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.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
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.
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