Friday, October 27, 2006

Upper Canadian Invasion

I
will be blogging rather lightly for the next week or so. I am on my way to Ottawa, and then a short stint in the Mtl. The trip is not at all hockey related, the Sens are on the road most of next week, and budget, and lack of planning (except for the charming of a girl in Ott, and the drinking of a ton of beer in Mtl) have made the viewing of a game pretty much out of the question. Oh well girls and beer, are not such a bad thing, I will catch a coupla games later on in the season.


As for last nights game versus the Bruins, I missed almost all of the first 2 periods. When I finally turned the game on, I just missed the Kovalev meltdown..I did however witness the Bruin powerplay goal that tied the game up. This was yet another stinker, it had the same feel as the Chicago game a week or so ago. I am not sure if the Bruins, and Hawks, play a similar game, maybe the game plan against the Habs, is to play a clutch and grab, old school Nhl game, and hope that the Habs get the majority of the penalties. Which of course was the case lastnight. The Habs have a discipline problem, and the continued whining by the coaching staff right on threw the line up, is certainly not going to endear the Habs to the refs.


Good on Huet for playing playing a solid 60 minute game, good on Higgins for being well Higgins, and good on Markov, for scoring the game winner. Hat tip to some of my buddies in the blogosphere for warning me about the inaptitude of Janne Niinimaa. He certainly is an early candidate for my doghouse, add Kovalev, Lats, and Carbo to the early list as well.

Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again. Cheers.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Carbo Shuffles Lines

Coach Carbo, in an attempt to get production out of his second line, has decided to promote rookie Gui Latendresse to the second line, and demote Samsonov to the fourth. I for one think that this is a brainfart of a move, Lats has yet to prove anything at the pro level, Sammy although not lighting up the score sheet, has at least shown some wheels, and I think was just beginning to feel comfortable in the Habs system. The problem with the second line is twofold, first Pleks is not a second line center, he is responsible defensively, and can skate, but he can not distribute the puck, and has hands of stone. But the the number one problem on the second line, is Kovalev, he is a floater, and he has seemed disinterested all year long.

Until Kovalev learns that there are 4 other line mates on the ice with him at any given time. Until he stops over handling the puck, and losing it in the corner, or worse at the opposing teams blue line, the second line is never going to be effective. I see Carbo's experiment lasting all of maybe 3 shifts, Lats, can not keep up with NHL caliber skaters, and Kovalev being Kovalev, will cough up the puck, leading to potential 5-3s whenever that line is on the ice....Why promote an under achieving teenager, demote a guy that is just getting his feet wet, all in an attempt to accommodate, a diva that should be the focus of the punishment, screw the star treatment, time for Kovalev to earn is millions in my opinion .

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The Janne Jinx

Dear Mr Niinimaa, the hockey god's have spoken, never, ever, ever, meddle with Kharma, it has a funny way of coming back and biting you in the ass. Yep, the Habs played a stinker lastnight. First Huet lets in a Tommy Saloesque goal off his head, Souray then rings one off the post, Markov, well he coughed up the puck leading to a Chris Drury goal...the jinx was on lastnight, thanks Janne.

I could go on a triade about how Huet looks like a one year wonder, how he spends more time on his knees then a 2 dollar...eeks better stop there. How Markov is not playing like he knows it is his contract year, how Kovalev, is a greedy player, who over handles the puck, on how Lats looks like an 18 year old playing in a man's league..oh right whoops no triade right, my bad....this one was over as soon as Huet let in the floater off his mellon in the first. I switched it off early in the 3rd to watch CSI Miami, which was advertised to be all spooky, it wasn't shoulda known that show never fails to disappoint...Mondays suck.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Jose Gets Smoked

Windy and cold, bundled up in a hoody, togue, sick as a dog..Heck the fireplace was even roaring. Habs down 3-1 after the first, that's when the cough came, 2 beers left in the fridge, damn it was going to be a long night. Then, like only Jose Theodore can do, the flood gates opened, my Habs score 2 in the second period, still phlegmie, still out of beer. Early in the third Craig Rivet, ha yes Rivet of all people goes in on a breakaway, and scores 5-4 Habs....I am out of my seat, the Bell Centre is in full Jose taunt, phlegm be damned.

