Rocket:
Major league fantasy camps are very popular. For about $5,000 U.S., an average beer league player can get the ‘chance of a lifetime’ to play alongside the pros. You can get an authentic team uniform personalized with your name and number. Some teams offer DVDs to take home to re-live the experience.
Sitting near the glass at a game, one marvels at just how fast the game of hockey is at the NHL level. Do you ever wonder what it would be like on the ice? If you are having trouble imagining, just ask Patrice Brisebois. It would seem that Brisebois is having the ultimate fantasy experience. Standing still watching the play whiz past him; having a ice-level view of Carey Price making a tremendous save, and then gliding over and tapping Price on the pads. Not a bad way to earn $750,000. (I think that Brise can safely say goodbye to the other $750k in bonus money that is part of the contract. It’s not happening.)
As Bob Cole said in the third period of tonight’s game in his typical ‘articulate’ way “Fast game this hockey, isn’t it?” Yes, it is a fast game. Too fast for Cole and Brisebois, both about 5 years past their best-before date. The game started with a giveaway for #71 on his first shift and it got worse as the game went on. There are just too many times that Brisebois doesn’t take the body, nor block the pass, he is purely a spectator.
Perhaps Patrice should just endorse his full cheque over to Carey Price who is often left to clean-up Brise’s messes. Carey Price was superb tonight. He made several spectacular saves off Elias, Parise and Rolston. Yes, Price gave up a questionable goal to Langenbrunner but more than made up for it with his stellar play especially in last two periods when the Canadiens were outshot 22-13.
It was a strong first period for the Canadiens. The Habs moved the puck well. D’Agostini got his 3rd goal of the season due to some hard work along the boards initially, and then heading for the front of the net where he cashed in the rebound of a shot on net by Markov. Canadiens outshot the Devils 13-7 in the first.
Some familiar problems were the Habs undoing tonight. There were undisciplined penalties by Tanguay, Bouillon and Kovalev. Running around in the defensive zone was also a concern. Time spent chasing a Devil was time the Habs weren’t in the offensive zone. And lastly, there was poor special teams play. As Koivu said afterwards, “Special teams are a big part of the game. It’s a big step from creating chances to scoring on the PP.” The powerplay was 0-5. Robert Lang is not the answer on the point. Neither is Brisebois whose passes were painfully slow trying to set up a one-timer. (The only two who have shown that they can be a compliment to Markov are Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn.) Carbonneau inserting Laraque on the powerplay in the third was moronic tonight.
Alex Kovalev’s streak remains intact, now 16 games without a goal. Andrei Markov has a cut lip, and lost 2 teeth from a shot to the face in the third period. Mathieu Dandenault was injured when he blocked a shot.
Despite a terrific effort, Carey Price was in a grim mood after the game. When asked to explain, Price said “It’s pretty simple. I just don’t like losing.” The Canadiens need more players with that attitude, rather than those, who, like fantasy camp participants, are just happy to be there.
Pre-game:
Line-up remains the same for the Canadiens. Clemmensen in net for the Devils with Brodeur out.
Matt D’Agostini’s parents made the trip from Sault Ste. Marie to watch their son.
Rocket’s 3 stars:
1. Carey Price
2. Zach Parise
3. Patrik Elias
(photo credit: Canadian Press)