Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets

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 (13-15-7) visit Winnipeg Jets (15-13-5)

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Game Thirty-Six (score posted following scribbles)

Missed it? Musings capture the game in writing. A written transcript typed during the game, posted and edited about thirty minutes afterward.  Based on the RDS French telecast of the Montreal Canadiens game, Musings take about 23 minutes to read. More detailed than an article, fresher than a looping highlight and good with morning coffee. Or late-night chocolate.  A unique way to re-experience the game.

click here to expand post (it looks prettier)

 

Defenceman PK Subban and third-line centre Lars Eller are not in the lineup.  Francois Gagnon says it’s the right decision regarding PK.  I agree.  The video evidence, which we’ve seen enough of in the past two, three, four weeks, explains the decision.  Too many turnovers.  Too many mistakes.  More growth needed.  He’s young and it’s part of his development.  Eller’s benching is odd.

The Canadiens are a team in disarray that should be better in the standings.  The Jets are a team of questionable quality and riddled by cronyism.  They should be a bit lower in the standings.  Who’s on the way up and who’s on the way down?  The suffering continues.

Carey Price is back in net for Montreal.  The marvelous Ondrej Pavelec is in the net for Winnipeg.  Stephen Walkom and Dan O’Halloran are the refs.  Walkom is an “I’m The Show” kinda guy.  And well-connected.  Refs shouldn’t be well-connected.  Should they.

First Period

Mark Stuart.  Long one.  Price thrusts the blocker up.  Josh Gorges also punches at the puck.  It stays out.

Here’s a goal.  Certainly not, says Price.  What a save.  Best save in weeks from the young fella.

And he’s had many good ones.  And some great ones.

Travis Moen and Michael Cammalleri are buzzing and Plekanec is in there, too.  The benching has had its effect.

That first entry was rebuffed but the Jet fans, sensing doom, begin a brief Go Jets Go chant.

I know it’s hard to admit when your team is going in the wrong direction.  For some.  I’ve always been very critical of my teams.  But I realise now that this is not the norm.  Jets fans will agonize for months before the majority admit how bad it all is.  I’m sorry for them.  And, of course, for the 14,000 hardcore Atlanta fans that lost their team in much the same way that Winnipeg did in 1996.

Gill is called.  Price with a left pad save.

From the box and with a smile, Gill indicates a small fraction with his thumb and index finger.  It was that close, he seems to be saying.

It’s a four-minute penalty.  High stick.  And blood.

Jets’  Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler combine.  And a goal.

The crowd is loud and proud.  Certainly the raunchiest of the western arenas (Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Winnipeg).

Winnipeg 1, Montreal 0

The Canadiens are a team in flux and they may show new elements, new emotions tonight.  Substrates.

Power-play continues.

Jets have more trouble this time.  Gill, one of the unique penalty-killers in NHL history is critical to the team’s penalty-kill.  Slow, old, big and not a good stickhandler, Skillsie, as he is proddingly known by teammates, has timing, reach and savvy.  They should illegalize the knee on the ground on the penalty-kill.

Gill gets as low as possible when needed.  Dries ice.

Penalty is killed.

Erik Cole is upended by Mark Stuart on entry.  Gloves to Cole’s face, Stuart gets away with it.  He wears the A and we can expect more of the same tonight.

Winnipeg’s Jim Slater is asked to leave the centre dot.

David Desharnais wins the draw, smaller, slighter but with more moxie, knowledge and discipline, he has been winning draws in recent weeks.  He’s a thin Marcel Dionne.  Not as much of a scorer.  But what vision.

Fourteen and the puck is out of play.  Moen is called for delay of game.

Deflected.  No penalty.  Crowd boos.

This might now be the most jingoistic crowd in Canada.  Toronto has declined in arrogance in the past three, four years.  Missing the playoffs will do that to a fan base.  Calgary?  Sure.  But they’re quiet about it.  At least in the building.

