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May 4, 2004

The Hockey News May 4, 2004

f0031-01

DEPARTMENTS

2004 NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS

<div class="byline">BY MARK BRENDER Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0018-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021112/7761973-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>FBI CASE</b> Here are some of the detailsfound in the FBI criminal complaint filed against St Louis forward Mike Danton and friend Katie Wolfmeyer.</figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011468/7761980-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="122" height="97"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span></b>f Mike Danton weren&rsquo;t locked up in an all-too-real California jail cell, nobody would believe a word of it. The hitman, the late-night phone calls, the $3,000 in a closet safe, the mysterious, controlling figure of agent David Frost the whole package is a tale from the pages of a bad murder mystery novel, with a plot too out landish to be believed.</p><p>Think of the allegations: a woman gets called on her cell phone. The man on the other end, a pro hockey player earning $550,000 annually, asks if she knows anyone who could kill a visitor from Canada who was intending to kill him. The woman says &rsquo; may be she does. She asks a man who is among a group of people she is with. She passes him the phone. The man happens to work for a police department, but he and the athlete talk anyway.</p><h2><b>FBI GETS INVOLVED</b></h2><p>The athlete offers $10,000 for the hit. They make plans. Eventually the police department employee becomes convinced the athlete is serious. He contacts the FBI, then plays out the string. He records more damning phone calls and along with the woman visits the player&rsquo;s apartment where the hit was to take place, on the night it was to take place, before the cops bust in for the snatch.</p><p>That, essentially, is the story found in the FBI criminal complaint against Danton, the troubled 23-year-old left winger for the St. Louis Blues. Danton was arrested at the San Jose airport April 16, the day after the Blues were eliminated from the playoffs with a Game 5 loss to the San Jose Sharks, and was formally indicted April 22. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.</p><p>The intended target has not been made public. According to Ronald Tenpas, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois &mdash; where the criminal case against Danton and the woman, Katie Wolfrneyer, was filed the target could be identified publically within any number of preliminary hearings prior to an actual trial. It&rsquo;s also possible the name might not come out until the trial itself.</p><h2><b>FROST DENIES BEING TARGET</b></h2><p>In the days after Danton&rsquo;s arrest, however, St. Louis media reports, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, pointed to Danton&rsquo;s longtime mentor and current agent David Frost as the intended target of the hit.</p><p>Frost, who did not return calls from The Hockey News seeking comment, denies he was the target. He did say in interviews that the first order of business once Danton was transferred back to the St. Louis area would be to get him medical help urgently. Frost said his client was suffering from delusions and paranoia.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s still in a state where he doesn&rsquo;t actually understand what&rsquo;s happened,&rdquo; said Frost to the St. Louis <i>Post-Dispatch.</i> &ldquo;He&rsquo;s in desperate, desperate need of counseling, immediately. We&rsquo;re doing what we can to keep his mindset as strong as we possibly can.&rdquo;</p><p>The U.S Marshall Service is responsible for transporting Danton from California to East St. Louis and it could take several weeks for that to happen. But within two days of the arrest, Danton was offered the kind of medical assistance Frost was talking about. Danton was visited in his California jail by a physician associated with the NHL-NHL Players&rsquo; Association behavioral and substance-abuse program.</p><p>According to several sources contacted by The Hockey News, Danton told the doctor thanks, but no thanks: he would only talk to his lawyer or his agent.</p><p>According to the FBI criminal complaint, on April 14 Danton called Wolfrneyer, a 19-year-old nursing student who worked at the Blues&rsquo; practice facility, and told her somebody was coming from Canada to kill him. Wolfrneyer turned to a man identified by the St. Louis <i>Post-Dispatch</i> as Justin Levi Jones, 19, a police dispatcher in Columbia, Ill. According to the FBI complaint, Jones was with Wolfrneyer and other friends at the time Wolfrneyer received Danton&rsquo;s call.</p><p>Wolfrneyer had told Jones identified in the complaint as CW, for &ldquo;co-operating witness&rdquo; that she was involved in a personal relationship with Danton. Wblfimeyer later told police she was concerned for Danton&rsquo;s safety; she turned the phone over to the would-be hitman and he and Danton began to make arrangements.</p><p>Danton told the co-operating witness he wanted the murder to take place in Danton&rsquo;s apartment, preferably that same night. He made it clear he wanted the job done before he returned home from San Jose. He wanted it staged to look like a bungled burglary.</p><h2><b>WANTED VISUAL PROOF</b></h2><p>When pressed by the hitman about the location of the murder, Danton insisted he wanted it done in his apartment, saying: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll know it&rsquo;s taken care of because when I come back, obviously I&rsquo;ll see him there.&rdquo;</p><p>After this phone call, the would-be hitman contacted the FBI and told them of the plot.</p><p>That night, the hitman drove with Wolfrneyer to Danton&rsquo;s apartment. When a security guard called up to Danton&rsquo;s apartment, a man came to the second-floor railing claiming to be Danton&rsquo;s father. The hitman drove away and Wolfrneyer was arrested. The man on the railing the &ldquo;acquaintance&rdquo; in the complaint called Danton on the phone to figure out what was going on.</p><p>The acquaintance later told the FBI that he and Danton had had an argument April 13 over Danton&rsquo;s &ldquo;promiscuity and alcohol.&rdquo; Danton begged the acquaintance not to tell the Blues. In a subsequent phone call with Danton, recorded by the FBI, Danton broke down and sobbed when the acquaintance asked why he wanted to kill him. He said he felt the acquaintance was going to leave him and felt backed into a comer, so he decided to have him murdered.</p><p>Citing law enforcement sources, the <i>Post Dispatch</i> reported that Frost was found at Danton&rsquo;s apartment late on the night the hit man and Wolfmeyer visited. The FBI com plaint states that Danton had given the acquaintance access to Danton&rsquo;s apartment.</p><p>The Hockey News has learned that Frost (and at times Frost&rsquo;s family) was staying at Danton&rsquo;s apartment for several weeks leading up to and including the playoffs.</p><h2><b>TROUBLED LIFE</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s no secret in hockey circles that Danton has led a troubled life. His much-publicized battles with New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello, in which Danton uttered the famous line &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to drink any more of Lou&rsquo;s Kool-Aid,&rdquo; is but the tip of the iceberg.</p><p>A native of Brampton, Ont., Danton had shut off contact with his family in recent years. He changed his name from Mike Jefferson to Mike Danton two years ago to dissociate himself completely. He adopted his new name from the name of a boy he met while teaching at a summer hockey school.</p><p>Danton&rsquo;s father, Stephen Jefferson, calls Frost &ldquo;a monster&rdquo; who drove a wedge between Danton and the family and who is responsible for the predicament Danton now finds himself in. Jefferson himself introduced his son to Frost when Mike was 11. He now says he should have trusted his wife when she expressed reservations about Frost almost from the very beginning.</p><p>&ldquo;I sold my soul to the devil,&rdquo; said Jefferson to the Windsor <i>Star.</i> &ldquo;I fell in love with the thought of my son becoming a hockey player and I looked the other way. I put the full blame for this on myself.&rdquo;</p><p>Frost in turn calls Jefferson &ldquo;a moron, a village idiot&rdquo; and casts blame on the parents for causing Danton&rsquo;s alleged psychological problems. &ldquo;It is all eventually going to come out and it will surface,&rdquo; he told the <i>Post-Dispatch.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011355/7761966-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="244" height="389"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DAVID FROST</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-021007/7761959-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="245" height="390"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>KATIE WOLFMEYER</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;This is really going to be a part of Mike&rsquo;s healing process.&rdquo;</p><p>Through it all, it&rsquo;s hard not to conclude that Danton should have received help long ago. Why didn&rsquo;t Danton get help before? Perhaps he wasn&rsquo;t ready for it. Maybe he didn&rsquo;t know how to ask for it. Or maybe <i>Frost</i> was the help. There&rsquo;s no shortage of peopie in the hockey world who believe that is at least part of the problem.</p><h2><b>CONTROVERSIAL CHARACTER</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s difficult to get hockey people to talk about Frost on the record and not much easier off the record. The most frequent comment is that they don&rsquo;t want to get involved. But Danton was very much involved with Frost over the past decade, to the point where Frost has apparently held vice-like control over Danton&rsquo;s hockey career and life.</p><p>At times Frost served as Danton&rsquo;s coach, mentor and, in effect, his surrogate father. Prior to signing his first NHL contract in 2000, Danton hired Frost to be his agent. Frost was certified as an agent by the NHL Players&rsquo; Association despite having pled guilty in 1997 to assaulting one of his own players while an assistant coach with a Quinte, Ont., junior team he was given a conditional discharge and despite having been suspended from at least two hockey organizations in the Toronto area.</p><p>As a junior with the Ontario League&rsquo;s St. Michael&rsquo;s Majors, Danton became known as part of a group of four players, all aligned with Frost, all of whom kept their distance from the rest of the team. News reports suggest Danton has rarely, if ever, associated with teammates outside the rink on any team he has been on.</p><p>According to one source contacted by The Hockey News, Danton told teammates with the Blues this season that it was in his contract he couldn&rsquo;t consume alcohol; that was why he couldn&rsquo;t go out with them.</p><p>Certainly we will be hearing more about that and plenty more over the summer. What we&rsquo;re seeing now is only the first chapter.</p><h2><b>TUES. APRIL 13</b></h2><p>Danton and &ldquo;acquaintance&rdquo; argue over Danton&rsquo;s promiscuity and use of alcohol; Danton begs Blues GM not be told.</p><h2><b>WED. APRIL 14</b></h2><p>Danton calls friend, Katie Wolfmeyer, asks if she knows anyone who would kill person &ldquo;coming from Canada&rdquo; to kill Danton.</p><h2><b>THURS. APRIL 15</b></h2><p>Danton calls &ldquo;hitman&rdquo; from San Jose, tells him to carry out murder in Danton&rsquo;s apartment before he returns home.</p><h2><b>THURS. APRIL 15</b></h2><p>&ldquo;Hitman&rdquo; informs FBI of plot, becomes &ldquo;cooperating witness"; later goes to Danton&rsquo;s apartment with Wolfmeyer.</p><h2><b>FRI. APRIL 16</b></h2><p>In phone call, Danton tells acquaintance he didn&rsquo;t want him to leave him; Danton arrested later that day.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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FEATURES & COLUMNS

Danton behind bars

<div class="byline">-NICK GATES</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-07166/7763520-1-eng-US/f0029-072.jpg" title="f0029-07" width="154" height="139"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>M</span>att Carmichael&rsquo;s return to Huntsville, where he played for Central League teams in 1999-2000 and 2000-01, has reaped him big rewards. The Channel Cats won the regular season championship and President&rsquo;s Cup with Carmichael in goal. Carmichael, who was voted goalie of the year, was 2-0 in the final against Knoxville, posting a .959 save percentage, and was chosen MVP. &ldquo;I knew what kind of a goalie he was,&rdquo; said Huntsville coach John Gibson, a teammate in 1999-2000. &ldquo;It was just a matter of giving him an opportunity.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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IN THIS ISSUE

NOTEBOOK

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/s0003-0222/7760969-1-eng-US/s0003-022.jpg" title="S0003-02" width="784" height="674"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/s0003-0143/7760976-1-eng-US/s0003-012.jpg" title="S0003-01" width="199" height="198"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>here were many spectacular player achievements this past regular season, making the task of selecting the three finalists for the 2003-04 Lester B. Pearson Award an especially challenging one for NHLPA members. I'm sure you'll agree that all of this year's selections are deserving of their peers' recognition.</p><p>Roberto Luongo has emerged as one of the league's premier goaltenders, thanks to his skill, athleticism and performance under pressure. Enjoying a terrific breakthrough season, Martin St. Louis demonstrated his determination, leadership and scoring touch en-route to the points title. Joe Sakic, a former Pearson Award winner, delivered the kind of rock-solid performance that we've come to expect each season from this perennial all-star.</p><p>Regardless of who takes the Award home, grassroots hockey programs will be the winner, thanks to a $40,000 donation from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund. The Pearson winner will allocate $20,000 to the grassroots hockey program of his choice, with the finalists each allocating $10,000.</p><p>It's always a great honour to win an award, but what makes the Lester B. Pearson Award so special is the fact that it's voted on by the players. This acknowledgement of a job well done from your teammates and competitors, is the highest compliment of all.</p><p>On behalf of all the NHLPA members, I congratulate Roberto, Martin and Joe on their great seasons.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/s0003-0312/7760962-1-eng-US/s0003-032.jpg" title="S0003-03" width="474" height="85"></div><p>Trevor Linden, President<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

<div class="byline">Jason Kay Editor</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-021331/7761205-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="322" height="364"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-011999/7761212-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="97" height="98"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-03784/7761198-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="865" height="1508"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he words &ldquo;heartache&rdquo; and &ldquo;devastating&rdquo; are thrown around the hockey world like frisbees, especially during playoff time when they&rsquo;re used to describe the emotions of players who have been relegated to a summertime of golfing or fishing.</p><p>This spring, in less than 48 hours, we were made privy to true world-shattering heartache and devastation in the lives of two men whose pasts are coincidentally linked.</p><p>The first revelation came April 16 when news broke St. Louis Blues left winger Mike Danton had been arrested and charged by the FBI in an alleged murder-for-hire plot. <i>(See pg. 18 for more.)</i></p><p>Two days later, New Jersey Devils coach Pat Burns announced he was suffering from colon cancer. <i>(See pg. 8 for more.)</i></p><p>Don&rsquo;t mistake this as a trite comparison of two men whose anguish emanates from opposite poles. One is a victim, the other an alleged villain. That is clear.</p><p>But pain isn&rsquo;t discerning and it&rsquo;s evident both men are suffering. Our hearts go out to Burns, a potential Hall of Fame coach and widely respected man, and we wish him a speedy and full recovery. We&rsquo;ll reserve judgment on Danton, but suspect he needs a significant amount of healing, too.</p><p>As for their paths crossing, it began a couple years ago when Danton was a member of the Devils organization. His tumultuous relationship with GM Lou Lamoriello is well-documented, but he also walked something of a crooked line with coach Burns. Said Burns during the latter stages of Danton&rsquo;s tenure in New Jersey, when the player was suspended and hopeful of being moved, &ldquo;Some of the trades I&rsquo;ve heard (involving) Danton, we&rsquo;d hire a private plane and take him there. I&rsquo;ve never heard one team mention his name.&rdquo;</p><p>Eventually, in the summer of 2003, Danton was dealt to the Blues for a draft pick. This season, he returned a puck to the Devils which they had shipped to him. The Devils say it was his firstgoal puck, a claim Danton denies, but Burns is reported to have used the vulcanized rubber in an attempt to inspire his team before a game against St. Louis. Whatever the case, acrimony was the overtone.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b><i>Certainly, it would take a man with elements admired in NHLers-courage, heart to come &rsquo;out.</i></b></blockquote><p>The overtone in the Danton case is homosexuality, though several people close to Danton have denied he is gay. Either way, the door was opened on the issue and the question was raised: what would the reaction in the hockey community be towards an openly gay player?</p><p>It&rsquo;s a question worth asking since it&rsquo;s a statistical probability there are several closeted players in the NHL.</p><p>When the Danton story became public, three of his Blues teammates Doug Weight, Chris Pronger and Bryce Salvador suggested they&rsquo;d be comfortable with a homosexual teammate. We&rsquo;re inclined to believe they&rsquo;re among the majority.</p><p>Certainly, it would take a man with the elements most admired in NHLers courage, grit, determination and heart to come &ldquo;out.&rdquo; He&rsquo;d be the object of ridicule among small-minded fans and would probably take a verbal beating from some opponents on the ice. If some players have no aversion to resorting to racism as part of their trash talk, they&rsquo;re not going to think twice about wearing their homophobia on their sleeves. And to be sure, some teammates may be uncomfortable in the beginning.</p><p>But we believe, in general terms, today&rsquo;s players are more cosmopolitan and accepting than their predecessors. Barriers have eroded in society and professional hockey players aren&rsquo;t immune to the values of the world around them. Dressing room humor still exists, but that&rsquo;s bound to be the case wherever groups of men regularly congregate. It&rsquo;s not a sign of intolerance, more of peer pressure and cheap laughs.</p><p>Hopefully, a fear of being &ldquo;outed&rdquo; wasn&rsquo;t at the core of Danton&rsquo;s descent into hell. We may never know, which, in itself, is a sad reflection.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-04479/7761191-1-eng-US/f0006-042.jpg" title="f0006-04" width="454" height="249"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(HENRY DIROCO/BBS)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TANGLED WEB</b></h2><p><i>Mike Danton&rsquo;s troubles with the Devils didn&rsquo;t end when he got traded to St. Louis. A puck was at the center of a controversy this season.</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0006-02

A time of pain and suffering

<p><b><i>Milestones, notable achievements and NHL debuts.</i></b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-05377/7761250-1-eng-US/f0006-052.jpg" title="f0006-05" width="308" height="494"><figcaption class="caption-body">ED BELFOUR</figcaption></div><h2><b>NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS</b></h2><p><b>Fans: NHL attendance</b></p><p><i>Stanley Cup playoffs, Round 1</i> Numerous records set, including average (18,770), sellouts (45 of ,47) and per-cent capacity (100.4).</p><p><b>Ed Belfour G, 39</b></p><p><i>Toronto, April 12 at Ottawa</i> Passes Grant Fuhr for second in alltime playoff goalie games (151).</p><p><b>Nikolai Khabibulin G, 31</b></p><p><i>Tampa Bay, April 14 at NY Islanders</i> Ties NHL record with third shutout in one playoff series.</p><p><b>Ed Belfour G, 39</b></p><p><i>Toronto, April 16 vs. Ottawa</i> Ties NHL record with third shutout in one playoff series.</p><p><b>Ed Belfour G, 39</b></p><p><i>Toronto, April 16 vs. Ottawa</i></p><p>Moves into fourth-place tie with 14 career playoff shutouts.</p><p><b>Ed Belfour G, 39</b></p><p><i>Toronto, April 18 at Ottawa</i> Passes Martin Brodeur for fourth in all-time playoff goalie wins (85).</p><p><b>Montreal Canadiens</b></p><p><i>April 19 at Boston</i> Become 20th team to rally from 3-1 series deficit to win (in 205 cases).</p><p><b>Pat Quinn coach, 61</b></p><p><i>Toronto, April 20</i> vs. <i>Ottawa</i></p><p>Passes Mike Keenan for fourth in alltime playoff coaching wins (92).</p><h2><b>NHL DEBUTS</b></h2><p><b>Garret Stroshein RW, 23</b></p><p><i>Washington, April 1 at Boston</i> Six-foot-7, 245-pound former Fresno Falcon was late-season enforcer.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-06267/7761243-1-eng-US/f0006-062.jpg" title="f0006-06" width="313" height="495"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GARRET STROSHEIN</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0006-05

WORTH NOTING

<div class="byline">-MIKE BROPHY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021199/7761312-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="917" height="1531"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JOHM RUSEL/BBS)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-011813/7761319-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="97" height="100"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>B</span>rendan Shanahan adjusts his hearing aid, grabs his false teeth from a cup above his dressing stall, pushes his walker to the side and slowly sinks into his seat as a member of the Red Wings medical staff helps him remove his equipment.</p><p>Sitting in the stall beside Shanahan, defenseman Chris Chelios naps as reporters ask hushed question so as not to wake the 20-year veteran.</p><p>Just kidding.</p><p>Talking about the Red Wings&rsquo; age is a rite of passage in the playoffs; about as customary as the Senators losing to the Maple Leafs in the first round. So when Shanahan is asked about his team&rsquo;s advanced age, he bursts into laughter.</p><p>&ldquo;Hey, it&rsquo;s been that way since 1997 so we&rsquo;re used to it,&rdquo; Shanahan says. &ldquo;People always say when we lose, we&rsquo;re old and when we win, we&rsquo;re experienced.&rdquo;</p><p>It is true, the Red Wings do have a few fossils on the team. Chelios is now officially the oldest player in the league now that Igor Larionov has retired. He&rsquo;s 42. Brett Hull is 39. Captain Steve Yzerman has a brand new knee, but the rest of his body checks in at 38. And Shanahan is 35.</p><p>Detroit is the NHL&rsquo;s second oldest team behind Toronto, averaging 32 years and 27 days. Calgary, meanwhile, averages 27 years and 275 days. Shanahan insists age won&rsquo;t be a factor for a team that has won three Cups in seven years.</p><p>&ldquo;We are an older team, but I think if you look at some of our older players, they&rsquo;re in fantastic shape,&rdquo; Shanahan says. &ldquo;If you tested the conditioning on guys like Yzerman and Chelios against a 23-year-old, they would go head-to-head with the younger guys.</p><p>Before you call Detroit the <i>Over The Hill Gang,</i> consider some of their best players are young or are in their prime. Henrik Zetterberg is 23, Jiri Fischer is 23 and Pavel Datsyuk is 25. Grinders Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Darren McCarty are in their early 30s.</p><p>&ldquo;The style our team plays and the fact our guys don&rsquo;t usually play over 20 minutes at forward helps us,&rdquo; Shanahan says. &ldquo;Nevertheless, if there&rsquo;s a game where we don&rsquo;t get to a loose puck, it&rsquo;s because of our age. If there&rsquo;s a game where we are getting to loose pucks, it&rsquo;s because of our smarts.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>SHANNY CAN</b></h2><p><i>Detroit left winger Brendan Shanahan doesn&rsquo;t think the Red Wings are too old to win.</i></p><h2><b>THEY AIN&rsquo;T GETTING YOUNGER</b></h2><p><i>The four second-round playoff matchups feature teams close in average age, except the Detroit-Calgary series.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03731/7761305-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="948" height="747"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0007-02

Red Wings: same old

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-04478/7761357-1-eng-US/f0007-042.jpg" title="f0007-04" width="276" height="443"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PETER FORSBERG</b></figcaption></div><h2><i>Best of the Hockey World</i></h2><p><b>SWEET VICTORIES</b> Calgary and Montreal, two teams that have not enjoyed recent playoff success, both advance to the second round of playoffs.</p><p><b>MR. ZERO</b> Veteran goalie Ed Belfour is superb in the first round, recording three shutouts as his Leafs eliminate the Ottawa Senators.</p><p><b>PREDICTABLE PETER</b> Colorado&rsquo;s Peter Forsberg lights it up with three goals and eight points in five first round games.</p><h2><i>Worst of the Hockey World</i></h2><p><b>FLIP FLOP</b> After a great playoff last year, Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime implodes in Game 7 allowing three goals before being pulled after one period.</p><p><b>CATERING TO U.S. TV</b> Having no Saturday night hockey during the playoffs is an absolute joke&hellip;and not a funny joke at that!</p><p><b>POST-SEASON BLUES</b> After another great regular season, Dallas goalie Marty Turco&rsquo;s play takes a considerable drop in the playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-05334/7761350-1-eng-US/f0007-052.jpg" title="f0007-05" width="278" height="442"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PATRICK LALIME</b></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0007-04

PLUS MINUS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-07198/7761388-1-eng-US/f0007-072.jpg" title="f0007-07" width="311" height="497"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ED JOVANOVSKI</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-06257/7761395-1-eng-US/f0007-062.jpg" title="f0007-06" width="190" height="164"></div><p><b>From Around The NHL</b></p><p>The Hockey News took a good-natured jab at New Jersey coach <b>Pat Burns&rsquo;</b> perpetual serious nature each time the playoffs get started in our story: 40 Signs Of April And May-hem. It has since been learned Burns will undergo treatment for colon cancer. We wish him a speedy recovery.</p><p>Vancouver defenseman <b>Ed Jovanovski</b> is being fitted for goat-horns after his Late penalty in Game 7 against Calgary led to the Flames scoring in overtime. The Canucks were on the power play in the final two minutes when Jovanovski went berserk near the Flames crease. The TV cameras didn&rsquo;t catch it all, but Jovanovski deliberately shoved goalie <b>Miikka Kiprusoff</b> (no call), cross-checked <b>Robyn Regehr</b> across the back into the crossbar (no call) and then finally got called for whacking <b>Rhett Warrener</b> three times with cross checks. Asked about it afterwards, he said he was just &ldquo;battling&rdquo; with Warrener. And yes, Canucks&rsquo; coach Marc Crawford was seen jawing with the officials after the call.</p><p>Best nickname in the first round? Ottawa goalie Patrick <b>Latrine.</b> He goes into the dumper when the Sens really have to go. Question now is, will he go?</p><p>Of the last five NHL coaches of the year, four <b>Jacques Martin, Bobby Francis, Bill Barber and Joel Quenneville</b> have been fired. Only Jacques Lemaire is active.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0007-07

SNAPSHOTS

<div class="byline">BY RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021421/7761426-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="312" height="500"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PAT BURNS</b></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-011889/7761433-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="101" height="139"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span></b>ith their defense of the Stanley Cup on the line, the New Jersey Devils knew something was seriously wrong when coach Pat Burns did not show up for a morning skate, then missed a team meeting after they lost the first two games to the Philadelphia Flyers.</p><p>It was worse than anyone thought.</p><p>Burns, 52, revealed the morning after the Devils were eliminated that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. He began six to-eight weeks of treatment in New Jersey.</p><p>&ldquo;I have a fight awaiting,&rdquo; said Burns during a news conference in which he struggled with his emotions. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;ve never backed down from a fight. I&rsquo;m not going to back down from this one.&rdquo;</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>GM Lou Lamoriello would not reveal f whether the cancer was at an advanced stage, but said &ldquo;we have physicals (in camp), so we believe there was nothing wrong at that time.&rdquo; Burns said he had not been feeling well for the &ldquo;last month or so&rdquo;, but hesitated telling Lamoriello. His wife, Line, convinced him to go to the GM, who immediately involved team physicians.</p><p>&ldquo;After a series of tests, all one week before the opening game against the Flyers, I was diagnosed with colon cancer,&rdquo; Burns said. &ldquo;Shock and disbelief faced me and my family. After discussing it with Lou, he suggested my health and well-being were the most important issues here, but I demanded that I wanted to coach the first round.&rdquo;</p><p>Larry Robinson or Robbie Ftorek were likely replacements had the Devils advanced. As for next season, that depends upon Bums&rsquo; health.</p><p>Bums apologized to his players: &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t myself and I wasn&rsquo;t the coach that maybe I should have been.&rdquo; But Scott Niedermayer said the players didn&rsquo;t notice a change.</p><p>&ldquo;We knew it was fairly serious when he wasn&rsquo;t around,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We expected serious news. But it&rsquo;s still hard to believe.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-02

Burns facing biggest battle

<div class="byline">BY MIKE BROPHY</div><p><b>O</b>ttawa Senators fans won&rsquo;t have Jacques Martin to kick around anymore.</p><p>Just three months after signing the veteran coach to a multi-year contract extension, the Senators fired Martin April 22, two days after Ottawa was beaten 4-1 in Game 7 of its first round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the fourth time in the last five years the Senators have been eliminated by their arch-rival.</p><p>In making the announcement, Senators GM John Muckier said, &ldquo;Jacques has been with the organization for nine years and has made many contributions towards building this team into an NHL contender.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031008/7761464-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="311" height="496"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JACQUES MARTIN</b></figcaption></div><p>Assistant coaches Phil Myre and Don. Jackson were also fired. Perry Pearn was retained as an assistant f and Muckier said he would recommend to the new head coach I that Peam remain in that position.</p><p>Martin, 51, was the NHL&rsquo;s coach of the year in 1998-99 with Ottawa and posted a 341-255</p><p>96 record in nine seasons with the Senators. Previously he coached the St. Louis Blues. He was also an associate coach with Canada&rsquo;s gold medal winning men&rsquo;s Olympic team in 2002 and will be an assistant with Canada at the World Cup in September.</p><p>&ldquo;Depending on where your players are in their career, it is my belief that the personality of the team also changes from year to year,&rdquo; Muckier said. &ldquo;The priorities of the players change and the reason to play changes. So in order to take the next step towards winning a Stanley Cup, we must now select a new face, a new voice with a fresh approach and new ideas.&rdquo;</p><p>The classy Martin said he was disappointed in not being able to finish what he had started and added, &ldquo;I appreciate what I had here for almost nine years,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I have been very fortunate to work in my hometown and I had the pleasure to work with some great players.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>HOCKEY WORLD IN BRIEF</b></h2><h3><b>PETERSON REVEALS AFFLICTION</b></h3><p>A day after Nashville was eliminated from the playoffs, associate head coach Brent Peterson, 46, announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson&rsquo;s disease nearly a year ago. &ldquo;It was hard to keep it a secret,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I feel relief now that everybody knows.&rdquo; Peterson has worked with the six-year-old franchise since Day 1. Parkinson&rsquo;s is an incurable, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. The worst-case scenario for sufferers involves tremors, uncontrolled nervous spasms and difficulty walking and talking. Peterson said medication has controlled the symptoms, aside from minor problems with his right arm and finger stiffness. &ldquo;With medications, doctors say I should have five to 10 years without it getting any worse,&rdquo; said Peterson to the Portland <i>Oregonian.</i> &ldquo;They can&rsquo;t cure it, but they can slow it down. I can live a good life and still do my job. That was the only thing I was worried about (about going public), that people would think I couldn&rsquo;t do my job.&rdquo; Peterson said he talked to actor Michael J. Fox, a Parkinson&rsquo;s sufferer, about dealing with it. &ldquo;He called me and we talked for 45 minutes. He told me just to keep on doing what I was doing. He was terrific with me.&rdquo;</p><h3><b>AMERICANS SETTLE FOR SILVER</b></h3><p>A late rally by the U.S. fell short and the Americans settled for the silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship in Minsk, Belarus. Two third period goals (Roman Voloshenko and Dimitri Shitikov) in a 66-second span gave the Russians the 3-2 win and the gold medal. Phil Kessel scored with 38 seconds remaining for a dramatic finish. The U.S. notched what appeared to be the game-tying goal with just seconds remaining and the goalie pulled for an extra attacker before it was disallowed due to a dislodged net. The Americans finished with a 5-1 record. The Czech Republic beat Canada 3-2 in the bronze medal game.</p><h3><b>ISLES CO-OWNER RESIGNS POST</b></h3><p>New York Islanders co-owner Sanjay Kumar was forced to resign as chairman and CEO of Computer Associates International Inc. The software maker is being investigated by federal prosecutors for accounting irregularities. &ldquo;The changes in Sanjay&rsquo;s role are not based on the conclusion he engaged in any wrongdoing,&rdquo; said Lewis Ranieri, an outside director for the company. Kumar and Charles Wang bought the Islanders for an estimated $190 million in 2000.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-03

Martin walks plank in Ottawa

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04523/7761502-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="790" height="790"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05375/7761509-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="118" height="125"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>The majority of NHL players believe they can do a better job of policing the game than the league can.</p><p>In a poll of 30 NHLers, one from each team, 20 (67 per cent) say they would like to abolish the rule instituted in 1992-93 that penalizes players who instigate fights.</p><p>&ldquo;Get it out. Let us determine the games,&rdquo; said Philadelphia&rsquo;s Todd Fedoruk. &ldquo;Let us police each other. Get rid of it and you won&rsquo;t see as much slashing and high-sticking.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;lt'd make people accountable for their actions,&rdquo; said New Jersey&rsquo;s John Madden.</p><p>Martin Lapointe added: &ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t have those yappers who don&rsquo;t back up their actions.&rdquo;</p><p>&rsquo;They have to do something to try to reemphasize the reason fighting is there is to govern the game,&rdquo; said Anaheim&rsquo;s Garrett Burnett. &ldquo;If we&rsquo;re not allowed to fight for the right reason, what&rsquo;s the point?&rdquo;</p><p>One-third of the players polled thought it foolish handing the whistle to the players.</p><p>&rsquo;The game should be policed by officials and governed by rules, not by the players on the ice,&rdquo; said Buffalo&rsquo;s James Patrick.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a good rule,&rdquo; agreed Ottawa&rsquo;s Chris Neil. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t have anybody out there trying to jump guys in the faceoff circle.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FOR COMPLETE PLAYER POLL RESULTS, VISIT <a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM</a></b></p><h2>Shanahan says players willing to give a bit</h2><p><b>B</b>rendan Shanahan has some advice for NHL owners and players.</p><p>&ldquo;Players are willing to concede this is about giving the owners something back,&rdquo; said the Detroit left winger. &ldquo;We arid the owners have an opportunity to be successful, but we just can&rsquo;t have a foolproof system that a monkey could manage. It&rsquo;s still got to be a system that takes management.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-06300/7761495-1-eng-US/f0008-062.jpg" title="f0008-06" width="402" height="297"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CBATRACKER</b></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;That said, I don&rsquo;t think it would be worth it to sit out for a long time when you consider how little the difference will be between the deal we could do in September and the deal that will eventually be done.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-04

The Hockey News PLAYER POLL

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-011766/7761540-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"></div><p><b>Quest for NHL glory down to Final Four</b></p><p><b>ON NEWSSTANDS May 18,2004</b></p><p><b><a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM">thehockeynews.com</a></b></p><h2><b>KNOW YOUR GAME</b></h2><p>&bull; <b>Expert opinion from NHL insiders</b></p><p>&bull; <b>Detailed coverage of your favorite teams</b></p><p>&bull; <b>Hard-hitting analysis from leading authorities</b></p><p>&bull; <b>Comprehensive stats extras</b></p><p>&bull; <b>Player and prospect profiles</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0009-01

Inside the Semifinals

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-011858/7761571-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="210" height="113"></div><p><b>The Hockey News</b></p><p><b>FROM THE EDITORS</b></p><p><b>T</b>he gallows were being erected before the series-ending handshakes began. Jacques Martin, the affable, classy, professional tactician who led Ottawa to within a win of a Stanley Cup final appearance last year, should hang for his team&rsquo;s stunning inability to beat Toronto in the playoffs, the blood-seekers immediately cried.</p><p>OK, so there&rsquo;s no capital punishment in Canada, but there is capital banishment and Martin became as welcome in Ottawa these days as George W. is at a peace rally.</p><p>So when the axe fell swiftly, on April 22, it came as no surprise and there is justification. Going 0-for-4 in playoff series against the hated, arrogant cross-province monolith must be as maddening as it is puzzling. Martin&rsquo;s reserved demeanor no longer seemed to fit a team that needs the occasional jolt.</p><p>But know this: Martin isn&rsquo;t solely to blame for the Senators&rsquo; downfall and the new coach won&rsquo;t be a cure-all. There are other areas to address.</p><p>Ottawa&rsquo;s biggest void is a lack of veteran, character leadership. Daniel Alfredsson is a wonderful talent and strong captain. He shows passion and grit on the ice and composure and grace off it. What he lacks, however, is the credibility that comes with winning. To help get there, he needs assistance. There is heart in the Ottawa dressing room and players who could emerge into support guys, but there is no one of the Gary Roberts ilk to help supplement Alfredsson.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">Ottawa&rsquo;s biggest void is a lack of veteran, character leadership.</blockquote><p>That&rsquo;s a shortcoming of management. Owner Eugene Melnyk loosened the purse strings this year and GM John Muckier misused the money at the trade deadline on Peter Bondra and Greg de Vries. Neither player delivered as promised against the Leafs; Bondra was a huge disappointment.</p><p>During the series, Muckier acknowledged on <i>Hockey Night in Canada</i> his team needed to learn how to win. Good observation, but it&rsquo;s incumbent on Muckier to provide the players who can teach it.</p><p>There are other holes, too.</p><p>Radek Bonk was a bust against the Leafs, looking too disinterested for a guy who&rsquo;s supposed to be your No. 1 center. Patrick Lalime, relatively strong in the first six games, came up La-Lame in Game 7, when his team needed him most. That&rsquo;s unsettling. And let&rsquo;s not forget the Senators outplayed and outshot Toronto in every game, but were stonewalled by Ed Belfour. That wasn&rsquo;t Martin&rsquo;s fault.</p><p>Finally, the task of finding a better coach than Martin is daunting. Joel Quenneville&rsquo;s name has surfaced, but he hasn&rsquo;t had any more playoff success than Martin. Mike Keenan could light a fire under the team, but you also run the risk of scorched earth with &lsquo;Iron&rsquo; Mike. Larry Robinson could be a candidate, but remember he was fired in New Jersey in 2002 because the under achieving Devils needed a motivator.</p><p>Otherwise, you&rsquo;re looking at a recycled coach who hasn&rsquo;t fared any better than Martin or a newbie with no track record.</p><p>Yes, Senators fans&rsquo;got their Martin blood letting, but they&rsquo;ll be hungry again in short order unless other needs are addressed.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

