Roy Ties Record for Most Wins as Goalie

By
Aaron J. Lopez
January 7, 2006, 5:16 AM ET
2 min read

D E N V E R, Oct. 15, 2000 -- The chase is over. Patrick Roy is second to noneamong NHL goaltenders.

Roy tied Terry Sawchuk’s career victory record tonight,making 14 saves for his 447th win as the Colorado Avalanche beatthe expansion Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.

Roy, who was 19 when he won his first NHL game for Montreal onFeb. 23, 1985, raised his arms over his head and was swarmed by histeammates as time expired. Defenseman Adam Foote handed him thehistoric puck.

Playing his 16th season, Roy reached 447 victories considerablyfaster than Sawchuk, who retired in 1970. Roy reached the mark inhis 846th game, while Sawchuk needed 968.

Roy also has the NHL record with 121 career playoff victories.

After making history against a team without one, Roy can breakthe record Tuesday night when Colorado plays at Washington.

Columbus Hardly Tests Roy

Roy’s milestone victory came at the expense of former protegeMarc Denis, Colorado’s top draft pick in 1995. Denis, who had aposter of Roy in his room growing up, spent last year with Coloradobefore being traded in June.

Denis made 30 saves but gave up a power-play goal to Jon Klemmthat broke a 1-1 tie 4:03 into the third period. Peter Forsbergadded a goal that deflected off the skate of Columbus defensemanPetteri Nummelin with 3:58 remaining.

Chris Drury also scored and had an assist for the Avalanche, whooutshot Columbus 33-15.

Roy surrendered a first-period goal but was hardly tested in thesecond, facing only five shots as Colorado spent more than sevenminutes on the power play.

Denis Makes Good Saves

Trailing 1-0 in the second, the Avs finally scored with aman-advantage when Drury took a crossing pass from Ray Bourque,faked a shot to get Denis out of position and then poked the puckinto the open net at 8:41.

Colorado had two more power-play chances in the period, butDenis turned away several good shots. After one save, he took apage from Roy’s stylebook, sweeping his glove over his head to leteveryone know he had the puck.

After going unbeaten during a four-game road trip, the Avalanchelooked like they had jet lag early on as Columbus took a 1-0 leadin the first period.

The Blue Jackets, who were 1-for-17 on the power play in theirfirst three games, converted Forsberg’s hooking penalty when DavidVyborny scored on a rebound with 2:17 left in the period.