_ _ _ _ | | ____ ___ | | ____ ___ | | ____ ___ | | ____ ___ | |/ _ / __| | |/ _ / __| | |/ _ / __| | |/ _ / __| | | (_ \__ \ | | (_ \__ \ | | (_ \__ \ | | (_ \__ \ |_|\____\___/ |_|\____\___/ |_|\____\___/ |_|\____\___/ GUIDE TO HOCKEY GUIDE TO HOCKEY GUIDE TO HOCKEY GUIDE TO HOCKEY ================================================================ Five Star - ELECTRONIC EDITION - * * * * * ================================================================ Issue 49A June 11, 1996 It's like free, man ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- AVALANCHE! ---------------------------------------------------------------- by Michael Dell Game Four of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals witnessed the greatest goaltending duel of all-time between Colorado's Patrick Roy and Florida's John Vanbiesbrouck. It took a total of 119 shots and 104 minutes of hockey before one of the two men finally blinked. In the end it was Roy who once again reigned supreme, stopping 63 shots in the Avalanche's amazing 1-0 triple-overtime victory and clinching Colorado's first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Patrick Roy has been called the greatest playoff goaltender of all-time. During his now legendary career with the Montreal Canadiens, Roy led his club to two Stanley Cup championships and claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy on both occasions. Now a member of the Colorado Avalanche, Roy has once again added to his mythical status with yet another Stanley Cup championship. When Roy was brought in by the Avalanche in the early-season blockbuster deal that shook the very foundation of the Montreal franchise, he was acquired with the sole intention of someday winning the Stanley Cup. In only his first season in Denver he has already accomplished that mission. Roy started off slowly in this year's playoffs but continued to play stronger the further the Avalanche advanced. By the time the Finals rolled around Roy was on the top of his game. He capped off a remarkable Finals performance, which saw him allow only four goals in the four games, with his best showing of the postseason in Colorado's 1-0 Game Four triumph. The Game Four performance was classic Roy. Every save was technically brilliant and not even the slightest movement was wasted. He made the most difficult of saves look routine as he stopped flurry after flurry of Florida scoring chances. Roy was in total control from the opening faceoff and never relented for a second. With this performance Roy has once again cemented himself as the NHL's premier goaltender. While Roy was his usual dominant self in victory, John Vanbiesbrouck was just as impressive in defeat. The Panthers appeared ready to fold in Game Four after the Avalanche took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Not many were giving Florida a chance to extend the series to a fifth game. That's where Vanbiesbrouck came in. The Panther netminder was absolutely spectacular in doing his best to keep the Avalanche off the scoreboard. The battle waged between Vanbiesbrouck and Roy would be one for the ages. The tone was set early on in the game when Vanbiesbrouck turned aside a drive from Scott Young who was left all alone in the Florida slot. From that point on both goaltenders began to put on a clinic on how to stop shots. For every picture-perfect butterfly-style save Roy made, Vanbiesbrouck answered with a classic save of his own. The first three periods seemed to fly by in a blur of goaltending excellence. Each murmur of a scoring chance was silenced by a swing of a blocker or the kick of a pad. Neither man would give through sixty minutes of hockey and the two teams would enter overtime in a scoreless tie. As the extra session got underway, Vanbiesbrouck played with the desperate realization that the next goal he allowed would mean the Panthers' season. At the other end of the ice, Roy played with the cool confidence of a two-time Cup champion and the veteran of 35 overtime playoff games. Despite the pressure, both were up to the challenge. Colorado's roving defenseman extraordinaire, Sandis Ozolinsh, was the main focus of Vanbiesbrouck's goaltending brilliance. The Latvian blueliner pounced on a loose puck in the Florida slot and walked in one-on-one against the Beezer only to have his chance at claiming the Cup thwarted by a sparkling glove save. Moments later Ozolinsh was at it again pinching in from the point and executing a remarkable give-and-go play in tight around the Florida net that was swallowed up by Vanbiesbrouck. Meanwhile, Roy held up his end of the bargain by stopping a number of mad scrambles in front of the Colorado net. Florida's best chance came when Rob Niedermayer squeezed past Sylvain Lefebvre along the right wing boards in the Avalanche zone and cut towards the net along the goal line in an attempt to stuff the puck home. Roy simply went down in his butterfly position and took away the bottom of the net, suffocating any chance for the game-winner. Eighty minutes of hockey and still nothing was decided. The second overtime was more of the same. Once again Ozolinsh was ready to test Vanbiesbrouck. As Peter Forsberg carried the puck into the Florida zone and cut along the blue line, Ozolinsh charged wide down the right wing. Forsberg laid a perfect pass through to Ozolinsh who redirected the puck towards the goal. Vanbiesbrouck read the play as it developed and sprawled to his left while picking the shot out of the air with his catching glove. Ozolinsh could only shake his head. While Colorado's young offensive-minded defenseman was proving to be quite the pest, Vanbiesbrouck saved his best saves of the night for Adam Deadmarsh and Scott Young. Deadmarsh appeared to have the game-winner when he streaked in on the right wing and one-timed a pass into an apparent open net. Somehow Vanbiesbrouck managed to slide across the crease and stack his pads in order to just get enough of the shot to deflect it off the crossbar. The puck then came down in the slot right onto the blade of Young. With defenseman Paul Laus sliding in on his knees to help his netminder, the Beezer was able to scramble back into position enough to get a piece of Young's rebound chance. The puck then bounced around a little before finally settling between Vanbiesbrouck's pads. Yet another glorious Colorado scoring chance put to rest by Vanbiesbrouck. The Beezer enjoyed his share of luck as well. It was also during this second extra session that Valeri Kamensky made his most dynamic play of the series. The living, breathing embodiment of skill that is the 30-year-old Avalanche winger nearly ended the game in style. Kamensky screamed down the right wing one-on-one with Florida's Robert Svehla. As he approached the hash marks, Kamensky gave Svehla the impression that he was going to drive wide before dragging the puck back to the inside and hopping around the bewildered Florida defender. Kamensky then fired a quick snap shot that slipped over the glove of a surprised Vanbiesbrouck only to clang off the goal post. Roy had a few anxious moments of his own in the second overtime. After making numerous saves with his usual ease, Roy actually let a rebound get away from him and it came to rest all alone in front of the Avalanche net. In an attempt to sweep it free from danger, Roy dove forward on his stomach and poked the puck out of the reach of the oncoming Florida attackers. Unfortunately for Roy, the puck ended up further out in the slot but still in quite the precarious position. Joe Sakic was able to bring calm to the situation when he beat everyone in the mad dash to the puck, but it wasn't until the Panthers accidentally knocked the net off the moorings that the Avalanche gained a much-needed whistle. One-hundred minutes of hockey and the game was still scoreless. The contest was quietly approaching the longest Stanley Cup Final game ever played when it finally happened... after five full periods