LET THE IMPLOSION BEGIN

I think last night’s game will really get the demolition ball rolling, beyond anything a potential win tomorrow night can fix. I haven’t had the guts to venture around the forum, but by some of the comments on TSN.ca, I can tell the usual parade of brain dead comments have begun.

The team last night was spectacular. Spectacularly poor. But this is still a team which is one attitude change away from a power house. It will come, I know that much. What it will take to make it happen, well I can speculate, as can the rest of us, but no one can really be sure. We have to have faith and trust in the staff to get the team through the rough patch. There are enough hockey minds within the organisation who will know better than any one of us wana be GM in here can claim to know. Furthermore, for once we have staff in place who has proven on several occasions that they are not worried, nor will they act different because of, the media and fan frenzy and all the politics that go along with it. They will do what is best for the team, and they will do it better than anyone in here, writing for Le Journal or expressing themselves as having the cure all bogus remedy this team needs. We can trust Bob, Carb and the gang to be more objective than any one of us would like to believe and will base their judgement on professionalism, and decades of Stanley Cup winning, but kicking, hockey playing experience.

So to all you certifiable arm chari GMs ready to blow the team and coaching staff up, grow up, get a life, grow a brain cell or two and shut the flanelle up.

LETS NOT FORGET DEFENCE

All the hype about a talented team, offensive super-powers, finishing with the highest number of goals for last year, and definitely due (at least on paper) to break that record this year, it appears that the team has forgotten the second half of the ice. All the attention is getting the puck up ice to create offensive chances, when what seem to be killing us are goals against. We had a pretty good, simple, and effective system last year and I don’t see why the coaching staff has not reinforced this same play. Perhaps they were liooing to try something new, which might offer a better transition game and more scoring chances. But the fact of the matter is, it’s not working, the transition is not working, players are getting frustrated and evidently NOTHING is working.

We’re all familiar with the adage of KISS: “Keep It Simple Stupid” This works for me in my daily ventures and adventures both at work and at home, it worked for the HABS last year in their defensive play, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work this year. As soon as one touches the puck in the defensive zone, just get it out into the neutral zone and let our speedy forwards fight for it. Best case they get it and create a scoring chance. Likely case the opposing blue liners will get it and dump it in, creating a delayed offside and allowing our “D” to make a better and easier play. Worse case they get the puck and come charging back in and we’re back where we started.

Maybe I’m over simplifying (who am I kidding, I am), but it seems that at a time when nothing is working and everyone is nervous, it’s the simple plays that are the way to go and get everyone back on track. Even Zorro the Beagle is with me on this one, and we usually disagree on everything unless we’re deciding on re-fried beans as the key ingredient to turn a boring taco night to an flatulently entertaining burrito night.

SOMETHING POSITIVE TO WORK WITH

Well things have gotten ugly…very ugly. Relatively speaking, ugly still ain’t that bad. Ugly three years ago would have meant last place in the East, so we should still feel fortunate that a horrible horrible Canadiens team is still fifth in the East and 7th in the league with less games played than everyone in front (except Detroit who has also played 16). Now there’s an eye opener.

Regardless of the standings, we know things are no where near as good as they can be. The team seems to have lost its identity. We went through a similar patch last year (even worse than this if we can all recall) and guess who emerged as the leader and brought this team in to heights no analyst across the league believed to be possible: Kovalev.

Some have argued that Kovy is not the same man this year, not the same locker room, etc, etc… And it’s true that things have changed in his surroundings. But Kovy hasn’t changed. He’s still a fierce competitor, and a role model to all the youngsters. He still feels the joy of playing hockey, and more importantly WINNING. A la Patrick Roy, Kovalev’s whole demeanour changes when they win, and I’m not talking about the generic happy feelings one gets for being on a winning team. He WANTS to win…he NEEDS to win, and he knows with this team, he CAN win…over and over and over again.

I may be naïve and a blind fool as a direct result of my unhealthy obsession with the Tricolore, but I think last night’s shootout scenario with Alex Kovalev scoring the game winner in true Kovale style (i.e. sending the goalie to collect his jock strap on the other side of the net) is just the type of clincher he needs to kick him self in the butt and get into gear. Once Kovalev is on the proper wavelength, the rest of the team will follow.

This of course is my belu blanc et rouge two cents that are not worth very much, unless of course you’re as blind, wishful, hopeful and obsessively loyal as I am.

WILL THE STREAK GO ON?....FORGET THE STREAK…WE GOT BIGGER PROBLEMS

OK…so far this season I have (as well as many of us in here) given the HABS the benefit of the doubt. It is a long season, bad games will happen, que sera sera…But now this is starting to reek more of a team that is caught up in their own, non-proven, greatness. And this reek is worse than Zorro the beagle’s bowel movements after taco night. The players (except the fourth line) are gliding up and down the ice, EXPECTING for plays to happen. There is no fight, no fire, and the Ottawa game on Tuesday was only the fourth game I can remember us playing like real athletes.

Now let me clarify: I’m not saying all is lost and this team is over rated. I think this team is poised to represent the East in the Stanley Cup finals, and has a good shot at it as well. However that is step 12 of the 82 + games season, and we’re still stuck on step 1. Play hockey. Get in to the game. Get emotional. Talent DOES NOT win games. Hard work wins games.

I would have hoped with the way the team responded to the Toronto game against Ottawa was solid proof enough that the locker room was getting cleared up with this incessive self glorifying fog and the “better than thou” attitude we bring on the ice. Last night was proof positive it was not. What can the coaching staff do to get them on track? I don’t know what more they can do. It’s time for the veterans to speak up in the room and hold each other accountable (not finger point and make excuses, but hold the entire locker room accountable). This nonchalant attitude has to stop

WILL THE STREAK GO ON?....YES

The Booins are on a roll…woopty doo. They won again last night….big woop. They face the HABS tonight yipeeeeee!!!

With the HABS gelling once again, we can expect them to go on a tear…the first real tear of the season, and the Booins will be our second victims. The Brruins have notoriously have had psychological issues playing against the HABS. They have however come out a few games with a positive frame of mind, guns blazing, Charas playing like they should, and the offense forechecking. Unfortunatelly for them, on each such occasion, the HABS scored the first goal thanks to acrobatic saves from our goalies and an odd man rush for us against an aggressive team. With the first goal in the Booins fell apart like papier mache in a rain storm.

Moral of the story is the Bruins are feeling good and the team is working on all cylinders. They will be facing off against a team who they have not beaten in (what is it now…12?) regular season games, so you can bet they will be very aggressive and confident that given their team this year and current streak, this is where it ends. It will be up to us to start the game strong and get that first goal in to mess with their minds, before they can even get into the game. One of our weaknesses have been the slow starts, but this is one of the many things we remedies on Tuesday’s game. I can only hope (and I do believe) that tonight’s game will be no different in that sense. Tonight, the Bruins will be just another victim for the Bleu Blanc et Rouge.

TOUGHT PILL TO SWALLOW

After a long week of waiting for hockey, we were disappointed with the Friday/Saturday tandem of poor performances. Friday’s game would have been grudgingly acceptable had we blown the Leafs away on Saturday, but alas…the team’s laziness finally overcame it’s raw talent. Hard work will always beat talent and talent won’t get you anywhere without hard work, and I suppose this will be the coaching staff’s greatest challenge this year going into, and through the playoffs.

On one hand I would like to sit here and vent and trash the HABS for a lazy effort, but on the other hand I know the season is long and bad patches are inevitable for any team. However, we have all been aware since the beginning of the year that out of 12 games played we can ONLY easily name two where the team played hard. Otherwise we always got away with talent. So do we worry? Do we fire the coach and bring in someone else? Is it time to trade Kovalev while his stock is high and get some new blood? Is it time break into each other’s skulls and feast on the sweet sweet goo inside? No…not yet…not ever. All the arm chair GMs (and La Presse) who are more than eager to jump on any opportunity to rip an extremely talented team full of potential apart can go suck a lemon. All that the team needs is to play more games, get the chemistry going, and have some team building activities. Paintball is always a popular choice ;)

AN OK FAILIURE

To the intense competitor, the above statement may seem paradoxical; however a team that plays 82 games in a season is bound to make blunders, and I’m willing to accept gaffes as long as they are less ghastly than the previous error.

In our case, following our last long break we came out playing at the intensity level of the girls scout district 36 pink (a.k.a. the unicorns) hockey team. We dropped our first loss in regulation to Anaheim and hung our heads in shame.

Last night we were faced with a similar challenge to that game and I thought we played a lot better in that we were sharper….still as dull as a pair of fisher price set of play-dough scissors, but sharper. We played better than the Anaheim game and we got 1 more point than we did in our previous “long break” test. So I’ll grudgingly take it and stick it in the bank (my investment statement is above showing a sweet 135…about as many dollars left in my investment portfolio. But jokes on the MN, my portfolio value is dropping faster than it is so I’ll definitely win the race to 0 first.)

AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No HABS games till Friday. Are you kidding me? How is a mere mortal supposed to withstand such torture? I’m yet to recover from the previous week’s long break. And this one is longer…Go suck a lemon Mr. Buttman…go suck a lemon. And I’ll continue to take out my mental aggression out on Chris Lee.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HMMMMM…

Today is a good kind of day. Today is the day the bandwagonners are filtered from the die-hard hard core, give my first born for season tickets kind of fans. The often pretentious HFWB, short for habs fan wanna be, will be whining about how they missed an awesome come back after they changed the channel during the second intermission. Today, as the HFWBs slowly emerge from their caverns full of lies, I will be able to look them in the eye and give them a piece of my mind, guilt free.

The HFWB are one thing, but last night there was a bigger target in my eyes. Joel Bouchard made a new enemy in me last night, which mean…well absolutely nothing. I’m too lazy to even make a prank call, but he’ll still be hung out to dry in this article.

