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ked about him. "This guys unbelievable," Molina said on Fox audio. "H

in Here is your first Forum Mon Nov 25, 2019 1:16 pm
by sakura698 • 1.245 Posts

MONTREAL -- Coach Michel Therrien calls Francis Bouillon a success story, and he would know. Air Max 270 Offerta . Therrien was Bouillons coach in junior hockey when they won the Memorial Cup with the Granby Predateurs and was coaching him again when the stocky Montreal Canadiens defenceman celebrated his 38th birthday on Thursday. "Time goes fast," said Therrien. "But when you look at success stories, heres a guy who was never drafted, he played in the ECHL, he played as a 20-year-old in the Quebec league when we won the Memorial Cup together. "Hes had such a great career." Bouillon, the Canadiens oldest player, beat the odds by making it to the NHL as a five-foot-eight defenceman and beat them again by carving out a long career. His playing days looked to be finished when Montreal cut him (and his $1.8 million salary) loose in 2009, but he went to the Nashville Predators camp on a try-out and made the team. Then he played well enough for the Preds to offer him a two-year extension. He looked to be headed for retirement again in 2012, but then the Canadiens hired Therrien back as head coach and Bouillon got a one-year contract. Now hes on another one-year US$1.5 million deal. "Today, its important to have good contacts," said Bouillon. "When Michel got hired last year and I got the call from him to sign here, I was really happy about that. "Today, you need to have good relationships with people. I had it with Michel in the past, and to have a chance to play for him again is a pleasure." His job this season is partly to play and partly to be the on-ice mentor to gifted rookies Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu. The Canadiens have three injured veterans on the back end -- Alexei Emelin, Douglas Murray and Davis Drewiske -- so the youngsters have been taking turns in the lineup, mostly on the third pairing with Bouillon. "As a defenceman, its always nice to have one partner for the whole season, but for me, its been maybe three years, since I was in Nashville, that I played with a few different guys," he said. "Here I play with Tinordi or Beaulieu. Theyre both playing really good. Theyre young but they play with a lot of confidence." The job entails playing on the right side, which has been an adjustment for the left-shooting Bouillon. "The hardest part has got to be your vision when you get a puck," he said. "On the strong side, I know whats coming on the other side. Playing on the right is a bit different, but now Ive played a few games there and its getting better." Bouillon has never been a flashy player. His best season was 2005-06 when he had three goals and 19 assists. But he moves the puck well, plays on the second power play unit and is very strong for his size. He doesnt fight much, but he doesnt shy away from physical play either. Defenceman Josh Gorges said the Canadiens lost a warrior when they let Bouillon get away, and he was glad to see him return. "When I first came here (in 2006), he was one of the guys I really looked up to and who really helped me get settled in," said Gorges. "People counted him out early in his career, in the middle of his career and late in his career, and hes still there playing at a high level. "Thats a testament to his work ethic and his demeanour as a person." After going undrafted, Bouillon played a season for the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL before moving up to the AHL with the Quebec Citadelles after Montreal signed him as a free agent in 1997. Two seasons later, he was in the NHL. He was born in New York City and moved to Montreal when he was three, but retains his U.S. citizenship. He even played for the Americans at the 2003 IIHF world championship. Whether Bouillon is back next season is to be determined. When Emelin returns, likely in late November or early December, and when Murray is healed in a few weeks, spots in the starting lineup may be scarce. And the rookies he is working with may soon be ready for full-time NHL action. "I take it year by year," he said. "I dont want to think long-term. If Im healthy and Ive still got a passion to play hockey, Ill be there again next year. "For me, being 38 doesnt matter. I feel pretty good." Air Max Scontate Donne . HABS HEADED TO CONFERENCE FINAL The Montreal Canadiens scored early in Game Seven, built a lead and protected it well on their way to a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Boston Bruins. While this game or series isnt necessarily a referendum on the value of fourth lines, the Canadiens certainly benefitted from production lower down their forward depth chart. Air Max Outlet . 