– Vocal warmup: When Darren Pang replaced Alain Chevrier in the net for the final 8 minutes 49 seconds of Tuesday`s loss to Calgary, he found himself instantly ready to play because of all the cheerleading he`d done on the bench. ”I`ve been hollering at the guys from the bench, telling them, `Guy`s on you, up the boards` ” he said. ”And it carried over when I got in the game. Only problem was I was little hoarse by then, and my voice didn`t come out as clear.”
– A major plus: Defenseman Trent Yawney continues to be the plus-minus leader in these playoffs among rookies. He carried a plus-8 into Game 2 against Calgary and credits veteran Bob Murray for helping turn around his game. ”I had a disappointing first half of the season, but I`ve improved in the second half because I quit trying to do things I can`t do,” said Yawney. ”Murph helped me by telling me not to do things that aren`t my style. I`m a defensive player first. I`m not a big offensive player. But the first half of the year, I was jumping up too far on plays and getting caught. Now I`m reading the plays better and know when to stay back and when to jump up.”
– Out of action: Although Steve Thomas` shy bride-to-be doesn`t want to read her name in the newspapers, the women in Chicago should be notified that Thomas is no longer an eligible bachelor. The Hawk forward is going to be married July 1.
– Moving in: With one more shutout in the playoffs, Calgary`s Mike Vernon will tie the NHL record for four shutouts in one postseason. That record is held by six goalies.