The secret is out. The
Cincinnati Stingers are using a new system on the ice and they demonstrated its
effectiveness Sunday night with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Butch Deadmarsh
explained that the Stingers are gaining more confidence in each other and the system is
working. "Did you see how our goals were scored?"a asked Deadmarsh. "In
front, in a scramble. That's what we want to do. We want to have two guys in all the
time." Deadmarsh explained that the idea is to have the wingers coming back all the
time, digging for the puck, keeping it in the opponent's zone. And the defenseman play a
big part in the action.
 |
© Courtesy
of Cincinnati Library |
| Butch Deadmarsh tried
to gain control of the puck and attempts to score a goal. |
"When the defenseman know the winger is coming back he
can maintain his position," he said. "And the winger can go into the corner
after the puck if he knows the defenseman is going to be coming in to help him. It's a
system plenty of teams use. We've only used it for two games, but it will get better as we
keep working and practicing."
Deadmarsh was the guy who drew the assignment of watching Bill Flett
all night. Flett has killed the Stingers in the five previous meetings between the two
teams, all won by Edmonton, but he was not a factor in this one. "There's not a
better checker on the team," praised Stinger coach Jacques Demers. "He's not a
big offensive hockey player but he does his job. One game doesn't mean anything. We should
win one at home. We haven't spoiled our fans too much this year. We can't celebrate over
one game. We need to win against New England."
Demers said he didn't think the Stingers played too well in the
first period when Edmonton took a 1-0 lead. But he was pleased with other 40 minutes.
"I told the guys to go out and forecheck, and that's what they did. I thought we
adjusted very well after the first period. Demers was also happy with the work of goalie
Norm LaPointe. Playing in his third straight game because of Michel Dion's bout with hip
tendonitis. LaPointe stopped 37 shots and blanked Edmonton in the second period while the
Stingers scored four times. "I need to play a lot," said LaPointe. "Playing
regularly is a big thing for a goaltender. It's hard to stay sharp unless you play at
least 505 of the time."
Norm Fergusion scored the first goal of the game 13:57, but the
Stingers held the Oilers at bay. Deadmarsh scored his first goal as a Stinger, 31 seconds
into the second period off the rebound of a Peter Marsh shot. Ron Plumb scored another
Stingers goal at 6:20 to put Cincinnati ahead by one goal. Plumb took a pass from Robbie
Ftorek and slapped in a shot for the score. Jamie Hislop scored another Stinger goal at
10:27 after he too was fed the puck from Robbie Ftorek. Ftorek eventually bagged his own
goal in the period at 11:59.
In the third period former Stinger Pierre Guite netted a goal after
Deadmarsh was sent to the Cin Bin. Deadmarsh called the penalty "stupid" and
apologized to his teammates on the bench. But Ftorek struck again with another goal at
5:38 and the club held on to a much needed win. The game was advertised as "Guaranteed
To Win", offering free tickets to another game for those in attendance if the team
lost. The Stingers thus far had never lost a Guaranteed To Win night. |
