Catching up with the Canadiens - The End

Well, last Wednesday was Game 7 of the series. For awhile I thought we were goners...Boston lead 3-0 in the game and I thought they were going to wipe us out. But the Habs came back to tie the game, and Boston gave up their lead. They pushed it into overtime, during which Horton scored the winning goal for Boston. And with that, the hockey season ends for Montreal.

Am I disappointed? Yes and no. Of course I am disappointed to see the season end after only the first round, and along with it our chance at the cup. But on the otherside I am proud of a team which is young (lots of inexperienced rookies) who made it so far. Give this team a few years and I think these rookies of ours could really develop into a special team that may be capable of making a run for the cup!

But that depends on several things. Like if we have the salary cap to KEEP all of our rookies. Like if Gomez is going to continue to under-perform and be over-paid. If Markov is going to recover and play the same. And like what moves will be made in the trade season.

I just hope the coaches make the right choices, and that team continues to work together.

But hockey is not over! There is the rest of playoffs, as well as the NHL awards, the NHL draft and the trade season. Then there is a small lull before training camps start.

Can't wait to see what happens next season! GO HABS GO!

And, with the end of the season ends the "Catching up with the Canadiens" post on Tuesday. As random things happen throughout the summer I will post, but I will not keep it a regular post. I will bring it back in the fall when the pre-season starts! Stay tuned!

Catching up with the Canadiens

OH HOW I LOVE PLAYOFFS! Minus the bandwagon fans that jump on and talk like they know what's been going on with my team the whole season. Especially when their comments are way off and you can tell they have no clue. I know this seems petty. But its infuriating. And it happens. Every. Single. Season. AHHH!

So after the loss last Monday I was desperately hoping for a win in the 2nd game in Montreal, which was played on Thursday. Again, because of work, I missed this game. So I can't really comment on it. But they lost, 5-4.

Saturday we went back to Boston to play game 5, with the series now tied at 2-2. Which seems not so bad you say. But coming from a 2-0 series lead, IT SUCKS. Dropping both games at home was horrible. This game was STRESSFUL. We ended up losing 1-2 in 2nd overtime. Which means we dropped 3 games in a row. Shot after shot on net, and nothing would go in. It was highly frustrating. So many rushes at the net and nothing was resulting in a goal. The game ended in a tie, and then went into 20 minutes of overtime. And it was still tied. So into 2nd overtime we went, in which Boston scored. I'd give you more details but my brain is so fried I can barely remember. All I can say is it was back and forth with the rushes on net, and so many missed chances. That, and the 2 overtimes made this a highly stressful game.

Today we played game 6 in Montreal. It was do or die for my Habs. I missed most of the game because I was teaching some make-up lessons tonight. I did catch about half of the last period, and have taped the rest to watch tomorrow (as I have no time tonight). We ended up winning 2-1, which pushes us to a final game 7 in Boston tomorrow. Which thankfully, I will get to watch. (I am not going to church tomorrow night because tomorrow is my only day to pick out songs for church for next month, haha! Skipping church to do church work!). Back to the topic at hand. YAY, they won! But not yay either. Because from what I saw, even though they won they weren't playing at their best. They weren't controlling the puck, and Boston's offence was out-running them. Heck, they lost Boston get shots on net during a Montreal power play. What does that tell you? Way too many chances by Boston in the last 10 minutes trying to tie it up. Too many that it made me uncomfortable.

If they want to get to the next round tomorrow, they need to tighten up more and play the way they did in the first 2 games or we could be out of playoffs.

That being said, I never give up hope. GO HABS GO!

Catching up with the Canadiens

So, like I said I am going to make this a weekly-Tuesday post.

Its been a very important week this past week in Habs-land, in deciding if we get a playoff spot.

Here's the recap, short and sweet because this week is just crazy and its all I have time for:

Last Tuesday - The Atlanta Thrashers
Habs won 3-1, and broke a 3 game losing streak. The most horrible losing streak EVER. All 3 games were shut-outs. Not one single goal was scored. So when Hamrlik and Darche scored 11 seconds apart, it was a huge relief. To THAT many games without a goal was painful. This game was needed to get the boys back on track. I'd like to put my 2-cents in on the losing streak though....Price is on record to play more games a season than any other Habs goalie, and the kid is tired. It shows. And it doesn't help when the team in front of you isn't doing its part either. Hence the losing streak. Just my opinion. I think they should have played Auld a little more, and given Price a rest.

