In Case You Missed It: Habs News and Blogger Views for January 4, 2010

Still recuperating from the chaos of the holiday season, I came across a few things of interest to peruse through as the Canadiens make their way to Washington.

Habs World Junior Championship Alumni: Props to Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette/HabsInsideOut for tweeting a list Canadiens players, on the current roster, with a WJC medal.

Gold (3): Tomas Plekanec, CZE, 2001; Benoit Pouliot, CAN, 2006; Carey Price, CAN, 2007

Silver (4): Paul Mara, USA, 1997; Andrei Markov, RUS, 1998; Mike Cammalleri, CAN, 2002; Josh Gorges, CAN, 2004

Bronze (2): Andrei Markov, RUS, 1997; Mike Cammalleri, CAN, 2001

In total, 14 players on the Habs roster, have played in 24 World Junior Championships tournaments. Sergei Kostitsyn and Paul Mara have each played in three tournaments.

 

 A Resolution for Tolerance: JT at the “The H Does Not Stand for Habs” has her New Year’s resolution, but may have a list of snags.

 

Lack of Support for Price: I brought this to attention, earlier in the season, on the lack of scoring support by the Canadiens for Carey Price.

Marc-Antoine Godin, of La Presse, divulges into it further, noting the Habs score and average of 3.24 goals-per-game with Jaroslav Halak in net as opposed to 2.19 with Price in goal.

 

 Desjardins honoured by AHL: Cedrick Desjardins, of the Hamilton Bulldogs, has been named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for December.

The goaltender went undefeated (8-0), posting three shutouts, a 1.16 GAA and .949 SvPct.

The 24-year-old prospect  is 14-5-1 in 21 games for Hamilton this season, ranking second in the AHL with a 1.66 goals-against average, third with a .932 save percentage and first with five shutouts.

Habs World has their weekly recap of the Hamilton Bulldogs here.

 

What the Habs are driving, and wearing: Nice piece at All Habs on a visit to team practice, and seeing what the players are driving.

I never saw Travis Moen (pictured) as the Hyundai type, especially as a rental. Hopefully he has snow tires on it. Scott Gomez, in a Mini Cooper, in the Montreal snow?

Habs vs. Nordiques Rivalry Continues: Veterans from the wars of the Battle of Quebec will have a chance to renew their rivalry in March.

The former players will meet in a pair of games, March 13 in Quebec City and March 14 in Montreal.

Tickets can be purchased at GEG.CA for the game at the Bell Centre, or at La Colisée Pepsi

 This Day in Habs History: On January 4, 1975 Guy Lafleur scores his 5th career hat trick and adds three assists as the Canadiens crush the Washington Capitals 10-0.

Lafleur would finish his breakout 1974-75 season with 53 goals, breaking the team record of 50 first set by Maurice Richard and later equaled by Bernie Geoffrion.

When Canada left the IIHF: With Team Canada’s Junior team ready top play for a 6th straight title , and the Olympics just weeks away, here’s a great piece by Joe Pelletier at Greatest Hockey Legends.

Joe looks back 40 years ago, when Team Canada walked away from the International Ice Hockey Federation.

Mr. Tretiak goes to Pittsburgh: The Pittsbugh Tribune caught up with former goaltending great Vladislav Tretiak at a recent Penguins game.