Marty's magic sparks mates
By TERRY KOSHAN -- Toronto Sun
Yes, Martin Brodeur agreed, his tiny numbers look all right.
For now.
"If we don't win the next game these stats won't matter," said Brodeur, who has allowed just three goals in 240 minutes of tending net for Canada at the World Cup.
"It's kind of hard not to be aware of it because it's in your face all the time. But it's all about winning games and so far it has been good."
That was not lost on the Slovaks last night, who really didn't stand much of a chance. Brodeur, who has faced 100 shots in four games, made 23 saves last night in Canada's 5-0 victory.
Slovakia managed to tie Canada 2-2 in an exhibition game before falling 5-1 last week.
"Canada has really come together as a team," Slovakia defenceman Zdeno Chara said.
"They have a really good system and they just wait for you to make mistakes. I think they are the best team we have played and they are the team to beat."
One major factor is the presence of Brodeur, who has won three Stanley Cups and owns a gold medal from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The guy could probably hop into his net on crutches and still provide his teammates with a shot of confidence.
Defenceman Scott Niedermayer has played with Brodeur for the New Jersey Devils on a full-time basis since the 1993-94 season and can't imagine what his hockey life would be without the Montreal native.
"I really don't know any other," Niedermayer said of the comfort level that comes with playing in front of Brodeur. "He does a lot more than just stop the puck, no question. You can tell he has a little jump right now when he is doing things."
Although Canada must win two more games to be crowned 2004 World Cup champs -- and certainly there is no guarantee it will happen -- a question being asked after last night's victory was whether this club is better than the one that won gold in Salt Lake.
"We have a group of players that really care about each other," Brodeur said. "For us to compare ourselves to other teams that have won something, I don't think it is fair.
"As of now there are a lot of similarities between the two teams. But we are going to the semi-final now. That's it (so far)."
