The Unforgettable Jean Pusie

In 2006-07, Minnesotans have gone wild in the shootout. Mikko Koivu has emerged as the league's game ending leader, scoring a league high 6 goals on 10 shots so far. Teammate Petteri Nummelin has also emerged as an expert, scoring 4 times in as many opportunities. His goals tend to be of the artistic variety, pleasing many fans.

In the 2005-06 it was the Dallas Stars who mastered the shootout, led by defenseman Sergei Zubov and especially Jussi Jokinen, who at the time of this writing has gone 14 for 18 in shootout competition (plus a successful regulation penalty shot). If Nummelin scores artistic goals, Jokinen scores spectacular with a touch of flair. Watching Jussi Jokinen in the shootout has become an event as much as an Afinigenovian rush, an Ovechkin break or a Phaneuf hit..

Jokinen more than any other player has been tagged as hockey's first "shootout specialist." While the shootout is new to the NHL as of 2005, penalty shots certainly are not.

According to prolific hockey author Brian McFarlane, one of the earliest NHL penalty shot experts was Jean Pusie. However he certainly was not chosen for his scoring ability, but more for his unbelievable antics.

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