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View From The Blues: New blogger joins I/O
posted by Dave Stubbs at 6h50 EST on Feb 1
A little about Chris, from his own keyboard:
I recently graduated from McGill, majoring in both Psychology and History. I actually started out at Concordia in English Literature, but when I had the opportunity to transfer, I figured I couldn't pass up the chance.
McGill has a great reputation for its Psych program and I developed a keen interest in the subject after having worked with the mentally handicapped for over four years. I worked as a supervisor at a government center, where our goal was to be able to train our clients in both work and social skills, hoping that they would one day be able to integrate into mainstream society.
I've held a few other jobs that also don't appear on CVs too often, including building a log cabin as a carpenter's assistant, and working as a mate on a small fishing boat off of Cape Cod.
I'm a country boy at heart, having spent my childhood spying on deer and fishing for trout deep in the Laurentian forests. I grew up to the sounds of pond hockey and the fizz of static while trying to follow the Habs play the puck on a blurry, black and white TV screen.
While always a fan, it has only been in the past few years that I've really developed a true appreciation of the game. I follow the Habs passionately, living the highs and lows with the team every day. For the past couple years, I've been writing pre-game reports, first for my friends and then for the bar where we watched the game.
As a student, I was delighted to make a deal with the owners where when I brought in the report and handed it out, I could eat and drink to my heart's content. People have told me how much they enjoy my pre-game summaries, and I hope to develop that so I am able to contribute to Habs Inside/Out.
Without further ado, then, here is Chris's first I/O blog:
Last Year’s News
Do you remember the electricity that would course through the veins of the Bell Centre last year when Sheldon Souray would wind up from the point on the power play? The anticipation of that flashing red light preparing a cheer in your throat? Yeah, of course, I remember that.
How about the celebrations the year before when Jan Bulis scored 4 goals in one game - on four shots, no less. Really? He did?
Or do you remember the excitement that would grip everyone when a confident Richard Zednik would streak up along the boards? Hmmm … Zednik played for the Habs?
It’s amazing how quickly the names of heros – and villains – are quickly forgotten by us fickle fans. With Edmonton’s Sheldon Souray being placed on the injured reserve list for the second time this season, I thought we could take a quick look at some of those names that we once cheered – and jeered – for.
In no particular order (statistics before Thursday's games):
Radek Bonk, who signed a $1.475-million contract with the Predators during the off-season, and who was perhaps our best checking forward last year, has 11G-8A-19P in 48 GP. Oh, and he’s a team low -17.
Mike Johnson, Bonk’s PK partner last season, barely made the only team that was interested in him this season: the St. Louis Blues. In 21 games, he scored 2, helped on 3 others, and was -4. His season is over due to a shoulder injury.
Speaking of shoulder injuries, Souray is -7, with 3 goals and 7 assists (5 of those points on the PP) in only 26 games. He is listed as day-to-day by the Oilers and may require surgery in the off-season.
Garth Murray, who also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, had no points but had racked up 19 PIM in 6 appearances for Florida. The 25-year-old forward was claimed off waivers by Florida in November.
Craig Rivet, in 49 games, is -1 with 5G-19A-24P. That’s a good enough point total to rank him fourth on the Sharks.
Alexander Perezhogin, who bolted from the Habs last year for more money and more ice-time, currently sits 12th in the Russian Super League in points. He has 19G-18A-37P in 41 games with Salavat Yulaev.
Jan Bulis, who wore out his welcome in Vancouver, is 20th in points in the Russian Super League. In 47 games with Khimik, the Czech winger has 13G-20A-33P.
David Aebischer is minding the nets for HC Lugano. In his 20 appearances with the Swiss team after having been released by the Coyotes, Abby has a 2.42 GAA and a .926 save percentage.
Mike Ribeiro is, of course, leading the Dallas Stars in scoring and plus-minus (+14). He has 56 points in 51 games, with 34 assists and a career high 22 goals. The Montreal native recently signed a 5-year / $25 million contract extension with the Stars.
Sergei Samsonov, who was stinking it up in Chicago (0G-4A-4P, -7, in 23 GP) has come to life after being claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes off waivers. With the ‘Canes, Samsonov already has tallied 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 9 games.
Aaron Downey is a part-time grinder for the Cup-favourite Detroit Red Wings. In 34 games he has 1 assist and 55 PIM.
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I'm new to this blog stuff but have been an ardent Hab fan since the day my father walked in the door carrying a Leaf's jersey in his left hand, and a Hab's jersey in his right. The year was 1961, and even at the tender age of 5, I knew which jersey was mine. My younger brother got the Leaf's one.
I've lived through the good (mostly), the bad (a little), and the ugly (rarely), and through it all I've managed to turn aside the biting comments from Bruin and Blackhawk fans in the early 70's, to the Oilers and Flames in the 80's. Those who taunted me in my teens now mention the fact that we Habs fans are always living in the past. We I say to them, "At least we have a past!"
But enough about the past. Tonights game against the Flyers was special. Price showed he has regained the confidence he had lost in December (though the last goal was a bit weak I thought). I'm filled with confidence that this version of the Habs will do great things for years to come.
Is it just me, or do some of the others on this blog know if we want to score goals in the "new" NHL, our boys (read Ryder, Koivu) need to learn to shoot high stick side. Ryder had a two on one break, and shot the puck right into Nittymaki's pads, ice level, as he did the butterfly. Come on you guys. Every goalie in this league is down in the butterfly (including Price unfortunately) before you ever wind up for your shot. Shoot it high, roof it, blocker side. The goals will come easily. Look at Philly's goals tonight. Two were high stick side. It isn't that difficult boys. But hey, we're tied with Ottawa for 1st.
I've developed a great line you can use on the misguided Leaf fans out there, those poor people feeling proud (if that's the right word to use) enough to wear clothing bearing the Leaf's logo around town. I'll spot a Leaf ballcap and approach, or intercept the wearer if he happens to be in a restaurant or mall, and say, "Excuse me sir, I think a bird crapped on your hat. Opps! It's just the Leaf symbol. Sorry." Most laugh and accuse me of being a Hab fan however I have gotten some choice replies. Give it a try.
Until next time...vive le Canadien!
Hello, Chris? Habs fan? Any comment on the two games your team has played since you started this gig? Cuz if you don't start posting something soon, we're gonna have to start calling you "Crickets" Aung-Thwin ;-)
Maybe he was in the Molson Ex zone and got drunk?
I haven't seen more anticipation in the world of hockey since Eric Lindros was drafted! Or maybe Crosby is the more pleasant analogy. When is the first blog?
"Views From The Blues"? Couldn't the Gazette spring for better seats for you?
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"All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"
Guess it's a long walk down from the Blues?
Chris: I wish you all the best. Just dive in head first, you'll get used to the water pretty quickly. The Habs are on a roll and the gang on HIO is about as happy as I've ever seen them. Best Regards, Brian
Welcome aboard!
"We will win the Cup only with Carey Price in the nets"
Chris,
I wonder how the free spirits at the bar help/hinder the creative process when
putting the Habs under the microscope....pretty much what most of us armchair experts are doing also, difference being our ability to spel, or writ anythin kohearent and most importantly, we have to buy our own suds.
Experience working with the handicapped will serve you well, in life and dealing with this lot.
Welcome aboard! Looking forward to your posts.
Welcome to this crazy place we call home Chris, enjoy!
Hey Chris, only problem I find with you so far is that you may be a little over qualified with McGill, Concordia etc etc. Something like me, I majored in street cobbism and now I,m in my second semester of Inside Out. Welcome inside and out. We have a great time here with some fine fans.
kumbaya (no sarcasm)
Welcome aboard Chris looking forward to reading your blog/post's
Go Habs Go
Welcome.
Or, in the parlance of our times, bienvenue.
Welcome Chris,
Enter at your own risk :)
Welcome Chris...maybe you chould shed some light...is the Habs recent struggle at home against against the Leafs an aberration...or is it due to the superiority of the boys from TO?
Thanks for the update!
WELCOME ABOARD CHRIS!
Ex nihilo nihil fit
Chris, you are correct about Michael Ryder. The fans at the Bell Centre have turned on him and once that happens, it's game over. He will find his game elsewhere, and return to being a 25 - 30 goal scorer for someone else, where the plus/minus rating is not watched as closely, and a turn over leads to a public flogging.
I just hope it's in the Western Conference, where he won't haunt the Habs frequently, as Mr. Ribiero did before Christmas.
Welcome to the site.
Welcome to habs greatest fans .Looking foward to your post.
Welcome aboard, Chris.
Welcome!!! Good luck, I think your schooling will be advantageous ;-)
Welcome!
Some of us are mildly insane BTW. Might want to be careful.
Blitzen, did you not read that Chris majored in Psychology, and worked for over four years with the mentally handicapped? Maybe that's why he is now doing a blog for us fanatics on HIO. They knew what they were doing when they hired him.
Does he offer counseling? :hyper:
At times I think that a background in babysitting would have been more appropriate. :)
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"All bow down before the Komisaurus Rex!"
Glad you said it Chuck, I would get dinged (as usual).
From what I have seen, there are at least 15 bloggers from the couch each and every habs game to compete/supplement Boone's comments. Interesting to see how this one will be different. Respek!
Hear me now, I think it would be cool if those 15 or so would be given a guest blogger spot. Cover one or two games each, then the next person comes on board. This may help give Boone a break -- now he can just drink instead of drinking and typing :)
Ha Ha. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to get their dandruff up. What's the matter Timo, someone take your cookies? :)
Welcome Chris! Looking forward to your contibution.