First the score. As in the Sweden game, Canada drew first blood when Mario Lemieux, back in the lineup, took a long pass from Scott Niedermayer, walked in on the Dominator and scored with an accurate wrist shot between the legs. But, as in that first game, Canada surrendered the lead late in the period on a goal by Martin Havlat.

In the second, Havlat scored again after Eric Lindros failed to clear the puck out over his blueline. Havlat played on a line with Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang, and the three were matched successfully by coach Josef Augusta against the Lindros line much of the night. Play then continued at a fantastic pace until the 18:49 mark of the middle period when all hell broke loose.

Senators coach Jacques Martin is going to get heat in Ottawa. Wasn't that RW Martin Havlat playing on the left side with Jaromir Jagr against Canada Sunday. "Put something in for me and let the people know he doesn't usually want to play left wing," said the coach yesterday. "I was watching him on the left side with Jagr and I'm thinking, 'I'm going to get in trouble for this at home.' He really did look outstanding."

Havlat shows off for his hero

By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Team Sun
2/19/02:
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- Wayne Gretzky has always been Martin Havlat's hero.

Last night, the executive director of Team Canada was nearly the Ottawa Senators winger's victim.

While all the focus was on Mario Lemieux following a 3-3 tie between the Czech Republic and Canada at the E Center, Havlat made a name for himself on the international stage by scoring a pair of goals.

Thrown out of the game against Sweden on Sunday for nailing Michael Nylander into the boards, Havlat was also on his best behavior and, as one of the youngest players on the Czech team, showed a lot of poise last night.

"That was nice for me," said Havlat, who played on a line with Jaromir Jagr and Milan Hejduk most of the night.

"I believe both (linemates) are great players, but I think playing with those guys helped me be better as a player. I thought I did as much as I could with those guys. It felt good to be with them."

Havlat gave the Czechs a brief 2-1 lead in the second until Lemieux' controversial goal on Dominik Hasek tied it up to give Canada new life.

"I thought that (Havlat) was the best player on the ice," said Czech coach Josef Augusta.

Hull could make debut against Bolts



By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun

TAMPA BAY -- That was Jody Hull the Senators signed 11 days ago, remember. Not Brett.

"A little surprising for me," the veteran winger said yesterday of his just-completed, three-game conditioning stint in Grand Rapids. "I kept joking that I've got to slow down or they're going to expect too much from me up here."

Hull, who has 246 points in 736 career NHL games and just 34 points as a front-liner with the 1992-93 Senators, scored two goals and an assist in his tour with the Griffins.

Obtained for his experience and knowledge of how to play without the puck, he skated with Jacques Martin's club for the first time yesterday and could make his debut tonight against the Lightning.

He'll certainly be in the lineup (and wearing No. 16) if Marty Havlat is unable to go. The slick, 20-goal scorer suffered a groin injury in Wednesday's game against the Flyers and a decision on his status won't be made until this morning.

WON'T BE RUSHED

Havlat won't be rushed back into the lineup at the risk of damaging the groin further, which is something the Czech Olympic team would also be glad to know.

"I didn't feel any pain," Havlat said after practising with the team yesterday. "It's a little tight, but no pain, and that's good. We'll see (today)."

If Havlat can go, the Senators may still insert Hull into the lineup and give Bill Muckalt some time to reflect. Muckalt remains goal-less after 42 games, which is even more mind-boggling when you consider he's averaging 10:59 of ice time per night.

"I want to play, I'm ready to go if I get the call," said Hull, who has not played at this level since last April with the Flyers. "If I do get in there I'm just going to go and do the things I know how to do. If it means blocking a shot in a situation, you block a shot. If you get a chance in the slot you try and bury it. You just go with what's given to you in the game, in the situations you're put in. That's all you can ask for."

Sens get a break



By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun

Mike Fisher was hoping for a little more snow this weekend.

Yesterday, he was thinking he should be more careful about what he hopes for.

The first day of the all-star break was an extremely long one for Fisher, Karel Rachunek and Wade Redden, as the three Senators waited through three flight cancellations before finally being able to leave Ottawa for Pittsburgh, and their connector to Los Angeles.

Redden will play for the North American team in tomorrow afternoon's all-star game at the Staples Center, while Rachunek and Fisher will suit up in tonight's YoungStars game.

Delays aside, Fisher would have been happy to see the white stuff had it not been for the curveball he was thrown after Wednesday's win over Philadelphia.

He was planning to spend the break snowmobiling until he was named as a substitute to the YoungStars roster for Martin Havlat, who suffered a minor groin strain.

