Philly goalies surprise of NHL.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-A funny thing happened to Doug Favell on his way to the rocking chair.
The Flyers’ goalie has been persuaded that, at 22, he is just a little too young to start collecting an old-age pension.
All it took to change Doug’s mind about retirement has been the relaxation of qualifications needed to earn the bonus in his contract.
Given an excellent opportunity to qualify for the cash bonus at season’s end, Favell is once again looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Flyers.
Doug, who was sporting a 2.08 goals-against average in 12 games with the National Hockey League expansion team, threatened to give up the game recently because he felt he wasn’t getting enough work.
Bernie Parent, the Flyers’ top draft choice, has been going so well in the Philly net that the Flyers apparently had no alternative but to keep Favell on the bench.
“I’m not saying I’m better than Bernie (an average of 2.00 in 19 games),” said Doug. “But I think I’ve proven I can do the job. I’m no hog, either, because I don’t want to play all the games.
“I’ve played only three in the last month, though, and you can’t stay sharp that way. A goalie has to be sharp because a split second means the difference between a save and a goal.”
Favell informed general manager Bud Poile about his displeasure with the situation and warned, if things didn’t change, he’d quit the team and return to his home in St. Catharine’s, Ont.
“I understood Doug’s problem and I just wanted him to understand ours,” said Poile. “So we spent a couple days talking and, during that time, we laid all the cards on the table.
“Doug wants to play and he’s mad because he’s not playing,” added Bud. “I can’t fault him for that. I’d be mad if he wasn’t mad because he’s not playing.”
One of the reasons for Favell’s decision may have been due to the fact that he had become engaged during Christmas and had to think of the future.
Another may have been Doug’s personal impression that, by not playing, he was growing an ulcer on the bench and missing a chance to collect the bonus.
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