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February 1, 2002
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.
Hnilicka rebounds, then falters again
Milan Hnilicka is starting to prove he can be a starting NHL goalie. Whether that means he can survive 40-shot assaults for 60 games a year is another matter. The Atlanta Thrashers goalie, who has not been the primary cause of the team’s horrendous start this season, showed some resiliency after one of his worst starts of the year, during which he allowed four goals on 12 shots. In his next three starts, the second-year goalie from the Czech Republic allowed four goals on 118 shots, resulting in wins over Calgary (1-0) and Toronto (3-2) and a tie with Tampa Bay (2-2). But with Atlanta on the verge of a franchise-record five-game unbeaten streak, Hnilicka looked fatigued and let in a couple of soft goals in a 6-3 loss to the Flyers Jan.…
Shawinigan trades give team new look
The Shawinigan Cataractes and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles made the most significant changes as Quebec League teams wheeled and dealed on the final day of the trade period. The Cataractes pulled off three major trades Jan. 9, including a three-player swap with the Eagles. Shawinigan dealt 19-year-old winger Jean-Francois Dufort to Cape Breton for 18-year-old left winger Charles Gauthier and overage defenseman Hunter Lahache. That move created a surplus of 20-year-olds in Shawinigan, prompting the Cataractes to deal defenseman Jonathan Lessard and a fourth round midget pick to the Moncton Wildcats for picks in the third and eighth rounds. The final touch for Shawinigan was the acquisition of 19-year-old center Jean-Michel Boisvert from the Sherbrooke Castors for 19-year-old left winger David Chicoine. “We have an opportunity to have a good run in the playoffs…
UNITED LEAGUE
After two years of inactivity, the Canton Xpress will rejoin the United League next season. The franchise originated as the Chatham Wheels in 1992-93 before moving to Saginaw for the 1994-95 season. After four-plus seasons in Saginaw the club moved to Canton midway through the 1999-2000 season. But when the Xpress’s new building experienced construction delays, the franchise went into mothballs for two years. The Xpress will play in the 5,000-seat Canton Civic Center…The first-place Quad City Mallards swung a five-player trade with last-place Rockford. The Mallards sent forwards Harold Hersh, Mike Sgroi and A.J. Guidarelli to Rockford for forwards Keli Corpse and Jesse Rooney. Draft picks were also involved.…
Two winless streaks taint Ducks’ year
If the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim could erase two particular chunks of the 200102 NHL season, they just might have something. A 5-3 victory over the visiting Nashville Predators Jan. 14 snapped an eight-game winless streak that included two ties. The skid was one short of the franchise record, which Anaheim had already matched earlier this season with a seven-loss, two-tie run from Nov. 7-24. The Ducks had a reasonable excuse for their November slide. It coincided with injuries to top center Steve Rucchin and ace defenseman Keith Carney. While Carney was back during the second slump, Rucchin remained sidelined with a fractured left tibia, and Anaheim struggled on offense. “I don’t think there’s any question that we struggle to maintain confidence to score that late goal,” said coach Bryan Murray. “We keep…
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