Evening star., 1940-11-27
Burns, Twice Castoff,
is Consistent Ice
Ace for Eagles
Leeds in 6-to-5 Defect
Of Rovers in First
Come at Riverside
By BURTON HAWKINS.


Rangy Norman Burns, recognized
as a troublesome type and dis
charged by both Atlantic City and
River Vale outfits last year, looms
as the fresh favorite Of the steady
clientele interested in the fate Of
the Washington Eagles.
A 6-foot, 1s5-pound center, Burns
thus far has provided more than a
third of the goals scored by the
local entry in the Eastern Amateur
Hockey League. Some of his mates
have indicated they don't relish his
individua | brillance, but as the
season ages they're likely to regard
him with more respect.
Burns, who has registered of
the rs goals scored by the league
leading Eagles in the infant COM
paign, was one of the few players
with the Jersey Skeeters last season
who didn't plead assorted ailments
several hours before a tough game.
He was so consistent against WASH
ington that Coach Redvers Macken-
zie welcomed the opportunity to
snatch him when Skeeters released
him from that club.
Sixth VIM In Seven Games.
Norm fired brace of goals past
the protesting form of Johnny
Fischer last night at Riverside
Stadium in leading the Eagles to
q 6-5 triumph over the New York
Rovers before 3,084 customers. The
sixth victory in seven starts for the
Eagles, it marked the fifth time
Washington has come from behind
to win.
Providing he isn't hampered by
petty jealousies. Burns may be the
Eagles most valuable specimen. He
doesn't feed" the puck to mates
as frequently as they would relish
it, but by the same token, there's
nobody on the club who has demon
strated they can maneuver the
composite rubber disc with any
thing approaching his finesse.
Burns may never develop as a
polished puck passer, through ability
or choice, but he locates the net
with, amazing frequency. His labor
is likely to appear on the selfish
side at times, but If they let him
alone he's liable to be the mightiest
of the Eagles.
1t was Burns who was marked for
special consideration as the Eagles
prepared to invade Baltimore to-
night for a tiff with the Orioles
defending champions. In their only
start against the Orioles the Eagles
won, 81, but Baltimore since has
whipped the Rovers twice and River
Vale once in displaying improve
ment.
Starting slowly after Football
Coach Jack Hagerty of Georgetown
tenderly dropped a puck to the ice
to signify the opening of Washing
/ tons home season, the Eagles owned
20 deficit as they deserted the
rink at the end of the first period
James Kreller, a Rover rookie, ac-
counted for both New York goals.
Spurts Into SO Lead.
In the second session, though
Washington spurted into 80 lead
within IL minutes as Jack Macbeth,
Hal Dewey and Paul Courteau
rammed the puck past Goale
Fischer.
With Ross Knipfel sandwiching a
goal between a pair Of successful
shots by Burns, the Eagles con-
structed a 6-2 lead midway in the
third period, but in little more than
two minutes the Rovers whitfield
that advantage to its final proper
tions as Julie Sawchuk, Eddie Dart
nell and Kreller scored. Washington
launched a counter-offensive in the
waning moments to take the play
away from the Rovers.
1t probably was the cleanest game
ever played here, with only four
penalties being inflicted.