The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 54

E2 The Ottawa Citizen Wednesday, October 30, 1991 Hockey Nordiques should trade unwilling Lindros, says Sakic to play for a team of his own choosing. He will join the Canadian Olympic team this week. After a fine performance in the Canada Cup, Lindros's market value in an NHL trade would be high. The Nordiques could use the help. General manager Pierre Page had warned two weeks ago he would take drastic measures if his team did not improve after 10 games.

The victim was expected to be coach Dave Chambers. But the Nordiques ended their first 10 games with a 1-8-1 record after a loss to the New York Rangers last Saturday and, on Monday morning Chambers is still on the job. Sakic said the coaches were not at fault and "it's the players who dont always produce. "It's really frustrating to lose like this, especially for the players who have been here three or four years. This was supposed to be the season where we got out of all this.

"But I'm still confident we can get out of it. Right now, no one is discouraged and we still enjoy coming to the rink. If by Christmas we're not doing any better than we were last season, that would be terrible. But I'm still optimistic." Lindros and Soviet star Valeri Kamensky were supposed to lead the Nordiques this season, but Lindros refused to sign and Kamensky broke a leg just before the Canada Cup. Page once again ruled out Tuesday trading away the rights to Lindros to help the Nordiques.

"We expected the players would take that position, but it doesn't matter because the absence of Lindros can't be used as an excuse," he said. "Our position remains unchanged in that case," Page added. The Quebec team is also missing regulars Curtis Leschyshyn, Stephane Morin and Randy Velischek through injuries. QUEBEC (CP) The Quebec Nordiques players believe Eric Lindros should be traded, team captain Joe Sakic said. "A lot of the players think we should trade him," Sakic, the Nordiques' scoring star, told Le Journal Montreal this week.

"That would be the answer if we could get quality players in return. It's obvious Lindros is never coming here. That's how the players feel, but it's not up to us. Our job is to play and that's all." Lindros, the 18-year-old junior star that Quebec drafted first overall last June, has refused to sign with the Nordiques, claiming the right top gyoD i tsar 7 Got it: Cornwall goalie llpo Kauhanen reaches for the puck as Tom Nemeth checks Ottawa's Curt Bowen 67's put on show for royalty Ml -Wayne Cuddington, Citizen makes trade demand "He was not playing at the pace he was capable of." Kilrea acknowledges that Simon's extended suspension probably had an affect on his motivation. The 6-3, 224-pound left winger has played only two games since returning from the Philadelphia Flyers American League farm team in Hershey, Pa He has a goal, an assist and 24 penalty minutes.

Kilrea, who says he won't trade Simon hastily, indicated a couple of teams had already expressed interest. "I would have expected 60 goals from him, even when he came back late. He's a goal-a-game type player," he said. "We have to get what he's worth in return." Little-used left-winger Brad Spry has also requested a trade and didn't practice with the 67's on Monday. Simon could not be reached for si :1 Sakic Quebec captain Nordiques 7, Jets 2 QUEBEC There is no torrent of words from Owen Nolan when he is asked to talk about himself.

Thpre is. on the other hand, an outpouring when it comes to his I 1 goal scoring for the yk Quebec Nordiques this season. On Tuesday night, Nolan was a three-goal performer as Quebec Nolan 13 goals ended a nine-game NHL winless string by pasting Winnipeg. If was the second three-goal game produced by the soft-spoken right winger, who leads the league with 13 goals after scoring only three in 59 games last year. just seems that everywhere I shoot, the puck is going in the net," Nolan said.

Not that he hasn't created some of his own success. Nolan swiftly swept in a delightful pass by Joe Sakic on his first goal, which made the score 4-2 only 55 seconds into the third period. He then hustled and muscled his way past Winnipeg defenceman Teppo Numminen four minutes later before dek-ing goaltender Bob Essensa And he had the good fortune to watch the puck deflect in off Essensa on his third goal, finishing off the 7-2 victory which ended the Jets' five-game unbeaten streak including three straight triumphs. "A victory like this boosts the team up a lot," acknowledged Nolan. "Finally, we deserved a win because we played three good periods." The Nordiques spotted Winnipeg an early power-play goal, the first goal of Luciano Borsato's career.

