Habs vs Bruins Oct 5th 2005 (gamethread? lol)

[puck7x]

http://www.habsworld.net/out.php?2401

Check it out, Habs vs Bruins will be our season opener, we'll then play the Leafs on the 8th...

Habs vs Bruins predictions?

Mine: 7-1 Habs win

Habs goals: Perezhogin (2), Zednik, Komisarek, Souray, Ryder, Koivu

Bruins goal: Mr "random crappy ufa filler"

:ghg:

Can hardly wait.... I get chills just thinking about a meaningful game.

[Edited on 2005-7-8 by puck7x]

[bombTHEice]

Jaaaaaaa, the first game thread in a year ... :king:

I say 5-0 HABS ... 3 goals by Palffy and 2 by Ryder. *lol*

[TheAussiePosse]

Montreal defeats Boston in a rousing 4-2 win.

(note: it says "a rousing" rather than "arousing".

just in case you missed it.

it could happen.

)

Montreal: Koivu (2), Markov, Bonk

Boston: Bergeron, Samsonov

:hlogo: <- i've missed it

[Psycing]

*Salivates*

Tie game. 3-3

Montreal: Bonk, Souray, Ribs

Boston: Boynton(sp?), Thornton, Gill

------

EDIT: Montreal wins 4-3

Goes to shootout, Montreal wins on a goal by Markov.

------

And oh yea, Begin and Thornton will get into each other's faces... muahahahaha

Anyone else get that tingly feeling in the pit of their stomach thinking about it?.... cuz I do.

[Edited on 7/7/05 by Macaskill]

[sakiqc]

3-2 Win after Shootouts

Komisarek, Koivu

Girard, Bergeron

Shootout goal: Ryder

--

The 3 vs 3 double overtime is stupid. Lets move to breakaways directly

[bombTHEice]

Originally posted by sakiqc

The 3 vs 3 double overtime is stupid. Lets move to breakaways directly  

Wtf?! Where did you read it? They don't really want to do this, ey?

[Psycing]

Oh yea, i forgot about shoot-out.... Montreal wins 4-3 after shootout then.

Markov gets the winner.

[giupietrantonio]

Montreal's going to win 5-4 no overtime no shoot-out.

Goals by Souray, Ward, Begin, Ryder, Koivu

[Tony_]

WTF OCT. 5th 2006!?!

2006? THAT BETTER BE A TYPO.

[puck7x]

Originally posted by Tony

WTF OCT. 5th 2006!?!  

2006? THAT BETTER BE A TYPO.

yup, typo ... oops

[basekase]

Montreal wins in a walk 5-2.

It looks like it should be a great year for our team. Between our young guns and the overall talent level of the team, we should be able to do some serious damage!

:ghg:

[Trizzak]

eh, what the heck.

5 - 3, Habs win. Goals by Koivu, Kovalev (2), Ryder, Begin

[Colin]

WELL

Since I'm officially coming out of hibernation - and attempting (still) to get the incredibly bitter taste of sore millionaire whiners out of my mouth - I'll make my first prediction as well for that first game:

Brisebois (the Habs biggest surprise in the upcoming year after scoring 35 and assisting on 72 others with a +/- of +68) will score 3 and assist on two leading the sacred Bleu Blanc Rouge to a scintillating 8-5 victory.

Though allowing 5 goals in the win, Theodore will actually stand on his head (literally in the second when, while Breezy is on the bench taking a breather, of course, Boston will somehow get 5 consecutive shots) while making 54 saves and, while some will bemoan his inability to get the shutout (after all, we ARE talking about Montreal fans) in reality his play will make Marty Brodeur look like a fat, outdoor rink ringer.

Captain Koivu (after once again coming to see management before a season and admitting that he only deserves to play for less since he hasn't proven anything yet) will score only one, but will assist on all 7 others and will dangle... yes, dangle... so efficiently because of the new rules that Bruins will literally stop and stare at his talents - amazing what people can do when clutch and grab hockey doesn't exist. One Bruin, while still on the ice (Joe Thornton, but he does it very surrupticiously) will actually applaud Koivu's talent.

Mickey He Really DOES Like It Ryder will not have the best game since, with the wide open New Hockey rules in effect, his skating deficiencies will be exposed. That said, he'll still lay in the hit of the night to some poor sorry Bruin who will only know where he is when he awakes at the hospital (legal hit, I might add) the next morning.

Andrei Markov will again be the best defensive defenceman on the Habs - a master at one-on-ones (and I notice that Jaques Demers was reading my stuff last year since he started harping on that particular skill after I did for a while - nice to see we have fans in high places, hi Jaques!) and yet he'll make one mistake and will be vilified by many. He will, however, take interviews after the game and fans will be shocked and awed at his command of the English language and, interestingly, his wonderful singing voice.

