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December 14, 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.
KNIGHT FEVER
Moments after Game 26 was in the record books for the London Knights, Gerald Coleman put it in perspective. “Sometimes, people don’t think we have the motivation because we’re already in the Memorial Cup, but every day we come to the rink we work hard,” said the goalie, who, growing up on the streets of suburban Chicago, would have been as comfortable shooting hoops as he is stopping pucks. “The coaches won’t let us slack off. If we do, they’re all over us. They want us to be perfect, because when it comes to the Memorial Cup, there’s no second chance.” That can’t be good news for opponents, as the Knights rewrite the Ontario League record book. Their streak of 26 undefeated games (25-0-1) eclipsed that of the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers. The…
Niittymaki ready to join Finnish flood
Judging by his stellar play with the Philadelphia Phantoms, goalie Antero Niittymaki will someday soon join the influx of top Finnish goalies in the NHL. Niittymaki, who hails from Turku, which also produced Calgary netminder Miikka Kiprusoff, was a key reason the Phantoms set an American League record with a 17-game win streak after Philadelphia dropped its first two games of the year. Aside from Kiprusoff, Finland has given the NHL Atlanta prospect Kari Lehtonen, Thrashers starter Pasi Nurminen and San Jose backup Vesa Toskala, among others. “I don’t really know what’s going on,” said Niittymaki when asked about Finland’s stature as a goaltending hotbed. “I think there are a lot of young kids back there who want to be a goalie right now, probably because there are a couple of guys who…
Grand homecoming
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA Like so many of the NHL’s locked-out players, Scott Gomez made the phone calls and used contacts to secure a job overseas. So there he was on a plane in mid-October, headed to Russia for a six-figure salary. But his heart hit some turbulence before he could land. “I was thinking, ‘What am I doing?’” Gomez said. One week later, Gomez was back in Anchorage, the hometown he adores. The love affair between the city and the player has flourished ever since. $500 A WEEK Gomez, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils and the 1999-2000 rookie of the year, signed with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces Oct 25. He was due to make $2.9 million with the Devils this season. Instead, Gomez is pulling down $500 a week from the Aces, a…
Recchi to keep skating with the boss as long as Mario stays on the ice
Mark Recchi is enjoying his return to Pittsburgh-his wife’s hometown-even though he doesn’t have a job. “I love it,” said Recchi, who began his career with the Penguins and returned as a free agent last summer. “It’s been great. The kids are settling in. We moved (into a remodeled home) about month ago. It’s kind of depressing without playing, though.” Recchi stays in shape by skating with Mario Lemieux and another ex-teammate, Pens radio analyst Bob Errey. Another ex-teammate, Jay Caufield, trains Recchi and Lemieux. “As long as (Mario) wants to keep skating, I’ll skate,” Recchi said, laughing. “The day he stops, I’U stop.” Recchi, 36, has a conditional deal to play with TPS Turku of the Finnish Elite League if the NHL season is canceled. He believes the Penguins…
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