It took Montreal more than two periods to get it even a little bit together against Detroit, mainly because most of the time, especially in the first period, the only Habs players who saw the ice were the penalty killers.
All thanks to Georges Laraque for taking a high-sticking call and then a dangerous tripping/kneeing call to earn him six minutes in the penalty box which begat penaties to Paul Mara, Travis Moen and Ryan O’Byrne shortly after which begat two goals by Detroit, and the Habs fell into a big, black hole that took them forever to crawl out of.
I hold George directly responsible, (and I’d hope he’d agree) for the Habs going down 2-0 after one. And a knee-on-knee that could end another player’s career, which Georges is guilty of, is unacceptable also.
And why did Laraque stick his knee out? Because he spends most of his time standing still and was caught flat-footed. Big Georges is not exactly what you would call a “free-wheeler.” It must make good players in university and the minors wonder why Georges is there making the big bucks and they’re not.
The third period, however, almost made things worthwhile, with Mike Cammalleri, with help from Andrei Kostityn, at least making a game of it by tieing the score at two. The Canadiens had their chances and could have won it, but it was too little too late. They were also outshot by the Wings 34-18 and Carey Price was, for the most part, solid once again.
It’s just too bad Georges was dressed on this night. The result could’ve been different. They were going good in the beginning.
They lost in the shootout but they got a point. And they earned it because they climbed back in it after just one player, their own, had taken them out of it.
Random Notes:
Guy Carbonneau worked with Greg Millen and Bob Cole up in the CBC broadcasting booth. Carbo sounded somewhat nervous and didn’t have anything earth-shattering to say, but this can be expected from a rookie. He also needs to put more excitement in his voice. But maybe the Habs don’t excite him anymore.
Columbus Blue Jackets visit on Tuesday.
