Bruins end losing streak against Canadiens at 12 games with 6-1 rout
Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic, top, throws a punch while fighting Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Charles Krupa
2008-11-13 22:00:00
BOSTON - The Bruins enjoyed a rare lopsided victory against the Montreal Canadiens and ended a long drought in the process.
Marco Sturm and Stephane Yelle each scored two goals and Boston snapped a 12-game losing streak against Montreal with a 6-1 victory Thursday night.
"You lose eight in a row in the regular season, you question yourself and take a mental beating," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "After the playoffs last season and how we've played against them this season, I don't think there is a complex anymore."
On a night when most of Boston focused on the NFL game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, the Bruins extended their winning streak to five games and won for the eighth time in nine contests. They had gone 0-10-2 against the Canadiens in the previous 12 meetings.
"I think they just wanted it more," Canadiens goalie Carey Price said. "They had more of a fight and they put in the effort, and we didn't."
Manny Fernandez made 27 saves and is 4-0-1 in his last five starts. Boston's tandem of Fernandez and Tim Thomas has allowed only nine goals in eight games.
Boston's fourth line of Chuck Kobasew, Yelle and Shawn Thornton combined for a season-high seven points.
"When you have all your lines going it is definitely an advantage," Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara said. "Being able to use your whole lineup is crucial especially during a heavy schedule."
Boston earned a 2-1 shootout victory on Wednesday night in Chicago and will play for the third time in four nights at New York against the Rangers on Saturday.
The Bruins led 3-0 in the first period on goals by Thornton, Yelle and Sturm. Thornton took advantage of Mike Komisarek's turnover to make it 1-0 at 2:31. Yelle doubled the lead with 3:00 left in the period. Sturm added a power-play goal with about six seconds remaining.
"Probably one of the better games I've seen since I've been with this organization," Sturm said. "It's great to see we are heading in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go."
Price struggled throughout, and he hit a low point when he was whistled for delay of game early in the second. Sturm capitalized with his second man-advantage goal of the night, redirecting in Patrice Bergeron's shot for a 4-0 lead at 3:44. The crowd followed with a derisive "Carey, Carey" chant as frustrated Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau looked on.
"They're in the NHL, they lost 12 games in a row against us, so I know they're not going to come in here and play easy or play tired or act like they are tired," Carbonneau said. "We had no effort ... no emotion."
Saku Koivu cut Boston's lead to 4-1 when he spun around the back of the net and beat Fernandez, who was out of position after mishandling the puck with 6:26 left in the second.
"They'd gone a lot of games against us without a win and we just weren't ready, for whatever reason," Koivu said.
The surprising Bruins (10-3-3) are three points behind the Rangers for first place in the Eastern Conference and have outscored opponents 28-13 over the last nine.
Milan Lucic added his fifth goal 4:42 into the third, and Yelle capped the scoring with his second of the night and third of the season just over four minutes later. Yelle also assisted on Thornton's goal and tied a career high with three points.
Notes: Montreal had its longest winning streak against an opponent in the 1974-75 season when the Canadiens beat the Washington Capitals 23 straight times. ... Sturm has five goals and two assists during Boston's winning streak. ... Price lost to Boston for the first time in his career. ... The last time Boston had 10 wins in its first 16 games was in 2002-03. ... Boston has allowed one power-play goal in 21 chances.
Flyer guy (Posted 2008-11-15 10:50:29)
Bawston Dude, what did you think of Price when it mattered, last year in game 7 of the playoffs?I'd take Price over either of Bostons goalies (or Philly's) in a second. Price rules.
habs fan (Posted 2008-11-14 19:35:36)
I am a hardcore habs fan, and the look on Guy's face during the game was huge, I would hate to be those players after that game, they sucked big time and deserved to lose. They need to realize that last year they were the underdogs and nothing was expected of them but that this year they have become one of the must talented teams, and every other team knows it and will be gunning for them... They have two choices work hard for home ice advantage during the season, or coast and work even harder during the playoffs cause they will not have any home ice advantage.
Go HABS GO
Mavid (Posted 2008-11-14 19:34:48)
You guys are too funny...one (finally) win and you say we are cocky...you need to check yourself..
bawston dude: Learn to read he said that everyone in Mtl knows Boston is a good team...and no...none of us thought that this would be a cake walk..so don't presume to know what we all think..
Jeffrey: not sure were you got your info from but Roy was not booed out of town..quite the opposite many of us were devistated..I attended his first game back in Mtl and he was given a rather lenthy standing O..
All you boston fans need to relax...its a little early for planning your parade route...
DannyBoy (Posted 2008-11-14 16:44:57)
What a game for we Bruins fans.
Any good B's fan who is worth their weight-LOATHE the Canadians. Over the years i relished each Montreal loss as close to equal with a Boston win.
What a game last night!- the Habs had no answer for Lucic, Chara, Julien.
