Get your misconducts on the cheap! Habs 6, Leafs 2

This is Patches' number now!

I don't think I've seen a penalty list this long since Habs games of the mid-80s. Well, what better way to salut the Original Six "rivalry" between the two clubs? Or maybe it's just Burke leaving his stamp. Brad "elbows" May? He's like an old-man Chris Neil. Team toughness? I guess a pileup on every guy who happens to bump someone. By the end of the first, I think the guys just went to the room with a WTF laugh. But the Habs responded. They continued with their hits. They did their fighting. I know Kostopoulos can't fight but he managed to make Carbo laugh. And then there's the petulant child Grabovski, still looking to be punched by Sergei (thwarted again by the refs). Even Bouillon wants to see them throw down.

That second period was about 60 minutes long.

But in the end, disregarding the fact the Canadiens played little under 24 hours ago in a New York potato field and had no morning practice and whatnot, it was absolute ownage.

My brother: Why do the Leafs have the Habs locked into their zone yet seem incapable of scoring?

My reply: Defense works.

Breezer had 3 assists in the first period. Sergei opened the scoring. Toskala went for a walk after Kostopoulos to allow Gui! to score. Lapierre scored. Kovalev on a delayed penalty ninja scored. AK46 scored by actually deflecting a puck. And Pacioretty scored on Cujo.

But probably the biggest shock was 2 more powerplay goals.

And Weber didn't look out of place as a forward. Some poor Leaf actually blocked one of his bullets. Brave man...

I guess the only problem now will be when Koivu returns. Where do we put him? That Patches-Pleky-Kovy line is great. The Lang-Kostitsyns line is great. The Lapierre line is untouchable. I'm guessing the Bulldogs line? Dagger-Koivu-Chipper and put Weber on D?

It's so easy when you're evil: Habs 1, Devils 4

What the fuck is that thing?!

Regardless of the outcome of this game, two things have come to light. Well, maybe 3.

One: Carey Price is the glue that holds the team solid. Komo said he's like a calming influence on everyone when he's back there.

Two: Kovalev is not the problem people think he is. This man has fire, soul, and a drive to win it all. But if just one of his linemates checks out early, then there's not much he can do unless he goes at it alone.

Three: Max Pacioretty is the real deal. Welcome to the team, kid. T-shirts will be made tomorrow. For his first NHL game, to get his first NHL goal, especially against the oddly hot-handed Clemmenson and against the boring New Jersey Defensvils, I salut you. All night his line buzzed and caused fits. Hell Carbo had him out on the PK and the PP!

Conclusion: The outcome of this game meant nothing to me. I'm just so happy for Patches, and equally happy for the Patches-Chipper-Begin line who were probably the best line out there other than KovyPleks.

I also wonder if Weber will make an appearance next game. I mean sitting Breezer won't kill anyone...

Bulldogs report!
I'd like to send my congratulations to Loic Lacasse for winning his first AHL game. Despite a shakey start and being thrown in at the deep end, the game turned around and he turned around as well. Also to Thomas Beauregard and his first two AHL goals scored. Good work kids. Bulldogs beat the Syracuse Crunch 4-3. I managed to catch the end of it right after the Devils game and caught the sound of O'Byrne deep in an after siren line brawl behind Lacasse's net. I hope Rhino can pull himself together with the Bulldogs. We all know they'll take care of him. Good luck, kid.

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So I caught the WJC USA-Slovakia game this afternoon. Team USA can crow all they want about the game against Canada where a player was out too early from a penalty for a goal (hey, he doesn't let himself out of the box so don't look at him), but what I saw was a disjointed team who probably came in thinking it would be an easy game only to come face-to-face with a Slovakian wall who played on his head for his team and country: Jaroslav Janus. Also Team Slovakia had a few very good forwards who looked like they studied the Kovy DVD, and they worked hard together defensively. As a Habs fan though, I appreciated the great work displayed by Danny Kristo. Kristo is a high school hockey leaguer that Habs drafted last time. In this game, like most games, he was used mainly on the penalty kill but everytime he did he had a few short handed chances. Eventually as the game went on and panic hit the coach, he went on more thanks to a few line shuffles. Won some faceoffs, created things, had chances. It didn't amount to anything but he's one of the youngest on the team and one of the guys not asked to do much of anything. His speed is incredible though. As was Ryan McDonagh. He had two tough breaks in the Canada game (stick breaking on a Tavares giveaway, puck bounced off him and into his net). But this guy is a solid defenseman. I was more than surprised to not see him on the ice when they pulled McCollum for an extra man. What was the result of the pulled goalie? A goal for the Slovakian team. Sure the Americans scored one later on a second attempt, but by then it was pretty much over. Both players are young and can still improve, but I'm very satisfied with their abilities right now. It would not shock me to see McD next year in Hamilton. Kristo will come around later though. He's going to college first!

