Everyone should know by now that when playing the Whalicanes, you basically have to play a no-contact type of hockey because every touch is embellished to grandiose proportions. It's why I take every penalty given to the Habs tonight with a grain of salt. Particularily the hookings, slashings, and trippings. The ever popular two minutes for collison returned tonight. And while I honestly don't care how true the penalties were, the fact that no one got called for giving Tanguay a bear hug for 30 seconds (and he played right through it while the Whalicane tried to make it look like he was the one being held), or for roughing D'Agostini who had every right to keep slaping that puck that Ward had no idea where it was, or the stick-around-the-waste type hookings, well... I'd say the refs went home with a satisfying bonus.
But let's look at the good things. Kovalev's shorthanded goal was a big FU to the game. It was a true statement because without the powerplays keeping the puck mostly around Halak, Ward would have let more through. It was a duel of which goalie could provide the best example of bad rebound control, and I'd say Wardo won that one. He was not sharp at all, and it basically came down to having his defense fill his net because they seemed to be aware of this problem and figured 3 goalies were better than 1.
Ben Maxwell was absolutely wonderful even if his impact hasn't hit the scoresheet like Dag did. He was on shadow duty and did it wonderfully, he was setting up in the offensive end and became an important factor in the 3rd as the majority of guys on the team just couldn't move anymore from being on the constant PK.
Unfortunately this crappy momentum was probably a contributing factor as to why Tanguay was having a bad day. At least he wasn't alone. Breezer must be the only player out there capable of making the same exact error four times in a row and CONTINUE to try again resulting in the same error. He may have been the only offense for a few games, but even I cringe at the sight of what he did in the backend.
And yes, and word to the wise other teams! If you don't want the Habs to score on a penalty shot, then don't give one to Gui!Gui!Gui!, though by all means, do it. Thought I'd just warn you. He's now 2/2 with those and I wonder why he is rarely put out in shootouts... When it's just him vs the goalie and no defenseman is shoving a stick down his shorts to stop him, he usually scores. Also puts a smile to my face when players tried knocking him around by the boards. They tried, but bounced off him. In the end he still had the puck.
Nevertheless, this game was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. I'm just happy Gui! and Kovy scored (and both played a hell of a game, though Kovy's been playing great games for a while except no one notices it unless he gets a goal on his sheet instead of a zillion assists). And just looking at this team suffer without Koivu... Imagine if Kovy were gone too? I shudder to think of that day and only hope Gainey brings him back. He's a workhorse and frankly no one can replace him. All he wants for Christmas is a few goals, less teams doing the instant triangle on him, and linemates that can finish his setups. I'm still dreaming of a Kovy-Koivu/Lang-Kovy line!
