Luongo on Thomas, Bruins/Canucks, Heritage Classic, Trotter/Habs, Rumours and more

NHL News

Hockey Inside/Out - Grand Prix day in Montreal
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/grand-prix-day-in-montreal

TSN - FRASER: HOPING THAT THE EMBELLISHMENT STOPS IN CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368656

JULIEN SAYS LUONGO'S COMMENTS WON'T MATTER TO THOMAS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368622

REPORT: HERITAGE CLASSIC CANCELLED FOR 2011-12 SEASON
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368620

CANUCKS SETTING RECORDS ON WAY TO TAKING LEAD IN CUP FINAL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368605

CANUCKS WITHIN REACH OF STANLEY CUP WITH WIN OVER BRUINS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368511

MCKENZIE: SHIFTING SCENES THE PERFECT REMEDY FOR CANUCKS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368552

EPSN.com - Luongo has even more to say about Thomas
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/9202/luongo-has-even-more-to-say-about-thomas

Faceoff: Stanley Cup finals memories
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/9207/faceoff-stanley-cup-finals-memories

THN.com - THN at the Stanley Cup: Head games aplenty, but to what effect?
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40764-THN-at-the-Stanley-Cup-Head-games-aplenty-but-to-what-effect.html

Tom Thompson: The reality behind the Winnipeg-NHL relationship
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40720-Tom-Thompson-The-reality-behind-the-WinnipegNHL-relationship.html

Backchecking: Dave Dryden
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40739-Backchecking-Dave-Dryden.html

Spector's Hockey - Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 12, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=5797

(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

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The Team 990's Sunday Shinny - Episode 10 - February 20, 2011

With Nick home sick with strep throat, Gary Whittaker and Kamal Panesar welcome Kevin Mio, online editor of the Montreal Gazette to the Shinny.

Topics include:
-we play the role of GM of the Canadiens, and define the team needs going into the trade deadline
-we evaluate the current level of value that the Canadiens have to offer
-we look ahead to the Heritage Classic game in Calgary

Click play below to listen in (listing time 39:45):

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Habs lose, Heritage post game, Trade rumours and more...

Post game: Flames 4 - Habs 0

Habs Inside/Out - Game 60: Flames freeze out Canadiens
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46693

Heritage Ass-kick
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46720

RDS - Spectateur de son malheur
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/315349.html

Le CH s'adapte à la froideur de Calgary
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/315306.html

TSN - BOURQUE SCORES TWICE AS FLAMES DOWN HABS AT HERITAGE CLASSIC
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=354767

ESPN.com - Miikka Kiprusoff, Flames blank Habs in Heritage Classic
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=310220003

Habsworld.net - HW 3 Stars: Not much of a Classic
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2390

THN.com - Habs View: Canadiens' slump continues with 4-0 loss in Heritage Classic
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38558-Habs-View-Canadiens-slump-continues-with-40-loss-in-Heritage-Classic.html


News
THN.com Blog: The NHL’s five most disappointing teams
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38548-THNcom-Blog-The-NHLs-five-most-disappointing-teams.html

Spector's Hockey - NHL Trade Rumors – Monday, February 21, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/nhl-trade-rumors-monday-february-21-2011/

Lists of Potential NHL Trade Candidates
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/lists-of-potential-nhl-trade-candidates/

Latest Sabres News
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/latest-sabres-news/

(Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images North America)

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Canadiens-Flames: Fire And Ice, The Heritage Classic Is Upon Us

by Kamal Panesar

45,000-plus fans and media are ready to brave the frigid temperature of Calgary, Alberta tonight in the second ever NHL Heritage Classic. The last classic took place eight years ago with these same Montreal Canadiens taking on the Edmonton Oilers.

After a few days of festivities the hype is over, the PR jobs are done and the players are ready. Today, at 6:00 PM EST, the puck drops for the 2011 Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

Lost in the publicly televised Habs practice, the players trying on different types of long underwear, hoods and socks, and the chicken broth at the bench to help keep them warm, is the fact there there are a hugely important two points on the line tonight.


Standings

The Habs, who have been in a free fall of late going 1-3-2 in their last six games, need the win to keep pace with the Bruins and keep a buffer on the teams behind them. More importantly, they just need a good showing and two points will go a long way towards turning around a road trip that started on a terrible note in Edmonton on Thursday.

A win will also snap a two-game losing streak by the Habs.

The outlook is decidedly more positive in Calgary where the once cellar-dwelling Flames have turned their season around, sitting in a four-way tie for fifth overall in the West with 68 points.

Calgary is actually in ninth at the moment due to their 60 games played and 30 wins to the Ducks' 32, Stars' 31 and Kings' 32. However, going 7-1-2 in their last ten games and 10-1-2 in their last 13, the Flames are a team on fire—pun fully intended.


Goaltending

Carey Price will get his 53rd start of the season and will be donning his new Heritage Classic mask.

For those who haven't yet seen it, take a look at these pictures because it's a bit difficult to describe and a bit hilarious to look at!

Well at least I think so.

For the Flames, expect Miikka Kiprusoff to get his 13th straight start and 52nd of the year.

Price has the better numbers out of the two, but stats don't necessarily matter in a game where the sun will be shining brightly and possibly making it more difficult for these work-horse netminders.


Special Teams and Scoring

The Flames are a much more offensive team than Montreal with their 8th overall 2.9 goals-for per game, to the Habs anemic 25th overall 2.6 per game. The Habs, however, have the edge in the goals-against department with their 8th overall 2.5 per game to the Flames 17th overall 2.8.

As such, you would expect this game to feature defense versus offense meaning the that Price will have to be sharp.

The Habs have a huge advantage in the special teams department with the ninth best power play at 19 percent, and sixth overall PK at 84.8 percent. The Flames will counter with a below average 19th overall PP at 16.8 percent and 17th overall PK at 81.4 percent.

Despite the Habs top-10 PP, they have gone only 2-for-16 in their last four games for a pitiful 12.5 percent efficiency.


Roster Changes

Montreal is getting a bevy of players back in the lineup today with the return of Hal Gill, Michael Cammalleri and supposedly James Wizniewski. The Wiz, who took a shot in the face last game and went to the hospital with a severe facial laceration, was practicing yesterday with a full face cage, a wicked shiner and a Frankenstein-like gash on his face.

Even if the Habs only get Cammy and Gill back, it will provide a well needed boost for the team.

If we go by the lines at practice yesterday, it looks like David Desharnais will finally be getting his shot as the second line center, playing between Cammalleri and Benoit Pouliot.

Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek continues to be on the sidelines with no real word on the extent of his injury or potential length of absence from the lineup.

The Flames are a relatively healthy team but continue to be without the services of Daymond Langkow, Raitis Ivanans and Adam Pardy.

The puck drops at 6:00 PM EST.

---
Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

(Image taken from Dave Stubbs video on HabsInsideOut.com)

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Canadiens Game Day: Habs Hope To Change Fortunes Against Oilers

by Kamal Panesar

The trade lines were burning for the Montreal Canadiens last night, with GM Pierre Gauthier acquiring defenseman Paul Mara from Anaheim Ducks for a fifth round pick.

The trade was announced around 1:00 AM Eastern, so it took a few hours for the Twitterverse to light up.

Lost in the excitement—or disappointment as it were—of this relatively minor trade was the fact that the Canadiens play their first of three games on a critical road trip out West tonight.

Their first landing spot is Edmonton, where the cellar dweller Oilers await the Habs.
Montreal has not fared well out west in the last few years and with the Heritage Classic on Sunday in Calgary, the Habs will have their work cut out to focus on the task at hand.


Standings

With the Washington Capitals winning a wild one against the Ducks yesterday, they moved one point ahead of the Canadiens in the standings, pushing them back into sixth in the East.

With 69 points in the standings, however, a win by the Canadiens tonight would move them back into fifth, one point ahead of the Caps with 71 points.

The Bruins with 69 points—currently in first place in the Northeast division in virtue of their one game in hand—play the Isles tonight and a loss by the B's, coupled by a Habs win, would send the Canadiens into first place in the Northeast and third in the division.

