Bourque Dreams Still Alive

Ray Bourque’s resume guarantees him a place in the hockey Hall of Fame someday. But the Colorado Avalanche defenseman would gladly trade all his all-star honors and Norris Trophy wins for the privilege of having his name engraved on the Stanley Cup--and his chances of realizing his dream in his 22nd NHL season stayed alive Wednesday, when the Avalanche defeated the Kings, 5-1, to advance to the Western Conference finals against the St. Louis Blues.

A loss to the Kings might have spurred Avalanche General Manager Pierre Lacroix to begin revamping the team immediately, with an eye on youth and a smaller payroll.

“We’ll have to see what they do,” Bourque said. “It could have been my last game played [each of] the last five years. It’s getting closer, but who knows?”

Bourque had played in seven previous Game 7s--and he remembered each with remarkable clarity. His advice to his less-experienced teammates was to do what they had done so well and so often during the season.

“You just want to go out there and get the job done and play well,” he said. “You do that, you’ve got to find yourself in a positive frame of mind.”

King Coach Andy Murray, derisively dubbed “Murray the Puck” by Denver Post columnist Woody Paige and mocked for predicting the Kings would win Games 5 and 6, said he was trying to maintain a positive attitude for his team and wasn’t showing disrespect for the Avalanche. “If the coach doesn’t believe, why should the players?” Murray said.

Paige also twisted a recent comment from Murray in which the King coach said he had a tough time reading Denver reporters’ predictions of disaster should the Avalanche lose. Wrote Paige: “I’m sorry Murray The Puck has a tough time reading. Starting tomorrow, he can take a remedial reading class.”

Murray wasn’t fazed. “I hope I’m doing remedial reading on the plane to St. Louis,” he said.

Kelly Buchberger (injured left ankle) sat out his fifth consecutive game.