The Penguin that forgot to smile

When was the last time you saw Mario Lemieux smile?

Before last night’s 3-2 overtime Penguins win over the Washington Capitals, you might have been hard-pressed to think of the answer. But even after Kristopher Letang found the back of the net, Lemieux was only seen giving a quick head nod to his team down below and then it was back to business.

Images of the early and mid-90s come to mind of Lemieux wearing the black and gold Penguins jersey with the large number 66 on his back; smiling after scoring 199 points in 1989 or hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup high over his head in 1991 and 1992, grinning from ear to ear.

With Lemieux being the NHL star that he is, television cameras have not been shy to give his mug some extra screen time.

However, since taking a position in the front office for the Penguins, things have changed for the 43-year old Canadian. He has become a much more somber, business-oriented man.

Near the end of the first period of Game 2 between Pittsburgh and Washington in these 2009 NHL playoffs, the Pens had a 5-on-3 power play but were unable to solve a red-hot Simeon Varlamov in Washington’s net. The cameras cut to Lemieux who was seen leaning forward in contempt over his team’s lack of success.

When Pittsburgh failed to shut down the Capitals offense with a 2-1 lead and two minutes left in the game, Lemieux’s frustration was seen nationwide.

Somewhere along the way, the game was no longer a game for Super Mario.

Glaring down on the ice from his comfortable press box upstairs, Lemieux has continued to be the target of television cameras ever since he took over as chairman of the board. He has brought along with him from his days as a player his hockey knowledge, charisma and experience. The only things he seems to have left behind are those pearly whites.

With two Stanley Cups, Olympic gold, a World Cup, over a dozen NHL trophies, countless records, and numerous other honours, few can even compare to the level of success that Mario Lemieux has enjoyed. Even his rival Wayne Gretzky can’t claim to be as successful. For all he did for the game in the ’80s and ’90s, Gretzky is now just part owner and head coach for the failed Phoenix Coyotes, while under Lemieux’s ownership and guidance, Pittsburgh has risen from the abyss and become a formidable hockey franchise.

When you’re watching Game 4 on Friday night, keep an eye open for shots of Lemieux. If Sidney Crosby (or anybody else on the Penguins’ roster, for goodness’ sake) notches one in net, watch for the cameras on Mario and see if his cheeks even twitch. Probably not, but just watch.

The truth is; number 66 seems to have lost his love for Canada’s game and found a lust for power. Taking Sid the Kid under his belt, Lemieux has found a new source of power for his team, but if Crosby fails to take down Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, you can be sure that Lemieux will have some work ahead of him.

Will we ever see Mario Lemieux smile again? Maybe after nine more wins in the playoffs… maybe.