But Mike Hough and Bryan Fogarty scored 22 seconds apart before the end of the opening period to regain the lead. A long shot by Fredrick Olausson six seconds into the second period tied it for the-Jets. Claude Lapointe notched what proved to be the winner for Quebec at 11:35 of the period. Scott Pearson was the only Nordique to intrude on Nolan's one-man show in the third period. "They've got some good offensive players and when they're allowed to go free, they're going to put the puck in the net on you," said Winnipeg defenceman Phil Housley.

The score was tied 2-2 at 7:15 of the second, period when Jets' starting goaltender Stephane Beauregard, complaining of stomach cramps, yielded to Essensa. Although Essensa was beaten on five of 13 shots, Housley said the goaltending change had nothing to do with the outcome. Negative test Wilson sense By Monte Stewart Calgary Herald 'CALGARY Calgary Flames centre Carey Wilson breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday. All the tests on a mysterious lump taken out his left armpit region have proved negative. unfortunate that the tests have to take so long," said Wilson.

"But it's better to be safe than sorry especially with this thing." -Wilson has received the OK to resume playing. But, after being off skates for a week, he's not in game shape. He also has to regain some lost strength in his left arm and shoulder after part of OUND THE RINKS Krushelnyski suspended The NHL suspended Mike Krushelnyski of the Toronto Maple Leafs for four games without pay on Tuesday as a result of a match penalty for swinging his stick at Detroit winger Brent Fedyk in a game Oct 25. "It is clear from the tape and from the' reports of the officials that Krushelnyski deliberately swung his stick at his opponent with sufficient force to cause the stick to break," said Brian O'Neill, NHL executive vice-presi ffoHong "Mentally, we just didnt play a sound game," stated Housley. Jets coach John Paddock said the thumping brought his club back to reality.

"The Nordiques are one of the last teams you want to get into a shootout with," he declared. "They have guys like Sakic and (Mats) Sundin and Nolan, who can really hurt you." Capitals 8, Penguins 0 PITTSBURGH Dale Hunter scored on a two-man advantage to key a three-goal second period and Don Beaupre shut out Pittsburgh in his first start of the season as Washington embarrassed the Stanley Cup champions. The eight-goal margin of defeat tied as the Penguins' worst at home in their 25-year history and was their worst-ever shutout loss at home. Their only other eight-goal losses at home were 9-1 to Buffalo on April 5, 1980, and Montreal on Oct 23, 1976. Islanders 8, Sharks 4 UNIONDALE, N.Y.

A visit from the NHL's newest team and a dose of offence from its own new arrivals were just what New York needed to snap a slump. Benoit Hogue's first goal of the season at 2:43 of the third period snapped a 44 tie and sparked the Islanders to their first win in seven games, a victory over San Jose. Hogue, one of the six players acquired in a pair of trades last Friday, tapped in the rebound of Rich Pilon's slap shot from the left point as the Islanders extended the Sharks' losing streak to 10 games. San Jose (1-12-0) has lost all eight of its road games, including four on its current eastern swing. Two more of the new arrivals, Steve Thomas and Pierre Turgeon, sandwiched goals around one by Dave Chyzowski to give the Islanders some insurance as they broke an 04-2 slide.

Rangers 3, North Stars 2 NEW YORK Doug Weight scored with 7:18 left as New York Rangers its recent domination of Minnesota. Weight's breakaway goal broke a 2-2 tie as the Rangers extended their unbeaten streak against the North Stars to six games (4-0-2). The Rangers, 2-0-1 against last season's Stanley Cup finalists, last lost to Minnesota on Jan. 4, 1990 and hold a 59-25-17 edge over the North Stars overall.ed in all 11 games since joining the Rangers, was held without a point Canucks 4, Devils 3 VANCOUVER Geoff Courtnall, reunited with Trevor Linden, scored twice to lead Vancouver past New Jersey. Vancouver ended a two-game slump.

