Thursday, February 14, 2002
Alfie 'tender-minded
Sen says goalies key to Olympic success
By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun
Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is unlikely to wear a letter for Sweden's Olympic entry, but the man he sees as the team's key to success won't be, either.
"The goalies will be an important factor, for sure," said Alfredsson, unbothered at being overlooked for a captain's role in favour of Mats Sundin and, in all likelihood, assistants Markus Naslund and Jorgen Jonsson. "Especially if we're not scoring many goals.
"I haven't seen Tommy Salo play much this season, but every time he has played for Sweden, he has been very good. He knows how to handle the situation. He's one of those guys that is very low key, but plays well under pressure."
CANADA UP FIRST
Sweden's first game of the Olympics is tomorrow against the sharpshooters from Canada -- the two teams Alfredsson has predicted will meet again later for gold.
Prior to leaving for Salt Lake City yesterday, Alfredsson was uncertain who his linemates would be. He could see some shifts with Magnus Arvedson, who he skates with on either side of Todd White for Ottawa, but he could also play the right wing on a power line with Sundin and Naslund.
Captains of three Canadian-based NHL teams, the three players are also among the league's top-12 scorers. Being able to throw such an impressive unit together should make Sweden an automatic contender.
Tomorrow's game will be a good measuring stick, Alfredsson figures.
"Everybody's anxious to start," he said. "There should be quite a few mistakes out there, but also very high intensity.
"Our chances are as good as anybody's. In a short tournament, anything can happen. We just have to give it our best and hope that's enough to get to the final."
While Alfredsson, Arvedson, Martin Havlat, Sami Salo, Jani Hurme and Jacques Martin were to leave for Utah yesterday, most of the other Senators scattered to either warm destinations or their home towns.
Mike Fisher had to cancel plans for a sunny holiday after he injured his shoulder in last Friday's overtime loss to Buffalo, but the Senators centre did receive some good news yesterday when the results from tests were negative.
Fisher found out he has a deep bruise that will require daily treatment, but he should be able to rejoin the team when the break is over.
For all NHL teams, there will no practices of any kind through Feb. 20 and normal "training camp rules" (in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement) will be in effect the next day.
That means players won't be required to train for more than three hours a day -- including on- and off-ice sessions -- and there will be only one on-ice practice allowed.
Those at the Olympics have no obligation to return or practise with their teams until Feb. 26, which is when the NHL schedule resumes.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
