We were at the Blackhawks/Flames game Friday.  These young Hawks might be edging out of the wilderness at long last. Calgary heading the other way, it seems,, but hey, ‘tis only November.

My bad, Skip. That was Boston and the Toronto Maple Cheese (who are looking pretty cheesy this year). It was the Avs-Oil game I mistook it for. Oilers seemed quite sleepy and the crowd (what remained of it) showed their displeasure at the end.

I'm quite liking my Habs. Some guys really showed up last night, including a healthy Kirby Dach, a surprisingly slippery Alex Newhook (highlight reel goal), and Oliver Kapanen.

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Originally posted by Paul R

My bad, Skip. That was Boston and the Toronto Maple Cheese (who are looking pretty cheesy this year). It was the Avs-Oil game I mistook it for. 

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I view that as an easy mistake to make. After all, it was Broons fixture Ray Bourque who delivered the Cup to the Avalanche. No wonder you were confused. 

Yes, there's a lot to like in Les Habs this season. There's a lot to like all around the league, from my perspective.

Jackie obviously agrees.

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Originally posted by Paul R

Did Boston look good over the Oil, or was Edmonton that bad?
 

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Now that we've cleared things up on who actually played the game in question, I subsequently did my morning scan of the Hockey Gossips.

I well know that one should view media reports with a healthy dose of skepticism. That said, it's hard not to conclude that Edmonton truly WAS that bad.

Methinks the Avs put Valium in the Oilers’ water bottles

Maybe too many of the Oilers "celebrated" a bit too much the night before.

I was friends with a couple of U. of MB Bisons 'way back.  They played Fri. nite / Sat. aft doubleheaders.  One of them would "explain" his partaking thusly: "I don't have to be a star every game... Kirk, or Mac, or somebody will have a good game."   

It might have been in relation to the basketball team, but the buzz on the street was that there was a gentleman's agreement that neither team would go out of their way w.r.t abstaining after the Fri. game.

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Originally posted by eagleisland

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Originally posted by Paul R

Yes, there's a lot to like in Les Habs this season. There's a lot to like all around the league, from my perspective.

Lately I've taken to watching this YouTube commentary. Marco D'Amico has a good insider's perspective on the Canadiens, from GM picks to player development to coaching to line makeups. I've never seen analysis like he does - probably because he has enough time to give reasoned comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijv8wvOPy5s  This is just a sample. It's clearly not just a fan site. It also helps that Laval (farm team) is a Montreal bedroom community. Close enough for interviews.

Also, my football team les Alouettes, of course - who beat Winnipeg and Hamilton (last second field goal) is in the Grey Cup!  At least it will be colourful - blue, white, and red versus green and white.

youtu.be/y9CcCCTFquY?feature=shared

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Originally posted by Paul R

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Originally posted by eagleisland

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Originally posted by Paul R

Yes, there's a lot to like in Les Habs this season. There's a lot to like all around the league, from my perspective.

Lately I've taken to watching this YouTube commentary. Marco D'Amico has a good insider's perspective on the Canadiens, from GM picks to player development to coaching to line makeups. I've never seen analysis like he does - probably because he has enough time to give reasoned comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijv8wvOPy5s  This is just a sample. It's clearly not just a fan site. It also helps that Laval (farm team) is a Montreal bedroom community. Close enough for interviews.

Also, my football team les Alouettes, of course - who beat Winnipeg and Hamilton (last second field goal) is in the Grey Cup!  At least it will be colourful - blue, white, and red versus green and white.

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Thanks for that! I have heard of D'Amico. And I will watch that in the morning.

I do somewhat wonder if he is related to John D'Amico, who was a long time NFL zebra. He was also a coach when I went to hockey camp in Agincourt, Ontario, when I was about 14.

IMPORTANT tid-bit just now during Habs/Kings broadcast ....