Partisanship asisde...The Habs looked so soft in the D zone it is a wonder it was not 12-1. The team should be ashamed for how they left Price out to dry
The B's out hit, out skated , out fought the other side. Too bad for them..
C'est mal -Les Habs..C'est mal...
Black n' gold to the grave
James Finney (Posted 2008-11-14 14:21:17)
The Bruins have been playing better than Montreal this year. Thomas has been amazing in net - especially in the old-fashioned goalie battle against the Hawks, the defense is doing great, the offense is doing great. Last year the Bruins couldn't keep up with the Habs at all, this year they've kept up with them once and dominated them the second game. Watch out Habs, the NE is gonna be a tough one this year (especially when you lose big to Toronto).
bawston dude (Posted 2008-11-14 14:08:32)
Relax angelo. You cocky guy. You seem very frustrated by the beat down you received on the score board AND in the alley. Price is over-rated anyway. He's good no doubt,but he's not that good. Montreal thought it would be a cake-walk. Hhahahahhaaha. We took that cake and smeared it all over the Habs faces. Hhahahhahaha. Angelo it seems bet a ton of money on the game and lost a ton of money. Boston's for real this season boys. Watch out.
Jeffrey Daigle (Posted 2008-11-14 14:00:19)
This is one of the greatest rivalries in pro sports. I've been watching since the days of Bobby Orr. Each team makes the other better, and lets face it, we love the under dog. This is very reminiscent of the late 80's and early 90's when after a decade of mediocre play, the B's with Cam Neely, Ray Bourque, Andy Moog, Reggie Lemelin and cast finally shut down the Habs. Since the only sport in Monteal is The Canadiens, all eyes and emotions are focused on the squad. It's all or nothing up over the northern border. You simply must win. It's expected of you, or get run out of town. Poor Patrick Roy almost single handedly brought Mighty Stanley to Monteal and in the end got Booed out of town to win yet another in Colorado with Ray Bourque at his side. Talk about sweet tears of joy streaming down this Beantowners cheeks. I love my Boston teams, but without the Yankees, Lakers and Habs, well it's just another game. I for one respect them and can never hate. That's not good sportsmanship!
Angelo (Posted 2008-11-14 12:49:44)
And...............how does this mean Montreal is not a good team? Its ONE game, out of 13!!!!!! This beating was seen from a mile away. Everyone in MTL knows Boston is good. Boston had more emotion than Montreal for one reason, FRUSTRATION. Monntreal will rebound and take the rest of the season series. TRUST ME!
angelo (Posted 2008-11-14 12:44:24)
Alright, enough is enough. The Habs lost and lost bad, but one game does not define a season, and the Habs could still move on top of Boston with two games in hand. It was due, the Habs were over confident and the Bruins were fed up of losing. For the allstar game, all the players that deserve to be there are there already. Every city that hosts the allstar game has more players on the ballot than the rest of the league. this is just another excuse to put down the best team in NHL history. Relax Boston, your back in MTL next week, ROY's night. Your all over.
Angelo (Posted 2008-11-14 12:44:11)
Alright, enough is enough. The Habs lost and lost bad, but one game does not define a season, and the Habs could still move on top of Boston with two games in hand. It was due, the Habs were over confident and the Bruins were fed up of losing. For the allstar game, all the players that deserve to be there are there already. Every city that hosts the allstar game has more players on the ballot than the rest of the league. this is just another excuse to put down the best team in NHL history. Relax Boston, your back in MTL next week, ROY's night. Your all over.
John (Posted 2008-11-14 11:37:17)
You should go to the habs website and read the posting in the forum its hilarious. someone predicted habs over bruins 6-1. a few post saying how komi is going to kill lucic and you can see the pregame excitement. as the game goes on they get more and more upset.
It was only one game and the bruins have 3 points out of four vs them. I dont care if they win again this season that was enough for me.
The habs look like an allstar team to bad the allstar game doesnt choose player who deserve to be playing in it.
John (Posted 2008-11-14 09:34:16)
Even bigger words whoever you are. It will be sweet to see the the Habs go down in their 100th season. SWEET
beantown sucks (Posted 2008-11-14 08:19:25)
Big words rick for a team that has only won 1 game of the last 13 vs MTL about time for you lossers to win one
Rick (Posted 2008-11-14 03:07:05)
Ah yes, and the real Montreal Canadiens are starting to show their colours. Can't play tough, they'll be out in the first round.
Advertisement
What should the Ottawa Senators do?
"Nothing happened there. He had his glove in my mouth, but I didn't bite him."
- Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu on allegedly biting the hand of Buffalo's Andrew Peters during play Tuesday night.
Our Partners
The Hockey News Corporation. All Rights Reserved © 2008 Transcontinental
Standards: XHTML 1.0 STRICT + CSS 2. V 1.5 17.09.2008
