FanNation - The Republic of Sport

As I write this, Game 2 between the Flyers and the Canadiens has finished and the result was as I predicted. Flyers win 4-2. It was a great game overall and the Flyers showed much of the same from the last game, but with some more pace, and a little more luck.

The really important part of this game was Martin Biron. He had an amazing game - a deserved 1st star. The first goal he let in was unlucky - he got a little distracted as Lasse Kukkonen got caught in the face by a skate, wouldn't you?. The second goal he let in, I must admit was pure class from the Canadiens. Price's night, was not so good. It was a testament to the Flyers, placing their shots and getting catching Price in bad positions. 

Despite the win, I'm still seeing serious problems in the Flyers game. Their is an issue with the almost infamous hard play. Montreal's first goal was on the Power Play. The first penalty in that little string of penaltys was for having too many men on the ice. That was a little sloppy on the Flyers part but these things happen. The second penalty, which could have been worse, brought on a 3 on 5 situation. It was simply because Randy Coburn cross checked a Hab after Biron had freezed the puck. Jeff Carter did the same thing, although the Hab he took out looked to go down fairly easily. The Flyers also need to try and match Montreal's level of play, it got fairly bad in the third period when Montreal were out pacing the Flyers all over the place. That being said, it was much better than in the first game. John Stevens' decision to move Hartnell up to the first line with Prospal and Briere seemed to have worked. 

Now for my little beef about the Canadiens players. Only one - Tom Kostopoulos, the Canadiens hero from game 1 took a cheap shot at the back of Kimmo Timmonen during the celebration of Upshall's goal in the 3rd Period. Unsportsman like? You bet.

This will give the Flyers a boost in the series. I think this will be like the first series against the Caps: The Flyers will gain a little momentum from this win and they will carry it into the next 2 home games. The Flyers often do great things in the Wachovia Centre thanks to the fans and will probably win both of them - at least one of them. However, only time will tell.

Also, finally a game where the referees were on the ball, or the puck as it were. And finally, my thumbs up to Canadian Hockey commentators for being un-biased. Watching local coverage of games makes me sick. I mean, between periods I want analysis, not the home teams players first car!!!!