Canadiens Hockey: The Centennial Season is Here - blog

AND THEN THERE WERE 26

Pacioretty, Weber and Denis sent packing to Hamilton

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Has Montreal done more to revitalize Hamilton than any Prime Minister or any election promise?  By losing to the Tiger-Cats Saturday the Als actually set up Hamilton players for a Coach-dunking celebration--Marcel Bellefeuille's first win as a head coach---on a day when the Als were debating whether they should dunk Marc Trestman if they clinched the East Division title with a victory.  

Just hours after the Cats halted a 14-game winstreak led by Anthony Calvillo against his former club, Bob Gainey and the Canadiens confirmed Max Pacioretty and Yannick Weber will start the season as a Hamilton Bulldog not a Hab.  

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Did you watch the leaders' debates last nite? How come none of them talked about Disaster Planning and Emergency bailouts for Hamilton Tiger Cat fans?!

Is Velcro Hands secret identity "Captain Modesty"? Ben Cahoon can set a milestone becoming Number 1 alltime in the CFL among Canadian receivers. That's pretty good for a guy born in Utah (lol) but raised in Alberta and Montreal, and told his whole life he's too small and too slow for the NFL.  But Ben tells me about a striking lesson in arrogance and humility.

Even before Ben played his first game in Canada...he had a weird encounter with the wacko whose record he's poised to break! His name's Ray Elgaard, and he was a prairie plow of a tight-end-style slotback from the late 80's and well into the 90's for Saskatchewan....Ben's graudating from Brigham Young University and gets a call from a tele-marketer trying to get his hands into the wallets of US college football prospects. He says "Hi, this is Ray Elgaard.."...and Ben says "what do you do..." and Ray says "I've just set all kinds of passcatching records in the cfl...." and Ben innocently replies "I'm headed to the CFL"....Elgaard: "What position do you play?"  Ben now ticked this stranger who looked him up doesn't even know they've got great hands in common: "I'm a receiver too."  Elgaard's fired up now: "Well, you'll never touch any of my ___%#@!##$#records, kid!"  Ben says tall these seasons later:  "Maybe I owe him a call one of these days."

CANADIENS SOFT-PEDDLE CARBONNEAU'S CONTRACT EXTENSION

Carbo re-upped with one year left on his current deal

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

You weren't taking my NFL picks seriously were you?  My CFL picks against the spread the last two weeks are 7-1, but 4-down football?  I think I'm getting tips from the Lehman Brothers.

ANOTHER WEEK OF DOGS FROM MOFF:
Colts, Titans, Chargers, Panthers, Redskins, Bears, Falcons, Giants, Broncos, Patriots, Bills, Bengals, Steelers, Saints.

CFL PICKS OF THE WEEK:
Take all the favorites this weekend:  BC will make The Don wish he were retired again, Calgary crushes the Riders who refuse to pull Michael Bishop who has all the talent in the world but in the words of one former teammate is "defective", Als clinch against the Tiger-Cats who are still looking for a new head coach for '09, and Edmonton gets payback on the Blue Bombers.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Now that the Alouettes have gone Green and teamed up with Dr. David Suzuki, shouldn't they be putting those opposing defenses they shred in the recycle bin?  The D-line of Bowman-Stewart-Claybrooks-Williams and Company should be dumping bodies of quarterbacks in the nearest compost heap don't you think?

I'm not suprised one bit that Ben Maxwell survives the first deep cuts of Bell Centre Training camp while PK Subban is headed back to junior.  Maxwell has looked smooth and smart though he's only prolonged his demotion.  The kid must play.   Subban is fun to watch every shift---unless you're his coach.   "He's got the energy of a puppy," one close follower in the Canadiens organization tells me.  Hey, the Moffat's just adopted a new puppy from Animatch---that means wiping some mistakes off the floors and rugs, and Belleville will have to PK's crate for the next year.

AND THEN THERE WERE 32

Canadiens send a total of 18 players packing, leaving 32 at training camp

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Guy Carbonneau tells me the Canadiens could be opening next season in Europe, so is any other than the Kostitsyn's up for Minsk?  The Brother Act sure lobbied for the Belarusian capital and let their sticks do the talking in the Canadiens' Bell Centre debut to the 100th season, combining for 2 goals and 5 points.

Saku Koivu deserves to bring his teammates to Finland though, don't you think?

The NHL's ongoing Hockey Cold War with the Russian Hockey politburo prevents anyone from thinking Moscow would be an option in October 2009.

ALEX KOVALEV READY TO GO

Number 27 hits the ice at practice this morning as the Canadiens prepare to host the Sens tomorrow night

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Don't you love a guy who wears his heart on his goalie mask?

Canadiens/Bulldogs goalie Marc Denis wears his pride all over his face and his mask. The former 1st round draft pick of Colorado out of the Chicoutimi junior hockey program has a tribute to the 100th Season on a new paint job for his goalie mask he'll wear in his first start for the Canadiens against the Sabres in the Hockeyville game.

Denis' wife (a Chicoutimi native he met as a junior) and two boys Tom and Olivier (6&4) will be cheering him on.

So will 1200 fans who'll pack 6 wooden bench rows at the Benoit Levesque Arena tonight in Roberval, the winner of the national contest to host the Habs and Sabres.

CANADIENS OPEN PRE-SEASON WITH 8-3 LOSS TO BRUINS

Roman Hamrlik finishes the game on the sidelines with a groin injury

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

If patience is a virtue don't you think Jermaine McElveen deserves to be CFL Allstar?   In his Montreal debut, lanky #98 at defensive end for the Als registered 6 on the Richter scale against the Eskimos--3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, plus 1 fumble recovery.

McElveen is a soft-spoken CFL rookie who had been sitting on the Als practise roster since LAST FALL!  After signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans, McElveen was a 2007 NFL training camp cut.  He wondered if opportunity would ever knock again.  The Falcons and Dolphins showed limited interest but made no contract offers.  

KOIVU AND LARAQUE TO MISS PRE-SEASON OPENER MONDAY IN HALIFAX

Both expected to sit for the opening three games on the road a result of injuries

SAKU KOIVU BACK ON SKATES AFTER BEING FELLED BY A STRAY PUCK

Canadiens' Team Captain suffers ankle injury while skating and training in Finland

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Was Mike Pringle really THAT scary?  The newest Alouette inductee to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame scared me once but I don't feel so bad knowing even some of his closest teammates felt the same way.

Bryan Chiu and Anthony Calvillo admit they were intimidated by Mike until they got to know him (a process that took several wild-eyed seasons).  Chiu says Pringle would run over his own linemen to bust through a hole of his own making if you didn't get your block for the indestructible CFL Rushing King.

Calvillo says "Iron Mike" didn't even talk to him their first few years in Montreal...but AC sure understood that look in the huddle that growled: "give me the rock again now!"

NFL PICKS

I know, I know, if you've been following the Gazette NFL Pool you know I'm under .500 the first 2 weeks.  But this time I've got it figured out:

WEEK 3 WINNERS: Falcons, Raiders, Titans, Giants, Cards, Patriots, Bucs, Panthers, Seahawks, 49ers, Broncos, Steelers, Colts, Ravens, Packers, Jets.

For the record, here are your CFL winners for the Weekend:
Blue Bombers, Stampeders, Lions and Alouettes.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Can you go from Captain to Persona non grata for your entire league in less than a year?  In the CFL, a week can be an eternity, so I'm not surprised to see likeable Timothy Strickland brought out of forced retirement by the Argos.   But Argo heads are reeling over The Don's latest moves to reopen the Toronto QB controversy.

My sources say some Als are still shaking their heads over the release of Kai Ellis.  GM Jim Popp told CJAD recently the veteran d-end/linebacker and special teams warrior refused to take a pay cut to help keep the Als under the CFL Salary Cap, but other sources close to this team say it was still a shocker to some loyal soldiers on the team, and they were thrilled to a man to see Ellis score his first CFL TD for Winnipeg to spoil Don Mathews' return to the sidelines in Toronto.

VETERANS JOIN YOUNGSTERS FOR DAY ONE OF ROOKIE CAMP

Newcomers Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay follow the rookies on the ice at the Bell Centre for the start of training camp

Bob Gainey Goes With "Plan B" in Robert Lang

Habs' GM says Mats Sundin is no longer on his radar

PATRICK ROY TO HAVE HIS DAY AT THE BELL CENTRE

Canadiens to retire Roy's jersey number 33 Nov. 22nd

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

If you really care about Don Mathews' stress and anxiety levels do you really want to let him anywhere near the Argos, the way they're playing? 

With rumours the Habs may have a player signing to announce this week, I got word from Sundin's agent reconfirming that Mats is over in Barcelona, Spain at a charity poker tournament.  "Who has the better poker face---your or Mats?" I wondered.  "Based on the last few months---Sundin," admits the veteran player agent.

I suggested to Uzooma Okeke that The Don won't have time to impact the Argos' systems by Friday night against the Bombers..."Why not?  He could hit them with a whole new playbook on game-day," roared the future Hall of Fame lineman now scouting Canadian University games this month for the Als.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Wasn't that interesting timing?  I get home from the Als' demolition of the Argos 45-19 to open Friday's mail still sitting on my dresser...and its the order form for Alouette playoff tickets.  Count me in for the Als with homefield advantage at the Eastern Final.

So Mats Sundin was telling the truth to CJAD when he insisted he was NOT coming to Montreal...but I wonder if he already knew Montreal was coming to him?  I can only feel sorry for Bob Gainey, sitting threw two hours of face-to-face indecision.  If the Canadiens' GM could not win a commitment mano-a-mano, I have to believe Sundin won't be playing anywhere close to an NHL rink in 2008.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Mats Sundin plays hockey in Toronto for "Right to Play". Don't it sound more like he should be playing for "Right to Retire"? I said here weeks ago I thought Mats was angling for a January invite to pick up the quest for the Cup. But really Mats...a poker tour of Europe with Borris Becker rather than reporting to training camp? That Ace up your sleeve is looking like a Joker to hockey fans!

Why can't more members of the Montreal media appreciate Saku Koivu for his actions rather than keep dissing him for what he DOESN'T do? Funny how Canadiens management and fellow players had no problem with Kaptain Koivu staying in Finland rather than jet in for the Habs' golf tournament this week...yet some whiners get on #11's case. You don't think its some of the same people upset at him because he doesn't speak "enough French" publicly, do you?

THE NHL's SILLY SEASON: SILLIER THAN USUAL, THANKS TO MATS

Mats Sundin saga goes on...and on...and on...

Rob's NFL picks: Week 5

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

You don't think Christopher Higgins will sue Carey Price do you? After the Habs goalie told me he named his new horse "Chris" after the Canadiens forward who always roughs him up on the ice after victories, I suggested to Higg that he should get naming-rights royalty payments. Higgins immediately shot at Carey "I should also get stud fees!"
"Sorry," the laid-back Cowboy goalie responded cooly, "I've already had him neutered."

It was fun to see the comraderie among the players at Laval-sur-le-Lac Tuesday for the Canadiens Childrens' Foundation golf tournament, but West Islander Doug Scott just wanted to rave about The Goal-line Stand. "This is the CFL---you HAVE TO make a yard when you have 3 shots at it." Scott's been in his share of battles of the trenches and tells me the refs would constantly let players sneak a toe into the one-yard neutral zone, unlike Mark Estelle's case against the Lions.

I've got a huge green streak, so I love what Montreal businessman and philanthropist Herbert Black did to "recycle" Guy Carbonneau's lucky playoff tie. The wildly coloured Hermes silk birthday present from Carbo's wife finally sold at auction for a staggering $100,000. Truth is Mr. Black didn't even want the tie. When bidding was stalled at $55,000, he offered a $75,000 matching donation if either of the bidders locked in battle took it to the dizzying heights of $75-K. With genourosity stagnating at $60,000, Black--the King of Recycle and Re-use thinking at American Metal and Iron--said "I'll take the tie---here's $100,000." As the Canadiens' auctioneer said: "It's only money."

CAREY PRICE DIET PLAN: You can lose 20-25 pounds in months if you cut out midnight chocolate bars. That's the secret Carey told me of his summer regimen. He also cut down on his other guilty pleasure: chili cheese-dogs.
That and working out fulltime in Calgary with a trainer recommended by his younger cousin, a Florida Panthers draft pick. Price is also related to NHL veteran and perennial World Hockey Championships Team Canada star Shane Doan. Let's hope you're always too deep into the playoffs to join Cousin Shane, Carey!

SMALL WORLD DEPARTMENT: I welcomed a bidder from a recent A.L.S. Society gala to the CJAD broadcast booth on Friday. Louis Desjardins mentioned that he played defense for the Universite' de Sherbrooke team when Larry Smith was with Bishops. "Did you hit him hard?" I asked. "Larry should remember one hit," Louis suggested proudly. Well Mr. President? "Against Sherbrooke I think Coach apologized to me because he pulled me at halftime. I'd already rushed for 220 yards. I don't remember getting hit." Way to go, Prez!

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

It's been six years since Ben Cahoon had a game without a catch---100 consecutive regular season games when he grabs a pass from Calvillo against the Lions---but what's even more impressive?  I can't remember Ben ever running out of bounds these past six years.

So how did a 10-year old blind boy from Hampstead become Cahoon's special motivation against BC?  Gregory Krychman was a CJAD Sports Intern for a day on the eve of the game and requested an interview with the rugged pass-catcher.  Ben graciously agreed to answer questions and then after the mic was off, promised Greg he'd give him the football if Calvillo hit Ben with a TD pass. 

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Wanna win at Russian Roulette?  Kindly pass the gun to someone else.  The Als have beaten the Tiger-Cats, Blue Bombers and Argos in succession putting each opposing head coach on the firing line.  I won't be surprised if the Argos' Rich Stubler is the first to take a bullet.  As one CFL player puts it..."he's pulled a Rust (defensive genius who "lost the room" in 2001) and the Argos room is in chaos."

 

West Islander Scott Flory is adamant about stopping the NFL threat to the CFL.  "I'd have a Canadian flag tattoo-ed  to my butt...if I believed in tattoos," says the likeable lineman.  "I'm one of the few Alouettes born in Canada and schooled in football in Canada and I want my kids to grow up on the CFL.  I want the league bigger and stronger 100 years from now."  We stand on guard with thee, Scott.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Talk about the No Fun League!  The NFL snufs out voyeurism and international spying?  Why am I not surprised.  When the NFL "made history" on the eve of the Als Argos battle for first place in the CFL East, giant Bills banners covered over what we used to call the Skydome Hotel.   No scoring in that redzone I guess!  Maybe they were more worried about Bellichick's video hitsquads crossing into Canada.

