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May 9, 1997
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.


Denis pushing magical season to the extreme
Marc Denis’ final season of junior has been a memorable one. The Chicoutimi Sagueneens’ goalie led Canada to a gold med-al at this year’s World Junior Championship, won the Jacques Plante Trophy for posting the best goals-against average in the Quebec League (2.69) and was named the top-rated prospect outside the NHL in The Hockey News’ Future Watch issue. Now Denis, the Colorado Avalanche’s first round pick in the 1995 NHL entry draft, has added another line to his resume after leading the Sagueneens to the President’s Cup final. Denis made 28 saves as the Sagueneens beat the Halifax Mooseheads 5-1 April 20 in Game 7 of their Dilio Division final to spoil the party for another sellout crowd of 9,615 at the Hali-fax Metro Centre. The win improved Denis’ playoff record to…


New regime restores hope in St. Louis
For a night, anyway, it seemed like the St. Louis Blues had never teetered on the brink of competitive and financial min. Grant Fuhr blanked the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. A near-sellout crowd chanted, cheered and scuffled enthusiastically in the pink seats of the cavernous Kiel Center. Temperamental Brett Hull led the charge, circling the offensive zone like a shark. Low-keyed Chris Pronger was an ornery defensive force and the star of a last-minute brawl. Streaky Geoff Courtnall scored twice, making that $2.2 million salary look like a bargain. Fans danced in their seats as the clock wound down. “That,” said defenseman Al Maclnnis, “was the most exciting game we’ve had in this building.” At last, fans could roar instead of snore. After two largely…


NHL ROSTERS AND TRANSACTIONS


McEachern’s real value doesn’t appear in stats
In a dressing room filled with youth and potential, experience counts for a lot. That’s probably why left winger Shawn McEachern was so valuable to the Ottawa Senators in the club’s first round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres. On a team with only six players who have played in the post-season, McEachern was performing a key role after a regular season in which he didn’t produce the kind of offense that was expected. The 28-year-old McEachern, who won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992, knows just showing up isn’t enough. “You (might) think if you get eliminated in the first round that’s OK because you’ll get back again,” he said. “You can’t think that way because you don’t know if you’re ever going to get back here again.” McEachern finished 1996-97…