Sunday morning homily III

Of all the emotional moments during the retiring of Montreal legend Serge Savard's number 18 last night at the Bell Centre, mine came during the national anthems. Rather than bring a singer to the ice, a video showing the late tenor Roger Doucet was played.

I don't know about you or the fans attending the game, but to hear his strong voice once again singing a bilingual "O Canada" sent shivers along my spine. I just closed my eyes and pretended I was there, in Montreal, listening to who I believe is the greatest anthem singer in hockey's history.

It was nice, too, that Savard, known as "The Senator" and for his "Spinarama" move, was honored for his service to the Canadiens. In becoming only the second defenseman (the late Doug Harvey, who wore No. 2, had his retired on Oct. 26, 1985) to have his number retired in Montreal, it was a tribute to the Hall of Famer's eight Stanley Cup rings as either a player or general manager for the club.

~ Though it would have been fitting, New York's Jaromir Jagr did not score the 600th goal of his NHL career against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night. Instead, he mustered only three shots against the team that he played for when he scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 7, 1980.

Jagr gets another chance tonight, at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning, to become the 16th NHL player to reach that unbelievable plateau.

~ After beginning the season with a 10-0-0 record on the road, the Buffalo Sabres lost their first away game last night, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Place. It was the second time in four days that the Sabres have lost to the Senators.

I'll have to channel my newfound ill will toward the Senators next Sunday, when they play the Lightning in Tampa. Seeing that Ottawa bounced the Bolts from the playoffs last year, one would think that the atmosphere, on the ice and in the stands, will be, shall we say, electrified?

~ In further proof that Boston's Patrice Bergeron is carrying the Bruins on his back, he assisted on Glen Murray's game-winner in overtime last night against Washington. It was the fourth straight game that Bergeron has factored into the Bruins' winning goal (two game-winning goals in regulation as well as one in a shootout).