They hate you, win or tie?

Wtf is it about certain open-mouth Habs fans who have this hate-on for Jaroslav Halak? To this day many hate him and refuse to give him credit for the miraculous run during the 2010 playoffs with a mediocre Canadiens team that allowed 50 shots against per game. He has a lifetime .923 save percentage in the playoffs. He was a hero at the Olympics, almost stealing a medal for Slovakia. He bailed out the Canadiens when Price went in the shipper and earlier when Huet and Aebischer stank the house up.

Larry Robinson said Canadiens fans "love you win or tie."

Sometimes they hate you even when you win. Even if you single handedly carry the team past the best team in the league, the highest scoring offensive power, the most dynamic player in the game and then do it all over again against Crosby and the Stanley Cup Champions.

Carey Price certainly has some Spruce Bedspring cult-y charisma or something that has brought blind devotion from Gainey, Gauthier, Melanson, The Gazette and the "Koivu is better than Gretzky" crowd. To their credit the French press has been more sensible and objective. Price has been receiving the keys to the city since he was drafted and has yet to deliver. The regular season this year was good but game three last night was a giveaway (two actually) and let the Broons back in the series. Can Price rebound? How could he be so cavalier, so dopey in such a crucial match?

But these 'fans'...would it kill them to give credit to Halak for what he did? Are they so blind they insist the Halak trade was a good one, that Canadiens got fair market value for the player of the year in the 2010 playoffs? For the biggest Canadiens hero since Patrick Roy c. 1993?

Tony Marinaro, who distinguished himself in a schoolyard 'debate' live on-air with Broons shock jocks dissed Halak on air this week only to cover his hiney and say Halak's performance last year was "the best goaltending he had seen. Ever. Even better than Patrick Roy."

Halak schooled the team, taught the Canadiens (including Carey Price) what it took to overcome great odds in the playoffs. And for that remarkable 2010 playoff run he gets scorn, ridicule and Price is anointed. Again. Having so far delivered...an AHL championship.

Larry Robinson, you're going to have to rewrite your quote. But then again, Canadiens shafted you too. Twice.

Jaro you rule. There was a reason almost 10,000 fans turned out at the Fairview shopping centre last fall to keep you signing autographs for 3 1/2 hours. English media snobs and Price cultists can't see, won't do the right thing and give you your props. We salute you, the 2010 playoff run was the most fun I've had as a Canadiens supporter since 1993 and my faith in the team has been severely shaken by the shoddy treatment of Halak by management and fans alike.

No class.

Is it resentment because he showed up Price?