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.

May 23, 2003

The Hockey News May 23, 2003

<div class="byline">BY MARK BRENDER Contributing Editor</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011996/8418005-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011767/8417998-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg" title="f0011-01" width="2526" height="918"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be as intense from my first game to my last last.</i></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he red line of blood ran across the ice like stained jet exhaust fallen from the sky. At the end of the trail lay a curled-up Scott Stevens, his hands covering the side of his face where a puck fired head-high from 20 feet away shredded skin near his left ear seconds earlier. New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello watched his captain&rsquo;s slide from a private box at the Tampa Bay Ice Palace. Lamoriello&rsquo;s heart beat double-time as he headed downstairs to check out Stevens&rsquo; condition. It wasn&rsquo;t the play that scared him. It was what happened afterward.</p><p>&ldquo;It was certainly something where you had palpitations because he stayed down,&rdquo; Lamoriello said. &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t stay down.&rdquo;</p><p>But this time he did.</p><p>Lamoriello surely saw Stevens in another notable incident during the 1995 playoffs, when the Devils&rsquo; granite-carved blueliner got rocked by a hit from Boston&rsquo;s Bryan Smolinski. When Stevens came to in the trainer&rsquo;s room he looked around and didn&rsquo;t have a clue how he got there. The truly frightening part was when they told him he skated off the ice himself.</p><p>He didn&rsquo;t stay down either on the night when, as an 18-year-old with the Ontario League&rsquo;s Kitchener Rangers, he took a particularly nasty cut to his face from an opponent&rsquo;s reckless high stick. Stevens fell to the ice and spun to a stop near his own net. He removed his glove and felt up toward the pain. When he looked at his hand and it was covered in blood, Scott Stevens&rsquo; inner monster was released. He tore down the ice and climbed over two linesmen and pummeled the poor sap silly. Says he doesn&rsquo;t remember that one, either.</p><p>Point is, the man&rsquo;s Chuck Norris-like can&rsquo;t-be-felled reputation is well-deserved. Over his career he has played in 209 of his teams&rsquo; 210 playoff games, including all 10 this year heading into the semifinal series against Ottawa. Over that time, the 39-year-old Kitchener native has earned two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and legions of admirers, the most passionate undoubtedly inside New Jersey&rsquo;s dressing room.</p><p>So you can understand why Tampa Bay binged on three first period goals in that Game 3 of the Stanley Cup quarterfinal after Stevens left the game just 77 seconds in. &ldquo;It certainly hurt us emotionally just to see him like that,&rdquo; Ken Danekyo said.</p><p>And you can understand the impact it had when Daneyko stepped up in the shell-shocked dressing room after the period, reminding everyone to play as hard as Scotty would want them to play. New Jersey went on to outscore Tampa the rest of the game, while losing 4-3.</p><p>Some of the Devils were so thrown as to suggest Tampa defenseman Pavel Kubina deliberately aimed at Stevens&rsquo; head on the shoot-in. Stevens himself doesn&rsquo;t fault Kubina a whisker. He knows the difference between a fluke fire and taking serious aim. He knows two ways to go hunting and Kubina wasn&rsquo;t doing either of them.</p><p>The first kind of hunting is what has made Stevens famous to today&rsquo;s generation of hockey fans. It&rsquo;s why you can say &ldquo;Eric Lindros, Ron Francis, Shane Willis&rdquo; and everyone knows exactly what you&rsquo;re talking about. In the playoffs, Stevens says, guys are more willing to take a hit to make a play - and Stevens, ever mindful of the game situation, is often all too happy to oblige. &ldquo;You look for it,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;but you want to look for it as a positive.&rdquo;</p><p>What makes Stevens unique is that his heavy hitting is just one facet of a much broader game, each facet revealed over his career when it has been most called for and in demand. Among his contemporaries in this respect, Detroit&rsquo;s Chris Chelios is his only obvious peer.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the thing I&rsquo;m most proud of, of all the roles he has played,&rdquo; says Stevens&rsquo; older brother Geoff, a Devils scout. &ldquo;Did (Ray) Bourque ever fight Dave Brown and Rick Tocchet? Go back and look at who he&rsquo;s fought. He has fought, he has scored, he has played physical. He has done all that. You take all the parts of the game, I&rsquo;d put my brother on top.&rdquo;</p><p>The other kind of hunting the Devils nearly enjoy just as much. They picture him in the middle of nowhere stuck 20 feet up in a tree with a harness and a portable perch and a crossbow and wonder, what&rsquo;s the deal, man? They joke about having so many deer in these parts that Stevens could just as easily lure &lsquo;em to the back porch with bread crumbs and cut &lsquo;em down with a butter knife. Jokes Daneyko: &ldquo;He could probably do it with his bare hands, actually.&rdquo; But he traipses to the back country instead, the freak.</p><p>Really, anybody who still believes Scott Stevens has lost a step should see him move when the hunting show comes on ESPN.</p><p>He takes the grief, takes it all. He has little choice.</p><p>&ldquo;They make fun of me, but I definitely love it,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;They just think it&rsquo;s like taking candy from a baby because they don&rsquo;t realize all the things that can happen&hellip;When you go into their domain, it&rsquo;s an entirely different scene.&rdquo;</p><p>An avid outdoorsman, Stevens was mainly into fishing until four or five years ago when a friend brought over some venison and an invitation to go out and get some of his own. He tried it and was hooked, both on the meat and the process of getting it.</p><p>The deer season runs from September to January and when the Devils are in town, Stevens gets out &ldquo;as much as my wife lets me.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s his own personal Calgon commercial, a half-hour drive from his house in EssexFells, N.J., and for three hours in the late afternoon it takes him away. Used to go out with Jason Arnott, but with Arnott now in Dallas, he&rsquo;s a lone Devil.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011947/8417991-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="1210" height="1353"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>FULL STOP</b>&nbsp;<i>Martin St-Louis and the rest of the Lightning found out getting past Stevens at playoff time is no easy feat.</i></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;I find it soothing, relaxing. I get out there, it&rsquo;s quiet and I just love it.&rdquo;</p><p>He admits he could get a deer pretty much every time he goes out, but he is selective, setting his sights only when he spots something bigger than what he already has or when he needs meat in the freezer. This time of year, at playoff time, he takes out the dogs and goes shed hunting; he recently found his first matching pair of antlers a few days and 40 yards apart.</p><p>It&rsquo;s no small thing that venison is healthy, too. Stevens has been taking care of his body through proper eating, working out and lifestyle long before it became fashionable. Stevens spends a good chunk of his summers at his cottage near Peterborough, Ont., working out with St. Louis forward Cory Stillman. Stillman has a summer home just down the lake.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s probably the best conditioned athlete I&rsquo;ve ever seen. He&rsquo;s carved out of granite,&rdquo; Daneyko says.</p><p>Adds Lamoriello: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen a lot of players who are a lot younger who are a lot older, if you know what I mean.&rdquo;</p><p>So even if he has lost a step after 21 NHL seasons - and Geoff Stevens says Scott wouldn&rsquo;t deny it - it&rsquo;s hardly the fatal blow people were going on about about a year or two ago when Stevens failed to crack Canada&rsquo;s Olympic team, supposedly over concerns about mobility.</p><p>No, the truth is Stevens will only give up the game, will only have to give up the game, when his legendary inner fire starts to dim. He won&rsquo;t be one to fade away gracefully. &ldquo;When that&rsquo;s gone, that&rsquo;ll be the time to retire,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be as intense from my first game to my last.&rdquo;</p><p>Maybe then we will be more inclined to remember the incredible transformation he has undergone. Tough to believe Stevens actually led the Devils in scoring one season. In 1993-94 he had 78 points, six more than his closest teammate, Stephane Richer. Stevens was also plus-53, yet he finished a narrow second to Bourque in the Norris voting. The sting of that snub started to wane with his first Cup the next season and was virtually wiped out with the Conn job and second Cup in 2000.</p><p>But it was his last chance for a Norris because he never again played the same game. Jacques Lemaire had just been brought in as Devils coach; the next season Stevens filled the role of prime defensive stopper in Lemaire&rsquo;s rigidly structured system. The winning model Lemaire instilled has carried over with each successive coach Lamoriello brought in, at least as far as Stevens&rsquo; role is concerned.</p><p>Not that he&rsquo;s complaining. He was as surprised as anyone this season when Elias Sports Bureau came out with the stat about Mr. All-Time Win Leader. Stevens has played in the most regular season games won by his team - 859 - and heading into the Ottawa series was second in combined playoff and regular season wins to Mark Messier (991 to 979).</p><p>It&rsquo;s quite a testament considering he and goalie Martin Brodeur are the only sure-fire Hall of Earners on a team that has been so good for so long. The biggest offensive star he has played with in his career (aside from Brett Hull one year in St. Louis) is, who, Alex Mogilny? Mike Gartner?</p><p>&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t played on powerhouse teams, it means a fair bit because of that. We&rsquo;ve had good teams but we&rsquo;ve had to work hard. We didn&rsquo;t breeze through anything.&rdquo;</p><p>Unless you count the first two rounds this season. Compared to what the Devils may fact against Ottawa, it might end up seeming that way. For the first time in these playoffs, Stevens and partner Brian Rafalski have no clear match-up.</p><p>&ldquo;The first two series there was one line each time where we knew they could do the damage,&rdquo; Stevens says. &ldquo;This presents a different challenge.&rdquo; But as challenges go, Game 4 of the Tampa series and suiting up with a specially modified helmet to cover his cauliflower ear had to be up there. He says his head and hands felt fine, but the legs weren&rsquo;t there all night. All he did was play a team-high 27 minutes, score a goal and finish plus-2.</p><p>You can&rsquo;t help but respect that. Stevens does the same for himself, the opposition, the game. Any game. He picks his spots and he&rsquo;s always at the ready.</p><h2><b>SCOTT&rsquo;S RIVALS</b></h2><p><i>Scott Stevens has battled hundreds of forwards over the years. He lists Jaromir Jagr, Eric Lindros and Joe Thornton as three of the toughest. Below is Stevens&rsquo; brief comment about each player, plus career head-to-head stats of the three forwards in games against Stevens.</i></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021530/8417984-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg" title="f0012-02" width="101" height="142"><figcaption class="caption-body" style="width: 101px"><b>jaromir JAGR</b></figcaption></div><p>Ultra-strong and always ready to challenge 1-on-1; focus is on containment</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03999/8417977-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="91" height="123"><figcaption class="caption-body" style="width: 91px"><b>eric LINDROS</b></figcaption></div><p>Prototypical power forward has great size and strength, presents formidable battle down low</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04596/8417970-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="94" height="140"><figcaption class="caption-body" style="width: 94px"><b>joe THORNTON</b></figcaption></div><p>A handful of talent in a big, forceful package; must be aware of terrific passing skills</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-05427/8417963-1-eng-US/f0012-052.jpg" title="f0012-05" width="628" height="245"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-06347/8417956-1-eng-US/f0012-062.jpg" title="f0012-06" width="684" height="1386"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0010-01

DEPARTMENTS

BIG GAME Hunter

<h2><b>PLAYOFF RATINGS A BUST IN U.S.</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>ORONTO</b> Television ratings of NHL playoff action was at a record-low through two rounds. ABC is averaging a 1.1 rating for its Saturday afternoon broadcasts, down 21 per cent from last season. That compares to 10.3 for the average NFL rating, 5.7 for NASCAR, 2.5 for MLB and 2.5 for NBA. Ratings aren&rsquo;t expected to get better in the final two rounds as Ottawa and Vancouver carry little interest to U.S. viewers, and Anaheim, Minnesota and New Jersey are not among the top 10 TV markets in the U.S. In Canada, CBC&rsquo;s first round average is down 11 per cent from last season, while TSN is up 29 per cent from what Sportsnet did with a smaller subscriber base last year.</p><h2><b>EX-NHLER ATKINSON DIES</b></h2><p><b>NIAGARA FALLS</b> Former NHLer Steve Atkinson died of a heart attack at age 54. Prior to his NHL career, the Toronto native helped the Niagara Falls Flyers win the Memorial Cup in 1968. He went on to play four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and one with Washington in the 1970s. He had 60 goals and 111 points in 302 games.</p><h2><b>NHL STILL ON SARS ALERT</b></h2><p><b>TORONTO NHL</b> officials are monitoring the SARS situation in Toronto in light of the annual fitness testing for top prospects being held in the city at the end of May. Each year, 100 top prospects are brought to Toronto by the NHL Central Scouting Service for medical and fitness evaluations. Teams use information gathered to help them in their draft choices. This year&rsquo;s testing is on May 25-31. The outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in Toronto had led some to believe the event would be moved or canceled, but with the virus under control plans are moving ahead. &ldquo;Based on what we know, it seems it would be OK,&rdquo; said Jim Gregory, NHL senior vice-president of operations. He said the situation will be re-evaluated in mid-May.</p><h2><b>BERMAN ON BEAT WITH ESPN, ABC</b></h2><p><b>BRISTOL, Conn.</b> Popular sports commentator Chris Berman has drawn the assignment to co-host ESPN and ABC Sports Stanley Cup coverage. Beginning May 27, Berman will join John Saunders and Barry Melrose for pre- and post-game segments and intermission reports. A long-time hockey fan, Berman is known for his enthusiasm, knowledge and wit.</p><h2><b>STAAL TOPS SCOUTING LIST</b></h2><p><b>TORONTO</b> Peterborough center Eric Staal is the No. 1 prospect for the June NHL draft, according to the International Scouting Service. Staal is expected to be selected by Florida, which has the first pick June 21 in Nashville. The ISS rates Russian right winger Nikolai Zherdev second, followed by Oshawa center Nathan Horton.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011715/8418112-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="274" height="426"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>STEVE ATKINSON</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0016-01

HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF

<div class="image-hero"><img title="Cover-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/cover-011027/8420308-1-eng-US/cover-012.jpg"></div><p><b>CONFERENCE FINAL SCOUTING REPORTS IS PATRICK ROY DONE?</b></p><p><b>CONFERENCE FINAL SCOUTING REPORTS</b></p><p><b>MARIAN HOSSA OTTAWA SENATORS</b></p><p><b>senators are finally Beasts of the East</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Cover-01

IN THIS ISSUE

SCOTT STEVENS ULTIMATE PLAYOFF WARRIOR

<div class="byline">&#x2013;JEFF SCHULTZ</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011243/8418693-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="215" height="282"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>E</span>arly indications were that <b>David McDavid,</b> who signed a letter of intent to purchase the Thrashers, Hawks and Philips Arena from AOL/Time Warner, is content with the direction of the hockey team and planned no major changes. That&rsquo;s not surprising, but it has to make GM <b>Don Waddell</b> feel a bit relieved, given the uncertainty any time new ownership takes over. Atlanta went 9-4-1-1 in the final 15 games and for the first time after four seasons can feel good about playoff chances next year. &ldquo;It hasn&rsquo;t been a big deal because we haven&rsquo;t had to hold up any decisions,&rdquo; Waddell said of the franchise&rsquo;s impending sale: &ldquo;But obviously we&rsquo;re heading into an important part of the summer, when decisions have to be made. So if this is going to happen now, it&rsquo;s good timing. We have to make sure we know what the ground rules are&rdquo;&hellip;Atlanta had seven players - four veterans and three prospects - at the World Championship in Finland, including right winger <b>Dany Heatley,</b> who had seven points in Canada&rsquo;s first six games.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-01

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Impending sale no worry to Waddell

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-011967/8417545-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>The captain doesn&rsquo;t need an easy chair when there&rsquo;s a Tampa Bay Lightning nearby to suit his needs. Now if he&rsquo;d just stay still&hellip;</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0003-01

