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Pelletier and Houda look back at
key performers from the Canada Cup/World Cup of
Hockey
Mike Richter Biography
Team USA didn't beat
Canada in 1996. Mike Richter did.
That was a commonly
heard sentiment among Canadians at the time. Maybe
it was an excuse for the unthinkable loss to the
southern neighbors. But at the same time, and more
importantly, it was the ultimate compliment to the
great goalie Abingdon Pennsylvania
By 1996 Mike Richter
had solidified as an elite a goalie as there was in
the National Hockey League. While never quite got to
the status of Patrick Roy or Dominik Hasek, few
could dispute that Richter was already one of the
all time superstars who would one day be a legend.
The man with the Lady Liberty goalie mask possessed
rapier-like reflexes that brought the crowd to its
feet. His concentration was second to none, and his
one on one ability, especially on clear cut
breakaways, were otherworldly. There may have been
no goalie in history who was better on breakaways.
Just ask Pavel Bure, who was frustrated by Richter
in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals. That was the year
that Richter backstopped the Rangers to hockey's
holy grail - the Stanley Cup.
The Americans came
into the World Cup boasting as good a blueline that
existed in the world at that time. They had their
usual group of hardworking forwards, but also had a
couple of skaters who could be classified as
superstars, so offense wouldn't be a problem either.
But, as always is the case in elite hockey, No
matter how good your players are, your team will
only go as far as your goalie will take you.
The Americans put the
responsibility of achieving their destiny in the
glove hand of Mike Richter.
Richter was in mid
season form during the entire tournament, but only
got stronger as the games became more meaningful. By
the time the best of 3 finals came along, Richter
was simply in a zone few goalies could reach.
Especially in that deciding game, where he very well
might have stolen the World Cup away from the first
nation of hockey single-handedly.
"We wouldn't
have won the game without him," said Team USA
forward Joel Otto. "He was a sensation tonight.
The other night here. The first game in Philly.
Against the Russians. I don't know how he got his
tempo to where it was in such a short time."
Canada stormed out of
the gates, taking the play directly to the
Americans. They didn't just out play the Yankees,
they dominated them. They were showing that maybe
they really were the better team, at least during
the first 40 minutes of play.
Yet Richter
frustrated not only the 20 Canadians on the ice, but
the 30 million at home as well. He spectacularly
devoured anything that came his way. It was a
classic performance in as big a game as there is in
hockey. You will never see a better performance in a
game of such consequence.
He was that damn
good.
Richter, the savvy
veteran, was as quick to deflect accolades as he was
point shots.
"It was an
incredible game. The shots were so lopsided, but the
team let me see most of them. I was surprised we
came out as strong as we did in the third. It was
incredible to see events turn so quickly."
An incredible game
and an incredible goaltender. Richter forever
secured his place not just in American hockey lore,
but hockey legend period.
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