Snap Shots

Game Day

Three Stars

Well Said

"Mario was exactly what I said he would be a year ago when we picked him as captain." - Team Canada general manager Gretzky

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Mario Lemieux has his Olympic gold medal. Not too many things in hockey have eluded Lemieux, who has also won two Stanley Cups. But the honor of being captain of Team Canada's gold-medal winners is one of the biggest thrills he's had. "This was a chance of a lifetime, to play in the Olympics and do something great for your country," Lemieux said. "Once you're born (in Canada), you're always going to be a Canadian, and you always do whatever you can for your country." "He's the guy we would look to in the room," said coach Pat Quinn, who added that Lemieux's line played a major role in shutting down Team USA's top line of Mike Modano, Brett Hull and John LeClair. "Mario was exactly what I said he would be a year ago when we picked him as captain," Team Canada general manager Gretzky said. "He did exactly what we expected him to do. He's the best player in the game. Canadians should be very proud of him." Lemieux scored twice in the 3-3 tie against the Czechs. He set up Steve Yzerman's game-winner in the quarterfinal victory over Finland, and he made a clever play without touching the puck on Paul Kariya's first-period goal yesterday that tied the score 1-1. Uncharacteristically, Lemieux missed an open net midway through the second period when the puck rolled on his stick as he shot. "He missed a chance I don't think he's ever missed in his life," Gretzky said, laughing. "It's not something I've done too many times over my career," Lemieux said. Steve Yzerman, captain of the Detroit Red Wings, knows something about leadership. He admired Lemieux's leadership through the tournament. "He really has a calming influence on the team because he looks so relaxed and confident," said Yzerman. "Regardless or the pressure or the moment, he's the same. And his skill level is still the best."

Olympics Today Snap Shots is a round-up of news and views from media outlets across North America and is published every weekday. The opinions expressed in Snap Shots are not necessarily those of the NHL. Compiled by John McGourty Monday, Feb. 25, 2002

2002 Olympics coverage

Mario: 'It was all worth it'
-- Joe Starkey, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Feb. 25, 2002

Jarome Iginla was the last forward invited to Team Canada's training camp last fall but that was before he took the NHL goal-scoring lead that he's held all season. The Edmonton native has been steadily improving in recent years and he's at the top of the world right now. Iginla scored twice in Team Canada's victory over the U.S. Sunday to win an Olympic gold medal. "It's the biggest game I've ever played in, and probably the most fun," Iginla said. "Each shift, each period, it was so intense. And especially hearing the buzzer go off -- it's an unbelievable feeling. To get that win with our flag rising ... as a kid, you watch it on TV. To be a part of it is awesome." Late in the first period, with the score tied 1-1, Iginla, on a line with Simon Gagne and Joe Sakic, charged the U.S. net and tipped in a pass from Sakic. Then in the third, with Canada ahead 3-2, Iginla blasted home a shot that goaltender Mike Richter couldn't handle. "I think what I'll remember most is the view looking up from the bench in the final minutes and seeing all the Canadian flags and hearing the fans sing O Canada," Iginla said. "This was something I dreamed of. I watched the '94 Olympics and the shootout [against Sweden] and saw Canada get the silver, and I always wanted to be there when we won the gold. I wasn't sure it would happen, but that's what I dreamed of. I still haven't come to grips with it. I can't believe I'm a part of this. I really can't." Iginla's Calgary Flames teammate Derek Morris thinks this is just the beginning for Iginla. "I think Jarome's going to bring back a lot of leadership. He'll be a little quicker than everyone else when he comes back, and maybe his positional play is going to pick up a little bit; you have to be aware on that big ice," said Morris. "Confidence, too. You've got to think his confidence would be up ... I don't know if it can get any better. He's playing so well now."

Iginla earns his place in history
-- Allan Maki, Globe and Mail, Feb. 25, 2002

Sakic is one of the greats