Sunday, December 16, 2001
Joseph no dog: Hasek
By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
Dominik Hasek has an Olympic gold medal, an NHL-record six Vezina trophies -- and a lot of professional admiration for the man called Cujo.
So when critics suggest that Curtis Joseph has yet to capture an individual or team award of any significance, the Dominator has a message for those naysayers -- Cujo's time will come, possibly in Salt Lake City.
"I still consider him one of the best in the NHL," said Hasek, the starting goaltender for the defending Olympic champion Czech Republic. "I guess you can complain he hasn't won anything, but he has a good chance to win something this year."
When Team Canada faces off against the Czechs on Feb. 18 at Salt Lake City, Hasek knows there is a good possibility that he and Joseph will be the opposing goaltenders in a game in which emotions will be soaring.
Four years ago in Nagano, Canada's aspirations for gold were wiped away by the unorthodox acrobatics of Hasek in the semi-final. The Dominator stopping the five Canadian shooters in the sudden-death shootout propelled the Czechs into the final while relegating the disbelieving Canucks to the bronze medal game.
As the euphoric Czech players piled onto Hasek in celebration of the monumental victory, Joseph sat up in the stands and wondered what might have been. As Canada's No. 3 goaltender, he did not see any ice time in the entire tournament.
But after yesterday's announcement -- one that confirmed he once again has earned a berth on Team Canada -- Joseph can set his sights on snatching the starter's job and a rematch with Hasek and Co.
"His style is different from mine," Hasek said. "His speed is unbelievable -- in particular, his glove hand. There are saves you don't think he has a chance of making, and he makes it.
"You can't teach the type of speed he has with his glove hand. His glove is the best in the league.
"I have a lot of respect for the way he plays."
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