of hockey and myriad dazzling saves, the scoreless tie was broken. The play started out innocently enough with a faceoff to the left of Vanbiesbrouck in the Florida zone. Sakic won the draw for Colorado and the Avalanche began to pressure the Panthers down low. Florida had a chance to clear, but Uwe Krupp held the puck in at the right point. The gigantic German defender then rifled a slap shot, Colorado's 56th shot of the game, that found its way through a maze of players and into the net behind Vanbiesbrouck. At 4:31 of the third overtime the Stanley Cup was finally claimed by Colorado. Joe Sakic, who suffered through the most time as a member of the lowly Quebec Nordique teams that eventually paved the way with high draft picks for this Avalanche club, was fittingly named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs. Roy may have owned the Finals, but Sakic carried the Avalanche through the first three rounds. He finished as the playoffs leading scorer with a remarkable 18 goals and 34 points, falling just one goal shy of tieing the all-time playoff record. Sakic did set a new playoff mark for most game-winning goals with six. As captain, Sakic was also the first man to receive the Cup from commissioner Gary Bettman. Hoisting the Cup high above his head, the frustration that was stored up during his seven years in Quebec seemed to be washed away in one shining moment. After taking his much-deserved skate with the Cup, Sakic then turned it over to Curtis Leschyshyn, the man who spent the next longest time as a member of the long-suffering franchise. Even in the jubilant Cup celebration, the leadership of Roy and Claude Lemieux could be easily seen. The two veterans of such moments merely stood quietly by and allowed their less- experienced teammates to revel in the presence of hockey's Holy Grail before they took their rightful turn. John Vanbiesbrouck and the Florida Panthers put up a valiant fight, but in the end the better team prevailed. The Colorado Avalanche are Stanley Cup Champions! _____________________________________________________ CREDITS Michael Dell........................Editor-in-Chief Zippy the Wonder Chimp.................Computer Boy Jim Iovino.............................Ace Reporter Matthew Secosky............................Whatever Dan Hurwitz.............Force for Cultural Hegemony John Kreiser.....................Featured Columnist David A. Feete......................Featured Writer Burns and Hensley...............Featured Columnists JJ Silverstein.................Hockey Pool Help Guy Sandi Trudo...................Anaheim Correspondent Matt Brown.....................Boston Correspondent Valerie Hammerl...............Buffalo Correspondent Ryan Ferris...................Calgary Correspondent Dan Glovier...................Chicago Correspondent Matt Gitchell................Colorado Correspondent Jim Panenka....................Dallas Correspondent Brian Wishnow.................Detroit Correspondent Simon D. Lewis...............Edmonton Correspondent Eric A. Seiden................Florida Correspondent Steve Gallichio..............Hartford Correspondent Matt Moore................Los Angeles Correspondent Dan Piedra...................Montreal Correspondent David Strauss...............Islanders Correspondent Alex Frias....................Rangers Correspondent The Nosebleeders..............Ottawa Correspondents Andrew Monfried..........Philadelphia Correspondent Joe Ashkar..................St. Louis Correspondent Mark Spiegel.................San Jose Correspondent Troy Ely....................Tampa Bay Correspondent Brad Ross.....................Toronto Correspondent Carol Schram................Vancouver Correspondent Jason Sheehan..............Washington Correspondent Eric Legault.................Winnipeg Correspondent ---------------------------------------------------- LCS guide to hockey issue 49A June 1996. Email address: sportif@oak.westol.com Good ol' postal address: 632 Hempfield Street, Greensburg, PA 15601. Web Site: http://www.canadas.net/sports/sportif ------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------- LCS Playoff Review Issue -------------------------------------------------------------- You may have noticed that this issue is numbered 49A, and not 50. That's because this really isn't a real issue. This whole four-game sweep thing sort of screwed up our playoff schedule. We were planning our big Playoff Review extravaganza for next Tuesday, June 18. This had been planned for several weeks now. The only way things would get screwed up would be if there was a sweep in the Finals. What are the odds of that? Anyway, the point is that this here issue-type deal is just to say that Colorado won the Cup. YEEHAW! Be back here next week for the big-time final playoff coverage. We'll have plenty o' features on the Avalanche as well as a series-by-series look at the playoffs and a game-by-game analysis of the Finals. There will also be plenty of news about LCS: Guide to Hockey celebrating its second anniversary on June 15. We could have tried to move things up a week, but you see, I've been a Quebec Nordique fan since I first started following hockey back in 1989-90. All along the Nordiques have been my team and Joe Sakic has been my hockey playin' hero. So last night when the Avalanche won the Cup and Sakic won the Conn Smythe I wasn't in any mood to get on the computer and work all night and all morning on trying to get out the Playoff Review issue one week earlier. It was time to celebrate! Yeehaw! The Avalanche won the Cup! Yeehaw! It was after 1:30 AM before the Cup celebration ended and ESPN cut to SportsCenter. That's when I took to the streets of Greensburg, Pennsylvania to celebrate the victory. Along came three of my friends who watched the glorious moment with me... Todd Teacher, Frank Hanzel, and Dom Gianocovo. All three have at one time or another appeared in the credits of LCS. Luckily, they were all out on work-release at the time of the game so they could share in my joy. While not Avalanche fans, the promise of free Slush Puppies if Colorado won quickly transformed them into avid supporters of the club with feet on its shoulders. As we headed to the local all-night convenience store to purchase the aforementioned Slush Puppies, I tried to wake the city with a raucous trip through the deserted streets of the once thriving metropolis. Sadly, the horn of a 1989 Pontiac LeMans really doesn't make that much noise. So I was forced to just stick my head out the window and offer the occasional "Yeehaw" or "Yippee". Yes, it was truly a wild ride. Upon arrival at the convenience store we quickly collected our Slush Puppies and tried to share the good news with a police officer who was taking a coffee break. After the man in blue asked us why we were making a Slush Puppy run at two in the morning, Todd replied, "The Avalanche just won the Stanley Cup." The officer wasn't impressed. So Todd added, "In triple overtime." Still no visible response. Sensing the awkward silence at the cash register as I was paying the tab, I cheerfully chirped in, "1-0!" I thought that extra piece of info would surely raise the officer's spirits. But apparently he is too busy protecting and serving to take notice of such trivial sporting events. He just blankly stared back at me; probably wondering how many shots it would take to drop the four of us. Without making any sudden movements, we quickly scurried out into the parking lot where the Cup celebration could continue. After all, the night was just beginning! After a few moments the fuzz left and we decided that we should take advantage of the situation by looting and pillaging, just like they would do in Denver. So we set about to start a four-man riot. "Riot" would actually be the wrong word. It was really kind of sad. After struggling for what seemed like days to overturn a '76 Pinto that was parked around back, we settled for kicking over the bicycle of some long-haired