Braver, Stronger, Happier

This might come off a little sappy, but oh well. I've been told I'm a sappy person, so here it goes.

To anyone who ever encouraged me to chase my dreams - family, friends, and teachers - thank you. For a long time I was afraid to take that chance and put myself out there. I was afraid of being vulnerable. But not anymore.

Since I took that leap of faith in late October, I've never been happier. I'm making a name for myself as a writer, and my dreams of making a career out of it are closer than they've ever been. I finally feel that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing; that I've found my purpose and meaning in life. And that's huge.

When you struggle with low self esteem (and yeah, I have. My counselor noticed it almost immediately) and depression, you often feel like you're worthless; you don't have any purpose, any reason for living. Your life may be filled with wonderful people, but still there is something missing, and that something is purpose.

By putting myself and my writing out there for the world to see, I feel that I've become a stronger and happier person. My life has more meaning than it ever did. I'm not afraid to go after what I want. Case in point, my last two interviewees.

The old, sad, and afraid me never would've been able to ask Con O'Brien or Alan Doyle for interviews for my articles. But the new me? She's not afraid anymore. She's a strong, confident, and happier person who is chasing her dreams and is determined to succeed. 2016 is going to be my year. I can feel it.

So thanks again to anyone who ever told me to chase those dreams. I couldn't have done it without you! 😘

Been a Long time now...

God, it feels like forever since I've written in this space. Not to make excuses, but my old tablet broke, and my computer isn't hooked up to the internet, which left me with just my iPod touch as my sole connection to the internet. On top of that, my iPod is fussy at best, so I wasn't going to tempt fate and try installing the blogger app on it- it would've been too big a headache. But that's all changed now you see. So on NYE I broke down and bought a new tablet, and things have become oh so much easier. So now I have the blogger app again, and I'm ready to write! So with that said, here goes!

Last I checked, I left off with a post about hockey and the Habs untimely exit from the playoffs. I was feeling a whole range of emotions then, and not much has changed in the 7+ months since then. I still despise Chris Kreider, and I suspect I will for a long time. Habs fans don't forget. But thankfully a new season is upon us, and as I type, the Habs sit 2nd in the Atlantic division (24-11-2) only two points behind Tampa. With a back to back against New Jersey and Pittsburgh on Friday and Saturday, I don't expect this to be the case for very long.

So, its been interesting since I've last been here. The last 7 months saw me get more tattoos; (and I love getting inked, so I know you can guess how I've been this year) 3 more actually, and I love each of them.

My first tattoo this year was on May 15 (before my old tablet broke). For a long time up to that point, I'd had toyed with the idea of getting a Great Big Sea tattoo, but didn't know exactly what to get. I didn't want it to be obvious and just have the band's name on my leg, but I didn't want it to be obscure either. What I finally decided on was the artwork from the album Play. As all you GBS fans reading know, the Play cover featured little bobblehead fella- affectionately known as Dabs (Darrell, Alan, Bob, Sean), who would also make an appearance in the video for the song When I'm Up (I Can't Get Down). Somehow I just knew that he'd be perfect. And I wasn't wrong :) I later tweeted the four original band members the picture of my tattoo, and got retweets from Bob and Darrell.

June was fairly uneventful, but that turned out to be a good thing because July more than made up for it. There was the Clarenville Days Dance where Síle and I got to see The Navigators (Arthur O'Brien and Fred Jorgenson) perform. Love those guys! They're fast becoming one of my favourite bands!

Later that month was Garden Cove Day, and although I had tweeted Alan about it, I was certain he wasn't coming, as he'd had a late night the night before. So imagine my surprise when I look up from the game I was working, and see him standing there. I think that even said something along the lines of "I didn't think you were going to be here today!" Y'see, his Uncle Ronnie's band was celebrating their 50th anniversary the night before, and since he'd been a part of the band for a while, Alan also took part. Through conversation we had after I finished my hour at the Plinko game, I learned that he'd only gotten 3 hours sleep before heading out for the festivities of the day. I showed him the above tattoo, and he grinned: Way to go girl, was his response :) 3/4 ain't bad! 

