The Online Source for St. Louis Sports
ISSUE #56
February 6, 1996
Copyright © 1996 St. Louis Sports Online
Reproduction Prohibited Without Permission of Publisher [StLSports@aol.com]
St. Louis Sports Online is an online sports weekly that aims to provide
St. Louisans (and transplanted St. Louisans) with an additional source of
news, information, and humor about St. Louis-area sports events and St.
Louis-area sports teams.
ISSUE #56 includes articles from our News and Notes columnist, KMOX radio's
Randy Karraker; StLSO senior writer Jim Hunstein, StLSO Blues beat writer
Brian Stull; Riverfront Times hockey writer Randy Hu, Doug Bray, Joe Ashkar,
and Scott Simon
New this week: Bray's college basketball updates. In addition, the 1996
Cardinals roster and spring training invitees (pitchers only, position players
will be listed in #57) is found in 5.1.
St. Louis Sports Online can be reached at StLSports@aol.com and via FAX
(618-457-5691). Subscriptions to StLSO are free, and can be obtained by
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St. Louis Sports Online FEBRUARY.96.1
CONTENTS
1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER
2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts
2.1 Blues Banter
2.2 Cardinals News
2.3 Rams Update by JIM HUNSTEIN
2.4 Ambush Update
2.5 St. Louis University Update by DOUG BRAY
2.6 Mizzou Update by DOUG BRAY
2.7 Illini Update by DOUG BRAY
2.8 StLSO Quote of the Week
2.9 StLSO Headline of the Week
3.0 StLSO Features
3.1 The Boys Are Back In Town by BRIAN STULL
3.2 The Kiel-Stone Cops by RANDY HU
3.3 Dierdorf Elected to Hall Of Fame - Finally by JIM HUNSTEIN
4.0 StLSO Game Recaps
4.1 Blues Summaries
5.0 StLSO Numbers
5.1 1996 Cardinals Roster (as of Jan. 31, 1996)
6.0 StLSO Media Watch
6.1 Familiar Names Dot Fox TV Baseball Lineup by SCOTT SIMON
7.0 StLSO Interactivity
8.0 StLSO Editorials
8.1 Fun at Kiel: It's Indoor Soccer, Baby
8.2 Iron Mike, M.D.
St. Louis Sports Online FEBRUARY.96.1
1.0 StLSO News and Notes by RANDY
KARRAKER
Blues coach Mike Keenan seemed a little perturbed that the media would question
why, every time the Blues lose, it seems to be the officials' fault. In
a particularly ridiculous display Saturday, Keenan...while admitting his
team played poorly...blamed referee Terry Gregson for "setting the
tone" for the game with an early penalty call against the Blues. Says
here if the Flyers were called for that penalty at that point in the game,
the tone for this one was set during the last three years when the Flyers
acquired Eric Lindros, John LeClair, Joel Otto and Eric Desjardins. Regardless
of who the officials are, if the Blues play the Flyers in a best of seven
series, the Flyers win every time, usually in four, five or at the outside
six games. Keenan has already admitted that his team is very average. Now
all he has to do is acknowledge that his team can lose on its own to above
average teams, they don't need the help of the officials.
The Cardinals are closing in on spring training...apparently without a closer
that they feel comfortable with. Fortunately for the Redbirds, they seem
to have the Oakland A's over the barrell. Oakland can either pay Eck $2.3
million to pitch for them, or save about $1 million and move him to St.
Louis. Since Eckersley is a 10-5 man (10 years in the majors, the last five
with the same team) he can veto any deal. He has told the A's the only team
he'll go to is the Cardinals. Former Cardinal and current Blue Jay Danny
Cox says Eckersley has plenty left, and that his veteran status will earn
him calls regardless of what league he pitches in. That advantage may better
serve the Cardinals than the ones Gregg Olson brings. I will say this...since
I've been watching baseball, I haven't seen many righthanders with a better
curveball than a healthy Olson. If he's on, he'll be fun to watch for Cards
fans in '96. By the way, by the time you read this, the new grass will be
down at Busch Stadium...taking root for April 8.
NFL free agency gets underway next week. The Rams have told team doctors
to pretty much block out the last few weeks of this month (they're at the
combine in Indianapolis this week) for physicals of potential signees. Rams
people talk as if Maurice Hurst is already theirs, and it would seem Bryan
Cox is in the same position. What the Rams see this week in Indy will certainly
have an impact on what other free agents they pursue. By the way, I stopped
by the new practice facility on Sunday and it is coming along very well.
It's supposed to be done by mid-May, and to this untrained eye it would
seem they could finish it by then. The new Rams Park will just be one more
advantage for the Rams in their quest for new talent.