college boy who was making a cigarette run. It was kind of tough to make out his expression when he came out of the store and saw his overturned bike, with us hiding in the bushes and all, but I'm sure he was probably pissed. That'll learn him for not being an Avalanche fan! Yeehaw! Avalanche won the Cup! Yeehaw! The energy spent in tipping over the Huffy and the rate at which we downed the Slush Puppies combined to leave us all pretty woozy. We decided to call it a night. The message was sent; the victory celebrated. As you can see, the night's hectic events left me too drained to compile the Playoff Review issue before today's deadline. Be back here next week for all the news, info and opinions on the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then the following week is LCS's Season-in-Review Issue. So there will be entertainment o' plenty in the future... ---------------------------------------- Hey,Hey,Hey...NEWS! ---------------------------------------- by Zippy The Wonder Chimp * Congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champion, Colorado Avalanche. My pre-season prediction of a Colorado victory came true. * Be sure to cast your vote for LCS: guide to hockey in the Canadian Internet Awards. LCS is in the running for Best Electronic Publication on the Internet, all you have to do is cast a vote for LCS between now and June 21. * The Florida Panthers signed an agreement on June 10 that will move them to a new arena in Fort Launderdale by the beginning of the 1998-99 season. That will be when construction on a new $212 million sports complex in the Fort Lauderdale region will be completed. Their new home in Fort Lauderdale is around 35 miles north of their current building, the Miami Arena. * On June 6, general managers from around the NHL gathered to discuss proposed rule changes to cut-down on fighting in the NHL and other popular topics, like episodes of Seinfeld. As a result of the meeting, it has been proposed that players no longer be given an automatic game misconduct for instigating fights. Instead, the instigator will be punished with a 10-minute misconduct. If, however, a player instigates a fight a second time in a contest he will be given a game misconduct. So far, it sounds like the NHL is loosening the rules, but here is the tricky part. If a player receives a third instigator penalty at any time during the season, he earns an automatic two-game suspension. Then the cycle continues...four instigators, four games...five instigators, five games, etc. Suspensions will also be given for other occurances. Players who fight while lined up for a faceoff will be suspended five-games. A five-game suspension will also be given if a player steps on the ice for the sole purpose of instigating a fight. Diminishing fighting may have been the highlight of the meeting, but those general managers couldn't help but propose several other changes: The "man in the crease" situation to be added to the criteria for video review. Goaltenders will be suspended one game for using illegal equipment. Equipment will be checked randomly during the season. Max stick length will be increased from 60 inches to 63 inches. The offsides rule will be kickin' it oldschool. Next season all attacking players must exit the offensive zone before the puck can be dumped in. * A mysterious list of six canadates are in the running for the vacant head coaching job of the Phoenix Coyotes. While the names of the individuals considered for the position have not been disclosed, it is rumored that Calgary assistant coach Don Hay is a strong canadate. While no date has been set for announcement of a head coach, hockey operations executive Bobby Smith feels there will be a decision well before the 1996 Entry Draft on June 22. * Over the past week, the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks both hired new head coaches for the 1996-97 NHL season. The Sharks selected Anaheim assistant coach, Al Sims, as their new leader. While the Canucks named Tom Renney, a former Team Canada coach, to the head coach position. * Next season the Buffalo Sabres will have a new arena and new jerseys... now it looks like they'll have the highest-paid goaltender. Last week Dominik Hasek, a two-time vezina winner, signed a new three-year contract with the club. The deal, which features a no-trade clause, will make Hasek the highest paid goaltender in the NHL. * What's the greatest moment in NHL history? I guess that's too easy. Ok, forget the day John Cullen entered the league. So, what's the second greatest moment? That's the question the NHL and MasterCard attempted to answer during a recent promotion. Over 400 writers and broadcasters from the US and Canada took part in the voting (no, we were not asked to participate as usual). When the votes were tallied, Bobby Orr's airborne Stanley Cup-winning overtime goal in 1970 was the clear-cut winner. * Transactions: Buffalo - Signed defenseman Craig Miller to a three-year entry level contract. Signed goaltender Dominik Hasek to a three-year contract. Dallas - Signed goaltender Roman Turek to a two-year contract. Signed general manager Bob Gainey to a three-year contract. Montreal - Signed assistant coaches Jacques Laperriere and Steve Shutt to two-year contract extensions. Hired Gaetan Boucher as conditioning coach. Signed defenseman Jimmy Drolet to a three-year contract. Philadelphia - Acquired center Craig Darby on waivers from the NY Islanders. San Jose - Named Al Sims head coach. Tampa Bay - Signed head coach Terry Crisp to a multi-year contract extension. Vancouver - Named Tom Renney head coach. ================================================================= PLAYOFF TEAM REPORTS ================================================================= WESTERN CONFERENCE ----------------------------------------------------------------- COLORADO AVALANCHE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Head Coach: Marc Crawford Roster: C - Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci, Troy Murray, Dave Hannan. LW - Valeri Kamensky, Chris Simon, Warren Rychel, Rene Corbet. RW - Claude Lemieux, Adam Deadmarsh, Scott Young, Mike Keane, Stephane Yelle. D - Sandis Ozolinsh, Sylvain Lefebvre, Uwe Krupp, Craig Wolanin, Curtis Leschyshyn, Adam Foote, Alexei Gusarov, Jon Klemm. G - Patrick Roy, Stephane Fiset. Game Results: 1st Round - Colorado vs Vancouver Colorado won series 4-2 4/16 Vancouver W 5-2 4/18 Vancouver L 5-4 4/20 at Vancouver W 4-0 4/22 at Vancouver L 4-3 4/25 Vancouver W 5-4 OT 4/27 at Vancouver W 3-2 2nd Round - Colorado vs Chicago Colorado won series 4-2 5/02 Chicago L 3-2 OT 5/04 Chicago W 5-1 5/06 at Chicago L 4-3 OT 5/08 at Chicago W 3-2 3OT 5/11 Chicago W 4-1 5/13 at Chicago W 4-3 2OT 3rd Round - Colorado vs Detroit Colorado won series 4-2 5/19 at Detroit W 3-2 OT 5/21 at Detroit W 3-0 5/23 Detroit L 6-4 5/25 Detroit W 4-2 5/27 at Detroit L 5-2 5/29 Detroit W 4-1 Stanley Cup Final - Colorado vs Florida Colorado won series 4-0 6/04 Florida W 3-1 6/06 Florida W 8-1 6/08 at Florida W 3-2 6/10 at Florida W 1-0 3OT TEAM NEWS by Matt Gitchell It was the kind of game that was expected by many to be the rule, not the exception, for the series between the Panthers and the Avalanche: a low-scoring affair marked by a brilliant duel of the two hottest goaltenders in the playoffs. 