The only times I've had police at my house, Lachine's finest proved themselves to be empathetic, level-headed and helpful. So I can't imagine the anger frustration and fear felt by Montreal Alouettes Mark Estelle and Alain Kashama that evening leading up to an Als playoff game when the ugly minority within The Force hurled racial taunts from under the cowardly cover of a presumed language barrier. A Quebecois version of n-word was jabbed at them, because the stooges figured if they were hastling two guys getting into a vehicle with U.S. plates they could get away with it. What were the odds one of their victims was former property of the Chicago Bears and a proud native of Congo, who understood their stupidities.

Kashama and Estelle's case was on my mind again after the Montreal North riots, because here was what the facts may one day show to be a gross example of police overkill that was swept under the rug. And if police had dealt seriously with the issues in "the Burgs" maybe they would have learned something before things got way out of hand in another part of the city.

Reknowned Montreal lawyer Raphael Schacter tells me the delays in the Als case have been perplexing and vexing and altogether unnecessary. In a matter of days we may finally learn that a special prosecutor in Quebec will allow charges of assault to be filed against the officers who pointlessly put the fear into Kashama and Estelle. It should never have taken this long. And when a community seeks justice the failure of the Police Disciplinary Committee to act until after a court case decision only smacks to me of cover-up or neglect.

The fine men and women of our police force I'm sure are embarrassed too, and they are not served by seeing the stooges in their midst sheltered.

The Buffalo Bills are no threat to Canadian Culture. This I can assure you after witnessing the "History in the Making" kickoff to the Bills Toronto series. Ted Rogers, who knows how to make a buck or several billion, made it a gouge-fest without the Super Bowl hoopla. Philion and I sat in the first row of the endzone during the first quarter. Some fans paid more than $200 for those seats! Most in the same section were given theirs for free to help paper the house. "Toronto's Team" in the NFL turns out to be the Steelers who lost to Buffalo on the eve of the Als game.

No, none of your Alouettes were at the NFL game...no chance to catch up with a few homies or college teammates. Head Coach Marc Trestman called another 9PM team meeting on the eve of the game---"he seems to like doing that when we're in big cities," observes one CFL vet.

While veterans in several struggling CFL cities are nervous, Als experienced warhorses can rest assured they don't face the Week 9 Axe. CFL teams are stuck paying 6-year vets they release after week 9, which happens to coincide with NFL cuts. GM Jim Popp, AGM Marcel Desjardins and super-scout Uzooma Okeke have all been scouring NFL camps for talent and the Als secret neg list will be loaded and reloaded to the 35-man max, but only a few extra players are allowed on the practise roster down the stretch run to the playoffs.

Mats Sundin taking the opening faceoff for the Habs this season? Right after a 7-year old Chinese girl belts out the anthem.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Should the Als be embarrassed about 4-0 vs. the Blunder Bombers and the Pussy-Cats while being 0-3 against the ROCFL? (rest of the CFL)  Not a chance.  The Als  defense is gelling.  Special teams have turned the corner with Larry Taylor on returns and some headbangers like Shea Emry and Paul Woldu.  And the offense now has dual-action AC....that stands for Anthony Calvillo AND Avon Cobourne.   AC's started the season with td passes in 7 straight games (a personal best to start a season though his record is td passes in 15 straight games back in 2003).  My father and father-in-law are lucky enough to have seen some of The Rifle's exploits in the 50's...he's still got the CFL record...34 straight games with td passes....over 3 seasons!

Eric Wilson is my kind of d-tackle...off the field: fun-loving guy, popular in the room. On the field, a Philion-style don't be shy about taking a hard clean hit at a qb. It was fun to see him make his first career interception in the city where he began his cfl career---the Peg'.  Wilson (I call him the Winnebego when he lines up at fullback) insists he could have had his first td too---claims he was wide open in the endzone on the play before Adrian McPherson squeeked in from the 1.  Now tell me Eric--is it your speed or your moves that got you so open?

No the Als do NOT have Broadway Brett on their secret Neg List of rights to American players. So don't be expecting the Jets' qb star to be heading north after he storms Manhattan ( well, the Meadowlands swamp anyway).

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Would your wife put up with you going back to work little more than 12 hours after the birth of your son?  I know Mrs. M's answer!  But then again, she wasn't raised in a football family like Ashley Smith and Mrs. M isn't married to a pro football player (though I did survive a year goofing off at practise with the Bishop Whelan Spartans of Lachine in Grade 10 circa '76).

Congrats to Ashley and Damon Duval on the birth of their second son Hunter who apparently has some of Grandad's fullback in him given the 9-pound, 2-ounce birthweight!  He should be ready for the Canadian draft in 2029 and from Larry to Brad to Hunter, that could be 3 generations of Smith family Alouettes.  I'd love to see it.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Isn't it wonderful when fathers and sons can appreciate one another?  Scotty Bowman accepts a job so he can be with his son Stan in Chicago on the same day severe heart attack survivor Jeff Trestman savours his son Marc's win at Molson Stadium.  Thankfully the Als didn't put too much stress on Mr. Trestman during his first visit to Montreal. 

If Damon Duval breaks a window at the Montreal Neuro by blasting a CFL record 75-yard field goal some day, will he have to pay for the repairs?  After hitting from 50 and 51 yards out toward the west endzone against the Tiger-Cats, Duval may want to check his damage insurance.  He had room to spare on both his long distance connections and Moffat predicts he'll stop traffic on Parc some day kicking one over the east endzone.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Unless you've seen Mats Sundin at the Ikea near the 40, or I see him myself in the crowd trying to be inconspicuous at Jarry Tennis Stadium, don't you have a hard time believing #13 is coming here?  If he's choosing the Canadiens 'cuz he thinks they've got a shot at the Cup, why didn't he think that way at Trade Deadline and get here?  Or did he and Mr. Gainey and Leaf counterpart Cliff Fletcher (another proud Lachine native I might add) just couldn't get it done?

Laval's Stephanie Dubois impressed her coach Simon Larose the most with her emotional toughness during her big upset win over the #20 ranked player in the world.   Maria Kirilenko tried in vain to block out the adoring crowd at Centre Court, but failed.  Buy your own earplugs, Maria.  Maybe they got a build-your-own set at Ikea? And if you see Mats Sundin there, will you call me?

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

How many Swedish trout do you have to catch before you decide you don't want $20-mill from the Canucks?  In Vancouver, Canuckle-heads are still baffled that Sundin isn't falling for the pull of the Olympic Home Ice Advantage, let alone the mad gobs of krohn.  Canadiens fans are wondering if it could really be the angst of facing the Leafs all those times that has him refusing Mr. Gainey's offer.  I have to wonder if Mats really just wants to pull a Stanley Cup sleeper-cell trick like Selanne did last season.  "Call me in January and I'll help you get to the Finals."

I thought the Als were more than patient with Jason Armstead.  Head Coach Marc Trestman wanted to give a veteran one more chance on field (Regina) that can deliver some of the more extreme kick-return conditions in the league.  CJAD's Ed Philion noted that blocking wedges against the Roughriders were set up straight ahead--forcing Armstead to stop dancing nowhere.  Instead the speedster who's now run away from opportunities in 3 CFL cities in less than a full calender year has likely played his last game unless someone else is that desperate.

