DENVER -- Mario Lemieux's nine shots resulted in just one goal in the 51st All-Star Game in Denver on Sunday. Not so great for the league leader in shooting percentage at 26.7 percent, but that one tally showed Super Mario still has the magic touch.
"I had my chances in the first period, probably three or four great chances to score and just didn't go in," said Lemieux, who fired six shots on net in the first, a number that wasn't topped by any other player.
|  | | Mario Lemieux, right, scored once Sunday, putting him one shy of Wayne Gretzky's career record 13 All-Star Game goals. |
Lemieux finally broke the ice at 4:53 of the second period, taking a feed from Scott Stevens and skating in alone on Flyers goalie Roman Cechmanek. Lemieux faked a shot, lowering his shoulder and flexing his left leg. He then shifted to his right and put the puck through Cechmanek's legs as he slid across the crease.
It was smooth, seemingly without effort, and Cechmanek never had a chance.
"Right side breakaway, left side breakaway -- very quick," said Cechmanek, who allowed six second-period goals. "I was looking for the high shot."
Welcome to Mario's world, Roman.
"It was great to have the opportunity to have a breakaway in the All-Star Game," Lemieux said afterward. "And especially to score was a lot of fun. To get that feeling once again is probably the reason I came back and wanted to be a part of it again."
Stevens got the lone assist on the goal, and although he had no clue who he passed it to, he was confident about the result once he identified Lemieux.
"I just saw a blue jersey," Stevens said. "And then, I realized it was him once he got the puck. I knew then that it was going to be a goal. It was special. To have an assist in this game, he'd be the guy I'd want it to be with."
Lemieux's goal gave him 12 career All-Star goals, moving him one closer to Wayne Gretzky's career-record 13 despite playing in nine fewer All-Star Games. With Lemieux announcing Saturday he'll return next season, expect him to at least equal Gretzky's mark.
The shots on goal and the one tally tell much of Lemieux's on-ice story thus far. He's playing at an elite level ... and he's not even close to being at his best.
"I am not at 100 percent, and I feel the next few weeks, hopefully, I can get there down the stretch, and especially in the playoffs. So, I still have a ways to go."
And others sense it as well.
"I think, again, he showed (Sunday) that he is well on his way to being the best player in the world again," Ray Bourque said.
Lemieux has been rejuvenated in so many ways since his comeback, and it was on display Sunday. He continued to show his son how large a shadow he casts in the sporting world. Lemieux also plays the role of hockey ambassador in a manner that he didn't do earlier in his career.
To belong in the showcase of the world's best players, and then speak to the world as both a player and owner is something, perhaps, only Lemieux could do. Maybe Gretzky, too, but we'll never know.
So, don't worry, Mr. Cechmanek. You're not the first All-Star goalie Super Mario has exposed.
Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com. He can be reached at brian.shactman@espn.com.
|
|
ALSO SEE
2001 NHL All-Star Game coverage
North America conquers World 14-12 in record-setting All-Star game
Lemieux will return next season and play for gold
Mario influence? Bettman says Pens need new arena
North All-Stars edge World in SuperSkills competition
AUDIO VIDEO
 Mario Lemieux takes a pass from Scott Stevens and stuffs the puck into the back of the net.
avi: 1205 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Ray Bourque and Martin Brodeur stop the offensive pressure from the World All-Stars.
avi: 807 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Roman Cechmanek robs Joe Sakic of a goal with a spectacular glove save.
avi: 1591 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 Playing in the All-Star game was one of the reasons Mario Lemieux returned to hockey.
wav: 110 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