104 minutes of ice time after the opening faceoff of Game Four, the Colorado Avalanche closed out its sweep of the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals to bring the city of Denver and the state of Colorado its first major professional sports championship. The game was the third-longest in playoff history, spanning over 104 minutes of play and was the longest scoreless game in NHL history. But the Colorado Avalanche emerged as the sole survivor from the 1995-1996 season Monday night, after defenseman Uwe Krupp buried a slap shot from the blue line that found its way through traffic and by Florida goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. "I leaned into it, and I got a lot of juice on it," Krupp said, "Fortunately, it went in. There was a maze of people in front." Krupp's goal caps a remarkable comeback from an injury that took him out of the Avs' season on opening day, tearing several ligaments in his knee. Originally, the diagnosis had been that Krupp would be out for 10 to 12 months, but he was able to return for the last five games of the season, six months to the day after his injury, and will now be the first German player to have his name on the Stanley Cup. Joe Sakic, anonymous no more, was voted the Most Valuable Player in the Playoffs and awarded the Conn Smythe trophy. Sakic came within one goal of tying the all-time record for goals in the playoffs with 18, including a record-setting six game-winners. Game Four itself was a battle from start to finish, with both goaltenders equal to whatever the opposing offenses could throw at them. Roy made 63 saves in the win, and Vanbiesbrouck was beat on the 56th shot he faced. The pieces simply ended up falling into place for the Avs during the playoffs, as the house that General Manager Pierre Lacroix built stayed solid. The defense, once accused of being "soft," allowed only four goals in the finals, and none in game four. Sandis Ozolinsh, the offensive-minded defenseman who was acquired for popular forward Owen Nolan, kept the pressure on offensively, being robbed by Vanbiesbrouck on two occasions in the third overtime alone. Patrick Roy, acquired in December after things got out of hand with the Canadiens' Mario Tremblay, showed people why he was worth the prospects, including talented young goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, that were sent Montreal's way. Roy, for that matter, showed why he was one of the greatest to play the game, winning his third Stanley Cup and vindicating himself after Montreal had written him off. "When we made that trade," coach Marc Crawford said after the victory, "it was a sign to our team that we were serious about making a run for the Cup. He is the greatest goalie in Cup history." Roy is now undefeated in eight straight games in the Cup finals. The game ended at 1:06 eastern time, and soon after the streets of Lower Downtown Denver were packed with celebrating fans shouting "Stanley Cup" and reveling in the victory of their new team and the excitement of their experiences with the "new" sport. ================================================================ ================================================================= PLAYOFF TEAM REPORTS ================================================================= EASTERN CONFERENCE ----------------------------------------------------------------- FLORIDA PANTHERS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Head Coach: Doug MacLean Roster: C - Stu Barnes, Brian Skrudland, Rob Niedermayer, Martin Straka, Steve Washburn. LW - Johan Garpenlov, Dave Lowry, Bill Lindsay, Mike Hough, Radek Dvorak, Gilbert Dionne, Mike Casselman. RW - Scott Mellanby, Ray Sheppard, Jody Hull, Tom Fitzgerald, David Nemirovsky, Jason Podollan. D - Magnus Svensson, Robert Svehla, Gord Murphy, Ed Jovanovski, Geoff Smith, Jason Woolley, Randy Moller, Paul Laus, Terry Carkner, Rhett Warrener. G - John Vanbiesbrouck, Mark Fitzpatrick, Todd MacDonald. Game Results: 1st Round - Florida vs Boston Florida won series 4-1 4/17 Boston W 6-3 4/22 Boston W 6-2 4/24 at Boston W 4-2 4/25 at Boston L 6-2 4/27 Boston W 4-3 2nd Round - Florida vs Philadelphia Florida won series 4-2 5/02 at Philadelphia W 2-0 5/04 at Philadelphia L 3-2 5/07 Philadelphia L 3-1 5/09 Philadelphia W 4-3 OT 5/12 at Philadelphia W 2-1 2OT 5/14 Philadelphia W 4-1 3rd Round - Florida vs Pittsburgh Florida won series 4-3 5/18 at Pittsburgh W 5-1 5/20 at Pittsburgh L 3-2 5/24 Pittsburgh W 5-2 5/26 Pittsburgh L 2-1 5/28 at Pittsburgh L 3-0 5/30 Pittsburgh W 4-3 6/01 at Pittsburgh W 3-1 Stanley Cup Final - Florida vs Colorado Colorado won series 4-0 6/04 at Colorado L 3-1 6/06 at Colorado L 8-1 6/08 Colorado L 3-2 6/10 Colorado L 1-0 3OT TEAM NEWS by Eric A. Seiden PANTHERS SWEPT "It's another Stanley Cup hockey night in South Florida and here come your Panthers," yelled the announcer at 8:00 PM EDT on Monday, June 10. A valiant effort by the Florida Panthers goes to waste in TRIPLE OVERTIME as the Florida Panthers lost the game in the THIRD overtime period as John Vanbeisbrouck let the 56th shot get by. He was screened and didn't see it. And so the game ended 1-0 the next day, Tuesday at around 1am EDT. The fans cheered the Beezer and shouted his name. How many fans? Of the 14,703 that were there when the game started, about 14,500 were still there. Maybe more. The fans hurled rats at the feet of Beezer in loving salute to the man who brought us where none had dared dream. After the game, there was no rush for the door. There was no booing the loss. There was no booing the Avalanche or any of its players (except Claude Lemieux when it was his turn to touch the Cup). The Panthers and their fans saluted the Avalanche and so do I. This last game was a typical Panthers game because the Cats will not die. They're not dead and they will be back. The Panthers took a club record 63 shots but Patrick Roy wanted the game as badly as Beezer. Between the two, shots were stopped that no mortal creature could ever touch. But there they were. Certainly two of the best to ever play the game. A parade will be held for the Panthers (schedule TBA). The fans showed class to the end (Rat naysayers may rest in peace along with the rats). And so, until next season, Adieu. I've enjoyed writing this column for LCS, and I encourage readers to email me with suggestions (darsys@pro-entropy.cts.com) and ideas. And now, as it's *WAY* past my bedtime, goodnight. * Here's the way the series looked up until Game 4... GAME ONE: No game is without controversy, and this one is no exception. The NHL screwed around with Vanbiesbrouck's pre-game mindset by ordering him to re-tape his stick because he used the wrong colour tape. Really. No, I am not making this up. The league is right because the rules technically call for 1/2" of white tape at the top but the rule is rarely enforced. In fact, Beezer has played 100 games so far this season with red tape and nary one word. Coach MacLean reportedly screamed expletives at the officials afterwards and Bryan Murray was no less upset. Would anyone blame the loss on the tape? Nope. Nobody on either team would do that. All you had to do was look at the ice from the second period on and it was obvious who would win the game. Many local media reports suggested the altitude in Denver would be a factor. Say what you will. Even a lack of any oxygen wouldn't have changed the score. To win a game you have to want to win. And even if you want to win you might not win if the other team is better or you're a bit off. But if you don't want to win, you will lose. There's 100 percent certainty in that. The ice was so bad there were potholes developing and players skates were getting stuck in the slush. Denver is unprepared for the humid weather and ice. Miami had huge dehumidifiers installed for the duration of the Playoffs. Denver columnist Mark Kiszla called the Panthers a "faceless team hiding behind Mickey Mouse tactics." Local outrage in Miami was severe. Many media folks have accused us of boring hockey (incorrectly of course), but nobody has ever accused us of Mickey Mouse tactics. Obviously Mr. Kiszla is new to the sport or perhaps the planet. GAME TWO: The controversy surrounding this game is a bit more serious. And would anyone blame the loss on this controversy? You bet your ass. The night before game two as the Panthers soundly slept in their beds at their hotel, someone set off the fire alarms ONLY on the two floors where the Panthers were. It was approximately 1:30 am, and they were unable to silence them for about 90 minutes. Convenient, eh? When the Panthers finally fell back to sleep they never woke back up, not even when it was time to play hockey. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem for anyone, especially a professional athlete. What was the problem? Well if you looked at the ice, the Panthers looked slow and TIRED. Fancy that. A sleep interruption of over 90 minutes in the middle of the night will do that to you. One must see the picture on 1-D of the Miami Herald on The Day After with the headline "SHELLED AND SHOCKED". It's a pretty damned apropos headline with a picture of a Panther looking like his car was blown up only seconds after he escaped a near fatal bombing. The Panthers defense sucked so badly in the 8-1 loss there are no words to describe it. This score was the worst loss in Panther history and the second worst in Stanley Cup history. Beezer was reportedly upset he was pulled, but it was probably a good thing. You don't want to subject a goalie to that type of bombardment. Patrick Roy wasn't pulled in Montreal after just such an onslaught and he never played another game there. Same thing. The Panthers had one of the worst second periods fans have seen in a very long time. Sure, the Panthers always have mediocre second periods, but the defense was so holey, it must have been God on Skates. Yeah, the Panthers got buried in an Avalanche. Add to it some really dumb penalties the Panthers drew and you've got the makings of an Irwin Allen disaster film. And the officials can't even be blamed. It's a sad day in hockey when you can't paste an official to the boards for bad calls. GAME THREE: "It's another hockey night in South Florida and here come your Panthers," screamed the announcer as loud as he could. Too bad nobody could hear him. In fact, nobody's sure if he even finished his sentence. A sellout game for a team down 2-0. Nobody was discouraged because We Believe. Three hours later only a few loyal fans would even vouch for a We Want To Believe. Fans still love the team (scalped tickets have barely dropped in price for the much dreaded game four). The Panthers played and played hard. They just couldn't win. Two shots hit the pipes. Two empty net chances were missed. Six on five for the last minute and a half and the Panthers couldn't even keep it in the zone. The raucous Rat Palace crowd was quieted in the second period and didn't come back in to play. Two goals by the Avalanche let the steam out of all the poseurs in attendance. The real fans tried and tried, but to no avail. Sometimes Destiny isn't on your side. AFTER GAME THREE: "We never imagined being in this situation and it's not something we're very happy or proud of," Florida defenseman Gord Murphy said. "We didn't underestimate them. They have a lot of depth and they haven't been giving us a lot of space or time out there." "It hasn't been done often that a team has come back from being down three games," Claude Lemieux said, "but we wouldn't want to give them any life." By Monday night, the Panthers may run out of time. Florida faces the daunting task of trying to become the second team to come back from an 0-3 deficit in the Stanley Cup finals. Toronto did it in 1942 against the Red Wings. Only one other club in NHL playoff history has rebounded from such a hole. The New York Islanders did it against Pittsburgh in the 1975 quarterfinals. "There's definitely no quit on this team," Ed Jovanovski said. "There's too much pride." CONFERENCE FINALS GAME SEVEN AFTERMATH: The Prince of Wales Trophy went to Denver with the Panthers following the Pittsburgh game. It was in seat 10E all by itself surrounded by joy and jubilance. Perhaps the only people who felt better than the Panthers were the Panthers fans. Why? Because We Believe. Maybe we sound full of ourselves, but we really believe we, as Panther fans, are different. I don't mean the poseurs who jumped on at the end, but those of us who've been here from the beginning. We loved our team in defeat as well as victory. We're down 3-0 in the series as this is being written, and still everyone loves our team. The odds on us winning the Cup are a bare glimmer, but nowhere in town is there a ticket to be had for game four. Panthers banners hang from many buildings. Flags fly on most every car. Everyone town has the same fever. Panther fever. There isn't even a cure for it. Not for the real fans. You have it for life. THE AVALANCHE ANALYSIS BY THE LIST MOM: (This was believe it or not written before the first game. I wrote this and posted it to the Panthers mailing list the night game seven was over. Subscribers will remember it. I hate being right sometimes.) It's not going to be like Pittsburgh. It will require a rework of the way the Panthers play. Why? Well they're more like the Panthers than the Penguins. They have four balanced lines. They have lots of talent and it's not stuffed in to two or three players. They have a great goalie, perhaps the one man who might be better than our beloved Beezer. Where do we have the edge? Contrary to the paper, I believe our fans are a factor. We were compared to the old Chicago Stadium. Awesome: not the way it's used now, but the old meaning: full of awe. But awe does not win a hockey game. Talent, skill, and finesse win hockey games. A bit of heart and soul. Almost every game the Panthers have shown Heart and Soul. The few times they didn't, they lost. Watch the ice. Feel the game in your soul. If you don't feel the Heart and Soul, we'll lose that game. ROY SPEAKS: Patrick Roy was asked Monday (6/3) about his relationship with some of the people in Florida, particularly those at his favorite golf club in Palm Beach, what will happen if the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. "I may lose some friends," Roy quipped, "but with money you can buy friends, so that's OK." DAVID J NEAL SPEAKS: Referring to the Panthers' dreams of winning the Cup: "Then again, dreams are never heavy." HOCKEY PARTIES: This is the hottest ticket in town according to the Miami Herald. Why are the parties so popular? Because successfully panning for gold in the polluted Miami River would be easier than landing Panthers tickets in Miami. Everyone's looking for a party, or more accurately an invitation to one. Publix (a regional supermarket chain) sold over 100 rat shaped cakes in four days when the store was struck with the idea. Area Pizza Huts are adding two to three more drivers per store. Local ice sellers are doubling orders after they sold out of ice before game seven of the Cats-Pens series. Suckers Bar & Grill which as 14 TV sets ran out of beer and wine in game seven and will double up their orders for the first Stanley Cup game. Most sports bars had waiting lists that were still full into the third period of game 7. The latest drink is the Rat Shooter. It's Jagermeister with peppermint schnapps and is available all over town. MORE RATS: At least one player, Mike Ricci, doesn't have a problem with the Panthers Penchant for Pitching Plastic rats. "As long as they're having fun, that's why we're out there playing." It'd be nice if everyone else in the league remembered that. Words to the wise from a man who knows. PANTHER RATINGS I: A local record rating of 14.2 was set for the game seven of the Cats v Pens game on ESPN. Only 31% of south Florida can even receive ESPN because that's the low percentage of us that have cable. Ratings do not include people watching from sports bars. PANTHER RATINGS II: For the first Stanley Cup game, a record high 22.7 rating was achieved compared to about 2.0 during the regular season. The 22.7 is the fourth highest rated sports event of the year in the state beating out everything except the Super Bowl and AFC and NFC championship games (the latter two only at 24.0). Nationally the only higher hockey rating for Fox was the All-Star game. BILLY LINDSAY SPEAKS: On the Panthers entrance to the Stanley Cup Finals, "Lo and behold, I didn't think it would happen this fast." LEASE FIGHT DEVELOPS: On the day the Panthers were to sign a lease with Broward County, they are now without a home. Attorney Joseph Portuondo said "Let Broward County give them a place to play," and indicated that the (Miami) sports authority should reject the two-year lease extension the Panthers signed. Portuondo wants the Panthers to sign a long-term lease. This is in retaliation for Decoma (Wayne Huizenga owns this company) threatening to sue the City of Miami if they build a downtown arena for the Miami Heat (NBA). Decoma contracts with Leisure Management (which Wayne Huizenga also owns) to run the current Miami Arena. The City has threatened to sue Leisure Management because they will be signing to run the new Broward Arena. The City claims Leisure Management is bound by Decoma's non-compete clause with the city, though Leisure Management is only a sub-contractor. You thought the soap opera was over? NO! In Sunrise, the Panthers and the County signed their new lease after an eight-hour acrimonious back-and-forth bickering session. The main holdup was that Broward County wanted protection from the Panthers for any costs of lawsuits of the previously mentioned (Decoma, Leisure Management, City of Miami) circular lawsuits of a frivolous nature. The Panthers caved on this, and the deal was signed. Now the question remains where will the Panthers play for the next two years? Listen folks, I don't make this up, I just report it. I might be sick but there's no way I could come up with this intricate political bullshit. Is it amazing or what? DAVE BARRY SPEAKS: Dave Barry gets another Front Page article on the Panthers. He calls Claude Lemieux "The UnaSkater" suggesting he's under suspension for an illegal use a chainsaw. He wants fans to fax suggestions on the Best Colorado Insults (hockey or town related) to him at 305-376-8930. Results will be published in the Miami Herald. He says, "Let's teach them it's a big, BIG mistake for anybody from Colorado to mess with anybody from South Florida. And if they don't believe that, they can ask Gary Hart." LE BETARD: He's in rare form trashing Colorado. If it weren't illegal I'd quote the whole 1,000 words here. The best line: "Claude Lemieux" is French for "I like to slash Panthers with my stick" RATS (Supplemented via the Herald): Well the NHL says this is the last year for all creatures great and small on the ice. But, it's not over yet, so yet another rat story from Rat Boy, your reporter. "I would say the owner has almost depleted the country's rat supply," said Jerry Sturdefant, assistant manager of Annie's Costumes and Magic in Plantation. "We haven't advertised the rats. Nothing special. It's just a word-of-mouth thing." With the first game of the best-of-seven series Tuesday night in Colorado, Annie's has ordered 1,500 faux rodents. The plethora of rats come in all shapes and sizes, with prices ranging from 99 cents (only good if you are within the first 10 rows) to $329 designer rats (only good if you are certifiably insane enough to spend that much money on moulded plastic). "The most popular model is a $1.79 12-inch rat," said Sturdefant. "You get hurl power. Those clear from the 15th row of the second bowl at the Miami Arena." "Cheeser" won as the name of the Rat mascot in a Miami Herald telephone call in contest. I think it really sucks but then again nobody asked me. STOLEN OFF THE NET: [Posted 6/6 by chrisf@iceonline.com] "Sports Page here in Vancouver did a bit on Beezer being forced to tape over his red stick knob with white tape. Well. These guys couldn't keep a straight face, to the point of this subtitle below Beezer's face when he was being interviewed: 'John Vanbiesbrouck can't keep a red knob!!'" THE BILLBOARD: A "Go Avalanche" billboard appeared in Miami on the corner of Ives Dairy Road and Biscayne Boulevard. Local radio station and poseur hockey fans WHYI (Y100) threw an impromptu live party and got Pepsi to donate drinks, Pizza Hut to donate food, and more importantly a Paint Ball company to donate paint balls and guns. Thousands of fans rushed to the scene and spent all day there before game three. But only after a few hours, the sign turned into a piece of paint splattered illegible art. ================================================================ NEXT ISSUE: Tuesday, June 18... the Playoff Review Spectacular! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHL CHAMPIONS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 Colorado Avalanche 1994-95 New Jersey Devils 1993-94 New York Rangers 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens 1991-92 Pittsburgh Penguins 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins 1989-90 Edmonton Oilers 1988-89 Calgary Flames 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers 1985-86 Montreal Canadiens 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers 1982-83 New York Islanders 1981-82 New York Islanders 1980-81 New York Islanders 1979-80 New York Islanders 1978-79 Montreal Canadiens 1977-78 Montreal Canadiens 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens 1975-76 Montreal Canadiens 1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers 1972-73 Montreal Canadiens 1971-72 Boston Bruins 1970-71 Montreal Canadiens 1969-70 Boston Bruins 1968-69 Montreal Canadiens 1967-68 Montreal Canadiens 1966-67 Toronto Maple Leafs 1965-66 Montreal Canadiens 1964-65 Montreal Canadiens 1963-64 Toronto Maple Leafs 1962-63 Toronto Maple Leafs 1961-62 Toronto Maple Leafs 1960-61 Chicago Blackhawks 1959-60 Montreal Canadiens 1958-59 Montreal Canadiens 1957-58 Montreal Canadiens 1956-57 Montreal Canadiens 1955-56 Montreal Canadiens 1954-55 Detroit Red Wings 1953-54 Detroit Red Wings 1952-53 Montreal Canadiens 1951-52 Detroit Red Wings 1950-51 Toronto Maple Leafs 1949-50 Detroit Red Wings 1948-49 Toronto Maple Leafs 1947-48 Toronto Maple Leafs 1946-47 Toronto Maple Leafs 1945-46 Montreal Canadiens 1944-45 Toronto Maple Leafs 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens 1942-43 Detroit Red Wings 1941-42 Toronto Maple Leafs 1940-41 Boston Bruins 1939-40 New York Rangers 1938-39 Boston Bruins 1937-38 Chicago Blackhawks 1936-37 Detroit Red Wings 1935-36 Detroit Red Wings 1934-35 Montreal Maroons 1933-34 Chicago Blackhawks 1932-33 New York Rangers 1931-32 Toronto Maple Leafs 1930-31 Montreal Canadiens 1929-30 Montreal Canadiens 1928-29 Boston Bruins 1927-28 New York Rangers 1926-27 Ottawa Senators 1925-26 Montreal Maroons 1924-25 Victoria Cougars 1923-24 Montreal Canadiens 1922-23 Ottawa Senators 1921-22 Toronto St. Pats 1920-21 Ottawa Senators 1919-20 Ottawa Senators 1918-19 Cup Not Awarded 1917-18 Toronto Arenas ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONN SMYTHE TROPHY WINNERS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR WINNER 1996 Joe Sakic, Colorado 1995 Claude Lemieux, New Jersey 1994 Brian Leetch, NY Rangers 1993 Patrick Roy, Montreal 1992 Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh 1991 Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh 1990 Bill Ranford, Edmonton 1989 Al MacInnis, Calgary 1988 Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton 1987 Ron Hextall, Philadelphia 1986 Patrick Roy, Montreal 1985 Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton 1984 Mark Messier, Edmonton 1983 Billy Smith, NY Islanders 1982 Mike Bossy, NY Islanders 1981 Butch Goring, NY Islanders 1980 Bryan Trottier, NY Islanders 1979 Bob Gainey, Montreal 1978 Larry Robinson, Montreal 1977 Guy Lafleur, Montreal 1976 Reggie Leach, Philadelphia 1975 Bernie Parent, Philadelphia 1974 Bernie Parent, Philadelphia 1973 Yvan Cournoyer, Montreal 1972 Bobby Orr, Boston 1971 Ken Dryden, Montreal 1970 Bobby Orr, Boston 1969 Serge Savard, Montreal 1968 Glenn Hall, St. Louis 1967 Dave Keon, Toronto 1966 Roger Crozier, Detroit 1965 Jean Beliveau, Montreal PLAYOFF LEADERS June 10, 1996 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL League Leaders ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHL POINT LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP G A PTS +/- PIM PP SH GW GT S PCTG JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 18 16 34 10 14 6 0 6 2 98 18.4 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 11 16 27 3 33 3 1 2 0 78 14.1 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 11 12 23 7 18 5 1 1 0 74 14.9 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 10 12 22 11 28 3 0 2 0 56 17.9 PETER FORSBERG COLORADO 22 10 11 21 10 18 3 0 1 0 50 20.0 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 10 10 20 3 16 4 0 2 1 54 18.5 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 8 12 20 1- 4 4 0 1 1 52 15.4 SERGEI FEDOROV DETROIT 19 2 18 20 8 10 0 0 2 0 59 3.4 SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 5 14 19 5 16 2 0 1 1 52 9.6 DAVE LOWRY FLORIDA 22 10 7 17 8 39 4 0 2 1 45 22.2 MIKE RICCI COLORADO 22 6 11 17 1- 18 3 0 1 0 31 19.4 ADAM DEADMARSH COLORADO 22 5 12 17 8 25 1 0 0 0 40 12.5 RAY SHEPPARD FLORIDA 21 8 8 16 4 0 3 0 0 0 47 17.0 STU BARNES FLORIDA 22 6 10 16 10 4 2 0 2 0 57 10.5 UWE KRUPP COLORADO 22 4 12 16 5 33 1 0 2 1 38 10.5 WAYNE GRETZKY ST LOUIS 13 2 14 16 2 0 1 0 1 0 25 8.0 SCOTT YOUNG COLORADO 22 3 12 15 6 10 0 0 0 0 61 4.9 SERGEI ZUBOV PITTSBURGH 18 1 14 15 9 26 1 0 0 0 53 1.9 SHAYNE CORSON ST LOUIS 13 8 6 14 1- 22 6 1 1 0 37 21.6 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 5 9 14 3- 30 3 2 1 0 49 10.2 NICKLAS LIDSTROM DETROIT 19 5 9 14 2 10 1 0 0 0 50 10.0 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 6 7 13 5 6 3 0 2 0 46 13.0 ERIC LINDROS PHILADELPHIA 12 6 6 12 1- 43 3 0 2 0 46 13.0 JEREMY ROENICK CHICAGO 10 5 7 12 6 2 1 0 1 1 21 23.8 CLAUDE LEMIEUX COLORADO 19 5 7 12 5 55 3 0 0 0 81 6.2 VYACHESLAV KOZLOV DETROIT 19 5 7 12 3 10 2 0 1 0 38 13.2 NHL GOAL SCORING LEADERS NHL ASSIST LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP G PLAYER TEAM GP A JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 18 SERGEI FEDOROV DETROIT 19 18 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 11 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 16 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 11 JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 16 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 10 WAYNE GRETZKY ST LOUIS 13 14 DAVE LOWRY FLORIDA 22 10 SERGEI ZUBOV PITTSBURGH 18 14 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 10 SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 14 PETER FORSBERG COLORADO 22 10 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 12 SHAYNE CORSON ST LOUIS 13 8 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 12 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 8 UWE KRUPP COLORADO 22 12 RAY SHEPPARD FLORIDA 21 8 SCOTT YOUNG COLORADO 22 12 ADAM GRAVES NY RANGERS 10 7 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 12 JOE MURPHY CHICAGO 10 6 ADAM DEADMARSH COLORADO 22 12 JOHN LECLAIR PHILADELPHIA 11 6 MIKE RICCI COLORADO 22 11 ERIC LINDROS PHILADELPHIA 12 6 PETER FORSBERG COLORADO 22 11 BRETT HULL ST LOUIS 13 6 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 10 DINO CICCARELLI DETROIT 17 6 STU BARNES FLORIDA 22 10 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 6 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 9 MIKE RICCI COLORADO 22 6 J.J. DAIGNEAULT PITTSBURGH 17 9 STU BARNES FLORIDA 22 6 NICKLAS LIDSTROM DETROIT 19 9 ALEXEI GUSAROV COLORADO 21 9 NHL POWER PLAY GOAL LEADERS NHL SHORTHANDED GOAL LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP PP PLAYER TEAM GP SH ADAM GRAVES NY RANGERS 10 6 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 2 SHAYNE CORSON ST LOUIS 13 6 *MARK KOLESAR TORONTO 3 1 DINO CICCARELLI DETROIT 17 6 JOHN CULLEN TAMPA BAY 5 1 JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 6 ADAM OATES BOSTON 5 1 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 5 STEVE HEINZE BOSTON 5 1 JOHN LECLAIR PHILADELPHIA 11 4 VINCENT DAMPHOUSSE MONTREAL 6 1 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 4 LYLE ODELEIN MONTREAL 6 1 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 4 ROB ZAMUNER TAMPA BAY 6 1 DAVE LOWRY FLORIDA 22 4 PETER ZEZEL ST LOUIS 10 1 RICK TOCCHET BOSTON 5 3 JARI KURRI NY RANGERS 11 1 MARK RECCHI MONTREAL 6 3 MURRAY BARON ST LOUIS 13 1 ERIC LINDROS PHILADELPHIA 12 3 DOUG BROWN DETROIT 13 1 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 3 SHAYNE CORSON ST LOUIS 13 1 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 3 BRETT HULL ST LOUIS 13 1 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 3 KRIS DRAPER DETROIT 18 1 CLAUDE LEMIEUX COLORADO 19 3 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 1 RAY SHEPPARD FLORIDA 21 3 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 1 MIKE RICCI COLORADO 22 3 VLAD. KONSTANTINOV DETROIT 19 1 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 3 BILL LINDSAY FLORIDA 22 1 PETER FORSBERG COLORADO 22 3 *STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 1 NHL POWER PLAY ASSISTS LEADERS NHL SHORTHANDED ASSISTS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP PP PLAYER TEAM GP SH JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 10 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 2 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 9 RAY BOURQUE BOSTON 5 1 SERGEI FEDOROV DETROIT 19 9 ADAM OATES BOSTON 5 1 SERGEI ZUBOV PITTSBURGH 18 8 DON SWEENEY BOSTON 5 1 SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 8 MIKAEL ANDERSSON TAMPA BAY 6 1 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 7 SHAWN BURR TAMPA BAY 6 1 NICKLAS LIDSTROM DETROIT 19 7 DOUG GILMOUR TORONTO 6 1 ALEXANDER MOGILNY VANCOUVER 6 6 *SAKU KOIVU MONTREAL 6 1 WAYNE GRETZKY ST LOUIS 13 6 RON FRANCIS PITTSBURGH 11 1 SCOTT YOUNG COLORADO 22 6 DOUG BROWN DETROIT 13 1 RAY BOURQUE BOSTON 5 5 WAYNE GRETZKY ST LOUIS 13 1 BRIAN LEETCH NY RANGERS 11 5 CRAIG MACTAVISH ST LOUIS 13 1 ERIC DESJARDINS PHILADELPHIA 12 5 BRIAN NOONAN ST LOUIS 13 1 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 5 CHRIS PRONGER ST LOUIS 13 1 ADAM DEADMARSH COLORADO 22 5 KEITH PRIMEAU DETROIT 17 1 TOMAS SANDSTROM PITTSBURGH 18 1 CHRIS TAMER PITTSBURGH 18 1 SERGEI FEDOROV DETROIT 19 1 NHL POWER PLAY POINTS LEADERS NHL SHORTHANDED POINTS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP PP PLAYER TEAM GP SH JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 16 ADAM OATES BOSTON 5 2 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 12 DOUG BROWN DETROIT 13 2 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 11 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 2 SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 10 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 2 NHL GAME WINNING GOAL LEADERS OVERTIME GOALS PLAYER TEAM GP GW PLAYER TEAM GP OT JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 6 JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 2 VINCENT DAMPHOUSSE MONTREAL 6 2 SERGEI KRIVOKRASOV CHICAGO 5 1 GINO ODJICK VANCOUVER 6 2 BRIAN BELLOWS TAMPA BAY 6 1 ADAM GRAVES NY RANGERS 10 2 VINCENT DAMPHOUSSE MONTREAL 6 1 JOE MURPHY CHICAGO 10 2 MIKE GARTNER TORONTO 6 1 ERIC LINDROS PHILADELPHIA 12 2 MATS SUNDIN TORONTO 6 1 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 2 ALEXANDER SELIVANO TAMPA BAY 6 1 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 2 JOE MURPHY CHICAGO 10 1 SERGEI FEDOROV DETROIT 19 2 JEREMY ROENICK CHICAGO 10 1 IGOR LARIONOV DETROIT 19 2 IGOR KRAVCHUK ST LOUIS 10 1 TOM FITZGERALD FLORIDA 22 2 GLENN ANDERSON ST LOUIS 11 1 MIKE HOUGH FLORIDA 22 2 PETR NEDVED PITTSBURGH 18 1 UWE KRUPP COLORADO 22 2 STEVE YZERMAN DETROIT 18 1 DAVE LOWRY FLORIDA 22 2 MIKE HOUGH FLORIDA 22 1 STU BARNES FLORIDA 22 2 MIKE KEANE COLORADO 22 1 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 2 UWE KRUPP COLORADO 22 1 ROB NIEDERMAYER FLORIDA 22 2 DAVE LOWRY FLORIDA 22 1 SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 1 NHL SHOT LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP S JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 