Down with the February blaaaaahs...

February is usually the most brutal month of the year. Traditionally here in Montreal it was the coldest month. It's known as "flu month". It's a month with no holidays despite being shorter than other months. And if you don't really care for Hallmark Day, then you really have nothing. Those blahs appear to have hit the Habs and the Bulldogs both hard. While the Dogs had some relief, they appear to be back and down after suffering a string of loses, the latest of which was a 7-1 smack down by the hated Marlies. As fans, perhaps the only joy one can get out of that smack down was the "1" came from dear little Sergei!

Brutal. But none more brutal than for the Canadiens. They just stopped skating. They forgot how to defend or turn around to see the play and appeared more comfortable assisting the other team by interfering with their own goaltenders or turning over the puck in a nice shooting area. They couldn't generate any offense regardless of the other team's sucktitude. They let their goalies down despite their holding their heads high and taking 6-7 goals against. They sputtered through so-called shocking controversy that bemoan a gossip mag. They lost a sparkplug tank to an injury. They lost a leader to a few days off. They lost a man of great heart to a trade. And they're still without the smiling Czech or the dopey Gui to injuries.

Will March be the glimmer of hope? Will Carbo stop being an ass and move Chipchura to the wing to play him? Will they set back the goalie tandem schedule or will he be satisfied enough to run one's goal posts into the ground? Will Price get himself a better entourage of friends instead of people who just seem to enjoy posting his life all over the internet? Will Dandy ever go back on D or will we need to watch Turnover City? (Dude, for the love of all things great and small, SPLIT HAMMER AND KOMO)! If one thing at least he's realized to put your best players out more. We've seen Kovy and AK46 double shift every now and then in Laraque's place on the 4th line. We've also seen the Metro that plowed his way through the playoffs last season continue his ways. We've seen the Schneider Play resurrected and Markov go easy on the turnovers.

I'd also like to mention that as of now PK Subban is 3rd in the OHL scoring for defensemen (66pts but in less games than the top two) and has a +41 rating. See I wasn't kidding when I said "burgeoning Bobby Orr". As he would say, "disgusting." But if Bob uses the kid in a deal on the 4th, I'll seriously explode.

The final stretch is upon us. Avanti!

Bombs away: Habs 3, Sharks 2

Gorges! That's 3 goals! What the hell, man?!

You know, there's nothing more satisfying than walking out of your car to the tune of "first period is over, 3-nothing Canadiens". Yes I had other plans for the evening, which consisted of heading over to Clydes for a friend's birthday who's born on a day that only exists once every 4 years. I listened to the game on my way there. Actually I just missed Markov's PP goal when I came back in from the bank, but my brother's description of it was that it left a vapor trail. But nothing makes me happier than to hear Gorges score a goal. Pinching up very precisely. My car reverberated by the jeers of "Boooooooou~cheeeeeeer". And then Mon Capitain finally gets himself a goal. Sounded like a lovely play. Also heard BGL put the smack down on some guy who still wanted more later.

Naturally being at Clydes, the game was on tv. I then got to see the Habs poop the begining of the second with two quick goals against. When a late arrival of my friend's came in to see the score, his reaction was one of WTF, but I explained to him how this came to pass. Then we had the joy of watching Jaro flop on his back and Markov save his ass a few times, Komo with his fucking clearing passes up the middle to someone's face, and a few goal posts of doom...

Overall, it was a good first period but I didn't expect much considering the guys played to overtime the night before. I want Metro to scoooooooore. I also want them to stop with the lumpsided number of shots. I also wanted TK or Patches to punch in that empty net. Or Stewart. He looks desperate for a goal.

And I enjoyed my Lemon Mousse cake
- Carolina pooped themselves, lost 5-3 to the brown bird of Georgia. Though the highlight they showed mid-game looked like it would have been a Carolina rout. For the sake of the East, I thank you Atlanta.
- Rangers got Torts his first win by picking on the Avs. They're good for something I guess.
- Leafs, Sens, OT win for the Leafs. Meh.
- Buffalo appears to be in hell.
- Detroit...? Uh... 8-0 Nashvilled (sic). Rinne was better than Osgood and Conk combined.
- Earlier this afternoon Thomas dropped his horseshoe and bobbled an 80-footer by Semin in overtime. YOU ROOOOSE!
- Brodeur does 15 saves for a 7-2 smack down on the Panthers. Yawn...
- I came home and my broher was watching the Oilers/Wild game. It's way too dull to keep watching no matter how much I like Clutterbuck.

Screaming orange: Habs 4, Flyers 3 (OT)

Glen Metropolit, tossed in at the deep end, takes the opening faceoff, is there during the screw up that leads to the first goal against, takes a high sticking penalty of incidental contact, was robbed on a penalty box exit breakaway, and then jostled by his old teammate after a whistle in front of his old net. But as the game went on, he looked more and more comfortable with his new mates and did an exceptional job holding the Flyers in their own zone for what seemed like a good minute or two, until finally panic ensued and a blue line battle went offside. Good work Metro. He seems absolutely thrilled to no longer be wearing that day-glo orange. (I don't remember the old Flyers colour being so...bright). The first person to greet him at the dressing room door? A smiling giant Carey Price.

I celebrated with two delicious raspberry turnovers
- PYLONS! 0-1 at 28 seconds.
- HAMMER! 0-2 at 8 minutes. Good god it felt like one of those nights.
- And then over the course of 2 minutes the Habs scored 3 goals. Naturally I missed them all because the food came. So while my dad was complaining about the suckitude of my Habs, I got to interrupt him with "C'EST LE BUT!!!" three times and it felt lovely.
- I did get to see TK pull the moves and split the D like Kovy does regularily. Even Pierre Houde was like "What? Kostopoulos?"
- I don't know what rank the PK is but so far it's been abolutely amazing these past few games. Especially the 5-on-3. I hope they don't get complacent with the knowledge of how good it is and keep at it.
- RAR PENALTIES
- It ain't a game until you get one Breezer Play. Naturally it just had to be on Gagne. 3-3
- Patches is the big power forward all you annoying forum fans have been screaming for. Lookie, he picked up another assist tonight.
- Stewart is a beast.
- Higgins and Koivu had one mad cycle on a Flyers clearing attempt that would have made the highlight reel if Niittymaki hadn't made the save.
- Every time Halak plays the puck behin his net is duck for cover.
- Koivu kicked ass on the faceoffs when it really mattered. Won 5 in a row during the OT powerplay.
- What's better than a Breezer Play? Why of course, the Schneider Play! 4-3 and he Ovechkins himself into the glass.

Conclusion: Play like this against the Sharks tomorrow and you won't be so happy after 60 minutes. So does Price get the shaft and play behind a tired team going against a well rested Sharks? Probably, in the never ending saga of how he has absolutely no luck at all... *gives hugs*

Elsewhere on a cold, rainy, February...
- Pens beat the Hawks in a shootout 5-4. Huet was never really strong against the Pens, actually...
- Osgood actually has to make 30 saves for the Wings to beat the Kings 2-1. I find that one a little odd, but whatever.

Metro City

When I read this morning that the Flyers had to put Glen Metropolit on waivers to clear some space for Briere's return, I said to my self "oh shit, he's so taken". Didn't expect Bob to be the taker though!

Obviously the shit hit the fan over in forum city from this move. Who cares though, I'm sick of reading the forums.

Metropolit is a solid centerman and a great character guy. Sure he's no Lecavalier, but he'll give you every pint of blood he's got in his body to play at a fraction of the price. Essentially he's like Begin, only he hails from the very wrong side of the tracks and grew up with very little money support, a half-brother who's now in jail for a few terrible crimes, and a loving single-mother who gave him 50 cents every time he scored a goal while playing in his government funded leagues. He's living proof of how hard work and determination will carry you to your dreams.

Here's nice quote from his wife in the Boston Globe a while back:

"He's confident, even though he's had that confidence taken away from him so many times. And now, when I see people get all stressed out over something like, say, being a healthy scratch, I try to tell them, 'Look, it's a journey, and if you deserve it, it will come.'"

Habs stole him for nothing. He's under contract until next year too. I pretty much salivate over a line with him centering Stewie and TK.

So welcome to the greatest team in the world, Glen. Sorry but #13 is taken.

Bye bye, mon cowboy...