SITTIN’ PRETTY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-011921/8417604-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="292" height="328"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>EDITOR&rsquo;S NOTEBOOK</b>&nbsp;<i>Jason Kay Managing Editor</i></figcaption></div><p>That the NHL&rsquo;s TV ratings plummeted through the first two rounds of the playoffs shouldn&rsquo;t, in and of itself, be reason to panic.</p><p>Hockey is a regional game that relies on traditional, strong markets and the absences and/or early exits of teams in cities such as New York, Detroit, Denver and Toronto had a predictable impact on viewership. <i>(See pg. 16 for more on TV ratings.)</i></p><p>What should set off alarm bells are the increasingly loud criticisms that this year&rsquo;s post-season has been dull.</p><p>Whether or not you agree with the sentiment is irrelevant - the perception persists. The question that begs answering is why?</p><p>On paper, the elements for a spectacular spring exist:</p><p>&bull; The athleticism of the players has never been better and the intensity, ferocity and aggression of this postseason has been extreme.</p><p>&bull; The majority of games have been competitive. Fortyseven of 70 contests (67 per cent) were decided by one or two goals. Twenty-one of those games went to overtime, challenging the record of 28.</p><p>&bull; The storylines have been compelling. The underdog Ducks, the ghost-vanquishing Senators and the astonishing Wild have provided inspiration.</p><p>&bull; The star power has been decent. Granted we lost Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, Peter Forsberg and Patrick Roy early, but Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, Paul Kariya and Martin Brodeur provided a helping of marquee attraction through two rounds.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021617/8417597-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="2540" height="2376"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GREAT TALES</b>&nbsp;<i>Niclas Havelid and the stunning Mighty Ducks are among a group of great storylines this spring.</i></figcaption></div><p>So we&rsquo;ve got a fastpaced, hard-hitting, competitive, intense, compelling and relatively star-studded post-season. What&rsquo;s missing?</p><p>How about drama?</p><p>For all the reasons that have been floated endlessly the past few years, scoring is again at low tide this spring (4.9 goals per game). Worse yet is the dearth of good scoring chances and long stretches of play in the neutral zone and around the perimeter.</p><p>The result is predictability once a team gets a lead. Comebacks of the truly inspiring nature have been as rare in the playoffs as a sighting of Roman Cechmanek in his crease. Through 70 games, only one team that was trailing by two goals or more entering the third period was able to overcome the deficit. That was Vancouver, in Game 1 of its series against Minnesota.</p><p>The games that have gone to overtime, meanwhile, have typically been defensive struggles with strategy focused on &ldquo;not losing&rdquo; as opposed to winning. The number of quality scoring chances have been minimal and we&rsquo;re getting marathon hockey that can be as tiring to watch as running one.</p><p>In the end, as basic as it may sound, it comes back to scoring. Until games are opened up and a greater emphasis is placed on getting goals as opposed to stopping them, we&rsquo;ll be relegated to watching great athletes playing a wonderful game that, regrettably, doesn&rsquo;t fulfill its potential.</p><p>A few other bits and pieces:</p><p>&bull; Defensive hockey notwithstanding, it&rsquo;s an exciting time to be a hockey fan in Canada&rsquo;s capital region. While the Senators continue their Stanley Cup crusade, the OHL&rsquo;s Ottawa 67&rsquo;s and QMJHL&rsquo;s Hull Olympiques (located a stone&rsquo;s throw or two from Parliament Hill) are in contention for the Memorial Cup.</p><p>&bull; A source tells The Hockey News that Boston has offered Sergei Samsonov to Florida for the first overall pick this June. The Bruins would then use the selection on phenom goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.</p><p>&bull; No disrespect to Tony Granato, who may one day be a great coach, but shouldn&rsquo;t Avs GM Pierre Lacroix be taking more heat for hiring a man with no experience?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-031317/8417590-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="408" height="226"></div><h2><b>WORTH NOTING</b></h2><p><i>Milestones, notable achievements and NHL debuts.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-041071/8417583-1-eng-US/f0004-042.jpg" title="f0004-04" width="294" height="472"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CLAUDE LEMIEUX</b></figcaption></div><p><b>NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS</b></p><p><b>Anaheim vs. Dallas</b></p><p><i>April 24 in Dallas</i></p><p>Five OT periods are needed in Game 1 as the Ducks beat the Stars 4-3. Its the fourth-longest game ever.</p><p><b>Denmark&rsquo;s national team</b></p><p><i>April 26 in Tampere, Finland</i></p><p>Denmark beats Team USA 5-2 in its first game in the top division of the World Championship since 1949.</p><p><b>Ed Jovanovski</b> &bull; <b>D, 26</b></p><p><i>Vancouver, May 5 vs. Minnesota</i></p><p>Being on the ice for four second-period even-strength goals against was more dubious than notable.</p><p><b>Claude Lemieux</b> &bull; <b>RW, 37</b></p><p><i>Dallas</i></p><p>Moves into second place all-time among skaters with 233 playoff games. Mark Messier is the all-time leader at 236.</p><p><b>Adam Oates</b> &bull; <b>C, 40</b></p><p><i>Anaheim</i></p><p>He took over the lead among active scorers whose teams are still in the playoffs (148 points in 152 games.)</p><p><b>Jamie Langenbrunner</b> &bull; <b>RW, 27</b></p><p><i>New Jersey</i></p><p>Scores four game-winning goals through two playoff rounds.</p><p><b>Marian Gaborik</b> &bull; <b>RW, 21</b></p><p><i>Minnesota</i></p><p>The third-year Czech bursts into the second round scoring lead with nine goals and 17 points.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-05866/8417576-1-eng-US/f0004-052.jpg" title="f0004-05" width="298" height="472"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MARIAN GABORIK</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0004-01

FEATURES & COLUMNS

Playoffs look good on paper

<div class="byline">&#x2013;MARK BRENDER</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0005-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-011927/8417666-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>AV NOTS</b>&nbsp;<i>Life without Patrick Roy, if he calls it a career, will be a big change for the folks in Colorado.</i></figcaption></div><p>The fortune tellers in Denver must be doing brisk business. The Colorado Avalanche are entering uncharted and potentially turbulent waters.</p><p>The Avs&rsquo; record book says Stephane Fiset played 19 games and Jocelyn Thibault 10 before Patrick Roy entered the Colorado sporting scene in December, 1995 - the team&rsquo;s first season following the franchise move from Quebec. For all practical purposes, though, the Avalanche have never been without him.</p><p>Roy has been the backbone of eight seasons, eight division titles, 133 playoff games and two Stanley Cups. So it&rsquo;s easy to understand if this is a scary time for the Avs&rsquo; brass as they wait for Roy&rsquo;s decision on his future. The last time Colorado played a full season without arguably the best goalie of all-time between the pipes, the nickname was the Rockies and the stopper of choice was Hardy Astrom. We all know how that turned out.</p><p>After Colorado&rsquo;s seven-game opening round upset loss to Minnesota, Roy said he had made a decision on his future - whether to retire or return for the final season of his contract next year, worth $8.5 million - and wanted time to make sure it&rsquo;s the right decision.</p><p>Maybe it&rsquo;s only coincidence his suburban Denver house has been up for sale for three months, but probably not. Roy&rsquo;s former coach Jacques Demers stirred the pot when he said he believes Roy has played his last game.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s going to take his time and work through everything and we&rsquo;ll see what happens,&rdquo; said Roy&rsquo;s agent, Bob Sauve. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a decision that needs to be taken seriously. If it takes two weeks, fine. If it takes two months, fine.&rdquo;</p><p>Sauve said he believed Roy will announce his decision before free agent season opens on July 1. Felix Potvin sits atop a less than stellar class of unrestricted free agent goalies this summer.</p><p>There has also been talk that center Peter Forsberg is thinking about calling it a career in North America, although he has hinted he&rsquo;ll play one more season before heading back to Sweden for 2004.</p><p>And what does GM Pierre Lacroix think of it all? An Avalanche spokesman said Lacroix was not available for interviews.</p><p>Biding his time by the crystal ball, we can only assume.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0005-01

Retirement for Roy?

<h2><b><i>The Best of the Hockey World</i></b></h2><p><b>DISNEY DUCKS</b> Knocking off top two seeds in Western Conference already a storybook feat - and there could be more to come.</p><p><b>RESPECT EARNED</b> Patrick Lalime and the Senators wash away years of playoff heartache by advancing to third round for first time in club history.</p><p><b>GREAT DANES</b> Denmark celebrates first appearance in World Championship &lsquo;A&rsquo; pool in 54 years with incredible 2-2 tie against Canada.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-021377/8417711-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="265" height="420"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PATRICK LALIME</b></figcaption></div><p><b>WHERE&rsquo;S BERT?</b> Todd Bertuzzi scores one goal, takes several costly penalties and is minus-3 in Vancouver&rsquo;s first 13 playoff games.</p><p><b>SATURDAY BLIGHT</b> Two games on Saturday afternoon? Fans would be better served by having one night game and the chance to watch both.</p><p><b>U.S. WORLD WOE</b> Another second-class U.S. entry at the worlds brings predictable results. See Mike Brophy&rsquo;s Overtime for what might have been (pg. 38).</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03897/8417704-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="271" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TODD BERTUZZI</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>KING OF THE CREASE</b></h2><p><i>If Patrick Roy retires, he&rsquo;ll leave the NHL with several goaltending records to his name. Here are some of the most significant marks that belong to Roy:</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-04572/8417697-1-eng-US/f0005-042.jpg" title="f0005-04" width="910" height="762"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0005-02

PLUS MINUS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-06235/8417742-1-eng-US/f0005-062.jpg" title="f0005-06" width="296" height="456"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DWAYNE ROLOSON</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-05368/8417749-1-eng-US/f0005-052.jpg" title="f0005-05" width="170" height="145"></div><p>&bull; Another example of NHL parity: of the eight teams to make it as far as the second round, only Ottawa was there last season.</p><p>&bull; More proof <b>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</b> and <b>Marty Turco</b> have great timing: they both need new contracts this summer.</p><p>&bull; After stoning Vancouver in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinal, goalie <b>Dwayne Roloson</b> was asked if he would feel more pressure in a Game 7. He began, in all sincerity, &ldquo;Well, if I get the start&hellip;&rdquo;</p><p>&bull; When host <b>Ron MacLean</b> brought up <b>Howie Meeker&rsquo;s</b> name in conversation on <i>Hockey Night in Canada&rsquo;s</i> Coach&rsquo;s Comer, <b>Don Cherry&rsquo;s</b> reaction was, &ldquo;Aw, what does he know?&rdquo; For the record, Meeker spent eight years in the NHL, played 346 games, scored 83 goals and had 185 points. Cherry, a career minor-leaguer, played one NHL game with zeroes across the board.</p><p>&bull; This from St. Louis GM <b>Larry Pleau</b> before Game 6 of the Canucks-Wild series: &ldquo;If I had to put down <b>Conn Smythe</b> Trophy candidates, I think for me it would be (Ed) Jovanovski. He&rsquo;s entered a level where he&rsquo;s just in a zone.&rdquo; Now, about that minus-4 in the second period of Game 6&hellip;</p><p>&bull; Flyer coach <b>Ken Hitchcock</b> on his Ottawa counterpart (and Olympic roomie) <b>Jacques Martin</b>, as told to the Ottawa <i>Sun:</i> &ldquo;Martin is a lot more cerebral than I am and way more organized. And his organization, quite frankly, makes me sick. All his pencils and pens are lined up and his alarm clock works and his bed is always made.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0005-06

SNAPSHOTS from around the NHL

<p><b>The Hockey News</b></p><p><b>FROM THE EDITORS</b></p><p>Doug Risebrough could have done what nearly all general managers of NHL expansion teams did before him: go the cheap route when hiring his first coach.</p><p>But the Minnesota Wild GM did the unthinkable - he paid Jacques Lemaire $1 million a season to coach a team of wannabes and castoffs. That&rsquo;s because Risebrough understood the relationship between having a good coach and enjoying early success. Now, three years later, we can see the fruits of Risebrough&rsquo;s shrewdness and Lemaire&rsquo;s labor coming to fruition.</p><p>If the 2002-03 Stanley Cup playoffs have taught us one thing, it is the value of quality coaching. Think about it.</p><p>How else do you explain the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim making it to the Western Conference final with what now has to be considered a reasonable chance of earning a berth in the Stanley Cup final after eliminating two heavily favored teams? Or the Wild knocking off the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round? Or the Tampa Bay Lightning beating out Jaromir Jagr and the Washington Capitals?</p><p>The Ducks swept the Detroit Red Wings and then disposed of the Dallas Stars because they were thoroughly prepared for their more talented opposition. Say all you want about the marvelous contribution goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere made in the first two rounds - he&rsquo;s easily the early leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy-his job was made easier by the fact his team was committed to defense. Hard-working coach Mike Babcock and his assistants, Paul MacLean and Lome Henning, along with goalie coach Francois Allaire, deserve credit for having the Ducks players prepared.</p><p><b><i>Good coaching seems to be the great equalizer when a team with conviction goes up against a team with superior skill.</i></b></p><p>Good coaching seems to be the great equalizer when a team with conviction goes up against a team with superior skill. The combination of astute coaching and decent talent seems to be a better combination than questionable guidance with great talent.</p><p>Not that Pat Quinn did a horrible job behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sevengame losing effort in the opening round, but it was obvious the one major difference between the two teams was the fact the Flyers played a system while the Leafs preferred to freewheel and hope for the best. It wasn&rsquo;t Quinn&rsquo;s fault the Leafs were unable to penetrate the Flyers defense, but you have to wonder how prepared his charges were for a more disciplined Philadelphia squad. In the end the Flyers&rsquo; willingness to buy into coach Ken Hitchcock&rsquo;s defense-first system as a group took away Toronto&rsquo;s edge in goal and skill up front.</p><p>You could make the same case for Dave Lewis with the Wings and Tony Granato with the Avalanche. Both teams had more talent than the teams that eliminated them (Anaheim and Minnesota, respectively), but team preparation was the deciding factor.</p><p>There were probably organizations that chuckled when Risebrough paid so much to Lemaire to coach the Wild.</p><p>Wonder who&rsquo;s laughing now?<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

