ELSTON

Introducing THN’s all-playoff team

Let’s get one thing straight. We’re not suggesting Rob Ramage is a better playoff performer than Wayne Gretzky. Ramage has 50 career playoff points and one Stanley Cup. Gretzky has almost six times as many points and four Cups. So why is Ramage on our all-playoff team? Because the Minnesota North Star defenseman has a history of surpassing his regularseason production in the playoffs. Gretzky, on the other hand, averages almost two points per game in the playoffs but even that isn’t enough to match his phenomenal regular-season statistics. Craig Simpson of the Edmonton Oilers leads all active players in productivity during the playoffs as compared to the regular season. His ability to thrive under playoff pressure has earned him a spot on the all-playoff team. “As professional athletes, this is the pinnacle…

Milestones, playoff berth quickly becoming sure bets

The Pittsburgh Penguins were closing in on personal milestones as well as a Patrick Division playoff berth. Their run at the record book began when Mario Lemieux got his 400th career goal in Toronto March 14. Three nights later, right winger Joe Mullen became the first U.S.-born player to enter that exclusive club when he got No. 400 in a 6-5 victory against Edmonton. Kevin Stevens added a historical footnote in a 6-3 win against Quebec March 19 when he got an assist on the Penguins’ first goal. It was Stevens’ 111th point of the season, one more than Mullen’s record for a U.S.-born player. Lemieux also was on the verge of a significant feat. He had 998 career points in 512 games going into the Penguins’ game in Detroit March 24. Lemieux will…

Neck injury won’t keep Saint out of tournament

The St. Lawrence Saints didn’t celebrate much after beating Cornell 4-2 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference championship game. They were too busy worrying about teammate Michael Allain. The sophomore left winger sustained a neck injury early in the third period and was taken off the ice on a stretcher. He crashed head-first into the glass after being hit from behind by Shawn Hannah and Etienne Belzile. Replays showed he caught an edge and was off-balance prior to being hit. Boston Garden emergency personnel stabilized his neck with a brace and transported him to Massachusetts General Hospital. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t serious. Allain was examined by doctors, who diagnosed the injury as a bad neck sprain. He was released March 16 and flew home to Shediac, N.B., to rest. He returned March 19…