| Every
successful professional hockey team seems to have a basic makeup which enables it to keep
the opposition off balance three different forward lines performing three separate
functions. There is the offensive line with a trio of skaters who have the ability to put
the puck in the net frequently. Then comes the checking line with players who are not as
offensively gifted but control play and don't yield goals. And finally there's the muscle
line able to stir up the other team and police the ice. The
Cincinnati Stingers hadn't been able to come up with three solid lines with these diverse
talents this season. Either offense or defense suffered and the muscle line didn't exist
until just a week ago. Now it appears the Stingers may have the offensive line capable of
producing plenty of goals. Since Robbie Ftorek, Rick Dudley and Jamie Hislop joined forces
things have begun to happen every time they're on the ice.
In the month of January Ftorek had 17 points, followed by Hislop
with 15 and Dudley with 13 despite a broken toe and a sore ankle which hobbled him for
several days. As a trio they have been impressive. "All of us at times have been
defensive hockey players," said team captain Dudley in trying to analyze the line's
sudden success. "We all know what being the third man in means. We know that when two
of us go in for the puck the third is going to stay back so we don't get caught."
Dudley is unwilling to characterize his line as one with the
potential of Winnipeg's Bobby Hull-Anders Hedberg-Ulf Nilsson combo of the Quebec line
with Real Cloutier and Marc Tardiff. It's too early to tell how things go." he said.
"but we do seem to have a good chemistry."
Dudley recalled his days with the NHL Buffalo Sabres. He pointed out
that the Buffalo team which went to the Stanley Cup finals had the diverse lines - one to
score big, one primarily to check and a third of which he was a member, to "go out
and shake things up and make the other team think about keeping the puck." Dudley
said it wasn't necessary to go into great detail about the talents of Ftorek, the WHA most
valuable player last year. Ftorek is one of the finest passers in the league and Dudley
added with a grin. "He dosen't have a bad shot either."
Dudley was especially high on the work of second year man Jamie
Hislop. "I can't believe how good a hockey player Jamie has become." he said.
"He gets better every time he goes on the ice. He was always a good defensive player
and he's gaining more confidence offensively all the time." The key to the line may
be the unselfish attitude of all three players. Dudley emphasized that he Ftorek and
Hislop are primarily concerned with getting the puck in the net regardless of who scores
the goal.
The Stingers have the personnel to form a good checking line with
people like Butch Deadmarsh, Dennis Abgrall, Claude Larose and Brian Coates who specialize
in that style of hockey. And of course there's the now famous Stinger muscle with Paul
Stewart, Willie Trognitz and Bruce Grieg.
NOTES - A decision on possible suspension and or fine for goaltender
Michel Dion is expected from WHA officials within 48 hours. Rookie goalie Mike Liut
recovering from knee surgery slated Thursday for the first time since the operation in
Toronto December (unreadable) former Stinger and Indianapolis Racer goalie Paul Hoganson
reportedly is coming to Cincinnati and Stinger executive vice president Bill DeWitt jr.
said he hopes to discuss a possible arrangement with Hogy of he does turn up.
Hoganson has been playing in the Pacific Coast League and might be
needed as a backup goalie should Dion be suspended. With Dion out the only healthy goalie
would be Norm LaPointe. (unreadable) the Stingers meet the Houston Aeros tonight and host
the Winnipeg Jets Saturday night at Riverfront Coliseum. Saturday night is "Diamond
Night" with $5,000 in diamonds being given away to female fans attending the contest. |
