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analysis" I 've touterically ranked emh squad, ten points for the goal:- . tadingute'l :for the _ _ defense" ten for the fonﬁud§nmvw;i

The . I “again lies will continue to provide the league's best goal- tending (10) behind super defensati‘a'n“ Guy Lapointe, Serge and Larry RobinsonﬂO‘). ,The team's forwards are also com— pletely top notch‘lO) a As North America's only flaw- less tean, will 9 remain atop the league.

Ios Angeles should retain second in their division. Rogie Vachon is a sterling goalie(8),.whi1e Bob Murdoch and Gary Sargent anchor an ample defense(6) . With Marcel Dionne leading, the offense is also ,

Ted into ~ *5? Geacaninosn and Ron 710»! will be super— lative in goal(7)‘ with Terry Harper, Greg Joly, - and Steve Darmand tighten- ing the defense(6) .

Talented Dale McCourt will inspire better scoring from the likes of Nick Libett and Danny Grant(6) .

Despite the production of Syl Apps, Pierre Larouche‘and Jean Pronovo_st(7) , the Penguins will flounder. Dave and Ron Stackhouse , are their only. proven , , defensanen(5) , while Dennis Herron, Gord Laxton and Doc Wilsonmake mistakes in , qoa1(5)_,,j

again be last. is uncertain(3) , the offense feeble(2)l, and the. defenseweak despite Robert Pi'card(3)

. isr-the best bet 1n the Division.

provide 'x and Brad Park; ‘ e§tablished defense(8') . Wlth Ratelle, I Sheppard and I"bNab, also-plenty °f 5:001:13; lmchlfi) ,

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feamres Sittler and Alexander, Salming, and 'mrnbull

renain as star defensanen(8

andamoreazperienced Palmateersl'nlldstnw

Wt in goal(‘7) . Buffalo will thanage only

V ' a play-pff spot.

will be lackingw); and

the defense inconsistent(6) '

Perreault, Gare, Robert and Martin, however, will score regularly(8) .

Cleveland is doaued for the basanalt. Gilles are netmimdersﬁ) , but the defense is poor(3) . and the offense w_ea.k(4) .

In the Patrick Division the Islanders will lead. With Goran Hogasta helping Glenn Resd'l and Billy Smith, the goaltendihg almost equals mntreal's (9) . The Potrins lead ‘a e defense‘(8).;,,vklile

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spear . . .. "assassismnt‘ group}..o£af9;wards.§§). a, .

In _ Wayne 5,21; V Parent will remainsth in goal(6) . Barber, Clarke

*' MacLeish and Leach will continue to score (9) , but the defense may slip to mediocritv(6) .

Atlanta looks good for third. Dan Bouchard and Phil Myre are still solid in goal(8) , and Tan Lysiak, Tim Ecclestone, Curt ‘ Bennett, and Eric Vail can all score‘(7) . On defense, however, there are only no—names(4) .

John Ferguson's mis- treatment of Rad Gilbert casts doubt on the Ranger's chances. They've signed their top five draft picks, ‘and Hardy Aastrom will

‘ strengthen the net-minding (7.) , but the defense is sad(3) , and the offense inconsistent(4) . Their problems will continue.

Minnesota is strongest in, the weak Snythe Division. > ‘ WithTim Young, Ken—Erik

QAndersson, Steve Jenson, Glen Sharpley, the forwards are talented,

Athough obscure(7) . Skilful '

Pete. IoPresti will stop the Shots(7), and even the defense is reasonably solid(6) ., Notﬁsurprisingly only the North’ Stars had 'an undefeated pre—season.

~ puck stoppers(6) .

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St. Iouis has no terribly weak link, and should manage second. Belanger, Grant, Stamvski, and J ‘ Johnston are adequate”

'me ‘ Plagers, Dick Redmnd, and Rad Seiling are respected defensanen(6) , while Bob MacMillan, Garry Unger, Red Bermscn and Jim

lbberts can find the net(6,\

. Chicago still has Tony Esposito in 90310) , but despite Phil mssell and Dale Tallon, the defense is weak(4) . To make . matters worse, none of the forwards can score(3) . - '

basanentwcx‘ily a. ‘ Colorado is worse. ‘jold Ceasare Maniago is their best goalie(4) , and

Harold Snepsts has the most pranise on defense(S) .

Vancouver

With Derek Sanderson a question mark, the offense will also remain weak(3) . Hockey talent is scarce in Colorado. Doug Favell and Michel Plasse are lacking in goal(3) , while rookie Barry Beck and John VanBozmeer lead an otherwise pathetic defense(4) . Offensiver there isn't even anyone worth mentioning(2) .

Here then are the teams ranked from best to worst: Montreal(30)~, New York Islanders(25) , Boston(24) , Toronto(23), Philadelgiia (21) , Ios Angeles(20) , Minnesota(20) , Buffalo(19), Atlanta(19) , Detroit(19),

.st. Iouis (3.8) , Pittsburgh

(17), New York mngers(l4) , Chicago(l4) , Cleveland(l4) , Vancouver(12) , . Colorado (9) ,

Washingtm(8). Nextweek we'll consider the W.H.A.

THE T.H.P.'0~RCHESTRA

Featuring Vocalist Wayne St. John

Friday, October 28‘ at 8 p.m'.

The power of the T.H.P. Orchestra

plus the pcpular vocal styles

of Wayne St. John,

former star of television's rock hit

,__M;USIC

MACHINE

"Tickets available at Confederation Centre Box Office or the Linkletter Travel Agencies in the Summerside and Charlottetown Malls..

PART OF FALL. FESTIVAL AT » . CONFEDERATION canons THEATRE

1‘77,