The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-02-19
CHAPTER PROVES. SPARK PLUG OF. BOSTON BRUINS
Ten Year Man Hit His Stride in Time to
 Help Greatly
BY ERNEST BARCELLA Limited Press Stan COrrespondent)

6x ERNEST 0AhNELAA United Press Stan C0rrespOndent)
 Boston, Feb. 19.-(UP).-In bad way 10 days ago, the Boston Bruins appeared Stanley cup-bound today and the answer is a handsome, Gleek-haired bruiser wearing No. b. Aubrey Victory (DiD Clapper.
 The big right winger has sparked I oston's National Hockey League entry out cf slump that for a time threatened to kill their playoff cha ces. Thanks to the rejuvenated C.apper, however, the B's now are flirting with the American division le l, only five points behind the pace-setting Detroit Red Wings.
 Four Straight
 When the Bruins knocked oil the Maroons at Montreal last night, 1t marked their fourth victory in as ma... starts-thei- longest winning streak of the season. And the man who has scored the first Boston goal in each of those games is you guessed it,-our MT. Clapper.
 Until last Tuesday, the Bostons had not scored a triumph on home ice in eight starts. On that par ticular night, they came from be- hind to edge the New York Rangers ani 1t was Clapper who pulled his lns tcs from the rear.
 Always an important scoring fac- t. i, Clapper this season was ex- periencing one of his leanest years until the current campaign reached the two-thirds mark. Hard-luck seemed to dog him in everything he attempted.
 Then suddenly, the oldest active member of the Bruins in point of continuous service (hes completing his 10th year with Boston) snapped right out of it.
 Prom an all-around standpoint, right now hes showing his best form sincc the bonanza season of 1929-30 who as a member of hockey's f,mous dynamite line" that includ- ed Dutch Gainor and Cooney Weil- and, Clapper scored 6l points.
 To date, Dit's scoring record shows 12 goals and six assists. Four of those goals, as previously mentioned, have come in the last four games. Reasons Galore
 What is the answer to Clappers comeback? There are several ver- sions.
 One good answer is his new line mates, Porky Dumart and Milt Schmidt, who were brought up from ths Providence farm a fortnight ago. These young rockies have re- discovered Clapper's scoring punch.
 Manager Art Ross offers another explanations:
 "Clapper hasn't been getting credit for what he's been doing. Until 10 days ago, he was playing in hard luck. But he's always been grand player"
 The 195- pound, 6-foot 2-inch hero, who turned 30 just F days ago, modestly explains 1t this way:
 T seem to have hit my stride again
 Clapper, who was given his pro- fessional opportunity by Eddie Pow CTS, now manager oI the syracuse club of the International American League, never has played for any other major league club but the Bruins.
 s far as Manager Ross is con- cerned, the favorite son of Hay- market, Ont, Is worth his weight in gold.
 Recently. Manager Connie Smythe of Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly offered 5000 and Frank Finnigan for Clapper. But Ross, who plans to convert Dit into a defenseman next season, pooh -poohed the very thought of 1t.
 "Why, Toronto couldn't even get ClaLper for 5000, Fklnigan and four other players"
 That's what Dit's boss thinks of him