Notes on the third:
-Powerplay's really dead without Markov. I was hoping it wouldn't be so bad...but yeah...it is.
-Honestly, I don't know what's the point of Laraque. Wouldn't Gainey have been so much better off buying a real defenceman instead?
-Watching the Habs try to get out of their own zone in that period was like watching a prisoner try to escape from Alcatraz.
-Screw Centennial Bricks: I'd pay $200 bucks toward a set of hands for Kostopoulos.
-Again, WHY is a team that's out of the playoffs and has nothing to gain from winning this game except a lower draft pick trying SO hard to beat the Habs? I hate these guys. May Heatley get a painful boil.
-One thing I'm curious about: Why is it the Habs so seldom hurt anyone? We see the Bs, leafs and even the lousy Lightning knock our guys out for months. But everyone goes home safe and sound from Habs games.
-I hate this season.
Notes on the second:
-It's a good thing Halak's a reflex goalie, with some of the rebounds he gives up. But...whatever works.
-Funniest moment of the period: Laraque on the faceoff asking Neil to go, and Neil replying "HELL, no!"
-O'Byrne's not this stupid in real life. If he were, he'd be wearing a helmet playing X-Box as well as hockey.
-I have a copy of Larry Robinson's "Robinson On Defence" instructional manual. I'd forfeit it to Komisarek, if I thought he'd read it.
-Okay, I cave. Kovalev is awesome and should be re-signed next year. BUT the caveat to that is that he shouldn't be expected to be the best guy on the ice for 82 games.
-The Habs are playing hard...but can someone tell me WHY the Sens are fighting so hard to win this one? It's not like it matters or anything. Add Ottawa to my growing pile of teams to hate. If they hurt a Hab before this is over, I'll seriously consider using my income-tax refund to hire Mike Danton's "guy."
-HAMMER! Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na...Hammer Time! Thank God the former first overall pick, drafted for his offensive accumen, has decided to go back to his roots.
-Okay, Gainey, over to you...but DON'T let them play kitty-bar-the-door, or you'll end up with cat scratch fever.
Notes on the first:
-Just to get this out of my system, I hope Mikhail Grabovski is haunted by the most bloodthirsty ghouls known to the Belarussian witch-women. I hope his face erupts in itching, bloody sores and while scratching them, he scratches out his own eyes. I hope he ends up begging on the streets of Minsk and turns tricks for broken-down ex-mobsters to buy hemorrhoid cream and feed his raging crack addiction.
-Seriously, can the Centennial be any MORE cursed? And I say this as a fairly superstitious hockey fan. But I no longer have any fear of the hockey gods. What else can they do to us?
-I was hoping the Habs would come out defiantly after the news about Markov and Schneider. I was hoping they'd say, "Yeah? In your face, hockey gods!" So far, it's not been too bad.
-I love how Timmins drafted tons of D two years ago, but boy, do I wish they were ready for tonight. Father Time's a real bastard, isn't he?
-Halak's got to be careful handling the puck. A miscue cost him a goal last game, and with the PP not likely to be providing three a night, every goal against is going to be painful. Love how he's stopping it though.
-I wish the NHL was like senior hockey, and a playoff team could pick up a couple of players from the eliminated teams. Now THAT would be fun. Imagine if Florida misses and the Habs could pick up J-Bo for the Cup run?
-Hey! Gainey's wearing his Easter suit. Very nice.
-WAH! The PP sucks without Markov. What a shock. It's like going from filet mignon to hamburger helper.
-Laraque on the PP was very Carbonish.
-Just once, I'd like to see a penalty shot go to a Hab with an actual chance of scoring on a breakaway. Seriously...TK, Higgins and Lats? Not only do the hockey gods hate us, they toy with us.
-Overall, the D in that period wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. But the O isn't there either. Here's hoping if this ends up 2-1, it's 2 for us.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Candlelight and Wine
Al Strachan (yeah, I know it's Strachan, but bear with me...) said on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday that Bob Gainey has had Carey Price over for dinner a couple of times since he's taken over as coach of the team. I heard this is what happened:
The Scene: An expensive condo in downtown Montreal
Doorbell: Bells chime out "I wanna rock and roll all night, and party every day..."
Gainey opens door.
Carey Price: Hey, Bob. Great doorbell.
Bob Gainey: Just trying to make you feel at home, my friend. I'm down with the scene, you know what I mean?
