Going for it all in Montreal....... part deux
 

September 20th, 2003.
Attachment 526010



The Montreal Canadiens were part of a hockey league started in 2000 which had 22 teams in North American. The National Hockey League plays a 72 game schedule with 2 conferences, of which a total of 8 teams make the playoffs. As well, there are 22 American Hockey League farm teams and 28 Major Junior CHL teams that supply talent to the NHL.


The Canadiens are about to embark on the 2003-04 season after struggling the past 2 out of 3 seasons. The Canadiens have yet to see the post season.


The 2003 NHL Season Preview does not consider the Habs a contender again, but has the Detroit Red Wings as the favorites. Strong contenders could be the Vegas Golden Knights and the Ottawa Senators.


In 3 seasons of NHL action, we have had 3 different Stanley Cup Winners, with the Flyers, Predators and Golden Knights lifting hockey's Holy Grail.

Meet the 2003-04 Montreal Canadiens

Attachment 526009

G Martin King- the 24 year has been a back-up for Montreal since the league was formed in 2000. Signed until the end of this coming season King appeared in 74 games over the past 3 years and has a 16-41-11 record with a 3.33 GAA and .877 save %.


G Bill Wolfenbarger- the 37 year old will be the Canadiens starting goalie for the 4th straight season and just signed a 2 year extension that will make him a Hab until the end of the 2004-05 season. In 153 games, he is 60-69-17 with a 2.50 GAA and .917 save %.


LD Dominick Heatherington- the 20 year old was originally with the Predators when the NHL was formed, but he was traded to Montreal in January 2003 before the deadline. The RFA is signed until the end of this season, in 74 career NHL games he has 8 goals and 20 assists for 28 points with 16 PIMs and a +1 rating. He is expected to play on the 1st defense pairing with Thornton and considered a defensive defenseman.


LD Vincent Lavoie- the 20 year old was the Habs 122nd overall pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft from the Medicine Hat Tigers. Considered a defensive defenseman, he has played in 114 NHL games with 8 goals and 28 points with 44 PIMs and a -18 rating. Lavoie will likely play on the 3rd pairing with Nytra.


RD Richard Nytra- the 20 year old was an undrafted free agent signing by Montreal in July 2002. He played his CHL games with the Seattle Thunderbird. In 47 NHL games, he has 1 goal and 13 points with 12 PIMs and a -16 rating. As mentioned he will likely play on the 3rd pairing.


RD Rene Pichler- the 24 year old was a waiver wire pick up from the Buffalo Sabres in March 2003 by Montreal. Pichler was originally with the Senators organization before being a waiver wire pick up by the Sabres in February 2003. In 26 career NHL games he has 0 goals and 8 points with 6 PIMs and a +10 rating.


LD Anthony Reynolds- the 35 year old wears an "A" on his uniform and was the Canadiens when the league was formed in 2000. In 3 seasons including 189 NHL games he has 27 goals and 68 points with 94 PIMs and a +33 rating. Reynold will be on the 2nd pairing with Sadriyev.


RD Rinat Sadriyev- the 28 year old has been with Montreal since the league was formed. The smallish (5'9") Russian born defenseman has played in 139 NHL games over the past 3 years and has 9 goals and 36 points with 49 PIMs and a -30 rating.


RD Steven Thornton- the 32 year old Habs captain is in his 4th season with Montreal. The pending UFA has played in 197 games with the Habs in 3 NHL seasons, has 29 goals and 104 points with 128 PIMs and a +22 rating.


LW Emile Boudreau- the 21 year old plays on the 1st line and was acquired in a trade with the Senators in January 2003. The Quebec native is a puckhandler and a 1st round, 3rd overall pick of the Senators in 2001. Before getting drafted he won the CHL Best Defensive Forward Award in 2001. He was also nominated for the CHL MVP in 2001. In 53 games with the Barrie Colts of the CHL, he had 31 goals and 83 points. In 142 NHL games, he has 32 goals and 110 points with 60 PIMs and a +30 rating.


LW Randolph Lott- the 31 year old was a free agent signing by Montreal in July 2003. Expected to be the 2nd line LW, he has not played in the NHL since 2000-01 with the Leafs. The strong skater had 15 goals and 48 points with 60 PIMs and a +19 rating in 72 games that season.


LW Joey Mandoli- the 21 year old is expected to platoon on the 4th line this year. The Canadiens signed him as a free agent in July 2002 after playing 2 seasons in the CHL where he had 27 goals and 75 points in 106 games. Last year was his 1st experience in the NHL, he had 5 goals and 11 points with 4 PIMs and a -20 rating with Montreal.


LW Aribert Senf- the 27 year old Senf is expected to start on the LW for the 4th line. As an original Canadien when the league was formed, he played the last 2 years in Montreal. In 108 NHL games he has 13 goals and 24 points with 88 PIMs and a -4 rating.


LW David Wass- the 34 year old original Hab has played all years in the NHL. A strong skater, he has 36 goals and 103 points with 84 PIMs and a +0 rating in 180 NHL games. He is a UFA at the end of this season.


C Patrick Atkins- the 19 year old is going to start the season as the Canadiens #1 center. An out standing skater with terrific hockey sense, Atkins was the Canadiens 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 2002 NHL entry draft. In 3 years with the Red Deer Rebels of the CHL, he had 83 goals and 198 points in 133 CHL games. He is also a Memorial Cup winner.


C Dean Casey- the 21 year old was originally pegged as the Habs future number 1 center, but he will start the year as the 3rd line center. The Canadiens selected him 12th overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft, but injuries over the past 3 years have kept his games to a limit. Over the past 3 years he has played in just 73 hockey games including 49 in the NHL where he has 9 goals and 23 points with 24 PIMs and a -8 rating.


C James Courcy- the 20 year old will start as the Habs 4th line center. A strong play maker with good work ethic is how he is described, he was the Canadiens 56th overall pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft. In 102 NHL games he has 9 goals and 27 points with 73 PIMs and a -36 rating.


C Jeff Pilbeam- the 31 year old also wears an "A" on his uniform and the Canadiens just signed him to till 2005-06. A strong defensive forward as well as avoiding injury as he has played in all 216 Canadiens games since the league was formed. Pilbeam has 73 career goals and 162 points with 135 PIMs and a +7 rating.


RW Phil Wheeler- the 31 year old will start on the 4th line RW. The Canadiens acquired Wheeler in a trade with the Leafs in January 2001. Wheeler won the Best Defensive Forward Award in the 2000-01 season and has played in 217 NHL games, has 29 goals and 76 points with 114 PIM's and a -3 rating.


RW Robert Cull- the 21 year old is expected to platoon on the 4th line to start the season. Cull is a good skater and is expected to be a good goal scorer. He won a Memorial Cup in the CHL in 2001 and was selected 100th overall by the Canadiens in 2001. Last season he played in all 72 games for Montreal scoring 10 times and had 19 points with 93 PIMs and a -14 rating.


RW Petr Klusacek- the 21 year old Slovak is expected to play on the 3rd RW. He was the Canadiens 126th overall pick in the 2001 NHL entry draft. Last year in his NHL debute, he had 5 goals and 20 points with 23 PIMs and a -16 rating.


RW Joey Mariani- the 21 year old will start on the RW for the 1st line. An excellent skater, he also won the CHL Plus-Minus Award for 2001. Originally signed by the Vancouver Canucks, Mariani was traded to Montreal on January 25th, 2002. In 141 NHL games he has 26 goals and 85 points with 38 PIMs and a +16 rating.


RW Li Wei- the 21 year old will start as the 2nd line RW. An above average skater and strong playmaker, the Canadiens signed him as a undrafted free agent in July 2002. In 106 CHL games he had 29 goals and 101 points. In a full NHL season with Montreal, he had 6 goals and 25 points with 18 PIMs and a -13 rating in 72 games.

September 20th, 2003
Attachment 526083

Montreal 3 Ottawa 2


The Habs start the season on the roadin Ottawa.


Montreal gets on the board 1st, JoeyMariani gets his 1st of the year at 6:17 to make it 1-0. PatrickAtkins gets his 1st career assist on Mariani's goal. The Habsdominated the shots 10-4 over the Senators in the 1st.


The Sens tie it up at 1-1 with KimmoPulkkinen's 1st of the year, former Habs RW Kurt Pederson gets anassist at 3:32 of the 2nd. Montreal goes up 2-1 when Randolph Lottgets his 1st in a Habs uniform at 15:59 of the 2nd. But former HabKurt Pederson gets his 1st of the year to tie it 2-2 at 18:14 of the2nd. The shots favour Montreal 18-15 after two.


Montreal goes up 3-2 at 1:28 of the 3rdperiod, Li Wei gets his 1st of the year. The Canadiens hang onoutshooting the Senators 27-21 for the 3-2 win. Montreal Canadiens LWRandolph Lott was the games 1st star, he had a goal and an assist,was a +2 in 10:45 of ice time. G Bill Wolfenbarger made 19 saves forthe win.


September 21st, 2003


New Jersey Devils LD Eric Moser had anassist and was the games 1st star in a 2-0 win over the Bruins. The33 year old now has 1 point in 1 game with a +2 rating. Moser wassigned by the Devils as a free agent in July 2001 after playing forthe Blackhawks in the NHL's original season.


September 22nd, 2003


Ottawa 3 Montreal 0


The Canadiens are at home in Montrealto face the Senators.


The first period is scoreless asMontreal out shots Ottawa 11-7.


A flurry of penalties puts Montrealshort handed 4 on 3 and the Sens capitalize with former CanadiensKurt Pederson's 2nd goal of the year on the PP at 10:18 of the secondperiod. Senators Paul Nelson gets his 1st of the year at 16:38 of thesecond to make it 2-0 Ottawa. The period ends with the Senators andthe momentum. The shots on goal are now tied 15-15.


The Sens owned the third period andmade it 3-0 at 19:29 when Gerald Norris gets his 1st of the year. TheSens win 3-0 out shooting Montreal 28-18. Montreal had 7 minors toOttawa's 1. The Sens LD Gerald Norris was the 1st star with a goaland an assist. He has 1 goal and 2 points on the season with 0 PIMsand +0 rating. The Senators acquired Norris in a trade from theRangers in November 2002. G Bill Wolfenbarger took the loss.


New Jersey Devils LD Eric Moser had 2goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Bruins. The 33 year oldMoser now has 2 goals and 4 points with 0 PIMs and a +6 rating in 2games.


September 28th, 2003


The Montreal Canadiens announced that DRichard Nytra will be out day to day with a mild abdominal strain.The 20 year old has 0 goals and 0 points and a +2 rating in 2 games.


Montreal 4 Boston 0


It took 5:41 into his 3rd NHL game, butC Patrick Atkins gets his 1st NHL goal. The Habs lead the Bruins 1-0in front of a excited home crowd. The Canadiens carried the momentumand scored again at 13:05 when Phil Wheeler made it 2-0. The Bruinshave yet to register a shot. It took almost 17 minutes but the Bruinsfinally tested G Bill Wolfenbarger. The Canadiens are unable tocapitalize on a late PP and the period ends with Montreal outshooting the Bruins 11-1.


The Canadiens continue to dominate thegame through the second period and finally get one past Bruins GBrandon Mazurak, Phil Wheeler gets his 2nd of the night and season at8:45 to make it 3-0. The shots are now 19-3 Montreal. The secondperiod ends with Montreal outshooting the visitors 25-4 through 2.


The Habs go up 4-0 on the PP whenrookie C Patrick Atkins gets his 2nd of the year and game at 8:03.With Montreal is complete shut down mode they out shot the Bruins 9-5in the third giving G Bill Wolfenbarger his 1st SO of the year.Montreal C Phil Wheeler was named the games 1st star, he had 2 goals,was a +2 in 7:58 of ice time. For the season he has 2 goals and 2points with 0 PIMs and a +2 rating.


September 29th, 2003


New York Rangers 4 Montreal 3


The Canadiens are on the road to playthe Rangers. The Rangers get on the board first as D Issac Connellgets his 2nd of the year at 14:40 of the first. The Rangers get alate PP that tips the shot totals in their favor 12-7, but the firstends with the Habs trailing 1-0.


Montreal gets to even early when RWJoey Mariani gets his 2nd of the year at 2:04 of the second as theHabs 1st line clicks. The second half of the period is all Rangers asthe continue to get a lot of shots on G Bill Wolfenbarger, but heholds them off and the period ends tied 1-1 with the Rangers outshooting the Habs in the second, 10-8.


The Rangers come out of the gate in thethird with a few quick shots and F Chris Wilgosh gets his 1st forRangers at 2:06 and the Rangers lead 2-1. The Rangers continue the onslaught with another goal by Wilgosh at 3:34 and a 3-1 lead. So farthe Rangers have outshot Montreal 6-0 in the third. With Canadiens LWRandolph Lott in the box, Habs C Dean Casey scores SH with his 1st ofthe year to make it 3-2 at 7:40. But the Rangers do get that backquickly on the same PP, F Lukas Kocian gets his 2nd of the year at7:55 and a Ranger 4-2 lead. With the goalie out and the Canadiensalready on a 4 on 3 PP, LW Emile Bouchard gets his 1st on the PP withjust 5 seconds left to make it 4-3. But that wasn't enough. The finalshots on goal were 34-23 for the Rangers and the 1st star was RangersLW Chris Wilgosh with 2 goals. The 20 year old now has 2 goals and 2points with 0 PIMs and a +0 rating in 4 games. G Bill Wolfenbargermade 30 saves in the loss.


Detroit Red Wings RW Ed Byrant had 3goals in a 5-2 win over the Devils and was named the 1st star. The 26year old now has 4 goals and 4 points with 4 PIMs and a +3 rating in4 games.

Attachment 526084

October 3rd, 2003Attachment 526106


The Ottawa Senators gave up a 1st rounddraft pick today to acquire G Petr Kadlik from the Edmonton Oilers.The 32 year old started the season in Edmonton's AHL affiliate but137 games of NHL experience with the Flyers and Blues. He has a62-47-26 record with 13 SO's and a 2.35 GAA to go along with his .915Sv% over his career. He had a career high 23 wins with the Blues lastyear.


