Share and Enjoy

I remember watching this game and when the N.Y. Rangers were up 3-0, 4-0…. 5-0!!! I was demoralized. I was going to turn off the game but I generally always watch every game start to finish no matter what. On this night I did and I went from demoralized to amazed.

It seemed as though “it all went right” for the Rangers for the first half of the game and it just totally switched.

I figured Michael Ryder looked like he could have scored 10 goals in that second half. It was amazing to watch. I also remember that Kovalev goal where he falls to the ice with legs in the air. (Check out Scott Gomez playing for NY)

Classic moment in NHL hockey and a historic game. Coming back from a 5-0 deficit is no light task.

You remember this one?

Watching this video, my memories and even emotions come back…. pretty neat.

What do you remember most about this one?

Share and Enjoy

Koivu, during his tenure in Montreal, was one of my all time favorite players. In fact, back when Saku officially became a free agent, I wrote an article with my personal goodbye to him titled “To Saku Koivu“.

I can tell you that I’ve cheered the former Habs captain on for so many years that it will be hard not to cheer him on against the very team he once lead. Koivu had been an inspiration on many levels. Coming back from a few major injuries, a battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a certain disrespect that I don’t believe he deserved as long time captain of the team. I know some might argue otherwise but I could never understand the hounding he took from certain media outlets because he couldn’t speak french.

I thought I’d share some info sent to me by Matthew Ross, host of Game Points on the Team990 (which happens to be one of my favorite sports channels… that’s my plug! haha) on some recent polling going on for Saku Koivu’s return to Montreal:

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) score a goal?
Yes +325 ( or 13/4)
No -450 ( or 2/9)

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) record a point?
Yes +140 (or 7/5)
No -170 (or 10/17)

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) be the first star of the Game?
Yes -150 (or 2/3)
No +110 (or 11/10)

There’s been quite a bit of stuff written about Koivu’s return to Montreal. I really enjoyed this article by Dave Stubbs of the Gazette titled “Emotional return for Captain K“.

I’m really hoping that Koivu gets a warm response from the crowd. Through his long tenure as captain he was the source of much emotion, but inspirational like coming back from his battle with cancer, or battling back from a near career ending eye injury…. or from his critics that continued to pound at him in papers and radio/TV talk shows that he should speak french.

Saku, I truly hope you get an incredible welcome tonight. You deserve it.

Share and Enjoy

I had been watching the Montreal Canadiens season coming into the playoffs and was glued to most of those games just as I am today with Habs games.

Had just seen the the Quebec Nordiques win the 2 first games of their series vs the Habs and then the improbable comback of 4 straight wins vs Quebec.

Then there was the Canadiens – Sabres series that saw the Canadiens make short work of Buffalo in 4 games with the last 3 in OT. Lot’s of OTs that year.

While that Habs – Sabres series was raging on… there was another series that really had my eye. It was of course the Mighty Pittsburgh Penguins of that time with Mario Lemieux at the helm.

I watched as much of that series as I could and on the night of the 14th of May 1993 I was having a little party. While the party was happenin’ there was a TV all fired up with that game 7 NY Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins. I and a few friends watched closely….. while some other people were practicing their social skills….

The hope was that somehow the NY Islanders would take the Pens out. And for the whole series it seemed to me an improbability. After all, the Mighty Penguins had finished the season with the league best 119 points while the Isles had squeeked in with 87 points. That was also back in the day of the 84 game regular season.

But somehow the Isles had kept it close and the series was in it’s 7th game…. all without their star Pierre Turgeon. I learned something really important during that series. Never count out a team in the playoffs until the series is OVER. That simple. A team that plays together and plays hard until the end always has a chance. Both the Habs and the Flyers of 2010 have shown us that.

I remember the youngster Darius Kasparaitis checking hard and was on Mario and company every chance he got (Darius would later play for the Pens). He was completely frustrating Mario and co. And I remember Ray Ferraro was lights out that series.

In the end, that game that night of the 14th went to Overtime! And then in the OT the miracle happened. A fellow by the name of David Volek scored the winning goal at 5:16 of the OT. It was pandemonium at my little party. That completely made my night and was one of the best birthday presents I’d had. One of the fondest birthdays in my memory actually.

Why? Because looking at the teams still in the mix I would much rather have had my Habs play the Isles then the Pens. And it seemed to be a year that the stars had aligned for Montreal. That’s the feeling I got watching that year. Unlikely heros, unlikely wins….

And then of course the Habs went on to beat the Islanders and the Kings to win their 24th Stanley cup.

In no way is this to compare with the run the Habs are having this year. Different players, different era…. still though, impessive show of team play and heart by the 2010 Habs! Loving this and looking forward to the Habs – Flyers series.

But this time of year, the 14th, my birthday, I always remember that Isles – Pens series… cheering for Ray Ferraro…etc.

The other night, the 12th of may 2010 really reminded me of that time so many years ago when the Habs were on that historic playoff run.

Share and Enjoy

Here are the videos from last night courtesy of Habs TV!




