Ann 2Game 3 Review: Canadiens Fall To Flames
October 11th 2009 03:24
After stealing their first two games of the season thanks to superb goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens were brought back to Earth on the West coast where their best performance of the young season ended with a bitter 4-3 loss against the Calgary Flames. Both teams were looking to go 3-0 in this game and Jaroslav Halak was given the start for the Canadiens in order to rest Carey Price for the Habs' next game against Vancouver.
As the Canadiens stepped onto the Saddledome's ice, many observators expected a blowout for the Flames considering the way the Canadiens had played in their two previous games. Surprisingly, the Habs held their ground for most of the period, going as far as winning the opening twenty minutes by the score of 2-1. Fourth-liner Eric Nystrom opened the score for the Flames after poor coverage by Montreal's fourth line (Kyle Chipchura in particular) in the defensive zone. Then, the Habs scored twice in the span of 30 seconds at the end of the period to take the lead. Scott Gomez grabbed his first of the season off of a nice pass by Mike Cammalleri and Guillaume Latendresse finished a great forechecking play by the third line to score the visitors second of the game.
Nystrom leveled the score for the Flames halfway through the second period and by that point, it was obvious that the Canadiens missed Glen Metropolit's veteran presence on the fourth line. The hosts then proceeded to take the lead with a powerplay goal by Jarome Iginla. Tomas Plekanec, who started the season like it was 2007-2008, saw his good work rewarded with his first goal of the season – a Malkin-like backhand that put both teams level right before the end of the period.
The score wouldn't stay the same for long however. Another gaffe by the Habs' fourth line led to the Flames fourth goal early in the third period. On the play, Gregory Stewart twice failed to clear the puck which was fired off from the point by Staffan Kronwall. Halak had no chance on the goal (or any other goal for that matter) as his view was obstructed by several players including Nystrom to whom the goal was originally awarded.
Despite outshooting the Flames 15-5 for the rest of the period, the Habs were unable to tie the game. It's a heartbreaking loss but you can't win them all as the rest of the season will show.
My 3 Stars:
3.Tomas Plekanec
2.Adam Pardy
1.Eric Nystrom
As the Canadiens stepped onto the Saddledome's ice, many observators expected a blowout for the Flames considering the way the Canadiens had played in their two previous games. Surprisingly, the Habs held their ground for most of the period, going as far as winning the opening twenty minutes by the score of 2-1. Fourth-liner Eric Nystrom opened the score for the Flames after poor coverage by Montreal's fourth line (Kyle Chipchura in particular) in the defensive zone. Then, the Habs scored twice in the span of 30 seconds at the end of the period to take the lead. Scott Gomez grabbed his first of the season off of a nice pass by Mike Cammalleri and Guillaume Latendresse finished a great forechecking play by the third line to score the visitors second of the game.
Nystrom leveled the score for the Flames halfway through the second period and by that point, it was obvious that the Canadiens missed Glen Metropolit's veteran presence on the fourth line. The hosts then proceeded to take the lead with a powerplay goal by Jarome Iginla. Tomas Plekanec, who started the season like it was 2007-2008, saw his good work rewarded with his first goal of the season – a Malkin-like backhand that put both teams level right before the end of the period.
The score wouldn't stay the same for long however. Another gaffe by the Habs' fourth line led to the Flames fourth goal early in the third period. On the play, Gregory Stewart twice failed to clear the puck which was fired off from the point by Staffan Kronwall. Halak had no chance on the goal (or any other goal for that matter) as his view was obstructed by several players including Nystrom to whom the goal was originally awarded.
Despite outshooting the Flames 15-5 for the rest of the period, the Habs were unable to tie the game. It's a heartbreaking loss but you can't win them all as the rest of the season will show.
My 3 Stars:
3.Tomas Plekanec
2.Adam Pardy
1.Eric Nystrom
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