Au Revoir Montreal: My Top 10

As I am excited to embark on a new journey (Kingston - in case you didn't know), I must admit that I will be missing Montreal. Moishes, Gibby's, Schwartz's, La Belle Province and every type of restaurant you could ask for other than Red Lobster, Tokyo, St. Laurent lounges, Crescent Pubs, St. Catherine stores, La Coupe, RDS (apparently they have it in Kingston though), crazy drivers who don't belong on roads, the only place where it's 'dangerous' to turn right on red, people swearing at each other in both official languages, Toronto bashing to its extreme, the best fans when you're winning, the worst fans when you're losing, and of course many memories of the Expos, the Alouettes, and les Canadiens. Yes, it truly is a special city and living here for the past 5 years has been incredible. With that, here are my top 10 most memeorable (the good, the bad, and the ugly) Montreal Sports Moments which I've been able to see live over the past 5 years.

#10 Centennial Season Collapse - Habs vs. Bruins February 1st 2009 (Bell Centre)

On Superbowl Sunday, the Canadiens decided to wear the ugliest jerseys in franchise history. Yes, I'm referiing to the barber shop jerseys which were so embarassing that the Bruins players were making fun of them in the warm-up. The habs didn't have much luck on the ice either losing 3-1. To make matters worse, Robert Lang suffered a season ending and potentially career ending injury to his achilles tendon. This game was the first of a downward spiral for the Canadiens which of course ended in an embarassing four game sweep to the bruins.

#9 Calvillo into the Records Books - Als vs. Ti-Cats July 23/09 (Molson Stadium)

On a beautiful summer night, the 85th straight sell-out crowd of 20,202 watched the Als bet the Ti-Cats 21-8. The win kept the Als undefeated at 4-0 but the most excitement came in the second quarter. Trailing 6-0, quarterback Anthony Calvillo connected with wide receiver Jamel Richardson for a 48 yard touchdown which moved AC into 2nd place all time for passing touchdowns. The crowd responded with an incredible standing ovation. AC didn't dissapoint the rest of the game either completing 30 of his 39 pass attempts for 404 yards and 2 touchdowns!

#8 Are the Sens Fallable? - Habs vs. Sens Nov. 10/07 (ScotiaBank Place)

I'll never forget this game because it was the first time in a very long time where I knew that the habs could keep up with the Sens. Ottawa was coming off a marvelous season in which they became Eastren Conference Champions and turned the country's attention to the nation's capital for a reason other than politics. Unfortunately, they lost to Anaheim in 5 games and now entered the 2007-2008 season with high hopes. The Senators started off the seaosn on fire and heading into this game they were a league best 13-2. The Ottawa Citizen couldn't stop praising this team even going as far as making a comparison to the 1977 Canadiens, a team that lost a total of 8 games the entire season (80 game season back then)! The Sens came out firing, throwing everything they had at Canadiens goaltender Christobal Huet who was absolutely fantastic in this game making 35 saves. In the end, the Sens won 3-1 but the habs led 1-0 for most of the game thanks to salapshot by Andrei Markov on the powerplay. Daniel Alfredsson tied it for Ottawa with just over 5 minutes left (obviously that extra conditioning on the bikes paid off). Two minutes later, Neil gave the Sens a 2-1 lead and Alfredsson officially sealed a Sens victory with an empty netter at 19:34 of the 3rd period.

Yes the Sens won but the habs fought hard and for 55 minutes showed that they could keep pace with the defending Eastern Conference Champions. I'll forever remember this game because after the game, outside the arena, an obnoxious Sens fan malked habs fans singing "Au Revoir, Au Revoir, Au Revoir, Au Revoir" in the "OLE, OLE, OLE, OLE" tune. I laughed and told him we'd be back. Sure enough later that season, Scotia Bank Place felt like the Bell Centre (see #2).

