| On bus
trips with the Cincinnati Stingers, one is always treated to an occasional song, but
Tuesday was the first time for Que Sera Sera: What ever Will Be Will Be. Such is the
effect of losing eight straight games - one tends to change his tune. But still it was a
good natured rendition as was the considerable ribbing. "I can't believe the spirit
of this team," sighs a genuinely admiring coach Terry Slater on the way to Cleveland
for tonight's game. "Nobody has lost his sense of humor. "In
practice before we left. I was working them one-on-one in back checking drills up and down
their wings. Then I let them move off their wings and take the puck wherever they wanted.
Rick Dudley and John Hughes were the last two to do it. I passed them the puck and said
'alright go anywhere you want.' So they both skated off and went to the locker room."
Slater grins. He is an appreciator of a good prank.
Part of the reason morale has survived the slump is an influx of new
players eager for the chance to play in the big leagues and untainted by earlier losses.
In just over a week the Stingers have adopted six newcomers, goalies Rich Couta and John
Kiely up from Hampton and Paul Hoganson, picked up as a free agent center Pat Donnelly and
right wing Murray Myers also up from Hampton and defenseman Ron Serafini from Phoenix.
Three of them are still untested but it is hoped they will react to
their promotions as well as Donnelly, the smiling, curly-haired little center. Literally
overnight, Donnelly stepped from the Southern Hockey League into the middle of a line with
Dudley and Gene Sobchuk, and he has thrived. The line was an instant success and in his
two games Donnelly has two goals and an assist. "I've been in the minors three years
and this is my first chance ever." enthuses the 22 year old Canadian. "I want to
make the best of it. Something you don't get too many breaks. I'm really, really happy to
be here."
Donnelly was the SHL's leading scorer before being called up and he
believes he can score in the WHA, too. "It's a lot different," he begins.
"Everyone is so much bigger and faster, but you get more help from your teammates -
like Dudley and Gene - when you get tired, they're there to help you back check. You can
count on them, I'm surprised at how well we work together already."
NOTES - Hoganson, the former New England Whalers goalie acquired
Monday, did not make the trip with the Stingers and will not play tonight or Thursday at
Indianapolis. "I wanted him to play but he couldn't get here in time to practice with
us," Slater says. "He hasn't been on the ice in 10 days, so I'd rather have him
stay home and work out with the University of Cincinnati team, getting some ice time, than
sitting around a hotel with us."
Starting in the net tonight will be Kiely, just up from a shutout in
Hampton. It will be the 6-foot-3, 23-year-olds first appearance in a Stingers uniform. |
