Contrast in Styles Will Be Obvious When Soviet Team Meets NHL Stars

Prospects looked brighter for the National Hockey League All-Star team before Paul Coffey hurt his back.

And before Mark Howe, Mike Bossy, Ray Borque and Tomas Sandstrom got injured.

As it is, the NHL defense will be slower and more shallow than was hoped going into tonight’s first game in the two-game series with the Soviet national team.

As much as possible, the organizers have tried to even the odds here.

“It’s your country, your rink, your fans,” Soviet Coach Viktor Tikhonov said.

Europeans play on wider rinks, so the Soviets will have less room in which to maneuver. The games also will be played under NHL rules, which call for a five-minute sudden-death overtime.

To accommodate the Soviets, 22 players will be dressed, instead of the NHL’s limit of 20.

There will be a Soviet referee for the first game and a Canadian for the second game Friday night.

Wayne Gretzky, who was not voted to the team by the fans but named to the team by the coaching staff, has been named the NHL captain, and Grant Fuhr, his Edmonton teammate, is expected to start in goal.

Evgeny Belosheikin, a 20-year-old goaltending prodigy, will start in goal for the Soviets.

The styles of the teams are likely to contrast--the hard-checking NHL players against the fast-skating, slick-passing Soviets.

“The Soviet style is very different from anything we’re used to,” Gretzky said Tuesday. “You can’t compare them to any other team we’re familiar with.”