Although he has played more games than any goalkeeper in Sting history, Victor Nogueira might not add many more to his record.
Nogueira, signed as a free agent Dec. 12, 1982, is apparently on the trading block. Sources indicate Nogueira was told by Sting coach Willy Roy last weekend that he`d be traded.
”I didn`t tell him that,” said Roy, whose team is 0-4. ”He`s an important part of this team. Everybody talks about the eternal potential. He has to show it now. I`m not looking to deal, but I`m not looking not to. I want to improve that position (goal). It`s become a weak spot on the team.”
Nogueira, who has played 154 indoor and 47 outdoor games, wouldn`t comment when asked if Roy said he`d be gone.
”If we`re losing, obviously I haven`t played to my potential,” said Nogueira. ”But, the rest of the team hasn`t, either. We haven`t the confidence to win. I want to win. We have a good team and once we get our confidence, we`ll win.”
Roy pulled Nogueira from last Saturday`s game in Kansas City after he surrendered goals on the first three Comets` shots. Roy indicated that Scoop Stanisic would start Saturday night`s game against Minnesota at the Horizon.
Roy almost traded Nogueira to Minnesota for All-Star goalie Tino Lettieri last season just before the trading deadline, but the deal was nixed.
— The Sting reduced its Horizon seating capacity by 1,120 Tuesday. The Sting received numerous complaints after its opener from fans whose views were blocked behind the players` benches.