During the second intermission, he actually said, and I quote “J’espere que les Canadiens perd cette rencontre”. Translation…he’s a douche. Now I’ll admit, the context in which he said was that it would serve a valuable learning experience for the team, so this kind of lazy underestimating the opponent none-sense does not repeat its self past January. However, there are two big taboos in my eyes in the hockey world:

1) NEVER wish for a HABS loss
2) NEVER wish for a Leafs win

It was apparent that the lesson was learned after two periods of epsilonic hockey, and the team demonstrated that with their play in the third. Sure the goals started coming in the last 15 minutes, but the style changed from the face-off to begin the period. The Islanders got a dose of reality and were kept to a hand full of shots, most of which came in the last 30 seconds in a desperate attempt to un-do a colossal failure on their part.

So Joel gets one strike in my book, but once again I’m too lazy to keep track of these things, so he’ll be OK by days end. He has an extremely knowledgeable hockey mind, and he makes up for his poor TV presence with quality thoughts and constructive analysis of the teams. BUT, if he doesn’t want to go the way of Don I used motel drapes for a suit Cherry, he has to never, ever, EVER wish for a HABS loss EVER again.

I HAD A DREAM…

Last night my sub-conscious was taken to a ride to left field, when the usual suspects in my dream world consisting of the likes of Angelina JoLee, Scarlet Johanson, any of the heroines from the Austin Powers series and the double mint twins (together of course) were replaces with the storky outline of Chris Lee. Turns out Chris Lee doesn’t look as good in a red cocktail dress, but after haven subconsciously take a baseball bat to his face, forced him to sit through a whole Abba album and fed him through a wood chipper he was just as fulfilling. He was back to his antics last night, and anyone who disagrees that he is monumentally biased against the HABS is a blind fool who’s mental incapacities can rival the Crazy Cat Suit Man (speaking of which, haven’t seen Crazy Cat Suit Man yet…hope he’s OK).

With the exception of one or two, I’ll give it to the refs that they called valid penalties against us…no argument there. However they let the Wild go Wild on us and missed a few calls and decided to knit pick against the Bleu Blanc et Rouge as a direct result of a hissy fit by Jacques Lemaire. I suppose it is the reality of the game that junior refs are susceptible to the influence of established coaches.

In the meanwhile it was great practice for our PK, and a game like this can really get them on a roll and point them down the right track. Superb show for Carey Price and it was good to see Markov pot his first goal…it was long overdue and well deserved.

On a final not…I hate Chris Lee.

AROU YOU READY TO KOIVU?!

Sweet…two brothers, the captains of their respective teams, facing off against each other tonight (starting from the opening face off I presume) in the NHL. Boy would I love to be a fly on the wall during the Koivu’s Christmas get together this year. This game has bragging right written all over it. The team who wins will crown one brother as superior to the other, so we can expect both Koivu’s to play at the top of their game. This could potentially be a good thing for us, if the young Koivu lets his emotions get the better of him, and tries to attack too much, thus opening the crap trap game Minnesota likes to curse the world with.

We have had difficulty last year against teams that play this style of game, and are repeating the same patter this year. I will be hoping in a pessimistic fashion that we can not only deal with this style of game, but dominate it. The key is to score the first goal and score on the power plays, thus forcing the opposing crap trap to open up in an attempt to increase scoring chances. Our problem of course has been to score first and on the power play. Here’s hoping we can win this one without chewing through what little remains I have on my finger nails.

PS Some members have been having trouble refreshing the MN Table and NL standings. If the refresh button doesn’t fix it, we found that logging off and back on to the forum helps fix the problem.

IT’S MY FAULT IT’S SNOWING, BUT IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CHEMISTRY

My apologies MN-Nation…I am the one responsible for the snow. I had my winter tires installed on the car yesterday, winterized my car (which is a fancy way of saying I threw my brush and scraper on the back seat), set-up my Tempo, and BOOM! Snow. I feel aright about it knowing that I am ready for the winter, but I am sure I have burdened many of you who are yet to tackle the winterizing issues around the house and the car.

To make up for the white stuff, I struck a deal with the All Might Sponge Bob. He told me the HABS were poised to loose the game against the Canes, because they were unable to give as a team, and this will lead to failures in the transition game, defensive end as well as turn-over’s in all three zones of the arena. The big yellow porous guy owes me one so he said he’d hook us up with another “phew…at least we got the two points” win, like a few other we already got in this early season.

I’m not worried about the team performing, but I am beginning to wonder when the team will get going. It’s a chemistry thing IMHO, and once the chemistry is there, the passes will be crisp, which will help the transition game and allow our defence-men to NOT look like a bunch of McCabe’s on the ice. The chemistry will also help our special teams, especially on the scoring end. The chemistry is what this team is missing, and perhaps it has to do with all the attention around the centennial celebrations. It can, and most probably is, a major distraction to the locker room. Furthermore, the media pinned them as the Eastern Champions before the puck even dropped, so I can imagine it would be fairly difficult to remain in “the here and now” and remain focused on the game.

We couldn’t have asked for better role models for the locker room than Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller and Doug Jarvis in helping them stay focused on the game instead of the media and marketing circus happening around them for our entertainment. Such is the plight of a professional athlete competing in a town where the team surpassed all major religions in the hierarchy rector scale, but it is an issue that must be tackled none the less.

In the meanwhile I’m happy we’re on the receiving end of the two points, because we just as easily could have been 3-4-1. Hopefully a nice road trip will help the boys come together, away from all the distractions that Montreal throws their way.

DO IT FOR THE TEUS’

Mateus is back and can watch the game in peace with no guilty conscience. So go out there and give us lots of goals to watch…or so help me…

TIME IS NOT ON MY SIDE

Phew…what a weekend and what a start to the week. I am all for 50 hour days so I can get around to the more important things in life…such as the HABS and the forum.

A quick recap of Saturday would be to say the lazy plays on our end were expected. Not justified but expected. The guys had entirely too long between games. No one is gelling yet this early in the season, and an elongated six days from game day to game day just cooled everyone off. Might as well have been the first game of the season. As for the refs, I didn’t agree with a few of their calls and missed calls (what’s new there) especially on the penalty shot.

However there is a sliver lining to this loss. We were down and we caught up. We got ahead and let it slip out of our hands. We left our goalies out to dry and it was an all around disappointing and pathetic loss. The locker room was pretty demoralised I’m sure, and the coaching staff must have (should have / hopefully did) pull a John Tortorellaesqu tantrum after the game. So what’s so good ni all this. This is our first significant adversity in the season. It might be just two points lost against an out of Conference team early in the season, but mentally and emotionally it was a pretty hard blow. It will be interesting to see how the team and locker-room react to this, and I’ve got my money on a Dominant (with a capital “D”) win over the Canes.

I NEED HOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!!!!!!!

All work and no hockey make HLD something something…

As tough as a week I’m having at work, and as hard as it is having two poopers at home to look after, and as sleep deprived I am, the agony would have been significantly more bearable had we had a proper dosage of Les Habitants to numb the pain.

34 hours till HABS puck drop tomorrow seems entirely too far and I’m going slowly crazy I am slowy going crazy slowly crazy I am…

In the meanwhile, no news about Andrei coming back…not good. On an individual level he is a human being and the life style as well as the level of comfort for the rest of his life hangs in the balance. More importantly, on a selfish level, he is an integral part of the team, and if we are to push for a cup this year we need him in the line-up – no questions. Here’s hoping for a solid and 100% recovery.

MN NUMBERS LOOK GOOD

MN Playoff didn’t drop last night, but MN TO sure did. It’s already at 140. I have a feeling MN TO NO GO will be clinched far earlier than MN Playoffs this year.

That’s all I have to say for today. Short, sweet, uplifting and yet another backhanded pimp slap at the Maple Turds :D

JEKYLL AND HYDE

Dr. Jekyll:

Well that’s another two points! I’ll take them any way they come…no matter how ugly. Winning against a defensive and trap style team like Florida is very promising, given that we have had troubles against such teams (had a high loosing ratio against “trap” teams last year). This of course re-iterates the growth and maturity of this team. We have now shown we can play high flying games, rough physical games and slow trap-like games, and we’ve come out victorious in all of them to begin this young promising season.

This is the mark of a championship team: Always find a way to win, regardless of the circumstances and teams we play.


Mr. Hyde:

Yeah we won, but barely…against one of the weaker teams in the league. Our Power Play is non-existent, our key players are off the score sheet, and turnovers are being handed out by the bushels in the neutral and defensive zone. It was a hard game to watch. It was difficult to see turn over after turnover, giving up all those shots to Florida, and struggling against Florida…FLORIDA! If it wasn’t for Halak this game would have been our first loss, and loosing to a team like Florida is NOT something a Stanley Cup team should be doing.


Final consensus:

It was a difficult game for our boy, because the well prepared Florida team played a well designed strategy to the “T” They played their very best (and did a heck of a job) and really slowed down the injured Canadiens. Kudos to them.

However, the Canadiens with three starters injured, and two of the top players playing their worst hockey in recent history (Kovy and Plecks) still managed to fight, claw and battle for the win. This shows grit and character. All the technical stuff can be worked out in practices, however the collective will of the locker room is something that is there ot not. We have it…and how. We are blessed with a team that possesses the more unique assets and the intangibles. Now we have over five months to work out the strategies, tactics, and special teams plays in our ultimate goal of winning the Cup.

Most importantly, let us all rejoice in claiming the top spot in NL standings. Now let us stay there till the end of the season :D

FLY KITTY KITTY KITTY…

I feel as rushed as a parent doing the entire Christmas shopping on the 24th. Super busy start to the week this morning so I’ll keep it short. The HABS have made a statement with the start to the season we have had. During the summer most agreed that we were the #1 team in the East, and we’re showing that now. However tonight is an important test.

Tonight’s game is against the Florida Panthers. A team ranked as one of the lowest in the East. A team with one of the weakest offenses in the entire league. A team with whom we have no rivalries or ill feelings. Basically it’s just a game…nothing special.

