Vladimir BYCHEK
HERO OF THE WEEK
If not for the selfless love of hockey, the black Ottawa goalkeeper Ray Emery (pictured) would probably have become ... a boxer. A big fan of fistfights in general and Mike Tyson's talent in particular, the goalkeeper even visited because of his addictions a defendant in the scandal. In January 2006, he was literally forced to get rid of the image of Iron Mike numbered on a mask, discrediting the honor and dignity of the National Hockey League. Under pressure from public opinion, Emery removed the friendly cartoon of a brawler and rapist from ammunition, simultaneously noting: "Ottawa is too conservative a city." But he remained a fighter to the bone marrow. Last week, Ray won two games in a row “dry”, and in the third - against “Toronto”, the eternal opponent in the province of Ontario, repelled 43 shots and led the “Senators” to victory in overtime. Having lost due to injuries of two recent attackers Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher, “Ottawa” switched to defensive tactics and confidently entrenched in the playoff zone. And yesterday’s understudy Dominik Hasek survived the number one post of Swiss guest performer Martin Gerber - by the way, the plenipotentiary of the Stanley Cup in the Carolina.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
The idea of universal equality and fraternity took root so deeply in the Northwest Division that the movement of its inhabitants along the steps of the standings resembles a Brownian movement. Anyone who was nothing yesterday was already becoming everything, and vice versa. The teams are so similar in strength and potential that it costs them nothing to pack in the range of one point. And if someone sticks out, then, as a rule, for the dubious prospect of being a caliph for an hour. Perhaps the two victories over Calgary and Victoria over Edmonton, which Vancouver gained last week, are claiming more. Not for the same one of the best goalkeepers overseas Roberto Luongo left Florida to vegetate in new tournament cellars! Playoffs - a minimum program, and he does not agree to less.
ACTION OF THE WEEK
A lot has been said about the role of personality in history. However, few people thought that a strong character in our lives is much less common than heroism. People from whom you can make nails, by the way, and feats - all the time. The action of the 37-year-old striker Brendan Shenahan in a Saturday match with “Washington” from the category that are characteristic not of individuals but of personalities. In the third period, the Rangers veteran stood up for Jaromir Jagr and called in battle the seasoned tough guy Donald Brashir. The "policeman" at first was taken aback by the prospect of fighting with the "pensioner" and during the first exchange of blows even offered to quietly hush up the conflict. “No,” Shen answered firmly. That evening, the Rangers interrupted a seven-match series of defeats.
RUSSIAN WEEKS
For eight consecutive matches, the forward of Los Angeles, Alexander Frolov, could not score. And last week the Russian broke through - in three matches he scored four goals! Add here six assists and get more than convincing baggage, which is not a shame to appear in the highest hockey society. Unless, of course, we take into account the proletarian origin of our hero: a paradox, but the "kings" from California are now located on the non-royal penultimate place in the Western Conference ...
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
27th of December. “Washington” - “Montreal”: the dark-skinned culinary specialist Donald Brashear makes a chop from Aaron Downey. The third fight of the Capitals tough guy in three matches ended in suturing the face of the poor Canadians.
FIGURES OF THE WEEK
The 1000th match in the NHL is a landmark event, but even thrice round anniversaries lose in solemnity when they turn into a routine. Last season, Anaheim striker Teemu Selanne scored the 1000th point in an overseas career. In November 2006, the Finn scored the 500th goal in the national hockey. Finally, on the last day of the year, the striker recorded the 1000th game in the strongest league on the planet. His team lost to Minnesota, but the hero of the day saluted the next milestone with an assist double. But even in the summer of 2004, the Finnish Flash seriously thought about going out forever, irrevocably leaving the stage in the shadow of a family routine. Injuries left no other way out ... However, apparently, there is someone up there who is not indifferent to the career of a great striker. A lockout in the NHL gave Selanne time for the operation, recovery after it, and knee reconstruction did a miracle with the Finn - in the renewed league, the veteran scored 140 points in 121 matches!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I have a great relationship with Aizerman. I participated in charity golf tournaments with him several times and am always happy to see him. The fact that there was friction between us is rumor. I don’t understand why people cannot calm down and continue to procrastinate them. However, I never worried about gossip. And judge for yourselves: could two top players have been playing in the same team for so long if they had problems in communication? In addition, Steve helped me a lot in the initial stages. At the first training camp, he patronized me in a paternal manner, making sure that the older guys did not shave my head and all that, ”- Columbus striker Sergei Fedorov, who defended the colors of Detroit from 1990 to 2003.
WAITING FOR THE WEEK
On Tuesday, January 2, Detroit will be honored by the great captain of the “red wings” Steve Aizerman. The ceremony, scheduled as an overture for the calendar match with Anaheim, will include a colorful video tribute to the legendary striker, ceremonial hoisting of shirt number 19 under the arches of the arena, as well as intense bathing in the ovations of the retired Captain and his family. On Thursday - the battle of Edmonton stalled at 999 Enkhael’s victories and his sworn enemy Dallas. On Saturday, a duel between Washington and Atlanta. For the capital's club, this is a chance to jump into the last car of the train taking off in the playoffs again. For the "woodpeckers" - another step towards the crown of the Eastern Conference. Sunday, January 7, is the birthday of William Peter Blattie, the author of The Exorcist - Montreal will host New Jersey. And this means that Alexei Kovalev, Sergey Samsonov, Alexander Perezhogin and Andrey Markov will be able to practice exorcism. Finally, the highlight of the last day of the week will be a new battle between Anaheim and Detroit.
CM. ALSO
December 26th. “Columbus” - “Boston”: forward of the hosts Sergey Fedorov scores in the minority.