RALEIGH, N.C. -- Doug Weight knew there was little chance that he could play in Carolina's make-or-break Stanley Cup Final Game 7 against Edmonton on Monday night at the RBC Center.
Yet, that did not stop him for taking the ice at the morning skate to give it one last desperate try. He took the ice 10 hours before game time, hoping against hope that somehow he would be able to overcome the pain that has radiated from his shoulder every minute since he absorbed a sandwich hit administered by Chris Pronger and Raffi Torres early in the third period of Game 5.
But, the hoped-for miracle never came. Weight's right shoulder, damaged beyond immediate repair by a Grade 3 separation, was useless. He could make some ineffective passes, but he could not even attempt to shoot the puck. Simply, his body refused to cooperate.
"I was given about a one-percent chance (to play again) when I walked in here during Game 5," Weight said "It's one of the most painful injuries I have ever had. But, having said that, I think I would be remiss if I didn't take all my needles, take all my pills and know in my heart that I couldn't play.
"I told (coach) Pete Laviolette, if I can play, I'm going to play. I came off the ice and I had some tears this morning when I came off the ice because I knew I couldn't go."
With that, Weight's fleeting hope to make a contribution as the 'Canes fought for their playoff life that night in Game 7 died its final death. Instead, Weight, who scored three goals and 13 assists in 23 playoff games, was reduced to the role of nervous spectator, pacing helplessly back-and-forth in the home dressing room as the final interminable seconds ticked away in the 3-1 victory that delivered both Weight and the Carolina franchise their first Stanley Cups.
Some players would be bitter about the unplayable hand fate dealt Weight at the final turn of a long and trying season, but that is not Weight's way. Throughout his career, he has always been a classy player that takes the bad and the good with equal grace.
He did that again Monday night in the middle of the bedlam that rocked the Hurricanes dressing room a half hour after the final horn had sounded. There would be no sour grapes on this night.
"I was able to be a part of this team since I got here," he said. "It could have happened in Game 1 of the playoffs, so, I thank God that I was out there for four rounds of battling and contributing. I'm in my uniform now, so I feel it's just as special. It's not going to take one ounce away from the thrill I'm experiencing right now. It's a wonderful experience and I'll take it.
"I iced it for four days, took my steroids, took everything I had to take and I couldn't play. I'm glad I did that though because I made myself feel better by knowing I couldn't (play). There was no question. I was part of four rounds and nobody can take that away."
Weight changed into his uniform during the third period and was ready to take the ice to celebrate with his teammates. He was out there before the group hug finished and he was the sixth player to take the Stanley Cup in the traditional hand off of the trophy from player to player. He received the Cup from alternate captain Kevyn Adams, smiling broadly as he gingerly lifted the Cup over his head. The heavy trophy tilted heavily to the right as Weight was unable to fully extend his right arm.
Yet, its despite that imperfection, it was the perfect image of the sacrifice it takes to win the most difficult trophy in all of sports.
"I got part of it up," said Weight, "but, I'll tell you what before the summer is over, I'll get it all the way over my head, I promise you that."
As happy a moment as this was for Weight, it had a bitter-sweet component to it -- and the melancholy had nothing to do with his injury. Rather it had to do with the beaten team across the hall, listening to the 'Canes whoop it up as they packed their bags for a long, sad flight back to Edmonton.
Weight played in Edmonton for nine years earlier in his career and he freely admits he left part of his heart in that Alberta city when he was traded to St. Louis before the start of the 2001-02 season.
"For nine years, I dreamt of holding (the Stanley Cup) up in that rink, so it was a strange feeling tonight," Weight said.
Weight has nothing but admiration for his former team, especially after the Oilers rallied from a three- games-to-one deficit and pushed this series to Monday's winner-take-all showdown.