Wednesday - Carolina Hurricanes
Habs lost, 6-2 :( Skinner was our end, dang kid! Man, this kid is making a splash lately. And I don't like that it was against us. Price let in 4 goals in the 2nd period (was it the 2nd?), and was pulled. Needless to say, IMO it was a defense problem. The constant defense problem. CONSTANT. Carolina had the lead from the beginning and we were just never able to catch them.

Saturday - New Jersey Devils
We won, 3-1! Man, was I worried about another losing streak after Wednesday's game! Maybe the few days rest helped, I don't know. And, we kept them from getting a playoff spot. TAKE THAT! Darche again got 2 goals, (loving this guy lately!). And Subban scored a goal as well. Gionta, our lovely captain, assisted on both the Darche goals.

Tonight - Chicago Blackhawks
We won, 2-1 win in overtime and secured our playoff spot!! Whether the team has enough steam to make it through playoffs is another thing. I think not. But I think a few years from now, with the rookies we have, we could make a strong run for the cup. Cammy scored the first goal, and Subban scored the winner in OT. Price played strong, and broke the record for most games in a season, and has had the most wins in a season since Ken Dryden (who still holds the record at 42 games).

BIG relief that we are in the playoffs! We were pretty secure before, but with all the losses this month I was starting to worry. Although it looks like we will be playing Boston, and I'm not looking forward to that.

Catching up with the Canadiens

I realize its been a couple weeks since I caught up with the Canadiens. There are several reasons for this.

1.) After the Pacioretty hit, I lost a little bit of heart. I just lost my passion a bit, and I found hockey very frustrating to watch. Especially the inconsistent calls and suspensions.

2.) Things have been CRAZY busy. I was catching up with my piano students from when I was sick and then I was pre-catching up for those who are away for March Break this week. And I've been trying to get church songs picked out. Everything just seems to be crazy right now, I can't keep up.

So, I've decided I'll make "Catching up with the Canadiens" a Tuesday post. Its too hard to catch up after every game, especially when I work 2 jobs and when I miss all Thursday and Friday night games (because of said 2nd job).

This week I'll just recap what's happened since my last post.

After the Chara hit on Pacioretty, there was a meeting with all the GM's. A 5-point plan was set up to help control concussions and head shots. Some changes were made to padding...it will be softer so it has more give. Arenas must also have a padded sanction (although the padding is quite firm, and if you hit it at the speed Pacioretty was going it won't make a difference anyways so not sure what the point was there). And harsher penalties were set up for blatant head shots and repeat offenders.
Problems with this: It leaves room for anyone giving a questionable hit to pull the "I didn't mean to card", and get away scot-free. It also means that these people don't get suspended, and will not have a record (like Chara now), and the questionable hit will not be taken into further consideration in any future event(s). Everyone will know that they were responsible for the hit, but it won't be considered because they "have no record". You see the problem? They can't be deemed a repeat offender if they are never initially charged! Crooked system. STILL.

Since the Chara hit, things have been up and down. 6 Losses and 3 Wins. Including a HUGE 7-0 loss to Boston, the first game since meeting them after the hit. It was devastating. I am, however, glad that there were no further injuries.

Pacioretty is on the mend, and docs are saying he could see the playoffs. I'd rather him take the season to heal, and not risk more injury. I want to see him around for the long term, and not just playoffs this year.

Right now, we sit 2nd in the division but Buffalo is right behind us by only 2 points. We are 6th in the conference with NY right behind us, and have not secured a playoff spot with 6 games remaining (including tonight's game).

Up for this week:
Tonight against the Thrashers
Tomorrow against Carolina
Saturday against New Jersey.

Catching up with the Canadiens - A dark day

Last night we played the Bruins. We'll get to the good now: Habs won 4-1. They played a fast, tight game. They looked great. Which is good, because everyone was expecting a physical game based on how the last game went between the two teams. Boston is well known for being a physical team, and the brutes of the NHL and the Habs stepped up their game to out-skate them and out-play them.

And then the bad happened. End of 2nd period. This is what happened, and I warn you its a pretty bad hit:

Chara hit on Pacioretty

Pacioretty was knocked out. And not just for a few seconds, he was knocked out for a good while...several minutes. He lay on the ice motionless and was carried off on a stretcher and taken away by ambulance. The only news by the end of the game was that he was able to move his lower extremities and speak. Which means nothing, only that he is not paralyzed.

There was a 5 minute penalty given to Boston, and Chara was kicked out of the rest of the game with a disciplinary hearing following the next day (today). Big whoop. Everyone knows that Campbell is part of the disciplinary board (whatever you want to call it, whatever the technical title is) and that his son plays for Boston, and therefore Boston is protected. (The NHL is fast getting a record for being a thug league because of politics like this).