When it was all said and done, when the dust settled, when the Jose taunts, and the NA NA NA NA's hey hey hey good byes stopped, the Habs embarrassed Theodore and the Avs 8-5. Souray, yep Joe's favorite whipping boy has a 2 goal and 2 assist night, shoot even the Russians scored a coupla points each. Fun night, the stage was set, this game could have gone either way, Jose could have had one of his rare starts, where he looks like the MVP, and Veniza trophy winner, but it didn't happen, the Jose that we as Habs fans have grown to despise showed up....I for one couldn't have been any happier, come back soon Jose, you are always welcome.

Joe's 3 Stars of week 2:

1) Sheldon Souray, hate to do it, but I have to give props to Souray, he is putting the puck in the net, has the Hab's power play rolling. He still scares me in the Hab's end, but well at this point, every dman on the team is rather scary down low.

2) Radek Bonk, playing a killer defensive game this year, and heck he is even chipping in offensively.

3) Koivu/Higgins/Ryder, the first line, yep all of them, couldn't single one out, they are all playing well, a cohesive unit..Good to see.

Joe's Doghouse:

Hate to do this to, but Andrei Markov, has to get his head out off his ass, he played a nice game lastnight against the Avs, and he has 7 assists so far this year, but his defensive play has been average at best. Kovalev, again played a pretty good game against the Avs, but he needs to play hard every shift, and bring the best out of his linemates. Finally Steve Begin, I am not entirely sure if he is playing through injury, but Begin has not been the impact player he was last year.

Saturday, October 21, 2006


La Grande Retour De Jose Le Beau

The most hyped date on the Habs early season schedule has arrived. Jose Theodore, and Patrice Brisebois, are back in Montreal, as the Avs battle the Habs tonight. This is a hot ticket, Theodore, love him or lump him, is a media darling. He puts bums in the seats. The crowd at La Centre Bell, should be all a buzz tonight. I for one am not a Theodore fan, and I never liked Brisebois either. Here is hoping Les Boys, expose Brisebois for the soft dman that he is, and score at will against Mr Hair Tonic. The only thing that could make this game even more appealing would be if the Avs would wear some throw back Nordiques uniforms, oh ya, and maybe if Dale Hunter and Pierre Mondou dropped the ceremonial first puck. Should be a fun one, I will of course, blog my impressions tomorrow, and break down my Habs second week performance. Salut.

Friday, October 20, 2006

What Is The Deal With......

The Flyers, Senators, and the Flames. The biggest surprise early on in the 2006-07 season, is not the fast start of the Sabres, the Wild, or even the Black Hawks, it is the utter inaptitude of the Flyers, Sens, and Flames. First, lets break down their seasons so far, the Flyers in their first 7 games are 1-5-1 (ouch), they have scored only 13 goals in 7 games, less then 2 a game (ouch), and have given up 30 (eeeks). The Senators in their first 6 games are 2-4-0, they have scored only 11 goals, yep less then 2 a game (whhaaaa!!!), and have given up 16 (meh, not bad). The Flames in their first 7 games are 2-4-1, the have scored 15 goals, a smidgen or 2 a game (the famous Tanguay effect), while surrendering 21, or exactly 3 a game (Kipper where art thou).

