I'm excited.
Saturday 29 October 2011
Friday 28 October 2011
2minutes4roughing- Two in a Row! Is it Possible?!
Yes it is possible for the 2011-2012 version of the Montreal Canadiens to win back to back games, although it took a long 10 games to accomplish this, and they did it with the 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins last night. It's early, but the Habs dug themselves a hole, they have some work to do to get back into a playoff position. They've climbed from 15th to 12th place in the Eastern Conference with these back to back wins, and you know whose last in the Eastern Conference? The Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. Feels pretty sweet for a Habs fan I must say. Anyways, 12th place may seem bad, but they're only 2 points out of a playoff spot, so it isn't that bad in the big picture. The Habs are starting to pick it up, let's hope it stays this way.
On to last night's game. The Canadiens took numerous penalties, three of which were in the first period. Those troubles seem to continue, and the Bruins scored a power play goal in the first as fluky as it was. The goal went in between Carey Price's legs when Tomas Plekanec won the face-off, and Patrice Bergeron was awarded the goal. Even though the goal may have nothing to do with the fact that it was 5 on 4, the penalty still caused a defensive zone face-off and it lead to a goal, so the penalty still caused a goal in my eyes. The Canadiens need to learn to stop taking penalties.
That fluky goal would be the only goal Price would let in all night, as he went on to stop 29 out of 30 shots from the Bruins. Halfway through the second period Jaroslav Spacek took a shot from the boards on the right of Tim Thomas, and Erik Cole tipped it home to tie the game. The game would be a tight checking one, one with many battles along the boards. Raphael Diaz took away a sure goal during a Boston power play early in the third when he slid across the ice and blocked a shot on the goal line that seemed destined to go into the empty net. The deadlock was finally broken by Tomas Plekanec halfway through the third period, when he took a shot which was blocked by the Boston defenseman, picked up the puck right away and shot it into the net past Thomas. Although Plekanec was 10 feet from the net with no defenseman on him, I still believe Tim Thomas wants this one back as he was out of position by at least a foot to the left, and it went in by the right side as he tried to awkwardly save it. The Canadiens took a 2-1 lead and never looked back from there.
It was a fun game, but not the typical Montreal-Boston game. There wasn't much physicality. And nothing happened between Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty, as they share the ice for the first time since Chara injured Pacioretty, besides a trip by Pacioretty on Chara, which trust me, wasn't Pacioretty getting revenge. The most interesting part of the game was with P.K. Subban and Brad Marchand at the end of the second period. They tried to drop the gloves one time, were sent to the box for roughing instead, tried to fight another time, were sent to the box for roughing again, and right when that penalty ended they got out of the box and had a real fight. Subban tried to go for the big knockout punch right away, but missed and fell, got back up and then had a spirited tilt with Marchand, with both players getting in some good punches in a pretty even fight. It was a good game, but with the B's frustrated with the start to their season, I think Saturday's game will be a typical Habs-Bruins game.
Let's hope the Habs sweep the home and home series!
On to last night's game. The Canadiens took numerous penalties, three of which were in the first period. Those troubles seem to continue, and the Bruins scored a power play goal in the first as fluky as it was. The goal went in between Carey Price's legs when Tomas Plekanec won the face-off, and Patrice Bergeron was awarded the goal. Even though the goal may have nothing to do with the fact that it was 5 on 4, the penalty still caused a defensive zone face-off and it lead to a goal, so the penalty still caused a goal in my eyes. The Canadiens need to learn to stop taking penalties.
That fluky goal would be the only goal Price would let in all night, as he went on to stop 29 out of 30 shots from the Bruins. Halfway through the second period Jaroslav Spacek took a shot from the boards on the right of Tim Thomas, and Erik Cole tipped it home to tie the game. The game would be a tight checking one, one with many battles along the boards. Raphael Diaz took away a sure goal during a Boston power play early in the third when he slid across the ice and blocked a shot on the goal line that seemed destined to go into the empty net. The deadlock was finally broken by Tomas Plekanec halfway through the third period, when he took a shot which was blocked by the Boston defenseman, picked up the puck right away and shot it into the net past Thomas. Although Plekanec was 10 feet from the net with no defenseman on him, I still believe Tim Thomas wants this one back as he was out of position by at least a foot to the left, and it went in by the right side as he tried to awkwardly save it. The Canadiens took a 2-1 lead and never looked back from there.
It was a fun game, but not the typical Montreal-Boston game. There wasn't much physicality. And nothing happened between Zdeno Chara and Max Pacioretty, as they share the ice for the first time since Chara injured Pacioretty, besides a trip by Pacioretty on Chara, which trust me, wasn't Pacioretty getting revenge. The most interesting part of the game was with P.K. Subban and Brad Marchand at the end of the second period. They tried to drop the gloves one time, were sent to the box for roughing instead, tried to fight another time, were sent to the box for roughing again, and right when that penalty ended they got out of the box and had a real fight. Subban tried to go for the big knockout punch right away, but missed and fell, got back up and then had a spirited tilt with Marchand, with both players getting in some good punches in a pretty even fight. It was a good game, but with the B's frustrated with the start to their season, I think Saturday's game will be a typical Habs-Bruins game.
