Tuesday, May 08, 2007: Hats off to Matthew Lombardi

Calgary speedster turns the hat trick as Canada doubles up on Americans

MYTISCHI, Russia -- The puck had already been retrieved from the American net by the time one lonely red hat finally fluttered to the ice at Mytischi Arena.

It was one more than Matthew Lombardi attracted with his previous three-goal night in the National Hockey League. But the Calgary Flames speedster didn't bemoan a lack of headgear. He had paced Team Canada to a 6-3 humbling of Team USA on Monday at the World Hockey Championship.

And if no other Russians or Canadians in the crowd of 5,500 were inspired to doff their beanies in appreciation of his goal-scoring efforts, he knew his teammates and coaches felt differently.

Hard on the heels of their sixth straight win, the Canadians are headed to a quarter-final date with Switzerland on Thursday, rather than a battle with Finland, who would have been their opponent in the event of a regulation-time loss to the U.S.

The Finns now meet the Americans while the Russians take on the Czechs and Sweden plays Slovakia.

"Last time I had a hat trick was on the road, it was in Chicago a couple of years ago, so there definitely was no hats," said Lombardi, who scored the third, fifth and sixth goals for Canada. "I wasn't really thinking about the whole hat thing. I saw the one red one, so whoever threw it out there, I appreciate it."

May 15, 2007: Canada's future in gold hands

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World title with youngsters proves program on right track

Minutes after clearing the tinny mug through customs, Matthew Lombardi and Dion Phaneuf emerged from Calgary airport's international gate carrying the world championship trophy.

With one handle in each player's hand, and reserve player Stacy Roest in tow, they stopped amidst a smattering of applause for photos.

Unfamiliar with the trophy only a European grows up dreaming of hoisting, the tired trio was oblivious to the fact it was actually being held backwards.

When you consider just how new and unexpected the whole scenario was for the two Flames youngsters, the gaffe was completely understandable.

Especially considering they had just followed an evening of celebration with an eight-hour flight that had them at the centre of attention.

"People on the flight didn't know what the world championship trophy was but as soon as they announced it on the plane everyone wanted to have their picture taken with it," said Hockey Canada prez Bob Nicholson.

"It was a long but special day for the boys."

The first of many, one would think, for a crew few paid much attention to three weeks earlier. Much like the trophy they came home with, many Canadians were largely unfamiliar with the cast assembled by Steve Yzerman. But given the youth, speed, talent and heart put on display in Russia that should change soon.

That was a team full of future Olympians. Of the forwards alone Eric and Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews and even Mike Cammalleri could join Shane Doan and Rick Nash as early as 2010.

"That defence -- everyone is going to know that defence -- they'll see them a few more times," smiled Nicholson of a crew highlighted by Shea Weber, Dan Hamhuis, Barret Jackman and Phaneuf.

"Some of those players are going to be there at 2010. We saw that through '98 and '02 -- guys jumping up and getting noticed."

Andy Murray's history with Hockey Canada and near-perfect record at the worlds has to make him the leading candidate to coach the team.

Yzerman's indoctrination into hockey management went as well as possible as he proved savvy enough to find the right mix of unheralded role players who shone at the most opportune of times. Colby Armstrong comes to mind, as does Finnish league defenceman Cory Murphy.

"Before I left I talked to Steve Yzerman and that was cool just getting a call from him -- there was never any thought of not going," said Lombardi, who capped off a breakthrough season by leading Canada with six goals and 12 points between Doan and Nash.

"It was a pretty special group of guys we had and I got the opportunity to play with two amazing players -- they kind of made it happen."

The most trivial of political uproars couldn't even stop the team from being Canada's first entrant to go 9-0.

"I don't think you can handle it any better than Shane did. He's a first-class guy and world-class leader and we looked up to him," said Lombardi.

While Lombardi is still a longshot to garner Olympic consideration in three years, this tourney greatly enhanced his progression.

"You learn a lot when you go to those tournaments and you kind of get a different view on how to play the game," said Lombardi.

"You definitely want to build on your previous season and obviously I feel pretty good with the way things went. I'm excited about next year."

Phaneuf even smiled yesterday.

Like Team Canada's sweep, few saw it coming.

May 15, 2007: Toews a golden boy

Has Midas touch when playing for Canada

We take you to the victorious Team Canada dressing room in Moscow the other day, where Winnipeg's Jonathan Toews suddenly felt like a bit of an outsider.

Oh, he had a gold medal around his neck again, like his teammates. But this wasn't the world juniors.

At this moment the just-turned, 19-year-old felt like what he was -- a boy among men.

"It is a lot different, in that the guys have their wives there, and some guys have kids and stuff like that," Toews was saying, soon after landing here, yesterday. "And I'm there with my parents. I'm obviously that young guy, still. It's a little different than being part of a college or junior hockey team."

This, of course, was in stark contrast to his play at the just-completed World Hockey Championship, where Toews fit right in.

COMING OF AGE

History will show that Toews celebrated not only his 19th birthday in Moscow, but also his coming of age as a player.

This was the University of North Dakota student's first experience competing with and against NHLers, and he aced this test the way he seems to ace them all.

Playing alongside people like Shane Doan and Rick Nash, Toews came out of the tournament with two goals, seven points and a reputation as a demon in the face-off circle.

Which raises the question: what's left to accomplish at college, other than the completion of a degree?

Because if there was any doubt about this two-time world junior champ's ability to compete with the best in the world -- and Toews himself had some doubts -- surely they were laid to rest in Russia.

Drafted third overall by Chicago last year, Toews remains unsigned and, officially at least, undecided.

"Obviously this thing has helped me clear some things up, as far as my ability and stuff like that," he said. "This whole thing's given me a lot of confidence, at least thinking that I can make that step, either next year or somewhere down the road. But everything's happened so fast since my season's been over.

"I'm just going to sit down with my family at the kitchen table and go over the pros and cons. I've made decisions like this before. I don't think they've been as tough as this one's going to be."

That Toews is even thinking about staying in school might say more about him than anything. This is one level-headed teenager.

A hell of a lucky one, too -- and he knows it.

This is the third time Toews has pulled on a Team Canada sweater, and his slugging percentage is perfect: three tournaments, three gold medals. He's also the first Canadian to win the junior's and the men's in the same year.

"A lot of things have to go right for you, and they have been for me," he said. "It's pretty unbelievable. The credit goes to all my teammates and coaches and everyone that's a part of it. I just kind of show up and get a gold medal every time."

No wonder he had his medal in a carry-on bag instead of around his neck. When you've won so many, you don't have to show them off.

Besides, you get the impression Toews has already set his sights on the next challenge: leaving his boyhood behind, for good.