Schlappschuss

Das unterklassige Eishockey-Team der Charlestown Chiefs hat seine besten Jahre eigentlich nie gehabt. Weshalb das Team von Spielertrainer Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman) genauso wie der größte örtliche Arbeitgeber unmittelbar vor der Pleite steht. Mit den Hanson-Brüdern und ihrer auf Prügeleien und brutalen Bodychecks gründenden Spielweise scheint endlich der Erfolg einzukehren. Doch Finalgegner Syracuse gibt sich unbeeindruckt und heuert erbarmungslose "Killer" auf Kufen an. Paul Newman als Coach einer erfolglosen Eishockeymannschaft bringt seine existenzbedrohte Gurkentruppe mit drastischen Spielmethoden auf Vordermann und an die Spitze der Liga.

Located in the US Rust Belt, Charlestown is home of the hapless Chiefs, a losing Federal League hockey team whose games are poorly attended. To make money, the team's unknown owner makes its manager, Joe McGrath, do cheesy publicity much to the players' chagrin. Rumors abound among the players that if the local mill closes, the team will fold. Just before the official announcement is made, the team's aging player/coach, Reggie Dunlop, does get wind that the mill is indeed closing and that this season will be the team's last. Beyond efforts to reconcile with his wife Francine, who loves Reggie but doesn't love his career, Reggie begins to focus on how to renew interest in the team for a possible sale as he knows if the team folds, his hockey career is over. Without telling anyone of his plan, he begins a rumor that the owner is negotiating a sale with a city in Florida.