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May 9, 2003
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.
Checker Lapointe hits mark with goal
Claude Lapointe didn’t just get handed the first second round playoff game of his 14-year NHL career. He had to earn it. Lapointe, a checking line center for the majority of his pro career, was moved up to a skill line with John LeClair and Mark Recchi for Game 7 of Philadelphia’s opening round series with Toronto. He came up with his best-ever post-season performance, a goal and three points, to spark a 6-1 rout of the Leafs. It was a form of redemption for Lapointe, who as a member of the New York Islanders, lost a Game 7 to Toronto in 2002. “It was huge (to advance),” Lapointe said. “We (Islanders) played Toronto in the first round last year and they beat us in the seventh game. This was kind of payback for…
TWO MINUTES IN THE BOX
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING POS: Center AGE 34 BIRTHPLACE Stratford, Ont. Which teammate has the strangest superstition? “Martin St-Louis. He has tape for his stick and nobody else is allowed to use it.” First job? “Working on the grill at McDonald’s. I got fired because hockey always came first.” Hobbies away from the arena? “Golf and hanging out with my kids Brittany and Wyatt. They love to swim and go camping in our RV.” Most interesting piece of fan mail? “I got one from an old lady; she included a picture of herself and sprayed the letter with perfume.” Closest friends in the league? “Adam Graves, Dave Andreychuk and Rob DiMaio.” What’s the most embarrassing CD you own? “Spice Girls.” If you were NHL commissioner what would your first act be? “I’d resolve the collective bargaining agreement. People are really worried about it.” Dumbest question you’ve been asked? “Somebody asked me,…
‘Canada’s team’ up for grabs
To their everlasting small-market credit, the Canadian teams that had the most to lose by falling victim to the Year of the Upset, didn’t. In both Ottawa and Vancouver, nothing less than core credibility was at stake in the first round. If only to help the bottom line, they needed to give their playoff-wary supporters a reason to believe in them. Toronto fans, need we mention, have never been so finicky. You have to believe Ottawa coach Jacques Martin would have found himself sacrificed on the stake as well if the Senators hadn’t come back to defeat the Islanders. Similarly, had the Canucks not rebounded from their own 3-1 deficit against St. Louis, it’s tough to see how Dan Cloutier could have gone on in Vancouver. Life would have become interminably more…
Lightning gets wins, but where’s respect?
Did the Lightning gain any respect with a six-game victory over the Capitals in the East quarter-final? Maybe. Maybe not. Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella didn’t seem to think so. “It’s beyond me how the organization we just beat can say they beat themselves, the referees and this and that and the other thing,” he said. GM Jay Feaster also said he’s sure there are those who believe the Lightning’s success is just a “blip,” especially in the media. “I think the guys are earning respect from other teams in the NHL and people within the NHL respect us,” Feaster said. “But in terms of the media perspective from outside our own market, I don’t think there is a lot of respect for our club.” “As an athlete, it’s fantastic motivation,” said Tortorella, whose…
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