Steve Begin has been traded to the Dallas Stars upon arrival in Philadelphia. I'd like to extend my thanks to plumber for his heart and hard work, and uncanny abilities to pick the worst time to get a penalty. (Though he was actually behaving well this year). It was more than obvious he wasn't going to be on the team next season, and with Stewart pretty much stealing his job away and the 4th line being pretty good right now with Chipper and Dandy/Laraque, this move doesn't come as a surprise. Of course a guy like Begin isn't going to net you a big return, but coming back is a big journeyman defenseman who was battled over through waivers between Chicago and Dallas, Doug Janik. Assuming he clears waivers again, he'll be helping out the Bulldogs, who like the Stars can use all the help they can get. Hope Steve gets the playing time he very much deserves, and the Stars could use the man considering how injured their roster is right now. Lucky Steve! You get to play with Turco! Good luck!

Soapbox: My feelings on demographics

Ways the NHL doesn't get it with us female fans:
- Pink jerseys
- Never the proper sizes for t-shirts
- "Gem stone" logos for t-shirts
- Ice girls
- The Capitals Puck Bunny-ish page, Scarlet Caps.

Why do we need to segregate ourselves from the boys? The Canadiens have their funny videos of random questions with the team answering them truthfully or (in Price's case) sarcastically. Every now and then we're presented with a "My Essentials" where a player is telling us which books and movies he likes and thinks we should all read/watch. The iPod lists appear every now and then. Last season they had spotlight interviews where we got the scoop on who was watching CSI until the wee hours of the evening and such. But it's all together on the Canadiens page, not separated.

Then again I hail from the video game industry so I know all about "demographics" where men try to tell me to my face what us females like to see in games (and usually turn around to screw that all up and make it what they like anyway).

I guess I see it differently being born and bred with hockey even though I'm really the only BIG fan in the house. I'm also the only right-handed person in the house but I digress. Even my mom is rather meh to that kind of site. Considering it's from a team in a city that goes ballistic when half an inch of snow touches the ground--and I have personal experience with that (my uncle lives in DC)--I guess they feel they're breaking down barriers and are catering to the wives/girlfriends/sisters of male hockey fans by going crushed velvet with sexy photo snaps. Whatever floats your boat I guess. I'm just glad the Habs don't use Ice Girls...

Solid: Habs 3, Canuckleheads NOTHING!

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Alex Kovalev...Happy birthday to you~!

Punch! That! Shit!
- Thank god Halak was sharp tonight. Got 34 saves and plenty of help from his posts/side of the net/and Breezer for a well deserved first shutout of the year for him.
- While he didn't get any hat tricks, Kovy got a birthday assist, two penalties (though that 2nd one was uh....), drove Luongo absolutely crazy, and gave Jaro a big hug at the end.
- SuperPleky! Right outta the box and in the net. Boom! 1-0
- If you were upset the Habs looked like they were hanging back, they didn't have much choice considering the penalty-fest. (Though Canucks had more). But special teams kicked the flying V in the rear.
- Regardless of how open their teammates are, the Sedin twins will always play between each other.
- Markov pinch on the PP, BOOM! 2-0 He so sneaky.
- Been a looooooooooong time since I saw the boys supportive of their goalie, careful not to interfere, and willing to stand up for one another.
- Someone hooked Koivu on his line change and Stewart attacked! I love that kid.
- HOLY PATCHES he's a keeper.
- Koivu playing with the flu? You couldn't tell. Well deserved 3rd star and finally he lead the charge and the team followed.
- Not the homecoming Burrows was expecting I guess, but he did crosscheck Breezer in the mouth.
- Loved seeing Chipper break up the Sedin Cycle (tm).
- HOLY SHIT the Habs won 31 faceoffs and the Nucks only won 18! And even when they lost a few they still jumped to get the puck. Now...keep doing that.
- No Schneider Play (tm) tonight but still went 1-7. He did say if you can at least get one a game that it's all good. Luongo was more the difference on those.
- The building was LOUD! I was flipping to the Sens game during breaks, and even though they were winning their game...it was rather quiet. Sundin got booed and taunted, the Halak Chant went all out, the Ole song sung proudly.
- Pulled Luongo for the extra man even though they were on the PK, Fruit Punch gets the pass from Higgy. Boom! 3-0
- And with that one Halak put his hands together, looked up to the rafters, and said "thank god for that".
- First win against the Canuckleheads since uh...2000.

Conclusion: They may give us heart attacks but at least they put a solid 60 minutes. It was like the Detroit book and the game of patiences. Even shorthanded they were just waiting for the right time to pounce up on the offense. I like it when they play like this. Now do it more consistently and you won't be depressing or burning out your goalies.

And nothing like a little homestand to bring you out of your funk. The crowd! They love you! This is the team I saw play before the new year. Thank you for coming back.

Oh and before the game, Lang visited them and asked them to please make a deep run in the playoffs because he really wants to play.

Safe for now...
- Boston put the 6-1 beat down on Florida. Might have been different if Vokoun wasn't sick and Anderson wasn't staring at ice girls all day. Ryder was back from his broken face and got a goal and an assist. Nothing special.
- It's going to be a long season in Buffalo now that Miller is hurt with that high-ankle sprain... Giggy got the better of them 3-2.
- Ottawa did what I asked them to and beat Carolina 4-2. THANK YOU GOD!
- Philly made Theo look silly, 4-2.

Tweet tweet my pretties...

The temptation was too great to find yet another outlet to blab incoherently about whatever. Yes, I've joined Twitter. Go me.

The Furniture Maker: Habs 5, Sens 3

Just my luck to miss a 3pm game only to find out it sounded like a wild one. I'll recap later when I watch Express but Ottawa had 47 shots and switched their goalies, Kovy had 3 points and got the first star... I hate 3pm games. I went to Ikea to buy my TV bench and went to my apartment to construct it. Well, half of it. (Actually I caught Pleky's opening goal on the radio. Woo powerplay!)

Kovy! Kovy! Kovy!
- Kovy says he feels like he just got traded here, like it's the start of something new.
- But seriously? I know he's good on the PK, but that was the best I've seen him do yet.
- Not to mention the powerplay. Or totally stealing away the puck in the O-zone for an unassisted lovely goal.
- SCHNEIDER! A point in each game since coming back. My brother on his goal: "Holy shit that was fast". Even Bob Cole was taken by it.
- Looks like the 1993 special, not only did Schneider rocket one in from the point, but Breezer totally faked and then sniped one in as well.
- Yet Breezer still managed to screw up once just enough to allow the Sens to score.
- Gorges took offense to seeing Chipper hit by an elbow. Yes, Gorges, the guy who like watching chick flicks. Got the take down.
- Uh...Sharkko Ruutu vs RoboDandy? Guess no one told him about the metal arm thing.
- Alfie playing with his broken face, protecting his head in the full fish bowl visor.
- I think Halak is used to 47 shots by now.
- Patches the Stapler. He just staples players to the boards. I love the kid!
- Why does Stewart rock? Because I think he's made of rock. He could crash head first into the boards and not even notice. He could get whacked in the face with a stick and not even blink. I wonder if that's his secret to success with all those fights in the AHL? He's also a smart kid. You won't bait him into getting into the box if he knows you're already well on your way in there.
- Woo penalties!

- Habs: 3 powerplay goals, Sens: 1 powerplay goal...and it's just HAD to be on Saku's at the end.
- Sixth straight win over Ottawa. It feels...good. Considering the Habs used to be Ottawa's favourite snack.
- Kovy was the first star and tossed his stick out to the crowd because he wanted to make someone else just as happy as he was.
- Carbo thinks everyone is going to ask for a few days off now.

It's funny, when Bob gave Kovy this rest, the entire media world went crazy about how they embarresed their star player and now he's probably going to ask for a trade, yada yada yada. Apparently Detroit just sent Osgood home for a break and somehow they're seen as geniuses.

Back with Sergei, some reporters were trying to get some news out of him under the watchful eye of...someone. They were met with plenty of "nah, not going to comment sorry" but when asked if he'd like to say anything to Canadiens fans or Bulldogs fans, he smiled and beamed "I love Canadiens fans and Bulldogs fans". Sergei! We love you too!

Twilight Zone!
- The Canucks played like crap and the Leafs still lost. Actually the Leafs should have won that one considering how terrible the Canucks were in that game... Sundin got the winner in a shootout, while everyone else booed and absolutely forgot Kyle Wellwood was also playing.
- Ryan Miller just got injured...
- Boston got shut out 2-0...by FLORIDA.
- New Jersey got shut out 4-0...BY THE ISLANDERS!
- The Minnesota Wild scored 5 goals to beat DETROIT! And it was still boring!
- Steve Mason gave up 5 goals and got beaten by the Ducks! Though, I wonder if he still has mono.
- Oh Biron you idiot... Penguins thank you for that 5-4 win.