The Canadiens will host the Maple Leafsat the Bell Center today. D Richard Nytra will be back in the line-upfor the game.


Toronto 4 Montreal 3


The Leafs got the first 3 shots on goal, butMontreal scored on their 1st shot, C Patrick Atkins got his 3rd ofthe year at 3:24 to make it 1-0 Montreal. The Canadiens go up 2-0 at11:10 of the first when RW Li Wei gets his 2nd of the season. Theshots end up 7-7 but Montreal leads after the first 2-0.


The Leafs do get on the board at 9:34of the second period, F Jason Brophey gets his 1st of the year tomake it 2-1. The Leafs are now out shooting Montreal 15-10. Torontocontinues with the pressure and ties it up 2-2 at 11:51 of the secondwhen D Ray Watts gets his 1st of the year. The period ends with theToronto outshooting the Habs 12-8.


Mid way through the 3rd, the shots areeven at 5-5 but the Leafs do take the lead at 13:18 when D BurtChelios gets his 1st of the year to make it 3-2. Chelios makes it 4-2just seconds later with his 2nd of the game at 13:29. The Habs makeit interesting with the 4-3 goal at 19:21 when rookie C PatrickAtkins gets his 4th of his season. Thats as close as Montreal couldget as the Leafs win 4-3 outshooting Montreal 29-23. No surprize thatRD Burt Chelios was selected as the 1st star. He had 2 goals. The 31year old now has 2 goals and 2 points with 6 PIMs and a +4 rating.Chelios had a career high with 32 points in the 2000-01 season withthe Leafs. G Bill Wolfenbarger gets saddled with the loss.


October 5th, 2003


The Canadiens look to get back into thewin column at home against the Senators


Montreal 3 Ottawa 2


It was a good start for Montreal as thescored on their second shot at 2:01, LW David Wass gets his 1st ofthe year for a 1-0 lead. The Sens tie it up 1-1 at 6:02 when F RobBuff gets his 2nd of the year on Ottawa's 1st shot of the game. TheCanadiens take a 2-1 lead at 8:53 of the first as RW Robert Cull getshis 1st of the season. D Rene Pichler gets his 1st point as aCanadien. Cull later gets into a fight and with his assist on Wass'sgoal has the Gordie Howe hat-trick, in the first period. Montrealleads the scoreboard 2-1 and the shot clock 13-2.


The Canadiens get word early in the 2ndperiod that RW Li Wei may have broken his hand, he has left the game.The Canadiens are down to 11 forwards. Despite the 18-4 shotadvantage for Montreal, the Senators tie it up 2-2 at 11:03 of thesecond with a F Jean-Thomas Audy goal, his 1st of the year. The shotsend up 14-3 in the second and 27-5 overall but the game is tied. GBill Wolfenbarger has made 3 saves on 5 shots.


The Canadiens do grab the lead 6:53 inwhen RW Joey Mariani gets his 3rd of the season. Mid way throught thethird with the shots 5-5, the Canadiens will be short handed. TheCanadiens give up a shot, but kill the penalty. The Canadiens holdoff the Senators the rest of the way for the 3-2 win. The final shotson goal were 37-12 for Montreal. Getting into a fight, a goal and anassist gave RW Robert Cull the 1st star. He was also a +1 with 15:08of ice time. The 21 year old now has 1 goal and 2 points with 7 PIMsand a +0 rating. In his second year as a Canadien, he had 19 pointsin his rookie season last year.


The Canadiens have announced that RW LiWei will miss up to 6 weeks with a broken hand. The 21 year old has 2goals and 2 points with 0 PIMs and a +0 rating in 6 games. In his 1stseason last year, he had 25 points in 72 games. The Canadiens willrecall LW Eric Brenner from the AHL Condors. The 20 year old has 2goals and 4 points in 4 games this year. Prior to this year he spend3 seasons in the CHL with the Red Deer Rebels, he had 88 goals and171 points in 121 games. Brenner's NHL debute maybe a few days as henurses a sore groin.


The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquiredRW Daniel Shulhan from the Calgary Flames for C Trent Powell and therights to LD Matt Gare and RD Keaton Milson. The 37 year old Shulhanhas 2 points with 0 PIMs and a +0 rating in 4 games this year.Shulhan had a career high 30 goals last year in Calgary in 72 games.


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had 3goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Capitals. The 33 year oldhas 4 goals and 6 points with 0 PIMs and a +1 rating in 6 games.Sutton had a career high 35 goals with the Stars in 2000-01.


Vegas Golden Knights C Richard Petershad a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Rangers. The 35 yearold now has 3 goals and 5 points with 4 PIMs and a -3 rating in 6games. Peters had a career high 42 goals last year with the GoldenKnights and Flames.


St Louis Blues C Bill Barlow had a goaland an assist in a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks. The 35 year old nowhas 1 goal and 2 points with 0 PIMs and a +0 rating in 6 games.Barlow had a career high 35 goals in the 2000-01 season with theSenators.


Vancouver Canucks LW Jordan Murray hada goal and 3 assists in a 7-1 win over the Stars. The 34 year old nowhas 4 goals and 7 points with 2 PIMs and a +3 rating in 6 games.Murray had a career high in 2001-02 with 30 goals for the Canucks.


October 6th, 2003


The Canadiens will host the Detroit RedWings today. Montreal will give G Bill Wolfenbarger the night off andwill start G Martin King for the first time this year.


Montreal 4 Detroit 1


It took just 30 seconds for F ChadDeraspe to put the Wings on the board, his 5th of the year at 0:30 tomake it 1-0. Not a great start for G Martin King. The Canadiens havehad most of the momentum and tie the score 1-1 on the PP at 12:34 ofthe first when RW Joey Mariani gets his 4th of the year. The shotsare now 12-1 Montreal, King has yet to make a save. Montreal goes up2-1 at 16:13 when LW Randolph Lott gets his 2nd of the year. TheCanadiens kill of a later short handed situation and out shot the RedWings 17-4 in the first.


The Canadiens go up 3-1 at 3:41 of thesecond when rookie C Patrick Atkins gets his 5th of the year.Montreal ends the period with a 14 second PP to start the third, butlead 3-1 and are out shooting the Red Wings 27-11.


The Red Wings came out flying in thethird, mid way through the period the shots are 10-2 for Detroit butG Martin King is holding the fort. Montreal will try to slow the gameup a little to mimimize the chances. They did a good job of that andadded the 4-1 goal at 17:32 of the third when D Steven Thornton gothis 1st of year. The first Habs d-man to score this season. G MartinKing made 26 straight saves after surrendering the games opening goaland Montreal beats Detroit 4-1. The final shots were 34-27 forMontreal. Montreal RD Steven Thornton was the 1st star, he had a goaland an assist and was a +1 with 27:46 of ice time. For the season,the 32 year old has 1 goal and 3 points with 9 PIMs and a -1 rating.Thornton had a career high 12 goals in the 2001-02 season withMontreal.


October 10th, 2003


The Canadiens will host the BuffaloSabres at the Bell Center, LW Eric Brenner will make his NHL debutefor Montreal.


Montreal 5 Buffalo 4


The Canadiens score first, RW PetrKlusacek gets his 1st of the year at 8:30 and Montreal is up 1-0. TheSabres tie it up 1-1 at 10:35 when F Greg Meeks gets his 2nd of theyear. The Sabres score with 1 second left in Dominick Heatherington'spenalty to go up 2-1. D Stanislavs Vitolins gets his 2nd of the yearat 14:15. Montreal gets that one back quickly, RW Joey Mariani getshis 5th of the year at 15:06 to make it 2-2. The period finishes tied2-2 with the Sabres with a slight edge in shots 9-8.


Montreal gets a PP goal of their own asC Patrick Atkins gets his 6th goal of the year at 7:19 of the secondto go up 3-2. Montreal goes up 4-2 when D Rinat Sadriyev gets theHabs 2nd goal by a defenseman this season, his 1st of the year at14:39. The period ends with Montreal leading 4-2, but getting outshot 21-15.


The Canadiens may have put this oneaway with a 5-2 goal by Petr Klusacek, his 2nd of the night andseason at 10:13 of the third. But the Sabres had different ideas,Sabres Ingamar Jansson gets his 1st of the year at 10:55 to make it5-3. Buffalo gets a PP goal at 15:46 of the third to make it 5-4, nowthings are getting interesting. F Jordan Harms gets his 4th of theyear. Montreal does hang on for the win giving G Bill Wolfenbargerthe win. For the second straight game, D Steven Thornton was thefirst start, he had 2 assists with a +2 rating in 25:05 of ice time.The final shots were 31-26 for Buffalo. Thornton now has 1 goal and 5points with 9 PIMs and a +1 rating in 8 games.


October 12th, 2003


Montreal goes to the ACC to face theMaple Leafs. Montreal lost 4-3 the last time these two teams faced.


Montreal 3 Toronto 0


The Leafs were all over the Canadiensand G Bill Wolfenbarger in the first period. The shots were 19-6 butthe score remained 0-0.


The Canadiens and Leafs were a lot moreeven in the second period but it was Montreal with the first goal. LWEmile Bouchard gets his 2nd of the season at 12:26 to make it 1-0 forthe Habs. After that the Canadiens kind of took over and went up 2-0at 16:24 when RW Petr Klusacek gets his 3rd of the year. The shotsare now 24-20 for the Leafs but the Habs out shot the Leafs in theperiod 14-5 and lead 2-0.


The Canadiens had a strong start to thethird period eventually evening the shots 26-26 near the mid waypoint of the period. Montreal seals the deal into an empty net with0:48 remaining on the clock as LW Aribert Senf gets his 1st of theyear and its 3-0. G Bill Wolfenbarger holds on for the SO making 29saves as Montreal wins 3-0. Wolfenbarger was selected as the 1st starof the game, the 37 year old is now 5-3-0 on the season with 2 SO's,a 2.38 GAA and a .902 SV%.


Pittsburgh Penguins C Chris Trevor hada goal in a 3-2 win over the Oilers. The 34 year old now has 1 goaland 6 points with 2 PIMs and a +0 rating. Last season Trevor had 18goals and 28 points in 69 games for the Penquins.


St Louis Blues C Gavril Karlin had agoal in a 3-3 tie with the Islanders. The 34 year old now has 5 goalsand 10 points with 8 PIMs and a +2 rating in 10 games. Last year hehad 26 goals and 54 points in 63 games for the Blues.


October 13th, 2003


Montreal will host the 3-5-1 NashvillePredators today. G Martin King will get the start for Montreal.


Montreal 0 Nashville 0


The first period was very defensive asthe shots were 9-5 for Montreal but the score remained 0-0.


After 2 periods the score remained 0-0with the shots still favouring Montreal 21-9.


Nashville put the pressure on early inthe third. The shots were 23-18 for Montreal or 9-2 for the Predatorsso far in the third mid way through the period. With just over 8minutes left in the period, LD Dominick Heatherington took a trippingpenalty to put the Preds on the PP. Nashville got a couple of shotsbut the Habs killed it. The game ended up scoreless as the Canadiensout shot the Predators 27-24. The first star in a scoreless game wasLW Emile Bouchard, the Habs young forward played 19.44 of ice timeand had a pair of hits. For the season, the 21 year old has 2 goalsand 7 points with 6 PIMs and a +3 rating.


Vancouver Canucks C Paul Power had agoal and 2 assists in a 4-3 win over the Blackhawks, the 31 year oldnow has 2 goals and 8 points with 2 PIMs and a -1 rating in 8 games.Last season Power had 26 goals and 59 points in 72 games for theCanucks.

Attachment 526107

October 17th, 2003Attachment 526108


Montreal travels to face the (5-4-1) Edmonton Oilers in Rogers Place. The two teams are meeting for the first time this season.


In an uneventful 1st period in which Montreal dominated most of the play, the final shots were 9-6 for the Canadiens, but the score remains 0-0.


The second period remained scoreless with the shots 5-4 for Montreal. The Canadiens will start the 3rd on the PP for 1:41.


The Canadiens got 1 shot on the PP but really no momentum. Mid way through the 3rd, the shots are 18-12 in the game for Montreal. The Canadiens will get a PP with 7:09 remaining in the game. In remarkable fashion, the Canadiens scored at 19:59 of the 3rd, LW David Wass gets his 2nd of the year and Montreal wins 1-0. G Bill Wolfenbarger made 12 saves for his 3rd shut out of the year. Wass is selected as the games first star with his goal. The 34 year old now has 2 goals and 3 points with 0 PIMS and a +2 rating. For his career Wass has 38 goals and 106 points in 191 games.


Montreal 1 Edmonton 0


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had a goal and an assist in a 4-4 tie with the Devils. The 33 year old now has 7 goals and 10 points with 2 PIMs and a +0 rating. For his career, he has 86 goals and 206 points in 222 NHL games.


St Louis Blues C Bill Barlow had 2 goals and an assist in a 5-1 win over the Avalanche. The 35 year old now has 7 goals and 10 points with 2 PIMs and a + 2 rating in 11 games. For his career, Barlow has 92 goals and 191 points in 227 games.

October 19th, 2003Attachment 526109


The Canadiens continue out west with a visit to the other Rogers facility, the Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The Canucks are 5-3-1 going into the game.


The Canadiens open the scoring at 10:50 of the 1st when C James Courcy gets his 1st of the year. Montreal leads 1-0. Former Hab, LW Rick Burd gets his 2nd of the year at 13:41 to tie the score 1-1. The period ends tied 1-1 with the Canucks out shooting the Canadiens 12-8.


The 2nd period is much better at the start for Montreal, they get the 8 shots of the period and score on the last one to make it 2-1 for Montreal. LW Emile Boudreau gets his 3rd of the year unassisted at 7:44. The Canucks do get the 2-2 goal, C Paul Power gets his 3rd of the year at 16:51 to tie it. Montreal grabs the lead again at 18:00 of the 2nd, LW David Wass gets his 3rd of the year and its 3-2 Montreal. The Canadiens are now out shooting the Canucks 20-15 as they had 12 shots to Vancouver's 3.