Senators’ shortcomings run deeper than Martin

f0010-02

ELSTON

<h2><b>HABS, FANS LACK RESPECT</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>s a New Englander, I grew up with the storied and passionate Canadiens-Bruins rivalry. Though a Bruins fan. I&rsquo;ve always respected the Canadiens for their competitiveness and their history of excellence until now.</p><p>By shamefully diving and faking injuries, Montreal players have embarrassed their team. And by booing the U.S. national anthem, Montreal&rsquo;s fans have embarrassed their country.</p><p><i>Danny Smith, Los Angeles</i></p><h2><b>PRAISE FOR RULE CHANGES</b></h2><p>Kudos to the NHL for altering some rules mid season, specifically the one the Flames bene fitted from in Game 5 of their playoff series against Vancouver.</p><p>To wit: the net was off its pegs just a hair, but Jarome Iginla&rsquo;s winner counted. That goal would have been disallowed not long ago. If only the league would&rsquo;ve changed to tag-up offsides, everything would be fine. I guess I&rsquo;ll have to wait until next year for that.</p><p><i>Jason Buzzell, Bellevue, Neb.</i></p><h2><b>MELROSE&rsquo;S REMARKS STINK</b></h2><p>I was disgusted by the comments Barry Melrose made on ESPN April 14.</p><p>Melrose was discussing the booing of the U.S. anthem in Montreal and said that not only do all French Canadians hate Americans, but that they hate everything that is English.</p><p>While the booing was shameful, Melrose made an awful political statement simply because some morons booed. I think he&rsquo;s still bitter over his loss against the Canadiens in the 1993 Cup final. He was out-coached by a Quebecois, Jacques Demers, and he should get over it. Aren&rsquo;t analysts supposed to have some degree of neutrality in their comments? Melrose sure didn&rsquo;t.</p><p><i>Carl Brault, Montreal</i></p><h2><b>NHLERS&rsquo; HATE IS HEALTHY</b></h2><p>I&rsquo;ve had enough of all the baloney from media, fans and players regarding the assumption players don&rsquo;t respect each other any more.</p><p>It&rsquo;s not that they don&rsquo;t respect each other, it&rsquo;s that they don&rsquo;t like each other. I&rsquo;m glad NHLers have a healthy dislike for the opposition.</p><p>NFL players pray together before a game, while NBAers hit the nightclubs together after a game.</p><p>If that&rsquo;s &ldquo;respect&rdquo;, keep it out of my hockey!</p><p><i>Gary Weishaar, Maple Ridge, B.C.</i></p><h2><b>ESCHE LOYALTY PAYS OFF</b></h2><p>It is about time GM Bob Clarke and the Flyers get a little credit for having the guts to stick with Robert Esche as their No. 1 goalie.</p><p>All Esche did was outplay Martin Brodeur. Good choice, Mr. Clarke.</p><p><i>Steve Lourenco, Fall River, Mass.</i></p><h2><b>BYNG THERE, DONE THAT</b></h2><p>I completely agree with Mike Brophy&rsquo;s and Glen Goodhand&rsquo;s opinions on the Lady Byng. (THN, April 20) While most people in today&rsquo;s stick-swinging, sucker-punching NHL make the &ldquo;sportsmanlike equals soft&rdquo; comparison, players who perform at a high level within the game&rsquo;s rules go unnoticed. Being able to keep producing and keep from losing your cool with a bulls-eye on your back takes much mental toughness.</p><p>That&rsquo;s something to be rewarded. <i>Matt Vignal, Langley, B.C.</i></p><h3><b>LETTER OF THE WEEK</b></h3><p>I&rsquo;m disappointed and embarrassed by Canadiens fans booing the U.S. national anthem.</p><p>The reaction of the fans was deplorable. Did they forget many of the players on both teams were American? Did they forget American fans were watching the game and that their booing likely increased the tensions that already exist between Canada and the U.S.?</p><p>I was so proud of Canadian fans after the September 11th terrorist attacks when they made a point to cheer the U.S. anthem. Where did that respect go? What kind of example are we setting now? How would we as Canadians feel if American fans did the same to our anthem?</p><p>In the future, Canadian hockey fans should remember that we are representing an amazing country that cares about other nations. Jeering rather than cheering does nothing to help us do that!</p><p><i>Suzanne Wildeboer, Lacombe, Alta.</i></p><h3><b>Got something to say?</b></h3><p>U.S.A.: Letters, Canada: Letters,</p><p>The Hockey News, The Hockey News, P.O. Box 904, 25 Sheppard Ave.W.,</p><p>Buffalo, N.Y., Suite 100,</p><p>14240-9947. Toronto, Ont.,</p><p>M2N 6S7</p><p>E-mail: <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="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-021181/7761671-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="323" height="390"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011661/7761678-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg" title="f0011-01" width="214" height="119"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>V</span>inny Lecavalier looked at an acquaintance as if he had no idea what he was talking about. It was four games into the Lightning&rsquo;s first round series against the Islanders and Tampa Bay&rsquo;s star center was without a point.</p><p>The acquaintance wondered if Lecavalier was frustrated by his lack of production or if he believed he had gotten away from the things that had worked so well in the regular season.</p><p>Lecavalier refused to take the bait.</p><p>Tampa&rsquo;s second-best goal scorer in the regular season said he felt comfortable and believed he was playing great. He was confident his production would come.</p><p>It didn&rsquo;t.</p><h2><b>FIRST ROUND GOOSE-EGG</b></h2><p>Though Lecavalier played a fine fifth and deciding game against New York with five shots &mdash; and ended the series second on the team with 15 shots he never scored a goal. He didn&rsquo;t even get so much as one assist. He had zero points over five games in the most critical time of the season.</p><p>No player is immune to such stretches. It isn&rsquo;t a big surprise the dry spells sometimes come during the playoffs, when the checking is tighter and the best offensive players become closely marked targets.</p><p>But when the player loses his game a bit and doesn&rsquo;t do the familiar things that earned him so much success that is when alarm bells go off. That&rsquo;s what happened to Lecavalier.</p><p>It&rsquo;s a trend he must reverse for the Lightning to get past the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference semifinal. Lecavalier is that important to Tampa Bay&rsquo;s success.</p><p>So what&rsquo;s up?</p><p>If you often watch Lecavalier play, you know he and the team have their greatest success when 5 he keeps his game simple. Lecavalier is an extraordinary talent and can pull off moves that, when successful, are spectacular. Stickhandling through his legs is always a crowd-pleaser.</p><p>But when those moves don&rsquo;t work, Lecavalier can find himself out of the play with no shot taken, no rebound produced and the puck on the stick of the opposition.</p><p>On the other hand, when Lecavalier carries the puck to the net and uses his big shot something he doesn&rsquo;t use nearly enough good things happen. The Lightning tries to remind Lecavalier of this with a drill in which he carries the puck off the side boards into the slot and fires at the goal.</p><p>Again, it&rsquo;s a simple play, but one that has produced consistently for Lecavalier, who had 32 goals and 66 points in 81 games during the regular season.</p><p>Even if Lecavalier doesn&rsquo;t score, he creates chances for others by driving into the slot and forcing the defense to collapse on him. The rebounds off his shots are there for the taking by his linemates.</p><p>It&rsquo;s not an easy assignment, especially when, as one of the game&rsquo;s elite players, he has a target on his back. But the sculpted 6-foot-4, 210-pound Lecavalier has the strength and skating ability to pull it off.</p><h2><b>THE LITTLE BIG MAN</b></h2><p>And if he needs inspiration, he can look to his right in the dressing room at 5-foot-7, 180 pound winger Martin St-Louis, the little man who has a knack of coming up big at all the right moments.</p><p>St-Louis, the Art Ross Trophy winner and The Hockey News MVP, had four goals and five points against the Islanders with even more attention (read, obstruction) from the opposition.</p><p>Lecavalier will tell you his lack of production is no big deal. The Lightning beat the Islanders. That, he says, is the bottom line.</p><p>But that also is missing the bigger picture.</p><p>The Lightning shouldn&rsquo;t win in spite of Lecavalier&rsquo;s lack of production. It should win with his production. Having two strong scoring lines is Tampa Bay&rsquo;s key strength. With St Louis frequently playing on Brad Richards&rsquo;s line these days, there is even more urgency for Lecavalier to put up some numbers.</p><p>The least the Lightning needs from Lecavalier is for him to do everything he can to get that production going. This isn&rsquo;t to imply Lecavalier isn&rsquo;t trying. He is. The effort is there. It just needs to be applied in different areas.</p><h2><b>HOME CROWD HELPS</b></h2><p>Expect it to happen against the Canadiens. Lecavalier grew up in the Montreal suburb of Ile-Bizard and always plays his best at the Bell Centre in front of family and friends.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a second series,&rdquo; Lecavalier said. &ldquo;You get to start all over again and you play a different team, a team I&rsquo;d love to beat, a team I love to play.</p><p>&ldquo;Criticism? It doesn&rsquo;t matter.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-03784/7761664-1-eng-US/f0011-032.jpg" title="f0011-03" width="1079" height="2192"></div><h2><b>CLOUDED STARS</b></h2><p><i>Vinny Lecavalier wasn&rsquo;t the only player to have a tough opening round. Here are 10 high-profile forwards who went pointless in Round 1.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-04607/7761657-1-eng-US/f0011-042.jpg" title="f0011-04" width="894" height="499"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0011-02

Go back to basics, Vinny

<div class="byline">BY MIKE BROPHY Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021429/7761737-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-011812/7761744-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="123" height="102"></div><p><b>D</b>on&rsquo;t ever underestimate the passion and determination that hides behind the smile.</p><p>Because if you think for even a second Jarome Iginla doesn&rsquo;t feel the pain of losing, doesn&rsquo;t want to do everything in his power to help his team win, you&rsquo;re dead wrong.</p><p>The Calgary Flames&rsquo; 26-year-old captain has been accused, in the past, of wearing too happy a face in defeat.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve heard that,&rdquo; Iginla says. &ldquo;It has been tough at the end of each year being out of the playoffs. It got tougher with each year, we feel like we failed.</p><p>&ldquo;But at the same time, I&rsquo;m living my dream and it has been fun. Each season, each game has been fun. Some people say if they aren&rsquo;t winning, they can&rsquo;t enjoy it. I still believe in being positive and enjoying it, too. I want to win just as bad as everybody else and believe we are going to win. There have been tough times, but when you go through them you wake up the next day and hope things will get better.&rdquo;</p><p>Well, things finally have gotten better for the Flames. After seven years on the sidelines at the most important time of the season, the Flames not only made the playoffs, they eliminated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games to earn a second round date with the Detroit Red</p><p>Wings.</p><p>And Iginla was front and center during the victory over the Canucks, scoring five goals, including one game-winner, and eight points. A strong case could be made that it was between Iginla and Toronto goalie Ed Belfour for best player honors in the opening round.</p><p>His playoff success came hot on the heels of yet another strong regular season during which the 6-foot-l, 210-pound Edmonton native finished in a three-way tie with Columbus&rsquo;s Rick Nash and Atlanta&rsquo;s Ilya Kovalchuk for most goals in the NHL with 41. Iginla won the Rocket Richard Trophy as leading goal-scorer in the league two years ago with a career-high 52 goals.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>It would be misleading to suggest the Flames are a two-man team with Iginla and goalie Miikka Kiprusoff leading the way. But the reality is, if the opposition can shut down Iginla for an extended period of time, the Flames would have a lot of difficulty winning. That said, Iginla feels the Flames&rsquo; success has been achieved from teamwork this season.</p><p>&ldquo;If you look at the reason why we made the playoffs at all, it has been different guys at different times coming up with big goals,&rdquo; Iginla says. &ldquo;Look at the hot streak (Shean) Donovan had when other guys were cold. He scored nine goals in six games and we kept getting the wins. (Matthew) Lombardi had a great stretch. A lot of guys have got one very important goal here and there. That helps take the pressure off and we found a way and we believe in our room some way or another we&rsquo;re going to find it.&rdquo;</p><p>Yeah, yeah, yeah, but Iginla&rsquo;s contribution should never be downplayed.</p><p>Iginla was an absolute force against the Canucks, ranking tops in the league among forwards with an average 24:15 per game in ice time. He even showed his nasty side, responding to a lot of hooking, holding and bumping from Mattias Ohlund by dropping his gloves.</p><p>Iginla scored twice and assisted on the gamewinner in Game 7 against the Canucks.</p><p>&ldquo;This is pretty cool,&rdquo; says Iginla of making it to the second round. &ldquo;To win in a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs, even if it&rsquo;s in the first round, that was one of the most exciting things ever. To see that puck go across the line was one of the most exciting moments ever.&rdquo;</p><p>Though they plan to battle him tooth-and nail, some Red Wings hold Iginla in high esteem. In fact, Detroit blueliner Jiri Fischer refers to Iginla as the league&rsquo;s best power forward.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s one of those guys you love to watch,&rdquo; Detroit right winger Darren McCarty told The Detroit <i>News.</i> &ldquo;He&rsquo;s got that old-time hockey flair. He can do everything. He&rsquo;s tough, he scores, he plays a ton of minutes. He also seems like a great leader.&rdquo;</p><p>Added teammate Mathieu Schnieder: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s as tough a player as there is in the league right now. It&rsquo;s not easy to score goals these days. When you score 40 goals (41, actually) like he did, that&rsquo;s pretty rare.&rdquo;</p><p>Iginla says the Flames will have to be very strategic playing against the Wings if they hope to advance to the Western Conference championship series.</p><p>&ldquo;Detroit is a very skilled hockey club and we have to try to make it physical,&rdquo; Iginla says. &ldquo;Not that the Red Wings can&rsquo;t play it that way, but that is out strength, being a physical team. They&rsquo;re probably the most skilled team in the league, if not the top two. We can&rsquo;t let the series get into a skill-skill matchup.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>YOU THE MAN</b></h2><p><i>Calgary&rsquo;s Jarome Iginla may be easy-going, but going against him and his Flames isn&rsquo;t easy at all. Just ask Vancouver.</i></p><h2><b>SPRING VETS</b></h2><p><i>Wings players have much more playoff experience than the Flames. Each Wing has played an average of 92 playoff games.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-03923/7761730-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="285" height="235"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-04545/7761723-1-eng-US/f0012-042.jpg" title="f0012-04" width="285" height="234"></div><h2><i>CALGARY FLAMES</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-05391/7761716-1-eng-US/f0012-052.jpg" title="f0012-05" width="1690" height="415"></div><h2><i>DETROIT RED WINGS</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-06317/7761709-1-eng-US/f0012-062.jpg" title="f0012-06" width="1691" height="411"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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COVER STORY