Arrogance and hubris mark many of the Jet players and they may prove to have a function in this league, after all.

The how not to do it blueprint.

After all, Philadelphia is no longer the Broad Street Bullies.  Holmgren and Laviolette have transformed a team that I thought might never change.  But even Ebenezer Scrooge died.

Diaz at his blue.  Long pass.  Blunden chases.  Three pat the hash.  Bad angle shot.  Pavelec gloves it.  Leblanc is jostling again.  He’s eager to show no fear.

His confidence is growing.  He’s a strange one, though.  More to come, I’m sure.  He’s hiding something.  Like Theodore.

Under twelve.

Could be as simple as a fear of failure.  Or a short fuse.  Or something else.  Maybe we’ll never find out.

Curiosity, eh.

A Gorges-Stuart collision is shown at mid-ice.  Both got the body well on the play. Puck went into the Montreal zone, following.  Another stoppage and we see Claude Noel.  He’s a very suspect hire; not a lot of experience at the NHL level beyond a pat on the back hire by Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock.  Hitch is one of those turnstile guys.  Dommage.  I always liked Hitchcock.

I find it disturbing that Carbonneau has never even been phoned for any of these openings.  It’s sad. Carbonneau is not the only one on the ignore list.

Montreal controls like it’s a power-play.  When’s the last time we’ve seen this.  Kaberle was in deep.  Cole was at the net and Desharnais was the dervish behind the ropes.

Finally the Jets clear.  But they can’t do more than reach the right hash.  Gorges takes it away.

Benching Subban was one of the healthiest things that could have happened this week

Was former Montreal head coach, the recently fired Jacques Martin too timid in these regards?  Subban is a hero amongst a large faction of Montreal fans, particularly the younger ones.  They don’t see his mistakes as seriously as another faction of fans might.  The, uh, more defensive-minded fans.  They tend to be older.

With Subban benched, others may fall in line.  Or be watching in suits, themselves.  Certain guys would do very poorly if benched.  Egos.  Fragility.  Noxious reactions.  Belligerence.  Pouting.  So on.  So those benchings are delayed.  And when I say benching I mean healthy scratch.  I should have been more clear.

Under nine.

Stapleton’s shot is way off the mark and six players converge at the hash to Price’s right.  Three blue.  Three white.  Nobody bends at the waist and they jam for three seconds and it’s gone.  Out.

Then cleared in.

Now Price misplays the disc behind his net and has to slide back to correct his own error.

Weird bounce, really.  He missed the puck behind his net.  Slid back in to a collective whoah at that end of the arena.

Kane interrupts a Cammalleri pass to Gorges from the hash and then leaves.  Antropov tries to gallop through two defenders.  Puck doesn’t follow him.

Ladd is to a puck behind his right hash.  Quick turn and a pas. A lot of flashy moves from the Jets.

And here’s an entry and pass.  Shot and a goal.

Winnipeg 2, Montreal 0

Lotta Hollywood.  They’re playing with confidence.  Particularly Wellwood, Antropov and Ladd.  They move the puck to the hydrant and across the slot but though the angles are dangerous, no shot results.

Montreal responds with a seven-second possession that ends as Desharnais loses a puck on the left.

Stapleton is in on the right and stopped by Emelin.  Emelin is smaller than Hamrlik, shorter, really, but can end entries effectively.  He’s a hitter in the classic sense.  Takes the body to get the puck.  But he’s robust.  And clean.  Very Lanny MacDonald type of checker.

But we still miss number 44.  It was a mistake to let him go.  Halpern was an even bigger mistake, one might suggest.

The Jet goal was a result of a lost puck battle on the hash to Price’s right that led to Kaberle having to cover two men in the low slot.  One pass and a second and the puck was in on Price’s left.  A Jet put it in.

I smile as I consider the terrible-ness of this blog.  Site, whatever.