The win improved the Vancouver record to 9-3-1 for a five-point lead over second-place Winnipeg and Los Angeles in the Smythe Division standings. (Citizen news services) results give of relief his latissimus dorsi muscle was removed. Wilson, 29, won't play in Calgary's NHL game against the New Jersey Devils tonight at the Saddledome and will probably sit out again Friday in Winnipeg. But he's optimistic that he'll be back in action sometime during the Flames' five-game road trip. "I would assume that he'll probably play after Friday," said Calgary coach and general manager Doug Risebrough.

"He hasn't handled the puck or shot a lot" But Wilson has still made significant progress since having an operation Oct. 22. "Before, I could barely lift my stick," said Wilson. "Now, I can shoot" (Distributed by the Southam News Network) Old Pros face Latvians The Ottawa Old Pros plan to ice an Ottawa Senators line when they take on a touring team from Latvia on Saturday. The line is expected to include Senators scout Tim Higgins, an Ottawa 67's grad and 11-year NHLer.

Senators president and former Ottawa mayor Jim Durrell will be honored at 2 p.m. with the official naming of the James A. Durrell Recreation Centre, formerly Walkley Arena. Ottawa native Jim Peplinski, who retired in 1990 following a 10-year career with the Calgary Flames, also is scheduled to attend the ceremony naming of one of two ice surfaces at the centre after him Game time is 3 p.m. The Latvian team, from Riga, plays Sunday in Kingston.

There are rumors CBC hockey commentator Don Cherry will coach the host squad. 67's 7, Royals 1 By Ken Warren Citizen sports writer Cornwall was treated to anything but a Royals Welcome by the depleted 67's Tuesday night in Ottawa. But unfortunately for the home side, the smallest crowd of the season at the Civic Centre turned out for the 67's best performance. Only 1,909 witnessed the 67's dominate the Royals in goal, on defence and up front The high flying Royals, 10-2-1 entering the game, were grounded by the 67's early and never got into the game. In fact, if one hadn't known better, they would have suspected the 67's, now 6-7-1, were the team atop the Ontario Hockey League's Leyden Division standings.

And it was all done without left-wingers Chris Simon, Peter Ambroziak and, for most of the last two periods, Curt Bowen due to suspension, injury and major penalty, respectively. Rookies Steve Washburn and Shean Donovan played their best games of the season, each scoring once. Goaltender Sean Spencer, who was 5-0 against Cornwall as a rookie last season, continued his Royal killing, stopping 22 of 23 shots. Doug Minor, called out of junior retirement on an emergency basis, netted a pair of goals while splitting his time between defence and left wing. And centre Brett Seguin regained the league scoring lead with two goals and two assists, raising his totals to eight goals and 26 assists for 34 points.

"All around, it was our best game," said 67's coach and general manager Brian Kilrea. "We got great goaltending. Spencer answered everybody and our guys worked a little bit harder in our own end." The all-rookie line of Washburn, Donovan and Chris Gignac dominated the opening 10 minutes and staked the 67's to an early 2-0 lead. Then Spencer went to work. The Royals, who failed to get a shot until the 11-minute mark, dominated the final half of the opening period.

Lucky or not an ever-sprawling Spencer held the Royals off the scoresheet "There is something about Cornwall, I guess," Spencer said, attempting to explain Suspended Simon By Ken Warren Citizen sports writer The long-awaited return of Chris Simon to the Ottawa 67's lineup won't happen after all. Simon, thrown off the ice by coach Brian Kilrea during practice Saturday, has demanded a it yJ' trade-I Simon, who was to return from a 10- game suspension Sunday in Sudbury, won't play again until a deal is reached with another Ontario Hockey League club. Simon Awaits deal "I felt eventually it would get to this point. He didn't want to be pushed," Kilrea said before Tuesday night's 7-1 win over Cornwall. his mastery of the Royals.