Must be a slow news day

Sick of hearing about three guys who happen to know another guy who just happens to have been arrested for being a drug dealer with the mob? Ever wonder why Montreal never gets those nice looking free agents the team could really use? Congrats to the Montreal media for going apeshit ballistic on this rather no-news news.

Seriously though. The team doesn't need this crap right now. Last year it was the purse stealing thing. And while that actually occured, the "report" of three players who were taken out to parties with some guy is something that shouldn't have been reported. Yes you have to be careful of who you hang with when you're rich and famous, but if you aren't accused/suspected/arrested for anything then what's the big deal? Like they even knew this guy was that kind of sleeze? Will Gainey ask for a background check for every friend his players make in town? Can you really tell the difference between a rich guy who's rich from business and a rich guy who's rich because of "business"? You know, there's a reason we call Saputo "mob cheese".

Never mind that one of the players "involved" is the guy with the most goals on this team.

Thankfully most of the CJAD callers feel the same way I do in that they should just leave the players alone and let Gainey deal with it or remind them of where they play and how easy it is to start some stupid scandal in this sensationalist media hell. Of course, for some reason, there was an idiot who blamed it all on Koivu not being a good leader.

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Heh. Currently listening to the Bulldogs play against the Marlies. Some idiot keeps yelling "YOU SUCK SERGEI". Stupid Toronto. I hope he scores just to shove it in that idiot's face.

Speaking of Sergei, he's got a fire lit under him in this second period. Oh and O'Byrne brought the game back to 1 goal. Denis is dancing in his net.

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Oh Carbo... I support you with all my heart but for fuck's sake play Price against Ottawa tomorrow. Why? Why do you think? To get your number 1 in shape for the March push, he's gotta have those games. If you're going to do the "win you're in" crap, this week ain't the best one to experiment with that considering the Canucks, Flyers, and Sharks are on the way. Thanks for fucking around with Price. Like his confidence isn't shattered enough.

Also what the hell is Patches doing on a line with Chipper and Laraque I don't know... If anything he should at least be with Lapierre if you're going to move him from Ass Kicking Line. Or maybe put him with Koivu?

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SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORES! JT Wyman tied the game not long after Sergei was absolutely robbed with a crazy glove save.

Update! Desharnais takes his second of the evening and now the Dogs have roared back from 1-3 to 4-3. And O'Byrne absolutely FLATTENED some Marlies...twice. Dogs colour guy declares he would be absolutely terrified of playing against Rhino.

Pillsbury City: Habs 4 Pens 5

Can you guys stop with the turnovers? Can you guys STOP interfering with Price so he can move to make the save? Can you guys attack the point man instead of letting him shoot rockets at your goalie, doesn't matter who it is, while he's screened and can be deflected easily on? Can Higgins put the puck in the net when it matters instead of having it bobble on the goal line or tip it wide? Can defense actually, you know, defend instead of allowing 3 guys have their way with your goalie? Situations like that are 50/50, it doesn't matter who's in nets. If it's Malkin on the attack, forget it, it's a goal. That's like allowing Ovechkin the free length of the ice. Oh ya! We saw that yesterday.

- Schneider's first goal with the Habs in 13 years. Thank you for that, else the 5-on-3 would have been a total waste like the other powerplays tonight.
- The BelaRocket is on fire again. Two assists and one hell of a goal.
- His linemates were also the best on the ice. SuperPleky with two goals and an assist. Patches with an assist himself but he also did the yeoman's work for the night. I guess if this were Hamilton we'd give him the Flamboro Downs Workhorse mention.
- Play of the day.
- Or this?
- Maybe this.
- What did all those goals have in common? Shoot from the top of the circle: goal.
- Dipsy doodle dangle daisy: no goal, and an odd-man rush the other way. Video man, make them study this.
- Malkin doesn't like being annoyed.
- I guess the two games in a row drained the life out of Koivu...Actually I can say that for a few guys tonight.
- I guess we can thank the NHL schedule makers for injuring Bubbles, because that's what happens when players are pooped. Looks like his knee again.
- Not helping Price out will just piss him off more. HE HATES LOSING and no one is making his life easier. Come on guys, give him some help there. Half the time it was Price vs the Pens and like Therrien, the new coach has Malkin/Crosby out there every minute.
- What the hell did the puck hit on the clearing pass? It hit the glass, bounced up, and then right back down. Of course it gave a goal against.
- Carbo get your whip out. That defense play needs work. As does getting to the puck before the other guy.
- Kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooovyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

Funny story in the Hamilton Spector on Sergei about him not being there for practice and people going ballistic with speculations that he refused to report when, in fact, he was on his way. It was just late because they were arranging things after their late practice. GM Brisebois said he wanted his car with him so it was taking a bit longer. He's flying in anyway. Guess the porsche comes later.

Scary event: The Albany River Rats (bHurricanes) bus crashed last night on their way back from a game in Lowell, Massachussets (bDevils home). Thankfully no one was killed but four players and a staff member were seriously injured.

Tailor made: Habs 3, Caps 4 (SO)

Here we have two teams that are similar, only one is flying with confidence, the other is taking baby steps to return to form. The fact one point was obtained despite a good solid effort in which they truly deserved the two points is exactly what The Bob ordered. Though without Kovalev to save your arse in a shootout, I'm thinking Carbo should have picked the natural goal scorers instead of the defensive hard working guys. You know, they wear the 67 and 36 and 21 and 46... But that's his choice so he'll have to live with it.

My dad's random fact of the evening: Schneider means "tailor"
- Happy to be back? Why thank you Bob! It's nice to see a solid veteran on the top line that doesn't Breezer his way through a game. One assist, solid ass-saving defense, blocking shots... Makes Chelios proud to see his stolen number is being put to good use. (No offense to Henry).
- It was the 6 000th game for the Habs since 1909. (Included games for the NHA).
- The lineup is weird without Kovy...
- Sergei too... (Gonna pay attention to Friday's game against the Marlies and see how he is).
- Stewart is a gem.
- Ovechkin is so much fun to watch. Giving Price credit for the crazy catch early on in the game. Flying over for a weird goal. Then near the end of overtime, absolutely steaming mad when Pleky stole the puck from him.
- Ha... well, he's a defensive forward but the Canadiens news recaps called Chipper a defenseman when he tried to cover for Hammer's super error on Ovie on the crazy goal.
- Speaking of Price, told you there was nothing to worry about. That last goal would have been a miracle save if he had gotten it, and it was really close to being a high stick.
- Powerplay was 3-for-4, while 5-on-5 was back to fanning and shooting wide, but they had good chances either way. PK was good, as the Caps were 1-for-3.
- Holy Markov might have turned over the puck a la Vodkov during the weaker powerplay, but he picked up 3 assists on the others!
- And no goal(s) for Mike Green.
- TK IS WEARING KOVY'S A!!!
- But good work for TK. He fell and still held on to the puck in the neutral zone while the Caps where gunning for offense. Too bad he's got hands of clay...
- Work on faceoffs ok please thanks. Fruit Punch once again takes the highest percentage on the team at 63% (5-8). Lowest was Pleky at 47% (8-17).
- My only annoyance was that Ovie tried twice to take Price's head off with the puck. Meanie!
- I hope Kovy was watching.

Conclusion: Good solid effort as seen by all. As they gain more confidence, we'll see the speed coming back, because right now they're overly concerned with causing any errors. And tomorrow, another team that's like ours, and in a similar fuck as well. We say hello to Pittsburgh and see how their new coach can change them. For the record, I was absolutely flabbergasted that Therrien got a contract extension way too early, especially since watching his Pens was like watching his old Habs, only he didn't have the two top players in the league up here... My brother is also one who believes they reached those Cup finals because of who was on the ice, not who was behind the bench. Then again, other than those two players, he doesn't have much to work with. (Kind of like his old Habs).

At work I'm in project limbo, so I'm currently milling through some downtime. Using it to get my creative juices back, as they can get really stale when you do the kind of work I have to do (it's all part of the job). I've got a large "sheet" opened in my photoshop and I'm just making random heads. Here's my Kovyhead that I made this morning.

