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Missed chances cost Canadiens

TIM WHARNSBY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:46 PM EDT 28/04/08

The Philadelphia Flyers managed to hold on for a 4-2 victory against Montreal to square the second-round series at 1-1 ...Read the full article

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  1. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Biron was definitely the difference in this game... From what I saw, the Habs outhit, outshot, and out-worked the Flyers...

    Tough loss, but no big deal as long as the Habs keep playing like they did tonight...

    Go Habs Go.

    Cheers
  2. steve allan from Canada writes: Darey Price the second coming of Patrick Roy, my backside!

    In the last five games, he's been poor to mediocre in four of those games. He's not aggressive enough and he's letting in a lot of very bad goals. You can't win with average goaltending and you're certainly not going to win with mediocre goaltending in the playoffs.

    Price has had one great game in nine so far in the playoffs and that was game two of the Boston series.

    It's time to give serious consideration to bringing in Halak. I think Halak is stronger, both physically and mentally. If the Canadiens go with Price the rest of the way, their season will end against the Flyers.
  3. Bill H from Canada writes: Kostopoulis should be suspended for his cheap sucker punch. He won't though because he plays for montreal, one set of rules for montreal and one for the rest of the league.
  4. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: R.Miller, did you sing tonight? No one at the game was singing. Why do they only sing when they are ahead? I thought they just loved singing. I must have it wrong.
  5. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Robert; The Habs may have played better in this game than they played in the first game. Karma I guess.

    Steve Allen; Not sure you can blame Price for the goals against him. Koivu screened him on the first goal, second goal was in off the defenseman's stick. Third goal Markov shouldn't have let Briere cut in that way and the fourth was knocked out of his glove.

    Bill H; Yeah is was a bit of a cheap shot.... but if you watch the replay you see Timmonen laughing/rubbing it in .... not a good idea during the playoffs.

    Cheers
  6. Bill H from Canada writes: I didn't hear a whole lot of ole ole tonight which was quite refreshing.
  7. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Actually E J they were singing and I was going to mention that .... Just like the first game Philly scored their first goal right after the first chorus of Olay, Olay....

    Cheers
  8. Howard Young from Canada writes: Well, they shouldn't have taunted him by smiling and laughing in his face when Umberger scored that 4th goal. The kid (Price) will be just fine. If I recall he had two shut-outs in the first round. Did any other goalie manage that? Only one other goalie managed a single shut-out, I believe it was Fleury against a tail spinning Sens team. Biron managed to steal one. He stole one game in the Washington series, but that was it.
  9. Watching the country slip away . . . one concession after another from Canada writes: Well I'm off the bandwagon - until they win again, anyway. What a bunch of turds. Price has been way, way too sloppy of late. Montreal forwards outplayed Philly for most of the game (hint - try playing hard right from the start, it is the playoffs, ya know). Biron won the game - he was great. Price - not so much.
  10. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Glad to see so many deluded Leafs trolls are taking pleasure in actually cheering for the only Canadian team left in the playoffs to lose...

    That's the Canadian way for many in Don Cherry's fan club...

    BTW Carey Price is leading the playoffs in shutouts, tied for most wins, and is fourth in GAA amongst starters... and he is a rookie, no less...

    With a little time, I am sure that Price can yet become the second coming of Curtis Joseph....

    Cheers.
  11. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: Sorry Scot, must have missed it. Did they sing when the game ended?
  12. steve allan from Canada writes: Here's Price's save percentage in the last five games -

    .792

    .861

    1.000 (game 7 dominated by the Habs in which he did little)

    .909

    .826

    The Habs aren't going far with this guy in net. Either they make the change next game or they go out in five or six. He's wasting some good efforts with his play.
  13. Kevin Dooley from Canada writes: The Habs are terribly inconsistent as a team. I wouldn't blame Price for it. Price had 2 shutouts in the first round, but it went to game 7 anyway. How is that even possible unless the rest of the team runs hot and cold? They've been extremely inconsistent in both of these first two games. They won the first one by luck alone, and lost this one to the team that played harder.

    The Habs are going to have to wake up, or this series will go to the Flyers. I don't like the Flyers much (I think Briere and Biron are brilliant, and would love to see them on a good team one day instead of Buffalo or Philly), but tonight they were just the better team.
  14. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: R.Miller, what Canadian team. I thought it was the Russian National Team.
  15. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Montreal dressed 8 Canadians for the game.
    Philidelphia dressed 12 Canadians for the game.

    Cheers
  16. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: It seems to me that it would be better if these GTA folks want to watch and cheer teams for Canadian teams losing, they could start with either the Blue Jays or the Raptors...

    British Columbia's Carey Price will be fine...

    RDS is still smoking the CBC in terms of national audience....

    Shane Doan is the Captain of Team Canada...

    No Leafs will be playing on Team Canada when I watch the World Championship in Halifax this Friday.

    All is right with the world...

    Cheers.
  17. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Both the Blue Jays and the Raptors blew it up big time today.....

    However Toronto FC won again .... that's three in a row for the first time ever and over .500 for the first time ever....

    Oh and the Marlies are winning their series.

    Cheers
  18. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: Scot, you are reaching. FC and the Marlies? Are we talking major league here?
  19. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: If you want to hear singing E J .... check out a Toronto FC game. It's wild.

    As for the Marlies....

    Cheers
  20. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: EJ Ravensbud from Canada:

    Not only was that reaching, but...

    After what JFJ spent on the Marlies, they had better win...

    Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole... Go Habs !
  21. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: R. Miller, you are singing tonight and the Habs lost. Sure out of character for a Habs fan.
  22. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: btw Robert; You are correct that there are zero Leafs on Team Canada... Other than McCabes embarrassment at the Olympics I don't think a Leaf has made a contribution to a Team Canada since Sittler.

    You will however get to watch a few leafs out in Halifax. Stralman, Tlusty, Kaberle and maybe Toskala.

    Cheers
  23. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: EJ Ravensbud from Canada:

    I will grant you the fact that Montreal hockey fans are probably amongst the most fickle sports fans in the world...

    Am still hoping for an Eastern final match up between our Captain from Nova Scotia and mes Habitants, however...

    Cheers.
  24. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Back to the Habs;

    Steve Allan re: Price's save percentage. I said when Huet was traded that Gaineys big plan was to ensure Price got the experience this year. I doubt you will see Halak... but you might.

    Save percentages can be deceiving.... as I said in my first post.... you coudn't blame price for either of the first 2 goals .... his foot just missed the post on the third and the fourth might have been a rookie mistake.
    Look at the positives.... watch the way he plays the puck to his Dmen and the forwards. Look at game 7 against Boston. Look at his save percentages in the first 4 games against Boston.
    I expect him to steal at least one against Philly.

    How come nobody has mentioned Koivu? I thought he was the best Hab on the ice tonight.

    Cheers
  25. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: R. Miller that will be tough on you, having to decide between your Russian Habs and the Crosby led Americans.
  26. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: Hello to all my friends in Canada. The other night I dropped by to say hi! Yes I'am a Flyers fan from the Phila area. As I told you the other night, Once the Flyers figure a team out, they can win! They should be up 2-0. Spending a large amount of time in their own defensive zone - don't let that fool you! I have watched every game they have played this year. That is not inability. They do that all the time and still win! They have given us heart attacks all year! We shall see if it catches up with them. The Flyers have a way of fustrating the opposition. With all the effort the Habs put forth tonight, They lost! That fustration showed when kostopolus blind sided Timmonen at the end of the game. Brutal move!!
  27. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    That is curious fact, Scott...

    Why does almost every team in the NHL have truly gifted Canadian players on it who would be candidates for Team Canada except the Toronto Maple Leafs ?

    With Krusty the Coach's rantings every week from his soapbox in the Centre of the Universe, you would think that the Leafs would have Jerome Iginla, Vincent Lecavalier, Sid Crosby, Martin Brodeur, Dion Phaneuf and Brad Richards in their lineup...

    Cheers.
  28. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Habs dominating the play again tonight. They outshot and outhit a supposed tough Philly team.

    Flyers were opportunistic, Habs weren't. No worries.
  29. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: R. Miller, you east coasters just cannot forgive old Don for giving your boy Crosby the cold shoulder.
  30. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Eric Thomas from Broomall, Pa, United States:

    Hello to our friend from Philly... We have to look at certain facts here...

    The facts are that the Flyers are not up 2-0 ...

    This was the first game that the Flyers won against the Habs all season...

    Biron stole tonight's game despite the Flyers being outhit, outchecked and outworked...

    There were no "brutal moves" in this game...

    Cheers.
  31. John Stanton from Canada writes: I cant wait for Montreal to lose (they will) so these recycled Ottawa fans can go away. Leafs stink so come up with some other come back. It's amazing....ha ha
  32. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: All these comments and no criticisms of Bob Cole so far. What is happening? Montreal is in a tough series and there weaknesses are showing. Even if they win, it seems difficult to see how they will beat Pittsburgh. However, maybe they will match up better with a similar style of team than they do with a Boston or Philadelphia.
  33. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: EJ Ravensbud from Canada:

    Did you see Krusty's suit tonight ? Gawd -- Whose grandma in TO lost their drapes for that thing tonight?

    As a fan of Crosby and the Habs, I just don't what the purpose of his Clown show really is...

    He has promoted violence in hockey his entire broadcasting career with this Rock 'em, Sock 'em stuff. He has made it his schtick to promote Ontario over every other region in the entire country and to some, he has been downright rude towards.

    Cherry seems to be a little better behaved these days, however... Hates Avery's stunts, condemned Jonathan Roy for his attack and is a fan of no touch icing...

    Might just be my imagination, however.

    Cheers.
  34. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Robert;

    First thing Cherry did tonight was defend Price and the goals scored against him.

    Second thing he did was admonish Avery for over celebrating the Rangers third goal against the Pens.

    He is a fan of no touch icing and he wants the plastics taken out... or at least padded on elbow pads and shoulder pads..... rightly suggesting that would get rid of some of the concussions from head shots.

    Totally agree that it is sad that so many grandmothers out there are losing their curtains and couches to make him another god awful suit.

    As for your response to Eric Thomas.... I will give you that the Habs outshot the Flyers... but their coach told them not to put themselves out of position by going for the big hit so the outhit comment is suspect.

    As for outworking.... I thought both teams worked hard.... it was a good game.

    Cheers
  35. Matt O from Canada writes: R Miller, I admire your resilience, being the only poster around here tonight that's not a half-brained lout getting sh*ts and giggles from their asinine comments. Mr. Thomas from Pa. being the other exception. Nice to hear from you, though I wouldn't get too confident just yet. Anyway, I think it's safe to say Price cost us the game. People can make excuses about each goal...yeah, one time he was screened, and another was deflected by his own D, etc. The fact is those are still saves he could have made if he was on his game. Biron, on the other hand, did a compelte 180 from his game 1 performance. Some amazing saves at the end of the 2nd. Love the way the Habs plays are working this series...they actually seem to be better at getting their plays right than they were against the Bruins...they're just up against better opposition. The Habs just can't make any mistakes...to many open nets went wasted. Price will hopefully shake the night off and feel less pressure in Philly. Oh yeah, as for Cherry, I do think he's tempered his schtick a bit. I think this is the first time in months (years?) I could watch a full CC without hitting the Mute button. Perhaps he's hearing the critics this time around. Cheers.
  36. Jim IIII from Canada writes: The Habs fan silents was deafing at the end of the on game....Pits are dressing more canadians than montreal,,,,(surprising???) go PITS!!!!
  37. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: J K;

    No whining about Bob Cole and none about the referees either.... hell has frozen over.

    I'll take my shot at Cole though :) He is absolutely the worst. I can't count the number of mistakes I heard tonight... and I try not to even listen to him. That and gushing over certain players drives me nuts.
    (I know.. short drive).

    Cheers
  38. Matt O from Canada writes: Sorry if the previous comment sounded bitter. Some good poster out here today other than the two I mentioned...just a lot of brainless wonders as well. Cheers.
  39. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scott Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    Don't think that I didn't notice the recent change in Cherry on the Avery issue...

    In the old days, Krusty would likely be saying something like this about Avery's dance in front of Brodeur:

    "Listen kids! This is a good Canadian kid from Pickering that just wants to win at all costs. Nothing wrong with that play!"

    Cheers.
  40. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Me thinks Avery has embarrassed one too many Canadians Robert.
  41. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Matt O from Canada:

    If I have learned anything about Price this year, it is that he rebounds well from a loss...

    The idea that Halak should replace the playoff leader in wins, shut outs and 4th in GAA is a bit off the wall...

    The pressure in Montreal is pretty high right now... You might even start to see the phenomenon of home ice disadvantage in this series...

    Cheers.
  42. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Matt O;

    Sorry if I sounded like I was gloating... I wasn't.

    As an almost 51 year old who grew up a Leaf fan I have hated the Flyers since 1971.... I have hated the Habs all my life.

    That said ... I'm actually cheering for the Habs... even though I bet on Philly. ( I need an excuse to go to Montreal :) ). I would need a gun pointed at me to go to Philly.

    Cheers
  43. Matt O from Canada writes: R Miller, agreed, Price has bounced back well after weak outings.

    The Habs in general have been much more consistent than in years past, even those years in which they had some playoff success ('02, '04). I think credit goes to the coaching staff...Carbo, Kirk, et al. really seem to keep this club on a relatively even keel.

    One more thing: to all those "cheering" for teams that have more Canadians on them than others, that's just plain stupid. Just think about it English soccer fans followed the same logic; they'd all have to back Division 3 clubs, since the Premier League rosters are loaded with non-Englishmen.

    A team gets its identity from where it is based, not where its players come from. Come join us in the real world, folks.
  44. Matt O from Canada writes: Scot, no need to apologize...I was being the a*hole btching about other posters without using my head. I know you're one of the good ones here, and yeah, if you're a Leafs fan, I can understand carrying a grudge against the Habs.

    I'm actually surprised at the number of Leaf fans that have taken to backing the Habs this year...I guess it's been that long since a Canadian club one. I'll make sure to return the favour if the Leafs ever get their act together and make a run...big "if" there, though (sorry, couldn't resist).

    Cheers.
  45. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada, Hello, Let me just state I just mixed an Ice cold Martini in celebration of tonight's performance by the Flyers. I hope you will join me for a toast! I had one the other night when the Habs won. You see for me it's all about great competition. Their is nothing better than a great hockey game. Win or lose it's all about good sport. Biron was superb tonight - just like Kovalev was a star for the Habs the other night. We shall lock horns again on monday night. I know the Flyers well. They defeated the hottest team in the league last series. If I may be so bold, to all Habs fans - be afraid be very afraid! On another subject I spent many years in the U.S. NAVY. Made port calls in Halifax - Great town Great people. Nova Scotia is a beautiful place. Salute!!!
  46. Johann Decruyff from *La Pazadelphia, Bolivia writes: GO FLYERS!!!!!!
  47. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Matt O;

    No problem.... actually a Leaf season ticket holder that didn't renew this year... so no offense taken on the Leaf shot :)

    As for the number of Canadians playing for a certain team.... fans need to remember that there were 8 family and friends in Canada cheering for their players on the Habs.... just like there were 12 family and friends cheering for the 12 that Philly dressed.

    Your analogy to the Premiership in England is a good one... except that Englishmen don't make up more than half the league.... 53 percent of the NHL is Canadian, 22 percent is American. The rest are imports.

    Cheers
  48. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Eric Thomas;

    Cheers to that... I have a Stoli on the rocks here :)

    Salute
  49. Matt O from Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes:

    Your analogy to the Premiership in England is a good one... except that Englishmen don't make up more than half the league.... 53 percent of the NHL is Canadian, 22 percent is American. The rest are imports.

    =========================================

    True, and I think we should be proud of that fact, no doubt. I just don't like to see the ol'Canadian inferiority complex rearing its ugly head.

    Hockey is a world-class sport, played by many countries around the world. Despite that, Canadian players still dominate in the NHL, and internationally. We should be proud of that fact, but not have to obsess over it so much.

    Like you say, friends/families of each player of course are going to cheer on their players, but I think backing Canadian clubs, as opposed to players with more Canadians, is the better way to go.
  50. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Eric Thomas from Broomall, Pa, United States:

    Congratulations on the Flyers win tonight, and I am pleased to drink to your team's success tonight. We may lock horns for longer than this series if the Flyers win, and I believe that that is still a very big "if" at this point.

    As you can see from my above posts, I am a lifelong fan of the Canadiens from my days of living in Montreal, but I am also a more recent fan of our hometown Nova Scotian hero, Sid Crosby -- the mere mentioned of the name should bring chills to the spine of a true Flyers fan.

    Thank you for your compliments on our fair city of Halifax.

    Salut.
  51. Ian m from United States writes: Oh look, EJ Ravenswhatever is back, missed you after the 7th game against Boston. Got nothing to say when the Habs win, which I guess sadly is often.

    Price has been awful, and frankly, Biron was great.

    Carbonneau needs to use Halak next game and send some skaters in after Biron. The Flyers are really not a very tough team - it's all a bunch of cheap stuff after the whistle.

    It would be a travesty if Philly wins this series - Boston had more talent and more honor. The Flyers are the Coyotes with Daniel Briere. Just a bunch of cheap shot wastes like hartnell, Dowd, Upshall, Richards (most over-rated player in the world).

    But, Montreal has not played well enough to deserve to win. The Flyers have played to their potential - and what a statement that is.

    Go Habs - Canadiens Haters have had their night, but there won't be too many more.
  52. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: Scott Loucks, Pickering, Canada, Stoli on the rocks- You are a man of great taste.
  53. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Matt O;

    I hear you... hence I am cheering for the Habs.... but as I said before the playoffs started and I still feel.... this is not the Habs year. Gainey is setting them up for next year.

    Gainey has a ton of cap room for next year with only 1 (Streit) UFA to resign. He also has Andrei Kostitsyn as a RFA.

    Will still leave him with 15m plus in cap room. Hossa? Some top notch Dman (Kubina and McCabe are available).

    I think if I was a Hab fan I would be leaning heavily on the optimistic side.

    Cheers
  54. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ian m from United States:

    I was actually surprised that the Habs were able to beat the Flyers in the physical department tonight. Hopefully, some of those forechecks from their third line on the Flyers D will start to pay dividends as the series goes on...

    BTW There were some cheap shots after the whistle on both sides...

    Three points.... Price got the Habs to this point, often rebounds well after a loss and the pressure in Montreal is pretty high right now.

    Cheers.
  55. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ian m;

    I totally disagree with your analysis. Boston and Philly??? Sorry, maybe if Boston had their injured players back they would be close... but I don't think so. Richards overrated? No.
    Price will play till they lose.... trust me on that one.

    btw; the only cheap shot I saw tonight was the one on Timonen... and it was deserved.

    Cheers
  56. Ian m from United States writes: Oh and btw EJ, the Ole, Ole chant is meant for during the game, not when you are about to win - like "Go Leafs Go", for example, not like the Gary Glitter song, so stop being so damn bitter because Montreal fans actually know how to have a good time.

    So nice to be able to watch the game on Versus where the anti-Habs bias is less than on CBC which I get on NHL Center Ice when it isn't blacked out.
  57. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ian M;

    Anti Hab bias on the CBC????? Not what I heard tonight.

    Cheers
  58. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Gotta go gentlemen... thanks for the conversations.

    Going to play cards (Spades) for a while on line with some of my American friends.

    In Closing.... all the series so far have been good and pretty much gone as expected (didn't think the Wings would be manhandling the Avs).

    Will check back before bed so I can leave something for the early risers to bash.

    Cheers to all.
  59. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Eric Thomas from Broomall, Pa, United States writes:

    "You are a man of great taste."

    Dude, he's a Leafs' fan -- You haven't been paying close enough attention... ;)

    Sorry, Scot -- couldn't resist after some of those GTA Habs haters that started this thread off...

    Cheers...
  60. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: The Flyers sure do miss Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble. Mike may be back later in this series. To bad for us Simon is out. In my opinon he is one of the greatest hockey snipers playing in the world today. He can score from anywhere! Have you noticed whenever team Canada puts their greats together for the olympics or other great events, they always make sure Gagne is on one of the top two lines. Nuff said!
  61. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Gagne is out with a concussion, isn't he ?

    I would be more impressed if the Team Canada brass put Sid Crosby on the Olympic team next time to set him up....

    Cheers.
  62. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: R Miller, Halifax, Canada, Yes he has concussion problems. Hasn't played for months. We don't expect him back till next season. Down here in Phila the fear is it's another Keith Premeiu problem. I think my spelling is wrong on his last name. He really had it going with danny early in the season. From what I here down here they are good friends. The reason why Danny signed here instead of the Habs. Rumor here say he may try to come back if the Flyers go deep.
  63. Bill H from Canada writes: R. Miller, Sorry to disappoint you but I am not from the GTA. I am actually a maritimer. Not everyone from the east cheers for the habs.
  64. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Eric Thomas from Broomall, Pa, United States:

    Lindros, Primeau, Gagne...

    What is with Philly and severe concussions anyways?

    BTW I don't think that the Habs would really want to sign Briere for next season so I think Philly has a good chance of resigning him...

    However, I do suspect that they will be targeting a big French Canadian centre at next year's trade deadline...

    Just a hunch....

    Cheers.
  65. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Bill H from Canada writes:

    "Not everyone from the east cheers for the habs."

    If they are actually cheering for a Canadian team, they do now...

    And I am sure that at least half the Metro Centre crowd will be cheering for the Habs at the Habs - Bruins game next fall in Halifax....

    Well, it's been fun rapping with you lot, but I am off to bed so I will turn you over to the even more knowledgeable morning guy, Swifty J from Montreal....

    Cheers.
  66. ERIC THOMAS from Broomall, Pa, United States writes: Bill from Canada, Hello Eric from Phila. I thought everyone from eastern Canada were absolute Habs fans! Whats going on here! I had a buddy from the navy from Maine who informed me that thats a fact of life up there. Are you telling me i'am misinformed! Buy the way , Whats all the Leaf hating about? Theres's nothing better than starting over and seeing young players's come of age. The leaf's fans have nothing but good things coming. Being a Flyers fan we were at the bottom of the barrel last year. What a difference a year can make!
  67. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Eric Thomas;

    I really like the "new" flyer team...... once you replace some of your "slow" Dmen you will be a great team.

    Same goes for the Habs... and the Bruins..... and Washington.... and Pittsburgh.... Sigh

    Notice the lack of "Leafs" in the comment.

    After watching the playoffs so far.. and the young players on all the teams.... Think I might buy Marlie tickets.

    The east coast is probably the most diverse hockey area in Canada... They have Habs, Leafs, Boston, NYR and even a few idiot Ottawa fans.

    Toronto being bigger probably makes that a lie... but if you go to a pub in Halifax you will see it... in TO fans of a feather tend to stick together :)

    Cheers
  68. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Eric Thomas:

    You have been misinformed about everyone being a Habs' fan in Eastern Canada...

    Halifax is actually one of the most diverse hockey towns in Canada since we love professional hockey, produce some great NHLers like Sid Crosby, have a lot of residents that work elsewhere in Canada and have no NHL team to call our own.... :(

    You will mostly find Habs, Bruins, Pens, Sens, Flames here.... even the occasional Leafs fan still...

    I did the best that I could to rid the city of them, but alas, I am no pied piper...

    Cheers.
  69. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: LOL Miller... and where TF is Mariposa?

    Notice that most of the other Ottawa "fans" have disappeared?

    Same with the LeafIdiots....

    Afraid hockey fans are few and far between on these threads.

    Cheers
  70. George S from Toronto, Canada writes: Think this series may go to seven games- hope my Habs can win 1 of the next 2 games in Philly to get home ice advantage back. Go Habs.
  71. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Hey you folks worried about Price and wanting him replaced.
    Followed this Very Special Kid since he was 14.

    Don't know the boy personally but do know of his family.
    They live in Anaheim (the little one in BC) on the Coast Mtns.
    Family well known and very respected. Family also a VERY class act.
    Mother is Chief of tribe father is a pilot, they have a WOW daughter

    Anaheim is VERY far from what people call civilization.
    Cary Price didn't get in those nets just because he is talented.
    He wanted it, worked harder than ALL others, and he earned it.
    The Reserve is hundreds of miles from the nearest hockey town.
    So his father used to 'Fly' him to practices and then 'Fly' him home.
    Nobody EVER worked harder to get to the NHL than Carey Price.
    Most kids would have called it quits if they had to endure that.
    He will retain that SPECIAL work ethic all his career and all his life.

    No you worry warts, this kid is a winner. A real special champion.
    Montreal has a shinning jewel in Carey Price.
    And from what I see in interviews he is just a nice guy, a very polite modest young man still lacking the normal king-sized Jock EGO.

    Wish my Canucks would have drafted him.
    Because Carey Price is going to be the very BEST of all time.
    There are going to be a pile of Vezina's on that Anaheim Reserve.
    Won't be long before his Mom starts piling them on her mantel.
  72. Bert Russell Paradox, BC from Canada writes:
    Phillys weakness in my opinion is their defence. The Habs got away with a lot of shucking and diving during the regular season and their power play carried them, I don't think the Officials can ignore the Habs diving, they remind me of the old Russian teams. Price is very talented and a good size goalie. This kid is the real deal.
    But for the record I pick Philly to go into the next round.
  73. Jim Hickey from Bethlehem PA, United States writes: Gentlemen, I am a Habs fan living and working in the Philly area. I would consider it a personal favor if Montreal could finish this thing. My life will become extremely difficult should Philly win. Changing names, jobs, moving and emmigration will all become valid options.
  74. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Philly didn't get many chances, but they made the most out of every one. Biron was the star, stopping most of what the Tricolore tossed his way. He certainly deserves a "tip of the hat". Lots and lots of missed chances for the Montreal squad, Markov and Plekanec missed some golden opportunities, and weird bounces and goals for the Flyers. Price will bounce back, he's still on a learning curve and you've got to remember that he's only twenty years old. Was that slash on his hand after the fouth goal deliberate? The Flyers were laughing it up afterwords.
    I'd like to see Ryder get some ice-time. Put him on a line with Streit and Lapierre. And keep Koivu and Kovalev together when possible. Nice to see that driving work ethic of Captain Koivu, a Euro who is as intense and commited to victory as any North American....Hey Carey, get out to the top of the blue paint more often.
    If the Canadiens continue to play as they did last night, they'll go far. Biron stole the game....GO HABS GO
  75. John Stanton from Canada writes: The longer this series goes, the better for Philadelphia. They are bigger, more physical and they seemed like they could come back up the ice at the right time and score. Price looked pretty average at best. High glove hand was there all night long. Montreal is giving it a lot of heart but as Philly keeps the heat on the smaller, Euro forwards, they will wilt.
  76. bob miller from Canada writes: Off topic but does anyone know where one might find a list of unrestricted free agents coming up on July 1????
    thanks.......
  77. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ian M;

    Anti Hab bias on the CBC????? Not what I heard tonight.

    There has never been an anti-Hab bias at the CBC. It's just tghat once in a while the announcers tell the truth instead of blaming a Habs loss on bad luck.

    With regard to RDS and their great ratings who is reporting the numbers? BBM? or is it RDS themselves? They look fishy to me. More like advertising hype than fact. (just asking).
  78. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: Ian m from US - sorry I missed you last night. Had to get my beauty sleep. Hab fans will change like the breeze. The Olay,Olay was meant to gloat, not encourage the team. Along with Na Na, Na Na they mean to deride not encourage. When they lose they eat their own as you will notice that Carey Price is now suspected of being average when a week ago he was the local hero.
    I speak from some experience as I was a Habs fan from the 50s to the early 70s when they turned to goon hockey to compete with the Flyers. The fans also changed to vicious and vindictive. Now any team but the Habs for me.
    Also, check the thread - after game seven against the Bruins I commented that they were singing again.
  79. EJ Ravensbud from Canada writes: Lou, I can hear you yelling all the way up here in the north. Are you bringing back Shultz, Zaleski, Clarke and Dupont? The only guy you had on that team with any skill was Leach the Riverton Kid from Manitoba. Unfortunately the coach Freddy Shero was also from Manitoba. You guys ruined hockey for a whole generation, now you threaten to maim and injure again.
  80. Tom Sawyer from Canada writes: I loved the Broad Street Bullies!! I love when cbc trots out dick irvine....oh my god, and you want to say ANTI montreal bias. Give me a break.
  81. Lyn Alg from Canada writes: I find it absolutely hilarious that Stevens would criticize the Canadiens for a dirty check at the end of last evening's game. Imagine a Flyer's coach complaining about a dirty check. This coming from a team comprised of the dirtiest players in the NHL with the likes of the dumb, demented, Downie. I remember the dumber Flin Flon A**hole, little Bobby Clarke, who was the epitomy of 'dirtiness'. This toothless wonder, to this day, hasn't changed much. It's obvious that the Canadien's will take the next three games easily. Mark my words !
  82. steve allan from Canada writes: People keep saying that Price bounces back after a poor performance. There's two things wrong with that statement. The first is you can't afford poor outings in the playoffs and Price has given us plenty so far. Second, it's not true. He never bounced back from a disastrous game five against Boston.

    The first two goals last night were dreadful and on the Briere goal, he should attempted to use his stick to poke check Briere. That's what a good goalie does. Price is too nonchalant to be a good playoff goaltender. He has no fire in his belly, so any comparison to Roy or Hasek is ridiculous.

    If he set the Habs back in game three like he has in the first two games, Carbo has to bring out the hook and pull him. Montreal is still the best team as demonstrated by the fact that they outplayed the Flyers by a comfortble margin last night, only to lose because of mediocre goaltending. This is no time to play favorite...you go with the best man.
  83. Rob Rocket from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Over 7 games, the Habs will be the better team. They were last night, but hit a post here, missed an open net there...clearly, they outplayed Philly in all aspects of the game and will continue to do so. Game 1 was a bit of a dud by both teams.

    Price worries are overreactions for a couple of reasons. In the first place, he's young and WILL succumb now and then as he gets his sea legs; part of the process. His defence, in one of the Boston games, vanished. The first two Philly goals were high, over-the-shoulder shots...my goalie buddy once told me that those are the hardest to stop. Good on the Philly forwards for shooting well. And in game one, he settled in after the two early goals. He needs to be thought of in terms of long-term prospects. His are pretty outstanding.

    Didn't you love Koivu last night?
  84. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Hap Stokes- Price is from Anahim Lake, BC . His dad was a goalie and was drafted by the Flyers. He used to drive Carey 1200 miles a week to practice before getting the plane. All-World Hockey Dad. My source is Goalies World magazine. Argue with them.

    Price was extremely weak last night on all four goals. He needs to sit and think for a night in Philly. Halak should get the next start. Why should Carbo reward him for that game? Where would a forward or defenceman be next game with that type of performance?
  85. David P from Calgary via Vancouver, Canada writes: Any one else enjoy the irony that John Stevens is complaining about someone else playing dirty and sucker punching a player...he's forgotten about Steve Downie's hit on McAmmond, his sucker punch on Jason Blake, the hit on Bergeron, the hit on Alberts...I could go on, but why bother...he's got to whine about something I suppose...

    I'd like to see the Habs pull it off, if for no other reason than to show the Loafs that when you draft and develop players, you can get to be a pretty good team...oh that's right, the Loafs have no plan in place for anything other than sucking the money out of Torontonians to pay the OTPP...

    Go Habs!
  86. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: bob miller from Canada writes: Off topic but does anyone know where one might find a list of unrestricted free agents coming up on July 1????
    thanks.......

    -------------------

    Hi Bob;

    nhlnumbers.com

    Cheers
  87. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes

    Thanks Paul didn't know his Dad was a jock too. Thanks for the info.
    Sometimes fish those lakes around Anaheim.
    Paul you don't need a line to catch fish there.
    Those dumb trout limit you out in 15 minutes leaping into the boat.
    --Only mid-sized though, no trouble pan frying there--It's a WOW.

