Montreal Canadiens versus Vancouver Canucks

Musings and In-Game Scribbles

My English is as good as yours, I just write these in a stream-of-consciousness mode that I insist excuses me from small things like rules of grammar or general etiquette. Let’s call it conversational English, hopped up on beans. You know what kind of beans (no, Carl Mellesmoen, not the magic ones).

Montreal Canadiens (25-25-6) host Vancouver Canucks (34-18-2)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Game Fifty-Seven (score posted following scribbles)

Musings and In-Game Scribbles are a “live blogging” of the game that are compiled (typed, actually) during the game and edited and posted shortly after the game. Usually the RDS telecast of the game.   They’re also a unique way to catch the game if you missed it.

Jaroslav Halak gets the start and several writers and even more fans will be expressing surprise over this coaching decision.  Each Montreal season features au moin seven fan-bleat issues that lose analytic perspective and rationality very quickly.  This so-called goaltending controversy is one of them.

Montreal native and goaltending monster Roberto Luongo is the starting nemesis for Vancouver.  Respect.

First Period

Plekanec is on first against one of the Sedins.  Plekanec wins the faceoff.

Early blast-in by Hamrlik.

Canucks take over.

Halak makes an early wow save.  And then he is a clever bowler slipping on juice.  No ball, no puck.

Gionta line is on.

Halak makes two great saves.  Low crouch pad haunch, cupboard door save.  There’s gotta be a term for that pose.

Lapierre forechecks and has one of his first clear retrievals in some time.  He holds it and then sends it to the slot but it goes directly to a Canuck.

Low bowl pass goes to the point for a deflection attempt by the Canucks.

Canadiens clear it out.

Metropolit line is on.

Long drive and good save by Halak.  Houde says it’s another good save by the Slovak.

Now in the Vancouver corner to Luongo’s left.  Puck goes quickly to the slot.  Bang.  Stopped.  Bergeron sent the pass.

Canadiens are in again.  Bergeron is on the lip while Lapierre swoops beside.  Luongo freezes the puck.

Puck blackens the dot.

Sergei.  Who is that.  Sergei.  Who.  What.  Right in front.   Bulge the net.  Oh yaaas.

This is why I watch this game.  This is why I put up with virtual knuckleheads, site deadlines, gasp ventures, cold risk and the entrepreneurial unknown.  This is why I must have a chocolate bar.

Montreal 1, Vancouver 0

I think I missed a call during my pre-game nap.  One of those “I almost met _________” calls.  Ulp.

Plekanec is causing trouble for the Olympic Exiles.  Canucks are on the road for fourteen straight games because of the world’s corporate event.  Well, not the world’s.  World versus the emperors.  Rebel Alliance against the Empire.  God versus the Devil.  Good versus Evil.  Which side are you on?  I’m just paraphrasing a harmless R’n’B song.  Charles D was the artist, I believe?  Do you believe.

Four-on-four sees more flight and fancy fire.  But the Canadiens get called and face a four-on-three deficit.  Faceoff to Halak’s left.  Plekanec loses the faceoff.  Puck moves twice.  Shot from the blue line.  Halak doesn’t see it.  Canucks score.  Mikael Samuelsson.

Vancouver 1, Montreal 1

Gomez line follows.  Canucks press early in the post-score shift.  Slot pass is played by Halak, standing like a defenceman and playing the puck with both hands.

Canadiens send the puck down.

Canucks exit.  Edler shoots it off the post.

Maxwell line is on.  Sergei Kostitsyn (Sergei from now on) is on with him.  And so, unexpectedly, is Plekanec.  Normally Plekanec is accompanied by Mike Cammalleri mais pas ce soir.  More later.

Moen line is on next with Metropolit and D’Agostini.  D’Agostini has been recalled from Hamilton because of Cammalleri’s injury.  Cammalleri, it was reported this morning on TSN will be out for 6-8 weeks.  Brunet stated it would be six weeks before the game started.

Just under ten minutes left in the first period.

The pace has reduced a smidgen.  Lapierre turns in the high slot and shoots long.  Puck is smothered but not before it took an interesting vector and caused a geometric problem for Luongo.

Canadiens are in control after we return from some sponsored graphics.

