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April 27, 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.
Drake, Sillinger outshine Blues’ higher-priced talent
While St. Louis’s top players dallied or disappeared in the first four games of the team’s first round series against San Jose, two Blues grinders-cut raggedly from similar cloth-mucked their way to starring roles. Dallas Drake, the team’s perennial unsung hero, was a shot-blocking wall against the Sharks’ power play and chipped in on offense as well. Mike Sillinger, a late-season acquisition from Columbus, had his first career hat trick, playoff or otherwise, in Game 3. Both players will be unrestricted free agents this summer. One GM passing through St. Louis to scout potential free agents was struck by Sillinger’s 20-minute-plus ice time and what he did with it. As for Sillinger, he’s pleased with how he has been used. “Since I got here, they have given me a lot of ice time and…
Ducks’ poor season doesn’t repel fans
While they failed to build on the on-ice success that carried them to last year’s Stanley Cup final, the Mighty Ducks were able to reap attendance rewards despite this season’s 29-3510-8. 12th-olace finish in the Western Conference. Anaheim drew 614,476 fans at home for an average crowd of 14,987, which was 87.3 per cent of capacity and up 1,000 per game over last season. The total attendance was the highest since 1998-99, when the Ducks attracted 647,973 fans for an average of 15,804, or 92 per cent of capacity… Centers Steve Rucchin and Samuel Pahlsson, left winger Vinny Prospal and defenseman Ruslan Salei were the only players to appear in all 82 of Anaheim’s games this season…Left winger Garrett Burnett, in his first NHL season after eight campaigns in the…
Is season in Europe next up for Jokinen?
Maybe it was a negotiating ploy by Panthers captain Olli Jokinen. Maybe he was serious. But Jokinen said just a potential labor lockout could send him to play in the Russian or Swiss leagues next season. Jokinen said he would prefer to stay with the Panthers, where his career has gone from bust to boom the last two years, but…"We believe next season is going to be our AS season and we can make the playoffs,” he said."It's too bad if there's a lockout. But as a player, if there is a lockout, you have to look on the business side, too. You've got to play somewhere you know,” Jokinen said. “It's our job. Most of the guys, this is what they've been doing all their lives. Obviously, you want…
TWO MINUTES IN THE BOX
Start the clock… What was your first job? “I was a busboy in a bowling alley restaurant. It was as thrilling as it sounds.” UFOs: fact or fiction? “They're a fact. You've got to think all those people couldn't make up similar stories.” Worst hotel in the league? “The Marriott in Long Island. I think that's why some guys play extra hard against the Isles-they want to get the game over with and check out of that place as fast as humanly possible.” If you were NHL commissioner, what would your first act be? “I would shorten the (regular season) schedule by about 10 games. Guys are always getting injured and I think part of that comes from having a season that is too compressed.” Favorite city to visit on the road? “New York City. There's just something about crossing…
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