CP: Yeah...okay...Hey, thanks for the invitation. Me and Gorgie and Higgy were going to head out to Buona, but this is a nice treat.
BG: Well, come on in. Dinner will be ready soon.
CP: This is a really nice place you've got here, Bob. Although I expected it to be, I don't know, bigger?
BG: Well, it serves me well enough.
CP: Hey, where's all your hockey stuff? You must have tons of cool trophies around here. All we ever hear about is how many Cups you've won and how you're a Hall of Famer and shit...uh...I mean stuff.
BG: It's around somewhere. Takes up a lot of space, so most of it's in storage. Glass of wine?
CP: Ah, I'm not much for wine. I'll have a Vodka Red Bull though, if you've got it.
BG: (sighs) Sure. Let me take care of that for you. Okay, here you go. Now, take a seat in here, while we wait for dinner.
(They sit across a coffee table and sip their drinks as they consider why they're really in this room together.)
BG: Okay, Carey, you probably figured there's more to this evening than just dinner.
CP: Well...first of all, I want to say, that wasn't me in those pictures. Okay, well, it was, but it was "Holiday Carey." That's not the real me, if you know what I mean. And those rumours you heard...those weren't true at all.
BG: I didn't call you here to talk about the past...wait...what rumours? Is there something you should be telling me?
CP: Ah...no...no...nothing at all. And there's nothing to tell about Lapierre either.
BG: (long pause, clears throat) Yes, well, I want to talk about right now. Whatever's happened in the past, has happened. We want to start over right now.
(Gainey rises and from a cupboard takes a couple of drums and an incense burner)
BG: Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to light this incense, and we're going to drum until all the bad mojo is gone.
(Gainey hands a drum to a dumbfounded Price.)
CP: Jeez, Bob. I didn't know you were into...well, I didn't expect...you're not serious, right?
BG: (fixing Price with a gimlet eye) Dead serious. I'll start. (tap-a-tap-tap-tap-SLAP-tap-a-tap-tap) Come on, kid...your turn.
CP: (looking a little scared) Um...like this? (tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-tap)
BG: No, hit the thing. Drum out all the anger and frustration. Pretend the drum is Jean Perron's head.
CP: (with a little more enthusiasm) You mean like this? (SLAP-SLAP-a-tappity-tap-SLAP-SLAP-SLAP) Hey...this is kind of fun. Can I pretend the drum is Rollie's head? (SLAP-I-SLAP-WON'T-SLAP-GO-SLAP-DOWN-SLAP-ON-SLAP-EVERY-SLAP-SHOT-SLAP. I'M-tappity-tappity-tappity-tap-A-HYBRID-SLAP-GOALIE!! SLAP SLAP SLAP)
BG: There you go, kid. Let it out.
CP: I-SLAP-SLAP-SLAP-DON'T-WANT-TO-SLAP-ANSWER-tappity-tap-THE-SAME-GODDAMN-SLAP-QUESTIONS-SLAP-AFTER-tap-tap-EVERY-FREAKING-SLAP-GAME!
BG: Get angry, Carey. Drum it out.
CP: I'M-tap-NOT-tap-A-tap-BAD-GUY. tap tap I'M-SLAP-NOT-tap-A-tap-LOSER-SLAP-PARTY ANIMAL. (slows his rhythm) Hey, Bob, this incense is making me feel funny. I miss my horse.
BG: Okay, Carey, that's enough drumming for now. Here, let me put on some nice Garth Brooks.
CP: (sniffling) I mean it, Bob. I really miss my horse. And it really makes me sad when I give up five goals a game. I feel like such a let-down, you know?
BG: I know. Do you need a hug?
CP: Yeah, I kind of do.
BG: (pats Price on the back) There, now you're okay. Let's have some dinner.
CP: (wiping eyes) Wow. I feel so much better suddenly. I feel like I could take on the world. Like I could shut out the Bruins.
BG: Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. You'll come back for another session, I mean...dinner...next Thursday. Now...soup or salad?
The Scene: Media scrum around Price's locker after today's practice
Reporter: So, Carey, you've been playing a lot better these days. And we hear you've been having dinner at Bob's house since he took over as coach. We're wondering if those two things are related. What do you guys talk about?
CP: Oh, this and that. Hockey mostly.
Reporter: Hey, is that incense in your locker?
CP: (furtively throwing towel over evidence) No way man. I have no idea what you're talking about. You media guys...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLTfYt59J6M
The Scene: An expensive condo in downtown Montreal
Doorbell: Bells chime out "I wanna rock and roll all night, and party every day..."
