Habs 5, Leafs 0: Delicious

It's tough trying to get a replay when the Habs beat the Leafs on CBC. It's like they do everything possible to break the video.

Well the party I went to was rather meh and awkward but I had to say goodbye to a friend who's going jet setting around the world. I was pleased to learn from the lone other person I knew there that the boys were destroying the Leafs. Figured I'll catch the online replay to enjoy it later, only to find out the fucking play-by-play turned off for the whole game. Some would say that's a good thing, but when the ACC is a morgue, you need the ridiculous calls by Cole and Galley and yes even Healy if anything so as not to pass out. And to laugh at their stupidity.

Also that was a lame ceremony for Mats... Hey remember when the loving fanbase/media were angry at him because the team he was loyal to got annoyed he didn't want to waive his no trade clause in his final year with them? Yea no mention of that. It's all kumbaya here.

Habs are pros at spoiling parties.
- There are more Habs than Leafs who played with Mats Sundin.
- And it was Pierre Gauthier who drafted Mats Sundin for the Nordiques because he said the big Swede was the best available player. Hey for all his faults, he does have somewhat a good eye for players. Sometimes. He was also big on Lars Eller which is turning out lovely thanks.
- Before the game Ron MacLean told Don Cherry that Boyce and Phaneuf would score. Carey Price LOLed.
- Price's week: 4-0-0, 2 SO, 0.98 GAA, .967 save percentage.
- 20 goals for Colé!
- And Patches keeps rolling.
- No one misses Mike Cammalleri. And Bourque probably fits in better because he's not exactly vying for a letter on his jersey either.
- Highlight of the night: Lars Eller!

Suck it Phaneuf! WOO!

- You can stop bitching about Darche's ice time. If he were getting those minutes while sucking, then yes.  But considering he's playing a simple shutdown role with Pleky, it's just what the doctor ordered. Add in Bourque or Moen, and Pleky finally has some gritty linemates who'll make space for him and themselves.

- Also that was a nice goal.

- Sit down and shut the fuck up, Mike Brown. And shave that ridiculous moustache. If you think you're Sabretooth with those chops, think again.

- Also if you think PK was going to slew foot Kessel, you're fucking blind. He was going for a hit and turned because the puck had left and went into the corner. NO ONE SKATES WITH THEIR FEET GLUED TOGETHER, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. He wasn't even looking at the guy once the puck left.

- Also considering how uber sensitive the refs are when it comes to the Leafs, if the ref didn't call it then it's nothing.

- Emelin had NINE hits.

- Gotta love the guys playing hard to preserve Price's shutout. They were upset they messed it up for him in Long Island.

Price had more points than the Leafs tonight, assisting on Darche's goal.

No matter where you are in the standings, the Habs mantra should always be: JUST BEAT THE LEAFS!

You Snooze, You Lose

Welcome to the Montreal family, Robert Lang! Sucks to be you, Mats Sundin. Essentially, Habs traded Grabs for Lang and Greg Pateryn. I'd say that's a fairly good upgrade. BONUS: He was also rather excited to be playing here, is going to be 38, is able to decide he wants to play still, and knows a few Habs members already. (Kovy and Lang were pretty hot together as Penguinos).

Oh yea, and Breezer's back for a year which is ok I guess. Next year he'll either be on the coaching staff or racing cars.

Anyway, the rookie camp and regular camp roster has been released with the usual suspects and a few try-outs. Don't think I'll be able to see the rookie one but I might be able to watch the main camp in Pierrefonds. Hell I could bike over, it's not that far. If not just to see our regulars, but those guys picked up over the summer interest me. In particular Shawn Bell, Yanick Lehoux, and Gui!'s older smaller brother Olivier, as well as a few draftees (Wyman and White sound good).

This Wednesday is my 28th birthday and I may be joining some guys at work for some floor hockey. It's starting~!

How to Make a Decision

Rodin's Thinker could probably decide this quicker
Decisions are tough to make, but sometimes a little outside influence can give a helping hand. These things are like "signs"; an other-worldy power that seems to turn a decision in a direction too coincidental to not follow through. Let's see some examples:

1- Faced with the decision of what program I wanted to pursue in University, I applied to Design and to Animation. After the applications, portfolios, and interviews, I felt I could be equally happy doing a career in either and therefore had no idea which I would take. Animation called me first and that was good enough for me. Now I'm making more money than my mother, with full benefits and flex hours, creating cellphone games (and this is also my 2nd job in the field, after switching to a rival company for the same pay but better working environment).

2- My love for hockey has always been there, but my desire to play was always roadblocked. Since I'm moving out, I decided what better way than to start skating and playing. Even though I'm short, I've always played goalie. After buying some used skates, the parents still complained about my new choice of sport to the point where I was thinking it was really futile. Next week I got a phone call saying I won a goalie stick. The day after, I cracked open a fortune cookie saying "Get your mind set... Confidence will lead you on." Good enough for me!

3- At lunch I was planning on getting my usual spicy udon soup from Momoyama, except while walking to the store I felt hungrier than usual and decided I'd get the fried pork instead. When I placed my order, the lady said they had no more rice. Spicy udon soup for me!

If Bob Gainey is the NHL's wise Confucius, able to take a long walk with Kovy and chat about things which leads him to holding an awesome year last season, then Mats should listen and make his choice already: Play or Retire.

Yes, sorry, I'm really bored. Two more weeks until I see my first live game at the Phone Booth! And rookie camps is in...4 days!