Roenick adds to personal scrapbook

By Scott J . Powers
Daily Herald Correspondent

Before Jeremy Roenick took the ice for the Phoenix Coyotes on Sunday afternoon, the former Blackhawk realized it could be his final game in Chicago.

“I thought about that,� said Roenick, who has discussed retiring after the season. “I thought about that many times. I tried to be really conscious that this could be it. I tried to soak it all in as much as I could. I hope it’s not, but it very well could have been.�

If it was, Roenick went out in style. He scored Phoenix’s first goal and assisted on the second in a 4-2 victory over the Blackhawks.

Roenick spent eight seasons in Chicago. He was a four-time all-star with the Hawks and helped them make the playoffs in all eight of his seasons.

In 1992 as the Hawks made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, Roenick had 12 goals and 10 assists in 18 playoff games.

Those memories, along with many others in the United Center and Chicago Stadium, were revisited by Roenick.

“The memories never stop going through my mind the whole game,� he said. “I can’t tell you how many times I skated around and see faces I recognized and people I know. You never ever forget your glory years. There is no question that they were here.�

Roenick added one final page to his memory book Sunday. He scored the Coyotes’ first goal and had an assist on their second one.

“It’s nice to finish off with a win, a goal and an assist,� he said. “It’s not my last time in this building, but maybe my last time on my ice.�

Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky knew it was a special day for Roenick and even tried to get him another goal in the game’s final minute.

“I know he was excited to play,� said Gretzky, whose team won its sixth straight. “It was a good day for him. He loved playing in this city. Seeing him get a goal and an assist in the first period, I had him out there at the end. I was hoping he could get an empty-netter, but it didn’t happen. He had a nice game.�

As for the Hawks (17-20-5), they continue to be as cold as their playing surface, losing their second straight at home and fifth in six games.

The absence of Martin Havlat, who missed his second game with a groin injury, was noticeable again on Sunday. Although the Hawks were able to create chances — they out-shot Phoenix 34-17 — only 2 found the inside of the net.

Gretzky credited half of his team’s win to luck and the other half to hard work.

“It’s one of those games where they didn’t play as poorly as the score indicated at 4-2, and we were a little lucky,� Gretzky said. “Our guys were a little physically and mentally tired. We did the things we had to to win.�

The Hawks did take a 1-0 lead when Tony Salmelainen hooked up with Patrick Sharp, who was slashing to the net and scored easily, at 5:04.

The celebration didn’t last long.

Phoenix responded 18 seconds later as Roenick evened the game with a shot through Nikolai Khabibulin’s legs. Shortly thereafter, the former Hawk dished off to Michael Zigomanis to put the Coyotes ahead 2-1.

“When you’re rolling, you find ways to win,� said Roenick.

The Hawks will play their third consecutive home game on Wednesday, but that doesn’t promise to be any easier. The Buffalo Sabres are the NHL’s best road team with a 16-4-1 record.

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=267141