Bob takes charge and other things

Sergei's gone back to Hamilton. I'd say that's fine, even though I'm a big supporter of the young lad. If he needs a refresher course then the Bulldogs it is. Besides, last time he got sent down there he went on a point spree. Another plus? The Bulldogs could use the help. No really, they could. Their roster's wearing thinner by the week and if he can get back to throwing the puck in the net, then they'll be well on their way to the playoffs.

With Sergei down, Bob brought Stewart up. YAY! Any kid who debuts beating up McCabe is awesome in all our books. Well, except maybe McCabe's.

Schneider called up Chelibot and told him he stole his number 24. Chelibot responded with a "well you stole my job, may as well steal my number too".

Bob had "the talk" with Kovy again. Last time he talked with him he had an awesome season. Right now, Kovy (like a few others on the team) looks out of gas. I mean he has played every single game this year even while sick with the flu. He's a proud man, and loves his team regardless of what any random media gosspi monger feels to spew out in regards to his attitude, and he hates being away from them when he feels they need him. Which is why he always overdoes things. Which is why things aren't working. He's doing too much. So Bob told him to be a healthy scratch and get his act together. We'll see later how this pans out.

Tomorrow it's OVIE TIME. We may be doomed but at least we'll see that crazy Russian.

He's baaaaaack...

See? This is more a trade that sounds like Bob Gainey. Mathieu Schneider for a 2nd round pick (ie. Huet) and a 3rd rounder in 2010. (And Habs get a conditional pick if things go as planned). None of this Higgins/Pleky/Subban/Rhino/Carbo's tie sets for some overpaid dude. And he makes about the same as Markov.

What do I think? I'm just thanking GOD that the extortionists in Atlanta didn't take more, which leads me to believe Bob is definitely keeping the prospects in question for our future. And he may be "old", but hey, can't be any worse than what's out there now. At least he knows how to play on the powerplay. Though he was a salary dump on waivers earlier this year, but whatever. Only odd man out is Rhino, who goes back to Hamilton where he can work without worries and come back later.

So, welcome back. The more 1993 Champions the better? Wonder what number he'll take, since all the numbers he wore are taken/retired.

Live and Learn: Habs 2, Canuckleheads 4

So what have we learned from this recent game/road trip?

- That anyone who keeps blaming goalies really have no idea what they're talking about.
- That defense needs work and turnovers should be tasty pastries not terrible errors.
- That Breezer ain't half bad.
- That board battles and forechecking are down to the level of suck since Gui! got hurt.
- That AK46 should fire that rocket more please. Now has 20. Lang probably would have had more...sniff...
- That Higgins appears to be growing a beard until he scores.
- That Pacioretty is a keeper.
- That Kovy nearly pulled a Zednik. (Good god that was close).
- That Habs fans out West are great to see.
- That Western teams play 3 goalies at once, not including the guy with the pads.
- That Carbo is looking tired.
- That despite being a zombie, Pleky is important.
- That the Habs suck at faceoffs.
- That RoboDandy should probably be resigned next season.
- That the Habs look out of gas.
- That the refs appear to be out of their fucking minds and a powerplay could have maybe turned this one around a bit. (Hello uncalled tripping and holdings! I mean, Sundin putting Koivu in a headlock after the faceoff right in front of the zebra? DO SOMETHING!) I guess they only know how to call penalties when the other guy dives.
- That the Habs look like the Pens, minus Crosby and Malkin.
- That Benoit Brunet must diiiiiiiiiiiiiie.

And prior to this game I watched the London Tavares beat the Kitchiner Rangers. Well, actually I passed out while the Rangers scored, and woke up to find it in overtime and see Tavares score his second. Oddly enough, all on the powerplay...

And commenting on what was going on around the league, my brother is wondering if these new rules appear to be the cause of all these goalies having meltdowns... Lundqvist, Fleury, Miller, and Giguere just had another rotten weakend.

Stolen: Habs 4, Nordalanche 2

How appropriate is it that Darcy Tucker's name rhymes with "fucker". I almost forgot the Idiot Line of him and Laperrière were here. I can't believe the Habs drafted that douche...

Carbo exploded, gained a few more grey hairs
- Does the coach tell you to ice the puck consecutively? No
- Does the coach instruct you to be 2nd on the puck in both zones? No
- Does the coach tell you it's wise to pass the puck up the middle right into an oncoming forward? No
- Pleky got the shaft, and him being suspended is VERY noticeable. Say what you will about his struggles, he's always working and always trying and tonight...well...
- Habs played like crap, except Dandenault and the kids Patches and Dagger. Lapierre too. Actually the Kiddy Core was good and only Dandy and Breezer really worked their ass off for the veteran category.
- Koivu gets a pass, but he's different from the other vets. He always shows up, so it's a given.
- Kovy lost his assist because Markov hit Koivu with the puck before it bounced to Breezer.
- Kovy was desperate on the PK. He was also licking his lips with the open net.
- BIG blown chance to bury the first goal and Budaj gets just a piece of it, Sergei slams his stick on the bench with anger/frustration.
- Dear Big Georges Laraque, You know I love you... But couldn't you have just pasted Darcy Tucker into toothpaste with at least a clean check?
- Breezer punched Darcy Tucker. The tough man looked funny trying to fight the old man.
- Darcy Tucker totally had an intent to injure Breezer and almost took Halak with him. SHADES OF MALARCHUK AND FLYING SKATE BLADES! I mean...if that were Price, he probably would have gotten cut, being taller and not wearing the bib...
- Screw it, I WANTED TO PUNCH HIM. Just do it and get an instigator. Who cares.
- Robo Dandy's metal arm makes a nice flip pass, AK46 returns to form. But is it only because Budaj is the suckier Slovakian goalie on the ice?
- See? Clone Pacioretty and we'd have one hell of a team. I don't think Bubbles got this many goals in his life...and I'm not talking from the Q because everyone's goal stats are skewed in the Q...
- Best slow moving empty netter goal Kostopoulos ever had.
- Thank god Halak wasn't crap tonight. Can give Price more days to get himself back in shape without any worry or at least untilt he team WAKES THE FUCK UP.
- First win in Colorado since they played the crappy Rockies.

Shitty play, big win. Why? Because the Slugs and the Panthers won in shootouts tonight. A loss would have flipped the standings and the Habs would have been in 8th (maybe, depending on goal differentials). Chipper's on his way over to join the team, so that gives them another solid hungry kid who plays better defense than most of the defensemen. The Canucklehead just snapped their win streak to the Stars so they'll be extra angry for Sunday when the Habs come to town.

Bulldogs report!
Steve Gainey has been signed to an actual AHL contract with the Dogs, since he was playing on a Try-Out and their whole team is pretty much INJURED. (And lookie, he scored the 2nd goal tonight). He's not his dad, but he's a good enough player considering he gave up hockey all together and then suddenly got the love back and wanted to work from the bottom. (He was in the ECHL before). Marc Denis got his second shutout in a week despite the team's struggles, so he's back to the Marc Denis from the beginning of the season. Oh yea, he stopped 45 shots. Yes you read that right... I caught a bit of today's game before I went to watch the Habs: Stewart will punch his way up here! Desharnais is solid. You want skills, enthusiasm, and speed? You go with him. Habs' Martin St.Louis!

A League of Bollocks

As if I weren't pissed off already, because how the fuck did April showers get into my February... And as if Plekanec wasn't having a bad enough year to begin with.

Double-U Tee Eff, mate!

Since when do players get suspended from that, considering it:
- Wasn't an icing chase down slew foot.
- Was two players locked and ready to slide towards the boards to get the puck in what we've all seen countless times.
- Borderline tripping call considering Grebeshkov was leaning way too far back in his attempt to halt Plekanec on the play.
- It's the little girl, Plekanec!

So now according to the league, players get suspended for accidents that happen during a rather physical game where an injury occures? Do they make this up as they go along?

If Plekanec were Ovechkin you'd hear nothing of it.

Bollocks NHL.

Guess we'll also hear how Plekanec is "evil" from Don Cherry on Saturday too.

----------------

The boys had a big practice and nearly added to their own woes. Koivu and Begin nearly broke Price's face after colliding with him. Kovy whacked Markov in the face with his stick. Kostopoulos also took a stick to the head. I guess high altitude does that.

