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September 21, 2004

September 21, 2004

The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.

DEPARTMENTS

NOTEBOOK

The Oklahoma City Blazers have changed their logo to reflect more of Oklahoma’s history, even if this piece of state history is only about two years old and not without controversy. For the first time since the rebirth of the team in 1992, the Blazers revamped their logo to feature the dome atop the state Capitol. The Capitol was originally designed in the early 1900s to include a dome, but according to legend, funds ran out. The Capitol remained without a dome until $21 million was raised for a dome project that was completed in 2002. The dome project had its detractors, who didn’t consider it worth the cost. The Blazers aren’t among the dome’s opposition, though, as the team will keep the logo through Oklahoma’s centennial in November, 2007.…

DEPARTMENTS

World Cud worth it

There is a lot to like about the 2004 World Cup of Hockey - and not just because it may be our only chance this year to see the world’s best players in action. If there’s one common element that ties together all high-end sporting events, it is the appetite for best-on-best competition. Until the World (nee Canada) Cup came along in 1976, there was no forum to bring together the world’s best hockey players in a head-to-head competition. The Canada Cup came along on the heels of the historic 1972 Summit Series between Canada and Russia. Apart from the desire to bolster NHL players’ pension funds, the tournament was designed to give the rest of the hockey-playing world a chance to get in on the fun. SOME OF HOCKEY’S FINEST MOMENTS Ever since…

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Cloutier opens door to lockout 4-on-4

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Dan Cloutier thinks he has found temporary employment in the event the NHL season doesn’t start on schedule. Cloutier has committed to the Original Stars League, a 4-on-4 circuit that plans to operate for as long as the NHL wrestles with the Players’ Association over a new collective bargaining agreement. “I was planning on heading to Europe, but I changed my mind,” explained Cloutier. “This league sounds like it will be fun.” Cloutier is anxious to remain active after his playoffs ended prematurely with torn ligaments in his right ankle. He was injured in the first period of Game 3 of the Canucks series with Calgary. The Canucks went on to win that game and take a 2-1 lead in the series, but eventually lost in seven to the Flames. In…

NHL TEAM REPORTS

Ovechkin delights in World Cup debut

The Russians have never been known for force-feeding youngsters onto their national teams so it was not unusual when Alexander Ovechkin, the ballyhooed left winger, sat out the first two games of the World Cup. But when the top overall pick in the June draft made his debut, a lot of eyes were opened. The 18-year-old Ovechkin scored one goal and nearly had another as Russia defeated Slovakia 5-2. Ovechkin’s goal was Team Russia’s final marker, but even before that he had captured the fans’ attention at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. “We’d all like to see more of Ovechkin,” wrote columnist Damien Cox in the Toronto Star, who said the teenager overcame early jitters by the third period and turned into “one of his team’s most dangerous-looking attackers.” “I played against the best in…