OUTDOOR GAME: MONTREAL V.S CALGARY FEB.20/11

Yesterday in Chicago, Gary Bettman announced that both Calgary and Pittsburgh will be hosting a outdoor game. Pittsburgh will play outdoors against Washington on January 1st 2011 and Calgary will play a outdoor game against Montreal on February 20th 2011."As an organization with a strong fan base throughout Canada, we welcome this opportunity to do honour to our great game," Habs president Pierre Boivin said. The average temperature in Calgary on Feb.20th is minus-17 to plus-1, according to The Weather Network.

The Canadiens and Penguins will both be in there second outdoor game. Montreal had one against the Oilers in 2003 and the Penguins had one against the Sabres in 2009.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

2010-11 NHL EVENTS
Kraft Hockeyville, Sep. 28, Sabres v. Senators
Compuware NHL Premiere™, Oct. 7-10: Blue Jackets v. Sharks, Stockholm; Hurricanes v. Wild
Helsinki; Bruins v. Coyotes, Prague
NHL Face-Off, Oct. 7, Canadiens v. Maple Leafs, Toronto, ON
NHL Hall of Fame Game, Nov. 6
Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Jan. 1: Capitals v. Penguins, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
NHL All-Star Weekend, Jan. 29-30: Raleigh, NC
Hockey Day In Canada, Feb. 12
Hockey Day in America, Feb. 20
NHL Heritage Classic™, Feb. 20: Canadiens v. Flames, McMahon Stadium, Calgary, AB (pending approval of the Competition Committee)
2011 Stanley Cup® Playoffs, April 13
NHL Awards™, Jun. 22, Las Vegas, NV
NHL Entry Draft, Jun. 24-25, St. Paul, MN

NHL EVENTS FOR THE 2010-2011 SEASON

NHL events 2010-11

Season Launch:

October 7th 2010
MTL VS TOR
Car Vs Min (HELSINKI)

October 8th
Sharks V.s Blue Jackets (Stockholm)

October 9th and 10th 2010

Bruins V.s Coyotes

NHL events 2010-11

Outdoor games:

January 1st 2011

Capitals VS Penguins at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

February 20th 2011

Canadiens VS Flames at McMahon Stadium in Calgary

AHL UPDATE: BULLDOGS COLDER CUP RUN ENDS WITH 4-2 LOSS TO THE STARS IN GAME 7

Last night in Hamilton, the Montreal Canadiens farm team (the Hamilton Bulldogs) Calder Cup run comes to an end with a 4-2 loss to the Stars. The first goal of the game was scored by the Bulldogs by David Desharnais. The Bulldogs weren't done there, As P.k Subban took a shot it was stopped but Max Pacioretty scored on the rebound to make it 2-0. But unfortunately for the Bulldogs, that would be there last goal of the game. As shortly after that the Stars struck back with a goal by Ethan Graham.

So then in the third period the game was still 2-1 until the Texas Stars scored again by Mathieu Beaudoin to tie the game. The Stars would go on to get 2 more goals from Perttu Lindgren and Jamie Benn to make the score be 4-2 and that would be the final as the Bulldogs post season comes to an end. The Calder cup final will be against the Bears and the Stars. Which will start this weekend.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HALAK DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT CONTRACTS

Just a day after Montreal's playoff run came to an end, the media already started talking about Halak's future as a Canadien. But Jaroslav Halak was not open to the topic as he wants to take some time off to rest."Right now, don't think about it," Halak said Tuesday when asked what his priorities are when it comes to his contract status. "This is not going to happen today or tomorrow, it's going to happen over the summer.It's a good question, but right now I just want to go on vacation and put aside hockey and not think about it." It was a good year for Halak and the Canadiens even though they were knocked out in the Conference Final. But it's not too bad that they lost because this was there first time in a Conference Final since they won the Cup 17 years ago in 1993.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HABS SEND SUBBAN AND MAXWELL TO THE AHL TO FINISH CALDER CUP RUN