Gainey opens door.
Carey Price: Hey, Bob. Great doorbell.
Bob Gainey: Just trying to make you feel at home, my friend. I'm down with the scene, you know what I mean?
CP: Yeah...okay...Hey, thanks for the invitation. Me and Gorgie and Higgy were going to head out to Buona, but this is a nice treat.
BG: Well, come on in. Dinner will be ready soon.
CP: This is a really nice place you've got here, Bob. Although I expected it to be, I don't know, bigger?
BG: Well, it serves me well enough.
CP: Hey, where's all your hockey stuff? You must have tons of cool trophies around here. All we ever hear about is how many Cups you've won and how you're a Hall of Famer and shit...uh...I mean stuff.
BG: It's around somewhere. Takes up a lot of space, so most of it's in storage. Glass of wine?
CP: Ah, I'm not much for wine. I'll have a Vodka Red Bull though, if you've got it.
BG: (sighs) Sure. Let me take care of that for you. Okay, here you go. Now, take a seat in here, while we wait for dinner.
(They sit across a coffee table and sip their drinks as they consider why they're really in this room together.)
BG: Okay, Carey, you probably figured there's more to this evening than just dinner.
CP: Well...first of all, I want to say, that wasn't me in those pictures. Okay, well, it was, but it was "Holiday Carey." That's not the real me, if you know what I mean. And those rumours you heard...those weren't true at all.
BG: I didn't call you here to talk about the past...wait...what rumours? Is there something you should be telling me?
CP: Ah...no...no...nothing at all. And there's nothing to tell about Lapierre either.
BG: (long pause, clears throat) Yes, well, I want to talk about right now. Whatever's happened in the past, has happened. We want to start over right now.
(Gainey rises and from a cupboard takes a couple of drums and an incense burner)
BG: Here's what we're going to do. I'm going to light this incense, and we're going to drum until all the bad mojo is gone.
(Gainey hands a drum to a dumbfounded Price.)
CP: Jeez, Bob. I didn't know you were into...well, I didn't expect...you're not serious, right?
BG: (fixing Price with a gimlet eye) Dead serious. I'll start. (tap-a-tap-tap-tap-SLAP-tap-a-tap-tap) Come on, kid...your turn.
CP: (looking a little scared) Um...like this? (tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-tap)
BG: No, hit the thing. Drum out all the anger and frustration. Pretend the drum is Jean Perron's head.
CP: (with a little more enthusiasm) You mean like this? (SLAP-SLAP-a-tappity-tap-SLAP-SLAP-SLAP) Hey...this is kind of fun. Can I pretend the drum is Rollie's head? (SLAP-I-SLAP-WON'T-SLAP-GO-SLAP-DOWN-SLAP-ON-SLAP-EVERY-SLAP-SHOT-SLAP. I'M-tappity-tappity-tappity-tap-A-HYBRID-SLAP-GOALIE!! SLAP SLAP SLAP)
BG: There you go, kid. Let it out.
CP: I-SLAP-SLAP-SLAP-DON'T-WANT-TO-SLAP-ANSWER-tappity-tap-THE-SAME-GODDAMN-SLAP-QUESTIONS-SLAP-AFTER-tap-tap-EVERY-FREAKING-SLAP-GAME!
BG: Get angry, Carey. Drum it out.
CP: I'M-tap-NOT-tap-A-tap-BAD-GUY. tap tap I'M-SLAP-NOT-tap-A-tap-LOSER-SLAP-PARTY ANIMAL. (slows his rhythm) Hey, Bob, this incense is making me feel funny. I miss my horse.
BG: Okay, Carey, that's enough drumming for now. Here, let me put on some nice Garth Brooks.
CP: (sniffling) I mean it, Bob. I really miss my horse. And it really makes me sad when I give up five goals a game. I feel like such a let-down, you know?
BG: I know. Do you need a hug?
CP: Yeah, I kind of do.
BG: (pats Price on the back) There, now you're okay. Let's have some dinner.
CP: (wiping eyes) Wow. I feel so much better suddenly. I feel like I could take on the world. Like I could shut out the Bruins.
BG: Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. You'll come back for another session, I mean...dinner...next Thursday. Now...soup or salad?
The Scene: Media scrum around Price's locker after today's practice
Reporter: So, Carey, you've been playing a lot better these days. And we hear you've been having dinner at Bob's house since he took over as coach. We're wondering if those two things are related. What do you guys talk about?