Even though on paper we should blow this team away, in the past we have had issues facing weak teams. Even last year we were guilty of playing to the level of our opponents, thus allowing weak teams to remain in the game and often upset us. This year is about playing our game and letting the league catch up to us. So far we have played our game (albeit lazy at times, but we imposed our style regardless of the opponents). Today we will see if the locker room has developed the mental maturity that champions possess: “Just play your game…period”. Can we keep the foot on the gas pedal? If we do this should have a 4-5 goal differential with a dominant and comfortable win for the HABS (kind of like the Maple Turds game earlier ni the season).

I will be watching and hoping that team lays it on for 60 minutes regardless of how far up we are on the score board. I will also be hoping that the Power Play gets some momentum once again and that Kovalev’s lin e can get on the scoreboard. Not only will this line’s productivity be pivotal to our success this year, but Kovalev’s in my pool and I’m getting murdered :(. Whenever Kovalev touches the puck, the poor guy is covered by two-three, sometimes four players. This means that the ice is wide open for Plecks and Kostitsyn (the younger one tonight) and it will be up to them to help out their mentor and draw some players to open up the ice for Kovy by potting a few .

HLD frantically out…

THE MULTI TALENTED HABS

Now we’re on a roll. Now we seem unstop able. Now we’ve proven we can aply and win tough games. Another great game…another two points off the MN…another proud day to be a HAB.

Now to deal with the 500 lbs elephant in the room. Sauer’s hit on Kostitsyn was a close hit. Let me come out and say it: “I don’t think it was intentional”. Sauer definitely wanted to “ring Kostitsyn’s bell” as they say, but he is NOT the type of guy to go head hunting. The hit was high however and did deserve a 2 minute beyond a shadow of a doubt…but no major or suspension…at least IMO. What was more cowardly and disgusting than the hit was Sauers response after the hit. If one wants to play tough..fine. It’s the NHL for frigs sake and that’s the way it should be played. However, if you’re going to go hit someone like that, have the jewels to stand up for your actions. Sauer kept skating away from Laraque and hiding behind reffs (yes…literally hiding). Then one shift later he drags Kostopolous, someone who he has 40-60 pounds over, in to a fight as a whipping boy. I had no problem with Sauer for the hit, but after that move, he is now enemy number one on the Phoenix team who has not learnt (or learnt too much) of game behaviour and honour from the great one behind the bench. This shameful display of cowardness deserves a curse, and I hope you all join hands and repeat the following with me 12 times:

“May his crotch be infected with the fleas of a thousand camels, and may his arms be too short to scratch it”

Now with that out of the way, that whole incident is behind us and is neither here nor there. It’s done, it’s in the past, let look at the future. There are two very important points that resulted from hit that affects our next games:

1) As was the case several times last year, when a team fell behind, or lost the momentum, they tried to gain it back via physical play and intimidation. We valiantly tried to hold our own last year by pushing back (albeit a smaller push than what we usually received) and by scoring on the power play. Unfortunately there were games (especially in the playoffs), such as last night, where the whistles pull a Houdini act and disappear, except for holding and hooking calls. When it counts, such as an OT period or a playoff game, the refs always revert back to the old adage of “Let em’ play”. Last year when they “let us play” we lost the exchange more often than not and the playoff series against the Flyers was the final proof that convinced even the most animated supporters of NOT needing Enforcers.

Last night, Phoenix pushed (hard) and we pushed back harder. We won the exchange, and the momentum, the scoreboard, and Phoenix’s reluctance to play rough in the third was proof positive beyond an elephant’s shadow of a doubt. This team just proved we are ready for the cup. We are ready to play in the trenches because Laraque will break your face! OK too much…

2) The most important thing from last night’s incident of course is the health and well being of Andrei Kostitsyn. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back to his USUAL self soon. I have seen too many careers ruined at stifled at a young age as a result of concussions fro hits just like this, and I sure hope for his and his family’s sake this is not nearly as serious as those. Let us all pray to the Holy Sponge Bob for Kostitsyn’s speedy and FULL recovery.

SABRES ARE GOOD…NOT THAT GOOD

I’ve heard rumblings around the forum and elsewhere (believe it or not there is an elsewhere) that there is some worries with respect to the 4-0 start the Sabres have had. I’ll agree that many analysts have underestimated this team (IMO at least) since I had them fighting for second in the Division with Boston and Ottawa, and not dwindling away in the depths of the Eastern Conference, dancing with the likes of Toronto and Atlanta. I do NOT however se them as contenders for the Division title. This title firmly belongs to us, and despite having dropped our first game of the season to the Lindy and his crew, I don’t believe they have yet proven to be a consistent contender.

Mind you stranger things have happened, and the start to the season they have had with a solid offensive core and one of the better goalies protecting “le fillet” they could and will exceed many expectations. Division title however is out of reach. I don’t se them upholding this tempo and record for a whole season. They don’t have the depth or raw talent or size to get them through an 82 game season without hitting a couple of slumps along the way.

On another note I am totally impressed with the third period the Coyotes mounted against the Sens last night. They are a young team and so fatigue may not play an advantageous role for us even though they played last night. They have an offensive punch, but not too much defensively. This very well (and hopefully) turn out to be a fun and exciting “shoot em’ up” type of game with a total over 10. Make sure you got your seatbelts on for this one.

AS REFRESHING AS A GLASS OF WATER

We all agree that this team is well balanced, and has no gaping holes in the line-up. This is a direct result of Bob Gainey’s understanding of the game and foresight given new “post-lockout” rules and limitations for the NHL. Wednesday night’s home opener was a pleasant reminder that this culture is also present behind the bench and around the locker room. As the staff members were being introduced prior to the skaters She who must be obeyed , being the new found hockey fan she is, was asking me who they were and if they were any good. As I went through the list of names I knew, and others I pretended to know, the words “he’s good”, “he’s great” and “he’s one of the best in the league” kept repeating them selves.

At this point I realized just how extensively Bob Gainey worked over the past year to ensure not only a well balanced line-up, but a well balanced staff to back them up. Most people will immediately and almost exclusively think of the head and assistant coach when we talk about staff members. However having solid core of associates with specialties in goal tending, special teams and defense is just as important (we excelled and/or were the best in many of these aspects last year). And so is having competent medical staff and strength training directors. These guys are key in helping minimizing injuries (something else we were great at last year). The scouting staff of course ensures continuity and I don’t have to mention too much about Trevor Timmins and his team (obviously they have done a stupendous job over the past few years, and continue to do so). Finally what about the guys whop are pegged at the bottom of the locker room staff member totem pole? Equipment managers are pivotal to a team and many of us tend to forget this. Let me repeat that…equipment managers are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to a team’s performance, especially on the road. Those of you who have competed professionally and traveled will agree that at home keeping your gear organised is fairly less complicated. Having all your gear present on the road in the same manor as your own locker room is a nightmare. Hockey players, like many other athletes, are extremely superstitious when it comes to getting ready for a game. Almost everyone has a routine, some more stringent than others, and NOTHING throws off a player like breaking the pre-game routine. With that in mind I have always believed that this team’s repetitive success on the road had more than some to do with Pierre Gervais and his team. They must be doing a great job in ensuring the players feel at home in any locker room they sit in.

So the next time we speak of a balanced team, let’s not forget all the staff members behind the bench, in the infirmary and around the locker room. They are the pit crew that fuels the team, recharges it, and ensures it’s running on the best gear and at its fullest potential. They deserve as much as the credit as any other team member on the ice and we should always remember that and be thankful we have such a competent team back there.

STUMBLING FORWARD WITH FLASHES OF GREATNESS

First off w00t! Notch two more off MN the good guys. A “W” is a “W” is a “W”. For the early going I’ll take them any way they come. Later on in the season however, I would not be too happy with such a performance (say around March). At that point we would all be looking for dominant wins from start to finish. The first half of the season however is when the team gets into high gear and past the All-Star game is when we can become as picky as a vegan in a Steak house. For now let us look at all the positives:

- Another win.
- A proverbial four point win against a Division rival.
- With a loss to the Rangers last night we have closed the gap to the Conference title.
- We remain unbeaten.
- Our transition game which was dismal against the Flyers was spectacular in the first 40 minutes.
- Our PP looks like it will be one of, it not the MOST productive in the league. It’s not moving and working as smooth as a lathered Scarlett Johanson, but the plays are there and the chances are there (Tanguay on the point is working really well). It’s only a matter of time before it goes on a tear.
- We dished out another loss to the Bruins, extending their loosing streak to infinity. This memory will burrow its self in that locker room’s collective noggin, and they will now begin each and every match against us with a doubt. The result of the series should and will be similar to last year.
- Watching Price is extremely confusing. I am hard pressed to believe this kid so well balanced, is so talented, has a great peanut between the shoulders, has a great work ethic, but he’s barely old enough to buy booze south of the boarder. Why we haven’t signed him for a billion year contract yet is something I would question as an armchair GM know-it-all, if it wasn’t in the hands of Gainey. I’m sure Gainey will ensure we have this kid for many many years to come.

Well that’s all I have to say for today. I’ll save some material for tomorrow; mainly the new team strategy (i.e. defensemen jumping up in the play) and the ceremonies from last night (spectacular).

PS Welcome to teh team BGL You have accepted your role with open arms, and served that Epsilon booin Thornton what he deserved. Next time however, make sure to break his face or at least collar bone :P

BOOIN’S MIGHT BE WHAT WE NEED

After Monday’s performance where the team didn’t feel like playing till the third period, with the exception of a hand full of solid performances in the offensive zone, perhaps the hated evil Booins is what this locker room needs to ignite the fires. On one hand one would think if the team that eliminated us in the playoffs isn’t enough to get the blood boiling, no team will. On the other hand, the Booins have been one of these teams that always got us going. We always show up for those games and this has been apparent by our post-season record of eliminating them three times in a row, and winning the regular season exchanges over the past few seasons hands down.

