From the looks of tonight's game, no one received Jacques Martin's message. Apparently he made Andrei Kostitsyn a healthy scratch to send a message to not only him, but the team as a whole. Well, we all saw the result tonight. Maybe JM should get the message that was displayed for HIM.
Firstly, you don't mess with a scoring line that has chemistry, be it the Kostitsyn- Pleky-Cammy line, or the Pouliot-Halpern-Darche line. You don't try to "fix what ain't broke" as the saying goes, but what do I know, I'm not a coach.
Secondly, If I hear about that "system" you talk about, get over it. You have a boat load of offensive players, USE them to score goals, not think of defense when they get the puck.
Lastly, you don't scratch one of your top scorers (Andrei Kostitsyn)on the team, to send a freakn message to a 3rd-4th liner, you scratch the 3rd-4th liner. You can't just pick out a Kostitsyn and make an example of him because he had a turnover. The Habs are 2nd in the league in turnovers,you're obviously doing something wrong.
And tell me Jacques, why Andrei? A 20-25 goal scorer? Did you EVER talk to him? First, he's not shooting enough, then he seems disinterested, then he doesn't play well defensively..according to you...HE'S A GOAL SCORER,THE HABS NEED GOALS TO WIN. SHEESH
I've had enough with Jacques Martin and his selective "pick a Kostitsyn to burn" mentality. If you're such a veteran's coach, last I checked, Andrei is a veteran. Congrats, I think you just lost the room.
OK, end rant.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
GIVE A DOG A BONE
Recent sports headlines and comments by people have irritated me so much the last few days, that the only thing I feel appropriate to do is write about it. Of course I am referring to Alex Kovalev. Everyone is taking stabs at him because of the Ottawa Senators inability to win.
OTTAWA SENATORS
The Ottawa Senators are headed nowhere fast, and according to many, it is Alex Kovalev's fault. The TEAM has trouble scoring, goaltending is iffy at best but he's to blame. Daniel Alfredsson hasn't had a point in 10 games,but it's all Kovy's fault. Need I remind everyone that ever since Cory Clouston became the head coach for the Senators, the team seems like an accident waiting to happen. With many friends on the team and a shiny new contract, Dany Heatley bolted. He wanted nothing to do with the Senators. I guess this is Kovalev's fault too.
MIKE MILBURY
I don't even know where to start with Mike Milbury and CBC. During Saturday's HNIC broadcast Milbury, once again, referred to Alex Kovalev as a DOG, saying specifically "roll over...and bark. He's a lazy dog!" All this on national television. Do you find that acceptable? Do you want your children listening to the ramblings of a disgruntled individual (I won't start on Don Cherry now, that's a topic for another day)? What if your son's favourite player is Alex Kovalev, what would you say to him? This is completely unacceptable.
Milbury has used words like Dog and "euro-trash" a bit too much but it appears to be accepted by broadcasters. I guess it's ok to be prejudiced on national television. We all know exactly how well Milbury sees talent based on his track record as a GM.Traded away Zdena Chara, Bryan Berard,Bryan McCabe & Roberto Luongo just to name a few, because he didn't think they were good. This is the guy who drafted Rick DiPietro first overall, before Heatley and Marian Gaborik, and then signed him to a 15 year contract. I haven't even mentioned Alexei Yashin. This guy has the nerve to be on TV and repeatedly criticize a player who has played 1259 games and has 1004 points in the NHL? Classy, very classy.
TWITTER
Words used on twitter regarding Kovalev include lazy, doesn't care, doesn't try....umm yeah, because YOU know everything. When he had possession of the puck, the game paused, literally. The opposing players stopped in their tracks because they had no idea what he was going to do. I call that RESPECT. When the puck couldn't be taken off him and he made a play or scored..I call that SKILL. When he scored through a hole no bigger than the size of the puck, I call that TALENT. As a HAB, Kovalev played 314 games and had 264 points. In 33 play-off games, he had 31 points, but he's not a good player.
I've noticed that a lot of people in Montreal found it necessary to either be a Kovalev OR a Saku Koivu fan.The people criticizing Kovalev are the ones that were supporting Koivu. I for one, was a fan of both. Each player had their own style, so there was no need to choose one over the other. I hate to remind everyone that Kovalev was the one chosen by the organization. Bob Gainey offered a contract extension to him, only (and Komisarek, but he doesn't count), so you ask yourself why would he do that if Kovalev was such a bad player and apparently a problem in the lockerroom. Just ask yourselves that.
Montreal never had a more exciting player on the ice since Stephan Richer and Guy Lafleur, before that.
These recent events have made me realize that there are a lot of people out there who do have a problem with European players, like Milbury and Don Cherry, and I personally, feel sorry for them.In this new day and age, I thought prejudice didn't exist anymore, I guess I'm naive.
OTTAWA SENATORS
The Ottawa Senators are headed nowhere fast, and according to many, it is Alex Kovalev's fault. The TEAM has trouble scoring, goaltending is iffy at best but he's to blame. Daniel Alfredsson hasn't had a point in 10 games,but it's all Kovy's fault. Need I remind everyone that ever since Cory Clouston became the head coach for the Senators, the team seems like an accident waiting to happen. With many friends on the team and a shiny new contract, Dany Heatley bolted. He wanted nothing to do with the Senators. I guess this is Kovalev's fault too.
MIKE MILBURY
I don't even know where to start with Mike Milbury and CBC. During Saturday's HNIC broadcast Milbury, once again, referred to Alex Kovalev as a DOG, saying specifically "roll over...and bark. He's a lazy dog!" All this on national television. Do you find that acceptable? Do you want your children listening to the ramblings of a disgruntled individual (I won't start on Don Cherry now, that's a topic for another day)? What if your son's favourite player is Alex Kovalev, what would you say to him? This is completely unacceptable.
Milbury has used words like Dog and "euro-trash" a bit too much but it appears to be accepted by broadcasters. I guess it's ok to be prejudiced on national television. We all know exactly how well Milbury sees talent based on his track record as a GM.Traded away Zdena Chara, Bryan Berard,Bryan McCabe & Roberto Luongo just to name a few, because he didn't think they were good. This is the guy who drafted Rick DiPietro first overall, before Heatley and Marian Gaborik, and then signed him to a 15 year contract. I haven't even mentioned Alexei Yashin. This guy has the nerve to be on TV and repeatedly criticize a player who has played 1259 games and has 1004 points in the NHL? Classy, very classy.
Words used on twitter regarding Kovalev include lazy, doesn't care, doesn't try....umm yeah, because YOU know everything. When he had possession of the puck, the game paused, literally. The opposing players stopped in their tracks because they had no idea what he was going to do. I call that RESPECT. When the puck couldn't be taken off him and he made a play or scored..I call that SKILL. When he scored through a hole no bigger than the size of the puck, I call that TALENT. As a HAB, Kovalev played 314 games and had 264 points. In 33 play-off games, he had 31 points, but he's not a good player.
I've noticed that a lot of people in Montreal found it necessary to either be a Kovalev OR a Saku Koivu fan.The people criticizing Kovalev are the ones that were supporting Koivu. I for one, was a fan of both. Each player had their own style, so there was no need to choose one over the other. I hate to remind everyone that Kovalev was the one chosen by the organization. Bob Gainey offered a contract extension to him, only (and Komisarek, but he doesn't count), so you ask yourself why would he do that if Kovalev was such a bad player and apparently a problem in the lockerroom. Just ask yourselves that.
Montreal never had a more exciting player on the ice since Stephan Richer and Guy Lafleur, before that.
These recent events have made me realize that there are a lot of people out there who do have a problem with European players, like Milbury and Don Cherry, and I personally, feel sorry for them.In this new day and age, I thought prejudice didn't exist anymore, I guess I'm naive.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
THE SKY IS FALLING IN MONTREAL
Habs lose in Philadelphia 3-2, and Montreal is in panic mode. Habs "lost to a better team"....though we shut them out last week. Trade "this" player, "why was he on the ice", "what a bad play" . Really? All the Habs GM's, coaches and scouts were on twitter tonight....between classes and favourite TV shows. grrr
The Flyers wanted it more, plain and simple and in front of their fans. Habs failed to show up for the final 40 minutes of play, except for Price of course, and all of a sudden we suck. Need I remind everyone that Habs are 3rd in the Eastern Conference, FIRST in our division and fourth OVERALL in the league, without Markov. We suck? I think not.