Yesterday, the Senators said Havlat's status was day-to-day and that he would be accompanying the team to Tampa Bay on Sunday. Havlat will likely play against the Lightning on Monday, the Senators' first of a three-game road trip.

Fisher, meanwhile, deserved to be invited to Los Angeles in the first place.

With 14 goals, he has scored more than 17 of the 24 originally-selected YoungStars. Fisher is also second to Zdeno Chara on the Senators in hits (121).

"I didn't even know about (the YoungStars game) until a few weeks ago," said Fisher. "I know a lot of the media said I should have been picked, and when I saw the lineup maybe I thought I should have been, but it's not like I was mad that I wasn't.

"I figured that if I wasn't going, I'd take the opportunity to rest and relax ... But it's much better to be going to L.A."

Most of the Sens who have the weekend off didn't plan on going very far, instead waiting for the Olympic break before doing any travelling to sunny destinations.

After all, their first post all-star break business trip has them in Tampa -- where they'll practise Sunday before sitting down in front of a TV to watch the Super Bowl. Other stops include Columbus (Wednesday) and Buffalo (Friday).

While it has yet to be announced, expect Senators coach Jacques Martin to go with Jani Hurme in net against Tampa and Patrick Lalime against the Blue Jackets -- and likely Ron Tugnutt. Lalime needs one victory to break a tie with Tugnutt and become the Senators all-time leader in goaltending wins.

"It's always a big challenge against that little weasel," Lalime said, laughing, about the possibly of facing his old friend.

"He's always tough."

Fun and games in La La Land

By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

LOS ANGELES -- A little of the lustre has been taken off this NHL all-star game thanks to the big names who won't be here.

On Wednesday, New York Rangers centre Eric Lindros' knee injury forced him off the all-star roster and on to an absentee list that includes the Dallas Stars' Mike Modano, Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman and Ottawa's own Daniel Alfredsson.

It's partially the injuries and partially the fault of the 2002 Winter Games, which begin next week in Salt Lake City.

Some players who would normally be automatic all-stars have taken a pass on this weekend's play to rest and heal before they pull on their nation's Olympic jersey.

"I can understand guys wanting to rest, but the all-star game is still important for the league," said Senators coach Jacques Martin, who's in town to meet with Team Canada GM Wayne Gretzky and the rest of the staff.

"It's a showcase for the league. (So) it's great that some different players will get a chance."

And for those different players -- like Senators defenceman Wade Redden -- getting the chance to participate, today's SuperSkills competition and YoungStars Game and tomorrow's annual North America versus World game at the Staples Center are a big deal.

"Even with those guys missing it's still going to be nice to be in the (all-star) game," said Redden, who is attending the annual festivities for the first time. "I know some people might put an asterisk beside it, but I think it's great.

"You look at the people who are going to be here, guys like (Colorado's Joe) Sakic, (Anaheim's Paul) Kariya, (Colorado's Rob) Blake and (St. Louis' Chris) Pronger. There's still going to be a lot of the big stars. I'm looking forward to being with those guys."

And, generally speaking, the all-star game is all about fun.

Fun for the fans, yes, but the league also does an excellent job entertaining corporate sponsors with parties and events which make the actual game itself seem somewhat small in the big scheme of the weekend.

It's also special for the players.

Not only will they be surrounded by the ever-friendly media today before their morning skate, they'll also each receive a jersey and team picture ... plus sitting around a dressing room with an NHL legend like Mario Lemieux isn't too bad either.

"I know that I'm still going to be playing hockey, but it's still going to be fun," said Redden. "I know a lot of guys want to use this four days as a break. I see it that way as well, (but) I don't see this as being stressful.

"You go out there and you just have fun. You don't have to worry about anything.

"It's going to be nice to get away from (Ottawa) for a couple of days and go to an event like that where it's not serious."

The addition of the YoungStars Game should also keep the atmosphere fun and light.

The YoungStars will take the ice and play a 4-on-4 game prior to the skills competition today -- and many believe the youngsters will put on a better show than the old Legends of Hockey game they're replacing.

Senators winger Martin Havlat had been named to the YoungStars roster, but he suffered a groin injury Wednesday that will keep him out of the game.

Centre Mike Fisher was named his replacement on Team 1. Ottawa defenceman Karel Rachunek will be on Team 2.

After the game, the duo will likely get to rub elbows with the all-stars during the skills competition -- a favourable proposition for the youngsters.

"You look forward to meeting all those guys because they are all big stars," Havlat said before learning he wouldn't be going.

So while the list of players who won't be here will make this all-star weekend different, it'll still be fun.

And that's what it's all about.