Calling on Habs fans and friends to lend a helping hand

Well Ya!The Habs Rule! is unofficially a year old (This site first popped up sans domain name last April) and over the months it’s grown in popularity and I’ve made some great friends and contacts over that span.

You will now notice that I am adding some pages across the upper navigation bar. These will gradually be filled over the coming months as time allows.

The one page that is up and running is the CHARITIES page. I’ve already added some links to some popular charities, amongst the Canadiens organization, along with some others that I am personally involved in.

As the world’s financial situation is in one of it’s most unstable moments in history, times can be tough for many to lend a helping hand. But if you can, donating to any of these events or organizations is greatly appreciated.

Don’t forget, you can always donate your time to some of these as well as other organizations. If you have another one to suggest, please send me an email.

I want to pass on another great organization that came to my attention today.

The MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Foundation is holding it’s third annual golf tournament on June 2 at Le Club Laval-sur-le-lac.

The Foundation’s goal is to continue to fund excellent rehabilitation services and programs offered at the MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre that are not presently covered by Government grants. The Centre's programs and services enable and empower clients of all ages with vision and hearing impairments, and to children and youths with motor, communication, vision and hearing impairments.

CJAD’s “Voice of the Habs” Rick Moffat is this year’s Honourary Chairman. It could be a bitter-sweet moment for Rick as a continued Habs playoff run means he may not make it. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to miss it.

More information on the tournament, including  sponsorships and player registration,  or just how do donate or sponsor a kid for camp can be found here. You can also contact them by calling 514-488-0043 or via email: events@mabmackay.ca

Canadiens/Penguins Game 6: No Markov, No Gill, No Problem!

Mike Cammalleri potted two goals and Jaroslav Halak made 34 saves to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the rash of injuries plaguing the Canadiens, things did not look promising heading into Game Six. Andrei Markov was cited as out with a leg injury and Hall Gill was a game-time decision with a cut to his leg and did not play. The good news was that Jaroslav Spacek was good to go, and played a key role in Monday’s victory.

If front of a pumped Bell Centre crowd, Montreal jumped out early Cammalleri blew a one-timer past Marc-Andre Fleury at 1:13.

The Penguins got it back, shortly after a failed power play, when Sidney Crosby batted a deflected puck in mid air at 7:22.

The first twenty minutes was controlled by Pittsburgh, with the Penguins mounting a 13-6 shot advantage.

The defending Stanley Cup Champions had a pair of early power play chances in the second period, and connected on the second one when Kris Letang fired a shot that trickled under Halak’s arm at 5:21.

Montreal tied it up when Cammalleri fired a backhander past Fleury’s blocker, for his 11th goal of the playoffs, at 10:45. The last Canadiens player to score 11 or more goals in the post-season was Vincent Damphousse in 1993.

The Bell Centre crowd was behind it’s team for the full 60 minutes. After the second Montreal goal, PA announcer Michel LaCroix had to wait through the entire TV timeout for the crowd’s cheering to subside, before he could announce the goal.

“We’re really appreciative for their support,” Cammalleri said. “It’s the most amazing environment you can imagine.”

Spacek put the Canadiens in front with a low point shot that went through Fleury’s legs at 13:15. It was the first goal of the playoffs for Spacek, who had missed the last nine games with a viral infection.

“I was surprised that the puck went through,” he said. “I was just trying to get the shot on goal.”

Spacek played a flawless defensive game, making several defensive plays to spoil the Penguins scoring chances.

“The first period was tough on me,” the rearguard added. “Overall I felt pretty good and as the game went on I felt better.”

Backing the veteran were youngsters P.K. Subban and Josh Gorges, who logged 29:11 and 25:51 of ice time respectively. Gorges stepped in for Gill in shot blocking department with six to lead the team.

From there, the period’s momentum strongly swung in Montreal’s favor as the Canadiens took over the remaining minutes, drawing a late Pittsburgh penalty.

The third period saw offensive exchanges at both ends with Fleury and Halak both turning away scoring opportunities from both teams.

Montreal continued to put the pressure on as Maxim Lapierre made great one-man effort to give the Canadiens a two-goal lead at 11:30.

The Penguins refused to give up, pulling Fleury for the extra attacker. With 1:24 to go, Bill Guerin tipped a Sergei Gonchar point shot past but it would be as close as they would get.

“We liked the way we stayed with it, instead of sitting back,” Cammalleri added. “We’re trying to get better, we’re trying to improve. Tonight’s game was a big step.”

The Canadiens win forces a deciding seventh game back in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Fans in Montreal will be able to catch the game on the giant screen at the Bell Centre. Tickets go on sale Tuesday at noon for $7.50 (includes in-bowl animation, a DJ, games door prizes) at www.canadiens.com, the Bell Centre Ticket Office or by phone at (514) 790-2525 / 1-877-688-8269.

Three Stars: 1. Michael Cammalleri 2. Jaroslav Spacek 3. Jaroslav Halak

game photo: Montreal Gazette (Dave Sidaway)

Markov skating lightly, Sergei K off to the Worlds?

News via CKAC that defenseman Andrei Markov was skating Sunday afternoon at the Montreal Canadiens training facility in Brossard.

Markov apprently skated lightly in a track suit along with Paul Mara, who continues to recover from shoulder surgery. The session consisted primarily of light acceleration drills and a few shots on goal.

According to CKAC's Martin McGuire, Markov was "going to do anything" to get back into the playoffs.

There had been specualtion that Markov might have played on Saturday night, after making the trip to Pittsburgh. It was later clarified that the Canadiens' medical staff was also travelling. It was easier for Markov to continue treatment and be evaluated ove the weekend.

According to head coach Jacques Martin, Markov will be re-evaluated by doctors from the skate.

The club held a team metting this morning, and only a handful of skaters (Ben Maxwell. Jaroslav Spacek, Carey Price, Maxim Lapierre and Sergei Kostitsyn) took to the ice.

Spacek has reportedley been given the green-light by team doctors to resume playing, but the decision will ultimately fall on the defenseman and coach Martin.

Meanwhile defenseman Hal Gill says his leg, that was accidentally stepped on by Chris Kunitz in Game Five, suffered "just a cut." The veteran defenseman says he hopes to be ready for Game Six.

There is also a report that benched forward Sergei Kostitsyn has requested to be allowed to play for Belarus at the World Hockey Championships, currently under way in Germany.

In a tweet by Sov Sport's Genadi Boguslavski, Belarus head coach Eduard Zenkevich stated that Kostitsyn made the request several days ago.

No confirmation from the Canadiens has been made, so for now the report will have to lie along the lines of the first five letters in the initiating tweeter's last name.