Chips

I like the idea of keeping price in net for this game. Lets try to keep the chemistry we have created and ride this short but productive hot streak... Anytime you wipe the leafs off the ice its a productive game... Isn't every habs game a must win game? GO HABS GO!

Now Doug Gilmour was a leaf. captain. why can't we have an x-leaf on the habs. So I'd be happy with taking sundin and keeping koivu too GO HABS GO!

Lil. Kosts. is ready to stay in the big leagues. I've watched him play for the first half of the season in Hamilton. He plays a great, game defensively and on offense he is counted on each night. Almost always on the score sheet. And seems to have a head for the game in both positioning(where the puck will be and needs to be..) and tactics. I do feel that his greatest strength is his defensive thinking. But will from time to time hover near to offensive blue like and wait for the pass (nice to see from a sniper), Has a great wrist shot!. He is always playing the powerplay on point., number 1 go to guy when they need to take back the momentum. He will be great! I do agree with lever, he has lots more to learn. But I certainly feel that learning can happen in montreal rather than hamilton.

SAKU stays. GO HABS GO!

Just saw the thread and joined both groups... Go Plex. Go! I happen to like his style. And I'd like to suggest the name... "The many faces of habsworld.net" GO HABS GO!

Great game from Markov and Komi. Time to put Komi on our shootout list. And I'm glad to see Chips getting more ice time. Its paying off. He is solid and continues to grow into his role and future potential. Its exciting to watch this team. Only wish they can put a few wins together again and get up in the standings. The seasons still early so lets see how things progress.

Excellent! Great Post FANPUCK33! And I enjoyed reading this entire thread. Discussion about topics like this will allow us all to be better citizens of our country and members our global village. I agree that fear of the unknown has a lot to do with what breeds the sad reality of todays prejudicial society. This topic/discussion can have a changing effect on our beliefs and hopefully that change is for the better good of all humanity. Change for the better can start with each of us, today. Together we can make up a more accepting and understanding forum for, tomorrow. And our kids will hopefully enjoy the hard work and accommodating example we set for our future.

Thanks blaze53; I'm certainly enjoying the game and the reviews I'm writing up for all of the HW gang. Next game is wed against grand rapids. I'm having loads of fun this season watching the young guns in Hamilton play. They have an exciting brand of hockey that in my mind at times parallels a NHL game at a very affordable price point for me as a fan of the game.

Well the Dogs were playing back to back to back games with a few hurt bodies... And as much as that would be an excuse; its not! Because the Moose were playing back to back to back to back.. games.. and they had the longer and difficult travel plans to deal with.. Now the Moose have always had the Dogs number according to the experts at the game. The moose also have Mike Keane. (yes x-habs Keane) as their captain. Luc Burdon and all their guys are bigger and stronger on the puck than us. At least thats what it was like watching them last night. I will reserve only one comment. A well rested Dogs team can take on a well rested Moose team IMO. So that being said. I would cough this one up to lack of energy on the Dogs part and a very good fore checking Moose team that took advantage of every opportunity to bury the puck. Oh ya. Jozef Balej also plays for the Moose and may I say he's back in the AHL and seems to be on a mission. Keane's leadership and experience came in very handy in the third. He was on every other shift and just shutdown all the offensive threats the Dogs were trying to muster. All in all. The moose are a good team but we can beat them. GO DOGS GO!

GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO! Hope that Chipper can chip his way back on the score sheet tonight. So proud of him scoring his first goal at the NHL level. If he keeps up his work ethic and contributes in points this could be a long term stay with the big club. GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO!

IMO. I'm all for giving Carbo lots of chances... He is a rookie coach learning his way in that regard. But by and large, so is the team he has to work with... many can and do make mistakes. He has the elements and tools needed to succeed. And so does the team. Carbo's job is to use that to the advantage of the HABS! Lets give him more time. But this is not the AHL and expectations are high. You get paid the big bucks in the big league to win not lose. Remember rookies have about 20 games to show their stuff at the start of the season or risk being run out of town back to the AHL. At what point do you call to question a rookie coach? We are not the only group of Habs supporters to question him at this point of the season or his tenure with the Canadiens. I'm sure Bob's been evaluating his progress this year as compared to his past and the time for patience will run out but not yet! I suggest we give him till the playoffs. If we don't make it or it looks like we won't then let the axe swing. GO HABS GO!