Good luck Larry Taylor, Christmas has come early for you.  The rookie from U Conn (where he met former Alouette O'Neill Wilson, a Toronto native) was a Christmas present for Jim Popp over the winter.  Popp (you may knock him as a coach but he's still a workaholic GM) is on Christmas vacation in North Carolina and decides to take in a college bowl game with his brother.  Popp's shivering in the cold and this tiny but ripped return guy runs one back for a td.  Popp immediately calls Assistant GM Marcel Desjardins and says 'get him on the neg list!' (that's the secret talent lists CFL teams must file to league headquarters for exclusive rights on American talent).  Desjardins chuckles---he was watching the same game and had already made note of Taylor's feats.

Kai Ellis says after the birth of his first child this winter he no longer had time to spend 7 hours a day at the gym.  Really?!  Any Dad stumbling through Fairview pushing a stroller could have warned you, Kai!  Ellis is a fitness freak whose body hasn't produced the impact on the field, in part because of nagging injuries.  But maybe returned to his natural position--defensive end---he'll have more of an impact than at MLB where he job-shared last season.  Somewhere in Washington State, his tae kwan do opponents may be relieved he's got to spend more time with his daughter this winter, too.

Tony Proudfoot is a special guest of the ALS Society of BC and the Rosedale on Robson Hotel this week.  They'll have Tony in their suite at the Als game Friday night, where he'll sit with his former teammate Wayne Conrad.   Bidding is at $6500.00 for the 1977 Grey Cup Championship ring and game-worn jersey of Wayne's---a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for a collector or Als fan, so please e-mail me if you want in on the bidding at last minute.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

So how many wins does it take to prove you're a genius?  Two wins and Marc Trestman had Als fans on the cusp of declaring him the next Marv Levy.  But after a frustrating loss to Calgary, it appears Chris Jones, the former D-coordinator who thought he would land the head-coaching job here, outwitted Trestman and Milanovich (the OC with the Als).   We've said it before--Trestman is walking in Marv Levy's footsteps--NFL guy who becomes rookie head coach in Canada.   And wouldn't you know it, they both won their first two games with Montreal before suffering the sting of a loss.   Like Coach Levy, Coach Trestman will only be better for it.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

"CANADIENS SIGN MOMMA'S BOY!?" Ok, so after landing legit thug Georges Laraque this headline may not scream, but Josh Gorges at less than a Mill for each of the next 3 years is more in Bob We Trust.  The Habs' most-improved defenseman this past season tells my good friend Ric Peterson that he'll probably buy his Mom a new sportscar to celebrate his new deal.  He's ticked that Dad, who owns a few DQ stores in Kelowna, BC won't come up with a Gorges-inspired ice cream flavour.

 

I've been thinking of getting a Thunder-Monkey tatoo, but I have to reconsider now after studying the major works of art on the arms of Danny Desriveaux (Montreal native but raised in Laval) and Alain Kashama.  Kash has a map of Africa with leopard's spots and a C for Congo to represent his family's roots and the animal that inspired their name.  Desriveaux has a map of Haiti with his parents' home cities marked, and a football in between the numbers 514 and 450 marking his local flav.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?

Isn't it strange that the Habs' big free agent signing is bigger than the Als' new middle linebacker?  Whether you lust most for a Stanley Cup and a Grey Cup in the same season, you have to be impressed with Georges "The Bash" Laraque and the way lightweight Dwayne Taylor has become the Monster in the Middle of the Als defense. 

MLB's are supposed to spit fire when they're not chewing up and spitting out opposition runningbacks and quarterbacks, but Taylor is a lightweight at the position.  And after missing all last season, was flying around with reckless abandon while blotting out any fears his arm might fall off.

Rick Moffat's Stoopd Question of the Day

Did you really expect the Als Offense to progress so quickly from from Dunk’n’Dink to Slam Dunk?

Nobody remembers the first line of Lord of the Rings or War and Peace, so we can quickly forget the first play from scrimmage of the Marc Trestman Era Playbook, a truly epic work.  All kinds of motion, as secretly foretold by Anthony Calvillo, who was looking like a chocaholic ice-cream addict headed to Wild Willie’s just reviewing his extensive play menu the morning of the Als’ 2008 season kickoff. 

 

But for all the waggling and misdirection from the Als receivers, Play No. 1 boiled down to a quick toss to Laval-native Danny Desriveaux who was quickly blasted to the turf.   The flames launching up from Stelco must have looked like the Hellfires of Kuwait from Desriveaux’s view.  That is if he could see passed the Tweetie Birds and the stars circling his head after the first serious contact of the Happy Football New Year.  Dink’n’dunk they call those little short junk passes that may pad your completion stats, but won’t get you to the endzone in any hurry.

 

But the Trestman playbook has many chapters, and many twists of plot and formation for an experienced and studious quarterback like Anthony Calvillo.  He proved to be a voracious reader of the Trestman “phone-book” and soon was carving up the Ti-Cats defense and in a town where AC was booed mercilessly during his own stint in Hamilton, moved to #2 alltime in CFL passing yards with a near flawless performance. 

 

Calvillo is a man on a mission this season.   He told CJAD’s Ed Philion, his former teammate and the true Grey Cup MVP of 2002, that his wife Alexia’s battle against cancer has inspired him with a greater appreciation for the love of the game.   AC’s love of family and community has never been in question. 

 

No surprise to me that AC’s re-inspired play also will benefit the city that he has come to love and call home.  After spending too much time over the offseason at the 7^th floor of the Royal Vic, he’s vowing to refurbish the Family Room there.  For every touchdown pass Calvillo throws, he’s donating $100.00 (CJAD’s Kids Fund matches his donations and invites YOU to make a pledge as well) to the job of making that place I hope you never have to visit just a little brighter and more comforting for families in need of a lift. 

 

That Trestman playbook cost Anthony $200 bucks.  But a convincing win to get the rookie head coach his first ice-dunking by game end, and polishing your Hall of Fame stats (more irony in that the Hall is a short drive from Ivor Wynne, and Hamilton will again have to swallow the fact it dropped Calvillo for nothing on waivers ten years ago)….priceless.

 

West Islander Brian Chiu and Vaudreuil resident Paul Lambert happily led the dunking brigade with a direct hit on Trestman to celebrate the win in Steeltown.  More delicious irony since O-line has paid the highest physical price of their toughest camp ever at Fort St. Jean and a grueling pre-season.  Trestman’s new playbook looks like a CFL besteller, but it doesn’t fly if the Great Wall of Mount Royal doesn’t keep Calvillo looking downfield, rather than down at the turf, or worse, flat on his back looking up at the sky.

 

Props to K-Wat…Kerry Watkins and the receivers have so many formation variations on each play to learn, that they barely had a chance to plot out any endzone celebrations.  After being mobbed by a hustling o-line on his first td, Watkins thankfully had a 2^nd chance to show off his creativity, forming a circle with his fellow pass-catchers and playing “hot potato” with the football after his second TD of the game.  “Just thought of it right before the anthem,” says Watkins, who was among the Als players forced to rehearse their playbook choreography in the hotel parking lot on the morning of gameday.  That had some CFL vets I talked to wondering ‘if they don’t know their plays by gameday, how will a parking lot practise help them?’  But if superstition rules, the offense may have to get used to finding more parking lots on gameday.  And saving their endzone celebration planning for gametime.

Rick Moffat's Stoop'd Question of the Day

Doesn't Bob Gainey want to borrow Maxwell Smart's Cone of Silence?  Remember when the GM worked the backrooms and flashed his brilliance in secret, away from the prying microphones of the media?  If you've heard a Habs rumour, it has under Bob We Trust had to be false by definition...the man doesn't do rumours.  So why just months after openly admitting he was courting a power forward at trade deadline and failing to land Hossa, is Mr. Gainey admitting he had the inside track on Sundin?

Could Mr. Gainey be playing the hearts and minds of Montrealers to make some media waves heard all the way back to Sweden?   Is this open effort doomed to fail like the Hossa talks with the Thrashers?  Or will the Habs have the perfect cover for getting the longtime Leafs' captain AFTER Toronto would be deserving of compensation?  My get tells me Sundin is headed to the Rangers, but then again, none of you expected Tanguay on Draft Day, did you!

Rick Moffat's Playoff Question of the Day

Any worries now that Coach Trestman has pulled off an Alouettes' coaching first....first never to win a pre-season game (since the team was reborn in '96)?  Not on your 3-down life.   While Don Mathews invoked his balls-to-the-wall,win at all costs approach even in his first exhibition(ist) games on the Als' sideline, Trestman's studious method to the talent-evaluation madness may have cost a meaningless game, but will pay off come regular season.

Trestman may be driving his players hard with more meetings, rules and regs than the veterans are used to, but he's driving his assistants equally hard. Is he a closet Maoist? The work-camp ethic also revealed an egalitarian streak on the flight home from Winnipeg...no coaches were upgraded to First-class seats as in some previous years, with Trestman and his confidantes scattered among the players.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Is there anything like a good axe-wielding massacre to get survivors to rally together?  Some coaches think so, and love to have a shocking cut of a veteran to give that 'off with their heads, now the rest of you follow me' approach to a new season.   Remember The Don pronouncing Lawrence Phillips his starter over Mike Pringle (who in Reggie Jackson 'straw that stirs the drink'-style told me he was "the baker who baked the Alouettes' cake").  Marc Trestman doesn't strike me as a lumberjack though.   More like a laser surgeon.   He is thorough, detailed, and hands on, but he's not into shock doctrine. 

Don't be disappointed if the Canadiens fail to trade up in the draft.  Trevor Timmins has Bob Gainey's complete confidence to make something happen wherever they select in the draft.   Last time in Ottawa, Timmins shocked many by taking a strapping young goalie who's father was bursting with enthusiasm.   Carey Price was funny and glib on draft day (far more engaging than his rookie season scrums) while Dad Jerry, a former Flyers' draft pick was beside himself with joy.  All those long flights in their bush-plane to hockey tournaments had paid off.  And Carey's Dad instantly saw the process coming full circle for its NHL landing...he'd been coached at his only NHL camp by Canadiens' Hall of Fame legend Jacques Plante during the Bernie Parent era.

Dave Mudge of the Als is taking a summer course toward his MBA at McGill.   On the Als' first roadtrip out to Winnipeg for 2008 I asked him what's thicker?  Your Industrial Relations textbook or the new Als' Playbook?  "No question...the playbook's thicker than the phonebook."

I finally got around to watching that wild Bob Dylan flick on DVD, where he's  played by various actors and an actress.   When Dylan's portrayed by a little boy who jumps into a boxcar, the voice you hear talks about "hobos and no-bos'.  It struck me that in some regards, the CFL pre-season is full of Football Hobos and Nobos.  Witness Chris Jennings, who failed to impress the BC Lions in a tryout camp in Vegas recently, but still go a workout just two weeks ago with the Cleveland Browns.  He was hoping he might soon be on a level playing field with his buddies from West Virginia--NFL stars Randy Moss and Troy Brown--the Browns like what they saw of this speedy runningback and asked him to sit tight.  But Jennings then got a call from Assistant GM Marcel Desjardins and soon was rambling north.  

 

 

 

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Do you think Marc Trestman can teach Old Dogs some new tricks?  Or is he trying to shut out the Just For Laughs Festival?   Alouettes players are surprised their annual Rookie Show has been cancelled.  Ok so maybe it wasn't Comedy Festival yukfest, but it was a night when the players blew off some steam, made fun of their teammates and especially their coaches.   But the tradition dies at Fort St. Jean.  Coach Trestman wants players focused on their new playbooks, not trying to memorize their skits before they straggle back at curfew. 

Can't say as I blaim the New Guy.   Veteran players are impressed with how hard they're being pushed, and the last vestiges of the Don Mathews era "players coach" regimen is being beaten out of them.   Old dogs are learning new tricks?  They're barking at Fort St. Jean and take it out on the Argos Thursday night, live on CJAD 800.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Want another good reason to cheer for the Wings?  Mike Babcock proud McGill alum has another connection to a venerable Montreal institution.   The Detroit bench-boss sent a video testimonial to Selwyn House hockey coach Tom Nicoll at the Westmount school's recent Athletics Banquet.  Tom is a diehard Wings fanatic and was presented a signed Stevie Y jersey (what else?!)  Nice touch Torrey Mitchell, who played for Selwyn House before hitting the NHL.   He was on hand, but also recorded a video-clip where he skates through the San Jose' Sharks jaws and thanks Coach Tom for his contributions to Mitchell's success.   Torrey then vows to take it to the Wings at his next opportunity.   Too bad that didn't come in the playoffs, young Mr. Mitchell!

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Can you still respect an elite NHL coach if you've cleaned his teeth?  You may know him as Dr. Jay, West Island dentist, but Jay McMullan is former defense partner with Detroit Coach Mike Babcock, and he's thrilled the coach is going to his lucky tie for Game 1 against the Penguins.   McMullan tells me, tongue planted firmly in cheek, he knew Babcock would go on to a career in coaching cuz he was always making comments and trying to coach him during their playing days!   Doc McMullan was part of a McGill alumni group from the Redmen that visited Babcock when the Ducks went to the Stanley Cup final but they didn't bring any luck...the Devils won that game.   Better luck this time Dr. Jay, and don't forget to pack YOUR McGill tie.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Don't you love the fact the Gainey Foundation is bringing a feeling of togetherness for June 24th  like Montreal's never seen before?   If you heard Great Big Sea  sing Oh Canada on Gainey Jersey Retirement Night, then you know are anthem ROCKS as a drinking song!

The pride of Pointe-Claire Tony Proudfoot is back from ALS Society-Canada Lobby Day on Parliament Hill. CJAD's Alouettes expert and former CFL Allstar was keen to meet Ken Dryden (rare are the meetings between men who enjoyed Stanley Cup parades and Grey Cup parades in the same year!) and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion, but Tony drew the particular attention of Bob Rae, the former Ontario premier. Turns out Mr. Rae is a longtime family friend of the Uteck's...Tony's former teammate Larry Uteck also fought Lou Gehrig's Disease so bravely for so many years. In a cruel coincidence, Tony and Larry were roommates one year in the '70's.  I only wish Tony could have brought his old helmet, shoulder pads and staple gun and knock some more sense into our politicians.

