Lemaire let emotions show after game-winning goal

Last update: December 19, 2007 - 10:50 PM

Replays of Brian Rolston's goal on TV Tuesday night showed Wild coach Jacque Lemaire, behind the bench, showing a bit more emotion than usual. Was it the dramatic come-from-behind victory? His 1,000th game? Both? Lemaire, as always, was cagey. He's always emotional, he said. "It's just that they can't always get me [on screen] because the guys are standing and I'm short.''

Maybe. But one thing TV didn't show was Lemaire nearly taking a tumble celebrating after the game. He went to shake hands with Dominic Moore, slipped, and nearly went head-first to the floor.

"Dominic wanted to shake hands, and he was a little far,'' Lemaire explained. "That platform behind the bench, there is a space between it and the bench. I extended my arm. And I'm short, so I made a step ...''

It was Lemaire's 1,000th game. But: "It could have been my last one,'' he said, laughing.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD