The overtime goal by Joe Sakic on Wednesday’s win for the Colorado Avalanche prompted an intriguing question from my partner in crime on the TEAM 1040, Barry Macdonald. Has Sakic been given the recognition he’s deserved for what he’s accomplished on the ice?
Although we’ve kept a close eye on the Colorado captain in this part of the country because he was born in Burnaby, I don’t think Sakic has garnered the national attention that his career numbers warrant. The main reasons for that are twofold.
First, Sakic played in an era that featured the names Gretzky, Lemieux, Hull, Messier and Yzerman, all of whom overshadowed his accomplishments.
Second, his understated, humble style doesn’t lend itself to fanfare. While his teammates rejoiced in a Game 1 victory against the Wild thanks to his NHL record eighth career overtime tally, Sakic simply flashed a smile and calmly skated off the ice with the understanding that there is still a long way to go this postseason.
But when there are only seven players that have put up more regular season points than you in NHL history and you just cracked the Top 10 in career playoff scoring, I guess you’re used to scoring significant goals.
>> Sean Avery has an opportunity to make himself a lot of money over the next few weeks. The Rangers’ resident super-pest is an unrestricted free agent this summer with an equal number of pros and cons over the first six seasons in the NHL.
When he’s at his best, which he was in a game one win against the Devils, he hurts opponents on both the scoreboard and the sideboards with his talented, physical brand of hockey.
>> Yesterday’s opening round at the Masters was yet another example of what makes Tiger Woods so good. No, he’s not in the lead; in fact he’s well back after shooting an even-par 72 to start the tournament. Woods never got into the groove into the first round, but he still managed to keep himself well within reach of the leaders. That’s the difference. When most players blow up in a major, they shoot themselves out of contention.