2.0 StLSO Sports Shorts
2.1 Blues Banter
Mike Keenan was in top form after the 7-3 loss to the Flyers. Among his
comments included the following nuggets of wisdom:
*"Brett didn't get the same kind of star status that Eric Lindros did."
*"Any of the injured players would be an improvement over David Roberts."
*"We played a soft defense against a big team. Our defense aren't physical
enough to begin with."
*"If [the fans] booed [Pronger], I understand why."
*"Pronger didn't deserve to play [the third period]. Hawerchuk didn't
play well,either."
*Blues January 1996 Schedule and Results
# DATE HOME AWAY result comment
39 Thu Jan 4 CHICAGO L 3-2 Hull: 1G
40 Sat 6 PITTSBURGH W 3-2 Hull: 1G
41 Tue 9 NEW JERSEY L 4-2 Hull: 1G
42 Thu 11 PHILADELPHIA T 4-4 Hull: 1G
43 Sat 13 MONTREAL T 3-3 Blues blow lead
44 Sun 14 NY RANGERS T 3-3 Blues blow lead
45 Tue 16 EDMONTON L 5-1 Cujo returns
46 Wed 24 WINNIPEG W 6-5 Twist: 1G
47 Sat 27 TAMPA BAY W 2-1 Twist: 2G
48 Mon 29 OTTAWA L 4-2 Hawerchuk: 2G
49 Wed 31 TORONTO W 4-0 Hawerchuk: 500th
January totals: 4-4-3
*Blues February 1996 Schedule and Results
# DATE HOME AWAY result comment
50 Thu Feb 1 VANCOUVER T 2-2 Courtnall: 1G
51 Sat 3 PHILADELPHIA L 7-3 Lindros: 3G
52 Tue 6 DALLAS 7:30
53 Thu 8 CHICAGO 7:30
54 Sat 10 DALLAS 2:00
55 Sun 11 FLORIDA 6:00
56 Tue 13 TAMPA BAY 7:30
57 Fri 16 DETROIT 7:30
58 Sun 18 WINNIPEG 6:00
59 Tue 20 OTTAWA 7:30
60 Thu 22 CHICAGO 7:30
61 Sat 24 LOS ANGELES 7:30
62 Thu 29 VANCOUVER 7:30
2.2 Cardinals News
The Cardinals have launched their own WWW site. The URL can be found at
www.stlcardinals.com.
"The Internet offers us an excellent means to reach fans of all ages,"
said Cardinals President/CEO Mark Lamping. "And it also provides us
with a unique and valuable took for communicating with the many Cardinals
fans who live outside the St. Louis area."
Press releases indicate that the site will include everything from daily
updates (including spring training results) to ticket and souvenir sales.
Good luck to the cyber-birds.
2.3 Rams Update by JIM HUNSTEIN
The Rams have 15 free agents of one form or another as they head into free
agency period starting February 16. The players will have the chance to
show their stuff at the NFL Combine to be held February 8-12 at the RCA
Dome in Indianapolis.
The list of Rams unrestricted free agents includes RB Johnny Bailey, K Dean
Biasucci, TE Pat Carter, LB Shane Conlan, LB Cedric Figaro, OL Leo Goeas,
OL Clarence Jones, TE Jim Price, and DE Fred Stokes.
The list of restricted free agents includes OL Chuck Belin, TE Troy Drayton,
QB Jamie Martin, and RB Greg Robinson.Those free agents on whom the club
retains the right of first refusal include TE Marv Cook and QB Mark Rypien.
CB Todd Lyght is designated as a "Player in transition."
Once the free agency period begins, the players have April 15 to sign offer
sheets. Five days later is the NFL draft, which will take on greater significance
now that St. Louis has a team. The Bighorns will have the 13th overall pick.
2.4 Ambush Update
St. Louis Ambush Schedule and Results
February
03 Kansas City Attack W 23-5
04 Tampa Bay Terror W 23-16
17 Kansas City Attack
19 at Kansas City Attack
23 Chicago Power
25 at Milwaukee Wave
29 Detroit Rockers
March
01 at Buffalo Blizzard
02 at Harrisburg Heat
09 Chicago Power
10 Cincinnati Silverbacks
15 at Wichita Wings
16 at Detroit Rockers
23 Baltimore Spirit
Ambush Ticket Information: (314) 291-7600 or (314) 962-GOAL
2.5 St. Louis University Update by DOUG BRAY
The St. Louis University Billikens were scheduled to play two games this
past week. But they ended up only playing one. The Billikens were scheduled
to play at Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon but that contest was cancelled
because of poor weather conditions on the east coast. The game will not
be replayed.
In the other game this week, the Bills lost to Memphis 80-63 on Tuesday
night. The victory extended Memphis' winning streak at The Pyramid, in Memphis,
to 30 games. The Bills currently hold a record of 12-7, with a 3-5 mark
in Conference USA. Lorenzen Wright scored 27 points, including 21 in the
first half, and collected 16 rebounds for the Tigers. For the Bills, Jeff
Harris and Carlos McCauley scored 11 points each, and Virgel Cobbin was
2-3 from three point range, and ended up with 13 points. The Billikens only
have one game this week, at Cincinnati, on Wednesday night at 6:05 p.m.
That game will be broadcast on Prime Sports.
2.6 Mizzou Update by DOUG BRAY
The University of Missouri Tigers had a tough time with two Big Eight opponents
this week, losing 106-94 to Colorado in Boulder, on Monday, and 104-68 to
Oklahoma, in Norman Okla., on Satruday afternoon. The 13-8 Tigers have struggled
in the conference, and with a conference record of 3-4, they fell below
.500 in the conference for the first time since 1993. Jason Sutherland was
the high scorer for Mizzou on Monday with 19 points. Sophmore Kelly Thames
added 18 points and Derek Grimm threw in 17 for the Tigers. Chauncey Billips
was the high scorer for Colorado with 27 points.
On Saturday the Okalhoma Sooners shot 56 percent and committed only 2 turnovers
on the way to a 36 point victory over the Tigers. Ryan Minor Scored 30 points,
including 5 three pointers, for the Sooners. For the Tigers, Derek Grimm
was the top scorer, with 15 points. Jason Sutherland added 11 and Freshman
Danny Allouche scored 12 points. Tigers coach Norm Stewart coached his 1000th
game as a head coach on Satruday against Oklahoma. He has a record of 673-327
in 35 years at Missouri and Northern Iowa.
Missouri will play two conference matchups this week, when they take on
Nebraska on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and Kansas at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Both of those games will be played at the Hearnes Center in Columbia.
2.7 Illini Update by DOUG BRAY
The University of Illinois played only once this week, and it was a game
to remember. But not for the Illini. The University of Wisconsin won their
first Big Ten road game of the year 57 to 56 over Illinois in Champaign
on Saturday. The Illini are 14-7 on the season, with a 3-6 mark in the conference.
The Badgers outrebounded the Fightin' Illini 47-33 and held guard Kiwane
Garris to only 2 points, his career low. The 56 points were also a season
scoring low for Illinois. Junior Jerry Hester was the high scorer for Illinois
with 22 points, and 6'5" forward Bryant Notree threw in 11 points.
Illinois only game this week is at Penn State, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
It will be nationally televised on ESPN.
2.8 StLSO Quote of the Week
"[Andy Benes] hasn't been what people really predicted he would be,"
said Whitey Herzog on KMOX radio's "Sports On A Sunday Morning"
show. "I really wish they'd signed Biggio," continued the White
Rat.
2.9 StLSO Headline of the Week
From the 2.4.96 Post-Dispatch:"Latest Tiger Debacle: 36-Point Loss"
3.0 StLSO Features
3.1 The Boys Are Back In Town by BRIAN STULL
This past Saturday afternoon I witnessed something that hasn't happened
in a long time....the St.Louis Blues lost, but fans were happy. Sitting
in a local establishment for the third period of play against Philadelphia,
it was interesting to watch everyone jump out of their seats and yell encouragement
as the men in blue battled the legion of doom.
It was like a flashback of yesteryear, where Blues fans were satisified
if their team had the most knockouts, regardless of the score. When players
like Geoff Courtnall, Shayne Corson, and Jay Wells have serious bouts, in
addition to Tony Twist and Rob Pearson taking on opponents, it adds an excitement
to the game that has been missed often this year-- it shows the fans that
these Blues care. And that makes a difference to the fan paying the hunk
of dough to watch this team in action. Even Iron Mike was caught by the
television camera with a slight smile on his face as the Blues got in the
face of the Flyers.
As the consistency of play with this team improves, so should this style
of play. The Blues have admitted they're not a fancy, finesse team with
a lot of firepower. They need to bang, hit, and mix it up to be successful.
The new "pieces of the puzzle" that Keenan has brought in (Matteau,
Hudson, Pearson) fit this plan of attack.
The mix of playoff veterans and physical play should make the difference
for the Blues has they start the stretch run for post-season, and it should
make the difference for the St.Louis fans who have been craving exciting
hockey to get caught up in.
3.2 The Kiel-Stone Cops by RANDY HU
The Kiel Center Partners announced last week that they are providing a cash
infusion of $19 million into the Blues and Kiel Center to help wash the
red ink off the books accumulated over the past two seasons. According to
KCP mouthpiece Al Kerth, the combined operations lost $8 million in the
strike-shortened season last year and are projected to lose $7 million this
year. "This cash infusion is not an arsenal to use for free agents.
It's simply to cover the indebtedness that has been incurred since we've
come into the building last year," said Blues president Jack Quinn.