He also got in the dunk tank, and drew quite a crowd. No, I wasn't the one who dunked him, because I was taking pictures of the entire thing. Poor guy, I don't think he thought he was actually going to get dunked! Here's a photo of him, soaking wet, and then a fun selfie we got together. 

If July was fantastic, then August was even more so! Early August saw Síle and I head into St. John's as Alan was headlining the final night of the 2014 George Street Festival. While there, we got to meet the federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair (Thank you Amelia), and became friends with a fellow fan named Sheila (who was from Saskatchewan- what are the odds?) and left with sore throats and tender feet. But it was all worth it. Here's a few pictures from the show:

There are more on Facebook if you're interested.

September, not much on the go,  except my birthday (29- holy crap). Pretty good as far as birthdays go. Definitely not looking forward to my 30th!

October saw the second new tattoo (4th overall) of 2014, one that I had been wanting for a long time- my Habs one. My tattoo artist and I talked it over, and nailed down a design that I liked. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love my Montreal Canadiens, so it just made sense to have a tattoo done to celebrate my fandom. This was the final product:

I later tweeted a picture of it to several Habs players, and got a reply from Brandon Prust. One of my greatest moments as a fan!

Also, due to my enduring fandom, I won a copy of Alan's book- Where I Belong. I had ordered a copy of it, as preordered copies were guaranteed to be signed. To paraphrase the man from CBC "because you stayed on the line so long without talking to Alan, we decided that you deserved a copy." Proof that being a devoted fan pays off. Here's my signed copy I won:

November, oh November... You were perfect, you know that? 

Síle and I went to St. John's in early that month for a benefit concert for Gord O'Brien, who after 75 years had to close his family run music store. So some of Newfoundland's finest got together to raise money to help him out. Front and center we were, and enjoyed every moment. And while the show was fantastic, my highlight of the night would come after the show. Síle and I made our way over to the barrier that separated the crowd from the musicians where we waited for my chance to see the host of the night, Alan Doyle. When he came out from backstage, I got his attention and instead of just coming straight to the barrier he made his way around it and came straight to me. What happened next surprised me. Without hesitation Alan pulled me in for a hug and then asked in a concerned voice "So how have you been doing girl?" Better yet, the hug lasted just a bit longer than normal. 

Then I worked up the courage to ask him for something I needed from him- handwritten lyrics from "Ordinary Day". I explained that I wanted the second half of the chorus, and he couldn't remember it, so he asked " How does that go again? " to which I replied "At the end of the day, you've just got to say its alright." As he took a sharpie and started writing, I explained that it was for a tattoo, which confused him, but then he doesn't know the whole story. Perhaps someday I'll be brave enough to tell him. Here's how the lyrics looked:

Fast forward a few weeks and I have an appointment to get the lyrics tattooed on my leg. I was actually a bit nervous about getting this one done because I wanted I to be perfect. But my fears were for naught, as the tattoo turned out perfect:

That brings us up to December. Normally I really enjoy Christmas, but I really had a hard time getting into it this time. The tree was up, presents were bought and wrapped, everything was done. I even participated in the Santa Claus Parade in Garden Cove. And although it was raining, I had a good time, but I still felt the blues. It wasn't until the Celtic Christmas show and After Party that I finally felt the Christmas spirit. Much thanks to Con, Pat, Robert, Arthur for the laughs, tunes, and all good things. 

Went to Garden Cove for Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day, where I got to spend time with both my folks and one of my big sisters. Best Christmas in a long time. 

So, that's everything, unless I remember more. Can't wait to see what the rest of 2015 holds in store!

Proud to Love the CH!