98 CLAUDE LEMIEUX COLORADO 19 81 MARIO LEMIEUX PITTSBURGH 18 78 JAROMIR JAGR PITTSBURGH 18 74 SCOTT YOUNG COLORADO 22 61 NHL PLUS/MINUS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP +/- ALEXEI GUSAROV COLORADO 21 13 ADAM FOOTE COLORADO 22 11 VALERI KAMENSKY COLORADO 22 11 JOE SAKIC COLORADO 22 10 STU BARNES FLORIDA 22 10 PETER FORSBERG COLORADO 22 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL Defensemen Leaders ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYER TEAM GP G A PTS +/- PIM PP SH GW GT S PCTG SANDIS OZOLINSH COLORADO 22 5 14 19 5 16 2 0 1 1 52 9.6 UWE KRUPP COLORADO 22 4 12 16 5 33 1 0 2 1 38 10.5 SERGEI ZUBOV PITTSBURGH 18 1 14 15 9 26 1 0 0 0 53 1.9 PAUL COFFEY DETROIT 17 5 9 14 3- 30 3 2 1 0 49 10.2 NICKLAS LIDSTROM DETROIT 19 5 9 14 2 10 1 0 0 0 50 10.0 J.J. DAIGNEAULT PITTSBURGH 17 1 9 10 4 36 1 0 1 0 30 3.3 VLAD. KONSTANTINOV DETROIT 19 4 5 9 4 28 0 1 0 0 41 9.8 ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 1 8 9 2 52 0 0 0 0 51 2.0 ALEXEI GUSAROV COLORADO 21 0 9 9 13 12 0 0 0 0 15 .0 JASON WOOLLEY FLORIDA 13 2 6 8 3 14 1 0 1 0 27 7.4 PAUL LAUS FLORIDA 21 2 6 8 3 62 0 0 0 0 18 11.1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL Rookie Leaders ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHL ROOKIE POINTS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP G A PTS +/- PIM PP SH GW GT S PCTG DAVE ROCHE PITTSBURGH 16 2 7 9 1 26 0 0 0 0 18 11.1 ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 1 8 9 2 52 0 0 0 0 51 2.0 ERIC DAZE CHICAGO 10 3 5 8 4 0 0 0 1 0 32 9.4 NIKLAS SUNDSTROM NY RANGERS 11 4 3 7 1 4 1 0 0 0 27 14.8 STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 1 4 5 2 8 0 1 0 0 24 4.2 SAKU KOIVU MONTREAL 6 3 1 4 2 8 0 0 0 0 13 23.1 ANDREW BRUNETTE WASHINGTON 6 1 3 4 5- 0 0 0 0 0 7 14.3 RADEK DVORAK FLORIDA 16 1 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 36 2.8 JON KLEMM COLORADO 15 2 1 3 6 0 1 0 0 0 11 18.2 DAVID WILKIE MONTREAL 6 1 2 3 1 12 0 0 0 0 11 9.1 JOE DZIEDZIC PITTSBURGH 16 1 2 3 1 19 0 0 0 0 6 16.7 RHETT WARRENER FLORIDA 21 0 3 3 3 10 0 0 0 0 14 .0 NHL ROOKIE GOAL SCORING LEADERS NHL ROOKIE ASSIST LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP G PLAYER TEAM GP A NIKLAS SUNDSTROM NY RANGERS 11 4 ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 8 SAKU KOIVU MONTREAL 6 3 DAVE ROCHE PITTSBURGH 16 7 ERIC DAZE CHICAGO 10 3 ERIC DAZE CHICAGO 10 5 JON KLEMM COLORADO 15 2 STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 4 DAVE ROCHE PITTSBURGH 16 2 ANDREW BRUNETTE WASHINGTON 6 3 CORY STILLMAN CALGARY 2 1 NIKLAS SUNDSTROM NY RANGERS 11 3 JAROME IGINLA CALGARY 2 1 RADEK DVORAK FLORIDA 16 3 MARK KOLESAR TORONTO 3 1 RHETT WARRENER FLORIDA 21 3 CHAD KILGER WINNIPEG 4 1 DAVID WILKIE MONTREAL 6 2 TODD WARRINER TORONTO 6 1 JOE DZIEDZIC PITTSBURGH 16 2 DAVID WILKIE MONTREAL 6 1 STEVE WASHBURN FLORIDA 1 1 RORY FITZPATRICK MONTREAL 6 1 CORY STILLMAN CALGARY 2 1 ANDREW BRUNETTE WASHINGTON 6 1 JAROME IGINLA CALGARY 2 1 JOE DZIEDZIC PITTSBURGH 16 1 TODD WARRINER TORONTO 6 1 RADEK DVORAK FLORIDA 16 1 VALERI BURE MONTREAL 6 1 STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 1 SAKU KOIVU MONTREAL 6 1 ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 1 RORY FITZPATRICK MONTREAL 6 1 JON KLEMM COLORADO 15 1 NHL ROOKIE SHOT LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP S ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 51 RADEK DVORAK FLORIDA 16 36 ERIC DAZE CHICAGO 10 32 NIKLAS SUNDSTROM NY RANGERS 11 27 STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 24 NHL ROOKIE PLUS/MINUS LEADERS PLAYER TEAM GP +/- JON KLEMM COLORADO 15 6 ERIC DAZE CHICAGO 10 4 RHETT WARRENER FLORIDA 21 3 JAROME IGINLA CALGARY 2 2 ANDERS ERIKSSON DETROIT 3 2 SAKU KOIVU MONTREAL 6 2 RADEK DVORAK FLORIDA 16 2 STEPHANE YELLE COLORADO 22 2 ED JOVANOVSKI FLORIDA 22 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL Goaltending Leaders ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHL GOALS AGAINST LEADERS (Minimum 420 minutes) GOALTENDER TEAM GPI MINS GA AVG ED BELFOUR CHICAGO 9 666 23 2.07 PATRICK ROY COLORADO 22 1454 51 2.10 CHRIS OSGOOD DETROIT 15 936 33 2.12 RON HEXTALL PHILADELPHIA 12 760 27 2.13 J. VANBIESBROUCK FLORIDA 22 1332 50 2.25 NHL WIN LEADERS GOALTENDER TEAM GPI MINS W L PATRICK ROY COLORADO 22 1454 16 6 J. VANBIESBROUCK FLORIDA 22 1332 12 10 CHRIS OSGOOD DETROIT 15 936 8 7 KEN WREGGET PITTSBURGH 9 599 7 2 ED BELFOUR CHICAGO 9 666 6 3 JON CASEY ST LOUIS 12 747 6 6 RON HEXTALL PHILADELPHIA 12 760 6 6 NHL SHUTOUT LEADERS GOALTENDER TEAM GPI MINS SO W L PATRICK ROY COLORADO 22 1454 3 16 6 CHRIS OSGOOD DETROIT 15 936 2 8 7 TOM BARRASSO PITTSBURGH 10 558 1 4 5 ED BELFOUR CHICAGO 9 666 1 6 3 JON CASEY ST LOUIS 12 747 1 6 6 J. VANBIESBROUCK FLORIDA 22 1332 1 12 10 NHL SAVE PERCENTAGE LEADERS GOALTENDER TEAM GPI MINS GA SA SPCTG W L J. VANBIESBROUCK FLORIDA 22 1332 50 735 .932 12 10 KEN WREGGET PITTSBURGH 9 599 23 328 .930 7 2 ED BELFOUR CHICAGO 9 666 23 323 .929 6 3 TOM BARRASSO PITTSBURGH 10 558 26 337 .922 4 5 PATRICK ROY COLORADO 22 1454 51 649 .921 16 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL Player Statistics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Complete player statistics can be found every Monday on the LCS: Guide to Hockey web site. Head over to http://www.canadas.net/sports/Sportif/ and find these stats and more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1995-96 NHL Goaltending Statistics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SW# GOALTENDER GPI MINS AVG W L T EN SO GA SA SV % G A PIM 35 STEPHANE FISET 1 1 .00 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 33 PATRICK ROY 22 1454 2.10 16 6 0 3 51 649 .921 0 0 0 COL TOTALS 22 1460 2.10 16 6 0 3 51 649 .921 30 GARTH SNOW 1 1 .00 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 27 RON HEXTALL 12 760 2.13 6 6 1 0 27 319 .915 0 0 6 PHI TOTALS 12 763 2.20 6 6 1 0 28 320 .913 30 ED BELFOUR 9 666 2.07 6 3 0 1 23 323 .929 0 0 4 31 JEFF HACKETT 1 60 5.00 0 1 0 0 5 32 .844 0 0 0 CHI TOTALS 10 727 2.31 6 4 0 1 28 355 .921 30 CHRIS OSGOOD 15 936 2.12 8 7 2 2 33 322 .898 0 0 4 29 MIKE VERNON 4 243 2.72 2 2 0 0 11 81 .864 0 0 2 DET TOTALS 19 1182 2.34 10 9 2 2 46 405 .886 34 J. VANBIESBROUCK 22 1332 2.25 12 10 1 1 50 735 .932 0 1 20 30 MARK FITZPATRICK 2 60 6.00 0 0 0 0 6 30 .800 0 0 0 FLA TOTALS 22 1397 2.45 12 10 1 1 57 766 .926 31 KEN WREGGET 9 599 2.30 7 2 1 0 23 328 .930 0 1 0 35 TOM BARRASSO 10 558 2.80 4 5 2 1 26 337 .923 0 0 8 PIT TOTALS 18 1159 2.69 11 7 3 1 52 668 .922 29 BRUCE RACINE 1 1 .00 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 31 GRANT FUHR 2 69 .87 1 0 0 0 1 45 .978 0 0 0 30 JON CASEY 12 747 2.89 6 6 0 1 36 378 .905 0 2 8 STL TOTALS 13 818 2.71 7 6 0 1 37 423 .913 37 OLAF KOLZIG 5 341 1.94 2 3 0 0 11 167 .934 0 0 4 30 JIM CAREY 3 97 6.19 0 1 0 0 10 39 .744 0 0 0 WSH TOTALS 6 439 2.87 2 4 0 0 21 206 .898 39 PAT JABLONSKI 1 49 1.22 0 0 0 0 1 17 .941 0 0 0 41 JOCELYN THIBAULT 6 311 3.47 2 4 0 0 18 188 .904 0 0 0 MTL TOTALS 6 365 3.12 2 4 0 0 19 205 .907 31 RICK TABARACCI 3 204 2.06 0 3 0 0 7 84 .917 0 0 0 37 TREVOR KIDD 2 83 6.51 0 1 0 0 9 40 .775 0 0 0 CGY TOTALS 4 290 3.31 0 4 0 0 16 124 .871 35 N. KHABIBULIN 6 359 3.18 2 4 1 0 19 214 .911 0 0 0 WPG TOTALS 6 360 3.33 2 4 1 0 20 215 .907 29 FELIX POTVIN 6 350 3.26 2 4 0 0 19 198 .904 0 0 2 33 DON BEAUPRE 2 20 6.00 0 0 0 0 2 13 .846 0 0 0 TOR TOTALS 6 373 3.38 2 4 0 0 21 211 .900 35 MIKE RICHTER 11 661 3.27 5 6 2 0 36 308 .883 0 0 0 NYR TOTALS 11 665 3.43 5 6 2 0 38 310 .877 31 *COREY HIRSCH 6 338 3.73 2 3 0 0 21 166 .873 0 0 2 1 KIRK MCLEAN 1 21 8.57 0 1 0 0 3 12 .750 0 0 0 VAN TOTALS 6 361 3.99 2 4 0 0 24 178 .865 1 JEFF REESE 5 198 3.64 1 1 0 0 12 100 .880 0 0 0 93 DAREN PUPPA 4 173 4.86 1 3 0 0 14 86 .837 0 0 0 T.B TOTALS 6 371 4.20 2 4 0 0 26 186 .860 30 BILL RANFORD 4 239 4.02 1 3 0 0 16 112 .857 0 0 0 1 CRAIG BILLINGTON 1 60 6.00 0 1 0 0 6 28 .786 0 0 2 BOS TOTALS 5 300 4.40 1 4 0 0 22 140 .843 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------