The Kiel Center Partners are the CEOs of the 19 companies that belong to
Civic Progress, which comprise 26 of the largest companies in the St. Louis
area. They are the sole owners of both the Blues and Kiel Center.
This latest KCP public relations move is more sizzle than substance. The
Almighty Nineteen have come down from their ivory towers because their public
approval rating is lower than OJ's (see Kiel Opera House). Anyway, pitching
in a million bucks apiece makes for a nice tax write-off, eh? It's part
of the bankroll that has built up from a 30% ticket price hike when the
Blues moved into Kiel Center a season ago.
Even so, the Blues still rank ninth in the NHL in both net ticket revenue
and attendance. Phone calls to a couple of the more visible Partners, Jerry
Ritter of Anheuser-Busch and Chuck Knight of Emerson Electric, for additional
comment were deflected and not returned. It might be easier to get an audience
with the Pope or Jimmy Hoffa.
Why are the revenue losses mounting and fans losing interest?
*Sky high ticket prices have led to a 15% decline in attendance from last
year. With the cheapest ticket at $30, you can't make the scene if you don't
have the green.
*Coach/GM Mike Keenan's trading of Brendan Shanahan and Curtis Joseph, as
well as everyone else not named Hull, has stripped the team of its identity.
"I don't know what to expect from this team on a game-to-game basis,"
said a frustrated Keenan.
*The forced ousting of chairman Mike Shanahan left a void as a liaison between
fans and management. President Jack Quinn is accessible, but not as user
friendly as Shanahan. Plus, affable ex-GM Ron Caron has been quietly pushed
aside.
*Keenan's icy cold image has turned him from a conquering hero to constantly
being second guessed. The highest paid coach in the NHL has been reduced
to blaming the officiating after losses. "The owners are completely
confident that Mike Keenan can do the job," says Kerth.
*The NHL owner's lockout slashed 17 games off the Blues home schedule last
year. Getting bounced out in the first round of the playoffs three of the
past 4 years haven't helped either. Unless things change dramatically down
the stretch, it looks like the same story this year. This isn't hockey like
it oughta be.
*The Kiel Center project debt of $98 million is being paid off over 10 years,
instead of a more conventional 30-year period.
*The Rams grabbed the headlines this fall and the Cardinals are making news
with their free spending ways. The Blues could lose valuable market share
of the discretionary sports dollar if the team continues to tread water.
*The Blues have the fifth highest payroll in the NHL, yet haven't gotten
near the expected bang for their buck, mucking along at the .500 mark all
year. They are about $4 million over their proposed salary cap, which is
a moving target these days with all of the Wayne Gretzky trade rumors. (Note:
The LA Kings acquisition of Boston's Kevin Stevens for Rick Tocchet added
$1 million to their payroll. They could've dumped Tocchet for prospects
to build for the future, but instead appear to be complying with Gretzky's
wishes to make the team more competitive.)
There are a lot of questions left unanswered. Is the Kiel Center Partners
group putting more money into a sinking ship? Is the team in danger of being
put up for sale in the near future? The KCP philosophy has always been business
first, everything else second. They've gotten where they are by making sound
financial decisions, not by losing money. Though they claim that they are
keeping the team afloat by operating it on a break even basis, the goal
is to keep salaries in line with revenue. Translated, that means if the
Blues are knocked out in the first round of the playoffs again this year,
look for another player clearinghouse by Keenan.
Simply stated, what's the future of this team, if any? Win now or build
for the future? Are the KCP's being held accountable for their actions or
is Keenan being set up as a scapegoat? How much power does Keenan really
have?
My, what a tangled web we weave.
3.3 Dierdorf Elected to Hall Of Fame
- Finally by JIM HUNSTEIN
Dan Dierdorf, arguably the most famous football player ever to play on the
St. Louis gridiron, was elected to the Football Hall Of Fame right before
the Super Bowl. Dierdorf has reached the final ballot for membership to
the shrine for the past two years only to be shut out.
But the third time was the charm for the former offensive lineman turned
sportscaster. In fact, some think that transition might have been responsible
for him not being elected until now. His straight-shooting, finger-pointing
style in the ABC Monday Night Football booth seems to have perturbed some
of the voters. The fact that he was right and unbiased didn't seem to matter.
But nothing can take away what he accomplished on the field. He was drafted
in the second round out of Michigan. Old Number 72 anchored the offensive
line mostly from the tackle position of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1971
to 1983. It was a line that for five years allowed the fewest sacks in the
NFL. He went to six Pro Bowls and was selected as an All Pro five times.
About all he didn't accomplish was a trip to the Super Bowl or even advnacing
beyond the first round of the playoffs. He was picked by the players association
as the best blocker in the league for thee successive years.