The result of the hit on Pacioretty
If you don't want to read it, Pacioretty "suffered a severe concussion and a non-displaced fractured fourth cervical vertebrae in his neck after being hit into a glass partition between the benches by Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara"

The verdict:
Chara gets off with no suspension and no further punishment.

The statement given by the NHL, relealsed by Murphy:

"I conducted a hearing with Boston Bruins' defenseman Zdeno Chara with respect to the major penalty for interference and game misconduct that he was assessed at 19:44 of the second period for a hit on Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.

"After a thorough review of the video I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline. This hit resulted from a play that evolved and then happened very quickly -- with both players skating in the same direction and with Chara attempting to angle his opponent into the boards. I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.

"This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career."

MY OPINOIN:

You can argue whether the hit was with malicious intent or not, we will never really know. You can also argue that Chara had no bad record before this hit But that doesn't matter. What matters is what happened now, in this current moment.

And in that current moment, an illegal hit was performed by Chara when the puck was not in play resulting in a major head injury to another player. That in itself is worth a suspension. How long, who knows? He finished his check, made contact with the players head which was than knocked into the partition. No, he didn't mean to hurt him. But the fact is that he did. It doesn't matter if he meant to.
Many are arguing this point and I argue the same. If a person causes a car accident on the road and injures someone, even though they had a perfect record prior to this accident do they get off? No, they are charged and held responsible.

Many argue that Chara didn't know where he was in relation to the parition. Even some NHL players say you know where you are on the ice at all times, you have to at this level because you need to know where you are. Are you going to seriously tell me that Chara didn't see all his teammates sitting there on the bench and realize he was nearing the partition?

It is also a fact that the NHL is still the only sports league that has lax rules on head injuries, and are already facing extreme precious for more serious consequences regarding these kind of injuries to be set in place. The fact that they haven't is another reason they are being given the label of a "thug" league.

I did some research on the injury, and the cervical vertebrae are right under the skull. The non-displaced means that the bone, although fractured, is still in place. I did some further research on what this could mean and found out that although he can move his limbs now this injury is still serious enough that any disruption in that area could STILL result in a spinal cord injury - paralysis. It will always be unstable, even if he has a complete recovery and comes back to play, every time he steps on the ice he will risk death or brain injury or paralysis if he ever gets another head injury again.

The fact is that Pacioretty is out for the season. His career may very well be over. He is 22 years old, and one of the most promising Rookies on the Habs. Or was.

You decide for yourself if Chara's lack of punishment was right.

I am personally disgusted enough to stop watching the NHL.

I end with extending my wishes and prayers to Patches and his family, that he recovers fully and that there are no further complications.

What a shame that night was. Forever etched in my memory. And not for a good reason.

Catching up with the Canadiens

Well, there is not much to catch up on! I missed a lot of games lately on account of a.) being sick and bedridden, sleeping all the time and b.) The time difference and c.) having a basic cable package that doesn't show all my games. They will show leaf games instead. Unless the Habs are playing a big team, or an original 6 team. It sucks. I watch what I can, when I can. And follow online, obsessively.

The Habs did play last night, against Tampa. I didn't see the game, because I didn't get the game on TV (see reason c). They won 4-2. Which is nice, because our last road trip was horrible. With this win last night we've now increased our winning streak to 4 games. We sit 2nd our division, a game more played and 5 points out of first. At this point we are 6th in the conference. We have a game less played than the Rangers behind us, and a 7 point lead. Which is a good gap, provided the Habs don't have another horrible road trip like the last one.

If you want updates on how last night's game went, you can check out these 2 places:
Habs inside Out
The H Does NOT Stand for Habs

This week we are set to play Boston on Tuesday...which should be interesting considering their last game against Boston, which you can read about here. It's a home game, so hopefully that will give us an advantage. But its Boston, and they are always a tough team to beat. They are also first in the division and 2nd in the conference so its a big game for the Habs. We need this win!
Later in the week we play St. Louis, and Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Since Tuesday is against Boston, my cable package should be airing it and hopefully I can watch it! Thursday's game probably not, but I work Thursday evenings anyways so I can never watch a Thursday game. Saturday's game I should also get on TV. Yay!

Heritage Classic Recap!

We picked up our tickets on Saturday, and they had changed a little. 10th Row instead of 2nd row. But those are still amazing seats!

On Sunday, we headed to the game at 2pm and walked around the grounds outside. There was the Budweiser truck with the Budweiser girls there, a band playing, a Tim Horten's truck (yes, you could get Timmie's at the game!), and of course game merchandise for sale.


