Interesting article
Mar 8, 2002 8:52:48 GMT -5
Post by Cranky on Mar 8, 2002 8:52:48 GMT -5
Let's huddle together and PREY. I ain't talking your garden veriety "I prey he doesn't get injured". I'm talking Haitian Vodoo, trance like, snake handling PREYING. If Theo goes down, well.............
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
HERB ZURKOWSKY <br>Montreal Gazette
Friday, March 08, 2002
<br>Goaltender JosÈ ThÈodore said he's prepared to play in each of the Canadiens' 19 remaining regular-season games if that's what it takes to get Montreal into the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
"I'm prepared to play when the coach asks me," said ThÈodore, one of seven players who participated in a brief 30-minute optional practice yesterday morning at the Molson Centre. "It's not difficult. I'm in good shape, and when the team's playing well it's fun to play every night.
"I'm prepared for any situation."
ThÈodore will start tonight, when the Canadiens attempt to extend their winning streak to three games at Buffalo (7 p.m., SNE, TQS, CJAD Radio-800), and he'll probably get the nod again tomorrow, when Montreal plays host to Toronto. Indeed, there will be few nights off for ThÈodore after veteran netminder Jeff Hackett dislocated his left shoulder for the second time this season on Wednesday against Boston. It's unlikely Hackett will play again this season.
The Canadiens recalled Mathieu Garon from their minor-league affiliate in Quebec yesterday to back up ThÈodore. In 42 games with the Citadelles, Garon has posted a 20-11-10 record, with a 2.63 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
General manager AndrÈ Savard, who joined the team late yesterday afternoon in Buffalo after attending general managers' meetings this week in Florida, denied Montreal is now on the market for an experienced goaltender after it had been speculated the Canadiens might deal Hackett before the March 19 trade deadline.
"We're not going to jump the gun and phone (other teams) just for the sake of it," Savard said. "To get something you've got to give something, and we've got a lot of players on the sidelines. Garon has done extremely well in the AHL. He has seen a lot of action and has played a lot."
ThÈodore should be getting used to the work by now. He played in 16 consecutive games from Nov. 8 through Dec. 10, when Hackett was injured the first time. Later in the season, from Jan. 19 through Feb. 26, he appeared in 11 straight matches.
ThÈodore is the National Hockey League's ninth-ranked goalie, with a 21-19-6 record in 49 games. He has a career-high six shutouts, along with a 2.24 goals-against average and a save percentage of .925. He's slated to become a restricted free agent this summer.
"JosÈ has to find a way for our team to get to the playoffs. Nothing else will be accepted after three years," goaltending coach Roland Melanson said. "We're in a position where we have to play desperate hockey. We want a playoff spot more than anything; that's how people grow.
"JosÈ might play each game. A lot is riding on his shoulders. But the ball has always been in JosÈ's court. He's going to want the net. He's proven he's one of the top five or six goalies in the world."
As well as ThÈodore has performed this season, and as well as he must play for the Canadiens to have an opportunity to win, he hasn't regained his form since returning from the Olympic break. He allowed five goals on 27 shots against Ottawa and four more last Saturday against Carolina, both losses, stretching his losing streak to four games, before rebounding with a win last Monday against Atlanta.
Melanson said ThÈodore must regain his fire and focus.
Both coach Michel Therrien and Melanson said they won't hesitate to use Garon, who suffered four consecutive defeats over a five-game stretch with Montreal early this season. However, common sense dictates Theodore will continue to be utilized until he drops from exhaustion or displays an inability to perform up to standards.
"We expect JosÈ to play well, give us a chance to win and we'll go from there," Therrien said. "I'm not afraid to put Garon out, but we've got to go with the guy who's hot to get us to the playoffs. And JosÈ ThÈodore has been hot."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
HERB ZURKOWSKY <br>Montreal Gazette
Friday, March 08, 2002
<br>Goaltender JosÈ ThÈodore said he's prepared to play in each of the Canadiens' 19 remaining regular-season games if that's what it takes to get Montreal into the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
"I'm prepared to play when the coach asks me," said ThÈodore, one of seven players who participated in a brief 30-minute optional practice yesterday morning at the Molson Centre. "It's not difficult. I'm in good shape, and when the team's playing well it's fun to play every night.
"I'm prepared for any situation."
ThÈodore will start tonight, when the Canadiens attempt to extend their winning streak to three games at Buffalo (7 p.m., SNE, TQS, CJAD Radio-800), and he'll probably get the nod again tomorrow, when Montreal plays host to Toronto. Indeed, there will be few nights off for ThÈodore after veteran netminder Jeff Hackett dislocated his left shoulder for the second time this season on Wednesday against Boston. It's unlikely Hackett will play again this season.
The Canadiens recalled Mathieu Garon from their minor-league affiliate in Quebec yesterday to back up ThÈodore. In 42 games with the Citadelles, Garon has posted a 20-11-10 record, with a 2.63 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.
General manager AndrÈ Savard, who joined the team late yesterday afternoon in Buffalo after attending general managers' meetings this week in Florida, denied Montreal is now on the market for an experienced goaltender after it had been speculated the Canadiens might deal Hackett before the March 19 trade deadline.
"We're not going to jump the gun and phone (other teams) just for the sake of it," Savard said. "To get something you've got to give something, and we've got a lot of players on the sidelines. Garon has done extremely well in the AHL. He has seen a lot of action and has played a lot."
ThÈodore should be getting used to the work by now. He played in 16 consecutive games from Nov. 8 through Dec. 10, when Hackett was injured the first time. Later in the season, from Jan. 19 through Feb. 26, he appeared in 11 straight matches.
ThÈodore is the National Hockey League's ninth-ranked goalie, with a 21-19-6 record in 49 games. He has a career-high six shutouts, along with a 2.24 goals-against average and a save percentage of .925. He's slated to become a restricted free agent this summer.
"JosÈ has to find a way for our team to get to the playoffs. Nothing else will be accepted after three years," goaltending coach Roland Melanson said. "We're in a position where we have to play desperate hockey. We want a playoff spot more than anything; that's how people grow.
"JosÈ might play each game. A lot is riding on his shoulders. But the ball has always been in JosÈ's court. He's going to want the net. He's proven he's one of the top five or six goalies in the world."
As well as ThÈodore has performed this season, and as well as he must play for the Canadiens to have an opportunity to win, he hasn't regained his form since returning from the Olympic break. He allowed five goals on 27 shots against Ottawa and four more last Saturday against Carolina, both losses, stretching his losing streak to four games, before rebounding with a win last Monday against Atlanta.
Melanson said ThÈodore must regain his fire and focus.
Both coach Michel Therrien and Melanson said they won't hesitate to use Garon, who suffered four consecutive defeats over a five-game stretch with Montreal early this season. However, common sense dictates Theodore will continue to be utilized until he drops from exhaustion or displays an inability to perform up to standards.
"We expect JosÈ to play well, give us a chance to win and we'll go from there," Therrien said. "I'm not afraid to put Garon out, but we've got to go with the guy who's hot to get us to the playoffs. And JosÈ ThÈodore has been hot."
