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March 13, 1998
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.
Flint coaches hit with suspensions
United League commissioner Richard Brosal suspended Flint Generals’ coaches Robbie Nichols and Kevin Kerr a combined 11 games for their actions in back-to-back games Feb. 15 and 20. Nichols received five games after a tirade that was triggered when Justin Morrison of the Muskegon Fury broke the jaw of Flint’s Ross Wilson with an accidental high stick Feb. 15. When Morrison received a double minor from referee John Searle, Nichols lost control and was ejected before confronting off-ice officials Matt Pavelich and Russ Johnson in the press box. He then tried to get at Searle in the officials’ dressing room. Playing assistant coach Kerr, who said emotions were still running high from the Wilson incident five nights later, made obscene gestures and shouted obscenities at Pavelich from the ice when referee Todd Anderson…
New problems down stretch
The Olympic break may have heloed center Bobby Carpenter and defenseman Ken Dan-eyko work their way back into the lineup, but with the resumption of the regular season came a number of potential problems for the New Jersey Devils. Captain Scott Stevens suffered a hip pointer during a Feb. 26 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although the injury did not appear serious, Stevens was hopeful it would not pose long-term problems. “I tried to go with it a while, but I decided to get out of there,” said Stevens, who left in mid-game. Finding someone to take Stevens’ roster spot wasn’t a problem. In fact, the Devils’ overall depth could create some minor headaches. Daneyko’s return from alcohol rehab left the team with too many defensemen. Injuries to Stevens and Doug…
RiverKings bring up rear
Memphis RiverKings’ assistant GM Keith Burdette let his imagination go wild and came up with a pretty decent plan. “Elvis (Presley) is the King, Memphis is the home of Elvis, we’re the RiverKings, how about a logo of Elvis’ face? Imagine that,” Burdette said. “Problem is, we would collect our two per cent from merchandise sales and have to give the other 98 per cent to Lisa-Marie.” Problems, problems. Give Burdette high marks for originality, anyway. That’s more than the forefathers of the Central League team deserve for creating the worst logo in our secondary minor pro logo ranking. The RiverKings were formed in 1992 and the best designers could come up with was to use a royalty theme. Put a crown here, a diamond there, a banner at the bottom, an imperial…
Great goalies among five-year wonders
Seven goalies in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) have posted five-year stretches of excellence, combined regular and playoff performance, that deserve special recognition. Not included are a pair of goalies, Grant Fuhr of the Edmonton Oilers and Billy Smith of the New York Islanders, both of whom won four Stanley Cups, because their regular season performance didn’t measure up to their superior play during the playoffs. 1943-44 through 1947-48 Bill Duman’s unique style (he used a catching/blocker glove on both hands) helped propel the Canadiens to two Stanley Cups and earned him four straight first team all-star berths. The Habs lost only five of 50 regular season games in 1943-44. 1950-51 through 1954-55 Arguably the best goalie of all-time, Terry Sawchuk posted a sub-2.00 GAA five straight seasons, backstopped a Red Wings’ powerhouse…