4.14.08   09:30

The Building was as electric as I’ve seen it since it opened in 1995. Despite the fact that half of it was filled by the Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show know as Canadien Fans. It was cheering against cheering as the fans were hoping to stir on both teams, of course in their own way. Montreal fans booing every time the B’s captain touched the puck and the proud Boston fans cheering loudly above their razzing. I saw a few fights in the stands between Boston fans. At least they all had Bruin jerseys on. The local gendarmes did forcefully take down one Candien fan from the upper deck and it looked like he was gonna go head over tea kettle over the railing. In other words, it was a typical rivalry game in Boston. The Red Sox and Yankees would be proud. The Bruins actually grabbed a lead for the first time all season against Montreal when Milan Lucic was all alone in the slot and beat Carey Price. Is it easier to play with a lead? You bet. The Bruins kept the pressure on for a while until the Canadiens Tom Kostopoulos early in the second. The Three Stars of the Game selected by WBZ’s Dave Goucher and Bob Beers appropriately named Marc Savard Number One Star and Milan Lucic number two and Tim Thomas Number three. Hard to disagree with any of those selections except, Tim Thomas was exceptional this game.  Especially in the third period and overtime, when his teammates seemed to be tentative and jittery and playing not to lose instead of aggressively trying to win. But oh how this game can change in an instant. Peter Schaefer was slashed and or hooked by former Bruin Bryan Smolinski and a delayed penalty was being called. With Thomas to the bench, Schaefer, now in the Montreal zone, played the puck back to Dennis Wideman who spotted Savard – the extra man – and slid a nice quick backhander to Savard who one-timed it into the net past an out of position Carey Price. And although the “media” are not supposed to be cheering, Diehard was one of the loudest. Hey, I’ve lived too damn many of these Bruin-Canadien series. I have a right to root as much as anyone. Boston is back in the series but boy it still won’t be easy. The Bruins survived the Montreal power play five times and only allowed game two winner Alexei Kovalev one shot on net. They also did not score on their own power play chances. But they got the crucial goal in OT. Now lets get more Boston Fans in those seats on Tuesday to stifle those annoying Canadien Fans! Olé Olé Olé!

-Diehard