Flames ride high

<div class="byline">BY MARK BRENDER Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0013-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021153/7761796-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ST. DAVID</b>&nbsp;<i>Some players looking at David Aebischer&rsquo;s style have to do a double-take to determine whether it&rsquo;s Patrick Roy staring back.</i></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011659/7761803-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="131" height="103"></div><p><b>I</b>n the first season of his retirement, Patrick Roy has been only a phone call away, just the way David Aebischer likes it.</p><p>The owner of a major junior team in Quebec, Roy doesn&rsquo;t get to see all the Avalanche games, but he certainly watches them when they&rsquo;re playing in Ottawa and Montreal, a trek Colorado last made in mid-March.</p><p>Patrick and the protege spoke about a week after that as the Avs and Aebischer were gearing up for the playoffs. Aebischer called and left a message, Roy left a message and eventually they hooked up.</p><p>&ldquo;We go back and forth,&rdquo; Aebischer says. &ldquo;We talked a bit about hockey and then of course about other stuff. He just told me what he thought I could do better and things I did well.&rdquo;</p><p>Imagine that. Even in the season when Aebischer finally gets a chance to escape the shadow of arguably the greatest goalie ever, the mentor still mentors and the student stilf learns. Roy still cares enough to help and Aebischer has enough self-confidence that he can be his own man and listen to the legend.</p><p>&ldquo;Of course you listen to him,&rdquo; says Aebischer, sounding slightly bemused at the question. &ldquo;You think about what he said and he&rsquo;s usually right. Of course you listen.&rdquo;</p><p>Aebischer, 26, clearly paid attention while Roy was working his playoff magic all those years. With a 1.83 goals-against average and a glittering .936 save percentage through a surprisingly easy five-game opening round brush off of Dallas, Aebischer put up Roy-like numbers. The similarity goes further.</p><p>&ldquo;Last summer I was playing golf with Trevor Linden,&rdquo; recalls Colorado captain Joe Sakic, &ldquo;and he was saying even last year when Abby was in, you&rsquo;d come down the ice and he&rsquo;d almost look like Patrick.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been great all year. I don&rsquo;t think he went through one stretch where he struggled.&rdquo;</p><p>The same can&rsquo;t be said of the Avalanche not that it matters much now. Despite finishing four points behind San Jose in the standings and posting just eight wins over their final 25 games in a late-season swoon, the Avalanche went into their series with an extremely fast Sharks team on even terms at the very least.</p><p>Heading into the Dallas series, there were so many reasons for Colorado to lose. Dallas was one of the hottest teams in the league heading into the playoffs, the Avalanche one of the coldest. The Stars boasted Marty Turco, the goalie who a year ago had posted the best GAA in six decades. Colorado had a goalie who had played 35 playoff minutes in his entire life.</p><p>The Avs spanked &rsquo;em.</p><p>&ldquo;Up front, we&rsquo;ve still got some pretty good players here,&rdquo; Sakic says. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no real explanation for how we played down the stretch, but I think our whole attitude was we couldn&rsquo;t wait for the playoffs to start Sometimes when you&rsquo;re struggling down the stretch, it&rsquo;s great, it&rsquo;s finally over, and you get that excitement level back for the playoffs. I think that&rsquo;s all we needed.&rdquo;</p><p>Sakic points to Colorado&rsquo;s late-season acquisitions forwards Matthew Barnaby and Chris Gratton and blueliners Ossi Vaananen and Bob Boughner for helping make Colorado a bigger, tougher, more playoff-style team.</p><p>Grit is one thing, but grit with skill is even better. The other reality the Sharks face is that in Sakic (four goals, six points versus Dallas), center Peter Forsberg (eight points) and a supporting cast of wingers Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay and unheralded shifty rookie Marek Svatos not to mention Paul Kariya and maybe even Teemu Selanne the Avs have the most lethal quick strike capabilities of any team left standing.</p><p>Easy for the Avs to say it now, but even in the dry spells it was as if they knew they could put it all together. Aebischer and Sakic both said they felt it. You could see it in Sakic&rsquo;s face after a late March game in Toronto. Colorado essentially got blown out, yet out in the hallway after the game, showered and dressed, Sakic looked like a man without a concern in the world.</p><p>&ldquo;For some reason our confidence level was very high this year,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;There was that sense of confidence among the guys. Why that was there, I don&rsquo;t know why, but it was there. I mean, obviously we&rsquo;ve still got a long way to go, it was only one round, but hopefully we built something that we can take to another level, because we&rsquo;re going to have to.&rdquo;</p><p>Aebischer will be facing the unique pressure that builds on all first-time playoff goalies: the deeper the Avs go into the playoffs, the more the spotfight will focus on the goalie as the one entering uncharted territory.</p><p>Before the Sharks series, Aebischer was relaxing by going to movies, watching hockey on television and reading. The novel on the go at the moment is Dan Brown&rsquo;s <i>Digital Fortress.</i></p><p>If Patrick is watching on satellite, he might think it&rsquo;s a particularly appropriate selection.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-03845/7761789-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="811" height="525"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SPRING SCORERS</b>&nbsp;<i>Top 10 active playoff scorers listed with games played, points and points per game. All-time rank is in parentheses.</i></figcaption></div><h2><i>COLORADO AVALANCHE</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04707/7761782-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="1678" height="404"></div><h2><i>SAN JOSE SHARKS</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-05562/7761775-1-eng-US/f0013-052.jpg" title="f0013-05" width="1680" height="414"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Avs in groove

<div class="byline">BY MIKE BROPHY Senior Writer</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021355/7761862-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>LOOKING UP</b>&nbsp;<i>Ed Belfour battles Ottawa&rsquo;s Marian Hossa for the puck in Toronto&rsquo;s first round playoff series against the Senators.</i></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-011802/7761869-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="113" height="115"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>M</span></b>oments after his team had eliminated Ottawa from the playoffs for the fourth time in five years and about an hour before his 39th birthday goalie Ed Belfour sits in the quiet confines of an equipment room in the basement of Toronto&rsquo;s Air Canada Centre and calmly revels in the glory that is all his.</p><p>And why not? <i>He</i> beat the Senators.</p><p>Many, including The Hockey News, chose Ottawa to win the Stanley Cup this season, but Belfour would have no part of it. Say what you will about the Leafs pulling together as a group with Mats Sundin and Owen Nolan out with injuries and speedy Alexander Mogilny hampered by a tragically sore hip, it was Belfour&rsquo;s spectacular play that was responsible for setting off a wild, somewhat embarrassing celebration in the streets of downtown Toronto.</p><p>Grateful Maple Leafs fans showed their appreciation for his individual heroics chanting, &ldquo;<i>Eddie!&hellip; Eddie!&hellip; Eddie!&rdquo;</i> time and again throughout Game 7. It was music to his ears.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s such a loud building,&rdquo; says the soft-spoken Belfour. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just so exciting.&rdquo;</p><p>As cars crawl up and down Yonge St. high above him with their horns blaring, Belfour acknowledges there is something special about playing in Toronto.</p><p>&ldquo;It definitely is different,&rdquo; says the 16-year NHL vet, who starred for Chicago early in his career, had a short stint in San Jose, then helped Dallas win it all in 1999. &ldquo;Everybody knows the game here. Everybody is passionate about the game, right from minor hockey up to the Maple Leafs. People are fanatics about the game.&rdquo;</p><p>And they are starved for a champion. The Leafs haven&rsquo;t hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1967.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>It&rsquo;s almost a cruel fact the Cup is housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame, a stone&rsquo;s throw from the Air Canada Centre, and yet the franchise hasn&rsquo;t claimed the Cup in 37 years. The Leafs can see the Cup; they just can&rsquo;t touch it.</p><p>Eliminating Ottawa is a huge step toward winning the title. The Senators came within a goal of advancing to the final last year, losing in OT in Game 7 to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Devils, but when it came down to the crunch they were no match for the Leafs.</p><p>Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime played well in the first six games in the series, but surrendered three first period goals in Game 7, including a couple of softies to Joe Nieuwendyk. At the other end of the ice, Belfour stood his ground.</p><p>It&rsquo;s a coin toss between Belfour and Calgary&rsquo;s Jarome Iginla as to who was the best player in the opening round of the playoffs.</p><p>Toronto GM John Ferguson knows which way he&rsquo;d vote. He&rsquo;ll take Belfour.</p><p>&ldquo;What a stellar performance,&rdquo; Ferguson says. &ldquo;His play throughout the year was exceptional, but I would say in the last month he has been even better. He has been rock solid.&rdquo;</p><p>Adds Tie Domi: &ldquo;He&rsquo;s so sharp. His preparation is impeccable. We just try to get him a few goals and then sit back and ride his coattail.&rdquo;</p><p>During his (last) post-game press conference, Sens coach Jacques Martin said at least four times Belfour&rsquo;s goaltending beat Ottawa in the series. And Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, who guaranteed his team would win the series, added: &ldquo;Belfour played a great series; there&rsquo;s not much else to say.&rdquo;</p><p>The Senators outshot Toronto 238-154 in the series, but were unable to figure out Belfour.</p><p>He&rsquo;s as fiercely competitive an athlete as you&rsquo;ll find and when it comes to the playoffs, he doesn&rsquo;t fool around. In fact, he told a business associate prior to the start of the post-season, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t take this personally, but I don&rsquo;t want to see or hear from you for the next two months.&rdquo;</p><p>The Leafs have been a harmonious group this season, having added quality veterans centers Nieuwendyk and Ron Francis and defensemen Ken Klee and Brian Leetch to a team that was said to be somewhat fractured last season.</p><p>Belfour, though, insists that was not the case.</p><p>&ldquo;The belief was there was friction in our room, but there really never was any,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Things were blown out of proportion and that becomes a distraction more than anything else.</p><p>&ldquo;We have a great group of guys and everyone gets along. We have a meat-and-potatoes type of team. There are no prima donnas and I think everybody really cares for each other.&rdquo;</p><p>The Leafs were well aware they&rsquo;d need all hands on deck in the second round against the Flyers, the team that ousted them in the first round last year. The Flyers, too, are a very hungry, veteran team with an incredible will to win.</p><p>&ldquo;It was a tough loss last year,&rdquo; Belfour says. &ldquo;I think we have the attitude, we have to work even harder.&rdquo;</p><p>Hard to imagine Belfour taking his game any higher than he did in Round 1, but if he does, the Flyers are goners.</p><p><b>CHASING ROY</b>&nbsp;<i>Like Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour has won a Stanley Cup, but he trails the goalie legend in individual playoff statistics.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-03930/7761855-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="804" height="247"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Patrick Roy</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04637/7761848-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg" title="f0014-04" width="755" height="244"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ed Belfour</b></figcaption></div><h2><i>TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-05429/7761841-1-eng-US/f0014-052.jpg" title="f0014-05" width="1683" height="411"></div><h2><i>PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-06339/7761834-1-eng-US/f0014-062.jpg" title="f0014-06" width="1695" height="423"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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The Eagle’ soars

<div class="byline">BY PAT HICKEY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-021233/7761921-1-eng-US/f0016-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HAND IT TO HIM</b>&nbsp;<i>Alex Kovalev was ripped for his lack of scoring, but rebounded in a big way for the Canadiens in the post-season.</i></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011591/7761928-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="112" height="79"></div><p><b>A</b>s the Montreal Canadiens entered the 2004 Stanley Cup chase, the biggest question mark was Alex Kovalev.</p><p>GM Bob Gainey acquired the right winger at the trade deadline, hoping the veteran would provide the Habs with a much needed sniper. But after 12 regular season games, Kovalev had one goal, an empty-netter at that.</p><p>Coach Claude Julien said it was a question of determining how to best use Kovalev&rsquo;s skills. But even the coach seemed confused as he shuffled Kovalev from one line to the next without finding a successful combination.</p><p>As the playoffs began, Gainey was forced to defend his acquisition.</p><p>&ldquo;1 don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ve seen the real Alex Kovalev yet,&rdquo; Gainey said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a player with great character and I think we&rsquo;re going to see that in the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>Gainey&rsquo;s words proved to be prophetic, but even he couldn&rsquo;t have predicted the sequence of events which allowed Kovalev to show his character, which was tested after Kovalev made a mistake which led to Boston&rsquo;s 4-3 double-overtime goal in Game 4.</p><p>Kovalev was slashed on the hand by Boston&rsquo;s Travis Green; what followed can only be painted as a brain freeze on the part of the Russian. Kovalev forgot the puck, grabbed his hand and started skating in a lazy circle. Blueliner Sheldon Souray went for the loose biscuit, but he and Kovalev collided, giving Glen Murray a breakaway which produced the game-winner.</p><p>It was a disappointing finish to what might have been Kovalev&rsquo;s best performance in a Canadiens&rsquo; uniform. As he sat in his stall in the Habs&rsquo; dressing room, Souray criticized him for stopping on the play.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Julien would join the chorus, saying: &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t stop playing in a playoff game.&rdquo;</p><p>The win gave the Bruins a 3-1 lead and, as the team left for Boston the next day, few believed the series would return to Montreal. It would&rsquo;ve been easy for Kovalev, the classic rent-a-player, to pack it in. But he scored the game-winner in Game 5, added his fifth playoff goal in Game 6 and assisted on both of Richard Zednik&rsquo;s goals as Montreal won Game 7 by a 2-0 count.</p><p>&ldquo;What you saw out there tonight was character,&rdquo; Kovalev said after the deciding game. &ldquo;This team is what character is all about. We were down 3-1, but we knew we were playing better hockey than Boston and we proved it.&rdquo;</p><p>One key to the win was the line of Kovalev, Saku Koivu and Richard Zednik. After experimenting with five or six combinations, Julien found the trio had the best chemistry. While they hail from three different lands Kovalev is Russian, Koivu Finnish and Zednik Slovakian they were all schooled in the European tradition, which emphasizes offensive zone movement.</p><p>&ldquo;It took some games to get used to each other, but I knew it was going to work,&rdquo; Koivu said. &ldquo;Alex has great talent and you could see that he wanted to do well. Even when the puck wasn&rsquo;t going in the net, he was creating chances.&rdquo;</p><p>There were few chances in the opening game of the Boston series, which the Bruins won 3-0. Faced with the prospect of trying to stop two good Boston lines with one checking line, Julien decided to match the Koivu line against Boston&rsquo;s 700-Pound Line of Mike Knuble, Joe Thornton and Glen Murray.</p><p>&ldquo;We made the change out of necessity,&rdquo; Julien said. &ldquo;We challenged our best players to face their best players and they responded.&rdquo;</p><p>By the time the series ended, it was clear which line was more successful.</p><p>Koivu, Kovalev and Zednik combined for 10 goals and 24 points. The Thornton fine was limited to four goals and five points. Thornton, who was severely hampered by a rib injury, failed to collect a point.</p><p>&ldquo;There was a lot of talk before the series about their big forwards and how dangerous they were, but we made them play defense,&rdquo; said Zednik. &ldquo;We put the pressure on them and we made sure to get back when they had the puck&rdquo;</p><p>At the end of the season, most Montreal fans would have been happy to see Kovalev ride into the sunset. The consensus was Gainey&rsquo;s bold move had been a major blunder. But the success of the Koivu line and Kovalev&rsquo;s prowess as a scorer have raised speculation on whether the Canadiens can keep Kovalev beyond this season. The Canadiens certainly wouldn&rsquo;t be able to afford him at his current $6.6-million salary, but his value may change under a new collective bargaining agreement.</p><p>For the time being, Kovalev has rejected the idea he is a rent-a-player.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be whatever you want me to be, but I&rsquo;m part of the Montreal Canadiens,&rdquo; he said shortly after joining the team. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not worried about next year. I know I&rsquo;ll be playing somewhere.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-03925/7761914-1-eng-US/f0016-032.jpg" title="f0016-03" width="866" height="638"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GOAL MEN</b>&nbsp;<i>Montreal&rsquo;s No. 1 line were in on 13 of the Habs&rsquo; 19 goals in Round 1. Here&rsquo;s the percentage of offense supplied by each team&rsquo;s top line.</i></figcaption></div><h2><i>MONTREAL CANADIENS</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-04696/7761907-1-eng-US/f0016-042.jpg" title="f0016-04" width="1680" height="414"></div><h2><i>TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING</i></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-05502/7761900-1-eng-US/f0016-052.jpg" title="f0016-05" width="1684" height="411"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Sweet redemption

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0019-04" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-04520/7762011-1-eng-US/f0019-042.jpg"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-03680/7762018-1-eng-US/f0019-032.jpg" title="f0019-03" width="92" height="98"></div><p class="dropcap"><i><span>F</span>inalists for NHL individual awards were announced by the league in late ApriL The winners will be announced at the annual awards extravaganza, June 10 in Toronto.</i></p></div><div style="clear: both;"><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

f0019-04

NHL Hardware Hopefuls

<div class="byline">BOB DUFF</div><p>The secret to eternal youth? &ldquo;Two glasses of wine every day,&rdquo; says Igor Larionov.</p><p>But even the man referred to as &ldquo;the Dick Clark of hockey&rdquo; by former Detroit teammate Brendan Shanahan finally had to give in, announcing his retirement April 19 after playing 27 years at hockey"s highest level, breaking into the Soviet Elite League at 17 in 1977. Larionov, 43, was he oldest player in the NHL this season.</p><p>He appeared in just one playoff game for the Devils as the team was taken out in five games by Philadelphia. In his final season, the fivetime NHL 50-point scorer was limited to one goal and 11 points in 49 games.</p><p>No matter. After what he accomplished in more than a quarter-century in the game, Larionov is assured of a place in the Hall of Fame.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-05388/7762049-1-eng-US/f0019-052.jpg" title="f0019-05" width="310" height="494"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>I60R LARIONOV</b></figcaption></div><p>There were the three Stanley Cups he won in Detroit, two Olympic golds, one Canada Cup and four world titles for the Soviet Union, skating with Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov on hockey&rsquo;s top line in the 1980s.</p><p>Larionov&rsquo;s true contribution to the game was his vision and courage. Larionov and Viacheslav Fetisov took on the Soviet Federation, seeking freedom for Soviet players to leave Russia and pursue pro careers. Larionov was demoted to the Russian &lsquo;B&rsquo; team as punishment and both men feared for their lives. &ldquo;Every time there was a knock, you wondered if it was KGB, coming to take you away,&rdquo; Fetisov said. &ldquo;Igor is a very brave man.&rdquo; The two stars won their battle and gained freedom for Russian players to play in the NHL, starting in 1989-90, when Larionov was 28.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-05

Larionov a pioneer, artist

<div class="byline">DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-02884/7762087-1-eng-US/f0020-022.jpg" title="f0020-02" width="243" height="310"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011250/7762094-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="99" height="86"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Lightning lost just 34 man-games to injury or illness in the regular season, but were hit by two serious injuries in its first round, five-game victory over the Islanders.</p><p>Defenseman Jassen Cullimore was out &ldquo;indefinitely&rdquo; with a right wrist injury, while left winger Cory Stillman was day-to-day after apparently injuring his left hip.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Cullimore is Tampa Bay&rsquo;s best all-around defenseman, while Stillman was the team&rsquo;s second-leading scorer this season. It was unclear whether Stillman would play in the second round opener against Montreal.</p><p>Tampa Bay got a break when it had six days off before opening the East semifinal April 23.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s telling that teams that win the Stanley Cup get those rests in between each series,&rdquo; said coach John Tortorella. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very important.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Fredrik Modin, LW.</i> Modin was plus7 and among the league&rsquo;s playoff scoring leaders with eight points after the first round. He was strong against the boards and on the puck, forechecked, battled and made the defensive play that led to Martin StLouis&rsquo; series-winning overtime goal in Game 5.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Vincent Lecavalier, C.</i> Lecavalier had no points against the Isles. He was not charging the net and tried to do too much with the puck instead of using his big shot to create chances and rebounds. <i>(See pg. 11 for more.)</i></p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach <b>John Tortorella</b> said he spoke to Devils coach <b>Pat Burns</b> a day after Burns announced he has colon cancer. &ldquo;The most important thing is we hope he gets his health back before you even think about talking about hockey,&rdquo; Tortorella said.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03622/7762080-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="278" height="602"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-02