The Canadiens extend the lead early in the 3rd when LD Vincent Lavoie gets his 1st of the year at 1:06. The Habs lead 4-2. The Habs continue to dominate the period and make it 5-2 at 16:24 when LD Anthony Reynolds gets his 1st of the season. The Canadiens add a 6th with RD Steven Thornton's 2nd of the year at 18:10. The final shots were 48-23 for Montreal as they had 28 shots to Vancouvers 8 in the 3rd for a 6-2 win. G Bill Wolfenbarger stopped 21 of 23 in the win. Montreal's RW Joey Mariani was the 1st star, he had 2 assists with a +2 rating in 19:36 of ice time. The 21 year old now has 5 goals and 11 points with 10 PIMs and a +3 rating in 12 games. Mariani has played in 153 career NHL games scoring 31 times and has 96 points.


Vegas Golden Knights C Richard Peters had a goal and an assist in a 2-2 tie with the Avalanche. The 35 year old now has 5 goals and 10 points with 4 PIMs and a +0 rating in 12 games. For his career, Peters has 95 goals and 222 points in 228 NHL games.

October 20th, 2003Attachment 526147


The Canadiens will continue on to Sin City on their western swing. The Golden Knights are 3-5-4 on the year. Montreal will start G Martin King tonight.


5 minutes into the game C Jeff Pilbeam limped off to the locker room with what appears to be an ankle injury. Shortly after the Golden Knights score on the PP while D Rene Pichler is serving a minor for cross-checking. RW Dan Marshall gets his 2nd of the year at 5:07 to make it 1-0 for Vegas. The Golden Knights go up 2-0 at 13:27 when LW Soloman McDougall buries his 3rd from in close. Vegas extends the lead to 3-0 at 18:54 as RW Joe Madouran gets his 1st of the year. That is how the 1st ends, with the Golden Knights out shooting the Habs 7-3.


There is no scoring in the 2nd despite a lengthy 5 on 3 PP for Vegas. The shots in the period were 6-5 for Vegas.


The Canadiens carry most of the momentum in the 3rd, but Vegas C Richard Peters gets his 6th of the season at 18:18 to make it 4-0. That's how the game ends with G Martin King stopping 16 of 20 for the loss. The shots were 12-7 for Montreal in the 3rd. Vegas RW Eddie MacKilligan was named the 1st star with his 2 assists. The 31 year old now has 1 goal and 9 points with 2 PIMs and a +3 rating. For his career, MacKilligan has 43 goals and 117 points in 217 NHL games, all with Vegas.

Vegas 4 Montreal 0


Montreal has announced that C Jeff Pilbeam is day to day with a bruised ankle. The 31 year old has 0 goals and 3 points with 2 PIMs and a +2 rating in 13 games. For his career, he has 73 goals and 165 points in 229 career NHL games, all with Montreal. Should Pilbeam miss a start, it will be the first game he has missed in this his 4th season.


Pittsburgh Penguins RW Chris Trevor had 1 goal in a 3-2 win over the Flyers. The 34 year old has 2 goals and 7 points with 2 PIMs and -2 rating in 12 games. After winning the Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights, Trevor signed a 3 year deal with the Penguins as a free agent in July 2001.


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had a goal and 3 assists in a 6-3 win over the Senators. The 33 year old now has 8 goals and 14 points with 4 PIMs and a +2 rating in 13 games. Sutton started his career with the Dallas Stars in the 2000-01 season and signed a 4 year free agent deal with the Bruins in July 2001.

October 21st, 2003Attachment 526148


Montreal continues with their tour of the west stopping into the Scotiabank Saddledome to take on the 4-5-2 Calgary Flames. C Jeff Pilbeam will have his iron man streak stopped at 229 games as he will not dress. G Bill Wolfenbarger will start for Montreal.


Montreal takes the lead on a RW Robert Cull's 2nd of the year at 6:23 to take a 1-0 lead. Montreal out shot Calgary 15-4 and had a lengthy 5 on 3 PP that did not payoff.


Montreal goes up 2-0 as RW Joey Mariani gets his own rebound and scores his 6th of the year at 5:17 of the 2nd. The period ends with the Canadiens leading 2-0 and out shooting the Flames 30-7.


There is no scoring in the 3rd as the Canadiens hang on for a 2-0 win over the Flames. The final shots were 40-15 for Montreal. G Bill Wolfenbarger gets the shutout. Montreal Canadiens RW Joey Mariani had a goal and was named the 1st star. The 21 year old now has 6 goals and 12 points in 14 games with 12 PIMs and a +1 rating. After being undrafted from the CHL, he signed as a free agent with the Canucks in July 2001, he was later traded to Montreal by the Canucks in January 2002.


Montreal 2 Calgary 0

October 23rd, 2003Attachment 526154


Montreal finishes up their road trip with a visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba to face the (6-8-0) Jets at the MTS Center.


The Jets open the scoring on their 2nd PP of the game, RW Alex Gaudet gets his 6th from close in at 4:24 to make it 1-0. RW Robert Cull tries to get a spark going for the Canadiens as he has a fight with RW Alex Gaudet. Montreal does get a goal despite it appearing the momentum swung in the Jets favor, RD Scott Thornton was left all alone in front and walked in scoring his 3rd of the year at 10:57 to tie it up 1-1. Montreal's RW Robert Cull takes a late penalty and the Jets will start the 2nd period on the PP with the score 1-1. The shots on goal are 10-9 for Montreal.


The Jets get an early 2nd period lead when LD Anton Magnusson was set up in front for his 4th of the season at 1:15. The Jets lead 2-1 on the PP goal. It was all Jets in the 2nd period, out shooting Montreal 13-6 for a 2 period total of 22-16 in favour of Winnipeg.


Montreal gets the 2-2 tieing goal as LW David Wass tips in Dominick Heatherington's point shot at 5:25 of the 3rd. For Wass it was his 4th of the year. The Jets take the lead on LD William Burrell's shot from just out side the dot at 6:20 of the 3rd and its now 3-2 Winnipeg. For Burrell it was his 2nd of the year. Montreal ties it up again at 7:46 when C Patrick Atkins redirects D Rinat Sadriyev's shot to make it 3-3. It was Atkins 7th of the year. Montreal goes down 2 men mid way through the 3rd and the Jets will have a lengthy 5 on 3. Montreal kills it without giving up a shot. The Jets and Habs end up with a 3-3 tie as Jets out shot Montreal in the 3rd 10-9 and overall 32-25. The Jets were 3 for 10 on the PP. Jets LD William Burrell was the 1st star with a goal. The 19 year old now has 2 goals and 3 points with 4 PIMs and a +5 rating. The Jets selected Burrell 9th overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft.


Montreal 3 Winnipeg 3


Detroit Red Wings RW Eddie Bryant had a goal in a 2-0 win over the Senators. The 27 year old now has 9 goals and 11 points with 4 PIMs and a +10 rating. Bryant was originally a Jet when the league was formed but was traded to the Red Wings after playing just 3 games for the Jets.


New York Islanders RW Ken OIiver had a goal in a 1-1 tie with the Bruins. The 29 year old now has 3 goals and 5 points with 22 PIMs and a +4 rating.


Vegas Golden Knights C Richard Peters had 3 goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over the Jets. The 35 year old now has 9 goals and 15 points in 14 games with 4 PIMs and a +4 rating. Peters was the Goal Scoring Award winner and Points Award winner in 2003 when he had 42 goal and 80 points in 73 games for the Flames and Golden Knights.

Attachment 526153

October 27th, 2003Attachment 526219


The Canadiens are at home to face the (9-5-1) Pittsburgh Penguins. The two teams face each other for the first time this season. C Jeff Pilbeam has been given the green light to get back into the lineup after missing 2 games.


It took just 10 seconds to put the Penguins on the PP, but the Habs killed C Patrick Atkins minor penalty. But the Habs could not kill the second Pens PP when LW Edward Annuziato was sent in all alone for his 6th of the season at 13:37. After the 1st, the Pens are up 1-0 and the shots are 10-8 for Pittsburgh.


The Pens go up 2-0 at 2:28 of the 2nd when RW Jacob Willis tips in a shot past G Bill Wolfenbarger. The 2nd ends with the score 2-0 for Pittsburgh, the shots are now 24-11 for Pittsburgh.


The Canadiens get their 1st PP of the game early in the 3rd and take advantage. C Patrick Atkins gets his 8th of the year on a nice feed by RW Dean Casey at 1:59 making it 2-1. The Pens go up 3-1 on the late stages of a PP which started as a 5 on 3. LD Cody Izzard gets his 1st after his centers face off win at 10:58. The Penguins create a turnover with the Canadiens net empty and C Alyaksandr Lyasyuk hits the empty cage for his 4th of the season at 19:26. The game ends with the Penguins out shooting Montreal 41-18. C Alyaksandr Lyasyuk was named the 1st star with a goal and an assist. The 21 year old now has 4 goals and 7 points with 8 PIMs and a +1 rating.


Pittsburgh 4 Montreal 1

October 30th, 2003Attachment 526220


The Canadiens are back on the road for a visit to Brooklyn and the New York Islanders (3-9-3) It will be the Habs first game with the Islanders this season.


The 1st period ends with the score 0-0 and the shots 10-9 in favour of the Islanders. The Isles will start with a short PP of 55 seconds in the 2nd.


Just past 7 minutes into the 2nd RW Robert Cull got into a fight, the momentum was slightly in the Islanders favour so lets see if it sparks the Habs. The Canadiens do get on the board first, C Jeff Pilbeam gets his 1st of the year at 13:47 to make it 1-0. The period ends 1-0 for Montreal and the shots still favour the Islanders 21-15.


Montreal goes up 2-0 after LD Dominick Heatherington set up LW Emile Boudreau for his 4th of the year at 4:34 of the 3rd. The Islanders get that one back as C Alexsandr Enukidze beats G Bill Wolfenbarger with his 4th of the year at 7:52 to make it 2-1. The Canadiens hold on to the lead after getting out shot 27-20. Canadiens C Jeff Pilbeam was the 1st star with his goal, +1 rating and 21:06 of ice time. The 31 year old now has 1 goal and 4 points with 2 PIMs and a +3 rating in 15 games.


Montreal 2 Islanders 1


New Jersey Devils LD Eric Moser had 2 assists in a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights. The 34 year old now has 2 goals and 8 points with 2 PIMs and a +2 rating in 15 games. Moser was nominated for both the MVP and Defenseman of the Year Award in 2003.


Chicago Blackhawks G Armando Ramos was named the Goalie of the Month. The 21 year old has a 6-3-1 record with 2 SO's and a 1.91 GAA with a .950 SV% this season in 11 games. Ramos is in his rookie season in the NHL.


Nashville Predators LD Sergey Adaikin was named the Player of the Month. The 29 year old has 3 goals and 12 points in 17 games with 0 PIMs and a +17 rating. In his 4th season in the NHL, he set a career high for points with 41 in the 2000-01 season with the Blues.

November 2nd, 2003
Attachment 526221

The Canadiens will renew hostilities with the Maple Leafs with back to back games starting in Toronto. They have split the series 1-1 so far this year.


Montreal did not take long to get an early lead, with pressure in the Leaf end, LD Vincent Lavoie snuck in and tipped RW Joey Mariani's pass into the Leaf net to make it 1-0 at 1:51. It was Lavoie's 2nd of the year. Montreal goes up 2-0 when LW Emile Boudreau's wrap around attempt deflects in off of C Dean Casey at 2:31. For Casey it was his 2nd of the year. Montreal continues to pressure, C Patrick Atkins wrister from the left face off dot goes in at 3:54 and the Habs are up 3-0 on Atkins 9th of the season. The onslaught continues, LD Dominick Heatherington beats the Leaf goalie from in close at 9:37 to make it 4-0. It was Heatherington's 1st of the season. The Habs dominate the Leafs on the shot clock as well with a 16-2 shot advantage.


The Leafs had a better period in the 2nd but could not capitalize on 3 PP opportunities. The shots are now 22-11 for Montreal.


The Canadiens open up a 5-0 lead at 6:55 of the 3rd when LW Eric Brenner gets his 1st career NHL goal, a tip in on Joey Mandoli's shot. The Canadiens have really taken over the 3rd period. The final shots on goal were 35-16 for Montreal in a 5-0. G Bill Wolfenbarger gets the SO. Canadiens LW Emile Boudreau was the 1st star, he had 3 assists, a +3 rating in 17:25 of ice time. The 21 year old now has 4 goals and 12 points with 12 PIMs and a +5 rating in 18 games. Last year he set a career high with 56 points in 72 games with Montreal and Ottawa.


Montreal 5 Toronto 0

November 3rd, 2003Attachment 526237


The Canadiens return home for the rubber match with the (7-10-1) Maple Leafs. The Buds beat the Canadiens the last time the met in the Bell Center 4-3. G Martin King will get the start on the back to back nights.


The Habs killed off 2 Leaf PP's and will start the 2nd period with just over a minute on their 1st PP out shooting the Leafs 15-7 in the 1st but no score.


After 2 periods, the shots are 18-12 for Montreal and each team is 0 for 3 on the PP.


The game was getting a little slow, lots of face-offs and not many shots for either team. With 2:43 left on the clock, the Canadiens will go on the PP. The Canadiens get 1 shot, but don't score and the game ends in a 0-0 tie. Montreal out shot the Leafs 27-18. Montreal Canadiens LW David Wass was selected as the 1st star, he played 14:34 of ice time. The 34 year old now has 4 goals and 7 points with 0 PIMs and a +5 rating in 19 games. Wass had a career high in points with 49 in 2001-02 for the Canadiens.


Montreal 0 Toronto 0


St Louis Blues RD Brent Pysyk had an assist in a 4-1 win over the Capitals. The 29 year old now has 1 goals and 11 points with 8 PIMs and a +5 rating. Pysyk had a career high with 43 points in the 2001-02 season with the Blues.


Ottawa Senators G Petr Kadlcik stopped all 32 shots in a 1-0 win over the Bruins. The 32 year old is now 1-4-1 with a 2.67 GAA, 1 SO and a .919 SV% in 6 games. Kadlcik had a career high 23 wins with the Blues last year.

