January 4th 1978 - Cincinnati Stingers vs Houston Aeros

CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Wednesday, January 4th 1978

By Terry Flynn

Stingers Host Ex-Mate Wakely, Aeros.

When the Cincinnati Stingers sold goaltender Ernie Wakely to the Houston Aeros early in the season there were mixed emotions at unloading a veteran goalie. True, Wakely had a poor start with the Stingers quickly putting together a string of losses that raised his goals-against-average over the 5.0 mark. And the signing of Michel Dion, along with the impressive play of rookie Mike Liut, made Wakely expendable. The veteran also carried a healthy contract and the Stingers had no intention of keeping three goaltenders while they had Norm LaPointe laboring in Hampton. Wakely had been termed something of a savior when he was signed. The Stingers had been weak at goal the previous two seasons, but Wakely's many years in the net seemed to provide the solution to that problem.

Additionally, it had been hoped he would transfer some of that goaltending savvy to Liut. But, things didn't work out according to the script and Wakely was peddled. Wee, that was a couple of months ago and Ernie Wakely returns to town tonight. He's still with Houston and will be going against his former teammates, something he has done successfully since moving to Texas. Wakely has started all but two games since joining the Aeros. He has been consistent, sometimes brilliant, and is one of the reasons Houston stays ahead of Cincinnati in the World Hockey Association standings.

The Stingers have been able to defeat Houston at Riverfront Coliseum on occasion although the last meeting here saw the Aeros depart with a 3-2 decision in a rather boring game. In Houston, the Aeros have never tasted defeat at the hands of the Stingers. Cincinnati finally gained its first point there last week, battling the Aeros to a 5-5 tie. Wakely isn't the only reason the Aeros are good hockey team. Solid players like defenseman Paul Popiel, big, tough forwards like Cam Connor, and experienced players like Andre Lacroix form the nucleus of a balanced squad.

The Stingers at least on paper are the equal of Houston these days. Scoring has never been a Cincinnati shortcoming and with the addition of defenseman Bryon Baltimore and big forwards like Hugh Harris, Butch Deadmarsh and Paul Stewart, the Stingers can match the Aeros physically. All that remains is to win something the Stingers are still learning how to do on home ice.

Wednesday, January 4th

Standings

Defeated Houston Aeros

Riverfront Coliseum

7th

The Cincinnati Stingers had some anxious moments Wednesday night, but the club held their own despite not having three key players in the lineup. Rick Dudley was out with a broken toe, Craig Norwich was out with the flu and Pat Stapleton was in Christ Hospital being tested for a possible ulcer.

The Stingers trailed Houston twice in the first period, but kept coming back and after a 3-2 advantage at the end of 20 minutes they were never again to see an Aero lead. "I think the key to the game was playing a disciplined game and coming up with the good goaltending," Demers said, "And the trade is proving out. Baltimore and Harris are helping us more all the time. Not only Hugie's two goals but the solid game from Baltimore."

Both Harris and Baltimore were certainly factors in the victory the Stingers eventually earned. Harris scored two goals, the second six seconds to play into an empty net to end a Houston rush with six attackers. Baltimore repeatedly came up with defensive gems to stymie the Aeros. And the goaltending of Michel Dion was perhaps the biggest difference in the third period. He came up with saves on some good Houston shots, sometimes without much help out in front.

Baltimore, who said he is finally beginning to round into shape, pointed out that the Stingers need a few victories at home to build confidence. "This was a big win, especially after losing that close game to New England," he said. "We need to get everybody going now and build confidence. We're aiming at the playoffs now and we want to have a winning streak. It's difficult to break a losing habit late in the season."

He said his teammates would be of more help as he shaped up from the lack of play in Indianapolis because "Hughie can control the flow of the game. He's a good puck handler." Harris said he still wasn't at peak form, able to give only "60 or 70%" so far. He said the time has come for everyone on the team to put out. We can't have the same guys doing it every night," he said. "Some guys, like Robbie Ftorek, Rich Leduc and Pat Stapleton, have been carrying this club. It's time for the younger players to rally and carry some of the load."

Cincinnati	-	3	1	1	-	5
Houston	-	2	0	1	-	3

FIRST PERIOD

GOALS - HOU: Lacroix (Gray, Preston) 3:23. CIN: Leduc (Abgrall) 3:45. HOU: Taylor (Tonella, Connor) 6:16. CIN: Abgrall (Leduc, Legge) 15:12. CIN: Ftorek (Hislop, Baltimore) 17:19.

PENALTIES - HOU: McLeod (high sticking) :15. CIN: Plumb (interference) 7:43. HOU: Campbell (hooking) 8:19.

SECOND PERIOD

GOALS - CIN: Harris (Gilligan, Melrose) 7:16.

PENALTIES - HOU: lukowich (tripping) 12:41. CIN: Leduc (slashing) 14:01. HOU: Campbell (slashing) 14:01. CIN: Bench Minor (too many men on ice). CIN: Marsh (misconduct) 19:54. CIN: Marsh (game misconduct) 20:00.

THIRD PERIOD

GOALS - HOU: Tonelli (Ruskowski, Lukowich) 8:50. CIN: Harris (unassisted) 19:54.

PENALTIES - CIN: Hislop (hooking) :34. CIN: Melrose (holding) 8:01. HOU: Connor (roughing) 14:12.

SHOTS ON GOAL

Cincinnati	-	14	9	11		34
Houston	-	10	6	13		29

GOALTENDERS - CIN: Dion. HOU: Wakely.

ATTENDANCE - 4,048

REFEREE - Fournier