My Little Corner of Canada: Marc Denis

by JOHN AMAGOALIK

The Americans were hot.

Inspired by the recent victory by the Americans in the World Cup of Hockey, the young Yankees were looking awesome.

They rolled over most of the opposition and tied the Canadians in the round robin. Their goalie allowed the fewest goals in the tournament.

On the other end of the ice, the young Canadian goaltender is a picture of calm. He remembers back to a year ago when he was a back up goalie when the Canadians won their fourth consecutive world junior championship. He had told himself that he would be back this year as the goalie as the Canadians go for a new world record of five world championships in a row.

Now, the game of his young life was about to begin. All the years of waking up at the crack of dawn, all the practices and training, all the travelling, and other sacrifices he has made in his young life were now all wrapped up in this one game.

He knew he was the most important member of the team. His teammates were counting on him. The honour of a nation was at stake. All this rested on his young shoulders.

In the crowd, are his father and mother. They, are not a picture of calm. They are fidgeting nervously and the mother appears to be praying.

On the ice, their son is loose and focused. He has only one thing on his mind. Stop the puck.

The puck is dropped. Waver after wave of American attacks swarm around the young goalie. Nothing gets by him.

Devereaux scores. Another wave of attacks from the Americans. The young goalie is unbeatable.

Isbister scores. The Americans deflate a little bit, but only for awhile. They mount another strong attack with a few minutes to play in the game. They swarm all over the Canadian end but the hard working Canadians and their young goalie will not let them score.

The final buzzer sounds. Marc Denis has shut out the Americans. Victory is ours. Revenge is sweet.

Later that evening, the young goalie is packing his equipment. He is savouring his great achievement and having visions of Stanley’s Cups dancing in his head.