New Montreal Canadiens severely outpaced in home opener against Flyers

 

MONTREAL - The Canadiens fell 4-2 to the Flyers at the Bell Center on Thursday. The Habs were looking to start off the season with the new franchise with a positive showing for their new fans. Unfortunately, the team was ill prepared for the Flyers firepower, specifically in the 2^nd period where the Canadiens were outshot 19-3.  The Flyers won the overall game 4-2 which is a fair score considering they outshot the home team 43-18 (31-8 in the last 40 minutes).

 

Canadiens captain Sergei Fedorov opened the scoring at the end of the 1^st period on passes from Kravchuk and Linden.  While Dwayne Roloson pulled a miracle in the 2^nd period making 17 saves, he could not stop Siren and Goulet who both scored their first goals of the season to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes. 

 

It was more of the same in the 3^rd period as Roloson would continue doing his best despite being peppered by Flyers shots.  After the Flyers took a 4-1 lead on goals from Duchesne and Linseman, the Habs PP finally scored on its 6^th attempt when Stephane Quintal scored with less than 2 minutes to go.

 

Final score 4-2.  The Habs played in front of a packed house of 22,000 fans. Taylor Hall was injured and is expected to miss tomorrow’s game in Anaheim.  The Flyers took all 3 Game Stars spots although Roloson was also deserving with his 39 saves. 

 

In NMFHL news, the Rocket hosted Timmins and was on the winning end of a slobber knocker 21-13 win. Chris Osgood was in nets for Laval for the win while Allan Egeland and Ed Ward each scored a hat trick.

 

Next up the Canadiens are on the road to face the Anaheim Ducks.

 

-The Montreal Gazette