We wandered around for a bit, then decided to head to our seats early. Once we got there I was glad our seats had changed! 2nd row would have been a little low to see the ice clearly...we had a pretty good view of the ice from 10th row and were still really close. They had a band playing closer to game time, right before the teams came out to warm up. Then they sang the national anthem, and guess who sang it? Paul Brandt! Stephan was pretty excited, he's a big country fan and not a word had been said that Paul Brandt was going to be there. There was mounties there, and a marching band. And the snow birds flew over right before the game started!

on the other side of the rink you can see my Habs waiting to warm up

The snow birds!

First period Stephan discovered that there was no commentary on the game...ha! Surprise for him! Flames scored in the first period. Habs did NOT. But let me tell you, by the time the first period ended the sun had gone away behind the stands and the temperature DROPPED. It was supposed to be -7. But it ended up being -17 (-22 with the windchill). I shivered through the 2nd period, where the Flames scored 2 more goals (and may I just point out how the Gomez line DRAGGED...I hate that line).

some of the crowd, before the first period started.

Shortly before 2nd period ended, we decided to beat the rush and headed to the washroom. I spent most of intermission hiding in the bathroom, because it was heated! A very kind lady in the washroom gave me these things to put in the toe of my boots to warm my feet up. I was supposed to let them sit out in the air for a bit, it would activate the heat. I don't think I let them sit out long enough, as they didn't get that warm and didn't do too much. But when I took them out of my boots at home, they heated up pretty quick, and hot! :( too bad I didn't wait long enough. I grabbed some hot chocolate, and pizza (simply because it was HOT and warmed me from the inside) then headed back to the stands to freeze some more.

2nd intermission/before 3rd period...freezing cold!

Third period..still no score from the Habs. Flames scored again and finished off the game with 4-0. BOO! I was sad to see my Habs lose, would have been nice if they had at least scored. Scratch that, win or lose I was ECSTATIC!! I was just happy to be at the game! This was a sold out even with 41 000 people, and the ONLY time my Habs were going to be here in Calgary this entire season (and so my only chance to see them play this year).

After the game, we rushed out to head to the after party. There was a free shuttle bus there, but it filled up so quickly that we couldn't get on. And cabs were just crazy. So we decided to head to our favourite pub near our house and have a few drinks there. One Habs fan started talking to me, and informed me several times that I have amazing teeth (apparently?!!). We didn't stay long, and headed home after a bit. I had a few more drinks at home and decided I was still in a party mood, and really wanted to go out dancing. Stephan wanted to stay home. So off I went to the after party by myself (I was finally able to get a cab!), Habs t-shirt in hand in case of any Habs-sightings. Sadly, although some of both teams were supposed to show up, neither did. :( No autographs for me. But, I got to check out a club downtown (which I haven't done) and I got to see Flame Central. Which is a pretty nice place, on a busier night anyways. It was kinda quiet, surprisingly. It was supposed to be THE place for the after party. Oh well, I still had fun! Late night, and a few too many drinks (made for a LONG, painful day on Monday) but still an awesome day.

Pretty sure I got frost bite on my feet, my toes are still tingly. Hoping that will go away!

Like I said before, win or lose I'm so glad I got to the game! It was big deal, and a wonderful surprise from Stephan! Such a loving boyfriend I have, to do something like that for me! :D

Catching up with the Canadiens .... or not.

There is no catching up with them...I missed the last 3 games.

Last Thursday's game against the Islanders I missed, because I work Thursday evenings (which means I will be missing tonight against Edmonton).

Saturday I caught the last period of the game against Toronto, as I had church in the evening. Not worth recaping, sorry. But we won! YAY! A win against Toronto is ALWAYS welcome.

This past Tuesday we played Buffalo, and I didn't get the game on TV. I followed it online, while a friend who DID have access to the game kept me updated over the computer. HAHA! We lost in a shoot-out, 7 rounds I believe. Dang shoot-outs. We SUCK at them. I hate the shoot-out, I think its a horrible way to decide a game. All it is is a skill contest, and not an accurate portrayal of how the game went or how the teams played.

So, as mentioned before, I'll miss tonight's game...wait...no, I'll only miss part of it! Same time zone now, haha! Habs will be in Edmonton, and I will be home from work by 8pm and so I should be able to catch the 2nd period! WOOHOO!!

GO HABS GO! Lets show everyone out west how hockey is played! (I hope I just didn't jinx them, ha ha!).

counting down...

3 more sleeps until the Heritage Classic!!

