I'll make this brief. Backchecking is good. Four of the Ducks six goals were scored on rushes where no forward was in position. Montreal outshot its opponent 51-25. Sure, Halak gave up four goals on twelve shots, but when you hang your goalie out to dry like the Habs did on those rushes and on a poor defensive breakdown, there's not much either Halak or Price can do. The Habs forward are to blame for this one.
The theme for today's practice? Backchecking, backchecking, some sprints, and then more backchecking.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Justice and Business
E from "A Theory of Ice" usually goes for the more existential articles, but I can't help myself. Plus, she ignored my request to be added to her blogroll, so there.
The Phoenix game brought one of the most particular aspects of the sport into plain view: the role of the enforcer. Kurt Sauer leveleld Andrei Kostitsyn with a vicious and borderline hit that took the winger out of the game. Something I thought of, and was surprised no one else has mentioned, is the fact that Andrei Kostitsyn is epileptic. He was drafted 10th overall because several other teams were concerned about the condition and passed him by. The condition has been kept under control with the help of medication, but I have always been slightly concerned that a concussion or other injury could shake something loose, so to speak. When I saw Andrei down on the ice and visibly struggling, this was the first thing that came to mind.
In any case, the hit was, as I described, borderline. If I had been a referee, I probably would not have even called a penalty on the play. These things happen SO fast, and referees do not have the benefit of seeing them in slow motion, as we do when we see the replay over and over. Granted, a referee has the option of assessing a penalty after the play once he sees the result, but it severely harms the official's credibility when he does so. We deplore the referee who makes a late decision seemingly based on how loud fans boo, or on whether a player is writhing in pain on the ice. I am convinced this is one reason why Boston fans still get upset when one mentions Mike Ribeiro. The stick to his midriff didn't look that bad, and it was only after he went down and started kicking and screaming did a penalty result. I refer, of course, to game three of the 2004 series between Montreal and Boston.
So what is a ref to do? He can't (or shouldn't) assess a penalty just because an injury happened. This is not the same as a stick-to-the-face that draws blood. A high stick is illegal, no matter what. A vicious check like the one that leveled Andrei is open to interpretation. It's one of those moments where there is no consensus. What must be made plain, however, is that injuring a player like Andrei Kostitsyn is NOT acceptable. It is not the referee's job to assess a penalty on Kurt Sauer for being too vigorous in his checking. So we rely upon an enforcer to make it clear that there is a price to be paid for borderline plays.
The next time Kurt Sauer was on the ice, Georges Laraque was there as well. And, predictably, Laraque shadowed Sauer throughout the shift, with every intention of starting a fight--a fight that Sauer declined. In the days before the instigator penalty, Laraque would not have had to ask. He would have simply dropped his gloves, begun pounding, and Sauer would have had no choice but to defend himself. Both men would have received five for fighting, and that would have been it. One must be wary of drawing an instigator penalty however, and Laraque never got the chance to fight Sauer. Sauer opted instead to fight Tom Kostopoulos. Kostopoulos has a habit of sticking up for teammates, but biting off more than he can chew. In this case, he got a few punches in, but was clearly the loser.
So why is it that I predicted, with %100 accuracy, what would result from Kostitsyn's injury? That Georges Laraque would be on the ice for Sauer's next shift, that he would try to fight him, and that eventually, SOMEONE would either take a run at, or actually fight Sauer? Because that is the system that has developed over the years. We EXPECT vigilante justice. You hurt our guy, we punch you in the face. It doesn't matter if the enforcer used to play on the other team (and he probably has in many cases). His job is to do what referees cannot. He has to make the other team's players think twice about going for that yard sale hit. Also, this is one of those times when vigilante justice is more efficient, and more desirable, than going through official channels. The first scene in "Batman" goes to the heart of the matter. A family gets mugged--what do they do, go to the police? The Police would make them fill out a report, get a description, and then go about the more important business of chasing murderers and rapists. Batman, however, saw the whole thing happen, and acts immediately. There is no scene where Batman gives the family their money back, however. There are further implications though. Suppose Batman witnesses a murder or rape about to happen? The police might not get there in time. So Batman acts immediately, taking matters into his own hands.
