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Sunday, December 19, 1999
Crease crisis?
Absolutely no way, Habs Hackett and Jose say
After facing shots all night long, Jeff Hackett decided to fire some back at the media.
Upset at the way he has been portrayed in the alleged goaltending controversy that has swirled around the Montreal Canadiens, Hackett ended several days of silence by teeing off about reports that have been making the rounds.
"My father worked hard for this name," Hackett said after Montreal's 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs last night at the Air Canada Centre. "Now there are people making things up to make me look like a spoiled brat.
"It doesn't matter what I say or what I do. Some things have been written about me that are totally untrue. They are lies."
With teammate Jose Theodore playing well, Hackett has found himself sitting on the bench more than he cares to. As a result, the London, Ont., native said earlier this week that he needed increased playing time to remain as sharp as he would like.
The ensuing media blitz in Montreal made Hackett out to be the bad guy while fan support swelled for Theodore, who is from nearby Laval.
"Some (writers) just want to sell papers," Hackett said.
Hackett could not be faulted on either Leafs goal last night. In fact, his 22-save performance earned him third-star honours.
Afterward, Montreal coach Alain Vigneault attempted to defuse what he called "this goalie soap opera."
"Hackett's No. 1," the coach said. "He has played a lot of games. Jose got hot for a while and I went with the hot hand. Hack's the man I'm going to. It's as simple as that."
How much of a zoo did this entire situation turn into?
After the Canadiens' morning skate, a dozen reporters huddled around Theodore, even though he wasn't even slated to play last night, quizzing him about rumours that he and Hackett were feuding.
"False," Theodore said of the talk. "Jeff and I are good buddies both on and off the ice.
"I've been asked that question 100 times and it is the same answer every time."
Hackett, 31, came into last night's contest having gone just 1-3-1 in his previous five games. Meanwhile, Theodore has a 2.39 goals-against average and recently shared NHL player-of-the-week honours with Phoenix forward Jeremy Roenick.
Through it all, Theodore did admit yesterday that it is his goal to be a full-time starter in the league.
"I want to prove I'm a No. 1 goalie," Theodore, 23, said. "I don't feel I'm playing over my head. I feel like I'm playing the way I should be playing.
"It's fun for me to play right now. Jeff wants to play, too. I'm a team player. I'm just waiting for my turn."
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