Okay the Flyers, oh the Flyers, are in a mess, Snider is pissed, Clarke is amiss, and Hitchcock, according to his backup goalie, is empty up there. The fit is going to hit the shan in Philly, methinks. The demotion of Nedved, and 2 other lesser lights (I know their names, but its too much of an effort to try and spell them..One sounds like a terrorist attack on a gardener, the other is all Greek to me), was only the opening volley. Snider from what I have read is about to blow up the whole thing in Philly (the garden as well). But where to begin, is there a quick fix, would firing the coach, give the Flyers that new coach bounce? What about finally taking Bobby Clarke to task, for his inability to assemble a team that can compete in the "new NHL". I think it is time to kick both Bobby, and Hitchcock to the curb, sacrifice this season perhaps, and start anew. But well I am not a Flyers fan, and I know Bobby Clarke is sacred and all in Flyers lore, so who knows???

The Sens, those kings of the regular season, talent to spare, but the hearts of mice come playoff time. The Sens took it in the ass because of the salary cap, they were forced to choose between Chara, and Redden (book is still out on that one), and the dealt away Havlat, who just so happens to be the NHL's early season points leader. I think the Sens front office has to be blown up, Muckler, like Clarke has been able to compile consistently competitive regular season teams...However, the Sens playoff failures, and their slow start this year, must have Mucks, and Murray on a short leash.

Finally the Flames, the Flames, have the best collection of young defensemen in the league, and the reigning Vezina trophy winner behind the pipes. Offence has and still is the Achilles Heel for the Flames. Alex Tanguay, is a solid hockey player, and will fit in nicely with the Flames, once he gets used to the system, but he was not exactly what the Flames needed to stem their offensive woes...The Flames need a center, and until the find a capable center, offence will always be tough to come by in Calgary.

Of the 3 teams I mentioned I think the Flames have the best chance of getting there act together, too much grit and heart on that team to think other wise. The Senators will make the playoffs, but I think the Flyers might be toast.....Should be fun to watch, I think the Flyers blink first.

Thursday, October 19, 2006


Blinded By Handzus' Lid

Oh man sitting through last night's Black Hawks vs. Habs game was like trying to sit through a 3 hour Cornation Street marithon. Boring, wow, I was actually knodding off. See, I expected this one to be a goal fest, the Hawks were supposed to have no d, and the Habs were supposed to make them look like an AHL affiliate. But nope, the bizzarro land that has been the Habs this week, have seen a 5-4 thriller against the Flames, and a meh, 2-1 snooze fest against the lowly Hawks.

I hate it when the Habs, lose games against inferior teams, I would not have been all that upset had the Habs went down swinging in a lose against the Flames, who many see as amongst the league's elite, but the Hawks, ugh, there goes 2 points which I am sure will be much needed down the stretch. Sure this was a back to back game, the Habs had to travel to Chicago, after a tough, balls out game against the Flames, but this was only the sixth game of the season, their legs should still be fresh. Ugh, ugh, poop, and hey Handzus, do something with that lid, this isn't FIFA, and big hair rock is dead.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Wild One Lastnight

Had you told me that the Habs and the Flames would score 9 goals combined in one game, I'd have said you were nuts. I predicted that Flames would come out of this contest with a 2-0 win. I figured Kipper who was coming off a soft game against the Leafs, would bounce back, and shut down the Habs offence. Boy was I wrong, to rip off a Maguirism, the book seems to be out on Kipper, he doesn't seem to like the high hard ones...Makes him blink, Sundin blasted a coupla high hard ones by him the other night, and he certainly seemed to blink on Kovalev's slapper that was the game winner lastnight.

Lastnight's game certainly wasn't one for goaltenders, as much as the refs tried to steal the show (15 powerplays, swallow the whistle already), this was an extremely entertaining game to watch. It was up tempo, lots of hitting (the Reghr hit on Downey, legal yes, Scott Stevens on Lindros esque, Downey had is head down, and Reghr took it off), good rough stuff, no fights, I think everyone wanted to see Komi and Iggy go, or Rivet and Phaneuf. All and all the best game I have seen so far this year. It had a playoff feel, both teams wanted to win this one, and it showed.