Most points by Slovenian born NHLers: 1) Anze Kopitar ...... 1286 points [2 of 'em tonite.  ]

                                                                       2) Jan Mursak ..............  4 points.

                                                                       3) Greg  Kuznik ............. 0 points.

My curiosity was piqued/peaked by your post, Mr. O ,, so I did some digging….
I was wondering about the Mahovlichs, Sakic, Kordic, etc. but alas, they were of Croat descent.

Mahovlich???   ..... any relation to Maholovich?    

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Originally posted by Owen

Mahovlich???   ..... any relation to Maholovich?    

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Dunno,, we never askshked Forster Whooit 

McDavidian spin-o-rama  https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1556972858775378    Fwiw, I haven't seen much of Mateychuk since  the Mem. Cup a couple of years back ..... as I recall he looked much better then ......... but, but, but, arguably (?) the competition wasn't quite the same; he's young; i expect he'll learn from it.

Not quite a “spinerama” but def a “stealarama” ,, we happened to be on hand Friday last to witness this gem.
youtu.be/BzcmDNZXPfY?si=ZVQA6cHzwU3KsY__

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Originally posted by chuckv97

Not quite a “spinerama” but def a “stealarama” ,, we happened to be on hand Friday last to witness this gem.
youtu.be/BzcmDNZXPfY?si=ZVQA6cHzwU3KsY__

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That kid is REALLY something!

^^^ He’s coming into his own a bit more ,, he’s still only 20. He potted another last night , but the Blackhawks got beat in OT… it was the Jack Hughes show at the United Center….

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Originally posted by Owen

   Fwiw, I haven't seen much of Mateychuk since  the Mem. Cup a couple of years back ..... as I recall he looked much better then ......... but, but, but, arguably (?) the competition wasn't quite the same; he's young; i expect he'll learn from it.

 

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Watching the Columbus- Oilers game,, Mateychuk scored,, & my curiosity was piqued/peaked again so I looked up his hometown in"The Friendly".  What flabbergasted me , keeping track of highways & byways as I am wont to do, is that I noticed that Hwy. 75 continues with the same number after crossing yon bordre/border into the U.S.  The only other place that I'm aware it occurs are the highways from B.C. into Warshington & Eyedahoe.

Hwy 83 [Swanee R., MB <--> Brownsville, TX] used to be called the Pines to Palms Hwy.  ... now I see it's also called The Road to Nowhere.    

https://www.roadtripusa.com/the-road-to-nowhere/

On our way back from FL. one time we travelled north and west 'til we hit #83 and then followed it from wherever that was in Texas all the way  to Russell.   I think this is the pic when we first encountered snow [in Texas] on that trip.

I’ve been in a blizzard in the Texas panhandle ,, i used to go down to Laredo via Denver, through the Oklahoma panhandle, into Amarillo, Lubbock, etc.
I see 83 keeps the same no. too,,, through The Banana Belt up through Birtle and other swinging hotspots…

I've forgotten the issue, but years ago Theoren Fleury opined that players owe nothing to the fans.... their only allegiance (?) was to their team mates. 

Fwiw, my sentiments are more aligned with those of this dude:

Furthermore and moreover ............ Go Riders, Go!

Early 1960’s,, Glenn Hall and Rudy Pilous

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Originally posted by Owen

I've forgotten the issue, but years ago Theoren Fleury opined that players owe nothing to the fans.... their only allegiance (?) was to their team mates. 

Fwiw, my sentiments are more aligned with those of this dude:

 

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I could not agree more. One can certainly appreciate the pressure of playing (anything!) at this level, what with press and fan attention; I imagine it can get downright oppressive at times.  OTOH, this is the life they chose, and it can't be forgotten that without the fans, they'd be working in sawmills and playing beer league. The fans, after all, sign their paychecks.

That Geekie kid is doing very well indeed.  His contract may be one of the biggest bargains for any team in the Enay-chell.

He's more "likable" when he's not beating les 'abs.