Surprise!
posted by Mike Boone at 17h40 EST on Jul 18
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Submitted by G-Man on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 07:38.
I know I'm late to the thread and all, but while everybody is discussing "Great Habs Moments" (which I'm sure Red Fisher will do an article on because he's witnessed every home game since 1909), I figured I would add a few of my favourites. These are in random order.
Henri Richard scoring the Cup winner in '71 on the backhand over a fallen Tony O.
My all-time idol, le Gros Bill scoring a hat trick against Minnesota to reach 500. He deked out 2 defenders and made the goalie disappear before backhanding it in.
The Lafleur blast in '79 against the Bruins (too many men) followed by the OT tap in by Lambert.
Lemaire scoring from center against Tony O on a rising slapper when he just wanted to change.
Leclair's 2 OT winners against the Kings.
Cournoyer in full flight being literally flipped by Blackhawks D-man.
There are too many more to list.Such a great franchise with so many amazing players who may not hold scoring titles, but instead share one thing: Stanley Cups.
Gilbert
2008/09 is the season of the Habs
Submitted by jimbo on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 10:31.
Koivu's return.Chilling.Still watch it on youtube
Submitted by Koivu12 on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:49.
The wink. Because it meant that destiny (the Cup), as it should be, was ours, once again.
"Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:58.
Love that one!
Another one from that year is Eric Desjardins putting it through Kelly Hrudy's legs in overtime to complete the hat trick during the illegal stick game. That was sweet!
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Submitted by Koivu12 on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 00:17.
That was great. I agree. Ilove your choice of "The Ovation" as well. It was definitely a hallmark moment of the Habs past.
"Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 00:58.
K 12 - I feel your lonely so have a good night.
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:07.
Are you all packed for your vacation yet GTC
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:22.
Not yet Ian, due to weather conditions we're postponing our trip by a couple of days, but I'll be at your BBQ without fail.
Submitted by VladIsMyDad on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:49.
This is the second time that the headline of one of your posts made me think that Sundin finally signed with a team. [The first one was "It's official".]
Submitted by habsfor25 on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:10.
so jonathan toews is the captain for the blackhawks now... they keep getting younger these captains
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:19.
I think as Habs' fans, Jean Beliveau is the yardstick by which we judge all captains. Unfortunately, I don't think that there are many in the rooms of current teams, perhaps Koivu or Mats being exceptions, who can just shoot a teammate "the look" and he knows what is expected. For better or worse, I think the C is looked upon now as a marketing tool. That is why it is put on the "marquee" player. Man, we have come a long way! I could be wrong, but I never remember Guy wearing so much as an "A."
Aside from all of that, I do think that the 'hawks are going to be a really fun team to watch. I would love to see the Habs play them for all the marbles next season!
Submitted by The Cat on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 05:31.
Good post. I always felt the oldest guy with the most years on the team should be captain, if not then it has to be a guy who can get a Gordie Howe hattrick. Jarome Iginla is also a guy who can give you the look.
Submitted by StillattheMapes on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:31.
The Big Guy wasn't even close on my favourite player of the time, but I can't possibly imagine anyone else as Captain. Jean Belliveau was born with the C over the CH........
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:56.
I think you have really hit upon a very interesting thing here. If you had to pick "The Image" of the Habs in the Centennial Year, what would you go with? One moment, one image, what would it be? I open this one up to all Habs fans! Put all the recent nonsense aside! We all love this team! This is once and for all our chance to chime in. Put all the past crap aside! What is YOUR moment from a Century of the best our sport has to offer? Let Fly!!! We should ALL be friends here. God Bless you all and our team!!!
Submitted by The Cat on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 05:34.
I dont know if its moment of the century type but Roy winking was something. For sure theres many others but for some of them I wasnt alive so...
Submitted by Chuck on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 00:00.
Any shot from the late '70's dynasty of Dryden leaning on his stick would do in my books.
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Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 11:11.
I am partial to the image of "The Thinking Man" with gloves and equipment lying around all over the ice around his net as he watches the ensuing brawl.
That is just one classic image among many for the Habs.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 07:41.
I think 'The Ovation' is a great choice, and the wink is good too, but I have to say that the image of Dryden leaning on his stick is the one that has buried itself most deeply into my conscience. As much as it was a reflection of his own personality, it represented the state of the team so vividly. The comfort and, by extension, confidence exuded by that stance, contrasted with the way he looked in action, making saves, was mesmerizing to a young kid. I think it spoke to the whole country, clearly communicating that they were privileged to watch one of the most complete and dominant sports teams of all time. It sure stirs up memories.
Submitted by twocents on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 07:46.
...and his great mask only increased the whole aura. You know those second generation masks really added something great to the spectacle of the game. They made the goalies look like friggin' superheroes, from another planet, in the future no less.