A Jet defender.  A jet offender.  A-jet.

This ain’t TSN.

Under fifteen.

The teams struggle in the middle of the ice.

Crowd stands, many of them, and cheer briefly as the period ends.  Beating the Canadiens matters.  Even if the team has lost ten of their last 13 and are in twelfth in the East.

And thirty-fourth, overall.

Feels like it.

What’s a dishonest-tasting beer?

First Intermission
Winnipeg 2, Montreal 0

Another Mathieu Darche commercial.  Being local counts.  That should be a selling point for those that are trying to figure out whether to come to Montreal or not.  You’re a stah.  Yes there’s bad with the good.  Or as Gainey said, there’s spice to living and playing in Montreal.

Brunet adds that the second goal was also on Campoli who missed taking his man at the hash and supporting Desharnais.  Three guys were in position and not one made the play; the puck went to the slot as a result.  Two guys and one defender.

Second Period
Winnipeg 2, Montreal 0

Was watching some Claude Noel interviews.  Post-game stuff.  It’s all rather painful.

And so is this.  Blake Wheeler in on the offwing and the shot beats Price over the right pad.

Simple wrister.  Gill was beaten on the left point, no special move.  Wheeler nods on the bench new beard lending an air of credence.

Byfuglien is called for interference.  He wears the A.  Knocked Cammalleri into the net.  And into Pavelec.  Both are ok.  (Yes, I was concerned about the net)

Kaberle and Weber on the blue.  Plekanec on the right hash.

Now Plekanec is on the left.  They rotate as the puck is moved.  Plekanec is in the slot, at the hydrant and also on the left hash.

Kostitsyn on the left hash.  Now.  His return pass to Kaberle forces the defenceman out and the following pass is intercepted.

Lines change.  Diaz on the left.  Diaz has to chase.  Campoli is on the right point.

Campoli plays with verve but I have doubts about his decision-making.

Montreal is pushed out again.  Blunden is in after a dump-in.  Habs can’t get to it.  Emelin is waiting on the right point however.   Shot.  Rebound.  Nokelainen from a sharp angle.  Pavelec has it.

Ondrej Pavelec is hard to beat twice.  Montreal needs four.

Sixteen in the period.

Athletically, Pavelec is probably in the top four in the East.  For goalies.

Penalty is over.

Long Montreal puck is called for icing.

The score flatters Winnipeg but frustration may be seeping in.  Later, nerves.  Montreal gets worse as the game goes along.  That is a mantra this season.  Ok, motif, then.

Desharnais line.  Desharnais nearly comes up with it against two in the corner.

Ladd with a long shot and Price hears the Bronx cheer.  Plays it standing like a defenceman from his crease, passes.  Puck is iced.

Ladd leaves the ice.  He’s the captain.  Another of the ordained and undeserving.

Habs are out.

Across the line.

And the Canadiens must reset.

Pace has slowed.

Someone must press.  And Plekanec leads it down the left.

Has it behind the net.  Hainsey falls.  Kostitsyn is there.  To Plekanec.  To Moen in the slot.  Kaberle recoups at the left point.  Fires.

Into legs.  And the Jets are out.  Diaz is a fear popsicle as the pass hits his leg and caroms away.  He turns and doesn’t know where it is.

Habs are out of sorts.  Price spins like a hand-held kitchen appliance and the puck stays out, off the post.

Habs survive.

And a stoppage.

Something’s wrong with the team.  And something’s wrong with me.  Are they related?

Twelve and a half.

Long shot-pass by Byfuglien is intercepted.  Habs skate out, four.  Turnover in the neutral zone.

Pavelec’s pad save on the previous sequence is shown.

Eleven minutes.

Plekanec works as hard as Saku did at the same age but he’s got no help.

Emelin is down.  On his stomach.  Face in his hands.

Direct stick to the face.  Thorburn.  Accidental.  Fell and swung his stick for balance.  Emelin’s mouth is full of blood.  Four minute penalty.

