Flyers Even Series One Game Apiece

The Philadelphia Flyers did something in the first two minutes of the second period that they should not have . They woke Carey Price up .

After being soundly outplayed by the Habs  in the first period and down 2 – 0 ,  a Philadelphia shot hit Carey Price in the windpipe – temporarily sending the league`s season shut – out leader to his knees . Following the brief scare , the Flyers went on to rifle twenty – one shots Price`s way as the team from Pennsylvania totally dominated the Canadiens . The score would have been 8 – 2 after two periods for the home team instead of the 2 – 1 tally posted on the scoreboard if Price was left to doze.

The Chesire Cat on Fire

The Habs were up by that score for two reasons . Maxime ( the Chesire Cat ) Lapierre and Flyer goalie Boucher .

Lapierre scored two weak goals in the first period as Boucher did his best to continue the goaltender jinx that has been following the Flyer squad since Pelle Lindbergh`s pre – mature demise on Nov. 11 1986 . It marked the third time in Lapierre`s career that he has scored two goals in a game . Maxime now has four on the season as he and his line-mates , Pouliot and Halpern continue to net points on a somewhat consistent level. Pouliot and Halpern added two assists each .

Richards – Subban Spat on Hold…?

The National Hockey League has always taken one step forward and two back when it comes to increasing viewership south of the border . For every Sidney Crosby there is a Bertuzzi – Moore type incident that discourages the climb of hockey over sports such as underwater basket weaving and synchronized darts. Judging from last night`s non – event title fight between Subban and the entire Flyer squad – it appears that the NHL brass finally got it right and nipped any negative Youtube clips from being aired across the globe.

Mike Richards and Subban acted like a couple after a break – up. Not even a glance toward one another during the pair`s collective  39 : 31 of ice time . It may be good for league PR yet it certainly isn`t real hockey as political correctness weds the  mighty dollar. The fourteen minutes in minor penalties that were handed out during the entire game made all the hoopla leading up to the match obsolete. I guess you can`t have your cake and throw it against the wall – let alone eat it .

Habs Victorious in Loss

Although the Habs squandered a 2 – 0 lead to lose to the home team  3 -2 , the game was a victory for the Habs under the shadow of Kate Smith.

Montreal went into the game looking to send a second email to follow up their 3 – 0 victorious one last week . The Flyers may have out-shot the Habs 45 – 31 and appeared to have dominated but in reality this game could have easily have been won by the Habs . The Flyers first and second goals were not scored by Price`s poor play nor was a team letdown responsible . The two goals by Leino and Giroux were just that – goals by two guys that deserved them. Sometimes goals are scored in this game and there is nothing you can do about it . James van Riemsdyk`s winner at 7 : 42 of the third was the only one that should have been prevented as Montreal defence man Hal Gill had a momentarily lapse of reason and left  van Riemsdyk alone to fire a snapshot past the befuddled Price.

What to do with Gomez

A Flyer fan sitting in the stands – a Tasty Cake in one hand and a program in the other , must have been baffled as he observed Scott Gomez skating at rink – length speed  – shift after shift .

Gomez is the most eye – catching of the Hab players as he picks up pucks and approaches the other team`s zone faster than Justin Bieber`s rise to stardom. The fan would like what he saw and as he glanced at the Hab scoring stats – Gomez `s name would be expected on top – if not the top three . Instead the fan would see that Scott has two goals and four assists in twenty – one games . Not even a productive stretch for a Pee – Wee player on a weekend tournament. Midway in the second period last night – Gomez did something that kinda – sorta explains his problem .

The Habs were on a power – play and Gomez picked up a loose puck in the corner and made his way toward the slot . He realized that he had a step on the Flyer defender and looked as if he would fire the puck and catch Boucher off guard. Instead , he hesitated for a brief second and then took a quick snapshot at the Flyer net minder . That pause is an indication of a loss of confidence , the same lack of confidence that made former Hab superstar Guy Lafleur skate to the corners instead of attempting to beat guys one on one in the middle.

Guy Lafleur was in the twilight of his career when this happened and Gomez – at thirty years of age is way too young to start considering his post – hockey career. For Habs fans and more importantly Gomez , let us hope that his confidence returns with a  couple of goals and not in the form of a cell phone provider . The Habs need goals – the world is full with texting teens who cannot get out of bed and need to be woken up .

The Habs are home to the L.A Kings Thursday night as Jeff Halpern and Mike Cammalleri face their former team.

Check out what it is like in La – La Land with Ruben Segura . Ruben is a succesful entrepreneur whose only downfall is that he enjoys Marcel Dionne`s old stompin`grounds.  Rink Royalty is the place for Kings…!

* A brief note on Rudy Migay. If you followed the post on the Leaf – Hab game , Rudy was listed at 5 `6 150 lbs in my article and considerably larger on the hockey database . I did some research and discovered that indeed – Mr . Migay was the diminutive `Terrier `that I made him out to be.

Too Many Men On The Site will keep you informed of the latest ice – capades.