A day of rest was just what the touring Russian national hockey team needed. After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Montreal Junior Canadiens on Wednesday, the Russians took a day off Thursday. Last night in Winnipeg, looking fresh, trim and ready to go, the visitors took advantage of a weak performance by the Canadian nationals and the result was a 6-2 thumping by the Russians.
Starshinov Scores Three
Vyacheslav Starshinov was the offensive kingpin for the Soviets with three goals. Vladimir Vikulov, Viktor Polupanov and Vladimir Brezhnev scored the others. Defensemen Paul Conlin and Terry O’Malley replied for Canada.
Canada actually led 1-0 in this one when Conlin’s 15-foot screened shot found the mark in the game’s second minute. The lead lasted only six minutes, with Brezhnev tying things up on a power play. Canadian forward Fran Huck was sent off for spearing and it took exactly 18 seconds for Brezhnev to beat Canadian goalie Ken Broderick. Broderick had little chance as the shot hit a glove and changed direction sharply on the way to the net.
Broderick Plays Well Despite Loss
Broderick was replacing Wayne Stephenson for Canada. Stephenson tended goal in the club’s two earlier losses to the Reds. He could not be faulted for the loss.
Starshinov then scored two goals within 15 seconds just after the 14-minute mark and that took away any wind Canada had in their sails.
O’Malley scored with 25 seconds left in the opening frame to make the score 3-2 after 20 minutes. His long shot deflected off a skate in front of the Russian net, leaving Russian goalie Viktor Konovalenko no chance on the play.
The second period saw the Russians score three times to put the game out of reach. This was Canada’s worst period of play against the Russians on this tour. They exhibited poor passing, took bad penalties and out-of-position defensemen caused havoc in front of Broderick. The tourists would have reached double figures had it not been for the valiant efforts of the Canadian netminder.
The Russians followed their familiar pattern when going in to the third period with a lead. They went into a defensive shell and basically played keep-away with the Canadians. They even managed a few good scoring chances at the Canadian goaltender, who was solid in the final frame.
Flyers Bomb Red Wings to Take Second
The Niagara Falls Flyers moved into second place in the OHA Junior A Series standings last night as they romped to a 7-1 win over the Hamilton Red Wings. In the other two scheduled league games, Kitchener got by Montreal 3-1 and London tied the Toronto Marlboros 2-2.
The Flyers, missing five regulars, still put on an impressive offensive display. Jean Pronovost led the way for Niagara with two goals. Other Flyers marksmen were Guy Allen, John Arbour, Jim Lorentz, Tom Webster and Rosaire Paiement.
Hamilton’s Danny Lawson ruined Niagara goalie Bob Ring’s shutout bid with a blazing shot that caught the corner in the third period.
Kitchener Unbeaten in Five
The Kitchener Rangers made it five games without a loss last night as they defeated the Montreal Junior Canadiens 3-1 in Kitchener.
The Rangers got goals from Ken Gratton, Bob Cook and Bob Jones. Michel Lapalme replied for the Baby Habs.
The loss was a costly one for Montreal. They lost defenseman Serge Savard and forward Lapalme with leg injuries. Savard was injured when he absorbed a stiff bodycheck from Cook. Lapalme was hurt when he appeared to fall over debris on the ice.
Former Marlies Haunt Old Mates
A couple of players judged not good enough for the Toronto Marlboros in training camp scored goals to help the London Nationals gain a 2-2 tie with their cousins in the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system.
Neil Clark and Randy Murray, both sent to London from the Marlies training camp this past fall, each netted a goal to give the Nats a 2-0 lead after two periods.
Toronto battled back to tie the score with two goals in the first 1:02 of the final frame. Barry Watson scored at the 20-second mark when he was sent in alone by a great pass from Jim McKenny. Gerry Meehan got the equalizer 42 seconds later, converting a pass from Watson. Al Osborne also was given an assist on the play.
Amerks Outburst Clips Baltimore
The Rochester Americans scored three goals within a two-minute span in the third period to edge the Baltimore Clippers 5-4 last night in Baltimore in one of two American Hockey League games. Providence Reds picked up their second 2-1 win in as many nights, this time against the last-place Buffalo Bisons at home in Providence.
Five players shared in the Rochester scoring with Jim Pappin, Mike Walton, Les Duff, Larry Jeffrey and Bronco Horvath finding the range for the Amerks.
Baltimore scorers were Jean Cossette, Ron Ingram, Ted Taylor and Sandy McGregor.
Reds Come From Behind
Bobby Leduc scored the game-winner in the third period to power Providence past the Bisons. Buffalo had taken a 1-0 first-period lead on a goal by Alain Caron, the AHL leader in goals. Jim Mikol tied the score for the Reds in the middle frame, setting the stage for Leduc’s gamewinner.
Canadiens Ready for World Play – On Their Terms
The Montreal Canadiens are ready to take on the Russians, or any other international hockey team, according to club president J. David Molson. He says his team will participate in international competition providing several conditions are agreed upon.
Mr. Molson outlined the conditions that must be met:
- Any team presently a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation must declare itself professional and be openly recognized as such.
- All games must be played under NHL rules.
- Financial arrangements satisfactory to the Canadiens hockey club must be negotiated.
Molson went on to say that any IIHF team that challenges the NHL for world hockey supremacy must first prove themselves against minor professional teams.
In a prepared statement Mr. Molson said,
“In establishing these conditions I feel that professional hockey is taking a realistic approach to the present situation. Until such time as there is agreement on these conditions the expansion of professional hockey on a world basis can never be attained.”
Red Wings Call Up Jimmy Peters Jr.
The Detroit Red Wings have recalled forward Jimmy Peters Jr. from their Memphis farm team in the Central Professional Hockey League. Peters, 21, is the son of former Red Wing star Jimmy Peters. He has 10 goals and 14 assists for Memphis, second in the CPHL. He has played one NHL, earning an assist in a contest last season.