Belfour Passes Sawchuk, But Not REALLY

Congtratulations, Ed Belfour: you passed Terry Sawchuk on the NHL all-time wins list for goaltenders, moving into second place.

But Terry has still got you, and all the rest of them, in a category that may never be trumped. Sawchuk had 103 career shutouts -- 115 if you count playoffs -- and that by far leads active goaltenders.It's fitting and ironic that Belfour should pass Sawchuk on the wins ladder with a wild, 9-6 Toronto Maple Leafs victory over the New York Islanders Monday night. First, it's fitting because that game represents the "new" NHL -- the league after the rules makeover post-lockout -- and its tendency to high-scoring games. It's also ironic because Sawchuk played in the days of the 1-0, 2-1 wins, mostly, and it is once again fitting that he remain firmly on top of the shutouts list on a night when the person who is passing him in wins gives up six goals in the process.


Sawchuk's 103 shutouts will never be challenged

Records that may never be broken in sports are fun things to contemplate. Some are no-brainers, like Cy Young's 511 wins or the Lakers' 33-game winning streak in 1971-72. But I believe Terry Sawchuk's 103 regular season shutouts is another mark that no other goaltender will touch.

How many shutouts does a really top-notch netminder get anymore, in a season? Four? Five? At that rate, Joe Goalie would have to play over 20 seasons at a premier level to even come close to Sawchuk.

Sawchuk was the backbone of an incredible Stanley Cup run for the Red Wings in 1952. At age 22, Sawchuk spearheaded the Wings to a perfect 8-0 postseason record by posting four shutouts in those eight contests. Red Wings fans had a better chance of sliding the puck through the old "Score-O" slot between periods than Red Wings' opponents had of putting the rubber disc past Terry in '52.

Sawchuk, as many of you know but some might not, suffered a tragic end in 1970. As a member of the Rangers, Sawchuk was engaging in horseplay that May with teammate Ron Stewart, and impaled himself on a metal barbecue grill. He died from complications. He was 40 years old. He planned on playing a few more years. Had he, the unbreakable record would have been even more so.

So way to go, Eddie the Eagle -- but never can you truly pass Terry Sawchuk for goaltending excellence. And I know you're okay with that. Who wouldn't be, among your fraternity?