Stealing a page from the teachings of Patrick Roy, Calgary rookie Jean-Sebastien Giguere provided a lesson in textbook goaltending in leading Calgary to a 3-1 win over Colorado. It was the Flames' first home win of the year, and the first win in Calgary for Giguere who patterned his game after his boyhood idol, Roy. "It was something special," said Giguere, clutching the game puck awarded for his 39-save performance.
"I grew up watching him and it was just great to play against him. I couldn't sleep this afternoon but it was more excitement than nerves." As a kid growing up in Blainville, north of Montreal, Giguere used to hide his Roy poster so his friends, all Quebec Nordiques fans, would not see it. When they met at a summer golf tournament, he was too shy to talk to Roy. It's not hard to understand why. Roy carries a resume punctuated by Stanley Cups, Conn Smythe trophies and a handful of All-Star appearances. He is Saint Patrick, revered in his native Quebec as THE goalie. The Quebec goaltender factory has produced a number of replicas, but none have proved authentic. Giguere wanted to be just like Roy. Last night he was that and more. At the other end of the rink, Roy was beaten early by an electrifying Theo Fleury goal in which he deked Peter Forsberg silly before firing five-hole. The one goal that beat Giguere took a video goal judge to determine it was in fact in the net. A second Avs' goal by Adam Deadmarsh was disallowed when the referees ruled the whistle blew before the puck went in. But a late first-period goal by Jeff Shantz and an empty netter by Jarome Iginla was all the extra offence Giguere needed. Giguere, 21, was recalled earlier this week ostensibly as a back-up for Tyler Moss, who would replace the injured Ken Wregget. But when Moss faltered ever so slightly in the 2-1 loss to Nashville, Giguere got his chance to match skills with the master at the other end of the ice. He phoned home to tell his parents he'd start his first Calgary game against Roy and the former Nordiques. "My mom almost fainted on the phone, she couldn't talk," laughed Giguere. But no one in the Avs room was laughing at Giguere's performance. "He was incredible out there," said Avs sniper Joe Sakic. "He plays a lot like Patrick Roy. He butterflies down, but I guess all those Quebec goalies do. He didn't really look nervous. He was pretty composed and although he had a lot of help he was especially good during our powerplays." Giguere is anointed in Calgary as the Next One. His progress as a professional had been carefully choreographed to engender the future promise of this young man. But how much further along can the future be for Giguere when the goaltending student is now capable of teaching the master?
- Martin St.Louis has been recieved from the parent Calgary Flames
- John Tripp has finally accepted his demotion to the ECHL’s Johnstown
Chiefs
- Thumb’s up: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jose Theodore, Jean-Sebastien
Aubin, Felix
Potvin, and the New York Rangers
- Thumb’s down: John Tripp, Ryan Bach, Rejean Houle, Ken Dryden
