Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
After the Bruins scored 2 first period goals from Phil Kessel (13:11) and David Krejci (14:41), the game looked as if it were going to get out of hand. With a little over 3 1/2 minutes left in the period, Montreal's Christopher Higgins calmed the crowd when his shot passed the reached of a stretched out Tim Thomas (26 saves).
Boston came out in the second with the lead but with a lack of urgency. "We did stop," Aaron Ward said to the Associated Press. "That's what got us in trouble in the second period. We stopped playing our system with the effort and level of intensity. We sat and watched them play a perimeter game, run us around, and when a team does that in the playoffs, it's hard to push back." It showed with under three minutes left the B's turned the puck over in their own end Alex Kovalev ripped a one-timer over Thomas' shoulder to tie it at 2.
The Bruins got their best chance to retake the lead midway though the third when P.J. Axelsson drew a crosschecking penalty from Montreal defenseman Josh Gorges in front of Carey Price (35 saves). Bruins coach, Claude Julien, decided to shake up the powerplay line putting Captain Zdeno Chara on the point, removing rookie pointman Matt Hunwick and Kessel for Michael Ryder. Who says Julien can't coach in the playoffs. The B's put more and more pressure on Price, squeezing the penalty killers closer to the net. Seeing Montreal collapsing towards Price, Mark Savard drove to the net, passed it perfectly out to Chara who was waiting for the one-timer. Chara blasted the puck past Price and almost through the net with his slap shot.
"He's got a bomb," said Ward. "It took him until the third period to let it go. But he's an intimidating guy with that shot. He's our leader. If there's any question in years past - people were critical of him being captain, and I have no idea why - he's proven himself to be worthy of it. He's got the attention and the respect of every guy in this locker room."
In the remaining 8+ minutes Boston played great defense and Thomas made some game saving stops. In the waning seconds of the game, Kessel netted an empty net goal to wrap it up. In well known Canadian fashion Montreal Maxim Lapierre took a cheap shot at Kessel with Lucic coming to his defense. After the final buzzer, the Canadians did it again, this time with Mike Komisarek bloodying Hunwick over the right eye ensuing a bench clearing scuffle that wrapped up the night. That just shows what kind of a club Montreal really has.
On a funny note, My wife and I were sitting in the Orlando Ale House (local sports bar) watching the game when Chara scored the game winner. I stood up yelling and clapping, after a couple seconds I look around and people were staring at me like we were in a library and shouldn't make any noise. Nobody was even paying attention to any of the TVs for any of the sports that were on. Orlando has no passion for sports.
In the remaining 8+ minutes Boston played great defense and Thomas made some game saving stops. In the waning seconds of the game, Kessel netted an empty net goal to wrap it up. In well known Canadian fashion Montreal Maxim Lapierre took a cheap shot at Kessel with Lucic coming to his defense. After the final buzzer, the Canadians did it again, this time with Mike Komisarek bloodying Hunwick over the right eye ensuing a bench clearing scuffle that wrapped up the night. That just shows what kind of a club Montreal really has.
On a funny note, My wife and I were sitting in the Orlando Ale House (local sports bar) watching the game when Chara scored the game winner. I stood up yelling and clapping, after a couple seconds I look around and people were staring at me like we were in a library and shouldn't make any noise. Nobody was even paying attention to any of the TVs for any of the sports that were on. Orlando has no passion for sports.
I think the Bruins will win this series as long as they remain disciplined. It is pretty clear that Montreal's strategy here is to try to get under the skin of Bruins players. If they do that, their Power Play is on the ice, and that is a nice advantage when you talk about Montreal's power play. As long as they can remain physical without going to the Box too much, I think Boston should take this series in 5 games with the possibility of a sweep.
ReplyDeleteThe Bruins will win this series, but it will be a battle. Montreal is not an easy place to go and win, much less during the playoffs. I'd love to see the B's finish the series in Montreal so they can spit on their 100 year celebration
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the last time I was so pumped up for the playoffs. Last year was great, but nothing compares to this year. They have a legitimate shot at the finals. When you get there, anything can happen. Tim Thomas better play well
ReplyDeleteI am more worried than excited. Sorry but I have been burned too many times by the Bruins in the past few years (2002, 2004) when they had a high seed only to go out in the first round.
ReplyDeleteRemember in 04 they had a 3-1 lead over the Habs and still lost the series. I want the Bruins to win as they are the only Boston team not to win a championship in my lifetime, but I have been down this road before.
I'm just going to enjoy the ride ... it may take us to the Stanley Cup?
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