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Day at a Glance
Mario aside, injuries diminish game's luster
Posted: Sunday February 04, 2001 12:16 PM
Updated: Sunday February 04, 2001 1:46 PM
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Jaromir Jagr had to turn his back on the All-Star Game after suffering a concussion. Ezra Shaw/Allsport |
By Robert Rodriguez, CNNSI.com
DENVER -- It's an odd coincidence this year that the NHL All-Star Game falls on the same day as the NFL Pro Bowl.
After all, this year's hockey All-Star exhibition is a lot like the Pro Bowl because of all the injured starters and a laundry list of replacements.
First, it was St. Louis' Chris Pronger. Then it was the Sharks' Vincent Damphousse, followed by Pronger's teammate, Al MacInnis. Pittsburgh's Jaromir Jagr did his best Troy Aikman imitation and is missing his third All-Star game in nine years because of an injury.
Jagr's teammate, Mario Lemieux, defended his teammate's decision to skip the game. "It's unfortunate he got hurt in Philadelphia," he said. "He took a pretty good shot and he was unable to make the trip.
"It is unfortunate for everybody here, for the fans and the players. He was the leading vote-getter and that says a lot about people wanting to see him play. Hopefully, we will have the another opportunity next year."
New Jersey's Alexander Mogilny rounds out the injury list.
As much as you hate to call them replacements, that's what Vancouver's Ed Jovanovski, the Devils' Scott Niedermeyer, Colorado's Milan Hejduk and Boston's Sergei Samsanov are. But Samsanov has a different outlook on it.
"This is a great opportunity for myself, so I am going to take full advantage of it," he said. "Hopefully, I can make it to another All-Star Game as a selection, even as a starter."
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What to look for
Who will win the All-Star MVP? Most fans want any of the Avalanche players, or Lemieux to take the title.
But one to keep an eye on is Detroit's Nicklas Lindstrom. He is the best defenseman is the NHL and one of the best all-around players in the league. His vision on the ice is unbelievable and he has the knack to perform well in big games.
What, a defenseman winning a offensive shootout like the All-Star Game? The past four All-Star MVPs have been wingers. But, it could happen. Colorado's Ray Bourque won the award in 1996 when he was a member of the Bruins. And Pronger was the league's MVP this past season.
What you won't see
Penalties. Much like the Heroes game Saturday night, you won't see much board checking, jaw-breaking hits or even a high stick. And don't even think about seeing the gloves come off.
The players know this is an exhibition and do not want to hurt any of the players at all. In fact, only one penalty was called in this past year's All-Star Game in Toronto, a two-minute hooking call on then-Avalanche player Sandis Ozolinsh.
"I still get mad at myself for that penalty," the Hurricane said. "Being the only one in the penalty box that entire game is kind of embarrassing."
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One of the main keys to winning today's game for the North America team is to get Lemieux involved. Super Mario probably will skate on the second line of the game, which could open up better scoring opportunities for him. Washington's Sergei Gonchar likely will shadow Lemieux throughout.
Another key is getting solid play from its solid goaltenders. Colorado's Patrick Roy will get the starting nod and probably will be followed by New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Phoenix's Sean Burke. All three have played in All-Star games before and know that saves will be more important than goals.
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For the World team to win, they must strike early and often. The Dominator will be in goal for the first period, before two rookies, the Flyers' Roman Cechmanek and the Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov, guard the net. If the World squad jumps out to a quick lead, it will make the rookies more comfortable and relaxed.
Also, the World team must find a way to get their wingers open and away from the North America's stingy defenseman. Florida's Pavel Bure, Detroit's Sergei Fedorov and Tampa Bay's Fredrik Modin all possess blistering shots and are easily the hardest shooters in Denver. Seeing BB's coming at them from every direction nearly every time the World team goes down the ice will take its toll on the goalies.
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