CJAD had a "how would you fix the Habs" question, regarding trades or weathering the storm with patiences. First to call in was a "trade Koivu, he's done nothing!" rant. Another guy with a bit more brains said "stop line juggling, they're not robots, they're people and can't possibly get used to each other like that" though... you should just be able to react and play and not care who's on your line. Another idiot had "trade 4 Russians and 2 defensemen for Bouwmeester". And who plays? Sorry, but Bou doesn't make a complete team.

My suggestion: clone Pacioretty.

Deja vu: Oilers 7 Turnovers 2

Mmm... Turnovers.

I want to punch Benoit Brunet.

Never mind how many shots either team had. Never mind 95% of the Oilers shots were turnovers. Never mind the term "quality shots" in contrast to lightly flipping it at a goalie who's nearing 40 years old and only plays well once every 5 games. Never mind that whenever a Hab blocks a shot he inadvertently messes up Price's timing and fails to clear it or just turns it over. Never mind defensive zone structure and offensive zone structure seems to have been forgotten by everyone so that the on-ice result is total chaos. Never mind that Captain Koivu is graciously leading the charge...and no one is following him. Never mind the players only seem to shoot with any urgency while in practice, or with 5 minutes left in the game. Never mind how three times Price was interfered with by his own teammates. Never mind how the ref didn't whistle the play dead after Price took a hard shot off his head that broke his helmet straps. Never mind how his teammates stood and watched as he frantically tried to glove the puck while his floppy broken mask flopped around on his head. Never mind Carbo pulled these lines out of his ass. Never mind that Andrei Kostitsyn should be benched instead of his brother for his constant invisible play. Never mind every time Kovy passes the puck to the slot NO ONE IS THERE. Never mind how easy they give up the blueline while on the powerplay and don't feel the need to go back to get the puck quickly or stand and watch as another breakaway scores shorthanded. Never mind a goalie will never find his comfort zone if they keep playing like pylons. Never mind the weaksauce penalties, like Roloson's dive while 5 feet out of his crease while Patches jumped to try and deflect a puck, or the guy leaning back too much so that he falls badly into the boards while on a routine slide to the puck with Plekanec. Never mind no one can win any fucking faceoffs or take advantage of icing calls. Never mind the only goals came from Dandenault and Bouillon (happy career point, Bubbles). Never mind the only forwards playing like they mean it are Patches and Dagger.

I can't fucking stand Benoit Brunet.

As for the team, when you got bad luck, you got bad luck. No amount of team bonding or bowling will help. But a whip might work.

Home watch!
I got myself a cute little washer and dryer that's coming Sunday. I put some stick-on tiles in my washroom, just to accent over the countertop. I took off work today because they were supposed to come fix the floor by my front door...and no one showed up. Sigh...

The Beanpot wasn't even exciting either: Flames 6, Lames 2

See? Because the recent debacles were so the fault of the goaltenders... </sarcasm>

We miss Lang...
- Stars of the night: Halak (despite his inability to deal with breakaways), Patches, Dagger (goal number 10), Laraque.
- Koivu gets a pass for hitting everything in his sight, even Iginla.
- Honorable mention to KovyPleks for that glimmer of hope in seeing them breakaway 2-on-1 and absolutely own everyone.
- Hammer gets a pass too.
- Kick in the pants to Vodkov.
- Bogus points to Kostopoulos for once. My brother: Wish Kostopoulos would share that daydream with us 'cause it looks pretty good.
- A few of Bubble's (previously known as The Cube) penalties were absolute phantoms but it could have been worse considering Chris Lee was on the ice.
- The motivational points to Carey Price for giving Halak a pat on the head after that god awful second period where he already face a game's worth of shots while Kipper could have just checked out early and no one would have noticed.
- Sad moment: Pleky looked ready to break down in tears in the 3rd when the camera caught him on the bench. Can't imagine what's going through his mind lately, with a horrid season on his back no matter how hard he tries... He looks like he's afraid of not being back with the Canadiens next season (or after the deadline).
- My brother: Carbo's press conference "I need hockey players first if you want a hockey team."

Conclusion: They look out of gas. And you can't ask Hamilton for help because they're playing with less than the minimum allowed from all the injuries. Habs are down to their last two callups from the Cyclones (Wyman and St-Denis, to replace the newly injured Carle and Belle).

And now for something completely different.

Goalie in need of hugs, I'm offering to provide

I salut you Kelly Hrudey as the voice of reason. He, of course, understands what it's like. As a goalie, there is nothing more disheartening than to look up and see that unfold in front of you, and the emotion and weight it puts on your shoulders is a burden few can truly bear. Even though I play meaningless shinny ball hockey I fall victim of the "why me" nights when I see the guys unable to do anything while I'm getting scored on more times than not. (I personally live for the moments when I get to rob someone. I like poke checking. It's great fun, but it's not fun being scored on). Right now, no one understands what the kid is going through except for his backup, Halak, and his goalie coach, Rollie. Right now it's up to Rollie to help him through this. Right now, I'd suggest he makes everyone else play nets in practice while Price and Halak flip pucks at them until they see what it's like.

I also believe I was looking at a different game, when the CBC play-by-play commentators kept saying Price was deep in his net when he was STANDING on the fucking red line.

Another salut to Komisaurus for looking like he wanted to absolutely punch the guy interviewing him after the first period when he was asked what's up with Price. Though he didn't, and took the diplomatic route. If that were Gilmour, he might have said something else regardless of it being live...

As for the game, the Habs played like shit. Understandable, maybe, since they played yesterday and were facing a Leafs team recently chewed up and spit out by their GM. But when the Habs play like shit and Price is struggling to the point of tears, it's not going to end well. I also salut the young buck for actually facing the press in the locker room even though I thought he was about to bust out crying. Can he steal games for the team? Yes, he could. First period shots were largely in favor of the Leafs to about a game's worth by the second period when the Canadiens only managed 2. And the only ones helping him are the only ones showing up: Koivu, Sergei, Patches, and Lapierre, Hammer and Rhino for defence. That's two veterans and four kids.

It would also help to win crucial faceoffs in your home zone with only a minute left. I'm just saying, you know. Goalies can't win faceoffs.

I think my only highlight of the night was seeing Lapierre's entire line in the penalty box. It was kind of funny.

D'Agostini took over Lang's spot on the powerplay with his right-handed shot. Kostopoulos made a diving goal. Markov broke the 40 point barrier, now leading the team. But 5-on-5, the loss of Lang is really showing, as it is in the faceoffs that Pleky isn't winning. His loss to a freak injury is hurting this team more than people think.

Oddly enough, Price's percentage hasn't really changed from last year and the Habs are still 4th. But people gotta start scoring or they won't stay there for long.

I saw worse today, actually
- Talk about a team playing like shit, just watched the Blackhawks get absolutely owned by the Canucks. Leaving Huet out to the birds in the first period where he gave up 3 goals, and then Khabibulin to give up 4. When your best chance is during a shorthanded breakaway and no one is capable of connecting a pass or actually shooting to the net, I seriously wouldn't put that loss on the goalies.
- Another team who played yesterday called the Buffalo Sabres lost in a shootout to Ottawa, though Ottawa blew a 2-0 lead. Miller got absolutely owned on the shootout by Sharkko Ruutu. Same move he tried on Price.
- I thought Fernandez was injured? Doesn't matter, Pooh Bears lost after blowing their own lead to the Flyers.
- Ducks beat Flames 2-1. Will they be angry on Monday, or will the Habs be angrier?
- Detroit beat the Oilers 8-3. Hope that's the same Oilers Habs meet on Wednesday... They could use a barnburner. My brother wonders how Drouin-Deslauriers' name fits on his sweater.
- All these weird new rules of not allowing defensemen to play some actual defense like battles in front of the net or calling borderline interference is really skewing scores. Games with 4 or more goals appear to be the norm and shootouts seem on the rise this year... The new NHL is weird.

Can't really complain: Habs 2, Sabres 3

Tonight I was out eating and drinking with friends at Les 3 Brasseurs to celebrate a birthday but it was hard not to glance over at the big flat screens showing the game. (Regardless of what's on a tv when they have them at restaurants, I can't help looking because it's just there, glaring at me). Can't really complain with the outcome, though. Habs and Sabres are two pretty even teams in terms of style. Much like the Pens games, it's all speedy firewagon hockey. Though some nights, you'll meet Ryan Miller on top of his game, and coming off a yawner of a shutout against Toronto, you could say Yomammaween was definitely in top shape. Even his own teammates took notice, considering the Canadiens flung a game's worth of shots at him by the second period.

As I sipped my blond beer mixed with whisky and maple syrup...
- PATCHES! What a kid! No way he sees Hamilton again this year...
- Kovy's penalties don't bug me considering the Habs have a tendency to make some good shorthanded chances. Fruit Punch tried but tripped. No biggy, just happy he didn't hurt himself.
- Koivu with a roughing penalty? The Captain has bite since he's gotten his legs going.
- More goals for Koivu is yummy. And on the powerplay, well, that's even better.
- Fruit Punch rocked the faceoffs.
- Hammer Time! Wish he'd do that more...
- Thankfully Dagger wears a visor, or that could have been worse...
- Cube, I love you, but why did you try to punch that guy?
- You'd think refs would know to stay clear of the boards when a team in on the PK? It's not rocket science. I'm so tired of seeing what would be a perfect clearing shot slowed down or deflected by a ref in the bloody way.
- Good to see Laraque out there. One thing I noticed, he was skating pretty smoothly.
- I ordered a chicken cesar salad, and they gave me it without the chicken... so the waitress brought me a side plate of the chicken pieces... it was rather lame and defeated the whole purpose.
- When the Canadiens score, someone rings a gong at Les 3 Brasseurs.
- I actually finished my beer for once.

Conclusion: Just one of those games where a hot goalie makes for a nearly impassable wall. Otherwise, it would have been rather one-sided considering all those chances he robbed. Still, it's one of those good games with the wrong outcome, but I enjoyed what I saw of it.

Bulldogs!
February hasn't been too kind to the Bulldogs either, but they finally got an interesting win. I say interesting because: it was a two-goal night for Yannick Weber who opened the scoring and got the winner in overtime AND has now become the first defenceman to score 12 goals in one season for the Dogs, it was against the bSens and Gerber Baby was in nets, defencemen were doing all the scoring (Weber and Carle).

Soapbox: What I heard on the radio and other tangents

I don't usually listen to Team 990 unless I'm tuning in to a Juniors game, but the radio this morning was absolute crap (I got 3 music stations, and 1 talk radio for traffic) so I pushed that rarely used 4th button to see what was up. Interestingly enough, or maybe not, I happened upon a semi-debate over NHL fighting and what to do with it in the wake of how the NHLPA responded, saying their players voted to NOT have it removed. I wasn't going to talk about it because, frankly, everyone has...but one guy said something that just kind of boggled my mind a bit. His stance on the possible removal of fighting in the NHL was, to him, derived by how it might make for an awkward situation between himself and his little boy should the boy ask him why the players are fighting.

So I'm thinking about this...and I'm absolutely confused.

Do people not know how to talk to their children anymore?

An adult should know how to explain it to their kids if they do happen to ask. Especially an adult who knows the game enough to be on a radio show dealing with the sport. It's the same way an adult should turn off the TV if they don't want their children watching something they feel they shouldn't be watching. All it needs is a simple explanation. If it's a heat of the moment thing, then say so. If it's a setup, then say so. Add in a few things about how you disapprove of it and how you shouldn't copy that, and voila. Your kid shouldn't be off to the local rink ready to punch the next person who checks him. It's not awkward to talk to your kids about it. It would be more awkward to talk to them after the fact, should they replicate what they've seen and gotten themselves in trouble or hurt someone.

I honestly don't know if I've ever heard of a kid asking his dad about the subject, regardless... The kids I see at the Bell Center are the first ones standing and cheering when someone gets into an altercation.

My own dad, however, doesn't get it. Then again, he doesn't really understand hockey either despite watching it for so long. He's more of a tennis guy anyway. His stance on it is "if these guys did this outside the rink, they'd be in jail". I could say the same for the guy swinging his elbows at someone's head...

When I was little, I remember seeing Habs/Nordiques bench clearing brawls. Not once did I go to my dad, or my cousin, or my uncle and ask why the players are fighting. I guess even at a young age I understood that someone did something bad and it just escalated into an all out war. And "war" is how hockey is described sometimes... But it's a very emotional game. People are playing at top speeds, working hard under pressure to win, working to make the home crowd looking down at them happy, working to earn their pay and make their coach keep them on a line. So one thing leads to another and BOOM you might have a tussle or two, a jostle, a push, a shove, and maybe a few punches.

My stance on fighting is I couldn't give a damn, so long as it's in the pro level and doesn't fall into the "stupid" category. Fighting has no business in the league with under-20 children regardless of how big the boys are in the CHL or the Q. Of course, I'm as big a fan of Big Georges Laraque (even before he was a Hab) as I am of Alex Kovalev. I appreciate good, speedy hockey that some fans call "soft", like the Penguins game on Tuesday. But even in those "soft" games, you'll see the pileups. Fighting is the step above roughing. Frankly no-touch hockey is the most boring thing in the world...

Another thing they went on is the misconception of it being soley North American. I'm guessing these guys never saw the Russian players overseas and how they nearly kill each other...?

Do I think the NHL needs to stop fighting? No. I want the league to stop the cheapshot artists who dirty the game with their stupidity. It's rare you'll find a guy dying from a fight, and Don Sanderson was a tragic accident... However, more careers have ended from the hands of repeat offenders in the "dirty player" department. A guy already suspended 5 times for a dirty intentional head hunt shouldn't be in the league anymore. Remove these players, you may have a better game to watch. If the league really cared about players safety like they claim, THIS would be their topic du jour, not fighting.

But like the bad roads in Montreal, it would take a death or two to make some real noise on the real issue. And I think it would be way more awkward to explain to one's son why the NHL allows a player who aims for a vulnerable player's head and knocks him three ways into next week to play, when his roster spot could be given to someone more deserving...

That said, TSN needs to shut up about Sergei vs Grabs. It's getting lame... I'm hoping the twat gets scratched again so Sergei won't get anymore weird made up 10 minute misconducts.

Penguins can't fly: Habs 4 Pens 2

The world has not exploded. Carbo and Kovy don't hate each other as much as the media would like you to believe. Seriously? Did you really believe that shit? Stop trying to run them out of town. So here's the team after Robert Lang's smile and crazy hair was suddenly removed from the lineup...and it's basically last year's team but with Dagger and Patches on perma-stay. And Henry just wants to fight everyone on the list (tonight it was Godard).

What are you secretly afraid off?
- Habs question of the day hilarity. Koivu says snakes, but it's no secret. Sergei took a good few minutes to ponder and then shrugged "nothing". Price is afraid of being stepped on by a bull, of course. Spiders make Higgy scream like a girl. TK is afraid of Laraque.
- I enjoy Habs/Pens games because it's all speed.
- Welcome to the NHL, Caputi! He has an awesome name. And congratulations on his first NHL goal capitalizing on the 5 Habs sitting in Price's face. 0-1
- Well, Fleury isn't really known for his puckhandling prowess... Gave the puck right to Sergei. Needle, thread, Hammer Time. 1-1
- Crosby took a run over Price. Lucky Price leaned back. Please don't take our goalie's head off.
- Malkin vs...Komisaurus? Um... I supposed we have Luke Schenn to thank for that? At least Komo was nice enough to just really pin him to the glass.
- Been a long time since I saw the team this organized.
- Been a long time since I saw the Pens that bad defensively. Really hung Fleury out to dry.
- Best defensive play of the night: four Habs halt the oncoming forward, puck trickles to Price, Price smacks it out to center via the boards.
- Refs gotta get out of the fucking way. Pleky had to move one over...
- Refs gotta get out of the fucking way of clearing attempts... THREE times in the 3rd alone.
- The colour of your pads mean nothing.
- The Double-Max-Sergei line was awesome.
- Pacioretty was awesome not only offensively but defensively he prevented Malkin from entering the zone twice in a row. Nice to see the kid growing before our eyes.
- Sergei was EVERYWHERE.
- Higgins shorthanded. He can score at will like that. But when he's pressured with people around him, he misses. He's so weird. 2-1
- Actually Habs now have 9 shorties. That's 2nd to the Flyers' 13.
- Patches assisted on Fruit Punch's goal while in a headlock. 3-1
- Weirdest shot of the night was the 150-footer Markov did on Fleury who had to hold on because the only players he saw coming back in his zone wore red.
- Gorges was back on the right planet tonight. Fuck you, Gauthier.
- Rhino was smarter tonight. Good boy!
- I was shocked! SHOCKED! Therrien juggled lines for the 3rd period. Yet...when ever I looked I swore I only saw Crosby and Malkin.
- Kovy was looking like the Good Kovy. Blocking shots and all.
- Only one brain cramp on the PK and it's gotta be on Malkin's stick eh? 3-2
- Happy birthday, Andrei Kostitsyn. Weird goal, but he'll take it. Now he's up to Lang's tally. 4-2
- I miss Lang...
- Nice big open net... I was waiting for the guys to give the puck to Price so he could pop one. Maybe next time eh?
- Instead of the empty netter, Price ended the game sitting on Staal.
- Seems like a new tradition with Price. Win the game, he throws his stick to the crowd. Presents!