I ask all Habs fans just to please chill out, relax...it's ONE game.It does suck that Price played incredibly again and he deserved the win, on his play alone. But, the other 18 players failed to show up after the 2 goal lead, or sat back on the lead, against a deep team, in their barn, after 20 minutes....it was inevitable. Whatever the message was in the first intermission, be it from the leaders or the coach...it was wrong. (I'm betting on the coach, but I won't get into that, because you all know my feelings about him)
So Habs lost a road game, it hurts and maybe I'm just being a fangirl, but I truly believe we have a great team, a unified lockerroom and I'm forgiving them for the no show in the last 40 minutes of the game tonight. It would have been nice to stick it to the Flyers in their building and we did...for the first 20 minutes, unfortunately, we didn't come out with the "W".
On a good note, Max Lapierre got out of his funk tonight with the Habs 2 goals. He had a great game and played smart. Gomez, will turn his game around, as he proved it last year by being a point a game player in the second half of the season and the playoffs.
It's a long season, there will be ups and downs, and in my opinion, a road loss to the Flyers, after we embarrassed them last week, is nothing to cry about, especially since they actually came out to play hockey rather than be the goons that they usually are.
The Flyers wanted it more, plain and simple and in front of their fans. Habs failed to show up for the final 40 minutes of play, except for Price of course, and all of a sudden we suck. Need I remind everyone that Habs are 3rd in the Eastern Conference, FIRST in our division and fourth OVERALL in the league, without Markov. We suck? I think not.
I ask all Habs fans just to please chill out, relax...it's ONE game.It does suck that Price played incredibly again and he deserved the win, on his play alone. But, the other 18 players failed to show up after the 2 goal lead, or sat back on the lead, against a deep team, in their barn, after 20 minutes....it was inevitable. Whatever the message was in the first intermission, be it from the leaders or the coach...it was wrong. (I'm betting on the coach, but I won't get into that, because you all know my feelings about him)
So Habs lost a road game, it hurts and maybe I'm just being a fangirl, but I truly believe we have a great team, a unified lockerroom and I'm forgiving them for the no show in the last 40 minutes of the game tonight. It would have been nice to stick it to the Flyers in their building and we did...for the first 20 minutes, unfortunately, we didn't come out with the "W".
On a good note, Max Lapierre got out of his funk tonight with the Habs 2 goals. He had a great game and played smart. Gomez, will turn his game around, as he proved it last year by being a point a game player in the second half of the season and the playoffs.
It's a long season, there will be ups and downs, and in my opinion, a road loss to the Flyers, after we embarrassed them last week, is nothing to cry about, especially since they actually came out to play hockey rather than be the goons that they usually are.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NEED A TISSUE?
I know I'm not the first, and I won't be the last to write about last nights Habs vs Flyers game, and Mike Richards' comments so here goes.
The Flyers were on a 9-0-1 streak coming into the Bell Centre last night,probably expecting to steam roll over the little Habs, but that didn't happen. Carey Price shut them out, and as you can guess, and probably saw, things got a little feisty. Flyers down 2-0, Darrol Powe started throwing his weight around and thus resulted in Jeff Halpern leaving the game with a head injury to start the third. Mike Richards went after Andrei Kostitsyn, whom P.K. Subban went to defend simply by standing between both players, but Richards took exception to that and hit P.K. And then the classy move by Laviolette, with less than 2 minutes remaining in the third, he sends Jody Shelley on the ice to "play", ...he then found himself in the sin bin. Imagine if pornstache Carcillo was "playing" last night, I don't even want to think about that, because he is just in a slimy class of his own, even Sean Avery can't make the leap into that category.
The goons came out to play last night for the Flyers, starting with their dirty coach. Remember the 2005-06 Play offs? How can Habs fans and Oilers fans, for that matter, forget that. The Hurricanes were down 2-0 in the series against the Habs, until Justin Williams "accidentally" almost poked Saku Koivu's eye out.We lost Koivu for the remainder of the series and ended up being eliminated. The Hurricanes then went to the finals, where they "accidentally" destroyed Dwayne Roloson's knees and won the Cup. Good job assholes.
Now, Laviolette is back behind the bench of a team that really doesn't need the added goonery (is that a word? Well, I just made it one) I guess he was just the perfect fit for a team and organization of egotistical thugs that go back to the days of Bobby Clark. If you can't beat them by playing hockey, try to decapitate them or break their knees. <-----this is probably written all over their lockerroom.
Now on to Mike Richards's post game comments about P.K. Subban
(credit to Team 990 for the audio)
"You have to earn respect in this league.It takes a lot. You can't just come in here as a rookie and play like that. It's not the way to get respect from other players around the league."
BOO HOO. Need a tissue, you goon? Mike Richards had the guts to say this, on record.This, coming from a guy who made the NHL change the rule book on head shots. This, from the guy who maliciously elbowed David Booth last year in October, leaving him unconscious on the ice, who then had to endure months of suffering and rehab. Booth missed 54 games because of him and HE commands respect?
So according to Richards, PK should have left him alone while he was taking liberties punching Andrei Kostitsyn and not defend one of the top scorers on the Habs. Richards, you might play just for yourself, but the Habs play as a team.
Then:
"Hopefully someone on their team addresses it because,uh, I'm not saying I'm going to do it,but something might happen to him if he continues to be that cocky"
Well, I was unaware that a competitive athlete in the NHL had to bend over and kiss Richards's behind. According to him,PK, being a rookie, has no right to trash talk or defend a teammate.
You want your mommy now Mikey?
This guy is unbelievable. I really hope the NHL makes a point of paying special attention to the Habs/Flyers rematch on November 29, 2010, because if I didn't know any better, I'd say that was an out right threat. If the Flyers had the audacity to pull the stunts they did last night in OUR building,imagine what they will do in front of their raunchy fans. You remember the fans from last year? The ones that booed Spacek after he got up from being boarded and blood seeped out of the holes in his helmet. Yeah, those ones.
You got beat Mike Richards, TRY to take it like a man, rather than a whiny goon.THAT'S how you'll get respect, ,however, in your case, I think you've passed beyond that point. I guess it's fair to say that you let a rookie get in your head.
NEED ANOTHER TISSUE?
The Flyers were on a 9-0-1 streak coming into the Bell Centre last night,probably expecting to steam roll over the little Habs, but that didn't happen. Carey Price shut them out, and as you can guess, and probably saw, things got a little feisty. Flyers down 2-0, Darrol Powe started throwing his weight around and thus resulted in Jeff Halpern leaving the game with a head injury to start the third. Mike Richards went after Andrei Kostitsyn, whom P.K. Subban went to defend simply by standing between both players, but Richards took exception to that and hit P.K. And then the classy move by Laviolette, with less than 2 minutes remaining in the third, he sends Jody Shelley on the ice to "play", ...he then found himself in the sin bin. Imagine if pornstache Carcillo was "playing" last night, I don't even want to think about that, because he is just in a slimy class of his own, even Sean Avery can't make the leap into that category.
The goons came out to play last night for the Flyers, starting with their dirty coach. Remember the 2005-06 Play offs? How can Habs fans and Oilers fans, for that matter, forget that. The Hurricanes were down 2-0 in the series against the Habs, until Justin Williams "accidentally" almost poked Saku Koivu's eye out.We lost Koivu for the remainder of the series and ended up being eliminated. The Hurricanes then went to the finals, where they "accidentally" destroyed Dwayne Roloson's knees and won the Cup. Good job assholes.
Now, Laviolette is back behind the bench of a team that really doesn't need the added goonery (is that a word? Well, I just made it one) I guess he was just the perfect fit for a team and organization of egotistical thugs that go back to the days of Bobby Clark. If you can't beat them by playing hockey, try to decapitate them or break their knees. <-----this is probably written all over their lockerroom.
Now on to Mike Richards's post game comments about P.K. Subban
(credit to Team 990 for the audio)
"You have to earn respect in this league.It takes a lot. You can't just come in here as a rookie and play like that. It's not the way to get respect from other players around the league."