November 7th, 2003Attachment 526238


The Canadiens head out to Motor City to face the (11-6-1) Red Wings which features an early Atlantic division race for 1st place match up. The Canadiens beat Detroit in there only meeting this year at the Bell Center 4-1.


There is no scoring in the 1st period, the shots favoured Montreal 8-4 and the PPs were 2-0 for Montreal.


The Canadiens strike early in the 2nd, LW Emile Boudreau completes a give and go with C Dean Casey for his 5th of the year at 0:13 of the 2nd. Montreal is dominating the 1st half of the 2nd period, they have held the Red Wings to 0 shots in the first 10 minutes. The Rangers finally break through and after making 3 or 4 stops, G Bill Wolfenbarger gives up a juicy rebound to C Robertas Balcionis at 15:09 and he buries it for his 4th of the year tieing the score 1-1. The 2nd period ends 1-1 with the shots 18-12 favoring the Canadiens so far.


The 3rd starts with Montreal putting the pressure on Detroit, mid way through the period Montreal is out shooting Detroit 8-3 but the Habs will kill off a penalty. During the PP, Detroit gets a goalie interference penalty to whipe out the PP. With 0:28 showing on the clock, the Red Wings get a late goal by LW Paul Brown, his 10th of the year to take a 2-1 lead. The Canadiens can't get the equalizer and the lose 2-1. The finals shots were 29-17 for Montreal. Detroit C Robertas Balcionis was the 1st star with his goal, the 21 year old now has 4 goals and 7 points with 12 PIMs and a +5 rating in 19 games. Balcionis had 6 goals in his rookie season last year.


Detroit 2 Montreal 1


Winnipeg Jets RD Michael Watson had 2 goals and an assist in a 6-2 win over the Canucks. The 33 year old now has 5 goals and 14 points with 4 PIMs and a +5 rating in 21 games. Watson had a career high 19 goals in 2002-03 with the Jets.


St Louis Blues C Bill Barlow had a goal in a 2-2 tie with the Penguins. The 35 year old now has 8 goals and 11 points with 4 PIMs and a +2 rating in 18 games. Barlow had a career high 35 goals in the 2000-01 season with the Senators.

Attachment 526239

November 9th, 2003Attachment 526298


Montreal goes to New Jersey to face the (7-9-3) Devils at the Prudential Center. The two teams will meet for the 1st time this year.


It is all Montreal out of the gate, 5 minutes in the shots are 11-0, but that does not mean a thing. Devils LW Lukas Svensson snaps his 7th of the year at 6:48 with the Devils 1st shot on goal. The period ends up 1-0 for the Devils with the shots at 14-2 for Montreal.


Montreal gets on the board when C Jeff Pilbeam's shot is deflected by RW Petr Klusacek for his 4th of the year at 13:35. Much like the 1st, the Canadiens held most of the momentum in the 2nd period with the shots ending 26-7 for Montreal after two. The scored is tied 1-1.


The Canadiens again dominated the 3rd period but could not beat the Devils goalie. The final shots were 47-10 for the Canadiens as it was an easy night for G Bill Wolfenbarger.


Montreal 1 New Jersey 1


The first star in the game was LW Lukas Svensson, he had a goal. The 24 year old now has 7 goals and 10 points with 12 PIMs and a +5 rating. Svensson set a career high with 15 goals during the 2000-01 season with the Golden Knights.


New York Islanders RD Jacob Phillips had a goal and an assist in a 3-3 tie with the Oilers. The 29 year old now has 2 goals and 6 points with 2 PIMs and a +0 rating. Phillips had a career high with 22 goals in the 2001-02 season with the Senators.


Vegas Golden Knights G Brian Bryan made 32 saves in a 2-0 win over the Blues. The 29 year old Bryan now has a 4-5-2 record with 3 SO's and a 2.19 GAA with a .919 SV%. Bryan set a career high with 30 wins in both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons with the Golden Knights.

November 10th, 2003Attachment 526299


The Canadiens will play on back to back nights facing the Red Wings back at the friendly confines of the Bell Center. The two teams have met twice and split the series with home wins. Montreal will have G Martin King in the nets tonight.


Montreal breaks the ice at 9:42 when LW Emile Boudreau picks up a loose puck in front and nets his 6th of the year. Montreal goes up 2-0 when C Dean Casey redirects RD Steven Thornton's shot at 12:04. Detroit makes it 2-1 when C Darren Tory grabs his own rebound and buries it from the high slot at 17:22. Montreal wastes no time getting it back, LD Rene Pichler jumps on a juicy rebound and gets his 1st goal in a Hab uniform at 17:48. Its now 3-1. The shots end up 12-9 for Montreal and 3-1 on the scoreboard.


Montreal capitalizes on another juicy rebound as LD Vincent Lavoie gets his 3rd at 13:52 of the 2nd period and the Habs lead is now 4-1. That's how the period ends with the Canadiens up 4-1.


The Canadiens pretty much dominate the first 10 minutes of the 3rd period limiting the Red Wing chances and went into full shut down mode allowing only 1 Red Wing shot in the final 10 minutes to hold down a 4-1 win. The final shots were 33-19 for Montreal with G Martin King making 18 stops for the win.


Montreal 4 Detroit 1


Montreal C Dean Casey was named the 1st star with this 1 goal and an assist, +2 rating, 6 shots on goal and 20:47 in ice time. The 21 year old now has 3 goals and 15 points with 16 PIMs and a +8 rating in 22 games. Last year in 46 games, Casey set his NHL career high with 9 goals for Montreal.


Vegas Golden Knights C Jens Fischer had a goal and an assist in a 3-3 tie with the Senators. The 36 year old now has 4 goals and 10 points with 0 PIMs and a -1 rating. Last season Fischer had 32 goals and 60 points in 68 games after leading the NHL in scoring the 2 previous seasons with 89 and 88 points.

November 12th, 2003Attachment 526300


Montreal are at home to the Boston Bruins (5-12-5). So far the teams have met once with Montreal winning 4-0 at the Bell Center.


The 1st period was uneventful except for a fight including Habs C Jeff Pilbeam. The shots were even at 9-9 and the score board still show's zero's.


Boston scores first when G Bill Wolfenbarger's clearing attempt is foiled and LW Sherman Dollard takes advantage with his 4th of the year at 10:09 of the 2nd on the PP. The second period ends with the shots 18-16 in favour of Boston with the Bruins leading 1-0.


Montreal could not get the equalizer in the 3rd as they were out shot by the Bruins 27-25 in the game.


Boston 1 Montreal 0


Boston LW Sherman Dollard was named the 1st star with the only goal of the game. The 21 year old now has 4 goals and 6 points with 6 PIMs and a -11 rating. Last season Dollard had 16 goals and 36 points in 59 games with the Bruins.


New Jersey Devils RW Magnus Sundstrom had 3 goals in a 4-2 win over the Islanders. The 31 year old now has 8 goals and 15 points with 10 PIMs and a +8 rating. Last season Sundstrom had 17 goals and 56 points in 70 games for the Devils.

November 14th, 2003Attachment 526407


The Habs are home to the (13-5-3) Philadelphia Flyers. They are meeting for the 1st time this year.


Montreal goes up 1-0 when LD Anthony Reynolds sets up C Patrick Atkins on a break away at 7:06 for his 10th of the year. Montreal gets a PP goal just seconds after Philadelphia takes the penalty. C Jeff Pilbeam controlled the draw and scored without another Canadiens player touching the puck for his 2nd of the year at 7:28, 2 seconds after the PP started. At 11:05 LW David Wass hits Patrick Atkins in behind the defense, his shot is saved by LD Vincent Lavoie collects and buries the rebound for his 4th of the season and a 3-0 lead. RW Petr Klusacek picks up a rebound off of LW Randolph Lott's shot and scores his 5th of the season at 15:24 to go up 4-0 and the Flyers change goalies. That is how the period ends with Montreal outshooting the Flyers 19-10.


Montreal goes up 5-0 on the PP when LW Emile Boudreau deflects RW Joey Mariani's shot for his 7th of the year at 8:15. The Habs extend the lead to 6-0 at 14:33 when RW Robert Cull collects a rebound and scores his 3rd of the season. After another dominant period, Montreal leads on the shot clock as well, 33-14.


The Flyers do break the goose-egg, while short handed LW John Russell gets his 11th of the year at 3:24 to make it 6-1 beating G Bill Wolfenbarger. Montreal gets that one back at 15:34 when LD Dominick Heatherington sends RD Steven Thornton in all alone for his 4th of the year. The Habs go 8-1 when LD Richard Nytra gets his 1st of the year swatting at a rebound at 16:42. The finals shots were 42-24 for Montreal.


Montreal 8 Philadelphia 1


Montreal Canadiens C Patrick Atkins was the 1st star with his goal and an assist with +3 rating in 15:45 of ice time. The 20 year old has 10 goals and 20 points with 6 PIMs and a +6 rating in 24 games. Last season he had 33 goals and 82 points in 43 CHL games with the Red Deer Rebels.


New Jersey Devils RW Magnus Sundstrom had a goal and 2 assists in a 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs. The 31 year old has 9 goals and 18 points with 10 PIMs and a +10 rating in 21 games. Last year Sundstrom had 17 goals and 56 points in 72 games with the Devils.

November 16th, 2003Attachment 526408


Montreal cross the border to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo to face the (8-10-2) Sabres. Montreal won in their only meeting at the Bell Center 5-4.


The Sabres score late as LW Greg Meeks deflects as shot past G Bill Wolfenbarger at 19:40 for a 1-0 lead. At the end of the 1st the shots are 12-10 for Buffalo.


The Habs supply lots of pressure in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd period and eventually draw a PP with just under 9 minutes left in the 2nd. Montreal gets 1 shot on net during the PP, but unable to capitalize. The period ends with Montreal leading in shots 17-15 but still down 1-0.


Montreal ties it up at 6:42 of the 3rd when LW Randolph Lott deflects LD Dominick Heatherington's shot for his 3rd of the year. Montreal takes the lead at 11:39 of the 3rd as LD Dominick Heatherington springs C Jeff Pilbeam on a break away and he scores his 3rd of the season. Montreal holds on for the win out shooting Buffalo 25-21.


Montreal 2 Buffalo 1


Montreal Canadiens LD Dominick Heatherington had 2 assists and was the 1st star. He also was a + 2 in 16:46 of icetime. The 20 year old now has 1 goal and 8 points with 14 PIMs and a +12 rating in 25 games. For his NHL career, Heatherington has 9 goals and 36 points in 99 career games.


Detroit RW Ed Bryant had 1 goal and 2 assists in a 6-0 win over the Flyers. The 27 year old now has 12 goals and 17 points with 12 PIM and a +9 rating in 23 games. For his career Bryant has 87 goals and 177 points in 220 NHL games.


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had a goal in a 1-0 win over the Capitals. The 33 year old has 11 goals and 23 points with 24 PIMs and a +4 rating. For his career, Sutton has 90 goals and 219 points in 236 NHL games.


Winnipeg Jets RD Michael Watson had 2 assists in a 2-1 win over the Senators. The 33 year old now has 6 goals and 17 points with 4 PIMs and a +7 rating in 24 games. For his career, he has 47 goals and 154 points in 221 NHL games.

November 17th, 2003 NHL Standings

Attachment 526409

November 17th, 2003 NHL Leaders

Attachment 526410

Attachment 526411

November 17th, 2003 Montreal Canadiens Stats and MusingsAttachment 526492


Well after a terrible season last year, the third of the 2003-04 has been better then expected. Montreal currently lead the Atlantic Division by 5 points and with the top 2 teams in each division making the playoffs, Montreal is ahead of New Jersey by 8 points. Montreal is ranked 10th for scoring in the NHL with 2.56 goals per game which is middle of the pack. Montreal does lead the NHL is goals against with just 1.64 per game and with shots allowed at 23. An area the Canadiens could improve on would by the PP which is working at just a 10.3% efficiency or 17th out of 22 teams.

Attachment 526493


Rookie C Patrick Atkins is leading the way with 10 goals and 20 points in 25 games. He had 82 points in his final year of junior last year, so the expectations were high, but maybe it can be said he has been a pleasant surprise already in his 1st year of the NHL. Both C Dean Casey and RW Joey Mariani have been table setters this season, both have 13 assists and Casey is seeing more ice time on the PP and has replaced Atkins as the 1st line Center. Montreal will demote LW Joey Mandoli to the AHL Condors. The Canadiens will promote RW Zach Broderick, the 20 year old has 7 goals and 19 points with 12 PIMS and a +3 rating in 25 AHL games.

Attachment 526494


The defense took awhile to get involved with the offense side of the game, but all 7 current Montreal defenseman have a goal. "C" Steve Thornton Is on pace to match his 12 goals in 2001-02 with Montreal, The 32 year old will also be looking for a new contract at the end of this season. Montreal grabbed 24 year old Rene Pichler off waivers last year to add some depth to the defense. Montreal feels they can send him back to the AHL and bring back 28 year old veteran Etienne Daneau from the AHL. Daneau has 0 goals and 6 points with 14 PIMs and a -1 rating in 25 AHL games. Daneau does have 100 NHL games under his belt with 3 career goals and 17 points.

Attachment 526495


Canadiens veteran goalie Bill Wolfenbarger is off to his best season in this his 4th with the Canadiens. He had a career high 21 wins in the 2002-03 season and has a career 2.40 average and .917 SV%.

November 17th, 2003
Attachment 526600

The Canadiens are in Pittsburgh to face the (12-7-3) Penguins at PPG Paints Center. The two teams have met once this year with the Penguins winning 4-1 at the Bell Center. Montreal will start G Martin King as they play on back to back nights.


About 6 minutes in RD Richard Nytra left the game with a facial injury. The Habs will be down to 5 defenseman. The first half of the game was pretty even with the shots 4-4 but the Penguins score first when LD Henrikki Lehtinen scores his 4th of the year from the left dot to make it 1-0. There were a few penalties in the second half of the period including Montreal having to kill off a lengthy 5 on 3, but the score remains 1-0 with the shots 9-8 in favour of the Penguins.