Conclusion: Nice to see the team back in shape and play a good 60 minutes. It has been too long... Of course, you might say the Pens are soft, but Crosby and Malkin alone can burn the red light out. I think the Habs did a good job keeping them in check, only gave up 1 powerplay goal, and pretty much dominated. It's a good win to put in the charts and helps the team move forward with confidence. And with the recent struggles and loss of more players, this is just what the Carbo ordered.

On the other planet Gorges visited Saturday...
- Ha burn. McCabe scores on Toronto giving the Panthers the overtime winner. He was used to scoring on the Toronto net anyway.
- Kings 1, Sens absofuckinlutelynothing. I saw the highlights. That really wasn't Hartsburg's fault...
- Rangers actually LOST in a shootout, 2-1 to Atlanta.
- Islanders apparently don't want Tavares? Fourth win in a row. They might still get him.
- Caps 5, Devils 2. Why can't WE play like that when facing the Devils?
- Stars 3, Flames 1. I don't know if I like the rumors of trading for Brad Richards... he's just as expensive as Vince. Niskanen makes a bit more sense, I guess. Maybe. Whatever. Only the Bob knows.

Suspenders

Denis Gauthier has been suspended 5 games and will surrender $56k for his disgusting flying elbow on Josh Gorges. League missed the boat, however, considering this isn't the first time he has hit with an intent to injure THIS YEAR let alone in his career. Even the Flyers didn't want him, and that says a lot.

And before you cry foul and go "what about Kostopoulos", this is in no way even remotely similar.

I'm honestly led to believe that because Gorges is like a black hole when it comes to receiving hits and didn't end up in hospital that the League didn't clamp down on this creature like they did with Downie (though, it really didn't stop him much as we still see him flying around trying to hit people with intent). Because Gorges is tough as nails, got up wobbly, went off, came back and then sat out with a headache, that Gauthier was let off a little easier than most suspected. Even the CBC were thinking "20 games" and they hate the Habs.

The fact Gauthier himself argued about his penalty to the ref and then later didn't think he threw a bad hit should speak a world of wonder. The guy never learns.

---------------

So what about O'Byrne? I don't know, it was borderline... But frankly Rhino is tall and a little stupid when it comes to hitting. If they suspended him for a game I don't think anyone would crow about it. Carbo might even scratch him anyway for all anyone knows. But he should watch himself... We want him to HIT but we don't want him to kill.

---------------

Tyler Kennedy was suspended for one game for trying to fight Luke Schenn while on a line change (tried to make him answer for his hit on Malkin). Silly, Kennedy... Didn't you know you can't touch a Leaf player? Apparently it's one of those weird rules we don't really hear about, but whatever. If he had waited for the whistle we wouldn't even be talking about it.

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Not NHL suspensions, but apparently Mike Smith is out with an injury which means Karri Ramo is going to hold the fort...however Ramo, like Downie, was called up while suspended by the AHL (for stepping off the bench to get into a fight, oh the old days of bench brawls...how they be gone). I guess since we saw Downie playing that Ramo will be allowed to play too.

---------------

I guess you can say the Sens have suspended Craigh Hartsburg's NHL coaching career. Honestly don't think anyone could fix that mess though...but good luck to the bSens coach, who is probably just happy to be out of Binghamton.

---------------

And now for something completely different, just because it cheered me up over the doom and gloom from losing Lang and the possibility of the team being shot in its Achilles heel (literally), losing Gui! to yet another bizzaro tally of shoulder injuries, watching the fans turn on Kovy for...being Kovy, and watching the press make up shit about Carbo/Kovy/Koivu.

Sheldon Souray, you may be a pylon half the time, but I love you anyway.

Got no luck this year: Habs 1 Bruins 3

Help? Please? Not in response to the game actually. I thought the team played fairly well considering the tough times/semi-slump going around and who was rolling into the Phone Booth this afternoon. But help us because Robert Lang is most likely out for the rest of the season and probably just witnessed his career over as an errant skate apparently sliced his Achilles tendon. To lose Lang like this is a terrible blow to the team as there's absolutely no one who could replace him... And we, the fans, were hoping regardless of his age that he'd want to be resigned for next season. Now this doesn't look like it'll happen, unless he makes a miraculous recovery like Chipchura did for a similar injury (of course Chipper is over 10 years his junior) or the injury itself is not as severe as it sounds. Nevertheless, send us a center capable of replacing him! But my hopes are minimal as there doesn't seem to be one like him out there!

Droping like flies...again...
- Injury number 2: Gui! is apparently now down with a shoulder injury. FUCK! Basically he joins his brother with that (who just went down with a shoulder injury as well).
- Almost an injury: scary went Dagger was slammed into the boards by Chara by a borderline hit from behind. Thankfully he came back.
- The game could have easily gone either way, but the injuries in the 3rd didn't help the Habs.
- Those throwback barber pole sweaters are AWESOME.
- Price is pretty much back into his usual 2GAA.
- With the loss of key men, the rest will really need to step up.
- I'm waiting for the day when Thomas is out waving to the crowd as the first star and all those horseshoes fall out of his ass like that casino ad on TV.
- Ryder still hasn't scored a goal in the Bell Center since last March...
- Patches got long legs. It's pretty easy to trip him because of them. He'll give us lots of powerplays too.
- Alex Henry, first shift, checked a man and then had to fight him.
- I hoping Kovy steps up more. I mean yesterday the ref made a quick whistle for no reason right when he was about to do something (I call it the OMG KOVY HAS THE PUCK whistle). Today it was two rather borderline penalties, with the second having the ref totally miss the fact he was punched in the head... But yea, I guess benching him could anger him enough to tell him to put his ass in high gear.
- Like the other goals against, the error with the empty net gapping wide was probably the most disappointing moment of an otherwise good game. (Minus the injuries). Bad decisions were what really lost the game.
- Fans exploding everywhere for the wrong reasons piss me off, by the way.

So if I'm Bob Gainey and I can't trade for a new center, who gets the callup? Chipper isn't exactly Robert Lang, though he's good for the PK like Lang...maybe Yannick Lehoux? But what a letdown. Awesome Plan B, gets the Molson Cup, and now could probably be finished forever... I'm so disappointed. I liked Robert Lang...

Royal Flush: Habs 4, Kings 3

An ugly battle of the win is exactly what the Habs needed this afternoon. And while I had to catch the game on Express because I HATE 2PM GAMES, it's all good. A four game losing streak is not so bad, considering the Red Wings are now on 5 and I just watched the Canucks lose their 8th despite playing an OK game (just their penalty kill was absolutely abysmal). And while it's up in the air on whether or not the boys can win again tomorrow against Boston in yet another FUCKING 2PM GAME, at least they'll be wearing the barber poles!

