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European excellence Lidstrom first Euro-born player to win Conn SmythePosted: Thursday June 13, 2002 11:08 PMUpdated: Friday June 14, 2002 3:53 AM
DETROIT (AP) -- Nicklas Lidstrom only seems to always be on the ice. The Detroit defenseman won the Conn Smythe Trophy, as the most valuable player of the playoffs, after the Red Wings beat Carolina 3-1 Thursday night in Game 5 for their third Stanley Cup in six years and 10th in franchise history. The native of Sweden, who also was a key member of Detroit's Stanley Cup teams in 1997 and '98, became the first European to win the award and just the seventh defenseman to win it. Bobby Orr won it twice. "I was really surprised to win it," Lidstrom said on the ice during the postgame celebration. "I wasn't even thinking about it, really. I'm more happy about winning another Cup, but winning the Conn Smythe is really an honor that I'll never forget." Lidstrom didn't have a goal or assist in Game 5, but he quietly dominated in his own way as he always seems to.
One of the reasons the Hurricanes were only able to get off 17 shots was because of Lidstrom's steady play on the blue line. Lidstrom was regarded as an underrated star -- because his subtle and smooth ways can go unnoticed -- but the 32-year-old is not unheralded anymore. Lidstrom last season won the Norris Trophy, which recognizes the NHL's top defenseman. He is finalist again this year, along with teammate Chris Chelios. "It's an honor to play with him," Chelios said. Lidstrom is also a finalist for the Lady Byng, which awards the player who best combines sportsmanship with ability. What makes Lidstrom so impressive is that he's rarely noticed, even when he's on the ice more than anybody. "We've known about Nicklas Lidstrom for years and years, and it's great to see him get the recognition that he deserves," teammate Brendan Shanahan said. "He doesn't play a game that draws a lot of attention to himself. But if you know the game of hockey, you just see that he never makes a mistake. "I can count on one hand the amount of mistakes Nicklas Lidstrom has made in the six years I've been with him. He's unbelievable." He averaged more than 31 minutes a game, almost five more than any other teammate and over five more than any Hurricane, and played nearly 12 hours during the playoffs. He essentially plays mistake-free hockey and is rarely out of position, as his one penalty in 23 playoff games proves. Lidstrom has a strong shot, which he proved with five goals, including two game-winners and one short-handed. He is also a skilled playmaker as his 16 assists show. He was at his best offensively, with six points, when the Red Wings were at their worst in the first round against Vancouver. Lidstrom had four assists in the conference final against Colorado. Carolina's Aaron Ward, who played with Lidstrom in Detroit the previous five seasons, was happy to see Lidstrom win the award. "It's great because he's such a quiet guy that doesn't attract a lot of attention on or off the ice," Ward said. "It couldn't have happened to a better guy, or a more deserving player." |
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