Montreal does not require another sequence of looting and pillaging in order to inform the world that we are passionate hockey fans. The footage and Red Fisher ‘s first hockey report on the Richard Riot is written in ice for all those to see.
Tonight , as the Canadiens prepare to take on the streaking Capitals – a rally outside the Bell Center has been ordered to evoke a sense of displeasure with the NHL ‘ s disciplinary board. Clarence Campbell was the President of the NHL when a suspension of Maurice Richard evoked the infamous 1955 riot and in a series of unfortunate events – another Campbell is one of the instigators for Les Habitants’ faithful.
Almost to the day , on March 16 , 1955 – Habs fans rioted on the streets of Montreal after then NHL President Clarence Campbell suspended ‘The Rocket ” for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. The suspension was caused due to Maurice Richard striking a lineseman and although the proper decision was made – the suspension cost Richard a scoring title and the Canadiens the Stanley Cup.
Chara ‘ s illegal hit that sent shivers down the spines of Mr. and Mrs . Pacioretty and their son Max to the hospital – will not cost the junior Pacioretty a scoring title. It may affect how long the Habs prosper in the playoffs and this is part of the reason that passion has been awakened among Quebec and Canadiens fans across the globe. It is one thing to mess up a disciplinary call , it is an entire different thing if that call includes a player that was a key component to the Habs ‘ Stanley Cup dreams.
A Shaky Start
Max Pacioretty commenced the season in Hamilton and in an interview with Team 990 , Montreal’s best sports radio show – Max caused a bit of controversy by saying that he would rather play many minutes in Hamilton on the first line than to play sparingly in Montreal on the third or fourth lines. Mon Dieu ! A hockey player stating that a full time gig in Montreal is not for him …?
The ghosts rolled in their graves and the French and English media had a field day. This statement along with Carey Price ‘s ‘ Chill- ax ‘ rebuttal to his slow start , was enough to make people stand up and realize that maybe , just maybe – hockey in Montreal is not the means to end all means. Here , after all , were two players that were essentially knocking Maurice Richard off his pedestal . Two players who have yet to prove themselves in Montreal hockey lore yet had the ‘pucks ‘ to speak their anti – Canadien minds ! Sacre blue indeed !
The season commenced with Pacioretty in the minors and Carey Price on the hotseat.
Since then , Price has gone on to have a sensational season , a potential candidate for the Hart trophy as MVP while Max concentrated on becoming a very good hockey player. Once the call was made for Max to enter the arena of all arenas , the young forward from Conneticut , USA – took nary a glance in his rear view mirror.
In 37 games since being called up , Max netted 14 goals and added an additional 10 assists for 24 points. Pacioretty was becoming a stronger, more confident player as the season progressed. A power forward the Habs have sorely lacked since the days that Pat Burns sent Shayne Corson to take out Cam Neely . When Pacioretty arrived in Montreal last season , he had the skills – no question . Attitude was left on the bench too many evenings and this was the reason that Max commenced the season in the AHL. What the fans in Montreal were witnessing this year was a player that wanted to score , hit and win. So much so that a shove to Chara’s back after an overtime goal was the rule – rather than the exception.
Live by the Sword ?
What Chara did was wrong yet so was Pacioretty’s post – goal shove. Max crossed a hockey player’s line. He knew it , the Habs knew it and most importantly – Chara knew it.
Like ‘ the Rocket ‘ before him , Pacioretty was responsible for instilling an anger into the Boston Bruins. . Like Maurice Richard before him – Pacioretty has also awakened an anger in a Quebec culture that will stand up for their beloved Canadiens at whichever cost seems necessary.
Go to Le Center Bell tonight and encourage a quick demise for the Bettman regime. Rally peacefully for Sidney Crosby , Paul Kariya , Ian Laperierre and Max Pacioretty. Rally for Bob Probert and Marty McSorley.
Mourn the loss of some great players yet remember – not one of these players is a Saint when it comes to the world of hockey – including Maurice ‘ Rocket ‘ Richard .
Notes
Cammalleri is minute to minute for tonight’s game while Sopel is out with a hand injury as Martin continues to juggle his lines due to a season long ‘injury bug ‘.
Check out Capitals Outsider and see what Ben ( no relation to Sting ) Sumner has to say. Happy Birthday to someone …?
Too Many Men on the Site will entertain, incite and encourage a return to grammar school – hey , no one is perfect ?
Only a handful of wins away from a Stanley Cup …..!