Let's hope the Habs sweep the home and home series!
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Olé Olé Olé- Haven't heard that one in a while
Tonight, I rediscovered my love for watching hockey. For the past 6 games, with the exception of maybe one or two games, watching hockey was very unemotional. Extremely neutral and boring/frustrating. Although the Canadiens 5-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers made me realize how fun hockey can be, especially when your team is winning, with a comfortable lead nonetheless.
The Habs' win tonight means so many things:
- The Canadiens have officially won their first home game.
- Carey Price now has achieved his 100th career win.
- The Habs win their first game since Sunday, October 9th against the Jets.
- They have finally ended their 6 game losing streak.
- This win gives the team a lot more confidence, as they head out to play 2 games against the Bruins tomorrow and Saturday night.
Coming out very nervous in the first, the Habs were able to pull off a goal within 3 seconds remaining of the first period, tying up the score 1-1 with only 5 shots on net. Yes, finally, a goal on the power play, after firing the Assistant coach and coach of special teams, Perry Pearn. Ironic, no?
The Canadiens came to life during the second period, with goals from Andrei Kostitsyn and Max Pacioretty, taking a 3-1 lead. Then, it was really fun to rub 2 extra goals in the opposing team's face, just for the hell of it. Not to mention, Pacioretty did play tonight, racking up two goals and an assist tonight. That was a fast recovery.
So I guess Carey Price changing his pink helmet to his old one helped eh? I hate to say it, but superstition helps sometimes.
Man that was awesome.
Well, I'm not getting any ideas for the next games this week against the Bruins. I hate being negative, but someone has to do it. This should be worth the watch.
Around the NHL
Chris Pronger was clipped by a stick near his right eye Monday night, raising awareness about the league's indecision for creating a mandatory visor rule. After watching that, I don't understand why any player would even hesitate for a second about wearing a visor.
On Sunday night, the Penguins were playing the Devils when a bizarre penalty situation occurred. Early in the 3rd period, Patrik Elias was called for high sticking against Steve Sullivan who was apparently bleeding, making it a 4 minute double minor penalty. Petr Sykora convinced the official that the penalty was his doing, taking the 4 minute minor. When the game started once again, the Devils managed to score shorthanded. Take a wild guess who scored the goal. Patrik Elias. When the penalty was over, Petr Sykora confessed to the referee that Elias was actually responsible for the penalty, but he didn't want him in the box when the team had to kill a penalty.
Should this be allowed? No call was actually made for this, but it sounds a lot like cheating.
The Soap Opera Continues...
In today's episode of "As the Hockey World Turns..."
The Canadiens lose their 6th straight, still winless at home.
Thrilling, no? More thrills: The only guy who was able to put a puck in the net against the Panthers, Max Pacioretty, suffered ligament damage in his wrist, forcing him to leave the game. I swear this just keeps getting better.
The Canadiens seem to have the game plan down packed when it comes to scoring the first goal, but it's scoring a second goal that seems to be a problem. The team gets off to a pretty good start, but then confusion seems to set in.
Of the possible 16 points that could have been obtained in the last 8 games, the Canadiens have 4 points, therefore they stand last in the Eastern Conference, and 29th in the league; Columbus behind the with 3 points.
On a positive note, Peter Budaj played a strong game, making some good key saves.
At 7:30, the Canadiens will be facing the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have a 5-2-1 record as of late. Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren did some clean up this summer, letting go of the Flyers main men Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Although they beefed up the team a little, signing Max Talbot and Jaromir Jagr. The habs will be playing in front of the home crowd tonight, hopefully giving them something to cheer about.
Pacioretty will be a game-time decision, and Price will be back in nets, still on the look out for his 100th career victory.
Bon match.
Monday 24 October 2011
Canadiens Still Looking for First Home Victory
The Florida Panthers are visitors at the Bell Centre tonight. They have a 4-3 record to date, and tonight is the first of a 3 game road trip. Price, who has had 7 consecutive starts in front of the net since the beginning of the season, is delegating his paper work to Peter Budaj, giving Price a breather. This will be Budaj's first regular season game in a Montreal uniform.
The Montreal Canadiens have overcome some roster shuffling as well, acquiring Petteri Nokelainen and Garrett Stafford from the Phoenix Coyotes Saturday for Brock Trotter and a 7th round draft pick in 2012. Nothing much to get excited about, noting that together, these two players have amassed 1 goal in the last three seasons. The Canadiens have demoted Andreas Engqvist and Aaron palushaj to the Bulldogs, and have called up Mike Blunden. Nokelainen and Blunden will be making up the fourth line alongside Mathieu Darche in tonight's dispute.
