Series Hero Chills Out With The Rangers
Around the NHL
After taking part in the New York Yankees’ victory parade through the city this past week, World Series MVP John Wetteland took in a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. The Yankees’ star relief pitcher is a big hockey fan.
“I get inspired from watching a hockey game,” Wetteland said. “I love hockey so much, I feel that way just watching a regular-season game.”
Wetteland, meanwhile, served as an inspiration for Panthers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck.
“(The Yankees winning the World Series) was an emotional thing for me,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “I grew up in Detroit. I’m an American League fan and when the Yankees were in it, I was pulling for them. I saw John, how he approached the game, the mental focus, the inspiration he gives to teammates. It was just a wonderful thing to watch.”
You’re outta here!
A Canadian online service polled its subscribers on which NHL coaches should be fired. Pittsburgh’s Eddie Johnston got 62 percent of the vote, followed by the Rangers’ Colin Campbell (26 percent) and the Flyers’ Terry Murray (12).
Bowman stews
Red Wings coach-GM Scotty Bowman did a slow simmer when an NHL film crew showed up to shoot a TV spot promoting Sergei Fedorov, who went into Saturday’s game with just six goals in his last 33 games, dating to last spring.
“They’re still out here promoting him?” Bowman sneered. “When are they going to catch on?”
Word is, Fedorov is on the trading block.
Highlights
Wayne Gretzky touched off a four-goal first period by New York and the Rangers hung on to defeat the Boston Bruins… . Zigmund Palffy had a four-point game with two goals and two assists as the New York Islanders beat the Washington Capitals… . The Los Angeles Kings scored three goals in a 12:12 span of the second period on the way to dealing the Hartford Whalers their first loss of the season… . Jaromir Jagr completed his third career hat trick with two third-period goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins, off to the worst start in franchise history, end a four-game losing streak by beating the Ottawa Senators.
Phoenix Coyotes center Mike Eastwood will be sidelined a minimum of six weeks with a broken bone in his right hand… . Sergei Berezin scored two goals as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings in a game marking the 65th anniversary of Maple Leafs Gardens… . The Florida Panthers (8-1-4) fell three games shy of tying the longest unbeaten streak at the start of an NHL season when they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers… . Patrick Roy, who earned his 33rd career shutout, and Dominick Hasek were unbeatable in goal as Colorado and Buffalo skated to a 0-0 tie.