Bulldogs go hunting moose but come up empty... Third home game MTB vs HAM Hamilton lost 5-1 but lets focus on the bright spots. GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO! Ferland scored our only goal in the 2nd. assisted by Lahti and Lil. Kosts. Laps returned to the ice and looked like he did not miss a beat. O'Byrne also returned to the ice tonight and looked great. Lahti, seems unimpressive today but you can't help but notice his size and number 27. Although he does not play like Kovy, it sure makes him stand out when he's on the ice at least in my eyes. But this kid is improving with every shift. Took a point on the night. Need to spend more time watching this kid in the next game. Little Kosts, is also in the process of getting himself adjusted to the ahl. At least it looks that way. Another kid who will only get better in time. Valentenko was steady all night. Keeping his head in the game. Very effective at the point on the powerplay but he's got to get the puck to the net when he has a chance to shoot from the point on the PP. His shot is mighty and when he uses it, he scares mostly everyone on the D. But he hits too many players with it. Twice last game his thunderous slapshot rebounded back into the bulldogs zone for Halak to airmail back to the front lines so that the Dogs could regroup and attack on the PP. More time required to watch this kid as well. I was not able to focus tonight. It could have been the 5 goals scored against us. But for me it was more the fact that my little baby girl came to her first hockey game last night. She sat on my lap and enjoyed watching Bruiser the Dogs mascot run around the rink. As much as I enjoyed seeing my little 2 year old enjoy herself, this wednesday will be different. A more focused fan at the rink and I hope a more focused Dogs team on the ice. A well rested team as well I pray. Next game Wed night. 7:30pm start time. Grand Rapids vs. Hamilton. GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO!

JMMR. is correct that line is together to put pucks into the net. Mostly during the third or when we are behind. Nevertheless, its very effective. Laps greatest strength is his passion and explosion of energy that is above every other player on our team and most nights above players on the opposing team. GO DOGS GO!

First Habitforming great link to the 3D rink. loved it. Secondly, IMO lower bowl reds. Top end would be my choice of seats at the bell center. Either side would work but I prefer; seeing the habs bench so I can watch the bench and their reactions, as well as the coaches as they interact with the team. If its fan interaction and a gang/party like feeling your after then head to the second level and upper bowl for loads of fun with everyone up their. GO HABS GO GO HABS GO GO HABS GO