Komisarek will cause three stoppages in play while Bruin players are retrieved from the other side of the glass they've just recently been smashed through.

Brisebois will, of course, make one back-handed, cross-ice, from behind his own net pass which will end up in the Bruins 5th goal late in the 3rd. Despite his fabulous game, the boobirds will be out in full force. Bell Centre custodians will have to escort all three drunks out of the rink to the cheers of everyone else. Bob Gainey will come out after the game to denounce the yellow fans in a press conference.

Speaking of the fans, there will be AT LEAST 5000 at the game. Aside from the hard-core I-don't-care-how-hockey-treated-the-fans-I'm-still-going-to-pay-exorbidant-fees-to-watch-kids-whine-about-making-a-million-bucks (still a few ounces of bitterness to work their way through my system - apologies), there will also be a sizable number of corporate fans and a few bums picked up off the street for watered down wine.

Mickey Work-Ethic Ribeiro will come out of the gates in 5th gear and wow people with his dangle abilities. By the end of the 1st he'll be in 3rd gear, and when the third comes along he'll be trying to stay out of reverse. Most fans will remember only the first shift or two and will call him the best player in the world. On the other hand, despite this inauspicious start, the future is indeed bright for the youngster as his embarrasing finish to game one will be the kick-start to his career that he needed and, by the end of the year, he'll be considered one of the top 20 centres in hockey.

Roadkill Bonk will have a solid debut as a habs on the defensive line, however since most people consider him a forward - even a power forward - it will be considered totally disappointing. Perhaps he will even cut his mullet.

Late in the third on an innocuous play, Koivu will get hit knee on knee. This time, however, since he wears every brace known to man and he is, in fact, the second coming of the MAN'O'STEEL, it will be the opponent injured. He will, however, stay down for 30 seconds to make sure he's okay, and in that moment the words "Fragile and injury prone" will echo around the world. The gasp of relief will, in fact, cause gale force winds over the rolling hills of Moldova.

Claude Boivin will not be wearing those hideous glasses.

The national anthem singer will be the girl who screwed up the words earlier this year, but this time she'll not only sing the anthems flawlessly, she'll also throw in God Save the Queen for good measure. When she falls on the ice this time, however, she'll not land on her behind, but instead into the waiting arms of Sheldon Souray. Her blush will be for an altogether different reason this time.

Speaking of Souray, he'll cause two long stoppages in play when the glass behind the net gets broken by his shot. Unfortunately, he'll be one of those most affected by the long layoff - at least his shot will be. He'll be just about as accurate as Roberto Baggio taking a penalty at the World Cup... up up and awaaaay.

Following the end of the game, fans will rush home with bated breath to see the results appear on HabsWorld.net - the leader in Canadiens coverage. And while writer Colin Prichett will be denounced as an overblown windbag with delusions of grandeur, there will be much ado over the mysterious A Concerned Fan. This latter will gain a following unheard of before in pro sports and will earn millions and millions of fans. Instead of Don Cherry on HNIC, there will be the silhouette of the insightful ACF while he discusses the intricacies of the game.

In July of 2006, after the Habs have lost in 7 to Stanley Cup champs the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (hey, new GM - great GM - and as good a chance as any and we, as habs fans, can't expect our dynasty to start quite yet) the owners of HabsWorld.net will be begged by advertising firms all over the planet for space. They'll retire to mansions in the Gaspe shortly thereafter.

Well, here's to wishful thinking...

- Guy!

(that Prichett guy, you know, the windbag?!?)

[Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!]

[Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!]

[Edited on 2005/7/11 by Guy!]

[puck7x]

Hey, there you are... Glad to have you back Colin. Did you enjoy the vacation? What have you been up to?

I like your predictions, I only hope next season is that interesting.

[Colin]

Did I enjoy the vacation?

Honestly? No. ;-)

I was sick for far too long, and when I wasn't sick I was incredibly bitter about the whole hockey fiasco. I moved late last year to Metcalfe, just outside Ottawa (though technically still in the greater City of Ottawa) and our lawyer told us it was one of the worst transactions he'd ever seen. Never a good sign.

As for hockey itself... for the last three years I've followed the whole CBA affair quite closely and only after the lockout started did I realize just how much I had invested in the whole deal. My close friend bore the brunt of my distaste having to endure searing and scything diatribes on what I saw as the state of the sport. Coming to terms with the greed has taken a lot of time and while I'm still not satisfied at least I see that somehow the Powers that Be grew something of a brain. It's nice to see, in these past few days, the voices of Avery and Legace who heartily bashed Goodenow for taking a stance that was akin to defending a castle by onesself.

