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Monday, December 27, 1999
It hurts to be a Canadien
It's been two years since Sergei Zholtok last wore a Senators uniform, and a lot has changed since then.
Now a member of the Canadiens, Zholtok seems to have found a home in Montreal.
After missing the first 11 games with a clavicle injury, Zholtok played three games before being a healthy scratch for two games. Since then, the 27-year-old has scored eight goals and collected 12 points -- good for sixth on the team.
The Canadiens have lost 228 man games to injury, but Zholtok says if you can look at a negative in a positive light, it has helped bring the team closer together.
"Injuries are tough, but they show team character," said Zholtok. "We've learned a lot from them."
Canadiens coach Alain Vigneault says he's been impressed with the way his team has faced adversity.
"I think the players are doing a really good job at keeping morale up," said Vigneault. "They're just going out and playing hard.
"There's nothing you can do about the state of injuries."
The one thing the Canadiens would like to control is their destiny in one-goal games. Montreal has lost 14 games by one goal this year.
"We need to find a way to win those games," said Zholtok. "Even if we had just tied those games, it would be a totally different picture in the standings."
Vigneault admits those one-goal losses are disappointing, but he says the team continues to search for ways to make them go right for the Habs.
"The boys are going to the floor every game," he said. "We're not there to keep it close or be competitive, we're there to win."
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