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March 9, 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.
Irbe finds redemption in return to NHL play
The first Arturs Irbe era in Carolina lasted 299 games — including 77 in 2000-01, two short of the modem single-season record. The second era began with a 2-1 win over Washington Feb. 25, Irbe’s first in the NHL since Jan. 24,2003. After seeing only five shots though 39 minutes, Irbe stopped 13 of the next 14 to pick up the win. Irbe fell all the way to the ECHL this season, where he won praise for both his attitude and his performance with the Johnstown Chiefs despite missing more than two months with wrist surgery. “It’s great to get the win,” Irbe said. “It’s been a while, over a year for me personally, and it’s good to get one back for these guys who have been waiting for so long.” NEEDS The Canes…
CBA’s P.R. battle leaving out fans
When the NHL recently paraded the “beyond reproach” ex SEC chairman Arthur Levitt in front of the media to chronicle the league’s past decade of financial ineptitude, it represented a new level of communications investment in the league’s ongoing public relations battle with the NHL Players’ Association. Was this simply a desperate measure for the NHL to tell its fans, customers and potential investors it needs their support to help stop the bleeding? Or was it a shrewd and sophisticated communications tactic designed to bring the players’ union to its knees through the marshalling of overwhelming fan pressure brought to bear upon the NHLPA? That, really, is the $273-million question. When Levitt’s “Black Thursday” was coupled with the NHL’ follow-up launch of nhlcbanews.com all the NHL labor news that’s fit to print? —…
PLUS MINUS
Best of the Hockey World FOUR PLAY Daniel Sedin singlehandedly guns I down the Detroit Red Wings, scoring all four goats in I a 4-2 Vancouver Canucks victory. KING OF THE CREASE Hartford’s Jason LaBarbera extends the American League single-seaI son shutout record to 12. The old mark was nine. NO LETTING UP The Quebec League introduces a lottery system to discourage teams from tanking it to go after the top pick in the midget draft. Worst of the Hockey World WHAT A NIGHTMARE Fans wait out 90-minute delay at Islanders-Bruins game and then are treated to a 0-0 tie. Can you say, “I want my money back?” NOT ENOUGH Glen Sather steps down as coach of the Rangers, but if he really wanted to help the team he would’ve resigned his GM post, too. MATT VS.…
Goalie Lamothe makes most of rare oooortimitv io NHL
The Detroit Red Wings added a heart warming episode to their goaltending soap opera. With Dominik Hasek out for the season with a groin injury, Curtis Joseph sidelined with a sprained ankle and Manny Legace resting, minor league journeyman Marc Lamothe got a chance to start Feb. 23 in Edmonton. Lamothe had played only two other NHL games, both for Chicago in 1999-2000. But he wasn’t too nervous. “I was pretty calm,” Lamothe said. “Whenever the butterflies started coming up, I’d just take a look around the room and see who I had playing with me and that took care of that.” After allowing an early goal, Lamothe didn’t let another puck get past him, finishing the game with 29 saves. “I feel like I’ve improved continually, especially since my last stint in the NHL,”…
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