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June 28, 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.
Pathetic past led to bright future
MIAMI-Joe Sakic was getting annoyed. Here he was, one win away from his first Stanley Cup (and Conn Smythe Trophy), but the reporters kept harping on how he felt during the Quebec Nordiques pitiful 12-win season in 1988-89, when the first victory of the month was cause for wild celebration. “You’re worrying a lot about the past,” Sakic said. “Let’s keep it to the present here.” But the past, all eight years of it in Sakic’s case, played a huge part in Colorado Avalanche’s march to the Stanley Cup. Past misery is what allowed the Nordiques to draft Eric Lindros first overall in 1991 and gobble up the goody basket that came when he was dealt a year later. The more recent past saw Sakic put more emphasis on playing a stronger twoway…
Osgood gets a charge out of big save on Colorado’s Sakic
Chris Osgood experienced two unexpected pleasures June 9. First, the Detroit Red Wings’ goalie was presented with the first-ever MasterCard Play of the Year Award. Second, during the luncheon prior to receiving the award, he sat one table from Colorado Avalanche forward Claude Lemieux. The latter was significant because of the threats Osgood and many of the Red Wings made after Lemieux’s dirty hit from behind on Detroit forward Kris Draper in Game 6 of the Western Conference final. Many Detroit players vowed to seek retribution for the hit that fractured several bones in Draper’s face. Osgood, one of Draper’s best friends, led the verbal charge. “I came up here to get the award and I had to come up from Cancun,” Osgood who glared at Lemieux hoping it served as a warning…
Solar Bears kept it close
The Utah Grizzlies swept the Orlando Solar Bears in the Turner Cup final, but it was far from being a one-sided series. Three of the four games were settled in overtime and the other was sealed with an empty-net goal. The Solar Bears were attempting to become the 12th first-year franchise to win the Turner Cup. They had come back from the brink of elimination in their first three playoff rounds against the Fort Wayne Komets, Detroit Vipers and Cincinnati Cyclones. “This team took it farther than anyone expected,” said Orlando coach Curt Fraser. “They did a great job and I’m proud to have coached every one of them. You talk about building a foundation for the future and these guys have done that.” Here’s a recap of the action: Game 1, June 2…
Vanbiesbrouck courageous in defeat
John Vanbiesbrouck was ready to go, ready to leave the Florida Panthers’ dressing room for the last time this season and discover what happens to Cinderella after the clock strikes midnight and the coach and horses turn to a pumpkin and mice. Or in the case of the Panthers, a pumpkin and rats. But there were two more reporters who wanted a minute of his time, and even though one reporter had misplaced her camera crew and it was 2 a.m., Vanbiesbrouck stood in the empty room and waited. The errant videocam technician finally appeared. When the light went on and the tape started rolling, Vanbiesbrouck looked into the cameras and emptied his heart. None of the 55 saves he made in the final game of the Stanley Cup final could have…
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