I forget the movie, but the quote is "It's not personal. It's business." I completely understand Sauer's exuberant hit. Had I been in the position to make the hit, I would have done so. But I also understand that actions have consequences, and that I should expect someone to come looking for retribution. This is the business of protecting star players. General Managers spend a lot of money on their stars, and they need an insurance policy on those players. For the same reason some folks argue for mandatory visors league-wide, GM's want to protect their star players from getting hurt. Messages have to be sent: "If you hurt our guy, our enforcer will come looking for blood." It's the same reason our judicial system concerns itself with Deterrent Penalties. While having an enforcer beat the shit out of a dirty opponent may feel good, the main purpose is to deter his teammates, and the rest of the league, from trying the same thing in the future.
This is the business of winning.
As Bride of Kovalev put it, after the hit, every Phoenix player was probably, ever so slightly, distracted by the possibility that Laraque would be looking for payback. What's more, other teams around the league do not operate in a bubble. They know exactly what happened to Andrei Kostitsyn, and what happened to the Coyotes as a result. If opponents are constantly looking over their shoulders, or even slightly distracted by Laraque's presence, the Canadiens stand a better chance to win.
It may not be "right" (a term I leave the philosophers to define). But it makes perfect sense. The person who complains about enforcers and the role of fighting in hockey has no idea about how the sport, or any business for that matter, operates.
The Phoenix game brought one of the most particular aspects of the sport into plain view: the role of the enforcer. Kurt Sauer leveleld Andrei Kostitsyn with a vicious and borderline hit that took the winger out of the game. Something I thought of, and was surprised no one else has mentioned, is the fact that Andrei Kostitsyn is epileptic. He was drafted 10th overall because several other teams were concerned about the condition and passed him by. The condition has been kept under control with the help of medication, but I have always been slightly concerned that a concussion or other injury could shake something loose, so to speak. When I saw Andrei down on the ice and visibly struggling, this was the first thing that came to mind.
In any case, the hit was, as I described, borderline. If I had been a referee, I probably would not have even called a penalty on the play. These things happen SO fast, and referees do not have the benefit of seeing them in slow motion, as we do when we see the replay over and over. Granted, a referee has the option of assessing a penalty after the play once he sees the result, but it severely harms the official's credibility when he does so. We deplore the referee who makes a late decision seemingly based on how loud fans boo, or on whether a player is writhing in pain on the ice. I am convinced this is one reason why Boston fans still get upset when one mentions Mike Ribeiro. The stick to his midriff didn't look that bad, and it was only after he went down and started kicking and screaming did a penalty result. I refer, of course, to game three of the 2004 series between Montreal and Boston.
So what is a ref to do? He can't (or shouldn't) assess a penalty just because an injury happened. This is not the same as a stick-to-the-face that draws blood. A high stick is illegal, no matter what. A vicious check like the one that leveled Andrei is open to interpretation. It's one of those moments where there is no consensus. What must be made plain, however, is that injuring a player like Andrei Kostitsyn is NOT acceptable. It is not the referee's job to assess a penalty on Kurt Sauer for being too vigorous in his checking. So we rely upon an enforcer to make it clear that there is a price to be paid for borderline plays.
The next time Kurt Sauer was on the ice, Georges Laraque was there as well. And, predictably, Laraque shadowed Sauer throughout the shift, with every intention of starting a fight--a fight that Sauer declined. In the days before the instigator penalty, Laraque would not have had to ask. He would have simply dropped his gloves, begun pounding, and Sauer would have had no choice but to defend himself. Both men would have received five for fighting, and that would have been it. One must be wary of drawing an instigator penalty however, and Laraque never got the chance to fight Sauer. Sauer opted instead to fight Tom Kostopoulos. Kostopoulos has a habit of sticking up for teammates, but biting off more than he can chew. In this case, he got a few punches in, but was clearly the loser.
So why is it that I predicted, with %100 accuracy, what would result from Kostitsyn's injury? That Georges Laraque would be on the ice for Sauer's next shift, that he would try to fight him, and that eventually, SOMEONE would either take a run at, or actually fight Sauer? Because that is the system that has developed over the years. We EXPECT vigilante justice. You hurt our guy, we punch you in the face. It doesn't matter if the enforcer used to play on the other team (and he probably has in many cases). His job is to do what referees cannot. He has to make the other team's players think twice about going for that yard sale hit. Also, this is one of those times when vigilante justice is more efficient, and more desirable, than going through official channels. The first scene in "Batman" goes to the heart of the matter. A family gets mugged--what do they do, go to the police? The Police would make them fill out a report, get a description, and then go about the more important business of chasing murderers and rapists. Batman, however, saw the whole thing happen, and acts immediately. There is no scene where Batman gives the family their money back, however. There are further implications though. Suppose Batman witnesses a murder or rape about to happen? The police might not get there in time. So Batman acts immediately, taking matters into his own hands.
I forget the movie, but the quote is "It's not personal. It's business." I completely understand Sauer's exuberant hit. Had I been in the position to make the hit, I would have done so. But I also understand that actions have consequences, and that I should expect someone to come looking for retribution. This is the business of protecting star players. General Managers spend a lot of money on their stars, and they need an insurance policy on those players. For the same reason some folks argue for mandatory visors league-wide, GM's want to protect their star players from getting hurt. Messages have to be sent: "If you hurt our guy, our enforcer will come looking for blood." It's the same reason our judicial system concerns itself with Deterrent Penalties. While having an enforcer beat the shit out of a dirty opponent may feel good, the main purpose is to deter his teammates, and the rest of the league, from trying the same thing in the future.
This is the business of winning.
As Bride of Kovalev put it, after the hit, every Phoenix player was probably, ever so slightly, distracted by the possibility that Laraque would be looking for payback. What's more, other teams around the league do not operate in a bubble. They know exactly what happened to Andrei Kostitsyn, and what happened to the Coyotes as a result. If opponents are constantly looking over their shoulders, or even slightly distracted by Laraque's presence, the Canadiens stand a better chance to win.
It may not be "right" (a term I leave the philosophers to define). But it makes perfect sense. The person who complains about enforcers and the role of fighting in hockey has no idea about how the sport, or any business for that matter, operates.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Habs-Bruins Recap #1
OK. So, I let some time elapse to let tempers cool off. Habs played a good first period, shit the bed in the second and third. Bruins played well throughout, and thanks to a spectacularly ridiculous play with less than a minute left, got a point from the affair.
Montreal had better stop playing this turd-ass style, trying to force every play and making low-percentage passes and plays.
Prince answered the challenge with the awesome glove save he made against Chara, despite being scored on 20 seconds later. Guillaume Latendresse is officially a Putz, despite Bride of Kovalev's amorous inclinations towards him.
Speaking of BoK, She made an interesting point last night: Why is it no one is allowed to say anything bad about Tim Thomas? She compared it to criticizing a retard--we all know he really isn't that great, but it's taboo to say anything. "You can't say that! That's awful. At least he tries really hard..."
Montreal had better stop playing this turd-ass style, trying to force every play and making low-percentage passes and plays.
Prince answered the challenge with the awesome glove save he made against Chara, despite being scored on 20 seconds later. Guillaume Latendresse is officially a Putz, despite Bride of Kovalev's amorous inclinations towards him.
Speaking of BoK, She made an interesting point last night: Why is it no one is allowed to say anything bad about Tim Thomas? She compared it to criticizing a retard--we all know he really isn't that great, but it's taboo to say anything. "You can't say that! That's awful. At least he tries really hard..."
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Habs-Bruins Preview #1 of like, 20 games they play against each other this season
Tonight the Montreal Canadiens open their first home game of the season against the rival Boston Bruins. We all know the history: last season Habs went 8-0, but Boston took them to game 7 in the first round of the playoffs.
The Bruins have added erstwhile Canadien Michael Ryder, and also have Patrice Bergeron back. Bergeron has always personally done well against the Habs, and I fully expect Ryder to bring his A-game. He has a knack for coming up big in pressure situations, with the exception of last season's UFA debacle. He was also coached by, and thrived under, Claude Julien in both the AHL and NHL.
The Bruins will be missing Glen Metropolit this season. He's not a superstar, but he brought chemistry and grit to the Bruins and his absence is bigger than many people may realize. Boston seemed to signal a "rebuilding" clue with the trade and Alberts this week. That one remains a mystery to me.
Of course, we'll roll the dice to see who gets the start in net for the Bruins, and what kind of performance we'll see out of him.
Key players tonight: Bergeron, Ryder, Zdeno Chara
Montreal has added two key players in Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang. So far, so good for them. Now we'll see how Carey Price can play. His glove hand has looked as bad as a Beer-league benchwarmer's so far, so that remains a crucial aspect if Price is going to see continued success. He is also the latest in a long line of Melanson-coached goalies who go down too early, so that may also become a factor. Boston's grit was a major part of the heart-attack series last year, and Montreal has tried to address that with the addition of Laraque.
Alexei Kovalev sent thank-you notes to Chara during the off-season for so many warm invitations to score on Tim Thomas last year, so that might be something to watch for. Latendresse did not send any such warm regards for the multiple pastings he received at the albatross's hands during last year's playoffs.
Key players tonight: Kovalev, Sergei Kostitsyn, Latendresse
I don't make predictions, but I do anticipate more of the same from last season's playoffs. Montreal will have its hands full with Ryder, Bergeron, Kessel, and Savard. Boston, on the other hand, may have trouble keeping up with Montreal's three fast-attack scoring lines.
What say you, P-stone and Derek? Habs win, the colors on the site stay Red/Blue, Bruins win, we go to (YUCK) Black/Gold?
The Bruins have added erstwhile Canadien Michael Ryder, and also have Patrice Bergeron back. Bergeron has always personally done well against the Habs, and I fully expect Ryder to bring his A-game. He has a knack for coming up big in pressure situations, with the exception of last season's UFA debacle. He was also coached by, and thrived under, Claude Julien in both the AHL and NHL.
The Bruins will be missing Glen Metropolit this season. He's not a superstar, but he brought chemistry and grit to the Bruins and his absence is bigger than many people may realize. Boston seemed to signal a "rebuilding" clue with the trade and Alberts this week. That one remains a mystery to me.
Of course, we'll roll the dice to see who gets the start in net for the Bruins, and what kind of performance we'll see out of him.
Key players tonight: Bergeron, Ryder, Zdeno Chara
Montreal has added two key players in Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang. So far, so good for them. Now we'll see how Carey Price can play. His glove hand has looked as bad as a Beer-league benchwarmer's so far, so that remains a crucial aspect if Price is going to see continued success. He is also the latest in a long line of Melanson-coached goalies who go down too early, so that may also become a factor. Boston's grit was a major part of the heart-attack series last year, and Montreal has tried to address that with the addition of Laraque.
Alexei Kovalev sent thank-you notes to Chara during the off-season for so many warm invitations to score on Tim Thomas last year, so that might be something to watch for. Latendresse did not send any such warm regards for the multiple pastings he received at the albatross's hands during last year's playoffs.
Key players tonight: Kovalev, Sergei Kostitsyn, Latendresse
I don't make predictions, but I do anticipate more of the same from last season's playoffs. Montreal will have its hands full with Ryder, Bergeron, Kessel, and Savard. Boston, on the other hand, may have trouble keeping up with Montreal's three fast-attack scoring lines.
What say you, P-stone and Derek? Habs win, the colors on the site stay Red/Blue, Bruins win, we go to (YUCK) Black/Gold?
Monday, October 13, 2008
This Just in: Flyers=little bitches
Memo to Scott Hartnell: when the game is over, don't try to railroad the biggest guy on the other team. (It's kinda bad form when you take out your frustrations from losing 5-3 after the game is over--it makes you look like a little bitch.)
Memo to Joffrey Lupul: 1: it's Geoffrey. Spell it right. 2: Don't go toe-to-toe with the biggest guy from the other team after he got hit by your little bitch teammate. It's kinda bad form to lose a fight after losing the game (which was already over.)
Come to think of it, combined with Briere (The little-bitchiest of the little bitches--he's their King, really), and Mike Richards (captain bitch), the Phhhbbbblyers team in general is a bastion of little-bitchery, where playing dirty seems to equal playing physical. (Another memo: it doesn't.) The Flyers think they're better than they are, and they sure as hell think they're tougher than they are.
That is all.
Memo to Joffrey Lupul: 1: it's Geoffrey. Spell it right. 2: Don't go toe-to-toe with the biggest guy from the other team after he got hit by your little bitch teammate. It's kinda bad form to lose a fight after losing the game (which was already over.)
Come to think of it, combined with Briere (The little-bitchiest of the little bitches--he's their King, really), and Mike Richards (captain bitch), the Phhhbbbblyers team in general is a bastion of little-bitchery, where playing dirty seems to equal playing physical. (Another memo: it doesn't.) The Flyers think they're better than they are, and they sure as hell think they're tougher than they are.
That is all.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Please dear Jesus, Lord in Heaven, can we finally get rid of Breeze-by?!?
As Ghandi said, "Oh God." That was my reaction every time Patrice Brisebois came near the puck, or, more accurately, came near any Sabre carrying the puck. I didn't keep an accurate tally, but there were at least two giveaways, two completely missed checks that led to odd-man rushes, and one stupid bone-headed idiot rookie dumbass go-back-to-the-ECHL-right-now penalty.
I was actually supremely shocked that Guy Carbonneau did not simply shoot him during the second intermission, and even more suprised to see him actually out on the ice for the third period.
Can Bob Gainey and Carbonneau PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give the poor fans some peace of mind and send this ass-turd packing? I mean, instead of playing Dandenault on the fourth line, why not put him on defense and let someone else have a chance? I dunno, someone named either Chipchura or Paciorrety? I hear both of those kids aren't half bad. But what do I know? I'm sure there's a reason the team plays Brisebois, the most overrated putz to don the Bleu-blanc-rouge since Donald Audette.
And I'll tell you this: Bob Gainey can defend him all he wants, call Habs fans "not real fans" all he wants, but until Breeze-by is shipped out of Montreal, replete with a Tar/Feather tuxedo, TRUE Habs fans are duty-bound to boo this asshole. We who boo him are the real fans, Bob. Until Breezer goes, Gainey and Carbonneau do not deserve our respect.
As a follow-up, I in no way blame last night's loss on Brisebois's play. That is another matter entirely, and there was much more going on than just Breeze-by's ass-hattery. I'm just getting my Breeze-by digs in early.
I was actually supremely shocked that Guy Carbonneau did not simply shoot him during the second intermission, and even more suprised to see him actually out on the ice for the third period.
Can Bob Gainey and Carbonneau PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give the poor fans some peace of mind and send this ass-turd packing? I mean, instead of playing Dandenault on the fourth line, why not put him on defense and let someone else have a chance? I dunno, someone named either Chipchura or Paciorrety? I hear both of those kids aren't half bad. But what do I know? I'm sure there's a reason the team plays Brisebois, the most overrated putz to don the Bleu-blanc-rouge since Donald Audette.
And I'll tell you this: Bob Gainey can defend him all he wants, call Habs fans "not real fans" all he wants, but until Breeze-by is shipped out of Montreal, replete with a Tar/Feather tuxedo, TRUE Habs fans are duty-bound to boo this asshole. We who boo him are the real fans, Bob. Until Breezer goes, Gainey and Carbonneau do not deserve our respect.
As a follow-up, I in no way blame last night's loss on Brisebois's play. That is another matter entirely, and there was much more going on than just Breeze-by's ass-hattery. I'm just getting my Breeze-by digs in early.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Milf to Drop Puck at Opening Faceoff
So the Pbbbbhhhhlyers are letting that milfy hockey-mom drop the puck at tonight's game. Nice move. I wonder if we can politicize some other aspects of hockey? Canadians booing the US national anthem comes to mind. I would find it crass, no matter WHAT the candidate, were he/she to participate in the opening ceremonies for a sports team. What relationship does she have to Philadelphia? Well, we'll see if any of the fans boo her. Knowing Philly fans, they probably will.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Blah blah blah, Habs play Bruins, etc...
Yeah, so the Habs played the Bruins the other night. Won 3-1, doesn't mean dinky doo.It was good to see the power play clicking, and Jaroslav Halak looks pretty good, but a reminder:
It's the pre-season.
Back in 02-03, the Habs went undefeated in the pre-season. They did not even qualify for the post-season. So there.
And by the way, wtf are they booing Ryder for? Oh right: acrimonious contract negotiations every friggin year, and a craptastic UFA season. It was obvious he would never stay for very long--my money was actually on him going to Toronto. Well, Boston, hope Caillou works out for you.
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