2009 Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: Game 3
Montreal 2 Boston 4 (Bell Centre)
Posted by: Rocket
AllHabs.blogspot.com
How does one describe the situation the Canadiens find themselves in after losing tonight and trailing Boston 3-0 in the series? Bob Gainey summed it up as “It’s the worst situation and the best challenge.”
The Habs will simply have to focus on winning Wednesday’s game because otherwise the mountain looks too high.
Even with a depleted line-up, the Canadiens carried the play in the first period. A weak penalty call by the officials on Andrei Kostitsyn threatened to change the momentum but Carey Price was the Habs’ best penalty killer.
Chris Higgins opened the scoring with a wrist shot that beat Tim Thomas under the arm. It was the first lead for the Canadiens in the series.
The Habs almost made it a two goal lead on a good play by Tomas Plekanec to throw the puck into the feet of Thomas. Thomas was shaky in the period but was able to fall on the puck.
The Bruins scored late in the first period on a play that started when a Mike Komisarek pass to Greg Stewart was intercepted by Dennis Wideman. Stewart didn’t even look back as he skated to clear the zone. Wideman’s shot was redirected by Phil Kessel.
Bob Gainey said that the Boston goal with 1:25 left in the period was a “punch to the mid-section”.
The Canadiens outshot the Bruins 10-7 in the first and were 65% on faceoffs. The Habs were far more aggressive on the forecheck and dominated territorial play.
The Bruins made adjustments in the second period and created more scoring chances. The Canadiens’ third line had difficulty getting out of their own zone.
Roman Hamrlik had a tough night. He got knocked off the puck by Stephane Yelle. Byron Bitz centered to Shawn Thornton who scored.
Yannick Weber had his first NHL playoff goal with a quick wrist shot that beat Thomas five-hole to tie the game at two goals.
With the Canadiens not being able to clear Price had to make two saves on shot from the point. The second he tried to deflect to the boards but the rebound went to Michael Ryder who happened to be in the right place and scored.
In the regular season, the Bruins were 39-2-3 when leading after two periods. They showed why in the third clogging up the neutral zone and limiting the Canadiens chances to protect their lead. The Habs only managed 5 shots in the final period.
The Lapierre line continues to be ineffective now in four straight games against the Bruins. Guillaume Latendresse was given credit for four hits in the first period but all were delivered after the play had already moved up ice. Tom Kostopoulos was replaced by Chris Higgins in the third. Lapierre was the only Canadiens’ player to struggle on faceoffs at 22%.
It was a solid game by Ryan O’Byrne. He intercepted passes, and made quick outs. O’Byrne played a smart, simple game.
Andrei Kostistyn and Alex Kovalev each had four shots on goal playing on a line with Saku Koivu.
The Habs power play had three opportunities but were ineffective and disorganized. ‘Fans’ voiced their displeasure which only put more pressure on the team.
At one time, Canadiens fans were known as the most knowledgeable and intimidating to the opposition. Times have changed. In addition to the shameful act of booing a national anthem, some fans seem unfamiliar with the phrase ‘home ice advantage’.
Poor defensive play, an inept power-play, and a lack of scoring from the 3rd line continue to be a problem.
With three out of five players from the first unit power-play being injured (Markov, Tanguay and Schneider) it is understandable that it is having problem against a very good penalty killing team like Boston.
For those that don’t understand how important Andrei Markov is to the team, here’s a simple statistic: the Canadiens are 0-6-1 with Markov out of the line-up.
Habs’ fans recognize the improbability of a come-back being down three games to none. However there is the inspiration of the 1975 New York Islanders who came back from an 0-3 start to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins.
There’s also the quote from Voltaire that appeared on the score clock tonight: “Faith is believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.”
Pre-game
Morons in the upper reaches of the Bell Centre booed the Star Spangled Banner. Such small mindedness. Stay home next game.
“I don’t really understand it,” said Higgins. “You can chant through it, but the booing thing, it’s not really needed. What are they booing — the U.S. or that Boston’s from the U.S.? Either way, it doesn’t make sense.”
Starting lineup: Metopolit, Higgins, Laraque, Komisarek, Hamrlik
Carey Price and Tim Thomas started in goal.
Brisebois and Sergei Kostitsyn were scratched from the line-up. Markov, Schneider, Bouillon and Tanguay were out with injuries. Lang is on injured reserve.
Lines:
Koivu-Kovalev-Andrei Kostitsyn
Plekanec-Stewart-D’Agostini
Lapierre-Latendresse-Kostopoulos
Metropolit-Laraque-Higgins
Defense:
Hamrlik-Komisarek
Dandenault-Weber
Gorges-O’Byrne
Rocket’s three stars:
1. Dennis Wideman
2. Yannick Weber
3. Michael Ryder
(photo credit: Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Fore!!!
Ha ha ha ha
See ya in the fall
Oh yeah, Happy 100th ;(
Black n’ Gold forever!!!
Pretty accurate depiction of the game.
For me, I knew this game was lost when the Habs only left the 1st period with a 1-1 tie. I had a sinking feeling that they would not be able to keep up the level of intensity that they showed, and I was right.
Let’s be reasonable though; what did we really expect this team to do when Schneider, Markov and Tanguay are all on the sidelines? They gave it their all and it wasn’t enough, as many of us suspected.
If there were any positives to take from the game, it’s that youngsters O’Byrne and Weber were not the worst defensemen on the night. Weber factored in both goals, but was unable to contain Bitz, who centered to Thornton, who beat Price cleanly with a shot off the post. That said, Hamrlik and Komisarek get the goat horns for game 3. You’d think that without Lu-cheap in the lineup, Komisarek would be a little more at ease, but instead he played quite a poor game. Over the past 3-4 months he has badly hurt his UFA value. Hamrlik was no better, though it’s unrealistic to expect a guy at his age and caliber to deliver 25 quality minutes.
