Comments on Eyes On The Prize: Canadiens Took Big Steps In 2007-08

Hello,my name is Cristina Dumitru,we analysed your...

2008-05-07T15:05:00.000-04:00

Hello,
my name is Cristina Dumitru,we analysed your blog and we are interested to enter in contact with you and purpose to become an acredited BLOGGER of Publicationweb.com.
Thank you!

cristina.dumitru@publicationweb.com

I think you are correct in that the Habs were hamp...

2008-05-06T22:57:00.000-04:00

I think you are correct in that the Habs were hampered by the Flyers keeping four players tight to their net. Montreal was always hurried to shoot as the Philly defenders were always within a step of them.

I can't, for the life of me, put my finger on one simple aspect, other than goaltending that says the Flyers should have won this series. Goals that beat Price were some of the strangest I've seen in a long time, all grouped into one series round.

Pucks hit the Habs goalposts and went in. Five times as many hit behind Biron and stayed out. Philly being given the gifts of 2 goal leads in three straight games brought out the worst in the Canadiens play at times.

I think the Habs should have gone into Game 4 with the idea of winning 1-0 in OT - just shut the Flyers right down and let them make fatal mistakes for a change.

But as coaches often state, it is hard to alter a team's complexion 90 games into the year. It's like changing horses when up to your neck in water.

As for blog fodder, my mind is almost mush, thinking about how it all got away from them. I don't think I could offer readers much cohesiveness unless I focused on one simple aspect that was absent from big picture thinking.

That's not my way, unfortunately.

I'm back and wondering what you think of my take o...

2008-05-05T21:10:00.000-04:00

I'm back and wondering what you think of my take on the series.

In the last game and since then, I began to form the opinion that the difference in the series was a matter of defense and little else. Our guys always seems to lack time and space to make good offensive plays. Hence there were many hurried shots into the goalposts and the pads. Although the other guys controlled the play less, they seemed to have the time and space to make good plays and take good shots when the opportunities presented themselves. We always seemed hurried, but they didn't seem to be.

I am wondering if you think I am near the mark or way off and if this view might be blog fodder for you (which you may not want lol).

Great, great blog! Enjoyed the game synopsis and ...

2008-05-05T10:10:00.000-04:00

Great, great blog! Enjoyed the game synopsis and especially enjoyed the stories about Rogie Vachon, etc. Excellent.

I was born/raised in Toronto and that's where my loyalty lies....but I found myself cheering for the Habs all season long. I love the potential this club has: Kostitsyns, Higgins, Streit and the remarkable Carey Price.

I thought the kid handled himself well in what must have been a pressure-cooker similar to that here in Toronto. Some bad breaks and really inconsistent calls by the refs and the season is over.

At least the Habs have a bright future and something to look forward to. Les Leafs? Bah.....40+ years and waiting...

Price should be very proud of his accomplishments this season. I hope most fans think the same and don't blow this out of proportion. Even the great Gretzky didn't lead the Oilers to the promised land the first time out. Price is only 20 YEARS OLD!!! Montreal will be a force for many years. Can't say the same for the Leafs.

Oh well! thanks for the fun and enjoy your summer.

-Johnny Leaf

Thank you. I will be posting some, just not as reg...

2008-05-04T20:58:00.000-04:00

Thank you. I will be posting some, just not as regular as I had been. The site should see three or four new postings a week. I appreaciate the kind words and interest,

Thank you for a great read this season. I look fo...

2008-05-04T20:53:00.000-04:00

Thank you for a great read this season. I look forward to your insight when you return.

TommyB - I thank you for that! I have always sough...

2008-05-04T16:33:00.000-04:00

TommyB - I thank you for that!

I have always sought balance in my perspectives and allowed readers to judge merits on all things Habs based on fact and truth rather than opinion.

Much of what I read in so many places suffers from a lack of looking at the big picture. Coaches and GM's do not make rash assessments and I look to try to see things in that light. I often try to perceive how things are seen through those eyes, before attempting to translate it all to readers.

However, when I feel strongly about something that goes against the grain, I do not hesitate to follow my instincts. I've had little to grumble about this season, other than Brisebois, Ryder, and a handful of carbonneau moves and non moves.

I'm proud that readers note and appreciate this view here. It's the only manner in which I can proceed knowing this site and this team seems to have such a wise and intelligent following.

Thanks so much Tommy for being in here all season. This team is building up to something greater, and it means so much more to me knowing that I am sharing my efforts here with friends.

Keep that car shiny, man, you might be throwing a big CH on there in another year!

Probably one of the sanest, and most accurate, wra...

2008-05-04T16:19:00.000-04:00

Probably one of the sanest, and most accurate, wrapups for this past season that I have read today. You have a talent Robert, fuelled by your passion for hockey in general and the Habs in particular. Your talent is a gift to your readers....thanks!

TommyB

Thanks Lorenzo, and you're right - Dennis's great ...

2008-05-04T15:19:00.000-04:00

Thanks Lorenzo, and you're right - Dennis's great blog belongs in the same breath as the one's I mentioned. I came upon Mr. Kane's fine work late in the season and pointed many readers there in the course of the last month. I'll work in a correction that includes it pronto. Must have been my six pack terminology that's well ingrained in my brain that caused the slip.

Thanks for the slap upside the head!

Great Site you've got. You didn't mention a great ...