    Not the best road even in the dusty summer, let alone hockey season.
    Maybe that's why they fly out to Williams Lake.--Thanks Paul
  88. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Go Habs Go. Go Team Canada Go. Bring the cup back to Canada, bring the Gold to Canada. Go get em boys.
  89. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Paul I from Rochester, if you knew what you were talking about re Price last night, u'd be dangerous. He played well last night, just that Biron played better. Gotta remember, you are from the US of A, FIGJAM type of people, the whole country are full of FIGJAM's
  90. bob miller from Canada writes: Thanks Scott....appreciate your response.
  91. LOU SMITH from United States writes: BUNCH OF WEE WEE PUNKS. MONTREAL WILL NEVER WIN CRAPOLA. FRENCH CANADIANS WE WEE ARE WEE WEEING OURSELVES WAITING FOR YOUR CHEESE BREATH AHOLES AT THE WACHOVIA CENTER.

    I CAN'T WAIT TO POUR A BEER OVER SOMEONES HEAD. COWARDS
  92. Julius Streicher from Canada writes: After the Boston series I was reluctant to give Claude Julien any credit. But he's so much more than this Stevens clown. Want to see a coward Stevens...take a look at your own club. Flyers are just upholding their tradition of being a bunch of whining goons. And Mike Richards...the Mitch Williams of hockey. Another Philly loser. Habs will wipe the floor with Flyers.
  93. J. C. Petit from Canada writes: LOU SMITH from United States writes: BUNCH OF WEE WEE PUNKS. MONTREAL WILL NEVER WIN CRAPOLA. FRENCH CANADIANS WE WEE ARE WEE WEEING OURSELVES WAITING FOR YOUR CHEESE BREATH AHOLES AT THE WACHOVIA CENTER.

    I CAN'T WAIT TO POUR A BEER OVER SOMEONES HEAD. COWARDS

    I thought you "Slack-jawed Yokels" only drank Moonshine
  94. Tom Sawyer from Canada writes: Price let in 4 goals without a lot of traffic in front. I'd say that is a sub par performance. This guy is as over rated as saying the Canadiens are Canada's team with their 8 Canadian players.
  95. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Proud Canadian- But wait there's more- do you realize Price also misread a delayed penalty call and was well on his way to the Habs bench before he realized the penalty was on Montreal? He was not in the game last night and was at fault on all four goals. Spread that FIGJAM on your english muffin!
  96. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Better late than never....

    The 'idiot' Sens fan has arrived....don't worry Scot, we in Ottawa enjoy our hockey as well! Our playoff stint was short and anything but sweet, but people in this city are still very much into the playoffs.

    Pretty good game all around. This Philly team has a lot of fight left in it, and with a couple of big injuries as well. Biron stepped up big time....that crowd is so hot/cold, but it's the same in any city, I guess...it just seems more pronounced because the Bell Centre has been so loud lately.

    Tonight's game in Philly should be unreal. Don't think those Flyers fans will be going easy on the Habs after what happened to Richards in the box in game one....after all, they are Philly fans. The noise in that building will be deafening!
  97. Rich Betts from Philadelphia, United States writes: Hey Proud Canadian . . . Down here in Philly, we always get a kick out of some people North of the border with the name calling, booing our anthem and insulting Americans every chance they get. We love the fact that you insult Americans and paint us all with the same broad brush. Aren't your beloved Canadiens owned by a FIGJAM American? And aren't four of your beloved Canadien players (Higgins, Smolinski, Bouillon and Komisarek) American? Are they FIGJAM too? And aren't your beloved Canadiens captained by a Finn? And isn't your leading goal scorer and one of your alternate captains Russian? And isn't your other alternate captain a FIGJAM American named Christopher Higgins? Even your recent draft picks of Ryan McDonagh and Max Pacioretty are Americans. What is going on up there? Are there no decent French-Canadien prospects for the Habs to take? Then we have the hated Philadelphia Flyers. The current Flyers team has 13 Canadians on it ( including 3 French-Canadians - Briere, Biron and Gagne). Our team captain is Canadian, all of our top goal scorers are Canadian (except Prospal) and our goalie and most skilled offensive player are French-Canadians. The Flyers roster is rounded out by only 3 Americans, 3 Finns, 2 Czechs, and 1 Norwegian. And the hated Flyers of the 1970's were the last all-Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup. See, down here we don't hate the country our players are from and boo their anthem, then cheer them on once the game begins. We don't throw beer on native sons wearing the opposing jersey. It would seem a bit hypocritical to me if I booed O'Canada and insulted all Canadians in general and then went out and cheered for a team that was owned by a Canadian and had Canadians wearing the uniform.
  98. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Rich Betts- having said all you did, I guarantee you the mouth-breathers in Philly will take hockey fandom to an all-time low tonight.