It’s not often Bell Centre fans get to see the Vancouver Canucks, whose lineup includes Montreal homeboys Roberto Luongo, Alex Burrrows and Maxim Lapierre.
Not to mention former Canadiens first-round draft choice Christopher Higgins.
• Players make annual visits to kids hospitals
• Dave Stubbs on the ailing PP
• Hickey on shootouts, Weber, Leblanc
• Red Fisher on the emergence of top teams
• Stu Cowan on Habs’ special teams
• Mike Boone on Habs fan in Hong Kong
• Kevin Mio on Brendan Gallagher
• Jean-François Chaumont on Alexei Emelin
• Stu Hackel on the NHL’s painkiller problem
Spear of the Year? Ovechkin on Chris Neil:
Loading ...
Just to try to close the Ovechkin spearing incident discussion, I see posters congratulating the refs for using discretion in not calling a penalty, since the spear was ‘not that bad’. This is the mentality we’ve been reduced to as NHL fans, that it’s okay to break the rules depending on how overt an infraction is, or what the score is or how much time is left in the game when it’s committed, or what jersey the offender is wearing.
The rule clearly, specifically calls for a double minor for spearing incidents even when NO CONTACT IS MADE. The offender doesn’t have the excuse that he barely hit his target, or was faking a spear to keep the opponent honest. The act of spearing is in and of itself punishable, and the penalty can ramp up depending on the consequences.
The rule removes from the referee the obligation or opportunity to decide if a spear was bad or not. The act of spearing is the punishable act, you don’t have to weigh in whether Chris Neil is a faker or whether Ovie is a cheapshot artist or not. The referees clearly DON’T have discretion in these matters.
In last night’s example, the only excuse the referees would have to not call a penalty would be that they didn’t see it happen, but turned around to witness Mr. Neil do his pathetic little dive, preceded by a telltale “Where’s the ref at?” look around.
Rule 62 – Spearing
62.1 Spearing – Spearing shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade, whether contact is made or not.
62.2 Double-minor Penalty – A double-minor penalty will be imposed on a player who spears an opponent and does not make contact.
62.3 Major Penalty – A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who spears an opponent (see 62.5).
62.4 Match Penalty – A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who injures an opponent as a result of a spear.
62.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – Whenever a major penalty is assessed for spearing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.
62.6 Fines and Suspensions – There are no specified fines or suspensions for spearing, however, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
I don’t see the big deal, Ovie was just getting in the holiday Spear-it…
ouch.
http://www.puckbandits.com
Please not Boucher or Lemaire..we have that kind of hockey now..boring ..how about Gallant
With all the fire PG and JM talk, just to throw a GM replacement name into the discussion, how about Doug Risebrough?
Jacques Lemaire ??
Even at home ?
This game is up for grabs luckily cause of the Booth and Higgins injury’s.But like others on this site , I am sorry to say I hope we lose BIG.T he time for change is NOW!
Good for you. Cheer for all the other 29 teams, then and stop pretending you give a rat’s ass about the Habs.
Weber out, St Denis in, with Spacek and Campoli around the corner, and dare I say Markov not too too far behind, Weber could be out of the line up permanently.
http://www.puckbandits.com
I don’t think there’s any “could be” about it. I’d say that he’s done. With Markov, Subban, Gill, Gorges, Spacek, Campoli, Emelin and Diaz all here, he’s in big trouble. The question becomes, who do they move out to make room for Emelin and Diaz?
Maybe Campoli, but he has to be showcased first. Weber should be traded for a pick or forward depth (4th liner).
Campoli is Markov insurance. I don’t see him being moved considering how long it took for him to get a contract and the status of Markov’s health.
I think that a trip to Hamilton for one of Diaz or Emelin is in the making. If it isn’t Diaz, I might just keep the television turned off.
Me too. Unfortunately we can´t send Gill to Hamilton. With Gill, Spacek and possibly Campoli gone this summer it would also be sad to lose Weber. He´s still only 23…
you don’t think the few minutes he’s played this season is enough to go on, eh?
http://www.puckbandits.com
I don’t know that anyone gets moved. with how injury prone this D is I could see them keeping 7 up, and moving Diaz down, if we ever even have everyone healthy.
http://www.puckbandits.com
here is just a few of my uneducated observations;
this team has a lot of skill,not so much in size! that we all know,but what is killing this team including the power play is one simple thing!!! Intensity, this team does not play very often with the level of intensity that it takes to win on a consistant basis. Against the Jackets i watched Cammy skate around all night looking for the puck to just come to him, also the little battles are never won in the corners because the Habs don,t push hard enough…
All that said…as mid-season approaches and they are still out of a playoff spot, well they will need an act of God to get one unless they start to playing with a little INTENSITY!!!!
Ever think they might just be sick and tired of the system they are playing? a system that has produced absolutely zero? Ever think maybe they are sick of JM? All you speak about is hearsay.
No offense to you. But I’m starting to think that the size argument is coming from people who have little-man syndrome. In the last twenty-four months, the team has added the following players.
Lars Eller, Erik Cole, Max Pacioretty, Alexei Emelin.
Four players and the smallest one being 6’1 and 220 pounds.
They can’t add 23 players over 6’3 overnight.
From TSN:
“Former Canadien Chris Higgins is questionable for tonight after sitting out Tuesday with a staph infection in his foot. Higgins had the same ailment last season. ”
Didn’t this guy go to college? You’d figure he would learn to wash his feet every once in a while!
rumour was he didn’t really major in anything. Just took electives and easy courses.
- If the NHL was the Wizard of Oz, Cammalleri would be the Cowardly Lion.
I know you’re being facetious, but staph infections are a recurring problem in sports.
