MONTREAL — When the Canadiens faced the Bruins in Boston on Saturday evening, I joined my wife and 15,000 nostalgic fans at the Bell Center to kiss the Kiss team one last time.
How to tell? That’s perfect!
No! The vocals are no better than before and the musicians who fill the subway corridors with notes are mostly talented compared to the natural talent of the group’s four members.
But it was still right.
From the moment they step on stage in their big boots to the moment they finally walk off it – the final farewell tour will eventually come to an end and their 14th stop in Montreal will probably be their last – Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley and Peter Criss’ replacements – here are Tommy Thayer and Eric My apologies to Singer – they gave it all they had to take over the stage.
They never lost it after that.
The extravaganza of sound, flames, explosions and other special effects was very effective.
Much to the delight of their gray-haired fans and the younger ones who came with dad, mom, grandpa or grandma, many of them made up for the occasion.
This evening, in Quebec, Jean Simmons and Paul Stanley will do even better. Although they were well-calculated years 74 and 71, it would have been more effective if they had given a second “concert” in two evenings.
And the best part is that the Legault government doesn’t have to pay them a few million dollars to come tour the capital … Kiss members, however rich they are – compared to the owners of the Los Angeles Kings when they’re poor.
But ok…
Another false start
Why so much reference to “Kiss” instead of analyzing the Canadian’s match in Boston yesterday?
The first comment that came to mind as I rewatched this match that I had been careful to record – and I repeated it often throughout this meeting – was that Canada forgot to play a match in Boston yesterday.
It was sad to see.
On Thursday, against the Golden Knights from Las Vegas, the Canadian can console himself – or at least try to – with the final score.
Not Saturday!
Although the final score of 5-2 understated the Canadians’ dominance, they doubled down on shots on goal (44-22) and shots taken (79-37).
There is no question here of forgetting or brushing aside the fact that the Canadian’s last two opponents sit very high in the general rankings.
Besides, we don’t need these rankings to know that the Bruins and Knights are better than the Canadiens.
But the fact that they exist doesn’t change the fact that the Canadian fought more by himself than was beaten by his opponents.
Again on Saturday, the Canadian was guilty of a false start rather than a strong start to the match, handing complete control of the match to his opponent. Like the Knights on Thursday, the Bruins were all alone on the ice in the first period. They dictated the game.
If a combination of miracles by Samuel Montembalt and opportunism at the other end of the ice allowed the Canadians to take a 2-0 lead on Thursday, the Habs got what they deserved on Saturday.
He conceded the first goal for the 12th time in 18 games. He found himself 0-2, then 0-3.
While a lovely goal from Juraj Slafkowski gave hope, a big attack that followed could have knocked the Habs out, with Trent Frederick’s second goal, straight outside the box, deflecting off Martin St-In’s face to the right. Louis and his club.
It’s done!
Good! You’d say it’s been over for a while already. You’re right, especially the statistics.
The Canadian has now lost nine of 12 games in which he has conceded the first goal. Eight times in regulation time. And three of his wins came beyond 60 regulation minutes: twice in overtime, once in a shootout.
He went 0-2 and lost four of five games.
And with the Canadian still winless in matches decided by three goals this season (0-5), it’s safe to say the outcome of the match was well-and-true from the start of the half-term.
The Bruins downgraded the Canadian on Saturday in hockey terms. He suffered his fourth straight loss and sixth in his last eight matches.
It started to hurt.
It was downgraded in intensity and performance by Gene Simmons and the other “little old men” of Kiss.
It still hurts.
All this in front of their father, who might have expected the sons to have a bit of a fight in the snow instead of bumping into each other without the slightest resistance.
It has to hurt more than losing to the Bruins and losing face to the painted faces of Kiss band members.
Already a decisive journey
The Canadian was not guilty of a false start in the matchup between him and the Bruins.
He got off to a rough start on a five-game road trip that spanned Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles and Columbus over the next ten days.
Martin St-Louis will be imperative to take advantage of Monday’s return to Montreal and practice before flying to the American West.
Because the Canadian continues the decisive journey.
If the Bruins represent a formidable challenge — the Canadian still stood against them at the Bell Center a week ago — the Habs’ next four opponents are less formidable.
I know, kings are powerful.
But sharks aren’t all. Ducks and blue jackets are not much more Canadian.
There is no question here about wins against these three clubs. But even in Anaheim, San Jose, Columbus and Los Angeles, fans have every right to have their favorite youngster. They play hockey with the risks and consequences of mistakes.
If the Canadian prolongs his setbacks by prolonging his worst or worst snowfalls, he will undermine the patience of his fans who are willing to accept the consequences of development, but have no reason to accept the consequences. Lack of faith in snow.
Martin St-Louis showed the trick, and it’s natural to have done so with his lines in recent games. He did it to shake an offense that clearly needed to be shaken. In doing so, he shut down the trio who were doing well in an effort to help others who were trapped.
Yes I am thinking of Josh Anderson here. Juraj Slafkowski’s goal on Saturday gives the impression that he needs help as he sinks in instead of coming out of it.
At this point, it may be time to take direct action against the wrongdoers instead of penalizing the rest of the team.
And a video of Kiss’ performance can be played in the locker room before games Saturday evening at the Bell Center. Sometimes the example set by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley can have more effect than paternal support and kind words from Martin St. Louis during the last two games.
Meanwhile: Go Als Go! And happy gray cup!
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