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Home , Bob Berry (ice hockey), Bob Gainey, Brian Engblom, Dan Daoust, Dino Ciccarelli, Guy Lafleur

s p o r t s Ron A llerton, sports editor. 562-2^111 T , , r W ednesday, F e b ru a ry 9, 1983 — 13

'NOTHING IN HALIFAX' paints bleak picture for Habs

MONTREAL (CP) — Every year, in January, the and nothing at Halifax, either. I’ve been saying that for first 54 games last season, they have allowed 198 during president of the United States delivers a state-of-the- three years. Management made me keep my mouth the same period this year. union address, reflecting on developments of the past shut and nobody believed me at the time, but today ev­ When they dealt defencemen and Rod year, «vith a peek into the future. erybody can see I was right. Langway to the before the start of Guy Lafleur, the Canadiens’ right winger, “We’re better off not thinking about a in the season, the Canadiens expected to decline some­ seems to have borrowed a piece of American tradition. Montreal for quite a few years to come.” what defensively. They expected an improved offence At least once a year, he speaks his mind on the current Lafleur absolved coach of blame for the with the acquisition of in the deal, but they have scored seven fewer goals — 249 compared situation of the team that em­ Canadiens’ problems. with 256. ploys him. “What do you want Bob to do under the circum­ His latest message came during the weekend in an in­ stances? He’s doing the best he can with the horses at And what of the future, which, if Lafleur is to be be­ terview with La Presse. his disposal and he doesn’t have that much.” lieved, looks bleak? In the past the Canadiens well- stocked farm system enabled veterans to hand the "I want to give the team leadership, but the whole Lafleur has been praised by some and criticized by torch to youngsters without missing a step. Lafleur team is having its problems right now,” Lafleur said. others for his comments. His detractors say he is rightly points out there is little at the team's AHL affil­ ‘‘It’s a tough period we’re going through, especially for speaking to divert attention from his own diminishing iate in Nova Scotia. veterans such as myself who are used to winning skills. There might be some truth to that, but there is The future seems to be at various U.S. high schools throughout their career and, suddenly, are suffering de­ far more truth in what Lafleur has to say. and colleges, in Sweden, where Jan Ingman and Lars feat after defeat. It is worthwhile, then, to examine Lafleur’s com­ Eriksson, draft picks from 1981, bide their time until “But it seems to me this team can no longer count ments in greater depth. they play for their country in the 1984 Olympics, and solely on us, on the older guys like Larry (Robinson) Statistics, cold and hard as they are, indicate the Ca­ perhaps in high draft selections coming to the Cana­ and myself and Bob Gainey. We won’t be here for that nadiens have regressed in their rebuilding job. One diens in the next two years. Before they can be formed many more years and what’s going to happen when we year ago, at the all-star break, the Canadiens had 74 into a Stanley Cup winner, the years of which Lafleur won’t be there any more?” points after 54 games. In 1983, after 54 games they had speaks will probably have passed. Lafleur continued: ‘i ’m concerned for the future of 66, somewhat disturbing, but not nearly as alarming as For now they are only shadows on a distant horizon Guy Lafleur’s comments are sure to arouse con the team. Right now, we can see there are no reserves their defensive slide. After allowing 158 goals in their and there are failing hands ready to throw the torch. troversy in hockey-mad Montreal.

IN SPITE OF ABSENCE

Brodeur feels honored

VANCOUVER (CP) — Richard Brodeur watch­ 54 games this season, will miss at least the final ed the annual National Hockey League all-star four games of the Canucks’ six-game road trip game Tuesday from the comfort of his living which continue* tonight against the Pittsburgh room rather than at ice level in Uniondale, N Y. Penguins. The for the was He said the 45-foot by Daoust late in the pleased, however, he had been selected for the game struck him when he turned his hel- all-star game for the first time in his 11-year pro­ meted head. fessional career. “ I saw it coming — right between my eyes,” “Sure, it’s disappointing,” Brodeur said. “ It’s Brodeur said. “ I tried turning my head always a to look forward to. “ I thought I was going to get it in the chest, but “The main thing was, I was chosen to play.” it was a riser.” Brodeur was injured Saturday in Toronto when Brodeur dismissed the ever-present injury fac­ struck in the head by a shot fired by Dan Daoust tor in hockey by saying the “ action now is quick­ of the Maple Leafs. He suffered a lacerated right er than it was a few years ago. ear and perforated ear drum. “They circle and shoot more and then there’s Murray Bannerman of the Chicago Black the counter plays,” he added. “But. we get paid Hawks led the voting at the goaltender position very well for what we do and it’s just one of the for the Clarence Campbell Conference team, fol­ risks we take.” lowed by Brodeur. His place was taken by Van­ couver backup John Garrett, acquired last Friday The Vancouver Canucks visit the Pittsburgh I'en- from the Nordiques. (fuins today at 4:30 p.m. on BCTV (channel 12, cable Brodeur, who has played in 46 of Vancouver’s ID.

