Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers
December 31, 2011, by Homme de Sept-Îles
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 (14-17-7) visit Florida Panthers (19-12-7)
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
Game Thirty-Nine (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)
Carey Price and Jose Theodore are the goalies. One for Florida. One for Montreal. Guess.
Theodore has rebounded this season but his numbers are still not what one would like from an NHL regular. Montreal has a chance to score a lot of goals tonight.
Florida is improved and rank in the top ten in terms of points percentage. But nineteen wins in 37 games doesn’t merit top ten prestige in this writer’s view. One reason the number is so deceptive is because of the constriction due to parity, the ever-shrinking gap between first and thirtieth in this league.
And the false point awarded for making it to overtime tied.
First Period
Two shifts and a long puck leads to icing and a faceoff to Price’s left.
Florida’s Tim Kennedy has to take a guest draw and we hear the recorded and probably artificially generated wild snarl of a panther.
Canadiens are out, all business. The suits crackle.
The chief concern articulated by RDS before the game was Montreal centre Tomas Plekanec’ recent decline in points. He was tabbed as the most consistent Canadiens forward by Benoit Brunet and Alain Crete added that the Kladno native doesn’t take his troubles to the coach. He takes them to his wife. Alain laughed and added the only question we then have is the content of the conversation.
Plekanec is on the ice. Leads a wave, shoots and then chases the puck out of the zone following the deflection.
Montreal defender Josh Gorges loses a puck but manages to guide it beyond the thicket and the Habs are out moments later.
Canadiens’ captain Brian Gionta and second-line centre Scott Gomez are still out of the lineup.
Part of the problem is Plekanec’ pairing with Moen. In order to get others going (Kostitsyn and Cammalleri) Plekanec’ favourable pairings have been sacrificed. The two mentioned have been moved to other lines (Kostitsyn with Eller and Cammalleri with slick young play-making centre David Desharnais).
Kostitsyn only seems to produce with Eller we were told. Normally Plekanec’ wingers are Cammalleri and the burly Kostitsyn.
Another faceoff in Montréal ice. Won by Florida. Right point. Big slapshot but it’s off the mark.
Desharnais crosses the blue line on the left side with little support then loses the disc.
Pace is brisk but the Panthers are behind the play consistently.
This time it’s Cole leading the way.
Montreal Canadiens have struggled all season but have crossed one of the more the critical lines of adversity (in this geography of hockey pain) and it says here that they are ready to win again. And have gelled. Each season is a different story.
Or at least play well as a team again.
Moen over the blue. Eller to the net. Moen shoots. And scores.
Montreal 1, Florida 0
Quick shot of new head coach Randy Cunneyworth reveals a man who is not ready to say all is well. Not yet.
Moen is not a goal-scorer but he has nine this year. This is his first in quite some time, though. He’s one whose moxie has returned.
The grumblings reached the so-called and vaunted leadership group. Cammalleri has been openly criticized. So have the others; Gionta, Gomez and Moen, though to a lesser degree. Subban and Eller were benched and the interpretation might have been; the cowboys are next.
But the hats are back on and despite a loss to Tampa, the galloping has begun.
When Montréal scores the first goal, they have eight wins. The worst showing of any NHL team.
Plekanec loses the draw deep left to Shawn Matthias. The lanky Mississauga native drops a pass to defenceman and the play is whistled on entry to the Montréal zone.
Cammalleri is called for tripping. Perhaps accidental says Denis but legit.
Campbell is on the left point. Advances. Retreats. Puck finds him. He sends it to the left side. Now it’s back to the mobile defender.
Panthers keep it in. Moen’s stick has broken.
Versteeg with a long shot. Found by Gill. And sent long.
Panthers enter offside and the momentum subsides. Faceoff outside the Montreal zone.
Panthers control. Jovanovski from his blue.
Price retrieves behind his net. Passes. Young Lars Eller. Carries. Gets close. But can’t release a shot.
Five seconds in the penalty.
The crowd is very pro-Montreal and Houde says they didn’t like the non-call on Eller’s rush.
Plekanec and Cole are on together. Pacioretty, as well.
Not sure if this is a line or a leftover from the penalty-kill.
Plekanec is usually on the first unit.
Cole and Plekanec emerge two- on one.
Cole has it on the left, slows and then passes. Panther blocks it with his body.
Florida’s Tim Kennedy turns and veers from the boards. Pass to Mike Santorelli in the low circle. Shot. Left pad to the ice and Price makes his first difficult save off the evening. Makes it look easy.
Panthers continue to circle and press.
Under six.
Ed Jovanovski is back with the Panthers after a long absence. He last played with them in 1998-99, traded in mid-season to the Canucks.
Jovanovski. Look him up.
People are more important than machines. Certain people shouldn’t be allowed to play with machines. Nor other people.
Price splays low left and then shifts right on his knees for a shot that doesn’t come.
Faceoff to his left. Outside the zone.
Ozzy’s Black Rain is showcased. I Don’t Wanna Stop, the second track from the 2008 album.
Montreal goes to the power-play.
Tomas Kaberle on the left point. Plekanec on the right hash. He has it, head up and evaluating. Saucer pass. Pacioretty stabs. Stopped. Subban is called a few moments later.
Cole had a whack at the left door.
Subban receives the nods and support of the Florida staff member inside the penalty box with him. Why are those officials there, anyway? How dangerous are penalized hockey players?
Cole with a wraparound and Theodore is across. Solid save.
Another good save follows, left pad out and low. The quickness is still there, though not what it once was. But he’s looking more comfortable in net. Theodore’s wrap-around save was due to a direct giveaway by the goalie behind his net.
Nicely corrected.
We’re still at four on four.
Jovanovski on the left point.
Moen gets it to Eller on a two-on-one. Eller pays a price for his incursion. Jovanovski is explaining himself to the other codifier behind the net, Moen. Eller may have whacked the pad as he went by.
Back at the bench, Eller complains to Moen who nods once and spits. I’m listening.
It’s not your league. Nor will it be.
Even with 24 Cups won, the Canadiens are outsiders in this regionally divided institution. Under-reported, minimized and, at times, silenced, the greatest team in sports history is a guest in its own league.
Maybe that red team in England is great. And that cricket team from India.
Do corporate teams count?
Eller break-in. Gets big space. Free and in breakaway. Slows. Tries a move, slippery sweet shot-fake. Another and then a full-extension deke. He’s very confident these days. Theodore is up to it.
Under a second on the clock. Jason Garrison is called. Point eight seconds.
Not 0.08. I wonder if that’s still the legal limit.
This is 0.8.
They adjust the clock to 1.3, now.
Eller and Cullen. Gorges in the opposition slot for the draw. As a winger. Interesting.
Won draw. Shot. No.
Subban is taken down after the play. Subban is head down and covering his face.
Gorges goes after guys. So does Moen.
Gudbranson didn’t like Subban standing up for himself. And he slammed down his stick to remind him who’s boss.
What sort of man accepts toughness from one but not another?
The kind of man who would never dare fight Hal Gill.
I wish Larry Robinson was around.
First Intermission
Montreal 1, Florida 0
Dudbranson is from Ottawa and is well-versed in the privileges of the code. Of the dominant ideology that exists so stoutly in this game. Like a glutted toad. Purple and yellow throat. The code. It isn’t just about fighting. And it isn’t just their term.
Oh wait. Gudbranson. It was Word. It was.
Second Period
Montreal 1, Florida 0
Florida forward Krystofer Barch has been asked to leave the game. Explanations are given to the Florida bench and Montreal goes to the power-play.
Houde says that Cunneyworth wanted his team to be more tough and to stand up for one another more.
Cammalleri with a shot. Cole, butt in the crease, tried a pass, his back to Theodore and troubled by the goalie but Pacioretty couldn’t reach the deflected puck. Cole turned the broom at an awkward stairtop angle. Hit a skate.
Cute cash register or old microwave bell goes off on the PA as the penalty ends.
Gorges is one of the most-respected players on the team for his work ethic.
Shot of Florida’s head coach. He reminds me of Snape and Kevin Lowe. He’s an old-timer we’re all used to. One of those comfy and familiar names for long-time hockey fans. Does this mean he’ll be a good coach?
Toughness isn’t enough. Demeanour isn’t enough. This league is making a quiet transition from Mom and Pop to systems and boredom. All under the great red and white flag. It’s gonna hurt.
Plekanec tripped Kopecky.
Florida power.
Florida goal.
Montreal 1, Florida 1
Fleischmann. Top corner from the circle top. Over Price’s right shoulder.
Theodore is down after a save sequence that saw Dmitry Kulikov fall on his right leg.
Everyone reacted. Blunden who had fallen nearby and Kulikov, Theodore’s teammate. Everything is heard on the ice. We’re stuck with reading lips and body language. And then inferring from post-game lies and half-truths and unsaid volumes.
Theodore is up on his own but shaken up. Skates off on his own with a trainer jogging beside him.
Backup goalie Scott Clemmensen is in. His numbers are a big drop-off from Theo’s already weak digits.
Save percentage is 0.866. Awful. But Denis, a former goalie and a gentleman besides, is polite. Says Clemmensen had good numbers in the minors. Any pro goalie is going to have good numbers in the minors. That’s to be expected (there are exceptions; good goalies on bad teams; your Granby Bison buddy comes to mind).
Under fourteen.
I guess I’m not a gentleman. I never promised that. Did I.
The lighting is a bit banal in this rink. So are the home jerseys. Why are teams even in existence so far south?
I know, I know.
Twelve.
Brittle-man? Surlyman? Rudeman?
The Canadiens, even at their best, would be hard-pressed to make the playoffs this season. Missing Markov and with the injuries they’ve had, the team is playing under-manned and has been since game one.
Now, with a firing and a pall over the team, the media rabble and the fan zeal, the team has had to cocoon. Like begets like. Let’s hope there’s some good ingredients in there.
The surl. No apology. So easy for the anointed. They just have to do their jobs. No clue.
Cammalleri with the big crease chance.
Wild and high. But he was burled.
Leaving the crease, Cammalleri falls into the boards and Jovanovski tries hard not to add to the hit. He’s called for tripping. He has a word with an official but takes his seat in the box to observe the replay.
And to serve the penalty, I’m sure.
Montreal power.
Kaberle drive. Rebound. Theodore stops it.
What an untoward mask.
Thunderbirds come to mind. The originals.
Run to the hills.
More Canadians need to see the criminals among us.
And take action.
Four on four.
Montreal is called to negate the power-play.
Cammalleri and Desharnais. They flow in and Diaz drops down low, with them. Clemmensen takes a calm sip and pretends to clear ice shavings.
Plekanec line. Kladno man on the boards under the end line. Skates let. Keeps. Skates right. Keeps. Earns a compliment from Houde.
Panthers surge out.
But scholarly Mathieu Darche and captainly Hal Gill combine to Price’s left and the Cats have to re-claw.
They can’t even get back in. Darche with strong forechecking late in his shift. Eller takes one from a teammate on the hash and carries it out. Turns and leaves and kills the rest.
Emelin takes down a man. . Another defenceman might have been called but that’s Emelin’s game and he’s given the room to do it. Head over heels. Literally. Great play. Emelin earns a tap from Price and smiles. Desharnais says something positive, too.
It was a legal hit as are about 97 percent of Emelin’s checks. He’s a model for checking how-to.
Corporate intrusion.
You don’t belong here.
It’s a hockey game. Leave us be.
The Emelin hit is shown again and a second board bash, besides. Both legal. Both lethal. Both needed around here.
Price is on his knees with the puck behind him. His pads are spread left and right as he waits for the puck to come out. He’s got both posts covered. He takes up so much space in the net.
Gets low on re-entry shot. Nods to a teammate. And the crew seems calm.
Even when things are going well (and they’re not) a sudden goal can undo a superior team’s air and twist lights on the scoreboard.
Emelin checks in with Price on a detail and gets nodding in response and a stick to the rump as he leaves. I like what I’m seeing. (It was a goal-stick, smart aleck)
I can live with missing the playoffs if the team is cohesive and cares.
Who cares about disparate groups who just drive off each in their own expensive car after each practice? Not interested. Not interesting. And not what I signed up for.
I signed up to see and experience a team.
Eller is taken down. Moen is angry. Others join. No fight.
Moen reminds me of Laraque. He’s too aware of his friendships around the league and of the so-called code to serve his teammates well.
If you’re going to fight, then fight. Don’t take up a roster spot and waste our time. I’d rather have a scorer. Or a passer. Or a player.
Campbell took a freebie shot at Eller. Eller should just get him when he gets the chance. After all, what’s your league going to do (I know, I know).
Somehow Florida has a power-play.
Campbell’s hit was illegal, the puck was not near Eller. Houde confirms it.
It’s a bush league run by bush people. There are some bright exceptions but they’re good men in a bad building. Lotta hard hats needed. The spotlight kind.
Wabush Mines.
Florida led on shots 10-8 and overall, too. Twenty-one something. Eighteen, perhaps.
Second Intermission
Montreal 1, Florida 1
Smithereens.
Third Period
Montreal 1, Florida 1
They’re both from BC. Josh Gorges and Carey Price. Just contemplating that again. That whole commonalities thing.
Canadiens belong on the clean cold ice. Clicks and swoops and the Florida rink sees a team up to the logo. The logo looms large.
I watch Moen ride his reputation. He’s better at it than Cammalleri. Gets close enough and then coasts. Close enough. Then coasts. One player can’t take a shift off. And Matthias scores as the Canadiens chase the puck.
Florida 2, Montreal 1
Either he’s not in condition or he’s not into it.
Who’s he playing for? The name on the back of the jersey. As they say. Not the one in front.
Yes, it’s a logo.
Clemmensen, still in the game, bends low and clutches a puck to his midsection. How can you feel it with all that equipment on? Remember the sting of an icy ball on your left inside wrist? A few of those and you’d be into the game. And one whacked toe later (expletive deleted) you’d be a goalie again.
Knee pads. A luxury. But a necessity.
Like oxygen will be one day. Thanks, _____. You ****ing criminal.
(Ed note: I believe he was referring to Dr. Doom)
About five gone.
Versteeg with a long shot.
Giveaway? No. Takeaway. Brilliant play by Florida. And two men are near Price. Like hyenas unlocked. And Price matches.
Goalies can be fierce, too.
George Hainsworth? Maybe the Post was a bit rich. But they may be able to boast one day. Or was it the Globe? Irresponsible headline and photo.
Time flows by and the lead is gone again. No stoppages.
Only one team and its opponent. We can’t do anything.
We can only watch. And hope.
All we can manipulate is the truth.
Do we?
Do you?
Watching is a way to understand not watching.
What action means.
Inaction. And lack of control.
We can understand. We can learn.
Or we can rail and rage.
Or reframe history. And feel the way we want to feel.
Watch the watchers. What else do you see?
A team scores and we can’t be happy for them. Or can we.
Certain guys appear in unrelated commercials for one or two years and then disappear. Flavour of the month.
We live in a world that requires objectivity. But lacks it.
Thinking is the only way out. Better thinking.
And better cheese.
There are so many kinds of Canadiens fans. Eskimo fans. Arsenal fans.
And so on.