#7 On the Path to Greatness - McGill vs. UQTR March 15/05 (McConnel Arena)

Upon arriving in Montreal for my first year at McGill, I was disgusted to learn that the 2004-2005 NHL season would be canceled becasue of a lockout. With that, I decided to embrace the McGill Redmen as the team where I could get my hockey crave. A wise choice indeed considering the Redmen won the Far East division for the first time in years. However, what makes this moment so unbeleivable is that many others also came out to watch the Redmen during this season. The fan support was evidenced during a jam-packed playoff game 3 (in a best of the three series) with an over-capacity crowd of 1,544 packing the arena. There were so many people there that night in this tiny little arena that students were literally hanging off ceiling rafters and the fire departement came to make sure that no one else was allowed in! Outside the arena, it was like trying to get tickets to an NHL game as scalpers were lurking everywhere! On this night, the Redmen fell 4-1 to their bitter rivals from Trois Rivieres but nevertheless the effect they had on many students including myself that season will never be forgotten. To show their appreciation, fans gave the Redmen a standing ovation when the final buzzer sounded. While the team went home dissapointed, they certainly thrived in years to come through reaching three national championships in the next five years. I was priveleged to cover two of those teams for the McGill Tribune. However, none of the future success would have been achevied if not for the lessons learned in this game.

#6 Jose Returns - MTL vs. Colorado October 21/2006 (Bell Centre)

At #6, the return of Jose Theodore to Montreal. On a crazy night which started with a 3-0 Avalanche lead, most of the 21,273 fans came home ecstatic as the Canadiens socred eight (yes 8) goals inclduing one scored by Craig Rivet on a breakaway, shelling the Avalanche goaltender who one season earlier had fell of the map as the next Patrick Roy. Little did these fans remeber that it was Theodore and none other who carried the Canadiens on his back to the playoffs in 2002 (where he also won the Hart and Vezina) and 2004. That didn't matter on this night. Boos and many signs about Paris Hilton were seen in the crowd. I sat two rows from the glass behind Jose as the fans shelled him. Shocked as I was, I decided to write an article about it, in the Tribune a couple weeks after(http://media.www.mcgilltribune.com/media/storage/paper234/news/2006/10/31/Sports/Third.Man.Inheroes.Live.Forever.Or.At.Least.They.Should-2410558.shtml)

#5 Back to the Grey Cup! - Als vs. Eskies Novemeber 15/2008 (Olympic Stadium)

In the East Division Final this past November, the Als faced off against the Eskimoes with the winner getting the chance to play the following week in the Grey Cup. Despite a strong outing from Ricky Ray, this game will always be remebered for the performance of Alouettes punt returner Larry Taylor who finished the game with 6 punt returns for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns! Taylor brought the crowd of 38,132 to its feet every time he touched the ball and was the reason the Als advanced to the Grey Cup. Unfortunately, the lost the championship game again!

#4 Kovalev finally puts it home - MTL vs. BOS April 12/2008 (Bell Centre)

After taking a 1-0 series lead in the best of seven 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Series against Boston, the Canadiens and Bruins squared off again in Montreal for game two. The Canadiens jumped out early to a 2-0 lead with a sell-out crowd buzzing about the possibility of a sweep. After all, the Canadiens had beaten the Bruins all eight times in the regular season and it didn't look like much would change. However, the Brunis would storm back to tie the game late sending this one into overtime. Alex Kovalev led the habs in shots this night with seven but couldn't find the net for much of the game. Every chacne he had on the powerplay, Boston goaltender Tim Thomas made the save. Then finally, coach Guy Carboneau made a change putting Kovalev on the left side instead of the right. Sure enough 2:30 into overtime, Kovalev wired it home passed the glove of Thomas sending the habs faithful chanting into the streets. An incredible scene explded outside with talk of the Canadiens brining home the 25th cup and this was only game two of the quarterfinals! If you had a habs jersey on that night, you were hugged and high fived by everyone in the building. If you had Bruins merchandise, it was time to run for cover. Cerainly, one to remeber.

