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by John NeviHe
THE HABS AND THE
Believe it or not the National Hockey league is into its new season. It seems like only yesterday that the Nkmtreal Canadians won their third Stanley Cup in a row.
looking ahead to this year's action, I think there will be a number of pleasant surprises in store for the interested hockey fan.
’lhe joining of the Cleveland Barons with the Minnesota North Stars should provide Minnesota with a very capable hockey team. Rogie Vachon's move to Detroit will certainly improve the chances of the Motor City team. Here is a breakdown as to how this writer sees the upcoming season.
ADAMS DIVISICN
'Ihere will be no diange here as the Bostm Bruins should win it handily. 'Ihe loss of Gregg Sheppard will hurt but the Bruins may have the top coad'l in the league in Don Cherry and all kinds of talent to win. Look for Toronto to finish second. Roger Neilscn just briefly showed his coaching ability last year. ']he addition of Dave Burrows should secure the defence and the Ieafs have the game's top center in Daryll Sitler. Minnesota will be much improved and will edge out Buffalo for third. The Sabres are hurting and Perrault can do only so much. PATRICK DIVISIQI
Without a doubt this division will be the tightest of them all. The Islanders should bounce back from their loss to ’Ibronto in last year's playoffs. With good strong goaltending and solid coaching, the Islanders will be the team at the top. The Atlanta Flanes will be the surprise in the Patrick. They are explosive and with Dan Bouchard holding the hot hand in the nets, look for Ommi fans to have ~ lots to cheer about. 'lhe Rangers and the Flyers will fight it out for the last two spots. Sherp and the Swedes should
help the Rangers but God knows they need help. 'Ihe Flyers have lost a lot and Bobby Clarke can't lead what's left. SMYTHE DIVISION Traditionally the weakest divisicn and everything points to more of the same. Chicago will win this division easily and attendance will be back to 16,666 for the Black Hawk hone games. Although the Hawks did not Sparkle last year, they still have one of the game‘s top goalies and have added some quality for- wards through the draft. However, their biggest addition and one that all hockey fans are happy to see is the return of the KING — BOBBY ORR. Assuming all things re— main constant, the return of Orr, even on one leg, is worth ten
r- '1
’ B I K
.the gap.
. 1 THE N »
HAB NOTS
games to the Black Hawks. St. Louis, Colorado and Vancouver follow well behind and when you are as bad as they are there is no way of telling who will beat who.
NORRIS DIVISION
'Ihis one anybody could ‘ I
pick. The Montreal Canadians by about 40 points. 'Ihe loss of Bill Nyrop will hurt,but Brian Engblom, Lupien and young Langway should easily fill Up front lock out. Guy Lafleur returns better than ever along with Shutt, Iemaire, Gainey, et al. Pierre Iarouche will be in his first full season along with a more confident Pierre Ithdu. Mark Napier joins the Habs from the WHA and lod< for 30 or more goalsfrom this slick winger. All in all», the rest of the league plays for second.
SHOP
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Detroit should be easily the second spot winners. Rogie Vachcn gives them perhaps the top goalie in the league along with. an experienced Reed Larson , Greg Joly and "Harry on Willie Huber, their top draft pick will fill out the most promising defence in the league. Up front, McCourt leads the way and the thor City will have its best year since 1966. Pittsburg should finish third with L.A. and Washington bringing up the rear.
Overall the Canadians will repeat as league chanpions and Stanley Cup winners barring any unexpected plane crashes. Boston should be close as will the Islanders, hafs, Flames, Red Wings and Black Hawks. Buffalo and Philadelphia will be the big disappointments while lbtroit, Atlanta and Chicago will improve the most. Individually, look
- for Lafleur to lose the
scoring title and for Robinson to win the Norris. Dryden will repeat with
_ the Vezina while Sittler, if healthy, will win the Hart.
PANTHER DROPPINGS
7 air footballers are hate
to stay and‘Will‘play host
to U.N.B.‘Saturday' at
. MaCAdamField. 'Iheir record is 2—3 but at 4:00 Saturday it will be 3—3.
:'I‘ake the localsbynore, than two converted touch— downs. 4::RSaturday night at CDP - finals of the, harness racing chanpimships for ‘ UPEI will be held. Hope— fully they will perform better than this writer
did last Saturdaywhen
p be pulled
migratulatidls‘ fofir‘ field hod<ey _ their-win last 'Ihe hockey are
in training as are the
basketball Fahthe‘fél :12; Coaches Hynes and Feighery are looking forward to good seasms.
'Jhe basketballers will head to Maine shortly for their first tough ’ Competition while the pucksters will host St. .F.X. on Nov. 4 & 5.