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 Stanley Cup notebook Hitchcock 'Plantes' one with news media
Posted: Friday June 11, 1999 12:43 AM
DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas Stars coach Ken Hitchcock pulled a lineup switch for Game 2, and also a little misdirection on the media. Before the game, Hitchcock discussed bringing in more speed to counteract the quick fourth line of the Buffalo Sabres. He talked up Tony Hrkac and Derek Plante, and had everyone writing and talking about the two. He only used one -- Hrkac, to replace rookie Jon Sim. Plante, a healthy scratch, turned out to be a plant.
Officially speakingThe on-ice officials for Thursday night's game, referees Kerry Fraser and Dan Marouelli and linesmen Gord Broseker and Kevin Collins, represented 21 years of experience in the Stanley Cup finals. Collins had the most with nine appearances, Fraser had eight and Brosker, four. Marouelli had no previous Stanley Cup finals experience before this series.
Big victory in Big DHow important was Dallas' victory in Game 2 of the finals? Only this: teams that have won Game 2 have gone on to win the Stanley Cup in 26 of the last 28 years. The last Stanley Cup winner which won the championship after losing Game 2 was Calgary, against Montreal in 1989.
Sweepless in DallasThe Stars' victory tied the series 1-1 and ended a string of four straight sweeps in the finals -- by New Jersey, Colorado and two by Detroit.
Matter of perspectiveThursday night's Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals marked the 99th game for the Buffalo Sabres since the start of the regular season. A long season? Not for Sabres captain Mike Peca. "A lot of people in the world work 11 1/2 months a year," Peca said. "This is what we do. This is not a big deal."
Vezinas aplentyThis year's finals feature a rarity: two goaltenders who are multiple winners of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie. Buffalo's Dominik Hasek has four and Dallas' Ed Belfour two (not counting this season). Multiple Vezina winners in the finals have occurred only one other time in NHL history -- in 1946 with Montreal's Bill Durnan and Boston's Frank Brimsek. They each had two. PowerlessIt might sound funny, but the Dallas Stars don't really like being on the power play. "I think maybe it gets us a little bit out of our rhythm," Joe Nieuwendyk says. "We like to play five on five." The Stars were handed 10 power plays in Game 1 and managed to convert only one. "Obviously our power play is going to have to score a few more goals if we get that many opportunities," Nieuwendyk said before Thursday night's game.
Waiting gameThe fans started lining up early for tickets to Thursday night's game. One said he had been standing in line since 11:30 a.m. in the humid Dallas weather, and the group had expanded considerably by 1 p.m. None of them knew when the box office would open, or if there were any tickets available. "We hope so," said one young woman who was sprawled on the concrete. Going globalThe Stanley Cup finals gets around. It is being telecast live to most areas of the world, including Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East. A prospectThe top amateur goaltender available in this year's Entry Draft? He's Brian Finley, a rookie with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. Finley appeared with other top prospects at a luncheon in the midst of the Stanley Cup. "He's very focused, uses his stopper very well and does a good job pushing the puck into the corner," says Frank Bonello, who directs Central Scouting for the NHL. Finley said he started out as a forward until switching to goaltender at age 9. "I think it helps my goaltending now," Finley said. "To be a good goaltender, you have to be a good skater."
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