Aside from a few misspelled signs from protesters asking for consistency from the NHL discipline commitee and a guy sitting four rows up behind Carey Price in the first and third periods – the only ugliness that took place last night was in the first three minutes of the game.
Normally , the ghosts are in Montreal’s favor. Last night – as the Habs were doing their best to snap a Washington eight game winning streak , Les Phantomes worked against the Canadiens and then the Caps and then the Caps again and then the Habs once more …Geez , are one of the ghosts of Gary Bettman’ s ancestors running the spirits of Habs’ past as well ? When the ghosts start being inconsistent – who really is in charge of the spook asylum ?
Next season the Canadien organization will replace the glass at the Bell Center ( just in time for Pacioretty’s return) . Carey Price probably wishes the task was completed sooner than later as the puck bounced against ‘ the grain in the glass ‘ and into the waiting stick of Johanssen who placed it into the net with as much effort as a Mike Murphy video review. Ghosts 1 Habs 0 …
Moments later , Capital netminder Holtby wandered out of his crease to play a puck which ended up on the stick of Travis Moen. Moen then deposited a sharp angle shot into the Ovechkin – led team’ s goal and the score was tied – kinda … Ghosts 2 NHL Teams o .
Before anyone in the arena could understand what Charlie Sheen was saying , the ghosts were at it again.
Washington scored a goal on a puck that clearly crossed the goal line before a whistle was blown. The refs , afraid of causing a ruckus among the 1, 000 or so folks that were gathered outside the rink to protest Bettman ‘s regime , gladly ‘ passed the puck ‘ to the off – ice officials in Toronto. One thing is sure – the teacher ‘s organization that is trying to sell their shares in the Leafs were not involved in the decision. ‘ Are you smarter than a fifth grader ? ‘ is the phrase that comes to mind as the officials cancelled the goal stating an ‘ early whistle ‘. The premature ringing that they heard was more likely an Irish pub inviting patrons to get a jump start on the St. Patrick’ s day celebrations. They blew the call or saved a riot .Either that or the ghosts were up to their shenanigans again ! Ghosts 3 NHL Teams 0.
Hypocritical Statue
The ghosts were confused and this disillusionment was probably caused by the events leading up to last night’ s 4 -2 defeat at the sticks of the Capitals.
Put yourself in a ghost ‘s shoes …figuratively – not literally.
In theory , a Forum ghost is a disciple of Maurice Richard ‘ s spectre. ‘ The Rocket ‘ , one of the greatest money players of all time was also one of the game’s greatest agitators. He could score with a shot as well as a fist and he did not hold back in either department. The statue honoring number 9 outside of the Bell Center clearly shows Richard is a position that is not foreign to any hockey fan. Maurice’s pose does not demonstrate a stick in the air celebrating a goal. Nor does it have him with two hands on the stick – presumably eluding an oncoming defenceman. No Sir !
Maurice ‘ Rocket ‘ Richard has been cast in a position that will remain for centuries. It will stand tall for generations so that kids can eye and gawk at this hero. One of the forefathers of modern hockey. They can ogle the legend complete with elbow leading the way – they can see first hand how Richard was able to carve a path toward the oppositions ‘ goal. Violently !
Hence the confusion.
The ghosts that wait in the Bell Center corridors eating popcorn are not sure if the Habs and their fans are on the right track given the recent events of Pacioretty’s injury and Chara’s non – suspension. Their leader in the afterlife – the famed ‘ Rocket ‘ clocked a linesman. There are famous photos of Richard with blood running down his face after one of many , many altercations the forward had over the years with his contemporaries.Opposing players such as Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay – a duo that also carved the violent way of the NHL.
In the 1950 ‘ s – it was not uncommon for players to smash one another over the head with their sticks. It was not uncommon for Howe to almost maim someone with his ‘ arm joint ‘ . One of his monikers is ‘ elbows ‘ after all. JohnFerguson , one of the ghosts that haunt in Montreal , is known as one of the fiercest adversaries in the history of the NHL. Ferguson would not hesitate to give an opposing player a cheap shot if the player in question was worthy.
What ‘s a poor ghost to do except to sing in a rock roll band ?
Ferguson , Harvey , Joliet and Geoffrion ‘s spirits cannot go to a ghost food bank. They deserve much more respect than that. The only thing they are prepared for is a haunt at their former clubs’ new digs. With the exception from the list of Joliet , the remaining three could seek employment in Winnipeg , St. Louis and Atlanta yet who wants to scare alone ?
They must continue to fly , sit and spook their way in Montreal. First , they must come to terms with the team’s and hockey ‘s sordid past. Somehow , they must educate the Canadien fans so they will protest for everything hockey related and not just because ‘ someone stepped on a Montreal Canadien player’s toes ‘.
One day – with great sadness , Montreal and hockey will lose Jean Beliveau to the skating rink in the sky.
With all due respect to Maurice Richard and his family – maybe then the ghosts will settle down and do their jobs with class.
Happy St . Patrick’s Day everyone !