Colorful Avalanche goalie Roy an impact player, personality

By the time all is said and done-by next spring’s playoffs and ultimately his career-the 31-year-old is not likely to have any peer, statistical or otherwise. “I would like to pass Terry Sawchuk and I think I can,” Roy said. “I’m inspired by John Vanbiesbrouck and Andy Moog. How old are they, 33 and 36? They’ve never been better. I feel I can play for at least another four or five years. And I will, as long as I can still play well.” Roy is more than a premier puckstopper. He’s a prima personality. The man has presence, on and off the ice. “No one has more of it,” said Avalanche coach Marc Crawford. “He’s right up there with the select few, guys like (Wayne) Gretzky and (Mark) Messier. “He’s motivated to be…

Templeton has fond memories of infamous brawl

It’s 10 years after the Punchup In Piestany and Bert Templeton still has the Canadian blazer that bears the scars of a gold medal gone wrong. As the 1997 World Junior Championship approached in Geneva, Templeton was busy planning a memorabilia section in his new home in Barrie, where he’s coach-GM of the Ontario League Colts. A sweater from the 1987 team and other souvenirs acquired in the former Czechoslovakia will be prominent, but it’s the memories of that championship which Templeton-who coached Canada’s national junior team-will cherish forever. “I will never think of it as an unpleasant experience,” he said. “In spite of everything else, it was enjoyable. The kids personified what the Canadian game is all about: Hard work overcame teams that had better talent. “I’m exceptionally proud of what those guys…

Plethora of shutouts a tough sell at home

The NHL’s marketing department would have trouble selling this trend: The Coolest Game on Earth. Come and watch the home team get shut out. That’s the way it was Dec. 13-19 when eight home teams were completely cooled by the opposition. Of an astounding 12 shutouts during the 38-game week, eight host teams got blanked. It’s no wonder NHL attendance is on the decline this season. Goalies were on pace for a 28-year high in shutouts. There were 61 shutouts in 423 games through Dec. 19. That’s 14.4 per cent, well ahead of last year’s 9.1 per cent and the highest since 1969-70, when 15.1 per cent of games involved a shutout. EAGLE DELAYS: Alan Eagle-son may not begin to defend himself in a Canadian court until late summer, according to his lawyer. The…

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