Now, there may have been some misunderstanding with the tickets, we're not 100% what is included. We know the seats are still the same, 2nd row from center ice. However, its the after party we are not sure of. At first, it sounded like it was THE after party with the teams, at the stadium, meeting them. But now, I'm not so sure...there are after parties all over the place, all over the city at various restaurants. Stephan is going to double check with the guy when he picks up our tickets tomorrow.

If it's not, then I feel like an idiot for thinking that I was going to meet the team and blabbing it :(. But I was just so excited! And I still am! Regardless of the after party, we have some of the best seats for the game, which is just AWESOME!

Last night, I went out with Stephan and we got me a new jersey! I was originally going to get the old-fashioned sweater jersey, which looked really hot on me (so Stephan and the store owner said - and I liked that one better), but I went for the women's fitted heritage classic limited edition jersey. Because its only available for this game, and after the game they won't be making any more. It looks really good too, and I've been wanting a women's fitted one forever! Its nice to finally have one. Needless to say though, I do still BADLY want that sweater jersey (really, it just looked FANTASTIC on me!).

In preparation for the game on Sunday, I thought I would show you some of the Habs I met, who have signed my jersey:

Guy LaFleur - the first time I met him (no jersey signing here, that was the 2nd time, and no photos were allowed with him...too many people)

Jean Beliveau

Ken Dryden - we weren't allowed to take pictures with him, because of the press

but here he is, signing my jersey!

weekend recap

This weekend was a crazy weekend!

Friday was the usual day. I worked until 8pm, and then we went off to the German Club. My schedule is changing, and I'm losing a student at the end of February but its ok because it means that I will finish Friday's a little earlier at 7pm, and that gives me more of an evening with Stephan, whatever we are doing. I asked them not to fill the gap with another student. Thursdays and Fridays are long enough, and I won't mind that extra hour off.

Saturday annoyed me a bit. I have a jersey that is autographed, and I went to wear it last week and noticed a stain on it. So I searched high and low for a cleaner that could spot-remove the stain, and found one. The owner was going to take care of it himself. I dropped it off to them on Wednesday, and they said I could pick it up on Saturday. I called Saturday morning and asked what time it would be ready, and they informed me "noon". I arrived at 12:30 to pick up my jersey, and was informed that they hadn't even started it and that the owner had left for the weekend and would be back on Tuesday and that my jersey would be ready for MAYBE Wednesday, MAYBE Thursday. I promptly took my jersey back and informed they I would never be needing their services. I was not impressed, and found it highly unprofessional. Luckily, I found some stuff at the grocery store that seems to have helped with the stain. YAY!.

I came home from the dry cleaner and started dinner in the slow cooker - the beef beer stew I made a few weeks ago. And then it was time for church! This week we had church service on a Saturday night at 5pm, instead of Sunday morning, which meant I got to sleep in! I came home from church to the slow cooker dinner (yummy), and then we went out and rented the first two Lord of the Ring movies.

Sunday we slept in (2 days in a row! this never happens for me!), and then I had to rewatch the movies, because I feel asleep during them on Saturday night. Sunday Stephan also told me what my surprise was, which you can read in my previous post! Sunday was a nice relaxing day, I stayed in my PJ's all day. It felt great!

How was your weekend?

MY SURPRISE FROM STEPHAN!

So, I know its a week early, but Stephan decided to tell me today!

My surprise next Sunday is:

TICKETS TO THE HERITAGE CLASSIC GAME! For all you non-hockey fans out there, its tickets for the Canadiens/Flames outdoor game here in Calgary. And its the only time my Habs are here in this city the entire season.

Not only that, but the tickets are 2 rows from center ice! About as good as you can get for seats! And it doesn't stop there! We also have tickets to the after party, where I will get to MEET my Habs!! HOLY! Only down spot is Koivu won't be there :(

What a weekend this will be!

Perhaps I can get some more autographs for my jersey?!

Catching up with the Canadiens - oh what a night!!

Last night the Habs played in Boston, and what a WILD GAME! Good lord, I thought I was gonna die of stress!

The first period started off horrible! HORRIBLE! The Bruins scored two goals about 20 seconds apart (ahh!!!), out-shot us 18-8 (how surprising *sarcasm*) and they gained two powerplays on us (and guess WHO gave them one of the powerplays? That's right..GOMEZ. geesh). Right at the end of the period, while boston was on a powerplay, there was a brutal hit on Hamrlik (by Lucic I think? that dang goon), he had to be helped slowly back to the bench.

