TOO MANY GOALS, TIME TO RETURN TO OLD-FASHIONED BUT EFFECTIVE STAND-UP GOALTENDERS

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In ice hockey, isn’t it about time to come full circle and 

bring back the stand-up goaltender? Sure seems like it, 

what with NHL goalies automatically going to their knees 

nowadays … and being beaten, with uncanny regularity, 

high to the upper right and left corners of the goal.

Last of the (really good) stand-up goaltenders was

 MARTIN BRODEUR, who retired in 2015 after 22 

NHL seasons, 21 with New Jersey. He was inducted into 

the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

Actually, Brodeur’s style was considered something of a 

hybrid … because, in the latter years of his career, he 

started floping more, resorting to the so-called “butterfly” 

method first introduced by the Detroit Red Wings’

 GLENN HALL in the mid-1950s and latter perfected by 

other future hall of famers such as TONY ESPOSITO

 (Chicago) and current Islanders coach PATRICK ROY

 (Montreal).

Locally, when the Richmond Robins made hockey’s 

debut here in 1971-72, the AHL team featured two 

goaltenders: MICHEL BELHUMEUR (butterfly) and

 BOB TAYLOR (stand-up).

***** THE BUFFALO SABRES sent ZAC JONES back 

to AHL Rochester Tuesday without calling on the 25 year 

old defenseman from Richmond. Go figure.

Despite a record of 5-8-4, worst in the Eastern 

Conference, and complaining of breakdowns on the blue 

line, coach LINDY RUFF refused to use Jones, who 

joined the team Friday leading AHL defensemen in 

scoring with 13 points, all assists.

Buffalo hasn’t qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in 14 

years, and Ruff, in the second season of his second tour as 

Sabres’ coach, could be fired at any time. 

***** THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS (2-8) 

will start their third quarterback of the season Sunday 

when JAMEIS WINSTON gets the nod at MetLife 

Stadium against the Green Bay Packers. The Florida State 

product, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract as a 

free agent in July, replaces rookie JAXSON DART

 (concussion protocol) who replaced Richmond’s

 RUSSELL WILSON, NY’s season-opening QB, 

likewise making his Football Giants’ debut.

Interim coach MIKE KAFKA said he expects Winston, 

31, a 10-year NFL veteran, to provide some excitement 

for a team riding a four-game losing streak which 

Monday cost coach BRIAN DABOLL his job.

***** FORMER UVA and Giants’ RB TIKI BARBER, 

now New York radio personality, says best available 

choice to become next coach is … MIKE McCARTHY

 (Packers, Cowboys). Also among those being mentioned 

is Commanders’ OC KLIFF KINGSBURY, most 

responsible for development of QB JAYDEN DANIELS

 into 2024 Rookie of the Year.

***** OUT-OF-WORK manager (Rays, Cubs, Angels)

 JOE MADDON, 71, called the Giants’ hiring of 

Tennessee coach TONY VITELLO, 47, who has no 

professional experience … “insulting.”

***** IN CASE you missed it … President DONALD 

TRUMP pardoned DARRYL STRAWBERRY wiping a 

conviction for tax evasion in 1995 from his record. The 

former New York Mets star said he got a personal call 

from Trump … “praising me as one of the greatest 

players of the ‘80s. I was overwhelmed with gratitude – 

thanking God for setting me free from my past.”

An eight-time all-star who was on three World Series-

winning teams, Strawberry also struggled with substance 

abuse during and after his career. He pleaded guilty to tax 

evasion after failing to report $350,000 in income from 

autographs, personal appearances and sales of 

memorabilia.

***** TICKETS ARE on sale for the 2026 VIRGINIA 

DERBY which will be held Saturday, March 14 at 

Colonial Downs. For the second straight year the 

signature event at the New Kent County track will serve 

as a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill 

Downs the first Saturday in May.

The 2025 Virginia Derby was a sellout. Underdog

 American Promise finished first in what was the last 

major victory for hall of fame trainer D WAYNE 

LUKAS who died a few months later.

Race days are expected to grow to as many as 50 at 

Colonia Downs this year, starting with the special three-

day meet March 12-14 that will feature the Virginia 

Derby (Gr, III), with 50 points going to the winner ... on 

the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Until next time ...