You know, every time Pierre Houde says the refs tolerated something on the Bruins end and then calls a penalty on the Canadiens end right after, I die a little inside. The fact that Leggo was so absolutely nervous calling the penalty on Lucic after he tried decapitating Lapierre makes me wonder who's got his kids captive until the series is over. You'd think a guy with so much supposed experience could make the call properly and get the numbers right instead of fumbling like an 8 year old at his first public speaking attempt at school. And when a goal is waved off because a Bruins defenseman pushes Higgins into Thomas, while the goal is allowed when Bergeron clips Price as he's trying to maneuver, well... it just makes you wonder where were these refs when Huet was bowled over by a Flyer pushing a Dman into him and out of the net last year with the Capitals. Same with why does it take 5 minutes to blow the whistle when Price has it in his glove, while it's an automatic whistle on the other end.
But tonight, people, I'm shocked! Shocked!!! Benoit Brunet actual gave supportive argument instead of craptastic, mean and misguided criticism! He praised Kovy who was totally all alone most of the game. And when Halak was brought in to get Price out of that defensive mess he was hanging alone in, he actually supported the kid for all his effort and openly expressed wanting his return on Monday. Didn't fault him for anything, considering all the quality chances. (Jaro saw 5 shots). A few months ago, he'd have kicked the kid's dog and pissed on his favourite toy. Whether it's Price or Halak really doesn't matter now, if Markov isn't back Monday, and the defense is a continuous stream of suck like tonight...
It's a little sad only half the team showed up at various times. What happend to the penalty kill that was pretty good? It collapsed on it's feet and fanned on clearing pucks out, though did manage to neutralize Chara...but by doing so forgot about everyone else. Kovalev was playing. But like Price, was one man against a team. Twice he managed to make his own way to the net. A few times he managed to defend better than the defencemen. And again, he scored a goal only Kovy can score. Where would this team be without him? Well, it would be shutout... Where's the rest of the scorers? Pushed to the outside with no one ready to get anything in front of the net or bouncing pucks off legs or missing by a mile. Yes the Bruins are doing way better defensively than the Habs, but there are a few pairings that stink on D and just end up dodging bullets when Higgins can't hit the side of a barn.
There also appears to be some bizarre forcefield in front of the Bruins net when Thomas never sees a puck but just somehow it ends up in him. (Like in the opening frame, Sergei got a sure goal chance when the one timer somehow ended in Thomas' gear. Even Thomas was looking in his net for it). Then again, it pays to be as wide as your net. And people called Price fat?
Gotta say though, the Swiss Mister 2.0... I'm really starting to love the kid. He played both ways tonight, and went back on D permanently when Bouillon's brief return ended with an injury. (Probably shouldn't have come back, as that same type of injury sidelined Briere for the nearly the entire season). The kid had two hits and they were both on Lucic. Unfortunately his awesome shot seems to have lost it's awesome accuracy, but he'll get used to it eventually.
After all this, we'll see if Lucic gets suspended. If not, whatever. I'm tired of watching the Referee Parade. All I ask is a win Monday. Win one for me please? Hugs!