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Canadiens 4, Flyers 3 (OT)

Habs steal a stunner

TIM WHARNSBY

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:11 PM EST 25/04/08

Kostopoulos scores series-opening game winner less than a minute into overtime ...Read the full article

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  1. Nicolas Perrot from Ottawa, Canada writes: Good job by the habs. Should have been easier though, flyers were playing 3rd game in 4 nights. Price was shaky but managed to grab a hold of himself. Too many turnovers by the habs, something they need to address for the next games. Habs are the better team overall, but tonite phili showed up with their guns blazing. The rest of the series will be very interesting.

    Go habs !
  2. steve allan from Canada writes: What a game! Too bad Bob Cole let his bias slip out when he called the Richards penalty a clean hit when it was clearly a knee. How could he call that a hip check?

    Anyway, congrats to the Habs.
  3. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Great game looked like it could go either way. Love playoff hockey.
  4. Doktor David from London, Canada writes: Wow, what an exciting game. Great stuff, looking forward to more. Go Habs Go!

    As for Bob Cole - if he would just remember he is the play-by-play announcer and not the colour guy we all would be further ahead. =]

    A sort of non-game related observation. Man, was that crowd into it; the time before the first face-off was pretty amazing. I don't think I saw an empty seat at the start of the game itself; in Toronto I'm betting you'd still see rows of empty platinums, playoff or not.
  5. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Allez, allez, Montreal!

    Les Canadiens sont la!
  6. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Anyone who doubts the importance of having Saku Koivu in the line-up, should watch another sport because you are not getting hockey.

    Go Habs Go.
  7. King Dong from Kingston, Canada writes: and the cheap, nonsense, game-deciding penalties continue. What an embarassment this league has become. First a penalty shot on a clear non-penalty on a Habs player that should have gotten an Oscar for best dive after superficial contact, and then this beauty with less than 90 seconds left. WHAT A JOKE. Seriously, this game isn't that hard to call, if the refs would stop trying to even things up all the time, and stop with the knee-jerk reactions every time the crowd gets into a tizzy we'd see some hockey games decided on merit, not cheap penalties like tonight.
  8. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: I like how the Habs are playung - a complete team effort.

    They may have stolen one tonight - but that still counts.

    Canadiens management have to look at their supporters. Showering Richards with beer in the box was so less than class that I can't find the words. This doesn't help the cause of true Habs fans that the riot was professional hoodlums taking advantage of a joyous crowd.

    I still have respect for Habs fans, but it went down a notch tonight after some idiot threw beer on Richards.
  9. The Habs from Toronto, Canada writes: The Flyers played a good game and should've probably stole this one. The Habs got lucky in this one, although 2 of the Flyer goals were interesting (let's say that).

    To those who don't have RDS; you missed an absolutely great post game interview with Mississauga's own Tom Kostopoulus. I give him great credit, following in the tradition of Gainey, Robinson and Dryden. He did his absolute best in speaking French about the winning goal...with a couple of English phrases thrown in.

    Another great playoff game. AK27 2nd goal was lovely.

    GO HABS GO !!!!
  10. Alen Lager from Brampton, Canada writes: I don't think Montreal 'steals' a win, as the headline states. I think Montreal was the dominate team for the first two periods. Philly was fortunate to come out of the first with a two goal lead as they got the right bounces while the Habs got the posts.
    Montreal carried the play for most of the second period until Komy took a dumb penalty in the last minute.
    Philly scored on the ensuing powerplay to start the third and looked good for most of the period until the last few minutes. The Habs powerplay then did what they are supposed to do and scored to tie the game. Shots were 34-33 so I don't see how the Habs victory is a 'steal' according to Wharmsby.
  11. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Cherry takes another cheap shot at Montreal.

    Too bad for him that all the Habs fans are tuned in to RDS instead of their pro-Toronto CBC garbage.
  12. Hello/ Bonjour from Canada writes: Ya never know whats going to happen in the playoffs. Looking to be a great series isn't it?

    The guy who threw the beer on Richards should never be allowed in the Bell Centre ever again.

    RDS - thumbs up. CBC - who cares!
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada:

    Absolutely agree re. 10:40 PM post !

    Did you notice how quickly the G&M comments were closed !

    Too bad for Cherry that The Gazette blogs will still be permitting comments....

    Great win tonight!

    Cheers
  14. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: 3M Mariposa:

    A bit hasty judging all Canadiens fans based on the behaviour of one yahoo...