#3 Goodbye Toronto - MTL vs. TOR March 25/2006 (Bell Centre)

As the 2005-2006 NHL regular season was drawing to a close, it was clearly evident that the Canadiens and Leafs would be batteling it out for the remaining playoff spots. While this wasn't the position that fans of either team had hoped for, it certainly was something entertaining as the Leafs rolled into Montreal on a Thursday 3 points back of the habs for the final playoff spot. The Canadiens won that game 5-1 and now there was a re-match again in Montreal. With a Canadiens win, the habs would surely close the door on the Leafs playoff hopes as a victory would send them 7 points up on the buds. The Canadiens crowd ripped Toronto fans all night long with chants of "67" and boos for Darcy Tucker. Sundin scored first for Toronto but that was all the highlights for TO on this night as both Radek Bonk and Michael Ryder had a pair as the habs cruised to a 6-2 vicotry sending Leaf Nation home for good that season. Alex Kovalev literally ran over Darcy Tucker with a couple minutes to go in the game. Temepers flared sparking fights on the ice and in the stands!

#2 Division Champs! - MTL vs. OTT April 1/2008 (Scotia-Bank Place)

Revenge is sweet and while the Sens started off the 2007-2008 on fire, there wasn't much to celebrate for OTT near the end of the season. No, the Sens had crumbled with Ray Emery shunned from the team and fans were frustrated. But that wasn't the story on this night. Rather, the Canadiens rolled into town with a chance to win their first division title since the 1991-1992 season. In addition to the players, thousand of habs fans (including yours truly) made the trip to the nation's capital hoping to see the Canadiens celeberate after so many dissapointing seasons in recent memory. Right from the opening faceoff you could tell the habs wanted it more, beating the Sens for every loose puck, outhustling them in the corners, and putting up three goals on an exhausted Martin Gerber courtesey of Kovalev, Dandenault, and Kostitsyn. Carey Price was sensational making 32 saves in a 3-0 win. With five minutes to go in the game, Sens fasn ran for the exits disgusted at how their team performed down the stretch. Meanwhile, the entire lower bowl of Scotia Bank filled up with habs fans singing OLE OLE OLE and cheering for every hit, shot, and save. The feeling was that of a mini Bell Centre. The buzzer sounded, Price held his arms up in celebration and habs fans came out of Scotia-bank Place yelling and cheering as their team had just become division champs. It's always special to see your favourite team play but watching a victory on the road makes it that much sweeter.

#1 A Tearful Goodbye - MTL vs. FLA September 29.2004 (Olympic Stadium)

Hours before, the Expos played the Florida Marlins in their final home game of the 2004 season, MLB officially announced that the team would be moving to Washington. The verdict was in and it became apparant that all Expos fans would see their team at home for the final time. The opening pitch was at 7:05 PM and I remeber getting to the ballpark early as fans were allowed on the field to take pictures and reflect. A night of sadness indeed culminating by the fact a banner was displayed celebrating 1994's "best team in baseball". From grandparents to kids, everyone reflected that night on what the Expos meant to them. After a 9-1 Marlins win in a game that had nothing to do with the game itself, players came on the field to thank the 31,395 in attendance that night. A nice montage was played on the big screen as fans were left asking themselves "what if"? In what was one of the saddest moments I have ever seen in sports, I looked around a pakced lower bowl stadium as people wept knowing that Major League Baseball was leaving Montreal and probably will never return. I can always apprciate a Yankees-Red Sox game but I can never love the game of baseball the way I did between 1997-2004 because my team is gone.

Thanks for all the memories folks. Merci beaucoup!

Heads Up: The Sens are Making Moves

It's not often that I compliment the Ottawa Senators. In-fact it's quite rare. Not that I have anything against the team. After all, I grew up in the nation's capital surrounded by passionate sens fans. A crowd that dreamed of seeing Lord Stanley's mug shining near Parliament Hill. Fans whose hopes and dreams were dashed year after year through mediocre goaltending and lack of grit. No heart, journalists would write and Ottawa would falter again. Well times have changed and while the Sens had an awful 2008-09 campaign, '09-'10 is starting to look good.

First there was Corey Clouston. Coming into a tense situation which saw the Sens look like those lost teams at the Civic Centre in the early 90s, Clouston closed out the season strong, finishing with an impressive 34-19-11 record. He was rewarded with a two year contract. Deservedly so, Clouston has the confidence of the organization heading into next season. Lets see how it goes. Personally, I think Clouston will thrive in Ottawa.

Next, there's the trade deadline. After all the hoopla of what some teams did and others didn't, Ottawa quietly made a strong move acquiring goaltender Pascal Leclaire from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Leclaire has the potential to be a strong number netminder in the NHL and he'll finally be allotted that opportunity with Ottawa. After all the bums they put in the capital, Leclaire is a quality guy. He thrived with Team Canada in the World Juniors and will be a competitive player in the Sens organizaiton. Being bilingual, will likely make him a popular player throughout the city. I think Leclaire can deliver strong performances for this team and I have to say that I have been one of the Sens harshest critics when it comes to their selection of goaltenders over the years. But Leclaire has the potential to be a star and just like Clouston, I also think he will suceed in Ottawa.

Now, lets get to the controversial situation. Ah yes, Danny Heatley. Just saying his name may have enraged you, but the fact of the matter is if you're an Ottawa fan, you have to love Eugene Melnyk. After knowing that the Sens are going to lose one of their top three forwards, does the Sens owner panic? Does he tell the fans tough luck? Does he handicap his General Manager after having to deliver a $4 million dollar signing bonus? No, what Melnyk does is he tells GM Brian Murrary to go out a find another top six forward. Not just any forward mind you. He tells him to go out and get Alex Kovalev. Raid the habs of their superstar and get Kovalev to sign a two year contract worth $10 million. Now that takes guts, perseverance, determination, a will to win and you know what? I love it! Hats off to Melnyk and Murray because when Kovalev starts lighting the lamp at the Bell Centre, us habs fans can remeber that Bob Gainey watched as Souray, Streit, Komisarek, Kovalev and soon Koivu left the habs with NOTHING coming in return.

I encourage Sens fans to provide me with their thoughts on this deal and I have a couple generous fans who have even agreed to write guest blogs on my site, but I'll leave you with this. I think Ottawa should look to trade Healtey for a quality defenseman because that's the area where I think Ottawa still needs help. The forwards can score (can you imagine the nightmare that a Spezza, Alfredsson, Kovalev powerplay will pose for opposing goaltenders?). Leclaire can backstop, Clouston can create chemistry. And when there's tweaking to be done, you'll have a supportive Melnyk with a determined Murray. You'll have fans that cheer their team on through wins and losses. Kind of makes you wonder, maybe it's time Montreal takes a page out of the Ottawa playbook. If you ask me, Ottawa's got it right, while Montreal is lost. The Sens could be the surprise of the Northeast and Alex Kovalev might lead them to a division title. What do you think of that Bob?

KOVALEV GOING TO O-TOWN!

Wow!!!! I'm in shock. My take's coming tonight. For terms of the deal:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283891

Bienvenue Scott Gomez!

Let the transactions begin! Just like that, Bob Gainey starts off with a bang in acquiring Scott Gomez from the Rangers. Before we break this deal down, lets remember that there are many players involved here. Officially here's the trade:

To MTL
- Centre Scott Gomez
- Left Winger Tom Pyatt
- Defenseman Mike Busto

To NYR
- Left Winger Chris Higgins
- Defenseman Doug Janick
- Defenseman Ryan McDonagh
- Defenseman Pavel Valentenko

Many things to consider here but lets start with what everyone will be talking about:

Scott Gomez
This guy has the ability to be a superstar. Having won two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils (2000 and 2003), Gomez started off his career with a bang. However, while he was a significant contributor, he was overshadowed (rightfully so) by future hall of famers Scott Stevens, Scott Nedermayer, Patrick Elias, and Martin Brodeur. Gomez left New Jersey in the summer of 2007 for free agency and the Five Foot 11 Centre was rewarded with a whopping 7-year contract worth 51.5 million! I currently sit at a computer listening to disgruntled fans rant on The Team 990 about this absurd contract. Yes, it's true, the habs will be on the hook and especially for 8 million (with a cap hit of 7.4 million) during the next four years but as we all give our two cents right now, lets remember the habs have the cap room. Why would Gainey do this one caller asks? Why pay so much for a player who chocked last year racking up a measly 58 points while getting paid 10 million in the big apple. Why?

