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Oh captain, my captain
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cap-tain: a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.
“I have been very lucky to have played with many great captains who I have learned from over the course of my career. I believe I am better prepared to assume this role as a result of playing with players such as Craig Conroy and Dave Lowry. I'm ready for the challenge.” – Jarome Iginla on being named captain of the Flames, October 8, 2003.
The role of captain has changed dramatically in the past decade. Once the exclusive mantle of hard-nosed veterans that exemplified earnest effort, diligent dedication and mixed lesson-learning rhetoric with firm understanding and patience, the “C” seems to have lost its luster in today’s politically correct climate. Today, it's often the hot-shot free agent or bonus baby gonna-be that are elevated to captain status.
Some teams, including the vaunted Toronto Maple Leafs whose on-ice leaders have included such esteemed individuals such as Ted Kennedy, Daryl Sittler, Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmore, do not even feel it necessary to pin the privilege on a player. Somewhere, Conn Smythe is searching for an alley to hide in.
That’s one reason why the presence of Calgary captain Jarome Iginla and his honest, accept the blame-deflect the praise, approach is such a refreshing sight. A throw back to an earlier era, Iginla is the team's top player, its all-time franchise leader in points and its veteran voice. he's also the guy who'll drop the mitts and toss the fists, scold a slacker or provide a plaudit and dish out the discipline.
The past week has been a testament to the type of player, leader and individual that Iginla has become. Instead of buckling under the pressure or scattering into the shadows, he stood tall and firm.
Perhaps it was the resounding reprimand he received last week from coach Brent Sutter, a verbal barrage that peeled the paint and scorched the ice at the Saddledome. Perhaps it was the embarrassment of knowing that Team Canada boss Steve Yzerman was in attendance last Saturday to witness one his worst games as a professional, a seldom-seen scar on an impressive body of work and formidable Hall-of-Fame resume.
Whatever the motivation, whatever the reason, Jarome Iginla elevated his game this week and lifted his struggling teammates with his much-needed and long-awaited ascension of application.
In back-to-back road games this week, Iginla performed with determination and diligence – leaping on loose pucks, creating holes with physical punch and timely body checks and snapping home pucks with radar-like accuracy.
On Saturday evening’s 3-1 victory over the NY Rangers, Iginla gave a performance worth of a Broadway standing ovation. He pursued the puck with purpose, zipping in and around the Rangers defense with dashing drive and endless energy.
Late in the middle frame of a 1-1 game, Iggy grabbed a loose puck in the slot and pocketed the pill into the top corner of the net. The timely tally gave Calgary a 2-1 lead, a three-game winning streak and a boost of confidence that will pay dividends in the difficult days that lie ahead – the club play eight of their next 11 games on the road.
Iginla had impressive company on the three-star pedestal after Saturday’s game. Once again, Miikka Kiprusoff was brilliant, especially in the opening three minutes of the contest when he made larcenous saves against Chris Higgins and Marian Gaborik. Kipper stopped 32 shots, including all 13 drives directed his way in the final stanza when the Broadway Blues made a concerted charge.
Nigel Dawes, the subject of an earlier post on this site, collected three assists for the first time in his career and saw almost seventeen minutes of action. Daymond Langkow added a goal and an assist, while Rene Bourque added to his team leading point total with the opening goal of the game.
When Mr. Yzerman and his staff are handing out the Team Canada jerseys prior to the commencement of the 2010 Winter Olympic games, he’d be wise to save the one festooned with the “C” for a man named Iginla.
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