Koivu: "We're coming home with a positive attitude
Jan 24, 2003 8:12:27 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 24, 2003 8:12:27 GMT -5
Mathias Brunet
La Presse
The pessimists will say that the Canadiens have won only one game out of three since the arrival of new coach Claude Julien.
He didn't lose any games in regulation time and picked up four out of six points the optimists will retort.
One thing is certain, the Canadiens played with much more aggressiveness and emotion these last three games, as is often the case after the dismissal of a coach. And the team finds itself one point out of seventh place in the East, three points from sixth and the Bruins.
Captain Saku Koivu obviously is one of the optimists. "We played well in these three games. We showed a lot of emotion and worked hard. We deserved two points against the Maple Leafs. Against the Lightning, we were very close to a second consecutive win.
Our opponents scored in the last minute while they benefitted from a six-on-four. We come home with a positive attitude. We have the foundation on which we can build something very interesting."
Koivu is not however easily fooled. He's often seen clubs crushed after some good games under a new coach."They are only three games. It's necessary to play with as much passion from here to the end of the season.
One knows very well that emotion disappears sometimes after three or four games following the arrival of a new coach. It's necessary to start by winning our two important home games tomorrow and Sunday, against the Capitals and Blackhawks."
Doug Gilmour, transferred to the first line with Koivu and Zednik in Tampa - an interesting combination - also hopes that the string of failures is finished.
"We don't have any choice but to continue to play like we are right now. I don't believe that our players put in the effort in order to prove to the new coach that they belong here; the fate of the team is what's more important to everyone."
Gilmour has good words for Claude Julien. "He's an intelligent man. He knows the players and he knows what's going on here. It's up to us to follow him."
Another prominent team leader, José Theodore, the goalie in the first three games under Claude Julien, gives the general mood. "There are many positives. We succeeded in picking up a point against Toronto. With the exception of the second period against Tampa, we delivered a good effort. The guys fought hard and we succeeded in collecting very useful points in our battle for a playoff spot."
- transalted from www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/1,154,1881,012003,188690.shtml
La Presse
The pessimists will say that the Canadiens have won only one game out of three since the arrival of new coach Claude Julien.
He didn't lose any games in regulation time and picked up four out of six points the optimists will retort.
One thing is certain, the Canadiens played with much more aggressiveness and emotion these last three games, as is often the case after the dismissal of a coach. And the team finds itself one point out of seventh place in the East, three points from sixth and the Bruins.
Captain Saku Koivu obviously is one of the optimists. "We played well in these three games. We showed a lot of emotion and worked hard. We deserved two points against the Maple Leafs. Against the Lightning, we were very close to a second consecutive win.
Our opponents scored in the last minute while they benefitted from a six-on-four. We come home with a positive attitude. We have the foundation on which we can build something very interesting."
Koivu is not however easily fooled. He's often seen clubs crushed after some good games under a new coach."They are only three games. It's necessary to play with as much passion from here to the end of the season.
One knows very well that emotion disappears sometimes after three or four games following the arrival of a new coach. It's necessary to start by winning our two important home games tomorrow and Sunday, against the Capitals and Blackhawks."
Doug Gilmour, transferred to the first line with Koivu and Zednik in Tampa - an interesting combination - also hopes that the string of failures is finished.
"We don't have any choice but to continue to play like we are right now. I don't believe that our players put in the effort in order to prove to the new coach that they belong here; the fate of the team is what's more important to everyone."
Gilmour has good words for Claude Julien. "He's an intelligent man. He knows the players and he knows what's going on here. It's up to us to follow him."
Another prominent team leader, José Theodore, the goalie in the first three games under Claude Julien, gives the general mood. "There are many positives. We succeeded in picking up a point against Toronto. With the exception of the second period against Tampa, we delivered a good effort. The guys fought hard and we succeeded in collecting very useful points in our battle for a playoff spot."
- transalted from www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/article/1,154,1881,012003,188690.shtml