Ann 2Game 3 Review: Canadiens Come Back From Behind To Defeat Flyers 5-3 (Highlights Video Included)
October 15th 2008 03:40
For their third game in four nights, the Montreal Canadiens were pitted against the team that eliminated in the playoffs last season, the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the Habs' repeated statements that it was all in the past, a new season has started, etc., the Flyers seemed to pick up right where they left off last spring, outskating, outworking, outhitting, and outshooting the visitors for most of the game. An understandable circumstance since the Flyers had lost their home opener against the Rangers and were going to hit the road after the Canadiens' visit – a victory before leaving would have been a nice gesture to Philly's faithful. Too bad the Habs decided to ruin their plans (yeah right, who am I kidding?).
The wasn't any flow to the game in the first period due to numerous stoppages of play mainly caused by consecutive icings on both sides of the rink. Despite those shortcomings, the Flyers were still a dangerous team, forcing Price to be at the top of his game.
The second period started with a bang – literally. Right off the bat, Andrei Kostitsyn, on an aggressive forecheck, hit Mike Richards at the Flyers' blueline, consequently making the center lose the puck. Defenseman Andrei Markov then picked it up and, without hesitation, sent it back to Kostitsyn who beat Biron with a laser shot that binged off the post before going in. The second period wasn't even a minute old. The goal seemed to invigorate the Flyers even more though. Indeed, in the span of two minutes, the score went from 1-0 Montreal to 2-1 Philadelphia. The rest of the period was dominated by the home side as the visitors struggled to get past the neutral zone. The Flyers were simply too intense for the Habs who looked like they only wanted to go home.
Guy Carbonneau and his assistants must've delivered a speech worthy of any commander leading his troops to war because three minutes into the third period, the score went from 2-1 Philly to 3-2 MTL with the two Montreal goals coming from defensemen who joined the rush. First, Harmlik received a nifty little pass from Kovalev to put the puck into an empty net – Biron had compromised himself, thinking that Kovy would take a shot – then Komisarek's shot deflected off a Flyers defenseman to go past Biron. With less than ten minutes left, Robert Lang gave a two-goal lead to the visitors by converting a pass from Sergei Kostitsyn who's been on fire all weekend long. Simon Gagne reduced the score one minute later, and the last five minutes were spent in a frantic pace as the Canadiens desperately tried to protect their lead while Philadelphia threw in everything they had. In order to reduce turnovers behind Carey Price's net, Carbonneau reduced his defense to five players, leaving Brisebois on the bench. Finally, with thirty seconds left, Steve Begin teed up the puck to score an empty-netter, putting the game beyond doubt.
Once again, both Kostitsyn brothers had a great performance. Andrei's confidence is growing as he's turning into a real power forward while Sergei is showing signs of becoming a complete player. Still, the Habs were lucky to count on a confident Price who saved their bacon more than once in the early stages of the game.
My 3 Stars:
3.Carey Price
2.Sergei Kostitsyn
1.Andrei Kostitsyn
The wasn't any flow to the game in the first period due to numerous stoppages of play mainly caused by consecutive icings on both sides of the rink. Despite those shortcomings, the Flyers were still a dangerous team, forcing Price to be at the top of his game.
The second period started with a bang – literally. Right off the bat, Andrei Kostitsyn, on an aggressive forecheck, hit Mike Richards at the Flyers' blueline, consequently making the center lose the puck. Defenseman Andrei Markov then picked it up and, without hesitation, sent it back to Kostitsyn who beat Biron with a laser shot that binged off the post before going in. The second period wasn't even a minute old. The goal seemed to invigorate the Flyers even more though. Indeed, in the span of two minutes, the score went from 1-0 Montreal to 2-1 Philadelphia. The rest of the period was dominated by the home side as the visitors struggled to get past the neutral zone. The Flyers were simply too intense for the Habs who looked like they only wanted to go home.
Once again, both Kostitsyn brothers had a great performance. Andrei's confidence is growing as he's turning into a real power forward while Sergei is showing signs of becoming a complete player. Still, the Habs were lucky to count on a confident Price who saved their bacon more than once in the early stages of the game.
My 3 Stars:
3.Carey Price
2.Sergei Kostitsyn
1.Andrei Kostitsyn
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