Coaching Change Fails to Turn It Around for Bruins

A coaching change isn’t always the answer. It is what the Boston Bruins did to try to shake up the club and get it into the race for the title in the Adams Division.

Ten days ago, after the Bruins blew consecutive games with Chicago, General Manager Harry Sinden took over as coach, replacing Gerry Cheevers, who was in his fifth season.

Under Cheevers, the Bruins won two Adams Division championships and were second the other two seasons. In the semifinal round of the playoffs in 1983, the Bruins lost to the Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.

Apparently, the change was made because some players claimed that Cheevers no longer could motivate the team. The Bruins were 25-24-7 when Cheevers was fired.

Obviously, Sinden hasn’t motivated the club either.

In their fourth game with Sinden as coach, the Bruins were battered, 7-1, Saturday afternoon at Uniondale, N.Y., by the struggling New York Islanders. Two goals by Pat LaFontaine and Mike Bossy’s 49th of the season put the Islanders in control early.

The Bruins’ record since Sinden took charge is 1-2-1. The only victory was against a Minnesota team that was in an eight-game winless streak.

“If there was one thing I could do,” said Cheevers, an outstanding goaltender beforebecoming a coach, “it was motivate players. I think second-guessing by the players caused me to be fired. I wish them well, because I can earn playoff bonus money, if they do well.”

It appears it will take more than a coaching switch to get the Bruins to play well.

Edmonton 3, Washington 3--In the matchup between the two teams expected to meet in the championship round of the Stanley Cup, there was nothing settled at Edmonton.

The Oilers needed third-period goals by Jari Kurri, his 59th, and Mark Napier to earn the tie.

The tough Capital defense held the Oilers to two shots on goal in the first period, but it was an even game the rest of the way.

The Capitals also held Wayne Gretzky in check. His only point was an assist on Kurri’s goal.

Pittsburgh 3, Minnesota 1--Goaltender Roberto Romano stopped 43 shots and rookie Mario Lemieux scored before the game at Bloomington, Minn. was three minutes old to start the Penguins off to their second win in the last 15 games.

Montreal 6, Winnipeg 4--Rookie defenseman Tom Kurvers broke a 4-4 tie with 3:14 left at Montreal to enable the Canadiens to take over sole possession of first place in the Adams Division.

Chris Nilan, who scored on a penalty shot in the second period, made sure of the victory when he scored again with 70 seconds left.

Calgary 5, New Jersey 1--Goaltender Don Edwards came within 29 seconds at East Rutherford, N.J., of his first shutout in two years but gladly settled for the victory. He stopped 30 shots before Rick Meaghar knocked in a rebound.

Edwards had not won a game since Dec. 1 and had played little behind No. 1 goalie Reggie Lemelin.

Toronto 4, Detroit 2--Defenseman Jim Benning broke a 2-2 tie at Detroit with his seventh goal of the season with just under two minutes remaining. The Red Wings led, 2-1, going into the final period.

Quebec 7, Vancouver 5--Paul Gillis scored with 53 seconds left at Vancouver to break a 5-5 tie and enable the Nordiques to pull into a tie for second place in the Adams Division, just two points behind Montreal.

The Canucks had battled back from a 5-3 deficit on goals by Patrik Sundstrom and Cam Neely in the third period.