Submitted by KamiDave on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 06:12.
... which is probably the same image that came to a lot of peoples minds, first thing I thought of.
Submitted by Jim M on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:22.
Brian
I'm going to go outside the box here. My favorite memory is the Dec. 31/75 game against the Russians when they were supposed to be the fastest and best-conditioned hockey players in the world.
The "Image" I have is the Russians at the bench gasping for air and sweating profusely because we skated them into the ice.
I chose this one because it is different from all the Cups we won.
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:38.
The Bruin's Gilles Gilbert, stretched out and leaning on his trapper hand on the ice after failing to stop Lafleur's bullet in "To Many Men" is a personal favourite.
For newer fans, it could very well be Roy holding the Cup over his head in '93, skating towards the boards to utter his immortal line: "I'm going to f****n' Disney World!
Or how about Richard during the closing ceremonies of the Forum and "The Ovation"?
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Submitted by Jim M on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:43.
Chuck
"The Ovation" was definitely the most moving bar none.
Submitted by KamiDave on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 06:15.
Totally. That for me was the most sports related moving video i've ever seen. Gave me goosebumps.
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:49.
I think that I went through a whole box of Kleenex on that one!
That moment (if you can call all of those minutes a "moment") perfectly represents what the most revered player in team history meant to the fans, and by extension, what it means to be a Montreal Canadien.
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Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:29.
Hi Brian. i have a pic of Guy on my wall here with others, and I had to get up and check, and you are right, he never even wore an A.
Big Jean was a class by himself when it came to leadership, and Bob was no slouch either. Did I spell that one right?
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:24.
Le Gros Bill is in a class by himself, even through the 70s dynasty there was nobody on the team that was anywhere near his equal.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:34.
The only person I can think of who came close in any sport might have been DiMaggio with the Yankees. Men who didn't have to utter a word, but could just give you the look. Another capable of it, although he didn't wear the C for all that long, might have been Henri Richard. The fire certainly burned in him as deeply as it did in his older brother.
I know I will get *** for this, but it always drove me crazy when people went on and on about Gordie Howe being "Mr. Hockey." I always looked them in the eye and said he hasn't had his name on the Cup since '54-'55. I would rather be Henri Richard. He played 20 years and got his name on the Cup 11 times. That is a career and then some! Today, I stand by that. Hockey is a team sport and by that standard, it is hard to say that the "Pocket Rocket" wasn't damn near the greatest.
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:49.
Hear hear! Number 16 representin'!
:)
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Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:46.
Henri was far more the complete hockey player than the Rocket was. But they were two very different players.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:53.
I agree with you Ian, but like his older brother, Henri certainly had "the look" in his eye and the soul. Lemaire beat Tony O from center ice to tie Game 7 of the '71 finals, but it was ultimately Henri's will that gave us one of our greatest Cup victories.
This whole thing is sort of surreal. An Irish guy from the Bronx commenting on one of "our" greatest victories. F'k Liverpool, Man U is the greatest side in sport!!!
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:04.
I don,t know how you keep all the dates and wins straight. You must have learned how to R & W a little earlier than me or something. I saw most of them but don't know when they were. But we saw the very best of this sport in our youth, to be sure.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:28.
Ian, believe it or not, my father a Con Ed worker in NYC was a rabid hockey fan. He played roller hockey in NYC growing up and had never played on a sheet of ice, but somehow this man knew the game. He taught me how to win faceoffs and how to throw both body checks and, to both of our entertainments, absolutely devastating hip checks. The man went through the Great Depression, ended up fighting with the Fifth Army in North Africa and Italy - he wanted to pass on HS and join his best friend in the Navy but his mom said no - only to find at the end of all that that his love of hockey would result in his sons being Habs' fans. My brother Charlie, who you met last year, has a story of what transpired in a nutshell. It was Christmas and my Dad wanted to get him a jersey. He asked Charlie what he wanted and was answered with the reply, "I want a Montreal Canadiens' jersey with Jean Beliveau's number." The old man knew the sport and he knew why Charlie wanted that jersey. And that is why, in what my wife would call a tenement, is what greeted him on that Christmas morning!
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:30.
GTC-- you and I are in the same class>?
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:00.
Great minds think alike!
Submitted by SmartDog on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:36.
Theirrien reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield. I didn't like him in Montreal - he was too dogmatic... I thought he blamed other people, lacked the finesse to be an NHL coach. He seems to have matured though - seems better with the Pens. But this year will tell if they got to the final because of him or despite him. The honeymoon will be over - if he's not good they'll struggle. It will be interesting to watch.
~Listen to the smart dog!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:42.
...No respect I tell ya, even when I was a kid I got no respect, for my birthday my parents bought me a real teddy bear, its rough I tell ya...
Submitted by sidhu on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:47.
"My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met."
