When A Team Dedicates

WHEN A TEAM DEDICATES a season to a retiring teammate, it risks a lot of people’s disappointment. But the Colorado Avalanche watched its dedication to Ray Bourque—one of the best defensemen in NHL history—culminate in the 2001 NHL championship.

The Avalanche advanced to the Stanley Cup finals against the defending champs, the New Jersey Devils. Trailing three games to two, Colorado forced a seventh game back in Denver with a 4–0 road victory.

In the decisive game, Colorado jumped ahead on an early Alex Tanguay goal. The Avs clinched the victory in the second period with two goals. Defenseman Adam Foote started things by banking a clearing pass off the boards to set up a two-on-one break for Joe Sakic and Tanguay. Sakic fired the puck, Devils’ goalie Martin Brodeur blocked it, and Tanguay rifled the rebound into a half-empty net.

Four minutes later, New Jersey’s Sean O’Donnell drew a high-sticking penalty. The Avalanche capitalized on the power play opportunity as Sakic faked a slap shot from the right face-off circle, then threaded a wrist shot through defenseman Scott Stevens’ legs and into the top right corner of the net.

The Devils also scored a second-period power play goal, but goalie Patrick Roy blanked New Jersey the remainder of the game for a 3–1 win.

After NHL officials handed the Stanley Cup to Sakic, the Avalanche captain, he handed it to Bourque for the first victory lap.

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POINT Ray Bourque’s Avalanche teammates grew to love him even though he had played less than two seasons with Colorado. The Boston Bruins traded Ray to give him a shot at a Stanley Cup. And his new team dedicated their season to him. After all, Bourque played 1,826 hockey games, the most ever without winning a championship ring. By the time he won the magical victory, Ray had played 22 seasons, made 19 All-Star teams, and earned the top NHL defenseman honor five times. The veteran deserved his team’s dedication.

To dedicate means to set apart for a special purpose or as a sign of honor. In the Old Testament book of Chronicles, King Hezekiah cleansed the temple. Then the people dedicated themselves to God as a sign of his honor and their affection for him. We too should dedicate ourselves to the Lord.

GOAL! Think of some people or things worthy of your dedication. Write down a few.