Did you rake the leaves, wash the car and feed the dog?
Perhaps you raked the dog, washed the leaves and stuffed Kibbles n’ Bits into your car’s gas tank … ?
No worries – at least you did something this past weekend. That’s more than the;
St. Louis Blues
In case all your weekend tasks kept you away from your television / computer / buddy who is a hockey fan – the L.A. Kings swept the Blues in four games. If your are keeping track of such things – the Kings have now eliminated the number one and two seeds in the Western Conference.
The Kings had just a little more experience than St. Louis and combined with the loss of Halak, this series was as anti- climatic as discovering your new girlfriend is a he and adores playing horseshoes ( not that there is anything wrong with horseshoes ).
Blues’ goalie Elliot, the keeper of the season’s best goals against average – did not play bad. On occasion – when a team requires a win, a change between the pipes shakes things up. Adorns a team’s Christmas tree a different perspective as they gander back toward the crease. St. Louis had this advantage all season with the best goalie tandem in the NHL. Unfortunately, Halak picked the worse time to be run over by his teammate and injure his lower body. The series would have been different otherwise …
A Special Birthday
Yesterday, Denis Brodeur and his wife, spent the day wondering where the years have gone. For them, forty years appears like yesterday as they sat around reminiscing and watching the Devils take a 3 – 1 commanding lead against the Flyers.
Was it really their little boy? The one who cried when he first lost a game as a net minder in Atom hockey? Was it him standing in goals yesterday as the newly – turned, forty year old, winningest goaltender in hockey history? Saving his way to yet another Devils’ win and accumulating more wins and lore to pack in his suitcase for his eventual trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame?
It sure was M. et Madame Brodeur.
For one moment, do not think his teammates are not aware of these facts and are giving that little extra.The little Devils – all the way to the big ones … are going to help anyway they can to give Martin Brodeur the best birthday present in hockey.
Lord Stanley’s Cup!
Sentimental fans, even the ones who live under the Arch in St. Louis, must all be cheering for Brodeur and nostalgia … Sorry Mr. Quick – your time will come!
Speaking of goalies …
Since that fateful morning in 1985 when Flyers’ net minder Pelle Lindbergh drove his Porsche into a wall, his former position continues to ‘ haunt ‘ Philadelphia.
Ironically, as a young lad in Sweden – Lindbergh dreamed of playing for the Flyers and skating in his idol’s steps. His hero? Bernie Parent. Pelle’s parents going so far to bring the little Lindbergh to North America to see Parent play …
Pelle’s Porsche – Curse?
The Flyers, about now – wish either Lindbergh or Parent were in goals. Bryzgalov cannot make the ‘ big save ‘ and it is deflating the Flyers’ playoff balloon. The man whose fear lies ‘ in the woods ‘, is not out of the woods. He is not playing bad. He is playing much better than he did against Pittsburgh. Sadly, he cannot channel Patrick Roy of 1986 or Pelle Lindbergh of 1995 … Ouija board anyone?
This is not your Father’s hockey league …
It used to be, players, coaches and presumably their wives – all remained with one organization for minimum ten years. Unless, of course – your name happened to be Marc Bergevin and you played defense.
Now – everyone is moving so much, a GPS is required to keep up to date in your hockey pools.
The Hawks have announced, Norm ( no relation to the t.v. Star ) Maciver, a former assistant coach in Boston and most recently director of scouting in Chicago – has been appointed the new Ass’t G.M. in Chicago …
Maciver takes Montreal G.M. Bergevin’s place who held the same positions in Chicago.
Marc? I’ll be right there ….!
Now, it is reported Bergevin – is recruiting Leafs’ director of player personnel Rick Dudley to come and be his assistant in Montreal. Dudley has been with the Leafs since 2011. Dudley was the G.M. in Atlanta before his Toronto tenure and was replaced by former Hawks’ assistant G.M Cheveldae when the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg. If this is the case – Dudley ( a former Buffalo Sabre ) would replace Larry Carriere ( another former Sabre ), as the assistant G.M. in Montreal.
Scotty Bowman was a coach in Montreal and the G.M. in Buffalo. He is presently a senior advisor in Chicago and his son is the G.M. Of the BlackHawks.
No news whether Denis Savard; a former BlackHawk / Habs’ player and a past coach in Chicago – is returning to Montreal or ending up in Buffalo.
Confused … ?
Go outside and get the Kibbles n’ Bits from the gas tank. Things will be more smooth after that …
Finally …
Max Pacioretty greets Zdeno Chara at the World Hockey Championships!
Can you read Max ‘s mind?