The Booins are out for revenge and are desperate for a win against the CH. This is our best weapon against this overzealous team that took a preseason game of playing vets against our Hamilton Bulldogs waaaaay to seriously and rejoiced over it for far too long. A little shallow and sad if you ask me, but all that matters now is racking up the “W”s. A win tonight would go along way in re-iterating our dominance over the Booins and will place a doubt in the back of their minds that will follow them for the rest of the season when the play the Bleu Blanc et Rouge.

Over and above the reasons stated above, this win is important for a few other reasons. Here are some I could think of:

1) It would be great to get the first home win under our belts and out of the way.
2) I like watching the HABS win
3) Buffalo is ahead of us in NL standings and with a loss to them it would be great to regain the Division title on the MN leaderboard and the points leaderboard.
4) It’s fun to watch the HABS win
5) We must stay in close range with the Rangers. We don’t want them going off to a 10-15 point lead on the rest of the Conference. With their current confidence level, they need someone biting on their heals and keeping them worried and down to earth and second guessing. The HABS are the most likely team to accomplish this right now.
6) I want to see the HABS win

I will be watching our PP very closely and will hope for a 50% success rate tonight to get things rolling again.

KEEP ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’ ROLLIN’

That was so far the best pathetic performance of the year. We’ll have more games where we fall far short of our capabilities, but will come away with the win based on raw talent. This is yet another encouraging sign that even on mediocre and poor nights we have a chance to win against most NHL teams. What will it mean when (if?) this team begins to fire on all proverbial cylinders?

Our power play was 0 for 7 and the PK allowed two goals. This was not a “gold medal” night for our special teams. However, with the hockey minds behind the bench who have provided the league with the top power play two year running, special teams are not a worry as of yet. It is more difficult to get a team to score 5 on 5 and we’ve fallen short on this category a few times in recent history. With that in mind, another encouraging news from this season so far is our scoring capabilities on even strength (five last night, albeit on was an empty netter).

That, however, is where the praise stops. The transition game was garbage, our neutral zone play was pathetic, and as a result we were seldom able to penetrate the offensive zone with speed. This lead to less scoring chances and less shots (we were of course out shot again 32-27).

Now I know this might seem a tad picky on my end to critisize our weaknesses after a win and obtaining 5/6 points on the road to begin the season, but just as we were realistic in not expecting too much in the past, I remain realistic in not settling for too little this year. With the roster we have and the hype that surrounds the Bell Center and this team, the HABS are poised to take a shot at the cup. Anything less than an appearance at the Stanley Cup finals will be a gross let down, and in the eyes of some not bringing the cup home will be a disappointment. I expected this team to obtain 5-6/6 on the road. Not hoped, but expected, so the given results are not great by our current standards.

This of course is my opinion and it stems from the fact that I truly believe this team is the real deal, as they say. We can see glimpses of greatness, when the three lines roll and create chances after chances, when the goalies perform spectacular saves to keep their teams in the game and/or ahead (2 highlight reel saves from Carey in two games) But we are yet to see this team’s full potential (yes, including the Maple turds game), and I will be eagerly waiting till we go on a tear of the NHL. For now, a “W” is a “W” and let’s keep bringin’ em’ home any way we can. But by the time this team is ready, we won’t even need to think about the two points…it will be a given.

OUR BEST STEAM ROLLER IMPRESSION

Toronto sucks…Yeah yeah I know. The Leafs game is behind us but there is a serening effect when on strings those words together. And what better way to start Thanksgiving Monday than with a big ol’ LEAFS SUCK.

What a weekend. Brought my baby daughter home on Friday, HABS season opener Friday night, Stingers domination Saturday afternoon, HABS domination over Leafs Saturday night, family over on Sunday for Thanksgiving dinner and now here we are. I have a stomach full of the funky bird (so much so I must have morphed 10% Turkey overnight), shirt full of baby spit up (as gross as that sounds it’s my baby girls spit up so it’s liquid gold for me) and a day of sports to look forward to. The Als kick off at 1:00 p.m. against the Hamilton Tie-turds, who will undoubtedly get blown away by the good guys in a similar fashion to what Concordia and the HABS put forth on Saturday given the context (i.e. revenge match and redemption for a sloppy performance). Just to give an idea to those who may not be following the CFL (it’s OK, we all make mistakes) the Als lost to the Tie-Cats last week. This would have been the equivalent of Montreal loosing to the Maple Leafs on Saturday by a three goal margin, then having a rematch in Montreal the following weekend. Yeah…that’s how pumped up the locals will be.

Following this game, we’ll have the pleasure of watching another CFL game (Calgary vs Saskatchewan). Calgary is most probably the team we will be facing in the final so watching them is always interesting and fun (kind of like the Red Wings in the NHL). Then comes the main event.

Between the three sporting events I’ll barely have time to run up and replenish the beer supply and chips…what am I talking about. Father of two here….let me rephrase. Between the two games I’ll barely have enough time to replenish baby bottles, drop off soiled kids with the murses for a diaper upgrade, feed, burp play with and put to sleep one of or both of the kids, while hanging on to any shred of sanity, patience and all in all will to live I may have left. Thank the Holy Sponge Bob some Star Trek Treky nerd had the good grace to invent a magical device that can pause and re-play live TV. Mental not: Warn all humanity of the perils ensuing from having multiple offspring.

So one way or another I will watch all the events, with my highest expectations held for the game tonight. After the game in Toronto it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to playing the team that eliminated them in last year’s play offs. There are a multitude of possibilities here, however if this team is the team of destiny and wants to prove this firmly to themselves and the rest of the league, we must continue to play at a high level, never slow down, never think “revenge” and always think about the big “W”. Pulling off another win against the Flyers would not only continue our streak of obtaining 5/6 points on the road to open the season, but would also re-emphasize the strength and power of this team. Opponents must fear us and should always feel like the underdogs. The way to accomplish this of course is to continue steam rolling over anyone and everyone we face, regardless of their skill and level. Whether it’s the last place TML or power house of Detroit, this locker room has to prove to the hockey world that the paradigm shift we all claim the team has is real and is here. So tonight, no stupid penalties in trying to “get back” at Philly (which I think is a safe bet) and score score score. All three lines must perform (especially Kovalev’s line …I’m getting killed in my pool!) and the power play.

It’s seems fitting that we’re playing the Flyers on Thanksgiving Monday…let’s go out and carve some birds tonight.

A GLIMPSE OF THE 08/09 HABS

Toronto sucks…what’s new. Joycing over the blow-out win last night makes as much sense as praising Oscar De La Hoya for winning a match via knockout after three seconds if he were paired against yours truly in the ring. Comparing the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Montreal Canadiens is no different than comparing an Enzo Ferrari to a Toyota Prius. They both have their supporters and devoted fans, but at the end the Enzo has the Prius on every category hands down.

With that said, I am of course a devoted Leafs hating HABS fan and can’t let a blow-out of our arch nemesis go by without saying: NEENER NEENER NEENER….WE KICKED THEIR BUTS…AND HOW! biggrin.gif

To give some credit to the Maple Leafs, they came out strong, but just couldn’t hold on and match the HABS horsepower (kind of reminded me of the HABS two years ago). Halak is of course directly responsible for fending off the early onslaught. Had TML potted on early, this would not have been a blow-out. We still would have won mind you, but not as comfortably.

As for the HABS, some overzealous fans might already be staking their spots on the parade route after this game. I have two things to say to that:

1) The best seat is already taken. I chained my lawn chair to the best spot back in May 2008.

2) The HABS have certainly showed some fire power in rolling three scoring lines. Some are already gelling, others are not, but having three lines that can score gives some relief to say, Kovalev’s line, that is not firing on all cylinders yet. They don’t have the added pressure of not performing at 100% and not getting goals since, well, the other lines are winning games while they work out the kinks.

And then we have our fourth line with so much competition for three spots, you can bet your last buck that anyone having the privilege of receiving ice time there will be giving 2,309,787,438 %. This was apparent in our first two games of the season, where the fourth line had a bushel of self created chances by grinding and fighting hard in the corners.

Even though this team is being picked by many to win the East, it is still grossly under valued and estimated. The balance, skill level and depth we have makes this team so potent, that this blind fool has had them as a Stanley Cup favourite since May. Not to take anything away from Detroit (they are one heck of a superb team), but they will undoubtedly suffer the Stanely Cup hangover, at least for this season, before returning to the finals next year. This is the year for the HABS team.

Now with that said, our team is no where near its potential yet. Last night the TML were generous in giving us chances and not making our errors look too obvious. By the time this team is firing on all cylinders, no team, no matter how defensive will be able to stop us from dominating start to finish.

SO to summarise Toronto sucks (what’s new), we rule, and last night we had an average game (relative to our capabilities). Just wait and se what happens when Kovalev’s line gets back to potting a few a game, the defence locks the neutral zone down and our transition game gets back to a smooth flowing play.

On to the STINGERS. Well in comparison to the blow-out win last night in Toronto, the Stingers’ game yesterday afternoon was much tighter. I know some will quote me from yesterday saying “it will be an annihilation”, and I’ll admit that maybe I underestimated our opponents a tad. The Mount Allison Mounties put up a good fight, and it was a nail biter till the end. However after a long hard fought battle in the trenches the Concordia Stingers came away with the win 66-13 tongue.gif It was 45-8 at the half…final result could have been much higher if we kept the foot on the gas pedal, but what can I say, we’re a bunch of class acts biggrin.gif

ONE TOO MANY HLD’S FOR THIS WORLD

Some might have known that wee HLD was due to arrive in this realm we call earth just in time for the season. The delivery was booked for this past Wednesday, which would have made our return home for today at noon. We now have proof that the HABS Lovin’ gene exists, for wee HLD was born prematurely just enough to ensure a return home for Friday afternoon…just in time to watch the HABS season opener.

As you can imagine my relationship with my daughter is starting off on the right foot and I couldn’t be prouder of her for the initiative she took in mommy’s womb to ensure the HLD’s were watching the glorious HABS open the 2008/2009 on a 50” HD feed, rather than a murky, snowy 10” hospital TV where you’re never sure if you’re following the puck or a rabid squirrel who’s run on to the ice.

