A truly talented trio
By AL STRACHAN -- Toronto Sun
The inside story around Team Canada is that after the first exhibition game of the World Cup, Mario Lemieux decided he needed different linemates.
It's not that there was anything wrong with centring Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis. In fact, Lemieux enjoyed playing with them.
LEFT OF CENTRE
But he reportedly felt that coming off a 10-month absence and a hip operation, he could be more effective as a left winger.
If that were to be the case, then the linemates who could maximize his talents, he suggested, would be Jarome Iginla and Joe Sakic.
Lemieux says this is not the case.
"We showed up one day and we were together," he said. "I never talked to (coach) Pat (Quinn) about the lines. We could play with anybody in the room. There's so much talent in there."
It's hard to know where the truth lies in a case like this.
For one thing, Lemieux's humility would not allow him to admit that he had played a role in creating the direction of the team. For another, it isn't necessary to talk to Quinn to get a suggestion out.
But whatever the case may be, and no matter whose idea it was, it was a good one. It took a little while for the line to be productive, but it had jelled before it became productive.
The chances were being created by the dozens, but they weren't being converted.
But they were converted last night in Canada's 5-0 win over Slovakia, as Iginla potted two (most observers thought he potted a third as well but it was disallowed because he "pushed the goaltender into the net") and Sakic scored another.
"It's a real treat playing with Mario and Joe," Iginla said.
"Throughout the tournament we've had some chances. They set me up a lot and tonight was very similar. I got some great backhand passes again, and some good bounces. It was nice to see it cross the line for sure. It felt good to finally get one.
"Playing with these guys, I just keep my head up and know that there are going to be chances."
Quinn agreed the breakout was simply a matter of time.
"They've been working well all the way," he said. "(Last night) they broke free. They were really sharp around the puck and Mario made a couple of terrific plays. Jarome found the good spots to be. That's the payday for the good work they have been doing."
Every so often, Team Canada went into its Harlem Globetrotters mode and put on a display that seemed to have more to do with entertainment than production.
There are some incredibly talented players on this Canadian team, and when they get a chance to demonstrate their skills against a team that is not noted for tenacious checking -- to put it mildly -- they can get the crowd cheering without ever getting a shot on net.
But the most entertaining moment were the ones that were not only dazzling displays but also productive, the best example being the play that created Canada's fourth goal.
Lemieux, just over the Slovakia blue line, dug out the puck along the boards then fired a laser backhand cross-ice pass to Iginla.
That pass alone was a thing of beauty -- a backhander that travelled about 60 feet and was not only crisp but also right on the mark.
Iginla then needed the better part of a thousandth of a second to fire it to Sakic, who was flying up the middle. Sakic took a couple of steps and wired a shot past a stunned Jan Lasak.
SWEET PASS
"What a pass by Mario," Iginla said.
"It was a backhand between two guys. He didn't even look up and it was right on my tape. It's so easy to play with them -- just going to the net and hoping I can bounce one in here or there."
And if that line is "bouncing" them in, Canada will be hard to beat.