Writing last year was probably the only thing that kept me around the game, so much was my distaste with the whole affair. In fact, I can credit this site as being pretty much the only reason I'm willing to give the 'new look' NHL a shot this year. It's taken a pile of soul searching to come to any kind of decision - and I'm sure I'm not the only one - but in the end I still love the game.

If you were to ask me how much hockey I watched since Bettman closed the doors, I doubt you'd be much surprised when you read of the bitterness I obviously deeply held. Not a minute of a single game including the World Championships. I didn't go to a website (other than dropping by here once in a while to see how much others were saying) at all, and it's only been in the last two weeks as I've been carefully examining the 'role' of hockey in my life that I've taken much interest in the impending CBA. I'll admit to being fairly far behind in that regard - though not so far behind that a few days of good study won't rectify. As to Habs players here there and everywhere, well I don't know anything. I don't even know what teams any of them played for, have no clue how they did, and have only a vague idea of who's signed for the upcoming campaign.

One thing that IS going to disappoint me considerably and which I believe is going to come up for discussion a lot in the coming weeks is this: the draft and subsequent moulding of young talent is going to take a much lesser role when the playing field is this even. As the UFA age comes down we're going to see players going to play where they want even before they hit their prime rather than later in their careers. That, for me, is quite disappointing. I took no end of joy in watching players come through a system and play for their drafting team. It seems to me that the idea of seeing a player stay at one team for an entire career, if it wasn't already on its deathbed, is now finished. Players will go where they want rather than to the highest bidder.

As my friend says, we're going to become fans of the cloth, and no longer the players in the cloth. Sure, we'll have favourites for a few months or even years, but over the long-term, we're just habs fans. Of course that's true even now, but honestly, how many would love to go back to the days when the star players played out their careers with one team.

Well, I suppose that's my kickstart for realistic thoughts on the upcoming year(s).

-Colin

[Colin]

Originally posted by Guy!

One thing that IS going to disappoint me considerably and which I believe is going to come up for discussion a lot in the coming weeks is this:  the draft and subsequent moulding of young talent is going to take a much lesser role when the playing field is this even.  As the UFA age comes down we're going to see players going to play where they want even before they hit their prime rather than later in their careers.  That, for me, is quite disappointing.  I took no end of joy in watching players come through a system and play for their drafting team.  It seems to me that the idea of seeing a player stay at one team for an entire career, if it wasn't already on its deathbed, is now finished.  Players will go where they want rather than to the highest bidder.  

And now, to quote myself...

It actually brings me to an interesting point. In at least this, Montreal might be looking up since Gainey has brought the club to a level of respectability it hasn't seen in ages. In fact, even if a certain young phenom goes to the Leafs in the draft, there's every reason to believe, since he's indicated Montreal as his first choice in pro team, that a certain Sydney Crosby might choose to make Montreal his home just before he hits the prime of his career.

I guess that just shows both sides of the story. Sadness at the lack of continuity on teams, and yet the potential...

-Colin

[Psycing]

Welcome back Colin. Never had the chance to meet/talk to ya before, but I'm certainly looking forward to just about anything you've got coming our way. Great stuff. Reminds me a bit of my favorite writer, Jack Todd. Keep it up man.

[Colin]

Your comments and both humbling and flattering. Thank you. Here's to a successful season of enjoying hockey in all its glory.

-Colin

[Fanpuck33_]

Originally posted by Guy!

As my friend says, we're going to become fans of the cloth, and no longer the players in the cloth.  Sure, we'll have favourites for a few months or even years, but over the long-term, we're just Habs fans.  Of course that's true even now, but honestly, how many would love to go back to the days when the star players played out their careers with one team.  

I agree it's sad, but it was already becoming a thing of the past, which is a real shame.

[puck7x]

Originally posted by Fanpuck33

Originally posted by Guy!

As my friend says, we're going to become fans of the cloth, and no longer the players in the cloth.  Sure, we'll have favourites for a few months or even years, but over the long-term, we're just Habs fans.  Of course that's true even now, but honestly, how many would love to go back to the days when the star players played out their careers with one team.  

I agree it's sad, but it was already becoming a thing of the past, which is a real shame.

