Nagano Memories Mixed for Hebert

Once last trip around the rink to remember Nagano ’98. . . . Count goaltender Guy Hebert among those Team USA players who left Nagano with mixed feelings about the Olympics.

Certainly, Hebert accomplished a childhood dream by participating in the Games. But he didn’t suit up and play in any of the United States’ four games, and that remains a sore point for Hebert.

The closest to the ice Hebert got during the games was a seat several rows from the glass. He sat with his older brother feeling sorry for himself for a while.

Then Paul Hebert told him to remember how far he had come since “they were kids playing hockey in the driveway” at their family’s home in Troy, N.Y.

To be sure, Nagano also was light years from Hebert’s alma mater, Division III Hamilton College.

Hebert also was cheered by the play of Duck backup, Mikhail Shtalenkov, who had a 4-1 record and 1.65 goals-against average in helping Russia win the silver medal.

“It was a great experience for ‘Mike,’ ” Hebert said. “He obviously played great and [Russia] had a much better team than anyone gave them credit for. That’s still a great cast of Russians.”

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Like most, Teemu Selanne said he was surprised the Nagano medals were swept by the Czech Republic, Russia and his native Finland.

How did Canada and the U.S. get shut out? Selanne believes the wider international ice surface at the Olympics put a crimp in their game plans.

“The North Americans didn’t have a clue,” Selanne said. “The U.S. and Canada couldn’t use their aggressive style of hockey. It was one less weapon for them.”

Asked if he prefers the international dimensions, which are 15 feet wider than the standard NHL rink, Selanne said:

“Right now, I feel so comfortable on the smaller ice surface, so I’d say, ‘No.’ ”