfour. “Whether it’s six months from now or two years from now, I’ll keep working. “I’m not happy with how I got this opportunity. Darren is a great goaltender and so is Jimmy Waite. They’re injured and I feel real bad(ly) about that. On the other hand, I have to prove I can do the job now.” Pang is out indefinitely with a pulled right hamstring and Waite until March 15 with a broken collarbone. Belfour, 23, was asked if he thought he proved himself. “I don’t think I have…
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