Pace is too calm.  The arena is too quiet.

Vancouver’s Mason Raymond is in the corner and working unchallenged.  Pouliot, Plekanec and Kostitsyn are waiting.  Markov is looking too idle.  Finally the Canadiens intercept a Canuck pass and exit.  Puck goes out of play shortly afterward.

Joel Bouchard is down by the bench.  He is giving us some puck movement analysis.  And we get a quick visual of Canuck head coach Alain Vigneault.  He has his chewing game face on.

Another stoppage after a semi-sharp shot by Vancouver.

Sedin loses the faceoff to Gomez to Halak’s left.

Hamrlik’s pass up along the boards is turned over but Maxwell cleans up and launches Montreal in the opposite direction.

Line changes take place as the Canucks resume control inside their blue line.

Puck is moved into, onto Montreal ice.  Whistle goes and we are informed that it’s a penalty against Montreal.

Bouchard interviews Muller.  When the coaches union comes in, all this will come to an end.  Now, won’t it.

Penalty is against Roman Hamrlik.  (Interviews during the game.  That’s what I’m talking about above.)

Canuck power-play begins with a won faceoff and a long drive that deflects out of the Montreal zone.  Canucks reset with relative ease.

Distance shot is followed by a slot shot and a near miracle of a stop.  Or so it seemed from this angle.

Another shot set follows and Halak ends this sequence bent backward and in his net.  There is a small, tense crowd of players but the refs have the situation in hand.  It helps that none of the players involved, both Canucks and Canadiens, have no ill intentions.

I like the Vancouver Canucks as an organization almost as much as I like the Ottawa Senators.  I imagine if I saw Vancouver more, I’d see even more positives.  Cool vibe from this team.

We get a different angle on the perceived miracle save and the puck didn’t even get to the keeper.  No wonder the crowd didn’t faint en masse.

On water?  Maybe if you freeze it.

Gomez is up and working against two Canucks.  His reach and acceleration allow him a sharp-angle backhand shot.

Then the Canucks mishandle the puck on the Montreal blue line and are further delayed from resuming their power-play.

Then Markov finds Sergei down the right side and sends him in for a backhand shot.  The penalty expires on these discordant notes.

Back to five-on-five.

Just over three minutes in the period.  O’Byrne checks a forward behind Halak.  Pavol Demitra gets the puck on Halak’s left.  Can’t create.

Plekanec heads Vancouver-ward with the puck.  Good pass from Pouliot to free him on the blue line and number fourteen is in for a backhander from a more favourable angle.  Luongo handles it but it looked a more difficult save than the usual.

Lapierre and Darche are on now.

They control for more than five seconds.  Lapierre plays slinking, large hawk in the mid-slot.  Waits.  Puck finds him.  He fires it into the twine.  I watched Lapierre only and missed how the puck got to him.  Replay shows a Darche backhander bounced off Ben Maxwell in the slot on Luongo’s left and got to Lapierre’s stick.  It was one of those times when you’re looking at something different.  Like watching a gridiron guard on a pass play.

Montreal 2, Vancouver 1

Gionta line follows.  Markov is on with O’Byrne.  They are the set first pairing for tonight.  Earlier today I read that O’Byrne compared his role with Markov to that of Komisarek supporting Markov last season.  O’Byrne said that his more physical style complements Markov.  Fair enough.

Period ends with much perimeter harmlessness.

Shots on goal are in Vancouver’s favour 13-9 (my guess was 12-7).

First Intermission
Montreal 2, Vancouver 1

Several pointless commercials and ignored analysis later, we are ready to go.

Mathieu Darche was the post-period interviewee and Joel Bouchard handled the duties.  Darche says he is taking things one game at a time and staying in the moment.  He is in his thirties, was called up from the farm team a few weeks ago and not likely to become a regular starter with the club.  But he brings needed offensive maturity to the lineup and he is going to play smart (read: low-turnover) hockey and this is a needed contribution for the team these days.

Second Period
Montreal 2, Vancouver 1

Plekanec’ line is on and Tomas wins the faceoff.

Early pass from the corner by Sergei hits a Canuck.  Kostitsyn is falling to the ice as he makes the pass and I am reminded that on this go-round, he is playing with purpose and pride on most, if not all, shifts.  It’s a matter of time before his improved rhythm becomes public knowledge.

Canucks have an eight-second possession but finally Montreal emerges with white speed and red intent.

But Moen and D’Agostini lead a carry-in that doesn’t stick.  Blue bottle.

Canucks exit just as quickly.  Henrik Sedin nearly scores.  Halak shows patience.  Patience doesn’t wear a cape but it can pause a heart.  Two saves and a smother.  Iceberg patience.

Halak makes a save on a wrap-around attempt on the next sequence and stops play yet again.

I read today that Carey Price was offered as part of a package for Vincent Lecavalier last season.  The source was a decent one but because I skimmed it, I’m not sure how reliable the thought was.  Interesting for those who suspect that Bob Gainey is saying “my goalie, right or wrong”.  I doubt Gainey would adopt such a position.  It doesn’t fit his pattern.  Take Carbonneau’s firing as evidence.  I’m sure that was difficult for Gainey.

With Price’s improvement since early November, I’m less inclined to want him to go.  However, Price himself complicates my views with his statements and, at other times, his actions.  Today’s reports quoted him using the term “snitching” in a way that set off my spider-sense.

Lapierre line is on.  He carries and dumps in on the left side but Vancouver defenceman Sami Salo intercepts.

Raymond gets in along the boards on the left.  Sends a shot.  Takes a hit.  Not much else.

We are on the perimeters again.

Some desperate but pointed offensive effort from Vancouver nearly stretches the emotional egg-skin of the game.  But after a Canuck turnover on a keep-in attempt the play resumes its slow boil.  The pot is full of water.  Too full.

Faceoff to Luongo’s left.  Kyle Wellwood beats Gomez..

Maxwell creates a turnover.  Can’t retain the disc.

Weber exits from behind Halak.  Loses the puck.  To Demitra.  Shot.  Rebound.  Canadiens move it out.

Shane O’Brien now carries it out from behind Luongo.

Another wall and another lob.  This one is from Markov and it’s called for icing.

Faceoff to Halak’s left.  Canucks win.  But they aren’t able to keep it in.

Plekanec and Kostitsyn exit.  Little pass from Sergei to Pouliot keeps the possession going.  Shot.  Shot.  Plekanec.  Waiting.  All in the slot.  Sends it.  Bounces away.

O’Byrne keeps the puck alive for a few seconds but the Canucks survive the muzzle and musket and move it out.

Ole, ole chant starts.  It’s a shadow-echo.  Canucks silence it with one quality shot.  Then they are repulsed to the neutral zone but re-enter and have at it again.  Shot from the same area.  Halak is in position.

Lapierre is working hard.  It’s his best night in almost a month.  If he plays like that every shift he can have a Steve Begin-type career in Montreal.  If not, he will be gone by March 2011.

Moen has it deep.  D’Agostini supports.  Metropolit helps and gets the puck in his office.  The Gretzky office.  Huge emperor chair.  Huge goalie.  Huge heart.

Canucks are down now.  Halak.  Save after save.

Luongo is put to the test seconds later.

Teams trade rush for rush.

Gomez is next.  Fires from a distance.  Huge, fruity angle.  Gionta misses it.  Pick your fruit.

The rushes continue.  Markov uses some of his defencemen tricks to prevent a Canuck shot.  He succeeds and the Canadiens survive the first Canuck rush of the last four without giving up a shot.

And they get the longest five-on-five possession of the night for either team.  They have Luongo and his defencemen slipping and clutching in the galley; frozen on deck.  Shot.  Side.  Shot.  Slot.  Distance shot.  Canucks move it out. Crowd shakes and leans with each drive.

Canadiens are forced out.  And they are back in again.  They are united in emotion.  An 18-man moment.

And it continues.  Ten and twelve-second sequences.  Longer.

But then Houde, Brunet and your scribe are all disappointed as a whistle blows.  Penalty against Montreal’s Roman Hamrlik for delay of game.  Accidentally flipped the puck over the glass.

Panther panting.  You can’t win just by leaping.  You have to find a place to land.

But that type of rhythm and that type of five-finger fist is something that grasps the sails of this big white ship called Bell Central giving some lift and white-water crash and slide … forward and beyond.

