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April 21, 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.
LAFONTAINE HAS A NOSE FOR TEAM USA
The nose Pat LaFontaine stuck into the fray game in and game out throughout the Islanders’ disappointing season has been broken since October. And that’s why the speedy center waited until the NHL playoffs began to announce he would join Team USA for the World Championships April 15-May 1 in Stockholm, Sweden. “I met with Bill Torrey after the season and had the opportunity to talk with our team doctor. Dr. George Gilbert,” LaFontaine said. “I’m going in to get the nose fixed on May 3, when I get back.” LaFontaine broke his nose in a collision with Edmonton Oiler defenseman Steve Smith Oct. 7 during the Isles’ second game of the season. But he declined to go public with it because “other guys have played hurt. “ Broken nose and all, the 24-year-old…
FLAMES FUELED BY OTTOIN BATTLE WITH CANUCKS
In his previous career as a player agent, one of Brian Burke’s least marketable clients was a hulking center from a Division 11 college in Minnesota. Joel Otto of Bemidji State. Ultimately, Burke was able to interest only one man, Calgary Flame general manager Cliff Fletcher, in the rights to Otto. Fletcher offered a modest two-way deal to the 6-foot-4 center-…and has been rewarded for his gamble ever since. Otto led all the Flames’ playoff scorers following the first four games of the Smythe Division semifinals, with two goals and three assists. He was also named a star in three of the first four games. “I regret placing him there,” said Burke, now a Canucks’ vice-president and director of hockey operations, following game three. “He’s killing us. Of all the free agents I placed,…
BLAZERS BURN COUGARS
Kamloops Blazers’ coach Ken Hiteh-cock felt like a proud father after watching his team defeat the Victoria Cougars in the West Division semifinals. With six 16-year-olds and seven 17-year-olds, Hitchcock has one of the most inexperienced teams in the Western League. But Kamloops still managed to knock off Victoria 5-3 in the best-of-nine series. “We grew up quite a bit in that series,” said Hitchcock. “We really came of age as a team.” WESTERN LEAGUE Down 4-1 after two periods in the opening game March 24 at Victoria, the Blazers came back to win 6-5 and won all four of their games on home ice. They did so without the services of defenseman Geoff Smith, who broke his jaw in the first game and missed the rest of the series. “We went into the playoffs…
BARRASSO PROVES HIS WORTH IN SWEEP
Tom Barrasso came to the Pittsburgh Penguins last November with a reputation for cracking under the pressure of big games. It took precisely four games to blast that rap into oblivion. Barrasso, who had a 3-8 playoff record with the Buffalo Sabres, played brilliantly as the Penguins swept the New York Rangers in four games in their Patrick Division semifinal. It was their first playoff series victory since 1979. Barrasso had a save percentage of .930, while the Ranger troika of John Vanbiesbrouck, BobFroese and Mike Richter combined .860. Barrasso was named the first star of both games at Madison Square Garden, where he stopped 89 of 95 shots in games three and four. “In playoff hockey, to go far and win a lot of games, you need a strong goaltender,” Pittsburgh center John Cullen…
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