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January 4, 1991
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.
TEAMMATES OPTIMISTIC CARPENTER WILL BE BACK
On the night of Dec. 8, the Boston Bruins were absorbing an old-fashioned whipping at the Montreal Forum, and veteran Bobby Carpenter decided to take one small step to try and change things. Canadiens’ defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre had the puck behind his team’s net, and Carpenter raced at him with the sort of aggressive, all-out forechecking the Bruins’ needed—but rarely displayed—in the 7-1 loss. As Carpenter passed just right of the Habs’ net, he was shoved slightly by defender Matt Schneider. Certainly no foul, the nudge was just enough to put the Bruin off balance. Carpenter tried to cut to his left in pursuit of Lefebvre behind the net, but caught a skate edge, fell, and crashed awkwardly and with tremendous impact into the end boards. It was the kind of spill from which…
KURVERS MARKED MAN ON DEFENSE
Hard-hearted cynics will say the only thing the Leafs have an abundance of this season are losses. But that’s not entirely true. Some intense wheeling and dealing by general manager Floyd Smith, combined with the unexpected arrival of a Soviet and the occasional recall of a veteran from the minors, has resulted in a 10-man defensive unit in the Toronto camp. That’s almost enough to form a football team south of the 49th parallel and it’s more than enough to fuel rampant speculation something’s got to give. Or, more likely, someone’s got to go. Rumors regarding the imminent departure of one of either Al lafrate, Luke Richardson or Tom Kurvers have been hot and heavy for some time now, and earlier in the year, there was talk captain Rob Ramage was headed to Montreal. The most…
THEN & NOW
A center with Toronto and Colorado for seven seasons from 1974-75 to 1980-1981, Jack Valiquette works for Re/Max realty in Orillia, Ont. “The most difficult part was the build-up people made when I was in junior,” Valiquette says. “Everybody expected me to be the next Phil Esposito and score 100 points a season. That’s a tough thing to do.”…
SPRINGFIELD GOALIE HAD BEEN 8-0 KAY
Goalie Kay Whitmore couldn’t do anything right at the start of the season when he was with the Hartford Whalers. But since being sent to Springfield, he’s had the Midas Touch. Whitmore won his first eight starts for the Indians and helped them set a franchise record of seven straight wins. When he left Hartford Nov. 20, he was 0-3 with a 3.94 goals-against average. In eight games with the Indians, his GAA was 2.63. “Winning just breeds confidence,” said Whitmore. “When I left, there wasn’t much hope for me to pull myself out of it with practise alone. The only solution was to come down and play games and I think that was the best decision.” When Whitmore beat the Maine Mariners 5-2 Dec. 9, it was the Indians’ seventh straight victory. The…