NHL TEAM REPORT SPOTLIGHT

Injury bug finally strikes, but time off aids Lightning

<div class="byline">-HERB ZURKOWSKY</div><p><b>D</b>on&rsquo;t ever suggest to Bob Gainey the NHL waiver draft is an exercise in futility.</p><p>The Canadiens GM selected Steve Begin from Buffalo last October and Begin spent most of the season bringing energy, passion and excitement to his new team.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-04414/7762132-1-eng-US/f0020-042.jpg" title="f0020-04" width="249" height="279"></div><p>The latest example occurred during Game 6 against Boston. Begin attempted to check Patrice Bergeron, but the Bruins player fell. Begin sailed over him, going facefirst into the boards. Despite losing four teeth and requiring more than 30 stitches, Begin returned for the third period. The Canadiens won the game 5-2, shut the Bruins out 2-0 in Game 7 to capture the series and face off with Tampa Bay in the second round.</p><p>&ldquo;When I can&rsquo;t play, I climb the walls,&rdquo; said Begin, who had 10 goals and 15 points in 52 games this season.</p><p>&ldquo;Besides, my teeth are a long way from my heart.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Saku Koivu, C.</i> Not only did he contribute two goals and 10 points against Boston, Koivu completely shut down Joe Thornton, who i is six inches taller and 50 pounds heavier.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Michael Ryder, RW.</i> It was Ryder&rsquo;s first playoff experience and, while he had chances, the 25-goal scorer during the regular season was held to two assists against Boston. <b>NOTEBOOK</b> With Montreal&rsquo;s series win over Boston, right winger <b>Alex Kovalev</b> improved his record in Game 7s to an unblemished 5-0 over his career. Kovalev has never played on a team that lost in the first round&hellip;Left winger <b>Darren Langdon&rsquo;s</b> goal in Game 6 of the first round was his first in any NHL regular season or playoff game since Dec. 22,2001.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-05236/7762125-1-eng-US/f0020-052.jpg" title="f0020-05" width="281" height="602"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-04

Gritty performance by Begin helps Habs to second round

<div class="byline">-WAYNE FISH</div><p><b>T</b>wice he has been timed in the NHL Super Skills competition as the league&rsquo;s fastest skater.</p><p>Moving forward, that is.</p><p>But how quickly can little Sami Kapanen skate backward?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-06184/7762170-1-eng-US/f0020-062.jpg" title="f0020-06" width="250" height="282"></div><p>That&rsquo;s the question the Flyers asked after blueliner Kim Johnsson suffered a fractured right hand in the final game of their first round playoff series against New Jersey. Eric Desjardins is out until next season with a broken right arm.</p><p>Kapanen, who twice pulled emergency blueline duty during the regular season, is serving as the first substitute during the playoffs. The 30-year-old Finn uses speed and savvy to get by on defense. &ldquo;I got a taste of it in the regular season,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;but talking about the regular season and the playoffs, there&rsquo;s a difference. To play defense in the playoffs, you have to make simple plays and stay out of trouble.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Robert Esche, G.</i> Esche outplayed New Jersey&rsquo;s Martin Brodeur in the Flyers&rsquo; elimination of the Devils. He stopped the team&rsquo;s alarming trend of allowing long-range goals and gave up few rebounds.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Mattias Timander, D.</i> Although he made few glaring mistakes, Timander still had some difficulty in defensive-zone coverage. In fairness, he had to keep an eye on rookie Joni Pitkanen.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The Flyers scored first in all five games against New Jersey in the first round&hellip; The Flyers&rsquo; newly created line of three exChicago Blackhawks center <b>Alexei Zhanmov,</b> right winger <b>Jeremy Roenick</b> and left winger <b>Tony Amonte</b> combined for six goals, 18 points and a plus-4 in Philadelphia&rsquo;s first round series against New Jersey.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-07157/7762163-1-eng-US/f0020-072.jpg" title="f0020-07" width="283" height="606"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-06

Kapanen blueline fill-in after Johnsson’s bad break

<div class="byline">-KEN CAMPBELL</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Maple Leafs have forged a history of playing their best hockey without their top players and this year&rsquo;s &ldquo;Battle of Ontario&rdquo; was no exception.</p><p>Despite losing captain and leading scorer Mats Sundin in Game 4 of the first round, the Leafs once again prevailed in a playoff series against Ottawa, marking the fourth time in five years the Leafs have chased the Senators from the playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-08111/7762208-1-eng-US/f0020-082.jpg" title="f0020-08" width="244" height="321"></div><p>Sundin fell awkwardly into the boards after a breakaway in Game 4 and didn&rsquo;t return to the series. It was originally thought he injured his ankle, but Sundin revealed the injury happened during the fall, leading many to believe he had twisted his knee. Sundin was confident he would return at some point during the Leafs&rsquo; second round series against Philadelphia.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Ed Belfour, G.</i> Belfour tied the NHL record for most shutouts in a series with three and was the sole reason the Leafs defeated Ottawa. He faced more shots per game than any other goalie in the first round (34) and had a save percentage of .954.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND OUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Alexander Mogilny, RW.</i> Mogilny hasn&rsquo;t been the&rdquo; same since returning from hip surgery and had just one assist in the series against Ottawa. He wasn&rsquo;t skating well and was having trouble handling the puck.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The Maple Leafs became just the second team since expansion in 1967 to be out shot in each game of a seven-game series and still emerge victorious. The only other team to do it was San Jose in its 1994 ouster of Detroit. The Leafs were outshot 238-154 by Ottawa an average of 12 shots per game.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-0983/7762201-1-eng-US/f0020-092.jpg" title="f0020-09" width="280" height="604"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0020-08

Leafs play best hockey when key cogs are bort

<div class="byline">-NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-03377/7762246-1-eng-US/f0021-032.jpg" title="f0021-03" width="243" height="292"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-011005/7762253-1-eng-US/f0021-012.jpg" title="f0021-01" width="96" height="84"></div><p><b>C</b>urtis Joseph has come full circle.</p><p>Last year, he lost his job as the starting netminder after the Detroit Red Wings scored only six goals in four games and were swept in the first round by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>This year, he got his job back after the Wings scored only six goals in four games in the first round against Nashville. He won back-to-back games as the Wings eliminated the Predators and advanced to face the Calgary Flames in the second round.</p><p>And so after everything that happened in between his ankle problems, the Wings&rsquo; dalliance with Dominik Hasek Joseph has a chance to accomplish what he came to Detroit to do in the first place: win his first Stanley Cup.</p><p>&ldquo;Curtis has got tremendous experience,&rdquo; said coach Dave Lewis. &ldquo;He knows how to deal with the pressure and this is a perfect situation for him to be in.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Pavel Datsyuk, C.</i> He made two sweet passes to set up goals early in the pivotal Game 5 and the momentum swung to the Red Wings.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Ray Whitney, LW.</i> Before he scored and was plus-2 in Game 6, he had no points and was minus-5. He played only 9:52 in Game 5.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach <b>Dave Lewis</b> was more assertive than he had been before as a coach, perhaps, when he shuffled his lines and shortened his bench in Game 5. It messed up the Predators&rsquo; matchups, gave Detroit&rsquo;s best players more ice time and kept the Wings on their toes. &ldquo;I think it added to our concentration level,&rdquo; said <b>Brendan Shanahan,</b> who played left wing and right wing. &ldquo;We said, &rsquo;You&rsquo;ve got to be very alert on the bench. It&rsquo;s a situation where you could potentially go for the wrong guy.&rsquo; &ldquo;Said Lewis: &ldquo;A lot of different things were involved. A lot of thought went into it. You have to have a group that&rsquo;s flexible and believes that&rsquo;s what&rsquo;ll work."&hellip;Right winger <b>Steve Yzerman</b> wasn&rsquo;t a factor through the first four games of the Nashville series, but contributed plenty in Games 5 and 6. He had three points in those two games and won 12 of 13 faceoffs in Detroit&rsquo;s 2-0 win over the Preds in Game 6.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-02617/7762239-1-eng-US/f0021-022.jpg" title="f0021-02" width="282" height="602"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0021-03

Joseph’s Cup dreams alive as he regains No. 1 status

<div class="byline">-ERIC DUHATSCHEK</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b>s Calgary moved into the second playoff round for the first time in 15 seasons, the question being asked around the NHL was: how good is Jarome Iginla right now?</p><p>Iginla practically willed the Flames past Vancouver, their first round opponent, with a virtuoso performance that demonstrated his growing leadership and importance within the team&rsquo;s dressing room. Captains are supposed to take charge and Iginla did just that in the second half of the season and into the playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-04273/7762291-1-eng-US/f0021-042.jpg" title="f0021-04" width="242" height="312"></div><p>He was scoring, hitting, fighting, leading. On a team with no passengers, Iginla is the perfect player to wear the &lsquo;C&rsquo;. He sets the tone and his teammates follow him into battle.</p><p>Coach Darryl Sutter, who is not known for hyperbole, described Iginla after his two-goal, three-point effort in Game 7&rsquo;s 3-2 overtime win as &ldquo;a dominating player. In 25 years, that was as dominating as I&rsquo;ve seen one player in one game.&rdquo;</p><p>Typically, Iginla looked back only long enough to acknowledge the end of 15 years of playoff frustration. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a long time for our fans and for our franchise,&rdquo; Iginla said.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Jordan Leopold, D.</i> After Iginla, Leopold stood out for Calgary. Easy to overlook because he wasn&rsquo;t posting big numbers on offense, Leopold showed an astonishing maturity. He demonstrated a poise and on-ice awareness that was missing from his game a year ago. In addition, he was developing a physical edge to his game that made him arguably the most complete player on the team.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Ville Nieminen, LW.</i> On a team that squeezed the maximum from virtually every player, no one technically fit the bill of a dud, but Nieminen&rsquo;s penalties in the Game 1 ultimately led to three power play goals and his near miss in the sixth game he hit the post in double overtime might have been the difference in the series, had they lost Game 7.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Left winger <b>Martin Gelinas</b> was in familiar territory in Game 7 of the first round when he scored the overtime winner to eliminate Vancouver. Gelinas played for the Canucks in 1994 when they knocked off Calgary and it was his goal, playing for Carolina two years ago, which ended Toronto&rsquo;s 2002 post-season run.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0021-05185/7762284-1-eng-US/f0021-052.jpg" title="f0021-05" width="282" height="603"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0021-04

Iginla proves his true worth by leading Flames to upset

<div class="byline">ADRIAN DATER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-02811/7762329-1-eng-US/f0022-022.jpg" title="f0022-02" width="240" height="301"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-05306/7762336-1-eng-US/f0022-052.jpg" title="f0022-05" width="96" height="84"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b> lot of people likely predicted the Avalanche would beat Dallas in their first round playoff series. Not many likely guessed Marek Svatos would be one of the impact players in helping the Avs do it.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>That&rsquo;s what happened, though, as the Slovakian rookie right winger scored one goal a double-overtime game-winner and had six points in Colorado&rsquo;s 4-1 series victory.</p><p>If the Avs continue to get that kind of contribution from Svatos against San Jose in the second round, you can likely book Colorado for its seventh Western Conference final appearance in nine seasons.</p><p>Svatos played just four regular season games scoring two goals following his third major shoulder surgery in the last three years. After bulking up by 10 pounds during his rehab, Svatos looked strong and quick upon his return.</p><p>&ldquo;We saw what that kid could do in training camo.&rdquo; said Avs coach Tonv Granato. &ldquo;He was our leading scorer in camp and we knew he might be able to help us down the road, even after his injury.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Karlis Skrastins, D.</i> The former Predator was outstanding against the Stars, logging major minutes with partner Adam Foote. Skrastins&rsquo;s play helped keep Bill Guerin goalless in the series and limited the offensive production of Mike Modano and Jason Arnott.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Chris Gratton, C.</i> This was an extremely tough choice, as everybody on the Avs played at least pretty well against Dallas. Gratton was the only forward not to score a point, although he was good defensively and on faceoffs.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Left winger <b>Alex Tanguay</b> missed Game 5 of Colorado&rsquo;s first round series against Dallas because of a bruised thigh, but was expected back for the start of the second round series with San Jose&hellip;Left winger <b>Paul Kariya</b> (sprained right ankle) was doubtful to be ready for the start of the second round&hellip; After beating Dallas, the Avalanche were 17-6 in playoff series since moving to Denver from Quebec City. Their 24th post-season series, against the Sharks, is the most of any NHL team since 1996.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011130/7762322-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg" title="f0022-01" width="281" height="604"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0022-02

Svatos shocks, impresses with playmaking abilities

<div class="byline">-ROSS MCKEON</div><p><b>W</b>ith just one playoff series win to his credit, Evgeni Nabokov still had something to prove this post-season.</p><p>He went a long way in showing he is every bit the playoff goalie he is in the regular season, judging from the results against the Blues in the first round.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-03595/7762374-1-eng-US/f0022-032.jpg" title="f0022-03" width="246" height="316"></div><p>Nabokov stopped all 119 of 127 shots in leading San Jose to a five-game series win over St. Louis and into the second round against Colorado.</p><p>Nabokov&rsquo;s final numbers for the series included four wins, a 1.56 goals-against average and .937 save percentage.</p><p>&ldquo;I thought (Blues goalie Chris) Osgood was great, but Nabby was just as good, if not better,&rdquo; said Sharks coach Ron Wilson.</p><p>Nabokov allowed just five goals in San Jose&rsquo;s four first round wins. And he permitted just two in three wins at home.</p><p>&ldquo;He gave us a chance to win all five games and the team did the rest,&rdquo; said assistant GM Wayne Thomas of Nabokov. &ldquo;The bottom line with starting goaltenders is wins. He is motivated to get wins.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Alexander Korofyuk, LW.</i> Korolyuk showed determination and set a tremendous example in San Jose&rsquo;s two road games in the first round. He scored the game winner in the pivotal Game 4 to give the Sharks a 3-1 series edge. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just kind of a message to the rest of the team,&rdquo; Wilson said. &ldquo;If you do those little things well and play like a warrior you&rsquo;ll end up on top.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Nils Ekman, RW.</i> Ekman was one of only two non injured forwards who failed to record a point in the first round. Ekman, who had his ice time reduced as the series played out, appeared tentative and non-involved in his first career post-season.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> San Jose set a franchise post-season record by killing off 18 consecutive shorthanded chances against St Louis in the opening round. Their previous record was 15&hellip;The Sharks have home-ice advantage in the second round of the playoffs for the first time ever&hellip;The Sharks are 0-4 all-time in second round series. San Jose is also 0-2 vs. Colorado in the post-season, including a Round 2 seven-game ouster last year.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-04416/7762367-1-eng-US/f0022-042.jpg" title="f0022-04" width="283" height="603"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0022-03

Nabokov shows hot hand for Sharks in both seasons

<div class="byline">-MIKE LOFTUS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-02692/7762412-1-eng-US/f0023-022.jpg" title="f0023-02" width="241" height="311"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-011018/7762419-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="100" height="89"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he retooled Bruins finally had the second scoring line they had lacked, but Joe Thornton&rsquo;s rib cartilage tear took Boston&rsquo;s top line out of the mix in their first round series against the Montreal Canadiens.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Ultimately, their inability to score consistently they had just three goals in the last three games kept the Bruins from winning the one game they needed to finish off a 3-1 series start.</p><p>The big moment came early in Game 5. Boston, fresh off a double-overtime victory at Montreal, peppered Jose Theodore with seven of the game&rsquo;s first eight shots, but Yanic Perreault gave Montreal a lead on its first decent chance and Boston suffered a 5-1 loss at home.</p><p>Notably absent for the Bruins was a productive power play. Boston went 2-for-25, without a single extrastrength goal in its final six games.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Sergei Samsonov, LW.</i> Samsonov, who had two goals and seven points in the series, did what too few teammates did: he used safe, but smart passes, speed and offensive-zone puck control to prevent Montreal from deploying its transition game.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Glen Murray, RW.</i> Murray&rsquo;s overtime goal might have won Game 4 for the Bruins, but he didn&rsquo;t help take pressure off injured center Joe Thornton and was eventually removed from Boston&rsquo;s top line.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Coach <b>Mike Sullivan</b> praised center <b>Joe Thornton</b> for playing in the post-season despite &ldquo;extreme pain. Most players I know wouldn&rsquo;t have played under the circumstances,&rdquo; the coach said&hellip;Boston had won six straight Game 7 matchups before losing this year, including two over Montreal&hellip;Left winger <b>P-J Axelsson</b> completed the regular season and playoffs without scoring a single goal at home.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-03494/7762405-1-eng-US/f0023-032.jpg" title="f0023-03" width="281" height="606"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0023-02