BOO HOO. Need a tissue, you goon? Mike Richards had the guts to say this, on record.This, coming from a guy who made the NHL change the rule book on head shots. This, from the guy who maliciously elbowed David Booth last year in October, leaving him unconscious on the ice, who then had to endure months of suffering and rehab. Booth missed 54 games because of him and HE commands respect?
So according to Richards, PK should have left him alone while he was taking liberties punching Andrei Kostitsyn and not defend one of the top scorers on the Habs. Richards, you might play just for yourself, but the Habs play as a team.
Then:
"Hopefully someone on their team addresses it because,uh, I'm not saying I'm going to do it,but something might happen to him if he continues to be that cocky"
Well, I was unaware that a competitive athlete in the NHL had to bend over and kiss Richards's behind. According to him,PK, being a rookie, has no right to trash talk or defend a teammate.
You want your mommy now Mikey?
This guy is unbelievable. I really hope the NHL makes a point of paying special attention to the Habs/Flyers rematch on November 29, 2010, because if I didn't know any better, I'd say that was an out right threat. If the Flyers had the audacity to pull the stunts they did last night in OUR building,imagine what they will do in front of their raunchy fans. You remember the fans from last year? The ones that booed Spacek after he got up from being boarded and blood seeped out of the holes in his helmet. Yeah, those ones.
You got beat Mike Richards, TRY to take it like a man, rather than a whiny goon.THAT'S how you'll get respect, ,however, in your case, I think you've passed beyond that point. I guess it's fair to say that you let a rookie get in your head.
NEED ANOTHER TISSUE?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Opening the Vault - Here I go AGAIN!
I promised I would not write about Sergei Kostitsyn (SK74) anymore. I said my good-bye, wished him luck with the Nashville Predators and I've moved on, in a way. However, a recent event has forced me to open that wound again. The ignorance and selective memories of some people in Montreal is making it impossible for me to completely heal from last season's events. I guess I have Max Pacioretty (Patches) to thank for that.
By now,everyone has heard about Patches comments regarding Coach Martin, being a top 6 forward and preferring to stay with the Hamilton Bulldogs. How if he was called upon,by the Habs to help out the Gionta- Gomez line, he would gladly do it. Well, excuse us Mr Professional. Last I checked, he was always among the first cut at training camp.
However,this post is not about his comments, or self glorification, but about the positive reactions to them by some media and Habs fans. In essence,Patches is being viewed as a hero. He has been described as "humble", "professional" and " still young". REALLY? You've got to be kidding me.
So, of course,me being...well, me, I post a comment about this and SK74 on twitter, and I got flooded with responses supporting Patches and chastising SK74. It's unbelievable how many people choose to only remember the events of September 2009 (and February 2008, of course that goes without saying),hence my use of the words "selective memories".
My understanding from these tweets is that it's okay for a seasoned veteran (sarcasm) like Patches to come out and criticize his potential coach, ice time and his top 6 status, but SK74's immature action's from last pre season are unforgivable and/or unforgettable. Patches is a hero for speaking his mind and considering himself a NHL top 6 forward, but SK74 was a "diva" for considering himself a NHLer (rightfully so). Patches could mouth off, in a polite way, but SK74 gets buried alive.
I have to say,I was not proud or happy with the reaction from SK74 last year.It was wrong, period. Then, however, I remembered something else. First week of training camp, with a NEW coach, NEW system and NEW teammates, Coach Martin singled out SK74, swore at him for being out of position. He embarassed and made an example of him on the first day. (I am pretty sure he was not the only player do make a mistake on day 1, but whatever)
So, SK74 got sent down to AHL, refused to go, got suspended. yada yada yada. When he did report, he played 16 games, earning 4 goals + 9 assists (Patches played 18 games with 2 goals + 9 assists) and got recalled by the Habs on Nov. 23rd 2009, and played on Nov. 24th, and earned 1st star ( I know, I was there, standing and cheering proudly)
Fittingly, his face was on the ticket as well:)
After some injuries, SK74 returned to the line up in March 2010, and carried the team on his shoulders, being a star in 5 of the 9 games he played, before suffering from lingering injuries again.People tend to forget, and/or refuse to admit that he was a key in getting us into the playoffs. People only remember the negative (or made up) reports and stories about him.
Then, one lazy error in the first round of the 2010 playoffs against the Capitals, was the end of SK74 in Montreal. It's almost as if Coach Martin was just waiting for any reason to make an example of him, yet again,, be it to appease the media or because SK74 was a young kid with talent and a edge to him. However, Coach Martin made a fool of Mathieu Darche in the process.
So what is my point? My point is that a lot of people prefer to remember a specific negative event surrounding one person, who does not speak their language and hence can't clearly defend himself, or articulate an insult in such a way, that they end up being sympathized. Patches came out and blatantly criticized Coach Martin's style, praised Carbonneau, inflated his talent and got sympathy and support from most media and fans.All that, while SK74 is still the punching bag.
In my opinion, Patches just begged the Habs organization to trade him before Coach Martin does to him what he did to SK74.(You all still remember that picture of P.K. Subban consoling SK74 right?, yeah, I can't look at that picture it breaks my heart)
Thanks for reading and please leave a comment.
By now,everyone has heard about Patches comments regarding Coach Martin, being a top 6 forward and preferring to stay with the Hamilton Bulldogs. How if he was called upon,by the Habs to help out the Gionta- Gomez line, he would gladly do it. Well, excuse us Mr Professional. Last I checked, he was always among the first cut at training camp.
However,this post is not about his comments, or self glorification, but about the positive reactions to them by some media and Habs fans. In essence,Patches is being viewed as a hero. He has been described as "humble", "professional" and " still young". REALLY? You've got to be kidding me.
So, of course,me being...well, me, I post a comment about this and SK74 on twitter, and I got flooded with responses supporting Patches and chastising SK74. It's unbelievable how many people choose to only remember the events of September 2009 (and February 2008, of course that goes without saying),hence my use of the words "selective memories".
My understanding from these tweets is that it's okay for a seasoned veteran (sarcasm) like Patches to come out and criticize his potential coach, ice time and his top 6 status, but SK74's immature action's from last pre season are unforgivable and/or unforgettable. Patches is a hero for speaking his mind and considering himself a NHL top 6 forward, but SK74 was a "diva" for considering himself a NHLer (rightfully so). Patches could mouth off, in a polite way, but SK74 gets buried alive.
I have to say,I was not proud or happy with the reaction from SK74 last year.It was wrong, period. Then, however, I remembered something else. First week of training camp, with a NEW coach, NEW system and NEW teammates, Coach Martin singled out SK74, swore at him for being out of position. He embarassed and made an example of him on the first day. (I am pretty sure he was not the only player do make a mistake on day 1, but whatever)
So, SK74 got sent down to AHL, refused to go, got suspended. yada yada yada. When he did report, he played 16 games, earning 4 goals + 9 assists (Patches played 18 games with 2 goals + 9 assists) and got recalled by the Habs on Nov. 23rd 2009, and played on Nov. 24th, and earned 1st star ( I know, I was there, standing and cheering proudly)
After some injuries, SK74 returned to the line up in March 2010, and carried the team on his shoulders, being a star in 5 of the 9 games he played, before suffering from lingering injuries again.People tend to forget, and/or refuse to admit that he was a key in getting us into the playoffs. People only remember the negative (or made up) reports and stories about him.
Then, one lazy error in the first round of the 2010 playoffs against the Capitals, was the end of SK74 in Montreal. It's almost as if Coach Martin was just waiting for any reason to make an example of him, yet again,, be it to appease the media or because SK74 was a young kid with talent and a edge to him. However, Coach Martin made a fool of Mathieu Darche in the process.
So what is my point? My point is that a lot of people prefer to remember a specific negative event surrounding one person, who does not speak their language and hence can't clearly defend himself, or articulate an insult in such a way, that they end up being sympathized. Patches came out and blatantly criticized Coach Martin's style, praised Carbonneau, inflated his talent and got sympathy and support from most media and fans.All that, while SK74 is still the punching bag.
In my opinion, Patches just begged the Habs organization to trade him before Coach Martin does to him what he did to SK74.(You all still remember that picture of P.K. Subban consoling SK74 right?, yeah, I can't look at that picture it breaks my heart)
Thanks for reading and please leave a comment.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Anti-Homers
I will not talk about tonight's loss to the Devils. No Point. Pricey played well, everyone else,except for a select few... not so much.