Quoted from the link pasted below:
““Considering all factors, the authors of the St. Louis Rams study concluded that frequent antibiotic use, compromised skin barriers, skin contact between players, close proximity of teammates, and inadequate hand and personal hygiene by trainers and athletes may have contributed to the team’s MRSA outbreak,” said Dr. Adams. “In addition, infections found in players from an opposing team suggested that transmission may have occurred during play.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080624151110.htm
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Is it just me or does it seem like every team that we play is in the middle of some sort of winning streak?!? Even Columbus was in a groove when we played them, what the eff man!
My thought o the day….
Athletes (as a general rule) always look forward to playing in front of a passionate, noisy, engaged crowd. I think, teams play better at the Bell Centre, simply because it is such a vibrant arena. As a former athlete myself, I would always look forward to playing in front of larger crowds, especially on the road. I think our crowd works against us more than for us. Not only are our opponents more motivated (especially those teams who are use to playing in front of majority empty seats), but our club faces more pressure to perform, especially on special teams and in nets. Everytime a Hab falls, boooooo no penalty call, everytime PK gets the puck with a millisecond of room at the point, shoooooooooooooot! It must be frustrating for the players.
I think as fans, those fortunate enough to get tickets to games, we need to find ways to give our club the advantage at home. Like in football, the home crowd tries to make so much noise that the visitors can’t hear their play calls or snap counts. Maybe we can come up with something to eff up the visitors instead of putting more pressure on our boys.
Just a thought.
thats more then a though bud thats a essay
thats more then a thought bud thats a essay
does anyone know where i can get an alexei emelin shirt?
I hated every minute of training, but I said, “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
Muhammad Ali
A city the size of Montreal wouldn’t you think radio990 could find some knowledgable sports broadcasters for their mid-morning and early-afternoon shows?
Mr. Bad Example!
Why, what’s wrong with Randy Tieman?
Anybody got a clip of the Emelin hit after he got high-sticked? Can’t find one.
God Bless everyone on the site have a safe and merry christmas, espicially you habs17 it takes real men to realize its not all about winning
yo yah man i have right now watching old habs games but ill get it back to you after i steal another one man, put 2 pieces of chicken on fo me then ill bring it over homes
VCR?
Welcome to the 21st century.
———————————————————————-
Welcome to the newer NHL: The National Headshot League.
who are you, you dont nothing about hockey you probably play juvinile.
Did you really create an account to troll yourself?
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
This is getting weird.
sad isn’t it.
yo man is this antoine? its me man Jarome remember me? we shot up dat boston bruin cracker from east site de other day!
Gangsta pose, or cerebral palsy……?
_____________________________
Being negative has its advantages,
you’re never disappointed.
Alain Vigneault? Remember the old days when we got consistent scoring from Oleg Petrov.
St-Denis in, Weber out.
No PP for the Weber it seems.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Wow – what a fall from the beginning of the season.
He’s -8 in his last 5 games. Not good.
I guess that is the huge shakeup that the 4th period is reporting…..
_____________________________
Being negative has its advantages,
you’re never disappointed.
I think this team needs an Alec Baldwin (Glengarry Glen Ross) style point scoring competition. Put Cammy, Gomez, Gio and JM in a room with this guy.
Blake: Let’s talk about something important! (to Cammy) Put that BIOSTEEL down!! Biosteel’s for closers only. (Cammy scoffs) Do you think I’m f’ing with you? I am not f’ing with you. I’m here from downtown. I’m here from Gauthier and Molson. And I’m here on a mission of mercy. Your name’s Cammalleri?
Cammy: I don’t have to listen to this…
Blake: You certainly don’t pal. ‘Cause the good news is — you’re fired. The bad news is you’ve got, all you got, just ten games to regain your jobs, starting tonight. Starting with tonight’s game. Oh, have I got your attention now? Good. ‘Cause we’re adding a little something to this month’s Molson contest. As you all know, first star get’s a Cadillac Eldorado. Anyone want to see second star’s prize? Second prize’s a set of steak knives. Third prize is you’re fired. You get the picture? You’re laughing now? You got ice time. Gauthier and Molson paid good money. Get their names to win games! You can’t close the chances you’re given, you can’t close sh*t, you ARE sh*t, hit the showers pal and beat it ’cause you are going out!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
“Let’s be clear on the facts…”
Then the alarm goes off and you wake up.
I know it’s off topic but WOW:
Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels for $250 million!! Baseball is nuts!!!
I wonder if they’d take Gomez’s contract?
It’s good to be able to hit a baseball
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Baseball has been belly belly good to Albert Pujols.
For what it is worth (nothing except discussion)
Coaching records for the HABS
Alain Vigneault 104-105-33-4 = 48.98% * #
Michel Therrrien 77-77-22-14 = 50%
Guy Carbonneau 124-83–0-23 = 58.9%
Claude Julien 72-62-17-8 = 53.14% #
Jacques Martin 94-77-0-24 = 55.20%
* Vigneault had 2 seasons where the Canadiens led the league in games lost to injuries
# Won Jack Adams Trophy after leaving Montreal
Great point, the only problem is that “24″; and how many 2 points are we getting, which we were getting last season, instead of the 1 point?
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
That can’t be right. Habs have lost games in overtime.
If the list is from the Hockeydb.com website, the third column is for ties. It’s W-L-T-OTL
The fourth period (don’t know how reliable they are) is saying that Molson is considering a big shake up, including getting rid of the GM and coach beacuse the players find the system to restrictive and have stopped responding.
Hope it’s true
AFAIK they are not very reliable.
You have to figure that putting out such a story, right now, will draw in alot of hits on their website as well.
Still, one can hope.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I had to google AFAIK. You keep me learnin’ Shiram.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Glad to hear that.
Maybe Markov sometime?
I had to google google.