CP: Oh, this and that. Hockey mostly.
Reporter: Hey, is that incense in your locker?
CP: (furtively throwing towel over evidence) No way man. I have no idea what you're talking about. You media guys...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLTfYt59J6M
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Too Little Too Late?
Isn't it a thing of beauty to see what Alex Kovalev is capable of doing to a hockey puck? Fifteen points in his last six games is phenomenal, and he doesn't even look winded while he's at it. For the first time in a very long while he gives the impression that something good is going to happen when he has the puck. He's going to the net, his shots are finding their target and he's making the powerplay make people pay for fouling his team. Life is good in Kovy-land.
Then you've got Chris Higgins. After an injury-riddled, desperate season in which he's looked by turns completely lost and completely disinterested in continuing as a Hab, Higgins is experiencing a renaissance as a solid defensive forward who can pot the occasional goal. He looks happier, his point totals are increasing and best of all, he's making an important contribution to the team's overall turnaround.
Mike Komisarek's another one. After nearly an entire season of lousy giveaways, mis-timed hits, positional gaffes and bad puck handling, he's suddenly simplified his game the way he needs to do to be successful. In the last ten games, he's using his body more effectively, and if he's not exactly reaching Markovian standards with his outlet passing, he's at least not icing the puck or handing it to an opponent in the neutral zone quite as frequently as he had been.
While all this is great for the team and for the individual players involved, it's creating quite the dilemma for Bob Gainey. He's been watching these guys all season with an eye toward whether he wants to re-sign them to new contracts, and if so, for how much. Two weeks ago, I bet he planned to let the moody, inconsistent Kovalev go, and offer Higgins and Komisarek lowball take-it-or-leave-it offers. Now he's got to re-evaluate and decide how much two great weeks are worth.
Of course, if their fine play continues and translates into a deep playoff run, all bets are off. Whomever manages to salvage this Centennial and bring glory back to the franchise will be rewarded. But an early exit from the post-season festivities will make Gainey's life a lot harder. No one told him when he signed up to save the Habs that he'd have to play the role of Soloman and the Prophet too. I'm glad he's the one making the decisions. I don't know if I could do it.
Then you've got Chris Higgins. After an injury-riddled, desperate season in which he's looked by turns completely lost and completely disinterested in continuing as a Hab, Higgins is experiencing a renaissance as a solid defensive forward who can pot the occasional goal. He looks happier, his point totals are increasing and best of all, he's making an important contribution to the team's overall turnaround.
Mike Komisarek's another one. After nearly an entire season of lousy giveaways, mis-timed hits, positional gaffes and bad puck handling, he's suddenly simplified his game the way he needs to do to be successful. In the last ten games, he's using his body more effectively, and if he's not exactly reaching Markovian standards with his outlet passing, he's at least not icing the puck or handing it to an opponent in the neutral zone quite as frequently as he had been.
While all this is great for the team and for the individual players involved, it's creating quite the dilemma for Bob Gainey. He's been watching these guys all season with an eye toward whether he wants to re-sign them to new contracts, and if so, for how much. Two weeks ago, I bet he planned to let the moody, inconsistent Kovalev go, and offer Higgins and Komisarek lowball take-it-or-leave-it offers. Now he's got to re-evaluate and decide how much two great weeks are worth.
Of course, if their fine play continues and translates into a deep playoff run, all bets are off. Whomever manages to salvage this Centennial and bring glory back to the franchise will be rewarded. But an early exit from the post-season festivities will make Gainey's life a lot harder. No one told him when he signed up to save the Habs that he'd have to play the role of Soloman and the Prophet too. I'm glad he's the one making the decisions. I don't know if I could do it.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Montreal at Toronto
Notes on the third:
-Brad May's such an ass. The only reason Burke got him is so he could say "leafs," "hockey," and "May" in the same sentence without laughing.
-One thing the Habs are doing as a team that they weren't during the slump: Taking their time and making sure of their play instead of rushing into a giveaway.
-I'd like to apologize to Halak. I was actually thinking "shutout" when the leafs scored. I swear I didn't know the hockey gods could read minds.
-Plekanec has lost some of his PP time to Lapierre. That's step one on Uncle Bob's scale of discipline. Next, it's the naughty chair.
-It's kind of sad how the leafs fans cheered that shorty after Tanguay fanned on it.