Hiring qualified coach first step toward success

f0006-01

Elston

<h2><b>POOR LITTLE RICH TEAMS</b></h2><p>Capitals owner Ted Leonsis isn&rsquo;t happy with Jaromir Jagris gigantic contract. Poor guy, eh?</p><p>It&rsquo;s a case of &ldquo;what-goes-around-comes-around&rdquo; for these teams with deep pockets who strut their stuff when they sign players to ridiculous contracts knowing full well that small market teams can&rsquo;t afford to compete. When the player turns out to be a shadow of himself or an underachiever, they&rsquo;re stuck with him.</p><p>Looks good on them, I say.</p><p><i><b>Morgan MacInnis, Marion Bridge, N.S.</b></i></p><h2><b>LEAVE THE GAME ALONE</b></h2><p>Hockey analyst after hockey analyst wants to change the game, such as taking out the red line or making the nets bigger.</p><p>Such nonsense is ridiculous. Our great game needs no changes and is in the rut it is in due to the changes that already have been imposed.</p><p>Here&rsquo;s an idea: don&rsquo;t change anything. Let people appreciate the game for what it is.</p><p>Otherwise, what&rsquo;s next? Two points for a goal scored outside the blueline?</p><p><i><b>Mark Mariglia, North Tonawanda, N.Y.</b></i></p><h2><b>LETTER OF THE WEEK</b></h2><p>Weren&rsquo;t all NHL rinks to have seamless glass installed by this past Christmas?</p><p>Failure to enforce the regulation resulted in one of the game&rsquo;s stars - St. Louis&rsquo; Al Maclnnis - suffering a serious shoulder injury in Vancouver.</p><p>The injury not only put one of the game&rsquo;s top players out of action, but jeopardized his team&rsquo;s chances of advancing to the next round in the playoffs.</p><p>This issue has been around for a few years, with the safety of the players seemingly worth less than the price of glass. If it&rsquo;s true the glass in Vancouver was not replaced because they were waiting for a cheaper version, the NHL is negligent in doing its utmost to protect its players.</p><p>Perhaps the next time the NHL announces a safety measure, it should add a footnote that the edict will be discretionary, based on whether it is logistically and economically convenient for each team.</p><p><i><b>Gary Oswald,</b></i><br><i><b>Ajax, Ont.</b></i></p><h2><b>BERTUZZI OVER LINDROS</b></h2><p>Look at the impact Vancouver&rsquo;s Todd Bertuzzi has had this year versus the disappearing act of Eric Lindros, who has always gotten the hype.</p><p>There&rsquo;s no doubt who the real power forward is. Bertuzzi&rsquo;s performance in 2002-03 ranks him among the best front-liners in the NHL. It is a joy to watch him play.</p><p><i><b>Frank Dawkins, Lafayette, La.</b></i></p><h2><b>LEAFS ABANDONED BELFOUR</b></h2><p>The Toronto Maple Leafs should be ashamed of themselves.</p><p>They all owe an apology to their goaltender, Eddie Belfour, who played his heart out in the playoffs. Where was the rest of team?</p><p>They appeared to quit in Game 7 after Belfour kept them in the series the entire time. He was hung out to dry; no defense in front, nobody to help him. How disgusting!</p><p>Belfour deserved better, but the other Leafs got what they deserved.</p><p><i><b>Dorothy Johannes, Bullard, Tex.</b></i></p><h2><b>PENALTY IS A PENALTY</b></h2><p>I&rsquo;m tired of hearing announcers explain that referees don&rsquo;t penalize players late in a game or in overtime because &ldquo;they don&rsquo;t want to decide the game.&rdquo;</p><p>Unfortunately, that&rsquo;s exactly what they&rsquo;re doing by allowing a lesser-skilled or poorly conditioned player to prevent another player from making a play by tripping, hooking or some other illegal act.</p><p>If an action deserves a penalty, call it whenever it happens and let the skill of the players decide the outcome of the game.</p><p><i><b>Ed Umbach, Cincinnati, Ohio</b></i></p><h2><b>FIRING HARTLEY HURT AVS</b></h2><p>Somewhere, Bob Hartley is smiling. That&rsquo;s because Pierre Lacroix&rsquo;s midseason firing of the former Colorado coach has come back to haunt the Avalanche GM.</p><p>Minnesota&rsquo;s Jacques Lemaire made Tony Granato look like a rank amateur in the first round. Flip bench bosses, and the Avs sweep the Wild.</p><p>Granato did well in the regular season, but the playoffs are different. Lacroix deserves plenty of blame for Colorado&rsquo;s ouster in Round 1.</p><p><i><b>Haley Caldwell, Denver</b></i></p><h2><b>Got something to say?</b></h2><p><b>U.S.A.:</b> Letters, The Hockey News, P.O. Box 904, Buffalo, N.Y., 14240-9947.</p><p><b>Canada:</b> Letters, The Hockey News, 25 Sheppard Ave. W., Suite 100, Toronto, Ont., M2N 6S7</p><p><b>E-mail:</b> <a href="mailto:aproteau@thehockeynews.com">aproteau@thehockeynews.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com">www.thehockeynews.com</a> Include name, hometown, province/state and phone number.</p><p><i>Submissions will be edited.</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0007-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011939/8417866-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>WADE REDDEN OTTAWA</b></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>hey&rsquo;re like a visiting rock &lsquo;n&rsquo; roll band except for the fact they always speak respectfully, don&rsquo;t trash hotel rooms, and convene a team-wide spin class after every game.</p><p>They are, of course, the Ottawa Senators, a team reborn in these Stanley Cup playoffs from nered perennial playoff losers to the new Beasts of the East.</p><p>&ldquo;In my opinion, there is a new leader in this conference,&rdquo; said Philadelphia Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock after the Sens showed the Flyers the door in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal.</p><h2><b>WELL-MANNERED WARRIORS</b></h2><p>Canada is, of course, a polite place and the Ottawa Senators are spectacularly cordial. They answer any and all questions on the exercise bikes they retire to after every home game.</p><p>They never lose patience when reminded of their inability to advance past the Toronto Maple Leafs in the three dreary playoffs that preceded this one.</p><p>But there is, to the Senators, a bit of an edge. They speak of a Stanley Cup victory as if it really is on their to-do list.</p><p>&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t been afraid to talk about it,&rdquo; said captain Daniel Alfredsson. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been a little cocky about ourselves this year because as a group, we believe we can get this done.&rdquo;</p><p>As well they might. The series against the Flyers vividly trated Ottawa&rsquo;s ascension to the top of the East. The presidents Trophy winners in the regular season, the Senators were bigger (an average of 207 pounds compared to 204 for the Flyers), much faster and younger. The average age of a player on the Senators&rsquo; roster is 27 years, three months. That&rsquo;s two years younger than the Flyers. And it showed.</p><p>The New Jersey Devils, a fine team in their own right, may yet prevail over Ottawa and advance to the Stanley Cup final. But there doesn&rsquo;t seem to be any easy way of getting it done. It&rsquo;s obvious these Sens can&rsquo;t be roughed up anymore - the Flyers tried and failed.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021294/8417859-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="291" height="392"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Mike Ulmer</b>&nbsp;<i>Guest Columnist</i></figcaption></div><h2><b>DEFENSE CORPS SOLID</b></h2><p>Like the unit that powered the 1972 Miami Dolphins to the NFL&rsquo;s only undefeated season, the Senators are anchored by a no-name defense. Wade Redden will always be a lowercase star. Zdeno Chara gets noticed, but Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, Karel Rachunek and Curtis Leschyshyn fly under the radar. Too bad.</p><p>The team&rsquo;s blueline depth showed at the trade deadline. The Senators were able to scoop up cheap help at forward in Vaclav Varada and Bryan Smolinski. For other NHL teams, the trade deadline was transformed into a geriatric swap meet for defensemen. You know it&rsquo;s March when people are vying for Phil Housley.</p><p>The recipe seems simple enough. Take your top two or three front-line guys, backfill with warhorses or wheelmen - Philadelphia&rsquo;s Dmitry Yushkevich, Toronto&rsquo;s Glen Wesley and Detroit&rsquo;s Mathieu Schneider come to mind - and start talking parade.</p><p>The Detroit Red Wings packed Steve Duchesne, Fredrik Olausson and Jiri Slegr, around Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios to breeze to the Cup in 2002.</p><p>Same deal with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. Ray Bourque made a lovely fit beside Rob Blake and Adam Foote, but the rest of the pack - Greg deVries, Jon Klemm and Bryan Muir - were merely solid.</p><p>The Sens, by comparison, are talented and astonishingly young. Aside from Leschyshyn, a 15-year veteran, no member of the blueline is over 26. Volchenkov, the heaviest hitter of the bunch, is a 21-year-old rookie. At 6-feet, 209 pounds, he is also the smallest.</p><p>Chara, of course, can wrap his arms around entire area codes. At 6-foot-9 he is the biggest player in the NHL, but he was not Ottawa&rsquo;s most effective defender against the Flyers. In fact, he was a solid third.</p><p>Redden had a terrific series. He tallied an overtime marker to end Game 2 and garnered tons of important minutes. Phillips, meanwhile, ground down the Flyers.</p><p>Throw in goalie Patrick Lalime, unflappable in this post-season, and four solid lines anchored by Alfredsson, Martin Havlat and Marian Hossa, and you have the entire package.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve only had to worry about one line (so far),&rdquo; said New Jersey coach Pat Burns. &ldquo;Now we have to worry about three.&rdquo;</p><p><b>-MIKE ULMER IS A COLUMNIST FOR THE TORONTO SUN</b></p><h2><b>CHANCE OF OT</b></h2><p><i>It might feel like more games go into overtime in the playoffs than in the regular season, but the rate is remarkably similar.</i></p><p>Pct. of &lsquo;02-03 regular season games needing overtime:</p><p>Pct. of playoff games requiring overtime (as of May 7):<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0007-01

Sens ‘new leader’ of East

<p class="dropcap"><i><span>A</span>nd then there were&hellip;five? On the eve of Game 7 of the Minnesota-Vancouver quarterfinal, THN looked ahead (but not past) to preview how things might stack up in the Stanley Cup conference final matchups.</i></p><h2><b>EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012028/8417925-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="184" height="263"></div><h3><b>NEW JERSEY</b></h3><p><b>MVP CANDIDATES</b></p><p>1. <i>Martin Brodeur</i> Eight wins, three shutouts in 10 games.</p><p>2. <i>Jamie Langenbrunner</i> Four of his seven goals were game-winners.</p><p><b>REVELATION</b> Scored three or more goals in seven of 10 games.</p><p><b>OVERACHIEVER</b> Defensive specialist <i>John Madden</i> lighting it up.</p><p><b>UNDERACHIEVER</b> One goal in 10 games below <i>Patrik Elias&rsquo;</i> standards.</p><p><b>SECRET WEAPON</b> Home ice; Devils undefeated in six at Meadowlands.</p><p><b>SPEED</b> (4) Best group of puckrushing defensemen in the league.</p><p><b>SKILL</b> (4) Don&rsquo;t be fooled by team&rsquo;s defensive tag.</p><p><b>6RIT</b> (5) Team made of sandpaper.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021514/8417918-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="226" height="264"></div><h3><b>OTTAWA</b></h3><p><b>MVP CANDIDATES</b></p><p>1. <i>Patrick Lalime</i> Remarkable 1.49 goals-against average.</p><p>2. <i>Marian Hossa</i> His five goals are a personal-best in the playoffs.</p><p><b>REVELATION</b> Senators can finally boast they are playoff-tough.</p><p><b>UNDERACHIEVER</b>&nbsp;<i>Magnus Arvedson</i> only forward without a playoff goal.</p><p><b>OVERACHIEVER</b> Defenseman <i>Chris Phillips</i> has elevated his game.</p><p><b>SECRET WEAPON</b> Two of <i>Todd White&rsquo;s</i> three goals were winners.</p><p><b>SPEED</b> (4) Wingers combine great speed and ability to finish.</p><p><b>SKILL</b> (5) From top to bottom, the most talented team in the league.</p><p><b>GRIT</b> (4) Good enough to win.</p><h2><b>WESTERN CONFERENCE FlNAL</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031062/8417911-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="216" height="259"></div><h3><b>ANAHEIM</b></h3><p><b>MVP CANDIDATES</b></p><p>1. <i>J-S Giguere</i> Unflappable stopper snuffed out Detroit, Dallas offenses.</p><p>2. <i>Keith Carney</i> Stifled Sergei Fedorov and then Mike Modano.</p><p><b>REVELATION</b> The Ducks&rsquo; great second half wasn&rsquo;t smoke and mirrors; they really are this good.</p><p><b>UNDERACHIEVER</b>&nbsp;<i>Paul Kariya</i> needs to score more, particularly on the power play.</p><p><b>OVERACHIEVER</b>&nbsp;<i>Sami Pahlsson</i> has picked up his physical play.</p><p><b>SECRET WEAPON</b>&nbsp;<i>Stanislav Chistov</i> has overcome problems with inconsistency.</p><p><b>SPEED</b> (4) Mostly from the forwards.</p><p><b>SKILL</b> (3) Not stellar, but more balanced than people realize.</p><p><b>GRIT</b> (5) Eight-for-9 in one-goal games and 4-for-4 in overtime says it all.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04552/8417904-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="200" height="281"></div><h3><b>VANCOUVER</b></h3><p><b>MVP CANDIDATES</b></p><p>1. <i>Ed Jovanovski</i> Stepping up offensively.</p><p>2. <i>Markus Naslund</i> Has played especially well on power play.</p><p><b>REVELATION</b> Resilient enough to compete with average goaltending.</p><p><b>OVERACHIEVER</b> Grinder <i>Trent Klatt</i> contributes with limited opportunity.</p><p><b>UNDERACHIEVER</b> Todd Bertuzzi and his limited &ldquo;human screen&rdquo; role.</p><p><b>SECRET WEAPON</b> Faceoff dominance aids puck possession.</p><p><b>SPEED</b> (3) Appeared to be step behind versus Wild.</p><p><b>SKILL</b> (4) Shows up on power play.</p><p><b>GRIT</b> (4) Competing rarely an issue.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05388/8417897-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="239" height="250"></div><h3><b>MINNESOTA</b></h3><p><b>MVP CANDIDATES</b></p><p>1. <i>Marian Gaborik</i> Points leader posts eight-game streak.</p><p>2. <i>Manny Roloson</i> Er, Dwayne Fernandez? <b>REVELATION</b> Underrated speed a huge (and entertaining) factor.</p><p><b>UNDERACHIEVER</b> None. Jacques Lemaire banned &lsquo;em long ago.</p><p><b>OVERACHIEVER</b> Selke candidate <i>Wes Walz</i> playing best hockey of life.</p><p><b>SECRET WEAPON</b> Otherworldly power play clicks at 25 per cent.</p><p><b>SPEED</b> (4) Attack depends on it.</p><p><b>SKILL</b> (3) Off-the-scale discipline makes it seem higher.</p><p><b>GRIT</b> (4) Won&rsquo;t be intimidated.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

Tale of the teams

<div class="byline">&#x2013;MARK BRENDER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-07290/8418043-1-eng-US/f0012-072.jpg" title="f0012-07" width="230" height="371"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SCOTT NIEDERMAYER</b></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>t was nearly enough to make a guy think he was still dreaming. Rob Niedermayer had returned to the family home in Cranbrook, B.C., after the 1994-95 season. When he stirred from his sleep one morning, he had company, a shining silver beauty. &ldquo;I kind of woke up and the Stanley Cup was sitting on the couch there,&rdquo; Rob says. &ldquo;To see the Stanley Cup up close was pretty special.&rdquo;</p><p>The chalice belonged to older brother Scott, a first-time Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils. Since Rob still wanted to earn it himself one day, superstition said he could look - but not touch.</p><p>In a few weeks time the brothers Niedermayer could battle each other for the right to touch the Cup again. If Scott&rsquo;s Devils and Rob&rsquo;s Mighty Ducks both reach the final, it will be the first time since Montreal&rsquo;s Ken Reardon took on Boston&rsquo;s Terry in 1946 that siblings have faced off against each other in the final round.</p><p>Not that either of them are willing to spend much time thinking about their possible history-making meeting.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re still both a lot of hard work and a tough series away from that,&rdquo; Scott says.</p><p>They&rsquo;ve both been to the final before: Scott three times with the Devils and Rob with Florida in 1996.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-08244/8418036-1-eng-US/f0012-082.jpg" title="f0012-08" width="232" height="370"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ROB NIEDERMAYER</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0012-07

Niedermayer brothers could repeat history in Stanley Cup final

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011772/8418081-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="291" height="388"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Steve Levy</b>&nbsp;<i>GuestColumnist</i></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021242/8418074-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="3120" height="1552"></div><p>So you were late for work or didn&rsquo;t make it into the office the day after a lengthy Stanley Cup playoff game.</p><p>Don&rsquo;t blame me. It&rsquo;s not my fault there has been a record eight multi-overtime games this post-season. I&rsquo;ve only been in the building for one of them. Granted, it was the quintuple-overtime affair between Anaheim and Dallas, the fourth-longest game in NHL history. <i>(See chart.)</i></p><p>And if you&rsquo;re going to be a stickler for detail, yes, it was me behind the microphone for the third- and fifth-longest overtime games in history.</p><p>In other words, I&rsquo;m the guy who has called the three longest televised games ever.</p><p>It all started April 24,1996, in Landover, Md., at Game 4 of the series between Washington and Pittsburgh, which the Capitals led 2-1. I was just another play-by-play guy trying to get the occasional name and number of various Capitals and Penguins right.</p><h2><b>GAMES DRAIN ENERGY</b></h2><p>The game was 45 seconds away from starting a fifth overtime when Petr Nedved ended it. It was a period or two before that when I stopped speaking - while play was going on. Not only was I out of energy, I was out of words. At one point, during what seemed like two minutes of silence, Darryl Reaugh, my ESPN2 partner that night, was staring at me and I said in a loud and insulted tone, &ldquo;What!?&rdquo; We both broke out laughing on the air.</p><p>Broadcasting a quadruple-overtime game came in handy four years later when five overtime periods became necessary. The Penguins were part of it again, although this time they came out on the wrong end in their 2000 series vs. the Flyers.</p><h2><b>HUNGER ON ICE & IN TV BOOTH</b></h2><p>I knew what to expect and how to deal with the unexpected. As the second overtime turned into the third, the Igloo press box had run out of bad coffee and stale popcorn, so I asked producer Bruce Connal to send up some food. He said there was no one to bring it to the booth - it was so late it was past our runner&rsquo;s bedtime and his mom had taken him home hours earlier.</p><p>After Keith Primeau ended it on the game&rsquo;s 130th shot, color man Darren Pang and I headed for Pittsburgh&rsquo;s famous late-night eats, Pirmani Brothers, where we received a standing ovation with our fries (and coleslaw crushed into our cheesesteak by men without sanitary gloves on).</p><p>The Anaheim-Dallas classic is freshest in my mind, only because it took place a few weeks ago. What I remember most - besides Petr Sykora&rsquo;s merciful game-winner - was going down to the TV truck and seeing the disappointing and unfulfilled looks on the faces of my colleagues. &ldquo;Yeah, it was nice,&rdquo; their expressions said, &ldquo;but if we&rsquo;re going to go that long, let&rsquo;s go for six overtime periods and a new record.&rdquo;</p><p>My main concern is to get the call on the game-winning goal correct. Selfish? Maybe, but nobody wants to be embarrassed when their highlight clip runs for the next 100 years and &ldquo;you&rsquo;ve got some guy scoring who hasn&rsquo;t seen the ice since the second period.</p><p>Just as you never hear the players complain about not getting paid during the playoffs, you won&rsquo;t hear a peep out of me for working when most people are sound asleep.</p><p>I don&rsquo;t get paid overtime for over-time; yet I&rsquo;m thrilled when a playoff game is tied after regulation. It&rsquo;s a privilege to work in an NHL arena and an honor to broadcast to those who can&rsquo;t be there - no matter how long it takes me to do it.</p><p><b>PETR SYKORA ANAHEIM</b></p><p><b>-STEVE LEVY IS A BROADCASTER FOR ESPN/ABC TELEVISION</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

