If Cujo was given another start at Salt Lake in '02...

[whcanuck]

Curtis Joseph was the starting goalie for the absolutely stacked Canadian team for the opening game of the 2002 Olympics. Sweden was the first opponent. Canada was heavily favored but Sweden employed some different tactics the Canadians weren't expecting and totally exposed Canada on the stretch pass, putting 5 pucks past Joseph in a 5-2 rout. Canada was shocked, so was the rest of the world. Sweden was the real deal, but didn't see Belarus coming...but that's another matter.

Anyway, Joseph got the hook from Canadian coach Pat Quinn, who just happened to be his head coach in the NHL with Toronto, Martin Brodeur started the next game against Germany, and Canada never lost again en route to the memorable gold medal victory over the United States.

Clearly Canada made a good decision putting Brodeur in the net, but do you think they could have achieved the same result if Joseph was given one more chance? I think Ed Belfour could have been given one start too and the team would have been fine. All 3 goalies were excellent and Canada's defense was second to none. As happy as I was for Canada to win, I always felt a bit bad for Joseph whose only start was the dreadful 5-2 shellacking against the Swedes. What do you guys think?

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[JackSlater]

I was never a Joseph fan. Brodeur was more suited to play behind that team given his experience in New Jersey. Joseph was famous for carrying weak Edmonton teams and being left out to dry in Toronto but still keeping the team in games, and that isn't really what Canada needed. Brodeur wasn't that great in the second and third games, though I think Joseph could hang on as Brodeur did against Germany. The Czech game was tough, but unbeknownst at the time a win instead of a tie would have given Canada a more difficult route. I don't think that Joseph would have done any better or worse than Brodeur. My memory of the quarterfinal game is that Canada was in control for pretty much the whole thing even with the eventual one goal win. I don't think that Joseph makes a difference either way. Canada obviously beats Swe... Belarus either way.

The final is where I can see a possible different result. USA had some strong pushes and the game wasn't really put away until there were only four minutes left. Brodeur's save on Hull during an American powerplay is probably his most famous work in the tournament, and honestly I expect that Joseph would have been worse in the game. Canada needed someone who could keep himself in the game, weather a storm or survive sudden attacks after long periods of possession in the other end. Brodeur was good either way and had proven himself in pressure games. I'm not sure about Joseph in this spot as if USA gets a third goal, either before or after Canada's third, it's a completely different game.

 

[Big Phil]

They made the right decision. As a Leaf fan I was never entirely comfortable with Joseph in net when the pressure was on. Brodeur was more seasoned that way. Just like in 2010, the plan worked in bringing in Luongo after Brodeur got lit up in a game. It isn't like Brodeur to be lit up, so I think Canada still wins in 2010 if he is in net but in a short tournament you don't have time for a goalie to find his groove.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Sure they could still have won if they went back to CuJo. As it turned out Brodeur worked out fine but CuJo was there for a reason. It is just in such a short tournament with single elimination games you don't have time for a goalie to work into his groove. I think switching goaltenders also sent a message to the rest of the team.

 

[Peiskos]

I think Canada 2002 was a team of destiny and would have ended up winning gold with any of Joseph/Brodeur/Belfour.

That 5-2 loss against Sweden wasn't entirely Cujo's fault, it was the entire team that wasn't ready and wasn't playing to their capabilities in front of him.

 

[Mehar]

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I think Canada 2002 was a team of destiny and would have ended up winning gold with any of Joseph/Brodeur/Belfour.

That 5-2 loss against Sweden wasn't entirely Cujo's fault, it was the entire team that wasn't ready and wasn't playing to their capabilities in front of him.

Belarus beating Sweden, was a major help to Canada. I would have loved to seen Canada face Sweden in a rematch in the Semis. The first loss against Sweden was not entirely Cujo's fault. Bad defensive breakdowns and sloppy play all around was more the blame. The team was not ready to play, and Canada slowly got rolling in the games afterward. They made the right choice sticking with Brodeur. He was amazing in the Gold Medal Game (especially the save against Brett Hull, and the saves he made against the Americans in critical moments). I do not think Joseph should have gotten another start, the way Brodeur played after taking over the duties.

 

[lawrence]

I think Canada 2002 was a team of destiny and would have ended up winning gold with any of Joseph/Brodeur/Belfour.

That 5-2 loss against Sweden wasn't entirely Cujo's fault, it was the entire team that wasn't ready and wasn't playing to their capabilities in front of him.

no shame in losing the Sweden. They also had a powerhouse team, sure as heck surprised me how well they played against Canada that game, my gosh you think they are unstoppable when they slapped us around like that.