Today in Montreal, the Canadiens decided that since they are out that they might as well send P.k Subban and Ben Maxwell to the AHL to finish off his season with the team that they started with this season the Hamilton Bulldogs. Who are just one win away from the Calder Cup Final against the Hershey Bears. But they are in a game 7 against the Texas Stars. So it's a 50-50 chance that the Bulldogs will go to the Final.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HABS CUP RUN COMES TO AN END

Last night in Philadelphia, the Canadiens came out battling and got the first goal by Brian Gionta.Thing were looking good for Montreal. But when the Habs went on the powerplay, the Flyers came out on the attack shorthanded and Halak came out to challenge Richards. But Richards got around him and put it in the empty net to tie the game. Then in the Jeff Carter scored in the second period to put the Flyers up a goal. Then shortly after that Asham scored to put the Flyers up 3-1 going into the third. Then 7 minutes into the third, Scott Gomez scored his first goal in 18 games. But it wouldn't matter as the Flyers would add a empty net goal to win the game by the score of 4-2 and the Flyers are off to the cup final for the first time since 1997.

As for the Habs, this was there longest cup run since 1993. So it's not all that bad that they came up short. But thing that bothers me the most is that it's like Dajaview all over again. If you look back to the 07-08 season, the Habs lost to the Flyers in round 2 and in 5 games like this season."This hurts," defenceman Josh Gorges said. "To work this hard to get to where we are and then to come up short is tough to swallow because we know how close we were to where we were going.Yeah, we did a lot of great things and I'm proud of this group.

"We made steps in the right direction to build this team for the future, but it hurts." The Canadiens played well in this game and I think they have a bright future ahead of them. They just need to get a little bit bigger and they will be fine.The Stanley cup Final will start Saturday at 8:00.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HABS LOSE 3-0 AGAIN TO GO DOWN 2 GAMES IN THE SERIES

Yesterday afternoon in Montreal, the Canadiens came out strong. But collapsed in the second period and only had 1 shot. Which gave the Flyers several chances which lead to a 2-0 Flyer lead going into the third. In the third the Habs found there game, but were unable to score. So the Flyers would score on the empty and garbed a 3-0 win and a 3-1 series lead. In every game Montreal lost in this series they were held goalless. So what do they have do next game you ask. The have to score a goal and win the game or they will be knocked out of the playoffs.But it's not like they haven't been in this situation before. Just ask Mike Cammalleri.

"It's a familiar feeling for us," said Canadiens winger Michael Cammalleri. "We seem to play our best hockey in this situation. And here we go again." In my opinion, this series is far from over. If they can come back against the Capitals and the Penguins they can come back against the Flyers. It's obvious what they have to do next (besides score) is grab a win in Philadelphia. If they do that they will have all the momentum going back to Montreal.

In the win, Giroux had 2 goals and Timonen scored for the Flyers."The trouble was we didn't get the puck in deep," said Montreal coach Jacques Martin. "We turned it over numerous times.We played in dangerous zones -- the blue lines. In this type of game you need to be patient and manage the puck well. We kept the puck in front of their defense instead of behind them."

Game 5 will be Monday at 7:00pm E.t on CBC, Versus and RDS

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

CANADIENS SCORE 5 GOALS!! WHICH LEADS TO VICTORY!!

Last night in Montreal, the Canadiens finally solves Michael Leighton. 5 times mind you in a 5-1 victory to avoid going down 3-0 in the series."When you're down 2-0 you have to find a way," said Montreal centre Scott Gomez. "But we've still got a long way to go.Being down 2-0's tough, but you have to look at the big picture. They won at home, so we want to win at home. That's the way we were taught. And the next game will be tougher because you can bet Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will have that team going. He's a good coach."The Canadiens scored the first goal 7 minutes into the game off of a shot that missed the net and bounced right to Mike Cammalleri who put it in the net. Then with 4 minutes left in the first, Tom Pyatt scored off a rebound to make it 2-0 going into the break.

