Archive for December, 2009

PK Subban is an All-Star

At the start of the year, coming out of camp we saw a few young guys leave an impression. One of those guys is young defenseman PK Subban.

Many voiced their desire to see Subban play in Montreal. Especially after all the early season injuries to both Andrei Markov and Ryan O’Byrne. I could certainly relate with the enthusiasm around PK and the desire to see him play in Montreal. A really strong skater with a good hard shot and a player who seems to examplify the very word enthusiasm, he would have certainly looked good in the eyes of many as a call up.

I was certainly tempted by the possibilities myself.

One of the debates around the prospects was to give them time in the minors so they can play at the pro level and not throw them in the fire that it can be in Montreal.

So PK has played half a season in Hamilton and by all accounts he’s really playing well.

PK Subban was recently named to the AHL all-star game.

This is probably the best case scenario if you’re Bob Gainey… and many Habs fans.

Subban has gone down, worked hard under a great coach in Guy Boucher and is performing at a high level. He currently leads the Hamilton Bulldogs defensemen with 20 points.

And what a confidence booster for him this will be going into the second half of the Bulldogs season!

PK is one of the AHL’s stars and this experience will certainly be in his favor as he continues to play this season in Hamilton and then comes into next year’s camp.

Congrats PK!

Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators – 2009/2010 season 41st game highlights

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the Ottawa Senators played on December 28th 2009.

The Senators won this game by a score of 4 – 2.

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Jaroslav Halak named 1st star and Olympian

Jaroslav Halak had been totally on fire coming in to last night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Facing 48.7 shots per game over a 4 game span (and winning each) he showed once again that he can play… and wants to play.

The road to the NHL hasn’t been handed to Jaroslav. He had to play in the AHL with Hamilton and while he had been called up as a young goaltender in Montreal, he was sent back to do time in Hamilton.

Halak always showed up and played.

The young goaltender certainly is making the case for being given a shot as the number 1 goaltender in Montreal. Or if not in Montreal, somewhere else.

This puts Montreal’s management in an interesting position. Having 2 great young goaltenders.

He has earned all the respect he’s getting… NHL 1st star and named to the Slovakian Olympic team!

Montreal Canadiens vs Toronto Maple Leafs – 2009/2010 season 40th game highlights

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the Toronto Maple Leafs played on December 26th 2009.

The Canadiens won the game by a score of 3-2.

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Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes – 2009/2010 season 39th game highlights

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the Carolina Hurricanes played on December 23rd 2009.

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Montreal Canadiens vs Atlanta Thrashers – 2009/2010 season 38th game highlights and comments

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the Atlanta Thrashers played on December 21th 2009…. but first some comments.

The Canadiens won the game 4-3 in Overtime (which was predicted with little time to play in the 3rd on Twitter by Arpon Basu). It wasn’t the prettiest of games. Montreal were again outshot by a very large margin. Overall team defensive play has to be improved to cut down on the shots that make it to either Jaroslav Halak or Carey Price.

You can’t expect to win very many games in the NHL if your opponent is in your zone firing rubber at your goaltender most of the evening. Although I will say that in the case of the Montreal Canadiens at least Jacques Martin has 2 very capable young goalies to rely upon. But they won’t steal every game.

Jaroslav Halak was, in the end, left to face 53 shots (that made it through to him) stopping 50 of them. Is that not scary? If I was coaching this team that would be one of the most frightening numbers that I would have to face…. never mind they somehow won the game. The last several years the Montreal Canadiens were outshot alot and though this year it seemed that it was getting a bit better early on it’s pretty much back to where it was in terms of these shot totals.
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Habs call up Benoit Pouliot

We’ll be seeing Benoit Pouliot soon. He was the player who came to Montreal in the Latendresse trade with the Minnesota Wild. It was announced today that he’s been called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs. Pouliot had 3 pts in his last game in Hamilton, 1 goal and 2 assists.

Pouilot was a high pick (4th overall) in the 2005 draft… just ahead of our own Carey Price. He has talent to burn and I think the hope is that the new surroundings, closer to home along with the new coaching staff might be just what the doctor ordered for Benoit.

Here’s the official press release that can be found here:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=510684

Canadiens recall Benoit Pouliot from the Hamilton Bulldogs
Monday, 21.12.2009 / 10:47 AM / News
Montreal Canadiens
PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens announced today that left winger Benoit Pouliot has been called up from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Pouliot will join the Canadiens today in Atlanta for tonight’s game against the Thrashers.

Pouliot recorded three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in three games with the Bulldogs. He also maintained a +1 plus/minus rating, registered 11 shots on goal and served four penalty minutes.

Pouliot, 23, was assigned to the Bulldogs on December 10 for conditioning purposes. The 6’03’’, 199 lbs forward has yet to play a game with the Canadiens due to an injury. Pouliot played 14 games with the Wild this season, recording four points (2 goals, 2 assists), serving 12 penalty minutes with a plus/minus rating of 0 and averaging 11:56 minutes of ice time per game.

Montreal Canadiens vs New York Islanders – 2009/2010 season 37th game highlights

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the New York Islanders played on December 19th 2009.

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Montreal Canadiens Alumni tour comes to the maritimes

It’s been announced that the Montreal Canadiens alumni will be playing in Summerside PEI on either the 11th or the 12th of February 2010.

Here’s the Journal Pioneer’s announcement.

I’d love to see the Alumni play.

Some of the players listed on this trip:

Stephane Richer, Yvon Lambert, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Dionne, Mario Roberge, Karl Dykhuis and goaltender Richard Sevigny.

Montreal Canadiens vs Minnesota Wild – 2009/2010 season 36th game highlights

Here are the game highlights from the Montreal Canadiens vs the Minnesota Wild played on December 17th 2009.

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