I’m so glad they invented Google, because you can’t make a verb out of “Alta Vista”
Don’t hold your breath bud. I hope you are right though. Methinks we are stuck with JM.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
It’s all lies I tell ya! Wanna know why? The Habs haven’t stopped responding to JM’s system… they never responded to it in thr first place!
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
I think maybe a big trade with Columbus could happen.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Mr Carter….?
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Dear Hockey Gods
Please make the above statement and true…I was at the columbus game and I was boared out of my mind….
I hate the Bruins, really I do!
that is what kills me. You pay an insane amount for a ticket and you are not even sure you will see a good game. I won’t pay to see the habs play when they are playing such an up and down season.
I work too hard for my cash to through it away on garbage
How many times do you hear about a big shake up before a big shake up?
I’m praying your right
man im from da hood i dont have no dam radio at my apartment
Can’t wait for Markov to come back, completely healthy, & show us why he is, outside of Price, the best player the Habs have had in the last 10 years.
Sorry posting this twice just because I’m waiting for the nay sayers
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Id get excited over Subban instead of Markov, Markov is just a slightly better version of Kaberle when his knees were good. Now its ridiculous to expect any kind of impact from him.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
I swear people seem to have selective memories. Now granted, Markov hasn’t played in a year, but to say he is slightly better version of Kaberle is preposterous. Markov is a good defenseman and a terrific offensive defenseman. Kaberle is neither of those things.
Not saying I like Kaberle, I dislike that ilk of d-men but someone thought highly of him enough to give a 1st round pick. Give me a Emelin-type anytime over those guys, they just dont command respect, and thats essential on a blue line.
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Wasn’t there some stat that in 09-10 montreal had a way above .500 record with Markov and way below without him? I think he was critical to Montreal’s success.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I don’t think saying Markov is a better version of Kaberle is holding anything back cause Kaberle was a pretty good player in his prime
I’ll have to say Markov is a much better player in his own zone than Kaberle. What I liked about Markov is that he never got beat one on one
That being said.. Subban is currently overrated. He can skate, he can shoot, he can stickhandle.. but he’s an average passer and he doesn’t play a team game. He’s a far cry away from doing what Markov did for us in the last 10 years.
- If the NHL was the Wizard of Oz, Cammalleri would be the Cowardly Lion.
It’s his 2nd year in the league. Give PK a break. He will be great.
Did you think he was overrated last year?
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
well he was a rookie last year, so whatever he did set the bar.
but this year it’s clear that everyone’s overrating him.
- If the NHL was the Wizard of Oz, Cammalleri would be the Cowardly Lion.
So you think last year was just a fluke? I think at the very least he will perform at the level he did last year, very soon. And down the road he will be a superstar.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
I am outraged, I tell ya! Outraged!
Kaberle? Pshawww!
Gotta agree, Kaberle = super over rated.
Healthy Markov, & Subban, “What a wonderful world it would be”…sorry gotta love Mr. Armstrong
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Kaberle?
CMon
Gonchar i would have accepted, but Kaberle?
Can’t wait to hear what “words” taste like…;) Last time I checked they were a little bitter.
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
100% agreed.
It’s really our only hope to turn the season around. I am an eternal optimist and I believe that when Markov comes back this team will fly.
Let me take U to a world, a wonderful perfect world, in which our 6 D-Men are:
Markov & the E-Tank( & yes I’ll take credit for Nic name)
PK & Gill remember last year)
Josh & Spaz (perfect pairing, like a Burger with Fries)
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Emelin’s nickname?
Bam Bam!
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” (anon)
But where will JM find the room for those dynamic powerplay juggernauts Diaz and Webber???
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Well we’ll need a 7th D-Man, just for the PP mind you, and that would be Webber(or the shot)
( Plus he can play wing if need be)
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
About Ovie’s spear:
In theory, I agree that a spear is a spear (is a spear — this for Punkster). UCE may well be right that the ref completely missed it.
OTOH, in real life, there are always shades of gray. There is also a certain ebb and flow to the game that spectators, no matter how knowledgeable they are, can’t quite appreciate.
It’s ignoring reality to claim referees shouldn’t exercise judgment in how they call penalties or that the ebb and flow shouldn’t influence how a game is called. A trip or a hook that might have been called earlier when the game was scoreless is going to have be blatant to be called late in the third period when it’s 1-1. If tripping were incontrovertible, there would be no need for a penalty for diving.
I’m not going to say I can read the mind of the ref in question. All I’ll say is that while rules try to be objective, their application is inevitably subjective. It’s that subjectivity that we argue about and that the NHL should work to reduce, even though it can’t be completely eliminated.
Even the NFL, despite its efforts, isn’t consistent. There is a lot of subjectivity in calls for pass interference, holding and determining if a receiver has possession. This past weekend, my Packers benefited from such a call — the receiver did not incontrovertibly have possession but a touchdown was ruled. There is no doubt in my mind that the Packers coming in undefeated played a role in that call. Good teams tend to get the benefit of the doubt when that doubt exists on certain calls. That’s a fact of life, not a conspiracy.
I think it would be constructive for the NHL to try to standardize officiating. It would actually take pressure off the referees, who try very hard, I think, not to be perceived as having influenced the game’s outcome. That way, there would be fewer cries of bias or conspiracy on the one hand, and on the other, fewer people yelling “Aw, just let ‘em play.”
To this day I still don’t understand getting rid of Lapierre. He’s the perfect 4th line centerman. He brings energy, gets under other people’s skin, he hits, he can score, and he was an awesome penalty killer when Carbo use to use him on the PK.
Stupid move getting rid of him
He asked to be traded. He wasn’t happy in that role. (Despite the fact he’s STILL in that role on another team)
Ya but it’s only because he was never being played. I remember him being scratched a lot, and when he would play, he was a winger and would barely get any minutes. JM is an idiot for not using him. Now we have to go looking for scraps on the market to fill our fourth line.
