Cheap Seats

Red, white and feeling blue

The Montreal Gazette called the idea CHeesy and CHeerless. Columnist Peggy Curran urged Canadiens president Ronald Corey to “just say no. It was bad enough when the fans got bamboozled into abandoning the beloved, grotty Forum for the antiseptic, soulless Molson Centre.”

Yes, the Montreal Canadiens’ tradition could take another beating. The famed red, white and blue jerseys, virtually unchanged since the NHL began in 1916, might be on the way out.

It’s still at least two years away, but the Canadiens are getting a “third” jersey, likely a variation on the famous CH design that French speaking fans sometimes call the Sainte Flanelle, or sacred cloth.

Eight NHL clubs already have “third” jerseys, including the popular New York Rangers’ Statue of Liberty sweaters introduced this year.

Four more teams will have alternate jerseys next season under a league program to stimulate merchandise sales and perk up the 80-year-old league’s image as it tries to sell the game to new markets in the United States.

How about something sleeveless in red with the number 23 stitched on?

Baiul bails

There’s been a meltdown following the “Champions on Ice” benefit at the Terry Conners Rink in Stamford, Conn.

More than 500 spectators, who showed up at the rink earlier this month, have demanded partial or full refunds because they were disappointed when Olympic gold medalist Oksana Baiul appeared but did not perform.

A sellout capacity crowd purchased 1,500 tickets costing $15 for adults and $12 for children.

Officials at the Family & Children’s Agency Inc. of Norwalk, Conn., the event’s promoters, said $6,000 raised by the event is being returned to disappointed ticket holders.

Baiul took to the ice before skating once around the rink and then was ushered off by police escorts to sign autographs.

And after a couple of shots of Stoli with the sponsors, she cruised off.

David Cronenberg must be smiling

Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve says crashes can add “excitement” to the sport.

The Canadian driver for the Williams-Renault team reiterated his complaints that safety measures have taken some of the thrills out of Grand Prix racing.

In an interview on BBC television, Villeneuve said spectators want to see more overtaking on the track and drivers should be prepared to take more risks.

“The truth of the matter is that I think people enjoy watching battles,” said Villeneuve, whose father, Gilles, was killed in a crash before the Belgian Grand Prix in 1982. “Nobody wants to see someone die or really get hurt. But you know, seeing a good crash brings a lot of excitement, as long as nobody gets hurt.”

Double take

Congratulations to Juan Samuel, the journeyman infielder who is trying to hang on with Toronto.

He’s now the proud father of a new son, named Samuel Samuel.

The last word …

“I’d like to lose another 500 and put it on my headstone.”

- Denver Nuggets coach Dick Motta after his 1,000th loss

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo