Move Over Wheaties

Sidney Crosby is considered to be the face of the NHL and, although often argued, the best player in hockey today. He has won the scoring title, the League MVP award, the Rocket Richard and he was the youngest captain to ever hoist the Stanley Cup in victory. He has lucrative endorsement deals with Reebok and Gatorade. He has his own dvd and he was even mentioned in a Busta Rhymes song. His accomplishments and accolades are just too many to mention. Basically, he has and has done a lot of cool things. But, as far as I know, one thing that he doesn’t have is his own cereal.

However, this is an honor that has been bestowed upon our very own goalie, Marc Andre Fleury. Fleury Flakes, which seem suspiciously a lot like Frosted Flakes, made their debut in local stores and seem to be selling well. Although maybe not as cool as a Lil Wayne reference, it’s still pretty dang cool. Another thing that would be cool for Fleury would be if he were finally able to achieve his dream of becoming the tenth goalie in NHL history to score a goal.

We’ve seen goalies occasionally get a point here and there for an assist, but there are only nine who have actually managed to put the puck in the opposing team’s net. I have seen Fleury try for years to achieve this elite goalie status and watched, in disappointment, as the goal (pun intended) has continued to elude him. His most recent attempt was in the Pen’s recent 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. I’m convinced that this time he almost had it.

The problem with this type of goal is that most of the time it can only occur as an empty net goal. While nearing the end what is often a one goal game the coaches and other players are wary of getting an icing call that could result in a bad face off, which could lead to a goal forcing overtime and a potential loss. During the game against the Sabres the Pens were pretty comfortable with a two goal lead so there wasn’t as much of a fear of losing, which is probably why Fleury tried it. However, I think that if the game was tighter he would have held his ground in the net and kept his focus on stopping, rather than shooting, the puck. He may have big dreams, but he also knows his true place on the team and the responsibilities that go along with it.

It’s no secret that Crosby himself originally wanted to be a goalie and often enjoys putting on the pads and stopping a few pucks of his own. Could it be that Fleury has always wanted to win the scoring title? Imagine, maybe during some kind of Freaky Friday scenario, they could switch places and each live out their unfulfilled hockey dreams. Sid could poke check Ovechkin on a breakaway and Fleury could go five hole on Brodeur and ending his record high shut out. Now that would be something to see.

Fleury may not be known as “The Next One,” but he is a former first round draft pick who has proven to be a stand up guy on and off the ice who seems willing to do whatever he needs to in order to help his teammates to victory. Fleury getting on the goalie goal scoring list may never happen, but for his sake I hope it does. But, in the meantime, he can always console himself with a nice bowl of his very own cereal while admiring his Stanley Cup ring. Fleury Flakes, the new breakfast of champions.