It has been over 15 years since I have seen a hockey game in Montreal. I vowed never to return after the Habs moved out of the historic Montreal Forum and after the incident on December 2, 1995 between Patrick Roy, my favorite NHL player of all time, and the team coach and team management.

For those of you who do not know, Patrick Roy was the star goalie of the Montreal Canadians in the early 90s, winning two Stanley Cups with the team. Then on December 2, 1995 he had a meltdown in net. I don’t remember the official statistics anymore, but they Detroit Red Wings scored something like 9 goals on him on 25 shots. Unheard of, especially for such a legendary goalie like Roy. His head was not in the game and he asked to be taken out. He was not. Each save, and there were few of them, the fans jeered him. When they finally pulled him, Roy was furious and walked past the team president and coach and said “I have played my last game as a Montreal Canadian.” A few day later he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and the Avs won the Stanley Cup that season and Roy helped them win another a few years later. The Habs have won nothing since, having advanced in the playoffs only 4 times since that trade. ESPN calls it the worst trade in the history of the HNL.

Well they did make up. The Habs did retire #33 just two weeks ago on November 22nd, 2008. I decided it was time to go see hockey in Montreal, 13 years to the day of the “incident”. For starters, the Bell Centre is right outside my hotel, here is the photo from my room. How could I resist?

Fellow Everest trekker Richard, and fellow conference speakers Tim, Beth, Gary, and Alan and I bought $100 scalped tickets and headed to the Bell Centre. The first thing I noticed was how big it was, the upper deck seats start above the second illuminated row in the photo below, where other hockey arenas stop.

I of course went to pay homage to Patrick Roy’s retired number before the game started.

After we ate French Canadian hot dogs and pizza as well went to buy some hats (I got a Roy hat) and stuff the game was ready to start. The first thing that I noticed was that everything was in French. (Well, duh.) Second when they sang the national anthems, the US went first and then the Canadian national anthem went and it was sang in French and everyone in the stadium sang along. It was an amazing sight. (Even Richard got into the spirit, but he sang along in English since he is from BC.)

This is a place to watch hockey! The fans really make the game. The size of the arena must be intimidating for smaller market teams. Barry from Toronto swears that the new arena in Toronto is bigger, I disagree. (Google confirms: Bell 21,273, Air Canada Centre: 19,000.) Barry out of respect to the Habs in their own house will remain neutral since he is a Leafs fan of course.

The Habs jumped out to a quick lead playing good hockey and executed well. They had a 3-0  lead after the second period. A 4th goal was called back at some point and a chant (in English) of “The Ref Sucks” was awesome.

After the third period started the Thrashers (visiting from Atlanta) scored a goal and the “charge!” music was playing and I asked out loud: “How to you say Charge! in French?” The guy in the row in front of me said: “Charge!” The Thrashers got a very quick 2nd goal and I was commenting that maybe we can see a shootout.

Oddly, the Habs fans chant “Ole, Ole, Ole” like it was soccer. I said wrong sport and wrong language.

 

Next, the Thrasher score very late in the 3rd period making it 3-3. My hopes for an overtime shootout are now becoming reality. Richard just rolls his eyes at the Habs. The Bell Centre becomes quiet, but the fans never lose faith. Massive “Go Habs Go!” chants start.

The Habs score a goal with about 4 minutes to play making it 4-3. We figure it will hold. The Thrashers pull the goalie with 1 minute to play. The Habs get a very difficult empty netter with 41 seconds to go.

 

Game over, right? Well no, the Thrashers refuse to die and score 20 seconds later! making it 5-4! Six goals in the last period, double the whole game thus far! And like 4 goals in the final few minutes!!

 

Luckily the Habs clear the puck after losing the face off and win the game. We go out for the famous Montreal “smoked meat” and beer at the local pub. The beautiful waitress loves Patrick Roy and tells me she owns a gun (I think she is lying about the gun part to scare us away). She says that she had a photo taken on Patrick Roy’s lap when she was 7. I try to use that to my advantage to get her to take a photo on my lap (sorry Kathleen!) but settle for a photo with her wearing my Patrick Roy hat. A fun end to a great evening at the Bell Center!

Posted by Steve in Montreal, Canada.

Being a sports fan is hard these days.  Sports is supposed to be an escape from reality but unfortunately has become reflective of it. 

(1) Plaxico Burress was booked yesterday on gun possession charges.  (2) Starbury has been banned from the Knicks.  (3) Former New York Ranger Sean Avery was indefinitely suspended for inappropriate comments about an ex-girlfriend.  (4) Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weiss is holding on for dear life in South Bend.

(1) Everyone knows that Plaxico was stupid/unwise/whatever adjective you want to use.  The Giants were right to suspend him.  Mayor Bloomberg has threatened to throw the book at him.  He's big on anti-gun violence and is going into an election year for a controversial third term.  I generally have a favorable opinion of Mayor Bloomberg but he should have put the term limits issue to a vote of the citizens, NOT the City Council.  A Burress trial is the perfect non-partisan distraction to the election, economy, and everything else going on. 

(2) The Knicks, their fans, and Starbury are all losers in the Starbury saga. 

(3) Avery's inappropriate comments really hurt the NHL when it needs a lift.  Avery asked if a camera was present and unloaded on an ex-girlfriend.  The NHL should unload on him for a while.  Yeah, see you next season Sean.  He'll probably only get a few games but deserves more.  It's not the first for him.  Martin Brodeur didn't shake his hand after last season's playoffs and I can't blame him.  It's not only waving his stick in front of Brodeur but the trash he unloaded about Brodeur's personal life.  Not cool and I don't like the D*vils.

(4) Notre Dame fans need to take a timeout.  Yes, Charlie Weis hasn't lived up to expectations.  But who do you bring in to replace him?  The Pope?  He's busy and would probably pass on the job if offered to him.  JH, his brother Brendan, and I threw other names around earlier today via e-mail.  I don't think Jim Tressel would ever leave Columbus as he is a native Buckeye.  Urban Meyer is having fun in the sun at Florida.  Nick Saban has rebuilt Alabama quicker than I hoped almost two years ago, January 3, 2007.  Saban has said that the Alabama job is the last job he will take before retiring.  Most importantly, I don't see any of them going to South Bend because they have a better chance of being successful in their current jobs than taking the Notre Dame job.  Why tarnish your reputation? 

Why take the Notre Dame job?  OK, yes, you will make millions.  (The buyout on Weis' mega millions contract maybe the only thing that buys him more time in South Bend.)  But, you have to deal with alumni and fans who think Knute Rockne is still the coach.  The administration watches your every move.  Notre Dame's high academic standards make it hard for them to recruit the student-athlete to come to South Bend.  Let's face it, other top schools have easier academic standards than Notre Dame.  Notre Dame has become a victim of its own success.  The Irish are haunted by a 21st century "Four Horsemen" of alumni, fans, administration, and academic standards.  It results in a plague and pestilence over South Bend.

If Weis doesn't survive, I think current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden will take the Notre Dame job if he wants it.  His main defensive assistant, Monte Kiffin, may go help his son Lane who was announced as Phil Fulmer's replacement at the University of Tennessee.  Gruden literally grew up in the job as a ball boy.  He knows all the glory and pitfalls of the job.  He has a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs.  Returning the Irish to national prominence would cap a coaching career.           

I stepped back to listen to the Knicks game tonight on ESPN 1050.  The Knicks lost but played the Trailblazers tough.  I can live with that.  Sports at last, NOT courtroom, egos, or other drama plaguing the sports world. 

I also listened to the Canadiens-Thrashers game on NHL GameCenter which rocks.  My high school French was a little rusty but it was good to listen the game.  I also texted Steve who was at the game as an after hours conference activity with Richard from the Mount Everest Base Camp trip.  Steve described the game as a "religious experience".  That's what sports should be.  Allez Les Habitants allez!  Go Habs go (Canadiens nickname)!  I'm looking forward to Steve's write-up tomorrow.

Posted by The Tank on the Sports Roller Coaster in NY.          

Momentum is building to get rid of the Bowl Championship Series, AKA the Broken Computer System.  I wrote about this phenomenon about two years ago.  I am glad that President-Elect Barack Obama and millions of others have joined me on this issue.

I have nothing against computers, they are only doing their jobs.  I have issue with the lack of a real playoff format in Division 1 football, DBA FBS or whatever they are calling themselves this week.  Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO).

This year's chaos centers on settling the winner of the Big 12 South.  Texas beat Oklahoma earlier this season.  Texas Tech beat Texas in early November.  Oklahoma routed Texas Tech two Saturdays ago.  Who should be the Champion?  Big 12 South tied between Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State.  How do you break the tie?  It came down to the computers which was the fifth place tie breaker, NOT playing on the field.

Since Oklahoma had the highest BCS ranking, they will play Missouri for the Big 12 Title next week.  I can understand the anger of the Texas fans since they beat Oklahoma head-to-head.

Posted by a frustrated Tank in NY.

P.S. I am too angry to comment on Plaxico Burress' stupidity and the Knicks/Starbury's stubbornness.

LeBron James has been in the New York sports pages more frequently lately as the Knicks and other teams rush to get under the cap in two years to enter the LeBron James Sweepstakes.

Yes, D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Steve Nash, and other free agents will also be available.  But, nobody commands the league and world like LeBron.  He is already referenced by his LBJ initials as former President Lyndon Baines Johnson once was.  Wow!  LeBron is barely old enough to legally purchase alcohol much less run for President.

