Stadium organist Frank Pellico gets Mike Peluso going long before he becomes riled by opposing National Hockey League tough guys. The Blackhawks winger said after Sunday`s 4-0 victory over Boston that he knows when Pellico is playing his song.
”It`s kind of funny, but when I hear him play `The Godfather` when I come on the ice, I know something`s going to be up and the team needs a spark,” Peluso said.
He set a record Sunday with 17 penalty minutes, elevating him to a team season mark of 362. Dave Manson set the former record of 352 in 1988-89.
”It`s like Stu Grimson says, it`s our job and it`s part of the game,”
Peluso said.
Peluso and the Bruins` Lyndon Byers hooked up three times, leading to a roughing penalty, a 10-minute misconduct and a five-minute fighting infraction.
A language barrier: You have to take coach Mike Keenan`s word on it that Ukrainian defenseman Igor Kravchuk can speak English ”as well as you or me.” Kravchuk is making a point of refusing to respond to media questions.
After his three-assist effort Sunday, he was asked what`s different about the NHL after his years playing for the Central Red Army and what`s been his toughest adjustment. ”I speak little English,” he said before walking away. Ray`s day: Indianapolis` 3-2 victory Sunday over visiting Peoria in the International League brought ”Ray LeBlanc Day” to a successful conclusion. LeBlanc, the U.S. Olympic goalie, was recognized in ceremonies before the game and went on to his fourth victory since rejoining the Hawks` farm team.
He stopped 32 shots before a crowd of 8,127, including Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, Indiana Lt. Gov. Frank O`Bannon and Mike Eruzione, a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team.