Battle of the K9s in Steeltown, time for a Halaking! Second home game for the season HFD vs HAM Go Dogs Go! Go Dogs Go! Go Dogs Go! I wasn't supposed to attend this game. I have been on a waiting list to get into a REC league hockey team and my number came up for Sat. I was playing at 6pm for an hour game. We lost 5-1 and I had a fun time on the ice after a six year layoff of not playing any type of hockey. In the third I had a golden chance to put the puck into the net but came up short got tied up in the crease and had to watch the puck dangle and then get pushed away to the boards. We had lots of chances like that all night but just couldn't convert it. I had a very good appreciation for professionals who play the sport to begin with but today I reaffirmed my appreciation for those who can play this game day in and day out specially back to back games. So last minute the gentleman who was to take my seats couldn't and I was not about to let them go awaiting. Right after my game tonight, I headed down to coops and was in time for the second and third periods. Which turned out to be the best two periods of tonights game. second period. Milroy scores a timely goal in the second at about the halfway mark of this period. Timely in that the Dogs were looking for momentum and then got it. Valentenko and Cote shine again on Defense. Milroy, Lahti, Laps, D'ago, Ferland shine in front for the Dogs this period. third period. Corey Locke scores with a rocket of a shot from the back top circle while moving so fast that wolf goalie Al Montoya did not have a chance on stopping it. IMO it was so fast and so hard that if he got a piece of it, the puck would have gone right through Montoya and into the back of the net. And that was not the best part of the play, Locke's shot was setup by Ferland who intercepted the puck in the wolves part of the neutral zone and kicked up the puck to Locke with his trailing back foot. It was a moment of brilliance the fans held their breath with anticipation and Locke did not let us down. He buried the puck with such authority he had the entire crowd standing and cheering. Ferland was the workhorse for the game without a doubt. Without a doubt, Halak, Locke, Ferland and Lahti shine this period. On D Valentenko, Cote, Gleed, Archer were standouts. final thought. At first glance the team seemed slow and uninvolved in the game. Almost as if this was a completely different team that left the ice playing hungry hockey during the home opener. But that soon changed. Shift after shift the Dogs sent energy with every play getting more and more apt in their zones, defense and offense. The transition game was little to be desired but that too showed moments of brilliance. *** Important to note that O'Bryne took four stitches to the lip in the first period and his condition is not known. *** Laps took a point blank puck to the face when he tried to block a shot from the point in the third in the dying seconds and he too left the ice with about 9 seconds on the clock, there was blood on the ice and he was down for a minute but got up on this own steam and skated to the dressing room. He looked like he would be back on Sunday. I was happy to see D'ago, Laps and Lil. Kosts on the same line again. But tonight their was below average chemistry between them. IMO, this was a direct result of playing to many games in a very short time. But thats no excuse their job is about conditioning and being ready for every night. Thats why they get paid the big bucks to play the game and I pay to play the game or in this case watch the game. I was very impressed tonight with Halak. Although I did not see the first period or the goal scored on him by the wolves in the first, I did feel that he stepped up and tried to stand tall in net for the Dogs. His effort tonight paid off with a first star selection. The areas for improvement still seem to be handling the puck. Way too sloppy, not enough confidence and he just does not understand what his players/defense crew want done with the puck when he has it behind the net or when he stops it on a shoot in from the blue line. IMO this will improve as the season goes on, and his level of communication increases, with his D and his confidence with handling the puck should improve as a result. At Sundays game vs. Manitoba I will focus my attention on Lahti and Valentenko; They both impressed me tonight with many stand out plays around the boards by Lahti and in checking, specially Valentenko who had a few rub out hip checks that I loved watching. Another reason for why our stars did not seem on their game could be related directly to how well Hartford was playing their checking game and rough style of play. There was a lot of clean hits and checks that kept Hamilton's talent at bay. I would give the wolf pack lots of credit in the tight close contact game. I am glad we don't see them too often. We play the Wolves again on Nov 16th in Hartford. I'm looking forward to Sunday night against the Manitoba Moose who will be in town to play Hamilton its a 4pm start time and the night is being dedicated to a very worthy cause Cancer. I will be there on Sunday with my wife, mother in law and aunt in law visiting from Quebec. They are very big Canadiens fans and therefore FAN-tastic supporters of the Dogs! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO!

hi JMMR. Sorry sold my pair of seats for this Sat. game in Hamilton last night. ( Hartford is visiting us on the 20th.. ) I'll be posting other games that I cannot make on here for those interested in tickets. They are about $29 per seat at the door. You can have mine for $15 each. They are section 121 row 15 seat 11 and 12. Great seats. Oh and if anyone is interested Andrew in Hamilton working for the bulldogs marketing team can get me more tickets at $15 dollars a pop, so if anyone wants tickets at that price I could speak to Andrew about arranging tickets at that price to be picked up at the ticket window in Hamilton. You would need ID and need to pay for them when you pick them up before game time. GO DOGS GO!

sorry... seasons tickets are a bit cheaper per seat. $15 each so $30 for the pair. And we are good.

face value.

Hi JMMR. Yes they do give you good value for dollar spent at an AHL game. Specially in Hamilton, this year they are focusing on the FAN! hence the FANtastic! promotional theme this year. *** on a related note. I cannot attend this Saturdays game against Hartford in Hamilton. I'm offering my two seats to anyone who would like to take them from me. first come first served... msg. me. and I'll get them to you. GO DOGS GO!

Hahti, shows moments of brilliance and then steps off the gas just a little bit IMO. I watched him during the first home opener in Hamilton and was impressed. But I get this feeling from watching him that he has way more to give and is just inches away from breaking out in the North American game and into the Dogs system.

