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German goalie Seliger almost holds off Canada
By Tim Buckley
Deseret News Olympic specialist
Attention, NHL shoppers. Need a goalie?
If so, check out Marc Seliger, netminder for Germany's surprising 2002 men's Olympic team.
The closest the late-round 1993 Washington Capitals draft choice has come to the NHL: a 1996-97 stint with American Hockey League — Portland.
Playing since for Nurnberg of the German League, the 27-year-old Iserlohn, Germany, native looks deserving of another big-league sniff. Because after head-turning preliminary-round play — three goals allowed in three games — Seliger darn-near turned an entire country upside down.
Canada beat Germany 3-2 Sunday night at Provo's Peaks Ice Arena, but only after Seliger — showing the prelims may not have been a fluke — stopped 34 of 37 shots.
"He's played so composed this whole tournament," said Germany's actual NHL goalie, injured Olie Kolzig.
The Canadians have been anything but.
Two days after a 5-2 loss to Sweden that had their nation hopping-mad, they struggled against surprise-qualifier comprised mostly of German Leaguers who can't, or haven't yet, made the NHL.
"I just don't think we're in synch right now," Canada's Paul Kariya said. "I just think we've got a lot of guys who haven't played together, but it's starting to come."
For Canada's sake, it best come quick. Single-elimination quarterfinal games are Wednesday; a slow start like Sunday's won't work then.
For nearly half a game, Seliger blanked Canada's NHL stars. Joe Sakic broke the dam first, then Kariya and Adam Foote scored to make it 3-0 after two periods. Germany stormed back, getting third-period goals from Andreas Loth and Jochen Hecht past Martin Brodeur. But the Canadians held, leaving Germany to bask only in coming so close.
"You've got to be honest: It is a dream-come-true to play against a team like that," Hecht said. "We're not talking about just NHL players. . . . I mean, you take a faceoff against Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic — that's awesome."
Much like Seliger's play.
E-MAIL: tbuckley@desnews.com
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February 18, 2002
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