As I write this, my heart is broken. I'm not sure why this year's exit from the playoffs hurts more than others. Maybe it's because I, like so many other Habs fans, truly felt like this was our year. Time and time again, the experts counted us out. But look at what we did. We swept Tampa. Who besides us Habs fans saw that coming? Heck, I don't think any of us saw that coming. And then there was Boston, who experts said we would not get past. And look what happened. Our boys battled hard, gave it their all, and prevailed. But then the unthinkable happened.

Chris Kreider, who I will now forever despise (yes despise), ran into Carey Price. Some will say it was accidental (which I do not buy for even a fraction of a millisecond), others that it was on purpose (which I fully believe), doesn't matter. The point of the matter is, that (looking for a nice word here but failing) whether Kreider was tripped or no, he ran into Price, reinjuring him and taking him out of the series. You have to believe he knew what he was doing. He could've stopped. People (read: Rangers fans) said his momentum carried him into Price. I call BS on that. Everyone knows that they teach you how to stop when you're learning to play hockey. Kreider has a history of running goaltenders. Ask Craig Anderson or Marc-Andre Fleury. The Rangers knew that the only way they'd advance would be to take out a hot goaltender like Price.

I'm not making excuses though. A team can simply not win when they're not scoring. And sadly that's what cost our beloved Habs their season and a chance at Lord Stanley. They were closer than they ever have been in years though, and gave their fans something to believe in. No cup this year, but I'm okay with that now, as hard and bitter a pill that is to swallow. Their time is coming. I know that in my heart. And look at Tokarski, that kid has a very bright future. There's no telling what the future holds, Habs fans, but I'm sure a Stanley Cup is not far away!

more than just a game

It's a hard thing to explain,
My love for the hockey game
Through all their ups and downs,
I love my Habs all the same

I cheer on their successes
Pull out hair at their mistakes
I jump up and down and celebrate
But the floor I will also pace

My heart beats oh so wildly
During the height of the action
And oh how big my smile
When they win, what satisfaction!

It isn't always easy,
Haters from all sides
But I will always defend my boys
With a deep and intense pride

For those who say "it's just a game",
I don't think you quite understand
It means so much more than that
To a dedicated fan.

For hockey is much more than that,
It's thoughts and hopes and dreams
And with every win that comes
The deeper you believe

That's why I'm proud to say it,
No matter where I go,
I will gladly declare it,
I'm a Habs fan, Go Habs Go!

No Laughing Matter

I've tried to bite my tongue, really I have. I have tried to give the Boston Bruins and their fans the benefit of the doubt in these 2013-2014 playoffs, but 5 games in, I can no longer hold in the thoughts that have been swirling around, lest they leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Those of you who know me know of my distaste for anything Boston. But nothing makes my blood boil more than the actions of the Boston Bruins, both in the regular and post season. And what makes it even worse is that the majority of Bruins fans condone such behaviour, stating that the team is just gritty, and that it's okay to do what they did because it gets in the heads of their opponents.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't mind a good on-ice tussle. A bit of chirping, sure. It's as much a part of the game as scoring goals and winning face offs. We as hockey fans have come to expect it, whether watching from the comfort of our own homes or in the arena. But when gritty crosses the line into dirty and dangerous, that's where I cross the line. I'll also be the first to admit that my team isn't perfect. Have they gotten away with some things that they should've been penalized for? Definitely. But so has every other team in the league at some point. But nowhere is this more evident than with the Boston Bruins.

Case in point, Game 5 between the Boston Bruins and Montréal Canadiens last night, when with less than two minutes left to the game, and his team winning, Shawn Thornton took the opportunity to squirt water in the face of Habs defenseman P.K. Subban. Not once, but twice. In doing so, he impeded the vision of Subban, which could've (but luckily didn't) result in injury. P.K. was upset, and rightly so. Afterwards, in a post game interview, he stated that if it had been him who'd done it, it'd be talked about for days. I couldn't agree more.

I see many Boston fans saying today that P.K. is a p***y and should suck it up. I see others saying that it was just a joke, and that a bit of water never hurt anybody. I see terms like baby and whiny bitch being tossed about, but to be completely honest here, I'm failing to see where any of this is funny. Let's say the situation were reversed, and it had been P.K. who had squirted Thornton twice with water from the bench. Would Boston fans think it was funny then? Probably not. In reality, they would probably be irate, much like Habs fans are today. They would be calling for his suspension, and would want his head on a silver platter.

The truth of the matter is that what Shawn Thornton did was dangerous, no matter who he did it to. And I think what bothers a lot of hockey aficionados is that this happened during play. Not in a scrum or a stoppage in play, but during an actual play. In matters such as this, it feels dirty and dangerous for such an act to occur. Let's see how you'd feel if you were in that players shoes and couldn't see, Bruins fans. Because honestly, you and your whole fan base sicken me right now.

In my opinion, what Thornton did was reprehensible. He is a grown man (at least in size, if not in brains), and should be ashamed of what he did, because impeding another player's vision by squirting water in his face is childish, and has no place in the game. Geez, what's next? Whoopee cushions?

NHL, get your shit together. Because player safety is no laughing matter. The only thing that is are your so called punishments. Do you think this will change Thornton's goonish behaviour? Cause I've got news for you- it won't. He'll do it again and again and again, just like Marchand diving and Lucic's spearing dudes in the nuts.

But that's another rant for another time.

Greatest Habs Memory (so far)

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my last day in an all too brief first visit to Toronto. I wanted to make the most of my day, so while two friends went to a house concert, my other friend, along with our nephew, decided to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It was 2009, the year of the Habs Centennial, and the Hall was filled with so many pieces of Habs memorabilia. Everywhere I looked, my eyes lit up. As I stepped into the replica of the dressing room, jerseys all hung up, equipment set up much in the way I imagine it would've been, I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be one of those players, sitting in their stalls, preparing to do battle with their rivals on the ice.

Each display was more wonderful than the next. How my eyes lit up when I saw a picture of The Rocket, his eyes nearly smiling back at me. I wondered then he if felt the same pride in the C-H as I did, but in my mind, I already knew the answer. Of course he did. I felt just as proud to love the Habs as he did to play for them.

As I gazed at Andrei Markov's jersey, I was almost transported to that Bell Centre ice, could almost feel the roar of 21,000+ fans as his name was announced. I could only imagine the pride he felt that night, magnified by the magical night.

But I knew my trip to the Hall wouldn't be complete with one thing: seeing the Stanley Cup; the holy grail of hockey. So I followed the signs and made my way up the staircase to where it rested. When I entered the trophy hall, I was in pure awe. I marveled at all the trophies, thought of what skill and hard work it must've taken for each of those men to win that particular trophy; the sacrifice and dedication they had to their sport.

Never was that feeling stronger than when I finally laid eyes on the Stanley Cup. In my head I could see the greats of the past lifting it high above their heads in celebration, realizing a childhood dream. Knowing that you've reached the highest point of your hockey career; that for that moment in time, you were a champion.  My heart soared just being near it, so I can only imagine what it's like to actually lift it.

I may never be able to experience that, but at least seeing it has been my greatest Habs memory so far.

A love/hate relationship- Habs/Bruins rivalry

For almost as long as there has been professional hockey, there has been a rivalry between the Montréal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins, with the two teams facing off for the first time on December 8, 1924. And there's no bigger stage for such a heated rivalry than the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And with the two teams embroiled in yet another intense battle (their 34th playoff series), there's no better time to talk about what I think added fuel to the fire of this modern day rivalry.

The incident I'm referring to of course, is the one that is etched into the minds of many devoted Habs fans, the Chara hit on Max Pacioretty (look that up on YouTube) when at 19:40 of the 2nd period of a game played on March 8, 2011, Patch was drove into the stanchion near the end of the Boston Bruins bench. For several moments after, Pacioretty lay motionless on the ice, where he would be lifted off on a stretcher and brought to the hospital. Chara, for his part, was assessed a 5 minute major and game misconduct for his actions. Upon further review of said play, the league decided on no further action on him, deeming what happened to be a "hockey play". The next day, it was revealed that he (Pacioretty) had a fracture to the 4th cervical vertebra (C4), and a severe concussion.

When Annakin Slayd, in his 2011 Habs anthem " MTL Stand Up" (can also be found on YouTube)  said "if that's a hockey play, then hockey must change / Wanna be proud of our sport, not ashamed...", the words resonated with a lot of Habs fans. After nothing was done about the very obvious headshot to Max, many fans felt ashamed of the league. How could it be a "hockey play" when a young man almost had his career ended? What kind of message was being sent to the rest of the league about headshots? The league was (and still is) trying to eliminate headshots from the game, and a more severe punishment here (i.e: a suspension) would've sent the message that this was something that they were not going to tolerate. But instead, as we all know, nothing was done, and headshots continue to be an issue.

I think the lack of punishment is what added fuel to an already very heated fire. Many fans were outraged that the league could let someone get away with what he'd done. Many wanted blood, and rightly so, but the cries of fans were all for naught. 5 minutes and a game misconduct, which to many seemed too light a punishment, a slap on the wrist, if you will for a hit that caused such a serious injury. And then Mark Recchi saying the injury wasn't as serious as everyone thought, and that Max had been embellishing?  You're kidding me right? What does he know about spinal injuries? When did he get his degree?

What a joke.

I think what bothers me the most in all of this is that I see some Bruins fans saying "I wish he'd hit him harder." What would make a person say that? Is your hatred so intense that you would wish harm upon another human being? I understand the Habs/Bruins rivalry is a much heated one, but there is something wrong if you want another human being to be hurt.

I won't say I hate the Bruins, but my dislike is a strong one, only for their style of play. There's an intent to injure there, and all I can do is hope and pray that there's never another repeat of that very frightening incident back in March of 2011.

Go Habs Go! 

Going With Your Gut

Did any of you ever have this great opportunity fall into your lap? One so great that you couldn't believe it was happening, like it was almost too good to be true? Well I have, and it's been a wild roller coaster of emotions for me.

When a former Facebook friend suggested it, it seemed like a great opportunity. I love sports, and I love my Habs, so a job that combined the two couldn't possibly be wrong. So, with contact information in hand, I gave it a shot.

As this person and I e-mailed back and forth, my excitement started to build. It was looking more and more like they wanted me to work with them, and they were impressed by my work. That felt good, I won't lie.

I even got as far as a little simple quiz I had to take. Guess I did alright, because I was offered the position. I finally had what I wanted, all I had to do was sign on the dotted line. But I just couldn't pull the trigger.

Something didn't feel right. I looked over the contract a couple times, thought it over. Actually doubted my abilities. But in the end, I did what I felt was right. Emailed the guy back, thanked him for the opportunity, but said that I couldn't bring myself to sign the contract.

Fear of commitment, who knows. But when in doubt, you've got to go with your gut.

Not So Black & White

Imagine this- you're a hockey player and you've just scored an important goal, saving your team from the jaws of defeat. For a moment, you are on top of the world, and what do you do? You celebrate it of course. Sadly though, people get on you for it, say you're showboating, and all for one simple reason- the colour of your skin.

Showboating

Such is the case for former Norris Trophy winner, P.K. Subban. He's known for his joyous celebration of key goals, and has admitted that in the heat of the moment he doesn't think anything of said celebrations. And while there is no doubt that sometimes he might be a bit over the top, there is no need to bring race into the picture. If he were not a man of colour, would we even be having this discussion? Probably not. In fact, one of his team mates, Alex Galchenyuk did something similar at an earlier point of the season. While it was indeed enthusiastic, nobody dared say that he was showboating.

Yet time and time again, whenever Subban celebrates an important goal, I see people say that celebratory antics such as his don't belong in the NHL. But, and I have to ask this question: why is it okay for the Alex Ovechkins and Sidney Crosbys of the league to celebrate when they score, and not P.K. Subban? It just makes no sense. There's a huge double standard there. Why tell one player that its wrong when you allow others to do it?