His induction will be a homecoming of sorts for Dierdorf; he was born in
Canton, Ohio, in 1949 and grew up about a mile from where the shrine now
stands. But he is not the only homeboy in the Hall Of Fame. Former Purple
People Eater Alan Page also hails from there but has severed all ties but
for the hall.
Other in this year's class include coach Joe Gibbs (Redskins, 81-92), lineman
Lou Creekmur (Lions, 50-59), defensive back Mel Renfro (Cowboys 64-77),
and wide receiver Charlie Joiner (Oilers 69-72, Bengals 72-75, Chargers
76-86).
4.0 StLSO Game Recaps
4.1 Blues Summaries
4.1.1 at Ottawa (GAME #48; 1.29.96)
In front of a sparse crowd of 13,125 fans, the Ottawa Senators won their
first game in six tries in their new home arena, the Palladium, as they
defeated the Blues 4-2.
Alexei Yashin was the star for the Senators as he had a goal and two assists
for the Senators, who won their first game under new coach Jacques Martin.
The win was Ottawa's first in 18 home games.
Dale Hawerchuk had both Blues goals (the 498th and 499th of his NHL career),
the second of which tied the game at 7:24 of the second period. But All-Star
Daniel Alfreddson scored the go-ahead goal with just 20 seconds remaining
in the second period, and the Senators held on in the third period despite
being outshot 13-4.
Ex-Blue Steve Duchesne also had a goal for Ottawa, who improved their record
to 9-37-2.
4.1.2 at Toronto (GAME #49; 1.31.96)
Dale Hawerchuk scored his 500th career NHL goal in front of hometown friends
and family, leading the Blues toa 4-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The shutout was Grant Fuhr's 15th, as the Blues rebounded from a weak effort
against Ottawa with a strong game against their perennial divisional rivals,
the Maple Leafs.
At 14:35 of the second period, David Roberts opened the scoring for the
Blues with his first goal of the season. The goal came on the power play,
with Brett Hull and Igor Kravchuk getting credit for the assists. The second
period ended with no further scoring for either club.
The Blues scored three times in the third period. Hawerchuk's historic goal
came at 10:26 of the third period, when he converted a nice backhand pass
from new acquisition Rob Pearson, blasting a hard forehand one-timer past
Felix Potvin. Goals by Geoff Courtnall and Al MacInnis (the latter of which
coming after Potvin had been removed for an extra attacker) rounded out
the game's scoring.
The game was one of the Blues' stronger efforts of the year, as they outshot
Toronto 31-25.
4.1.3 Vancouver (GAME #50; 2.1.96)
The Blues returned home to face the Vancouver Canucks in a Thursday night
battle at the Kiel Center and came away with a point, tying 2-2. Both teams
were stopped by solid goaltending in the first period. Grant Fuhr was in
his customary spot for St. Louis and Corey Hirsch was in the nets for Vancouver.
Geoff Courtnall opened the second period by scoring in front on a great
set-up from Brett Hull. The Canucks responded midway through the period
with a power play goal as Trevor Linden fired from outside the left circle
and the puck deflected of Murray Baron's skate past Fuhr, tying the game
at one.
At 13:09, Tony Twist continued to be an offensive prescence, clearing the
front of the net which allowed Dave Roberts to dish to Patrice Tardiff for
the easy goal and the lead.
Grant Fuhr made several sensational saves early in the third period. Fuhr
stopped Martin Gelinas on a breakaway and then turned away a chance by Alexander
Mogilny. The physical intensity also picked up in the third period. Gino
Odjick snuck behind Twist and tapped him in the helmet before fleeing off
the ice during a shift change. Referee Rob Schick couldn't find his whistle
until later when Baron was called for cross-checking at 11:31.
Vancouver nearly tied the game with :45 left in the third, first hitting
the post. A short time later Mogilny knocked in the puck after Fuhr released
it. It was ruled no goal immediately as Schick had blown the whistle prior
to the puck being dropped. Then with just :37 left, Baron was once again
sent off for a questionable crosscheck. This time the Canucks capitalized,
as Mogilny whistled a quick shot from the top of the slot past Fuhr with
7.9 seconds left, tying the game at two.
The Blues outshot the Canucks 3/0 in the overtime, but it wasn't enough
and the game ended 2-2.
GAMENOTES: Every Blues player had at least an even rating for the game....Fuhr
stopped 34/36 shots, Hirsch 27/29.....The St.Louis power play was 0/4, Vancouver
2/7....The Blues next game is at home on Saturday against Philadelphia.
4.1.4 Philadelphia (GAME #51; 2.3.96) by JOE ASHKAR
In a game riddled with scuffles and penalties, the Philadelphia Flyers pounded
the St. Louis Blues with a 7-3 humiliating loss Saturday afternoon at Kiel
Center. Eric Lindros scored his 8th career hat trick and added an assist
to spark his team past the Blues who dropped back to the .500 mark with
a record of 21-21-9.
