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March 2, 2001

March 2, 2001

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.

IN THIS ISSUE

Sanderson discovers Columbus

Turns out all slumping left winger Geoff Sanderson needed was a little Shampoo. A two-time 40-goal man, Sanderson’s well had rim dry. After scoring 175 times in a five-year span (including the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season), he managed just 36 goals the past three years. He went from being a feared sniper to an enigma. Doug MacLean, GM of first-year Columbus, rescued him in the expansion draft and realized the importance of finding a center that would complement Sanderson’s skills. Enter ‘Shampoo’ - Espen Knutsen, a smallish Norwegian pivot who had failed in his first foray into the NHL with Anaheim three years ago. But things have been mighty ducky for Knutsen in his second go-around, as Sanderson’s red-light resurgence - 26 goals in 57 games - attests. “I honestly thought (Sanderson) was the most…

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Niedermayer bounces back quickly from operation to fix damaged knee

Less than one week after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, New Jersey Devils’ defenseman Scott Niedermayer was back on skates contemplating his return. Niedermayer, who underwent the surgery Feb. 9 in which five percent of the cartilage in his knee was removed, thought he might be able to beat the original timetable of 10 days to two weeks. “There is an adjustment,” Niedermayer said. “It’s sore and you favor it a bit, but the knee itself is fine. The cartilage is now clean.” GM Lou Lamoriello said the team would not rush the defenseman back, even though the Devils clearly missed Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski (shoulder injury) while they were sidelined. “It’s amazing. He could have been skating the next day if he felt like it,” Lamoriello said.…

IN THIS ISSUE

Confident Ference values time in AHL

NOTEBOOK When’s the last time a player acknowledged a demotion to the American League would have been the best thing for him? That’s the way Brad Ference looks at the start of this season. It has only been since about early January that the Louisville Panthers’ hard-nosed defenseman has played with poise and confidence every game. Ference started the season on the injured list of the parent Florida Panthers. A broken jaw suffered in a pre-camp scrimmage fight with Calgary defenseman Steve Smith forced Ference off the ice for nearly all of Florida’s training camp. “It’s like any athlete, you play much better when you have your confidence,” said Ference, Vancouver’s first round pick (10th overall) in 1997. “Maybe I should have come here (to Louisville) first.” Ference played nine games in Florida (one assist,…

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Lemieux’s opinion of Wild’s trap gets angry reaction from Lemaire

Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire is sick and tired of hearing how he has hurt the game with his famed neutral zone trap. And he isn’t going to take it anymore, even if one of the critics is Pittsburgh superstar Mario Lemieux. The coach mocked Lemieux after Lemieux criticized the Wild’s defensive style of play when the Wild held him pointless in a 4-2 Minnesota victory Feb. 11. Lemieux said the Wild’s style of play was not “what we’re trying to sell.” Lemaire fired back. “If we’re not allowed to hit, if we’re not allowed to check, I’m going to make a comeback,” said the 55-year-old coach. Lemieux’s teammate Kevin Stevens also was critical, saying he would not pay to watch a game like the Wild’s victory over the Pens. But Lemaire lashed out at Stevens,…