A Blown Opportunity, And A Big Night Coming Up February 22, 2008
It could’ve been a beautiful thing, a Hollywood sequel, where the good guy in the white hat wins, grabs the girl, and rides off in to the sunset.
But it wasn’t to be. Montreal battled back against Pittsburgh, down 3-1 to grab the lead 4-3. But late in the game, the bad guys, the men with black hats, the Pittsburgh Penguins, scored twice quickly and got two big points.
So I’ve got nothing to say about this, except that Pittsburgh star Evgeny Malkin had a goal and two assists, and Montreal’s Michael Ryder scored again to make it four goals in three games, and is now either a little safer in his job with the Habs, or is much better trade bait for the team if they want to try and get someone like Alex Tanguay.
So enough about this blown opportunity. It’s time now to focus on Saturday night when Columbus comes to town. Montreal must win this game or they’re only another loss or two away from another slump, which can’t happen at this stage of the game.
And also on this same night, prior to the game, Montreal GM Bob Gainey gets his old number 23 retired to the rafters.
Gainey will join a nice long list of players to receive such an honour in Montreal. And because I want to take my mind off the loss tonight, instead I’m going to focus on giving you a list of the Habs stars who have their numbers retired.
They are:
1. Jacques Plante
2. Doug Harvey
4. Jean Beliveau
5. Bernie Geoffrion
7. Howie Morenz
9. Maurice Richard
10. Guy Lafleur
12. Dickie Moore and Yvon Cournoyer
16. Henri Richard
18. Serge Savard
19. Larry Robinson
29. Ken Dryden
And this Saturday Night. No 23. Bob Gainey
Here’s a true great:
#12. Stan “The Steamer” Smyl
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Smyl
Dear Readers. Please disregard Lawrence. He cheers for the Canucks. There’s no one from his team who deserves a sweater retired. (although it would nice if the team did something permanent for Gary Lupul.)
For some reason my Dad says that the Steamers sweater wouldn’t make to the Bell Centre basement rafters.
Would this be true Dennis?
Dennis,
You being the habs fan that you are im sure you might agree with me on this. Although #16 is retired in honor of the great henri richard, there was another great who wore #16 and that was Elmer Lach, the 1945 hart trophy winner and he was also the first player to ever be awarded the Art Ross ( there was no trophy for the leading scorer previous to 1948) And more importantly he was the centreman of possibly the greatest line in nhl the history in the “punch line”. I noticed they recognize number 12 as dickie moore and yvon cournoyers number. Why not do the same for Henri Richard and Elmer Lach? other honorable mentions : Georges Vezina, Newsy Lalonde, Aurel Joliat, Bill Durnan, Toe Blake……….i guess they wouldnt have any numbers for players now-a-days to wear hahaha
Jordy, great point. Elmer Lach belongs there.
Toe Blake, number six, should be there too.