Overtime games aren’t easy

<div class="byline">BY JOHN SANFUL</div><p>TAMPERE, Fin.</p><p>Phil Housley was only 18 when he took part in his first World Championship in Helsinki in 1982. Team USA was relegated after an eighth-place finish.</p><p>Twenty-one years later, and again in Finland, the Americans were facing the same disaster. Only, this time, the implications were more far-reaching. Relegation would affect Team USA&rsquo;s status at the 2006 Olympics.</p><p>The Americans avoided relegation by beating Slovenia, Belarus and Japan. Everyone at USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, and NHL offices in New York, breathed a sigh of relief.</p><p>Had the U.S. been relegated for 2004 to the &lsquo;B&rsquo; pool, they would have had to win that secondary group for promotion in 2005. The IIHF bases Olympic seedings on final rankings from the 2004 World Championship and a win in the &lsquo;B&rsquo; pool would have left the U.S. ranked either 15th or 16th.</p><p>That would have meant the U.S. having to play the qualifying tournament the week prior to the final stage of the 2006 Olympics. This would have jeopardized NHL participation because the league is unwilling to shut down for such an extended period - as Slovakia found out in 2002.</p><p><i>(See pg. 38 for more.)</i></p><p>It was a feeling of deja vu for Housley when the U.S. lost 5-2 on opening night to Denmark. Danish goalie Peter Hirsch made 55 saves.</p><p>&ldquo;Denmark reminds me of a game we lost to Italy (in 1982) where we outshot them 60-10, but their goalie stood on his head,&rdquo; Housley said.</p><p>Team USA also lost 1-0 to Switzerland and 3-2 to Russia to finish 0-3-0 in the preliminary round. This year&rsquo;s team, comprised of ex-college and minor pro players, was its weakest in years.</p><p>Why? Because Team USA received 32 NHL player rejections to participate in this World Championship.</p><p>It is a delicate issue within USA Hockey. Team officials acknowledge the many reasons an invitation is turned down, including the need to nurse nagging injuries, but what cannot be ignored is that USA Hockey is unable to arouse the passions of NHL players to take part in the World Championship after an 82-game season and some playoffs.</p><p>Even after avoiding an embarrassing demotion, USA Hockey must ask how to assemble a team ready and willing to answer the call for the World Championship.</p><p>&ldquo;Players (from other countries) are proud to represent their country because their countries are so proud of them,&rdquo; said Team USA forward Peter Ferraro. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have that same level of support in the U.S. It&rsquo;s easy for American players to commit to the Olympics because everyone is watching, but the worlds is not followed closely (in the States).&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021345/8418143-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg" title="f0016-02" width="266" height="422"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PHIL HOUSLEY</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0016-02

Americans avoid relegation

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-031017/8418174-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="637" height="655"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04769/8418181-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="100" height="111"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>M</span>aybe it&rsquo;s the international flavor, maybe the food, maybe the nightlife, maybe the friendly people. Whatever, NHL players love it when they&rsquo;re on the road to Montreal and Vancouver.</p><p>In a poll of 30 players, one from each NHL team, five (17 per cent) said they like the atmosphere in each of the two Canadian cities. Chicago and Phoenix each got four votes, while New York and Toronto had three apiece.</p><p>&ldquo;All things considered, Vancouver is beautiful,&rdquo; said Minnesota&rsquo;s Nick Schultz.</p><p>&ldquo;Vancouver has the best sushi,&rdquo; said Nashville&rsquo;s Denis Arkhipov.</p><p>Said Carolina&rsquo;s Jaroslav Svoboda: &lsquo;The Montreal fans really understand hockey and they have good Czech restaurants.&rdquo; &ldquo;Unbelievable food and it&rsquo;s a great hockey town,&rdquo; agreed Atlanta&rsquo;s Jeff Odgers.</p><p>&lsquo;You can golf year-round in Dallas,&rdquo; said the Islanders&rsquo; Dave Scatchard.</p><p><b>-FOR COMPLETE PLAYER POLL RESULTS, <a href="http://VISITTHEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">VISITTHEHOCKEYNEWS.COM</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-03

The Hockey News PLAYER POLL

<h2><b>SENATORS DEAL NEARS COMPLETION</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><span>O</span>TTAWA</b> White the Ottawa Senators were advancing to the Stanley Cup semifinal for the first time, Toronto billionaire Eugene Melnyk was doing the final paperwork to complete the purchase of the team. In bankruptcy since former owner Rod Bryden was unable to pay the bills Jan. 1, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the two sides were close to an agreement that would see Melnyk purchase the Senators and the Corel Centre. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to be in for the long haul,&rdquo; Melnyk said. &ldquo;The people in Ottawa don&rsquo;t have anything to be concerned about.&rdquo; Sources say the transaction will be in excess of $130 million. While Bettman wouldn&rsquo;t say how many serious bids were made for the franchise, he confirmed Melnyk is the only one left in the running. &ldquo;We believe Eugene Melnyk is going to be a positive owner for this franchise,&rdquo; Bettman said. &ldquo;He brings stability and he&rsquo;s going to keep the team in Ottawa.&rdquo; According to Bettman, Melnyk still has to complete negotiations with the major lenders from the CISC and FleetBank of Boston along with several other parties involved in the sale.</p><h2><b>U.S. HOCKEY VOLUNTEER DIES</b></h2><p><b>COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.</b> Ted Brill, who served the amateur hockey establishment in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. in many capacities for more than 40 years, died at his home in Grand Rapids, Minn., following a battle with cancer. He was 65.</p><h2><b>CALGARY WINS MIDGET TITLE</b></h2><p><b>SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont.</b> The Calgary Northstars were crowned Air Canada Cup champions after a 5-1 win over the College Antoine-Girouard Gaulois in the national midget final. Matt Robinson scored the winner for Calgary. The St. John&rsquo;s Maple Leafs edged the Yorkton Harvest 5-4 in the bronze medal game.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011535/8418212-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg" title="f0017-01" width="266" height="425"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BABY BETTMAN</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0017-01

<p class="dropcap"><span>N</span>ew Jersey&rsquo;s Martin Brodeur is a double award finalist for the Hart Trophy (MVP to his team) and Vezina Trophy (top goalie). Here are the other award finalists as announced by the NHL. Winners are to be announced in Toronto June 12. Finalists for the Jack Adams Award as top Coach are Minnesota&rsquo;s Jacques Lemaire, Ottawa&rsquo;s Jacques Martin and Tampa Bay&rsquo;s John Tortorella.</p><h2><b>Hart Trophy (MVP)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-021199/8418320-1-eng-US/f0017-022.jpg" title="f0017-02" width="594" height="264"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-03877/8418313-1-eng-US/f0017-032.jpg" title="f0017-03" width="276" height="242"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Peter Forsberg</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Calder Trophy (Rookie)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-04647/8418306-1-eng-US/f0017-042.jpg" title="f0017-04" width="597" height="257"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-05453/8418299-1-eng-US/f0017-052.jpg" title="f0017-05" width="277" height="245"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Henrik Zetterberg</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Seike (Defensive forward)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-06350/8418292-1-eng-US/f0017-062.jpg" title="f0017-06" width="608" height="263"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-07283/8418285-1-eng-US/f0017-072.jpg" title="f0017-07" width="278" height="239"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Jere Lehtinen</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Norris (Defenseman)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-08233/8418278-1-eng-US/f0017-082.jpg" title="f0017-08" width="609" height="257"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-09197/8418271-1-eng-US/f0017-092.jpg" title="f0017-09" width="281" height="242"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Nicklas Lidstrom</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Vezina Trophy (Goalie)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-10178/8418264-1-eng-US/f0017-102.jpg" title="f0017-10" width="601" height="260"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-11155/8418257-1-eng-US/f0017-112.jpg" title="f0017-11" width="279" height="239"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Martin Brodeur</b></figcaption></div><h2><b>Byng (Gentlemanly)</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-12142/8418250-1-eng-US/f0017-122.jpg" title="f0017-12" width="604" height="261"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-13120/8418243-1-eng-US/f0017-132.jpg" title="f0017-13" width="277" height="241"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Alexander Mogilny</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0017-02

The NHL awards finalists are…

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011596/8418358-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="576" height="1070"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i><b>Anaheim&rsquo;s Paul Kariya was instrumental in helping the Mighty Ducks to a 26-point improvement in &lsquo;02-03.</b></i></figcaption></div><h2><b>2002-03 vs. 2001-02</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><i><span>P</span>erhaps we shouldn&rsquo;t be so surprised by the playoff success enjoyed by Anaheim, Tampa and Minnesota. After all these three clubs had the biggest increase in points during the 2002-03 regular season compared to 2001-02. Carolina, meanwhile, was 30 points worse in 2002-03.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021233/8418351-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="571" height="1302"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0018-01

2003 NHL PLAYOFFS

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAN WOOD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-04611/8418389-1-eng-US/f0018-042.jpg" title="f0018-04" width="279" height="579"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03901/8418396-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="217" height="287"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hile the outstanding play of goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere was a huge reason for the surprising Stanley Cup playoff success of the Mighty Ducks, the work of defenseman Keith Carney should not be overlooked.</p><p>The top dog on a much-improved Ducks defense, Carney was on the ice as often as possible against Sergei Fedorov in Anaheim&rsquo;s opening-round sweep of Detroit. His reward for a job well done was an assignment against Mike Modano and Dallas&rsquo;s top line in the second round.</p><p>&ldquo;Keith is a big-time leader,&rdquo; said Ducks coach Mike Babcock. &ldquo;Him, Steve Rucchin, Rob Niedermayer - those guys have been horses for us.&rdquo;</p><p><b>COACH&rsquo;S TACTICS</b> Babcock had great success matching Carney, Rucchin and Niedermayer against the top line in the first two rounds.</p><p>The Ducks limited Sergei Fedorov to one goal in the opening round, and Modano to one goal in the second round, going a long way toward neutralizing each team&rsquo;s first fine.</p><p>Despite this being his first year in the NHL, Babcock has proven himself to be a very capable bench boss, and he has also instilled a winning attitude. Anaheim is a mind-boggling 8-1 in one-goal games in the playoffs, which has to concern any potential opponent.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Patrie Kjellberg</b> left the team May 7 for unspecified family reasons. Coach <b>Mike Babcock</b> didn&rsquo;t believe Kjellberg would return this season&hellip;Goalie <b>Jean-Sebastien Giguere</b> recorded his first playoff shutout with 28 saves in a 1-0 win over Dallas in Game 4 of the second round series April 30&hellip;Right winger <b>Mike Leclerc&rsquo;s</b> first two career playoff goals were game-winners, an overtime strike in a 3-2 victory at Dallas in Game 2 April 26 and the lone goal in a 1-0 win April 30 in Game 4.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-04

Carney plays big role In Mighty Ducks’ flight

<div class="byline">&#x2013;CHUCK CARLTON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-05417/8418434-1-eng-US/f0018-052.jpg" title="f0018-05" width="244" height="252"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he next several weeks, the Dallas Stars will be pondering two questions: Can they afford to sign captain Derian Hatcher? And can they afford not to?</p><p>Hatcher is coming off a season that saw him record 30 points, post a plus-minus of plus-37 and become a finalist for the Norris Trophy. He was plus-8 in the playoffs to lead the Stars, who were upset in the second round by Anaheim.</p><p>Hatcher made $4.2 million in 2002-03 and could command upwards of $7 million as an unrestricted free agent July 1.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-06326/8418427-1-eng-US/f0018-062.jpg" title="f0018-06" width="280" height="572"></div><p>With owner Tom Hicks pledging not to raise his payroll beyond $66 million and reluctant to sign long-term contracts ahead of a new collective-bargaining agreement, things could be complicated.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not naive enough to not understand the situation,&rdquo; said GM Doug Armstrong. &ldquo;Derian had a fantastic season before he has the chance to become an unrestricted free agent and that puts the ball completely in his court.&rdquo;</p><p><b>2003-04 UPGRADES</b> The Stars were built to win the Stanley Cup. That they came up short with a veteran-laden lineup has owner Tom Hicks re-thinking his approach.</p><p>&ldquo;I think if you look around the league, the teams that seem to have the momentum have a mixture of quality veteran leadership and younger players with speed and desire,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;In hockey, desire can make up for a lot of the gap in skill.&rdquo;</p><p>To Hicks that means adding young, home-grown players like Brenden Morrow and Niko Kapanen, who combined for six of the Stars&rsquo; 14 goals against Anaheim.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Owner <b>Tom Hicks</b> has decided to take the Stars, his 50 per cent interest in American Airlines Center and five Dallas-area rinks off the market. He said he does not plan to revisit a sale anytime soon.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-05

Hatcher’s free agency presents big questions

<div class="byline">&#x2013;BRIAN MURPHY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-08198/8418465-1-eng-US/f0018-082.jpg" title="f0018-08" width="277" height="575"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-07269/8418472-1-eng-US/f0018-072.jpg" title="f0018-07" width="238" height="251"></div><p>As far as Marian Gaborik was concerned, the season could not wrap up soon enough.</p><p>The Wild&rsquo;s most prolific scorer was mired in the kind of slump - four goals in his last 32 games - that left him squeezing his stick into sawdust. At least those he didn&rsquo;t snap in frustration.</p><p>But in his playoff debut, Gaborik thrived in the spotlight, carrying the Wild on his 21-year-old shoulders for the hockey world to see. He tore off an eightgame scoring streak to lead all playoff scorers at the end of the second round, capping an allstar regular season with a superstar postseason.</p><p>Slump? What slump?</p><p>&ldquo;Here, I&rsquo;ve been getting chances. It&rsquo;s been great. I feel pretty comfortable. I&rsquo;ve just tried to play my game, which is skating and creating space and chances for me and my teammates,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Gaborik used all of his skills to torch the Canucks. His powerful skating beat defenders one-on-one. His blistering shot handcuffed goalie Dan Cloutier. And his great hands allowed him to set up his linemates for tap-ins around the crease.</p><p><b>SCENE SETTER</b> The Wild and their fans refused to wave the white flag in Game 6 against the Canucks. With the survival of the team in mind, Xcel Energy Center workers declined to hand out Wild logo flags as they had in four of the previous five home playoff games.</p><p>The reason? Minnesota was 0-3 on flag days. For Game 6 against Colorado, flags were not dispersed and the Wild won. No flags, no problem. They dusted Vancouver with nary a pennant in sight.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> When blueliner <b>Antti Laaksonen</b> was scratched for Game 4 against Vancouver it marked the first time in franchise history he did not play after 256 straight Wild regular-season and playoff games<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-08

Streaking Gaborik fuels white-hot Wild

<div class="byline">&#x2013;ELLIOTT PAP</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-10138/8418503-1-eng-US/f0018-102.jpg" title="f0018-10" width="277" height="578"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-09161/8418510-1-eng-US/f0018-092.jpg" title="f0018-09" width="200" height="292"></div><p>From press box sitter to post-season regular, Canucks left winger Jarkko Ruutu became a grate one in the Stanley Cup playoffs.</p><p>The Finn, who prides himself on his ability to be a professional nuisance, was every bit that after working his way into the Canucks&rsquo; lineup.</p><p>Ruutu was a healthy scratch 46 times during the regular season and also watched Vancouver&rsquo;s first playoff game, a 6-0 loss to St. Louis, from the press box. But once coach Marc Crawford inserted the Helsinki hell-raiser, there was no keeping him out Ruutu drew penalties, mixed it up and played an important checking role in games where Vancouver was protecting late leads.</p><p>&ldquo;This is much better than where I was, no question,&rdquo; said Ruutu, 27. &ldquo;I love to play hockey and this has been a big confidence booster for me. I&rsquo;m a big part of it now and it feels really good.&rdquo;</p><p><b>SCENE SETTER</b> Vancouver and the province of British Columbia thoroughly enjoyed the Canucks&rsquo; first trip to the second round in eight years.</p><p>Canucks fever was front page news and dominated the electronic media as well. Car flags were also a big rage and, of course, the towel power created back in the 1982 play-off run made a return appearance.</p><p>Restaurants and bars reported brisk business on game nights and all manner of Canucks novelties flew off the shelves.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Todd Bertuzzi,</b> who scored 46 goals during the regular season, had only one in his first 13 playoff games&hellip;Defenseman <b>Ed Jovanovski</b> scored goals in four straight playoff games and had seven overall in the Canucks&rsquo; first 13 playoff games. He had six in the regular season&hellip;Rookie goalie <b>Alex</b> Auld made his playoff debut when he relieved <b>Dan Cloutier</b> in the third period of Game 5 against Minnesota. He stopped four of five shots.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-10

Grating on opponents gets Ruutu Into lineup

<div class="byline">&#x2013;RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-021113/8418541-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="281" height="574"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011465/8418548-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="194" height="277"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>s the team bus pulled away from the New Jersey hotel in which the Devils stayed during the playoffs, a look of panic came over right winger Grant Marshall&rsquo;s face.</p><p>With a chance to close out Tampa Bay in the second round, it wasn&rsquo;t a good time to miss the bus to Continental Airlines Arena. &ldquo;We laughed,&rdquo; smirked coach Pat Burns. &ldquo;He was chasing the bus.&rdquo;</p><p>Marshall did make the bus and, seven hours later, ended the second-longest playoff game in Devils history by scoring the winning goal in triple-overtime. The Game 5 win sent the Devils to the Eastern Conference final against Ottawa.</p><p><b>COACH&rsquo;S TACTICS</b> Burns&rsquo; ability to get the right matchups at home and on the road in the first two rounds were widely praised. This despite being caught with four forwards and one blueliner on the ice late in Game 3 of the conference semifinal, resulting in a game-winning goal for Tampa.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> After declining all season to discuss his separation from his wife, <b>Melanie,</b> goalie <b>Martin Brodeur</b> spoke to <i>Le Journal de Montreal</i> and didn&rsquo;t refute the matter was triggered by an affair he had with his sister-inlaw. &ldquo;I made a mistake and now I have to live with it,&rdquo; Brodeur said. He denied his wife was asking for $9 million in alimony, but said: &ldquo;Women are also capable of being mean. When she calls me two hours before a game to say, &lsquo;Tonight I&rsquo;m going out with a guy,&rsquo; it&rsquo;s not easy to concentrate, especially when I know the guy.&rdquo;&hellip;The Devils switched first round picks with St. Louis for the 2003 draft, finishing the punishment for the <b>Scott Stevens</b> tampering case. The judgment against the Blues goes back to 1999. The NHL ruled St. Louis approached Stevens&rsquo; late agent in 1994 about signing with the team. The ruling gave the Devils one of the Blues&rsquo; first round picks over a five-year period, as well as the chance to swap picks once.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-02

Tardy Devil Marshall ends up scoring big

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-04602/8418579-1-eng-US/f0019-042.jpg" title="f0019-04" width="277" height="573"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-03779/8418586-1-eng-US/f0019-032.jpg" title="f0019-03" width="218" height="281"></div><p>His is not a name you hear often, but Chris Dingman was one of the Tampa Bay Lightning&rsquo;s standout players this spring.</p><p>The big left winger not only did his usual job of defensive mucking and body work, but also scored his first career playoff goal in the Bolts&rsquo; semifinal series against the New Jersey Devils.</p><p>In Tampa Bay&rsquo;s final game, a 2-1 triple-overtime loss to New Jersey in Game 5, Dingman had five shots (he had just 41 all season) and was part of a line with center Tim Taylor and Nikita Alexeev that had 11, most of which were good scoring chances.</p><p>&ldquo;I like the pressure of the playoffs,&rdquo; Dingman said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s fun. I have no problem being out there.&rdquo;</p><p><b>2003-04 UPGRADES</b> The Lightning needs what it has needed all season: a quarterback for the power play, a rugged defenseman and another scoring winger. GM Jay Feaster will not go into the high-end free agent market, but expect him to be active in the second tier. The summer trade route is also a good possibility. The Bolts&rsquo; farm system is still pretty thin in the above-mentioned areas, but the team really likes Swedish blueliner Andreas Holmqvist, who can skate well and move the puck. He has an outside chance to make the team next season, but still needs to be signed.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Dave And-reychuk</b> would like to return for his 22nd NHL season - and Tampa Bay wants him - but the 39-year-old, who needs to be re-signed, wants to see how he reacts mentally to the process of getting back in shape for a new season. He will let the team know how it goes&hellip;Goalie <b>Nikolai Khabibulin</b> was peeved he was benched in Game 5 against the Devils in favor of <b>John Grahame.</b> GM <b>Jay Feaster</b> said he and Khabibulin cleared the air at the goalie&rsquo;s exit interview, but Khabibulin&rsquo;s feelings were clearly still hurt.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-04

Dingman lifted game in Dolts’ playoff run

<div class="byline">&#x2013;BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-06333/8418617-1-eng-US/f0019-062.jpg" title="f0019-06" width="277" height="575"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-05446/8418624-1-eng-US/f0019-052.jpg" title="f0019-05" width="200" height="281"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>f there&rsquo;s one Senator who deserves the lion&rsquo;s share of the credit for Ottawa getting past Philadelphia in the second round, it&rsquo;s goaltender Patrick Lalime.</p><p>&ldquo;He made the big saves when we needed them,&rdquo; said defenseman Zdeno Chara. &ldquo;He was the difference in this series, for sure.&rdquo;</p><p>Lalime posted a. 937 save percentage and a 1.49 goals-against average through the first two rounds of the playoffs.</p><p>Coach Jacques Martin is convinced that Lalime is ready for the challenge of facing New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur in the Eastern Conference final.</p><p>&ldquo;I believe that he has arrived in this league,&rdquo; said Martin of Lalime.</p><p>&ldquo;The thing I like about him is his demeanor. He&rsquo;s always on an even keel.&rdquo;</p><p><b>COACH&rsquo;S TACTICS</b> After a 1-0 loss to the Flyers in Game 4, Martin and his assistants let the players know they weren&rsquo;t happy.</p><p>&ldquo;We got a bit of a chewing out and they just let us know we had to be better,&rdquo; said center Brian Smolinski.</p><p>Since the Senators have never been to the third round, it&rsquo;s a new experience for everybody. Known as a tactician, Martin is going to be up against a team he once used as a model for the Senators. The Devils play well away from the puck, so Ottawa will have to use its speed to try to win battles.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Longest-serving Senator <b>Radek Bonk,</b> who was drafted by the team in 1994, was thrilled to reach the Eastern Conference final. &ldquo;I remember those days when we would win 10 games and we treated every one of them like we&rsquo;d won the Stanley Cup,&rdquo; said the center. &ldquo;Having success in the playoffs is a great feeling&rdquo;&hellip;Only one of the team&rsquo;s 12 forwards was held goalless in the first two rounds: left winger <b>Magnus Arvedson.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-06

Lalime the Sens’ key in reaching final four

<div class="byline">&#x2013;WAYNE FISH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-08239/8418655-1-eng-US/f0019-082.jpg" title="f0019-08" width="274" height="576"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-07280/8418662-1-eng-US/f0019-072.jpg" title="f0019-07" width="208" height="243"></div><p>In hockey, taking shots is part of the game. Some players will dive in front of an Al Maclnnis slapper for the good of the team.</p><p>In the playoffs, Dmitry Yushkevich endured a different kind of shot before each game.</p><p>Yushkevich suffered a third-degree separated shoulder midway through the opening round series against Toronto. Realizing his team was in bad shape after Eric Desjardins was lost to a broken foot, the defenseman took a pain-killing injection each night and played on.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never seen a player who has played when he should be out for six weeks and he never missed a beat,&rdquo; said coach Ken Hitchcock. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s one tough man.&rdquo;</p><p><b>2003-04 UPGRADES</b> After falling to Ottawa in six games, Hitchcock said there will be a greater emphasis on youth in the 2003-04 season.</p><p>In Hitchcock&rsquo;s words, the team&rsquo;s youngsters will get, &ldquo;a bigger bite,&rdquo; in areas such as special teams, which were a dismal failure (the power play was O-for-17 vs. Ottawa).</p><p>The Flyers want to upgrade their speed by giving players like Simon Gagne and Justin Williams a higher profile. Prospects Joni Pitkanen and Jeff Woywitka are expected to challenge for jobs on defense.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach Ken <b>Hitchcock</b> said he will spend time this summer talking with goalie <b>Roman Cech-manek</b> about making changes in his game. Cechmanek allowed nine goals in the final two losses against Ottawa. &ldquo;What happened to Roman happens to a lot of goaltenders,&rdquo; Hitchcock said. &ldquo;I want to ask him, at times, why it got so wacky. There were some highlight-film &lsquo;you-have-to-see-this&rsquo; goals that went in. I want a candid conversation with him and I want a candid observation back.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-08

Yushkevich impresses with warrior-like play

<div class="byline">&#x2013;MIKE LOFTUS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02918/8418724-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="214" height="279"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>etween a 4-1 victory Dec. 8 that left them with a leagueleading 19-4-3-1 record and their first round loss to New Jersey, the Bruins traded away a newly-anointed No. 1 goalie in <b>John Grahame,</b> fired coach <b>Rob Ftorek,</b> sank to seventh in the Eastern Conference and posted a playoffs-induded record of 18-31-8-3. Even the bright spots peeked through dark clouds. <b>Joe Thornton</b> posted his first 100-point season, linemate <b>Glen Murray</b> reached 40 goals for the second straight year, and <b>Mike Knuble</b> shattered his fourth-liner image with 30 goals - but Knuble played with Thornton and Murray because of the near season-long absence of <b>Sergei Samsonov (hand</b> surgery). Although hopes weren&rsquo;t high after the departures of free agents Bill <b>Guerin</b> and <b>Byron Dafoe</b> and holdout defenseman <b>Kyle McLaren,</b> it&rsquo;s hard not to say Boston underachieved&hellip;Left winger <b>P-J Axelsson</b> (Sweden) and center <b>Jozef Stumpel</b> (Slovakia) were the only Bruins to participate in the World Championship.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-02

B’s bright spots few & far between

<div class="byline">&#x2013;BUCKY GLEASON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03698/8418755-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="217" height="286"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>S</span>abres coach <b>Lindy Ruff</b> wants to make sure the organization is committed to winning before deciding whether he&rsquo;ll sign another contract to remain behind the bench. Ruff met with management three times and was encouraged by discussions. &ldquo;I would like to stay,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I think that decision is mine. But I want to stay in an environment where we make a couple changes and be ready for next year, not sit on our asses and hope what got us through the second half (of the season) will get us through next year.&rdquo; The Sabres had a 16-14-5-6 record in their final 41 games this season. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we can afford to lose here,&rdquo; Ruff said. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t afford to stay here and lose.&rdquo;&hellip;New owner <b>Tom Golisano</b> and managing partner <b>Larry Quinn</b> were expected to meet with <b>GM Darcy Regier</b> about his future. A final decision was expected before June&hellip;The Sabres were mourning the loss of <b>Steve Atkinson,</b> 54, who died of a heart attack May 6. Atkinson was an original Sabre when they opened play in 1970. He had 20 goals and 21 assists that year, his best offensive season in the NHL.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-03

Ruff waits before deciding on future

<div class="byline">&#x2013;ERIC DUHATSCHEK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04509/8418786-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="218" height="276"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>t wasn&rsquo;t long after they&rsquo;d folded their American League team in Saint John, N.B., that the the Calgary Flames announced they would not run an independent minor league affiliate next season. Instead, they will spread their minor league players around to a handful of other organizations for a 12-month period before reactivating their AHL franchise for the start of the 2004-05 season, at which point they will relocate it to an as-yet-to-be determined new site. The Flames will pay a dormancy fee to the league in the meantime to keep the franchise alive&hellip;Coach-GM <b>Darryl Sutter</b> has spent his first month on the job, familiarizing himself with the organization&rsquo;s depth chart and trying to get a preliminary budget in place. One of his primary goals is to hold the line on salaries, a challenge considering the team has 14 restricted and two unrestricted free agents to deal with in the months ahead. Sutter, as quoted on the team&rsquo;s website, vowed: &ldquo;As long as I am GM of the team we won&rsquo;t be losing $10 million a season. That just can&rsquo;t happen.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-04

Flames fold minor league affiliate

<div class="byline">&#x2013;LUKE DECOCK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05379/8418817-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="215" height="236"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>eing the Hurricanes&rsquo; most pleasant surprise in a surprisingly disappointing season proved lucrative for <b>Craig Adams.</b> The 26-year-old right winger, who posted career-highs in goals (six) and assists (12), signed a one-year, $500,000 contract - a healthy raise from the $315,000 he made this season&hellip;Adams was the third player Carolina signed in the month after the season ended. Right winger <b>Jeff Daniels</b> and goalie <b>Patrick DesRochers</b> each signed one-year deals. Daniels, the team&rsquo;s only unrestricted free agent, will make $300,000 and DesRochers $400,000. Goalie <b>Kevin Weekes</b> and left winger <b>Erik Cole</b> remain the Canes&rsquo; most prominent restricted free agents&hellip;Center <b>Ron Francis,</b> 40, said he expects to be back next season&hellip;Carolina has invited the Calgary Flames to share their American League affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, next season. Lowell finished last in the AHL in 2002-03. The Flames folded their AHL team in Saint John, N.B., in April.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-05

Adams’ career year nets new deal

<div class="byline">&#x2013;TIM SASSONE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04425/8418848-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="994" height="1090"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Luc Robitaille isn&rsquo;t ready to retire, but you won&rsquo;t see him in Red Wings colors in 2003-04 - Detroit cut him loose following an 11-goal season.</i></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011200/8418855-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="211" height="285"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>fter a season filled with one off-ice distraction after another, Blackhawks GM <b>Mike Smith</b> promised things will be different in 2003-04. &ldquo;I think next year you&rsquo;ll see a little stricter discipline system within our team,&rdquo; Smith said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not acceptable for the Chicago Blackhawks to have what went on inside our team. (Owner <b>Bill) Wirtz</b> is not happy. I think he was embarrassed by a lot of that.&rdquo; The Hawks saw <b>Theoren Fleury</b> suspended twice for violating his substance-abuse aftercare program; Fleury, <b>Phil Housley</b> and <b>Tyler Arnason</b> involved in a fight at a Columbus strip club; <b>Alex Zhamnov</b> arrested for DUI; and <b>Boris Mironov</b> walking out on the team in anger over ice time&hellip;Zhamnov was found guilty April 23 of driving under the influence of alcohol in Lake County Circuit Court in Waukegan, Ill. The team captain was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs, contribute $300 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, undergo a year of supervision and attend Level 2 DUI school. Zhamnov was stopped March 10 in the Chicago suburb of Buffalo Grove.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-04

More discipline for Hawks next year

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAVID J. NEAL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-07189/8418886-1-eng-US/f0024-072.jpg" title="f0024-07" width="220" height="288"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>lmost a month after Florida&rsquo;s season ended, 10 former Panthers were still in the playoffs and many were in significant roles. Not unusual in this era of nomadic player movement, but for one thing - none left the Panthers by requested trade or unrestricted free agency. Nine were traded and one, Dallas&rsquo;s <b>Kirk Muller,</b> was bought out. Two players, Dallas center <b>Stu Barnes</b> and Minnesota defenseman <b>Filip Kuba,</b> left Florida in two of the worst trades in franchise history. Two other former Panthers, defenseman <b>Sandis Ozolinsh</b> and center <b>Rob Niedermayer</b> (the franchise&rsquo;s first draft pick), were acquired by Mighty Ducks GM <b>Bryan Murray,</b> who held the same position in Florida for six-and-a-half years&hellip;It was a hard World Championship for some Panthers. Left winger <b>Marcus Nilson</b> suffered a concussion. Left winger <b>Kristian Huselius</b> got pneumonia. Center <b>Matt Cullen</b> was part of a disappointing United States team. On the flip side, defenseman <b>Jay Bouwmeester</b> and goalie <b>Roberto Luongo</b> were playing well for Canada.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-07

Ex-Panthers abound in playoffs

<div class="byline">&#x2013;ADRIAN DATER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02856/8418917-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="221" height="276"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>U</span>nlike the last time the Avalanche lost a first round playoff series, the coach will return for the following season. So said GM <b>Pierre Lacroix,</b> who will bring back rookie coach <b>Tony Granato</b> to try and avenge Colorado&rsquo;s second first round exit in eight years. &ldquo;What this team accomplished after December was really pretty amazing and wonderful,&rdquo; Lacroix said. &ldquo;As management, we have to feel good about what this coaching staff did.&rdquo; Lacroix has never rested on regular season laurels before, but in this case he believes Granato deserves a full season to craft a team in his image. If the Avs bow out in the first round again next season, Granato would be in big trouble&hellip;The Avalanche&rsquo;s early post-season exit meant an estimated loss of at least $10 million to owner <b>Stan Kroenke,</b> who paid his players almost $62 million this season&hellip;Hart Trophy finalist <b>Peter Forsberg,</b> a potential restricted free agent, has yet to begin talks on a new contract with Colorado. Forsberg has been playing for Sweden in the World Championship in Finland.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-02

Granato will return behind the bench

<div class="byline">&#x2013;NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05293/8418948-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="217" height="262"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hen it was over, <b>Steve Yzerman</b> tried to look on the bright side. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a good lesson,&rdquo; the captain said. &ldquo;After winning the Stanley Cup, there was a lot of stuff going on - high-profile team, a bunch of stars, whatever. We got brought back down to earth hard in one week Maybe being humbled is good for us in the long run.&rdquo; The Red Wings finished the regular season on a 21-3-1-2 streak - and had 110 points, fourth-most in franchise history - but they stumbled in their final two games, lost the Western Conference title and drew a matchup with Anaheim. Instead of winning their fourth Cup in seven years, they became the first defending champions since the 1952 Maple Leafs to lose in the first round&hellip;Right winger <b>Luc Robitaille</b> sounded more upbeat than upset after the Wings chose not to exercise the option year on his contract &ldquo;I have to move on, because I know I&rsquo;m not done,&rdquo; he said. In his first 65 games with Detroit, Robitaille had 29 goals. In his last 124, playoffs included, he had 17. The Wings saw the dropoff as a red flag; Robitaille blamed it on a lack of ice time.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-05