I dunno, for me its always been about the team. I have always been a fan of the Montreal Canadiens first, the players second. Sure we become attached to players, sure the players make the team. But the players come and go, but the team always remains. Plus its not like every habs legend has played their entire career with the team (Larry Robison? nope... Guy Lafleur? nope ... Patrick Roy? nope.... etc) , but they are still a huge part of our history. Lets say a guy like Perezhogin plays 8 All-Star seasons with the habs before leaving as a UFA?, He'll still go down as one of our greats.

This is how I see it, if one of our players would rather play for another team, and signs with another team, then I say let him go... He obviously doesnt think as highly of our team/city/fans/history as we thought we did of him. No big loss. Personally I'd rather have players who want to be apart of our team, players who know what it means to wear the Canadiens sweater.

[Edited on 2005-7-11 by puck7x]

[Fanpuck33_]

Originally posted by puck7x

This is how I see it, if one of our players would rather play for another team, and signs with another team, then I say let him go... He obviously doesnt think as highly of our team/city/fans/history as we thought we did of him. No big loss. Personally I'd rather have players who want to be apart of our team, players who know what it means to wear the Canadiens sweater.

Well put, good point.

[Psycing]

I agree. I think this has weighed in a lot with many of Gainey's decisions.

Even the whole deal with Brisebois "last season" (without lockout, would have been two seasons ago... gah). He knew he had to back up Breezer cause deep down, this is where Patrice wants to be. That's an important thing.

I think Gainey will look to add more guys who want to be here, and will obviously have an easy time keeping the guys that want to stay here.

Jim Dowd is another good example, he couldn't wait to lace em up for the Habs (something about us being the New York Yankees of Hockey ). Begin seems to like it as well.

[Quebecois]

This is how I see it, if one of our players would rather play for another team, and signs with another team, then I say let him go... He obviously doesnt think as highly of our team/city/fans/history as we thought we did of him. No big loss. Personally I'd rather have players who want to be apart of our team, players who know what it means to wear the Canadiens sweater.  

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. The amount that i care about the name on the back of the jersey pails in comparison to what the CH means on the front. It's always nice to see a player remain loyal to one franchise and to play his entire career in one city, but i would rather see a competitive NHL where teams won't simply be outbid by the Rangers of the league.

Besides, it will probably be a good thing for the Habs if players are choosing teams based on where they want to play rather than just the dollar amount. Many French Canadiens will probably be lining up to play for the team they grew up with.

[Colin]

I think, for the younger set of fans, cheering for the cloth and not the player is probably very understandable. From the mid-80's on there has been barely any loyalty in any sport and to see one player stick with one team is almost unheard of.

But consider the older fan who grew up knowing that in general, and particularly with the highly skilled, the player was the cloth. Examples were made of Lafleur and Robinson and, while both did indeed play with other clubs, if you talk to old-time fans, it's like a part of the soul of the Habs left.

If Koivu were to leave the Habs this year for "greener" pastures, there would be disappointment and some regret, but life would go on and the Habs would be the Habs. However back in the day, when Lafleur suited up for the Rag$ or *choke* the Nordiques, is was as if there were something wrong with the world. When Robinson left for Los Angeles it was like an open wound - and in fact it still is since we all know his jersey should be retired but enough bad blood exists to prevent it happening.

I guess my biggest regret is the impending loss of watching a prospect grow into a star and lead that team. When we drafted Lafleur, we knew he was going to be our star forever. Contrast that with someone like Mike Ryder, a childhood *hack* Leaf fan. Before he hits his prime he's going to be a free agent and will have every chance in the world to move to his dream city. We'll see one of our better prospects leave in his best years.

And, of course, we'll remain habs fans. We'll bemoan his loss, but it won't be like a stab to the heart.

There's one other thing I'd like to address:

Originally posted by Quebecois

Many French Canadiens will probably be lining up to play for the team they grew up with.

Let's find Pierre Turgeon and ask him if he wants to play for the Habs, his boyhood team. We're talking about Montreal here, where pressure is higher than anywhere else in hockey, where the fans know everything and the media beats down on you like the sun during midday in the Sahara. Sure, some French Canadiens will have the thick skin to be able to play here, but I hardly think this will be a destination.

Breezy had heart problems and had to take a week off work during the last season because of all the stresses of playing here. He gets booed for looking the wrong way on the ice. Theodore can play a fabulous game and be the hero one night and the next, if he lets in a bad goal, he's villified in the press and on the streets. This is absolutely NOT a destination city for French Canadiens.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there will be those who will look to Montreal to continue their careers. Of course there will. And, to be fair, since Gainey came in as GM, respect for the organization has taken a massive leap and we're in better shape than we've been for over a decade. But a destination for French Canadiens? I'll grant that grunts might like to come here, but stars? I have my doubts.

-Colin