Montreal came on in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd period, the shots are now 15-10 Montreal but they have not been rewarded yet. After Montreal killed off a couple minors in the late stages of the period, Pittsburgh's RD Donavan Jamieson is left un-covered and deposits his 3rd of the year behind G Martin King at 19:04 to make it 2-0. The period ends like that with the shots in Montreal's favour 23-19.


Montreal gets back into the game as LW David Wass tips C Patrick Atkins shot for his 5th of the season at 6:47 of the 3rd and its now 2-1. Montreal continues to keep coming and finally C Patrick Atkins scores from a bad angle at 15:38 for his 11th of the year to tie it 2-2. In the late stages of the game, Montreal had the momentum but could not capitalize for the game winner and settle for a 2-2 tie. The final shots were 37-28 for Montreal.


Montreal 2 Pittsburgh 2


Pittsburgh Penguins C Alyaksandr Lyasyuk was named the 1st star with his assist. The 21 year old now has 4 goals and 11 points with 34 PIMs and a +5 rating in 23 games. Last season Lyasyuk had 7 goals and 26 points in 72 games for the Penguins.


Montreal has announced that LD Richard Nytra is listed day to day with an eye irritation. The 20 year old has 1 goal and 4 points with 2 PIMs and a +11 rating in 19 games. Last year in 47 games with Montreal he had 1 goals and 13 points.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had 2 goals and 5 assists in a 9-0 thrashing of the Islanders. The 21 year old now has 14 goals and 30 points with 10 PIMs and a +3 rating in 23 games. Last year he had 23 goals and 50 points in 72 games with the Capitals.

November 20th, 2003Attachment 526609


Montreal are at home to host the (10-9-4) New Jersey Devils. They have met just once this season and it was a 1-1 tie in New Jersey.


The 1st period was pretty even with the shots 6-6 and no scoring.


The Devils open up the 1-0 lead with a one timer by RW Billy Aschim beating G Bill Wolfenbarger at 9:02 of the 2nd period. Montreal gets the equalizer from a point shot by RD Steven Thornton at 19:36 of the 2nd and it is now 1-1. That's the way the 2nd period ends with the shots even 15-15 for the game.


Montreal has taken over the game in the 3rd and clearly has all the momentum with just over 8 minutes left in the game and the shots are now 24-17 for the Habs. Neither team could find the back of the net the remainder of this game and for the second time this year, the Devils and Canadiens end in a 1-1 tie. The shots were 29-22 for Montreal.


Montreal 1 New Jersey 1


Montreal Canadiens RD Steven Thornton was the games 1st star with his goal and 20:07 of ice time. The 32 year old now has 5 goals and 12 points with 27 PIMs and a +9 rating in 27 games. For his career, Thornton has 34 goals and 116 points in 224 NHL games.


Winnipeg Jets RD Michael Watson had 2 goals and 3 assists in a 7-1 win over the Predators. The 33 year old now has 8 goals and 22 points with 4 PIMs and a +11 rating in 26 games. For his career Watson has 49 goals and 159 points in 223 NHL games.

November 21st, 2003Attachment 526618


Montreal does not get a night off and now travel to Michigan to meet with the (13-9-1) Detroit Red Wings. With back to back nights, Montreal will start G Martin King.


Montreal gets on the board first with LW Joey Mariani sending LW David Wass in alone and he puts on a nice deke to beat the Red Wings netminder at 16:58 with his 6th goal of the year. Montreal welcome back LD Etienne Daneau with his 2nd game back in the Habs line up and he beats the Detroit goalie with his 1st of the year at 17:47 and its 2-0 Montreal. Montreal leads after the 1st 2-0 despite Detroit out shooting Montreal 12-7.


Montreal goes up 3-0 when C Dean Casey hits LW Emile Boudreau with an off balance pass and Boudreau gets his 8th of the year at 1:44 of the 2nd. LW Emile Boudreau gets his 2nd of the game and 9th of the year from another C Dean Casey feed at 4:57 and it is now 4-0 Montreal. After killing penalty, Montreal clearly has all the momentum with the shots now 18-16 for Montreal with just over 3 minutes left in the period. The shots end up 19-18 for Montreal and the Canadiens will start the 3rd with a short 27 second PP.


Montreal holds on in the 3rd period as the Red Wings could not solve G Martin King as he made 30 saves in a 4-0 win. The finals shots were 30-28 in favour of Detroit.


Montreal 4 Detroit 0


Montreal Canadiens G Martin King was named the 1st star with his 30 save shut out. The 24 year old is now 3-1-1 with 3 shut outs, a 1.14 GAA and a .952 SV% in 7 games. King is in his 4th year as the Canadiens back up since the league was formed.


The Montreal Canadiens have recalled RW Li Wei from the IR today. The 21 year has been out since October 5th with a broken hand. The Canadiens will demote F Aribert Senf to the AHL, the 27 year old has 1 goals and 2 points in 14 games this year.


Boston Bruins RW Ken Patterson had a goal in a 1-1 tie with the Red Wings. The 27 year old now has 8 goals and 20 points with 27 PIMs and a +5 rating in 23 games. Patterson has been with the Bruins since the league was formed in 2000.

November 24th, 2003Attachment 526621


The Habs head to the TD Gardens to face the (9-13-6) Boston Bruins. The teams have met twice at the Bell Center splitting the 2 games. Montreal will welcome back RW Li Wei to the line-up, he will play on the 2nd line with LW Randolph Lott and C Jeff Pilbeam.


Boston gets on the board during their 3rd PP of the game, C Michael Bishop gets his 3rd of the year knocking in a rebound past G Bill Wolfenbarger at 14:26 of the 1st to make it 1-0. The period ends with the shots 9-8 for Montreal and the Canadiens will start the 2nd period with a 1:02 of 5 on 3 PP time.


Montreal does not score on the 5 on 3, but do tie the game up at 1-1 when LW Eric Brenner jumps on a rebound off of RD Steven Thornton's stick for his 2nd of the year at 8:31. Boston gets that back quickly as C Nick Anderson pounces on a loose puck in the Canadiens end at pots his 3rd of the year at 9:59 to make it 2-1 Boston. Moments later the Bruins capitalize on a G Wolfenbarger rebound as RD Erik Jensen gets his 4th of the season at 11:38 and a 3-1 lead. That's how the 2nd period ends with the Canadiens out shooting the Bruins 23-20.


Montreal makes is 3-2 while SH at 11:53 of the 3rd period. LW Emile Boudreau gets his 10th of the year while killing a penalty. Montreal clearly has all the momentum with 5 minutes left in the period Montreal are out shooting Boston 12-3 so far in the 3rd. But the Canadiens comeback looks like it will get thwarted as C Michael Bishop gets his 2nd on a rebound at 16:39 of the 3rd to make it 4-2. It's Bishops 4th of the year. Boston puts it away with a SH empty net goal at 19:43 with LD Rich O'Caffey's 3rd of the year. The games ends with the shots favouring Montreal 35-26.


Boston 5 Montreal 2


Boston Bruins RD Erik Jensen is named the 1st star with a goal and an assist. The 22 year old now has 4 goals and 15 points with 6 PIMs and a +0 rating in 29 games. Jensen was drafted by the Bruins 76th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.


Detroit Red Wings C Alex Joaquin had 2 assists in a 4-1 win over the Islanders. The 21 year old has 10 goals and 21 points with 22 PIMs and a +8 rating in 23 games. Joaquin was selected 114th overall by the Red Wings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had 2 goals in a 3-2 win over the Avalanche. The 21 year old now has 18 goals and 34 points with 14 PIMs and a +5 rating in 26 games. Moser was the Capitals 8th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.


The Colorado Avalanche have acquired C Volodymyr Ulanov from the Nashville Predators in exchange for RW Dennis Lynch. The 28 year old Ulanov has 17 goals and 27 points with 22 PIMs and a +8 rating in 27 games. This is Ulanov's third trade since January 12th, 2003 and what is unique about the trade is that Ulanov was traded for Lynch on July 1st, 2003 as both players go back to their original teams.

November 30th, 2003Attachment 526626


Montreal is at home to the (9-12-3) Buffalo Sabres. Montreal has won both meeting this season with Buffalo, 5-4 at the Bell Center and 2-1 in Buffalo.


Montreal RW Joey Mariani beats the Sabres goalie with a quick shot at 16:10 of the 1st period with his 7th of the year to make it 1-0. Montreal out shoots Buffalo 12-7 and lead 1-0 after the 1st.


Montreal capitalizes on a rebound as C Dean Casey pots his 4th of the year at 15:45 of the 2nd to take 2-0 lead. Buffalo gets on the board at 18:13 of the 2nd as LW Greg Meeks beats G Bill Wolfenbarger from in close to make it 2-1. It was Meeks 11th of the season. That's how the 2nd period ends with the shots now 24-18 for Montreal and the Habs will have a 1:28 of PP time to start the 3rd.


Montreal extends the lead while on the PP, C Dean Casey sends LW Randolph Lott in on a breakaway, he goes fore-hand deke and scores for the 4th time this season at 12:23 and Montreal is up 3-1. Montreal goes up 4-1 as C Jeff Pilbeam tips LW Randolph Lott's shot at 14:30. For Pilbeam it was his 4th of the year. Montreal clearly has all the momentum now as they have out shot Buffalo 12-5 in 18 minutes of play in the 3rd. Montreal holds on for the win out shooting Buffalo 40-23.


Montreal 4 Buffalo 1


Montreal LD Anthony Reynolds has 2 assists and is named the 1st star. Reynolds was a +3 in 17:10 of ice time. The 35 year old has 1 goal and 7 points with 4 PIMs and a +10 rating in 30 games.


Montreal Canadiens C James Courcy will be out day to day with Migraine headaches. The 20 year old has 1 goal and 3 points with 18 PIMs and a +2 rating in 25 games. Courcy had a career high 16 points with Montreal in 47 games during the 2001-02 season.


New Jersey Devils RW Magnus Sundstrom was named the NHL Player of the Month. The 31 year old has 13 goals and 24 points with 12 PIMs and a +15 rating in 27 games. Sundstrom had a career high 64 points for the Devils in 72 games during the 2001-02 season.


New Jersey Devils G Brett Pennington was named the NHL Goalie of the Month. The 27 year old has 8 wins in 16 games with a 2.03 GAA and a .932 SV%. Pennington set a career high with 20 wins last year with the Devils.

Attachment 526627

December 1st, 2003Attachment 526759


The Washington Capitals (13-12-2) pay a visit to the Bell Center to face the Canadiens. Both teams are meeting for the 1st time this year. Montreal will have G Martin King in the second night of back to back games.


The Capitals capitalize on a LD Steven Thornton giveaway as RD Dan Thiessen bangs in the rebound for a 1-0 lead. Thiessen scores his 3rd of the year at 3:27 of the 1st. The Canadiens tie it 1-1 at 12:16 when RD Etienne Daneau sends in RW Robert Cull all alone for his 4th of the season. The period ends with the score 1-1 and the Habs out shooting the Caps 9-6.


The Capitals go up 2-1 at 17:35 of the 2nd on the PP, RW Ben Burke deflects a pass past G Martin King for his 4th of the year. The 2nd ends with the Caps leading 2-1 but Montreal holding the shot advantage at 15-11.


Montreal will get a 5 minute PP as the Capitals LW Colby Webster gets a major for an illegal check to the head with 13 minutes exactly left in the game. Montreal gets 5 shots but cannot beat the Capital netminder. Montreal had all the momentum over the last 5 minutes but could not get the equalizer in a 2-1 Washington win. The final shots were 26-14 for Montreal.

Washington 2 Montreal 1

Capitals LD Dan Thiessen was named the games 1st star with his goal. The 20 year old now has 3 goals and 9 points with 17 PIMs and a +3 rating in 28 games. Thiessen set a career high for points with 7 last year in 18 games with the Capitals.


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over the Senators. The 33 year old now has 12 goals and 26 points with 26 PIMs and a +5 rating in 31 games. For his career, Sutton had a career high 76 points during the 2000-01 season with the Dallas Stars.


Philadelphia Flyers LW John Russell had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win over the Blues. The 33 year old now has 12 goals and 27 points with 6 PIMs and a +0 rating in 30 games. Russell set a career high with 57 points during the 2001-02 season with the Flyers and Penguins in 68 games.

December 5th, 2003Attachment 526761


Montreal are at home to host the New York Islanders (7-16-6) at the Bell Center. Montreal won 2-1 in their only meeting at the Barclays Center.


Montreal goes up 1-0 at 5:11 when LW Emile Boudreau pots a rebound of a LW Joey Mariani shot for his 11th of the season. LD Richard Nytra pounces on a loose puck and scores his 2nd of the year at 5:57 and a 2-0 lead. Just past 9 minutes in Montreal has all the momentum and the shots are 9-2 for the Habs. Despite that, Montreal cannot take further advantage and the period ends with Montreal up 2-0 and out shooting the Islanders 13-4.


Much like the 1st, Montreal does take control of the play in the 2nd, with the shots 17-8 in the period with about a minute left. Again the Habs cannot take advantage and the period ends with the same 2-0 lead and Montreal leading the shot clock 26-10.


Montreal does go up 3-0 at 11:51 when C Dean Casey redirects LW Randolph Lott's shot, his 5th of the year while the teams were 4 on 4. Montreal does shut down the Islanders the rest of the way and G Bill Wolfenbarger makes 21 saves for the shut out. The finals shots are 36-21 for Montreal.


Montreal 3 New York Islanders 0


Montreal C Dean Casey had a goal and an assist for the 1st star. The 21 year old now has 5 goals and 23 points with 20 PIMs and a +12 rating in 32 games. Casey has tied his career high for 23 points established last year with Montreal in 46 games.

December 7th, 2003Attachment 526886


The New Jersey Devils (14-9-7) will host the Canadiens at the Prudential Center. The two teams have met twice and both games finishing 1-1.