Well, I'll give you a couple of reasons. Firstly, there's the issue of attracting unrestricted free agents. I've explained this to many non-hab fans before and I'll say it again. This is one the best cities in the world, perhaps the best in Canada. Montreal is a special place, no question about it, but being an NHL player here is a difficult task. Players are reluctant to come here because of the pressure brought on by fans and media, language issues, politics, and being expected to lead the Canadiens to a 25th Stanley Cup. If you're an Anglophone, you might be concerned for your family (wife will have trouble finding a job, children will be forced to learn the French language whether or not they've ever been exposed to it). If you're a francophone, then right away come the expectations of being the next Richard, Lafleur, or Roy. It's absurd but that's Montreal. A sell-out of 21,273 a night, winner of 24 Stanley Cups, the best fans during the good times, the worst fans during the bad times, but nevertheless a team that can't attract free agent players. So what to do? Go out and trade for a star. If you can't sign a star, trade for one. And that's what Gainey did today.

What is also notable about this trade is the other names involved. Higgins is a good winger. Gomez is certainly an upgrade but Higgins has strong potential and sometimes getting out of Montreal allows a player to have a better focus and better success. You want evidence? Look at guys like Michael Ryder and Mike Ribero. Booed while they were in La Belle Province, they have now soared with the Brunis and Stars respectively.

Tom Pyatt is an unknown 6 foot winger who was taken in the fourth round of the draft back in 2005. Depending on what happens tomorrow, we'll see where Gomez fits into the mix. Mike Busto is stuck in the ECHL and according to Pierre McGuire, he may never even make it to the show.

As for the other players leaving MTL for NY, there's Doug Janick, a mediocre defenseman who the habs picked up from the Stars when they gave away Steve Begin earlier this year. Defenseman Pavel Valentenko whose been playing in Russia as part of the growing Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) so who knows when we'll see him.

And then there's what I consider to be the key to the deal (i.e. what will make or break it for both sides), Ryan McDonagh. The habs first round pick (12th overall) in 2007, this six foot one 211 pound defenseman who been playing in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) for Wisconsin, has the potential to be a star. With the likelehood gorwing that Mike Komisarek will be leaving and the poor defensive play the Canadiens showed last season, this is what ultimately pisses me off about this deal. Why McDonagh Bob? Why? Why go out and have your scouts spend an entire year watching this kid, draft him, help him develop and grow and now to throw it away for what? Forget the critics that want to talk all day about Gomez's salary. The Canadiens need to build on D-fence. Lets hope and prey P.K. Subban will be held onto. If Komisarek goes tomorrow and ironically he could go to the Rangers as they now have cap room thanks to the dump of Gomez, Bob will look like a fool. As a habs fan, you must hope that a big signing will be made tomorrow, primarily a defenseman. Otherwise, get ready for a repeat of the Canadiens teams of the late 90s. Teams that couldn't score, play defense, and got booed off the ice (deservedly so) every night. Bob's head will be called for. It's already started now.

What's next Bob? What's next?

2009 NHL Draft Reflection: Coming Soon!

What happened behind the scenes at the draft? Which General Managers were talking? What was it like on the floor? Did the Islanders know they were talking John Tavares all along? Why couldn't the Habs swing a deal? Why couldn't Heatley be moved?

My take is coming soon!

Who's the Boss?

In answering blogger "Reaz's" question about Kovalev fitting into a Jacques Martin system (yes I know this answer is long over-due but hey the weather has been so nice outside!), I pondered about this issue in hockey of when a superstar player needs to adapt into a coaches system. What makes a player buy into a system? How does a player trust a coach? There have been so many examples of things going wrong but here's a few to say the least:

1. December 1995 - Patrick Roy demands a trade out of Montreal because he's angry at Coach Mario Tremblay. In perhaps one of the few hockey examples of an organization choosing a rookie coach over a future hall of famer, General Manager Rejean Houle dealt Roy to Colorado. Patrick went on to win two more Stanley Cups. Meanwhile in Montreal the management is still telling the fans to have patience. Yikes!

