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!