Log in & Sign up
You are not logged in.
The 'W' Is All That Matters
posted by Chris Aung-Thwin at 10h15 EST on Apr 25
Gorges wrings out Sami Kapanen. (THE GAZETTE/Allen McInnis)After getting two shots past Flyer’s netminder Martin Biron in the opening minutes (but not those dang posts), the Habs were put onto their heels because of an own-goal by veteran rearguard Patrice Brisebois (it just haaaaad to be Breezer, didn’t it?). All evidence of a good start was then erased when ex-Hab Jim Dowd was left alone in the slot with enough time to ponder the meaning of life and rocket one past Carey Price. After that, the Habs didn’t really look like the Habs, and yet still somehow managed to escape with the “W”.
Not all of les boys played poorly (although some did) – a few put in strong performances.
Josh Gorges – He was great. I think he played good, positional hockey and the 23 year-old looked to be pretty calm out on the ice when many other guys were panicking. He played the man, he helped clear rebounds, and made a few good hits.
Andre Kostitsyn – Looked like he was the only Habs forward trying to score for about half of the game. He finished with 1 goal, 3 shots, and an even (+/-) rating, but he created a lot more chances by leading the rush up the ice. He made a great move on the penalty shot, but Biron stayed with him.
Carey Price – He had three goals scored against him, but none of them were his fault. The ice-breaker was Breezer’s deflection, the second was Dowd’s blast, and the third hit the net after a couple of lucky bounces off of Joffrey Lupul’s glove and skate. It’s a shame that Price didn’t get the votes for the Calder trophy nomination.
Saku Koivu – Everyone said at the NHL trade deadline that Montreal needed to find someone who could win them face-offs. Well, Saku won 17-of-24 last night and has won 40-of-59 (67.8%) face-offs in his last three games.
Alex Kovalev – This wasn’t necessarily his strongest all-around performance, but you wouldn’t have known that after he potted his 2nd of the night and men everywhere (or at least in my living room) professed their philotic love for the Russian magician.
Tomas Plekanec – Fast.
Begin/Smoke/TK – From now on they are no longer individuals, but one unified line. Overtime game-winner. ‘Nuff said.
…
While the Habs got the win it wasn’t convincing and it wasn’t easy. Mike Komisarek played well but looked very frustrated out there and his penalties were unnecessary and costly. He’ll need to settle down – just a bit – for Saturday’s game. The Flyers powerplay was smokin’ during the rgular season and has only gotten better during the playoffs. Everyone has been saying that the Flyers have to stay out of the box in order to compete, but the same goes for the Habs.
Guy Carbonneau, Kirk Muller, and Doug Jarvis need to figure out how to deal with Philly’s forecheck. The Canadiens offense starts with that first pass, but the Flyers were doing a good job of pressuring the defense and clogging up the neutral zone, making it tough for the Habs to get their attack going.
The Habs trouble-makers need to put a little more pressure on Martin Biron. Maxim Lapierre, I’m looking at you.
For Saturday’s game, I’d like to see a line-up change. Nothing drastic, but maybe insert Ryan O’Byrne for Brisebois, or perhaps Michael Ryder for Mathieu Dandenault. I’d like to see some fresh legs out there. Any ideas?
Oh, and did anyone else hear Don Cherry give Bangladesh the put-down yesterday?
Tags:
Share the agony and ecstasy of Habs fandom and read live blogs from every game with Gazette columnist Mike Boone.
Habs Inside/Out main RSS feed
you forgot about the younger Kostitsyn. What a game, getting crushed by that slug and bouncing right back up.then setting up his big bro, what does he have eight points? enjoy saturdays game. s
I really didn't think they played all that badly, and I thought they deserved to win. Subtract two ridiculous bounces, and it's 3-1 Habs in regulation, and all the pundits are saying how we dominated.
1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat
2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."
we were absolutely not dominated. we had some bad breaks at the beginning with the 2 post and brise scoring a goal. but we really showed heart and character at the end of the game.