Thank you Mont Royale. Its my hope to write up every game I attend this season. I shall focus on players, special teams, offense, defense, coaching and overrall feel of our farm team. I'm excited about this season and feel that we have the potential to repeat the kind of run we had last year. Winning a few trophies along the way might not hurt this year as well. There are players on this team that can reach many individual accolades. Look for reports after every home game. I hope that you all enjoy it. GO DOGS GO! GO HABS GO! GO DOGS GO!

FANtastic! 2007 Calder Cup Champions Hamilton Bulldogs home opener. Go Dogs Go! Go Dogs Go! Go Dogs Go! pre-game. Friday, October 12th 2007; Rochester vs Hamilton. There is a buzz in the air, 5:30pm and the lineups have started to build in front of Coops. Everyone feels the chill of the fall breeze but its electric and exciting to be here. 101 York Boulevard the Bulldogs Hockey Club office is also a buzz, staff comment on how busy it has been today and note that this day seems crazier than the Calder Cup Final game last season. I pickup my season tickets and thankfully I'm on time and able to meet up with Andrew who has been instrumental in helping me. He hands over my tickets for the season. Wow, now in my hands are the hottest hockey tickets on the planet. IMO. So back in line we go, doors open at 6:30pm, game time 7:30pm. The word in the lineup is all about the replica 2007 Calder Cup rings being given to the first 9000 fans tonight. But the surprises don't end there; tonights anthem singer was none other than Brian Melo, Hamiltons newest claim to fame, Canada's newest Canadian Idol. Did I say surprises... after the usual fan fair and opening night entertainment. The official ring ceremony begins and joining the 2007 Calder Cup team on the ice were Kyle Chipchura, Mikhail Grabovski, Andrei Kostitsyn and Carey Price, all on the ice in their civi's and looking sharp. The entire team was given a very warm welcome back for the new season and cheered on for their Calder cup heroics; but Price was given special applause, it was as if the crowd wanted him to suit up for tonights game and show us one more time his true genius, in the bulldogs net. The puck drops on a brand new season and everything is as it should be, Coops is packed again this time filled to the rafters for a home opener; 10,923 fans, $129 for a new RBK bulldogs jersey, $14 for a set of hockey cards for the 2007 Calder Cup Champs, $1300 for a pair of seasons tickets, $25.00 for late dinner at the concession stands, $15 for a limited edition Calder Cup Champs commemorative magazine. game-on. My seats are FAN-tastic! not sure if this slogan will remind me of the bulldogs or the payday commercial on tv for the scratch and win $1000 for life commercial. Nevertheless, I'm loving it so far and as Andrew from the Bulldogs Front office mentioned to me before the game. I was hooked, the bulldogs organization did a great job at building an exciting and entertaining home opener. So how does this phenomenal marketing and customer service effort by bulldogs management and operations, compare to the on ice product you may ask? Well lets just say we got a point tonight and the third period looked very very very promising. The overtime shootout was extremely entertaining but IMO bruiser the Dogs mascot had better moves on the ice as compared to our shooters and their moves. Cough it up to the start of a new season and opening night jitters if you will but I'm not too concerned just yet. first-period. The first period wasn't the best hockey we've seen from this bulldogs franchise it was an average in terms of intensity and focus. Don Lever was pacing, up and down directing his players to get their heads into the game. Don Lever had Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre and Matt D'Agostini on three separate lines trying to spread out the talent and have a balanced scoring threat on all lines I guess. Little Kosts scored the Dogs first goal in the first period but it was the Roc who opened the game with a goal that saw Halak come out of his crease to grab a flying puck and he missed it completely and then continued to watch it being shot behind him into a gaping net, he was out of position and had no chance of getting back to stop that puck. All night Halak seemed very nervous and full of butterflies. His efforts to control the puck outside of the safely of his net was much like a rookie goalies first attempt to venture out of the safely of his protective crease. I was surprised to see him behave and react in that way. I expected more from him. The apparent jitters and miscues kept building up, he was falling back deep into the net and not coming out to cut the angles and cover the shooting lanes. Kosts, Laps, D'ago shine upfront this period and O'Bryne, Valentenko and Cote shine on Defense. Roc 2 Ham 1 end of the first. second-period. I was so embarrassed by the lack of effort and out right dismal effort by everyone this period. Laps and D'ago were the only bright spots this period, Laps scored an unassisted goal flying down the wing, using his speed and angle of attack used a wrist shot to fool the Roc goalie, who just wasn't fast enough to squeeze the puck between his pads. Laps and D'ago looked good upfront but only because he was trying to make a difference and actually scored. Cote and O'Bryne were ok on D. Roc 4 Ham 2 end of the second. enough said. third period. Wow! Lever is coach for a reason. He made adjustments that saw Laps, D'ago and Kosts Jr. play together for the third, it paid dividends. Before we knew it, the game was tied and D'ago had two goals with Laps and Gleed assisting on the first. And Kosts and O'Byrne assisting on the second goal scored in the third period. overtime. As I mentioned before, IMO; Bruiser the mascot had more moves than our shooters in the shootout. I'll cough it up to home game jitters and the start of this season. But I know they have better moves and I expect better. Mind you our lads did hit the posts on quite a few tries but close does not get that second point. final thought. The season opener was in every sense an entertaining evening. From the time I spent in line to the warm welcome we as fans experienced. But if the theme for this season does have any meaning, then it does rest in the hands of the players to make certain that this season is indeed FAN-tastic! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO! GO DOGS GO!