Remember flamboyant Alouettes linebacker Duane Butler? "The Freak", as his teammates called him, just called me to let me know he's hoping to recruit about 10 serious high-school or CEGEP level football players for a special camp led by Butler and about a dozen other former US college and NFL players. Just e-mail me, and I'll make sure you get all the info, because Duane's coming back to Montreal next week. Please note, the camp is being held in Detroit, so it does require some travel.

Sure the Russians were showing Ovechkin-esque enthusiasm standing at their bench for the final minutes of a 4-0 semi-final win against Finland at the World Hockey Championships, and yes I know the Russians advanced to the gold medal showdown without losing a game, but that still does NOT excuse them for embarrassing Alex Kovalev publicly by dissing him for being "too slow." No Alex couldn't beat Alexander the GR8 in a foot-race or a rush end-to-end, but he surely could have contributed. Then again, maybe the Canadiens are lucky some in the French Press were denied the opportunity to hype a Kovalev vs. Koivu confrontation on ice!

Hope you weren't getting on Bob Gainey for Ribeiro racking up all those points in the early rounds of your playoff pool? How did you like that swing Mickey Ribs took at Osgood? Looks to me like El  Amigo wouldn't even land a job with Mr. Hicks' other team the Rangers. That's Texas Rangers, I mean. Funny how Osgood went down like he was shot, eh? I don't think Pamela Anderson has a chest inflated like that.

Rick Moffat's Stoopid Question of the Day

Do you really think Mark Streit will pass up $1-2 million dollars because his girlfriend's a Montrealer?   Do you really think anyone in the NHL gives "hometown discounts" anymore?  Don't you wish proud Montrealer Jason Pominville was playing for Team Canada at Worlds?   I guess if you can handle a few years living in Buffalo you deserve American citizenship.  Think Saku should ask his kid brother to come to Montreal, so we'd have two brother combos playing at the same time?  If AK Bars Kazan really wanted to sign Andrei Kostitsyn, you'd think they'd make a wild offer to Sergei as well!  Don't you think Brian Smolinski should move on, or Patrice Brisebois announce his retirement, or Michael Ryder sign with the Bruins?

IT'S OVER

Canadiens lose four in a row for the first, and last, time this season

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

After selling out every single game this season, after all the astounding comebacks the Canadiens pulled off this season (see: Comeback of the Century vs. Rangers), why on earth did thousands start leaving the Bell Centre after the 5th Flyers' goal?  Thankfully the mass brain-cramp ended and Habs fans gave one last rousing chorus of "Ole', Ole', Ole'" before a standing ovation at game-end for a team that flew so high so fast, it's wings melted and singed before hitting the sun. 

Mike Komisarek made one of the best plays of the night, when after the Flyers and Canadiens shook hands and Habs congregated back at centre ice for a wave of the sticks to the crowd, the rugged defenseman gave one last face-wash to Carey Price...forcing the downhearted rookie to raise his chin, and leave the ice head held high.

DECISION TO GO WITH HALAK IN GAME FOUR A GUTSY ONE

Game-day musings heading into game five tonight at the Bell Centre

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Shouldn't Martin Biron now be formally named Police Cheif of Montreal?   He's done more to quiet the streets after games than anyone else!  While we're at it, if you get demoted for putting the Habs' logo up on a firestation window, does that mean our Mayor would promote you if you put up the Flyers' logo?  Carey Price admits he must have a little bit of "Flyers blood" in him, since his Dad Jerry was drafted by the Flyers back in the day, and Carey's junior coach was a former Flyer.   But did you know the Lac St. Louis Lions have some Flyer Blood too?   Moose Dupont's son is coaching.   Moose's daugher I'm told, is a Mountie.   Now that's irony!  

NEW GOALTENDER, SAME RESULT FOR THE CANADIENS

Halak can't turn the tide as Flyers pull ahead 3-1 in series

CARBO KEEPS CARDS CLOSE TO VEST FOLLOWING GAME THREE LOSS

Carey Price gets vote of confidence from Carbo and Rollie -- but no official word from The Coach for Game Four tomorrow night

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

The Flyers took out Carey Price, with the trash Monday.  A gauntlet of about six Philly players lined up to get in Price's way and hit him with some trash-talk as he left the ice at the Wachovia Centre trailing 3-0 after 40 minutes.  Most polite suggestions?  "Don't use up all the hot water", "welcome to the city of brotherly love, not goalie love", "how's the sunburn on the back of the neck."  But I don't want to hear any of you jumping off the Cowboy's bandwagon.   Even with this loss that sets the Canadiens down 2-1 in games,  Price on the Emotional Rebound is still 7-2 in starts after losses since his February recall from the farm.  Three of 7 wins by shutout.  If I'm coaching the Habs, I'm still coming back with Carey in Game 4, not Jaroslav Halak. 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE FLYERS IN GAME TWO

Flyers  head to Philly with a split, beating the Canadiens 4-2 in Game Two

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

With the City turned on for a chance to go up 2-0 in games on the Flyers, Carey Price has to go and issue the appeal for calm in Hockeyville.  The lowkey Cowboy goalie hits a lowpoint in the playoffs, letting in 4 goals he usually stops, including 2 Flyers goals on the first 5 shots he faces.  That will take the steam out of the fans and do more than 100 riot cops to quiet down Ste. Catherine Street.  Thankfully Carey is strong on the emotional rebound.   7-1 since his recall to the Canadiens in February in starts after losses.   Watch for Carey to be at his best in Games 3 and 4 in Philly.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Do you REALLY think you can win your Hockey Pool with MY help?  You asked.

CANADIENS VS. FLYERS:  Habs in 5.  The Philly defense corps would be the NHL's best charity basketball team but they won't be able to keep up with the speed of the Canadiens' Special-K's---Koivu+Higgins or the Kostitsyns for that matter.

PENGUINS VS. RANGERS:  It really is Crosby's time.  Already.  Michel Therrien got my 2nd place vote for Coach of the Year (I think you can guess who won my 1st place vote).  The Rangers may be emotionally spent from knocking off their Jersey rivals,   Penguins in 6.

CANADIENS GO TO OVERTIME FOR GAME 1 WIN OVER FLYERS

A special night for Special K's

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Does anybody really think that Carbo lucky tie looks good?   Looks more like a roadmap to me.  Then again, are you surprised UFC champ "GSP" has been asked to record an appeal for non-violent playoff celebrations?  Sounds like asking Chris Nilan to start peace talks between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese to me.

I hope no-one gets on Kovalev's politically incorrect refusal to join the BuzzCut Boys.  Asked if he'd get the Mohawk cut that's the rage in the Canadiens dressing room, Alex said "we can't all be Indians, someone's gotta be cheifs."  Alex, you score a pair every night, you can wear your hair in a '70's 'fro like Larry Robinson for all we care.  I just don't like Mark Streit hiding behind AK-27, by telling CJAD he'll cut his if Alex does.

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Will Dan Briere have to borrow industrial strength ear-plugs from the ground crews at Trudeau Airport when he hits the ice at the Bell Centre for games 1&2 of Round 2?  Briere is the new villain for the Habs fans to jeer everytime he touches the puck.  Zdeno Chara was a Bruins' villain of convenience.   Some Canadiens fans seem to take Briere's percieved free agency snub of Montreal personally, and the verbal abuse will go to the next level.  

Frankly I would have preferred to see the Canadiens versus the Rangers in Round 2, even though the Habs only won 1 of 4 against Jagr and company.  Why? Cuz that would have kept alive my favorite Round  3 dramatics---Cristobal and Ovechkin matching up against their good buddies Andrei Markov and Carey Price, among others.

One more stupid question: If Philly is the city of Brotherly Love, will the Kostitsyn Brothers keep tearing it up on the Plekanec line?

BE LISTENING GAME 1 THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:45 ON CJAD 800, WITH GAME 2 SATURDAY FROM THE BELL CENTRE AS WELL.

HABS THUMP BRUINS 5-0 TO TAKE GAME 7

Coach Carbo's line juggling puts Kostitsyn Brother act together, paying huge dividends

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Did Guy Carbonneau just prove you never Hermes with success?  Carbo goes back to his lucky designer tie from Mrs. Coach, and the Habs are 3-0 at the Bell Centre in postseason with that tie.   All due respect to Carbo, I still wouldn't wear it.  But hey, maybe you have to have some Stanley Cup rings in your jewelry collection to pull off that look!

Didn't I tell you Carey Price was strong on the Emotional Rebound.  I don't fault him for the Game 6 loss, not for any one of those 5 goals the Bruins pored in against shaky defense and little support in the Habs zone from the Kovalev line.   And here in Game 7, is Carey Price stoning the Bruins who had the best scoring chances in the 1st period, and some more tough ones in the 2nd BEFORE the Canadiens broke it open.   Shots were 11-4 Bruins at one point in the first, but the Habs had the 1-0 lead.

SEVENTH HEAVEN? WE'LL FIND OUT TONIGHT!

Bruins edge Habs 5-4 in Game 6 to force Game 7 tonight

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

"It's only déjà vu if it happens again," Claude Julien theorized even before Game 6 about the possibility of becoming the first Bruins coach to rally a Boston team from a 3-1 deficit, just 4 years after becoming the first Canadiens coach to do it.  Now its deja voodoo.  Or 7^th Heaven?  I can assure you the Canadiens would forego all the added revenue from hosting a Game 7 Monday for having finished off the Bruins. 

Next time you hear someone refusing to pay utmost respect to the captain, remind them of his performance in Boston.  His foot still fractured, Koivu wins the opening faceoff, 5-0 on the draws in the first period, and sets up not one but two goals, elevating Christopher Higgins and Sergei Kostitsyn in his wake.  And everyone whose ever been inspired by Saku through a cancer treatment had to gulp like I did at the first sight of seeing him bald-headed to join the BuzzCut Boys (Saku won't reveal who did his lid, but I suspect Josh Gorges).  "Is Mrs. Koivu fine with this look? I asked shortly after the sheers were put away?  "She hasn't seen it yet, smiled the captain.  Captain with a Capital C...I did the math homework---check this out!   Saku Koivu's career points per PLAYOFF game .837.  Hockey Hall of Famer Henri Richard .716. 

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day

Feeling like your lover let you down, Habs fans?  Get over it.  You caught your lover flirting with disaster, but not cheating on you.  Forgive and move on.   Here's why the Canadiens will still finish off the Bruins and you won't have to put a white flag on your car to replace the bleu, blanc rouge:

*Carey Price on the "emotional rebound".  I know, this assumes he has emotions.   You're thinking "if he's so good handling the puck, how come his first playoff assist came on a Bruins' goal!?"  No worries.  The rookie's an ice cold 6-0 in starts after losses since February.  If this 20-year old were a mood-ring, he'd be see-through.   But he's not old enough to remember mood-rings, is he?   Carey says he should never be compared to Patrick Roy, so I'll compare him to Ken Dryden.   Number 29 was fried for 7 goals by the Bruins in Game 5 to give the Bruins a 3-2 Series lead.  GM Sam Pollock stuck with the lanky, laid-back netminder.  Dryden's teammates still have the rings to prove it.

BRUINS SEND THIS ONE TO BOSTON FOR A GAME SIX

Sense of urgency creeping into Habs game

CANADIENS ON THE VERGE OF CLINCHING

Habs beat B's 1-0 in Game 4, setting up series-clinching scenario Thursday Night

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the D-AY

If a Cowboy goalie struggles to strum a Johnny Cash tune in his lonely hotel room, does anybody hear?  Carey Price says he's not coordinated enough to play a musical instrument, but he recently headed to a Montreal landmark--Steve's Music--and bought himself an acoustic guitar.  "I'm learning the 3 chords of the intro to Johnny Cash's 'Hurt', but then I'll  have to learn the rest of the song,", shrugs the rookie netminder from the BC Interior.   

"Bet you're roommate's not going to want to put up with that," I suggest in the Canadiens' dressing room in Boston.   "Wait til he hears me sing," warns Price, who later confesses its a moot point for now because he's been given his own room during the playoffs, a status usually reserved for NHL veterans with 600+ games.   Let me remind Carey has 44 games under his belt including playoffs.

NO DENYING BRUINS IN GAME 3

Habs down to a 2-1 series lead after Bruins take Game 3 in O.T.

Rick Moffat's Stupidd Question of the Day

Know who scored the last game-winning overtime goal for the Canadiens against Boston in a playoff?  He witnessed Alex Kovalev's sniper-duty at the Bell Centre in Game 2.   It was Canadiens Assistant Coach Kirk Muller, back in '94.   Oddly enough, in Bruins-Habs battles, the last 3 games before Kovalev's heroics, an overtime gamewinner produced Emotional Hangover, not Emotional Rescue to the OT winners.   They dropped the next game.  Check it out---it happened twice to the Bruins back in 2004 when Boston had OT winners, but then the Habs had gut-check time and rallied to win the next game.

CANADIENS SURVIVE GAME TWO SCARE TO GO UP 2-0 AGAINST BRUINS

Boston Bruins take the Habs to overtime before Kovalev rips winner

Rick Moffat's Stoopd Kuestion of the Playoff Day

What would Guy Carbonneau rather have over a 2-0 lead just 2:02 into a playoff game?  A 2-0 lead with 2:02 to go of course.  Because the Canadiens lost some momentum after the Kostitsyn Brothers performed their Hommage Mahovlich in Game 1.   Thankfully the Canadiens just keep on hitting and Carey Price just keeps on being Carey Price.  Quality stops when needed.   Quantity of stops when required.

Brian Smolinski and Steve Begin are touched by the "BuzzCut Boys" tribute---Playoff Beards + Bald Heads= Post-season success.   If Kostopoulos and Smo keep scoring, they'll touch off a true men's styling craze.   Get well soon Max Smolinski!   Brian's little boy has been sick lately, too sick for school and wasn't allowed to stay up late to watch Daddy score in Game 1.

CANADIENS DRAW FIRST BLOOD AGAINST BRUINS

Habs beat the Bruins at thier own game -- Lunchbucket Hockey

Rick Moffat's Stupid Playoff Question of the Day

Remember that George Thorogood classic "Get a Haircut and get a Real Job"?  It should be fighting for play in the Canadiens dressing room with "Winning Ugly" by the Stones.   That or one of my and Bugs Bunny's alltime favorites--"The Barber of Seville" by one of my favorite rockers Gioachino Rossini.  Sequestered their first night despite having home ice advantage against Boston, several players at the instigation of Tom Kostopoulos have shaved their heads, even though the playoff beards continue to grow in.  

