Belak steps up
Tough guy responds to increased role
By NEIL STEVENS
Canadian Press
TORONTO
Wade Belak has a word tattooed in gothic letters down the inside of his left forearm.
Mayhem.
"That's the way I like to play," he explains.
The six-foot-four, 225-pound hulk from Saskatoon led the Toronto Maple Leafs in penalty minutes this season with 196, displacing Tie Domi despite appearing in only 55 games.
He plays defence and forward, and that versatility, coupled with the fact he's one of the most improved players on the team, has GM-coach Pat Quinn leaning toward putting him in the starting lineup for Toronto's playoff opener Wednesday night in Philadelphia (CBC, 7 p.m. EDT).
He skated on a line with Robert Reichel and Jonas Hoglund in practice before the flight south Tuesday. Veteran Shayne Corson would likely sit if Belak gets the nod, which is saying a lot about Quinn's growing confidence in Belak.
Nine years after being drafted 12th overall, he's finally reaching his potential.
Belak spent three years in the Colorado organization and was a toss-in to Calgary in the multi-player deal that sent Theo Fleury to the Avalanche in February 1999. A serious shoulder injury set him back so far that the Flames put him on waivers in February 2001. Quinn, looking to add size, grabbed him.
He got into 63 games last season and started grumbling when he began 2002-2003 in the press box. He got into only 14 of the first 16 games. There were stories that he wanted to be traded.
"I was never like, `Get me out of here," ' he says. "I always hoped things would work out and it wouldn't come to that."
Gradually, he got into more games, took fewer of the retaliatory penalties that drove Quinn crazy, and started to emerge as a full-time player.
"I got lucky," he says. "Things did improve - a lot. I didn't have to ask to be moved, which was good."
Getting to play more often has given him more confidence, which makes him a better player.
"You don't worry so much about making mistakes," he says. "You're not gripping the stick as tight as when you're in and out (of the lineup). That's how you improve - by playing."
Quinn likes the fact Belak can play defence or offence.
"He has made terrific progress," Quinn says. "It's a real luxury to have that sort of player in the lineup.
"He was marginally good in both areas and has now worked his way into some real dependability. He's not just a guy you put in the lineup for muscle anymore. I always wanted to have a big, rough, tough guy but he needed to be able to play as well."
Belak, whose favourite players as a boy were Saskatchewan-born Dave Manson and Wendel Clark, blushed when told of Quinn's assessment.
"It's a great honour to be mentioned like that," he said. "I want to play well and continue to improve.
"It's a big time of the year right now and I need to play my best."
For the second day in a row, Quinn had Mats Sundin between Mikael Renberg and Gary Roberts, Owen Nolan skating with Nik Antropov and Alexander Mogilny, and Domi with Darcy Tucker and Tom Fitzgerald.
Travis Green's rib injury will keep him out Wednesday.
Wednesday marks the anniversary of the Leafs' first Stanley Cup triumph in 1932. The last was in 1967, and Belak and his teammates understand how much Leafs fans want an end to the 35-year drought.
"Toronto fans have been waiting a long time for a Stanley Cup," he says. "We've been trying to give it to them."
"I know the city deserves it. I'd love to be in Toronto to help bring them the Stanley Cup. It's going to be a great party and I think it'd probably be the best city to win it in because of the long drought."
Belak is suited for the grinding games the Leafs expect with the Flyers.
"It's definitely going to be a physical series," he said. "The ice will be smaller.
"Everybody is going to have to come out and play as physical as they can because (the Flyers) are that way."
Darcy Tucker is bound to stick his nose in somewhere.
"At playoff time, everybody tries to do whatever it takes to win," he says in outlining his philosophy of hockey. "It really doesn't matter how it gets done, as long as you're winning the hockey game."
Getting scoring chances against one of the stingiest defences in the league will be tough. The Leafs scored only three goals in losing the last two games between the teams.
"We're going to have to scrap and fight hard," said Quinn.
Defenceman Bryan McCabe will attract stares wherever he goes because he has dyed the top of his Mohawk haircut bright blue.
"I picked him up (for the drive to the practice) and he almost scared the hell out of me," said Belak. "He looks good. He's ready for the playoffs, I guess. They'll love him in Philly."
