It was close in the end but it didn't start out like that.
Predictably, they came out playing the way they always did in back-to-back games. You know the usual chasing around, standing slackjawed, have the play pretty much entirely in their own end... Spotted the Bruins a 2-goal lead early then Martin calls a timeout. I'd say it helped a bit but really, unless you got them strapped to an intravenous of Red Bull it seemed they were heading for 60 minutes of perimeter play. And then Ryder takes a stupid penalty. Weber scores.
Please tell me Martin has written in caps in his notebook: "PLAY WEBER AGAINST THE BRUINS!!!" Really. He's got 3 goals against them with two BIG ones this series.
Then Tomas Jagr scores shorthanded while on a breakaway. You just start to believe. You can't help it. (By the way, Bruins 0-for-everything on the powerplay. Yea, Kaberle).
Punch in the gut as Kelly scores alone on a bouncy rebound after the refs miss not only a high stick but a spear to Hamr's throat. Can't be pleased, but there were 4 other guys on the ice that did nothing to stop him. I mean it's Chris Kelly. Blow on him, he'll fall over.
The goal and situation seemed dire. Price had to make more game saving saves. Would have bee 5-2 in a few minutes if not for him.
It's then you've come to terms and resolved your satisfaction with a team that was supposedly not even make the playoffs according to every talk show panel out there. Suddenly, like the secret agent he is, Patrice Bergeron high-sticks Wisniewski in the face. He heard the ole ole ole and like the Manchurian Candidate he is opened the door for the Habs dangerous powerplay to kick in.
PK Subban rips it. Thomas had burn marks by his ear. The kid is clutch. Game 7 goes to overtime.
Habs came out of OT like they realized they could take it. Unfortunately they were shooting the equivalent of wet socks towards a very nervous looking Thomas. Bruins nearly put the puck in their own net, twice, which were the most dangerous plays he faced. And just like that, more running around deep in their own zone. Horton is allowed to rip it from the point and the puck bounces off 3 guys just past Price.
Series over. Season over. Final score of 17-17 if you could believe it. I know a few media types around town are surprised.
I can only be proud of the Habs especially minus Markov and Gorges, but more importantly without Pacioretty who was brutally eliminated by that team's captain. He would have been a definite plus in this series, just like he was in every game he played against them.
And one cannot be depressed over the revelations of Lars Eller, who has grown exponentially in this series. We saw his skills, his prowess, his speed, and his resilience. We saw PK become the leader in ice time in the whole NHL for a defenceman. We saw Ryan White outhit the Bruins and the Red Sox. Desharnais showed what we all knew: that he 5'6" and 8' of HEART. And of course Weber, showing his versatility but more importantly HIS GOALS.
They worked hard. They tried. They lost by a millimeter. Right until the bitter end through all the hacks, slashes, cheapshots, and bad ice. Couldn't ask for a better series. And now we finally don't have to hear the Bruins whine until next season.
And as the Bruins go on to play the Flyers...I say Go Team Meteor!
Yea, what I'm rooting for Nashville.
Don't forget the AHL: Tomorrow the Bulldogs take the next step against the Moose! Apparently only Ryan White can rejoin them. As for the rest of the guys eligible, I'm hoping they have enough left in them to go play for their respective countries...most notably Price and Subban for Team Canada.
Here's to next season. Good Night, and good luck.