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Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

Ondrej Pavelec's personal tribute to Jacques Plante

By Sean Leahy

Just over a week ago, Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec(notes) was the butt of jokes after letting in a 190-foot shot against the Washington Capitals. This afternoon, Pavelec gave fans a better reason to remember him by with a 50-save performance in a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

With tomorrow being the 50th anniversary of Jacques Plante donning a goalie mask for the first time (though Clint Benedict might have an argument), late in the second period, Pavelec hopped inside of his "way back" machine and took an Alex Kovalev(notes) shot off his shoulder sans mask:

Due to the traffic in front of the Thrashers goal and coupled with trying to avoid the puck as Kovalev skated with it, referee Don VanMassenhoven was delayed in calling the play dead as soon as Pavelec lost his mask. Thankfully Kovalev's shot didn't go any higher otherwise Pavelec's tribute would have taken an all-too real turn.

Thanks to Ben Wright of the Thrashers for sending along the video

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19 Comments

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  1. kstewy16
    1. Posted by kstewy16 Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    Way to stick with it. Most goalies would have just stood up and been done with the play.
  2. Coach Isiah Thompson
    2. Posted by Coach Isiah Thompson Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    50 saves? 50th anniversary? Are you kidding me? Where are we at in society today praising those who merely hit the half century mark in accomplishments? Come after me! Praise me! I'm a man. I'm 40. I'm not just a person trying to grab some glory for making 50 saves in a game or donning a goalie's mask 50 years ago. So get your facts straight. That's all I have to say. That free stale taco special promotion at Taco Bell from 6:00 p.m. - midnight that Bob Griese, Juan Pablo Montoya and I foolishly participated in makes me want to puke. That's all I have to say!
  3. Robin D
    3. Posted by Robin D Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:09 pm EDT

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    I played in a mix league game in Quebec one time (mix of junior B and senior league players) Same thing. To be honest, I don't know about Ondrej, but you just keep following the puck and don't realize your mask is off.. until everyone questions your sanity. Like the annoucer said, good on 'em for sticking with the play and showing that Goalies just are as crazy as people think they are.
  4. habs1rule
    4. Posted by habs1rule Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:29 pm EDT

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    Easy trivia Jacques Plante question...When he modeled his first mask, why did fans and the media think he was doing it for??
  5. campbellmcdonald32
    5. Posted by campbellmcdonald32 Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:24 pm EDT

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    Wouldn't going maskless be more like a tribute to Arnie Brown or Les Binkley?
  6. Guy F
    6. Posted by Guy F Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    I love that highlight during the HNIC opening showing Johnny Bower taking a shot right off his face. The guy barely flinches!
  7. Almost Lewboski
    7. Posted by Almost Lewboski Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:02 am EDT

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    "Gump" Worsley had Ondrej Pavelec's back during that sequence of play.
  8. HotStacey
    8. Posted by HotStacey Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:29 am EDT

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    looking at the scores we truly are back in the fifties. every game is freakin' 2-1. ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. hockey is over
  9. EvanS
    9. Posted by EvanS Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:30 am EDT

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    great play...way to stick with it! Kudos to Kovalev too, it looked like he came up and gave him a tap on the pads?
  10. Paul
    10. Posted by Paul Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:25 am EST

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    I generally don't like the Sens but Kovalev scored some major points in my book by at apologizing for taking the shot
  11. Dane I
    11. Posted by Dane I Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:14 am EST

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    Coach, please shut your pie-hole. okay?
  12. habs1rule
    12. Posted by habs1rule Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:01 am EST

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    @8 Yeah, Montreal won last night 2-1, you're a chick and I'm svelt...Stop sniffing the peroxide without ventilation, you maniac...
  13. Brian S
    13. Posted by Brian S Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:13 pm EST

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    How about Glenn Hall playing 502 consecutive games in goal without a mask. Its not like the game is better today, Bobby Hull once had a shot clocked at 118. Thanks bettman for destroying one of the greatest games on the planet.
  14. Lew Ghost
    14. Posted by Lew Ghost Sun Nov 01, 2009 3:57 pm EST

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    there are a lot dumb comments here...
  15. crazygirl
    15. Posted by crazygirl Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:20 pm EST

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    the only reason he clocked 118 cause he had a ridiculously heavy stick
  16. jonathon b
    16. Posted by jonathon b Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:18 pm EST

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    wasn't gump the last G-man to play without one?
  17. Tim
    17. Posted by Tim Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:48 pm EST

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    Arnie Brown for the Detroit Redwings was the last without a mask...and for Sean Leahy, get your facts straight Clint Benedict wore a mask because he had an injury .Jaques Plante was injured and refused to play anymore games without one, he was the first to play the rest of his career with one, never did he claim to be the first to wear one....as for #2 coach...go eat your stale tacos, 50th anniversary is a big deal, why not celebrate good things.
  18. Leahy
    18. Posted by Leahy Mon Nov 02, 2009 12:57 am EST

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    @Tim:
    My facts straight? "...Jacques Plante donning a goalie mask for the first time (though Clint Benedict might have an argument)"
    All I said was Benedict wore a mask first, which he did.
  19. Tim
    19. Posted by Tim Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:28 am EST

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    my bad...it is 50 year anniversary of Jaques Plante donning the mask for the first time...then my question to is...why would Clint Benedict have an argument with that?...does he not think its been 50 years?...my bad...just be more specific...

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