The first period ends scoreless and that should not come by much of a surprise considering the first 2 games were 1-1 ties. The shots were 9-6 for the Devils.


Both goalies continue to put goose eggs up in the 2nd period. The shots are now 14-13 for the Devils but the score remains 0-0.


Montreal does get on the board first, RD Rinat Sadriyev gets his 2nd banging in a rebound of a C Dean Casey shot at 4:03 and Montreal leads 1-0. By the 15th minute of the 3rd, it is all Montreal now out shooting the Devils 10-2 in the period. Montreal puts it out to reach with RW Robert Cull's goal via a LD Anthony Reynolds feed for his 5th of the season at 19:47. Montreal wins with the final shots 26-17 for the Habs. G Bill Wolfenbarger makes 17 saves for the shut out.


Montreal 2 New Jersey 0


Montreal RD Rinat Sadriyev was the games 1st star with his goal, +2 rating and 19:34 of ice time. The 28 year old now has 2 goals and 9 points with 0 PIMs and a +10 rating in 25 games. Sadriyev had a career high 6 goals for the Canadiens in the 2000-01 season in 69 games.


Pittsburgh Penguins RW Brad Rakas had a goal and an assist in a 3-3 tie with the Canucks. The 27 year old now has 9 goals and 22 points with 12 PIMs and a +15 rating in 28 games. Rakas had a career high 38 goals in the 2001-02 season with the Penguins in 72 games.


Detroit Red Wings LW Paul Brown had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Islanders. The 21 year old now has 14 goals and 27 points with 16 PIMs and a +12 rating in 30 games. Brown set a career high with 19 goals last season for the Red Wings in 72 games.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had a goal and 3 assists in a 7-1 win over the Canucks. The 21 year old now has 20 goals and 41 points with 16 PIMs and a +9 rating in 31 games. Moser set a career high with 26 goals in his rookie season 2001-02 for the Capitals in 72 games.


New York Rangers RW Lukas Kocian had 2 goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Red Wings. The 20 year old now has 13 goals and 27 points with 16 PIMs and a +15 rating in 29 games. Kocian set a career high with 20 goals with the Calgary Flames last season in his rookie year in 71 games.


Winnipeg Jets C Peter Horvath had 2 goals and an assist in a 5-0 win over the Avalanche. The 22 year old now has 7 goals and 32 points with 10 PIMs and a +7 rating in 33 games. Horvath set a career high with 20 goals in his rookie season 2001-02 with the Senators in 72 games.


Pittsburgh Penguins G Dewey Hopkins made 47 saves in a 2-0 loss to the Rangers. The 29 year old is now 8-4-3 with 1 SO, a 2.32 GAA and a .915 SV% in 16 games. Hopkins had a career high 18 wins last year with the Penguins in 50 games.

December 11th, 2003Attachment 526889


Montreal will be at home to host the Dallas Stars (11-7-9). Tonight will be the 1st meeting of the season between the 2 clubs.


The 1st period ends in a 0-0 draw with the shots in favour of Montreal 7-6 despite a 3-1 advantage in PPs for the Stars.


Montreal gets the 1-0 goal at 5:51 of the 2nd when C Patrick Atkins deposits LW Randolph Lott's pass into the cage. The Stars tie it up on their 5th PP of the night when C Randy Beard is sent in alone on G Bill Wolfenbarger at 11:35 of the 2nd. Montreal grabs back the lead at 2-1 with LW Emile Boudreau's redirect of a C Patrick Atkins shot at 18:38 of the 3rd. For Boudreau it was his 12th of the season. Montreal gets a 3-1 lead when LW David Wass deflects LD Vincent Lavoie's point shot at 19:38 for his 7th of the year. That's the way the period ends with the shots 21-14 for Montreal after two.


Montreal extends the lead to 4-1 with LW Randolph Lott's 5th of the season at 14:35 of the 3rd. Montreal hangs on to the win out shooting the Stars 28-20 in the game.


Montreal 4 Dallas 1


Montreal C Patrick Atkins was the 1st star with a goal and 2 helpers, a +1 rating and 17:14 of ice time. The 20 year old now has 12 goals and 25 points with 6 PIMs and a +9 rating in 34 games. Last season Atkins had 33 goals and 82 points in 43 CHL games with the Red Deer Rebels.


New York Rangers RW Lukas Kocian had 2 assists in a 3-2 win over the Sabres. The 20 year old now has 13 goals and 30 points with 16 PIMs and a +17 rating in 31 games. Last year Kocian had 20 goals and 61 points in 71 games for the Calgary Flames.


Colorado Avalanche C Volodymyr Ulanov had a goal and 2 assists in a 3-2 win over the Flyers. The 29 year old now has 18 goals and 31 points with 22 PIMs and a +7 rating in 32 games with the Avalanche and Predators. Last year Ulanov had 13 goals and 37 points in 69 games with the Avalanche and Penguins.


Boston Bruins RW Ken Patterson had 2 goals and 3 assists in a 7-2 win over the Stars. The 27 year old now has 10 goals and 27 points with 29 PIMs and a +7 rating in 29 games. Last year Patterson had 18 goals and 45 points in 56 games with the Bruins.

December 13th, 2003Attachment 526896


Montreal is at the Bell Center to host the St Louis Blues (15-11-8) for the 1st time this season.


Montreal's C Patrick Atkins creates a turnover and his wrap around attempt is deflected off Robert Cull for his 6th of the season at 0:58 of the 1st period. St Louis ties it up as C Eric Wilson beats G Bill Wolfenbarger from a bad angle for his 10th of the year at 6:59. Montreal grabs a 2-1 lead at 11:24 when LW Emile Boudreau's shot goes off LW Joey Mariani for his Mariani's 8th goal of the year. 12 minutes into the game, the Habs have all the momentum with the shots 9-2. The period ends with the shots 13-2 for Montreal.


LW Joey Mariani gets his 2nd of the night and 9th of the season at 5:14 of the 2nd when he redirects LD Richard Nytra's point shot. Its now 3-1. Montreal is now on a 5 on 3 PP and the Habs make the Blues pay as LW Emile Boudreau gets his 13th of year pouncing on a loose rebound. Its now 4-1 at 8:24 of the 2nd and the shots are now 11-1 in the 2nd period. The period ends with the shots now 35-6 for Montreal.


It doesn't take long for the Habs to capitalize again, at 1:32 of the 3rd C Dean Casey snaps home his 6th of the year courtesy of a feathery feed from LW Joey Mariani. Less then a minute later RW Petr Klusacek deflects RW Li Wei's shot for his 6th of the year and its now 6-1 at 2:06 of the 3rd period. Again in the 3rd its all Montreal. St Louis continues to be undisciplined as the Habs will go on another 5 on 3 7 minutes into the 3rd with the shots already 8-0 in the period. Montreal gets the PP goal, LD Richard Nytra gets his 3rd of the year at 8:46 and it is now 7-1 for the Habs. Moments later LW Joey Mariani completes the hat trick as he gets his 10th of the season at 9:29. The game ends mercifully for the Blues as the final shots are 57-7.


Montreal 8 St Louis 1


Montreal LW Joey Mariani is the 1st star with his 3 goals and an assist. The 21 year old now has 10 goals and 30 points with 16 PIMs and a +13 rating in 35 games. Last season Mariani had 18 goals and 51 points in 72 games with Montreal.


Detroit Red Wings LW Chad Deraspe had 2 goals and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Blackhawks. The 21 year old now has 16 goals and 34 points with 37 PIMs and a +9 rating in 33 games. Last year Deraspe had 27 goals and 60 points in 72 games with the Red Wings.

Attachment 526897

December 15th, 2003Attachment 526921


Montreal travels to Philadelphia to meet the Flyers (16-15-4), a team they beat 8-1 at the Bell Center earlier this year.


Montreal grabs the momentum early and have a 8-1 shot advantage mid way through the 1st period. Montreal grabs the lead 1-0 at 11:40 of the 1st when LW Eric Brenner is sent in on the wing by C Patrick Atkins and he scores his 3rd of the season. The Flyers should be happy they are just down 1-0 after the 1st with the Habs out shooting them 17-2.


RW Robert Cull is sent in all alone by C Patrick Atkins for his 7th of the year on a nice deke to make it 2-0 at 0:25 of the 2nd. Montreal goes up 3-0 on RW Zack Broderick's 1st career NHL goal on a deflection of RD Steven Thornton's shot at 1:43 of the 2nd. Much like the first, just 7 minutes into the 2nd and the Habs are out shooting Philly 10-3 in the period. LW Emile Boudreau gets into the action converting a RW Joey Mariani feed for his 14th of the year at 7:32 and its 4-0. The 2nd period ends with the Canadiens up now 30-7 in the shots.


Although the score has not changed, 15 minutes into the 3rd Montreal is in total control again of the game with the shots 11-4 so far in the period. Montreal RW Zach Broderick gives a big hit and causes a turnover that C Jeff Pilbeam becomes the benefactor and scores his 5th of the year at 15:26 to make it 5-0. The game ends with the finals shots 45-13 for Montreal and G Bill Wolfenbarger getting the easy shutout.


Montreal 5 Philadelphia 0


Montreal C Jeff Pilbeam was the 1st star with a goal and an assist. The 31 year old now has 5 goals and 10 points with 15 PIMs and a +9 rating in 34 games. Last season Pilbeam had 31 goals and 51 points in 72 games for Montreal.

December 16th, 2003Attachment 527083


Montreal travels to Buffalo to face the (10-17-5) Sabres at the KeyBank Center.


Montreal gets the 1-0 lead at 4:17 when C Dean Casey redirects LW Emile Boudreau's drive for his 7th of the year. Montreal goes up 2-0 at 6:40 when C Jeff Pilbeam deflects RD Etienne Daneau's shot for his 6th of the season. The 1st period ends with the score 2-0 for Montreal but the shots favour the Sabres 8-5.


Buffalo gets back into the game and makes it 2-1 at 3:45 when LD Derek Bright converts a rebound for his 5th of the year. 15 minutes into the 2nd period and Buffalo is in total control, the shots are 10-2 so far in the period for Buffalo. The Sabres do get the 2-2 equalizer at 18:52 when LW Maxime Boivin's deflection gets past G Bill Wolfenbarger for his 8th of the year. The period ends with the scored tied 2-2 and the shots are now 20-12 for Buffalo.


Montreal end up with a 5 on 3 advantage with 7 minutes left in the game and capitalize on the PP when LW Emile Boudreau scores his 15th at 13:29. Montreal lead now 3-2. Montreal holds on for the win and claw back in the shot clock, with Buffalo outshooting Montreal 26-25.


Montreal 3 Buffalo 2


Montreal LW Emile Boudreau was the 1st star with his goal and an assist. The 21 year old now has 15 goals and 27 points with 22 PIMs and a +16 rating in 37 games. For his career, Boudreau has 47 goals and 137 points in 179 NHL games.


Boston Bruins RW Ken Patterson had a goal and 2 assists in a 7-0 win over the Blackhawks. The 27 year old now has 11 goals and 31 points with 31 PIMs and a +10 rating in 31 games. For his career, Patterson has 80 goals and 181 points in 227 NHL games.


Detroit Red Wings LW Paul Brown had 5 goals in a 6-2 win over the Stars. The 21 year old now has 19 goals and 33 points with 16 PIMs and a +14 rating in 34 games. For his career, Brown has 50 goals and 110 points in 178 NHL games.

December 18th, 2003Attachment 527310


The struggling Chicago Blackhawks will be in town to face the Habs. The teams are meeting for the 1st time this year. The Hawks are (10-20-5) out of the gate. G Martin King will get the start.


Montreal get the early lead as LD Vincent Lavoie converts LW Emile Boudreau's feed for a 1-0 lead at 6:30. It was Lavoie's 5th of the year. Montreal clearly holds the momentum with a 9-1 shot lead 12 minutes into the game. Montreal goes up 2-0 as RW Zach Broderick pounces on a rebound to score his 2nd of the year at 16:51. Montreal extends the lead to 3-0 shortly after as LW Emile Boudreau grabs a juicy rebound and scores his 16th of the season at 17:37. Montreal may have had the most one sided period of the season with a 24-1 shot lead.


Montreal goes up 4-0 and the rout is on, C Patrick Atkins snaps his 13th of the year on the PP at 2:07 of the 2nd. Montreal grabs their 2nd PP goal of the night at 13:17 when LW Emile Boudreau tips C Jeff Pilbeam's shot for his 17th of the season. Again it is all Montreal in the period, the shots are 8-1 14 minutes into the 2nd. Montreal's LW Emile Boudreau completes the hatty at 14:24 again on the PP as he redirects RD Steve Thornton's point shot just 5 seconds into the PP. It is now 6-0 for the Habs. The 2nd period ends with the shots 36-7 for Montreal.


Montreal makes it a touchdown when RD Steven Thornton connects with his 6th of the year at 8:49 of the 3rd. The Habs go up 8-0 when LW Emile Boudreau gets his 4th of the night, 19th of the season at 14:19. Montreal goes up 9-0 on LW Randolph Lott's deflection on RD Etienne Daneau's shot at 19:08. For Lott it was his 6th of the year. The game ends with the final shots 44-10 and G Martin King having a extremely easy night.


Montreal 9 Chicago 0


Montreal's LW Emile Boudreau was the 1st star with 4 goals and an assist. The 21 year old now has 19 goals and 32 points with 22 PIMs and a +19 rating in 38 games. For his career, Boudreau has 51 goals and 142 points in 180 NHL games. For Boudreau, it was his 5th straight game with a goal.


Pittsburgh Penguins RW Brad Rakas had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the Blues. The 27 year old now has 10 goals and 24 points with 12 PIMs and a +13 rating in 34 games. For his career, Rakas has 96 goals and 171 points in 247 NHL games.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had 3 assists in a 4-2 win over the Rangers. The 21 year old now has 20 goals and 45 points with 16 PIMs and a +12 rating in 35 games. For his career Moser has 69 goals and 141 points in 179 NHL games.

December 28th, 2003Attachment 527350


The Canadiens are back after the Christmas Break to face the Bruins at the Bell Center. Boston is (15-15-7) on the season. The Bruins have won 2 of 3 so far this season with Montreal.


The Bruins get an early PP but it is the Canadiens that score on it SH, RD Steven Thornton gets his 7th of the season at 2:59 and its 1-0 for the Habs. Montreal goes up 2-0, this time on the PP when C Patrick Atkins tips LW Eric Brewer's shot past the Bruins goalie for his 14th of the year at 11:37. Montreal has controlled the play thus far out shooting the Bruins 8-1. The Bruins do get on the board when LW Sherman Dollard beats G Bill Wolfenbarger at 14:49 for his 9th of the season. Montreal goes up 3-1 when RW Joey Mariani wins a puck battle and beats the Bruins netminder with his 11th of the year on the PP at 17:50. The period ends with the shots favouring Montreal 14-4.


Montreal loses a forward 6 minutes into the 2nd when C Jeff Pilbeam heads to the locker room with what appears to be a hand injury. The Bruins get it back to within 1 when LD Rich O'Caffey gets his 6th of the year at 9:08 and its 3-2 now. A better period for the Bruins as the shots are now 17-13 for Montreal and the Habs will start the 3rd period SH for the first 47 seconds.


The 3rd period was pretty even but the Canadiens hang on for a 3-2 win. The final shots were 22-17 for Montreal.


Montreal 3 Boston 2


Montreal's RD Steven Thornton was the 1st star with his goal and an assist. The 32 year old now has 7 goals and 21 points with 31 PIMs and a +14 rating in 39 games.


The Montreal Canadiens announced after the game that C Jeff Pilbeam is expected to miss up to 2 weeks with a bruised wrist. The 31 year old has 6 goals and 14 points with 17 PIMs and a +12 rating in 37 games.


Winnipeg Jets C Peter Horvath had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Canucks. The 22 year old now has 9 goals and 38 points with 10 PIMs and a +12 rating in 37 games. Horvath was nominated for the NHL's Best Defensive Forward Award in 2002 while with the Senators.


The Montreal Canadiens announced that after practice that C Patrick Atkins will be listed day to day with a bruised wrist. The 20 year old has 14 goals and 34 points with 8 PIMs and a +11 rating in 39 games. Atkins was a 2003 Memorial Cup winner with the Red Deer Rebels.

December 29th, 2003Attachment 527359


The Canadiens and the Bruins will do battle again tonight on back to back nights. The seasonal series is tied 2-2 as the (15-16-7) try to get back to .500 in front of their fans at the TD Gardens. Montreal will not have C Jeff Pilbeam or C Patrick Atkins in the line up as they will have to do some shuffling. G Martin King will start for Montreal on back to back nights.


The Bruins strike 1st on the PP, LD Vincent Lavoie loses the control of the puck and it led to sustained pressure on the Montreal net. Despite several good saves by G Martin King, C Ronald Sutton pots his 18th of the season at 8:09 of the 1st. The Bruins have control of the 1st period, 12 minutes in the shots are 11-4 for Boston. The final shots in the period are 15-11 for the Bruins. Montreal will start the 2nd period with a brief PP.


Montreal does tie it up at 13:49 of the 2nd period when C James Courcy gets his 2nd of the year and its 1-1. That's the way the period ends with the shots now a lot closer, 22-21 for the Bruins.


Montreal goes up 2-1 at 5:35 of the 3rd period when C Dean Casey gets his 8th of the season. It was Montreal's 1st shot of the period. Montreal and Boston both had PP's in the last 10 minutes of the game but Montreal held on for a 2-1 win. The final shots were 31-25 for the Bruins.


Montreal 2 Boston 1


Montreal's C James Courcy was the 1st star with his goal. The 20 year old now has 2 goals and 4 points with 18 PIMs and a +6 rating in 29 games.


Nashville Predators LD Sergey Adaikin had 2 assists in a 3-0 win over the Stars. The 29 year old now has 5 goals and 22 points with 2 PIMs and a +22 rating in 38 games. Adaikin was a Stanley Cup winner with the Predators in 2003, was nominated for the 2003 Defenseman of the Year and won the 2003 NHL Playoff MVP Award.


Colorado Avalanche C George Amlong had a goal in a 3-1 win over the Blues. The 30 year old now has 8 goals and 23 points with 30 PIMs and a -3 rating in 34 games.


The New Jersey Devils were dealt a huge blow today when it was learned that LW Michal Sin will miss up to 5 months with a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament. The 21 year old has 8 goals and 35 assists with 10 PIMs and a +10 rating in 38 games. Last year Sin had a career high with 71 points in 68 games for the Devils.


Washington Capitals LD Ty Sova was named the NHL Player of the Month. The 33 year old now has 5 goals and 20 points with 19 PIMs and a +16 rating in 38 games. Sova set a career high with 37 points in 72 games for the Capitals in 2001-02.


Montreal Canadiens G Bill Wolfenbarger was named the NHL Goalie of the Month. The 38 year old is now 20-7-3 with a 1.54 GAA and a .929 SV% in 30 games. Wolfenbarger set a career high with 21 wins last season for Montreal.


Pittsburgh Penguins RW Brad Rakas had 2 goals in a 7-2 win over the Devils. The 27 year old now has 12 goals and 27 points with 12 PIMs and a +16 rating. Rakas set a career high with 60 points in 72 games during the 2001-02 season with the Penguins.


Detroit Red Wings LW Chad Deraspe had a goal and 2 assists in a 4-1 win over the Bruins. The 21 year old now has 18 goals and 40 points with 44 PIMs and a +13 rating in 39 games. Deraspe set a career high with 60 points last year in 72 games with the Red Wings.

Attachment 527360

January 2nd, 2004Attachment 527387


The Montreal Canadiens travel to the Air Canada Center in Toronto to face the Leafs (16-19-5), Montreal is 2-1-1 against Toronto including a 5-0 win the last time they played in the ACC. C Patrick Atkins has been cleared to dress today.


Montreal gets the early lead at 2:37 when C James Courcy tips RW Robert Cull's shot for his 3rd of the year. The Leafs make it 1-1 at 13:11 when RW Gabor Nemeth gets his 3rd of the season past G Bill Wolfenbarger. Montreal goes back up 2-1 as LW Emile Boudreau deflects RW Joey Mariani's shot for his 20th of the year at 15:20 of the 1st. The period ends with the shots 14-9 for Montreal.


Former Canadien, LW Troy Hensick gets his 7th of the season with a blast at 10:46 of the 2nd to make it 2-2. That's how the 2nd period ends with the shots now 23-22 for the Leafs.


Montreal gets the go-ahead goal after the Leaf netminder misplayed the puck to RW Robert Cull and his set up C James Courcy with his 2nd of the night at 4:59 and a 3-2 score. Montreal goes ahead 4-2 with LW Emile Boudreau's 21st of the year at 9:45 of the 3rd. Montreal is dominating the 3rd period with the shots 10-3 after 18 minutes of the period. Montreal adds an empty netter at 19:56 with Petr Klusacek's 7th of the season. The final shots are 33-26 for Montreal.


Montreal 5 Toronto 2


Montreal C James Courcy was named the 1st star with his 2 goals. The 20 year old now has 4 goals and 6 points with 18 PIMs and a +8 rating in 30 games. Last year in his rookie season, Courcy had 11 points in 55 games for Montreal.

January 4th, 2004Attachment 527388


Montreal continue on the road to face the Philadelphia Flyers (17-19-5) at the Wells Fargo Center. Montreal won 5-0 the last time they were in Philly and are 2-0 vs the Flyers this year.


The Canadiens are down a forward as C Patrick Atkins left the game with a leg injury 10 minutes into the 1st period. He appeared back on the bench shortly after. The 1st period ends 0-0 and the shots were 9-6 for the Flyers.


Montreal breaks the ice at 8:17 of the 2nd when the Flyers goalie misplayed a clearing attempt that was stolen by LW Emile Boudreau and dished to C Dean Casey for his 9th of the season. The Flyers tie it up 1-1 at 13:05 when LW Paul Peters tips in his 15th of the year past G Bill Wolfenbarger. The period ends is a 1-1 tie with the shots now 17-15 for Montreal.


The 3rd period ends up scoreless with the final shots 22-19 for Montreal in a tight defensive game.


Montreal 1 Philadelphia 1


Philadelphia Flyers LW Paul Peters is named the 1st star with his goal. The 34 year old now has 15 goals and 26 points with 12 PIMs and a -1 rating in 42 games. Peters set a career high with 49 points last year in 72 games for the Flyers.


The Canadiens announced that C Patrick Atkins will be listed as day to day with a bruised shin. The 20 year old now has 14 goals and 34 points with 8 PIMs and a +11 rating in 41 games of his rookie season.


Boston Bruins C Ronald Sutton had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over the Penguins. The 33 year old now has 19 goals and 43 points with 28 PIMs and a +11 rating in 41 games. Sutton had a career high 76 points in the 2000-01 season for the Stars in 69 games.


Colorado Avalanche LD Jerry Ragsdale had 1 goal in a 1-1 tie with the Blackhawks. The 28 year old now has 5 goals and 29 points with 30 PIMs and a +10 rating in 41 games. Ragsdale set a career high with 37 points in 65 games for the Avalanche in 2001-02.


Winnipeg C Peter Horvath had 2 goals in a 4-1 win over the Canucks. The 22 year old now has 11 goals and 40 points with 10 PIMs and a +14 rating in 40 games. Horvath set a career high with 43 points for the Senators in 72 games during the 2001-02 season.

January 5th, 2004Attachment 527472


The Canadiens will play on back to back nights with a visit to Madison Square Gardens to face the New York Rangers (24-10-4) The Rangers lead the Metropolitan Division. Montreal will start G Martin King. Both C Jeff Pilbeam and C Patrick Atkins will be out of the line-up.


The 1st period ended scoreless, it was a tight defensive start with the shots 7-5 for the Rangers.


Montreal gets the games first goal when C Dean Casey deflected RD Steven Thornton's shot for his 10th of the year on the PP at 17:04 of the 2nd. The period ends with the score 1-0 for Montreal and the shots favoured New York 18-14 after 2 periods.


Montreal goes up 2-0 at 4:30 of the 3rd as LW Randolph Lott redirects a RD Steven Thornton's point shot for his 7th of the season. Moments later LW Emile Boudreau snaps his own rebound home for his 22nd of the season and a 3-0 lead at 6:01. Montreal hangs on for the win as the Rangers out shoot the Habs 31-23 and giving G Martin King the shutout.


Montreal 3 New York Rangers 0


Montreal G Martin King was named the 1st star making 31 saves. The 24 year old now is 6-2-1 with 5 SO's, a 1.00 GAA and a .956 SV% in 11 games. King set a career high with 10 wins during the 2000-01 season for Montreal.


Buffalo Sabres RW Craig Tollison had a goal in a 1-1 tie with the Bruins. The 29 year old now has 20 goals and 36 points with 4 PIMs and a -1 rating in 39 games. Tollison had a career high 35 goals last year in 65 games for the Sabres.


Pittsburgh Penguins RW Brad Rakas had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Golden Knights. The 27 year old now has 13 goals and 29 points with 12 PIMs and a +18 rating in 39 games. Rakas had a career high 38 goals during the 2001-02 season in 72 games with the Penguins.


Buffalo Sabres RW Craig Tollison had 3 assists in a 5-2 win over the Golden Knights. The 29 year old now has 20 goals and 39 points with 4 PIMs and a +1 rating in 40 games.


New York Rangers RW Lukas Kocian had 2 goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over the Flyers. The 20 year old now has 16 goals and 38 points with 18 PIMs and a +19 rating in 40 games. Kocian had 20 goals last year in 71 games for the Rangers in his rookie season.


Detroit Red Wings RD Lonnie Wymer had 2 assists in a 2-1 win over the Sabres. The 29 year old now has 6 goals and 24 points with 32 PIMs and a +4 rating in 41 games. Wymer had a career high 10 goals in 72 games for the Red Wings in the 2001-02 season.

January 11th, 2004Attachment 527475


Montreal are at home at the Bell Center to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (17-22-6). Montreal leads the seasonal series 3-1-1 with the last meeting at the Bell Center resulting in a 0-0 tie. Both C Jeff Pilbeam and C Patrick Atkins will be in the line up tonight.


The 1st period was extremely tight checking, no goals and no penalties. The shots were 5-3 for the Leafs.


Montreal gets the lead 1-0 at 16:46 when RW Joey Mariani is sent in all alone by LW Emile Boudreau and Mariani buries his 12th upstairs. Montreal has full control of the play in the 2nd period out shooting the Leafs 9-2 in the 1st 18 minutes of the period. The period ends with Montreal leading 1-0 and outshooting Toronto 13-7.


Former Canadien LW Troy Hensick deflects one past G Bill Wolfenbarger for his 8th of the year at 1:18 and we are tied 1-1.


Montreal goes up 2-1 at 15:16 of the 3rd period when RW Joey Mariani tips C Dean Casey's shot for his 2nd of the night and 13th of the year. Montreal puts it away with a 3-1 goal at 18:46 when LW Emile Boudreau tips RD Rinat Sadriyev's shot for his 23rd of the season. Montreal goes on to win 3-1 with the final shots 28-16 for the Habs.


Montreal 3 Toronto 1


Montreal's LW Emile Boudreau is the 1st star with a goals and 2 assists. The 21 year old now has 23 goals and 39 points with 24 PIMs and a +25 rating in 44 games. Last season Boudreau had 17 goals and 56 points in 72 games with the Canadiens and Senators.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had 2 goals and an assist in a 4-3 win over the Bruins. The 21 year old now has 22 goals and 51 points with 16 PIMs and a +18 rating in 43 games. Last year Moser had 23 goals and 50 points in 72 games for the Capitals.


Detroit Red Wings LW Chad Deraspe had 2 assists in a 5-3 win over the Devils. The 21 year old now has 18 goals and 43 points with 46 PIMs and a +15 rating in 42 games. Last season Deraspe had 27 goals and 60 points in 72 games with the Red Wings.