Habs alumni warm-up

Howe introduces Béliveau

Elmer Lach and Butch Bouchard’s Jersey Retirement

Team photo

Dryden, Roy and Lafleur

Centennial Banner Raising

Share and Enjoy

The Montreal Canadiens certainly have an incredibly rich tradition and huge fan base…

The Habs have seen many Stanley cups, many awards, many players come and go… the Habs have seen great celebratory parades and have also seen some riots… who could forget the passion and anger shown at the suspension of the Rocket on March 18th 1955….

The list of great players who’ve suited up and played in Montreal is about a mile long. The Rocket, Belliveau, Morenz, Robinson, Harvey…. there is a treasure of information over at the http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/home website.

I remember being a young kid in the early 80s and watching the Habs play their local rival Québec Nordiques…. the passion, the brawls… memories that will be with me forever. I remember going to my grand fathers place and watching several games there on his small tv.

Back in 1993 I remember the Canadiens having to face those same Nordiques who had a host of great young players… the series started badly, but the Habs got hot and rode it for the entire playoffs… winning their 24th cup. The stars just seemed to align…

There are many fond memories of watching the 80s teams…. Mats Naslund was one of my favorites as well as Gainey… cup in ’86 and the finals in ’89.

I want to keep this short… so… Happy Birthday my beloved Montreal Canadiens!!

Share and Enjoy

Howie Morenz started his career with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1923-1924 season. As a rookie he scored 13 goals and 3 assists. Pretty good numbers considering the season was only 24 games in length.

Morenz scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal for the Montreal Canadiens that year helping the franchise win it’s second Stanley Cup.

Playing for a total of 12 seasons with the Canadiens Morenz notched 257 goals and 160 assists in 460 games.

He was the scoring champ twice and won the Hart trophy 3 times, in 1928, 1930 and 1931. No one in Habs history has matched that since.

Howie Morenz was the first player to break the 50 point mark in league history. It happend on March 24th, 1928 against the Ottawa Senators. That season, 1927-1928, Morenz scored 33 goals and 18 assists for 51 points. That 51 points came in 43 games.

1929-1930 saw Morenz score 40 goals in 44 games.

On March 17th 1932 Howie Morenz became the league’s all-time points leader.

Howie Morenz was eventually traded to the Chicago Blackhawks where he played for 2 years before returning to the Montreal Canadiens to be reunited with longtime linemate Aurèle Joliat.

But sadly Morenz was badly injured in a game vs Chicago. His leg was broken in 4 places.

A month later Morenz died because of complications resulting from the injury.

Thousands paid their respect to Morenz in the old Forum.

Morenz was among the first 12 men inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1945.

The number 7 that he wore was the first to be retired by the Canadiens in 1937.

Share and Enjoy

John LeClair played an important role in Montreal’s stanley cup win of 1992-1993.

Soon after in 1994-1995 LeClair was traded to Philadelphia along with Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi and a third rouner.

Frustrating for Canadiens fans was the fact that as soon as LeClair hit Philly his numbers soared.

The next 3 full season in Philadelphia LeClair score 51,50,51 goals respectively and the 2 season after that he notched 43 and 40 goals respectively. He averaged 89.6 points a season for the 5 full seasons after being traded to Philadelphia. (From 1995-96 to 1999-00)

John LeClair’s numbers in Montreal
224 games played, 49 goals, 69 assists and 118 points.
Points per game: 0.53
Goals per game: 0.21
Assists per game: 0.30

John LeClair’s numbers after Montreal
743 games played, 357 goals, 344 assists and 701 points.
Points per game: 0.94
goals per game: 0.48
Assists per game: 0.46

His offensive production pretty much doubled after leaving Montreal as he was teamed up with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. Their line was affectionately (by Phily fans) “The Legion of Doom”.

I believe the 3rd round pick the Montreal Canadiens had acquired was either Miloslav Guren or Martin Hohenberger. Either ring a bell??? Not for me.

Recchi had a few decent years in Montreal notching over 30 goals twice.

Looking back who won that trade?
What’s your opinion?

I think the Flyers certainly did getting both LeClair AND Desjardins.

Share and Enjoy

On thread kind of struc me.

“Should #11 be retired?” is the name of the thread and there is a poll attached to it.

I was kind of surprised at first that it would be discussed so early, but then after reading for a minute I was no longer surprised… I mean, we’re Habs fans right? (at least some of us are.. if you’re not and reading this site… welcome!)

So the discussion rages. Some say no, some say yes….

One of the points I saw on there was that Koivu doesn’t warrant it because his production over his career in Montreal isn’t “super”.

Well, I guess I disagree a bit for what it’s worth.

There’s a difference between the Habs of the mid/late 90s, the Habs of the 2000s and the Habs of the 70s, the 60s…etc.

Traditionally, the Habs have had some very strong teams for many years. Some of the other legendary Habs were surrounded by other “legends”.

Koivu really doesn’t have to many players who played along side him that stand out to me as being future legends.

Early in his career just after the 93 cup he had some talent around him with Damphousse..etc.. At the end of his tenure with the Habs he had Kovalev and Tanguay.. played well with Higgins and Ryder when used together.

But there many years that he was just on a struggling team. No doubt about it.

