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Seems like old times Back in the hunt, Bourque feels like a kid again
Posted: Thursday April 13, 2000 01:17 AM
DENVER (AP) -- This is the time of year that makes Ray Bourque feel like an 18-year-old rookie. The adrenaline starts pumping and the nervous anticipation begins brewing on the eve of the playoffs. A sense of urgency also sets in as the 39-year-old Bourque knows each drop of the puck could mean his last chance to win the Stanley Cup championship that has eluded him for two decades. "Obviously it's no secret that I haven't won one in my career," Bourque said Wednesday as the Colorado Avalanche prepared for its opening-round game against the Phoenix Coyotes. "It's pretty much the only thing that is left for me to do, so I'm real happy to be in the situation I'm in. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think people really feel good about our team. It's a good feeling to have." Bourque, who will be making his 20th postseason appearance in 21 years, has run the gamut of emotions over the past month. As the Boston Bruins toiled through a dismal season, Bourque sought a trade that would send him to a contender. The Bruins obliged, trading him to Colorado in a move that forced Bourque to leave his family on the East Coast while he pursued a dream in the West. The sacrifice has paid dividends for Colorado and their veteran defenseman. The Avalanche went 12-2-1 after acquiring Bourque and forward Dave Andreychuk and enter the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak. "It's amazing how their confidence grew," Phoenix center Jeremy Roenick said. "I think mainly it was defensively. Adam Foote, his confidence grew. His ability grew with Bourque. The forwards are able to take more chances offensively knowing there's a Hall of Fame guy right behind them." Roenick and teammate Keith Tkachuk will see a lot of Foote and Bourque over the next six days as Colorado pits its top defensive duo against Phoenix's most dangerous scoring line. Foote has always been considered one of the Avalanche's top defensemen, and has blossomed alongside Bourque after overcoming initial nervousness about playing with one of his role models. "More than anything, he just wants to play hockey," Foote said. "He's like a kid when he's out there. He's happy. He's always smiling. He's having fun. You don't see him get too nervous too often or at all. It's a great thing to see." Bourque's quest for the Cup has become a rallying point for Colorado, which earned the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference by winning its sixth straight division title. Sixth-seeded Phoenix, meanwhile, is drawing motivation from its underdog status. "No one's giving us much of a chance," said first-year coach Bob Francis. "We feel our chances are better than anyone else is saying at this point. We'll see. That's why the games are played." Roenick, the most outspoken Coyotes player, relishes the spoiler role. "That couldn't be a better situation for us," he said. "We're a tremendously talented team that can do some major damage. By no means are we coming in here thinking we're dead ducks. We're far from that mentality." Roenick will be reunited with Tkachuk, who missed 22 of the final 27 games of the season with a sprained ankle. Colorado will counter with scoring threats Joe Sakic (17 goals in the last 18 games) and Milan Hejduk (36 goals, 36 assists). Center Peter Forsberg will miss Thursday's game and possibly Saturday's as he recovers from a separated shoulder. Even without Forsberg, Colorado goalie Patrick Roy fired the first verbal shot when he predicted the Avalanche would prevail in the series. The remark refueled a friendly rivalry with Roenick that started in 1995 when Roy said he could not hear Roenick's brash remarks because his Stanley Cup rings were plugging his ears. "He said it doesn't matter if Forsberg's in or out, (Colorado) is still a better team," Roenick said Thursday. "They asked me to comment on that quote. It really doesn't matter what I say because Patrick can't hear me with his rings in his ears anyway."
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