All Habs Headlines: Sunday December 11, 2011
On this day in hockey history… 1985 – Wayne Gretzky picked up seven assists in a game for the second time in his NHL career, in a 12-9 Oilers’ over the Blackhawks at Chicago. The seven assists tied the NHL record, first set by Billy Taylor in 1947.
COUNTDOWN TO GAMEDAY: All Habs Headlines
►Bulldogs crunch the Crunch: After the Toronto Marlies took the first game of the AHL Battle of Ontario series with a 2-1 win on the night of the Hamilton Bulldogs’ 15th Annual Stuffed Toy Toss event, the ‘Dogs finally put one in the win column at the expense of the Syracuse Crunch (and in so doing, ruined their toy toss event). Dan Sexton’s shot was the only one of 46 that Robert Mayer did not stop, as Phil DeSimone, Dany Massé, Aaron Palushaj and Gabriel Dumont led the offense for a final of 4-1. Dumont and Palushaj each finished the game with a goal and an assist, and combined for eight shots on goal. The Bulldogs have one game left in this three-in-three weekend series as the Rochester Americans land at the Copps Coliseum for an afternoon date that gets underway at 3:00 p.m. EST. Fans can tune in at http://www.820cham.com/ or AHL Live.
► Kaberle digs his new digs: In a trade that has been universally panned by fans, analysts and media, there is one smiling face. That belongs to Tomas Kaberle who is aware that the transaction is being characterized as a salary dump by officials from his former team. But his new home is the Bell Centre, an arena that Kaberle has enjoyed playing in even when it was from the visitor’s dressing room.
““I would say this is easily my No. 1 road rink.” Kaberle was being polite. Once the tape-recorder had been shut off and the pad and pen put away, he then let his guard down, admitting that the Bell Centre was No. 1 on his arena list, not just in terms of “road rinks.” He just didn’t want to make that statement publicly, fearful of insulting the Leafs organization, its fans, and those who work at the Air Canada Centre.” — Mike Zeisberger
Read more: Montreal excites Kaberle