Roy Still Keeps Drawing Blanks

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 27, 2001 12 AM PT

Associated Press

DALLAS —

Stopping pucks with his stick and his calf, from his belly and against a six-on-four, Patrick Roy repeatedly flashed the form that has produced the most wins in NHL history.

Roy won his 500th game in style Wednesday night, making 31 saves for his seventh shutout this season, tying his career high, and leading the Colorado Avalanche past the Dallas Stars, 2-0.

“It’s certainly a special moment,” Roy said. “I just want to enjoy it.”

Goals by Alex Tanguay and Milan Hejduk helped Colorado to its fifth consecutive road win. The Avalanche is unbeaten in seven straight on the road and is 12-1-3 in 16 games.

Hejduk has nine goals in 14 games and has a point in five straight. Tanguay, who assisted on Hejduk’s goal, has 14 points in 15 games.

Roy, who’s had the most career wins by a goalie since No. 448, made 13 stops in the final period, and most of them were spectacular. Dallas combined a power play and an empty net for a two-man advantage over the final 1:16 and still couldn’t get anything past him.

“He’s the best goalie in the world, the best ever--that’s what 500 wins means,” Colorado defenseman Rob Blake said. “It’s an honor to play with him.”

The Stars beat Roy twice in the first two periods, only to get rejected by the crossbar both times.

“At some point, we all get some breaks,” Roy said, “and I’ll take them.”

Roy said the milestone is nice, but his low-key celebration when time expired indicated it means little more than another souvenir puck for his trophy case.

“It hasn’t been going through my mind,” Roy said. “We haven’t practiced the last couple of days, and I’ve been eating a lot of pies.”

It was much more meaningful for Colorado Coach Bob Hartley, and he shared that sentiment before the game with Roy’s 10-year-old son, Fred.

“I was with his son in my office and I said, ‘Mark this date in your little diary. You might witness something that’s only going to happen one time,”’ Hartley said. “I feel fortunate to be a part of this.”

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Puck Magnets

Goaltenders with 300 or more wins in their NHL careers:

Patrick Roy* 500

Terry Sawchuk 447

Jacques Plante 435

Tony Esposito 423

Glenn Hall 407

Grant Fuhr 403

Mike Vernon* 384

Andy Moog 372

John Vanbiesbrouck 372