Umm, ya, the playoff picture is complicated and changes by the day.

As for the Oilers, well, with 25 games to play and 42 points in the standings, they are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. Edmonton has only two wins in their last eight games and is a team that the Habs absolutely must beat.

That being said, the Habs have not fared well in Edmonton in recent years, losing three straight and seven out of the last eight games at Rexall Place.


Goaltending

Carey Price will be making his league-leading 52nd start of the season after coming off of a 3-2, 10-round shootout loss to the Sabres on Tuesday.

For the Oilers, the goaltending picture is murkier but Nikolai Khabibulin, who earned the Oil's first home win in a month against the Stars on Tuesday, should get the start.

If not, look for Devan Dubnyk, who made 36 saves for the win the last time these two teams faced off, to get the call.


Special Teams and Scoring

Just like their point totals, there is a huge mismatch in the special teams department.

Despite their recent struggles with the man-advantage, Montreal boasts the ninth overall power play at 19.1 percent and the sixth overall penalty kill at 84.6 percent.

Contrast that with the Oilers 30th ranked PP at 12.0 percent and 30th ranks PK at 75.4 percent, and you can see how the Habs should be able to easily control this facet of the game.

Neither team has a very potent offense, with the Habs holding the 25th spot at 2.6 goals per game to the Oilers’ 28th 2.5. But it's in the goals-against department that the Canadiens hold a clear advantage with a seventh overall 2.5 per game to the Oilers 29th 3.3.

Good thing for the Oilers that hockey games are played on the ice and not on paper, because this game looks like a total mismatch in every statistical department.

The young guns have been getting it done for the Habs lately, with David Desharnais producing seven points in his last seven games and Max Pacioretty with five points in his last four.

For the Oilers, it is Jordan Eberle who is bringing the heat with seven points in his last seven games.


Roster Changes

New trade acquisition, Paul Mara, is expected to join the Canadiens in Edmonton tonight and should slot into the lineup with no word yet on who his playing partner will be.

"Team Clinic" is still in full effect for the Habs who will be without the services of Hal Gill and Spacek, to go along with longer term injuries to Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges and Michael Cammalleri.

Both Cammalleri and Gill accompanied the team on the trip, meaning that they should be back in the lineup soon with the former targeting a return for the Heritage Classic on Sunday.

For the Oil, they continue to be without the services of Ryan Whitney and Gilbert Brule, but are otherwise healthy.

Game time is 9:00 PM Eastern.

---
Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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The Heritage Classic - Finding A Sense Of Familiarity With Four Days To Go

by Amanda Stein

Its crazy planning for a trip somewhere you’ve never been and know very little about and that’s what’s going on in my brain at the moment!

I’m not a good traveler. I love to travel, but I’m not any good at it.

Organizing flights; I’m always scared I’ve booked the wrong dates and times. Booking hotels; just the cost is enough to make me sick.

Transportation when I arrive? Forget it, a nightmare.

Worst off, I’m out of my daily routine without my things and my apartment, and I actually have panic attacks in the days leading up to the departure!

My journey to the upcoming Heritage Classic in Calgary is no different.

I have all the same travel anxiety that I would with any normal trip, but this will be unique experience that I so am greatly looking forward to!

What I look forward to the most is the familiarity when I finally arrive.

One of my closest friends from childhood lives in Calgary and I’ll be staying with her most of the trip, and I also have friends that are traveling a day or two after I arrive to meet me there.

Most importantly, I’ll have that familiar feeling that comes from spending oodles of time in an arena.

For me, being in an NHL arena is my escape.

I can focus on what’s going on, on the ice, and become consumed in all things hockey, if only for a few hours of the day. This time, however, being in a new arena and in a new city has my nerves jittering a little.

As it is, it can be a little intimidating looking around an NHL locker room, even one like the Canadiens' that I visit a few times a week.

Sometimes there are fifty people in there and I’m suddenly keenly aware I’m the only woman. Other times, you’re standing in a scrum next to some of the biggest names in the hockey broadcast world. These situations can be nerve racking but you get used to it as time goes on.