2008-05-04T14:55:00.000-04:00

Great Site you've got.

You didn't mention a great blog I enjoy from the left coast:

http://denniskanemontrealcanadiens.wordpress.com/category/montreal-canadiens/

Written by a local writer, he's really good, funny, and insightful.

Chegordito, it sounds a lot like parts of my life!...

2008-05-04T13:32:00.000-04:00

Chegordito, it sounds a lot like parts of my life!

I'm proud that you've been able to draw positiveness from this site, and the Habs that have translated into better things for you.

That I think is the service that hockey/entertainment/distractions perform in the grander scheme of life.

Thanks much for your interest in this site through all those changes in your life.

Perhaps you and I and this team we cheer for are all onto better days ahead.

Take care and stay tuned!

Cheers.

Chuck, thanks for the good wishes and kind thought...

2008-05-04T13:27:00.000-04:00

Chuck, thanks for the good wishes and kind thoughts.

It is sad that this dream season is over so abruptly...I'm still in a kind of suspended disbelief here.

It won't be much of an off season for me. I will still be writing almost everyday about the Habs, I just won't be posting any of it until October or later. You could probably read between the lines.

When I write about the team's history, it is fans such as you, who have an appreciation for it, that come to mind. You'll be a happy reader at the end of my work!

Thanks for being a regular, my friend, we'll see each other at Summit 2.

Robert,I'm also sad about the Canadiens being out....

2008-05-04T13:09:00.000-04:00

Robert,

I'm also sad about the Canadiens being out. Although I believed that they could mount a 7-game comeback, the three fluke losses made me feel that another loss was likely - someone somewhere has sold their soul for this series victory. I think one reason I am not totally devastated is that I went back at some point this year and re-read your early-season and last-season writing pointing out where the team had to grow. I agreed with your earlier statements that next year was the big one for this team, but hoped this year was as well.

I signed on this site today to relate a personal story:

The last year has been a long one for me, finishing a certain project that I thought would never get done, leaving a city I was never comfortable in and moving to a new one with a period of unemployment, stopgap jobs and Montreal in the middle. Watching this team and the players grow from their uncertain beginning to beautiful and fluid hockey later in the season has been a positive counterweight to the ups and downs of the rest of my life.
Over the last couple of weeks I've started at a new job, and I let that take my mind off the Habs because I remember the depression that has followed other losses.
I am in a fortunate position now to be starting something new and exciting as this uplifting story pauses for a few months.

And it is just a pause. I look forward to your insightful and witty writing as the team story progresses!

Congrats to the Habs on a thrilling season, and th...

2008-05-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Congrats to the Habs on a thrilling season, and thanks to you, Robert, for sharing your thoughts on it. Thanks also for the many well-written side articles that have tought me much about the history of my favourite team. It's made for hours upon hours of teriffic reading.

Enjoy the off-season (is there really an off-season if you're a Hab fan?) and the best of luck with your new job.

I'll be sure to check in regularly an I look forward to your thoughts on the upcoming season. Hopefully we'll have an opportunity to talk Habs in person real soon!

Once again, thank you.
Chuck

Musicman.....I have a feeling I might know you som...

2008-05-04T12:39:00.000-04:00

Musicman.....I have a feeling I might know you some. You've presented me a mystery as I have recently worked in emergency dispatch as well, and also do some song writing and recording. Hmmm!

Thanks for your kind words about my site. My little "vacation" just might mean just periodic slacking off. This site won't get too cold.

Thanks, Anvil....and you're right, I probably won'...

2008-05-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Anvil....and you're right, I probably won't be able to help myself. These wheels continuously spin.

Robert,A good reflection on a disappointing end to...

2008-05-04T10:19:00.000-04:00

Robert,

A good reflection on a disappointing end to a promising season and playoffs. All of your comments were well put, and I share your opinion. We are supporting a young team that can only grow, and this experience can only make them better. The future looks bright.

I have been a faithful reader all season after stumbling across your blog, but haven't commented until now. Your blog is entertaining and your dedication and passion for the bleu, blanc, eh rouge should be commended. Keep up the good work!

Congratulations on the new job, I also work 12 hour shifts. It will take some to to adjust but in the end I don't think I could ever go back to an eight hour five day work week.

Enjoy your brief vacation from Eyes On The Prize and rest those weary fingers to get ready for next season.

Well done! You've earned a break ... but I hope an...

2008-05-04T10:06:00.000-04:00

Well done! You've earned a break ... but I hope and think that there will be a few more posts here and there at critical times.

Thanks Lee, I was already thinking about who won't...

2008-05-04T02:00:00.000-04:00

Thanks Lee, I was already thinking about who won't be back next year and stuff, LOL. I'll be getting at it when I've settled this year into my head.

The new job jives well with blogging...3 x 12 hour shifts, four days off!

I appreciate your kind words...see you at the next Summit!

As always Robert, your isight and emotion do you a...

2008-05-04T01:56:00.000-04:00

As always Robert, your isight and emotion do you and the rest of us proud! Thank you for the fantastic effort that you have consistantly made. I hope the new job provides you with an opportunity to continue your work here.
I would hope in the next few weeks that you'll have a chance to outline the potential moves that will invariably come with summer for our beloved Habs.

I'll look in periodically.

Your far away friend...

...Lee Hayes