Sweet inspiration
Red Wings rest their hopes on a rock and reflection
Posted: Tuesday June 09, 1998 01:59 AM
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The Red Wings have been inspired all season by their fallen teammate Vladimir Konstantinov, whose jersey still hangs in his locker () |
DETROIT (AP) -- In the Detroit Red Wings' locker
room, a rock sits on the shelf of a player's stall. One word, in English
and Russian, is written on it: "Believe."
The message has little to do with the Red Wings' desire to become the
first team since the Pittsburgh Penguins in
1991-92 to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. But it might have everything to
do with why Scotty Bowman & Co. are back in the finals this year against
the Washington Capitals
in a best-of-seven series starting Tuesday night.
The prospect of another championship isn't motivating the Red Wings
this time. Tragedy is.
A year ago, defenseman Vladimir
Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov sustained brain-stem
injuries in a limousine wreck. The accident came six days after the Red
Wings won their first Cup in 42 years by sweeping Philadelphia on June 7.
"Everybody was having the greatest time and we all suddenly found out
how important life is," Red Wings center Kris Draper said
Monday. "Every time we see Vlady and Sergei here is a reminder how
fortunate we are. This is who we are playing for. That's been with us all
year. It's emotional every time we see them, and when they are not here, we
have their spirit helping us along the way."
In tribute, the Red Wings players have worn a patch just below their
right shoulders with the initials of both men. Konstantinov's uniform hangs
in his locker, ready to be worn. The rock is on his shelf.
"I don't know if anyone has said it, but everybody has dedicated this
season to Vlady and Sergei, for sure," said Detroit defenseman Viacheslav
Fetisov, who received minor injuries in the limo accident. "In tough times
the team has, everybody looks in Vlady's stall and finds some extra stuff
to bring to the games. It would nice to win and dedicate all this to Sergei
and Vladimir."
The Red Wings also had to overcome the offseason trade of playoff MVP
Mike Vernon to San
Jose and a 59-game holdout by center Sergei Fedorov.
"A lot of adversity throughout the last year has made us a stronger
group," enforcer Joe Kocur said. "There are times a team wins a
championship and you ride high for a time and you rest on your laurels.
With the accident happening six days later, it really opened a lot of eyes
up."
The Red Wings are an overwhemling favorite to repeat. They knocked off
Phoenix, St. Louis and Dallas, the regular-season champ, all in six games.
There are a lot of questions about the Capitals as they enter their
first Stanley Cup final in their 24-year history. They didn't have the
toughest postseason schedule in beating Boston, Ottawa and Buffalo. But
Washington goaltender Olaf Kolzig has been
outstanding, with a 1.73 goals-against average. The Capitals also have a
7-1 record on the road, which should help with the first two games in
Detroit.
"Everybody has said everything about us, that we're chokers and
whatever, and this is just another thing," defenseman Mark Tinondi said.
"We're not going to apologize because we got here and Jersey didn't and
this now isn't supposed to be this great series. Until you play the games,
you never know.'
Kolzig said the Capitals won't be satisfied just making the finals.
"You never know when you are going to be in this situation again,"
Kolzig said. "... You guys can write what you want that this is going to be
a sweep, but we definitely don't believe that and I'm sure they don't."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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