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April 20, 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.


WAY WE WERE


GOLD RUSH
With the Soviets dominating international play for the last 25 years, the most interesting battle at the World Championships has traditionally been for second place. Since 1963, the Soviet team has won 19 of a possible 24 world titles—the tournament wasn’t played in 1980, ’84 or ’88 because of the Olympics—but this year, with many of the Soviet stars playing in the NHL, there is no clear favorite. Five teams—Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Finland, Canada and the Soviets—have a legitimate shot at capturing gold. The remaining three teams, West Germany, Norway and the United States, will likely battle for sixth place. The following is a preview of the six European squads in the tournament. The preliminary round-robin games will be played in Bern and Fribourg, Switzerland, April 16-26. The medal round will be played in…


BRUINS SIGN COLLEGE STAR
BRUINS The Bruins signed Wisconsin (WCHA) center-right winger John Byce to a contract April 9, making him available to play in the playoffs if needed. The 22-year-old, a 1985 draft pick (11th choice, No. 220 overall), netted a hat trick in the Badgers NCAA championship victory over Colgate. Had he not signed the deal, Byce was slated to depart for the upcoming world championships in Switzerland… Defenseman Ray Bourque missed Game 3 of the Adams Division semifinal April 9 with a hip injury. The injury occured during the Bruins’ 3-1 win in Game 2 April 7 and hadn’t healed properly. His status was listed as day-to-day…Injured left winger Andy Brickley, previously given a grim outlook as far as playing in the playoffs, was optimistic he might see some post-season play. Brickley…


BAUMGARTNER COMES TO ARBOUR’S DEFENSE
ISLANDERS Coach Al Arbour, severely criticized by fans and the New York media, and fined $5,000 by NHL president John Ziegler in a sharply worded decision, refused to comment on the controversy sparked when he sent Mick Vukota and Ken Baumgartner on the ice with two seconds left in Game 1 of the Islanders’ series with the Rangers. But Baumgartner, suspended for a game as a result of the resulting brawl, defended his coach and the organization. “Comments by writers, broadcasters, etc., against Mr. Arbour and the organization have been unfair and unjustified,” he said. “A lot of things happen in the course of the game that are much more violent and much more severe, with little or no repercussions.”…Center Tom Fitzgerald, recalled from the Islanders’ American League affiliate in Springfield…