-If Grabovski emerges intact from the first game between these teams next year, there is no justice in hockey.
-Please, Lord, let Markov be okay. There will be no chance of playoff success without him.
-As is typical with a leafs/Habs game, I spent the last ten minutes just hoping the good guys could get out of the building without any further damage by these Burke-in-Stocks.
-Great win. The team just took care of business with an eye to the playoffs.
Notes on the second:
-Why does it fill me with horror when Don Cherry roots for the Habs?
-Jim Hughson described Lats' breakaway as "Speed coming at you." The kid's come a loooong way from being Fatendresse.
-The first line makes me happier than a hottie next door with no curtains.
-Gerber's one goal away from Meltdown: The Sequel. Dude's got crazy eyes.
-The team is trying its damnedest to spring Laraque on a breakaway, but I guess 260 pounds doesn't "spring" that easily.
-The duelling fans make the chanting sound like they're saying "Go, Labs, Go." Woof.
-It's petty, but it annoys me when people talk about getting "pucks" to the net. There's one puck. They get THE puck to the net.
-leafs have firepower, so the Habs have to keep some level of intensity in the third. At this point, though, I'm just rooting for Plekanec to score, and for Jaro.
Notes on the first:
-The leafs can't even tank properly. They're eliminated from the playoffs and should be trying their damnedest to move up in the Tavares Sweepstakes. Instead you get Ron Wilson saying their main goal is to ruin the Habs' season. Brilliant. If bitterness was good looks, Wilson would be Mr.Universe.
-Montreal has the Habs and Cirque du Soleil. Toronto has the leafs and Mounties rappelling from the roof of the ACC. That's about right, I think.
-Has Koivu's left eye always squinted more than his right, or is that courtesy of Justin Williams?
-I have a feeling the Lapierre line is going to be the most effective one in the playoffs. I still remember Lapierre two years ago saying "If I have to break my nose to make the playoffs I'll do it." That's what wins the big games. And that second goal was all him.
-It amazes me that the leafs can score so many goals when they try, but they still suck so badly.
-The only way Kovalev should be back in Montreal next year is if Bob Gainey stays as coach. He is Kovalev's Maharishi Yogi.
-Tanguay's passing is a thing of beauty. He could put black thread through the eye of a needle in the dark.
-It's amazing the difference a bit of confidence makes. It's the soul in an otherwise lifeless corpse of a team.
-leafs tag-teaming Laraque. Classy as always. And Big Georges hitting Grabovski? Be still my heart, but I think The Code might be out the window.
-I'm disappointed when the PP doesn't score. When did I quietly get the expectation that it should?
-HOW could this team be as bad as it was on that western road trip?
-Brad May's such an ass. The only reason Burke got him is so he could say "leafs," "hockey," and "May" in the same sentence without laughing.
-One thing the Habs are doing as a team that they weren't during the slump: Taking their time and making sure of their play instead of rushing into a giveaway.
-I'd like to apologize to Halak. I was actually thinking "shutout" when the leafs scored. I swear I didn't know the hockey gods could read minds.
-Plekanec has lost some of his PP time to Lapierre. That's step one on Uncle Bob's scale of discipline. Next, it's the naughty chair.
-It's kind of sad how the leafs fans cheered that shorty after Tanguay fanned on it.
-If Grabovski emerges intact from the first game between these teams next year, there is no justice in hockey.
-Please, Lord, let Markov be okay. There will be no chance of playoff success without him.
-As is typical with a leafs/Habs game, I spent the last ten minutes just hoping the good guys could get out of the building without any further damage by these Burke-in-Stocks.
-Great win. The team just took care of business with an eye to the playoffs.
Notes on the second:
-Why does it fill me with horror when Don Cherry roots for the Habs?
-Jim Hughson described Lats' breakaway as "Speed coming at you." The kid's come a loooong way from being Fatendresse.
-The first line makes me happier than a hottie next door with no curtains.
-Gerber's one goal away from Meltdown: The Sequel. Dude's got crazy eyes.
-The team is trying its damnedest to spring Laraque on a breakaway, but I guess 260 pounds doesn't "spring" that easily.
-The duelling fans make the chanting sound like they're saying "Go, Labs, Go." Woof.
-It's petty, but it annoys me when people talk about getting "pucks" to the net. There's one puck. They get THE puck to the net.
-leafs have firepower, so the Habs have to keep some level of intensity in the third. At this point, though, I'm just rooting for Plekanec to score, and for Jaro.
