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Call of the Wilde: Montreal Canadiens return from break, dump Washington Capitals 5-2 – Global News

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The 10-day break is over for the Montreal Canadiens.

Now, it’s time for the final stretch, which started with a 5-2 win over the Capitals in Washington. Samuel Montembeault was the star of the game as the Caps outplayed Montreal, but they struggled to finish their chances.

Wilde Horses

The game was an outstanding start for the Canadiens as they caught the Caps still enjoying the All-Star Break in the first period. Montreal had a 7-1 shots on goal advantage early, and a two-goal lead.

All the offence came early from the team’s top line. They’re going to have to be great for the rest of the season, because they are basically all of the scoring talent that is left right now. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky led the charge.

The opening goal was an absolute beauty as Caufield stole the puck at the blue line. He laid a perfect cross-ice saucer pass that landed right on the stick of Suzuki, who one-timed a shot into the top shelf.

Less than a minute later, it was the top line still on the ice for a second marker. Suzuki was in the corner where he jumped on a rebound from a bad angle. Former Canadiens goalie Charlie Lindgren didn’t look sharp on that tally.

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Caufield has points in 10 straight games. He has 13 points in that span. Ten games is a small sample size, but 13 points is a number that says that Caufield does have the ability to be a points-per-game player. Suzuki may have the ability as well. With a career high of 66 points, Suzuki is on pace for 74 this season.

It is just a matter of having some support. For the line to have these excellent numbers when the opposition can key on them is remarkable. Suzuki and Caufield face the best defenders and best forwards every single game. There is never any relief.

Now imagine a scenario where the second line is just as good in the future as the first line. That makes the Suzuki line better as well. This also makes the team significantly better.

Throw in a third and fourth line with some depth, and a player or two coming soon who can contribute offence, and you have a hockey team. The club will have to get healthy, for once, but this Montreal team competing is closer than it looks.

For now, enjoy watching the top-two scorers, and the first overall pick Slafkovsky as he grows his game on the top line, because contributions from others is an unexpected bonus.


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For example, the Canadiens made it 3-0 on a shot from Michael Pezzetta for only his third goal of the season. That was it for Lindgren who was pulled for Darcy Kuemper. Lindgren allowed three goals on nine shots.

In the third period, the Canadiens put the game away with a 4-on-4 tally. It was Slafkovsky with a great drag move on a wrist shot from 15 feet. If that was a glimpse of the future for Slafkovsy, get the shades, it looks bright.

Five minutes later, it was the moment that everyone has been waiting for on the Canadiens power play. If Slafkovsky is going to put up big numbers as a pro, then he has to be able to one-time slap shots from the right side half-wall on passes from the defenceman.

It finally happened. Suzuki to Matheson, he looked left, then passed right. Slafkovsky wired the shot into the far corner. That’s nine on the year for Slafkovsky with two goals on the night. That is the type of moment that will lift even the most negative that the Canadiens may have drafted the right player at one overall.

It wasn’t just a goal for Slafkovsky. It was a breakthrough moment. It was a moment that showed it is there, and now he can begin to replicate it regularly. A curl and drag goal and a one-time slap shot goal for Slafkovsky. You can’t get better than that.

Wilde Goats 

The only issue is General Manager Kent Hughes asking himself just how many players he has to ship out to get a good losing streak going. Montreal is not making the playoffs, so a high draft pick would be the first order of business for the GM. However, they refuse to put a losing run together.

Hughes must be shaking his head in disbelief. Montreal is in the mix with five teams so close in points. The Canadiens could get a losing skid going to draft fifth, or this injury-riddled lineup could keep shocking to the upside to cause Montreal to draft 12th.



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Call of the Wilde on Global News Morning


Gone are Gallagher, Dvorak, Dach, Newhook, Monahan. Take away as many as you want, it doesn’t seem to matter as they refuse to lose touch with .500.

Wilde Cards

The big event during the long break for the Canadiens was the trading of Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets for a first-round draft pick in 2024. The pick will likely be at around the 25 mark which is a spot that has a 50-50 chance of landing an NHL player. It also has, at best, a five-per cent chance of landing a star.

While the math isn’t that outstanding that the drafted player will be a player that moves the needle, it is better than Monahan leaving for nothing as an unrestricted free agent.

Also, General Manager Kent Hughes has an opportunity to parlay the draft pick into another pick to trade for a stronger player. This is how Hughes acquired Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche for two draft picks around the 30 mark.

All in all, Hughes has done an outstanding job getting two first-rounders for Monahan. He got a first rounder to take the large Monahan contract from the Calgary Flames, then got another to send him off to Winnipeg. That is remarkable asset management.

Hughes will continue to try to acquire more first-rounders as the deadline closes in on the eighth of March. He will likely look to deal David Savard and Jake Allen, and if the deal is right, many more could part. Hughes will attempt to acquire as much as a first for either Savard or Allen. It could be a difficult sell, but never write off this GM’s ability to find a needy suitor.

The Canadiens now have four first-round draft choices in the next two seasons. How they handle those four will decide how much longer this rebuild needs to continue. If they can acquire one of the top forwards in this draft like Ivan Demidov, Cole Eiserman, Cayden Lindstrom or Berkly Catton, the top six fills out much better than it is now.

Add one more forward to the mix through the draft, or possibly market all of the young left side strength on defence for more goals, and the future looks bright. All that is required, likely, is this year’s patience, and one more season. After that, the pieces should be in place ready to grow their games.

Only a little more time is required, Habs fans.

Brian Wilde, a Montreal-based sports writer, brings you Call of the Wilde on globalnews.ca after each Canadiens game.



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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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