OFFSIDER

Before anything else, I would like to respond to last week’s article on the Flyers. Saturday night the Flyers demonstrated that they do not have to play rough hockey to win. They just have to play well, which they did in their win over the Canadiens. Mike Ricci does not have to be ‘‘tenacious and tough’’ to be a Flyer and he would certainly not fit in with the Habs. Ricci plays well with Brind’Amour. Like Steve Duchesne said after the victory over the Habs, the Flyers are getting together with the twelve new guys Farwell picked up over the summer. Give them a little time to adjust to each other, pal.

Penguins’ defenseman Paul Coffey marked his 311th career goal against the Winnipeg Jets on November 8th, making him the most goal-scoring defenseman in the history of the NHL. Coffey took twelve seasons to break the records that Potvin set in fifteen seasons. An interesting note about Coffey is that he squeezes his size ten feet into size 6 3/4 skates to play. As long as he is happy...?

Let’s talk about Felix Potvin, the Leaf’s top goaltending prospect. Although the name Felix is Latin for lucky, Potvin isa skilled goaltender. His first NHL game was against the Blackhawks on No- vember 14; the Blackhawks won 3-0. Potvin stopped 37 of 40 shots; two of Chicago’s goals were scored by the dangerous-with-a-puck Jeremy Roenick. Two nights later Potvin made some fantastic saves as the Leafs came back to tie the Blackhawks at 2. The Leafs should keep Potvin in Toronto instead of St. John’s because he seems ready to play NHL now. Collectors might want to stock up on Potvin’s rookie card which appears in the 1990-91 Upper Deck High Numbers set (#458).

The new O-Pee-Chee cards are out and are nice enough; the pictures aren’t as boring as OPC pictures normally are. One problem shot is of Red Wing prospect Keith Primeau. He played 58 games in Detroit last year, but the company had to settle fora picture of him in a suit and tie (#309). Upper Deck Cards are out even though rumours say otherwise. Two interesting cards from that set are Pavel Bure (#54) and the Canada Cup checklist card (#7). Bure is shown sitting on a fence at a beach; the checklist card has Eric Lindros in conversation with Brett Hull.

For those collectors who like limited edition stuff, the Comic Hunter has the Pro-Set Platinum, but they do not expect it to last long.

The hockey Panthers defeated the Universite de Moncton team 8-4 on November 13. Our defensemen had a great offensive night, but they looked as if they lacked alittle defensively. Maybe I am too used to ‘*stay-at-home’’ defense and that is why i was im- pressed with Moncton’s Dan McGrath. The next Panther games are this weekend; on the 23rd they host St. F. X., and on the 24th U.C.C.B. is in town.

A little hint--keep an eye on Bruins. Things are not quite dead in Boston yet. They have not lost in five games; perhaps they just needed to get used toanew coach and several new players.

SS

UPEI X-P RESS

November 21, 1991

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