Elbows of the game misconduct type:
- Gauthier's flying elbow that knocked Gorges silly was disgusting. If he had checked him regularily, we wouldn't even mention it. He had the opportunity to do so as well. Instead opted to charge at him, launching full speed ahead, elbows first. Of course, in typical Gorges fashion, he got up albeit rather tipsy and surrounded by his concerned teammates. He even returned to play, but obviously shouldn't have as he turned the puck over badly that lead to a Kings goal. We're all hoping he won't be out for long...and Gauthier better get a big fat suspension. At least he got a penalty and tossed.
- And to all you fans whining that no one came in to fight for Gorges...think about it. Considering no one saw the hit anyway until Gorges got up in a daze, would you rather someone get an extra two like Shawn Belle did in this evening's Bulldogs game for standing up for his teammates which allowed the Monsters to score their go-ahead goal? (The Monsters then won that game 3-1 by the way). Instead the Habs responded with a big fat goal, barely a second in the powerplay. Roofdaddy by Andrei "I got my head slapped silly earlier" Kostitsyn himself. And later the Habs crowded and pushed about the snappy Kings for crowding Price and crosschecking Bouillon. Seemed like after every whistle there were crowds and shouting. Even from...Lang? I saw Pleky pull a guy away too.
- Price is getting his feet back. He'll be back in game shape by the end of this week, that's for sure. Though even in the win, he looked a bit pissed. Wouldn't blame him after seeing his best buddy knocked out like that.
- Terry Murray is an idiot. Must run in the family.
- Pleky's super goal was absofuckinglutely wunderbar. Especially considering there should have been a penalty for tripping Koivu, but there wasn't. Pleky didn't give up.
- First "fight" for Patches. Looked more like Simmonds was slapping him on the back though. Not much of a fight, more of a tangle. Though gotta say, the kids looks good with that new haircut of his.
- He was robbed a lovely scoring chance by Quick's glove. At least we can see he's able to play with anyone on any line.
- Dagger had a glorious flying opportunity but he was the only one that ended up in the net. Nice of the goalie to check if he was ok after whacking the crossbar with his head.
- Drew Doughty wooooo~!
- Calder likes crosschecking eh?
- Goal of the year: Higgins. Wow. That was total Rick Nash, woah. Of course Murray cried later that an actual hockey play should have been a penalty. Then again he didn't think Gauthier's hit was dirty. Joke.
- Quick gave us the win by knocking the puck in his own net like MAF did in the Cup finals. Thank you, ghosts! (Koivu knocked it behind him).
- I saw part of this game while looking at sofas at Leon's on like 5 lovely plasma TVs that were up on display.
- Carbo's look at the end was an "eh, I'll take it" smile/shrug.

Conclusion: These 2pm games are shitty and it's Superbowl Weekend to boot. Not that I care about football. I'm happy for the win though. Baby steps. Especially happy that they did not give the Kings an OT point and had Murray leave whining.

And while I'm slowly putting all my stuff in boxes...
- Leafs beat the Pens on Killer's night 5-4. And with this I facepalm at Therrien's decision to use Staal's line instead of, you know, Crosby/Malking at a key moment in the game near the end... Oh and Gilmour was better in the Tricolore!
- Four shutouts today. Boston 1-0 over the Rags, which was odd considering a few things not just Tuukka Rask or Henrik Lundqvist. The Blues 4-0 over the Flyers. Both Rags and Flyers flunking helped the Habs leapfrog back up to 4th in the East. Carolina 2-0 over Atlanta, bringing more truth that the Habs were definitely just slumped and the Thrashers played over their heads that one night. Buffalo 2-0 over the Yotes doesn't really say anything to me though.
- Islanders beat Florida 3-1. Good for Danis, slowly stealing DP's job which is probably good for them considering he's done for the season anyway.
- Good to see Dallas looking a bit more like the Dallas I was hoping they'd be. Spanked Columbus 7-3, and chased Mason out of the net in the first 10 minutes.
- After watching the Canucks game, I've decided if I ever make a band I'd call it "Big Fat Rebound". Just thought I'd let you know.

Yup: Turnovers 1, Panthers 5

I'm not even going to look at the forum/gazette comments because I'm sure they're all the same predictable slag of incompetence I hear after every loss. I'm betting there's a call for the head of Carbo or Gainey and a trade of the entire team for something shiny. Seriously, I'm sick of hearing "but Price gave up 5 goals" when what the hell do you want him to do when he's playing man alone as both defense and goalie? What about the pylons standing around in front of him watching the puck go by or handing the puck to every opposing player for a glorious scoring opportunity? At least tonight none of the guys put the puck in their own net. They just assisted instead. And what about the forwards unable to cash in where the other guys are perfectly able to cash in no matter what? Turnovers. Sloppy blueline. No finish. That's what lost the game. Not Price. (It sounds like the 2nd round playoffs eh)? If the guys were able to finish, he'd have 5 assist tonight. He gave them every opportunity to do something, considering his defensemen were unable to make a good outlet pass so he took it upon himself to do it while the Panthers were changing. He made every save he could until the Panthers broke down the door kicking, but you could have Brodeur in nets for all anyone cares and they still would have scored with the wide open ice full of options. He even made a save with a guy holding his head, to no whistle of goalie interference. And when you play defense and block a shot, BLOCK THE SHOT! Don't let it rebound out to some guy with a wide open net because you've stood there blocking the shot but also screened your goalie so he has no idea it's gone off to Bouwmeester. If he doesn't see the puck, he won't stop it.

I think his angry whipping of the puck in the 3rd period after saving the 5th turnover in the course of a minute said it all. And if he weren't in nets it would have been 5-0 Panthers in the first ten minutes of play.

Maybe the score would be more than 1 if he could play forward too. He's got a mean wrist shot.

This team is lucky they have him. How about giving him some wins?

The sad thing is the game started off really good and then all those missed opportunities just bit them in the arse. Will the Habs sweep anyone this season?

One thing to note, Sergei must have been going crazy watching his perfect setups go to waste... But with Begin tipping pucks wide or Plekanec back to his working zombie ways, there's nothing he's going to accomplish there. And never scratch Patches again, please. Kovy was seriously missing him. (Or at least put Sergei with him as no one else will pass him the puck while he's waiting there in position in front of the net). Then again, it's the magical mystery lineups. I'm sure we'll see something new on Saturday when the Kings roll into town. At least the boys will be back home.

Looking at the schedule, it's going to be a long hard month coming up, folks. Send all good mojo to the boys in the CH.

Who else:
- Yay Turks! Stars beat the Red Wings 4-2. Stop being shocked but that's the 4th loss in a row for the Wings, and they've given up 19 goals. It's also Turks' first regular season win at the Joe. Now he's 1-8-2 in that building.
- Islanders won 5-4 against Atlanta. It was 4-0 Islanders from the first period, the rest of the scoring came in the 3rd.
- Devils beat Bahston 4-3 in OT. Whatevs.
- Ottawa beat the Blues 3-1. I guess that's cool.
- It's currently 4-3 Toronto against Colorado. Is Raycroft in nets?
- TGIF tomorrow.

Milk and cookies, snow and storms

Been snowing pretty heavily all day and on my way home I nearly spun off into the wall on the highway. Wee~ Little light cars are awesome. I should put the pack of salt in my trunk like I used to do... But all is well, as I was absolutely alone on the highway at the time, thank god. And I do have snowtires. I think I'll need new ones next season though, these ones are kind of old.

Fun things found today:
- Burkie has gone Twitter. I love these. I was following the Micheal Bay one for a bit. They make me laugh!
- I love Sergei. He's such a character. Wonder if he COULD convince Kovalchuk to come here, actually...
- My brother's playing NHL09 again. Just beat the Bruins 10-0 and apparently Dandenault is a terminator.
- Wow, this is really cool. Hamilton's lucky number 23 belonged to BOTH Kostitsyns and Patches.

Is it really only Tuesday? Habs 3, Dolts 5

I feel like a whole week has gone by in only two days of doing absolutely nothing at work. And though I should probably feel happy to have survived the layoffs that went around my studio recently as I know people who weren't so lucky (though I'm sorry to say some were pretty much on their last legs either way), at the moment I'm too bored and tired to really care. When a project nears the end, we begin the tedious task of making the games fit on various phones of every imaginable size because the cellphone makers of the world enjoy making screen sizes with jar sizes every which way they like. (If you're wondering what I'm talking about, I work at EA Mobile where I make the art for games on cellphones). And I have a tendency to work a lot faster than I probably should, so now I spend my days waiting for people to tell me what they need fixing, and thus I doodle heads in my notepad while listening to Doctor Who audio tapes because I've already gotten sick of my music rotation. Until I get a new project, of course.

Where am I going with this?

Oh right. I was too tired to watch this game. I came home when the Bolts scored the first goal over my radio. I settled a bit in my room and noticed the Habs scored 2. Fifty minutes later and the first period was finally over... (At least it felt like fifty minutes). Then I went to help a bit with the supper and then I went to eat the supper. After that I pretty much just wanted to pass out. Then my brother comes home from school and asks me what happened with the game, to which I replied "I don't know". So together we checked the score online while he tells me how this morning he was playing NHL09, Habs vs Bolts in Tampa Bay and the scored ended 5-3 for the Bolts. My brother then laughed as his video game became reality, and I went back to my Doctor Who.

Maybe he should stop playing that game...

Oh well. I noticed that all the Canadian teams lost in unison tonight. We stand on guard for rights and liberty and a wonky day of hockey. At least we weren't Edmonton... Oh my word 10-3? Against Buffalo?! ...Wait, what?!