I’m used to how things go down in Brossard and at the Bell Centre, but an event the magnitude of the Heritage Classic is new and I feel like a rookie on all levels!

But being thrown into the Heritage Classic, where the familiarity of the Bell Centre is gone, will keep me on my toes.

I can only begin to imagine the buzz that will take over the city of Calgary in the days leading up to Sunday's match. I can't say I've felt the excitement make its way over to Montreal quite yet, but I guess it's not the same as in Calgary since they are hosting the event.

Admittedly, there is excitement from people I’ve talked to here at home, but the distance between the cities hasn't quite allowed the hype reach Montreal just yet.

That’s why I needed to go to Calgary.

This will be the most high profile event I’ll have covered to date in my young career. The opportunity is a great one and I look forward to taking it all in as a fan of the game. I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched, live, a game being played outdoors before.

My brothers weren’t big on hockey, and I could usually be found making snow forts with my friends while the boys on my block played on ice patches in the park. So this will truly be a new experience for me in ever sense!

The buzz of the Bell Centre is contagious, even when you’re sitting up in the press box, and that's only 21,273 people. The Heritage Classic capacity will likely be in the neighborhood of 40,000 attendees.

And that, my friends, is reason enough to make the trip!

I had a chat with Drew Stafford in the Sabres locker room before their game against the Habs yesterday. Once the "this is a big game for your team" chat was over, we spoke about his Winter Classic experience—Stafford was a member of the inaugural Winter Classic back in 2008.

We chatted about how he tried to keep warm during the game, how blocking shots was a more intense feeling when you're frozen and how it brings players back to their roots of playing on frozen ponds.

This event, which took place nearly three years ago, was still clear as day in the memory of this 25 year-old forward. As we continued talking, it became clear to me that these outdoors games are truly something special.

And that's when the magnitude of what I am about to experience truly hit me. Standing there in the visitor’s locker room at the Bell Centre, I it sunk in that I’ll be at the Heritage Classic this Sunday to experience it all first hand.

Stafford said it was a once in a lifetime experience for the players.

Well based on what I've heard so far, I have a feeling it will be the same for a certain media member.

---
Amanda is a reporter, producer and on-air contributor for the Team 990 (AM 990) in Montreal. Amanda covers the Montreal Canadiens and visiting NHL teams, usually from inside the dressing room. She can be reached on Twitter (@amandacstein) and email amanda@team990.com.

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images North America)

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Habs lose, post game, Real trade targets, Heritage Classic and more...

Post game: Sabres 3 - Habs 2 (SO)

HabsAddict.com - Canadiens-Sabres: Buffalo Caps Comeback with 10-Round Shootout Win
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/02/canadiens-sabres-buffalo-caps-comeback.html

Habs Inside/Out - Game 58: Sabres win after 10-round shootout
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46643

One that got away
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46657

RDS - Un précieux point perdu
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/315037.html

ESPN.com - Sabres beat Canadiens in shootout
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=310215010


News
Hockeybuzz.com - Real Names/Targets in the Rumor Mill by Steven Hindle
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Steven-Hindle/Real-NamesTargets-in-the-Rumor-Mill/98/33676

TSN - FLAMES LOOKING FORWARD TO HERITAGE CLASSIC ON HOME ICE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=353988

RDS - J. Martin est fier de ses jeunes joueurs
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/315103.html

THN.com - Fantasy Pool Look: Against the odds
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38395-Fantasy-Pool-Look-Against-the-odds.html

THN.com Blog: John Moore's journey to the NHL
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38396-THNcom-Blog-John-Moores-journey-to-the-NHL.html

Spector's Hockey - Latest on the Flyers, Bruins and Canadiens
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/latest-on-the-flyers-bruins-and-canadiens/

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images North America)

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Habs/Sabres preview, power rankings, Lemieux's comments, Heritage Classic...