Philadelphia Flyers C Hakan Nilsson had a goal in a 2-2 tie with the Penguins. The 21 year old now has 15 goals and 33 points with 30 PIMs and a -8 rating in 45 games. Last year Nilsson had 28 goals and 70 points in 72 games with the Flyers.

January 12th, 2004Attachment 527477


Montreal is at home to the Washington Capitals (25-15-3). The Capitals won the only meeting this season 2-1 at the Bell Center. The Canadiens will start G Martin King.


Montreal grabs the early 1-0 lead as RD Steven Thornton goes 5-hole after converting a C Jeff Pilbeam feed at 4:37 of the 1st on the PP. The Capitals answer back quickly as RW Jude Jordan tips his 10th of the year past G Martin King at 5:39 and its 1-1. Washington goes up 2-1 as LW Jude Jordan gets his 2nd of the night and 11th of the year with another tip in at 17:02. Montreal ties it up 2-2 as LD Dominick Heatherington beats the Caps goalie down low with his 2nd of the year at 18:01. That is how the period ends with the shots 10-8 for Montreal.


Montreal goes up 3-2 on a scrambled play in which RW Zach Broderick swats at a loose puck and scores his 3rd of the year at 16:21 of the 2nd. After 17 minutes of the 2nd, Montreal is in control of the play out shooting the Capitals 12-5 in the period. The period ends with the Montreal 3-2 lead and shot lead of 23-14.


The score is still 3-2 but Montreal is in full control 6 minutes into the 3rd with a 7-0 shot lead. There is no scoring in the 3rd period and Montreal hangs on to win outshooting the Capitals 32-18


Montreal 3 Washington 2


Montreal's RD Steven Thornton was the 1st star with his goal and assist. The 32 year old now has 8 goals and 26 points with 33 PIMs and a +18 rating in 45 games. Last season Thornton had 6 goals and 33 points in 67 games for Montreal.


Nashville Predators LD Sergey Adaikin had an assist in a 3-3 tie with the Canucks. The 29 year old now has 5 goals and 24 points with 6 PIMs and a +24 rating in 45 games. Last year Adaikin had 8 goals and 37 points in 72 games with Nashville.

Attachment 527478

January 18th, 2004Attachment 527575


Montreal is on the road for a date with the Devils, New Jersey (20-16-8) has yet to beat the Habs in 3 tries as Montreal won once and the teams have tied twice. There has been a total of 6 goals scored in the 3 games.


The period was close checking until about 5 minutes left in the period and Montreal get a lengthy 5 on 3 PP. Montreal is unable to score but the shots are 15-5 with just over 3 minutes left in the period. The period ends with the score tied 0-0 and the shots 17-5 for Montreal.


New Jersey gets on the board first as RW Kamil Nemeckay tips one past G Bill Wolfenbarger for his 3rd of the year at 0:22 of the 2nd period. The period ends with the score 1-0 for the Devils but the Habs outshooting New Jersey 23-8. Montreal will start the 3rd with a 8 second 5 on 3 PP.


The Devils kill the brief 5 on 3 and then go ahead 2-0 at 4:16 when C Todd Carlson converts on the wrap around for his 21st of the season. Montreal has all the momentum now with under 5 minutes left in the game, the shots are 12-3 in the 3rd for Montreal. With 3:33 left in the game, Montreal will go on their 3rd 5 on 3 PP for 1:55. New Jersey gets a 3rd penalty just 33 seconds later. Montreal were unable to convert and lose for the first time in a long time. The final shots were 39-11 for Montreal.


New Jersey 2 Montreal 0


New Jersey G Bob Cash was named the first star with his 39 saves. The 31 year old is now 11-5-4 with 2 SO's, a 2.22 GAA and a .925 SV% in 21 games. For his career, Cash has 49 wins with a 2.24 GAA and a .914 SV% with 6 SO's in 93 NHL games.


Detroit Red Wings RD Lonnie Wymer had 2 goals in a 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs. The 29 year old now has 9 goals and 27 points with 32 PIMs and a +8 rating in 44 games. For his career, Wymer has 36 goals and 116 points in 245 NHL games.


Chicago Blackhawks G Armando Ramos made 31 saves in a 3-0 win over the Predators. The 21 year old is now 13-17-5 with 5 SO's, a 2.61 GAA and a .925 SV% in 36 games. Ramos is in his rookie season.


St Louis Blues LD Nick Keller had 2 assists in a 4-1 win over the Stars. The 32 year old now has 2 goals and 19 points with 2 PIMs and a +2 rating in 42 games. For his career, Keller has 27 goals and 106 points in 250 NHL games.

January 19th, 2004Attachment 527578


Montreal doesn't get much chance to lick their wounds after last nights loss as they are home to the Philadelphia Flyers (19-20-8) Montreal will start G Martin King. Montreal has outscored the Flyers 14-2 in 3 games going 2-0-1.


Montreal grabs an early 1-0 lead when LW Emile Boudreau tips in his 24th of the year at 2:18. Philly ties it up 1-1 at 5:50 when C Zach Paterson grabs his own rebound and beats G Martin King for his 12th of the season. Montreal gets the lead back quickly as LW Emile Boudreau gets his 2nd of the night, 25th of the year at 6:44 and its 2-1. The 1st ends with the score 2-1 for Montreal and a shot lead favoring Philadelphia 12-10.


There is no scoring in the 2nd period, the score remains 2-1 for Montreal but Montreal leads on the shot clock now 20-17.


Montreal goes up 3-1 on RW Joey Mariani's slap shot at 12:27 for his 14th goal of the season. Montreal hangs on for the win as C Jeff Pilbeam looked a little hobbled when he left the ice. The final shots were 25-25.


Montreal 3 Philadelphia 1


Montreal RW Joey Mariani was the 1st star with a goal and 2 assists. The 21 year old now has 14 goals and 44 points with 22 PIMs and a +25 rating in 47 games. For his career, Mariani has 40 goals and 129 points in 188 NHL games.


Montreal announces after the game that C Jeff Pilbeam is listed as day to day with a sore hamstring. The 31 year old has 6 goals and 15 points with 21 PIMs and a +11 rating in 41 games. For his career, Pilbeam has 79 goals and 177 points in 257 NHL games.


Detroit Red Wings RD Nelson Koller had an assist in a 2-1 win over the Senators. The 34 year old now has 2 goals and 23 points with 24 PIMs and a +10 rating in 45 games. For his career, Koller has 25 goals and 108 points in 252 NHL games.


Washington Capitals C Jason Moser had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 win over the Islanders. The 21 year old now has 23 goals and 53 points with 20 PIMs and a +16 rating in 46 games. For his career, Moser has 72 goals and 149 points in 190 NHL games.


Winnipeg Jets RD Michael Watson had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the Oilers. The 33 year old now has 11 goals and 34 points with 6 PIMs and a +11 rating in 46 games. For his career, Watson has 52 goals and 171 points in 243 NHL games.

January 20th, 2004Attachment 527580


Montreal plays for the 3rd time in 3 nights traveling to Detroit to face the (24-16-5) Red Wings. Montreal is 3-1 in 4 games with Detroit winning 4-0 the last time the played in the Little Caesar's Place.


The first period ends in a 0-0 tie with the shots 14-9 for Montreal. Detroit had the only PP of the period.


Montreal goes up 1-0 at 9:00 of the 2nd while on a 5 on 3 PP when C Patrick Atkins gets his 15th of the year on a RW Zach Broderick feed. The period ends with Montreal up 1-0 and out shooting Detroit 18-14.


The Red Wings get a 5 on 3 of their own and convert at 10:13 of the 3rd when RD Daniel Jelinek gets his 4th of the season beating G Bill Wolfenbarger. Montreal gets that one back, on the PP when LW Eric Brenner gets his 4th of the year tipping RW Joey Mariani's shot at 13:11 of the 3rd. Its now 2-1 for the Habs. Montreal hangs on for the win getting out shot 23-21 by Detroit.


Montreal 2 Detroit 1


Montreal LW Eric Brenner was the 1st star with his goal. The 20 year old now has 4 goals and 6 points with 4 PIMs and a +1 rating in 22 games. Brenner is in his 1st year of NHL play as a rookie.


Nashville Predators LD Sergey Adaikin had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over the Jets. The 29 year old now has 6 goals and 26 points with 6 PIMs and a +26 rating in 47 games. Adaikin started his career in 2000-01 with the St Louis Blues and signed as a free agent for the 2001-02 season as a Predator.

January 23rd, 2004Attachment 527581


Montreal are at home to the New Jersey Devils (21-16-9) The Devils and Habs have each won a game and tied twice in four meetings. The Devils most recently beat Montreal 2-0.


New Jersey jumps out to a 1-0 lead at 4:17 when LD William Bouchard gets his 7th of the season beating G Bill Wolfenbarger. The period ends with the Devils leading 1-0 and 12-9 in shots.


There was no scoring in the 2nd, with the Devils still up 1-0. Montreal will start the 3rd period with a 1:35 PP and are now outshooting the Devils 19-18.


Montreal tie the score at 1:32 of the 3rd period, with exactly 1 second left on the PP. RW Petr Klusacek gets his own rebound and gets his 8th of the year. Montreal goes up 2-1 as C Phil Wheeler snaps his 3rd of the season home at 5:36. Montreal goes up 3-1 on the PP as RW Zach Broderick bangs home a rebound at 15:49 for his 4th of the year. Montreal ends up beating the Devils 3-1 with the shots 41-20 in the game.


Montreal 3 New Jersey 1


Montreal RW Petr Klusacek had a goal and was the 1st star. The 21 year old now has 8 goals and 18 points with 32 PIMs and a +18 rating in 49 games. Klusacek was Montreal's 126th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.


Winnipeg Jets G Jeremy Lawson made 29 saves in a 1-0 win over the Bruins. The 33 year old now has a 20-6-4 record with 6 SO's, a 1.64 GAA and a .933 SV% in 31 games. Lawson started his career with the Islanders in 2000-01, he signed as a free agent for the Maple Leafs for the 2002-03 season but was traded to the Senators before the season started. On July 1st, 2003 the Senators traded Lawson to the Jets.


The Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings make a major trade today. The Bruins will send RW Ken Patterson and LW Xavier Gregoire to the Red Wings in exchange for G Harvey Stevens and C Reid Chiesa. The 28 year old Patterson has 15 goals and 41 points with 45 PIMs and a +14 rating with the Bruins in 43 games. Patterson had played his whole NHL career 239 games with the Bruins since the league formed in 2000.

January 25th, 2004Attachment 527582


Montreal will host the Detroit Red Wings (24-18-5) to the Bell Center tonight. Montreal leads the seasonal series 4-1-0 including a 4-1 win the last time they played in Montreal.


Detroit breaks the ice at 10:46 when LW Bill Dennis gets his 1st of the season on a deflection to make it 1-0. Detroit goes up 2-0 at 16:23 when LW Chad Deraspe wrists home his own rebound for his 19th of the year beating G Bill Wolfenbarger on the PP. Shortly after newly acquired RW Ken Patterson gets his 1st as a Red Wing at 16:36 tipping in his 16th of the year. Detroit RD Daniel Jelinek gets his 6th of the year at 18:39 and it is now 4-0 Detroit. The period mercifully ends for Montreal with the shots 9-9.


Montreal does get on the board on the PP, RD Steven Thornton gets his 9th of the year at 16:06 of the 2nd period and Montreal has made it 4-1. The period ends that way and the shots now favour Montreal 19-16 but the Red Wings lead.


Montreal gets to within 2 at 4-2 when RW Petr Klusacek redirects C Phil Wheeler's shot at 10:59 for his 9th of the year. Detroit puts it out of reach with an empty netter at 19:29 when C Alex Joaquin deposits his 16th into the empty cage. The final shots were 28-25 for the Red Wings.


Detroit 5 Montreal 2


Detroit RD Daniel Jelinek had a goal and an assist and was the 1st star. The 21 year old now has 6 goals and 18 points with 21 PIMs and a +15 rating in 36 games. Jelinek was drafted 70th overall by the Red Wings in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

January 26th, 2004 NHL Standings

Attachment 527583

January 26th, 2004 NHL Leaders

Attachment 527587

Attachment 527588

Attachment 527589

January 26th, 2004Attachment 527624

Montreal Canadiens Stats and Musings


The Canadiens arrive at the trade deadline with the best record in the NHL. A complete turnaround from the 24-41-7 record for 55 points last year. Baring a complete disaster over the final 22 games, the Canadiens are 20 points ahead of the 3rd place Devils fighting for 1 of 2 playoff spots in the Atlantic. The question is..... do we do anything that could screw up the chemistry of the team at the deadline? Do we have any serious needs? The team is ranked 1st in goals against giving up just 75 goals in 50 games, the closest team to the Habs is the Rangers and they have given up 94 goals. Montreal is 2nd in scoring with 142 goals, just 4 goals behind the top scoring Red Wings with 146. The only area we could possibly address would be that the Canadiens are ranked 20th in hits, could we find a forward that could address that need?

Attachment 527625

In goal the Canadiens have a fantastic 1-2 punch. Bill Wolfenbarger has set a career high for wins and has nearly a 3rd of the season left. Martin King has been stellar in relief, his best GAA for his career going into the season was 2.92 in 2000-01 in 28 games.

Attachment 527626

The Canadiens don't expect a lot of offense from their defense. Thornton leads the way in scoring and ice time with over 24 minutes per game. He is usually paired with Heatherington who is averaging 22 minutes per game. Reynolds is slowly seeing his ice time reduced over the past 4 seasons, 1 because of age and 2 because of the depth Montreal has now on D. Montreal have Heatherington, Lavoie and Thornton all on expiring contracts at the end of the year.

Attachment 527627

Patrick Atkins is a good looking rookie, he leads all rookie forwards in points in the NHL this season. Atkins also leads the Habs with 7 PPG this year. We talked about hits earlier, Randolph Lott leads the team with 96 hits, Emile Boudreau is 2nd at 84. This is an area Montreal may explore during the trade deadline before February 1st. Montreal has the following forwards on expiring contracts, Boudreau, Wass, Casey, Courcy, Wheeler and Mariani.