I'm just back from the Pierrefonds 4plexe where the Habs played two 40-minute intrasquad games.
I left the first game with 8 minutes left to play because I wanted to have a seat for the second game on rink #2. I don't know how that game ended but the score was 1-0 in favor of the Whites when I left. The goal was scored by Ryan White whose grand-father was sitting on the next seat on my right and he was quite happy about that. A precise shot from his left wing position just at the bottom of the circle.
Everybody skated hard and there was a lot of hitting in that first game but little cohesion on either side. They all looked like kids playing free hockey at the neighbourhood park.
Begin applied some solid bodychecks but was himself nailed by Komisarek who played a good game. O'Byrne skated well but took himself right out of the play twice without paying a price when attempting to nail opponents solidly. There was also a big hit by Marvin Degon on Kostitsyn.
The second game was won by the Reds 3-2 and Price was in goal for the Whites.
Lapierre scored the 2goals for the whites and played a heck of a game. He was everywhere on the ice. He scored one goal on a beautiful shot from the slot and on his other goal, he jammed the puck in between the post and the goalies's pad with very little room to manoeuver.
The three goals for the Reds were scored by Kostitsyn, Valentenko and Latendresse.
Kostitsyn scored a picture goal. He froze dman #24 and used him as a screen to beat Danis with a wicked shot from midway between the two circles.
Valentenko also impressed me. He skated very well and played a good game defensively. His slap shot from the left side surprised Price for the second goal by the Reds.
On the third goal by the Reds, Kostitsyn went behind the goal with the puck skated around the corner and made a perfect pass to Latendresse in front of the net who beat Price on a quick shot without warning.
There was also a huge hit by Bouillon of the White team on Jon Gleed. The Habs regulars Koivu, Kovalev, Ryder, Markov etc... didn't look bad but, as expected, weren't playing all out in those two games.
All in all, it was a good effort by the young players. Lots of skating and hitting but the passing and playmaking left a bit to be desired.
I expect the rookies to continue honing their skills in the remaining two days of intrasquad games and hopefully the regulars will play harder in the two games against the Pens next Monday and Tuesday.