Yzerman says playoff exit ‘good lesson’

<div class="byline">&#x2013;MATT MCHALE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-08149/8418979-1-eng-US/f0024-082.jpg" title="f0024-08" width="217" height="294"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>D</span>espite Manchester&rsquo;s first round sweep from the American League playoffs, the Kings were pleased with the performance of center <b>Jared Aulin,</b> one of their top prospects. Aulin didn&rsquo;t make the Kings out of training camp last fall, but would have received considerable playing time in L.A. had he not been slowed by elbow and knee injuries. Aulin, 20, scored just one goal for the Kings, but had 12 goals and 44 points in 44 games at Manchester. &ldquo;Jared was our best player on the ice in the playoffs,&rdquo; said Monarchs coach <b>Bruce Boudreau.</b> &ldquo;He showed great stickhandling skill and made a great transition to the professional game.&rdquo; Aulin has returned to his native Calgary for the summer to work on his skating and upper-body strength. He was injury-plagued during his junior career and knows that can&rsquo;t continue at the NHL level&hellip;The Kings still haven&rsquo;t agreed to terms with defense prospect <b>Tim Gleason,</b> whose rights they acquired March 11 from Ottawa in exchange for <b>Bryan Smolinski.</b> If Gleason doesn&rsquo;t sign by June 1 he&rsquo;ll be eligible for the 2003 entry draft.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-08

Aulin aims to Improve skating, strength

<div class="byline">&#x2013;AARON PORTZLINE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03610/8419010-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="213" height="290"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he Blue Jackets face a scary proposition: both of their top two scorers - left winger <b>Ray Whitney</b> and center <b>Andrew Cassels</b>&mdash;might be gone before next season. Whitney, who had 24 goals and 76 points this season, is almost certain to test the unrestricted free agency market. Talks between the two sides hit a snag in March and they&rsquo;ve barely spoken since. Whitney and his agent, J.P. Barry, want a four-year deal, but the Jackets are unlikely to go beyond three years. Cassels seems more likely to return, but only if he and the team can reach terms on a new contract. Cassels, who had 20 goals and 68 points this year, declined to sign a contract option for the next two seasons. &ldquo;I definitely want to try to come back,&rdquo; Cassels said. &ldquo;Hopefully we&rsquo;ll get something done before June.&rdquo;&hellip;The Jackets signed left winger <b>Geoff Sanderson</b> to a multi-year deal and right winger <b>David Vybomy</b> to a one-year pact May 7. Terms were not disclosed&hellip;Columbus signed defenseman <b>Duvie Westcott</b> to a two-year contract worth $950,000. Columbus was 15-19-4-1 with Westcott in the lineup and 14-23-4-2 when he wasn&rsquo;t<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-03

Cassels, Whitney may be on way out

<div class="byline">&#x2013;ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06230/8419041-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="211" height="291"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hen your best players aren&rsquo;t your best players and you can&rsquo;t score on the power play, the odds of beating the Dallas Stars are longer than <b>Yao Ming&rsquo;s</b> shadow. The Oilers&rsquo; first round defeat - they haven&rsquo;t won a playoff series in five years - was especially painful because they didn&rsquo;t put forth their best effort. Their top-end players were virtually invisible - <b>Ryan Smyth, Mike York, Mike Comrie, Radek Dvorak, Todd Marchant</b> and Ales <b>Hemsky</b> combined for four goals in 28 man-games - and their power play was 1-for-23. And while center <b>Shawn Horcoff</b> took a big step forward, emerging as their leading playoff scorer with three goals and four points in six games, goalie <b>Tommy Salo</b> didn&rsquo;t step up and now has a 5-16 career playoff record&hellip;Coach <b>Craig MacTavish&rsquo;s</b> contract expires this summer and he has decided to examine some of his options - like the New York Rangers - before automatically re-signing with Edmonton. Oilers GM <b>Kevin Lowe</b> is optimistic MacTavish will be back, but until he gets him signed, anything is possible.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-06

Top players disappear in Round 1 loss

<div class="byline">&#x2013;HERB ZURKOWSKY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-09130/8419072-1-eng-US/f0024-092.jpg" title="f0024-09" width="224" height="261"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>fter completing his best NHL season and fewer than two months before he could have become a restricted free agent, left winger <b>Jan Bulis</b> signed a two-year deal with the Canadiens. Terms of the contract weren&rsquo;t disclosed. Bulis made $750,000 this season, while scoring 16 goals and 40 points in 82 games. He, along with <b>Saku Koivu</b> and <b>Craig Rivet,</b> were the only Montreal players to appear in every game this season. Bulis also was second on the team in plus/minus, with a plus-9 rating. &ldquo;Bulis has been one of our best forwards (this) season,&rdquo; said GM <b>Andre Savard</b> in a press release. &ldquo;At only 25, he has greatly improved his play and he also possesses a very good work ethic.&rdquo; A second round pick by the Washington Capitals in 1996, Bulis and right winger <b>Richard Zednik</b> were traded to Montreal in 2001 for right winger <b>Dainius Zubrus</b> and center <b>Trevor Linden&hellip;</b>Savard has only a handful of unsigned players, but expected some tough negotiations with leading scorer Koivu and <b>Andrei Markov,</b> who emerged as the team&rsquo;s best defenseman this season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-09

Two-year deal keeps Bulls In Montreal

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAVID BOCLAIR</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-011082/8419103-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="247" height="251"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>C</span>enter <b>David Legwand</b> played 64 games for the Predators this season, one more than he did in 200102, but increased his scoring from 11 goals and 30 points to a team-high 48 points, including 17 goals. Legwand&rsquo;s dramatic improvement on offense fueled optimism he is on a <b>Joe Thornton-like</b> learning curve after four NHL seasons - provided he can stay healthy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s up to him,&rdquo; said right winger and linemate <b>Scott Walker.</b> &ldquo;He has the ability and support from the team.&rdquo;&hellip;Defenseman <b>Karlis Skrastins</b> had three goals for Latvia in a victory at the World Championship, which equaled his total with Nashville this season&hellip;Unless the Preds pick up their option on defenseman <b>Andy Dehnore,</b> Nashville&rsquo;s top six scorers this season all will be restricted free agents this summer, putting an obvious strain on the team&rsquo;s desire to maintain a manageable payroll. &ldquo;The organization is going to be fine,&rdquo; said owner <b>Craig Leipold.</b> &ldquo;It&rsquo;s our strategy, obviously, to re-sign all those players.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-01

Legwand’s season good omen

<div class="byline">&#x2013;PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02742/8419134-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="211" height="277"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>f the Islanders&rsquo; first round playoff ouster against Ottawa proved anything, it&rsquo;s that taking the next step into Stanley Cup contention is significantly more difficult than simply qualifying for the playoffs. Despite a second consecutive post-season berth, the Isles largely considered this season a failure, punctuated by an obvious lack of scoring depth and fractured dressing room chemistry. A slow start due to <b>Michael Peca&rsquo;s</b> injury absence and iffy goaltending from <b>Chris Osgood</b> resulted in the Isles needing to expend their energy to climb out of last place in the NHL in mid-November to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference by season&rsquo;s end. By the time the playoffs began, several key players had run out of steam. Long-tenured and teflon-coated GM <b>Mike Milbury</b> vowed to address what went wrong, which could make for an interesting summer&hellip;Right winger <b>Jason Blake</b> capped a career season in terms of production (25 goals and 55 points) by being named Islander of the Year in voting by the team&rsquo;s fans.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-02

Milbury to address Isles’ issues

<div class="byline">&#x2013;LARRY BROOKS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03511/8419165-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="212" height="287"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>R</span>angers GM-president <b>Glen Sather&rsquo;s</b> hunt for his fourth coach in four years in Manhatttan began with a phone call to <b>Lou Lamoriello,</b> his New Jersey counterpart. Sather requested permission to speak to <b>Larry Robinson,</b> who&rsquo;s under contract to the Devils as a consultant. Robinson, who led the Devils to the 2000 Stanley Cup and to a Game 7 in the 2001 final before his dismissal in January of 2002, indicated some interest, albeit lukewarm, in speaking with Sather about the job. Sather, who went behind the bench this season after dismissing rookie coach (and last summer&rsquo;s hire) <b>Bryan Trottier - Ron Low</b> lasted two seasons - has not ruled out a return, himself. The GM would also like to speak <b>to Craig MacTavish</b> if the Oilers coach, whose contract expires at the end of June, is serious about leaving Edmonton. MacTavish has also been linked in published reports to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who may ask coach-GM <b>Pat Quinn</b> to relinquish one of his positions. Leafs president <b>Ken Dryden</b> denied the MacTavish speculation.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-03

Robinson up for coaching position

<div class="byline">&#x2013;BOB MCMANAMAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-04338/8419196-1-eng-US/f0025-042.jpg" title="f0025-04" width="214" height="295"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he signing of <b>Ossi Vaananen</b> to a three-year deal worth an average of $1.1 million left Phoenix with just one defenseman, <b>Danny Markov,</b> waiting for a new contract. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad we could get together on a deal now so that I can concentrate on working hard this summer and getting ready for next season,&rdquo; said the 22-year-old Vaananen&hellip;Hoping to increase their season-ticket base as they prepare to move into their new arena, the Coyotes announced a three-year price freeze on all season-ticket packages. It&rsquo;s the first pricing freeze of its kind among professional sports teams in the Phoenix market&hellip;Second-year center <b>Krys Kolanos,</b> who missed the first 80 games this season while recovering from postconcussion syndrome, replaced injured teammate <b>Chris Gratton</b> on Canada&rsquo;s national team at the World Championship in Finland&hellip;Managing partner <b>Wayne Gretzky</b> said he plans to build another restaurant and sports bar, similar to the one that bears his name in Toronto, in Glendale, Ariz., next to the team&rsquo;s new arena.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-04

Coyotes ink Vaananen to new deal

<div class="byline">&#x2013;JOE STARKEY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-05243/8419227-1-eng-US/f0025-052.jpg" title="f0025-05" width="220" height="287"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>G</span>M <b>Craig Patrick</b> fired his younger brother, <b>Glenn Patrick,</b> as coach of Pittsburgh&rsquo;s American League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on May 2. It is open to speculation whether Patrick, in firing both his brother and NHL coach <b>Rick Kehoe,</b> was taking orders from owner <b>Mario Lemieux.</b> &ldquo;(Craig) started in with, &lsquo;I just had a meeting with the top brass here,&rsquo; and I knew, at that point, it wasn&rsquo;t going to be good news,&rdquo; said Glenn Patrick, who was criticized for a perceived lack of communication skills and was 115-152-38-15 in four years. Said Craig Patrick: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m still pleased with the job Glenn did, just like I was pleased with the job (Kehoe) did. We just felt with the change of direction we&rsquo;re going in that it was a good time to make a change.&rdquo; <i>(See pg. 27 for more on Glenn Patrick.)</i>&hellip;The list of applicants for the Pens coaching job had swelled to more than 40, including <b>Herb Brooks.</b> Others known to have an interest were Ed <b>Olczyk, Greg Gilbert, Ted Nolan, Bob Errey, and Kevin McCarthy.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-05

GM fires brother from coaching gig

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DERRICK GOOLD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011214/8419258-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="208" height="275"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>F</span>or the 36th consecutive season - and for the 24th straight post-season - the St. Louis Blues finished their year without winning the Stanley Cup. What made St. Louis&rsquo;s first round loss agonizing is that there were many players who thought the team was headed for greatness. &ldquo;We had big plans,&rdquo; said defenseman <b>Al Maclnnis.</b> &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just that we let it slip away.&rdquo; A combination of failings led to the team&rsquo;s early exit. Left winger <b>Keith Tkachuk</b> and right winger <b>Scott Mellanby -</b> and to a lesser degree their linemate, center <b>Pavol Demitra -</b> were non-factors in the series against Vancouver. Meanwhile, Maclnnis missed Games 3 through 6 with a separated shoulder and his heroic return for Game 7 was marred by a game-changing turnover. And goalie <b>Chris Osgood</b> went from solid to just mediocre&hellip;Center <b>Doug Weight</b> tied a franchise record with 13 points in the series against Vancouver&hellip;Left winger <b>Martin Rucinsky</b> is almost assured the Blues will pick up his option - he had six playoff points, tied for second on the team&hellip;If he wins the Calder Trophy, blueliner <b>Barret Jackman</b> will be the franchise&rsquo;s first-ever rookie of the year.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-01

Failure of Blues’ top players led to disappointing demise

<div class="byline">&#x2013;ROSS MCKEON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02866/8419289-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="218" height="289"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>s long as the San Jose Sharks go without a GM, the future of veteran players with contract options, such as centers <b>Mike Ricci</b> and <b>Vincent Damphousse</b> and left winger <b>Adam Graves,</b> remains in limbo. San Jose holds team options on both Ricci and Graves, who would return for another season, each at $3 million, if the Sharks picked up their options. It&rsquo;s at the discretion of Damphousse, though, if he wants to return for $4 million next year. The 35-year-old said he&rsquo;s waiting to see what direction the team takes - and that includes who is hired as <b>Dean Lombardi&rsquo;s</b> replacement before he commits&hellip;A first round of interviewing as many as 10 candidates concluded before May 1, the team&rsquo;s announced earliest date to name a new GM. &ldquo;The group of finalists is strong,&rdquo; said a team spokesman. &ldquo;Each candidate is prepared, ready and excited about the possibility of becoming GM of the Sharks&rdquo;&hellip;Reached a month after his dismissal, Lombardi said he&rsquo;d sold his San Jose-area home and was relocating to another city in northern California. Lombardi was non-committal in regard to pursuing other NHL job openings this summer.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-02

Contract decisions up in air as Sharks search for GM

<div class="byline">&#x2013;KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03704/8419320-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="215" height="288"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>f the first round loss to Philadelphia proved anything, it was that Toronto isn&rsquo;t nearly deep enough or defensively committed enough to win a Stanley Cup. Their inability or unwillingness to play sound defensive hockey did them in this year and will continue to do so until they make a commitment to playing better without the puck and in their ownend. The Leafs were badly outshot by the Flyers, as they were all season long&hellip;Defenseman <b>Robert Svehla,</b> 34, announced his retirement May 7. He&rsquo;s returning to his native Slovakia&hellip;Center <b>Doug Gilmour</b> will be in rehabilitation until October after having reconstructive knee surgery in late April. The Leafs told Gilmour they will not pick up his $3-million option for next season, but a deal still could be worked out. Gilmour said if he doesn&rsquo;t sign with the Leafs, he&rsquo;ll retire&hellip;Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president <b>Richard Peddie</b> said he expects both coach-GM <b>Pat Quinn</b> and president <b>Ken Dryden</b> to be back next season. He said Dryden will likely have his role redefined and there is a good chance Quinn will hold both the GM and coach roles for the foreseeable future.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-03

Toronto betrayed once again by lack of depth, defense

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAVE FAY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04514/8419351-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg" title="f0026-04" width="209" height="293"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ashington owner <b>Ted Leonsis</b> has said he will reconsider his financial commitment to the Capitals payroll. So look for younger and cheaper players at training camp next fall. At least two of the top six slots on defense will open up while two or more jobs are expected to open up on offense. Players admit this was probably the most talented Caps team ever, but there was a lack of chemistry in the first two lines that no amount of juggling could solve&hellip;Defenseman <b>Calle Johansson,</b> 36, won&rsquo;t be back in Washington next season. He and coach <b>Bruce Cassidy</b> didn&rsquo;t have a good relationship and a &ldquo;mutual separation&rdquo; was announced May 7. Johansson is eligible for unrestricted free agency. He has played a franchise-high 983 games in 13-plus seasons as a Cap&hellip;Washington plans to pick up the options on four players - defenseman <b>Joel Kwiatkowski,</b> left wingers <b>Peter Bondra</b> and <b>Ivan Ciemik</b> and center <b>Jeff Halpern&hellip;</b>Bondra passed <b>Mike Gartner</b> for the franchise points lead (790) and Kolzig won his 200th game&hellip;GM <b>George McPhee</b> revealed after the season that left winger <b>Kip Miller</b> played with a broken shoulder during the stretch drive.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-04