There was bad bounces at the beginning. But if they would have gotten those bounces then they would have been dominant.
Chris - A word about Brisebois. As everybody knows, Patrice Brisebois is the whipping boy for many posters on this HIO site. It has gone on all year long and really escalated again last night with the unfortunate first goal by Philadelphia. His solid play of the past month vanished in a second. For some, it wouldn't matter if Brisebois was able to eliminate Canada's national debt, end the war in Iraq, and reverse the effects of global warming - he would still be a bum when Montreal loses. There are certain grunts and malcontents on this site who just can't see the other side of the issue - for them, all Hab woes begin and end with Brisebois. So be it. We all know he won't be coming back next year. With that in mind, I would suggest that his never-ending critics should start studying the Canadien roster in order to select next year's scapegoat. We can replace the number on that poor soul's back with a bull's eye. Not even the pleadings of Jean Beliveau will be able to quell the hordes once they sense the smell of blood.
The Original 24.4 Cups
Brisebois sucks! He must retire! He is the reason for World War I!
In all seriousness, he has been a solid veteran presence for our team. And he has been great for us in the playoffs. So what if he made some mistakes? Has Markov played perfect? Hamrlik? Everyone made mistakes, it's just that when Brise does, we scoff and say it's "typical." It's unfair, really.
I agree, Brisebois has been great for the team, especially as of late. I thought it was unfortunate (for him and the team, but especially for him) when he deflected that pass past Price. He's got some case of bad luck. When Gainey signed him in the off-season, I was not only surprised, but to be honest - quite skeptical. The signing now looks like a stroke of genius, as Breezer has been instrumental down the stretch (5 points in 8 playoff games). He'd be a post season (+) if not for being on the ice for the first two Philly goals last night.
And his lightning rod status for criticism has probably eased the scrutiny on other players, which helps in this hockey crazy city. Maybe we should sign him as a "role player" for next season...
And his lightning rod status for criticism has probably eased the scrutiny on other players, which helps in this hockey crazy city.
No kidding.
"One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
you're on some roll. clearly you're trying to start a flame war. i will not bite, sorry.
He is a descent entertainer for some and a simple minded idiot with a bad temper for others,... its all about perception isn't it ?
edited double post
It is third world. But do fat people like being called fat? And don't say Bangladesh "sucks". Just don't.
Comparing the "riots" following the series win against Boston to a nation like Bangladesh was yet another politically insensitive (and ignorant) comment made by Cherry. That being said, i don't think Cherry knew what he was talking about (no!?) and probably can't even *find* Bangladesh on a map.
to his comment that the so called "Hockey Riot" in Montreal is "all over the news in the US". Come on, if Cherry had any good sense, he'd realize these were not Hockey fans. Furthermore, for those of us who either live here, have lived here, or visited this fine city, Montreal is an absolutely wonderful city that enjoys a crime rate a fraction of what many other cities in North America experience.
anyone see the comments at the end of said article:
Andrew Toth from Oliver, BC, Canada writes: All Montreal needs is those four RCMP guys that "tasered" that Polish gentlemen in Taser Town, just have them in Montreal with their "tasers". They can handle anything in just 29 seconds. No problems, just taser anyone on the scene; and make sure no translators are present to help anyone. It is becoming the Canadian way, it appears.
R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Cherry gets another cheap shot in at the expense of Montreal...
Why not insult the hooligans who were apparently not even hockey fans instead of the city?
Kudos to the good citizens of Montreal who co-operated with police to provide photo evidence against the looters and rioters...
Cheers.
It's been said before and said again. Don Cherry is a racist. What's the need to mention Bangledesh?
Anyone remember the LA riots? What about the regular soccer riots that occur in Western Europe (England, France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy,etc.)
Euro 2008 is the is summer and I'm sure we'll see loads of stuff there. I've been to England and seen one of them after a Premier League first hand.