It’s called whether it’s accidental or not.

Jets are the e first to threaten.  Tow on one.  Shot, rebound.  Oh my.  And Price is across.  What a save.  Montreal defenceman, newcomer Tomas Kaberle.  Called for making a terrible decision by Denis.

That save.  As good as the one in the first.  Left to right, splayed pads and the speed of a much smaller man.  Named Jose.

Price is a miracle maker at times.

He hates and is uncomfortable with the nickname Jesus Price.  Maybe he doesn’t hate it but he finds it a bit over top.

One chance.  Plekanec can’t chip it in.  Another chance takes a full minute to emerge.

Pavelec is there.

Jets are out, three on two.

Too many turnovers.

Price again.

A goalie can own this city.  Goalies have.  He’ll own this city.   It never lasts.  But they love you when you’re young.

Fifteen and the Plekanec line loses it on the left hash.

Jets make the Canadiens chase and reach and their desperation is reflected in their panicked play.  Not relaxed enough.

Go Jets Go chant begins.

The crowd is great.  They’re not a wine and cheese group.  They’re here for the hockey.  Not the side-deals.

I wonder how unfair the ticket process might be in this the newest NHL city.

Emelin is hit high on entry.  Stuart.  And he knows that Emelin took one in the teeth earlier. That’s the kind of guy.

Your Winnipeg Jets.

Montreal man-advantage.

Under five.

Plekanec.  Kaberle on the left point.

Plekanec is frustrated by Pavelec, bowled over and glove up on his left post.

Habs keep it in on the right point.

Passed across.  And poked out.

Kaberle.  Rounds his net.  Passes left to Desharnais.  Puck is bounced to the net where Pavelec holds it.

Pacioretty with another doomed wrist shot from the right circle.

The turnovers are numerous.

And with forty seconds, the Canadiens are retreating again.

Penalty ends.

Five on five.

And not much else.

Second Intermission
Winnipeg 3, Montreal 0

Ack.

Third Period
Winnipeg 3, Montreal 0

First six minutes are chase, chase, chase.

Cammalleri on his offwing. Shot goes high.

More chanting.  There are enough Hab fans that the chant warps vowels.

Gill under his end line.  Waits.  Outlet pass.  Back to Gill in the slot.  Right side pass.  Lost on the diagonal dump-in.

Price fields one behind his net.

Backhand.  And then it’s out with Leblanc chasing with speed.  Stick out like Carbonneau, his forecheck is impressive.

Blunden adds to the good work.

Out and then in.  Blunden from the corner.  Emerges. Keeps his footing and Pavelec is down and covers the disc on his left.

He’s been good and great.

Very quick and tall, as well.   A lot like Price in that way.  He plays lower, with his legs spread wider.  Moves more.  Wasted motion?  Not sure.

Pavelec is listed at six three, 220.  Price is listed at six three and 219.

Ten and twenty.

Kane tries a brake and pass and loses the puck on the left hash.

Habs plug it up on the boards, Plekanec and Moen.  But they’re in chase mode again.

Oh those days of Radek Bonk and Alex Kovalev controlling for long periods on the boards.  And Lapierre in his earlier incarnation.

All gone now.

Slot pass.  Pavelec is across but the sticks can’t strike.

Pace is nearly frantic.

Canadiens raise the pressure and the Jets comply.  Great hockey from both teams.  Effort and flying, anyway.

That young suit is no longer behind the bench.  Larry Carriere is installed now.  He’s the 52 year old right hand man to Montreal GM Pierre Gauthier.  The sinister eyes and ears.

Benching two young guys is fine, Eller and Subban are both 22.  But the feeling from RDS is that a veteran, a deserving veteran or two must be relegated to the box to send the complete message.

Eight and sixteen.

Neither Gomez nor Gionta has started skating yet, Houde informs us.