Capitals owner Leonsis hints team will cut payroll

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><p><b>Darryl Bootland</b> came out of junior feeling like he was the BMOI - Big Man On Ice.</p><p>The 21-year-old right winger, who scored 97 points and tallied 137 penalty minutes in 61 games with Ontario League St. Michael&rsquo;s last year, figured the transition to the pro this season would be relatively easy.</p><p>But after turning down a contract offer from the Colorado Avalanche, who drafted him 252nd overall in 2000, to instead sign as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings, Bootland learned the hard way the American League is no party.</p><p>The Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit&rsquo;s AHL affiliate, sent Bootland down to Toledo of the East Coast League, when the rookie abandoned his banging, agitating game in training camp.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011161/8419382-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="237" height="369"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DARRYL BOOTLAND</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;When you focus all summer on trying to make Grand Rapids, it was pretty disappointing to get sent down,&rdquo; Bootland said. &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t the first line right winger anymore. I was one of the kids from junior who didn&rsquo;t have a clue what pro hockey was about.</p><p>&ldquo;It was pretty tough to take&hellip;but I got a lot of help from the coach in Toledo, Claude Noel.&rdquo;</p><p>Bootland played 54 games with Toledo and was recalled by the Griffins late in the season.</p><p>Now he&rsquo;s taking the Calder Cup playoffs by storm, helping the Griffins sweep the defending champion Chicago to reach the Western Conference final. Bootland had three goals, five points and 42 penalty minutes in eight games through two rounds.</p><p>Bootland said he has a better understanding of how to play in the pro, scoring timely goals and getting under the skin of opponents.</p><p>&ldquo;It has been two different worlds, that&rsquo;s for sure,&rdquo; said Bootland, referring to how his season started compared to his playoff success.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-01

Rookie’s tough season an eye-opener

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>G</span>lenn Patrick,</b> the only coach the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have ever known, was fired by his older brother, Pittsburgh GM <b>Craig Patrick.</b></p><p>The fired bench boss, the latest victim of the Penguins&rsquo; front-office spring cleaning, was philosophical about the dismissal. &ldquo;When you&rsquo;re the one being changed, you may not think it&rsquo;s fair, but change is always for the good,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>Since 1999-2000, when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton entered the American League, Patrick posted a record of 115-152-38-15 and led his team to the post-season twice, including a Calder Cup final appearance.</p><p>As Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was usually fight on veterans and heavy on youngsters, Patrick was not let go so much for his sub-.500 record as for what was perceived to be his poor communication skills with Penguins prospects.</p><p>&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t find communication was a problem,&rdquo; Glenn Patrick said, &ldquo;but I was criticized for it. When it&rsquo;s in the papers, people start to believe it.&rdquo;</p><p>Assistant <b>Mike Yeo</b> looks to be the leading candidate to replace Patrick, though finding a head coach for the parent Penguins is the first priority. Pens GM Patrick fired <b>Rick Kehoe</b> in April.</p><p>Craig Patrick gave Glenn the option of staying with the organization as a scout.</p><h2><b>AHL WEST NOTEBOOK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02792/8419448-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="243" height="239"></div><p><b>STEVENS RETURNS</b> Although the Philadelphia Phantoms missed the playoffs for the first time in their six-year history, coach <b>John Stevens</b> and assistant <b>Kjell Samuelsson</b> had their contracts extended through next season.</p><p>Once veteran-laden, the Phantoms have increasingly relied on youngsters the past two or three years. The parent Philadelphia Flyers are pleased with the progress of players such <b>as Jim Vandermeer, Dennis Seidenberg, Bruno St-Jacques and Guillaume Lefebvre;</b> the latter two were included in trades that brought <b>Sami Kapanen</b> and <b>Tony Amonte</b> to the Flyers.</p><p>&ldquo;Obviously there&rsquo;s concern when you miss the playoffs, but a lot of our young players got better,&rdquo; said Stevens, 36, who is 102-94-26-18 in three seasons.</p><h2><b>SAME PORT, NEW OWNER?</b></h2><p>Nashville has had preliminary discussions about buying their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, from the trust established by the late <b>Jane Pettit,</b> who was the sole owner of the team. &ldquo;Any scenario that involves the Predators has to be good for hockey in Milwaukee,&rdquo; said Admirals spokesman <b>Brian Manthey.</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03568/8419441-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="1002" height="1474"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Grand Rapids&rsquo; Sheldon Brookbank takes Chicago&rsquo;s Mark Hartigan off the puck. The Griffins swept the Wolves in their semifinal series.</i></figcaption></div><h2><b>AHL WEST PLAYOFFS</b></h2><h3><b>QUALIFYING ROUND (Best-of-3 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04401/8419434-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="483" height="78"></div><h3><b>QUARTERFINALS (Best-of-5 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-05267/8419427-1-eng-US/f0027-052.jpg" title="f0027-05" width="484" height="170"></div><h3><b>SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-06194/8419420-1-eng-US/f0027-062.jpg" title="f0027-06" width="483" height="82"></div><h3><b>FINAL</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-07158/8419413-1-eng-US/f0027-072.jpg" title="f0027-07" width="485" height="50"></div><h2><b>The Hockey News</b></h2><h3><b>PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK</b></h3><p>&bull; <b>Stacy Roest</b> scored three game-winners in Grand Rapids&rsquo; four-game sweep of Chicago.</p><p>&bull; <b>Stephane Veilleux</b> ranks third among all playoff scorers, and tops on Houston, with 2 goals and 11 points in 9 games.</p><p>&bull; This is the Aeros&rsquo; second consecutive trip to the conference final, but it&rsquo;s the Griffins&rsquo; first.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-02

Pens coach terminated by brother

<div class="byline">BY ROB MUELLER</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>P</span>at Kelly</b> was one of the East Coast League&rsquo;s founding fathers, so when an expansion team in South Carolina needed help getting things up and running a few years ago, the legendary Kelly was a logical choice.</p><p>One of Kelly&rsquo;s first moves as director of hockey operations was to hire <b>Scott White</b> as the first coach of the Columbia Inferno.</p><p>Two years later, White and the Inferno are vying for the championship trophy named after the man who helped make Columbia an instant contender.</p><h2><b>NOTEBOOK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-08131/8419479-1-eng-US/f0027-082.jpg" title="f0027-08" width="213" height="215"></div><p>Winners of 10 of 12 playoff games in the first three rounds, the Inferno was set to face the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in the Kelly Cup final, which opened May 7.</p><p>Both the Inferno and Bullies are in their second season in their current cities. Columbia joined as an expansion team in 2001-02, while the Bullies relocated from Birmingham, Ala.</p><p>Columbia won the Southern Conference final series 4-2 over Mississippi to qualify for the ECHL championship series, while Atlantic City dispatched Cincinnati 4-3 in the Northern Conference final.</p><p><b>HELP WANTED</b> Former Roanoke Express coach <b>Perry Florio</b> is a candidate for coaching vacancies with the Pee Dee Pride, Augusta Lynx and Wheeling Nailers. Pee Dee fired Davis Payne after two-and-a-half seasons during which he led the Pride to a 104-65-17 record and three post-season appearances.</p><p>Former NHL defenseman David Wilkie, who took over the Augusta Lynx 10 games into the season, stepped down after he was not immediately offered a new contract.</p><p>Wheeling fired the ECHL&rsquo;s winningest coach, John Brophy, in April.</p><p><b>BIG CHIEF</b> Johnstown Chiefs coach Toby O&rsquo;Brien has been selected to coach a team of 15-year-olds representing the Mid-American District of USA Hockey in the National Junior Olympic Festival Aug. 1-7 in St. Cloud, Minn.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-08

Inferno serves notice it has arrived

<div class="byline">BY TIM CAMPBELL</div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hen Hamilton Bulldogs right winger Jason Ward said, late in the regular season, that he deserved to be recalled by the Montreal Canadiens, it seemed a rather bold statement.</p><p>Well, the American League MVP proved he merited the promotion. In eight games with Montreal, he potted three goals and five points.</p><p>&ldquo;I worked hard all year to try to get a chance at the NHL level and I kept at it,&rdquo; Ward said. &ldquo;When I got the call after Dougy (Gilmour) got traded, that was my opportunity.&rdquo;</p><p>The 24-year-old put up his best pro numbers this season, leading high-flying Hamilton with 72 points, including 31 goals and six game-winners.</p><p>Having already played for Habs coach Claude Julien, both with Hamilton this season and with the Quebec Cita-delles in 2001-02, Ward felt he got a more thorough look this time. He had previously played 44 NHL games with the Habs over two seasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-011200/8419510-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="235" height="368"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JASON WARD</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;When I got up there, I just got a regular shift, which I hadn&rsquo;t had too often before when I was there,&rdquo; Ward said.</p><p>Ward&rsquo;s coach in Hamilton, Geoff Ward (no relation), said the rangy 6-foot-3,200-pounder never let his frustration bleed into his game with the Bulldogs.</p><p>&ldquo;I think he channeled it in the proper way, to motivate himself to play pretty hard,&rdquo; said the Hamilton coach.</p><p>Ward, selected 11th overall in 1997 by the Canadiens, said this spring&rsquo;s AHL playoffs and the upcoming summer months are a critical time for him. Through seven playoff games, Ward had two goals and six points.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a very important playoffs because I want to prove what I can do in this league and finish on a good note,&rdquo; Ward said.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-01

Another chance for hard-working Ward

<div class="byline">BY TIM CAMPBELL</div><p>Portland Pirates center <b>GlenMetropolit</b> has had enough of North American hockey - for now.</p><p>The 28-year-old, who spent the previous four seasons bouncing back and forth from the Washington Capitals to their American League affiliate the Portland Pirates, has signed a deal with Jokerit in Finland for next season. Metropolit cited frustration with the Washington organization as the reason.</p><p>&ldquo;This year was the ultimate kick,&rdquo; said Metropolit to the Portland <i>Press-Herald.</i> &ldquo;It killed the passion for me.&rdquo;</p><p>Metropolit asked to be traded at the March deadline, but no deal was done.</p><p>Washington director of hockey operations <b>Shawn Simpson</b> said the Caps will not just cut the Toronto native loose.</p><h2><b>AHL EAST NOTEBOOK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02837/8419569-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="246" height="237"></div><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s an asset in the organization,&rdquo; Simpson said. &ldquo;It looks like it&rsquo;d make sense for both parties to move him along (in a trade) and that will be done when it benefits the Capitals.&rdquo;</p><p>Metropolit, who scored 10 goals and 47 points in 103 career NHL games, said he hasn&rsquo;t given up on his NHL dream.</p><p>&ldquo;I respect the game and I love it still,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I think going to Europe will help me. I feel like I can get better, hopefully hook on with another team and really show everyone I can be a regular (in the NHL). I need another life, another chance.&rdquo;</p><p><b>BACKUP SHINES</b> An unexpected name made a big impact in the Eastern Conference semifinal series between Manitoba and Hamilton.</p><p>Goalie <b>Mike Minard,</b> who was loaned to the the Moose by St. John&rsquo;s at the trade deadline, stepped in for injured starter <b>Tyler Moss.</b> Minard helped Manitoba get past Providence in the first round, then made the next four starts, giving up just four goals.</p><p>Minard, still under contract to the Maple Leafs organization, had been demoted to East Coast League Reading and Toledo this season.</p><p>&ldquo;No way in hell I could have predicted this,&rdquo; Minard said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just thankful for the chance.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Binghamton accused Bridgeport center <b>Justin Papineau</b> spitting into their bench, a charge Papineau vigorously denied&hellip;Hamilton Bulldogs center <b>Bill Lindsay</b> took a bow in front of the Manitoba bench after scoring one of his three goals in a 6-2 win in Game 4 of the semifinal series&hellip;St. John&rsquo;s assistant <b>Kevin McClelland</b> and Central League Memphis coach <b>Doug Shedden</b> were said to be the leading candidates for the vacant Baby Leafs head coaching spot.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03617/8419562-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="996" height="1471"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Hamilton blueliner Ron Hainsey, who spent part of the regular season with the Montreal Canadiens, has five assists in nine playoff games.</i></figcaption></div><h2><b>AHL EAST PLAYOFFS</b></h2><h3><b>QUALIFYING ROUND (Best-of-3 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-04429/8419555-1-eng-US/f0028-042.jpg" title="f0028-04" width="472" height="82"></div><h3><b>QUARTERFINALS (Best-of-5 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-05325/8419548-1-eng-US/f0028-052.jpg" title="f0028-05" width="471" height="167"></div><h3><b>SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7 series)</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-06276/8419541-1-eng-US/f0028-062.jpg" title="f0028-06" width="477" height="83"></div><h2><b>The Hockey News</b></h2><h3><b>PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK</b></h3><p>&bull; Hamilton netminders <b>Eric Fichaud</b> and Ty Conklin have shared duties through the playoffs. Fichaud&rsquo;s save percentage is. 950, while Conklin&rsquo;s is. 922. &bull; Binghamton&rsquo;s <b>Chris Kelly</b> scored the game-winner in a 2-1 Game 6 win to clinch the semifinal series over Bridgeport. &bull; With six goals and nine points in 12 games, <b>Pat Kavanagh</b> is the leading scorer for Manitoba, the ninth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-02

Metropolit Finnished with Caps

<div class="byline">&#x2013;BRENDAN SAVAGE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-07238/8419600-1-eng-US/f0028-072.jpg" title="f0028-07" width="191" height="102"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he United League added an 11th team for the 2003-04 season: the expansion Columbus Stars. Owner Joe Milano formed the Stars after a feasibility study determined there remained a market for minor pro hockey in Columbus, despite the presence of an NHL team in the city. In fact, the Columbus Blue Jackets have given their blessing to the new enterprise. Stars GM Robb King, who held the same position in Flint the past two years, said it&rsquo;s possible the Stars could land an affiliation with the Blue Jackets. The UHL hopes to add a 12th team for next season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-07

NOTEBOOK

<div class="byline">&#x2013;CHADD CRIPE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-08200/8419631-1-eng-US/f0028-082.jpg" title="f0028-08" width="203" height="65"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>F</span>resno goalie Mark Gowan went from backup to savior to goat in the space of two series. Coming in for starter Terry Friesen, who sustained a groin injury in Game 1, Gowan led the fourthplace Falcons to an upset of the first-place Idaho Steelheads in their semifinal series. Then, in the Founders Cup final against San Diego, the Falcons were shelled for 14 goals - 10 against Gowan - in the first two games. Sporting an ugly. 750 save percentage, Gowan was pulled for Friesen, who produced a win for the Falcons in Game 3.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-08

<div class="byline">&#x2013;DAVID HENRY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-09182/8419662-1-eng-US/f0028-092.jpg" title="f0028-09" width="189" height="105"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>M</span>emphis center Kahlil Thomas left little doubt as to who should be awarded the Central League&rsquo;s playoff MVP award. Thomas picked up 23 points in 14 post-season games, including the President&rsquo;s Cup-winning goal in the second overtime of Game 5. Thomas&rsquo;s clutch marker earned the RiverKings a 4-3 victory and a 4-1 series win over the Austin Ice Bats, marking the team&rsquo;s second straight CHL championship. Memphis is the first franchise to win back-to-back CHL titles since the 1993-94 and &lsquo;94-95 Wichita Thunder, who were coached by current RiverKings coach Doug Shedden.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-09

<div class="byline">&#x2013;NICK GATES</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-10170/8419693-1-eng-US/f0028-102.jpg" title="f0028-10" width="208" height="71"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he Atlantic Coast League and the World Hockey Association 2 moved forward to secure cities for their franchises, while attorneys for the rival circuits haggled. The dispute is over whether owner David Waronker can legally move his teams - Orlando, Jacksonville, Macon and expansion Miami - from the ACHL to the WHA2. The WHA2 announced it was leaving Macon in favor of Lakeland, Fla., this fall. Meanwhile, Knoxville and Cape Fear informed the ACHL they would be staying. The ACHL expects to operate in Macon and have at least two expansion teams for 2003-04.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-10

<div class="byline">BY WILLY PALOV</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-011067/8419731-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="250" height="272"></div><p>It isn&rsquo;t hard to figure out how and when Hull got so good.</p><p>Like many of the Quebec League&rsquo;s contending teams, the Olympiques put themselves over the hump with a flurry of deadline deals. They acquired five players late in the mid-season trade period, all of whom had plenty of playoff experience. The acquisitions helped them breeze through to the QMJHL final by going 12-1 in the first three rounds.</p><p>Trades landed Hull center <b>Jonathan Bellemarre</b> from Shawinigan, defenseman <b>Tyler Reid</b> from <b>Acadie-Bathurst</b> and left winger <b>Mathieu Brunelle</b> and defensemen <b>Chris Pottie</b> and <b>Jeff Smith</b> from Victoriaville.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02720/8419724-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="286" height="692"></div><p>Bellemarre and Reid were both named alternate captains as soon as they arrived in Hull, while Brunelle was in the top three in playoff scoring and Smith and Pottie gave the Olympiques needed help on the blueline.</p><p>&ldquo;I think we have the second-youngest team in the league and we have a lot of skill, but there just wasn&rsquo;t that much depth before,&rdquo; Pottie said. &ldquo;They made (those trades) and&hellip;we all know what it&rsquo;s like to play in those tough situations.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FILM FANATIC</b> Halifax goalie <b>Guillaume Lavallee</b> delivered the best zinger of the QMJHL playoffs after the Mooseheads eliminated Baie-Comeau in seven games in the third round.</p><p>The 19-year-old Lavallee had been criticized by <b>Baie-Comeau</b> coach <b>Richard Martel</b> in Quebec newspapers prior to the decisive seventh game. Martel called Lavallee an &ldquo;actor that should be in Hollywood&rdquo; because of what Martel saw as frequent dives.</p><p>Following a 7-1 Halifax win that earned the Mooseheads a trip to the final to play Hull, Lavallee responded to Martel&rsquo;s comments by saying: &ldquo;You can tell him the next movie is playing in Hull.&rdquo;</p><p><b>DRAKKAR TAKES ITS LUMPS</b> Baie-Comeau, eliminated by Halifax in the third round, will now have to pay up for their win-at-all-costs trading practises this season.</p><p>Three key players will reportedly go to new teams as future considerations to complete deals the Drakkar made to build a playoff powerhouse. Defenseman <b>Thierry Douville</b> will go to Moncton, right winger <b>Louis-Philippe Martin</b> is headed to Drummondville and center <b>Pascal Pelletier</b> is ticketed for Shawinigan.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-01