11:33 into the second, Dominic Moore made it 3-0 off a centering pass that Leighton never saw it due to the traffic in front of him. So going into the third the Habs had a 3-0 lead but they weren't done there.As exactly 2 minutes into the third Brian Gionta scored on a breakaway to make it 4-0. Then the Flyers got on the board with 12 minutes to go with a goal by Gagne. But it wouldn't matter. As the Habs made it 5-1 with a goal on the powerplay by Bergeron with under a minute to go. But that will be the final (5-1). 4 out of the 5 Montreal goals came with traffic in front of Leighton.

But Lapierre was a big key in why Montreal won. As he had a moter mouth last night. He was getting on the Flyers nerves and made them get to frustrated. But Jaroslav Halak was also a huge key to the win as he made 25 saves on 26 shots.The Canadiens out shot the Flyers 38-26. Which made this win be the first win these playoffs when out-shooting a opponent. "Overall, we moved the puck better, we came up the ice together, with support, we entered the zone better," said Montreal forward Brian Gionta. "With that going, it's easier to get to the net and get opportunities."Game 3 of this series will be Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm E.t on CBC,Versus and RDS.

Three star selections
1st:	ROMAN HAMRLIK
2nd:	DOMINIC MOORE
3rd:	TOM PYATT

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Andrei Markov Had successful knee surgery

Today in Montreal, Canadiens General Manager Pierre Gauthier announced that Andrei Markov had successful knee surgery to repair a torn ligament. In the regular season Markov had 34 points (6 goals 28 assists) in 45 games. Then in the playoffs he played 8 games and had 4 assists. But bad news for him and the Canadiens is that he will be out for 6 months and the rest of these playoffs.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

LEIGHTON SHUTS DOWN MONTREAL AGAIN

Last night in Philadelphia, the Montreal Canadiens dominated the game but once again Leighton gave Philly a 3-0 shutout win and more importantly a 2-0 series lead going back to Montreal."We've got to do something," said Canadiens centre Scott Gomez. "We've got to create more in front, get our shots through.The guy (Leighton) is making some key saves, but we've got to find a way -- get an ugly one and go from there." With the shutout the Flyers have scored 13 unanswered goals (in this game Danny Briere,Simon Gagne and Ville Leino scored) and Leighton has not given up a goal in 165:50. But if your a Hab fan don't panic! The Habs have come back down 2-0 in several games in history. Look back to 1993 in round 1 the Habs were down 2-0 to Quebec but ended up wining 4 straight to win the series.

“Whenever a goalie gets back-to-back shutouts, you know he’s doing something right,” shrugged Cammalleri on behalf of he and his snake-bitten dressing room. “We responded well as a group and the chances were there for us, too. That’s the thing with sports, you can play bad some nights and still get a win just like you can play well like we did tonight and lose.” Game 3 will be Thursday night at 7:00pm E.t in Montreal.

Three star selections
1st:	MICHAEL LEIGHTON
2nd:	SIMON GAGNE
3rd:	KIMMO TIMONEN

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.s Halak made 20 saves in the loss.

FLYERS BLOW-OUT CANADIENS TO TAKE A 1-0 SERIES LEAD

Last night in Philadelphia, the Flyers had great goaltending and the Habs had average goaltending. As it seemed to me that Leighton (who made 28 saves) was on his game and Halak was off his game (getting pulled after giving up 4 goals on 14 shots). "We have no concern about our goaltending," said Canadiens forward Michael Cammalleri. "Jaro's had pucks go in on him before and come back and played spectacular. Carey's someone else we have confidence in. I don't think he's let in a goal in practice in two weeks. We love our goaltending.I don't know exactly what it is. This team cares. The guys want to do the right things, but we weren't sharp as we need to be on a lot of different levels. But it's Game 1 . We have to regroup and get ready."

