NHL Shootout: N. America Beats World, 14-12

D E N V E R, Feb. 5, 2001 -- It was the worst day ever for goalies in a setting

that is never good for the men in the nets.

The usually high-scoring NHL All-Star game outdid itself in its51st edition as the North America team beat the World squad 14-12Sunday.

“I know it’s hard to believe in a game like this, but I madesome great saves,” said Martin Brodeur, the winning goalie despiteallowing five third-period goals. “It was exhausting out there fora goalie. Once a year for this is enough.”

Bill Guerin had three goals and added two assists to win the MVPaward. He joined Tony Amonte and Doug Weight on a U.S. line thatcombined for six goals and seven assists.

MVP Award 'Shocking'

“It’s still kind of shocking to me, but it’s been great,” saidGuerin, an All-Star rookie at 30. “I didn’t expect this. I justwanted to come and have a good time.”

The effort overshadowed the anticipated return of Mario Lemieuxto the All-Star game. Lemieux had a goal and an assist in his ninthappearance at the event.

Alexei Kovalev brought the World to 12-11 with 5:32 left andsnapped the combined record of 22 goals in 1993.

The game was the third penalty-free All-Star game. Last year’s9-4 contest won by the World team had one. In the first three yearsof the North America against the World format, an average of 14goals were scored.

“This is the All-Star game, people don’t expect a 4-2 or 4-1game,” said Patrick Roy, North America’s most-effective goalieallowing only three goals.

Lemieux Tallies on Breakaway

Lemieux returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team he owns,in late December after a 3½-year retirement. The 35-year-oldcenter, a three-time All-Star MVP, gave North America a 5-4 lead inthe second period with his 12th career All-Star goal. He assistedon the first of two goals by Simon Gagne.

Lemieux, who took a game-high nine shots, played in only 16games this season, tallying 16 goals and 16 assists. His goal cameon a classic rush against Roman Cechmanek.

“It was great to have the opportunity to have a breakaway inthe All-Star game,” said Lemieux, one of 18 goal scorers. “To getthat feeling again is probably the reason why I came back andwanted to be a part of it again.”

He trails Wayne Gretzky by one goal and three points for firstin All-Star history.

Amonte had two goals and two assists, and Weight, Guerin’slinemate with Edmonton until a November trade sent Guerin toBoston, chipped in a goal and three assists.

“Dougie and I are best of friends,” Guerin said.

The trio could be reunited next year in the Salt Lake CityOlympics.

“Hopefully we all are going to be members of the team,” Guerinsaid. “When you are involved in something like that, you are nevergoing to be upset about who your linemates are.”

Guerin had the 12th All-Star hat trick and the fifth in fiveyears. His five points left him one shy of Lemieux’s record-settingeffort in 1988.

“It was awesome to have him around, his presence was definitelyfelt,” Guerin said of Lemieux. “Just to be involved in somethingwith him like this was a thrill for everybody.”

Olympic Preview?

North America leads the All-Star series against the World 3-1 inthe format adopted before the 1998 Nagano Olympics — the firstfeaturing NHL players. Each country taking part in next year’s SaltLake City Olympics must name at least eight players by next month.

“If they want me, I want to be picked,” Weight said. “Untilthen, I’m just working hard to try to impress those coaches and tryto contribute first and foremost to the Oilers.

“I think we made a good case tonight, but this is definitelynot a hockey game that’s going to appear in the Olympics.”

Dominik Hasek, the World’s starting goalie, has been on thelosing side each time he’s played. He missed last year’s gamebecause of injury and was a bit of a surprise to be present thisyear as he planned to retire after last season.

The action got so fast-paced without stoppages that when Gagnescored his second goal, ABC-TV was in a commercial.

Sweden also got a good look at who might represent it next yearas Colorado’s Peter Forsberg had a goal and two assists; MatsSundin had two goals and two assists; Fredrik Modin, anotherfirst-timer, had four assists; and Markus Naslund added a goal andassist.

“I’ve seen it now for six years, it’s the same thing everytime,” Sundin said. “There’s no defense, and guys are going alloffense. I feel sorry for the goalies.”

Forsberg, who scored on Roy — his Colorado teammate — was one offive players from the host Avalanche to start the game.

“I’ve never scored against him, so it felt pretty good,”Forsberg said. “He was shocked that I shot it.”

A Couple for the Home Crowd

Joe Sakic, the North American center, and Milan Hejduk, whoreplaced injured forward Jaromir Jagr, each had a goal to pleasethe Avalanche fans.

Only 40-year-old Ray Bourque, making his 19th All-Starappearance — second only to Gordie Howe’s 23 — kept Colorado fromgetting all of its offensive players on the scoreboard.

Bourque was almost outscored by Roy, North America’s startinggoalie. Roy was originally credited with an assist on Theo Fleury’sgoal just 49 seconds after the opening faceoff but it was changedto Scott Stevens.

Sean Burke, the winner of Saturday night’s goalie skillscompetition yielded four goals in 11 shots.

Cechmanek came out of his net to record the only real hit in acheck-free style, upending Paul Kariya late in the second period.