Can we replicate it?  And again.

Early whistle on the power-play.  Puck went out of play.

And another whistle on an offside entry.

Gomez and Gionta are the second pairing and we have ninety seconds to go in the power-play.

Canucks win the faceoff.  Enter.  Shot.  Clear.

Seventy seconds.

Sedin, Alexandre Burrows and Sedin work the boards to Halak’s left.  It lasts about five seconds and stays on the boards.  And Montreal clears.

Next entry is even less significant and the Canadiens exit; three red jerseys and Plekanec gets a shot.

Markov, Plekanec and Moen.  And it forces a faceoff.

Canucks move up and are stopped at the Montreal blue.

This penalty is over.

Lapierre gets onto the puck, touches it enough as he leaves the ice.

Gomez has it next.  Enters on a question-mark trajectory but loses the puck on the curl.  Right entry going left.

He is still on the ice and he and Gionta create two new problems for Luongo.  Slot pass.  And wrap-around pass.  But no sticks reply.

The pace is a little less than for a storm and crest ship but the focus remains.  All red hands on deck.  And a crimson pirate-skull head.

Uh. I’ll be Captain America.

Two and a half minutes left.

Bergeron is on with Lapierre.

Brunet remarks that we’ve seen excellent hockey tonight.

Lapierre chases with better angles and it slows the Canuck puck launch.

Gill is on defence with O’Byrne.  Must be a line-change delay.

Now Maxwell and Gomez exit with another red jersey.   They make a triangle of pleasing side-lengths.  Maxwell waits with patience of a seventh-year scorer.  Puck gets caught in traffic.

Puck leaves but is back in Luongo’s grill moments later.

It’s Sergei.  Right side.  Cruising.  Keeping.  Hanging on as he goes left.  Bending through the slot.  Impossible angle creates big hole math.  And the net is gawping.  He’s precarious and opposite.  And then Sergei shoots off-balance, just wide.  Gretzky type of fear is generated for opponents as all passing and interception lanes are bent and made bizarro (me am not in good place).

Puck went high because it was a bouncing disc, says Brunet.  We see a replay from behind the net and it’s clear that Luongo was fortunate.  That time.

Canucks get a three-second entry.  Then they have a developing possession in the corner to Halak’s right but the siren goes.

Shots on goal are 27-19 after a 14-10 Canuck advantage for the second.

Second Intermission
Montreal 2, Vancouver 1

Alain Crete mentions that Jacques was involved in the Sedin twins early movement involving the Tampa Bay Lightning whom Demers coached in the late nineties.  The Sedins’ passing acumen and chemistry is mentioned and Demers compares their electric connection by comparing them to other great pairs; Vincent Lecavalier with Martin St. Louis, Mario Lemieux with Jaromir Jagr and two others.

What about Joe Poplawski and Tom Clements?  Or are you from the Kenny Ploen era?

RDS post-period interviewee mentions the rigors of rush after rush hockey as he characterizes the second period.  It’s Alexandre Burrows and something about his speaking impresses me.  Joel handled that interview as well.  Why don’t we just let Joel do all the interviews?  He’s boss.

Third Period
Montreal 2, Vancouver 1

That mechant mardi molson ex song is now imprinted in my brain permanently.  I’m not pleased.  But I’m not irritated.  Just a little lesson about television-watching to remember after I’ve retired from worshipping the idiot box.  That’s what our grade-school teachers called it.  Yes, I grew up in one of those decades.

Plekanec line starts the period.  Third straight period-opening debut.  If Sergei can continue his break-out, Montreal will stay competitive to the end of this season.  Plekanec is back.  I guess we have been able to say that since week one of the season.  And Pouliot is our surprise addition; the grape-bomb gum explosion that this team didn’t expect.  He’s all that.  He was picked one spot ahead of Price in the 2005 draft.  His delayed arrival in Montreal is a welcome one.  Bravo.

Halak makes a blue collar stop off a distance shot from a Canuck faceoff win to his left.  Holds it for a whistle.

Darche and Plekanec are on the ice.  Darche chases it into the Canuck zone.  Wide shot boings here, there and out.

Lines change.  Yanic Weber moves the Montreal attack forward.  It’s Weber’s second game since his recent call-up from Hamilton.