Plekanec raises his arms. May as well plead guilty. He’s called. Tripped a man.
Gill fires one around the boards after the draw.
Florida pressures for the first ninety seconds. But no big shots.
I guess that isn’t pressure, then. But it is. Makes the team work.
The remainder is better handled and the Canadiens survive. It’s a one goal game with four oh nine.
I see a movement out of the corner of my eye. The remote fell from a cushion.
Oh.
Stoppage.
Viewer question: what has changed in Michael Cammalleri’s play? First answer, says Denis, is David Desharnais. Second thing is his positioning. Desharnais is, as I said, now with Cammalleri. The slick passer is a difference-maker for the team.
We see the two on the bench, Desharnais; hat tilted back, no thought to appearances. He’s all substance. Cammalleri, also watching the action, is mouth open and watching. As is his wont. Expressionless. Concentrating.
Just under four.
That pair will need to score. And they will.
Subban retrieves. To Gill. Back to Subban. Up for Kostitsyn even as I thought Subban was sending it backward. Was that a fake?
Diaz tries too much on the right point and loses the puck to Fleischmann.
Old bullies are the worst kind. Unchanged, they become idols of craft. They can sleep with anyone, consume anything. They lost empathy decades ago.
I watch an old bully find amusement in a young brat’s hockey outrage.
We’re shown Pierre Gauthier up the high reaches of the arena. He’s alone and he’s not his usual calm vulture self.
He’s nervous, pacing and blowing air out of his mouth. I’ve never seen this side of him.
Fired Martin. Gainey fired Carbonneau. Davis fired Shell.
Coaches. Unappreciated. Yet these are the stewards of the game.
One forty-four.
Cunneyworth is also showing it. Nobody wants to lose their job. No one wants to lose face.
Price … is to the bench. My site. My English.
The team will earn our admiration as they did late in the period on Thursday. But the goal may not come.
Cammalleri and Desharnais will still be on the ice.
Weiss for the Panthers. Outside heir zone. Desharnais wins the draw.
One pass. Subban has it. Lobbed into the corner.
Puck is up and off the protective netting. Faceoff outside the Florida zone.
At least it isn’t Vokoun we have to beat.
Montreal resets. Rice leaves. (Ed note: I think Word meant Price. Rice left some time back. A Seahawk and afraid to go over the middle in the end. Can you blame him? He was 42.)
Can’t be kept in.
Plekanec loses it.
Fleishmann, the other 14 and also a Czech man, advances. One man. No angle. Shoots. Into the empty net.
Too much Hollywood from Plekanec. Should have just passed to an open man.
He twists his mouth on the bench and shakes his head.
What will his wife say?
Nobody can look at anyone else on the Montreal bench. Carriere (Gauthier’s left-hand man) has his arms folded.
What a difficult trip for the Canadiens, says Denis.
Cole is down on the right. Backhander. Scores.
He was a killer in Carolina.
He seems the same here, to me.
Backhander over the shoulder.
Nice goal.
Winner’s play. Champion’s play.
Thirty seconds.
Twenty-nine point eight to be precise.
Price is in the net. Montreal comes up with it.
Sent in.
Subban handles a rebound.
A shot from the slot. Another. Subban. Kaberle. Shot. Wide.
Clemmensen had no clue.
Weiss blocked Kaberle’s shot with his head.
Great chances.
Moen and Cole were in his crease.
Valiant.
And I’ll take that over the previous weeks’ selfishness.
But the season is in peril.
Final Score
Florida Panthers 3
Montreal Canadiens 2
HDS Stars: Erik Cole, Carey Price, Alexei Emelin
RDS Stars: Tomas Fleischmann, Carey Price, Travis Moen
I’m also 42.
The Juniors are a joke. Home ice advantage guaranteed. What about mixed organizers? What about neutral refs? What about. What about. What about.
Stacked deck and eked wins. What does it all mean? Should you brag?
I think not.
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