A sports reporter’s integrity is based on his or hers’ ability to remain objective, informative, ethical, factual and base evaluation without emotion. However, this doesn't mean that individuals in the media don't cheer for their favorite teams.

Personally, I make no apologies that the Montreal Canadiens have always been my favorite NHL team since I could barely crawl back in the early 60's (1900's not 1800's smarty pants). Yes, Les Habitants are one of those teams, like the New York Yankees in baseball, the Dallas Cowboys in football or the LA Lakers in basketball that carry a special mystique. Indeed, there really isn't any grey area with these teams; you either love or hate them, and this is what makes these clubs so special. Without the Canadiens, Yankees, Cowboys or Lakers, sports would not be as much fun with less passion and little entertainment value.

Montreal has always faced more pressure than any other NHL club. Fair, or not, the “flying french men” continually face scrutiny and live under the microscope. In fact, the mystique that surrounds this organization is a cult, a religion, if you will.

That pressure on Montreal to perform and win is heightened in this the team’s centennial (100^th) year. It doesn't matter that they have won more Stanley Cups than anyone else (24). Diehard supporters know that it has been a 16-year drought since Montreal won its last championship in 1993. The Habs are still the last Canadian team to capture Lord Stanley's Mug, but that is little consolation.

After a better than expected 2007/08 season, Montreal was off to another great start this season, but hold on, the ship has been plummeting. Is there an end in sight? The team hit the skids with just five wins in its last 17 games.

 

When they do earn a rare victory these days, it is because of outstanding goaltending (not from the golden boy Carey Price of Williams Lake). Jaroslav Halak has come to rescue (34-save shutout in
3-0 win over Vancouver, 44 saves in 5-3 victory over Ottawa and a career high 46 saves in 4-2 triumph over Colorado) while Price appears to have lost his confidence. He is 0-3-1 with a 4.91 GAA in his last four starts.

Price’s struggles are mild in comparison to Alex Kovalev, who recently was sent home for the final two games of a recent six game road trip as punishment for his listless play. Kovalev then returned to the lineup with a goal and two assists against the Senators; however, those kinds of performances have been few and far between for a player of his talent. When was the last time you can recall a front line sniper sent home while on a road trip?

Meanwhile, Kovalev's issues are minimal compared to the story that appeared in the french newspaper
La Presse. The Kostitsyn brothers (Andrei and Sergei), and teammate Roman Hamrlik, are being linked to an alleged mobster who was picked up in a recent police sweep in the Montreal area. According to the published report, 38-year-old Mangiola Pasquale provided the Belarusian brothers with services during meetings at bars, including girls and the use of luxury cars. It should be noted that the three players aren't suspected of any criminal activity, but the NHL has been investigating.

Canadiens GM Bob Gainey, did not try to downplay the severity of the situation at a news conference. "We're very concerned. Very concerned because we know that this person who became involved with these players, he's not the only person who wants to find a place to enter the inner area of the hockey team. We turn people away every day", said Gainey.

The trials and tribulations of the Canadiens reiterate that they are just another team that faces many struggles, on and off the ice, in that quest to claim the ultimate prize.

An expert panel says fighting should be removed from hockey at all levels. The toughest sell will be with Jr. Teams, the NHL and minor hockey parents in the stands. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

And major league baseball’s spring training is finally in full gear for 2009. You know what that means… only a few more weeks until stores in Chicago can start selling “Wait until 2010
Cubs t-shirts.”Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

Former Dodgers coach Tommy Lasorda said Monday that he was shocked when he heard Alex Rodriguez’s admission. Oh no, not the steroids thing; everybody knew A-Rod did steroids. Lasorda was shocked he dumped Madonna.Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

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