I have to tip my hat to Radek Bonk, not only has he been doing an admirable job shutting down the other team's top liners all year, he potted a couple of goals tonight. Okay, as much as it pains me to do it, I will tip my hat to Souray as well, he sure does have a blast from the point, and tonight he didn't look like the worst dman on the planet, Markov did, whats with that???

Great game all around, Les Boys, are still undefeated in regulation, bring on those Black Hawks, my brain tells me this should me a 6-4 win for the Habs, but after lastnights bizzarro land score, it just might be a 2-0 win....Who knows.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Week One 3 Stars

Not a bad first 3 games for the Habs. They have come away with 5 out of a possible 6 points on their season opening roadtrip, and I will tip my hat to them.

Thought I might try something new, not sure if it will be a reacurring theme, but I am going to give my Hab 3 stars of the week, then maybe an honourable mention, finish it off wih a Joe's doghouse.

First Star: Saku, considering that a lot of us were not even convinced he was going to start the season, Saku once again proved that he is the toughest little bastard on the planet, and he is playing some of the best hockey of his career to boot.

Second Star: Higgins, this kid is for real, the full package, and probably the next captain of the Habs..Great early start to the season, hasn't missed a beat.

Third Star: Abby, he has earned his starts over Huet so far this year, never a bad thing when you have 2 goalies hungry for ice time.

Honorable mention, Ryder, he is putting the puck in the net, that's what he is paid to do. Komi, he said he wanted to be a force this year, and he is backing up his words so far. Bonk, solid defensively, if only he could put the puck in the net.

Joe's Doghouse, Souray, not fair cuz he kinda dwells there perminately, but he makes me nervous when ever he is on the ice. Sammy/Kovalev, time to get some chemistry boys. Lats, I know on the 4th line, limited ice time, but meh.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Week One Roundup

Was it just me, or was week one of the NHL season a little too quiet. Not enough games for my liking, sure let the NFL have their Sunday, but shoot was there a day this week when the NHL scheduled a full slate of games, get it rolling boys, I have waited all summer, I need a bigger fix.

As for what I have seen so far, well the biggest disappointments have had to be the Senators, Canes, and Preds, I think most hockey analysts predicated (myself included, of course I don't get paid, I bitch on my own time) that these 3 teams were amongst the league's elite. The Senators look like they look come playoff time, the Canes might be suffering from a post Stanley cup hangover, and the Preds, well I think their penalty kill is floating around 30%, ouch. Its early the cream always rises to the top, but yikes, could my big 3 have screwed my predications hahaha, that's what I get looking into a crystal ball I suppose.

As for my Habs, they came out of their first 2 games with 3 out of a possible 4 points. Am I all that impressed with their game, um nope. But if they come away with 75% of the points in all their games this season, wow, I will be a happy blogger. I will, bash and praise some more after I see a little more action.

The Puck is dropped, the ice is clean, lets see some hockey action.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Game One Recap

W
here have I seen that before, Habs have a one goal lead late in the third, face off deep in their end...poof, tie game....arrrgghhh. I wasn't all that disappointed with their performance lastnight, they didn't blow me away, but they looked okay. The first line was brilliant, the second line except for Pleks, was um well a no show. Lats didn't impress, Niinimaa, was average, made a brutal give away pass (yes, I was warned of that, thing is well, Brisebois was the same, seen it all before), thankfully Higgins, might have been Pleks, back checked, and saved the day.


Disappointments, Souray, am I surprised, well no, but why Carbo had that asshat on the ice late in the 3rd when the Habs are clinging on to a one goal lead I will never know. Huet was average at best, he made a few brilliant saves, he didn't cost the Habs the game, but he certainly wasn't the reason it was a close one either. Kovalev was a no show, he dangled a bit in o.t. and hit the post in the shootout, other than that meh. Sammy was average, he wasn't a liabilty, but he was nothing to write home about.


