CREASE TRAFFIC POSES PLEASANT PROBLEM

After seeing what happened to Ron Tugnutt in Boston March 21, you could understand why Stephane Fiset, Jacques Cloutier and John Tanner might consider changing careers. The 23-year-old Scarborough, Ont., native was pummeled with 73 shots in a 3-3 tie with the Bruins, the most shots ever against a Nordiques’ goalie and the second most in NHL history. “I’ve just witnessed the greatest performance by a goaltender in my life,” said Bruins’ coach Mike Milbury. “I would’ve loved to win, but I would’ve been embarrassed to take a point away from Tugnutt. This game will surely be remembered for a long time.” Boston’s Ray Bourque, who fired 19 of the 73 shots, was equally impressed. “I’ve never seen a goaltender that hot in my life,” he said. “The biggest injustice in the history of…

EARLY REVIEWS MIXED ON NEWCOMER ZALAPSKI

He is the main reason why Ed Johnston pulled the trigger on the biggest trade in Hartford Whalers’ history. In Pittsburgh, Zarley Zalapski was the guy with a funny name, who had a wicked one-time slapshot and a ton of potential. In Hartford, Zalapski must fill the role as a dominant defenseman for years to come. At least that is what the Whalers’ hierarchy is banking on after they traded center Ron Francis—the heart and soul of the club for nearly a decade—and defensemen Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings to the Penguins March 4 for Zalapski, center John Cullen and center/winger Jeff Parker. Johnston said he tried to get Zalapski without involving Francis, but couldn’t pull it off. Nevertheless, he felt Zalapski was too valuable a commodity to pass up if the Whalers are…

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SENATORS SCRAMBLING, BUT INSIST THERE’S NO PROBLEM

The Ottawa Senators are hockey’s version of Mark Twain. They insist reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. Major hurdles like a lack of interest on the part of investors, opposition to a zoning change to permit the building of the proposed Palladium and franchise fee payments of $22.5 million due in June and December have some people convinced the Senators will never realize their dream of NHL hockey in Canada’s capital. “They’ve got a problem with credibility right now among hockey people,” said one veteran scout. “Everybody’s asking, ‘where’s the money? Where’s it going to come from?’ Until those questions are answered, people will keep wondering.” “People who say we won’t make this happen don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes,” said Senators’ chief executive officer Randy Sexton. “They’re misinformed. “We will succeed…