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“Classic” game leaves classic memories
by Brad Brown
the Carillon
At first glance it is easy to be disappointed with the results of the NHL’s first-ever foray into outdoor hockey. For one thing, despite nearly every breathing hockey fan’s view that the MegaStars game was their purpose in life and sole reason for living, it diminished the significance of the actual NHL game itself between the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.
In the long run, neither game will really mean a whole pile to anyone–the MegaStars game, all sentiment aside, was essentially meaningless. And the Oilers and Canadiens outdoor showdown? Yeah, it was the first outdoor NHL game. Yipee. Novel idea, but I would bet my left nut that the NHL is not going to switch to a schedule made entirely of outdoor games.
The lack of scoring in the MegaStars game has been moaned about as well. Okay, I’ll admit that 2-0 wasn’t exactly what I had in mind either but all said, for a bunch of guys averaging close to 50 years in age, they put on a hell of a game. I hereby put my right testicle on the line and guarantee that there is not a soul alive who found that game less interesting than the 0-0 snoozer we sat through last week between Tampa Bay and Carolina.
For all the criticism, however, the game was still highly entertaining. Right from the start, I was blown away by how much weight some of the ex-Oilers had put on–namely Charley Huddy and Dave Hunter. Hearing Sather’s comment during the game about the excess weight being hard on the ice made my day.
The player introductions were almost surreal (see: the riot-like noise made when Mark Messier, Guy Lafleur, and Wayne Gretzky were introduced), and being able to see about 90% of my old hockey heroes back where they belong–that’s right, in an Oilers jersey–damn near had me giggling like a school girl on Ritalin. And for you sappy types, I’m sure the looks in the eyes of Gretzky, Messier, Tikkanen, Linseman, Kurri, Coffey, Lowe, Fuhr and company probably warmed your hearts like hot chocolate did for mine.
That said, it was slightly disappointing not to see any offensive output from this crew of perrenial ex-All Stars. Even Mess joked following the game that his team won in “typical Oilers fashion–a 2-0 shutout.”
But my all-time favourite tough guy Marty McSorley managed to save the day, so to speak, with a highlight reel goal, one-timing a Kenny Linseman feed to bury the biscuit in the basket. We love you Marty.
Despite this shortage of goals, it is safe to say that the goaltending stole the show. If I had a third nut, I would be more than willing to wager that Edmonton netminders Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford put on a clinic during the 30 minute showcase that would put 90 per cent of today’s goaltenders to shame. Saving 25 shots in 30 minutes, many of them nothing short of phenomonal (Fuhr’s stretching glove save on a close-in slapper, and a Ranford toe save while standing on his head come to mind), turned what could have been a slow sloppy cripple fight into a game that will undoubtably stand the test of time as an all-time classic.
At worst, the MegaStars game, and the whole outdoor concept in general, was nothing but good publicity for the NHL. It’s a league that, in the face of its current labour woes, desperately needs all the good press it can get. It was a novel, (quite possibly) once in a lifetime event, that will likely never be equalled in terms of fan and player excitement.
If you missed the game, either in person or on the tube, no one’s best efforts can possibly sum up the feeling of seeing the entire event go down. And, at best . . . well, if you watched the game you know exactly what I mean.
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