It seemed to me that the Canadiens had to much time to rest after Game 7 and it really showed in this game. Just look at the score (Flyers 6-0 Canadiens). In the victory, van Riemsdyk, Coburn,Briere,Gagne,Hartnell and Giroux all scored for the Flyers."You win 6-0, 13-0 or 1-0, it doesn't matter, it's a win," said Giroux. "We have to be ready for the next game." But some good news for Montreal is, whenever Halak gets pulled in the Playoffs he always came back the next game and has just given up 1 goal.

Game 2 will be Tuesday night at 7:00pm E.t on CBC,Versus and RDS.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

INTERVIEW WITH HALAK FROM GOALIES WORLD MAGAZINE

Interview with Jaroslav Halak:

1. Jaroslav you are listed at 5 foot 11, 185 pounds. By today's standards you are a small goalie. Still, you show impressive stats, much better than bigger goalies? Do you fell your size is a disadvantage at times?

Every one talks about small goalies; they say this and that. But it's not size that matters it's how you play. I try to make myself as big as possible. Maybe it's a disadvantage once in a while and so I have to be faster than bigger goalies. When a big goalie wants to move side to side he doesn't take as long as me. I'm having a good season so people have mentioned it lately, But at first everyone was saying I was small. That's OK; I have no problem with that.I don't know what it's like to be 6 foot 3 . I wish I knew so I can tell you if it's a advantage or not.

2. Stylewise how would you describe yourself?

When I was 19 Melanson would help me a lot with style and positioning. I was playing small and now I play big. I appreciate what he's done for me. My style is a little bit of both stand up and butterfly.

3.What would you say the keys to your game are? What are the things you have to remind yourself of? Things like I MUST DO THIS AND I MUST NOT DO THAT.

I just try to have fun on the ice and help the team during the game.But you can't think out there. You have to focus and just do it.

4. Tell us a little bit about growing up in Slovakia. How did you get interested in hockey and why did you chose to play goalie?

Everyone asked me the same question but I really don't know the answer. I wanted to be a goalie when I was 3 years old, probably because of the equipment but I did not begin playing hockey until I was 8. Before that I played street and pond hockey.

5.Your competition with Carey Price?How would you describe your relationship?

It's teamwork. We are both young goalies wanting to play but we are supportive of each other. We are here for one reason and that's to win.

6. You came close to winning a bronze at the Olympics. Tell us about the experience.

I did not even know if I was the number one or if it would be Budaj or Stana, but things worked out well for me. I played the first game and the coach had confidence in me. We came so close to winning a metal but that's hockey. One goal often makes the difference.

HABS TO FACE FLYERS IN CONFERENCE FINAL

With the Flyers, trailing the series 3 games to 0 against the Bruins everyone and including myself thought the Flyers were done. But they won 3 straight games and forced a game 7.In Game 7, the Flyers were down 3-0 and stormed back just like they did the whole series and won the game 4-3."I saw two centremen out there and I said, 'What's going on,"' said Milan Lucic, who had two goals for Boston. "I knew there was a miscommunication out there and we got caught."As for the Montreal Canadiens, the Habs knocked off the presidents trophy winners and then the Defending cup Champs. Now they are on to the 7th place Flyers."We're a pretty humble group that way, we think we're getting better, we think we're improving, we don't think we're a great hockey team," Cammalleri said."We're working to be as good as we can and that's what has led us to some success."

Game 1 will be Sunday at 7:00pm E.t On CBC and RDS.

Round 3 Playoff schedule

GAME	DATE	OPPONENT	TIME
Game 1	May 16	MTL @ PHI	7 PM
Game 2	May 18	MTL @ PHI	7 PM
Game 3	May 20	PHI @ MTL	7 PM
Game 4	May 22	PHI @ MTL	3 PM
Game 5*	May 24	MTL @ PHI	7 PM
Game 6*	May 26	PHI @ MTL	7 PM
Game 7*	May 28	MTL @ PHI	7 PM
All time ET Games marked in BOLD indicate home games. * If necessary.

I think the Habs will win in 7 games.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo