Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 4.36

www.afootinthecrease.com

I spent many nights as youngster watching and admiring the great Steve Yzerman lead the Detroit Red Wings with a passion, drive and determination shown by very few players who have ever laced up the skates. Yzerman was the kind of player who could not only will himself to be better, but will his teammates to be better also. On many of those occasions, I dreamed of one day being in his shoes with the opportunity to lead a team to a Stanley Cup. Alright so I dreamed a dreamed that didn’t come true but the point is I wanted to be Steve Yzerman. Now, ah well, ok I’m just going to come right out and say it: I’m glad I’m not Steve Yzerman today.

Now the Executive Director of Team Canada for the upcoming 2010 Olympics, Yzerman is faced with the immense challenge of among other things, choosing a goaltender for a team that will be under tremendous pressure and at this point, nobody seems to want that responsibility.

Marty Brodeur? Well the incumbents bubble burst in the final minute and a half in the first round of the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes. When was the last time Marty Brodeur really played like Marty Brodeur? Doesn’t come to mind right away does it?

Roberto Luongo? Well his crowning achievement internationally was a heroic last minute start in the Semi Finals against the Czech Republic at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey when an injury held Martin Brodeur out. However in the NHL, ten years in the league, two playoff series wins and a seven goal on thirty shot implosion in game seven this season against the Blackhawks.

Cam Ward? He’s already won a Stanley Cup in his young career and this season, he’s outdueled Marty Brodeur in the first round and the powerhouse Bruins in the second round but against Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins, he’s looked like the second best goalie.

Does that mean Fleury is the leading candidate at this point by process of elimination? We’ll find out soon enough, but hey, all that was just rigamarole.