Thornton’s rib injury contributes to collapse

<div class="byline">-RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-05260/7762450-1-eng-US/f0023-052.jpg" title="f0023-05" width="277" height="604"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>en months after they posed with the Stanley Cup, a stunned group of Devils gathered at Continental Airlines Arena to take a team photo and ponder a questionable future.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-04349/7762457-1-eng-US/f0023-042.jpg" title="f0023-04" width="224" height="315"></div><p>The Devils, who did not have captain Scott Stevens as he battled post-concussion syndrome, lost to a bigger, stronger Flyers team in the first round of the playoffs. With the loss of big forwards such as Randy McKay, Bobby Holik and Jason Arnott over the past few years and the retirement of Ken Daneyko, the Devils were outmuscled.</p><p>Now they face tough decisions.</p><p>GM Lou Lamoriello must re-sign unrestricted free agent John Madden as well as restricted free agents Scott Niedermayer, Scott Gomez, Jeff Friesen and Jay Pandolfo.</p><p>There is also coach Pat Burns&rsquo;s uncertain status, as he battles colon cancer <i>(see pg. 8 for more on Burns). &ldquo;</i>There will be changes,&rdquo; Lamoriello said, adding: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;re rebuilding. You can&rsquo;t get 100 points and be rebuilding.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Patrik Elias, LW.</i> Elias scored three goals in the five-game series, including the team&rsquo;s only game-winner. Burns thanked him, along with Scott Niedermayer and John Madden, for leading in Scott Stevens&rsquo; absence.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Martin Brodeur, G.</i> The Devils were shocked when Brodeur allowed a soft, 48-foot wrist shot to go in for the goal that killed them. Outplayed by Robert Esche, Brodeur admitted he never played his best in the series.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Defenseman <b>Scott Stevens</b> said he was never cleared to play by concussion specialist <b>Dr. Karen Johnston</b> and would not have been available at least until the second round of the playoffs. Stevens said he hoped to play again, but had to be medically cleared to do so.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></h2>

f0023-05

Former champions face uncertain future

<div class="byline">-PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-07178/7762488-1-eng-US/f0023-072.jpg" title="f0023-07" width="280" height="604"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Islanders&rsquo; promotional idea to boost season-ticket sales for next season was to give away playoff tickets for free. But playoff goals and wins apparently were to cost extra.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-06205/7762495-1-eng-US/f0023-062.jpg" title="f0023-06" width="228" height="318"></div><p>The team that won more games at home (25) than any other in the Eastern Conference in the regular season was shut out twice by Nikolai Khabibulin in their only two post-season games at Nassau Coliseum, going out for the third straight season in the opening round with a five-game loss to Tampa Bay.</p><p>&ldquo;(Khabibulin) did his job,&rdquo; said Alexei Yashin, who didn&rsquo;t do his, with no goals in series. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s the reason why they won.&rdquo; And so the Islanders, who have only have four regulars under contract for next season with the labor battle looming, might have a very different look when the NHL returns.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Rick DiPietro, G.</i> DiPietro emerged as the future and present of the franchise with a solid post-season showing. He was among just a handful of Islanders to be visibly angered by the team&rsquo;s early ouster, a good sign for him for the coming years.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Alexei Yashin, C.</i> After beginning to shed his Ottawa-based tag as a playoff under achiever with nearly one point per game in his previous two Islander post-seasons, the $90-million center didn&rsquo;t fight through Tampa&rsquo;s checking schemes often enough and finished with one assist in five games.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Goalie <b>Rick DiPietro</b> had what GM <b>Mike Milbury</b> called a &ldquo;minor&rdquo; arthroscopic procedure a few days after the Isles were eliminated to repair a slight tear of the medial meniscus in his knee. Centers <b>Michael Peca</b> (wrist) and <b>Dave Scatchard</b> (shoulder), and left wingers <b>Shawn Bates</b> (wrist, groin) and <b>Oleg Kvasha</b> also faced the possibilities of undergoing clean-up procedures this summer.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></h2>

f0023-07

Playoff goals, wins difficult to come by

<div class="byline">-BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><p><b>I</b>t was a case of Deja-Blue for the Senators in the 2004 post-season.</p><p>For the fourth time in five years, the Sens were handed an early spring by the Toronto Maple Leafs following an awful 4-1 loss in Game 7 of their opening round series at the Air Canada Centre April 20.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-08154/7762540-1-eng-US/f0023-082.jpg" title="f0023-08" width="241" height="311"></div><p>Picked by many (including The Hockey News) to win the Stanley Cup, the Sens couldn&rsquo;t slay their demons, leaving their fans steaming mad over their inability to beat the Leafs.</p><p>Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, who predicted the club was going to &ldquo;kill&rdquo; the Leafs following their Game 6 victory, promised he&rsquo;d do whatever it takes to bring a Championship to Ottawa. That could mean changes.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-09128/7762533-1-eng-US/f0023-092.jpg" title="f0023-09" width="881" height="1189"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIKE FISHER OTTAWA SENATORS</b></figcaption></div><p>While president Roy Mlakar and GM John Muckier all will be under the microscope, coach Jacques Martin was being painted as the fall guy by fans and goalie Patrick Lalime also is taking heat.</p><p>The Senators must ensure they don&rsquo;t over-react to the loss to the Leafs. The club doesn&rsquo;t want to tear down everything that has been built and they finished only one point behind Toronto in the standings.</p><p>&ldquo;Now, is not the time to discuss changes,&rdquo; Martin said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s something we&rsquo;ll sit down and evaluate and then make some decisions.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Mike Fisher, C.</i> Invited to play for Canada at the World Championship, Fisher proved his mettle in the playoffs and scored the winner in Game 6. He played with heart, grit and determination and showed he has what it takes to be a top player in the NHL.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Peter Bondra, RW.</i> Brought in at the trade deadline by GM John Muckier, Bondra massively underachieved. He is paid to score goals and he didn&rsquo;t Hr get the job done for the <i>f</i> Senators. The club has an option on his contract and they will be hard-pressed to pick it up.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The Senators were shocked and stunned after their playoff defeat to Toronto. &ldquo;This is tough,&rdquo; said defenseman <b>Chris Phillips. &ldquo;We</b> all want to win so badly and we all want to get the job done. We did a lot of good things in this series. We just weren&rsquo;t able to do enough to make the difference.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-10115/7762526-1-eng-US/f0023-102.jpg" title="f0023-10" width="279" height="605"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0023-08

Another loss to Leafs sticks in Sens’ craw

<div class="byline">-MIKE HEIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-02763/7762585-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="245" height="272"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011093/7762592-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="96" height="88"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hen Dallas signed Bill Guerin, Scott Young and Philippe Boucher two years ago, Stars GM Doug Armstrong set up a two-year plan to spare no expense in trying to win the Stanley Cup.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Now, he&rsquo;s calling the plan a bust and is ready to try a future with a more workable budget and a heavy infusion of youth.</p><p>&ldquo;Our core is changing,&rdquo; Armstrong said. &ldquo;Our core is Brenden Morrow. Our core is Marty Turco&hellip;</p><p>We&rsquo;re going in a different direction and it&rsquo;s not going to include a payroll of $68 million.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03520/7762578-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="1063" height="1445"><figcaption class="caption-body">PIERRE TURGEON DALLAS STARS</figcaption></div><p>Armstrong wouldn&rsquo;t predict a payroll for next season, but said it could be less than $50 million. With 10 players already under contract for $44.5 million, he faces very difficult decisions on unrestricted free agent blueliner Richard Matvichuk, restricted free agent center Jason Arnott and left winger Valeri Bure.</p><p>&ldquo;Whatever we set out to do two years ago didn&rsquo;t sau stars owner Tom Hicks. &ldquo;I want to find out why and how we can make it work in the future.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Pierre Turgeon, C.</i> Losing to the Avs in five games, the Stars really didn&rsquo;t have a stud. If you want to single out one player who was solid, give Turgeon kudos. He had a goal and four points.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Marty Turco, G.</i> The old saying is goaltending is 90 per cent of the game. Unless it&rsquo;s bad goaltending, then it&rsquo;s 100 per cent. Turco was bad. He gave up soft goals early and forced his team to play much of the series from behind. Statistically, he was the worst goalie in the playoffs with a .849 D save percentage.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Blueliner <b>Teppo Numminen</b> had minor surgery April 21 to repair an irregular heartbeat. The surgery involved doctors inserting a catheter into his femoral artery, snaking it to his heart and cauterizing the part causing the problem. The defect isn&rsquo;t related to the dilated aorta that nearly ended his career in March.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04344/7762571-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="281" height="605"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0024-02

Disappointed Dallas plans on getting lean

<div class="byline">DAVID BOCLAIR</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>U</span></b>ltimately, this season will be viewed as a success for the Nashville Predators. But a first round defeat to Detroit left a bitter taste, nonetheless, particularly after the teams split the first four games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05233/7762630-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="252" height="273"></div><p>As everyone expected, Nashville was not experienced or deep enough, particularly at center, to handle the Red Wings. The Predators scored a total of nine goals in the six games, while the Red Wings got goals from 10 different players.</p><p>After winning Games 3 and 4 at home, Nashville trailed for 115:15 of the final two games.</p><p>&ldquo;They&rsquo;re a veteran team,&rdquo; said right winger Scott Walker. &ldquo;They never once backed down or seemed like they were in a panic mode.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Tomas Vokoun, G.</i> He stopped 82 of 83 shots he faced in Games 3 and 4 (both Nashville wins) and called out Detroit to the media for whining about officiating. &ldquo;I meant no disrespect,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I saw the play on the ice. I know what happened.&rdquo;</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUO</b>&nbsp;<i>Kimmo Timonen, D.</i> He quarterbacked a power play which was l-for-29. He had no points and a team-high 10 penalty minutes.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> The entire coaching staff has been signed to a one-year (plus an option) extension. Four of the five members of the staff have been with the team since the inaugural season&hellip;Left winger <b>Rem Murray</b> continues to battle the effects of cervical dystonia, which causes his head to turn involuntarily to the left. He takes muscle relaxers for pain and was scheduled for Botox injection April 29. The condition ended his season after 39 games &hellip;Left winger <b>Jim McKenzie</b> was in the playoffs for the 11th straight year. That streak includes six different franchises: Pittsburgh, Winnipeg/Phoenix, Anaheim, Washington, New Jersey and Nashville.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06184/7762623-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="279" height="599"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0024-05

Upstart Predators couldn’t rattle Wings

<div class="byline">-DERRICK GOOLD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-08126/7762661-1-eng-US/f0024-082.jpg" title="f0024-08" width="280" height="603"></div><p><b>A</b>fter being swiftly eliminated from the playoffs by San Jose, the Blues hit the off-season ready for a switch in philosophy.</p><p>They&rsquo;re going younger and they&rsquo;re going cheaper.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-07154/7762668-1-eng-US/f0024-072.jpg" title="f0024-07" width="239" height="306"></div><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to cut payroll,&rdquo; said GM Larry Pleau. &ldquo;It is easy to say we&rsquo;re going to change everybody. We&rsquo;re not going to change everybody. We&rsquo;re going to try to make the proper changes, create a chemistry that is competitive with other teams.&rdquo;</p><p>The Game 5 loss to San Jose ended, it seems, the high-dollar era for the Blues. The Blues veered in the big budget direction after winning the President&rsquo;s Trophy in 1999-2000. After going to the Western Conference final the next year, they&rsquo;ve rode a $60-millibn pay-roll to poorer and poorer finishes and haven&rsquo;t won a playoff series since 2002.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Mike Sillinger, C.</i> Sillinger led the Blues in scoring with three goals and four points and finished a plus-5 in the series. Sillinger, an unrestricted free agent this summer, started the last couple games as the team&rsquo;s first line center.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Pavol Demitra, RW.</i> Playing to prove to the Blues they should bring him back next season, Demitra fizzled in the postseason again. He had just a goal, his only point in his past 11 playoff games. Simply put, Demitra vanished this spring.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> Right winger <b>Scott Mellanby</b> is dunking about retiring, though he will wait to see what next season is like labor lockout permitting before making a final decision&hellip;The biggest off-season decision facing the Blues is whether to exercise goalie <b>Chris Osgood&rsquo;s</b> contract option. Osgood played a role in getting the Blues to the playoffs he won the NHL&rsquo;s defensive player of the month for March but he didn&rsquo;t steal a game for them in the playoffs.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></h2>

f0024-08

Blues will go cheaper after playoff thumping

<div class="byline">-ELLIOTT PAP</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-10102/7762699-1-eng-US/f0024-102.jpg" title="f0024-10" width="282" height="605"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b>lthough they were favored due to their experience, the Vancouver Canucks did have two question marks heading into their first round playoff series with the Calgary</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-09111/7762706-1-eng-US/f0024-092.jpg" title="f0024-09" width="233" height="315"></div><p>Flames: could their goaltending match Miikka Kiprusoff&rsquo;s? And could they handle Jarome Iginla? In both cases, the answer was no.</p><p>When starter Dan Cloutier went down with torn ankle ligaments in Game 3, coach Marc Crawford went briefly to Johan Hedberg before handing the puck to untested rookie Alex Auld. While Auld was solid, he still allowed nine goals in his three starts (1-2) and had a save percentage of .898.</p><p>Iginla, meanwhile, outplayed Canucks captain Markus Naslund and every other forward in the series. Crawford was unable to devise a strategy to stop Iginla and his team was outworked over the long haul of the series.</p><p>The Canucks&rsquo; first-place finish in the Northwest Division was the lone highlight in a season that nearly fell apart with the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident March 8. Now with a lame-duck GM in Brian Burke, the Canucks are in a holding pattern waiting for ownership to either renew Burke or send him on his way.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND STUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Matt Cooke, RW.</i> Called upon to fill Bertuzzi&rsquo;s spot on the first line, the undersized Cooke played with great determination and scored some key goals despite Vancouver&rsquo;s ouster.</p><p><b>FIRST ROUND DUD</b>&nbsp;<i>Brent Sopel, D.</i> The Canucks&rsquo; highest-scoring defenseman during the season (42 points) delivered only one assist and wasn&rsquo;t prominent.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK GM Brian Burke</b> reiterated his desire to stay in Vancouver, but his contract expires June 30 and he isn&rsquo;t sure if owner <b>John McCaw</b> will sign him to a new deal. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s in everyone&rsquo;s best interests that the decision be made quickly,&rdquo; Burke said. &ldquo;Personally, I need to know.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></h2>

f0024-10

GM Durke, Canucks on unsteady ground

<div class="byline">-DAN WOOD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02651/7762737-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="247" height="321"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-01983/7762744-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="103" height="137"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Mighty Ducks of Anaheim sent a letter to season-ticket holders promising no increase in season-ticket prices next season. In the event of a work stoppage after the NHL&rsquo;s collective bargaining agreement with the players&rsquo; association expires Sept. 15, fans have the option to receive refunds for canceled games or credit toward future season seats or playoff tickets. The Ducks will also offer five per cent interest per annum on refunds and credits&hellip;The Ducks agreed to a two-year contract extension with radio play-by-play announcer Steve Carroll. A veteran of five seasons with the Ducks, Carroll was previously play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Flyers. Carroll, 49, has also broadcast AHL, ECHL and United States League games, as well as other sports at the college and pro levels, during a 27-year career.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

f0025-02

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Ducks offer ticket incentive

<div class="byline">-LUKE DECOCK</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Hurricanes are well-represented off the ice at the World Championship, with <b>Peter Laviolette</b> coaching the U.S. and trainer <b>Pete Friesen</b> working for Canada. Players <b>Justin Williams</b> (Canada), <b>Josef Vasicek</b> (Czech Rep.) and<b>Arturs Irbe</b> (Latvia) also are participating&hellip;The Canes are close to hiring an AHL coach to replace Ron Smith, who retired after Lowell missed the playoffs a second straight year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03429/7762775-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="248" height="280"></div><p>Former Carolina assistant and NHL defenseman <b>Randy Ladouceur</b> is the leading candidate&hellip;GM <b>Jim Rutherford</b> said at least two teams called to inquire about former coach <b>Paul Maurice</b>, but that no one had asked for permission to talk to him&hellip;Right winger <b>Erik Cole</b> (knee), center <b>Kevyn Adams</b> (knee and shoulder) and defenseman <b>Bret Hedican</b> (knee) all required post-season surgeries.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-03

Contingent off to worlds

<div class="byline">-JOHN MANASSO</div><p class="dropcap"><span>S</span>purred by the team&rsquo;s new ownership, the Thrashers plan on increasing TV coverage next season. GM <b>Don Waddell</b> said the goal was to broadcast all games, but contractual issues will likely prevent that.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-04271/7762813-1-eng-US/f0025-042.jpg" title="f0025-04" width="246" height="317"></div><p>Before the team&rsquo;s entry into the NHL in 1999, former owner Turner Sports had to settle a lawsuit with Fox over the creation of cable channel Turner South, on which most of the Thrashers&rsquo; games are broadcast.</p><p>That could limit the number of games on the tube&hellip;Left winger <b>Ilya Kovalchuk</b> was presented in Russia with the Valery Kharlamov Trophy, given to the best Russian player in the NHL&hellip; Defenseman <b>Chris Tamer</b>, who played only 38 games, but has been active working with children&rsquo;s groups in his five years with the team, was nominated for the King Clancy Award, given for leadership/humanitarian contributions.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-05192/7762806-1-eng-US/f0025-052.jpg" title="f0025-05" width="807" height="1214"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Atlanta&rsquo;s Ilya Kovalchuk has scored 29, 38 and 41 goals in his first three NHL seasons. Is 50 next?</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-04

Thrashers aim for TV deal

<div class="byline">-TIM SASSONE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>C</span></b>hicago considers the approximately $1.2 million in performance bonuses rookie left winger <b>Tuomo Ruutu</b> made as money well spent. &ldquo;Hey, he earned it,&rdquo; said assistant GM<b>Dale Tallon.</b> Ruutu could make even more if he is voted to the all-rookie team, though he won&rsquo;t be getting any Calder Trophy bonuses as he wasn&rsquo;t named a finalist. Added to his base salary of $1.13 million, Ruutu&rsquo;s take for his rookie year stood at $2.3 million. He had a huge second half with 36 points and led Chicago with 23 goals. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ve even seen what he can do yet,&rdquo; said GM <b>Bob Pulford</b>&hellip;The Blackhawks aren&rsquo;t sure if Ruutu&rsquo;s future is as a center or winger. &ldquo;He can play all three positions,&rdquo; said coach <b>Brian Sutter</b>&hellip;There&rsquo;s a possibility the Hawks need to find a new AHL affiliate after a deal fell through for a new owner to buy Norfolk.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-06157/7762844-1-eng-US/f0025-062.jpg" title="f0025-06" width="241" height="309"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-06