1 and reigning champion Caroline Wozniacki was among Thursdays third-round winners, while second- seeded Victoria Azarenka pulled out of the draw at the $4. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/ . Rajne Soderberg, the director of the Stockholm Diamond League event, said in an email Friday that the ban still holds. Euromeetings, the organization representing Europes top track events, "will continue to recommend that members do not invite athletes who we believe cause disrepute to our meetings and our sport.BOSTON -- David Ortiz headed to the plate, ready to hit for the final time in the World Series. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina stood up, spoke softly to his pal and twice patted him on the side. By that point, even the Cardinals were members of the Big Papi fan club. Ortiz walked off as the MVP after Boston won 6-1 Wednesday night in Game 6, capping a week in which he spurred the Red Sox with a mix of power, patience and a most timely pep talk. "I know Im one of the forces for this ballgame and I like to take things personal," he said. "And thats been my whole career, a challenge." "I wasnt trying to be the guy, but I know I got to get something done to keep the line moving," he said. "I dont even have to do anything today, I guess, the rest of the team took over." Ortiz drew four walks and three of them were intentional, including the last one in the eighth inning after talking with Molina. Overall, Ortiz piled up totals that not even slow-pitch softball players dream about: He reached base a whopping 19 times in 25 plate appearances. "Hey, let me tell you," he said. "I was hitting well, but it wasnt like I was hitting pitches right down the middle of the plate. They were trying their best to get me out." When the game ended, Ortiz hoisted reliever Koji Uehara over his shoulder. He then raised the gleaming gold trophy with one hand, the crowning achievement of his career. Now a three-time champion, Ortiz is the last link to the Red Sox team that swept the Cardinals in 2004 and ended an 86-year title drought. The sellout crowd broke into thunderous chants of "MVP! MVP!" each time Ortiz batted. Quite a turnaround for the 37-year-old slugger who badly slumped in the AL championship series. Ortiz hit 11 for 16 (.688) with two home runs and six RBIs against the Cardinals, and just missed a grand slam when Carlos Beltran robbed him by reaching over the short bullpen wall. Asked to describe Ortiz, manager John Farrell paused. "Well, Id probably rather let his bat do the talking, because its pretty special," he said. Ortiz also drew eight walks and legged out a few infield hits, helped by St. Louis second baseman Matt Carpenter playing way ouut in shallow right field. Air Max 720 Offerta. At one point, Ortiz tied a Series record by reaching base in nine straight trips. "Hes as hot as anyone youre going to see this time of year," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "We tried to make tough pitches in tough situations, tried to pitch around him at times." Ortizs .760 on-base percentage and batting average were the second-highest in Series history, trailing only Billy Hatchers marks of .800 and .750 in 1990 for Cincinnati. "David has been unbelievable his whole career this time of the year. Its his time of the year. Ive been on the wrong side of it a few times," winning pitcher John Lackey said. As Ortiz came up in the first inning, Molina and plate umpire Jim Joyce talked about him. "This guys unbelievable," Molina said on Fox audio. "Hes fun to watch," Joyce said. Yet for all the impact he made swinging the bat in getting 11 of Bostons 41 hits -- or just standing there and watching the Cardinals pitch around him -- Ortiz made an equally important contribution with his words. With St. Louis leading the Series 2-1 and the Red Sox scuffling in Game 4, Ortiz called his bearded band together for an impromptu huddle in the dugout. Ortiz said he merely told the guys to relax, stay loose and appreciate the moment. His teammates told a different story after Boston rallied to win. "It was like 24 kindergartners looking up at their teacher. He got everyones attention and we looked him right in the eyes," said Jonny Gomes, who answered with a winning home run. "That message was pretty powerful." Thats also what the Red Sox expect from their Dominican-born thumper, known for his neatly tailored suits and dazzling diamond jewelry. Whatever the Red Sox need, and whenever they need it, hes ready. When the Series shifted to St. Louis and there was no designated hitter, he adeptly moved from the DH spot to first base. He did the same thing way back in the 2004 Series, and again in 2007 when the Red Sox swept Colorado. As the Red Sox celebrated on the field after the final out, Ortiz considered what it meant to win a third title. Easy, he answered. "That means Im getting old," he said. ' ' '

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