I don’t remember Lappy being benched/scratched. I could be wrong though. I thought JM took him off the PK and that upset Lappy. He wanted more ice time.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
Last time I checked 4th lines rarely get ice time. That’s why it’s the 4th line. No scoring touch means you play on the 4th as a grinder/energy role.
Lapierre’s problem is he thought he was more
lapierre was the one who asked for a trade
he didn’t like JM and he got his wish.
- If the NHL was the Wizard of Oz, Cammalleri would be the Cowardly Lion.
He nearly led Montreal in even strength goals scored, and was the favorite player of just about every former Hab. He was one of my favorite players. But then again I had the nerve to like Latendresse, Higgins, Ryder, Ribiero and all these guys the organization actually drafted. I even thought Perzhogin was decent, wanted SK to stay and felt bad when Gainey refused to negotiate during the season and lost a bunch of players.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Sergei is probably the player I was most upset about losing. He’s so talented but they traded him away for NOTHING!
Ryder would be mine. Back to back 30 goals seasons. One off season and he’s gone for nothing. He is on pace again this year for another 30 goals.
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
It is as though the organization has no idea why its players succeed or fail. They assume that when the toy stops working it is broken, when all it really needs is a new battery.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I liked Ribiero too.
People see what they want to see. That was a definite spear and completely deliberate. Neil’s dive is another matter.
Thats worthy of a suspension, there wont be one but yeah…
[Disclaimer]: I’m a hockey fan. I care about the habs, but probably not as much as you.
Interesting bit in Hickey’s story on Gill:
‘When asked about the keys to the team’s success on the PK, Martin said: “One is aggressiveness, and what’s important is we recognize the situation. And when one man puts pressure, all four put pressure. It’s really a matter of all four players working together.”‘
Makes a body wonder why they don’t try that same aggressiveness when they have the same number of men on the ice.
Indeed!
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
Of course, even better would be to take that aggressiveness down to the other end of the ice instead of being in a rush to get back and play Kitty bar the door in their own end.
I thought he said “we use our most talented forwards and dmen on the PK, exhausting them for the rest of the game, but we have no intention of scoring 5 on 5, so it really doesn’t matter to us.”
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Really hope Tinordi makes the U.S. World Jr. squad along with Gallagher, Bournival and Beaulieu making Team Canada. Bonus will be if Pryibyl makes his nation’s team and we get a sneak peek at him.
I am just imagining our blue line in 2 years time with Beaulieu, Tinordi, Emelin, Subban, Gorges, Markov. Lots of physicality and great skaters.
Who’s Markov???
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Can’t wait for Markov to come back, completely healthy, & show us why he is, outside of Price, the best player the Habs have had in the last 10 years.
And on the 8th day the Lord said…..let there be the Canadiens
PG will have traded PK and Emelin by then, along with two top round draft picks and a bucket of pucks for Kovalchuk. Then he and Gomez can dance hand in hand down St Catherine street.
I can see how that one goes “Hey Geoff, want me to clean house so you can take responsibility for a contract that ends roughly around the time every current member of the roster’s kids are eligible for the draft? No? Are you SURE? Fine fine…”
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
So your spycam is working!
Gerald! I will never miss watching a game, but I do not see us turning things around this year.
But if you look at the job the Hab scouts and drafting department has done over the past 7 years, the future looks very good indeed.! Just hope they can put every thing together before they throw me in the permanent penalty box.
Tinordi I understand holds a very good chance as the US squad is expected to carry a shutdown pair, he and Derek Forbort may fit the bill for that. His previous National Team experience and leadership helps him out, I did read speculation from Buzzing the Net he may be in contention for the captaincy.
As for the Canadian candidates, Gallagher’s obviously the closest to a lock, Beaulieu is considered high probability but not a definite, Bournival was last cut, but being a energy forward is going to have him in competition with a lot of guys who do the same thing he does. Pribyl… who knows really, could be a 50/50 thing with the Czech Roster not being that large.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
I remember hearing about the blueline anchored by Markov, Komisarek and Hainsey with Souray blasting home 25 goals a year on the powerplay and Bouillon wrecking anyone within 20 feet of the crease.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Don’t forget Craig Rivet wearing the “C”!!!
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Always did like Bouillon, especially for his big hits.
Souray: 26GF and -28 for the Habs in 2006/07 before he signed with Edmonton. He’s a pylon with a big shot. Can fight, but will probably break his wrists again.
Tinordi is projected as a borderline sixth, or a seventh defenseman. Pretty much no offensive upside. You should be more excited about Dietz , Ellis, and maybe even Bennet. At least one of those guys has a chance to crack the lineup within a couple of years and maybe even be an impact defenceman if they continue to progress.
The hab´s future is looking good, but not so much because of Tinordi. Still, would be nice if he ever makes top six.
Tinordi is projected into Top-4 actually on his upside. A high-end shutdown defencemen with the ability to log big minutes and deliver punishing physical force as he fills out his frame. That’s his profile and teams do play those guys in their Top-4.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
By the end of this year, the best of our rookies will be full fledged NHLers with more experience than most rookies who come into this league. That will go down very large for being a permanent fixture on our roster next year. But at this time, I do not feel they will have much playoff experience, if any.
I feel this is going to be one of these years getting a roster together for next year early, including a lot of movement before the trade deadline. So at least we will be able to watch how to develop and create a new positive structured team that will compete the way we know that they should.
Most rookies will have played more games this season than Markov has played in past two seasons and this season combined .
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Does that mean that JM should prepare himself to be traded too, Ian?
I know of a triple A Atom coach that we could trade him for.
Speaks french right?
Russian!
Let’s get it done!