Spacek will return to the game, pairing up with Weber on the blue line, whereas the 25 year old Emelin will be a healthy scratch for the soirée.
Bon match à tous.
Saturday 22 October 2011
Canadiens Fall For Fifth Straight
Source: HockeyInsideOut
The Canadiens have yet to win their first home game, got a pair of unnecessary and avoidable penalties for too many men, and Carey Price is still itching for his 100th career win, but hey; the fans got a real treat, witnessing a few great goals and some brasse camarade. I don't know about you, but I liked it.
Travis Moen broke the ice scoring his 3rd of the season at 1:51 of the first. Get this: with the Habs coming into the game with a record of 2 for 25 on the power play, Moen scored that goal short-handed. A Miracle, I tell ya'. Once the home team got the first goal, it was a real cat and mouse chase. The first period ended 1-1. Andrei Kostitsyn fired a wrister through the posts to give Montreal a 2-1 lead in the second, blown by Phil Kessel 36 seconds later.
For a while, it felt like Montreal was giving us some hope. With goals from Moen-his second of the night, and Cammalleri, the Canadiens had a 4-3 lead in the 3rd. Sadly, reality sets in too soon. Nikolai Kulemin stole a goal at 13:07, forcing the game to overtime, where Grabovski finished off the night with a goal that gave Price no chance.
Yeah, our Montreal Canadiens may have yet to find a win since October 9th, but if the fans keep seeing games like this, I wouldn't mind.
A special congratulations to Hal Gill for having played his 1001st game tonight.
Coming up this week: Panthers, Flyers and back to back Bruins games.
Amen.
Habs: 1-4-1
Not to worry, we've been in this position before, apparently.
In 1995.
After Thursday night's game facing against the Pens that was filled with emotion, great Montreal power play goals, and high intensity (sarcasm), the Habs fell short to a 3-1 loss.
It was one of those games that kept you tossing and turning with discomfort and frustration, and you as a viewer and follower feel so helpless.
The Habs are looking to turn their luck around tonight at home against the Leafs.
Now I'm usually not a sore loser, but if they lose against Leaf Nation at home, Houston, we may have a problem, and Jacques Martin may have many more.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
2minutes4roughing- What's Up With the Habs?
The Montreal Canadiens have started the season with a 1-3-1 start and the whole city reacts like we're going through some kind of epidemic, that the world is going to end. I would like to say that everyone should calm down about the poor start to the season, we're 5 games in. The Canadiens don't make the playoffs by playing 5 games, it's over the course of an 82 game season. The Boston Bruins have a 2-4-0 start to their season, and I'm sure they'll still make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup. Everyone relax a little.
Now that that's out of the way let's talk about last night's game. The Habs lost their third game in a row last night, which is obviously disappointing. But there are many positives to take from last night's game. The Buffalo Sabres only beat the Canadiens 3-1, and they had an empty netter so it's viewed more as a 2-1 victory for the Sabres. When Raphael Diaz scored the first goal of the game, and the first goal of his NHL career, for the Habs 2:08 into the second period, the Canadiens had already registered a total of 18 shots. 18 shots in 22 minutes is crazy, and the Canadiens kept on driving hard to the net and ended up putting 41 shots on goal. The only problem is that only one went in of those 41 shots. It goes without say that Ryan Miller definitely showed up with his "A" game and earned the first star of the game. Although Miller-time definitely stole the show, the Canadiens can at least look at this game positively and think to themselves that if they play like that next game they'll probably score five, and Carey Price will almost never let in more than two goals in a game like this where he received 23 shots on net.
Although the Habs did play a good game overall last night, it definitely wasn't perfect. With 6 seconds left in the second period Josh Gorges ices the puck when there is no pressure on him. The play comes back to the Canadiens zone and Thomas Vanek was able to score before the 6 seconds in the period were up, making it a 2-1 game at this point, and that was the real backbreaker for the Canadiens. Little mistakes like this can't happen, and the Canadiens have been making them a lot. Icing the puck when it's not necessary is a mistake the Canadiens can't afford to do. Defensive zone face-offs never lead to good things, especially when tired players are on the ice. The Canadiens biggest problem this season though is the lack of production on the power play. They went 0-5 last night, and have only scored 2 goals on the power play at this point of this season. That is not good enough to win hockey games. They need to at least score 1 goal, ideally 2, on the power play in a game like last night. They need to capitalize on their chances to win.
The solution? Signing Brian McCabe.