This is more like it: Sergei 2, Tanguay 1, Kovy 1, Sabres 3, Miller 46, grabs a drink after overtime

Numbers!

I heard a rumor it was December, but outside, it feels like February. I'm guessing the ice at the Bell Centre is nice considering how FUCKING COLD it is and has been lately. Yesterday, I was out at a my company Christmas party. Yesterday, it felt like it was 50 below. And as I'm never drunk, I felt every little bit of it. Today was no better, though thankfully not as windy. So after an early supper, I turned on the fake stove-like electric heater, surrounded myself with fuzzy pillows, and buried myself under a fuzzy blanket, ready for the first of this back-to-back weekend game home stint before the holidays. And I really appreciate Habs/Sabres games. They're good battles of actual hockey with little douchebaggery that usually spoils one's evening. Though I gotta say, if not for Miller, this contest would have probably been a non-overtime cakewalk...

My laptop usually doubles as a heater
- Happy 30th for Markov! Yesterday was happy 38 for Lang!
- One signature of a Habs/Sabres game is how the teams take turns dominating each other in each other's zone.
- And as Miller was providing his team with his usual solid self, Halak was juggling. He did get better as the game went on, but there is never a dull moment when he's in nets. Despite that, he's now 2-0 against the Buffaslugs in his career.
- Laraque is The Rock. Try and hit him, and you bounce off. Try and hook him, and you'd need a meat hook. And that smile! It is both lovely and frightening...
- Peters was a total ragdoll in that fight, but Laraque never really punched him. Despite that, Peters left with a blackeye. Should count himself lucky!
- Argh Breezer the Screen gave the Buffaslugs their first goal. Either take the man or do like Hammer and poke the puck. Don't back up and back up and back up until Jaro can't see past you...
- The rocket that Sergei launched is something I've watched him practice every time I was able to catch the warmup skate. And 90% of the time it goes in, at the exact same spot, in an area that's liable to deflect somewhere ever better.
- Sergei also tried a few of his brother's moves, including that signature split the D and crash the net, as well as the warp around.
- Temporary Captain Kovy's work should be taped and mailed and shoved down Milbury's throat. Our guys get no respect.
- Lang and Tanguay are now with the same number of goals and assists and points! That's 10G, 14A, 24pts. So, screw you Mats and thanks for your service all those years Ryder.
- Maxwell played very well, shadowing his man again and creating havoc. Would have scored too if he wasn't off balance.
- D'Agostini is dangerous. My dad has started watching hockey since he was called up and stuck. My dad is now Dag's number 1 fan.
- Actually, these 6th round picks of the Habs are just incredible players.
- Super Pleky wasn't having a good night...
- Begin hit 3 people in a row and was looking for more. Clean hits too! Totalled up to 7 hits. No stupid penalties on him tonight.
- Miller was upset that Big Georges Laraque blocked his view on Tanguay's goal and claimed it was interfence when he just skated by him. Their goalie interference is even captured in a photo, as you can cleary see Ellis elbowing Halak in the head...
- But hey, there were questionable penalties all around... The difference was, when Kovy gets called for phantoms, he sits in the box plotting his revenge.
- McArthur says the Habs have a great powerplay. I guess he didn't see the games prior to having Sergei on the point. But thanks for the compliment anyway!
- I swear Kovy never leaves the ice. I'm sure he didn't leave during overtime.
- And of course, Temporary Captain Kovy, the overtime powerplay hero with 24 seconds left.

Conclusion: An excellent battle had by all.

Decking the halls with my fists of fury
- Penguinos looked awful in that blue sweater. And worse is it's hard to tell who's who when they play the Leafs. Their game was going on over at CBC at the same time and I guess the blue against white and blue confuses them too as they lost 7-3. Toronto launches it's usually 40 shots. Fleury lets in 5 goals and Sabourin gives them 2, Crosby tries to start a fight, the rest of the team checked out early for Christmas I guess... But that's ok, they'll keep text voting their players in for the All-Star game despite the fact that 3 of them haven't played the 20 games minimum for this year.
- Seems every time someone threatens to blow up the Senators, they win a game. A 5-4 OT win against Dallas. I guess the only way for them to win is to constantly threaten them with a trade to Phoenix.
- Bergeron knocked himself out again in Boston's 4-2 victory over those droogs we're playing tomorrow.
- When Hartnell isn't kneeing Andrei Kostitsyn, he's getting a hat trick for the Flyers in their Screamin' Orange old styled sweaters. Wait, what, Hartnell?! That or the Capitals just really aren't good on defence. Lots of games ending with scores of 7 goals too...