April 21, 2008
On to Round 2!
So the Habs were able to make slow work of the Bruins with a convincing 5-0 win in the crucial game 7 at home here in Montreal. Next round is against either Philly or the Rangers - should be a good second round!!
Posted by matthew at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
April 6, 2008
Habs win their conference!!
They're the best in the East and for their first round of the playoffs they get to face the Boston Bruins who they've beaten in all 8 of their 8 meetings this year. I'm hoping that trend continues.
The Canadian teams in the playoffs this year are:
These poor suckers couldn't cut the mustard...
As a side project, I'm jumping on the Capitals bandwagon and cheering on their miracle season - those guys are inspired and I hope that the Habs don't have to face them.
Posted by matthew at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2008
Habs in the playoffs!
The Habs are the third team to lock up a playoff berth after Detroit and San Jose did it recently. Now on top of the Eastern conference they're looking to win the conference in the last stretch here; pretty impressive considering Saku wasn't thinking too much of the team at the beginning of the year (I'm sure that he's happy to be wrong though).
Posted by matthew at 5:32 PM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2008
Habs mount amazing comeback!
Yesterday, the Habs won after trailing by five goals which is a franchise record come from behind win for the historic team. What an amazing game that I would have loved to watch - the Bell Center was roaring by the time the game went to overtime where Saku Koivu won it for them in the shootout - way to go Habs!
Posted by matthew at 7:14 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2008
Show your Habs love
The Habs had a great promotion a few years ago with a clever, rotated smiley logo and the slogan, "Habs All the Way!". I couldn't find the picture myself, so I made one up - click the picture above to get a huge sized version for your desktop background.
Posted by matthew at 5:07 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2008
Favorite NHL'ers
Probably my two favorite NHL'ers, Jarome Iginla and Vincent Lecavalier have been named captains in the NHL All Star game for the Western and Eastern Division respectively. Rock on superstars!
Posted by matthew at 9:10 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2008
Tribute to Ron Hextall
Since my readership is up to an all time high of three (maybe four) people, here's a special feature for one of them, my brother. While honing his own skills as a goaltender, my brother was a huge fan of Ron Hextall despite having a menace level which was the polar opposite to the Ron's (who was quite an intimidator); it was obviously his 'other' fine qualities that my brother wanted to emulate...
Ron Hextall was famous for a couple of things: being the first goalie to score a goal in the regular season and in the playoffs, his exceptional stick handling ability, being awarded the Conn Smythe trophy (for most valuable player in the playoffs) in a losing effort vs Edmonton in 1987 - something that has only happened five times, and for his feisty temper (I remember him being described as a kindergartener in an adults body).
Here's a highlight video showing his first goal, his remarkable skill and his red hot temper.
Posted by matthew at 5:29 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2007
I witnessed the Habs clobber the Bruins
The Bruins were hot off a 5 game win streak and the Canadiens were 1 win in their last 4 so it was a bit surprising to see the Habs beat the Bruins so handily. I don't think that they played well enough to warrant a margin that wide but they did deserve the win.
Defensively, they had trouble handling the puck all game, giveaways were a big problem but the Bruins were not able to convert on very many of these gifted opportunities. I personally enjoyed the pretzel that I won, having tickets before the game, booing Chara and parking for free - oh, the weather has been nice too, so that's good.
Posted by matthew at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
May 8, 2007
NHL Final Four all ready to go!
So the final four teams have been set with most of the high ranked teams making in through. I'm cheering for Ottawa in a big way because we gotta bring the cup back to Canada, man!
Posted by matthew at 12:10 PM | Comments (1)
April 24, 2007
Round 2 of playoffs
So after, round 1 of the NHL playoffs, Calgary has found themselves kicked out but that's no big surprise as they barely squeaked in and were playing the excellent Red Wings. Yesterday, the Canucks won a pretty dramatic game 7 after not being able to score on Dallas in 2 whole games - that was pretty exciting!
In round 2 action, the Senators play the NJ Devils, and the Canucks are playing the Ducks. Those should both be good series' - hopefully these guys can make it through to the 3rd round!
Posted by matthew at 8:33 AM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2007
NHL Scoring Leaders
OK, so my local team isn't that great and really didn't deserve to be in the playoffs but my country still puts the very best players out there. Take a look at the top 5 scoring leaders - all of them are from Canada - I'm so proud of them!
Posted by matthew at 8:16 AM | Comments (0)
April 8, 2007
2007 playoffs set
The 2007 playoffs were set in dramatic fashion this weekend with the last spot in the east in hot contention. First, the Canadiens were promised it with a win over the Maple Leafs which they couldn't get. The Maple Leafs were then entitled to it if the Islanders lost to New Jersey Devils which actually did not happen - the Islanders won the game in a dramatic OT shootout win (after NJ tied it up with 1 second left in the game). The Heart and Soul of Edmonton has moved to Long Island - after the Canadian teams, the Islanders (and the Penguins) are my favorites.
These poor suckers couldn't cut the mustard...
Posted by matthew at 6:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 9, 2007
Simon cheap shot
You know I love my NHL brawls, cheap shots and all that jazz - here's the latest. CBC
Posted by matthew at 5:01 PM | Comments (1)
February 28, 2007
Ryan Smyth traded!
Yesterday was the NHL trade deadline and the blockbuster trade was Ryan Smyth going from Edmonton to NY Islanders. Edmonton's heart and soul got traded! There will be great weeping in the lands of my nephews.
Posted by matthew at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2007
Sabres VS Sens BRAWL 2/22/07
Now, that's hockey ;)
Posted by matthew at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2006
Saskatoon to host pre season NHL game
Saskatoon is going to get to host an NHL exhibition game between the Flames and the Panthers. I remember when I was pretty young I got to see a Flames pre season game in Saskatoon (I think). I remember that I was really pumped to get Theoron Fleury and Mike Vernon's autograph - they were my faves...