Second period, where do I start?! In a matter of about 6 minutes, 7 goals were scored. 7!!!! In total, 8 goals were scored in the second period, 6-4 for Boston. What a mess second period was! Not only that, the game was super agressive. Boston was really initiating a lot of stuff, and pushing the boundary line as far as they could. Montreal responded back with quite a physical game (which is awesome, considering Habs are known for being a fast team, not a physical team). Subban, Pyatt, Moen...EVERYONE got in on the action. MASSIVE fight in the 2nd period, that saw gloves, sticks and helmets all over the ice. What was even more shocking was that Thomas and Price actually fought each other as well (goalies!! holy! But, I will say proudly that Price had Thomas down on the ice with his jersey over his head, HA!). Let me tell you, the refs didn't know what to do about 2 goalies fighting, as there aren't really any rules for that (well, there is but its ANCIENT). In the end, Boston had 6 players in the penalty box and Montreal had 5.

Third period was goals galore again! 4 more were scored, 2 for boston, 2 for my Habs to make it 8-6 final score. One goal by Boston was dis-allowed, because of goalie interference (Ryder). And can I say there was another huge fight at the end of the period, again involving EVERYONE on the ice?! Crazy game. Was I disappointed? A little. But, it was such an action packed game, and for Boston being such a physical team I was proud that my Habs held up to them physically. This game had me pumped! Can I say how much I love having Subban on defence?! HELL YA!

Total penalties:
Boston - 26
Montreal - 21.
Good lord!
Total penalty minutes: 187!!!!!!!!

I should also point out that our rookies are really holding their own. Pacioretty scored twice and Subban, Weber and Descharnais scored once each. GO HABS!

Catching up with the Canadiens

Well, the All-star game is over. FINALLY. Not a fan. I think its a waste of time, I think it potentially results in injuries that affect the REAL season. I think its not worth the hype. So I'm happy hockey started back up last night.

Last night we played Washington. Washington scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the first period, and thus ensued a horrible first period for the Habs. They were all over the place, just horrible all around. The only highlight was watching Ovechkin lose his temper, he couldn't control it and it resulted in several penalties, including a slashing penalty at the end of the first.
Second period the Habs seemed to come back a bit, and they tied the game up (both goals by Gionta). And then we went into a very long, scoreless 3rd period. And into overtime it went! I was so hoping we would score in the OT, because I was dreading a shoot-out. We SUCK at shoot-outs, we can't score. But, low and behold into the shoot-out it went...and miracle of miracles....we won! Gionta scored the winning goal, so what a night for him! Starting to like him as a captain...though never as much as Koivu!

Gomez was Gomez. An idiot, and half-useless. Seriously, this guy has got to go. Think of all the cap space we could free up with his ridiculous salary gone!!

Over all though, this win just shows how much more work is needed. We've dropped down to 7th, and its coming to a critical point of if we'll even make the playoffs now or not. The Habs have got to step it up, there is no more time to waste.

Catching up with the Canadiens

What a weekend for my Habs!!

Friday night:
They played an away game against Ottawa. The Habs scored twice early in the first period, and Ottawa came back and answered with a goal. Unlike their last game, they did not sit on their lead! LESSON LEARNED! They RAN AWAY with the lead. They scored 3 more in the second, and twice in the third for a final score of 7-1!

Things I liked:
Pacioretty's goal. Good to see him come back quickly from that hit with the puck a few games ago. And he's really starting to find his stride. He's a big kid, and he's good. I've always liked him, and am happy to see him doing well.

Saturday night:
As I mentioned already on Saturday, this was Koivu's return game home. WELCOME HOME SAKU! I taped it because I was gone, and watched it when I came home. And just like I thought, he got several standing ovations. The camera followed him out from the dressing room, and onto the ice as he warmed up, and while they were calling the Habs names. It stayed on him the whole time, while playing Coldplay's "fix you" with the lyrics "lights will guide you home". Fitting! The fans were already standing for him before he walked onto the ice, with signs saying "welcome home Koivu". I may or may not have cried, and I may or may not have rewound that part several times. After the national anthem, he got another standing ovation.

For the Habs, it wasn't the greatest game. They were down 3-1 by the second, but came back to tie it. The game went into overtime, and then a shoot-out and we lost. Of course we lost, we can't shoot in the shoot-out. I hate shoot-outs. But, this is one lost I wasn't terribly disappointed with, since my captain won on Montreal ice.

Things I liked:
Seeing Koivu back on Montreal ice, although it was REALLY weird to see him in a Ducks uniform. Kinda sad. He has one more season there after this season...maybe he'll come back for one last season with the Habs, to retire a Hab. As it should be. What an emotional game.

