The pause that refreshes.......

is the All Star game.  Frankly, I don't understand why hockey fans get their collective knickers in a twist over it.  All I've been reading and hearing for the past couple of  weeks is how people aren't going to watch that garbage, it's meaningless, it's all just schmoozing etc.  Personally, I have nothing against mindless entertainment.  Just ask Mr. Moey, he's often heard saying "I can't believe you're watching that #@$&%."   (I think part of his criticisms are due to nerves, I'm usually watching some made for TV movie about killing or maiming one's spouse).  But I digress, I have a plan for Saturday night and it involves oysters and a DVD rental.  (Once in a while you have to throw them a bone, don' t you)?  Of course I'll PVR the skills competition and watch the game on Sunday afternoon.  I quite enjoy it really, no edge of your seat fretting over whether or not we'll get the two points.  No feelings of dread and angst over who will be next on the IR list.  I just take it for what it is, pure entertainment and a chance to see the best of the best gathered together for a weekend of good clean fun.  In a world where television is usually used as a vehicle to deliver more bad news than good, pour your favorite beverage, put your feet up and enjoy the festivities.  I know I will.

The pause that refreshes.......

is the All Star game.  Frankly, I don't understand why hockey fans get their collective knickers in a twist over it.  All I've been reading and hearing for the past couple of  weeks is how people aren't going to watch that garbage, it's meaningless, it's all just schmoozing etc.  Personally, I have nothing against mindless entertainment.  Just ask Mr. Moey, he's often heard saying "I can't believe you're watching that #@$&%."   (I think part of his criticisms are due to nerves, I'm usually watching some made for TV movie about killing or maiming one's spouse).  But I digress, I have a plan for Saturday night and it involves oysters and a DVD rental.  (Once in a while you have to throw them a bone, don' t you)?  Of course I'll PVR the skills competition and watch the game on Sunday afternoon.  I quite enjoy it really, no edge of your seat fretting over whether or not we'll get the two points.  No feelings of dread and angst over who will be next on the IR list.  I just take it for what it is, pure entertainment and a chance to see the best of the best gathered together for a weekend of good clean fun.  In a world where television is usually used as a vehicle to deliver more bad news than good, pour your favorite beverage, put your feet up and enjoy the festivities.  I know I will.

Never underestimate.....

the power of the jersey.  It was groundhog day yesterday, when the Ducks were up 3-1, off came the jersey.  Cue the comeback, and voila, the Habs did.  It went to a shootout but this time good fortune fell on the Ducks side, final score being 4-3 Ducks.  I'm wondering just how much power this jersey really has, I'll be giving it a test run in the coming weeks against other teams.  Not that I'm superstitious or anything silly like that :)   I managed to keep my emotions in check until Saku was named second star and skated out for one last wave.  When he patted his heart my eyes filled up, I was patting mine too and he'll always have a place in it.

In other news, yesterday I had to take my little rescue cat Sabrina to the vet.  For the past couple of months she's been pulling out the fur on her back.

After examining her, he sat me down for the diagnosis.  He spoke in a very somber tone and said " I hate to tell you this but she's a leaf fan."  Imagine my shock and horror, after all I knew nothing about her background.  And if that wasn't bad enough, he went on to say that there is no cure and probably won't be for another forty four years.   In the meantime he's prescribed anti-anxiety pills (I'm not really sure if they're for her or us) and we are under strict orders not to jeer or make fun of anything leaf in front of her.  That, I daresay will be next to if not impossible.

Never underestimate.....

the power of the jersey.  It was groundhog day yesterday, when the Ducks were up 3-1, off came the jersey.  Cue the comeback, and voila, the Habs did.  It went to a shootout but this time good fortune fell on the Ducks side, final score being 4-3 Ducks.  I'm wondering just how much power this jersey really has, I'll be giving it a test run in the coming weeks against other teams.  Not that I'm superstitious or anything silly like that :)   I managed to keep my emotions in check until Saku was named second star and skated out for one last wave.  When he patted his heart my eyes filled up, I was patting mine too and he'll always have a place in it.

In other news, yesterday I had to take my little rescue cat Sabrina to the vet.  For the past couple of months she's been pulling out the fur on her back.

After examining her, he sat me down for the diagnosis.  He spoke in a very somber tone and said " I hate to tell you this but she's a leaf fan."  Imagine my shock and horror, after all I knew nothing about her background.  And if that wasn't bad enough, he went on to say that there is no cure and probably won't be for another forty four years.   In the meantime he's prescribed anti-anxiety pills (I'm not really sure if they're for her or us) and we are under strict orders not to jeer or make fun of anything leaf in front of her.  That, I daresay will be next to if not impossible.

Welcome back Saku.....

My best side.......

In honor of Saku's return to the Bell Center tonight for the first time since he left Montreal, I'm wearing this jersey today.  I figure it was only a jinx wearing at the Ducks/Habs game at the Honda Center last March.  Habs were down 3-1 when I took it off, Price was replaced by Halak in net and we ended up winning in a shootout.

Welcome back Saku.....

My best side.......

In honor of Saku's return to the Bell Center tonight for the first time since he left Montreal, I'm wearing this jersey today.  I figure it was only a jinx wearing at the Ducks/Habs game at the Honda Center last March.  Habs were down 3-1 when I took it off, Price was replaced by Halak in net and we ended up winning in a shootout.

All's fair in love and war........

and I have no issues with Fleury emulating Price's pose the other night.  Fleury first endeared himself to me while playing against Detroit in game seven of the 2009 Stanley Cup final.  I loved how he patted his saviour the crossbar, because without it there surely would have been a goal and possibly another cup for the Wings.

He strikes me as fun-loving kind of guy, especially after watching his antics on the HBO special 24/7.  Both he and Price are young, highly competitive goaltenders.  In a perfect world I would love to see Price and Fleury square off in the Eastern Conference finals this year. 

All's fair in love and war........

and I have no issues with Fleury emulating Price's pose the other night.  Fleury first endeared himself to me while playing against Detroit in game seven of the 2009 Stanley Cup final.  I loved how he patted his saviour the crossbar, because without it there surely would have been a goal and possibly another cup for the Wings.

He strikes me as fun-loving kind of guy, especially after watching his antics on the HBO special 24/7.  Both he and Price are young, highly competitive goaltenders.  In a perfect world I would love to see Price and Fleury square off in the Eastern Conference finals this year. 

Friday morning musings.......

I'm normally a glass half full type when it comes to the Habs and life in general, however I'm not feeling as optimistic about our boys this morning.  I thought Pierre Gauthier had acquired the Whiz kid from the Islanders to semi-replace Andre Markov, it never occurred to me that it he was brought in to fill Josh George's skates.  Before the bomb was dropped about Josh I was certain that we were one D man and a power forward short of being a cup contender.  I was confident that Gauthier would address both of those issues before the trade deadline in February, now not so much.  I don't see how we can do any serious damage with the D or the offence as it stands, assuming and it's becoming a bigger IF we manage to get into the playoffs.  The playoff round against the Flyers is still fresh in my mind, notably the three games that the Habs didn't manage to score a single goal.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  This squad cannot get past the likes of the Flyers if the lineup stays the same. The fretting and hand wringing has officially started now, much too early for my liking.  In three short weeks we've gone from from thinking the sky was the limit to the sky is falling.  I truly hope Gauthier is not done, but I'm not holding my breath.

Something else crossed my mind last night, I know there are a lot of fans and some of the media complaining about Jacques Martin's coaching style  and that they would rather see Kirk Muller behind the bench as the head honcho.  Maybe that's been the plan all along, let Kirk work with an experienced coach before handing him the reins, give him the best chance to succeed.  Yup, I like that idea and I'm going with it.

I watched the final episode of HBO's 24/7 this week.  I enjoyed it very much, but something really niggled at me.  Specifically the alleged bitter rivalry between the Caps and the Penguins.  I think that rivalry is fabricated by the NHL brain trust simply because Crosby and Ovechkin are the league's best players.  I've never sensed a feeling of true rivalry between the two teams nor the two players.  The only negative thing I recall hearing Crosby say about Ovechkin is "I don't care too much for his showboating."  Oh my, them are fighting words!    Contrast that to the  "we hate them" comments that came out of the Pens room after the Habs beat them in the playoffs.  I'm not blaming the producers of HBO, after all they'll just report what they've been fed by Bettman and company.  One thing is for certain, as long as Bettman is steering the ship we won't be seeing any Winter Classics or HBO specials showcasing our Habs or any other Canadian team anytime soon. Pity.

Totally off hockey now, (it's my blog so I'm allowed) Moey's grocery tip of the week. 