Sergei is on.  In the corner.  Is pushed down (legally) by Salo.  Crowd boos the gesture briefly.  Kostitsyn is back up.  Canucks move it out.

Hamrlik retrieves.

Moen chases.  Gionta supports.  Puck rolls along the opposite way.

Ryan Kesler drives in left to right.  Halak is rolled to the ice.  Puck dribbles away into the opposite corner.

Whistle.

Bouchard says, standing in his magenta shirt down on floor level, that O’Byrne is playing one of his best games of the season.

Lapierre line chases but can’t contain.

Canucks enter.

Christian defenceman Christian Ehrhoff winds up.  Fakes the shot.  Sends it down the boards from the Montreal blue.  Negligible results and the puck is halted by Halak a few seconds later.

Habs win the faceoff.  Exit.  Markov supports on a longer possession.  Maxwell is caught up ice.  He gets back.  O’Byrne had pinched himself on the right side and Maxwell didn’t see it.

Canucks get a power-play type of segment from it and the five-on-five makes Montreal look idle.  Halak makes two sharp saves and a third solid one.  Sharp is nearly alarmed.  Solid is beyond blue collar.  Want a list?

Thirteen and a half minutes left in the period.

Canucks are applying the pressure.

Will Vos Glorieux match the level?

Whistle.

Burrows and Lapierre share some animosity in a Canuck corner.  Gloves to Lapierre’s chest in a shove pose.  More yakking.  Nothing comes of it.

Alain Vigneault was arguing with the officials but had to give up.  Aw, c’mon face.  Exasperated arms extended outward.  All with a suit and tie.

Canadiens get a power-play.

Canucks kill the first minute without danger.

Lines change.  Second wave is Gomez with Darche and Metropolit.

Weber gets called for tripping.  Kesler gets called for diving.  They call it an unsportsmanlike.  Replay suggests that Kesler was probably not exaggerating.

Canadiens win the faceoff.  Sergei is on the ice.  I slow down, type slower (I’m sure my mouth is open) as I used to when Kovalev carried the puck.  Sergei has never had that effect on me before.  The ice swirls with figures.  In the crease, in the slot.  Creativity.  Pass.  Shot.  Luongo.  Shot.  Lobbed puck, end over end.  It’s Plekanec.  It’s in the net.  Crowd loses it.

Montreal 3, Vancouver 1

Five seconds following the goal, Vancouver is called.  Vigneault watches, gum between teeth, and maintains his composure.  But it’s a brittle time for that piece of gum.

Plekanec, Pouliot and Gionta are the first wave.

Burrows nearly scores on a backhand going across Halak.  Then he nearly gets the puck in a sure-score spot in the slot.  My throat goes gravel.  Canadiens get it out and set up after taking the chance away from Burrows.

Bergeron was the man that Burrows beat.  Been a while since we’ve heard a phrase like that.

Canadiens control.  Under.  Across.  Back.  To the hash for Gomez.  Shot.  Luongo gets the pad down.  From the circle.  Whistle.

Luongo’s mask is one of the best in the league.  Old bone and sparkle.

Puck leaves the Canuck zone and Darche takes a penalty for an accidental high stick.  Blood.  Four minutes.  Jolly flap.  The ship gets colder.

Faceoff is to Halak’s right.  Nine minutes left.  Or so.

Whistle.  Pause.

Faceoff.  Four-on-four.  Moen and Plekanec are on.  Four-on-four ends.  Darche’s penalty begins.  It will last three and a half minutes.

Canucks have trouble getting the puck in to start.

With three minutes in the penalty they get control.  Long shot.  Difficult.  Stopped.

Puck moves along the perimeter.

Another long shot.  Halak stops it.

Gomez switches off as the puck is pushed out of the Montreal zone.

Lapierre and Kostitsyn are on now.

Lapierre nearly pushes out for a two-on-one.  Loses the puck in the shovel slush along the boards outside the Montreal blue line.

Canucks retrieve.  Ninety seconds left in the penalty.

Canucks set it up.  Pass goes to the slot.  Sedin.  For Sedin.  I watch the back of the net.  Old, haunted child reflex.  It stays white.  Whistle.  Someone falls on Halak.  Nothing else.