Posted by matthew at 6:32 PM | Comments (0)
June 2, 2006
Stanley Cup Playoffs Set!
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are set with the Oilers facing the Hab-killing Hurricanes. Should be a great final and I think that the Oilers can win it!
Posted by matthew at 8:39 AM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2006
NHL Final Four - Go Oilers!!
OK, so out of the six CDN NHL teams, four made it to the playoffs. First to get knocked off were the Habs, then the Flames. In the second round the Senators went but through it all the Oilers hung on and are now the last remaining CDN team vying for the cup. Tonight they're playing the Ducks and I'm there biggest band wagon jumper fan seeing as I typically loathe them (I loathe the Leafs more though, of course). Go Oil!
These CDN teams didn't make it :(
These CDN teams didn't even make the playoffs at all!
Posted by matthew at 6:47 PM | Comments (0)
May 2, 2006
Canadiens out of playoffs
vs.
Ever since game 3 when the Habs lost in OT I felt that they were toast - they were flying so high and to lose that game was devastating. Tonight, in my favorite LA restaurant (Sushi 21), I was able to witness the overtime game winner for Carolina to put Montreal out of the playoffs. Too bad... well, go Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton!
Posted by matthew at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2006
Canadiens steal 2!
vs.
Canadiens steal a second game in double overtime to go up 2-0 on the Carolina Hurricanes. They really should have had the game wrapped up after going up 3-0 but I'm just glad they won!
Posted by matthew at 11:06 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2006
Canadiens make the playoffs
vs.
MTL squeaked into the playoffs following some great hockey at the end of the season. Well, not the VERY end of the season, but just before that. They're lined up to play the Carolina Hurricanes who are very worthy adversaries, should be some good hockey - starting Saturday night...
Posted by matthew at 1:16 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2006
Montreal Canadiens smiley
I've seen some of these billboards around MTL in the last little while and thought they were really clever for the logo AND getting a smiley face in there - smart! And they just won their 4th straight (this time against the Islanders) so I'm pretty happy. Looks like they may make the playoffs!
Posted by matthew at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2006
Panthers hockey game
Heidi and I just got back from the Florida (26-30-9) vs. Philly (36-20-10) game which was a wipeout - Flyers cleaned up 4-0; some things that I found interesting:
- I saw people walking around with beer bottles and was astounded that they were allowed to walk around with glass bottles. I had to test it out for myself, so I bought one ($6.75 US!) only to realize they're unbreakable plastic - foiled!
- When the Flyers scored it was very loud, it took me awhile to process that they were not even the home team.
- The arena wasn't even close to being sold out - there were probably about 1/3 of the seats empty
- There was a great fight with Brashear and Allison late in the game, Brashear easily won.
- Partly because of the 4-0 score, driving home after the game was so easy, it was almost like there was no hockey game traffic at all.
Panthers management was really trying to give some added value to the game, some things i noticed:
- A Hooters girl gave out free baseball caps to everyone who walked through the entrance.
- They gave away the programs to everyone for free
- A figure skater skated around the ice during commercial breaks to keep us entertained
- the had real cheerleaders - like at football games...
- There was real fast food chains in the building selling food; well, i guess just Papa Johns, but it's not only hot dogs that are available!
Posted by matthew at 9:34 PM | Comments (0)
February 9, 2006
Tocchet and Gretzky in gambling trouble
When I heard that Rick Tocchet and others were in trouble for a gambling ring that they were alleged to have been a part of back in New Jersey my heart actually beat a little faster - probably out of defensiveness of our Royal family, the Gretzky's. Yikes!
Posted by matthew at 12:30 AM | Comments (0)
February 3, 2006
Hockey Game in Buffalo
Tim Horton's retired jersey
Last night I went with some colleagues to see the Buffalo vs. Phily game - good game - Buffalo won 4-2 and I got more compliments than heckles for my Habs jersey :)
Posted by matthew at 9:59 AM | Comments (0)
December 29, 2005
More Christmas pics
See, we weren't kidding about VICO (that's chocolate milk)
I got a new vintage Habs jersey - sweet!
Clearing the backyard hockey rink after a fun game.
Posted by matthew at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2005
Touring the sights
Today we did the whirlwind tour with my U Gerry and A Nora who are in town for a few days on the 25th Anniversary trip across Eastern Canada. First, Heidi made delicious crepes for breakfast, we took the metro out to downtown and went for a big hike up Mont Royal (the name from which Montreal gets its name) which was a lot of fun. I also took a detour on the hike which took us down some pretty steep and rocky ledges but no one got hurt. From there we went to a tourist favorite Schwatz', where the beef was again excellent and then off for coffee and to the HABS game!!
We decided to go to the Habs preseason game against Toronto tonight where the Habs won 3-2 in a really fun game. Lindros was booed everytime he touched the puck and I heartily joined in on that festivity. Heidi got hot chocolate and chips in the second intermission so she was perfectly happy and we had a great Canadiens game (the first one we've been at, actually)! I plan on attending more in the future!
Posted by matthew at 10:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 31, 2005
ESPN-NHL Deal in Meltdown
It is at least a bit gratifying knowing that because everyone was so greedy that now no one is going to get anything. In my mind, hockey is never going to be the same... and that's really sad.
"it didn't make sense for ESPN to spend $60 million when there is still no labor agreement."
touché.
Posted by matthew at 12:14 AM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2005
free min pin from craigslist
free min pin
Here's a picture of a free min-pin around Montreal from craigslist. Heidi and I are seriously considering adopting him...
Oh, and the NHL cancelled it's season - they all suck.
Posted by matthew at 5:33 PM | Comments (1)