It's not okay, and that's something that needs to change. We should be ashamed that this is still an issue in 2014. Is a player any less talented because he's not Caucasian? No. If we the fans don't stand up and say we oppose others using such vulgar language, then nothing is ever going to change. Future generations of hockey players shouldn't have to face the stigma that today's players face. Heck, the players of today shouldn't have to deal with it either.

F****** N*****

Who cares about the colour of a man's skin? Not me. I say let them play, and let's stop judging them on how they look and focus more on what really counts: whether or not he has the skills to play the game. P.K. Subban is one of the most talented and skilled players to ever put on the CH of the Montreal Canadiens.

Yet after last night, after he scored the game winning goal in double OT against Boston, Bruins fans pelted the ice with trash and beer cans, among other things. And on Twitter, there were roughly some 17,000 racist comments made towards him. Um excuse me, are they blind or something? Their top line features a mixed race player in Jarome Iginla. And within their system is a very talented young goalie, Malcolm Subban, the younger brother of the very guy you level racial slurs towards.

Even if you didn't have these players, how is this even remotely okay? What voice in your head told you this was okay? I understand not liking a guy, hey that's natural. But there is absolutely no need to call him what you did. If I were a part of your fan base (and I thank God I'm not), I would be ashamed that anybody could say that shit! Makes me wonder if you were ever taught "treat others how you want to be treated" or "if you can't say anything nice, dont say anything at all".

Because if you were, it's a lesson you need to relearn!

Tarred With the Same Brush- Habs/Lightning Game 3

Playoffs Come back to Le Belle Province

Lighting in town for games 3 & 4

Really not sure where to start when it comes to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last night between the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning and my Montreal Canadiens. It was a game that had energy before the puck even dropped, with a  pre game ceremony that was very well done. From the 3D ice, a spotlight on each of the 24 Stanley Cup banners, the young child with the torch, and then the anthems, everything was just, in a word, perfect. Goals came when needed, key saves were made, and at the end of the night, the Habs gave their fans an added easter treat- a 3-0 series lead.

As you can well imagine, I was quite the happy fan when I crawled into my bed last night, my heart still racing from the excitement of the game. I was convinced I'd had the perfect night. But then I saw a status from someone I know on Facebook, and it made my jaw drop. I know we all don't like the same team, but the hate I saw towards my team last night was just enough to get my blood boiling.

"Intent to Injure"

First off, this person said that Habs head coach Michel Therrien, in a media scrum the morning of the game said that he was going to tell his players for lack of better words here, to play the body of Palat during the game, which can be read into that he wanted his players to intentionally injure other Lightning players. And during one rather unfortunate play last night, it looked to some people that at least one of his players took that message to heart when the knee of D-man Alexei Emelin accidentally made contact with the head of Tampa Bay Captain, Steven Stamkos.

I was paying attention during said play, and to be completely honest with you, I'm not sure how someone can logically say the hit was an intentional one. I've watched the replays (thank you for replays during games, CBC) and what I see was that Emelin was trying to avoid contact, but just couldn't move out of the way fast enough. But then, two sides are going to see a play different, more so an emotionally based judgment than anything. And given the high stakes during the playoffs, I completely understand being emotional. 

The Booing of Stamkos

After Stamkos thankfully got up from the unfortunate hit, many of the Bell Centre faithful were heard booing. To be completely honest here, I'm not sure what they were booing- the little tussle between Prust and Stamkos that led to Stamkos falling and getting hit by Emelin's knee, or the fact that Prust got a penalty on the play while Stamkos did not.

If you, my fellow Habs fans, were booing for the first reason, then I have to wonder where your heads were at there. There is never any good reason to wish injury upon another human being. I get that us hockey fans are a passionate bunch (Habs fans very much so), but when you stop and think about it, he's just a human being, not a machine. Sure he plays hockey, but he's not just a hockey player. He's a human being who plays hockey for a living. If you were booed after getting up from taking a hit, how would you feel? Put yourself in his shoes. Wouldn't be very nice, would it?

And to those on twitter who wish injury upon Stamkos, I can only hang my head in shame. Its sad that you let your judgment be clouded here, and that you would want him to be hurt simply for the reason that it could be helpful to the Habs. How would you feel if it was our Captain that got hurt? How would you feel if you saw people wishing him hurt for the betterment of their team? Honestly. Just stop and think about it. If you can still say you'd do it, then all I can say is that there are names out there for people like you (names that I won't say here, but I'm sure you can use your imagination).

On the other hand, if the booing was merely fans voice their displeasure at the lack of a call on Stamkos for his part in the tiny tussle between himself and Brandon Prust, then I totally understand why you would boo. There were two parties involved, and it did seem perhaps a bit unfair that only one penalty was called on the play. I didn't like that much either.

No Goal!

The no-goal call. Woo, that's a tough one. When that puck went in last night, I was thinking (like many other Habs fans, I'm sure), "Oh shit!" (And that's just the PG version of things, to be honest with you). But then I watched with interest as one of the referees waved it off, and then met in a scrum with the other referee and two linesmen. When they emerged from said scrum, the initial call stood- no goal.

I'll admit right here and now that I dont know all the rules of the game, and that I'm not always sure why a call is made one way or the other, as sometimes it just makes no sense to me whatsoever. But, what I did see was that Killorn was in the crease impeding Carey Price's ability to stop the puck and defend his net. Some will argue that he was only there because P.K. Subban danced around him a bit, keeping him from leaving. But whatever the reason he was there, the point remains that he was in the crease and impeded in Price's ability to stop the goal, and the rule (63.9, Paragraph 2) states:

"If a goalkeeper, in the act of establishing his position within his goal crease, initiates contact with an attacking player who is in the crease, and this results in an impairment of the goalkeeper's ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed."

Seems straight forward enough to me.

No "S" Word, please!

I'd like to end this post with a simple request from Habs Nation, if I may. Please, if you can, refrain from using the "S" or posting pictures of witch vehicles (yes, just like a friend, I'm that superstitious that I won't use the words). Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, and even though our boys are playing well right now, anything can happen. I'm as optimistic as the next person, but don't put our team in the next round yet. Just let our guys play and things will eventually work out the way they should.

Game 4 goes at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, 7pm (8:30 in Newfoundland).

Go Habs Go!

Montreal for life, les Canadiens forever!

Fuck, that was a nailbiter, but the Habs won it, 2-0! Brian Gionta proved why he is the Captain, and Carey was amazing! I don't know about you fellow Habs fans, but I think if our boys keep playing like this, we might see Lord Stanley come June! Are you feeling and believing #25? Lets win it all for Max Pacioretty!

You three stars were:

3: Tomas Plekanec

2: Brian Gionta, the Captain

and your #1?

Carey Price <3 with a shutout!

..kitten puppy dragon thingies; hockey vs geminis

So as I sat down tonight to watch television, I had a dilemma. What do I watch? Hockey or the Geminis? It's truly a tough call, as I love both, and my fave show, Republic of Doyle, is up for a few awards. 0-2 thus far, but we'll see how the rest of the night goes.

So, I ask you, what is a girl to do? I love my Saturday night hockey, and my Habs, but the Geminis are celebrating their 25th year, and they are being hosted by Glee's Cory Monteith. :)

So, I couldn't choose just one right? Right. So, I decided to watch both. Thus far, my Habs are up 5-2 after two periods with the Carolina Hurricanes, and my fave player, Mike Cammalleri, has scored as well. Looks like a good game thus far.

And on the Gemini's, while presenting with some lady from Dragon's Den, Allan Hawco had the best line of the night thus far: "Us actors make you dragons look like kitten puppy dragon thingies!" I laughed, hard. Gotta love that sexy Allan Hawco as Jake Doyle from Republic of Doyle:

Sexy right?

And some hot Habs hockey players

God I love being Canadian!