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December 5, 2006
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.
IT’S A WESTERN SHOWDOWN
They’re quiet, soft-spoken leaders; loyal, distinguished and cagey. They’re battle-worn soldiers in a game being transitioned to the next generation. Mike Modano and Joe Sakic sharpened their teeth at 16 and 17 on the Saskatchewan prairies. In the 20 years since, they’ve crossed sticks in the faceoff circle countless times, always with the same organization, the same resolve. Ever since ‘Burnaby Joe’ and ‘Michigan Mike’ played for Swift Current and Prince Albert in the WHL in 1986, they’ve witnessed the game evolve around their steady yet superstar careers. They tore up the major junior ranks together, were baptized into a freewheeling NHL as teenagers, moved south with their relocating franchises, butted heads in international play, lived through the dead-puck era and are enjoying open space again in the new NHL. Sakic almost left the…
Storm gathers force with Fletcher in fold
Where’s the beef? Apparently, it’s in Kearney, Neb., with the Tri City Storm. Scott Fletcher, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman spent most of the past two seasons with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. But after seeing limited playing time there to start the year, he moved to Tri City, where coach Bliss Littler hopes Fletcher’s take-no-prisoners brand of play is contagious. “He brings toughness, experience and the ability to quickly get the puck out of our zone,” Littler said. Raised in Haslett, Mich., Fletcher, 19, recorded just two points but a whopping 215 penalty minutes in Saginaw last year. These may be free-flowing days in the NHL, but International Scouting Services still lists the bruising Fletcher as a ‘player to watch’ in the 2007 draft.…
Flames doused early, though Iginla on fire
QUARTER REPORT A very poor start followed by a winning streak – the same movie as last year. At the quarter-pole, the Flames are shy of expectations thanks to a three-win October caused by shoddy defensive play, average goaltending and bad starts. But Calgary turned it around in November, led by Jarome Iginla having one of the best starts of his career and Miikka Kiprusoff’s improved netminding. The Flames found their form on special teams, especially on the penalty kill, and crawled out of the Northwest Divison basement with superb 5-on-5 play. Alex Tanguay rebounded after a disappointing start by using his playmaking skills, while Chuck Kobasew and Matthew Lombardi have been solid on the second line. Lost in the shuffle has been defenseman Roman Hamrlik, who has been a stalwart since being reunited on…
Panthers’ promise quickly fading
QUARTER REPORT Florida’s first 20 games have made the team’s preseason optimism a distant memory. The dream flourished in the first game, an 8-3 thumping of Boston, but power forward Todd Bertuzzi’s back problems began the next morning. Bertuzzi would play only seven games before undergoing surgery Nov. 2; he’s out until at least January. A power play unit that has ranked at or near the top of the league kept Florida above water early on, but those numbers dropped, along with the Panthers’ record, as the team fell to 14th in the East. Alex Auld and Bryan Allen, the two players who came with Bertuzzi in the Roberto Luongo trade, have both disappointed. Auld was 0-6-1 after Oct. 13 and Allen fell to the third defensive pairing. Florida was much better at…
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