The Knicks have the edge over most teams residing in the heart of the media capital of the world.  Except, the Nets.  The Nets are moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn next season as I successfully advocated almost two years ago.  More importantly, LeBron is close friends with Nets minority owner Jay-Z.  That could tip the balance to the Nets.

Therefore, the Knicks need to have a Plan B.  That's going to be hard because D-Wade likes South Beach and Chris Bosh loves playing in Toronto.  That leaves Steve Nash who lives in the West Village.  Even if LeBron signs with the Knicks, expect Nash to be reunited as the floor general in former Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo style.

The Knicks are off to a better than expected start, touch wood.  They let the Starbury issue drag on longer than necessary.  It has been and will continue to be a distraction until it is resolved.  I am not going to comment on the recent trades.

Until then, how watchable will the Knicks and Nets be?  Time for Commissioner Stern to gentle nudge the Knicks and Nets behind the scenes to make them more watchable.

Posted by The Tank in NY.

I was writing a LeBron James article while on the bus back to the City.  But, SATT is on the cutting edge of the sports world.  For instance, Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack reported (via Blackberry Pin) that Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress reportedly accidentally shot himself in Midtown Manhattan.

To quote Jack, it was a "flesh wound through the soft tissue of the thigh."

Will Burress play again?  According to ESPN, Burress will NOT play in the Giants big showdown at the Redskins.  If the Giants win, they pretty much seal the NFC East as well as #1 seeding and home field advantage through the playoffs. 

How idiotic can Burress be?  Was his weapon registered?  Why doesn't he have private security detail who are probably better trained in weapons and self-defense?

Burress may have cost his or somebody else's life.  Of much less importance, he may have cost the Giants a chance to defend their championship.

Posted by a bewildered Tank in NY.

Last Week's Review: I was 2-1 on the week and 11-6 on the season.  I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong with the Jets upset victory at the previously undefeated Titans.

This Week's Fearless Picks:

The 49ers lose at the Bills.

The Giants win a tough game at Redskins.

The Broncos lose at the Jets.  If the Jets want the #2 seed in the AFC, they can't afford a let down.  Running the table will help secure it as the Steelers have a much tougher schedule down the stretch.

Posted by The Tank.

I wanted to wish all of our readers a Safe, Happy, and Healthy Thanksgiving!  Thanksgiving is often the best holiday because you don't have to deal with the stress of gifts but enjoy food, family, and football.  How's that for a trifecta?!

I am grateful for your readership and support, even Kathleen is slowly coming around. 

Posted by The Tank in a food coma.

Last Week's Review: I was 4-2 last week and 17-9 on the season.  I was pleasantly surprised with Syracuse's upset win at Notre Dame.  Former Notre Dame and NBA star Adrian Dantley's son led the Orangemen to victory.  Let's Go Orange! 

On the other hand, I was disappointed that Texas Tech didn't show up at Oklahoma and lost 65-21.  Ouch!

This Week's Fearless Picks:

#22 Georgia Tech loses at #11 Georgia.

#4 Florida wins at #20 Florida State.

#23 Oregon loses at #17 Oregon State.  The Oregon "Civil War" is always tough to pick.

#3 Oklahoma wins at #12 Oklahoma State. 

Local:

Syracuse loses at #16 Cincinnati.

Rivalry:

Auburn loses at #1 Alabama.  Roll Tide!

Posted by The Tank in NY.

I had lunch Monday with a unnamed Mets executive.  It was NOT Omar Minaya.  Our Coup D'Omar was unsuccessful as Steve did not get his resume in time to Mr. Wilpon.

Anyway, I followed up on a question from one of Steve's IT colleague per their local Microsoft meeting on Thursday, November 20.  Steve mentioned it during our most recent podcast.  Yes, the new Citi Field will open on time in April 2009. 

The Mets executive asked me about Citibank's recent financial issues.  I explained credit default swaps, the TARP, and other current economic and financial issues.  It would be foolish for Citi to withdraw their sponsorship of Citi Field.

I reassured him that the Sigma Alpha Theta brothers and I have the current financial crisis under control, touch wood.  I might not have been elected President earlier this month but it's time to pitch in and troubleshoot our country's issues.  In the words of fellow "Tank"...

"'How hard can it be?'" SAT brother Jeffrey "'Tank'" Worthen asked. "'Last year we discovered cold fusion in order to keep Geezer from getting kicked out of his grad program. And just last semester we launched a space shuttle in order to win back our girls from the creeps at ZBT.'"

Posted by The Tank reporting live on the road back to US economic recovery.  Keep the Faith! 

Steve and the Tank podcast about the offseason moves for the Mets and Yankees here. (Sorry WMA file only)