Gonchar Shows Grit

Over history various legendary hockey names such as Bobby Baun, Steve Yzerman, and now after Monday’s game five performance Sergei Gonchar have all showed tremendous courage, focus and sacrifice in playing for what has often been called the hardest trophy to win in sports, and that’s the Stanley Cup.

Baun who was a physical stay at home defenceman will always be known for scoring the 1964 overtime Stanley Cup winning goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs against their rival Detroit Red Wings while hobbling on a broken ankle.  Other courageous acts include Steve Yzerman who due to wear and tear was playing with essentially one leg in 2002, as he gritted his way to a Stanley Cup title with the Detroit Red Wings before undergoing major off- season knee surgery.

On Saturday, with his team facing elimination at the hands of the Red Wings Gonchar showed that grit and determination by coming back to play in the third overtime session after being badly injured way back in the second period. This offensively gifted player, who is a well respected leader on the ice, fell violently into the end boards head first after sprinting back and making a diving attempt at breaking up a Wings odd man scoring opportunity. Defying the stereo-type that Europeans aren’t tough like Canadiens, Gonchar refused to call it a night as he tried to come back in the third period but couldn’t go. “Obviously I wanted to help the guys,” said Gonchar, who started to feel more comfortable in the second overtime session. Giving his team a huge momentum lift and proving what could be the definitive turning point if the Penguins win this year’s Stanley Cup, Gonchar came out with the team to start the third overtime period. Opportunity presented itself to Pittsburgh when the Wings were given a four- minute penalty, and fittingly enough it was Gonchar who contributed with a huge play from the blue line. Controlling the puck at the blue line, Gonchar, who wouldn’t reveal his injury, sent a soft pass to forward Petr Sykora who ended the game at 9:57 of that third overtime session to avoid being eliminated and having to watch the Red Wings celebrate winning the Stanley Cup. “I knew we were going to come back,” he said. “We had the power play and we scored.” Gonchar is one tough European who has proven once again the lengths these athletes will go through to get their names engraved on the holy- grail.

 

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