Habs Blow Late Lead, But Still Win-Habs 5, Laffs 4 (SO)

Well a win is a win, especially when wearing the cursed barber shop jerseys. Despite a collapse in the last 4 minutes, the Montreal Canadiens came out on top of the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in a shootout. The Laffs erased a 2 goal lead late in the 3rd with the tieing goal coming with their net empty and 54 seconds on the clock. Glen Metropolit, Guillaume Latendresse, Hal Gill (yes Hal Gill) and Roman Hamrlik scored in regulation. Mike Cammalleri and Scott Gomez both scored in the shootout and Jaroslav Halak stopped both Laff shooters. Halak turned aside 26 shots, while Vesa Toskala made 35 stops. Ex Hab Mike Komisarek was booed all night and ended up -3 with 4 PIM's. Craig Simpson was gushing about how good he played, not sure what classifies a bad game if that is good. The officiating was awful with the majority of the calls (or missed calls) going the Leafs way. This was proven when a non Habs fan buddy called to discuss the gong show of reffing in the second intermission. Highlights of the terrible work include Cammi skating around with a stick stuck in his earpiece after a high stick (yet no call) and the Leafs Beauchemin clocking Cammi after the Gill goal and the Habs ending up short handed (eventually leading to the Laffs 2nd goal). The Laffs scored twice on their 7 chances, while the Habs failed to score on 4 tries. Some other thoughts:

>First off, I have been to the Bell Centre and watched 4 games, 3 of them wins. There is nothing like doing the Ole chant or nah, nah goodbye. Here's a tip though, how about NOT doing the goodbye chant with 4 minutes to play in a 2 goal game.

>Another game with the Habs having trouble getting out of their own zone. Too many times the puck went back instead of chipping it out. Time to start making the easy plays.

>The offence looked better tonight. Nice to see some others scoring goals outside the big line.

>Gill had a decent game but took 2 more penalties. I never thought I would see him score, but he did. Props to you Hal.

So another Habs/Laffs game in the books. The biggest thing is getting 2 points but I would have preferred it to be in regulation. Although this may have been a tactic to give the Leafs a point and stop the Bruins from getting the first pick in next years draft. Yea that must have been it. The Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game tonight goes to Tomas Plekanec. Pleks was dangerous again all night and battled for every puck. He also picked up 2 assists. Consideration was also given to Moen and Lats. Next up the Thrashers on Tuesday.