"I haven't spoken to my wife in years. I didn't want to interrupt her."
- Rodney Dangerfield
Submitted by DD on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:25.
"My wife told me we don't talk enough during sex, so she called me from the hotel room."
- Rodney Dangerfield
Submitted by sidhu on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 01:40.
One day as I came home early from work, I saw a guy jogging naked. I said to the guy, "Hey buddy...why are you doing that for?" He said, "Because you came home early."
My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.
Submitted by Jim M on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:05.
I see the local Sheriff just showed up.
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:35.
Reading the earlier fireworks on the 'Market Watch' thread made me think of this little ditty, enjoy...
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YXTN3h-b9nU
Submitted by howtathor on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 03:34.
Too funny! Leary is hilarious and not a bad hockey player either!
Seen Sundin?
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:38.
where do you come up with stuff. and we got the bomb.
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:42.
Leary is bright as hell, good recipe for a comedian...see Carlin, George.
Submitted by dysonsphere on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:56.
Leary ripped off his whole act from Bill Hicks:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ySCcnoo3c
Check out all his stuff, the man is a prophet, who also happens to tell *** jokes.
Submitted by Jim M on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 23:08.
Bill Hicks was great. I've heard monologues of him tearing apart George Bush Sr. I can only imagine what he would have said about the moronic son.
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:52.
...may he rest in peace.
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Submitted by FSLN on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:19.
Lol, that's awesome!
I've just been marathoning season four of Rescue Me, I really like Dennis Leary, he's a cool cat...
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:22.
I was just discussing 'Rescue Me' a few moments ago, I have the whole series but haven't watched it yet.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:46.
Having lived through 9-11 and grown up with a lot of those guys, you have to see it. I have seen it in spurts and fits, but I highly recommend it!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:58.
A few years ago I watched a superb 9/11 documentary by two french filmakers, can't recall their name. While watching it occured to me that the heroism displayed by those firefighters is second only to the men who invaded France on D-Day.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:09.
One of the only persons on the planet who may have better footage than those two French film makers of the first plane going into the North Tower is me. I was hung up at the lights where you make the left to go into the Holland Tunnel on the way to work that day when the first plane passed over might right shoulder and plowed into that tower. I was working at 7 World Trade Center when they tried it the first time in '93 and immediately knew it was no accident. I could go on and on about that day, but what else could I add? Lost a lot of good friends that day, many of whom I played pick-up hockey with.
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:35.
I'm speechless, what do you say to somebody that has witnessed that kind of horror on such a grand scale, my condolences for those you lost.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:44.
He may be a Bruins' fan, but at least Leary can skate!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:49.
...I like to park in handicap spaces
While handicapped people
Make Handicapped faces...
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:00.
He should post on HIO. He might end up being one of my staunchest defenders. BTW, thanks for your support and the nice things you said. It has not gone unnoticed!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:20.
No problem amigo, not that you needed my help but I simply couldn't read that BS without thowing my 2 cents in there. I must say I was surprised to see you allowing yourself to get dragged down to their level, you must have had a few ales that night ;)
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:25.
I couldn't drive last night because of my BAC, but I could post. I really wanted to go out, but friends don't let friends curl drunk!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:49.
Drunken curling is the single biggest reason why curlers no longer wear masks more commonly worn by todays goalies.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:56.
The funny thing is that they have actually started a curling club right near me. The only thing that keeps me deluding myself that I can still play hockey is, "Please God, don't make me curl, not just yet at least!
Submitted by Grabbed The Cup on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:03.
At the risk of offending any curlers out there, If you're going to call it a sport, don't leave out darts, bocce ball, and twister.
Submitted by Drive_For_25 on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:08.
Does anyone know when tickets for this season go on sale??
Submitted by Chuck on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:11.
It's usually mid-September.
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Submitted by habs-13 on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:09.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced that centre Jonathan Toews will serve as the team's captain for the upcoming season, making him the third-youngest player to earn that distinction in the history of the National Hockey League.
I didn't see it happening so soon.
Submitted by FSLN on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:04.
I really don't know about the Pens this season. They've lost some serious pieces and their replacements aren't exactly up to snuff (You know you're in trouble when your idea of a free agent plan is to poach mid-range talent from the Islanders).
I'll be interested to see how well the Pens do next season, if Fleury underwhelms they might end up struggling to make the playoffs.
And Therrien is a horrible coach, he really is...
Submitted by Keith on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 19:07.
Ray Shero and the Pens organization just screwed themselves for the next three years lol.
Submitted by New on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 19:11.
I honestly don't know if the team came together or if he brought them together. But half of them are gone since Feb. Some bad luck and they could be drawing for the first overall draft choice in 2009.
I think he'll be into year two before it catches up, if it catches up.
Submitted by Ian Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 18:34.