The Jets move by dint of good mid-range passes, accurate and followed by point to point skating.  They resemble Vancouver at times.  They follow with sharp forechecking and this is easily both teams’ best period.

Under seven.

Gill across to Weber.  Lofted down.  Leblanc fights and wins one.  Pass goes to the right point.  And it bounces out.

Price closes the door on the other end.

Faceoff to his left.

That bog-dolt Jet logo turning on the ice surface prior to the faceoff.

Habs are out.  Kostitsyn.  Lead pass to Pacioretty.  Wrist shot.  He never passes.  It would be fine if his shot was better.  Always the weak wrister into the goalie’s crest.  Pavelec holds it and the Jets win the draw.  Long pass is off a leg and Emelin has it.  To the hash.  Pacioretty loses it immediately.  Then he stands around watching.  It goes to the right point and a shot results.  Save, Price.  Pacioretty rubs his chin as he leaves the ice.

My own performance is suffering along with the Habs’ outcomes.  I need someone to do some film work with me.

Draw to Price’s right. He’s low and in a sharp crouch.  He has every intentions of stopping every one.  He’s changed, too.  Sixty minutes.  One after another and he’ll be able to lay claim.  To a megaphone.

Some of it is in having given up the early goal.  But he’s not at fault.  For this loss. Nor that goal.

Five and a half.

Three goals.  It’s happened.

Why not tonight.

The camera focuses on the biggest reason why not.  Ondrej.

Cole nearly takes a puck away and then Weber and Kaberle are retreating against two swerving Jets.

Thrashers if you prefer.

Five oh eight.  Stoppage.

Denis is talking about the lack of emotion.  Who on this team is going to stand up and … you know.

Houde says there are a lot of things to consider.  References Gionta’s role in a revival.

Four and a half.

Burmistrov is tripped and it’s not called.  Why not.  Just call them as they occur.  Replay shows it was accidental but it should have been called.

Desharnais loses the draw.  He wears Reebok skates.  The ones with the green dot on the ankle.  Neon green.  A nod to Graff? The leaders always set the tone.

Or rather the followers match the tone.  Copycats.

Wellwood.  One big save by Price.  And the great one at the left post.  Great stop.

Now the puck sneaks across the crease and Price traps it.  Net is off.

Antropov line has been outstanding tonight.

Many solid performances on both sides.  But too many turnovers by the Canadiens.

The effort was there.

Failing to score on the four-minute power-play was a problem.

Wheeler.  Around the net.  Pass to the crease.  And it’s in.

Price stands emotionless and endures it.

High shot by Stapleton.

I wonder if he’s related to the great Pat Stapleton of Black Hawk fame.  Bill White was his defence partner.

Winnipeg 4, Montreal 0

Tim Stapleton was born and raised in the Chicago area but is not related to Pat Stapleton.  I see.

Under one.

Crowd rises.  Standing ovation.

Love beating those Habs.  Eh.

Enjoy.

Price freezes one.  Price is quite angry.  Will he say something.

Gill is bumped down by Antropov.  Puck is out.

Ten seconds.  Mid-ice.  Kostitsyn tries to barge in but loses the puck.

Price leaves the ice immediately.  No post-game huddle.

Final Score
Winnipeg 4
Montreal 0

Denis says he isn’t even sure if Price heard the siren to end the period.

HDS Stars: Carey Price, Nik Antropov, Blake Wheeler
RDS Stars: Blake Wheeler, Ondrej Pavelec, Tanner Glass

Ondrej Pavelec was very good, too.  Many standout performances.  Ladd was very good, too.

As for our young fella from the left coast, will anyone listen?  What difference does it make?  Get rid of the right guys.

In the off-season, preferably.

Oh hey.  We don’t want Francophones.  We want Canadiens.

Related posts:

1. Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets
2. Montreal Canadiens vs. St. Louis Blues
3. Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets
4. Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers
5. Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers
6. Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders