pitt news& notes
Penguins: Have all-time record of 0-3-2 at America West Arena, including losses in past
three visits. ... Are 1-5-0-1 against Western Conference teams
The Penguins had to cancel a planned workout at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
yesterday after mechanical problems with their airplane prevented them from leaving San
Jose after a 5-0 loss to the Sharks Thursday night. They finally flew to Phoenix yesterday
afternoon.
The first sign of trouble came Thursday morning, when defenseman John Jakopin
complained of serious gastrointestinal distress. Left winger Kevin Stevens passed on the
game-day skate for the same reason.
Several more players were stricken over the course of the day and, by the time the
Penguins arrived in Phoenix yesterday afternoon, the official estimate was that 13 players
and about a half-dozen other members of their traveling party were suffering -- and that
word is entirely appropriate -- from a flu-like ailment.
GM Patrick was concerned enough that he had the team's medical staff arrange for a
doctor to visit the Penguins' hotel, so that sick players and staff members could be
examined and receive intravenous fluids, if necessary.
About the only encouraging thing for the Penguins is that, if Jakopin is any indication, the
illness seems to run its course in about 24 hours.
Jakopin was one of the few players with anything resembling a spring in his step yesterday
and said he felt "a lot better" than he had in San Jose
Rookie center Kris Beech looked better than he had Thursday night, too, but perhaps only
because he had looked so awful after the Sharks game. Although Beech left the game
early and received fluids intravenously in the third period, he looked pasty and distant as
he was escorted to the team bus .Of course, Beech might have looked reasonably good
because he was surrounded by so many sick guys. The list of ailing players includes -- but
apparently is not limited to -- Johan Hedberg, Hans Jonsson, Aleksey Morozov, Billy
Tibbetts, Dan LaCouture, Wayne Primeau, Stevens and Jakopin.
Despite the threat of being severely undermanned for the game at 9:08 p.m. today against
Phoenix at America West Arena, Patrick said he had no immediate plans to summon help
from the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
"Unfortunately, this is part of the game," he said. "Hopefully, we'll get 19 or 20 healthy
enough to play. Strong enough to play."
Kehoe said in order to bring in reinforcements for tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes, the Penguins would have to put players on injured reserve. There were no immediate plans to do so, and there's no telling whether the bug will spread further today or how it will affect tonight's lineup.
Head Coach Kehoe didn't seem concerned that the Penguins would fail to dress a full complement of players. It's just that he doesn't know who they'll be. He said Hedberg, for example, would start in goal only if he feels up to par. If not, it'll be Jean-Sebastien Aubin.
[This message has been edited by wigs (edited 12-01-2001).]
Penguins: Have all-time record of 0-3-2 at America West Arena, including losses in past
three visits. ... Are 1-5-0-1 against Western Conference teams
The Penguins had to cancel a planned workout at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale, Ariz.,
yesterday after mechanical problems with their airplane prevented them from leaving San
Jose after a 5-0 loss to the Sharks Thursday night. They finally flew to Phoenix yesterday
afternoon.
The first sign of trouble came Thursday morning, when defenseman John Jakopin
complained of serious gastrointestinal distress. Left winger Kevin Stevens passed on the
game-day skate for the same reason.
Several more players were stricken over the course of the day and, by the time the
Penguins arrived in Phoenix yesterday afternoon, the official estimate was that 13 players
and about a half-dozen other members of their traveling party were suffering -- and that
word is entirely appropriate -- from a flu-like ailment.
GM Patrick was concerned enough that he had the team's medical staff arrange for a
doctor to visit the Penguins' hotel, so that sick players and staff members could be
examined and receive intravenous fluids, if necessary.
About the only encouraging thing for the Penguins is that, if Jakopin is any indication, the
illness seems to run its course in about 24 hours.
Jakopin was one of the few players with anything resembling a spring in his step yesterday
and said he felt "a lot better" than he had in San Jose
Rookie center Kris Beech looked better than he had Thursday night, too, but perhaps only
because he had looked so awful after the Sharks game. Although Beech left the game
early and received fluids intravenously in the third period, he looked pasty and distant as
he was escorted to the team bus .Of course, Beech might have looked reasonably good
because he was surrounded by so many sick guys. The list of ailing players includes -- but
apparently is not limited to -- Johan Hedberg, Hans Jonsson, Aleksey Morozov, Billy
Tibbetts, Dan LaCouture, Wayne Primeau, Stevens and Jakopin.
Despite the threat of being severely undermanned for the game at 9:08 p.m. today against
Phoenix at America West Arena, Patrick said he had no immediate plans to summon help
from the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
"Unfortunately, this is part of the game," he said. "Hopefully, we'll get 19 or 20 healthy
enough to play. Strong enough to play."
Kehoe said in order to bring in reinforcements for tonight's game against the Phoenix Coyotes, the Penguins would have to put players on injured reserve. There were no immediate plans to do so, and there's no telling whether the bug will spread further today or how it will affect tonight's lineup.
Head Coach Kehoe didn't seem concerned that the Penguins would fail to dress a full complement of players. It's just that he doesn't know who they'll be. He said Hedberg, for example, would start in goal only if he feels up to par. If not, it'll be Jean-Sebastien Aubin.
[This message has been edited by wigs (edited 12-01-2001).]
