Roberto Luongo remains an elite NHL goalie and the Vancouver Canucks should do everything possible to sign him long term; however, he should not be the starting net minder for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

 

The Canadian goaltending position will be the most highly contested and most scrutinized position at the Vancouver Games. There will be as much pressure on Canada's stopper than arguably any other athlete that is from the host country.

 

Canada has a deep pool of goalies to select from. However, based on the 2008/09 regular season and playoffs, plus experience, it now appears obvious who should be the three goalies asked to play for our country; Luongo, Martin Brodeur and 25-year-old Cam Ward. (Marc-Andre Fleury could also be in the running but appears to be number four on the depth chart. Steve Mason and, in particular, B.C.’s Carey Price hurt their chances for consideration with less than stellar playoff performances)

 

Brodeur has won three Stanley Cups, is a 4-time Vezina winner as the NHL’s top goalie, and led Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002. His credentials are impeccable, but he is 37, and his best days may be behind him. Let’s be honest, Brodeur crumbled this year against Carolina in the first round in the final 90 seconds of game seven allowing two goals. The Brodeur of the past would have slammed the door with his team up 3-2 late in the deciding contest.

 

Ward is the real deal. He won a Stanley Cup for Carolina in 2006 and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. This year, he has won back to back game 7’s on the road. In his career, Ward is
4-0 in game 7’s with a 1.95 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Wow! Ward has played in six playoff series, (2006 & 2009), and won everyone. In other words, he is a big game player whether he is at home or on the road.

 

So, what about the 30-year-old Luongo? In his nine season career he has never played past the
second round. His overall playoff record is 11-11 which consists of 5-7 in 2006/07 and 6-4 this season. Luongo was terrific against St Louis allowing five goals in four games but against Chicago, a more offensive team, he allowed 21 goals. He played his worst the only time his team faced elimination, allowing 7 goals on 30 shots in a 7-5 loss. Four of those goals in game six came in the crucial 3^rd period on just nine shots.

 

The facts and numbers don’t lie. I realize too much can be made of one game, but we can only judge players on past performance. The Olympics tournament is a sprint and not a marathon. One doesn’t get a second chance in a semi final or a gold medal game. There has been nothing in Luongo's past to indicate he is the guy the nation wants to ride in a must win game and certainly his meltdown against
the Hawks has not enhanced his reputation.

 

So, who should start? I am not ruling out Brodeur, but current performance has me leaning in the direction of Ward. He has proven at a young age he can win when it counts and seems adverse to the pressure.

 

Once these playoffs are done, a decision should be made. What happens in training camp or the start of the 2009/10 regular season shouldn’t have a bearing because those aren‘t the big games.

 

If you are really searching then one could also make a case for Chris Osgood. This may be a stretch; however, he may be the most (unjustifiably) ridiculed goalie in NHL history. Yes, he gives up soft goals during the regular season and is always written off. However, he certainly has risen to the occasion more than once in the post-season.

 

One final thought about Luongo, who has a year left on his Vancouver contract. There have been polls taken whether the Canucks should deal him. That’s a ridiculous suggestion unless he hasn’t signed a contract extension by the 2010 trade deadline.   

 

Actually, I have changed my mind, maybe I would send Luongo packing as long as Carolina is willing to send Ward in return.

 

 

Teams in the Lingerie Football League are holding tryouts. So far, the most coveted off-field position is equipment manager.Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix 

 

 

A man in Texas broke a Guinness World Record by getting 1,197 piercings in one day. It’s nice to see that Dennis Rodman is staying busy. Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

I think the last time that happened, Jack Nicholson's date hadn't even been born yet.NBC's Jay Leno, after the LA Lakers lost game one of the Western Conference semi-final to Houston, a rare playoff home loss for the Lakers.

Detroit police say that a woman was hit by a chair swung by Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray in the press box at Joe Louis Arena. No charges were filed, but the matter was referred to Knight Court.Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

A new drug has been developed that has been shown to help increase memory functions of mice. The drug is said to be successful except the mice still refuse to admit they were injected by their trainers.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

Detroit running back Kevin Smith has guaranteed the Lions would make the playoffs next season. Maybe he meant the B.C. Lions? 

And in case you missed it:

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