    I believe that Montreal fans have always seen themselves as a sixth man on the ice so to speak, but any fan who goes so far to throw beer on an opposing player in the penalty box deserves to be removed from the Bell Centre and never allowed back...

    Will Avery gets taught some manners tomorrow night?

    Cheers.
  15. Bill H from Canada writes: Once again the league demonstates disgusting officiating. The habs second goal was clearly with a high stick. The penalty on Richards was disgusting, clearly a shoulder check. The league is obviously trying to help them win so they can be the defending champion for their 100th anniversary.

    Also, the classless fans showed their true colours by the penalty box, truly a disgusting display.
  16. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada writes: The penalty on Richards was disgusting, clearly a shoulder check.

    At no point did anyone's shoulders touch anything in that check. You are an ignorant, blind fool.
  17. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Habs won and it doesn't matter whether they were lucky or not. There are no asterisks in the record books for games won or lost due to so-called 'questionable' officiating. Frankly, there are few jobs more difficult than being a hockey referee. Philly was very strong tonight. Canadiens' grinders came through again. Another exciting series under way. Can't wait for Saturday night.
  18. Rene L from somewhere, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada writes: Once again the league demonstates disgusting officiating. The habs second goal was clearly with a high stick. The penalty on Richards was disgusting, clearly a shoulder check. The league is obviously trying to help them win so they can be the defending champion for their 100th anniversary.

    Also, the classless fans showed their true colours by the penalty box, truly a disgusting display.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Hello Bill H, thanks again for coming to our little Habs love fest... Go Habs Go - wouldn't be the same without your insightful comments.

    Thanks for coming out and participating.
  19. Mitka D from Canada writes: After whining about the officiating throughout the Bruins series, the anti-Hab brigade are at it again. It was clear on the replays: Richards went knee-on-knee, and tried to add an elbow to Kovalevs head, to boot. It was lazy play, and he got tossed. Too bad, so sad.

    In any event, after the refs jobbed the Caps in Game 7, this is just karma for the Flyers. They do not deserve to be in the second round.

    As for Bob Cole, for the second time in the playoffs, he went on about how an icing would be 'waived off', forgetting that the team sending the puck down the ice was short-handed. The man seems to be over-taxed by the 60 minutes of play time he has to handle every second night. Tough job.
  20. Matt O from Canada writes: The Flyers do themselves in with their lack of discipline...how appropriate. And yes, Cole's description of the hit as a 'hip check' revealed his true colours. It was very obviously either a trip of a knee before the replay showed it in detail. Wish I got RDS, but can't afford the cable...je peux meme comprendre le francais.

    Anyhow, I'd call this win a steal, if only because the Habs dug themselves such a hole. But if they play the way they did for most of the game today next time around, the win will come easier. They're not even getting knocked around as much as they were against the B-boys, and the Flyers are supposed to be a tough club.
  21. Adrian . from Edmonton, Canada writes: Bill H:

    Your comment about the Richard's penalty being a shoulder check is so ridiculous I'm wondering if its an attempt at sarcasm? The rest of your post seems to indicate you're just watching a different game.
  22. Matt O from Canada writes: Oh yeah, the beer thrown in the penalty box incident was an embarassing one. I am getting a little concerned about the fans' behaviour...Montreal is Montreal, but rowdiness has its limits. Throwing beer in the box is one of the cardinal sins of hockey fan behaviour.
  23. Bill H from Canada writes: Habs Fans = Worst Fans Ever
  24. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Anybody notice that Tom Kostopoulos has scored three goals in the playoffs so far? Habs are deep. Carbonneau said it best in the post game interview on RDS: this is a heavyweight fight, two boxers sizing each other up and then slugging it out. Great hockey.
  25. Cowtown boy from Canada writes: Montreal was on the penalty kill and they iced the puck, I actually heard Bob Cole say 'That won't be icing cause the Montreal player deflected the puck'.

    Geez and here I thought all along that a team killing a penalty could actually ice the puck. Boy was I wrong.

    With 2 goals scored in less tha 2 minutes ... ok with the OT break in between, that has to be a little deflating for the flyers
  26. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: 3M Miller - was not my intention to tar every Habs fans with the actions of one idiot, but it doesn't help matters given the recent history.

    Given the circumstances - I would have liked to see the replay of the fan tossing the beer on Richards and being escorted from the Gong (Bell Centre) accompanied by comments by Cherry.

    Given the play tonight - it would not surprise me to see the Canadiens in 4, although I think this is Habs in 6.
  27. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada:

    Do you work for the CBC or HNIT by any chance?

    Go RDS !
  28. Bill H from Canada writes: R. Miller, No, do you work for the habs?
  29. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada:

    I actually think it would be a good idea for management of les Habitants to look at the films of the beer in the penalty box incident and set an example of the perpetrator so that any other future rowdies that may be lurking in the stands get a very strong message that the team is not supportive of these kinds of antics.

    Thuggery and hooliganism were never the Montreal way when I lived there during the dynasty years (1975-1983.)

    Cheers.
  30. Michael L from Canada writes: I was at the game tonight, the first playoff game I've attended since the early 80s. The atmosphere was electric, it was extraordinarily loud at times and the good guys won. The show before the start of the game was brilliant, a montage of the the Habs of old (not the old Habas as Red Fisher would say) and the Habs of today.
  31. steve allan from Canada writes: Richards deserved a penalty. There shouldn't even be an argument over that, it was a clear knee and a very dangerous and dirty hit that could have taken Kovalev out. I'm losing respect for the Flyers. Even their star players are dirty.
  32. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada:

    The answer to your 11:35 PM question is no.
  33. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: B H, Don Cherry and all those 'Want Canadiens to lose' fans:
    Whew! Your Flyers bullies almost made a game out of it! But the good guys did win at the end. Did they? Go Habs Go! Go Habs go!
  34. Andrei Popov from toronto, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada... your comments are so stupid... it is obvious you are jealous of the Habs Fans.

    Way to go Mtl,

    Go Habs Go !!!
  35. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Absolutely a great game.

    Little lucky on the habs part.... but they worked for it... What if those first period posts went in?

    Will now go back and read your dissertations.

    Cheers
  36. Tom Sawyer from Canada writes: montreal got lucky. Flyers tired. Montreal is going out. Stop whining about anti montreal bias. It doesnt exist. Great riots though.
  37. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Betting on the Flyers. Cheering for the Habs.

    To all the real fans tonight... habs were lucky but they worked for it. Kudo's to them.

    To Billings, Steve Allen and Joe Cheng.... in 5 eh? good luck with that.

    Cheers
  38. steve allan from Canada writes: By the way, Keep Latendresse out of the lineup as I've been suggesting all playoff long. As long as he sits, the Habs have an excellent chance.
  39. jake and pete from Canada writes: When can we get Bob Cole off the breadcasts?
  40. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, United States writes: Hello to all our friends in Canada! Yes I'am a Flyers fan from the phila area. I love your game of hockey! Many of us Flyers fans were concerned about this matchup with Montreal. I thought Montreal would dominate. After seeing tonights game, I was pleased with my teams performance. The Flyers seemed to be the better team. With tonights performance the talk here is we can win this thing. We lost the first game in Washington. This is no big deal. Lets wait and see how the next game unfolds. The longer the Flyers play one particular team, the stronger they get. An upset is a real possibility!
  41. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Cheers Eric Thomas .... I thought the Flyers should have won... but the Habs didn't quit.

    Picked the Flyers in my pools... cheering for the Habs.

    Cheers
  42. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Nice to see AK27 tie it up after being slammed by Richards. That hit woke up Kovalev like a sleeping giant is awakened. After Lupals goal, the Flyers tried clogging up the neutral zone, and were doing a great job at shutting down the Tricolore's offence, until the late penalty.
    Tom Kostopolous scores the biggest goal of his career. Carbo mentions that Kostopolous and players like him don't get much credit 'He blocks shots, works incredibly hard and kills penalties. What he does for us goes unnoticed'.... Hey Carbo, keep Koivu and Kovalev together...and keep wearing that tie....GO HABS GO
  43. Matt O from Canada writes: Hey ET, good to hear from you, but I wouldn't get too confident about your Flyers just yet. The Canadiens dominated much of the play tonight. They were dumb early on, but quickly regrouped. I think the game would have been won in the 3rd were it not for the PP goal. But good game by your Flyers, of course, and well...yeah, I'd say luck was on the Habs side today.

    Is anyone else thinking that Biron looked a bit weak? Some nice saves, but he wasn't quick in covering his angles...if you get a chance, check out Osgoode's game-winning save for the Red Wings and notice the contrast. I don't think Biron followed the puck well tonight.

    This series won't be won easy, though, no matter who comes out on top.
  44. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    You do realize that you are walking a pretty fine line there...

    To paraphrase Dubya, either you are with us or you are with the Flyers...

    ;)

    Cheers.
  45. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Scotty Loucks betting against the Habs. Scotty Loucks betting with a team he hates? Scotty, not a good move buddy. U'd better get yourself a job at Home Depot selling bird seed to the cow farmers than doing what ur doing on here.
  46. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: There was luck aplenty for both teams tonight. The Habs were the stronger team, two posts, 4 goals, and Philly had 2 lucky ones go in, it could have been a blowout really. Nothing wrong with the Zebras tonight, very entertaining game. Seems the Flyers iced the puck way too much for a team that can't win faceoffs.

    Nice to see Kostopoulous do his interview in Franglais, I'm sure it took a lot of effort. But I suppose you would try to speak Ancient Greek after scoring a big one like that.

    Vive Les Canadiens
  47. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, United States writes: To all my friends in Canada, Hello again. Scott and Matt thanks for the response! I suppose sometimes some people use sports as a reason to hate another team and their fans. Yes I'am a Flyers fan from the phila area. I don't dislike any team or their fans. But everyone wants to win. It's about great competition. Tonight I saw a terrific contest between the Flyers and the Habs. Our weakness all year has been an inability to close out a game. It almost cost us in the Washington series. Coach Stevens has been struggling with this problem all year. The Habs are scary GOOD! Their fans are passionate. The Flyers have a unique ability to adapt. They did the last series. They may not win the series, but I suspect they shall make a game of it. If I may add - Mike Richards is an honorable player. He has no rep for being a dirty player. I myself thought it was a legitimate hit he put on Kovy.
  48. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: PC; Got a job dude... good one too.... 50 miles closer to where you live... look out :)

    Robert... I know... I just think the Flyer kids are better than the Habs kids...

    ERIC THOMAS; Cheers to you ... again... don't stop posting even if a bunch of fanatics try and take you out.... there are a lot of hockey fans on these threads that will love to talk to you about hockey for the rest of the series.

    Matt O; I agree... Biron was not as good as he can be.... give him credit for his first "second" round game ever..... he will pick it up.. that's why I picked Phili.. (who I hate btw).

    Cheers
  49. George S from Toronto, Canada writes: What great news today, it makes Iraq and Afghanistan and any other conflicts in the world today look insignificant to me. Thank you Habs and good luck in this series!!!
  50. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Just watching the hilites.

    Hit on Kovalev was a shoulder. Bad call.

    Cheers
  51. Verona Raven from United States writes: One of the greatest moves in Hartford Whalers history was shipping Greg Millen out of Connecticut. I suspect for viewers of CBC...the greatest day will be when they ship Millen off of the network.

    There is one Canadian team left....and CBC gives you Cole and Millen? That's like their logic that Cassie Campbell actually adds anything meaningful to a broadcast.
  52. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: For what its worth, the Red Wings radio guys Paul Woods and Ken Kell pick the Habs in 6.
  53. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Verona... no need to talk about Bob Cole.... he is an idiot.

    Greg Millen is another story.... so sad... please bring back Harry :)
  54. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Bill Weston..... and you wonder why Canadians have no respect for AMerican opinions on hockey :)

    Cheers
  55. Rob Rocket from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: The hit on Kovalev had nothing to do with anyone's shoulder; the only 'shoulder issue' was connected to his SH goal -- and when he made contact, the stick was just below the shoulder. That one was close, but the hit...good grief, their shoulders were a foot apart...it was a knee, a trip and a lazy play.

    The guy who dumped the beer is the fan version of Sean Avery...and really, true tricolor fan that I am, the booing is moronic. Frankly, Briere signed with Philly for reasons I respect -- less money, but loyalty to old friends.
  56. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Apparently cut off from my comments.

    BS on the knee hit Rob Rocket.... it was a shoulder... watch the highlites.

    Agree with the rest .

    Cheers
  57. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Bill Weston..... and you wonder why Canadians have no respect for AMerican opinions on hockey :)

    lol I knew you'd appreciate that one, Scot. And just because I know youre interested, they also pick the Rangers in 6, and the Stars in 6. The only one they disagreed on is whether it will take the Wings 5 or 6 to get rid of Colorado.
  58. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Scott Loucks and King Dong, maybe you should watch the replay again. Richards was beaten on the play, he tried to get Kovalev with whatever he could. There was a shoulder in there at the end, but there was also a stick and a knee. I thought it was tripping exactly. As for the goalies, Price will have to be better, but Biron looked awful on the winning goal, and Kovalev's 1st one. As for Koivu, I was one Hab's fan who thought they were better without him. I was wrong. He is playing as well as he ever has.
    As for Bob Cole, I turned the sound off for the last 10 minutes of the 3rd period and overtime. It is time for him to retire.
  59. Patricia Thornton from Muskoka, Canada writes: How cool would it be if Montreal went on to play...the New York Rangers...then went on to play...the Detroit Red Wings! That would be 3 Original 6 opponents! You want old school hockey? There you go!

    (A girl's gotta dream!)
  60. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: As a Leaf fan it still feels weird cheering them on but.....

    .....GO HABS!!!!!!!!!!
  61. Andrew Bisson from Ottawa, Canada writes: Here's the hit. Watch the replay. Looks like Richards got him with the shoulder at the same time as the knee. The knee happened because Kovalev tried to avoid the hit. I don't think it's the right call, but can't blame the refs as in full flight it looked like knee to knee. Of course Kovalev does a great job selling it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLOl1_fx4FY
  62. Earl Anthony from Canada writes: Good effort from the Flyers despite 3 games in 4 nights. The breaks averaged out for both teams.

    You have to blame the refs for all the Montreal wins. How else could the Leafs and Bruins be out of the playoffs?

    Go Habs go!
  63. Howard Young from Canada writes: Patricia Thornton from Muskoka, Canada writes: How cool would it be if Montreal went on to play...the New York Rangers...then went on to play...the Detroit Red Wings! That would be 3 Original 6 opponents! You want old school hockey? There you go! (A girl's gotta dream!)

    That would be great Patricia, but I think Montreal will end up playing the Sharks.

    Go Habs.
  64. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Perfect Andrew Bisson... thanks for the link.

    I dont' care how many times you watch that video..... he never stuck his knee out.... it was a shoulder.

    Cheers
  65. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Howard Young.... half right... this is the last round for the habs

    Cheers
  66. ex pat from Cobourg from Memphis, TN, United States writes: OK. I am a Habs fan, so I do bring some prejudice, BUT. If you closely examine the Richards hit, first from the straight-on shot, it looks like shoulder, BUT, when you look at it from the birds-eye shot clearly he kicks out his leg, with the stick across the foot and trips Kovalev. If he hadn't shot out the foot, I would say good hit. I think it was a trip and not a knee, but who cares what they call it, it was a penalty.

    GO HABS!!
  67. Swifty J from Mtl, Canada writes: It feels like a steal when you look at the late comeback and listen to the whining coming out of Philly... but consider the first period, with a couple of Philly bounces at each end of the ice, and the Flyers' many, many icing calls in the third (sign of a team just trying to run down the clock passively, the worst way to protect a lead vs. Montreal), this one was not really a steal. It would have been a steal had Philly won.

    In a way, the Flyers are guilty of doing what the Habs did in their losses vs. Boston: not being true to themselves, trying to be a trapping team. And they got burned.

    The trip on Kovalev: Stop looking at Richards' shoulder and look at his stick. Between Kovalev's shins/ankles, like a chopstick in the spokes of a bike wheel. Blatant tripping penalty, which is what happens when you stop moving and find yourself having to stop Kovalev somehow.

    The first Kovalev goal: there was a crossbar-level angle that clearly showed the puck hitting the heel of the stick at crossbar level. That is a legit goal.

    Whining about the officials in general: complete and utter waste of time. Knock yourselves out. (I say the same thing when the Habs get burned. It happens, it evens out, and sometimes it's actually the right call even though it hurt my team... crush a beer can and move on.)

    Throwing beer, 7-up, water or whatever it was on Richards in the bin: proof, as if we needed it, that stupidity isn't confined to the cheap seats.
  68. Swifty J from Mtl, Canada writes: OK, just looked at the replay of the trip yet again. Clearly the stick was not as much of a factor as I thought. Still a trip, IMO, but whether it was or not...what's done is done.
  69. W L from Canada writes: Cherry's anti-Montreal stance is sickening. First he rooted for the Bruins all the way - maybe that is a little understandable as he used to be their coach in the 70's when Montreal was on a Stanley Cup binge. Now he is treating the Flyers as his "home team" of the series. Did you see how he was lamenting the faceoff lost by Flyers against Koivu that led to Kovalev's tying goal with seconds to go in the game? He was fuming and pointing to this as a lesson to the kids playing hockey - that Philly should be using a left-handed person, and not someone who was only "tap-taping" at the puck. Give me a break. The Philly player (sorry I don't have his name) tried so hard he broke his stick on that faceoff, but still lost to Koivu who is one of the best in that role. As HNIC and CBC continue to broadcast the Canadiens drive for 25, it seems there is a home team being portrayed throughout the series - and that would be whichever team Montreal is playing!
  70. JG L from Canada writes:
    "stole the game....anti-Habs feelings don't exist....high stick goal..etc."

    Come on now! 34 shots to 33, 2 goal posts, Flyer's 1st goal scored by Brisebois
    (last I heard, he still plays for Montreal).

    You mean there are'nt any "anyone but Montreal" sentiments!
    Duh! come to the ROC........

    I guess all those officials on the ice and at Toronto central reviewing the goal are blind or biased....

    Geez! plus çà change, plus çà reste le même......
  71. Howard Young from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Howard Young.... half right... this is the last round for the habs

    Scot, Flyer's defence will be their undoing, it will melt like the cheese in a Philly Steak Sandwich.
  72. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Swifty;

    For the record.... not whining about the refs... but if you watch the video

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLOl1_fx4FY

    I dont' see how you can call it a foul.... Someone above started it by calling it a cheap shot.... thats all.

    Cheers
  73. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Howard Young.... you could be right.

    I bet on the Flyers (I hate them) I am cheering for the Habs.

    Cheers
  74. PANIC! At The Ice Floe from Ottawa, Canada writes: Although I'm no longer a habs fan, I must say this might be their year. Winners find a way, and they found a way to win last night. Good for them (I guess).
  75. Martin Fedgrass from Canada writes: This is the only hockey game left to watch!

    Montreal now carries the flag for all that is good in hockey.......and we have to support them...regardless of whatever Canadian team you have allegience to and is now ou tof the race.

    Hockey in Canada IS the foundation of the NHL, in terms of history, fan support and financial support! And despite what theat idiot NHL president wants, it is the future of the NHL as well.

    Nothing would make me smile more than to see Butt-man have to walk onto the Bell Centre ice to hand the Stanley Cup to the Montreal Canadiens all the while enduring the hatred of the fans.
  76. Swifty J from Mtl, Canada writes: W L: I don't like Don Cherry, but all I heard was him lambasting the Flyers for having the wrong guy on the faceoff. Legit hockey analysis.

    Scot: Yes, I re-watched the play from that link several times. I missed the "cheap shot" comment; clearly it wasn't one of those. But a trip? I do believe it was.

    Regardless, my point is that even if it wasn't, you can't pin the whole loss on the play. The Flyers got caught trying to sit on a one-goal lead. "The refs handed them the win" is almost always an extremely lame excuse for blowing a game, and that applies here.

    And I wasn't pointing at you for whining. But there is lots and lots of it going on this morning; just read some Philly papers. Ironic considering how the Flyers won on Tuesday.
  77. Richard Lovegrove from Toronto, Canada writes: Montreal clearly deserved that game, so who cares what CBC has to say? Get used to it and if you don't like it watch RDS, that's what I'm doing and it's a lot better than griping all the time like I used to.

    On a humourous note, this video on Daniel Briere is just brilliant:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vt2AAenVpKg
  78. Frank Smith from Canada writes: Mike Richards an "honourable" player? Yes, he IS a very good player but, just like Bobby Clarke, he can use his stick for many things other than scoring goals ... check back to his time in junior hockey in Kitchener and you'll see. Mr. Richards wears the Flyer's uniform (and reputation) very well!!
  79. bob smith from Canada writes: Pretty sloppy game with both teams coming off of a game 7. Looking forward to both teams getting their legs and developing a little animosity towards each other ( I hope the series lasts long enough for that ).

    Rob Rocket: The shoulder has nothing to do with the shorty from Kovalev, it is the crossbar that determines goal/no goal. Looked close to me, however I have yet to upgrade to HD, so it was fuzzy.

    I thought the Richards penalty was a penalty, but it was far from dirty. He was turning in and trying to line up Kovalev who dodged him and ended up 'clipping' himself. Montreal probably wouldn't have got the call had it been Begin or Kostopolous who went down. Of course, they probably couldn't have turned on the dime Kovalev did to draw it anyways.
  80. Trilly B from Canada writes: Just had a look at that "knee" on Kovalev (thanks for the link)... if you look closely, just before the hit Richards' left leg is attempting furiously to steer him into Kovalev; you can see the skate skidding along the ice. This brings his left leg out as a consequence. At the same time he's clearly bringing his shoulder down for a check.

