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Too much GRIT to QUIT

Sporting News, The, May 29, 2000 by Larry Wigge

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"My career was basically ended by a routine hit in which I wound up hitting my head against this new seamless glass they are using in the NHL," Hall of Fame left winger and Colorado director of player personnel Michel Goulet says. "I was wearing a helmet, but that didn't matter. Because there are no seams, no breaks in the glass, they have to be affixed stronger to the boards.

"That means in buildings where they have seamless glass, you could injure a foot, arm, shoulder or head even worse when you pile into the boards or glass. It's a danger players shouldn't have to worry about, but they do. It's like running into a wall."

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What's worse, in order to make shoulder pads and elbow pads safer, companies have begun using a stronger plastic.

"And while that's good for the player wearing those pads," Primeau says, "look out if you get hit by someone else wearing them.

"Some players know they can hurt another player with that equipment and they use it as a weapon, like some football players try to tackle with their helmets."

Silver lining

Even in the worst of situations, a positive can be found. In this case, it means players who have missed a lot of time while injured are fresher for the playoffs. "This is the best I've felt all year," Forsberg says. "It's not like I played a lot of games this season, you know?"

Shoulder surgery from last year's conference finals against Dallas kept Forsberg out until December. Assorted other injuries, such as a concussion and a slash to the back of his leg, limited the Avalanche's star center to 49 regular-season games.

Early in the playoffs, Forsberg was dominating, hitting opponents, shrugging off would-be hits and dazzling with his skating and playmaking skills.

"I agree with Keith and Eric. You can't change the way you play, even if you are risking another injury," Forsberg says. "I have to be aggressive to play. That's what opens up room on the ice for me and my teammates.

"Take Terrell Davis of the Broncos. His game is carrying the football up the middle as well as using his speed to the outside. If he didn't run up the middle, he wouldn't be the same player and Denver wouldn't have two Super Bowl rifles."

Lindros, still itching to play, says he will be ready.

"Someone asked me the other day if, after all of the inactivity, I had anything left in the gas tank," Lindros says before smiling. "Even with the high price of gas these days, you can be sure I will find a gas station that's open and fill it up to get another chance at playing in the Stanley Cup finals."

It's that mentality that excites teammates and fans alike and keeps hockey at this time of the year on the edge.

Too much GRIT to QUIT

Sporting News, The, May 29, 2000 by Larry Wigge

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