Notes on the first:
-The leafs can't even tank properly. They're eliminated from the playoffs and should be trying their damnedest to move up in the Tavares Sweepstakes. Instead you get Ron Wilson saying their main goal is to ruin the Habs' season. Brilliant. If bitterness was good looks, Wilson would be Mr.Universe.
-Montreal has the Habs and Cirque du Soleil. Toronto has the leafs and Mounties rappelling from the roof of the ACC. That's about right, I think.
-Has Koivu's left eye always squinted more than his right, or is that courtesy of Justin Williams?
-I have a feeling the Lapierre line is going to be the most effective one in the playoffs. I still remember Lapierre two years ago saying "If I have to break my nose to make the playoffs I'll do it." That's what wins the big games. And that second goal was all him.
-It amazes me that the leafs can score so many goals when they try, but they still suck so badly.
-The only way Kovalev should be back in Montreal next year is if Bob Gainey stays as coach. He is Kovalev's Maharishi Yogi.
-Tanguay's passing is a thing of beauty. He could put black thread through the eye of a needle in the dark.
-It's amazing the difference a bit of confidence makes. It's the soul in an otherwise lifeless corpse of a team.
-leafs tag-teaming Laraque. Classy as always. And Big Georges hitting Grabovski? Be still my heart, but I think The Code might be out the window.
-I'm disappointed when the PP doesn't score. When did I quietly get the expectation that it should?
-HOW could this team be as bad as it was on that western road trip?
So Happy Together
While it's great to see the Canadiens finally getting their collective act together and playing more than just a single period per game with any obvious intention to win it, I have to say the best part about it all is the new first line. And it's not just because they're exciting and fun to watch, or because they're money on the power play. It's because Saku Koivu, finally, has linemates worthy of his talents.
It's been a long, hard road for the little guy. He had the misfortune to be the only first-round Canadiens draft pick in fifteen years who was in any way worthy of hearing his name called in the opening round. After the dismantling of the '93 Cup team and the subsequent emptying of the prospect cupboard, Koivu was the best and most talented player in the Habs' system. As a result, he became captain of the team as it began a long slide into mediocrity from which it's only now beginning to emerge.
We know his history with injuries and illness and his less-than-stellar linemates. But through it all, he kept fighting to be a better player and drag his team to victory. And through it all, he was always the closest thing to a star the Canadiens could claim. Now he's entering the twilight of his career and it's wonderful to see him finally gifted with linemates able to capitalize on his nice plays, and who can set him up with nice plays of their own.
Koivu is smiling in interviews now more than I've seen him do since his first couple of seasons. He's celebrating goals like a rookie and on the ice he's showing the kind of indomitable spirit that leads the way for a team heading into the playoffs. The most telling quote of the season, for me, was the other day after the Thrashers game, when he said "If you miss the playoffs when you're 21 or 22, you think you have fifteen years to get there. I...I want to be there." He said that with fire in his eye and a purpose in his voice.
So, if the first line's newly-discovered brilliance means this man gets a chance to make a splash in the post-season, it's the best gift Bob Gainey could give the captain who's never had a chance to shine, despite his gifts on the ice, through no fault of his own.
It's been a long, hard road for the little guy. He had the misfortune to be the only first-round Canadiens draft pick in fifteen years who was in any way worthy of hearing his name called in the opening round. After the dismantling of the '93 Cup team and the subsequent emptying of the prospect cupboard, Koivu was the best and most talented player in the Habs' system. As a result, he became captain of the team as it began a long slide into mediocrity from which it's only now beginning to emerge.
We know his history with injuries and illness and his less-than-stellar linemates. But through it all, he kept fighting to be a better player and drag his team to victory. And through it all, he was always the closest thing to a star the Canadiens could claim. Now he's entering the twilight of his career and it's wonderful to see him finally gifted with linemates able to capitalize on his nice plays, and who can set him up with nice plays of their own.
Koivu is smiling in interviews now more than I've seen him do since his first couple of seasons. He's celebrating goals like a rookie and on the ice he's showing the kind of indomitable spirit that leads the way for a team heading into the playoffs. The most telling quote of the season, for me, was the other day after the Thrashers game, when he said "If you miss the playoffs when you're 21 or 22, you think you have fifteen years to get there. I...I want to be there." He said that with fire in his eye and a purpose in his voice.
So, if the first line's newly-discovered brilliance means this man gets a chance to make a splash in the post-season, it's the best gift Bob Gainey could give the captain who's never had a chance to shine, despite his gifts on the ice, through no fault of his own.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Arrrggghhh...
I have a new pet peeve today. I've always been convinced TSN is completely anti-Hab, which has been irritating enough. Whenever they want to highlight how great a particular (non-Hab) player is, they show video of him scoring on the Habs, or, in the case of a goaltender, stoning the Habs. It doesn't even matter if the particular illustrative clip is from this season. They've only recently stopped using the infamous Spezza-undresses-Souray clip, and Souray's been gone for two years. I think they only retired that clip because the Sens are sucking and there's not really a good reason to talk about Spezza's greatness.
Video bias aside, they also employ people like Keith Jones, who glories in shouting about how the Habs are such a lock to either not make the playoffs or to be the first out if they do get in. And Michael Landsberg on Off the Record smirks whenever he gets a chance to talk about how badly the Centennial season is going.
Still, I've become immune to most of that stuff. But one thing I can't forgive. Darren Dutchyshen has taken to calling the Canadiens, almost without exception, the "Habbies." It's a bastardized nickname that manages to be mocking and condescending all at once, and I hate it. If the Habs have it in them to finish the season really strongly and make some noise in the playoffs, please Lord let them do it. If only to shut up those idiots at TSN and kill "Habbies" forever.
Video bias aside, they also employ people like Keith Jones, who glories in shouting about how the Habs are such a lock to either not make the playoffs or to be the first out if they do get in. And Michael Landsberg on Off the Record smirks whenever he gets a chance to talk about how badly the Centennial season is going.
Still, I've become immune to most of that stuff. But one thing I can't forgive. Darren Dutchyshen has taken to calling the Canadiens, almost without exception, the "Habbies." It's a bastardized nickname that manages to be mocking and condescending all at once, and I hate it. If the Habs have it in them to finish the season really strongly and make some noise in the playoffs, please Lord let them do it. If only to shut up those idiots at TSN and kill "Habbies" forever.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Montreal vs. Islanders
Notes on the third:
-Dandy's been invisible tonight. Considering that he's filling in on D for Breezer, that qualifies as a fantastic night's work.
-Komisarek's alive! Call off the search!
-Tonight was the only time in my entire life that I was happy Rod Brind'Amour scored. I'll recant if anyone asks me later, though.
-TK on a penalty shot was very entertaining. It's as though when he was given the puck with no opposition, his brain short-circuited.
-I wish the Plekanec line would connect. But I think there's a loose wire there somewhere, and I suspect it's in Andrei Kostitsyn's head.
-Wow. Seventh. The view from here looks nice, but I think the Habs had better push for fourth. Anything to avoid Brodeur in the first round. I know they suck right now, but do you want to bet that would hold true against the Habs? Me neither.
Notes on the second:
-THAT'S better. The only thing that would make me more satisfied right now would be a goal from the CAT line. And some Hagen Daaz.
-Markov is better at the back-door sneak than Oscar Wilde.
-What is it with Habs goalies and the inability to nail down a shutout? This was Halak's best chance for the rest of the year, and he gives up a cotton ball like that.
-I guess Laraque earned the hundred and fifty grand he makes per fight. Now he can chill for a few games.
-Let's play "How many AHLers can beat Komisarek tonight?" I've seen three so far. I'll bet a deuce on seven for the game.
-It's amazing to me that after the darkness the team went through, they can still finish fourth. Wow. Can you imagine how the team would have done this year if it'd had a powerplay for seventy-five percent of it?
-Alex Tanguay has a better career points average than Vincent Lecavalier. I'm just sayin'...
-Just hoping nobody gets hurt in the third. Take the two and get out of town.
Notes on the first:
-If the Centennial season was an ice cream flavour, it'd be Rocky Road. If it was an Eagles song, it'd be Desperado. If it was a mineral, it'd be iron pyrite.
-Completely off topic, but I saw a picture of Carey Price in chaps tonight and realized, since he's Native Canadian, he's both a cowboy and an Indian. I wonder if he had conflicts of identity in his childhood games?
-Not an auspicious start. My TSN coverage lasted until the first Komisarek giveaway, then it was bye-bye Mcguire, hello Houde. From one Pierre to another. Just as well, because RDS is three seconds ahead of the TSN feed, so you get to watch the goals twice if you switch quickly.
-I wonder which Islander will be the next player to score his first NHL goal against the Habs?
-I keep forgetting Dandy's on D tonight, and wondering why he's out there with Kovalev and Tanguay.
-Anyone else think Komisarek's ass should be crazy-glued to the bench next time he plays pokey-check along the boards instead of nailing the guy?
-Give me a P. P! Give me an A. A! Give me a T. T! Give me an H. H! Give me an E. E!...ah never mind. You already know it's pathetic. And it's their play in their own zone...again. Halak's made some nice saves.
-The captain takes a knockin' but he keeps on rockin'. Thankfully someone goes to the net, even if he is the smallest forward on the team.
-Two posts so far. I'm sure the Habs must be leading the lead in that category.
-In a perfect world, Schneider would be only called out for powerplays. What a bomb!
-Watching the guys walking down the tunnel and the TV flunkies throw towels on the guys who are supposed to be interviewed, you can just see them thinking, "Not me, not me..."
-I hope there's more cohesion to this game in the second, because this needs to be a dominant win to keep the confidence going. Barely beating these guys is mentally as good as a loss.
-Dandy's been invisible tonight. Considering that he's filling in on D for Breezer, that qualifies as a fantastic night's work.
-Komisarek's alive! Call off the search!
-Tonight was the only time in my entire life that I was happy Rod Brind'Amour scored. I'll recant if anyone asks me later, though.
-TK on a penalty shot was very entertaining. It's as though when he was given the puck with no opposition, his brain short-circuited.
-I wish the Plekanec line would connect. But I think there's a loose wire there somewhere, and I suspect it's in Andrei Kostitsyn's head.
-Wow. Seventh. The view from here looks nice, but I think the Habs had better push for fourth. Anything to avoid Brodeur in the first round. I know they suck right now, but do you want to bet that would hold true against the Habs? Me neither.
Notes on the second:
-THAT'S better. The only thing that would make me more satisfied right now would be a goal from the CAT line. And some Hagen Daaz.
-Markov is better at the back-door sneak than Oscar Wilde.
-What is it with Habs goalies and the inability to nail down a shutout? This was Halak's best chance for the rest of the year, and he gives up a cotton ball like that.
-I guess Laraque earned the hundred and fifty grand he makes per fight. Now he can chill for a few games.
-Let's play "How many AHLers can beat Komisarek tonight?" I've seen three so far. I'll bet a deuce on seven for the game.
-It's amazing to me that after the darkness the team went through, they can still finish fourth. Wow. Can you imagine how the team would have done this year if it'd had a powerplay for seventy-five percent of it?
-Alex Tanguay has a better career points average than Vincent Lecavalier. I'm just sayin'...
-Just hoping nobody gets hurt in the third. Take the two and get out of town.
Notes on the first:
-If the Centennial season was an ice cream flavour, it'd be Rocky Road. If it was an Eagles song, it'd be Desperado. If it was a mineral, it'd be iron pyrite.
-Completely off topic, but I saw a picture of Carey Price in chaps tonight and realized, since he's Native Canadian, he's both a cowboy and an Indian. I wonder if he had conflicts of identity in his childhood games?
-Not an auspicious start. My TSN coverage lasted until the first Komisarek giveaway, then it was bye-bye Mcguire, hello Houde. From one Pierre to another. Just as well, because RDS is three seconds ahead of the TSN feed, so you get to watch the goals twice if you switch quickly.
-I wonder which Islander will be the next player to score his first NHL goal against the Habs?
-I keep forgetting Dandy's on D tonight, and wondering why he's out there with Kovalev and Tanguay.
-Anyone else think Komisarek's ass should be crazy-glued to the bench next time he plays pokey-check along the boards instead of nailing the guy?
-Give me a P. P! Give me an A. A! Give me a T. T! Give me an H. H! Give me an E. E!...ah never mind. You already know it's pathetic. And it's their play in their own zone...again. Halak's made some nice saves.
-The captain takes a knockin' but he keeps on rockin'. Thankfully someone goes to the net, even if he is the smallest forward on the team.
-Two posts so far. I'm sure the Habs must be leading the lead in that category.
-In a perfect world, Schneider would be only called out for powerplays. What a bomb!
-Watching the guys walking down the tunnel and the TV flunkies throw towels on the guys who are supposed to be interviewed, you can just see them thinking, "Not me, not me..."
-I hope there's more cohesion to this game in the second, because this needs to be a dominant win to keep the confidence going. Barely beating these guys is mentally as good as a loss.
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