Nothing this guy says anymore surprises me. But he's all for Rick Hiller and the Canadian troops so no one can criticize him. Lest we be accused of being unpatriotic or Canadian. Rubbish.
Great post, Chris, and good analysis.
I would have to disagree with you on Price, however. By his standards, I don't think that was not a strong game. He bobbled a very catchable shot on the 3rd goal, and although it went in with a bit of luck, he should have had it to begin with. In fact, his glove was a little nauseous all night.
Komi's decison making and discipline have been suspect in the playoffs. Good thing he's physical and he likes to eat pucks for breakfast. Not sure this guy should be getting top dollar if we resign him; he has some noticable weaknesses when you get beyond his physical play.
I agree, Breeze and Dandy could use a rest, and I think OB and Ryder would be good insertions. However, I wouldn't say that either played poorly, but I suspect that Breeze might be getting tired and Dandy, while not making any big errors, hasn't really been contributing much either.
Yes, Gorges and Koivu played big games, and Brother Andre looked a lot better than the Boston series.
Cherry's comments were dispicable; no surprise there. For one I think they are blowing this "riot" thing out of proportion, and secondly, his degrading comments about Bangladesh was extremely inappropriate and ignorant as usual.
As a Bangladeshi, Montrealer, Habs Fan, I can't hate this guy more. I hope he dies on air.
I sent a letter to CBC about Don Cherry (again!). I hope you guys would do the same.
Hello,
I am from Montreal, so I don't really like Don Cherry. But last night, he made comments about my ancestral country, Bangladesh, that deeply offended me. What does Bangladesh have to do with hockey? Is there a reason to collectively insult 150 million people? He thinks we're savages, or something along those lines. I want Mr.Cherry to publicly apologize for his inappropriate comments which had absolutely no relevance to hockey. Does Mr. Cherry even know why there are riots in Bangladesh? THERE'S NO FOOD! People are hungry! The price of rice has almost doubled. Of course, Mr.Cherry would know nothing about that. His off-hand comment had no basis of argument. Obviously this is not the first time he has insulted a large group of people. How can you put such a racist on air every day? He brings more shame to CBC with every passing second.
Thank You
Why did he name a country. He didn't have to. Don't they have the delay still? To me this should have been edited out.
Jeez, you need to relax.
There was nothing wrong with the Bangladesh comment. You are overly politically correct and far too sensitive.
Nobody really cares if your feelings are hurt.
Nothing wrong? You obviously don't know what it's like to have cheap shots taken at your country of ancestry. Why does he even need to bring up Bangladesh when he's talking about a petty hockey riot.
If he is a Canadian citizem and pays taxes, which fund the CBC and Mr. Cherry's salary he has every right to criticize him for racist comments.
What does that Bangladesh comment have to do with hockey, the so-called 'expertise' of Don Cherry? Give your head a shake pal.
His comment regarding Bangladesh was in regard to rioting not hockey. Cherry quite rightly described it as a third world country. You anti-Cherry kooks have to sit down and shut up. You are tiresome and boring.
The comments were not racist. If that is what qualifies in your world as racism you havent seen the real thing.
Go back to your cage tweety.
Don? is that you?
Hey man, there is no need to get all personal with anybody here. If you disagree, good on you. State you case or just ignore the comment. Big Bird and you have different view on what racism is - there is no problem with it. He was polite and respectful in his comment and simply stated his opinion. You act like a jerk.
Yup-
minus the good on you part.
In my opinion, Cherry was shooting his mouth of without understanding.
He is not qualified to be on the air. I enjoy SOME of Cherry's rants, but this is not entertainment, not at all.
You can't compare riots when people are "hungry" to riots when people are entitled punks with a few alcoholic beverages imbibed. That's just dumb and completely unprofessional.
"One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time."
"Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"
probably explains his man crush on Don Cherry.
Thanks for stopping by. I quite enjoyed this chat.