Frozen baguettes, the next best thing since sliced bread

Made by "Au Pain Dore" these babies will set you back about $5.00 for a package of four.  You put them in the oven for seven minutes at 400F.  Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they're perfect for cheese fondues, sandwiches or just on their own with a pat of butter or a piece of cheese.  Fresh baguette at your fingertips whenever you fancy it.  Brilliant.

Friday morning musings.......

I'm normally a glass half full type when it comes to the Habs and life in general, however I'm not feeling as optimistic about our boys this morning.  I thought Pierre Gauthier had acquired the Whiz kid from the Islanders to semi-replace Andre Markov, it never occurred to me that it he was brought in to fill Josh George's skates.  Before the bomb was dropped about Josh I was certain that we were one D man and a power forward short of being a cup contender.  I was confident that Gauthier would address both of those issues before the trade deadline in February, now not so much.  I don't see how we can do any serious damage with the D or the offence as it stands, assuming and it's becoming a bigger IF we manage to get into the playoffs.  The playoff round against the Flyers is still fresh in my mind, notably the three games that the Habs didn't manage to score a single goal.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  This squad cannot get past the likes of the Flyers if the lineup stays the same. The fretting and hand wringing has officially started now, much too early for my liking.  In three short weeks we've gone from from thinking the sky was the limit to the sky is falling.  I truly hope Gauthier is not done, but I'm not holding my breath.

Something else crossed my mind last night, I know there are a lot of fans and some of the media complaining about Jacques Martin's coaching style  and that they would rather see Kirk Muller behind the bench as the head honcho.  Maybe that's been the plan all along, let Kirk work with an experienced coach before handing him the reins, give him the best chance to succeed.  Yup, I like that idea and I'm going with it.

I watched the final episode of HBO's 24/7 this week.  I enjoyed it very much, but something really niggled at me.  Specifically the alleged bitter rivalry between the Caps and the Penguins.  I think that rivalry is fabricated by the NHL brain trust simply because Crosby and Ovechkin are the league's best players.  I've never sensed a feeling of true rivalry between the two teams nor the two players.  The only negative thing I recall hearing Crosby say about Ovechkin is "I don't care too much for his showboating."  Oh my, them are fighting words!    Contrast that to the  "we hate them" comments that came out of the Pens room after the Habs beat them in the playoffs.  I'm not blaming the producers of HBO, after all they'll just report what they've been fed by Bettman and company.  One thing is for certain, as long as Bettman is steering the ship we won't be seeing any Winter Classics or HBO specials showcasing our Habs or any other Canadian team anytime soon. Pity.

Totally off hockey now, (it's my blog so I'm allowed) Moey's grocery tip of the week. 

Frozen baguettes, the next best thing since sliced bread

Made by "Au Pain Dore" these babies will set you back about $5.00 for a package of four.  You put them in the oven for seven minutes at 400F.  Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they're perfect for cheese fondues, sandwiches or just on their own with a pat of butter or a piece of cheese.  Fresh baguette at your fingertips whenever you fancy it.  Brilliant.

Mid-season meltdown..........

and Maxim Lapierre is traded to the Ducks.  The lucky so and so, damn I'm green with envy.  I could happily live there, get an NHL Center Ice package to watch my beloved Habs and be close to my Saku at the same time.  I'll root for both teams no problem.  What's really cool about the Honda Center is even if you have a ticket for the cheap seats, if there are better ones closer that nobody's using, you can just move.  It's excellent.

I'm not going to write about the current Hab's crisis, it happens every year and they manage to get through it.  Well except for the spring of 2009 meltdown, but how often can a GM fire the coach, the team and then himself?  People just need to calm down, the commentator on HBO's 24/7 said it best, it's part of the normal ebb and flow of an NHL season. 

Happy New Year to one and all. 

Mid-season meltdown..........

and Maxim Lapierre is traded to the Ducks.  The lucky so and so, damn I'm green with envy.  I could happily live there, get an NHL Center Ice package to watch my beloved Habs and be close to my Saku at the same time.  I'll root for both teams no problem.  What's really cool about the Honda Center is even if you have a ticket for the cheap seats, if there are better ones closer that nobody's using, you can just move.  It's excellent.

I'm not going to write about the current Hab's crisis, it happens every year and they manage to get through it.  Well except for the spring of 2009 meltdown, but how often can a GM fire the coach, the team and then himself?  People just need to calm down, the commentator on HBO's 24/7 said it best, it's part of the normal ebb and flow of an NHL season. 

Happy New Year to one and all.