Summing up, an entertaining first game, had an almost playoff feel to it. Problem being, that it ended with an all too predictable result. Leafs tonight, I expect more of the same, watch for Wellwood, to win it in a shootout...you heard it hear first.



Thursday, October 05, 2006

Everyone Else Is Doing It

Well, okay sure, if everyone else can prognosticate why can't I......These are my early season picks.

East:
1] Carolina- best team in the weakest division.
2] Ottawa- it's now or never, window of opportunity is quickly shutting.
3] New Jersey-Lou has his ducks all in a row.
4] Buffalo-was last year a fluke, or is this the prototype team for the new NHL.
5] NYR- Shanny adds leadership, but Jagr is the key.
6] Philly- all up to Forsberg's health..Why can't Clarke find a goalie?
7] TB- lots of top end talent...goaltending, and moody coach my be the deciding factor.
8] Montreal- my boys, same old thing this year, late run to make the playoffs methinks.
9] Boston- is Chara enough to propel the B's to the next level..Nope not this year.
10] Atlanta- can score, but can they defend??
11]Toronto- younger, faster, better coached.....But not good enough.
12] Florida- Big Bert helps, the Eagle doesn't.
13] Pittsburgh- they are going to be fun to watch, not deep enough yet though.
14] NYI- worst run franchise in sports history, nuff said.
15] Washington- see Pittsburgh.

West:

1]Nashville- might be the best team in hockey.
2] Calgary-best D in the NHL, is Tanguay enough offence though?
3] Anaheim- Pronger doesn't hurt, kids are blossoming, who is their number 1?
4] Detroit- younger, faster..Hasek?
5] San Jose- they can score, but do they have any heart?
6] Dallas- in Turco they trust..Add Big E, and Mickey Ribs to the mix???
7] Edmonton- Pronger gone, they are the west's Buffalo.
8] Minnesota- added some offence to go with their defense.
9] Vancouver- Luongo helps, but with only one line, and a D that is suspect, ouch.
10] phoenix- Gretzky's last year as a coach perhaps.
11] LA- up and comers, a year or two away.
12] Colorado- rebuilding mode begins, and with Theo in nets, good luck.
13] Columbus- see Pittsburgh, and Washington, but further ahead as far as progress.
14] Saint Louis- added some veterans, but still bad, really bad.
15] Chicago- second worst run organization in pro sports.
The Puck Has Dropped

Ah yes, the leaves are falling (almost as fast as the Leafs' playoff hopes..ZING), MLB playoffs have started, the NFL is in full swing, the NBA is in training camp mode....and yes, yes, yes, the puck has dropped for yet another year of the bestest sport on the planet, hockey. This is the time of the year when sports junkies like myself are giddy..... so many options, not enough time, head quite near to exploding......callouses on my remote hand.

Our beloved Habs kick it all off, on Friday against the Sabres. I figure they might get their asses handed to them, the Sabres look tight, and I think the Habs are still a work in progress. Thing is, I don't care, I can't wait to watch the Habs on RDS, I am sick and tired of the Toronto centric TSN hockey coverage....don't get me going on how I feel about Hockey Night In Canada. And what is the deal with meathead hockey commentators..the CBC has Grapes, and now TSN counters with Tie Domi...wow, sure hockey isn't an intellectual enterprise...but please.

Well ya, I am ranting for the sake of ranting...the puck has dropped, I am giddy, giggling like a school girl.....yippee!!!!

Monday, October 02, 2006

Thank You Bob!!!

O
h happy day, the trade of Mike Ribeiro, to Dallas for Janne Niinimaa, was the best news I have heard in quite along time. Personally I could care less, if Mickey Ribs scores a hundred points in Big D...Niinimaa could be the next Brisebois, I don't really care. Ribeiro was my least favorite Hab of all time, his little dive act against the Bruins 3 years ago in the playoffs was unforgiveable. He is soft, doesn't give a crap, a pretty boy, and a cancer...good riddance, salute, bon chance..yipee.