The Blues stood tall and showed a lot heart against the biggest team in
the league by winning every physical battle on the ice but the more talented
Flyers won the war on the scoreboard.
The game started out well for the Blues as Tony Twist electrified the sellout
crowd of 20,040 by hammering Shawn Antoski in a lopsided fight at 2:26.
The two players tangled along the right boards and decided to drop their
gloves. Twist quickly landed three straight punches to Antoski's head before
dropping him down to the ice.
The fight got the Blues going and Brett Hull ended a goal-scoring slump
by giving the Blues a 1-0 lead at 5:09. Chris Pronger intercepted a Flyers
pass in the Blues zone and carried the puck all the way into the Flyers
zone. Pronger centered the puck to Hull in the slot who fired a wicked slap
shot on Ron Hextall. Hextall made the initial save but as he was falling
down, the puck deflected off his back and into the net. The goal was Hull's
29th of the season and only the second in the past 10 games.
Midway through the first period, referee Terry Gregson gave Brian Noonan
a very questionable interference penalty at 10:14 for interfering with Eric
Lindros at centre ice. Lindros appeared to have taken a dive as he skated
by Noonan. The Blues did a very good job killing the penalty and limiting
the Flyers to no shots on goal.
Four minutes later, Gregson penalized both J.J. Daigneault of the Blues
and Rod Brind'amour with coincidental roughing panalties for a clean hit
by Daigneault on the Flyers' forward. Mike Keenan was livid about the two
consecutive questionable calls by Gregson later in the postgame press conference.
With both teams skating four-on-four, the Flyers tied the score 1-1 at 15:15
and appeared to change the momentum of the game. At that point, the Blues
had outshot the Flyers 10-3. Joel Otto outhustled Igor Kravchuk and Chris
Pronger to a lose puck in the left corner and skated in alone on goal to
beat Fuhr with a low shot to the stick side.
With 1:35 left in the period, Lindros gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead with a
power-play goal as Corson was sitting in the penalty box for high sticking.
Lindros took Dan Quinn's cross-ice pass in the left circle and one-timed
it past Fuhr for his 31st goal of the season.
Barely two minutes into the second period, Pat Falloon increased the Flyers
lead to 3-1. Falloon took Quinn's long centering pass from left wing and
beat Fuhr with a nifty move at 2:03. Keenan pulled Fuhr after the goal in
favor of backup goaltender Bruce Racine.
Racine denied Lindros on a two-on-one rush with John Leclair at 9:45 with
a stellar save that brought the crowd back into the game. As the crowd was
cheering, Geoff Courtnall skated around the Philadelphia defense and beat
Hextall with a long shot from the left circle to reduce the score to 3-2.
The Flyers quieted the crowd as they regained their two-goal lead 55 seconds
later. Racine stopped Leclair's long shot from the top of the left circle
but Lindros tipped the rebound into the open net before the Blues goalie
could react. After the goal, Keenan re-inserted Fuhr back into the game.
Lindros completed the hat trick at 17:58 by overpowering Pronger in the
slot and wristing a shot past between Fuhr pads to give Philadelphia a solid
5-2 lead.
Craig MacTavish and Joel Otto added goals in the early minutes of the third
period to put completely put the game out of reach. Hull later scored his
30th of the season with a rare Blues power-play goal to cap the scoring
at 7-3.
The Flyers were 3-for-11 with the man advantage while the Blues went 1-for-5.
The Blues have been atrocious on the power play as of late, they have only
three goals in their last 37 attempts.
The game's three stars:
1 - Eric Lindros
2 - Joel Otto
3 - Dan Quinn
5.0 StLSO Numbers
No stats this week.
6.0 StLSO Media Watch
6.1 Familiar Names Dot Fox TV Baseball
Lineup by SCOTT SIMON
What do Joe Buck, Chip Caray, and Thom Brennaman have in common besides
having fathers who also broadcast major league baseball?
The three were named Tuesday to the inaugural FOX TV lineup of regional
play by play baseball broadcasters, starting this summer.
Buck does the St. Louis Cardinals radio casts, Caray is on Seattle's television
schedule, while Brennaman, who has been with the Chicago Cubs for five years,
is on the beach for a couple of seasons before becoming the voice of the
Arizona Diamondbacks when it commences play in 1998.
Fox Sports said one more announcer will be hired to round out their team.
One name being mentioned is John Rooney of the Chicago White Sox, who has
done baseball play by play for CBS radio coverage throughout the regular
season, playoffs, and World Series.
The network will air four regional games on selected Saturdays throughout
the summer.
7.0 StLSO Interactivity
*Tim Murnin writes from South Africa--
I have to say that, upon hearing about Danny Jackson's latest surgery, I
am mystified at the performance of the Cardinals' medical staff. If this
injury took place in late August, why wait until now to have surgery? Apparently,
Jackson was ticked at this decision as well.