As I sit here with blood shot eyes, working on an average of 2 hours of sound sleep over the past five days, barely able to string together words let alone keep my eyes open, I peak over my laptop screen and watch my boy discovering the lump of crying blanky on mommy’s lap I realise how luck I am. A great family, a cup of non-hospital coffee (oh it’s soooooo good) and a team on it’s way to the Stanley Cup we can all be proud of.

Last night’s game neither impressed me, nor unimpressed me. I didn’t see any major faults in the team. There were many instances where it was apparent this team is just starting the season, however once they start gelling and the timing is down this team will be perennial winner. Early indications (and it is very early) this team has depth, no weak links, and plenty of potential. We’re already good, but as the youngsters grow throughout the season, we will be even better. Tis’ a season we will all remember I’m sure.

On that note I must be on my way as the murses is giving me a look of desperation. It’s time to delve back into the reality of feedings, diapers, constant craving for attention and never ending chores. The best and worse words I ever heard from my wife: ”Let’s have a family”


Final notes: As I am a Concordia Alumnus, I watch and support our Stingers teams…especially when we pound the RedMen. The football game will be webcast today at 1:00 p.m. on stingers.ca if any are interested (it is against Mount Allison and should be a run away exciting win for the Stingers…JOIN THE SWARM!

I SEE THE CH!!

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I finally watched a HABS game on TV. Albeit it was a team mainly composed of our prospects and the one line of vets won't be playing togeather to begin the season, and the goaltender is was not our number 1 goalie. Add in the fact that the feed was difficult to follow given the close proximity of the camera to the ice. Blah blah blah blah.....IT WAS GREAT!!!

It feels like that first sip of turpentine after a long day at work (yes turpentine...don't tell me you've never been out of beer, nail polish polished off, too lazy to go to dep). I got my fix and I can last till Saturday. Saturday's game should give me enough of a dose to make it to October 4th, where we see our full roster with the lines slotted to begin the regular season.

In the meanwhile, what about last night's result? We won...hardly says anything about the upcoming season, much like the game on Monday. It does not however disallow me from making individual assessments:

Maxime Lapierre has got a long way to go to impress the coaching staff before earning a roster spot. Last night's performance was worse than anythjing he put on the ice last year. Perhaps it's simply a case of the cob-webs, but he will have to shake them off if he wants to begin the season on the fourth line.

Denis was not spectacular in net, but he more than adequately showed he has got the skills, and some, to be a back-up in the NHL level. Then again most of us who understand the circumstantial failure and crucifictionof Denis in Tampa knew he is a much better goalie than he's been made out to be.

Finally our young vets...Plec and the Kostitsysn bros...they'll be just fine come puck drop on the season opener. Some passes were still shaky and Sergei has some more web to shake off, but nothing suggested last year that they will all go on to better their superb efforts last year.

And finally, congrats to hockey town. Last night's events are something they will remember for a decade and some.

IT BEGINS!!

I don't know about you guys, but I've had quite enough of summer and golf. Yes I said i had enough of summer. Despite the fact that many of you snow haters out there are cursing me and trying to counter my jinx, I don't care. I've been HABLESS for far too long. I just bought a new 50 inch TV, I've re-jigged and upgraded my HABS shrine, I've ensured all members of the family have HABS jerseys and apparel (including the yet to be born Wee-HLD) and I have worked off all my beer/pizza/chicken wings/peanuts/finger food/pop corn fat over the summer.

Now I look forward to "chilaxin'" in my lazy boy, watching the HABS in large format on over an HD feed, spending quality time with my ere and (soon to be born) princess, and working on regaining my well earned hockey spectator fat. Snow and cold is a side-effect of, and comes hand in hand with the HABS season. So bring on the cold, bring on the winter, bring on all the nasty nuances that come along with ;'hiver, as long as I can get my HABS on TV A.S.A.P.

First Pre-Season Game 2008/2009: Bruins 8 - Bulldogs 3

Watching the clips of the game, I have completely re-charged and re-fueled my hatred for the Bruins. First off the match-up was ridiculously off, and a passive team under Julien's defensive system seemed more interested in running up the score-board than developing their system for the upcoming season (their loss..it's wasted time and opportunity on their part).

Second, the bitter few from last year are still holding grudges and used a "cheap-shot" mentality to drag smaller and disinterested ones into fights. Begin was a clear underdog and although he is willing to drop the gloves to earn a roster spot, I doubt he went into that fight so readily. As for Andrei Kostitsyn...what on earth would our most promising forward do dropping the gloves if he wasn't dragged into it by the collar.

The Bruins appear to have picked up where they left off: More preoccupied about getting back to us and trying to combat their inferiority complex vis-a-vis the HABS (as derived by their coaches "hurt-feelings" for getting the boot) and are NOT focused on their game. This will, once again, be their downfall during the regular season, when the "W" counts. Let them continue playing cheap, low-brow, and un-focused hockey. Let the baby have their bottle and score some goals against our AHL team. We can all revisit this conversation when we meet them on the 15th of October.

Final score: Boston 8 - Hamilton 3 Like taking candy from a baby

WE DID IT AND WE DID IT IN STYLE

Well my fellow MN junkies, we have been in here all year long, we have had ups, downs all in a grand scheme to wait for this moment. MN=0. We’re the first team to clinch in the East, we are in first in our Conference in NL, we have beat the Sens and most importantly we have given our selves a huge hand in trying to defend the top seat in our Division.

I don’t want to get into the game too much so as not to ruin all the uushio mooshie happiness and thanks we got going around here, but I have to make a quick comment about the third. I am almost positive that in the second intermission, the HABS thought at 7-1 it’s over. Furthermore, Ottawa had a game the following night, so a logical person, including myself, would have thought that they would have packed it in to save their energy and pick up two points the following night. On top of that, with Komisarek out and players well aware of injuries increasing at this time of year given the higher intensity levels, it was a no brainer to take the foot off the gas, if not only to be a bunch of sportsmen and not try to run up the score board.

Than the third starts and Ottawa got a goal. Then two. Only after the second that it clicked (and you could tell this by the urgency of the players) that the Sens were trying to mount an improbable comeback. By the time we got back into game mode they were within three with all the momentum. It didn’t help that this eternal struggle for parity by the league lead to one sided call through out the third.

So what’s the bottom line. With no games till Friday, the HABS had no reason to NOT play the third. However they had several reasons to take it easy in keeping the bigger picture in mind for the playoffs. The Sens have over exurted them selves, both psychologicfally and emotionally, and now they risk loosing their game tonight. Odds are Buffalo will burry them and we’ll have even a greater lead. And finally, most importantly, once again circumstances somewhat screwed with our logic (and a sound logic at that) however the HABS, once more, found a way to win as they have through out the wholes season.

Net net, we’re #1, we’re three wins away from clinching a relatively easy first round against Boston or Philly, and we’ve got that asterisk next to our clubs name.

With the game analysis out of the way, let me thank you all, the Mn execs who ensured all activities ran promptly and smoothly, and the readers who kept this place one of the most active locations in the Montreal Canadiens official fan forum.

This year we have brought this thread to an unanticipated level. The fact that we were awarded our own sub-forum speaks volumes of this topic’s, and this group’s value and contribution to this online community of hard-core HABS fans. It was good to see old faces return, and new ones join in on the fun. I can honestly say that this sub-forum has been a regular part of my daily life, and I look forward to doing it all over again next year, although it may be in a different capacity.

For now we have the MN party to look forward to (metaus reserve the tables in the blond’s section), a playoff series that looks promising for our boys, and the first official MN-Playoffs ever (with 16 player tree and trophy and everything), and five more games of fun and games.

Given the on-going activities, I will keep the sub-forum open. However I will slowly begin to shut down threads as their time-line runs out. I will no longer be updating NL standings, however mateus will keep us all informed about the playoff picture via the NO-GO table. The Prediction game goes on till the end of the year (as per a suggestion long ago by CH) and I’ll leave the jeopardy open till the regular season ends.

Voila mes amis. Je vous remercie pour toutes vos efforts cet annees, et je suis sur qu’on accomplirait encore plus l’annee prochaine.

JUNIOR'S ANALYSIS

Since I’m at home today taking care of the fruit of my loins, I figured it would be a kind and peace offering gesture to let HLD Junior have a go at today’s analysis. In return for this kind offering, I’m hoping he will be enticed to keep in his #2 until mommy gets home, because it’s too cold outside to let him roam diaper free. So here’s what offspring wants to say:

Fgddfvbggbvghjkjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk….,,.,,.,,,.,.l.,,..,,l,l,,ll,kl,l,l,l,l,l

OK it may not seem like much, but there is a built in code. Once I crack it I’ll get back to you ;) I an however fairly certain the last part means Oleeee Olee Oleee Oleeeeeeeeeeeee GO HABS GO!

MN DOWN TO 2

Well it was almost a clan sweep, but a sweep none the less. The best thing we can hope for now is to face the emotionally shattered Bruins in the playoffs for an “easy” first round match-up.

The home and home series proved to be fruitful, at a cost. We further expanded our lead over the Sens to 1.5 NL, and we’re within 0.5 (1NL with tie breaking) from first in the conference. A win Monday night would not only clinch a playoff birth for our boys, but would be a huge emotional victory over the cursed Sens. It would further increase our lead to 2.5 NL and we would be that much closer to MN DIVISION, which is the number two priority for us after MN PLAYOFFS.

The cost for all of this was Mike Komisarek, He’s out for three weeks and it doesn’t take a genius (especially after last night’s performance on D) to figure out how much of an impact this will have on us. The up side to all this is that some of our younger guys will have more responsibility to deal with and a chance to mature and develop prior to the playoffs. Unless I recall, a certain Mike Komisarek went through a similar process and never left the first line. This injury could potentially yield dividends in the long run, however in the short term I hope Mike comes back asap, but not before he is 100%, because I anticipate we will need him into the second and third rounds of the playoffs. Anyone else think Pens vs HABS is a possibility for the Conference final?

MN DOWN TO 6

The Magic Number is down to six points after another win against the Bruins last night. More importantly however, we still have the upper hand against the Sens. I would sleep much better at night however if we had a minimum of 4.5 NL points lead against.

Carey Price was simply spectacular last night. He was sharp, focused, fast and well p[laced. His puck handling had one or two scary moments, but all in all it helped our transition game immensely. This is where Price excels against Halak (and why his joib is not in trouble) because if Price doesn’t have his puck working abilities behind the net, last night’s game against the hard checking, hard hitting and hard skating Bruins would have been no different from our game against St. Louis.

The Alex Kovalev show hosted another spectacular set of reels last night, and I believe that second goal will be on the top ten goals of the year in the NHL. It appears when Tomas is facing Kovalev the puck seems like the size of a raisin.

I am eagerly waiting to hear what Komisarek’s situation is. “Lower body injuries” are usually long ones if the player can’t even finish the game with some patch work. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

It was nice to see Andrei Kostitsyn get more ice time on the point during the power play. It’s times like this I wonder if Carbo and myself are twins separated at birth, or whether he comes on here to read my posts. Either way its good to know that hockey sense prevails both in the HABS locker room and in here.

The Booins (being the dirty bastards they are against us) had their goons on the ice (once more) to end the game and “set-the tone” for the next game. The only thing they set was their grave, and this was in part thanks to the referees. They really did us a favour last night for once. Now don’t freak out…I did see the missed call on Tomas against Maxim Lapierre (similar move that cost Ray Emery a three game suspension) and how that resulted in a rush, and another missed call on goaltender interference against the Bruins, which incidentally lead to a goal. This incident worked in a favour in the long run. We were up 4-1, and another power play would have meant nothing. Getting scored on towards the end, getting cheated out of a power play, and having the reffs blatantly ignore calls to help the “underdog” in their eternal efforts for parity in the league is exactly the type of motivation this team needs to stay away from over confidence. If we had won that game 5-1, we would have approached the Saturday game at home against a team who are 0-7 against us, expecting the two points to fall on our laps. Those last few minutes and events however should (hopefully) light enough of a fire to keep the team focused, working, skating and hungry for the win.

Now I must go eat. I’m on a long weekend, so eggs, bacon, pancakes, beans, crepes, potatoes and ham all covered in maple syrup for me. Tis the weekend for all the luxuries in life!

IS THE HYBERNATION OVER

I sure hope the Bruins don’t pick this weekend to break the curse/trend/record/whatever you wan to call it. To say we’ve owned them this year would be an understatement. We had two of our best games and highest goal differentials against them this year, short of a few minutes here and there the Bruins never seemed to be anywhere at our calibre when both teams were on the ice. However to assume trend will continue indefinitely would be a fallacy.

All I can hope for from where I’m sitting is that we can finish the year against them with a clean winning record. Ottawa is playing a very beatable St-Louis team, so we have to do our part and win tonight to keep pace with them. In the meanwhile I’m sure I won’t be the only one praying to everything from the holy Sponge Bob to my kitchen wash cloth that the St Louis Blues come out with the same high beat, hard checking and hard hitting game plan against the Sens as on Tuesday, and keep the Sens at 87 points.

Et voila! Off I go to try and frantically close off some files and complete mandates before the long weekend.

AT LEAST…

Yes we lost against one of the worse teams in the NHL, but here is my list of at least that makes everything better:

At least…:

• …the team did rally back in the third. We could have very well just given up after the huge momentum shift when the second goal was let in, which in turn lead to a third goal. We could very well have lost this 4/5 to 1.
• …Kostitsyn had another superb game, further improving his confidence and his comfort level in the NHL. This mental development will help him come playoff time, and in turn will help the team.
• …we picked up one point. It may not seem as much at first, but when one considers that in the case of a tie in points with the Senators, we would loose due to less wins. Therefore this single point sets us apart at odd numbers from them. Assuming they win their game in hand, we are ahead of them. From here on end as long as we match their record, we finish atop the Division and therefore have good chances at facing one of our preferred opponents in the post-season.

saved the best for last

• …we had plenty to laugh and be amused about. Despite missing out on a point, which on paper should have been ours, I have been chuckling and giggling all night and morning and it’s not just because of [i]she who must be obeyed’s[[/i] up close attention to your humble narrator. Thanks to another solid outing by Toskalacantstopapuck, we have plenty to entertain our selves over. In case you didn’t see the highlights during the game, or didn’t catch Sports Center, here is a short handed goal that will make the “Top Ten Worse Gaols Let In of All Times” highlight reels as long as the game exists.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lJStGMYi6hM

SINGLE DIGITS AND COUNTING

Good morning select few. What a wonderful day for our season this year. MN is into the single digits and counting. We have a chance to re-claim officially the top seat in the Division by 6:00 pm this afternoon, and Tuesday night looks fruitful for another two points.

All the celebration aside, I didn’t feel that the HABS played their best game last night. There is room for improvement and I certainly they don’t hold anything back against the Blues on our next game. The most encouraging point from last night was of course Jaroslav Halak. He looked as sharp as when he helped us get back into the playoffs during the final stretch last year. The way Price has been developing, and the way Halak performs when given the chance, I don’t think the self loving loud mouth NHL connoisseurs at TSN and ESPN have given this duo enough credit.

I’ll leave the discussion this far, and tomorrow I would like to talk about our Power Play and Mark Streit. For now, let us get ready for this afternoons games and hopefully Philly, Boston and Carolina can help us out by keeping the teams we want to play in the picture and the odds of facing them in our favour. If we’re first or second in the division today, we’re facing Boston or Philly, and that’s just fine by me ;)

A NO BRAINER

At This point in the season, with ten games left, playoff mode is showing it’s aggressive, intense and focused face across the league. The Montreal Canadiens are no exception. In recent weeks, we won against team we should be winning agains, and gave a good run against teams who, on paper, out muscle us. Tonight should be no exception to this trend given that the team has proven to be more consistent than many would like to believe.

Wanting to bounce back from a sloppy game on Thursday, wanting to give Ottawa a run for their money for first place in the Division, the fact that the Islanders have gone the way Tampa and Florida are all reasons why I would call tonight’s game a lock. No more ifs, maybes, caution, blah blah blah. We’re a team that’s been fighting for first since about two months now, spent our fair share up there, and are focusing on making a solid run in the post season. As such we should, and will be winning games against “low grade” opponents.

So tonight, DiPietro could go on a hot streak and the Islanders are a team with nothing to loose, and players will be trying to earn a roster spot for next year. But a team like ours, at this point in the season, should be able to simple steam roll over an opponent of the like. And if say DiPietro is in a trance, stopping everything coming his way, we should be able to adjust between periods and come up with new strategies to get the puck past him for the win.

I wanted to close up with something worrisome as of late that has grabbed my attention. I have stated over the past weeks that, IMO, being first or second in the Conference won’t make a difference with respect to our odds of being matched up with a “softer” opponent for the off season. Winning the Division should be a priority, because it ensures us first or second in the Conference, which gives us a 3/4 chance of facing a favourable opponent, mainly Buffalo, Boston or Philly, with the Rangers being the team to avoid. Now, we must add Washington to that list, and unfortunately we may have to remove Buffalo by the weeks end if the trend continues. Washington is 0.5 NL behind the Sabres and has been charging as of late. I believe by next weekend, Washington will be the team in ninth, winning on a regular basis, thus slowing down bonus points for us unfortunately.

Then again things can change so quickly. There is only 1 NL that separates 2nd place from sixth, so any combination is possible. Washington is now entering the equation however, and they are definitely a team I would not want to face in the off season (although if I had my chance between them and Ottawa…well…another no brainer)

So off we go tonight, two points should be in the bag and we can look forward to St Patrick’s Day on Sunday. If we win tonight, it’ll be a good excuse to get drunk and celebrate. If we loose, it’ll be a good reason to drown our sorrows away with a pint of Guiness…or two…or twelve. Either way me want Guiness!

THE ART OF POOPING

Cheer up people, it’s just one loss. As long as we can bounce back (as we have been doing lately) after a loss to keep the “streak” at one, we’re OK. We have two opponents who are weaker than Ottawa and New Jersey, so we should just forget about these nuances, move on, get four more points, and keep our fingers crossed that Ottawa hasn’t just launched them selves into a winning streak all the way to the end of the season.

As far as Ottawa’s curse on Montreal, let’s put things into perspective. Ottawa is a powerful team to say the least, with more offensive talent and experience in their top line than we have in our entire roster. They have a veteran team that has been to the playoffs several times, went all the way to the finals last year, and if not for the weak goaltending would be the hands-down Eastern Conference Champions this year.

On the other hand we have a young team, oozing with talent, but not yet developed. I know all of us in the MN believe that the team would make the playoffs. However, before the season began, I don’t think either of us though we would be putting up such a tight fight for the top seat in the East. I recall that my predictions has always been 4-6th place for the HABS, so the fact that we have a team challenging for above and beyond this ambitious goal is proof positive that this team is ahead of it’s time. We’re getting chances today that we would not have expected till next year. The fact that we’re still tied in points for the top seat in the Division is something to rejoice over as it is.

Undoubtedly it would have been overwhelming to take care of the Sens last night and not have to hope for them to drop games to keep us in the running, but once again a little bit of perspective. We had even a tougher time beating the New Jersey Martin Brodeur’s up until mid way this year. We figured them out, and we will figure the Sens out. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

So everybody just take a deep breath, relax, enjoy the St-Patrick’s day weekend. It’s past 8:00am the Friday before the parade, so as far as I’m concerned we can all legitimately get blind drunk and chant those Irish melodies we all think we know, but only have the confidence to mumble along at the top of our lungs awaiting the inevitable “HEY!” at the end preluding the Guiness intake on St Patty’s day weekend. Cheers!

