|
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Game 5 Analysis The sun finally sets on Devils in Game 5
Posted: Friday June 09, 2000 07:52 PM
By Darren Eliot, CNNSI.com
The classic confrontation between the Devils and the Stars brought that long ago call back to mind. The longest scoreless game in Stanley Cup finals history obviously featured phenomenal goaltending on both sides -- to the point that "next goal" was to be the game's first, only and winner ... and not come until the sixth period. The Dallas Stars received a heroic performance from start to finish from Ed Belfour. Devils counterpart Martin Brodeur was solid throughout, with some scintillating saves sprinkled in to add to the drama. But it was Belfour and the Stars facing elimination, and Belfour stood taller. Actually, his effort was necessary, as it has been this entire season. The Devils carried the play through the first four periods. But, the older, slower Stars inexplicably called on an energy reserve that allowed them to carry the play in period five and beyond. Saying that the Stars exhibited a "will to win" only partially captures the effort expended by the proud champions. In the end, Mike Modano scored the game-winner -- his goal in the finals and his first goal as a 30-years-old, having celebrated that milestone this week. On the other side, the Devils' Bobby Holik had more shots on goal than any player in the game and enough quality chances to have ended this one long before regulation was through. It could have been his night. Instead, Modano and the Stars live to play Game 6. And just like those street hockey games from my youth, everyone went home tired, however, some happier than the others.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Has there been a more focused, committed and clutch performance in goal? His team's attack again thwarted, meaning he had no margin for error. Dallas lives because Belfour was as perfect as a goalie can be. 
Spectacular in his own right, he provided the perfect foil to Belfour's refusal to give in. 
He scored the GWG, yes. But he was exceptional in the faceoff circle and was double-shifted throughout the game, overtime sessions included. 
