Pre-season: Kicking around some kids sure makes a town happy

We can't stop here! This is Nordiques country!

The pre-season is finally over.

And with a 7-2 romp of the Other Islanders (the true roster was somewhere beating up the Devils), it's time to head off into the cold October sunset and prepare for the long grind of the regular season. Naturally RDS spent most of it's time talking Blue so they missed Nino Niederreiter attempted blindside on Mike Cammalleri (you know, the one the NHL made a video of to try and curb headshots) which started this whole sequence of a pissed off Cammalleri going after the freshly minted draftee ending in Cammalleri going Bobby Clarke on his leg. (Apparently Nino was left with a bruise, oh boohoo).

As my brother said "nothing is worse than an angry rookie in a terribly lumpsided romp".

Of course later on a 3rd period faceoff, a Not-So-Islander went after Lars Eller from behind. Ryan White tried to clean up the mess, but it was Jaro Spacek who ended up getting jerseyed and clocked for playing Good Cop. Slap Shot was on the movie network before the game. Maybe the boys got inspired.

But that's OK 'cause TSN's headlines were already calling for a suspension on Cammalleri. And while Cammy could have done like Eller and take it to them on the scoreboard or with a big hit, his infraction is not suspendable. Then again the NHL works in mysterious ways. And he wears a Habs jersey.

So what can we say about the play tonight? (Other than it was 40 minutes too long)
- Tomas Plekanec has taken out all the tools of the crafty box. An amazing fakeout on Manny Legace by purposedly shooting the puck at the boards to get the rebound Brian Gionta style? You sneaky bastard, I love the new Plekanec!
- Alex Picard has shown us the Alex Picard we all know from his time with the Sens. In other words, the Alex Picard that drove SLC mad. (Sample quote: "Alex Picard has already cost me five stress balls, two remotes and one neighbour so far this season.") Fitting that he's got Brisebois' old number.
- Regardless of who the competition was, Price looks to be rounding into regular season form. There was a sequence where the puck was going goalie pong in our end. The Not-So-Islanders could have scored 5 goals right there but he stood his ground. And the team REALLY NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE A PASS FROM HIM!
- Yea it was men against boys out there (for the most part) but our defense really needs to stop drooling.
- Thanks for practicing the powerplay and penalty kill too.
- Gorges on the powerplay blows my mind. I love him though.
- Nice to see the coaches finally seem to be sticking with a forward up high. It only took a year of everyone screaming at you to do this to finally get it done.
- Well, PK obviously stays. Legace needed ointment after that goal.
- Eller most likely will stay though I wouldn't mind it if Randy&Randy can take him for a few weeks. The Great Dane is big, hard to catch, and will draw penalties like nobody can. He also doesn't get rattled when gooned.
- I wish Pouliot could go on a conditioning stint. Sure it was probably his best pre-season game yet, he still looked lazy on a few plays.
- I want Ryan White to staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
- The Colisée is a shitty building. Or as I call it, the "'Ostie Calissée". Still, fun to see NHL players in junior benches.

By the way, if you want the Nordiques back, don't come crying to the federal government for money. Especially when you send separatist politicians to ask.