Here’s how he finishes his career all-time in the canadiens uniform:
2nd longest serving captain
5th power play goals
6th in assists
7th game winning goals
8th short handed goals
9th minutes played
10th in points
19th games played
27th goals scored

And he managed to put up with more crap then anyone I know with class.

It’s my opinion that he deserves a fair look at having that number 11 retired. Some say his production wasn’t “super”. But I’m not sure just how good he was expected to be on a mediocre team for so many years.

Saku, I think you deserve it mon capitaine.

Share and Enjoy

Here’s a few numbers for you.

Most games played in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Henri Richard 1256
2 – Larry Robinson 1202
3 – Bob Gainey 1160
4 – Jean Béliveau 1125
10 – Guy Carbonneau 912
11 – Patrice Brisebois 896
19 – Saku Koivu 792

Most goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Maurice Richard
2 – Guy Lafleur 518
3 – Jean Béliveau 507
4- Yvan Cournoyer 428
15 – Mats Naslund 243
16 – Bob Gainey 239
27 Saku Koivu 191

Most assists in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 728
2 – Jean Béliveau 712
3 – Henri Richard 688
4 – Larry Robinson 686
5 – Jacques Lemaire 469
6 – Saku Koivu 450
13 – Mats Naslund 369
27 – Patrice Brisebois 284
32 – Andrei Markov 255 (tied with Shayne Corson)

Most points in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 1246 (in 961 games!)
2 – Jean Béliveau 1219 (in 1125 games!)
3 – Henri Richard 1046
4 – Maurice Richard 965 (in 978 games!)
5 – Larry Robinson 883
10 – Saku Koivu 641
12 – Mats Naslund 612
23 – Vincent Damphousse 498 (in 519 games!)
35 – Patrice Bisebois 371

+/- in a Montreal Canadiens uniform
1 – Larry Robinson +700 (imagine!)
2 – Serge Savard +492
3 – Guy Lafleur +477
4 – Steve Shutt +409
5 – Jacques Lemaire +349
11 – Bob Gainey +196
24 – Mats Naslund +120

Some less favorable +/- stats with recent players:
Brian Savage 461 games, -51
Sheldon Sourray 324 games, -44
Michael Ryder 314 games, -24
Francis Bouillon 481 games, -23

The +/- stat is one that isn’t just reflective of an individual players ability, but is also a bit reflective of the linemates they were playing with at the time.

Top Penalty minutes in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Chris Nilan 2248
2 – Lyle Odelein 1367
3 – Shayne Corson 1341
4 – Maurice Richard 1285
5 – John Ferguson 1214
8 – Jean Béliveau 1029
16 – Craig Rivet 795
17 – Chris Chelios 783

Most power play goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 138
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 112
3 – Steve Shutt 90
4 – Jacques Lemaire 89
5 – Saku Koivu 66
6 – Mats Naslund 66
7 – Larry Robinson 65
19 – Alex Kovalev 45
21 – Patrice Brisebois 41

Most short handed goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Carbonneau 27
2 – Bob Gainey 20
3 – Peter Mohavlich 17
4 – Vincent Damphousse 12
5 – Benoit Brunet 10
8 – Saku Koivu 9
13 – Christopher Higgins 8

Most game winning goals in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 93
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 61
3 – Jacques Lemaire 58
4 – Steve Shutt 49
7 – Saku Koivu 35
10 – Bob Gainey 34
22 – Alex Kovalev 20
26 – Patrice Brisebois 18

Most shots on goal in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 3209
2 – Jacques Lemaire 3051
3 – Guy Lapointe 2306
4 – Steve Shutt 2278
5 – Larry Robinson 2142
6 – Bob Gainey 2099
9 – Saku Koivu 1553
13 – Patrice Brisebois 1395

Most wins by a goaltender in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Jacques Plant 314
2 – Patrick Roy 289
3 – Ken Dryden 258
8 – José Théodore
20 – Carey Price 47

Most shots against a Montreal Canadiens goaltender:
1 – Patrick Roy 12958
2 – José Théodore 9833

The shots against stats were not counted until recent years.

I’ve only posted some of the top stats. The “Our History” website has a ton of information.

A couple of thoughts after looking through the numbers.

1 – Saku Koivu has his place in the history of the franchise in several categories whether you love him or hate him. I wonder what his numbers would have been like if he had played without the numerous injuries and if he had been surrounded with a better cast of players like some of the others at the top of the list had.

2 – Patrice Brisebois played many years in Montreal and even after all the “Breezer” hating that went on his place in the history of the Montreal Canadiens must be acknowledged. Even his career started in Montreal at the end of a bright spot (1993 stanley cup) and through countless years of the dark ages that followed. How would Brisebois’s numbers have looked on a stronger team?

All the stats, the goals, assists, +/-… they’re all somewhat reflective of not only the player’s individual talent but also the team he has to play with through the years.

Here’s a couple of questions for you….
1. What do you think about Saku Koivu’s place in the history of the Canadiens?
2. Has anything jumped out at you in these stats?

Check out the “Our History” website, it’s all there!

Share and Enjoy