It seems that whatever moves Gainey pulls, they backfire, and Julien is King Midas right now. That’s usually a sign of a better, deeper team.
The only question now seems to be whether the Habs go down in 5, or salvage a scrap of pride and push the Bruins to a game 5.
Surprised those particular Monntrealers haven’t taken to booing their own anthem too. Aren’t you supposed to sing in French? Taken with a grain of salt. We do respect the US; some losers just can’t take losing very well and we just so happen to be losing to an American team. I suppose the anthem was the easiest time way to display their stupidity. I for one am ashamed for them. Go Habs go, but go away unsportsman-like fans. You disgrace the team and nation!
Rocket! Nice wrap up per usual and thanks for noting the booing of the U.S. Anthem which burns us to no end and is not understood given everything in mind? Oh well it's only a hockey game right? The only thing I can say is that at least for this season (and hopefully more to come…) is the the Bruins are the much deeper and more talented team. Simple as that really. However they still need one more win and the "knock out" game is always the toughest so I'm sure Game #4 will be memorable one way or another… Regardless great job, enjoy as much as you can & keep well! Go Broounze too!
‘At one time, Canadiens fans were known as the most knowledgeable and intimidating to the opposition. Times have changed. In addition to the shameful act of booing a national anthem, some fans seem unfamiliar with the phrase ‘home ice advantage’.’
It’s true there are Montrealers who are still the classy fans they have always been. But they sure are a dying breed, and they sure are Vocal minority.
It was classless in 2002, as was Boston’s response of chanting ‘USA’, and it’s classless in 2009. Classless are the entitled supremists who seem to own the voice of the Francophones. Classless.
The City and the management should be embarrassed.
I just love coming here and reading the comments!
About booing the US anthem, those who did that forgot it’s not Boston’s anthem but and entire country. Could we have a little respect please? And let’s not forget Habs have a few american players on the team…
I didn’t think CH would win this game when they said Tanguay and Schneider were out on injuries. As for Carey Price, I don’t think he did bad but I would’ve put Halak for sure.
The 100th year will be one to forget, don’t think Gainey will be back next year as a coach AND as a GM. I am wishing a clean up so we can start fresh next season!
Boston wouldn’t have been chanting “USA”, if they felt it was as insulting as booing a national anthem.
Cheering and supporting your country by chanting its name has always been acceptable, the Bruins fans CHEERED the Candadian National Anthem, then chanted USA.
In other words, Bostonians showed respect for Canada by standing and applauding the Canadian National Anthem, while showing the dumb habs fans you can cheer for your country without insulting the other.
When, when…has any montrealer stood out of respect and applauded the US national anthem?
Your city has always made me sick with disgust. You animalistc fools set fire to your own city more than anyone in the world. You better get the gasoline ready for Wednesday night, eh you rioting freaks?
When I was a child, my parents drove the family up to Montreal to camp, see Clifton Hill, go the Niagra etc. Well that trip didnt last more than a few visits after the french bastardliness, and anti-american sentiments that were exuded by store owners, pedestrians,…everyone. All bastards, and all in COMPLETE misery that;
1. The habs suck
2. The Bruins are 1 game away from completing the ultimate revenge season, eliminating them from the playoffs,
3. The Bruins have beat the habs in 10 out of 12 games,
4. The Bruins won on Patrick Roy night, they also won on silly habs jersey day with half our roster,
5. beating you 6-1,
6. watching Lucic destroy Komisarek’s face and shoulder, and Lapierre’s face, of course!
Go ahead, boo the US national anthem, it the above list that much sweeter!
Maybe Habs fans are just getting tired of hearing the U.S. national anthem. After all, it gets played in about 3/4 of their home games over the course of the season. Just reminds them that their dollars are paying the enormous equalization payments to teams in U.S. cities whose inhabitants neither know or care about hockey. Matter of fact half of them neither know or care about ice, unless it happens to be in their booze glass.
Watching the game last night, I really can’t fathom the point of players like Metropolit and Kostopoulos. They basically do nothing out there, even though they are going full bore. It seems that even if you don’t accomplish anything, looking like you really want to is sufficient to draw down a million dollar per season salary.
The younger players on the team all have their flaws, but in their case at least there is the hope that they can overcome them.
Seeing Yannick Weber makes you wonder what was the point of Mathieu Schneider. Weber is virtually a clone of Schneider, from the offensive strengths to the defensive weaknesses. Calling up Weber a couple months earlier would have saved a couple of draft picks, a pile of money, and the team would be better off now and going forward with the experience Weber gained.
The blame falls squarely in Gainey’s lap, just as it did a year ago when he traded away Cristobal Huet at the worst possible time and cost the team a chance to capitalize on their regular season success. Or for refusing to pay players like Souray, Rivet, Streit, etc. then turning around and spending the same money (and more)on Hamrlik, Schneider, and Lang.
Rob,
Frankly,
I’m starting to get a tad annoyed with some of your takes on certain things, especially when you try to justify the booing another country’s anthem……..have some class,if that is even possible for you!!!
Rob your getting very annoying and am sure alot of people agree with me.
Awwww……..lighten up boys….what difference does it make when someone boos an anthem? Happens all the time. If someone in the crowd broke out with the Bruins fight song and everyone started booing, would that be newsworthy? Ooooohhh….please don’t disrespect the Bruins fight song.
You should hear some of the stuff that comes out of a crowd at a college hockey game. Or at world soccer matches. At least no one is throwing firebombs or sharp objects. The irritation factor is mutual, as far as I’m concerned. There isn’t much sign of intelligence or good humour to be found here.
Comments are closed.