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SIMMONS: The old men and the 'C' keep Habs alive in Stanley Cup final – Toronto Sun

Published

3 years ago

July 6, 2021

Harry Miller

Author of the article:

Steve Simmons

Publishing date:

Jul 06, 2021 • 13 minutes ago • 4 minute read • 10 Comments

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) skates in front as Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) makes a glove save during the third period in game four of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Bell Centre July 5, 2021. Photo by Jean-Yves Aher /USA TODAY Sports

The longest two minutes and 59 seconds of Shea Weber’s hockey life seemed to take forever.

He sat in the penalty box at the Bell Centre, clearly uncomfortable, unable to be where he was needed most and the seconds clicked away slowly. They always do. From almost three minutes to two minutes. From two minutes to one minute.

The Tampa power play in overtime to win the Stanley Cup, to end the miracle run of the forever battling Montreal Canadiens. It was all there, all set up to end that way. With Weber sitting off for high sticking Ondrej Palat for the final 61 seconds of regulation time.

And then almost three minutes of power-play time to begin overtime.

The Stanley Cup was in the building. The Lightning needed a power-play goal from the best power play in hockey. The championship was all ready to be won — except Carey Price wouldn’t let it happen, and the terrific Montreal penalty killers, minus their giant leader on defence, somehow found a way to kill the clock, even get a shorthanded opportunity or two, before Weber returned and Montreal went on to do what its done four times before in these Stanley Cup playoffs.

This is a dangerous Habs team when they’re hanging on the ropes, still throwing punches, just a goal, a bounce, an overtime marker away from shaking hands and saying goodbye. Three times in the first round, the Maple Leafs had to do nothing but win to knock Montreal out. They didn’t face an elimination game in Round 2 or 3 of the playoffs. Monday night in Montreal, with the dream barely alive, with this unlikely and incomparable story so close to ending, the Habs did it again.

They got up off the mat. They killed the final 61 seconds of regulation time and the first two minutes and 59 seconds of overtime – a shorthanded eternity, really – and they found a way, as they’ve done all playoffs long to win in overtime. To win scoring the first goal of the game. To prevent elimination. At least until Wednesday night.

Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) celebrates goaltender Carey Price (31) after scoring against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (not pictured) during the overtime period in game four of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

It has been rather spectacular to watch the old men of the Canadiens, Weber on defence, Price in goal, the stalwarts of Team Canada’s past, being what they need to be on the biggest of hockey nights. Price hadn’t had a great Stanley Cup final until Montreal faced elimination.

Then he looked rather Price-like. Impossible to beat. Sharp and on angle and with the kind of goaltending that indicates one of the oldest axioms of the game: Your goaltender has to be your best penalty killer. The goaltender was in the final minute of regulation and in the 2:59 of overtime, especially with man-mountain Weber in the box, unable to do anything but watch in frustration.

He hadn’t been watching earlier in the night. He was pounding people, those all dressed up in Tampa Bay colours. He was all over Brayden Point, who has the most goals in the Stanley Cup playoffs yet none in the four games of this series. You don’t want to fool with Weber at the best of times – his kind of game can be rather frightening for anyone who dares to challenge him – and even the referee Kelly Sutherland, who was right beside Weber when his stick bloodied Palat’s face, didn’t want to make the penalty call.

Ondrej Palat #18 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts after getting cut with a high-stick by Shea Weber (not pictured) of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in Game Four of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bell Centre on July 5, 2021 in Montreal. Photo by Andre Ringuette /Getty Images

No one wants to make a call against Weber. Not then. Not at that time. As obvious as it was. You play the way he does and respect grows year after year.

“You can’t ask for a better teammate,” said Brendan Gallagher, who would seemingly take on the world to keep the Canadiens playing. “We could have killed (the penalty) for anyone.”

And then he said without clearly saying it.

It meant more because it was Weber in the box. Because he doesn’t lose games, he finds ways to win them. “He’s been a rock for us,” said Gallagher. “The physicality he brings, you expect from him every night. He’s a pain. We’re happy to have him on our side.”

Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is checked into the boards by Shea Weber #6 of the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in Game Four of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Bell Centre on July 05, 2021 in Montreal. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

You don’t reach the Stanley Cup final and move into a fifth game and get this far after that kind of wonky regular season unless some kind of magic happens. Hockey can be rather remarkable that way.

Josh Anderson had his line changed by coach Dominque Ducharme, who should be getting a contract of significance when this series ends. A new line for Anderson and he scores the game’s first goal and the overtime winner. Tampa hasn’t won a game it hasn’t scored first in and hasn’t won a game this playoff season that went to overtime.

Everything was set up well for the Canadiens if being shorthanded for almost three minutes to start overtime is setting up well. Ducharme changed lines and Anderson became the hero of the night. He changed lines and rookie Alexander Romanov, who scored one goal this season, scored a playoff goal in an elimination game. The Romanov goal was assisted by Jake Evans, who was also part of the roster re-construction by Ducharme.

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Almost every move Ducharme made worked out for Montreal. Which has been part of their playoff story. No part more important than Montreal’s superb penalty killing, which is hitting historical marks this post-season. Led usually by Price and Weber.

“The guys have done a great job in the playoffs and we’re playing against a power play that’s pretty dangerous.” He then talked about the character of his team, the way coaches always do after a win.

And he talked about the penalty kill that kept this season alive. The penalty kill that didn’t have Shea Weber on defence. “That shows how much we care about our captain,” said Ducharme. How much all of them care.

ssimmons@postmedia.com

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Sports

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

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

___

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Sports

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

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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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