I would like the Cards to take a long look at their medical staff, from
the trainers through to Dr. Stan London, because this team seems to have
more trouble with injuries to pitchers than any team in baseball, and none
of these injuries are simple, uncomplicated strains.
I mean, what team in baseball has more trouble with the medial-collateral
ligament than the Cards? I don't think the fault is with Gieselmann, but
somebody is not looking after these guys.
So now, once again, a medically-unstable pitcher the Cards were depending
on will be out until the All-Star Break, a familiar chorus for this team....
*Donald Kostello writes (in response to Randy Hu's piece in StLSO #55)--
If Brett is so concerned about the Kiel Center ice, why don't he and some
of his buddies do something about it, like pay for the fix? If he truly
thinks it will be good for him, then it would make sense for him to help
pay for it, since it would help his numbers and career longevity. Of course,
this will never happen. Hull, like most athletes, believes that money to
pay for these type of improvements comes from some magical group of bad
people known collectively as "owners". In reality, of course,
the money for these improvements comes out of the fans' pockets. If, rather,
Hull and the other players paid for it, then he could stop whining about
it, and solve the problem of the Blues not spending anything on the ice.
(Of course, that would mean that he would have to think up a new excuse
for their lackluster performance.)
The same situation occurs with football and baseball players. Whenever a
union contract comes up, the only thing they're concerned about is money.
They've never put in a contract clause about receiving less money for removing
astro-turf (or any other health-related improvement). Why, that's an ownership
concern. Of course, the fact that doing this would help them legitimately
claim that they are concerned about the best interests of the game never
occurs to them (rather than stating the obviously hollow claims they presently
make). They'd rather complain about the owners greed than confess their
own.
I think this is a perfect opportunity for Brett to put up. Or shut up. I
also think that this will never happen.
*BS Doughe writes--
I am looking for the schedule of the St. Louis Ambush. If anyone knows how
to get one on the Internet please let me know.
*Luke Petkovsek writes from Texas--
Received our copy of the St. Louis Sports Online 1995 Review and 1996 Calendar
yesterday and have spent several hours browsing it with particular attention
to the Cardinals.
[I] even saw Mark [Petkovsek] looking though it last night. It is certainly
well done and will find itself on a bookshelf for easy access as things
warm up soon in spring training. Just thought I'd let you know we appreciate
your efforts down here in southeast Texas.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The St. Louis Sports Online 1995 Review and 1996 Calendar
can be purchased by sending a check or money order for $30.00 to St. Louis
Sports Online, P.O. Box 1024, Carbondale, Illinois. The zip code is 62903.
For additional information on the calendar please e-mail to StLSports@aol.com.
8.0 StLSO Editorials
8.1 Fun at Kiel: It's Indoor Soccer, Baby
In 1970, upper balcony seats for Detroit Red Wings games at the Olympia
were $3.00. Now, $3.00 doesn't seem like much in comparison with 1996 ticket
prices, but in 1970, $3.00 ducats were a bit steep.
In the early '70s, the fact that most Red Wings games were sell-outs (a
phenomenon that continues in the Joe Louis Arena) contributed to the general
difficulties associated with attending NHL games in Detroit.
So in an enlightened attempt to scratch an ever-growing hockey itch, some
Detroit-area entrepreneurs got the bright idea to field a team in the Ontario
Hockey Association's Junior A league.
The name of the team? The Detroit Junior Red Wings.
The team's home arena? The same place that the NHL's Red Wings skated: the
Olympia.
And the team's marquee players? Mark and Marty Howe, the teen-aged sons
of hockey superstar Gordie Howe and his wife Colleen.
Two more facts...and an opinion.
Fact #1: tickets for Jr. Red Wings games, in addition to being available
on the day-of-the-game, were affordable (as cheap as $1.00).
Fact #2: Jr. Red Wings games were family affairs. Gordie's wife Colleen,
along with several of her friends and other Howe family members, played
the role of hostess, passing out rosters and selling programs prior to the
start of each game. Everybody seemed to know everybody at Jr. Wings' games,
and the crowd noise had the oh-so-pleasant sound of youngsters enjoying
themselves.
So for the opinion. Attending Jr. Red Wings games was flat-out fun...and
served as a kind of kindergarten in this observer's hockey education.
What does any of this have to do with St. Louis sports?
Saturday night, the St. Louis Ambush played host to the Kansas City Attack.
And a portion of the StLSO staff was introduced to the sport of indoor soccer,
a sport that's had more than its share of ups and downs in St. Louis.
There were several important elements in the National Professional Soccer
League (NPSL) game between the defending champion Ambush and the Attack,
owners of a National Division-leading 21-4 won-loss record.