HABS SUMMIT 2008
MAIN ORGANIZER-IAN
TICKETS OFFICER--- Vicky-Habschick
TOUR ORGANIZER----Stephen Herron
CHARITY officer--CHUCK AND ROBERT L
WEB MASTER----Stephen Herron and Robert L
ACCOMADATIONS---ROB SWEICK
PRE GAME DINNER--Bryan Traynor
AFTER GAME PLACE WITH ROOM,BAR--Bryan Traynor
Summit game will be Oct. 25th vs Ducks
Vicky, Stephen, and Robert L are setting up a procedure on the web so people can order tickets and let us know your requirements. When it is all up and running we will let you know.
Ian
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 11:17.
"Vicky, Stephen, and Robert L are setting up a procedure on the web"
We are? I better check my eMail... I still don't know what all of the details are myself. lol
Submitted by indavidual on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 18:20.
I think Shero had to reward Therrien, since in the end he did bring the Penguins to the Cup Finals. That said, I have my doubts he'll get through all 3 years of his new contract; the least slip-up (dispute with a star player/early round playoff exit) in a Pittsburgh organization that has very high expectations and he's gone.
http://onehab.blogspot.com/
Submitted by nightmare_49 on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 18:16.
Slap Shot : Larionov Set to be Exec. with SKA,St.Petersburg .. by Jeff Z.Kli\ein .. NY Times ..... http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/report-igor-larionov-set-to...
Submitted by J.T. on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 17:49.
I don't get it. I thought Therrien was entirely outcoached in the Cup finals. And I thought pretty much anyone could coach the team in Pittsburgh to similar results, especially because I didn't notice any great coaching genius learned on his part since he left Montreal. Oh well...time will tell I guess. But I suspect it may turn out to be yet another not-too-great move on Shero's part.
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com
Submitted by twocents on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 18:12.
Very strange, I was just thinking about Tanguay, when I decided to see what was up on HIO, I read your post, clicked on your blog and lo and behold, Tanguay is the subject. I agree that the respite provided by all this waiting for you know who is an ideal situation for him to get acclimatized. I think the Laraque signing has and will continue to help too. I really hope things don't turn ugly on him early and by the time the likely criticism does comes, I hope he has convinced enough people of his value.
Submitted by Ian G Cobb on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 18:54.
Hey 2 pennies--I like Laraque and not only because he is as tough as nails. But mostly because he knows the game. He reads the ice as well as most, he can pass tape to tape, he skates well for a big man and he knows his defensive and offensive responsibilities. He also knows when the game is on the line how and when to conduct himself. Bob would would never bring in just your regular goon.
Submitted by twocents on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 19:38.
I am right there with you Ian.
You are the Ian I know, right, or are you his son?;o)
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:27.
To be fair, if you go through the Eastern Conference team by team, I think the Habs are unambiguously better going into the upcoming season, as are the Bruins. The rest of the teams I actually think will be fielding weaker squads. The toughest thing to gauge on the Canadiens going into the Centennial season is the benefit that last year's experience will bring to all, young and old. Assuming that the planets are in "reasonable" alignment -- that is, there is no Steve-Smith like gaff by Zetterberg -- this team is not that far from their desired destination.
Submitted by twocents on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 22:10.
I agree that even without the possible addition of the player everyone seems to be waiting for the Habs are clearly improved, and to large degree, for the reason you point out, though the additions of Tanguay and Laraque are in themselves significant. As for the rest of the eastern conference, I haven't paid close enough attention to every move but, my sense is that no team is as improved as ours. All I know about what the Bruins have done is they've added Ryder and I don't think that will make a huge impact. Again, for them the extra year of experience will likely be the biggest help, that and if Bergeron can come back from the concussion and be the player he was. Even then I still think we hold a clear advantage over them. For the same 'experience' reason, Washington might be an improved team but, you have to think Theo is a down grade in nets. Tampa will take steps forward but with their defense and goaltending I don't think they're a threat to anyone.
All in all things look great to me for a deep run at the Cup, and may end up looking even better.
I certainly hope there are no Steve Smith type moves in our future but, at least with Malakhov a distant memory and Brisebois not likely to be on the ice in key defensive situations (even if he does get signed) that specter is mitigated. I'm also fairly certain one won't come from Zetterberg, unless a trade for him is Gainey's plan B, which I doubt for a few reasons.
Submitted by New on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 19:14.
I wonder what Laraque could do 20 pounds lighter, and five minutes more a game. The man has skill enough. He's just so tough I think that is all everybody sees.
Submitted by Yeats on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:43.
I do agree with you. I don't look upon him as a goon. I think he, like many others cast in that role, has a lot more hockey talent than he is given credit for. I was watching some footage of the late John Kordic last week on NHL Net. For all his enforcer qualities, that guy had some game God rest his soul!
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