2. April 2007 - After leading the Atlantic division throughout the regular season, Claude Julien gets fired because players including goaltender Martin Brodeur complain to General Manager Lou Lamirello that they can't play for him. Julien leaves and the Devils lose in the first round. The same occurrence happened in the 2008-2009 season while Julien was named coach of the year for the Boston Bruins.

3. June 2009 - Danny Heatley demands a trade after being only one year into a six year contract worth $45 million. Heatley sights Senators coach Corey Clouston as the reason he wants out of O-town. Fans are shocked and now General Manager Bryan Murray must trade the disgruntled winger. It is unlikely Murray will receive something of fair market value in return leaving the situation to be disastrous for the Sens.

And now onto the question, can Alex Kovalev play in a defensive style system of Jacques Martin?

If Martin can respect Kovalev's "free flow" style then it can work. However, if Martin preaches that you must play a role within a system, there might be little room for Kovalev. To be honest, I can't see why the unrestricted winger would want to come back to a team that's well not even a team right now. Kovy's nearing the end of his career and he could certainly fetch more on the free market then in Montreal. He would also probably have a much better chance with another team if it wants to sip from Lord Stanley's mug a second time (he won with the Rangers in '94 before he had a falling out with Coach Mike Keenan. The fact is, the Canadiens have committed to Martin for better or for worse and if Kovalev is to play in MTL during the '09-'10 season then he better know that'll be Martin whose the boss. If he can't accept it, well "au revoir Alex".

Thumbs Up /Thumbs Down

Welcome back! I've been off for awhile, not feeling great, but as they say in the playoffs, that's no excuse! Let me give quickly give you my thoughts on this past week's events by taking a page out of The Reporters. Here's my Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down:

1. Thumbs up to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning their 3rd Stanley Cup and 1st since 1992. What makes this so special is that the Penguins won two in a row after being ousted 5-0 by the Wings. Forget the octopus, the Penguin is back! It's great to see what the Penguins organization has become after the team filed for bankruptcy just a few years back. I liked this team from the beginning and they were a great story to follow throughout the playoffs.

2. Thumbs down to Kris Draper for being a cry baby. Look, I'm sick and tired of people ripping Sid because he whines sometimes to the refs but Draper has to shut his mouth after the Penguins have won. They just won the Stanley Cup, so let the kid celebrate. There was no intent to snub Lidstrom. Rather, the whole thing was blown way out of portion. Lidstrom himself said that Crosby was simply caught up in the moment. After achieving his life goal in just his 4th NHL Season, how could Sid not be?

3. Thumbs Up to Judge Redfielf T. Baum for doing his job. Look folks, I could write a book about Lord Bettman and his quest to destroy hockey but that's not what this case was about. Rather, a judge upheld a precedent which he had to uphold, that of a sports league having the right to determine where its franchises should be located. Imagine if I came tomorrow and forced Subway to give me a franchise to run anywhere I wanted on my terms. Think about it? It would be irrational for the Judge to rule in favour of Balisille. He'll get a team one day but not by bullying the NHL. Still gotta love his effort though.

4. And finally... Thumbs down to Danny Heatley for being selfish in the most un-selfish city. The Senators and more importantly the Ottawa community let Heater revamp his career after the tragic death of Atlanta teammate Dan Snyder. OTT took Healtey in, supported him and gave him an enermous contract extension in rewarding his good play. Now Heater pulls a Yashin and tells the Sens he's had enough because he's not happy with coach Corey Clouston. Well tough luck Heater. This may be the most interesting story of the summer. The Sens may really get screwed on this one because it's going to be hard to get fair value for Heatley as not many people want to take up that contract. Good luck to Brian Murray. The big 3 are no more!