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NEWSMAKER: MANNY LEGACELegace steps out of the shadows
CBC Sports Online | Nov. 4, 2005
Manny Legacy was an NHL record 10-1 with the .925 save percentage for the Wings in October. (Getty Images) |
It was an October to remember for Detroit goalie Manny Legace, but he just averted disaster in his first game in November.
After being named NHL Defensive Player of the Month earlier in the day, Legace left Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks early in the first with a knee injury.
"The knee is sore," Legace said in a media conference call on Wednesday. "I got a sprained left knee, thanks to Mr. Matthew Barnaby."
Barnaby collided with him in the crease just 3:23 into the contest.
The netminder said the injury is "day-to-day" and will keep him out
of the lineup for Detroit's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers Saturday.
He doesn't blame the feisty Barnaby, but thinks the new rules have
put goalies at risk.
"Yeah, I'm a firm believer in not holding up in the neutral zone," Legace said. "But when you get below the faceoff dots and in front of the net, in the corners, it should be a war. That's what hockey's all about, hitting and crashing. It should be hard to get to the front of the net.
"Goalies are going to pay the price. I said that at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately I had a little bad luck last night and I paid the price."
Legace set a league record for most victories in October. He posted a 10-1 record and a .925 save percentage for the Wings.
But the October honours haven't gone to the head of a veteran who's been accustomed to playing second fiddle to other goalies throughout his career.
"You know, it's just nice to have your name recognized in the league,
period," Legace said.
Always seen as too small or not durable enough, Legace never really
was given a chance until now. He spent the bulk of his decade-long
career toiling in the minor leagues and when he did have a spot on
an NHL team, it was on the bench.
His five-year tenure with the Red Wings had been no different: he
has backed up Dominik Hasek, Curtis Joseph and Chris Osgood.
"To be a No. 1 goalie, I haven't proven anything yet honestly. In my own eyes, I haven't proven nothing. Just because I got off to a good start on a good team doesn't mean squat to me. A No. 1 goalie in my eyes is like a Marty Brodeur who comes out and plays his 60, 70 games a year, is consistent through a whole season."
As to why Detroit has been able to shut down opponents in the higher-scoring NHL so far this season, Legace says it's a total team effort.
"Well, we give a lot of credit to our forwards who have played a great role back-checking, helping out our D. That's been the big difference for our team anyways, is we have a solid, solid defense core. Our forwards have been just playing great defensively. "
Given his lack of ego and previous Olympic experience with Canada at Lillehammer in 1994, Legace could be a good fit for a backup role. But he was left off the long list of players under consideration, and he's not holding his breath over getting the prized phone call.
"Maybe as a third goalie, but I doubt it," Legace said. "You have Turco, other guys who have been in the starting roles and have played phenomenal over the past years.
"I was in the Olympics in '94 and I loved every minute. I would love to go back. But it would probably take some great more playing to beat one of those guys out. You're not going to beat out Luongo and Marty. They're just in a class by themselves."
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Born:
February 4, 1973 in Toronto
Junior Sensation:
Was an all-star for the Ontario Hockey League's Niagara Falls Thunder.
Olympic Glory:
Won a silver medal with the Canadian Olympic team at the 1994 Lillehammer.
Travelling Man:
He's moved around plenty during his hockey career. He's played for the Detroit
Red Wings, Los-Angeles Kings, Springfield Falcons, Richmond Renegades, Las Vegas
Thunder, Long Beach Ice Dogs, Manitoba Moose. He was drafted by the Hartford Whalers/Carolina
Hurricanes franchise. The Vancouver Canucks off waivers fro Red Wings prior to
the start of the 1999-2001 season. Detroit got him back a week later. He played
two games for the Russian team Khimik Voskresensk during the NHL lockout.
Pros/Cons:
He's blessed with incredible reflexes and excellent lateral movement. In the past hockey observers have said he's too small and doesn't have the stamina to be a No.1 goalie.
Earned a Ring:
Was a member of the Red Wings club that won the Stanley Cup in 2000-01.
By the Numbers:
Has 87-36-18 record and a 2.19 goals-against average in his NHL career.
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