Telling the Canadiens’ Story for 50 Seasons

This is Red Fisher’s 50th consecutive season covering the Montreal Canadiens, and judging by a recent passage in which he described an otherwise forgettable goal for the Habs in the Montreal Gazette, he hasn’t lost his touch.

“There was [Mike] Ribeiro behind [Rick] DiPietro’s place of business, waiting ... waiting for someone to get clear in front of the crease -- and there was [Marcel] Hossa with several New York defenders looking on like innocent bystanders,” wrote Fisher, 77. “A quick pass, a short shot where DiPietro wasn’t and th-th-that’s all folks.”

Trivia time: The Canadiens are the only NHL team to win five consecutive Stanley Cup championships (1956 to ‘60). Who was the coach?

Sympathy call: Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig reportedly called Steve Bartman to offer his support this week. Bartman is the unfortunate soul blamed by many for the Chicago Cubs’ eighth-inning meltdown in Game 6 of the National League championship series. He deflected a foul pop that seemed destined to be caught by Cub left fielder Moises Alou.

That’s a hoot! You won’t see the University of Washington men’s golf team at a tournament next month at Myrtle Beach, S.C., because the sponsor is the Hooters restaurant chain, known for the skimpy outfits its waitresses wear.

Said Marie Tuite, senior associate for sports programs and student services at Washington, “I think Hooters is an adult restaurant.... Given the current climate, I thought it was in the best interest to take the high road in making this decision.”

But what about those tasty chicken wings?

Fed up: British distance runner Paul Radcliffe has been outspoken on the need for stricter drug testing in track and field.

In this week’s Telegraph newspaper, Radcliffe wrote, “The scandal over THG may be the best thing that could have happened to athletics. The cheats are being uncovered and they now have nowhere to hide.”

Muzzled: Ron Zook, Florida’s football coach, has indefinitely barred Channing Crowder, a chatty linebacker, from speaking to reporters. It seems Crowder has been a little too polished in interviews in his freshman season, comparing Florida’s defense to a cake and the Southeastern Conference race to dating.

Hooligans: An unidentified Web site poster offered a few hints for Auburn fans thinking of attending Saturday’s game at Louisiana State:

“Most of the harassment will occur right outside the stadium, in the nearby parking lots or as you leave the campus in your vehicle. Expect items to be thrown at you and your vehicle. Expect every insult known to man. Expect to be pushed, poked, gouged, pulled, spit upon.”

Trivia answer: Hector “Toe” Blake.

And finally: The reviews are in on Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios’ new restaurant, Cheli’s Chili Bar, in Dearborn, Mich.

“It may be a sports bar, but you won’t feel trapped by fried food with so many appealing hot and cold sandwiches and entree salads on the menu,” wrote Sylvia Rector, a Detroit Free Press food critic.