NHL W AITING FOR BLUES Saskatoon bid not priority

UNIONDALE, N Y. (CP) — John Ziegler, presi­ son attendance is up about three per cent to the dent of the National Hockey League, has placed end of January. Saskatoon’s dream of a franchise on the back “ If that continues, right through the total oper­ burner, waiting for St. Louis to light the fire. ation, we might be somewhere between $10 mil­ The reluctance of the St. Louis Blues to present lion and $15 million in the red,” Ziegler said, ‘i f the NHL’s board of governors with a plan for sale it’s near $10 million, to cut our losses by 50 per of the franchise to a group headed by Bill Hunter cent in one year, with the economy with the way Gretzky slams his fourth goal past Wales Conference goalie Pelle Lindbergh, completing a 9-3 rout. of Saskatoon has left the deal hanging. we’ve had in North America. I would be pleased Recently, the Ralston Purina Co. said it wanted but not satisfied." to sell the Blues and was negotiating with Hunter Seven clubs made money, seven broke even or THREE RECORDS BROKEN and his partner, Peter Batoni. Ralston Purina lost a little and seven had substantial losses last asked that its request to sell and transfer be ta­ season, he said. ken off the agenda since a deal had not been com­ The site of the all-star game next year remains pleted. up in the air. although there are two or three cit­ Gretzky great against other stars Ziegler said at a news conference Tuesday he is ies being mentioned. The have unwilling to call a special meeting of the gover­ withdrawn their offer to serve as host. The Calga­ UNIONDALE, N Y. rett, named to the The lone reply from nors to deal with the issue until he has something ry Flames appeared to have gained acceptance (CP) — When Wayne Campbell team after the Wales in the third concrete to deal with. for their bid to hold the 1985 game. Gretzky decides to Vancouver’s Richard period came from the The governors’ next regular meeting is March 28 in Chicago. The governors met with the players’ association start contributing it Brodeur was injured, ’ but Ziegler said because of lack of time “we can wear out the nearly unbeatable. Don Maloney. Ziegler termed reports from Saskatoon sources that a special meeting might be held within two couldn’t really negotiate” on several unresolved opposition goal light Vancouver’s new goa­ Defenceman Rod issues in the new collective agreement Another Langw ay of the weeks "pure speculation.” — even against a lie, who less than a meeting is set for late May. team of hockey stars. week ago was with Washington Capitals He had little hard news about the meetings, Gretzky’s four the Quebec Nordi­ blamed a third period except to say the NHL is losing less money than There was no discussion of Philadelphia owner third-period goals set ques, allowed only breakdown in back- last year. Ed Snider’s suggestion the 80-game schedule be three records, won one goal in his 30- checking by the Wa­ The NHL lost more than $20 million last year, cut to allow post-season play between the Stanley him an automobile as minute shift in net. les for the loss. with only seven of 21 clubs in the black. This sea- Cup champion and the Soviets. the most valuable The performance For the first two player and turned a by Oiler periods the game was GROUP MUST PAY BILLS close contest into a 9- centre Gretzky pro­ close, if typical of an EXPERIENCED 3 Campbell Confer­ duced dismay among all-star contest, with COACH ence rout over the little hitting, lots of Required (or Mena the Wales. Fastball Team Wales Conference in fancy footwork and Canucks' owner cautious “ I couldn’t stop a Interested Persons Please the 35th National pretty passing plays. beach b a ll," said paying my own bills,” Call Henry Jensen 563- Hockey League all- VANCOUVER (CP) - not satisfied with the 8111, 964-7514 star game Tuesday Philadelphia goal­ At the midway Vancouver will oppose a people bidding to take added Griffiths. "I won’t night. tender Pelle Lind­ point both teams transfer of the St. Louis over, I will make sure take the risk having to “ I decided after the bergh, victimized by changed . Blues to any city that Vancouver votes no in end up paying the bills second period to get the Campbell Confer­ Garrett replaced Chi­ isn’t perfectly solvent to the matter.” for someone else be­ ence for seven goals cago’s Murray Ban­ cause I feel sad for cracking and contrib­ A fam iliar sight Tuesday... operate a viable Nation­ Griffiths’ comments in the second half of nerman for the al Hockey League fran­ came over the question them. uting like the rest of celebrating after scoring a goal. the te a m ,” said the gam e. “ He Campbell Conference chise, says Canucks’ of the pending sale of “ The owners don’t Gretzky. (Gretzky) should and Lindbergh took owner Frank Griffiths. the Blues to a Saskatoon want a repeat of the His outburst set re­ share the car with over Boston's Pete knocked into his own In the second peri­ Griffiths, the team’s group headed by Bill Oakland situation. The cords for the most me.” Peeters’s duties in net by Peeters follow­ od, Minnesota’s Dino majority shareholder, Hunter of Edmonton, a league had to bury its goals in an all-star Gretzky’s four goals the Wales net. ing a high shot off the Ciccarelli pulled the said Monday from former owner in the head in the sand with game, most goals in a came at 6:20, 10:31, Campbells’ goal­ back boards by Win­ Campbells even be­ Uniondale, N.Y., he World Hockey Associa­ Oakland." single period of an 15:32 and 19:18 of the tenders faced 34 nipeg’s Dave Babych. fore another North must be convinced any tion. The NHL financed the 2 P.M. all-star game and third period. shots, while 32 were evened the score. Star, Tom McCarthy, new NHL owners "can The possibility of a troubled Oakland Seals most points in a sin­ Lanny McDonald of directed at the Wales The Wales regained put them ahead 3-2. pay the bills." sale and transfer to the franchise for several gle period of an a’.l- the net. the lead with a solo Of the eight meet­ “ My vote will be in­ faltering St. Louis fran­ years before it was star game. Gretzky and Rick Vaive of the The Wales opened effort by Ray Bour­ ings between the two fluenced by the owner­ chise was taken off the transfered to Cleveland Big City now has 31 NHL scor­ the scoring at 3:41 on que of the Boston conferences, the Wa­ ship, its financial pres­ agenda of the N H L’s as the Barons and later ing marks. also managed third- a goal by Quebec's Bruins in the last les have won six. The entation,” Griffiths said board of governors at merged with the Minne­ Auction The Whales found period goals for the Michel Goulet. minute of the first pe­ Campbells have won before the NHL’s annual Uniondale. sota North Stars. , goaltender John Gar­ Campbells. A fluke rebound. riod. two of the past three. all-star game. “ If I’m “ I’ve been used to Griffiths also said he would welcome another 1153-5th Ave. reasonably close Cana­ Tonight important dian team in the Sniythe 563-5703 Defence, Gretzky led Campbells to win Division.

UNIONDALE, N Y. (AP) - Amid a was a little shocking for a lot of our guys the office for the Edmonton centre, if to PCJHL standings you listen to members of the Wales Con­ shower of Wayne Gretzky goals Tuesday at first. The Fort St. John Hus­ “ It’s such an event to be on the ice ference. Two teams fighting for night, Tom McCarthy said it was defence first in the Peace Cari­ kies, 12-25 and out of the LIBRA AUTO with such incredible talent," he added. "The puck might be going one way, as much as anything that won the Na­ playoffs, visit Dawson “Our guys were really tight. It took then you make a bad play and there he boo Junior Hockey FULL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS tional Hockey League all star game for League meet tonight in Creek Thursday. All cars and light trucks the maligned Campbell Conference. almost a half-period to get our con­ is — he’s gone, and the puck is in the fidence. Lanny and John are such great net,” said Washington defenceman Rod Williams Lake. The Millionaires visit “We were very effective defensively," The host Mustangs team leaders. Langway. “It’s anticipation. the Prince George Coli­ said McCarthy, a left winger with the (22-12) lead the visiting Only $25 per hour “ They’ve been around eight or 10 “ It’s acceleration — it’s Gretzky." seum Friday at 9 p.m. in , after the Camp­ Quesnel Millionaires (20- years and know what it takes to play this Gretzky’s one-man show at the end the fourth place Spruce TUNE UPS 4 CYL $20 bell Conference buried the Wales 9-3 at 15) by four points. The the Nassau Coliseum. “ We got back game. They kept us loose and made knocked some other players out of con­ Kings’ final regular sea­ 6 CYL $25 jokes before the game. Lanny and John­ sideration for the most valuable player second place Dawson son home game. The quickly and covered the slot well. Creek Kodiaks (21-16» 8 CYL $30 PLUS PARTS ny really made things a lot easier for award, including Dino Ciccarelli of the Kings (15-22) travel to "To me defence was a crucial part of are two points behind of us.” North Stars, who had one goal and one Williams Lake for this game.” Williams Lake and two By his own admission Gretzky was assist on his 23rd birthday. games Saturday and 1 0 ° / co discount on all parts Of course McCarthy — and everyone ahead of Quesnel, but asleep the first two periods. "I felt I had a strong game and was Sunday to conclude else — couldn’t help talking about Gretz­ have played three Open Mon to Sat 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ky’s four-goal performance. “ I didn’t play well," Gretzky said probably in consideration for the car Prince George’s regular Open Sun & Evenings by Appointment “Then I got some lucky bounces in the (awarded to the MVP)," Ciccarelli said. games more than the season one week before "He showed what kind of an entertain­ Mustangs and two more 5 — 1965 — 1st Avenue third period and got things going for us." "But Wayne sure deserves the award. the other four teams. er he was,” said McCarthy, who also than the Millionaires. ALSO SPECIALIZING IN pointed to the leadership of veterans GretzkyVexplosive four-goal burst in “ Four goals in a game is amazing — ALL R.V. REPAIRS & SERVICE the third period was just another night at let alone four in one period." All three teams can The PCJHL s final re­ Lanny McDonald and John Garrett. “It finish as high as first or gular season game is 562-7366 as low as third. Feb. 20.