Next stop: The Consol Energy Center to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins
Now that that's out of the way let's talk about last night's game. The Habs lost their third game in a row last night, which is obviously disappointing. But there are many positives to take from last night's game. The Buffalo Sabres only beat the Canadiens 3-1, and they had an empty netter so it's viewed more as a 2-1 victory for the Sabres. When Raphael Diaz scored the first goal of the game, and the first goal of his NHL career, for the Habs 2:08 into the second period, the Canadiens had already registered a total of 18 shots. 18 shots in 22 minutes is crazy, and the Canadiens kept on driving hard to the net and ended up putting 41 shots on goal. The only problem is that only one went in of those 41 shots. It goes without say that Ryan Miller definitely showed up with his "A" game and earned the first star of the game. Although Miller-time definitely stole the show, the Canadiens can at least look at this game positively and think to themselves that if they play like that next game they'll probably score five, and Carey Price will almost never let in more than two goals in a game like this where he received 23 shots on net.
Although the Habs did play a good game overall last night, it definitely wasn't perfect. With 6 seconds left in the second period Josh Gorges ices the puck when there is no pressure on him. The play comes back to the Canadiens zone and Thomas Vanek was able to score before the 6 seconds in the period were up, making it a 2-1 game at this point, and that was the real backbreaker for the Canadiens. Little mistakes like this can't happen, and the Canadiens have been making them a lot. Icing the puck when it's not necessary is a mistake the Canadiens can't afford to do. Defensive zone face-offs never lead to good things, especially when tired players are on the ice. The Canadiens biggest problem this season though is the lack of production on the power play. They went 0-5 last night, and have only scored 2 goals on the power play at this point of this season. That is not good enough to win hockey games. They need to at least score 1 goal, ideally 2, on the power play in a game like last night. They need to capitalize on their chances to win.
The solution? Signing Brian McCabe.
Next stop: The Consol Energy Center to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins
Saturday 15 October 2011
Flames light up at Bell Centre
Talk about special teams on that one.
Hey, even if the Canadiens lost, I was excited to watch that game. For the first 5 minutes. Those home opener ceremonies are always great, getting the heart pumping a little bit when they call out the players to hit the ice. Although it didn't cut it for the habs, stumbling in a 4-1 loss to Calgary in their home-opener.
Coming off a flaming start, the Canadiens had the fans roaring within the first two minutes of the game. Celebrating a goal scored by Andrei Kostitsyn at 1:47 of the first period, off a rebound that was first attempted by Max Pacioretty, habs fans were loud and proud.
And then, then came the penalties. Two penalties within minutes separating each other, costing Montreal goals on both occasions scored by René Bourque and Niklas Hagman. With the flames clearly outshot 36-21, Montreal couldn't seem to put one in after being put down 3-1 in the first.
Turn the page, next game. Colorado will be visiting Montreal tonight. With Price still on the search for his 100th career win, we'll see what the night has to offer.
Bon match,
Cheers
Hey, even if the Canadiens lost, I was excited to watch that game. For the first 5 minutes. Those home opener ceremonies are always great, getting the heart pumping a little bit when they call out the players to hit the ice. Although it didn't cut it for the habs, stumbling in a 4-1 loss to Calgary in their home-opener.
Coming off a flaming start, the Canadiens had the fans roaring within the first two minutes of the game. Celebrating a goal scored by Andrei Kostitsyn at 1:47 of the first period, off a rebound that was first attempted by Max Pacioretty, habs fans were loud and proud.
And then, then came the penalties. Two penalties within minutes separating each other, costing Montreal goals on both occasions scored by René Bourque and Niklas Hagman. With the flames clearly outshot 36-21, Montreal couldn't seem to put one in after being put down 3-1 in the first.
Turn the page, next game. Colorado will be visiting Montreal tonight. With Price still on the search for his 100th career win, we'll see what the night has to offer.
Bon match,
Cheers
Thursday 13 October 2011
Flames at Canadiens
Alright so, after many frustrating pre-season games with at least one of them being worth the watch, it's now time to separate the boys from the men.
That's right. Hockey is back at the Bell Centre! With a 1-1 schedule of late, the Habs are taking on the Calgary Flames tonight for their home opener. With the Flames' line-up looking like this:
Alex Tanguay - David Moss - Jarome Iginla
Curtis Glencross - Olli Jokinen - Lee Stempniak
Tim Jackman - Roman Horak - Rene Bourque
Niklas Hagman - Matt Stajan - Tom Kostopoulos
Jay Bouwmeester - Chris Butler
Scott Hannan - Mark Giordano
Cory Sarich - Anton Babchuk
Miikka Kiprusoff
Coming off a game against St-Louis that was qualified as "terrible" by former Canadien Alex Tanguay, Calgary is trying to turn the page on a 5-2 loss on Monday.
The puck drops at 7:30. Well sort of, get ready for some opening ceremony action first. So make that 8:00.
It gives the fans at the Bell Centre an extra half hour to buy beer.
Vive la bière à $11.00!
Cheers
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