"It was a great series," Weight said "I feel it was the best two teams left in hockey. The best team always wins a seven-game series and I feel good about it. But, I think we beat the second-best team in the playoffs. It was a great series and it was everything it was built up to be."
credit:http://www.nhl.com/cupcrazy/2006/serieso/weight062006.html
Yet, that did not stop him for taking the ice at the morning skate to give it one last desperate try. He took the ice 10 hours before game time, hoping against hope that somehow he would be able to overcome the pain that has radiated from his shoulder every minute since he absorbed a sandwich hit administered by Chris Pronger and Raffi Torres early in the third period of Game 5.
But, the hoped-for miracle never came. Weight's right shoulder, damaged beyond immediate repair by a Grade 3 separation, was useless. He could make some ineffective passes, but he could not even attempt to shoot the puck. Simply, his body refused to cooperate.
"I was given about a one-percent chance (to play again) when I walked in here during Game 5," Weight said "It's one of the most painful injuries I have ever had. But, having said that, I think I would be remiss if I didn't take all my needles, take all my pills and know in my heart that I couldn't play.
"I told (coach) Pete Laviolette, if I can play, I'm going to play. I came off the ice and I had some tears this morning when I came off the ice because I knew I couldn't go."
With that, Weight's fleeting hope to make a contribution as the 'Canes fought for their playoff life that night in Game 7 died its final death. Instead, Weight, who scored three goals and 13 assists in 23 playoff games, was reduced to the role of nervous spectator, pacing helplessly back-and-forth in the home dressing room as the final interminable seconds ticked away in the 3-1 victory that delivered both Weight and the Carolina franchise their first Stanley Cups.
Some players would be bitter about the unplayable hand fate dealt Weight at the final turn of a long and trying season, but that is not Weight's way. Throughout his career, he has always been a classy player that takes the bad and the good with equal grace.
He did that again Monday night in the middle of the bedlam that rocked the Hurricanes dressing room a half hour after the final horn had sounded. There would be no sour grapes on this night.
"I was able to be a part of this team since I got here," he said. "It could have happened in Game 1 of the playoffs, so, I thank God that I was out there for four rounds of battling and contributing. I'm in my uniform now, so I feel it's just as special. It's not going to take one ounce away from the thrill I'm experiencing right now. It's a wonderful experience and I'll take it.
"I iced it for four days, took my steroids, took everything I had to take and I couldn't play. I'm glad I did that though because I made myself feel better by knowing I couldn't (play). There was no question. I was part of four rounds and nobody can take that away."
Weight changed into his uniform during the third period and was ready to take the ice to celebrate with his teammates. He was out there before the group hug finished and he was the sixth player to take the Stanley Cup in the traditional hand off of the trophy from player to player. He received the Cup from alternate captain Kevyn Adams, smiling broadly as he gingerly lifted the Cup over his head. The heavy trophy tilted heavily to the right as Weight was unable to fully extend his right arm.
Yet, its despite that imperfection, it was the perfect image of the sacrifice it takes to win the most difficult trophy in all of sports.
"I got part of it up," said Weight, "but, I'll tell you what before the summer is over, I'll get it all the way over my head, I promise you that."
As happy a moment as this was for Weight, it had a bitter-sweet component to it -- and the melancholy had nothing to do with his injury. Rather it had to do with the beaten team across the hall, listening to the 'Canes whoop it up as they packed their bags for a long, sad flight back to Edmonton.
Weight played in Edmonton for nine years earlier in his career and he freely admits he left part of his heart in that Alberta city when he was traded to St. Louis before the start of the 2001-02 season.
"For nine years, I dreamt of holding (the Stanley Cup) up in that rink, so it was a strange feeling tonight," Weight said.
Weight has nothing but admiration for his former team, especially after the Oilers rallied from a three- games-to-one deficit and pushed this series to Monday's winner-take-all showdown.
"It was a great series," Weight said "I feel it was the best two teams left in hockey. The best team always wins a seven-game series and I feel good about it. But, I think we beat the second-best team in the playoffs. It was a great series and it was everything it was built up to be."
credit:http://www.nhl.com/cupcrazy/2006/serieso/weight062006.html
