Lemieux's comeback falls short

By Josie Lemieux Sports Central Columnist

He never gave up.

After an outstanding NHL beginning in a Pittsburgh Penguins uniform, he was seen as very complete, but arrogant, unpredictable, and tempered towards reporters.

This reputation glued to him until January 1993, when terrifying news struck the hockey world: Mario Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, an apparent, but treatable, form of cancer. Instead of quitting, he went through six weeks of cancer treatment before returning to finish the season.

Since that time, Lemieux's life changed completely. With the help of his family and mostly by his son Austin, arrogance was gone for No. 66. He became sensible, emotional, and kind towards media, awarding himself the nickname "Mario the Magnificent." However, the game was not over.

He could not get through the 1994-1995 season because of constant back problems and Hodgkins. He came back in 1996-1997 and got himself NHL scoring titles before retirement came to the door again. He already missed the sense of accomplishing something great. Take two.

As the Penguins were literally heading for bankruptcy, Lemieux got back in the system in 1999 and saved the team by becoming the owner. He put his skates back on December 2000 and Penguins General Manager Craig Patrick could not be more ecstatic.

"He's still a young man," Patrick said. "You look at those athletes who have retired and could come back and he is -- by far -- the only one who could make this happen."

His return is considered to be one of the most unexpected and pleasant events in NHL history.

His comeback also made ticket phone lines ring like never before, even selling 10,000 tickets in one day. The financial and sportive aspects of the Penguins were now managed by No. 66, but according to teammate Darius Kasparitis, Mario has always been treated as a player, not an owner, for one obvious reason: he is a part of the team.

The love of the game and challenge of competing never left Mario for a split second, and since he came back, no one can top his incredible stats sheet -- six goals and 25 assists in 24 games.

But, something uglier should have left, but never did: the pain. Nevermind.

After gaining honors and recognition wherever he played, the Salt Lake City Olympics were his ultimate goal. A planned play-and-rest agenda made him become Team Canada Captain and his teammates were honored by his presence.

However, he seemed bothered by the pain just before leaving for Salt Lake City, to the point Lemieux considered not playing. But, after Mario went through surgery the previous months and lots of training, Canada breathed with relief as he stepped on the Olympic ice.

Ater a short rest, he underwent several painkilling injections, his hip and groin were wrapped so he could score two goals in a key 3-3 tie as Canada played against the Czech Republic.

Still, the world did not see him play near close to 50 percent.

Nevertheless, he played a major role in winning a gold medal.

Canada went hysterical, since it has been waiting for this medal for the last 50 years. It was definitely Lemieux's top priority.

However, the pain did not allow or guarantee him any free slack. Medical tests revealed a chronic tendinitis in one of Lemieux's hip flexor muscles, as well as inflammation of the hip capsule.

Now the doctors could only recommend, certainly not force him. He followed their instructions, because if he does not rest, it could become way too risky.

"I am very saddened to leave," he mentioned in a written statement. "But, I am happy the doctors finally found what was wrong with my hip. I'll rest and come back in a better condition next year."

Simple words from a simple man. Now that he is resting, are playoffs possible for Mario's team, since left winger Martin Straka has been put on the injured list and Alexei Kovalev's absence for a month due to a knee surgery?

Could he possibly act as an owner and make his team reach the playoffs?

"We are going to do the best we can with the lineup we have or add to it, Craig Patrick said. "We'll always try to improve our team and make it better."

Those words are also confirmed by Lemieux, who will let us wait for next season to see him bouncing back from his hip injury. This challenge will be another one for him to remember.

With the Olympics in one hand and his team in the other, he'll let Mark Messier, Steve Yzerman, and Ron Francis accumulate points. Next year, though, No. 66 jersey will hang in a stall, skates sharpened and ready.

Even today, Mario has shown we must all suffer one of two things -- the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. He will be missed.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.