    And so I don't think the knee-on-knee was at all intentional; he intended a clean shoulder check. But he was too close to Kovalev, and had to have his leg out to be in position.

    One play in what's gonna be a great series. Hope the Habs can keep it going.
  81. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: Patricia Thornton from Muskoka, Canada writes:

    As for an Montreal/Detroit Cup final, thats been my hope too. My problem then tho is who do I cheer for? The Wings are my team but it was the Flying Frenchmen that really showed me what hockey could be, how it should be played, and started my lifetime love affair with the game. Back then, I'd always hope for a tie when they played each other so that I didnt have to choose. I guess if it did come down to that this year, I'd just kick back and enjoy some great hockey.. and feel like a kid again.

    Go Habs! Go Wings!
  82. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: JG L from Canada

    I don't understand yuor comments exactly. Kinda chaotic sarcasm with something about Toronto in the mix....Elaborate, or clarify, if you will.

    Oh yeah. Kostopolous - That's my Homeslice right there. Class act too, trying his best at French for the media and fans, We raise 'em right in the 'Sauga!!!
  83. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Andrew, thanks for that link. From that angle it looks a lot closer than many here are calling. Didn't look to me like a penalty, but Kovalev certainly sold it well.

    Howard - have to agree on Philly's defence. Hatcher can throw his weight around but is painfully slow. Plekanec just embarrassed Hatcher with his speed on that breakaway that Biron was able to poke check.

    Still taking the Flyers in this one. They were exhausted fom the last series and really should have closed this out. That Richards penalty was the determinant in the game. Komisarek needs to smarten up out there if the Habs are going to take this series.
  84. alex just a canadian from Canada writes: Is this a hockey or forum or a whinning cry me a river that the Habs came back and won the game. Penalties go both ways, Biron kept his team in it just as goalies are supposed to, maybe next time it will go the other way. (hope not though) I guess luck only counts one way, wasn't it brisbois who scored in his own net, but of course that doesn't mater.
  85. Ice Rider from Canada writes: It's prolly already been noted, but as a Leafs fan recently converted to Hab-ism, I find it really cool that the top guys in red, white et bleu all ahve bnames that start with KO - Koivu, Kostitsyn twice, Kostopoulos, Kovalev and Komisarek. Way KO-ol
  86. Badges? We don't need no stinking badges from Canada writes: Way to go Kostopolous....Wouldn't be a victory without Captain Koivu's faceoff prowess. Maybe the ghost of Howie Morenz finally cruised over to the Bell Centre from the old Forum. The ghosts made Jeff Carters stick break on that final faceoff with a few seconds left in regulation time.
  87. steve allan from Canada writes: Kotsopoulos has been my favorite player all playoff long. Him and Begin are real buzzsaws out there and they have come to play every shift.

    He deserves the accolades he's getting.
  88. B G from Toronto, Canada writes: Who cares. Where are the Leaf stories? I thought this was a national newspaper.
  89. steve allan from Canada writes: Scot Loucks - I just watched your replay on Youtube and I can't see how you can say that's a legitimate hit?? He hits him with his forearm, that's fine, but he also sticks his leg out and knees him. That's a classic knee-on-knee and a penalty every time.

    When a guy whiffs past you like Kovy did on that play, you can't stick your leg out like that to stop him.
  90. Mike Expat from Dunboyne, Ireland writes: Lots of positive psychology when you stay in a game in which you've trailed throughout and then win it, better still in OT. Funny how a game can be so engaging when neither team is playing its best.

    Thrilled that Kosto interviewed en francais.

    Agree with suggestions that the book be prominently thrown at whoever threw beer at Richards. And speaking of Richards, I think he's brilliant: fast, in-your-face, committed and skilled with the puck. Any time he spends in the sin-bin is good time for the Habs.

    Lastly, I timorously suggest that we (Habs fans) are a bit precious about Cherry and his so-called anti-Montreal bias. I for one don't see it. Yes, there was pro-Boston sentiment, openly acknowledged, and totally understandable. But I think that if we heard anti-Habs sentiment in his analysis last night, then we were just hearing what we wanted to hear.

    It feels like it's going to be a fantastic series. Here's hoping you're wrong, Scot.
  91. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: Habs fans take a broom to Philly for game 4. This series is already over thanks to the War Room in Toronto, biased officiating and swan diving eastern Europeans.
  92. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: B G from Toronto, Canada writes: Who cares. Where are the Leaf stories? I thought this was a national newspaper.

    hehehe

    Philly fans are gonna make Habs fans look like Ghandi
  93. Brian M. from Jail from Canada writes: Long live RDS. Despite the CBC English coverage I am still watching the HABS games on RDS. However, I must say the TSN bozo group of anchors and commentators covering the play-offs leaves a lot to be desired. You can tell that they are lost without having either the Leafs or Sens around in the play-offs.
  94. Howard Young from Canada writes: Hopefully, Habs fans have enough sense not to show up in Philly.
  95. Rich Betts from Philadelphia, United States writes: Tough game . . . On my TV down here in Philly it looked like Kovalev's goal was a definite high stick and it looked like Richards caught him with his shoulder and upper arm on the disputed hit. Thought Kovie did a good job of selling it to the officials. Richards is a good, hard-nosed player and is not a cheapshot. He certainly is not going to try to knee Kovalev with 1:09 left in a one-goal game. Nice of the nitwit to give him a beer shower in the penalty box. Real classy move. But Game 1 is over and there's nothing to do but move on and prepare to play a better game 2. Not sure what Hatcher was doing on the OT goal. He pushed up to the top of the circle and left his area of the ice totally undefended. Then took his sweet ol' time getting back into position. Bad play in OT by Hatcher.

    On another note, Steve Allan on another comment section yesterday insisted that Francis Bouillon is 100% Canadian. Sorry to burst your bubble, Steve, but Bouillon is not 100% Canadian. He was born in New York City. He played for the United States in the 2003 IIHF Championships.
  96. craig fister from Canada writes: don't be too tough on Bill H and other "hockey fans" on this thread ... clearly they are Leaf fans who have become very used to pulling out the complaints about refereeing at every opportunity!! ... the Leafs have never caught a break, and every penalty they get is the wrong call ... blah, blah, blah ... been watching the classy Tucker and McCabe too long. And so now every team and every game the Habs play from now on this year will be the same ... ref's decided the game!! … just like the goals last night … both Philly goals were works of art, but the Habs scored only because the refs and league are manipulating the games for the Habs … blah, blah, blah … And also ... no defending anyone who throws beer and anyone .. but I sometimes sit a few rows behind the penalty box at the ACC, and I have seen a Leaf’s fan do that myself - but I would never say that all Leaf's fans are classless idiots who throw beer. I won’t even get into what I have seen on TV from Philly! – but again, that does not excuse it in any way … It is impossible for some of you, but try to be a little objective. I know that it is difficult for Leaf’s fans after all they haven't seen real hockey for a while ... and “objectivity” is not something that a Leaf’s fan typically has much of.
  97. Jude Hannaford from Canada writes: OK, Richards hit was not dirty but still a penalty. I for one find it funny that a lot of people are saying "Kovalev sold it". When I see a knee on knee hit coming, I throw all of my weight on the opposite leg to try to get the leg in question going in the same direction as the fellow who is hitting me so my knee doesn't get wrecked. I bet Cam Neely wish he had "sold it" as well.
  98. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: craig fister - it always comes back to the Leafs, doesn't it?

    Lame
  99. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Fister - I don't know where you get of bashing Leaf fans in all of this -

    or how you're so sure that all complaining about the refs are from Leaf fans.

    Not a big fan of your subjective judgment of "all" leaf fans, painting all with the same brush.

    How the beer throwing incident has anything to do with what goes on at the ACC is stretch - Is it only Leaf fans that have spoken out against this?

    You have something against Toronto and the Leafs, and you have an agenda here to bring your personal opinion into the thread. I recommned you remain objective, as there are plenty of "objective" Leaf fans.

    Gimme a break...you can't tell people to remain "objective" at the bottom of a personal rant like that.
  100. craig fister from Canada writes: Neil no more ...
    know what, you are right ... can't paint "all" with the same brush!! ... you called me out on that, and I admit that you are correct, sir!
    Spend my life around Leaf's fans who whine about anything and everything - should have heard the crap I had to listen to last night!! ... some of the crap above sounded very similar!! - but no excuse!
    and ... I have no right to suggest that "all" are anything ... guess it's time to find new people to watch games with ... could have been more objective myself ...
    Your point is well-taken!
  101. Bill H from Canada writes: Sorry to disappoint you fister but I am not a leafs fan. I am not a fan of any Canadian team for that matter. My team has had a number of blatently incorrect calls go against them in the playoffs that have ultimately helped to decide games (Sabres). I have no use for biased officiating and that is what traditionally takes place when montreal is playing. The penalty was a shoulder hit and should not have been called. 'Kovi' sold it just like the rest of the t