Rangers Lose to Price

Habs 2 Rangers 0

The Rangers arrived in town on a losing streak. The more things change – the more they stay the same.

When Carey Price was drafted by the Canadiens as their fifth choice overall , one of Carey ‘ s strengths – according to Trevor Timmins and Bob Gainey, was the goaltender ‘s calm in the midst of a storm. Nothing seemed to unnerve the guy and it showed mostly as he backstopped the Junior team to a gold medal at the 2007  World Junior Championship.

He led Team Canada and was named Tournament MVP . His record was 6 -0 and he was also tagged as the top goaltender. During the tournament , Carey boasted a diminutive 1.14 GAA along with a stellar .961 save percentage. He shut out the opposing teams twice in those six wins. Anahim Lake’ s resident son was also named to the Tournament All-Star Team along with teammates Jonathan Toews and Kris Letang. Saturday afternoon , Price demonstrated those skills as he stopped all 19 third period shots the New York Rangers threw his way.

Gomez Scores ?

Scott Gomez scored to give the Habs a 1 -0 lead. A goal which increased the sales of defibrillators  across the continent. No-one is quite used to Gomez scoring a goal , he is not paid for such trivial things . Gomez is paid to skate around and collect the occasional assist while increasing his minus totals. If number eleven  continues his ‘ torrid ‘ scoring pace , Scott will have to start paying the Habs with a slight commission to Glen Sather’ s Rangers.

The former brilliant G. M. ‘s Blueshirts and Les Canadiens played play – off hockey Saturday afternoon . A tight defensive battle that erupted into several skirmishes – the most notable being Alexandre Picard and New York’s Sean Avery. Picard was replacing the ailing Wisniewski as James was battling the flu. Picard stated in a post – game interview that Avery kept face-washing him and in Picard’s words ; ” You can only take so much !”

It was more of a holding match as the two jostled for ‘ punching position ‘. Avery eventually fell onto Picard , stopping the would be altercation yet it was Picard who earned accolades from his teammates and the home crowd for his interjection on the Ranger’s pest. The team’s continued their tight play until Gomez roofed a banked shot off the backboards at 18 : 34 of the second. This set the stage for the only goaltender in hockey history to be named CHL Goaltender of the Year, World Junior Championship’s tournament MVP and the winner of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy all in the same year.

Price was simply steady , in position , and focused as he thwarted the Ranger’s onslaught.

Last season , Price appeared to be constantly searching for the puck on rebounds. This year it is the opposite. It is as if Carey knows where the puck is going to be before the puck or any opposing player is aware of it ‘s direction. Some players need to be the go –  to guy in order to excel. Price lost that right two seasons ago and was given the opportunity to regain that position last year. At times he was focused yet every now and then he would lose the puck and his cool – enabling Halak and the opposition to gain the upper hand. This season with Halak in St . Louis , Price has regained his composure , his mates ‘ trust and most importantly – the trust of the fans.

The home crowd displayed that appreciation on Saturday as Price was named the game’s first star.

The more things change – the more they stay the same…

Tomas Plekanec scored an empty net goal to ice le game pour nos Habitants…..