Luongo knows the Czechs
Should Roberto Luongo get the call to tend Canada's goal instead of Martin Brodeur for tonight's World Cup semi-final, at least he will be facing a familiar foe. During the 2003 world championship in Helsinki, Luongo replaced an injured Sean Burke against the Czech Republic. Luongo went on to help Canada defeat Sweden in the gold-medal game.
"Imagine that -- I might go up against the same team," he said, referring to the Czechs. "It's deja vu all over again.
"That experience was huge for my confidence, especially in a situation like this. You don't have that doubt in your mind that you might not be able to step in."
Luongo was informed of his potential start after practice yesterday.
"(Coach) Pat Quinn told me to be ready in case Marty can't go. That's what I'm here for. If that's the case, I'm ready."
HONOURING MARTY
Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky feels Brodeur ranks among the best to represent Canada -- past and present.
"I said the other day you're going to debate forever who the greatest goalies of all time were and he's one of them that would be in that debate," Gretzky said. "But the debate narrows down pretty quickly when you talk about the best Canadian goalie ever in international hockey. Grant Fuhr has been really good but I'd say this guy's right in there."
CZECH, MATE
A Czech journalist asked Team Canada's Joe Sakic if he expected Czech players to be fatigued and possibly jet-lagged, to which Sakic replied: "I hope so."
He then asked Sakic if he felt it was fair that the European pool teams had to travel to North America, while the Canadian team remained in Toronto.
Sakic wasn't sympathetic.
"That's the way the tournament is. What are you going to do? Can't complain, can you? You can't make excuses," Sakic said.
EYEING VOKOUN
Quinn is fully aware of the play of Czech goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
As such, Quinn has had goaltending consultant Reggie Lemelin review tapes to find weaknesses in Vokoun's game.
"We know he has been a very important part of the Czech's success this year," Quinn said. "He has always been considered as a great prospect. Now he's a guy who's being looked to do the job and he has been successful."