Ruutu cashing in bonuses

<div class="byline">-AARON PORTZLINE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>C</span></b>olumbus is talking with defenseman <b>Jaroslav Spacek</b> and right winger <b>David Vyborny</b>, both of whom are restricted free agents July 1. Spacek is the team&rsquo;s only established skill defenseman so they will press hard to re-sign him. Vyborny was second to left winger <b>Rick Nash</b> in points (53). The other two restricted free agents are goalie Marc Denis and left winger Jody Shelley&hellip;Nash had 41 goals and tied with Calgary&rsquo;s<b>Jarome Iginla</b> and Atlanta&rsquo;s <b>Ilya Kovalchuk</b> for the &lsquo;Rocket&rsquo; Richard Trophy. &ldquo;I had breakaways and hit countless posts,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But then I think about goals that shouldn&rsquo;t have gone in (but did)."&hellip;Nash won&rsquo;t join Team Canada at the World Championship in the Czech Republic due to an undisclosed injury&hellip;The Jackets signed center <b>Greg Mauldin</b> to a multi-year pact and defenseman <b>Brandon Sugden</b> to a one-year deal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-07138/7762875-1-eng-US/f0025-072.jpg" title="f0025-07" width="241" height="306"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-07

Contract talks take over

<div class="byline">-JIM KELLEY</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>hirty seven wins wasn&rsquo;t good enough to get the Buffalo Sabres into die playoffs, but the numbers added up again for their coach, Lindy Ruff. The 44-year-old Warburg, Alta, native has 253 wins against 243 losses and 78 ties. Ruff is already the Sabres&rsquo; all-time winningest coach (he&rsquo;s also tops in losses) and his time behind the bench is No. 1 in franchise history, surpassing Scotty Bowman. Ruff is 10th among active coaches in wins and 40th on the all-time list&hellip;Upper management indicated both Ruff and GM Darcy Regier will be back next season&hellip; Proving statistics are for losers, the Sabres claim their record of 50-28-11-7 after the trade deadline the past seven years is third best in the NHL&hellip; Rookie right wing enforcer Andrew Peters led rookies in majors with 23 and was second in penalty minutes with 151.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-08118/7762906-1-eng-US/f0025-082.jpg" title="f0025-08" width="242" height="313"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-08

Ruff climbs chart, keeps job

<div class="byline">-ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>S</span></b>teve Staios&rsquo;s first reaction was &ldquo;thanks, but no thanks.&rdquo; The Oilers had just been bumped from the final playoff spot when Team Canada called and a devastated Staios was in no mood for hockey. After taking a few days to cool off, he knew he had to go. &ldquo;I was just such a wreck at the end of the season, especially emotionally,&rdquo; said Staios, making his third straight trip to the World Championship. &ldquo;But after a few days I decided I didn&rsquo;t want to have any regrets at the end of my career and not going when I&rsquo;d been asked to play for my country would have been one of them."&hellip;Oilers governor Cal Nichols says the team is putting all its hopes in a new collective bargaining agreement: &ldquo;If we don&rsquo;t get the kind of agreement that provides a long-term business platform and stability, I don&rsquo;t think there is a future.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-0999/7762937-1-eng-US/f0025-092.jpg" title="f0025-09" width="236" height="317"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0025-09

Staois has change of heart

<div class="byline">-DAVID J. NEAL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011097/7762968-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="242" height="322"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-09163/7762975-1-eng-US/f0026-092.jpg" title="f0026-09" width="103" height="137"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b>ll season, Florida management, especially majority owner Alan Cohen, has told fans not to worry an NHL lockout won&rsquo;t kill the franchise. In fact, they insist, the Panthers would lose less than the $15-to-$20 million it expects to lose this season. Besides not having to pay salaries of players or employees, including executives, fired this season, the Panthers have a sweetheart Office Depot Center deal. Broward County owns the arena, but the Panthers control the operating rights and the first $14 million in arena profits. &ldquo;We are not just a hockey company,&rdquo; said Panthers chief operating office <b>Michael Yormark</b> to the Miami <i>Herald.</i> &ldquo;We are entertainment first, hockey second. We&rsquo;ve repositioned the brand."&hellip;Several Panthers employees got a laugh from an upper management e-mail sent out in late March. According to the staffers, the e-mail cheerfully declared the March 23 overtime loss to New Jersey a &ldquo;huge point&rdquo; for the Panthers. The chuckle was that the loss actually officially eliminated the Panthers from the playoffs.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

f0026-01

Panthers assure fans they’ll survive

<div class="byline">-BRIAN MURPHY</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span>ickard Wallin</b> arrived late to Minnesota&rsquo;s year-end party, but he made a lasting impression on the hosts. The center was the last of three minor pro prospects called up after several veterans were jettisoned in deadline trades. Wallin made the biggest impact, scoring five goals and nine points in 15 games. &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t look at stats,&rdquo; said Wallin, a finesse player who found a way to play in traffic. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s how you&rsquo;re playing and what you&rsquo;re learning and this is a great place to learn the game.&rdquo; Left winger <b>Stephane Veilleux</b> and defenseman <b>Zbynek Michalek</b> also drew praise for energizing the Wild for a 9-3-1-1 finish, although GM<b>Doug Risebrough</b> is still dangling the carrot. &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t want to be a young player who played at the end of this year, had a good last 25 games, and think that&rsquo;s the way it&rsquo;s going to be next year,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They haven&rsquo;t crossed the finish line."&hellip;The Wild held the line on season-ticket prices for 2004-05. Seats per game range from $12 in the upper deck to $80 in the club level, with an average price of $50.72, just below the NHL average of $51.71.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-02759/7763006-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="250" height="278"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-02

GM advises youngsters to stay hungry

<div class="byline">-JERRY BROWN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0026-04" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04430/7763037-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Phoenix captain Shane Doan set career highs in goals (27), assists (41) and points (68) this season to emerge as a Team Canada candidate for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.</i></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span></b>sk <b>Steve Ellman</b> about the Coyotes&rsquo; 22-win, 68-point season the worst since moving to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996 and the team&rsquo;s chairman and governor quickly purses his lips. &ldquo;If we hadn&rsquo;t lost so much money the last few years, I&rsquo;d give a rebate to our season-ticket holders,&rdquo; Ellman said. But the bottom line is finally improving. After shaving nearly $15 million from the payroll (down to about $30.5 million) with cost-cutting trades, coupled with the opening of the Glendale Arena in December, the Coyotes avoided the seven-figure debts that had become commonplace. And if the NHL&rsquo;s new collective bargaining agreement levels the fiscal playing field, Phoenix will look good moving forward. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve turned the corner financially,&rdquo; Ellman said. &ldquo;We should be in good shape."&hellip; All the top Phoenix brass, including managing partner <b>Wayne Gretzky,</b> were scheduled to meet corporate sponsors and ticket-holders at a &ldquo;town hall"-style meeting at Glendale Arena in late April to discuss the team&rsquo;s strategic plans for 2004-05.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03608/7763044-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="229" height="331"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-04

Coyotes’ financial picture improving

<div class="byline">-JDE STARKEY</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>P</span></b>ennsylvania lawmakers have taken an interest in a $160-million arena plan proposed by Sports Finance & Management Group of Los Angeles. State representative <b>Frank Dermody</b> wanted to study the proposal, which would build the arena with private funds. &ldquo;We ought to determine whether or not they can do what they say they can do,&rdquo; Dermody said. SFMG would lease the arena to the Pens, who have questioned the plan because, among other things, it doesn&rsquo;t include adequate luxury boxes. Besides which, SFMG and team officials hadn&rsquo;t yet spoken.. <b>.Marc-Andre Fleury&rsquo;s</b> debut with Wilkes-Barre (AHL) didn&rsquo;t go well. Fleury gave up five goals on 21 shots in a 5-4 loss to Bridgeport in Game 2 of the first round series&hellip;The Pens are believed to be targeting Russian center <b>Evgenii Malkin</b> with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft, but European scout <b>Mark</b> Kelley also has his eye on Czech forward Rostislav Olesz. &ldquo;If you remember <b>(Jaromir) Jagr&rsquo;s</b> eyes when he was younger, Olesz gets that same kind of possessed look,&rdquo; Kelley said.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-05316/7763075-1-eng-US/f0026-052.jpg" title="f0026-05" width="240" height="319"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-05

State legislators consider arena deal

<div class="byline">-MATT MCHALE</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Kings organization is in the playoffs, but not in the league they were hoping. The team sent center <b>Scott Barney</b> and defenseman <b>Tim Gleason,</b> two players expected to play prominent roles in L.A. next season, to Manchester (AHL) to help with the Monarchs&rsquo; first round series against Worcester. But the moves also are significant because of the possible NHL lockout in September. Players who appear in 50 minor pro games in 2003-04 are eligible to return next year if the NHL is shut down next season. That fist is set to include center <b>Mike Cammalleri</b> and promising defenseman <b>Denis Grebeshkov. &ldquo;</b>A lot can happen between now and then,&rdquo; Gleason said. &ldquo;Coming down here has given me a chance to play regularly."&hellip;Right winger <b>Ziggy Palffy,</b> sidelined since early January after undergoing reconstructive shoulder surgery, will begin skating in May and said he will play for Slovakia in the World Cup of Hockey in September. Palffy, an unrestricted free agent July 1, remains far apart with the Kings on a contract extension for next season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-06255/7763106-1-eng-US/f0026-062.jpg" title="f0026-06" width="225" height="302"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-06

Kings’ kids helping out in Manchester

<div class="byline">-LARRY BROOKS</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span></b>he Rangers left no doubt regarding their immediate focus, sending their top three management officials to the World Championship in Prague. <b>Don Maloney,</b> Rangers vice-president of player personnel, served as assistant GM for Team Canada; <b>Tom Renney,</b> Rangers vice-president of player development and acting coach, served as a Team Canada&rsquo;s assistant coach; and, GM <b>Glen Sather</b> also made the journey. In addition to scouting Blueshirt prospects in the tournament, Sather was expected to seek permission from St. Louis to speak to Canada coach <b>Joel Quenneville, who</b> was fired by the Blues, about the quasi-vacant coaching position on Broadway. Renney has indicated a desire to retain the post on a full-time basis&hellip;Defenseman <b>Maxim Kondratiev</b> (Russia), centers <b>Jarkko Immonen</b> (Finland) and <b>Petr Prucha</b> (Czech Republic) and goalie <b>Henrik Lundqvist</b> (Sweden) are Rangers prospects playing in the tournament&hellip;Right winger <b>Jaromir Jagr</b> announced he was close to a contract agreement with a Moscow team should there be a lockout next season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-07222/7763137-1-eng-US/f0026-072.jpg" title="f0026-07" width="220" height="296"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-07

Blueshirt brass scouting in Prague

<div class="byline">-JASON LA CANFORA</div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span></b>ith much of the organization looking on, Washington&rsquo;s AHL affiliate in Portland, Me., rolled to an opening round victory in the playoffs. Capitals GM <b>George McPhee</b> and coach <b>Glen Hanlon</b> were both in attendance as the Pirates cruised to consecutive victories over Providence, providing a reason to feel better about the future of the organization. Left winger <b>Alexander Semin,</b> 20, spent all season in Washington, but was assigned to Portland for its playoff push. Semin exploded for three goals and an assist in a 6-2 defeat of Providence which clinched the best-of-three series. Top prospects <b>Maxime Ouellet</b> and<b>Rastislav Stana</b> alternated starts in net and right winger <b>Boyd Gordon</b> and blueliner <b>Steve Eminger,</b> who were demoted mid-way through the season, were making strong showings. The Pirates faced Hartford in the second round&hellip;Washington announced it will reduce season-ticket prices for 2004-05 by an average of 11 per cent. Fans will also receive three per-cent annual interest on any ticket investment in case of a work stoppage.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-08184/7763168-1-eng-US/f0026-082.jpg" title="f0026-08" width="240" height="339"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0026-08

McPhee, Hanlon keep eye on prospects

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0027-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011046/7763199-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MILAN HEJOUK COLORADO AVALANCHE</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SPORTS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0027-01

DEPTH CHARTS

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02741/7763230-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="245" height="394"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TIM JACKMAN</b></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-011082/7763237-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="116" height="121"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>im Jackman played collegiate hockey for two seasons at Minnesota-Mankato and that&rsquo;s all the Columbus Blue Jackets needed to see before signing him to a contract.</p><p>Columbus wanted the hard-charging, hard hitting winger to learn the pro game quickly with the Syracuse Crunch so he could bring size to their lineup.</p><p>Then they saw him play as an American League rookie and wonderec what happened. So, too, did the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder. &ldquo;I thought I had a terrible year,&rdquo; said Jackman of 2002-03, when he scored just nine goals and 16 points in 77 games and was anything but a dominating power forward. &ldquo;In college I finished my checks and went hard to the net. I didn&rsquo;t really do that (as an AHL rookie). I felt like I didn&rsquo;t achieve the goals they had for me.&rdquo;</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>He&rsquo;s back on schedule this season. He may have even accelerated the learning timetable. Jackman, 23, scored 23 goals and 36 points in 63 games and earned 19 games in the NHL, where he scored one goal and assisted on two others.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a completely different player,&rdquo; said Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean.</p><p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no comparison to last year. He had a terrific year.&rdquo;</p><p>As a rookie, Jackman often blended in. This season, he was front and center on the forecheck and around the goalmouth.</p><p>&ldquo;I struggled adjusting to everything,&rdquo; said Jackman, a second round pick (38th overall) in 2001. &ldquo;The style of life, the style of play, everyday life as a professional hockey player.</p><p>&ldquo;It was a learning year for me and a tough year for the team (45 losses). This year every game meant something and it was fun to play. I feel I have to get something done every time I&rsquo;m out there.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-02

The real Jackman shows up for work

<div class="byline">BY KEVIN OKLOBZIJA</div><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>nother chance to prove he can play hockey and stay out of trouble, another run-in with the law and canceling of a contract for off-ice bad boy Billy Tibbetts.</p><p>Tibbetts was released from a tryout contract by the Houston Aeros between Games 1 and 2 of their American League mini-round qualifying series after being charged by police with resisting arrest and resisting a search.</p><p>Tibbetts, 29, was arrested after a traffic stop by Houston police early April 16, not long after the Aeros dropped Game 1 to Cincinnati 3-1.</p><p>A convicted felon from south Boston, Tibbetts posted bond and was released from jail. Later that day, the parent Minnesota Wild released him from his contract.</p><p>&ldquo;He came here knowing that if he got into any trouble, on or off the ice, he&rsquo;d be let go right away,&rdquo; said Aeros GM Tom Lynn to the Houston <i>Chronicle.</i> &ldquo;There would be no talking, no change of plans.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03534/7763289-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="276" height="277"><figcaption class="caption-body">AHL WEST NOTEBOOK</figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;He did help us in his time here&hellip;and he was a great guy in the dressing room. He knows he is going to have to get himself in the right emotional state to be a good citizen.&rdquo;</p><p>Tibbetts pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 1994 and was sentenced to four years probation. He later spent 39 months in prison on a probation violation. Since his release, his comeback has included 111 AHL games and 82 in the NHL for three teams.</p><p><b>MAKING HAY</b> The Dallas Stars&rsquo; four-year run as the parent team of the Utah Grizzlies came to an end when the club failed to qualify for the AHL playoffs. That also ended Don Hay&rsquo;s three-year run as Grizzlies coach.</p><p>The Grizzlies are seeking a new parent an agreement with Phoenix is expected soon &ndash; and Hay will soon be on the job market. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to stay involved in coaching,&rdquo; said Hay, who had a 104-115-16-15 record in Utah. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m looking at all options. I love to coach, but it will be interesting with the (NHL&rsquo;s CBA) labor situation.&rdquo;</p><p>Dallas will put a goalie and four skaters in Houston next season, sharing the affiliation with Minnesota, and also plans to put a goalie and four skaters with another team.</p><p>Dallas is expected to become the controlling parent of Houston in 2005-06, when the Wild are expected to stock the new franchise in Des Moines, Iowa.</p><p><b>SUGAR TIME</b> The Columbus Blue Jackets signed tough-guy winger Brandon &lsquo;Sugar&rsquo; Sugden to a one-year contract extension, plus a club option, during the first round of the playoffs. Sugden led the AHL in majors with 41.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-04364/7763282-1-eng-US/f0028-042.jpg" title="f0028-04" width="1076" height="1596"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>Fourth-year Crunch center Brad Moran had his best season in Syracuse, finishing second with 24 goals and 59 points in 72 games.</i></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-05276/7763275-1-eng-US/f0028-052.jpg" title="f0028-05" width="170" height="174"></div><h2><b>HOCKEY NATION AT A GLANCE</b></h2><p><b><i>The International Ice Hockey Federation is the world&rsquo;s governing body for hockey. In each issue this season, we profile one of 63 national association members.</i></b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-06236/7763268-1-eng-US/f0028-062.jpg" title="f0028-06" width="618" height="310"></div><h2>SLOVAKIA</h2><p><b>Member of IIHF since</b> 1993</p><p><b>Pop. of country</b> 5,442,366</p><p><b>Registered players</b> 12,375</p><p><b>No. of ice facilities</b> 42</p><p><b>Major league</b> (10 teams)</p><p>ST Extraliga</p><p><b>2003 champion</b> Dukla Trencin</p><p><b>2003-04 top scorers</b> Martin Bartek, Zvolen</p><p>Zdeno Ciger, Slovan Bratislava</p><p>Richard Sechny, Zvolen</p><p><b>Association website/e-mail</b></p><p><a href="http://www.hokej.sk">www.hokej.sk</a></p><p><a href="mailto:szlh@szlh.sk">szlh@szlh.sk</a></p><p>Head office Bratislava</p><p>2003 world ranking No. 5<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-03

