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February 23, 1996
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.
Goals hard to come by for change
The Pittsburgh Penguins opened the season by scoring seven goals in a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs and it took nearly four months for their offense to cool off. The league’s highest-scoring team hit a goal drought in mid-February, scoring just nine goals in a five-game stretch-and four of those came during a 4:25 span in a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins. Not coincidentally, the Penguins went 1-3-1 during that stretch. “When we can’t score goals, we struggle out there,” said center Petr Nedved. “Once we get the offense going, we have a chance to win.” Still, the Penguins gave some indication they can play defense well enough to get by. A 1-1 tie with the New Jersey Devils Feb. 7 was the byproduct of a better defensive effort. “Everybody can do…
Surprise line provides pop
The San Jose Sharks found a scoring line, as well as a much-needed emotional lift, from the most unlikely of sources during a recent five-game homestand. The previously nondescript trio of center Jamie Baker, left winger Chris Tancill and right winger Jeff Odgers combined for 10 goals and 19 points as the Sharks gained two wins and a tie in a 10-day span. “That particular unit has been inspiring,” said coach Jim Wiley. “They have been damn impressive.” Tancill, who spent the first 2 1/2 months of the season with the Kansas City Blades of the International League, led San Jose scorers with eight points during the homestand. He established a career high with a three-point game in a 6-6 tie with the Los Angeles Kings Feb. 1, then matched the one-goal, two-assist…
Wichita coach Jackson just says no to Senators
The offer was there and it looked like a no-brainer. Wichita Thunder coach Don Jackson was being courted by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators to become their assistant coach when they hired Jac-ques Martin Jan. 24. Here was his chance to leave Wichita, where the Thunder was having one problem after another. And Wichita fans were showing little affinity for Jackson, whose team was mired in last place after winning the past two Central League titles. But Jackson said, “No thanks.” “The transition was just too tough to make at this time,” said Jackson, a former assistant for three years with the Quebec Nordiques. “I had obligations in Wichita. I would like to finish what I started.” Jackson previously worked with Martin and Ottawa GM Pierre Gauthier while in Quebec. Jackson, whose wife Nancy is…
Senators bridging credibility crevasse
Perception is everything in the NHL and even if Wayne Gretzky didn’t say so, the perception of the Ottawa Senators for the first four years of their existence was they were a Mickey Mouse operation. It began with a mediocre performance on expansion-draft day–the Senators selected three ineligible players, in part because of a computer breakdown-and the laughter didn’t die until owner Rod Bryden cleaned house this season. The Senators’ new regime-GM Pierre Gauthier, coach Jacques Martin-haven’t had perceptibly better results than the old dance team, Randy Sexton and Dave Allison. So what changed? Just this: the perception is Gauthier and Martin had paid their dues by moving through existing NHL channels and thus will know what they’re doing. Now, the consensus around the NHL is there’ll be better days ahead for Ottawa;…
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