Bégin on Sunday
RDS is now reporting that Steve Bégin will return tomorrow night for Game 5. What a relief that is - the Canadiens need him badly. Bégin will hopefully provide the spark the Habs need to get back on track in this series.
In other good news, RDS is also reporting that Saku Koivu's injury appears to be a lot less severe than what was feared. Apparently, if swelling around his eye goes down enough by tomorrow, Koivu could be back in the lineup as well. However, TSN is claiming that while he was released from hospital, Koivu is not yet cleared to play. Only time will tell on this one.
In today's Gazette, Red Fisher had trouble understanding why Canadiens fans were so upset with the non-call on Williams on the Koivu hit. I answer that it is more the fact that they didn't call that penalty but then called Komisarek for a double-minor in the last five minutes of play for a much less severe and equally accidental high stick. The refs' case was made worse last night when they only called 1 of 4 blatant high sticking infractions on the 'Canes. You can screw up once, but if you do so more than that, don't blame the fans for raging.
posted by d b @ 5:50 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Besides the missed high sticks, the refs also missed the goaltender interference on Huet on the winning goal. Huet rarely complains -- and neither does Gainey -- but both were wondering about the non-call. So was Don Cherry, of all people.
But good to hear Begin will be back. I wonder if Gainey will minimize line disruptions, and insert him in Koivu's place. Given his checking/agitating qualities, I'd favour something like this:
Sundstrom-Begin-Murray
Perezhogin-Bonk-Zednik
Bulis-Ribeiro-Kovalev
Higgins-Plekanec-Ryder
Like you comments... As I said in my blog, I'm a former Montrealer stuck down here in Cane land. I saw game 1 and 2 and am debating going this evening to number 5.
The picture is sure different down here. "Caniacs" are complaining about the officiating saying the first two wins were only due to a ref conspiracy in which they're plotting only to let Eastern and Original Six teams advance to the finals.
Ya...
kazmojo - I linked to an article in La Presse in my last post talking about Huet's complaining. For once, Don Cherry was right! But I still don't think Huet was a strong in Game 4 as he needs to be for the Habs to win this series.
john a - I think the last thing the NHL wants is for the Canadiens to win this series. The 'Canes are a fast, high-scoring team, and they're in a market the League is trying to solidify. Why have Montreal, whose fans will buy tickets as long as their team plays half-decently, go farther than they need to? I'm glad to see that both sides are unhappy with the officiating, but this series would be over if the Habs weren't robbed of Game 3. I'll write more on this after the playoffs.
Also, as for the line changes, I think Bégin should play with Ryder and Higgins. The Plekanec line is playing well and has to stay intact, and Bonk needs to move into a less important role in order for him to be effective. Alternatively, I would put Bulis on the Higgins-Ryder line, but that would leave Kovalev with two useless players in Ribeiro and Bonk.
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