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January 10, 1992
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.
Wakaluk comes through with welcome relief
Just when the Minnesota North Stars expected it least—and needed it most-they became a two-goalie team again. Jon Casey has been the Stars’ workaholic goaltender the last three seasons, playing 55, 61 and 55 games. And he started 25 of this season’s first 29 games. Darcy Wakaluk, who won his job in training camp, played like a back-up early in the season, providing some relief for Casey, less for the Stars. He even sounded like a back-up, offering his support to Casey at every tum. Then Casey’s play turned sour and he needed relief in two of three games in mid-December. Wakaluk played good enough in relief to earn a start. Then another. And another. Before Casey got back in the Stars’ goal, Wakaluk had started four straight games, won three all on the…
Bloodsport back with vengeance in the NHL
In his first game back with the Buffalo Sabres after missing six weeks with a broken jaw, Pat LaFontaine was the target of an attempted decapitation-by-elbow with Edmonton’s Troy Mallette as the executioner. The next night, in Toronto, Craig Berube ran LaFontaine-twice. Later, Michel Petit put his stick upside LaFontaine’s head. A few nights later in Hartford, one of the Whalers crosschecked LaFontaine from behind, sending him headfirst into the boards. Three games, five hits. One of them massive. All with a purpose. “Welcome back to the NHL Pat LaFontaine. Here’s a little test to see what you’re made of.” Hey, I don’t mind the use of head games. Intimidation has always been a part of hockey and if you can’t play through it you can’t play the game. At least not at…
Back in the fight
When John Muckier was hired last summer as the Buffalo Sabres’ director of hockey operations, the former Edmonton Oiler coach said he had coached his last game. But everyone knew that if the Sabres faltered under head coach Rick Dudley, it wouldn’t be long before Muckier was back behind the bench. And that’s exactly what happened. Just 30 games into the season, Muckier replaced Dudley as coach of one of the most confounding and underachieving teams in the NHL. Many think that Muckier had no choice. But not only does he not agree with that, he says his title of interim coach is real and that he has no plans to stay in coaching beyond this season. “I agreed (to take the coaching job) because I thought it would make my job (as director…
Record-breaking road streak puts Mario’s boys back in race
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the final weekend of 1991 facing what coach Scott Bowman called “two benchmark games” as they went on the road to face Washington and the New York Rangers. Precedent didn’t give them much cause for optimism. The Penguins were 0-3-0 against Washington, which had outscored them 21-4, and 1-3-0 against New York. And they were missing No. 1 goalie Tom Barrasso, who had a bruised Achilles’ tendon in his right leg. But goalie Wendell Young turned in an outstanding weekend performance, as Pittsburgh beat Washington, 6-2, and the Rangers, 6-3, to surge within striking distance of first place in the Patrick Division. The Penguins bolted back into the Patrick Division chase by virtue of a superior road record. The victory in New York was their fifth in a row…
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