| Don't be
surprised if the Cincinnati Stingers make some personnel changes in the next week or two.
In case anyone following the local hockey scene hasn't noticed, things aren't going well
at Riverfront Coliseum. Stinger coach Jacques Demers is frustrated. Despite some additions
to the roster in recent weeks, the team is still being pushed around by most of the other
World Hockey Association squads. The Stingers aren't winning and more importantly they
aren't winning at home, which is reflected in the predictable decrease in attendance. "I'm tired of making excuses," said Demurs. "I'm tired of
making excuses to the press and to the fans. I try to find reasons for losing but it comes
back to the same thing. We don't have the muscle to play with most of the other
teams." Demers' belief in the size factor was never more evident than in Wednesday
night's 2-0 loss to Edmonton at the Coliseum. The Oilers, a big defensive team, knocked
the Stingers off the puck all night and finally came up with a break on a deflection goal
to win with 1:10 left.
That defeat produced a huddle Thursday in the Stinger offices, with
Demers executive vice president Bill DeWitt Jr. and player personnel director Jerry Rafter
looking for players who fit into Demers plans. "We're trying to make deals, but these
guys are hard to find." said the Stinger coach, referring to the big, tough players
that can handle the puck and the more physical aspects of the game. "We're looking in
the minors but no one is available. And the big (major league) teams want too much to let
anybody go."
Demers isn't prepared to name any players who might figure in
trades, but it would appear that wingers Claude Larose and Dennis Abgrall are on the line
since both are capable hockey players but nit of the physical style Demers is after. The
Stingers picked up some size with the acquisition of forward Hugh Harris and defenseman
Bryon Baltimore from Indianapolis for Blaine Stoughton and Gilles Marotte. But Demers is
convinced he must have more muscle if the Stingers are to become a respectable team and a
league contender.
The Stingers don't have any letup in their schedule either. They
host the Birmingham Bulls Saturday night and that's probably the most physical team in the
league. Then it's off to Quebec for a game Sunday against the league-champion Nordiques.
The Stingers haven't been helped any by injuries and illness lately, although Demers
refused to use that excuse. Defenseman Pat Stapleton has been gone for over a weel and
returns for Saturday's game. Rick Dudley had a broken toe, came back to play against
Edmonton and then took a shot on the ankle.
If the Stingers do, in fact, need help from outside, they better
hurry. The season grinds on an one of these days Cincinnati may find itself struggling for
a playoff spot. |
