By BOB MORRISSEY Of The Gazette
While almost everyone in the crowd of 6,452 left the Forum talking about the four about the four goals and four assists by John Davis. the little team captain was thinking about another aspect of his play last night.
“I figure I caused four penalties.” Davis was saying as he towelled himself Off following Les Quebecois, 23-14 victory over Syracuse Stingers, and seconds after he had been named the game” first star.
Davis was a dominant figure for some 40 minutes last night as he killed penalties, played the powerplay and took a regular shift. And when it was over. all coach John Ferguson could say of Davis’ performance was; “Incredible wasn’t he?”
Davis, himself, felt he let the team down a couple of times by making mistakes on defence, and was particularly chagrined when, after Les Quebecois had lost possession. Travis Cooke raced around him and went in all alone.
“Ive been in this game too long to make a mistake like that,” said John. “When you lose the ball like that. you should react a lot quicker.”
The fact that Davis plays so much is probably responsible for the few mistakes he does make on defence. Understandably he gets tuckered out, but Fergy is willing to forgive his little defensive breakdowns. ”If I could play him 50 minutes,” says Fergy, “I would.”He’s just like Bobby Orr to us.”
The crowd applauded Davis a lot last night. but never more so than during one point in the first period when Stingers’ Jim Miller picked up minors for slashing and holding in trying to stop the Les Quebecois’ captain. Less than a minute later, Gaylord Powless, who ended up with four goals and four assists, drew a high-sticking penalty on Davis, and again the crowd roared.
Ernie Mitchell, a favorite of the fans here, was peppered with 41 shots. compared to Syracuse’s Rick Palla who faced 56. Mitchell was as mad as a bear with a sore paw for some ot the “easy” goals he felt he let in but said afterwards, “I’m glad I woke up for the third period.”