Tibbetts wearing out welcomes

<div class="byline">BY MIKE MASTOVICH</div><p>The Peoria Rivermen might be in line for the granddaddy of American League call-ups.</p><p>Peoria reportedly is deep into negotiations with the Chicago Blackhawks to become the NHL team&rsquo;s AHL affiliate next season, sources in the AHL, ECHL and Rivermen told The Peoria <i>Journal Star.</i></p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve wanted to take this franchise back to the AHL since the day we left the IHL, if we could afford it,&rdquo; said Rivermen co-owner Bruce Saurs to The <i>Journal Star.</i></p><p>Peoria joined the ECHL in 1996-97 after leaving the old International League. Saurs cited future player insurance costs in the ECHL as a motivating factor in negotiations. The NHL parent club pays for insurance in the AHL.</p><p>Peoria was affiliated this season with the St. Louis Blues and Worcester (AHL). The Blackhawks have an agreement with Norfolk, in the AHL. Norfolk&rsquo;s team has had financial difficulties the past two seasons and is for sale. Peoria is exploring securing a transfer from the ECHL to the AHL for $1 million or less. If the Rivermen move &ldquo;p, the team might incur a $500,000 penalty for leaving the ECHL after April 1, the deadline to commit to operating for the upcoming season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-07210/7763320-1-eng-US/f0028-072.jpg" title="f0028-07" width="257" height="247"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>NOTEBOOK</b></figcaption></div><p><b>NUMBERS GAME</b> Atlantic City will retire the No. 21 sweater worn by captain Stefan Rivard, one of only two players to remain with the Boardwalk Bullies after the franchise relocated from Birmingham, Ala., in 2001-02.</p><p>Rivard, 30, finished his nine-year career as the franchise&rsquo;s all-time leader in goals, assists, points and penalty minutes. He led the Bullies with 26 goals and 66 points and has 188 goals, 449 points and 1,635 PIMs in 543 career games.</p><p><b>BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND</b> The Long Beach Ice Dogs were a hit on TV and hope to have even more exposure next season. KVMD-TV, a cable channel in Long Beach, will broadcast at least 20 home games, reaching 1.25 million homes. KVMD received requests for more Ice Dogs action after televising 12 games this year.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-07

Peoria looking for ultimate promotion

<div class="byline">BY DAVE SOTTILE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-01959/7763351-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="243" height="391"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ALAN LETANG</b></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-09131/7763358-1-eng-US/f0029-092.jpg" title="f0029-09" width="116" height="121"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>H</span>aving played for 11 different teams during a nine-year pro career, Alan Letang has seen his share of hockey, both wide-open and tight-checking.</p><p>From his earliest days with the American League&rsquo;s Fredericton Canadiens through stints in Germany and the International League, Letang has seen a lot of pucks whizzing past goalies.</p><p>Not this year, though, as his Bridgeport Sound Tigers shattered the AHL mark for fewest goals against in an 80-game season with just 140 (1.75 per game).</p><p>&ldquo;You always start a season trying to play well defensively,&rdquo; Letang said. &ldquo;You never expect to set a record like that.&rdquo;</p><p>With Letang anchoring a veteran defense corps and Wade Dubielewicz and Dieter Kochan providing stingy goaltending, the Sound Tigers obliterated the old mark of 176 set by Rochester in 1998-99. Bridgeport allowed the fewest goals in a season since 1943-44, when Hershey gave up just 133 in a 54-game schedule.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>Bridgeport also established records for fewest goals allowed at home (58) and on the road (82) as well as the best penalty-killing percentage (90.66).</p><p>Letang, 28, was right in the thick of things. He chipped in with a goal, 14 points and posted a plus-12 rating, but most critically, provided solid play at both ends of the rink.</p><p>At the start of the season, Letang was named Bridgeport&rsquo;s first captain in team history. (The third-year franchise had been rotating the &lsquo;C&rsquo; among alternates before this year.) Letang did not take the honor lightly.</p><p>&ldquo;We had other great veterans here, so it meant a lot to me,&rdquo; Letang said. &ldquo;My offensive numbers were down this season, but I&rsquo;m at the point in my career where I&rsquo;ll do whatever it takes to help the team win.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-01

Letang leads stingy Tigers to record

<div class="byline">BY DAVE SOTTILE</div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>ith 80 victories, John Paddock has the most playoff coaching wins in American League history. He has guided three different teams to Calder Cup titles, also a record.</p><p>Paddock and his Binghamton Senators made more playoff history in 2003-04, but they weren&rsquo;t too happy about it.</p><p>Visiting Norfolk completed a best-of-3 t East Division qualifying round sweep of &rsquo; the B-Sens with a 3-0 victory in Game 2 behind 18 saves by goalie <b>Michael Leighton</b>. Leighton also won Game 1 by a 3-0 margin, making the Sens the first team in AHL history not to score at least one goal in a playoff series.</p><p>Adding further insult to the B-Sens, Leighton also posted a 3-0 shutout in Binghamton April 9 during the final weekend of the regular season.</p><p>&ldquo;If somebody told me that we&rsquo;d play three games against them in a week and not score a goal, I wouldn&rsquo;t have believed it,&rdquo; said Paddock to the Binghamton <i>Press & Sun-Bulletin.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02635/7763396-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="272" height="271"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>AHL EAST NOTEBOOK</i></figcaption></div><p><b>SUDDEN IMPACT</b> Rookie Alexander Semin&rsquo;s fingerprints were all over Portland&rsquo;s first playoff series victory since 1998.</p><p>The 20-year-old left winger contributed four goals and seven points as the visiting Pirates swept Providence in a best-of-3 Atlantic Division qualifying round series. Semin&rsquo;s hat trick sparked a 6-2 romp in Game 2 after an equally lopsided 7-1 win in Game 1.</p><p>Semin had 10 goals and 22 points in 52 games with Washington before being assigned to the minors. He had four points in four regular season games with the Pirates.</p><p>Portland was the AHL&rsquo;s lowest-scoring team during the regular season, scoring 156 goals (1.95 per game).</p><p><b>A LITTLE EXTRA TIME</b> Wilkes-Barre is quite used to post-season overtime games. The first three games of their best-of-7 East Division semifinal series against &pound;. Bridgeport was decided in extra time.</p><p>During their run to the 2001 Calder Cup final, the Pens played seven OT games. Last spring, the Sound Tigers didn&rsquo;t play any before losing to Grand Rapids in the conference quarterfinal. Wilkes-Barre lost Games 1 and 2 to Bridgeport in overtime, but bounced back for a Game 3 victory, giving the franchise a 6-4 record in playoff overtime contests.</p><p><b>NOTEBOOK</b> With the circus occupying their home rink (Wachovia Spectrum), the Philadelphia Phantoms are playing their home games against the Norfolk Admirals across the parking lot in the parent Flyers&rsquo; home rink (Wachovia Center).</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03426/7763389-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="1070" height="1585"><figcaption class="caption-body"><i>The Norfolk Admirals need center Mikhail Yakubov to pick up the scoring pace in the playoffs. He had just nine goals in 51 games.</i></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0029-02

Baby Sens exit playoffs all shut out

<div class="byline">-PAVEL BARTA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-04299/7763427-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="487" height="200"></div><p><i>Future and former NHLers are performing in Europe this season. Here are four such players with NHL rights in parentheses:</i></p><p>&bull; <b>Loui Eriksson,</b> 18, LW (Dallas). Selected 33rd overall by the Stars in 2003, he recorded eight goals and 13 points in 46 games with Vastra Frolunda and was named the top rookie in the Swedish league.</p><p>&bull; <b>Joonas Vihko,</b> 23, C (Anaheim). Taken 103rd overall in 2003, Vihko is one of the top scorers with IFK Helsinki in the Finnish league playoffs. He had three goals and eight points in 13 games.</p><p>&bull; <b>Vitali Atyushov,</b> 24, D (Ottawa). The 276th overall pick in 2002 scored two goals and five points in 14 playoff games with Russian league finalist Metallurg Magnitogorsk.</p><p>&bull; <b>David Gosselin,</b> 26, RW (Dallas). He played 13 NHL games with Nashville. In his first year with Frankfurt, he scored seven goals and 15 points in 15 playoff games to lead the Lions to the German league title.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-04

EYE ON EUROPE

<div class="byline">-BRENDAN SAVAGE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-05249/7763458-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="212" height="121"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>R</span>ob Hisey will never forget his first two pro games, a pair of double-overtime thrillers that allowed the Port Huron Beacons to sweep a best-of-5 series with Flint. Hisey had a goal and assist in his first game before picking up another assist on the 6-5 winner. &ldquo;I was joking around with the guys on the bench,&rdquo; said Hisey to the Port Huron <i>Times-Herald. &ldquo;</i>I told them Tm 19 and I&rsquo;m going to have an ulcer.&rsquo; I had a blast.&rdquo; Hisey was the Ontario League&rsquo;s sixth-leading scorer with 96 points in 63 games for Erie this season before joining the Beacons for the United League playoffs.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-05

<div class="byline">-DAVID HENRY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-06202/7763489-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="214" height="124"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he Indianapolis Ice are on ice, at least for now. Ice owner Horn Chen sold the team&rsquo;s assets to land developer Paul Skjodt, including the team nickname and lease contract at the Pepsi Coliseum. The Ice may skate once more, but it won&rsquo;t be in the CHL. According to the Indianapolis <i>Star,</i> the CHL version of the Ice may be replaced with the Danville (III.) Wings of the United States League, a Jr. A loop. This marks the second time Chen has sold the Ice, which won the 1999-2000 championship in its first CHL season following the demise of the International League.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-06

<div class="byline">-SCOTT ANDERA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-08142/7763551-1-eng-US/f0029-082.jpg" title="f0029-08" width="168" height="128"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>t&rsquo;s the same old story: team wins close playoff games, team rallies in third period to win league title, team loses championship trophy. Well, at least for a few hours. While riding back from Macon, Ga., the morning after winning the WHA2 playoffs, the Jacksonville Barracudas realized they didn&rsquo;t have the trophy or minority owner Allan Schoenberg. Turns out both the Governor&rsquo;s Cup and Schoenberg were still in a Macon hotel room. After a few phone calls, both Schoenberg and the trophy returned to Jacksonville later that night on a Greyhound bus.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-08

<div class="byline">BY WILLY PALOV</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02725/7763589-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="284" height="304"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-011076/7763596-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="235" height="134"></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>wo teams got into the spring spirit by doing some major house cleaning. Lewiston let its coach and GM go and Acadie-Bathurst parted ways with its bench boss.</p><p>The Maineiacs opted not to renew the contracts of GM Norm <b>Gosselin</b> and coach <b>Mario Durocher.</b> Durocher&rsquo;s dismissal was a shock because he had been with the team for two years after being lured away from the Victoriaville Tigres. He was Canada&rsquo;s coach at the World Junior Championship in January.</p><p><b>Real Paiement</b> and the Titan agreed to go separate ways following three seasons together. Paiement&rsquo;s contract had a clause in it that allowed him to negotiate with other teams while he was still employed by the Titan.</p><p>&ldquo;My contract stipulated that after March 1 of my third year I was free to listen to offers from other teams or look around on my own,&rdquo; Paiement said. &ldquo;It was all within the terms of the deal.</p><p>Because there was still some time left in the season when March 1 came up, I asked that any offers be directed through some other contacts of mine so I could look at them when our season was done.</p><p>&ldquo;There are a lot of situations I&rsquo;m looking at and I&rsquo;m excited to take on a new challenge, but I&rsquo;m going to take some time to look them all over.&rdquo;</p><p>Both Acadie-Bathurst and Lewiston failed to make the playoffs.</p><p><b>NOTHING TO SEE HERE</b> Teams don&rsquo;t usually hold press conferences to announce that no one is being fired, but that&rsquo;s exactly what Cape Breton had to do following its embarrassing second round loss to Chicoutimi.</p><p>The Screaming Eagles will bring coach-GM <b>Pascal Vincent</b> back for one more year even though the team was eliminated in five games by a team that had 28 fewer points during the regular season.</p><p><b>FLEURY WELL-TRAVELED</b> Forgive <b>Marc-Andre Fleury</b> if he doesn&rsquo;t immediately recognize the current logo on his chest.</p><p>The 19-year-old goalie is suiting up for his fourth team this season after being re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American League.</p><p>Fleury started the season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was released to play for Canada at the world junior, went back to Pittsburgh for a brief stint and then was sent down to Cape Breton for a few months. He joined Wilkes-Barre after the Eagles were eliminated from the Quebec League playoffs.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03512/7763582-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="278" height="734"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0030-02

League also-rans make key changes

<div class="byline">BY JIM CRESSMAN</div><p>The only question mark heading into the Guelph Storm&rsquo;s season was goaltending.</p><p>How would <b>Adam Dennis</b> handle the responsibility of being the go-to guy after playing just 18 games his rookie year? That question was answered as his play has left opposing teams scratching their heads on how to solve the 19-year-old.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04354/7763634-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="309" height="244"></div><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s been unbelievable,&rdquo; said Storm defenseman <b>Kevin Klein</b> of Dennis as Guelph and the London Knights tangled in the Western Conference championship series.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s making the key stops. He&rsquo;s stepped it up in the playoffs. He&rsquo;s a franchise guy.&rdquo;</p><p>Dennis, the Storm&rsquo;s 273rd overall pick in 2001, was fourth in the Ontario League with a 2.50 goals-against average, but 17th with a .907 save percentage. He went 33-10-2.</p><p>He was pulled from one game in the seven-game quarterfinal with Owen Sound. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s my first playoff experience and I put too much pressure on myself,&rdquo; Dennis said.</p><p>&ldquo;After I sat, I came back and tried to be as relaxed as possible.&rdquo;</p><p><b>CUP BIDS IN</b> Barrie, Erie, Kitchener, London and Sarnia made their presentations to host the 2005 Memorial Cup. The winner will be announced in early May.</p><p>The site selection committee consists of <b>Paul Beeston,</b> a former Toronto Blue Jays and Major League Baseball vice-president, NHL central scouting director <b>Frank Bonello</b> and retired NHL vice-president <b>Brian O&rsquo;Neill.</b></p><p><b>TOP EXECUTIVE</b> London&rsquo;s success on and off the ice earned GM <b>Mark Hunter</b> executive of the year.</p><p>The Knights set a club attendance record of 284,439, averaging 8,366 a game.</p><p>&ldquo;The support the Knights have received cannot be overlooked as a very important part of that success,&rdquo; said commissioner <b>David Branch.</b></p><p>The Knights hosted the Canadian Hockey League&rsquo;s Canada-Russia Challenge and the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.</p><p><b>GOOD GUY</b> Erie defenseman <b>Chris Campoli</b> won the inaugural Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy as humanitarian of the year.</p><p>The 19-year-old defenseman from Mississauga was very active in the Erie, Pa., community, volunteering more than 230 hours.</p><p>He was involved with the Shriner&rsquo;s Hospital for Children out patient clinic and co-captained The Caring Team, a group that supports children grieving the death of a loved one.</p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-05262/7763627-1-eng-US/f0030-052.jpg" title="f0030-05" width="278" height="733"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0030-04

Storm goalie Dennis a pleasant surprise

<div class="byline">BY ROB VANSTONE</div><p>C<b>am Ward</b> boasted a perfect goals-against average during the Red Deer Rebels&rsquo; Memorial Cup championship season.</p><p>But he didn&rsquo;t get a ring.</p><p>During the 2000-01 Western League campaign, Ward registered a shutout in his first (and only) appearance. He did not become a regular with the Rebels until the following season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-06205/7763672-1-eng-US/f0030-062.jpg" title="f0030-06" width="305" height="294"></div><p>&ldquo;Coming into the next season and seeing the guys with the rings and what-not, it goes to show that that&rsquo;s what you want,&rdquo; said Ward, 20, who has helped Red Deer reach its fourth successive Eastern Conference final.</p><p>&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what you&rsquo;re playing for the championship. I think the city of Red Deer deserves another championship, too.&rdquo;</p><p>Entering the conference final against Medicine Hat, Ward had tended goal in a WHL-record 59 playoff games. Tigers alumnus <b>Mark Fitzpatrick</b> held the previous record of 56.</p><p>&ldquo;As a goalie, you thrive on the playoffs and that pressure,&rdquo; said Ward, drafted 25th overall by Carolina in 2002. &ldquo;You try to live up to it and be the best that you can.&rdquo;</p><p><b>BRICK WALL Michael Wall</b> lived up to his surname to help expansion Everett advance to the Western Conference final.</p><p>Wall made 35 saves in his first start of the playoffs to help the Silvertips to a 3-2 win over Vancouver. Everett won the best-of-7 series even though workhorse starter Jeff <b>Harvey</b> missed Game <b>6</b> due to illness.</p><p>&ldquo;It was pretty weird,&rdquo; said the 18-year-old of his first start. &ldquo;They told me when I got to the rink that Harv was sick and just to be mentally prepared in case I have to go in.</p><p>&ldquo;I was halfway dressed, with five or 10 minutes until warmup, when they told me.</p><p>It was a little nerve-wracking, but also exciting, too.&rdquo;</p><p>The excitement peaked when Everett won Game 6 to advance to the conference final against Kelowna. &ldquo;It is awesome,&rdquo; Wall said. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s fun for everyone right now, coming to the rink People didn&rsquo;t really expect us to get this far.&rdquo;</p><p><b>NEW DEAL</b> Kootenay coach <b>Cory Clouston</b> signed a one-year contract extension, with a team option for a second season. The Ice has a 68-55-13-8 record in two seasons under Clouston, who was an assistant for three years before being promoted&hellip;Regular season scoring leaders for the Spokane Chiefs in the &rsquo;Spotlight Team&rsquo; box in the April 20 issue should have read: <b>Brad Schell, Chad Klassen, Joff Kehler, Scott Lynch and Doug Auchenberg.</b></p><h2><b>SPOTLIGHT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-07173/7763665-1-eng-US/f0030-072.jpg" title="f0030-07" width="280" height="739"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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May 4, 2004

2004 NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS

Danton behind bars

NOTEBOOK

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT