Jay Jalbert would certainly make a great contestant for “The Amazing Race,” based on his recent globe-trotting experience and ability to overcome jet lag.
Jalbert, who moonlights as a Colorado Mammoth defenseman, just returned from Turin, where he filmed snowboarding and alpine skiing at the 2006 Winter Olympics for Jalbert Productions Inc. His father, Joe, founded the outdoor sports and adventure film production company after providing technical direction and stunt skiing for the 1969 film, “Downhill Racer.”
Jay’s race against time started in Turin, where he caught a 90-minute flight to Rome. Next, he flew nine hours to New York City. After a cab ride to his apartment, he picked up his lacrosse gear, took a cab back to the airport and flew to Toronto.
After checking into a hotel Saturday for a quick nap, Jalbert suited up with the National Lacrosse League Western Conference all-stars. He had five assists and a goal that started a game-winning rally in the West’s 14-13 victory over the East.
“I was pretty tired,” Jalbert said. “Luckily, I can sleep on planes.”
While speeding down the floor, Jalbert didn’t look the part of the weary traveler worn down by customs, security lines and baggage delays.
“If you don’t think about how tired you are, it doesn’t affect you,” he said.
As for a defender piling up six points, he said: “I got more offensive because there is more transition in an All-Star Game, and those are great finishers on that team.”
Among them was Mammoth rookie Dan Carey, who scored two goals.
Footnotes
Colorado’s Gavin Prout won the All-Star Game accuracy contest and Rochester’s John Grant Jr. defended his hardest shot title with a 100-mph blast. … The Mammoth, which stands first in the NLL West at 4-3, returns to action Friday against the expansion Edmonton Rush (1-6) at the Pepsi Center. The Rush has two one-goal losses and two two-goal losses.
“They don’t quit,” Mammoth coach Gary Gait said. Jalbert said he and his teammates don’t underestimate Edmonton.
“We’re a grind-it-out team,” he said. “We win by working hard and playing our roles. If we don’t do that, we’re in trouble.”