I do want to write about so called "homer broadcasts". You know what I mean. Leafs TV, Sportsnet Vancouver,Calgary, Edmonton. CSN,NBC, WGNT, WGN. All of these broadcasters support their teams and so do their announcers. None of their players do any wrong. Camera's concentrate on their teams. It's fine, if you're a fan, and, I'm not against it, in any way.
I've had the priviledge of enjoying the free NHL Center Ice preview over the last 3 weeks, and let me tell you, I have enjoyed it. Saw many Canucks,Hawks,Oilers,Capitals,Flames and Predators games, and learned all about the players. Close up shots of them, the coaches, it's like the opposing team did not exist.
A lot of people would say, "what homers these guys are". But, to tell you the truth, as a trilingual "allophone" living in Quebec, I wish we had such a homer broadcast."But you have RDS!" are comments I keep hearing and that bothers me. Yes, we have RDS. Yes, I get to see all the Habs games on TV and Yes, I'm lucky for that, but RDS is FAR from being a "homer broadcast". RDS is the furthest thing from being a HABS homer, then it is from being a francophone homer.
For example, tonight we saw a pre game interview with our star player Maxime Lapierre and a pre AND post game interview with Martin Brodeur. Quite honestly, if you're supposed to be the Habs "homers", why do you not support the Habs? When we play the Penguins, HABS fans get RDS interviews with Pascal Dupuis and MA Fleury. WHY do we care? Why not interview the stars like, let me see..ummm, Sidney Crosby? Geno Malkin? We play the Flyers, there's Daniel Briere,Ian Laperierre,Claude Giroux and Martin Byron (in the past).Where's Carter? Richards? Should I go on? You get the picture right? Why can't it ever be about the HABS? ALL the guys on the roster, win or lose. Why can't we hear more about the guys that are playing well on the team, rather than trying to move the francophone players up in lines? Why wasn't there a comment about the officiating tonight? From what I know, broadcasters can't get fined. Is it because you are too busy hearing your own voices and talking to each other,that you're not actually watching the game? Did I mention the new wave Lightning? Lecavalier, St Louis, Gagne, Boucher....we're done. I will not watch a Habs vs Lightning game again. RDS is intolerable.
Genius comment ,and I mean that sarcastically, by Benoit Brunet tonight was to move Andrei Kostitsyn from Plekanec and Cammalleri and insert Benoit Pouliot. My question is WHY??? So Andrei could falter and Pleky can make Pou look good? News flash, even Pleky can't make Pouliot look good right now. So that you could go on and criticize Kostitsyn, because you've had no reason to do so this season so far? No one but Price showed up tonight, well, Pleky, AK46 and Lars Eller showed signs of working real hard, but my point is why move AK46?
I would like, for once,to watch a Habs game on TV, and the broadcasters are pro Canadiens. Where they make positive comments about ALL the players rather than a select three. Where they actually say "what is Auger doing? How did he not see that penalty?" or "that is not a penalty, why not call Brodeur for diving".
As an allophone die hard Habs fan, I would like it, if for once, the broadcast I'm watching supports the Montreal Canadiens. Not just the Francophones, not the francophones on the opposing teams, but MY CANADIENS. JUST FOR ONCE.
There is no relief. We have Toronto's Sports Network (TSN), well, no explanation necessary. CBC, well, with Milbury and Don Cherry...anti Habs, AGAIN no explanation needed. There is no justice for a pure Habs fan in Quebec.
My complaint is,if you haven't figured it out,is that as an anglo Habs fan born and raised in Quebec, I have yet to watch a game where the broadcasters will support the team as a whole, and get my fill of a HOMER Habs broadcast.
I do want to write about so called "homer broadcasts". You know what I mean. Leafs TV, Sportsnet Vancouver,Calgary, Edmonton. CSN,NBC, WGNT, WGN. All of these broadcasters support their teams and so do their announcers. None of their players do any wrong. Camera's concentrate on their teams. It's fine, if you're a fan, and, I'm not against it, in any way.
I've had the priviledge of enjoying the free NHL Center Ice preview over the last 3 weeks, and let me tell you, I have enjoyed it. Saw many Canucks,Hawks,Oilers,Capitals,Flames and Predators games, and learned all about the players. Close up shots of them, the coaches, it's like the opposing team did not exist.
A lot of people would say, "what homers these guys are". But, to tell you the truth, as a trilingual "allophone" living in Quebec, I wish we had such a homer broadcast."But you have RDS!" are comments I keep hearing and that bothers me. Yes, we have RDS. Yes, I get to see all the Habs games on TV and Yes, I'm lucky for that, but RDS is FAR from being a "homer broadcast". RDS is the furthest thing from being a HABS homer, then it is from being a francophone homer.
For example, tonight we saw a pre game interview with our star player Maxime Lapierre and a pre AND post game interview with Martin Brodeur. Quite honestly, if you're supposed to be the Habs "homers", why do you not support the Habs? When we play the Penguins, HABS fans get RDS interviews with Pascal Dupuis and MA Fleury. WHY do we care? Why not interview the stars like, let me see..ummm, Sidney Crosby? Geno Malkin? We play the Flyers, there's Daniel Briere,Ian Laperierre,Claude Giroux and Martin Byron (in the past).Where's Carter? Richards? Should I go on? You get the picture right? Why can't it ever be about the HABS? ALL the guys on the roster, win or lose. Why can't we hear more about the guys that are playing well on the team, rather than trying to move the francophone players up in lines? Why wasn't there a comment about the officiating tonight? From what I know, broadcasters can't get fined. Is it because you are too busy hearing your own voices and talking to each other,that you're not actually watching the game? Did I mention the new wave Lightning? Lecavalier, St Louis, Gagne, Boucher....we're done. I will not watch a Habs vs Lightning game again. RDS is intolerable.
Genius comment ,and I mean that sarcastically, by Benoit Brunet tonight was to move Andrei Kostitsyn from Plekanec and Cammalleri and insert Benoit Pouliot. My question is WHY??? So Andrei could falter and Pleky can make Pou look good? News flash, even Pleky can't make Pouliot look good right now. So that you could go on and criticize Kostitsyn, because you've had no reason to do so this season so far? No one but Price showed up tonight, well, Pleky, AK46 and Lars Eller showed signs of working real hard, but my point is why move AK46?
I would like, for once,to watch a Habs game on TV, and the broadcasters are pro Canadiens. Where they make positive comments about ALL the players rather than a select three. Where they actually say "what is Auger doing? How did he not see that penalty?" or "that is not a penalty, why not call Brodeur for diving".
As an allophone die hard Habs fan, I would like it, if for once, the broadcast I'm watching supports the Montreal Canadiens. Not just the Francophones, not the francophones on the opposing teams, but MY CANADIENS. JUST FOR ONCE.
There is no relief. We have Toronto's Sports Network (TSN), well, no explanation necessary. CBC, well, with Milbury and Don Cherry...anti Habs, AGAIN no explanation needed. There is no justice for a pure Habs fan in Quebec.
My complaint is,if you haven't figured it out,is that as an anglo Habs fan born and raised in Quebec, I have yet to watch a game where the broadcasters will support the team as a whole, and get my fill of a HOMER Habs broadcast.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
What I would do if I had a day with the Habs
If you had the chance to spend a day with the Habs, what would you do? Here's what I would do:
Gionta: I would lift him well above my head and turn around in circles just to hear him giggle.
Hal Gill: I'd sit on his foot and make him walk around, just for fun
Markoy: Tickle him senseless, because his laugh is too adorable
Cammy: I'd have a spelling bee with him, just to see if he could spell as well as he speaks
AK46: I'd have a staring contest with him....sure he'd win
Spacek: watch The Flintstone's all day to see how long it takes for him to see his resemblance to Fred
Pouliot: Feed him Greek food so he can get some meat on his bony frame. Who am I kidding, I need least a month with him.
Pleky: There's so much I would do with him, but what stands out is putting him in a wheel to see how long he lasts running. ( Thanks @number31 ) :)
Gionta: I would lift him well above my head and turn around in circles just to hear him giggle.
Hal Gill: I'd sit on his foot and make him walk around, just for fun
Markoy: Tickle him senseless, because his laugh is too adorable
Cammy: I'd have a spelling bee with him, just to see if he could spell as well as he speaks
AK46: I'd have a staring contest with him....sure he'd win
Spacek: watch The Flintstone's all day to see how long it takes for him to see his resemblance to Fred
Pouliot: Feed him Greek food so he can get some meat on his bony frame. Who am I kidding, I need least a month with him.
Pleky: There's so much I would do with him, but what stands out is putting him in a wheel to see how long he lasts running. ( Thanks @number31 ) :)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hocktober is HERE!
Well guys and gals, ladies and gentlemen, the TIME HAS COME! We all hoped for this day to come and it's finally here.The countdown to Oct 7, 2010 started in June. The #isitoctoberyet twitter hashtag has been replaced with the #Octoberishere and #Hocktoberishere. Everyone has stocked up the beer fridge and dug out the delivery menus from that bottom drawer in the kitchen, you know the one with the extra batteries and cell phone chargers (we all have THAT drawer).
HOCKEY IS BACK!!!
I can't wait to see how this season turns out. Can't wait to see how soon our boys get chemistry with their linemates. Can't wait to see who will score the first goal,who will get their first NHL goal, who will fight first and who will have their first NHL fight.Most of all, I can't wait to hear "Your Captain - BRIAAAN GIONNTA! and "accueillons vos Canadiens" *goosebumps*
I FEEL GIDDY!
The boys are back! A little different, with the off season transactions and such, but the Bleu Blanc et Rouge are back and will make their presence be known as of 7:30pm tonight. THIS is OUR team! This is the Crest that we all love and adore AND support. The past is the past. We need to live for now and the future! These boys are here to make that happen. I don't know how to really express what I'm feeling now, but I can say that I can't wait for nos Glorieux to step onto the ice at the ACC and show us what they got. I just can't wait.
I know we're probably going to be missing key players like Pricey, Marky and Hammer but just to see the rest out there tomorrow, is good enough for me. We missed key players last year too, for a significant amount of time, and mostly simultaneously...so I think we'll be OK. We have a good group of guys and I am excited for this season!
ARE YOU READY!!!!
HOCKEY IS BACK!!!
I can't wait to see how this season turns out. Can't wait to see how soon our boys get chemistry with their linemates. Can't wait to see who will score the first goal,who will get their first NHL goal, who will fight first and who will have their first NHL fight.Most of all, I can't wait to hear "Your Captain - BRIAAAN GIONNTA! and "accueillons vos Canadiens" *goosebumps*
I FEEL GIDDY!
The boys are back! A little different, with the off season transactions and such, but the Bleu Blanc et Rouge are back and will make their presence be known as of 7:30pm tonight. THIS is OUR team! This is the Crest that we all love and adore AND support. The past is the past. We need to live for now and the future! These boys are here to make that happen. I don't know how to really express what I'm feeling now, but I can say that I can't wait for nos Glorieux to step onto the ice at the ACC and show us what they got. I just can't wait.
I know we're probably going to be missing key players like Pricey, Marky and Hammer but just to see the rest out there tomorrow, is good enough for me. We missed key players last year too, for a significant amount of time, and mostly simultaneously...so I think we'll be OK. We have a good group of guys and I am excited for this season!
ARE YOU READY!!!!
Friday, October 1, 2010
My Sources told me
Just because I can't resist the temptation to say exactly what I think, here goes. Tonight's events have had me chuckling uncontrollably all night. So this is just a quick report.
Pierre McGuire
Everyone knows him, everyone dislikes him, except for some Habs fans who call in to the Team 990 wishing he was the Habs GM because he is the best. The best at what I ask? The best at going for job interviews and never getting the gig? The best at talking to players and claiming they open up to him and that he knows a lot? Well, let me tell you, he's not.Here's why.
Earlier today on the Team 990 in Montreal, Charles Olivier Roussel (who's that you say? what? Yeah, my thoughts exactly)came on and said how Sergei Kostitsyn doesn't appear to be playing hard,in Nashville and that he is "soft". This coming from a 19 year old "pro" who got sent back down to the minors in Nashville.*chuckle*
McGuire was informed of this during his daily call at 5:25pm and he laughed. He was shocked, surprised and loved the fact that a kid would say that. Well...let's get to the TSN broadcast of the Barfallo Sabres vs The Habs tonight....
"word out of Nashville is that Sergei Kostitsyn is playing soft" quotes Pierre McGuire,in his "I know everything" voice. People, I fell off my couch laughing. I couldn't believe he said that. THOSE are his sources? Disgruntled kids not making the pros? And you want HIM to be our GM??
WHATEVER
The Antichambre Dudes:
THIS is classic.We all know the Power Play isn't working. No Marky,half a professional roster. 3 top six forwards playing each game, you know, it's the pre-season. Bergy's "manchette" tonight was "where's MAB?" They went on to talk about his one timer. They talked about how good his shot is and that he should be on the team. Half hour later, they're still talking about MAB's shot etc etc etc. They brought out a white board, did some drawings about positions and how MAB's shot would help the Habs.
Well this next part, had me tearing from laughter.
Gaston (whatever his last name is, I kinda tune out) brought up Yannick Weber. "C'est quoi la role de Weber sur le Canadiens?" And they all answer "Sa lancer". *rolls eyes* You see where I'm going with this? I couldn't stop laughing at their stupidity. From what I understand, we already have a MAB in our organization, who is better at being a defenceman, BUT, they want the Habs to pay money for him anyways. LOL!
My thoughts? Forget it, I won't go to politics again. Did it once, never again.
Tell me your thoughts.
Pierre McGuire
Everyone knows him, everyone dislikes him, except for some Habs fans who call in to the Team 990 wishing he was the Habs GM because he is the best. The best at what I ask? The best at going for job interviews and never getting the gig? The best at talking to players and claiming they open up to him and that he knows a lot? Well, let me tell you, he's not.Here's why.
Earlier today on the Team 990 in Montreal, Charles Olivier Roussel (who's that you say? what? Yeah, my thoughts exactly)came on and said how Sergei Kostitsyn doesn't appear to be playing hard,in Nashville and that he is "soft". This coming from a 19 year old "pro" who got sent back down to the minors in Nashville.*chuckle*
McGuire was informed of this during his daily call at 5:25pm and he laughed. He was shocked, surprised and loved the fact that a kid would say that. Well...let's get to the TSN broadcast of the Barfallo Sabres vs The Habs tonight....
"word out of Nashville is that Sergei Kostitsyn is playing soft" quotes Pierre McGuire,in his "I know everything" voice. People, I fell off my couch laughing. I couldn't believe he said that. THOSE are his sources? Disgruntled kids not making the pros? And you want HIM to be our GM??
WHATEVER
The Antichambre Dudes:
THIS is classic.We all know the Power Play isn't working. No Marky,half a professional roster. 3 top six forwards playing each game, you know, it's the pre-season. Bergy's "manchette" tonight was "where's MAB?" They went on to talk about his one timer. They talked about how good his shot is and that he should be on the team. Half hour later, they're still talking about MAB's shot etc etc etc. They brought out a white board, did some drawings about positions and how MAB's shot would help the Habs.
Well this next part, had me tearing from laughter.
Gaston (whatever his last name is, I kinda tune out) brought up Yannick Weber. "C'est quoi la role de Weber sur le Canadiens?" And they all answer "Sa lancer". *rolls eyes* You see where I'm going with this? I couldn't stop laughing at their stupidity. From what I understand, we already have a MAB in our organization, who is better at being a defenceman, BUT, they want the Habs to pay money for him anyways. LOL!
My thoughts? Forget it, I won't go to politics again. Did it once, never again.
Tell me your thoughts.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My Canadiens 12 man roster
I will never back down from a challenge. So I was informed that @schmitzysays challenged all bloggers to post their 12 man forward roster, although I am new to blogging, I do know my hockey, so here goes.
1st line: Cammy- Pleky-Tit or Tank(or AK46,not to be confused with his brother Titty-SK74, sigh)
Mostly because they do have chemistry. Pleky has played with AK46 for a few years now and he can set up anybody. Also playing with Cammy in the pre-season, will only help them figure each others movements better.
This is my first line because Cammy has been challenged to score 40 goals this year, AK46 is in a contract year and Pleky, well he's just an energizer bunny who doesn't quit!
2nd line: Giant(Gionta)-Gogo(Gomez)- Pou (no explanation needed)
Yes I know, Pou is better at cleaning the ice with his bum rather than hustling and trying to score goals,but I'm not willing to give up on him yet.He hasn't been impressive in the pre-season in ANY way. Actually, he's been rather dormant,but I'd put him in there for now, on a very VERY short leash.It also helps my decision that he is on a 1 year contract.
As for Gogo and Giant, they're like an old married couple: they know exactly what the other is thinking and what they're about to do.
3rd line: Tom Pyatt(TP. AKA:Teachers Pet)-Eller (Tin Tin)-Yappy (Lapierre)
The kids line. Let them go out and reap havoc.I was VERY impressed with Tin Tin in the pre-season. he's a big body and a natural center. I am also happy that Yappy from 2 years ago appears to have healed and is back for good.And, although TP took over my boy's position(SK74) I will not hold it against him. Although he hasn't really impressed me this pre-season, we know what a great penalty killer he is..and he can score too.
4th line: Moen(Plumber, get it)-Halpern-White(Feisty Munster or just Munster)
The shit disturber line. I love the aggression the Plumber has shown in the pre-season (something he was criticized for not doing last season). Halpern is a vet, who has a scoring touch and a good hockey sense (ya, ok, don't know much about him, shoot me). And Munster? What can I say about this kid? I liked him last year...this year, I adore him. A true team player, willing to sacrifice himself for anything and anyone, AND he can score!
On the bench: Boyd and Desharnais.
These boys are here in case Pou just can't get out of the Marshmallow (Latendresse, I am French, therefore I am God syndrome) and also in case White doesn't pan out for the NHL yet.
That's all. Let me know what you think. I was told I can't clone AK46 AND I am not allowed to trade SK74 back to the Habs, so this is all I got.
Waivers: Doctor Darche
I hate doing this, because he hasn't done anything wrong, but he's slow and doesn't fit our speedy roster.
1st line: Cammy- Pleky-Tit or Tank(or AK46,not to be confused with his brother Titty-SK74, sigh)
Mostly because they do have chemistry. Pleky has played with AK46 for a few years now and he can set up anybody. Also playing with Cammy in the pre-season, will only help them figure each others movements better.
This is my first line because Cammy has been challenged to score 40 goals this year, AK46 is in a contract year and Pleky, well he's just an energizer bunny who doesn't quit!
2nd line: Giant(Gionta)-Gogo(Gomez)- Pou (no explanation needed)
Yes I know, Pou is better at cleaning the ice with his bum rather than hustling and trying to score goals,but I'm not willing to give up on him yet.He hasn't been impressive in the pre-season in ANY way. Actually, he's been rather dormant,but I'd put him in there for now, on a very VERY short leash.It also helps my decision that he is on a 1 year contract.
As for Gogo and Giant, they're like an old married couple: they know exactly what the other is thinking and what they're about to do.
3rd line: Tom Pyatt(TP. AKA:Teachers Pet)-Eller (Tin Tin)-Yappy (Lapierre)
The kids line. Let them go out and reap havoc.I was VERY impressed with Tin Tin in the pre-season. he's a big body and a natural center. I am also happy that Yappy from 2 years ago appears to have healed and is back for good.And, although TP took over my boy's position(SK74) I will not hold it against him. Although he hasn't really impressed me this pre-season, we know what a great penalty killer he is..and he can score too.
4th line: Moen(Plumber, get it)-Halpern-White(Feisty Munster or just Munster)
The shit disturber line. I love the aggression the Plumber has shown in the pre-season (something he was criticized for not doing last season). Halpern is a vet, who has a scoring touch and a good hockey sense (ya, ok, don't know much about him, shoot me). And Munster? What can I say about this kid? I liked him last year...this year, I adore him. A true team player, willing to sacrifice himself for anything and anyone, AND he can score!
On the bench: Boyd and Desharnais.
These boys are here in case Pou just can't get out of the Marshmallow (Latendresse, I am French, therefore I am God syndrome) and also in case White doesn't pan out for the NHL yet.
That's all. Let me know what you think. I was told I can't clone AK46 AND I am not allowed to trade SK74 back to the Habs, so this is all I got.
Waivers: Doctor Darche
I hate doing this, because he hasn't done anything wrong, but he's slow and doesn't fit our speedy roster.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Here we go again
It's Deja-vu all over again. First pre season game and if it's not the media that chastises the Habs, it's the so called "Fans". You know which ones I'm talking about? The ones in the nose bleeds who have no idea what's happening on the ice, because they can't see that far down and need oxygen masks to breathe because of the altitude.The ones who just see a goal go in against the Habs and automatically blame the goaltender. Granted, a couple were weak, but who cares? Everyone is getting their feet wet in the first pre-season game, even the veterans. Cammy and Spacek didn't have a great game either. Where was Pouliot?He seemed okay at first,then nada. So why call out Carey Price? Why are you booing him?
People in Montreal need to realize that the more the media and "fans" become selfish, the more the team and players will not give a shit about you. That was your #1 goalie you were booing, in the first game of the pre-season! ARE YOU SERIOUS??? We all missed hockey, we were all desperate to see the Habs back on the ice and play a game. We all hoped to see a win and a great performance from the start, but that didn't happen.
We were rusty. The rookies were nervous as hell, the vets weren't perfect either.There was no chemistry, at FIRST, but as the game progressed, things got better on the ice.Yet, these "fans" still booed Pricey and cheered when he touched the puck,in what they conjured as a stop.
Get some class people. The media is not the sole reason why high end players don't want to come play for Montreal,you add to that.
People in Montreal need to realize that the more the media and "fans" become selfish, the more the team and players will not give a shit about you. That was your #1 goalie you were booing, in the first game of the pre-season! ARE YOU SERIOUS??? We all missed hockey, we were all desperate to see the Habs back on the ice and play a game. We all hoped to see a win and a great performance from the start, but that didn't happen.
We were rusty. The rookies were nervous as hell, the vets weren't perfect either.There was no chemistry, at FIRST, but as the game progressed, things got better on the ice.Yet, these "fans" still booed Pricey and cheered when he touched the puck,in what they conjured as a stop.
Get some class people. The media is not the sole reason why high end players don't want to come play for Montreal,you add to that.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Please, if I may...
I hate talking politics, but due to recent events and living in Quebec, you sometimes have no choice. If there's one thing that unites all Quebecers, it is The Montreal Canadiens.So why do some politicians find it necessary to try to make a mockery of the one thing we all have in common.
I would love to have more local boys on our team. To have our very own 21st century version of the great Jean Beliveau or Guy Lafleur, but it hasn't happened yet. We tried to get Daniel Briere and Vinny Lecavalier, but they didn't want to come here. These little details get forgotten.
I now sit here, wondering what is acceptable for the Pauline Marois's of the world? Does Benoit Pouliot fit her description of what the Habs should be? After all, we all are perfectly made aware that he's a Franco-Ontarian. Hypothetically, if I had a brother,let's name him Nick Papachristopopoulos, born and raised in Quebec and fluently bilingual....would HE fit her profile?
I think not.
So, if I may, why do those who have the same beliefs as the Marois's of the world, think it is ok to be openly prejudiced about people's ethnicity and language? Why do they think it is acceptable to do so? Why am I not considered a "Quebecoise" when I was born and raised in Montreal? Are they so insecure about their culture, that they think it's appropriate and acceptable to express discontent with everything and anything that is not French?
So, can't we all just enjoy each others company when it comes to the one thing that we do adore? The one thing that brings us together, The Montreal Canadiens!
Please leave politics out of sports.
I would love to have more local boys on our team. To have our very own 21st century version of the great Jean Beliveau or Guy Lafleur, but it hasn't happened yet. We tried to get Daniel Briere and Vinny Lecavalier, but they didn't want to come here. These little details get forgotten.
I now sit here, wondering what is acceptable for the Pauline Marois's of the world? Does Benoit Pouliot fit her description of what the Habs should be? After all, we all are perfectly made aware that he's a Franco-Ontarian. Hypothetically, if I had a brother,let's name him Nick Papachristopopoulos, born and raised in Quebec and fluently bilingual....would HE fit her profile?
I think not.
So, if I may, why do those who have the same beliefs as the Marois's of the world, think it is ok to be openly prejudiced about people's ethnicity and language? Why do they think it is acceptable to do so? Why am I not considered a "Quebecoise" when I was born and raised in Montreal? Are they so insecure about their culture, that they think it's appropriate and acceptable to express discontent with everything and anything that is not French?
So, can't we all just enjoy each others company when it comes to the one thing that we do adore? The one thing that brings us together, The Montreal Canadiens!
Please leave politics out of sports.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Best and the Worst : A Fond Farewell
Since there are 28 days until the start of the Habs season, I will take this opportunity to spill my guts out to the interwebs,for all to read.I want these feelings out of my system before the new season. I won't be pointing fingers,because it takes 2 to tango and obviously Jacques Martin & Sergei Kostitsyn(SK) were not a perfect pair.Here goes:
In January,I was lucky enough to be able to purchase 2 ice level(Sec110) tickets to a Habs vs Sens game, right in Kovy's office. I was ecstatic at the chance to see him again, in the wrong jersey however, but him, none the less.I had the privilege to go with my good friend @MaryK_27,who is an avid Habs fan and fellow Kovy lover.
I then shamelessly contacted someone,who is now my friend and shall remain annonymous, who once told me if I ever wanted to meet SK74 at a game,to let him know.SO, as promised, steps were made.
Everything started falling into place,my perfect birthday EVER.As game day approached, I ate less and less. I was a nervous wreck We got to the Bell Centre at 5pm (the game was at 7). We get to the ticketmaster & my pass wasn't there.I must have gone there 100times by 6:30,pass was still not there.The guy felt so bad,that he offered to bring it to me when SK74 called it in.We get back to our seats for the pre game skate,and then it hit me.This overwhelming feeling of fear.Thoughts like "Are you crazy?What are you going to say to him?What if he's a jerk? What if you faint and die?" I must have driven Mary crazy,poor soul didn't even tell me.I worked myself up to this intense nervousness, I lost feeling in my hands, that at that point,I hoped the ticketmaster guy wouldn't bring me the pass.But just as the lights dimmed, he came. He brought me a Montreal Canadiens invitation pass from SK74 to ME!!! ME!!!
We have the best seats in the house,I got my pass, Kovy is on the ice and the HABS score!! How could it get any better than this? Well,Mary and I got the attention of a CBC cameraman and our celebration was aired nationwide!!! ON TV!!!We're FAMOUS! LOL :)
So THE moment comes upon me. End of game,Habs lose to the Sens again...and I'm off to the meeting place.I was led through security, corridors,more security, an elevator,more corridors and finally, to a large room,with curtained off sections. There were other groups of fans waiting. I was alone...trembling.Then security guys starts calling out: "group for Cammalleri", "Group for Gionta" then "Group for Mara". I was then officially all alone,so I decided to go hang out with the guard and at least see the Habs that were there. Those visits lasted about 3 minutes. They took pictures, signed autographs, Mara gave a kid his stick, and they were off. I was still there, ALONE.
At this point,my nervousness was gone. I just felt like the biggest fool in the world.I started pacing and cursing myself, until I heard"Are you here for SK74?"I turned, and there was only the guard. No SK. Then he proceeds to say "mumble mumble mumble, he had to board the bus to New York. He's sorry." I just asked him how I can leave, he guided me to a door, said sorry, and by the time I made it to the car,where Mary was waiting,I was crying so intensely, I couldn't breathe. It was a mixture of anger,sadness and embarrassment A cry that hurt my throat so bad,I couldn't speak, until I yelled out obscenities. I called him every bad word under the sun.Then I got angrier at myself for A) forgetting the Habs were playing the Rangers the next day and B) opting to meet SK rather than Kovalev.
At this point however, it would have been easy for me to join the rest of you and despise him.But I didn't, I couldn't. I wanted to kick the shit out of him, ,but I couldn't hate him.
Then,3 months later, everything became very clear to me.I went to an autograph session and when I met him, saw how shy he really is, and the fact that he is a child, a young boy. A baby. He'd look you in the eyes,then turn away. He blushed, smiled then looked away again.I was talking with my friend, not 1 foot away from him for quite some time, and every time he heard his name or "brothers", he'd look up, smile, fidget and look away. This was a young boy, who lived on his own for so long. Got fed to the wolves in Montreal, then Jacques Martin. Was unprotected and had no mentor like he did with the London Nights or the Bulldogs. So you know what, I forgive him for January. I won't start pointing fingers or blaming anyone. What's done is done. He's a Predator now,and all I can do is hope that he is given the opportunity to play and prove himself, and that he seizes whatever chance he does get.Coach Trotz, you have a jewel, please don't rough it up.
Cheers Sergei to a fresh new start and hopefully a successful long career in the NHL.
Bye bye baby I will miss you.
And that is it for me on this subject
In January,I was lucky enough to be able to purchase 2 ice level(Sec110) tickets to a Habs vs Sens game, right in Kovy's office. I was ecstatic at the chance to see him again, in the wrong jersey however, but him, none the less.I had the privilege to go with my good friend @MaryK_27,who is an avid Habs fan and fellow Kovy lover.
I then shamelessly contacted someone,who is now my friend and shall remain annonymous, who once told me if I ever wanted to meet SK74 at a game,to let him know.SO, as promised, steps were made.
Everything started falling into place,my perfect birthday EVER.As game day approached, I ate less and less. I was a nervous wreck We got to the Bell Centre at 5pm (the game was at 7). We get to the ticketmaster & my pass wasn't there.I must have gone there 100times by 6:30,pass was still not there.The guy felt so bad,that he offered to bring it to me when SK74 called it in.We get back to our seats for the pre game skate,and then it hit me.This overwhelming feeling of fear.Thoughts like "Are you crazy?What are you going to say to him?What if he's a jerk? What if you faint and die?" I must have driven Mary crazy,poor soul didn't even tell me.I worked myself up to this intense nervousness, I lost feeling in my hands, that at that point,I hoped the ticketmaster guy wouldn't bring me the pass.But just as the lights dimmed, he came. He brought me a Montreal Canadiens invitation pass from SK74 to ME!!! ME!!!
So THE moment comes upon me. End of game,Habs lose to the Sens again...and I'm off to the meeting place.I was led through security, corridors,more security, an elevator,more corridors and finally, to a large room,with curtained off sections. There were other groups of fans waiting. I was alone...trembling.Then security guys starts calling out: "group for Cammalleri", "Group for Gionta" then "Group for Mara". I was then officially all alone,so I decided to go hang out with the guard and at least see the Habs that were there. Those visits lasted about 3 minutes. They took pictures, signed autographs, Mara gave a kid his stick, and they were off. I was still there, ALONE.
At this point,my nervousness was gone. I just felt like the biggest fool in the world.I started pacing and cursing myself, until I heard"Are you here for SK74?"I turned, and there was only the guard. No SK. Then he proceeds to say "mumble mumble mumble, he had to board the bus to New York. He's sorry." I just asked him how I can leave, he guided me to a door, said sorry, and by the time I made it to the car,where Mary was waiting,I was crying so intensely, I couldn't breathe. It was a mixture of anger,sadness and embarrassment A cry that hurt my throat so bad,I couldn't speak, until I yelled out obscenities. I called him every bad word under the sun.Then I got angrier at myself for A) forgetting the Habs were playing the Rangers the next day and B) opting to meet SK rather than Kovalev.
At this point however, it would have been easy for me to join the rest of you and despise him.But I didn't, I couldn't. I wanted to kick the shit out of him, ,but I couldn't hate him.
Then,3 months later, everything became very clear to me.I went to an autograph session and when I met him, saw how shy he really is, and the fact that he is a child, a young boy. A baby. He'd look you in the eyes,then turn away. He blushed, smiled then looked away again.I was talking with my friend, not 1 foot away from him for quite some time, and every time he heard his name or "brothers", he'd look up, smile, fidget and look away. This was a young boy, who lived on his own for so long. Got fed to the wolves in Montreal, then Jacques Martin. Was unprotected and had no mentor like he did with the London Nights or the Bulldogs. So you know what, I forgive him for January. I won't start pointing fingers or blaming anyone. What's done is done. He's a Predator now,and all I can do is hope that he is given the opportunity to play and prove himself, and that he seizes whatever chance he does get.Coach Trotz, you have a jewel, please don't rough it up.
Cheers Sergei to a fresh new start and hopefully a successful long career in the NHL.
Bye bye baby I will miss you.
And that is it for me on this subject
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Like a mule!
Anyone else fed up of the constant reminders of Habs players past actions? I, for one, can't take it anymore. The amount of stupidities I've heard the last two days about Price are simply unacceptable. Everyone remembers the famous pictures of him on vacation, right? RIGHT! How can we forget those when they are constantly being slapped in our faces.The irony of some media members is disgusting. Do we really care what Price did on vacation 3 years ago after winning the Calder Cup? What does that have to do with today? What significance does the actions of a 20 year old on vacation have on the man he is today? Why don't some of these media types just focus on relevant facts rather than trying to stir the pot.It is because of these biased people that some "fans" will boo once a mistake is made,or a soft goal is let it. It is because of these people that more fragile players run out of town, and why other players are reluctant to come here. In the famous words of Craig Rivet regarding Montreal "it is a what have you done for me lately "place. For that Craig, you have to thank the stubborn mules that focus on irrelevant issues of the past and fill our air waves with nonsense and "EXPERT"opinions,add the "fans" who have no opinion of their own to that list.
Let it go already
Let it go already
Saturday, August 14, 2010
54, not THAT 54
So 54 days (not Studio 54) remain until we all get to sit in front of our TV's and laugh at the train wreck known as the Toronto Maple Leafs. 54 days until we get to see the Habs final roster for the 2010-2011 season. 54 days until we get to see the long awaited "C" on our jersey. 54 days until Komisarek gets about 18 minutes in penalties,nah just kidding. 54 days until we see what happens between Grabovski and Sergei Kostitsyn, umm, wait a sec (you know I HAD to mention my baby).
In all seriousness, 54 days remain until the demand for Paxil,Zoloft and Prosac subsides in Montreal. 54 days until the twitter hashtag #isitoctoberyet will no longer be necessary, until June 2011 of course.
In 54 days, everything will be back to normal for all hockey fans.
I for one, CAN'T WAIT.
In all seriousness, 54 days remain until the demand for Paxil,Zoloft and Prosac subsides in Montreal. 54 days until the twitter hashtag #isitoctoberyet will no longer be necessary, until June 2011 of course.
In 54 days, everything will be back to normal for all hockey fans.
I for one, CAN'T WAIT.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A previous post (Nov.19,2009) - No respect from Sergei Kostitsyn
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Cathie and I'm a die hard HABS fan,and everything surrounding the HABS. I am not a blogger, nor did I major in English or communications, but I thought it was about time I voiced my opinion.
This morning, on a sports talk show,that I listen to on a daily basis, someone by the name of Francois Gagnon, a sports writer for a french newspaper called La Presse, voiced his opinion on Sergei Kostitsyn. He claimed he didn't like him,period. He didn't like him because he had an attitude towards the media and looked down on him. He claimed that SK74 pretends not to understand english when everyone knows he speaks very well, because of the girls he talks to at night clubs. Meh.
Well, I will take this time to tell Mr Gagnon (who doesn't even earn the respect of me calling him Mr, but whatever)I will take this time to explain to him WHY SK74 and probably his brother Andrei (AK46) & Roman Hamrlik (Hamr) don't like him very much. It all comes down to a famous,bogus story printed by La Presse last winter.You must have heard of the "mafia connection" and how these 3 HABS players were involved with a Mobster. If I remember the headline correctly, it said something about them being involved with the mafia for "gambling,women and vodka". That was the headline. Was it true? NOPE. Not one ounce of truth in that story, other than the fact that the HABS players were friends with this mobster.
I distinctly remember Francois, saying on this talk show,that due diligence was performed on La Presse's side,lawyers were involved,deep investigations were done,they had contacts in the police, hence they printed the story.They were positively sure that the story was true. Well, as it turns out, Francois, it was a sham/flop of a story.The only thing that the mobster did for them,was help them purchase LEGAL electronics from best buy,with AK46's LEGAL credit card. Even after the police issued a statement that there was nothing illegal involving the HABS (because they listened to 1000's of hours of telephone conversations), after the players were still allowed to travel throughout North America to play hockey, after they were allowed to go home for the summer, there is yet to be some sort of apology issued.
Every so often, ALL the media mention the brothers and the story from last winter, in an ironic sarcastic, media type way. Right, so it WAS true, but the police were protecting the brothers. GUH, gimme a break. You call yourselves journalists? In all this time, the media forgot that Hamr was involved too. The media is fixated on the brothers.
So you ask WHY you are NOT respected by SK74? Well because you don't deserve any respect from anyone in my opinion. You stood behind a bogus story about women, when AK46 is a married father. You protected the story by going on talk shows & TV, admitted that it might have been a little overblown, but never issued an apology. In the meantime, you've forgotten that there was a third player involved,but I guess he's not that important,because he doesn't threaten the french media's "golden boy's" position on the Habs. (We all know that Latendresse (Marshmallow) is their golden child)
So,Francois, if you don't get the picture now, you should just crawl back under the rock you came from, and NEVER EVER talk about the Kostitsyn brothers again, unless it's to say what great hockey players they are. It's really getting tired. And, do me a favor, tell all other media types that their propaganda is NOT working.
Thank you
Stay tuned for my next rant about the HIRE MCGUIRE campaign on a certain talk show in Montreal.
This morning, on a sports talk show,that I listen to on a daily basis, someone by the name of Francois Gagnon, a sports writer for a french newspaper called La Presse, voiced his opinion on Sergei Kostitsyn. He claimed he didn't like him,period. He didn't like him because he had an attitude towards the media and looked down on him. He claimed that SK74 pretends not to understand english when everyone knows he speaks very well, because of the girls he talks to at night clubs. Meh.
Well, I will take this time to tell Mr Gagnon (who doesn't even earn the respect of me calling him Mr, but whatever)I will take this time to explain to him WHY SK74 and probably his brother Andrei (AK46) & Roman Hamrlik (Hamr) don't like him very much. It all comes down to a famous,bogus story printed by La Presse last winter.You must have heard of the "mafia connection" and how these 3 HABS players were involved with a Mobster. If I remember the headline correctly, it said something about them being involved with the mafia for "gambling,women and vodka". That was the headline. Was it true? NOPE. Not one ounce of truth in that story, other than the fact that the HABS players were friends with this mobster.
I distinctly remember Francois, saying on this talk show,that due diligence was performed on La Presse's side,lawyers were involved,deep investigations were done,they had contacts in the police, hence they printed the story.They were positively sure that the story was true. Well, as it turns out, Francois, it was a sham/flop of a story.The only thing that the mobster did for them,was help them purchase LEGAL electronics from best buy,with AK46's LEGAL credit card. Even after the police issued a statement that there was nothing illegal involving the HABS (because they listened to 1000's of hours of telephone conversations), after the players were still allowed to travel throughout North America to play hockey, after they were allowed to go home for the summer, there is yet to be some sort of apology issued.
Every so often, ALL the media mention the brothers and the story from last winter, in an ironic sarcastic, media type way. Right, so it WAS true, but the police were protecting the brothers. GUH, gimme a break. You call yourselves journalists? In all this time, the media forgot that Hamr was involved too. The media is fixated on the brothers.
So you ask WHY you are NOT respected by SK74? Well because you don't deserve any respect from anyone in my opinion. You stood behind a bogus story about women, when AK46 is a married father. You protected the story by going on talk shows & TV, admitted that it might have been a little overblown, but never issued an apology. In the meantime, you've forgotten that there was a third player involved,but I guess he's not that important,because he doesn't threaten the french media's "golden boy's" position on the Habs. (We all know that Latendresse (Marshmallow) is their golden child)
So,Francois, if you don't get the picture now, you should just crawl back under the rock you came from, and NEVER EVER talk about the Kostitsyn brothers again, unless it's to say what great hockey players they are. It's really getting tired. And, do me a favor, tell all other media types that their propaganda is NOT working.
Thank you
Stay tuned for my next rant about the HIRE MCGUIRE campaign on a certain talk show in Montreal.
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