I am always impressed with your optimism. But is JM a good teacher for these young players or would they develop better in the AHL?
The roster has four rookies: Diaz, Emelin, Leblanc and St-Denis. Weber was sent down to Hamilton. Ryan White is not technically a rookie and is on IR. There are four veterans on IR: Gomez, Spacek, Markov and Campoli. It would seem to me, that as these veterans return from IR that the rookies will see diminished playing time. So I have very little expectation that any rookie beyond Emelin will develop meaningfully this year. How many games do you expect Diaz, St. Denis or Leblanc to play this year? Do you see them getting meaningful minutes in the games they play? A handful of five minute nights on the fourth line will not make Leblanc a full fledged NHLer.
I totally agree with you that the team should invest its playing time in young players and stop wasting time with veterans who will not be with the team. If we are going to lose, no reason to give those minutes to Moen, Gill, Gionta, Gomez, Nokelanen or Spacek. But JM is going to overplay the veterans to try to back into a playoff spot.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I have a confession. I’ve been watching more of the Bruins this year, because I enjoy some of their player (e.g., Thomas, Bergie and Boychuk), and am curious to see how Benny is doing. While tradition dictates that I hate them, and they are a loathsome bunch in so many ways, I have to admit that they play with youthful/reckless exuberance and actually look like they are having fun – unlike our boys who are so damn grim.
It’s easy to have fun when there are no repercussions from the league no matter what shit you pull.
Break someone’s neck? Hockey play.
Break someone’s back? Hockey play.
Concuss a goalie? Hockey play.
Attack players after the whistle? Hockey play.
Crosscheck players repeatedly and you name is Chara? Hockey play.
CJ’s Goon Squad™, the Commisioner’s Choice.
Shaker you have no freakin clue.
Price has stopped many many break aways in reg time this season. His shootouts are not great at all BUT Price does his job in regulation to get the team a win. It is not his falut these Pansies can’t score.
“If you’re not the TOP DAWG, the view never changes”
True, the scoring has been lacking….but our best player needs to be our best player (which more often than not he has been our best player) but the greasy rebounds leading to goals against are hurting this already fragile team. I know it’s team defense that contributes to the breakdowns and goals against, but as our last line of D and our marquis player, I expect and I’m pretty sure Carey does too….expect more! “To whom much is given, much is expected” I understand a bad goal here and there and the occasional fantastic Nash move, he can’t stop them all, but he’s got to be better. We have to be able to take price off his pedestal once in a while. Seems like nobody else will do that on here. Cammy and gio need a wake up call too……if they ain’t going to be contributing with the offense, then they better not be hurting the team in the d-zone.
Shaker
Oh my God… I just had “conversation” with a couple colleagues who are Leaf fans.
Wow… they still go on about ’93 like one penalty non-call was the only thing that stopped them from beating the Habs in the Finals.
That and one said “Now we only have to figure out Boston… and we’re good to go this year.”
This year SUCKS so far. If you’re not going to Fire the Count or the Goat… then fire the Video Coach… or one of the equipment managers. Someone’s got to join Pearn at home to send that message!!!
I need more coffee….
Shame they didn’t meet the habs so that the rivalry would have been over, as a single “who won the cup again?” comment would have sufficed.
I also loved how that single missed penalty call somehow caused them to lose game 7 as well.
An interesting stat: Only two teams in the league have less regulation time wins than us. Wanna know who? Anaheim and Columbus…
If we can’t find ways to win in the shootout, we’re dead meat.
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
Stay the course! “Le systeme” will prevail!
“Oh what’s that nurse… time for my less crazy pills? Okay.”
Jesus… make it stop.
But they are the team with the most Ot losses, gotta love those loser points! (not)
Maybe Markov sometime?
It’s the Molson way! Stay under the radar, eek into the postseason and drink up the profits of at least two more home games!
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
To me it speaks of the constant closeness of matchups the Habs face, they so rarely win by more than one goal, or even lose by more than one goal.
Would not be so bad if they did not lose nearly 61% of the time.
Maybe Markov sometime?
Are you implying we are a middle of the pack team?
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
I’m saying the Habs are a 0.390 team, not a .500 team.
Maybe Markov sometime?
If the games were close montreal would give up as many points as they get but they give up 30% more points in the standings than they receive. At this rate, Montreal will earn 82 points and give up 106 points.
To me it is not about the matchups but about the style Montreal plays. The opponent, just doesn’t pour it on because they do not need to do much to win.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I think the NHL gives very sloppy data in reporting the standings. I want to know two things from the standings. First I want to know how often a team gets points in the standings. Second I want to know how often their opponent gets points in the standings.
For example. the Canadiens have received 28 points in the standings for their wins and ties. Their opponents have received 36 points for wins and ties. Montreal is gaining a point a game but allowing 1.29 points per game. Why does this matter? Because to win, you need to out point other teams in the standings. An overtime win nets only one point and an overtime loss loses only one point. Teams that win in regulation are far superior to teams that win in overtime. For example, the Bruins earned 35 points but allowed only 21 points. Toronto gained 33 points but allowed 30 points.
Another way to look at is an opponent of Montreal has a 68% chance of getting at least one point in the game and only a 32% chance of going home with nothing. Given that Montreal is not a physical team (though they have concussed two opposing players) the league has marked down Montreal as a night off. There is little reason to go all out, because if an opponent can avoid being shut-out, they are almost certainly going to leave with at least one point.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
I agree… the one point for an overtime or shootout loss is extremely deceiving. See my post above. People say, “Hey, we got 4 points out of our last six!” My answer is, “OK, but we only got 6 regulation points out of the last 20.”
“There’s genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it’s like popcorn in the pan. Some pop… some don’t.”
- Jerry Maguire
I just saw the freight train going through our neighbourhood.
There’s a new inscription on it.
It says “Emelin”.
The guy had a slow start, but he is really coming into his own now.
Other teams and their fans are taking notice of him, and will respect his presence on the ice too.
It’s just too bad that the rest of the D is not living up to expectations.
Him and Gorges are really doing great though.
Maybe Markov sometime?
He can hit. His first few weeks were rough but he looks like a completely different player.
Goes to show how much of an adjustment the players from Europe have coming over to the N.A. game and vice versa. It would be nice to have another D man that hits as well. PK looks like a fish out of water lately. Needs to get his confidence back
PK will. Just have to give him time.
I think he’s feeling the pressure. Last game was his worst. I haven’t seen him cough up the puck that much since he’s been here.
I love the way Diaz plays smart with the puck.
I just wish he had a few extra pounds on him.
#Emelinboom
We should rename this song to Emelin’s Crush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnHLgxKUsEA
The Who – Eminence front
Pete Townshend chauffeured in a panel van. Now I’ve seen everything.
What a great band. Good choice!
Watch for the Canadiens to trade him as soon as he becomes good. Some of the players we let go over the years are the reason for my lack of sleep.
1 rule for “stars” and another for the rest. NHL needs to change to NBL. B is for Bush.
The incompetency of the referees this season goes beyond the pale. It’s as if they’re having competition to be the worst ever.
It’s sad that the NHL cannot recruit better refs and that there isn’t a better apprenticeship program set up. Looks like we’re stuck with total incompetents. Unless….
I’ve mentioned this before. Get rid of refs on the ice, but keep the linesmen. This will create more room in the offensive zone for both teams. Keep the refs off-ice and have the timekeeping bench blow down the play when there’s a penalty.
There are too many times when the ref is out of position to make a call. And too many times when the ref is just in the way. Like last week when Pleks was taken out by that idiot ref behind the net, who came out of the corner to whistle the play dead instead of staying in the corner, OUT of the bleeping way.
I’d agree with you G if it weren’t for the fact that they’d need to put a ref every 10 feet around the perimeter, otherwise they’d miss as many plays as they miss now.
There should be an eye in the sky that can call what the on-ice refs miss.
That doesn’t mean that prima donnas without priors, like Chara and Ovi, will be punished any more than they are now.
Try telling that to the referee’s union.
Chins up emotionally fragile HIOers! Lights out tankers.
Our boys are bound to rebound and this is the game to do it. If the Habs get hot we may be looking back on the first three games of December and remembering how the team snagged 4 of 6 points despite being in a funk.
If luongo is playin the boys will win, if it’s schneider, then it will be an overtime or shootout loss. No greasy rebounds tonight please Price, and what a move Nash had in that shootout, I think Price is still looking for his pill protector. (just finished watching the game vs bluejackets right now)
Shaker
Your are a real gem Shaker …
“If you’re not the TOP DAWG, the view never changes”
Just keeping it real…….unlike some on here.
Shaker
Exactly. What’s real is that the Habs have bagged 4 out the last 6 available points, despite playing like turds.
I, realistically, expect a turn around and a solid December.
I’ll take that and our best player (PRICE) sucking it up on breakaways and in the shootout and giving less and less greasy bounders out to the opposition…….for cammy and gio to stop being minus players, for PK to start bagging some, for JM to use all four lines even in the thrid period. Still in the mix despite this lacklustre spell. Will spaceman and cannoli make a difference in the D? I think not, marky is and will always be the key, especially since MAB left. JM please use the fourth line for more than 4 minutes tonight!
Shaker
@ Un Canadien errant…….is there a rule on name-calling? Or how about just intent to name-call? I wrote that I didn’t think there was a spear given by Ovechkin. Period. And I still don’t believe it was a spear. I didn’t ask for someone to quote the rule to me. I wasn’t disputing the rule. But from now on I will try hard to “learn” from everybody on here, just as you do. And one more thing, this “blowhard” won’t need to resort to calling you names in the process. Have a good day, sir.
Good for you Tom. Take the high road!
Neil on Ovie = suspension
Ovie on Neil = hockey play
so true
Not true, Neil got a penalty. LOL
———————–
GO HABS GO! 2011-12 is our year!
That’s a bullseye, just like the spear, OHF. Ovie’s actions were deliberate, willful and (as anyone who’s played the game knows) meant to be injurious. Shanny may not review the play, but the head of officiating damn well better.
Im excited for tonight. We should see the good Habs tonight since we’re playing a good team. I’m sure a few Canuck jerseys will be in the stands too. Gonna be a fun game.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
So Chris I got to thinking (rarely happens, not much good comes from it) do the Habs play up to the good teams, or do the good teams play down to us?
Quite a conundrum there Gerald, hopefully we find the answer in the playoffs.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
What? Will that be when the Habs are soul-searching because they’re on the outside looking in?
Or do you expect a magical turn around.
An early 11-17 record doesn’t allow for playoff aspirations.
I’m still hopeful the Habs can grab the 8 spot. It’s a long season my friend. JM isn’t going anywhere, might as well enjoy the ride.
Chrisadiens and HabFan10912, one of the few father son tandems on HIO.
It would be nice. The problem is they’ve been finishing in the middle of the pack for so long, next year’s draft will be the same as last year, and the year before that. Slim pickings.
Hmmm, so evidently people here now can telepathically tell if the spear delivered by Ovi had any substance to it. Ovechkin while not the size of Neil has strength, I would be more than happy to replicate this spear for posters and then let them tell me if it hurt. (okay, I wouldn’t that was overreaction)
Regardless of whether or not he sucessfully performed a spleen removing surgery or not, he committed an infraction. If the ref did not see it, I can understand no call. If indeed the ref saw the spear and chose to call a dive that is just a clear misrepresentation of the rules. I am no fan of Chris Neil, but am a fan of hockey.