"I really don't know what it is, but I think it was one of my best games of the year. I had only 23 shots, but it wasn't the number of saves so much as the timing of the saves." After a five-minute high-sticking major to Bowen (a penalty which carries an automatic two-game suspension) expired, Seguin netted goals 55 seconds apart to put Ottawa up 4-0 late in the second. Sam Olivera got one back for the Royals, but it did nothing to slow down the 67's. Minor, shifting to the Seguin Ryan Kuwabara line after Bowen's dismissal, netted two goals in the third. Newcomer Grayden Reid rounded out the scoring.

"I was planning on leaving (for Kenora) Wednesday, but the coach called on the weekend when Ambroziak got hurt," said Minor. "I practised (Monday) but that was my first day back it's hard not to score on that line." The question facing Kilrea with the 67's set to play Thursday, in Peterborough, and Friday, at home against Cornwall, is where to play Minor. He needs his experience on the blue line, but the left-wing situation is bleak "We probably have the best left wingers we have ever had on this team, but for the next week or so, they will all be sitting in the stands." Ambroziak injured his knee last Friday, Simon demanded a trade Monday, Bowen' must serve his two-game suspension and rookie Ken Belanger has an injured hand-Royals coach John Loevell says his club" was trying to get off to a great start against the 67's this year. Last season, Ottawa won nine of 10 meetings. "They weren't looking at the standings." We intended to come in here and set the" tone for 10 games.

But I guess they set the tone." Loevell also deflected criticism from" Finnish goalie llpo Kauhanen, who let in a couple of weak goals. "It was unfortunate that llpo, who has won two games single-handedly for us, had a game like this after his parents flew all -the way from Finland to see him play," he said. "I think he deserved a better effort from the guys in front of him. They certainly didn't do for him what llpo has done for them." Hearing on Bure's bid for injunction postponed one day Pavel Bure will have to wait until Halloween to find up whether he can dress up as an NHL player. His attempt to secure a temporary injunction overturning NHL recognition of his contract with a Soviet team was delayed a day so the Soviets could prepare their case.

Counsel for the Soviets, Howard Gourwitz is expected to produce Soviet Red Army boss Victor Gushen, the hearing delayed a day to give him time to better prepare his testimony. "There are rumors floating around he will produce a whole number of affidavits from other Soviet players stating they weren't coerced into signing their contracts," said David Chardavoyne, Bure's lawyer for the hearing in Michigan. "I'm not sure why they would do that because it's likely they would be inadmissible because of our inability to cross-examine." Bure is alleging he signed his contract under duress and that once signed, the Soviets breached that contract when they cut him from the Canada Cup team. "It's just a matter of waiting to see if the Soviets have anything up their sleeve," said Chardavoyne. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks, who chose Bure in the 1989 NHL draft, made another significant offer to Bure on Tuesday.

His agent Ron Salcer, says the NHL team will have their answer on his services soon. "We've had very positive discussions with the Canucks and the ball is in our court," said Salcer. "There are pros and cons to the offer and we'll be going over them very carefully." Jets, Bruins deal The Winnipeg Jets sent Brent As-hton to the Boston Bruins Tuesday in exchange for Petri Skriko. Ashton, 31, joins his eighth NHL team after spending three full seasons with the Jets. He was the Vancouver Canucks' second pick (26th overall) in the 1979 entry draft, and has since played with Colorado, New Jersey, Minnesota, Quebec and Detroit Skriko, 29, played six seasons with Vancouver before being traded to the Bruins last January.

Gamble demoted The Vancouver Canucks sent goal-tender Troy Gamble to the Milwaukee Admirals of the International League for a two-week conditioning stint. Gamble had played only four periods this season and had a goals-against average of 6.75. "I need to play," said Gamble. (Citizen staff and news services) dent L.ent.