Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
May 22, 2007
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.
Coyotes’ howling silenced by Wings
DEFINING MOMENT Two lopsided losses to Detroit, one in October and one in January, keyed the Coyotes’ worst season in Phoenix. The Red Wings embarrassed the Coyotes 9-2 at Joe Louis Arena in the fourth game of the season Oct. 11. It was the low point of Phoenix’s dismal 3-9-0 start. Then, on Jan. 11, the Wings clobbered Phoenix 5-1 in Arizona to end a seven-game winning streak that had brought the Coyotes back to the .500 level. The loss made it clear Phoenix still wasn’t capable of competing with the league’s elite. Phoenix won only 11 of the next 39 games to end the season. READY FOR ’07-08 Coach Wayne Gretzky likes the way rookie left winger Daniel Carcillo plays the game – with an edge. In addition to his…
Inexperienced Pens falter in playoff heat
DEFINING MOMENT Some might joke the turning point of the Penguins’ playoff loss to Ottawa was shortly after the opening faceoff of Game 1 – and they aren’t far off. Mike Comrie’s crushing hit on Pens center Evgeni Malkin less than a minute in to the game led to a goal and set the tone for a series in which the young Pens were introduced to playoff hockey. Except for brief intervals, Pittsburgh was never able to adjust to the higher post-season tempo. READY FOR ’07-08 Kris Letang has the skills to upgrade Pittsburgh’s defense. Letang is a fast, offense-minded player who will fit in nicely on the second power play unit and add a desperately needed right-handed shot. He didn’t look out of place in his brief NHL stint at…
Wild offense clicks; road follies finish
DEFINING MOMENT With the Wild in the midst of ruining their season during an 11-game road losing skid, Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik and Brian Rolston finally said, “Enough is enough,” prior to a game in Vancouver Jan. 11. “A guy like me, Gabby, Roli, we have to do it,” Demitra said. “We have to win a game for this team. That’s our job.” The three combined for seven points in a 5-2 victory over the Canucks to trigger a 15-4-2 road surge and playoff berth. READY FOR ’07-08 Young goalie Josh Harding proved he’s more than ready for backup duty. Recalled after Manny Fernandez sprained his knee in January, Harding went 3-2-1 with a 1.16 goals-against average and .960 save percentage. However, his status is unclear. The Wild want to re-sign…
Isles go for broke, emerge as buyers
DEFINING MOMENT The move ultimately didn’t have the desired effect because of other factors, but the deadline trade for left winger Ryan Smyth marked a refreshing go-for-it-now approach under owner Charles Wang and GM Garth Snow. With Rick DiPietro missing much of the final month due to a concussion, the Isles made the playoffs behind minor league goalie Wade Dubielewicz, while Smyth emerged as a “follow me” voice in the room. Despite a nagging knee injury, the pending unrestricted free agent was the Isles’ most effective two-way player in their first round loss to Buffalo. READY FOR ’07-08 The time has arrived, finally for the 29-year-old Dubielewicz. The longtime Bridgeport (AHL) goalie earned an NHL job, signing a one-way, one-year deal May 8. Mike Dunham, who had a 6.82 goals-against average…
Made possible with the support of