Gomez wins the faceoff.  Canadiens chase it around behind Halak.

They can’t get it out.

Pressure.  Halak slides and closes.

Pressure again.  Rebound.  Off a body.  Kesler pumps his arms.  Brunet says, a bit lucky and answers himself; probably.  But a goal is a goal.  Ryan Kesler.

Montreal 3, Vancouver 2

Sergei’s line is on next.  They ice early.  Long pass missed everyone.

We go to Joel at ice-level.  He thinks Vancouver is a bit tired.

Sergei chases his own dump-in and gets enough of it so that it stays in.  But it’s lost on the boards and Raymond exits down the left side.  He sends a seventies shot at Halak’s pads and we hear a water-logged thump that evokes that decade.  Or maybe my imagination is simulating that decade.  Those were heavy pads.  Doug Favell.  Forty pounds to start the evening, eighty pounds to end it.  Imagine the aroma.  Oy.  (Gerry Cheevers would tell ya; those things absorbed sweat, yo)

Whistle.  And a verbosity opportunity provided by RDS’ partners.

We return to see a list of seven Canuck players who are all playing for various Olympic national teams.

General managers don’t like the Olympics.  And why should they.  They have nothing to gain and everything to lose.  If a star player is injured, her team’s chances of winning a league championship are hobbled.  Making the playoffs is a big deal in and of itself.  Ticket prices are jacked and so are sponsor spots.  The further a team advances, the more money it stands to make.  And in a league that is very gate-driven, as is the NHL, that is a big, big deal.

Just over three minutes left.

Canucks need to find their desperation.

Canadiens need to match or exceed if the Canucks fail to rise.

Darche is talking again.  I guess it’s better than not talking.

Long shot off the neutral zone faceoff is lost by Halak.  It’s under him and he can’t see it.  A long second passes.  A long second worth maybe three seconds.  Whistle goes.

Plekanec takes the faceoff to Halak’s left.  Plekanec violates a faceoff rule and Darche takes his place.

Puck is out soon after.  And then back in.

Raymond is working from behind the net.  Looks for Kesler.  Nearly works.  But no shot results.

Canucks have to chase it.  They are stopped in the neutral zone.

Sergei makes the crowd murmur with a good-looking chase and forecheck.

Canucks exit.  And now they make a marionette of Halak.  Play ends.  Sergei leaves the ice after a stoppage in play.  He leaves for the dressing room assisted by a Montreal team staff member.  Bouchard doesn’t know exactly what happened.

Luongo joins his teammates on the bench.  Faceoff.  To Halak’s right.  Montreal ices it.

We see the replay and on a check it appears that Sergei banged his face off the glass.

Faceoff to Halak’s right.  Moen exits.  Has a chance to shoot for the empty net.  Fullbacks that can’t catch become linebackers.  He waits too long.  Canucks take the puck from him.  Move it back down.

Puck melee.

Whistle.

Burrows takes down Halak.  He’s called for it.

That’s the game.

Goalie interference is called and with forty seconds left in the game, Montreal will make the short passes and smart plays.  They’ll be the smart team.  They’ll know.  Then I pause.  I have to chuckle.  Indiana Jones: “Brody’s got friends in every town and village from here to the Sudan, he speaks a dozen languages, knows every local custom, he’ll blend in, disappear, you’ll never see him again.”

He’ll blend in, disappear; you’ll never see him again.

Canucks call a timeout.

Faceoff is to Luongo’s left.

Plekanec wins the faceoff.  Houde states what an important faceoff it was for Plekanec to win.  They control and complete five power-play passes before the Canucks are able to move it out.

They’re struggling on the boards inside the Montreal blue line when the horn goes.

Vos Canadiens.  You’ll see them again.  (And it’ll be a good thing.)

Montreal 3
Vancouver 2

HDS Stars: Tomas Plekanec, Sergei Kostitsyn, Jaroslav Halak, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler
RDS Stars: Jaroslav Halak, Sergei Kostitsyn, Ryan Kesler

Six stars.  Lots of good players tonight.  Great game.  Both teams played long segments of great hockey.  Vancouver should be in Montreal’s division.  Travel be damned.