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February 3, 2004
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.
Troubled Tibbetts gets axed
The checkered NHL career of bad boy Billy Tibbetts looks like it’s over after he was released by the Springfield Falcons. When Falcons GM Bruce Landon signed right winger Billy Tibbetts in early January, he knew the risks. Tibbetts’s checkered past includes a suspended sentence for a rape conviction, a 39month jail stay for violating probation and numerous run-ins with coaches and teammates. “I’m sticking my neck out,” said Landon at the time of the signing to the Springfield Republican, adding the 29-year-old would be gone at the first sign of trouble. After six games, trouble surfaced when Tibbetts picked up a match penalty for attempting to injure Lowell winger Chris McNamara in a Jan. 18 game. The following day, Springfield released the former NHLer from his tryout contract. Tibbetts had two assists…
Rebuilding Sharks bounce West leaders
Suddenly people are aware of the Sharks. In beating Vancouver, Colorado and Detroit - the top three teams in the West at the time - during a three-game stretch in mid-January, the Sharks served notice their intentions of rebounding are genuine. Still, they weren’t getting overconfident despite owning the largest bulge of the six division leaders by late January. “I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves,” said defenseman Mike Rathje. “We’re on a good thing here. And it has been going for a while. We’re playing well, good defensively and we’re getting goals when we need them.” Coach Ron Wilson is cognizant of not to give his young team too much to think about. “If you’re constantly all over people you don’t allow ’ them to grow,” Wilson said. “I think these guys…
Big contributions from Nash, Zherdev have Bloe Jackets on winning track
The Blue Jackets’ season has been salvaged by two 19-year-old forwards. Left winger Rick Nash and right winger Nikolai Zherdev sparked an offensive uprising that saw the Blue Jackets go 3-1-30 between Jan. 8-21, by far their hottest streak of the 2003-04 season. “It started with those two,” said veteran Trevor Letowski. “They’re dynamic players and they’ve been unbelievable lately; the confidence is spreading.” The offense choked and gagged until interim coach Gerard Gallant moved Zherdev to right wing on the team’s second line, next to left winger Geoff Sanderson and center Todd Marchant. Now, finally, there’s a No. 2 line to compliment Nash, who led the NHL with 28 goals through Jan. 22 and who is on pace to chase the 50-goal mark. “That line has a lot of speed and skill,” Gallant…
NOTEBOOK
ESPN analyst Barry Melrose is part of a group that reached an agreement in mid-January to buy the cash-strapped Adirondack Icehawks, according to the Glens Falls Post-Star. Officials from the city and the United League began seeking a buyer after owners Art and Lori Shaver missed a Sept. 15 deadline to begin making payments on a $300,000 debt owed to the city. Melrose coached Adirondack in the American League from 1989 to 1992. The S Hawks are the third UHL team to run into money problems this season. The UHL took control of t= Missouri in December and Columbus folded Jan. 9.…
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