Hull reaps rewards from mid-year trades

<div class="byline">BY JIM CRESSMAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03502/8419769-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="277" height="213"></div><p>You could say the winner of 2002-03 Red Tilson Trophy was a surefire Locke.</p><p>Ottawa 67&rsquo;s center <b>Corey Locke</b> was named the Ontario League&rsquo;s most outstanding player after topping all scorers this season with 63 goals and 151 points to became the first OHL player since 1995 to win the Canadian Hockey League scoring championship.</p><p>The 18-year-old earned 78 points in media voting, 42 more than Plymouth Whalers center <b>Chad LaRose</b>. Kitchener Rangers center <b>Derek Roy</b> was third with 26.</p><p>&ldquo;I just came in hoping to have a great year, but nothing like this,&rdquo; said Locke, who led the OHL playoffs with 15 goals and 33 points through 20 games.</p><p><b>FROM CREASE TO COURT?</b> Kitchener goalie <b>Scott Dickie</b> has been wowing them on the ice during the OHL playoffs. Some-day, he would like to wow them in the courthouse, too</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-04360/8419762-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="283" height="692"></div><p>The undrafted overager was leading the playoffs with a 2.11 goals-against average and. 941 save percentage.</p><p>&ldquo;He has been the difference,&rdquo; said coach <b>Peter DeBoer</b>, as the Rangers made their first trip to the final in 13 years.</p><p>Dickie said it&rsquo;s either the pros or the University of Western Ontario next year, where he would pursue a law degree.</p><p>&ldquo;Quite frankly&hellip;it&rsquo;s a lot more fun playing. School can be after, just like (Toronto Maple Leafs president) <b>Ken Dryden</b>,&rdquo; said Dickie, referring to the former Montreal Canadiens goalie who became a lawyer when he ended his NHL career.</p><p><b>NEW TOP DOB</b> Chief scout <b>Dave Torrie</b> was named GM of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Marty Abrams, a successful junior scout and Tier II coach, was hired as coach. They replace <b>John Vanbiesbrouck</b>, who resigned from both positions and sold his 25 percent share after uttering a racial slur in front of some Greyhounds players in early March.</p><p>&ldquo;If we want the people of Sault Ste. Marie to believe in this team, we need to set a good example from management right through to the players,&rdquo; Torrie said.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Defenseman <b>Patrick McNeill</b> of the Jr. B Strathroy Rockets went first overall in the OHL entry draft to the Saginaw Spirit&hellip;St. Louis Blues defenseman <b>Chris Pronger</b> bought a 30 percent share in the Mississauga IceDogs, joining <b>Mario Forgione</b> who bought the team from previous owner <b>Nick Ried</b> for $3.7 million. Pronger played with Peterborough in the early 1990s.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-03

Tilson winner Locke surprised by success

<div class="byline">BY GREG HARDER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-05298/8419828-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="271" height="272"></div><p><b>Braydon Coburn</b> is relishing his golden years.</p><p>The native of Shaunavon, Sask, is celebrating his second gold medal in eight months after captaining Team Canada to a world under-18 hockey title in Russia.</p><p>Coburn was also a member of the under-18 squad that won its sixth straight title last August at the Eight Nations Cup in Slovakia.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s good to have on the resume,&rdquo; offered the Portland Winter Hawks star defenseman. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have too many world championships under my belt so this is definitely right at the top (of his career highlight list).&rdquo;</p><p>Coburn boasts remarkable credentials for a player with just two seasons of junior experience.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-06242/8419821-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="283" height="693"></div><p>Taken first overall in the 2000 bantam draft, the strapping 6-foot-5,210-pounder was a late-season call-up by Portland at age 15 and played a key role in the team&rsquo;s run to the league final.</p><p>After being named the Western League&rsquo;s&rsquo; top rookie in 200102, Coburn was the youngest rearguard invited to try out for the 2003 Canadian junior team and was the last player cut.</p><p>It&rsquo;s anticipated he will anchor Canada&rsquo;s blueline at the 2004 World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m just trying to make the most out of it and have fun along the way,&rdquo; said the top-rated defenseman for this summer&rsquo;s NHL entry draft. &ldquo;I have high expectations, but I don&rsquo;t linger on it too much. The next level is to play in the NHL and the draft is basically a stepping stone.&rdquo;</p><p><b>IT&rsquo;S FINAL</b> The race for the WHL title is nothing new for the Red Deer Rebels.</p><p>They advanced to the league championship for the third straight year after knocking off Brandon in the Eastern Conference final. The 2001 Memorial Cup champion Rebels were ousted in last year&rsquo;s league final by the Kootenay Ice, the eventual champion.</p><p>Red Deer&rsquo;s competition out of the Western Conference is the Kelowna Rockets, who advanced to the championship for the first time in the 12-year history of the franchise.</p><p>Kelowna is ranked No. 1 in the CHL. Red Deer is fourth.</p><p><b>WHL ON PPV</b> The WHL has reached an agreement with Shaw Communications to broadcast playoff games on Viewer&rsquo;s Choice pay-per-view.</p><p>The deal is to include the best-of-7 league final between Red Deer and Kelowna. The price tag is $9.95 (Cdn.).</p><h2><b><i>SPOTLIGHT HAM</i></b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-08163/8419814-1-eng-US/f0029-082.jpg" title="f0029-08" width="199" height="209"></div><h3><b>KITCHENER RANGERS</b></h3><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-09145/8419807-1-eng-US/f0029-092.jpg" title="f0029-09" width="135" height="58"></div><p><b>Arena</b> Memorial Auditorium <b>Capacity</b> 5,822 <b>GM</b> Peter DeBoer <b>Coach</b> Peter DeBoer</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-10128/8419800-1-eng-US/f0029-102.jpg" title="f0029-10" width="451" height="260"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0029-05

Portland’s Coburn taking big steps

<div class="byline">&#x2013;PAUL SHAHEEN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-07194/8419859-1-eng-US/f0029-072.jpg" title="f0029-07" width="379" height="115"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hen he came to the United States League, Lincoln Stars forward <b>Dan Irmen</b> said his goal was to &ldquo;develop a competitive attitude and go 110 per cent all the time.&rdquo;</p><p>Irmen, ranked 76th among North American skaters at mid-season by NHL Central Scouting, has done that and much more.</p><p>The 18-year-old from Fargo, N.D., scored 21 goals and 55 points in 45 games during the regular season and eight goals and 14 points in 10 playoff games during Lincoln&rsquo;s run to the Clark Cup title. His two goals in Game 4 of the final proved decisive in the Stars&rsquo; 3-1 series victory over River City.</p><p>Irmen is headed to the University of Minnesota next season.</p><p>Off the ice, the USHL officially accepted Danville (III.) for 2003-04, rejecting applications from fellow North American League teams Texas, Soo Kewadin (Mich.) and Cleveland. Detroit Compuware had been accepted, but decided to cease operations for next season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-07

UNITED STATES LEAGUE

f0030-01

2003 NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS

f0033-01

SCOREBOARD

<p>Transactions indude NHL moves from April 25-May 8.</p><p>Injuries indude estimated return date.</p><h2><b>ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS April 29</b> M. Holmqvist C, signed one-year contract</p><p><b>INJURIES K. Sawyer,</b> LW, concussion, indefinite. <b>A. McDonald,</b> C, post-concussion syndrome, indefinite.</p><h2><b>ATLANTA THRASHERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>BOSTON BRUINS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>BUFFALO SABRES</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>CALGARY FLAMES</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>CAROLINA HURRICANES</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> April 25 J. Daniels, C, signed one-year contract April 28 P. DesRochers, G, signed one-year contract May 1 C. Adams, RW, signed one-year contract.</p><h2><b>CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>COLORADO AVALANCHE</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>COLUMBUS BLUEJACKETS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> May 2 D. Westcott 0, signed two-year contract May 7 G. Sanderson, LW, signed multi-year contract D. Vybomy, RW, signed one-year contract <b>DALLAS STARS</b></p><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>DETROIT RED WINGS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>EDMONTON OILERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>FLORIDA PANTHERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>LOS ANGELES KINGS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>MINNESOTA WILD</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> April 28 K. Wanvig, RW, recalled from Houston (AHL).</p><p><b>INJURIES</b> None.</p><h2><b>MONTREAL CANAOIENS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS May 5</b> J. Bulis, LW, signed two-year contract</p><h2><b>NASHVILLE PREDATORS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>NEW JERSEY DEVILS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><p><b>INJURIES</b> T. Stevenson, RW, strained groin, day-to-day.</p><h2><b>NEW YORK ISLANDERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>NEW YORK RANGERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>OTTAWA SENATORS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><p><b>INJURIES</b> P. Schastlivy, LW, strained lower abdomen, day-to-day.</p><h2><b>PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS April 25</b> W. Skolney, D, recalled from Philadelphia (AHL).</p><h2><b>PHOENIX COYOTES</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>PITTSBURGH PENGUINS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> May 2 Fired G. Patrick, coach at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).</p><h2><b>ST. LOUIS BLUES</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>SAN JOSE SHARKS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><h2><b>TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> April 29 S. Willis, RW, S. Keefe, RW, and M. Cibak, C, recalled from Springfield (AHL).</p><h2><b>TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> May 6 R. Ley, assistant coach, signed multi-year contract May 7 K. Wellwood, C, signed multi-year contract</p><h2><b>VANCOUVER CANUCKS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> None.</p><p><b>INJURIES</b> M. Lindgren, C, back spasms, indefinite.</p><h2><b>WASHINGTON CAPITALS</b></h2><p><b>TRANSACTIONS</b> May 7 C, Johansson, D, retired.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

TRANSACTIONS

ONTARIO AND WESTERN LEAGUE DRAFTS

<div class="byline">BY ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0035-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-011115/8420049-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg"></div><p>Neil Sheehy was a special player for a number of reasons. Need one?</p><p>&ldquo;I can honestly say 1 think I took fewer legitimate penalties against Wayne Gretzky than he took against me,&rdquo; said Sheehy, now a lawyer and player agent. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a neat feeling knowing you had a special relationship with the greatest player of all time.&rdquo;</p><p>Born in Fort Frances, Ont., Sheehy was raised just across the border in International Falls, Minn.</p><p>&ldquo;I grew up with two goals: playing in the NHL and graduating from Harvard,&rdquo; Sheehy said. &ldquo;School was always first and foremost for me.&rsquo; True to his word, Sheehy gained admission to the Ivy League school and graduated with a degree in economics. However, as an undrafted free agent, the defenseman had to prove he was NHL-worthy the hard way. And that&rsquo;s what he did, signing with Calgary in 1983.</p><p>&ldquo;Calgary was an lievable place to play hockey,&rdquo; Sheehy said. &ldquo;Each day there was like getting a copy of The Hockey News - page after page of hockey coverage every single day is a hockey lover&rsquo;s dream.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>BATTLE OF ALBERTA</b></h2><p>Calgary also exposed Sheehy to the ferocious rivalry between the Flames and Edmonton Oilers.</p><p>&ldquo;Those games were phenomenal,&rdquo; said Sheehy, 43. &ldquo;The two best teams in the world at the time were in very close proximity to each other and it made for a bunch of fun.&rdquo;</p><p>Sheehy&rsquo;s showdowns with Gretzky remain a source of great pride for him. They began, he said, when he noticed a specific tendency of The Great One.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02778/8420042-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="501" height="728"></div><p>&ldquo;Wayne always went to the corner opposite to where the puck went in,&rdquo; Sheehy said. &ldquo;It gave him all kinds of time to make the plays only he could.</p><p>&ldquo;So, even though we were taught never to leave the front of the net, I would follow him to the opposite corner. I always kept my stick low-1 knew the league wouldn&rsquo;t let me get away with much - and I&rsquo;d push him into the boards, which he didn&rsquo;t like. The Oilers would send out their tough guys to rough me up, but I&rsquo;d already fought most of them; instead, I&rsquo;d take a couple of shots to the face, but we&rsquo;d wind up with the power play. The Oilers were so good back then, that was one of the strategies you had to use to beat them.&rdquo;</p><p>When Gretzky grew frustrated with Sheehy&rsquo;s tactics, he tried goading the blueliner into retaliation through the media.</p><p>&ldquo;He said that I turtled, that I was afraid to fight,&rdquo; Sheehy said. &ldquo;I said, &lsquo;Here&rsquo;s Wayne Gretzky, one of the biggest supporters of removing fighting from hockey, daring me to use my fists. He needs to make up his mind.&rsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;When the press went to him with my reply, he said, &lsquo;You&rsquo;re right - Neil Sheehy is the single reason fighting shouldn&rsquo;t be eliminated from hockey,&rdquo; Sheehy said.</p><p>&ldquo;A lot of what I did on the ice was a big mind game and when Gretzky said that, I knew it was working.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>TRADING PLACES</b></h2><p>Sheehy was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1988 and took the news hard.</p><p>&ldquo;I was extremely disappointed,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d done so much and I knew we were close to winning a Cup. The next season, that&rsquo;s exactly what happened.&rdquo;</p><p>Sheehy was dealt to Washington a half-year later and after three seasons with the Capitals, he returned to Calgary in 1991 to close out his NHL career.</p><p>When he retired, Sheehy completed a law degree and was certified as a player agent. He currently represents such NHLers as Jason Blake and Matt Cullen.</p><p>&ldquo;When Herb Brooks coached the U.S. team in Salt Lake, he was asked how he could get a group of millionaires to play together,&rdquo; Sheehy said. &ldquo;He said, &lsquo;The one thing all players have in common is they play because of the little boy inside them. My job is to find that little boy.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not a coach,&rdquo; Sheehy continued, &ldquo;but that&rsquo;s my job now, too: to keep that little boy alive in all my clients.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>RETRO REPLAY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03640/8420035-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="1200" height="1432"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ROCKET FUEL</b>&nbsp;<i>NHL legend Maurice &lsquo;Rocket&rsquo; Richard does his best Chef Boyardee impersonation at a hockey writers&rsquo; luncheon in 1965, feeding New York Rangers center Phil Goyette a stickful of spaghetti. We&rsquo;ve heard of stringing someone along before, but this is ridiculous&hellip;</i></figcaption></div><h2><b>REMEMBER WHEN?</b></h2><p>Headlines from The Hockey News archives</p><p><b>Week of May 23</b></p><h3><b>8 YEARS AGO 1995</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04515/8420028-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="230" height="300"></div><p>&bull; Penguins right winger <b>Jaromir Jagr</b> becomes first European-trained player to win NHL scoring championship</p><p>&bull; Islanders fire coach Lome Henning after 15-28-5 season</p><p>&bull; Winnipeg Jets face sale, move to U.S. location after deal to keep team in Manitoba falls through</p><h3><b>18 YEARS AGO 1985</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-05432/8420021-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="230" height="300"></div><p>&bull; N.Y. Rangers right winger <b>Anders Hedberg</b> retires</p><p>&bull; Penguins owner Edward DeBartolo Sr. demands financial concessions, more season-ticket holders to keep team in city</p><p>&bull; St Louis Blues draw record-low crowd of 10,833 for first round playoff game against Minnesota North Stars</p><h3><b>28 YEARS AGO 1975</b></h3><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-06393/8420014-1-eng-US/f0035-062.jpg" title="f0035-06" width="230" height="300"></div><p>&bull; North Stars right winger <b>Henry Boucha</b> returns to lineup after suffering severe eye injury</p><p>&bull; Red Wings vice-president John Ziegler calls for increase in divisional play</p><p>&bull; WHA&rsquo;s Toronto Toros sign junior sensation Mark Napier<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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May 23, 2003

BIG GAME Hunter

HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF

SCOTT STEVENS ULTIMATE PLAYOFF WARRIOR

Impending sale no worry to Waddell