MONTREAL, QC — This will be my last post at The Bad Hab-it, if this can even be called a post, as I’ve created a new blog where you can find me, 5 Minutes for Blogging. Subscribe to it now!

You can read my latest post Home Ice Disadvantage?

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By Stevo, BadHabit

MONTREAL, QC. — A double take is what I did this morning after reading an article in the Metro Journal, a free French mini newspaper available throughout the island of Montreal.

I was in such disbelief at what I had just read that I had to read it again to ensure I had properly understood.  The question “Did they just compare the Habs to Gadhafi?” was bouncing every which way inside my skull.  Even worse, “Are they saying the Habs need to learn from Gadhafi?”.

I read it a third time.  I could not believe anyone would do that, but they did.

The article was written up by what appears to be three bozos that work for Radio Canada, and host a radio show called Sportnographe.  It was written up in French, but here are some quotes that I’ve translated.

“Sportnographe is proposing that the Canadiens take example from Gadhafi.  Apart from the fact that this would help reduce the price of gas (…) Moammar Gadhafi should equally be able to inspire the Canadiens.”

“Just like the Canadiens, the Libyan leader has lived some difficult days due to unexpected and underhanded attacks, he then felt abandoned by his colleagues and friends, and when he was almost dead, with less troops in his ranks, his downfall was all but announced.  But, after putting all his courage together, and after finding the necessary strength, today, he is still master of his own destiny.”

“No, we are telling you this honestly, the Canadiens can stop searching for answers, they simply need to carry the torch that is being handed to them by Gadhafi, and inspire themselves from his return to power, they need to trample their adversaries, so that they may return the conference finals and lose to the Philadelphia Flyers.”

What do you think, am I not tolerant enough of this humour or did they cross the line?

Original article (French) available at here.

(Photo: Alain Roberge, La Presse)

By Stevo, TheBadHabit

MONTREAL, QC. — The National Hockey League has a new enforcer, being the stanchion that has gotten so much attention since Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins almost broke Montreal Canadiens’ forward Max Pacioretty’s neck, after driving his head into the stanchion between the benches at the Bell Center.

National Hockey League Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy was quoted as saying the following about the hit, “This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface. In reviewing this play, I also took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career”

• It was a “hockey play”
• The injury was because of the “stanchion and ice surface”

The NHL therefore deflected all blame away from the player making the dangerous hit, removed themselves from any responsibility in the matter, and in turn threw all of the blame back onto the Bell Center and it’s stanchion.

So many thought the Habs had no tough players in their lineup, all this time, there was a stanchion right there and Jacques Martin was just not implicating it into his system.

*****

Player Name: Stan Chion
Number: N/A
Height: 4’00″ Approx.?
Weight: Unknown
Shoots: Ambidextrous
Born: Verify manufacturer’s date of assembly.
Birthplace: Probably made in Taiwan or China.
Safety Guard: More effective when used with a Pierre McGuire placed next to it.

Follow me on Twitter…@stevofarnham

Recommended:

• Hockey Fans, Let’s Take Back Our Game (By Rick Stephens – AllHabs.net)

(Graphic: Life.com)

By Stevo, TheBadHabIt

Montrea, QC. — We all know John. We work with John. John is that colleague that does pretty much does the bare minimum. He never outdoes himself on anything, but he manages to do a good job none the less. John is not flashy or extroverted, he manages to fly under the radar, and is seen as a good employee.

Maybe you know Jane? Jane is that student that rarely studies or does her homework. She manages to pass her tests and classes but is never top of her class. She doesn’t strive to be excellent, but is rather comfortable with just being good and getting by in this manner.

Meet John and Jane.

Continue reading this article at AllHabs.net, click here.

(Header photo: Catherine Lefebvre, article photo: André Pichette, La Presse)

(Graphic: Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press, Video posted on YouTube by NHLHeritageClassic)

Click here to access the video of the second brawl.

New York Islanders brawl with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday February 11 2011

Click here to access the video of the second brawl.

(Graphic: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Video available at AllHabs.net, click here:

(Graphic: Getty)

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins hits Fedor Tyutin of the Columbus Blue Jackets from behind.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Tuesday, Feb 8 2011

(Graphic: wikipedia.org)

By Stevo, TheBadHabit

Senators’ Chris Neil takes out Canucks’ Henrik Sedin, then fights Aaron Rome.
Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks
Monday, February 7 2011

(Graphic: AP/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck, video posted on YouTube by Fel0096)

Montreal, QC. — One day after responding, “No, me and Ron don’t really talk — so that’s all I’ve got to say about that.” when asked about whether he had received words of encouragement from his coach Ron Wilson, Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Phil Kessel tried to throw some sand over the flames.

Kessel had also said the following when asked about Ron Wilson’s recent line changes, “I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe it’s just not working out here, I guess. Who knows? I can’t get anything going, so maybe it’s time for a change or something. Who knows?”

Many took these words an an automatic Phil Kessel wants out of Toronto.

Although this may be true for a variety of different reasons, and although my own personal beliefs are that Phil Kessel would be better off getting out of the North East division (where both the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs play), Phil Kessel clarified his comments to the media, and his latest comments had a much different tone to them.

“Obviously, I love Toronto, I want to be here,” Kessel said, smiling. “I love this city. I love the fans. I love this team. The guys are great here. I don’t want any trade or anything like that. I want to be here for a very long time.”

When asked about this situation, Ron Wilson had this to say, “I think you’re reading things into a very frustrated young man,” he said. “I don’t have any issues with Phil, and he knows that.”

It’s very rare that I agree with Ron Wilson but this is one of those rare examples.  I truly believe everyone read a little too much into Phil Kessel’s comments, and Kessel was in fact very frustrated at the time he said them.  I don’t truly believe that Kessel intended for his comments to get interpreted as I want to be traded out of Toronto.  He was simply a frustrated man, a man going through a very difficult season, attempting his best to answer the questions from the media.

If there’s any lesson Kessel should learn here, is that sometimes, it’s might be best not to comment, or at least choose your words very carefully, especially when the situation surrounding your club is already tense.

Read both articles in their entirety at nationalpost.com:

• Kessel: ‘Me and Ron don’t really talk’ (by Sean Fitz-Gerald)
• Kessel: ‘I love Toronto, I want to be here’(by Sean Fitz-Gerald)

(Graphic: REUTERS/Mark Blinch)