NHL Round-up
By Zippy, Wonder Chimp
General NHL News
Hartford Tries to Save the Whale
Although the Whalers' exit from Connecticut after the season appears set, the city of Hartford offered a $20 million bond on Monday in hopes of keeping the NHL team.Mayor Mike Peters said the money would make up the losses Whalers owner Peter Karmanos claims he absorbs each year. The mayor estimated last week the team's departure would cost the city at least $20 million per year.
But the city's offer is less than half of what Karmanos says he needs -- $45 million. However, the main obstacle between the sides is a deal on a new arena. The team agreed to pay a $20.5 million penalty to leave at the end of the season, a year before its four-year commitment expires.
Howe's Wish Denied
Gordie Howe's comeback attempt has been put on the shelf. He had hoped to become the first professional hockey player to play in six consecutive decades, taking a turn on the ice for a minor league team one day after his 69th birthday.The Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, who had planned to use Howe in Tuesday's game, canceled his return on Thursday. The team said it could not afford to have him make an appearance because it is vying for a playoff spot. It is also likely that the Crunch finally realized how ridiculous the Howe comeback attempt was. It is just plain silly.
Despite the setback, Howe is still hopeful that he will have an opportunity to play at a later date.
Women's World Hockey Championship
The women's world hockey championship started on March 31. As usual, Canada and the United States are the clear cut favorites in the competition. The top five teams will qualify for the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.Results and Schedule
Pool A W L T Pts GF GA Canada 0 0 0 0 0 0 China 0 0 0 0 0 0 Russia 0 0 0 0 0 0 Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pool B W L T Pts GF GA United States 1 0 0 2 7 0 Finland 1 0 0 2 5 0 Norway 0 1 0 0 0 7 Sweden 0 1 0 0 0 5 Monday, March 31 United States 7, Norway 0 Finland 5, Sweden 0 China vs. Russia, 7 p.m. Canada vs. Switzerland, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 Sweden vs. Norway, 4 p.m. Finland vs. United States, 7 p.m. China vs. Switzerland, 7 p.m. Canada vs. Russia, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3 Norway vs. Finland, 4 p.m. United States vs. Sweden, 7 p.m. Switzerland vs. Russia, 7 p.m. Canada vs. China, 7:30 p.m. MEDAL ROUND Saturday, April 5 Pool A first vs. Pool B second, 1 p.m. Pool B first vs. Pool A second, 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Third place, 4 p.m. Championship, 8 p.m. QUALIFYING ROUND Friday, April 4 Pool B third vs. Pool A fourth, 4 p.m. Pool A third vs. Pool B fourth, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6 Fifth place, noon Seventh place, 2 p.m.Firings...Hirings...Signings...etc...
Coyotes Expand AHL Affiliation
The Phoenix Coyotes announced a three-year expanded affiliation with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, a deal that includes an extension option. The agreement covers the 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons and gives the Coyotes an option to lengthen the deal. Under the terms of the agreement, the Coyotes will provide the Falcons with coaches and 18 players.Police Blotter:
Nazarov Appeals Suspension
San Jose Sharks left wing Andrei Nazarov has appealed a 13-game suspension given as a result of an incident during a game with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Nazarov was slapped with the longest suspension in the NHL this season on Tuesday for pushing linesman Brad Lazarowich while trying to break away and resume a fight with the Oilers' Bryan Marchmant. Nazarov has filed his appeal via the NHL Players Association.1996-97 NHL Suspension
Date Player/Team/Length Opponent Reason Mar 25 Andrei Nazarov Edmonton Pushed linesman San Jose Brad Lazarowich 13 games Mar 7 Darren Langdon Los Angeles Initiated New York Rangers altercation with 2 games Matt Johnson Feb 28 Bernie Nicholls Florida Flagrant cross-check San Jose on Ed Jovanovski 2 games Feb 26 J.J. Daigneault Referee Struck Don Anaheim Koharski with his 10 games stick Feb 25 Michel Petit Florida Kneeing Philadelphia Johan Garpenlov 2 games Feb 25 Donald Brashear Los Angeles blind side punch Vancouver to Ian Laperriere 4 games Feb 18 Brent Severyn Phoenix Initiating Colorado altercation with 2 games Kris King Feb 5 Matt Johnson San Jose Flagrant elbow Los Angeles against Andrei 4 games Nazarov Feb 5 Rob Blake San Jose High-sticking Los Angeles incident against 4 games Shean Donovan Feb 5 Tony Granato Los Angeles Cross-checking San Jose Dmitri Khristich 4 games in back of head Feb 2 Peter Bondra Florida Kneeing incident Washington against Ray Sheppard At least 1 game pending hearing Feb 2 Todd Harvey Buffalo Flagrant elbow Dallas against Matthew At least 1 game Barnaby pending hearing Jan 30 Sean O'Donnell Colorado Involved in Los Angeles altercation on 1 game bench with Valeri Kamensky Jan 23 Jim Cummins Toronto Drawing third Chicago game misconduct 1 game of the season Jan 19 Craig Berube Ottawa Slashing Washington Dennis Vial 2 games Jan 11 Rich Pilon Pittsburgh Stick swinging NY Islanders Mario Lemieux 2 games Jan 7 Mike Craig Vancouver High-sticking Toronto Mike Sillinger 2 games Jan 7 Troy Mallette Dallas Flagrant elbow Boston Grant Marshall 2 games Jan 1 Keith Primeau Washington Slash Hartford Joe Juneau 2 games Dec 31 Greg Hawgood Edmonton Slash San Jose Boris Mironov 2 games Dec 6 Pavel Bure Buffalo Forearm blow Vancouver Garry Galley 1 game Nov 30 Guy Lapointe Edmonton Attacking a fan Calgary assistant coach 2 games Nov 30 Kevin Constantine Edmonton Attacking a fan Calgary assistant coach 1 game Nov 26 Grant Ledyard Florida Kneeing Dallas Rob Niedermayer 2 games Nov 26 Sasha Lakovic Edmonton Attacking a fan Calgary 2 games Nov 15 Mathieu Schneider Anaheim Flagrant elbow Toronto Paul Kariya 3 games Nov 1 Alexei Zhitnik Dallas High-sticking Buffalo Jamie Langenbrunner 2 games Oct 16 Daniel Lacroix Los Angeles Elbowing Philadelphia Kevin Stevens 2 games Oct 11 Brendan Shanahan Edmonton Cross-checking Detroit Greg de Vries 1 game Oct 8 Mark Messier Florida Checking from behind NY Rangers Mike Hough 2 games Oct 8 Louie DeBrusk Vancouver Slashing Edmonton Dana Murzyn 4 games Oct 7 Scott Stevens Detroit High-sticking New Jersey Igor Larionov 1 game
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