Oh and if you’re still wondering and eagerly waiting on how I will tie in the title to today’s analysis…sorry to disappoint you but I won’t. I just wanted to use the word to put a smile on everyone’s face. Come on…you can’t say poop without snickering! It’s one of those words like Lake Titicaca, and Smegma, Flabbergasted, Platypus and Maple Leafs. You just can’t say it without wanting to giggle.

STILL A LONG WAY TO GO

There is no sense in re-stating how important tonight’s game is. I think we all know as hockey junkies, this is the biggest high we’ve had all year (and it will only get better).

There is however a loooong way to go before the regular season is over. With most teams having no more than ten games left to play in the regular season, not a single team has clinched a playoff spot. The standings are tighter than my junk when I get out of a freezing pool, and the drag race will undoubtedly go until the last day for many teams.

So tonight’s game is important because it’s a race for the Division top seat, because it’s a four point game, because we want to keep pushing for the top seat in the conference, because we want better odds of facing an easier opponent for the playoffs. But most importantly, tonight’s game is important because we need the two points to get closer to making the playoffs. The regular season goes on, and we should not get head of our selves. Objective and goal #1 is always, has been, and should be to make the playoffs.

The Senators will be looking to rectify the discrepancy in the standings as they see it, and we have to let them know that the standings in the Division are here to stay. Let’s keep getting the wins, let’s keep racking the two points, and everything else will fall into place.

PRICE PUSHED BACK

Prove all analysts wrong by not having to fight tooth and nail over 10th spot…check. Insult so called analysts by comfortable making the top eight with enough of a cushion to almost guarantee the playoffs…check. Run em’ all out of town after having claimed top seat in the Conference (in points) for the second time in recent days…..check and check.

A well message sent out to the Conference by our Habbies once more. As far as I’m concerned however it’s a message of “WE’RE HERE TO STAY” part 1 of 3. Stay tuned to RDS on Thursday for part two.

There are just two things I wanted to highlight about the game last night:

1) HAH! Take that Brodeur….YOU got shut out his time :p


2) Price was more than impressive turning away almost 40 shots. But the key point in his performance was when he proved HTL and my self right by showing the NHL that he learnt his lesson in San Jose. I saw him push, jab and slash any Devil that ventured in that little blue zone. He finally understood that the ref who won’t call the goaltender interference for a hair brain crashing the crease, will not call the goalie for roughing for protecting that very crease. With performances like this, I feel much more confident about our chances in the playoffs. Second round almost seems like a given when I see the team play like that.

THE FRAGILITY OF THE MATTER

I still stand by my comments yesterday that our fate, our home ice advantage in the post season, and our opponent for the first round (at least the odds of a good opponent) are in our hands. Being in second in the NL standings, it is mathematical proof that if we go par with the teams chasing us for the next few weeks, we’re at worse in second place.

However I cannot stress enough how fragile and delicate the standings are. I don’t think we’re in any danger of missing the playoffs. Statistically, the melt down on our part and the series of unfortunate events that would have to ensue is more than unlikely. However, the alarm bells go off when I realise we’re only one NL from dropping to sixth, and one and a half from dropping to seventh.

What does this mean in real terms? Right now we’re all amped up about being in the top of the Division, and potentially at the top of the Conference by the end of the night. Here’s a reality check: Both Ottawa and New Jersey have had our numbers this year, and anyone who thinks we have the odds in our favour to win against both should re-think Marty Brodeur’s level of play with one month left prior to the post season. Furthermore, let us re-think some of the Ottawa games this year…mainly the two blow-outs. The Sens have their top line healthy and intact, and even though they’re going through some rough times all it will take to get them going would be a good game as a result of solid motivation….motivation like you play the most glamorous and successful franchise of hockey history.

With that said, anyone who thinks all is lost and we haven’t got a decent chance to win both is also dead wrong. To them I ask: “Have you been watching the HABS lately?”. Price is more mature than ever, the offense is more potent than ever, and we’re defensively sounder than ever. OK so we haven’t played our best hockey in 2/4 games this road trip, but as long as the team is well rested (this is a question mark) we can shut anyone down.

The bottom line is this week will be HUGE. Worse case scenario is we drop both games, and we find our selves in seventh all of a sudden. Best case scenario is we win both, claim first in the Conference (until New Jersey plays their game in hand) and further cushion our grip for the top seat in the Division (which is our most important priority right now).

We cannot let one loss turn into a three game loosing streak. We MUST end the streak at one with a strong win tonight to re-assure the locker room, coaching staff, administration and the fans that this team will not melt in the final weeks of the regular season and fight for a bottom feeder position to get into the post-season. This week is extremely important, and it all begins tonight. Let’s get those oh so precious (cue smiegel) points tonight.

THE CHICOUTIMI POUTINE WERE BACK!

OK we can complain about the discrepancy in arbitrage in last night’s game, but it won’t hide the fact that we simply did not play a good game tomorrow. This is more than expected for a team who has been crushed, beat, bruised, charged, and creamed four times in seven nights. Fatigue kicked in, we were behind the play, we were hooking (oh yes we were and the refs were really easy on us in the third…we could have had half a dozen more calls against us). I would have like to face the Stanley Cup champions on a night where the team is well rested and could offer a better show.

So let us take a step back from this particular loss and check out our success over the road trip. Our goaltenders (both of them) showed abilities to come back, step in cold and makes saves, and maturity. Price’s performances following the mental breakdown in San Jose showed a level of maturity in this 21 year old that most men (don’t deny it) won’t develop over their life span. Halak proved that he is a very capable number two goaltender, and the team can count on him to make the big saves when it counts. I feel more confident now about our toddler goaltending duo than I have ever before, and I already felt great about them before.

In terms of the standings, we come out of the road trip in second place, one behind our next opponents, and two ahead of our closes Divisional rivals. We have control of the situation. If we keep winning, it puts pressure on the teams chasing us (mainly Ottawa and Boston) to try and make a move up the standings. Unless I’m mistaken, we had begun the road trip only one up on the Sens, which means we are a +1 through this week against out #1 rivals. Passing the Devils in the standings (in points) would mean nothing if we’re not ahead of Ottawa, sicne it would drop us down to a race for fourth through eight. We must remain focused at the task at hand, get back on the score board and earn some points on Tuesday, and focus on obtaining the same amount of, or more points than the Sens on a weekly basis.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

As far his hung over guy is concerned, the HABS have already accomplished their goal for this road-trip, even before they face the Stanley Cup champions. We’re going to leave this road-trip, regardless of tonight’s outcome, with more points in the bank than Ottawa. As such we remain atop our Division, and thus are matched up against a preferred team should the playoffs start right now.

So the way I see tonight’s game is like an game gone in to over time against a Western Conference team. You already have a point in the bank, and you don’t care if the out of division gets the extra point (doesn’t affect your standings). So all you’re playing for is that extra, second point. You play all out, no defensive none-sense. Just go for it.

In a similar fashion the HABS have nothing to loose tonight. Win or loose we’re at the top of the Division, we’re tired, Anaheim is well rested and hungry, Anaheim is the cup defending team, and we’re on the road as the visiting team. All the pressure is on Anaheim to win, so we can go out there and have a good, fun game.

What would it mean if we did win? A larger cushion against Ottawa, pressure on New Jersey to reply with a win of their own if they want to remain #1 in the Conference, and further confirmation that the current HABS team is no joke. Anaheim is the Stanley Cup champions, and beating them in their own house would not only prove a lot to the team, but would send a shock wave across the league about the potential in the off season of this team.

Here’s hoping for two more points for the good guys. Now off I go shovel more snow.

5 REASONS WHY WE NEED TO WIN TONIGHT

This afteroon's game is important to my self on so many levels.

1) MN could take a dropp by another two points (or more). With just over a dozen MN points remainning, the zero party seems to be closer than we realise. (Mateus...where is our party man?!)

2) Two more points in the bag would help us in our bid for the top seat in the conference

3) A win tonight would ensure that regardless of Ottawa's game today or our outcome tomorrow night, we would leave the Western time zone having outplayed the Sens.

4) A win tonight would give us a much needed boost prior to tomorrow's game which could potentially be the MOST difficult game of the season thus far.

5) Most importantly it gives me bragging rights. [i]She who must be obeyed's[/i] cousins fiance is a Kings fan living in Montreal (go figure). He is however as involved a fan as I am both in his team and the NHL. I am dragged into all sorts of events, meeting, dinners and gatherings with extended family through out the year, and needless to say I would rather be chased around for the Bell center with a cattle prod for hours on end then attend, but such is life. My only saving grace is that get to chat up some hockey with the other gentlemen who have been dragged into this torturous social circle.


Since we only face the Kings once a century, tonight's win or loss would give either of us the ultimate trump card in any disagreement regarding the HABS, the Kings, the NHL, hockey in general, life lessons and any other topic one can get into a debate over:

"Mine is bigger"
"No it's not"
"Yes it is!"
"No it's not...you're crazy. Mine is bigger"
"No it's not! Look let's put them side by side and measure"
"Mine is bigger see"
"Fine...you grew the larger pumpkin for this year's county fare contest, but the HABS beat the Kings....your team stinks worse than the LEAS! Ha ha!"
"You can be so hurtful sometimes...you didn't have to go there"
"Yes I did cause we're better"
"I'm getting a caramel apple"
"Uuuu I'll come too, I want a corn dog"
"Fine"
"Hey did you check out the house of horror chick?! I wouldn't mind getting on that ride!"
"Those house of horror rides are so cheezy"
"....Man you can be thick sometimes. Kind of like your team...Remember when HABS beat them?"


You guys see what I mean? :D

THAT’S THE WAY TO BOUNCE BACK!

A thousand apologies for being delayed on my update today, however the NHL is to blame (or was it the government?!). Having kept up a father of one an a quarter well past his bed-time during the week, whilst being kept awake at work with work to be done has been nothing short of unbearable this week. However the outcome is positive and the HABS gave me the pick-me up I needed last night.

