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April 6, 1990
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.
WOUNDED WINGS LIMP INTO PLAYOFFS
There is something about a challenge that brings out the best in the Adirondack Red Wings. The heavier the handicap, the bigger the response. Despite numerous injuries and player transactions, the Wings were in position to lock up their fifth straight playoff berth—the longest active streak in the league—and remained in contention for the Southern Division title. That’s usually the way things are for the Wings. Current general manager Bill Dineen faced chronic manpower problems in five of the six seasons he coached the club. The exception was the 1988-89 season—the Wings played under the 16-man American League roster limit only once. Keeping the Wings in the race hasn’t been easy for rookie coach Barry Melrose. He has had more than the roster limit only twice since Christmas. The Wings had fewer than…
PRO FILE
JOHN VANBIESBROUCK Born: Sept. 4, 1963. Detroit, Mich. Height: 5-foot-7. Weight: 175 pounds. Team: New York Rangers. Position: Goalie. Acquired: Drafted fourth round, 72nd overall, in 1981. Career Highlight: “Winning the Vezina Trophy (in 1986).” Best Save: “I made a save on Brad McCrimmon when he was with Philadelphia and we beat them. Wc were up a goal in the last game (of the opening round) of the 1986 playoffs and we hung on to win.” Most Difficult Player to Stop: “We play a lot of games against Mario Lemieux and he always gives me a lot of problems.” Hobbies: “Being a parent and playing golf. I’m a nine-handicap.” If he could change anything about the way he plays… “I’d be a defenseman.” Favorite Food: “Any kind of Italian.” Most Embarrassing Moment: “It would probably be in Calgary…
BARRASSO LEARNS LESSONS OF LIFE
Tom Barrasso thought he knew all about tough times while playing goal in the National Hockey League. Then he watched his 2’/2-year-old daughter being burned by radiation treatments. He thought it was unfair that fans and media sometimes singled him out for criticism. Then he saw his baby being scalded by chemothrapy. He thought he understood pain. Then he felt the agony of wondering if his child would live for another day. Tom Barrasso has learned a lot about life since his daughter, Ashley, started fighting for hers July 1. That’s the day doctors told Barrasso and his wife, Megan, that Ashley had cancer and the chances against long-term survival were 8515. Those were harsh odds, and everyone seemed to realize it except Ashley. She spent nearly two months at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital…
SECOND BERTH MORE A RELIEF THAN EXCITING
It lacked the drama and excitment of their sudden-death overtime victory on the final night of the 1987-88 season. This time there was no celebration, no outpouring of emotion when the New Jersey Devils clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. When the Devils completed a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the Aud on March 25, they seemed more relieved than excited. “I was thinking as 1 looked around the room that here we made the playoffs, but it’s not the same excitement as two years ago,” said captain Kirk Muller. “We had a lot of pressure on us. This is the first time this team can honestly say we should be in the playoffs. We have a strong lineup, but you look back over this season and it…