Things I didnt' like:
WHAT THE HECK was with the reffing?! Not trying to explain or make excuses but SERIOUSLY.
A very questionable penalty on Pacioretty, which led to a goal for the duck's.
What was worse was the call on Subban. His stick was being held by an opponent (the name escapes me, and I'm too lazy to look it up), blatantly held (which should've been a holding call!!) and when he tried to pull his stick away, and it hit someone behind him and he got called for high-sticking. RIDICULOUS!

Welcome home Koivu!!

Tonight is a very important hockey game for me.

Tonight, the Habs play on home ice against the Anaheim Ducks. Why is this game so important? Well, my captain, the former captain, Saku Koivu, MY KOIVU was not resigned 2 seasons ago, even though he had only EVER been a Hab. He signed with the Ducks. And my heart broke. I grew up watching Koivu, he's all I remember. I never thought that he would retire as anything but a Hab, and its still very hard to accept the fact that he won't be retired a Hab. Tonight will be the first time he comes back to Montreal since he signed with the Ducks. His first game in Montreal, not as a Hab. And I have NO DOUBT that he will get a standing ovation tonight.Koivu leaving was bitter. He'd been on with the Habs his entire nhl career. He went through cancer, and made it back to hockey. He was very lucky. I remember that first game back, and the huge endless standing ovation he got, 8 minutes long. In Montreal, they didn't have the machine he needed for his cancer treatment. So he fund-raised the money to bring the machine to Montreal. He was very involved with the community, although the French Media ate him alive for not speaking French (he could speak French, but not fluently....and why bother, because the media would only rip him apart for NOT speaking it fluently. It was a lose-lose situation). He also got a stick in the eye, and almost lost his eyesight. He came back from that too.

He was not the best player in the nhl. He got a lot of flack for not putting up the goal numbers, which was ridiculous because he was a play maker and set up the goals. If anyone had bothered to look at his assist numbers, they would realize that they were pretty high in the league. What he was was a great leader. Even Don Cherry said so (and he hates the French, and the Europeans...and therefore all of my Habs! haha!). He was well respected, classy. He didn't deal out dirty hits, the players looked up to him. Fans looked up to him. Koivu had won the hearts of the fans. He still has their hearts, at least most definitely mine. And he's a prime example of someone still being able to play the game with dignity and tact. Something which is missing in many players today.

So I look forward to tonight, and am torn with who to cheer for. To me, Koivu is STILL my captain, always will be. And one day, I will have my Koivu jersey, in honor of him. I know that I will be emotional during this game, and I will most likely cry when he steps onto the ice. That's right, I said it. Don't judge.

Here is a link to his press conference in Montreal yesterday, he was obviously emotional. And yes, I cried when I watched this too. Oh how I wish I was at that game tonight!

Catching up with the Canadiens

Last night my Habs played against the Buffalo Sabres, and this was a hard game! Shots for each period were pretty even throughout the game. Habs scored first, in the first period and Buffalo tied it. It was a tough battle! So, in to OT the game went! Sadly, Buffalo scored in over time.

Things I didn't like:

• Pacioretty going to the hospital after being hit in the side with a puck :(
• Losing Cammy after a cross check from behind. He ended up separating his shoulder. :( NOT GOOD!
  
• Gomez's STUPID PENALTY! Why is this over-paid goon always getting stupid penalities, and not doing what we pay him for?!

What I loved:

• CAREY PRICE! The team was getting tired and he pulled out all the stops, and is the reason why we got a point last night!
  

Catching up with the Canadiens

Saturday night my Habs played against the Rangers again, this time in a home game. Habs won, 3-2 with Price in net. The habs played great (not saying it was perfect, see my notes on the third), and what thrilled me was that they lead in shots 41-33 overall. The first 2 periods were great, Habs lead in shots both periods and offense played well. What I DIDN'T like was, once the Habs had the lead the went and SAT ON IT. This is typical Habs fashion. Just look at the third period if you don't believe me! Outshot 21-12. That's horrendous, and disgusting. It means they slacked, and got over confident. It means they lost focus. It means that the Rangers got 21 of their 33 shots in the 3rd period alone! AWFUL! The Habs are lucky that they didn't lose the game.

Yesterday (Monday), the Habs played the Flames at home in Montreal. And THIS GAME is a prime example of what I was talking about in the Rangers game. Sitting on the lead, and then blowing it. Habs won 5-4, but it was the most awful, gut-wrenching disgusting win EVER. And this is why: The first half of the games, my Habs were dominating. Until halfway through 2nd period, they were leading. And WHAT was the score you ask? 4-0. And then they hit the halfway mark of the 2nd period, and decided that they won and stopped playing. Flames came back to push the game to a tie....The Flames caught up to a 4 goal lead!! 4 GOALS!! It's unacceptable. They pulled Auld from net, and put in Price. The game was forced to go into overtime, and lucky for the Habs the wonderfulness that is P.K. Subban managed to save the game and score the winning goal. I love that kid. I mean seriously love him. He better stay a Hab forever.