I’m not going to cheapen being at the top of our Division by slogans and catch phrases so I’ll keep this short. Carey Price bounced back to prove to the fans, the organisation, his coach, his team-mates and most importantly him self that he is able to perform as a #1 goaltender should. Everyone has bad games, but not everyone can bounce back like that. His performance in last night’s game (with some minor weak moments) will come in very valuable during the next few weeks.

Furthermore it was good to see everyone doing their job. The top line contributed, the second line contributed, and the team worked well on the power play when it counted. Of course that first period was hard to watch and it looked like the 1988 Oilers playing the Chicoutimi Poutines, but the important thing is the goalie kept us in the game, and our offense (mainly power play) returned the favour in the third. We got the two points, and now we have a two point cushion on Ottawa. With a win on Saturday we can ensure coming out of this road trip with more points than Ottawa, which IMO is our priority.

GOTTA KEEP PACE WITH OTTAWA

At this point in time I’m more concerned with remaining in the top seat of our Division than fighting for the Conference. If we finish in the top seat of our Division, we’re guaranteed to finish in 1st or 2nd, and so our probable opponents would be Buffalo, Boston, Philly or New York. ¾ teams would be a great opponent for the first round, offering ample opportunity to advance. Whether we finish in first or second in the Conference, the odds of facing one of the three opponents will be 75%, so other than bragging rights (as of today) I see no benefit in worrying about the race for the Conference top seat.

With that said, our current and primary concerns are the Ottawa Senators. They’re one of these teams that can loose to a low tier team, but when it comes to playing the HABS they find this extra motivation from god know where, and pummel us to no end. With two more games left to face them between now and the end of the year, splitting the two would be a favourable outcome given our recent history with them.

In the meanwhile, we should try and cushion the slim (now none existent) lead between our selves and Ottawa who have the same amount of points, but we have a game in hand. The Sens are going through a similar road trip as our selves, and they have obtained ¼ points thus far. Our swing is going to breach it’s mid-point tonight, and we have a chance to pick up 2/4 and put a two point spread between our selves and that team who plays for the bastards who tax us.

The next few weeks can unfold any combination of events, including the exclusion of the HABS from the playoffs. Although unlikely, I don’t see anyone clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference until late in the month, so each game and each point has an unimaginable worth. Tonight is a good night to pot two with the majority of Eastern teams going through ruts, and to cut our loosing streak at 1 before it gets worrisome. Furthermore tonight gives Carey Price o respond to the vote of confidence. Last time the coaching staff and management gave him a pat on the back he went on a 3-0 tear with superb stats. Here’s hoping he can out do that streak this time around.

WHY PRICE SHOULD START TOMORROW NIGHT

If coach Carbs had a plan to start Halak in nets tomorrow night against Phoenix prior to starting the week, he now has reason to change that schedule and start Price instead. My rational for this of course are the same as my agreement with the management’s vote of confidence in the youth movement, and mainly Carey Price.

At 20 years old, I can hardly blame young Carey for loosing his cool against the Sharks following dismal reffing, however this doesn’t excuse him from the fact that he did let his emotions get the better of him. One of his greatest assets thus far has been his cool and mature demeanour that has earned him the nick name “Priceberg” or my noun for our phenom goaltender “Cucumber boy”…as in cool as a…

This will of course be a learning experience for Carey and he will only come back stronger. If you doubt that, you need not look any further than his escapade with Brent Sutter at the World Juniors. My concern however is the coaching staff messages.

Prior to the trade deadline the message was clear: “Who ever wins plays”. This was a sound strategy for the short term with two goaltenders able to do the job. However, wisely or not, this message was changed to: “Price is our #1 guy…rain or shine”. This new philosophy gives Carey Price the vote of confidence he needs to get to the next level. However it is being put to the test for the first time now.

The team scored 4 goals on the road and lost. The goaltender could have done a better job, and no one is arguing that. Price had a bad game…period. Now if Carbonneau comes back with Price, it gives Carey the pat on the back he needs. That tells him to get back on the horse and get going cause this team is his to lead. But if he comes in with Halak, than all of a sudden Carey is back to where he was three weeks ago: Nervous to make a mistake at the ultimate cost of not starting the next game. This kind of pressure for a goaltender in his age group and situation is not constructive. Such a pattern could be a motivational tool for a veteran who has lost the edge, but is a destructive process of thought for the goaltender who will win the next Stanley Cup for the HABS (yup…I’m going on the record to say it ;)).

I haven’t read anything on the subject, and I don’t know if a decision has been made or announced yet, but the worse thing Carbonneau could do tomorrow night is start Halak. Saturday seems like a better time to get Halak some ice time, and re-test Price against a crease crashing team like Anaheim.

NOTCH ONE MORE FEATHER ON THE CAP

It was gut-check time and a test of character for Mr. Price last night and a hefts test of character. Unfortunately the outcome was adverse, but hopefully he will take it as a learning experience and put it in his bag of tricks.

An unlucky goal, a goal which should not have been counted because of a blatantly missed goaltender interference call (not referring to Smokes here, but the third goal) and two other missed goaltender interference goals before the mid way point of the game was enough to throw our young net-minder off his game. We should give credit where credit is due. The Sharks had a clear game plan to disrupt Price’s tempo, and Price fallowed suit. Things could have been different if the refs would have called a fair game, but that also is something the players have to learn to deal with.

The unfortunate truth is rarely will these young jocs play a consistently fair game. The donkey droppings in zebra shirts change moods, tolerance levels and peripheral vision angles from minute to minute. Further more, each poop sack has a different way of judging the game, and interpreting the rules. Oh and in case you’re wondering, I can insult the NHL officiating team and get away with it because I’m not an established or professional journalist. So as Red Fisher has to refrain him self at “questionable call”, I can sit here and write a hundred things that supersede the officiating team in the order of life. Given limited space and time, I’ll limit the list to a random ten (these are in no particular order):

• A bucket of slime eel (if you don’t know what it looks like: http://assets.espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/fishing/i/p2-fish05.jpg )
• An elephant’s toe jam
• Michael Moore’s underpants after all you can eat burrito night at the Clinton’s residence
• Jerry’s remains
• That diaper full of HLD junior’s droppings I chucked at a passer by biker.
• A pack of gum
• A decomposed maggot
• A toothpick
• The sticky stuff Zorro the Beagle leaves behind after he has a round with on of our guest’s leg
• Rubber puke

The list can go on, but alas I must get back to work and catch up on my sleep I missed out last night. In the meanwhile if you would like to continue adding to the above list please feel free. I find it rather therapeutic.

I BLAME THE GOVERNMENT!

Many apologies my fellow MNers. I have just stepped in to the office in a franctic rush to get ready for a meeting in 15 minutes. The powers at bee have decided to change the bus route on me to start this prosperous month of March.

As such I have to get going on non-hockey related matters (what a drag!) and I will have to leave the MN numbers update to my Number 2 or better yet chocolate (PS choc…can you re-send the spreadsheet you e-mailed last week please?)

What can I say about tonight that you all don’t know already? It is the beginning of a defining moment in the end of our season. Not only because it will determine in the short run whether we remain in first place, but also because having to face the tough, fast and hard hitting teams of the West will give us a good idea of how deep into the post-season we can make it. It will be a test and gauge of our young team’s character, who thus far in the season has performed beyond expectations.

Onwards and downwards with the MN.

HERE IS THE UPDATE YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR

It is with great honour, and distinct pleasure that I present you with this update you’ve all ben waiting for, not only over night, but since over a decade. HABS are at the top of the pecking order, and it the playoffs start today we have home advantage and we play the Flyers (whom we’ve more or less dominated).

It was quite the spectacle last night, watching the goaltending dual. One of Price’s qualities that we have all loved and admired, and which incidentally was a big part of the win on Friday and last night is his puck handling skills. By stepping out behind the net, intercepting the dump, and making a play for a quick and devastating transition play leaving 2-3 players deep in our zone while our offensive line is charging through the neutral zone is not only a good way to keep the puck out of our zone and frustrate the opposing team to no degree, but it also allows for more than a few odd man rushes in our favour.

On the other side of the ice of course Mr Brodeur, the greatest puck handling goalie of all times had to show his moves right. Not only would he intercept, and make plays, but he cleared the zone during a PK. What could be more valuable to a Penalty Kill unit when your goalie can clear the zone while you keep the warm bodies from converging towards the back of the net? Well ask that to our boys, because cucumber boy (as in cool as a) was so calm in his demeanour once more, that he wouldn’t be intimidated by the infamous Brodeur. No…Price, in turn, returned the favour when we were killing a penalty and dumped the puck out of our zone. And unless I’m mistaken, with Price’s intervention, our PK last night was better than it has been in recent times.

But it was not all Price. The team, although not very lucky with bouncing pucks, played a solid, safe game, speedy and hard along the boards, and didn’t give too many odd man rushes. We were defensively sound and offensively had many chances. Our transition game was superb and EVERYONE did their job. The moment I’m going to remember the most from the game that got us to the top seat (other than Price emulating one of his idol goaltenders on the PK) is the final shift (or second to last rather) of Smokes and Mad Max. Those 30-40 second they won in the offensive zone was key, and was a reflection of how well this team is playing, not in style or strategy, but as a team. When players accept their roles and thrive to do it to the best of their abilities, things always seem to work out.

If we keep doing this till the end of the season, there is no reason we can’t finish where we are. Especially when your goaltender is 3-0 with a 1.33 GGA and a .956 save percentage since his first defining moment in the NHL. Who could have foreseen that such a blatant vote of confidence on the part of the management and the coaching staff could have catapulted Price into his “zone”? :rolleyes:

So for today enjoy the moment, we’re officially #1 both in NL and in points. Tomorrow I’ll bring you all back down to earth and remind you how fragile the standings are, not that you haven’t noticed one NL brings us to a tie and as far down as seventh.

The battle is far from over, but today and tomorrow, the fact of the mater is WE’RE NUMBER ONE!!!!!!

PS HTL please let us know if there are any HABS fans in the TML fan forums bringing to light that we’re on top and they’re fighting to stay out of last. That should make for some lame excuses and humorous posts I’m sure.