For one thing, the Attack had already defeated the Ambush twice during the
1995-96 season. And the Ambush, in an attempt to tighten up a leaky defense,
added defenders Greg Muhr, Kris Kelderman, and Chris Kenny to their roster.
Whatever player-coach-GM Daryl Doran did to mix things up, it must have
worked, as the 'bush defeated the Attack 23-5. In the NPSL, that's a blowout.
Nearly every Ambush player seemed to play well, and Doran himself was a
maestro on the carpet...seemingly in control of every important aspect of
the game. Doran's not hard to spot...he's the bald one.
But the game and its outcome didn't seem to matter much, as far as the noise
level inside the Kiel was concerned. Many of those in attendance [12,105
(eighth largest in Ambush history)] were youngsters who spent much of their
time during the game cheering and shrieking for their hometown boys. Surely
the fact that Ambush tickets are only about 30% as expensive as Blues tickets
has something to do with the crowd demographics, eh?
Lordy, those were pleasant sounds. A night with the Ambush is a pleasant
night indeed, and St. Louis Sports Online hopes to provide its readers with
coverage of the Ambush for the balance of the regular season as well as
the NPSL playoffs.
8.2 Iron Mike, M.D.
After Saturday afternoon's Blues-Flyers game at the Kiel Center, Blues C&GM
Mike Keenan addressed the media. In a wide-ranging and spirited discussion,
Keenan touched on several topics, including the poor play of the team that
he coaches and generally manages.
But in what was likely an attempt to deflect criticism of his own team's
meager effort against the Flyers, Iron Mike focused much of his attention
on the game's officiating.
Specifically, Keenan claimed that referee Terry Gregson gave Flyers' center
Eric Lindros the superstar treatment early in the game...and that Lindros
took advantage of Gregson's latitude throughout the affair.
Keenan thought that sort of thing was unacceptable. And he didn't mince
words in making his feelings known.
"[Lindros] is an excellent player. I'm not diminishing his abilities...but
he got the treatment by the officials to start with. Then at the end, I
don't mind if he's going to take liberties with our players. But he should
be ready to face the consequences for it," Keenan said.
True enough. But Lindros, who took part in several chats throughout the
game (with Shayne Corson, Rob Pearson, and Tony Twist, among others), chose
to focus his attention on goal scoring (he lit the red light three times)
and an occasional animated discussion, rather than dropping his gloves and
tangling with a Blue.
Especially late in the game. Lindros, taking full advantage of his superstar
status as well as his superior size and toughness, made it his business
to make life difficult for anyone wearing a white jersey.
It was at this point that C&GM Mike Keenan was transformed into Iron
Mike, M.D. Dr. Keenan's prescription to counter the over-stimulated Lindros?
Two doses of Tony Twist, the Blues' version of Ritalin.
Keenan, growing weary of Lindros' constant on-ice presence late during a
game in which the Flyers had a four goal lead, responded by double-shifting
Twist...even playing him on defense ("He played better defense than
[Pronger or Kravchuk]," said Iron Mike when asked about Twist's insertion
on the blue line).
In any event, two tablets of Twist seemed to have the desired calming effect
on hyperactive young Eric, who wanted no part of what many believe to be
the NHL's toughest guy.
Who could blame young Eric for not wanting to tangle with Twist? After all,
early in the first period he and 20,040 Kiel Center partisans witnessed
an unbelievably powerful right hand thrown by Twist that seemed to go through
the left side of Shawn Antoski's face. Twist's blow knocked Antoski, all
6-4 240 lbs of him, to the ice, where he covered up to prevent any further
punishment.
The fight left Antoski "groggy and blurry", Flyers' coach Terry
Murray said after the game. Indeed, Antoski played but little after the
knockdown, picking up a roughing minor in the second period.
But back to Lindros.
While it's true that Lindros was taking liberties with Blues' players less
prone to the physical side of hockey (J.J. Daigneault and Geoff Courtnall
to name two), it is also true that Lindros is a complete hockey player.
And in the rules that govern the jungle of the NHL, complete hockey players
aren't required to match their fighting skills with players of Twist's caliber.
Twist is in the NHL for one reason..and that reason has nothing to do with
his goal-scoring, passing, or skating abilities. He knows it, Keenan most
certainly knows it, and the thousands of Kiel Center fans chanting "We
want Twist" know it, too.
So the Twister is reduced to testing his skills with the Domis and the Proberts
of the world. It's almost as if Lindros is playing a different game than
the Twister...a game with rules designed to protect the NHL's premier players.
But that's OK. And Keenan's reaction to Lindros' antics simply adds a bit
of soap to the opera of hockey.
One player DOES comes to mind as someone who possesses the necessary package
of skills, size, attitude, and toughness necessary to match "wits"
with Lindros. But Iron Mike traded that player to Hartford.