Thursday, January 3, 2002
Thornton an Olympic sub
By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
TAMPA -- While most Canadian Olympic hockey hopefuls paced and prayed that they would be named to the team on Dec. 15, Joe Thornton did the opposite.
He snoozed.
As the official announcement was being made at the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Boston Bruins forward was grabbing a few winks -- his usual game-day ritual -- in preparation for a meeting against the New York Rangers that night.
"I'm only 22, so I'm still young. I'll have another shot at it," Thornton said at the time.
Thornton's cool-as-a-cucumber approach is a reflection of a Bruins team that has seen its confidence snowball with some impressive recent success that has propelled coach Robbie Ftorek's troops into a battle for first place with the Maple Leafs in the NHL Northeast Division.
Led by the likes of Thornton and Glen Murray, the Bruins are 6-3-0-1 in the past 10 after their 6-3 win last night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Murray yesterday was chosen NHL player of the week for Dec. 24-30, compiling eight points and posting a plus-7 rating in three games. Murray barely edged out Thornton, who had six points last week -- all assists -- including setting up five goals in a 7-1 win over the host Florida Panthers on Dec. 28.
Murray and Jozef Stumpel were reacquired by the Bruins on Oct. 24 in the trade with the Los Angeles Kings that sent Jason Allison and Mikko Eloranta to the left coast.
As for Thornton, tonight will provide the stage for yet another opportunity to impress Team Canada coach Pat Quinn when the Leafs and Bruins meet at the FleetCenter.
Thornton, a native of St. Thomas, is one of the players on the unofficial Canadian taxi squad, and with the likes of Eric Lindros, Steve Yzerman and Owen Nolan banged up in recent weeks, could be a fill-in because of injury. Rosters can be altered up to 24 hours before the start of the Olympics.
2002 Games Men's Hockey Coverage
