George Johnson
The Montreal Gazette
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Past articles by George:
Today's NHL 'lacks creativity,' Canadiens legend Lafleur says
The Montreal Canadiens Alumni Tour, featuring Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt and Stéphane Richer, rolled into Calgary on Thursday and the former Habs offered differing suggestions about how to boost NHL ... → Read More
Johnson: Jon Cornish packed a lot into a short CFL career
In essence, the Jon Cornish Era began taking shape on Sept. 25th, 2011, in – of all places – Moncton, N.B. That sun-splashed afternoon, in one of those ill-fated "annual" Touchdown Atlantic experiments, a torch was passed, a baton reluctantly exchanged, the keys to a kingdom handed over. → Read More
Johnson: Stamps-Esks ready to rock in the West final
EDMONTON -- A three-week wait for a three-hour play date. “You can go a little stir crazy after awhile," confessed defensive tackle Almondo Sewell. Mike Reilly understands the sensation, having noticed an onset of involuntarily, tedium-induced twitches coming on. → Read More
Stamps prep for semi-finals
In prepping for the shifting emotional landscape of playoffs, what makes for ideal motivational viewing? Rudy, the ultimate underdog football flick, perhaps? Or a bit of Herb Brooks/Kurt Russell on... → Read More
Calgary Flames’ Bob Hartley feels the pressure: ‘As a coach, you pay a price for that thrill’
Bob Hartley didn’t just wake up one morning over the past few weeks to discover a bullseye stencilled on his forehead → Read More
Flames set new franchise low after Washington walloping
The not-so-long-ago kings of high drama are trying their hand at low comedy. The only thing missing Tuesday was the Benny Hill Yakety Sax theme music. "We gave up I don't know many point-blank chances from in the front of the net,'' said a sombre Matt Stajan. → Read More
Johnson: Flames' magic is missing
It’s as if every shiny, shimmering speck of pixie dust has been used up. The magic is missing. What’s much more alarming, though, is that along with the mojo, more tangible, more lasting ingredient... → Read More
Frolik offers fine first impression in Flames' split-squad home loss to Oilers
They forked over $4.3 million annually over five seasons for Michael Frolik to be an impact player. Well, if first impressions are any indication ... A goal. A penalty shot. Five shots through two periods. → Read More
Stamps maintain West Division lead with 36-8 win over Blue Bombers
Winnipeg — The old plotter conned the itchy-triggered young gunslinger. Mind over matter. Goes without saying that down through the years, the decades, the eras, persnickety Rich Stubler has forgotten more about defensive football than most seasoned professionals could ever hope to process. → Read More
‘This is the time’ to bring Nordiques back to Quebec, says team icon Michel Goulet
George Johnson: All these years later, Michel Goulet concedes the necessity of change → Read More
Flames youngsters take blame for mistakes
He stood smack-dab in the middle of the debris field. No hiding. Stand-up Joe Colborne was waiting when the Calgary Flames’ dressing room opened. “You can’t give them any opportunities,” he said. “That’s on me. That’s frustrating. “Just trying to play that line of being physical. → Read More
Johnson: Just as in Winnipeg, Ducks aim to feed off wild Canadian crowd in Game 3
The colour — white, red — may differ. The degree of scorn remains constant. Might even, if such a thing is plausible, be amplified from Round 1. So, Cam Fowler, how would you best articulate the ra... → Read More
Ducks vow not to let up on Flames
ANAHEIM – They’d braced themselves. Were fully prepared for an emotional response. But the anticipated fightback never came. That surprised the Anaheim Ducks. Well, it’s a new day. They’d be flat-out, slack-jawed shocked if it didn’t materialize Sunday. → Read More
Calgary Flames’ Matt Stajan a ‘fitting’ playoff hero after personal, professional hardships
Matt Stajan’s wife Katie wasn’t numbered among the 19,289 revellers making the old building shake and shiver, shudder and sag → Read More
Gaudreau one of three finalists for Calder Trophy
Calgary's shimmy-and-shake winger Johnny Gaudreau is one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year. Joining the Hobey Baker Trophy winner are Ottawa forward Mark Stone and Florida Panthers' defenceman Aaron Ekblad. → Read More
Flames stifled by stingy Blues in 4-0 defeat
In recognition of St. Patty’s Day, the Calgary Flames took warm-up dressed in traditional theme-appropriate colour. A Shamrock green, mind you. Not a pea-green-with-envy green. Not that it wouldn’t be easy to feel slightly jealous of the St. Louis Blues. → Read More
Tanguay leads Avs past Flames
DENVER – The old necromancer can still hold an audience spellbound. With a new generation of scorcerers – Johnny Gaudreau, Matt Duchene and the like – in the house and dying to show off all their j... → Read More
Keon Raymond wants Harper to host a Grey Cup reception
The idea may have started fermenting in Keon Raymond’s mind during a conversation with buddy Brandon Browner. "He told me about getting the opportunity to meet Barack Obama after winning the Super Bowl," recalled the Calgary Stampeders’ star SAM linebacker. "Going to the White House. → Read More
Flames rally from 3-0 deficit, stun Bruins with flukey late goal to win 4-3
They entered the fray carrying a five-game losing streak against the evening's foes, outscored a rather decisive 21-2 over that span. Toting a no-blushes-spared record (7-12-2) against Eastern Conference competition. → Read More
Johnson: Add Bruins' Julien to Flames' ever-longer list of admirers
From afar over these past few months (and on Saturday night, from up high perched in the Scotiabank Saddledome press box, a good deal closer) Claude Julien has, like so many, marvelled at the Calgary Flames’ fast-tracking up the NHL’s social register. → Read More