But it shouldn't have come to an overtime goal. It shouldn't have come down to the wire. It should have been a solid win. It was everything a game should NOT have been. So even though we won, it wasn't really a win to me. There was so many things wrong with the game that it didn't feel like a victory, but a step backwards.

At the very least, we managed to scrape out another win and now sit 6th in the conference. So I guess that's something to be happy about. All I say is they better not fall apart like last season.

Catching up with the Canadiens

Let's catch up for a bit, since I'm gonna actually follow through on my plans to blog on my Habs. It failed miserably while I was working on my Christmas projects.

Habs played 2 games this week:
*an away game against the NY Rangers
*a home game against the Penguins

The game against the Rangers was a win, 2-1. And it was a well played game. Not horrible, not amazing. But good. Auld was in net for his 3rd win in 6 starts and played well, considering that the Rangers dominated the first period. What I was happy to see was the Habs leading the game in shots-on-net. Last season that was a SERIOUS problems, there was very little defence and it was normality to see them completely out shot with shots against them numbering in the 40's and 50's. So this is a definite improvement off of last season.

Yesterday's game against the Penguins was a DISASTER!! 5-2 loss. Horrible. I don't know where the Habs were, but it wasn't on the ice in Montreal, that's for sure! And to add insult to injury, Crosby wasn't even in the lineup last night. Price was in net, and I'm sure the French media will be waiting to rip him apart and blame him for the loss. I would like to point out that defense is to blame too (the never ending defense problems with my team makes me want to pull my hair out in frustration!). Outshot 36-22 (you see?!!).

It's losing games like this that have puts us 2nd in our division, and 7th in the conference. That's just squeaking by with a playoff spot. It's not acceptable, ESPECIALLY when we were 1st in the division and 3rd in the conference just before Christmas.

Hopefully they can pull things together so we place a little more comfortably in the conference than 7th.

changes in the wind...

So, over the next week or so I'm going to be making some changes on my blog! As you can already see, I've changed the layout and background.

I will be adding a section on pens. My dad turns pens, and does a wonderful job. I'm waiting for some photos from him and then I'm going to create a section devoted to that, so I can show off my dad's handiwork.

And I'm making one on Mom's cake, she's awesome at them!

And since summer is nearing an end, its time to get ready for hockey!! Another section will be made devoted to my Habs. Junior camps are already underway, and after that is the Habs training camp. So time to get the whip cracking!
..It's also a way for me to try and get excited about my team, since there have been so many changes in the last year that I am still not comfortable or happy with. I know people reading this site are mostly girls, and do not care about my Habs. But hey, its my blog. It's about me. And I'm all about the Habs!!! (this section could end up becoming quite extensive!!).

Hab's first round draft pic 2010

Well, first round has commenced of the draft pic. Hab's had 27th pick in the first round, but they traded their second round pick in order to pick 22nd.

They chose Jarred Tinordi. You can check out some more of his info here:

http://habsinsideout.com/main/36490

He's a big defenceman (6'6") with a hard shot and good at blocking. He has good speed, which is good, because often our defencemen can be slow. Slow, but steady and reliable.
Also good is his size. Montreal concentrates on being a small, but fast offensive team. But sometimes, when playing against a very physical team like Boston, we get pushed around and our offence is shut-down by their physical defence. A big stury defencman like this will help. He apparently doesn't back down from physical contact (unlike say....Laroque? sometimes did), which means he doesn't let his teammates get pushed around. His dad played in the NHL.

So I think this will be a good pick. I was wondering what they would do with such a late draft pic in the first round, and I think they did good. They often draft an offensive player or goalie, so I think this is a welcome and needed change.

But he is still young and will need some time to develop. Apparently his footwork isn't the greatest, but he can work on that. And hopefully it gets better, or he'll be traded away after wasted years like Latendresse. Most of the reports are positive and optimistic.

But if he can pull everything together, reports say he will be an awesome defenceman! I look forward to seeing him develop. And if he goes as hopes, maybe one day he'll be part of the team along with Subban and others.

Right now, I don't like next seasons Hags. But, I am greatly looking forward to in a couple of years when the team consist of the young ones we have spent the last few years developing. Although our current team is often lacking, or prospects for the future are great. Hopefully it goes as planned.