Nordiques News

Nordiques Visit Defending Champs

(1993 - Vol. VII)

 

The Quebec Nordiques will face their toughest test of this young season tonight at the Sam Adams Colonial Center, where they will face the defending champion Hartford Whalers.
 

The team will be without forward Gary Roberts, who was injured in Quebec's 5-4 win over Philadelphia last night. Scott Mellanby will return to the lineup after missing the Flyers game  with a minor injury. Here were the lines at this morning's practice:
 

Lowry-Sakic-Mellanby
 

Simpson-Nemchinov-Stevens
 

Cole-Kasper-Lemay
 

Newberry-Lawton-Smyl
 

Finley-Stevens
 

Hatcher-Albelin
 

Giles-Featherstone
 

Fuhr
 

Scratches are Dana Murzyn, Mike Vernon, Bob Halkidis, Jeff Harding, and Gary Roberts (injured). Goaltender Karri Takko will back up Grant Fuhr for a third straight game. The team has been carrying three goalies since the start of the season; but media were told not to read into the situation.
 

'The three guys will be rotating all season', explained Head Coach Ken Dryden. 'We're looking to get Vernon and Takko more games this season so when Fuhr is playing they will rotate at the backup position. Kari came in the other night and played well, so he will backup again tonight. When Grant isn't playing, he most likely won't dress - simple as that.'
 

The team has also been carrying extra forwards all season. Jeff Harding has been with the team since opening night and Bob Halkidis has been recalled from Cornwall and will join the team in Hartford. Dryden explained that situation as well.
 

'We simply have too many bodies in Cornwall, so we felt it would be a good idea to have guys around the team this season. We really need our younger players like Anson Carter, Andreas Johansson and German Titov to be playing and getting used to the pro game. It's imperative for their development. We also felt it would be good for some of the older pros to be around the team and see day-to-day life in Quebec.'


- AP