Text Book Defence Leads To Victory-Habs 3, Flyers 1

If you like defensive hockey, this game was for you. The Montreal Canadiens used some timely goal scoring and stingy defence to come away with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The two teams combined for only 28 shots, the Habs 13 and the Flyers 15, including 1 by the Canadiens in the 1st and 2 by the Flyers in the 3rd. The Habs had possibly their best defensive game of the year with air tight d-zone coverage and strong work along the boards. Andrei Kostitsyn, Mike Cammalleri and M.A. Bergeron scored for the Canadiens. Tomas Plekanec and Roman Hamrlik both had a pair of assists. Carey Price was strong again stopping 14 shots for the victory. After allowing the Flyers to score the midway through the 1st, Montreal potted 2 in the 2nd before a power play goal by Bergeron in the 3rd iced the game. In typical Canadiens fashion they took a penalty with under 2 minutes to go leading to some tense moments. The Flyers failed to get new coach Peter Laviolette his first victory in his second game since taking over from John Stevens. Paul Mara left the game in the 1st with an undisclosed injury (I would guess "upper body"). Some other observations:

>Gill and Gorges were once again very effective on both the PK and at even strength. O'Byrne had a rough night with a bad penalty and several giveaways. Hamrlik and Spacek were also solid.

>Pacs, Moen and Metropolit continue to play strong. All 3 work hard and play physical. Pacs seems to be getting better and better each game. Laraque got in a 1st period scrap and had an assist.

>The PP went 1 for 3 with Bergeron also hitting the crossbar with a blast in the 1st. The PK was great holding the Flyers scoreless in 4 chances.

Nice win over a hungry Flyers team. Anytime a team replaces a coach they usually play lights out for a few games at least. The Canadiens were able to match Philly's physical play and limit the number of chances by their skilled forwards. Tonight the Silver Wolf Whiskey Hab of the Game goes to Roman Hamrlik. 2 assists and 10...yes 10 blocked shots. Honorable mentions go to Pacs and Pleks. Not much rest for the boys as they travel to Ottawa to take on the Sens tomorrow night.