To say that I'm proud of Chips would be an understatement. To say that I'm proud of Price would be an huge understatement. To say that I'm proud of the Habs tonight would be a massive understatement! GO HABS GO! Watched it! Love it! Keep IT up! GO HABS GO!

Kozed; I couldn't agree more with your argument. Carbo has loads of options and he is using them well. It puts the team into a great position down the road when and if injuries haunt the team. We will have players who have chemistry with the team that can jump in and out of the lineup. He's also simulating a playoff drive. Chances are that different teams and/or different nights will require a different look to our team and the way we play. Having access to such a diverse group of talent really puts us in great shape. What we need now is a great coach to put that plan/strategy into action. I'm happy with the likes of Carbo and Muller and Company. And I'm sure that bob would also offer his advise when asked or when necessary. IMO. we are in good shape. but only time will tell if our Coach(s) can truly motivate and bring out the individual talents into one big winning team! GO HABS GO!

Well, my friends. I caught a bit of the game online at habs TV. not bad. but I'll still watch with RDS. The third period I listened online but this time via the radio. At least it was not as choppy. I'm not willing to pay to see the habs online just yet. Service needs to be ramped up and their streaming video needs some help. NOW, the game was a completely different matter altogether. I'm impressed that we could muster four goals and great chemistry with the kids, against a fully loaded high powered offense like the Sens were last night. I will caution; the kids on one issue. And this is my read after hearing Bob Gainey on CJAD between the 2nd and 3rd period. IMO, based on Gainey's words. This season will see many faces new faces in the lineup. Transitioning from Hamilton and Montreal. If you don't perform you sit; and if you play and do whats expected. You will have more ice time. I believe, last nights game was a reward to the kids; who have played an outstanding exhibition season. IMO we are ready for a very exciting season. Lets pray the habs come out of the gates, winnning games and putting up big numbers. in all areas. But more importantly, lets pray for consistency; if Gainey is true to his word and the kids 5-6 of them move up and down between hamilton and montreal... I believe his words were "they are only a phone call away." Then the challenge will be to integrate them into the system and game plan for the night, or week or weeks that they will be up with the big club. I"m very happy to see things where they are with the team. I'm encouraged by my fav. kid Chipper. To say he is a "blue chip" prospect would not be an understatement. O'bryne too has been impressing but most D-men need time to develop; and he will in time raise his game even higher, I'm confident on that. PRICE! price! PRICE! is right. for the club. but I'm of two minds at point. I'd be fine with him staying up or moving down to hamilton and returning if we need help in net. His big frame and solid positioning and temper; will do him well in any league but he needs to be challenged to grow. That will happen in Montreal and Hamilton, with such high expectations for the Baby Habs to repeat the Calder drive of last year. GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO!