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.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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
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