It appears to me Dale Hunter has Ovi playing a game very similar to the one he played. That element (which we have seen before) mixed with Ovi’s talents, the fact that the league wants Ovi to succeed and I think we will see Alex return to his past “gr8tness”.
As pointed out below a spear is a spear whether intentional or not whether contact is made or not as per the rules. The ref missed or blew the call. Now, will Shanny?
***Subbang Baby!!!***
Shouldn’t that be, A spear is a spear is a spear?
To spear, or not to spear, that is the question.
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The pucks and sticks of outrageous Russians,
Or to take dives against a sea of Shanninanigans.
***Subbang Baby!!!***
And by Subbanging end them: to Budye, to sleep
No more; and by an Emelin Boom, to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand cries to oust the coach
That The Mighty Canadiens heir to? ‘Tis an Habsaddiction
Devoutly to be wished. To Budye to sleep,
Nice poke at some Shakespeare.
“May you live in interesting times.”
Didn’t you hear? It was never Shakespeare at all.
Get your facts straight. Neil is only 6’1″ 215 and Ovechkin is 6″3″ 230.
——————————–
“The fish is rotten from the head.”
You could have just set the record straight, without instructions.
Ovi is quite a bit bigger and probably stronger than Niel.
Bad call anyway.
“You don’t play a guy just because of his name anymore, you don’t play a guy just because of his contract.”
Thank you Adam Proteau.
http://www.puckbandits.com
Am I the only one who truly hopes my beloved Habs lose? I feel like the more they eek out wins the longer JM’s leash gets. This team is so boring.
(Please read my other posts over the past few years to see I am not a troll or a hater. I love the Habs…but I really really don’t like what they’ve become under JM)
I understand what you’re saying. I’m tired of JM too. I don’t really dislike him but I just think we need someone with more emotion and can get more out of this team. As long as they continue to be .500 or so, I don’t see a firing. I’d like to see JM step down (forced) and get someone new in there. The thing is I don’t see that happening until the team is healthy for a bit, so we’re talking February, if the team doesn’t get better.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
It will be like contract talk, like at the end of the season when it to late
How “beloved” is that? That’s the same as “I hate you”.
If the team is so boring, there’s 29 other teams out there. Watch them for entertainment and watch the Habs to suffer.
I cannot speak for others Castor, but while my frustration is high, I still want the victory.
How do we know you’re not a troll in a Habs’ suit?
the spear certainly did not look like much to me, but I still think whether it was much of a spear or not, it was a spear. 2 minutes each would have made more sense to me.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
Please refer to the post right below this one, and inform yourself as to what a spear is and what the penalties are. There is no such thing as two minutes for spearing.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Interesting. That’s tough given how weak the spear seemed…probably put the ref in a tough position. In that case I wouldn’t have given any penalty at all, but how does that makes sense with a guy lying on the ice? It did not deserve a major.
There should be a 2 minute penalty for spearing for cases like this.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
That’s why the refs used their discretion and let it go. And there is no denying that Neil certainly appeared to embelish.
A well-aimed spear does not take a lot of force to attain the desired result. Bulls-eye, and even the toughest man goes down
+1 AB, I can’t believe people here don’t think a jab like that can hurt. Ovi is no slouch, would not require much for him to inflict some pain with a good placement as you say.
If the ref wants to add in an embellishment, perhaps, but as has been pointed out by Un Canadien errant, it is an infraction.
I think you’re missing the intent of the rule. Spearing is an inherently dirty play, meant to hurt or even injure an opponent, it’s not something that will happen accidentally like tripping or high-sticking. Once that’s established, the onus shouldn’t be on the ref to decide if it was a major spear or a trifling one, the onus rightly rests on players not to pull that crap. The penalty also serves as a strong deterrent.
The NFL is on the right track with these penalties to reduce dirty play and increase player safety. Grabbing a facemask used to be either a five or fifteen-yard penalty, depending on the severity, which was sometimes difficult for the reffing crew. Now it’s a clearcut fifteen and automatic first down, so the players know not to grab around the helmet. Another example is blows to the head of the quarterback. No matter how innocuous, a blow to the helmet of a QB by a defensive player is a personal foul, also of fifteen yards. If there is an egregious aspect or clear attempt to injure, a player is also tossed out of the game.
I think this is a good rule, and I hope the only reason the ref didn’t impose the appropriate sanctions is that they didn’t see it.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Gotta agree with you. Very well stated.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
For those of you who seem to think it’s possible to be partially honest or moderately virginal or extremely unique, I copy below the actual rules which define the act of spearing in the NHL and the penalties attached to its commission.
Rule 62 – Spearing
62.1 Spearing – Spearing shall mean stabbing an opponent with the point of the stick blade, whether contact is made or not.
62.2 Double-minor Penalty – A double-minor penalty will be imposed on a player who spears an opponent and does not make contact.
62.3 Major Penalty – A major penalty shall be imposed on a player who spears an opponent (see 62.5).
62.4 Match Penalty – A match penalty shall be imposed on a player who injures an opponent as a result of a spear.
62.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – Whenever a major penalty is assessed for spearing, a game misconduct penalty must also be imposed.
62.6 Fines and Suspensions – There are no specified fines or suspensions for spearing, however, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion (refer to Rule 28).
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
The Habs will win the cup in 2 years:
Gallagher Plekanec Cammalleri
Cole Desharnais Pacioretty
Leblanc Eller Kostitsyn
White Nokelainen Palushaj
Subban Gorges
Markov Emelin
Beaulieu Tinordi
Price
you are an optimist. 2 points
Love the optimism. I’d rather split up Cole & Pacioretty just because that first line is lacking size in a major way.
Go Habs Go!!
