| It was
supposed to be the big homecoming. Dennis Sobchuk, the first player signed to a Cincinnati
Stingers contract and one of the most popular members of the team, would be playing his
first game against his former teammates with the Edmonton Oilers. But Sobby won't be on
the Riverfront Coliseum ice tonight ( 7:35 p.m.). He sustained a dislocated shoulder
during a game in Houston Sunday night. He underwent surgery Tuesday at Edmonton General
Hospital and will be out six to eight weeks. Sobchuk was
injured when he took a body check against the boards from the Aeros' Scott Campbell.
Although the Oilers are talking about the flashy center's return this year. It is entirely
possible that he will not be able to play the rest of the season. Sobchuk was dealt to the
Oilers last month for draft choices and a big chunk of cash. Edmonton made the investment
because Sobchuk, a native of Saskatchewan, would be a natural draw in the Edmonton
Coliseum. He had played junior hockey there as one of the hottest young hockey prospects
in Canada.
Sobby was back at full operating speed after a wrist injury he
sustained shortly before the trade. He picked up a hat trick last week and had just scored
a goal Sunday night on the shift before he was injured. Although Sobchuk's absence from
the Oilers lineup will be a big disappointment to his Cincinnati fans, the Oilers won't
fall apart because of his loss. The Stingers have played the Oilers four times this season
without a victory, and those games were pre-Sobchuk trade. Obviously, Demotion doesn't
need Sobchuk to beat Cincinnati.
"They have a good hockey club," said Stinger coach Jacques
Demers. "They're a sound, disciplined team. I think they're a well-coached team. The
Oilers are the type of hockey club that won't do anything fancy, but be very effective.
They don't make many mistakes and they don't beat themselves." Demers also pointed
out that the Stingers have a new look since they last played Edmonton. The lineup now
includes Hugh Harris, Bryon Baltimore, former Oiler Butch Deadmarsh and Paul Stewart, the
bug, tough winger who adds a new dimension of respect to the club.
The Stingers have been plagued by a series of injuries and illness
in the past week, but Demers said everyone would be ready for tonight's contest with the
exception of defenseman Pat Stapleton. Harris, Baltimore, Rick Dudley, Robbie Ftorek and
rookie defenseman Craig Norwich are healthy. Stapleton who had intestinal problems and
spent several days in Christ Hospital, isn't expected to play until Saturday against
Birmingham. Demers plans just one line change tonight. Rich Leduc will center a line
with Dudley and Dennis Abgrall on the wings. The other lines remain the same with Ftorek
centering for Jamie Hislop and Brian Coates while rookie Bill Gilligan center for Harris
and Deadmarsh. That leaves Stewart and Peter Marsh as extra forwards.
NOTES - Pawl Stewart was involved in an auto accident in New York
when he returned to Binghamton to pick up his wife. Although his car reportedly sustained
heavy damage, Stewart received a bump on the head and was OK. He was attempting to get a
flight out of New York and was expected back in Cincinnati for the Edmonton game. |