Pregame: Habs v Sabres

HabsAddict.com - Canadiens Game Day: Top Goaltenders Sqaure Off In Critical Four-Pointer
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/02/canadiens-game-day-top-goaltenders.html

Habs Inside/Out - Will Sabres rest Miller against Habs?
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46638

TSN - Gameday
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/scores/gameday/?hubname=nhl-canadiens

ESPN.com - Sabres-Canadiens Preview
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=310215010


News
ESPN.com - Power Rankings: Ducks make jump, Pens fall
http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings

Habs Inside/Out - Fifth place!
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46639

Faster than you can build a backyard rink
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46637

Habs Future
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46629

Audio: Cammy, Wiz on Heritage Classic
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46631

Darche, Pacioretty to return; Cammy still out
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46633

RDS - Les joueurs respectent les dires du 66
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/315031.html

Cammalleri de retour à l'entraînement
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/314997.html

TSN - HABS' SUBBAN CONTINUES TO PLAY HIS WAY DESPITE CRITICS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=353895

THN.com - THN.com Blog: Mario Lemieux's actions will speak louder than words
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38375-THNcom-Blog-Mario-Lemieuxs-actions-will-speak-louder-than-words.html

Justin Bourne's Blog: What it means to play on 'The Edge'
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38383-Justin-Bournes-Blog-What-it-means-to-play-on-The-Edge.html

Power Rankings: Ducks eye division title
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38382-Power-Rankings-Ducks-eye-division-title.html

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NHL standings, Habs-Bruins, Heritage Classic, Power Rankings, Rumours and more...

News

Habs Inside/Out - A good night
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46229

Expect 'very fast ice' for Heritage Classic: NHL
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46228

Habs Future
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/46227

RDS - Bruins-CH : un rendez-vous qui promet
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/314613.html

TSN - DREGER: HITTING IN THE NHL IS ON THE RISE
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=352137

ESPN.com - Power Rankings: Rangers, Stars, Avs plummet
http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings

5 Things: Peter Forsberg's comeback, Phil Kessel's disconnect in T.O., more
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/4401/5-things-peter-forsbergs-comeback-phil-kessels-disconnect-in-t-o-jack-adams-nods

THN.com - Vezina Trophy Watch: On the move
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/38195-Vezina-Trophy-Watch-On-the-move.html

Habsworld.net - HW Recap: Habs make up some ground in the East
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2375

Spector's Hockey - Latest on Kessel & Souray
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/02/latest-on-kessel-souray/

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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Heritage classic tickets, Crosby, Markov, Gomez, rumours and more...

News

HabsAddict.com - You Be the GM: How Would You Spend the Habs Cap Dollars?
http://www.habsaddict.com/2010/12/you-be-gm-how-would-you-spend-habs-cap.html

Habs Inside/Out - Heritage Classic tickets on sale Friday
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/41092

Hamrlik's goal not too sticky
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/41091

No Habs hockey tonight
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/41093

RDS - Halpern est plus qu'un joueur défensif
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/311282.html

Scott Gomez : on en saura plus jeudi
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/311261.html

The Hockey News - THN.com Top 10: AHL scorers
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36920-THNcom-Top-10-AHL-scorers.html

Rumor Roundup: Andrei Markov injury fallout
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36919-Rumor-Roundup-Andrei-Markov-injury-fallout.html

Tom Thompson's Blog: In hockey, the team always comes before the individual
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36925-Tom-Thompsons-Blog-In-hockey-the-team-always-comes-before-the-individual.html

Is this Crosby's best play yet?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5872565

Spector's Hockey - Latest on the Canadiens, Senators and Canucks
http://spectorshockey.net/2010/12/latest-on-the-canadiens-senators-and-canucks/

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Official Habs Press Release - Statement from Pierre Boivin re: Heritage Classic

STATEMENT FROM PIERRE BOIVIN FOLLOWING THE NHL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HERITAGE CLASSIC IN CALGARY IN FEBRUARY 2011

MONTREAL (May 28, 2010) – Montreal Canadiens President Pierre Boivin, issued the following statement regarding the NHL announcement of the Heritage Classic that will feature the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, in February 2011.

“We are very proud to have been selected to be part of this historic event for the city of Calgary next February at McMahon Stadium. As an organization with a strong fan base throughout Canada, we welcome this opportunity to do honour to our great game,” said President Pierre Boivin.

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