“Fans are great, but the quickest way to start losing is to listen to them.” – Sam Pollock
If that’s a spear, hockey’s really become a bad joke.
The dive was a good call, the kind of thing you expect from Chris Neil.
Academy Award performance.
It is a spear. Applying the rules and getting the garbage out of the game is not a ‘bad joke’. Brad Marchand not getting penalized for ‘lightly’ punching Daniel Sedin in the head, repeatedly, that’s a bad joke. The Bruins marching by the penalty box to the Starley Cup, that’s the bad joke.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Ovie barely touched Neil. If that’s a spear in your opinion, you are entitled to it. Trying to put it in the same context as the other examples you mentioned, is a stretch. And that’s my opinion.
Your opinion is poorly informed, and therefore erroneous. We pride ourselves as Canadiens fans for being very knowledgeable, but the posts I have seen today are nonsensical. You’re sitting at your computer, take a minute and do some research.
You can refer to my post at 08:26 hr and read the actual rule, instead of pulling a Stephen Colbert and relying on your gut.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Ohhhhhhh, you do research! Good for you. You get my vote for most knowledgable fan. I feel so humbled to have been “corrected” by you.
Tommy, buddy, you can choose to be a blowhard and spout nonsense, or you can accept that you made a mistake and learn from other posters. I do it all the time, I’ve learned so much since I’ve been visiting this site, people point out the flaws in my reasoning all the time and I’m better for it.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
How you react to a “light” spear in the plums?
it was a weak spear but it is dirty. as a kid playing spearing is a major no no. Ovechkin has always been dirty and will continue to be so. Beacuse it is Ovie he won’t get suspended.
Canucks are a good team by whatever measure: points, wins, goal differential, and yes, even Fenwick and Corsi stats. They’re riding an 8-2 streak in their last 10. The game will be a good test for the Habs. Time to invoke Mr. Boone’s reverse jinx and to start being “very afraid.”
As to Ovechkin’s spear, it seemed fairly innocuous to me and I can see why the ref might have been skeptical that Neil was hurt. Neil isn’t a diver, though, at least not by what I read about him, and I’m surprised his first reaction wasn’t to beat the snot out of Ovie. Perhaps that surprised the ref, too.
Just goes to show officiating is less about a bias for or against one team or a player and more about perception by a given individual. It would be nice if the NHL tried to standardize officiating like the NFL has.
The NBHL big name stars are exempt from punnishment
“If you’re not the TOP DAWG, the view never changes”
Ovie gave Neil a love tap.
Is the NHL run by girlie men?
A spear is a spear. If the refs had seen it, they shouldn’t have to divine if Mr. Ovechkin delivered a tap or hit Chris Neil as hard as he could. Certainly Mr. Shanahan shouldn’t have to either. If you hit someone in the belly with your stick blade, that’s a spear and you should sit in the box, same as if you hook someone ‘lightly’, or you ‘barely’ trip someone, or gently elbow them in the head.
———————————
How about it NHL? No fighting, just hockey?
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
He makes a ton of money owning this team.
We won’t know his true intentions until this team struggles with a full compliment of healthy players.
I hear ya Anti JM. It’s sad to see a franchise like Montreal having the worst there is in management and coaching. I guess we just have to hope that Geoff does have a brain and his interests are not just beer sales.
Do you have the figures to prove that the Molson Brand is taking a beating, or is this speculation?
_____________________________
Being negative has its advantages,
you’re never disappointed.
Yeah, Coors-Molson actually cares. Wow.
Maybe, you should send him an e-mail and not post this tripe here?
Pretty sure only 20% of the habs is actually owned by the molson brand, and the other 80% is owned by the molson family personally and their financiers.
Also, Molson makes a boatload of money off the habs, you know, seeing as we sell out that arena every single night and are paying the highest beer price in the entire league. You are correct though that Molson-Coors(NYSE: TAP) has taken a beating over the last year, although I am certain it has nothing to do with Jacques Martin and his coaching of the Montreal Canadiens.
Don’t reply, maybe the mentally challenged troll will go away.
Your first sentence is a joke. Cole is a hitting machine. Pacioretty and Eller always finish their checks.
Gauthier can’t add a full roster of big, aggressive forward overnight. He recognized a long time ago that the team needed players like this and has added them and may continue to add more.
sounds like you’re talking about chris neil then, dropping gloves, skating, being tough, chipping in goals… I may be alone here but 6 chris neils as our two top lines sounds more depressing than what we already have
It’s not the fans that want a French / blingual coach it is the media.
But if we dump JM who do you replace him with??
Either one of the assistants no thanks
Randy Carlyle Good choice
Bob Hartly Bilingual AND a winner
Marc Crawford Let him stay at TSN
Patrick Roy I’ll become a Leaf fan
Guy Carbonneau A 2nd time around ??
Should appoint L’Antichambre panel as associate coaches- Chantal included!
______________________________________________________
“I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out”
~Rodney Dangerfield
Bunk. ALL COACHES are defence first.
Go tank yourself.
A habologist sounds more like someone who makes a scientific study of the habs. Maybe try something equally lame, but not as confusing, such as haboholic
some coaches believe in an aggressive forecheck, with 2 forwards driving towards the opponent defence on the shoot in.
that creates offence and scoring opportunities.
Max and Cole and AK 46 would be well suited to this approach.
Even Gionta and Eller also can be very effective forechecker.
Moen and our entire 4th line should be able to put pressure on opponent defences as well.
But they don’t. They forecheck with 1 man, and sit back in the neutral zone looking to force a give away 100 feet from the opponent net.
So if you think a 2 man forechecking scheme means we can not play good team defence, then I guess you and Martin are in total agreement.
Some of us believe that this team can still play defence, but we need to pressure the puck more and force the other teams defence deeper in their zone – not just in the neutral zone.
is that also “BUNK”??