New-Era NHL Wrestles With Old Problems : COMMENTARY

As it heads toward the resolution of a stunted and confounding season, the NHL finds itself in the clutches of a dreaded neutral-zone trap. The transition from its frost-bitten Canadian past to a warm spot in the heart of corporate America has been stalled by tactics from the sport’s middle ages and a xenophobia toward players once identified as enemies. The first-round series between the New York Rangers and the Quebec Nordiques has become a microcosm of the struggle for hockey’s soul.

Economically, Canada already might have lost the war. That doesn’t guarantee peace in our time. The Nordiques are on the brink of elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs and migration from the True North but they appear determined not to leave without a keepsake of the old days. Namely, an opponent’s scalp or two.

Although their roster--like those of most NHL teams after the collapse of the Iron Curtain--is sprinkled with Russians and other Europeans whose skill helped the Nords post the best record in the Eastern Conference, they have elected to make their last stand an alley fight. The enduring image of the series likely will be Alexei Kovalev sprawled face-first in the Quebec zone while the other players and three officials race to the far end of the Madison Square Garden ice.

What happened thereafter on Friday night angered the visitors and embarrassed the entire league. What didn’t happen upset the home team and raised the question of whether the sport is capable of overcoming its perception of violence and lawlessness.

Kovalev still was down on the ice when Joe Sakic of the Nordiques beat a shaky Glenn Healy for a goal that would have boosted Quebec’s first-period lead to 3-0 and perhaps thwarted the Rangers’ comeback before it started. But looking back at the fallen Ranger, whom he had skated past seconds earlier, referee Andy Van Hellemond apparently had second thoughts about the integrity of such a score and nullified the goal.

The ruling became critical after the Rangers rallied for a goal in the second period (Kovalev gaining an assist) and another in the third (scored by Kovalev) to send the game into overtime. Steve Larmer initiated the most gleeful and spontaneous celebration at the Garden since the seventh game of the Cup finals last June by slipping a rebound of his shot past Jocelyn Thibault at 8:09 of the extra period. The Nordiques were not amused.

They invited Brian Burke, the NHL vice president and director of enforcement, to view a tape of the non-goal. Burke later conferred with the officials and spoke in their behalf. “(Van Hellemond) looked back, saw (Kovalev) hadn’t moved and blew the play dead,” Burke related. “In his mind, he blew it before the goal. Frankly, the tape, with the sound on it, indicates the whistle blew after the goal.

“I’m not a physicist. I don’t know how fast sound travels. Andy was out of the frame by then. . . . It’s troubling to reconcile the sound on the tape (with the decision) but I don’t for a second doubt that’s what Andy saw and that’s what he called.”

But there was sufficient doubt among the Nordiques that General Manager Pierre Lacroix protested the game, causing a blank look to form on Burke’s face. There apparently are no provisions for challenges to a referee’s decision. Evidently, there never has been the equivalent of the Pine-Tar Incident in hockey.

“Pierre made it clear he wants the game protested,” Burke said. “I don’t know what that means. I have to speak to the commissioner.” Gary Bettman, it should be noted, is an attorney who has been associated with the sport for all of three seasons. The process doesn’t enhance the image of the NHL as major league.

Under the circumstances, one might expect the Rangers to be relieved and thankful for Van Hellemond’s action. But they chose to focus on the fact Craig Wolanin’s slash in the back that felled Kovalev did not draw so much as a minor penalty. In Game 2, Kovalev was the victim of a gratuitous elbow by Wendel Clark, who was fined $1,000 by Burke, although the shot was overlooked by a different set of officials. Two nights later, in Game 3, Clark slashed Kovalev, without doing penance in the box.

According to Burke, Van Hellemond did not see the assault on Friday night and neither of the linesmen deemed it a major offense. But the pattern of abuse throughout the series suggests a plan that the NHL is unable or unwilling to countermand. “I think it’s up to the league to govern the players in the playoffs,” captain Mark Messier said. “I don’t think a $1,000 fine is the answer.”

It’s a tribute of sorts to Kovalev that he has become a target for opponents. But the lack of sympathy on behalf of different officiating crews underlines the notion he is suffering for past moments of overacting. “I think he’s definitely earned that reputation,” conceded Neil Smith, the Rangers general manager.

Yet, with Kovalev controlling the puck during a Rangers power play, it certainly was an inappropriate time for the man to take a dive. An unspoken reason for the lack of a call is the man’s heritage. Russian players have not been afforded the same protection from officials as have their North American counterparts.

That, too, will have to change if the NHL is to skate into the Disneyesque future envisioned by Bettman and his staff. The Rangers helped to propel the league into a new era last spring. It took a step back with the lockout that virtually halved the regular season, but the speed and sheer excitement of the game, as presented in a breathtaking overtime period on Friday night, is sufficient to continue the rush.

Provided the old-time thuggery doesn’t shut down progress in the neutral zone.