Josh Gorges, the man with the shears, says the shaved head look brought him good luck in his Junior days when he went to Memorial Cup with the Kelowna Rockets.  "My sister's a hair-dresser so maybe so day I can help her open her own shop," the vastly-improved defenseman says with a mischievous grin.

Rick Moffat's Stoopd Question of the Day

Why is it the most passionate Habs fan in your Office Hockey Pool never wins?  Because flags on cars, face-painting and growing out the playoff beard don't count for anything when you have to be a cold, calculating GM like Bob Gainey or Brian Burke.   But don't worry--I've got your formula for Hockey Pool success, and unlike Brian Burke, you'll be under no pressure to go work for the Leafs! 

DONT DRAFT HABS!  Not because I don't trust them to go far.  Trust that everyone else at your Hockey Pool draft will overpay or take Canadiens players too high.  The Habs scored 34.3 percent of all their goals on the Power-play in regular season (compare that to Ovechkin and Cristobal's Capitals at only 26.8 percent) and we'll see if the refs put the whistles away...Canadiens scoring will be down as well.

CANADIENS' BEASTS OF THE EAST

Habs watch Flyers beat Penguins Sunday to enable Montreal to lock up first place heading into the playoffs

MARK STREIT HABS' UNSUNG HERO. AGAIN.

Canadiens' defenceman/forward award Beauchamp Trophy for the second straight year

Rick Moffat's Sstupid Questionn of the Day

Have you seen the new cover of McLeans?   I really did think it was just another attempt at photo-shop humour, but why can't our national media see the real Hockey Story for the Leafs falling out of the trees again....

SURGING SMOLINSKI SINKS SABRES

Brian Smolinski scores a pair to pace the Canadiens to a 3-1 over the Sabres

CANADIENS CALL UP REINFORCEMENTS FROM HAMILTON

D'AGOSTINI AND STEWART MOVE FROM THE DOGHOUSE TO THE PENTHOUSE 

STUUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY

The view from the top

Canadiens' beat floundering Sens to claim Division title

Saku Koivu has left the building -- on crutches

Canadiens' Captain limps out of the Bell Centre Monday with a broken bone in his left foot.  He will be missed.  The question is: for how long?

Rick Moffat's Stoopidd Kquestion of the Day

SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A COWBOY GOALIE!  CAREY PRICE PROVED SOMETHING TO ME IN GAINING HIS 3RD SHUTOUT OF THE SEASON, AND TRYING ON A CROWN (THO I SUSPECT HE'D PREFER A COWBOY HAT)

Rick Moffat's Stoopid Question of the Da

Remember that Bugs Bunny cartoon when the bowl is sliding from one end of the table to the other, and Bugs finally watches it fall to the floor?  "If it's the captain's mess, let HIM clean it up," says the alltime great wiseacre.   I can't help but think Bryan Murray of the Senators should watch the Looney Tunes classic again.   He's got some Tunes to work out in Ottawa and he's largely responsible for the mess in front of the mesh.  Suffice it to say, I've long gone on record as saying the Habs were better off in goal with Huet and Price than Gerber and Emery.   Now I'd still take Halak and Price over the man who couldn't stop a puck against the Canadiens in the playoffs and a flakey head-case who I said needed Dr. Phil, not the firing of John Paddock. 

I know, I know I called Cristobal Huet to be traded on the Ric Peterson Show, and Murray Wilson called Paddock's firing if the Sens lost to the Bruins after being shut out by the Leafs.   So, what's next for Moff's Psychic Hotline?   Moffat predicts:
*Kovalev will shoot his age...the dream of every golfer...and get to 35 goals before the end of the season.  
*Carey Price will win his first NHL Playoff game and CJAD will play the entire song "SAVE A HORSE RIDE A COWBOY" to celebrate.   Ride a Cowboy Goalie, Carbo!  Ride a Cowboy Goalie.
*Sergei Federov will NOT carry the Capitals into the playoffs.   But Ovechkin and Huet just might!

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the Day?

Are the Canadiens for real?   Are the Patriots STILL the best team ever?  Yes, and Not On Your Dream Date with a Brazilian Super Model!  The Canadiens despite suffering from stage-fright in advance of their clashes with the Senators this week, squandered a 3-0 lead against the Rangers but did not show any serious cracks.   The Senators are another matter.  The Ray Emery situation is waiting for a Dr. Phil Intervention.  Thankfully for the NHL, Dr. Phil's too busy with his own image re-hab in the Britney Affair, and the Canadiens will soon fly by the Senators into first place in the division and Eastern Conference.

As for the Patriots, for all their horrible play selection, still were one dropped interception away from the perfect season.   I still think they were robbed of a fumble recovery by a bad call that didn't even seem to be debated, but the Patriots did NOT deserve to win, and stripped of their historic opportunity, there is no way in the world they should be called the Best Ever in the NFL. 

While I was stuck watching CTV proudly promote Canadian culture by running promos for Dexter the U.S. serial murderer ("David Fisher"  from Six Feet  Under seems as convincing as Lloyd Robertson or Sandy Rinaldo in that role), here's a new ad that is worthy of stirring the pot in the Best Ever NFL debate:

http://www.rbk.com/us/perfectville/

Rick Moffat's Stupid Question of the New Year

Will the Ville de Montreal snow-removal crews have our streets cleared in time for a Stanley Cup Parade?  Are you surprised CJAD listeners agree with me, that Carey Price was a deserving selection as most intriguing personality in the Montreal Sports Universe in 2007?   From his World Junior Gold to the Calder Cup Championship to his debut months with the Montreal Canadiens, Price has been a joy to watch and observe.   The Mountain Man from Anahim Lake knows his place, has a quiet confidence, and do not mistake his laid-back attitude for a lack of competitive fire. 

RICK MOFFAT'S STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY?

Did you really think Jim Popp's days of influence were waning with the Als?  FUGGETABOWDIT!
Alouettes players are buzzing about Marc Trestman, the latecomer to the coaching sweepstakes, but players are talking about him like he's already been officially hired.  One Als' veteran says its great to see the club is not just "recycling" another coach from another CFL outpost: "it's a fresh start, he's got a great pedigree."

Trestman has worked with 8 different NFL teams in almost 25 years of coaching since his own failed tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings (one of the teams he ended up with on the coaching staff several years later) but the connection that leads him to Montreal was from one of his earliest stops in the NFL.  Having coached QB star Bernie Kosar in college, Trestman was hired by the Browns to help the young star adapt to the NFL game.  Also on staff with the Browns--Joe Popp, father of Jim. 

Moff's Stupidd Kwestshun of the Day

When the Alouettes name a new Head Coach can they please consider getting him a Hybrid to drive? 

There are lots of fans who've e-mailed me insisting the shiny black monstrosity on wheels and the flowing follicles are symptomatic of the same thing.   CJAD listeners are volunteering to give the VP/GM/Head Coach a haircut, and there are many more fans who'd love to see an 'off with his head' approach taking the scissors and straight-edge razor to his flowing job-titles, not his locks.  But I think Coach Popp just needs a lesson in humility, and I think 8-11 will give it to him.