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October 30, 1998
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.
Vanbiesbrouck comes up sizzlinq after first toss into Flyer fire
’ rhe suspense lasted barely ’two minutes. That’s all John Vanbiesbrouck needed to show why the Philadelphia Flyers are putting their faith in his 35-year-old legs. New York Rangers’ right winger John MacLean was all set to convert a bang-bang passing play from close range just 2:15 into the season opener Oct. 9 when Vanbiesbrouck flashed across the crease to make a spectacular save. The Flyers scored only one goal, but Vanbiesbrouck made it stand up for a shutout win on the road. As defenseman Eric Desjardins was leaving a post-game interview area at Madison Square Garden and Vanbiesbrouck was entering, Desjardins smiled and cracked, “Oh, boy! A savior.” Said Flyers’ coach Roger Neilson. “He was outstanding. I’m sure he is pretty proud of that, coming in here with a big win like that.” Two…
Thunder Cat Firth foremost
Thunder Bay coach Tom Warden is understandably biased when it comes to Jason Firth. After all, Firth is a former teammate who will once again carry the load for the Thunder Cats. Few people around the United League will argue with Warden’s assessment of his star player, who is the leading candidate to be named MVP after earning the award for the second time last season. According to Warden, Firth doesn’t have a weakness. “He’s the best penalty killer in the I league,” Warden said. “He’s the best I passer in the league. Offensively, he’s I the best player in the league. And I defensively, he’s the best player in the league. Put them all together, and he’s the best player in the league.” Saginaw Gears’ coach Robert Dirk agrees. “Last year, there’s no…
Broncos’ coach, players nabbed for rule violations
Western Michigan coach Bill Wilkinson served a school-imposed two-week suspension, with pay, after two of his players were arrested during a team party. The party, held Sept. 19 at a house owned by Wilkinson and rented to four of his players, including son Mark, was found to include hazing of freshmen and under-age drinking. Both are violations of the Western Michigan Student Athlete Code of Conduct. Sophomores Mark Wilkinson and Steve Rymsha were arrested. Two minor NCAA violations were also uncovered-one involving a team golf outing at a private course, the other a no-lease rental agreement the four players had to live in the house. Both broke the NCAA’s regulation which says student-athletes are not allowed benefits generally not available to other students. The school suspended Mark Wilkinson and Rymsha for three games.…
Podollan hopes quick start gets Maple Leafs’ attention
When he was obtained by the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Florida Panthers in a trade for Kirk Muller back in March of 1997, Jason Podollan was soaring at cloud level. A first-year pro out of junior, Podollan had earned a promotion from the American League to the NHL with the Panthers and now he was involved in a late-season trade. “To be traded for a guy with the stature of Kirk Muller, it was breathtaking, and to go to a Canadian city like Toronto where hockey’s so huge, that was even more amazing,” Podollan said. “I thought, ’These guys must really want me.’ But the way it has worked out maybe wasn’t the fairy-tale ending as everyone would have liked.” After playing 10 games in Toronto (no goals, three assists) to finish…