The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-10
RINK GOSSIP
BY BILL HIGGINS
SCHEDULE BREAKS
EAVORS EAGLES

FAVORS EAGLES.
The Anal drive for places in the
play-offs by teams in the Canaan
league Is about to begin. Four
teams will take part in the post
season series and Of the six teams
that make up the iopo, only one,
Springfield, seems to be definitely
out Of the money
Never in the history Of the
league has the race for places In
the play-offs been SO hotly con-
tested and 80 uncertain at. this
stage Of the schedule. Providence
has been in first place in the
league standings for several weeks,
jumping out in front Of the other
contenders with a lengthy winning
streak, which, incidentally, began
January l. following a defeat BY
New Haven and ended with de-
feat by New Haven. January 20.
During the winning streak Provi.
dence won eight games for a total
gain of is points and undisputed
first place.
During the same period the
Eagles luck was just the opposite,
dropping seven games by margins
Of one point. This losing streak
dropped Joe Simpsons star span.
gled puck Dangers from first place
into last. Shaking off the one goal
defeat jinx on January 2S by de-
feating Providence to 3. the
Eagles gradually climbed to a place
where they are at present consid-
cred one, two. three favorites to
finish in second, third or fourth
place.
The Providence Reds are not too
securely implanted In first place.
despite their lengthy winning
streak. Today's league standing
shows them only two games ahead
Of the New York Tigers with Bos-
ton and the Eagles right on the
heels of the Tigers. TIL ePhiladel'
phia Arrows, occupants of NTH
place. are still very much in the
play-off race. Only a few points
separating them from the money
division with sufficient games re-
naming to be played to enable
them the make the grade.
A Little Luck
Schedule breaks. at this stage
of the race, have lot TO do with
the final standings OF the clubs
Most of the teams have about five
games still to play. A perusal OF
the schedule would indicate tina,
the Eagles are to get their share OF
the breaks. New Haven still has
four games to play. Two of these
games are with the last place team
the Springfield Indians, one witt
Philadelphia, another club Of lower
league standing. and the fourth
with the Providence Reds at the
Arena Sunday night. While the
Providence Reds are generally con.
sidered tough opponents for any
team In the loop to knock Off. the
Eagles seem to be getting break
playing them Sunday night. The
breaks being attributed to the fact
that Providence plays Springfield
tonight and Boston at Boston Sat.
urday night. Three games in -four
nights Is regarded as a lot Of
hockey for one club, even though
they may be league leaders.
This Is the first year of Canaan
play-offs with four teams partici.
pating. In other years the teams
that finished second and third
would meet In two.game home
and home series to be decided by
total goals. with the winner meet.
ing first piac eholders In a three
out Of five series to determine the
league championship. Play-ofi
rules this year call for a two
game series between the holders
OF first and fourth places. both
games to be played on the home
Ice of the first place team with
total goals deciding the winner
While second and third place teams
will meet In a two-game home and
home series, total goals to decide
which team will meet the winner
Of the.fist place. fouth place elm
nations.
The play-offs ne scheduled Il
start the last week OF March.