Michael Ryder lifted the Bruins over the Canadiens in overtime as the B's tied up the series at 2-2 with a thrilling 5-4 win at the Bell Centre.
Brent Sopel opened the scoring 8:13 into the game for the Canadiens with a slapper from the top of the right circle. Tim Thomas was square to the shooter and appeared to get a good look at the shot, but was just flat out beat to the far side by Sopel's shot which deflected off Thomas before finding the back of the net.
After being invisible for the first three games on the series, Michael Ryder made in impact against his former team. Ryder roofed a snap shot over the shoulder of Carey Price to make it 1-1 at 2:13 of the second period.
Mike Cammalleri regained the lead for a Habs at 6:52 of the second period. Brain Gionta picked up a rebound at the left post off of a Scott Gomez backhander from the slot. Gionta then threaded a perfect pass through the crease behind Tim Thomas to Cammalleri at the right post.
The Habs made it a 2-goal game at 7:47 of the second period on a tally from Andrei Kostitsyn. Kostitsyn shoveled in a backhander off of a centering pass from Tomas Plekanec while driving to the net.
Andrew Ference made it a one-goal game midway through the second period when he skated onto a loose puck in the high slot and fired a slap shot that caught Carey Price by surprise and beat him high over the glove. After the goal, CBC cameras pick up Andrew Ference celebrating the goal by flipping off the Bell Centre crowd.
Patrice Bergeron knotted it up and made it a hockey game with 2:56 left in the second period. Brad Marchand gathered a rebound from Mark Recchi's shot at the right post and alertly slid a pass behind the back of Carey Price to Patrice Bergeron at the top of the crease for his second goal of the series.
P.K. Subban's power play goal 1:39 into the third period with Patrice Bergeron off for hooking gave the Canadiens a 4-3 lead. Subban's wrister from the left circle somehow snuck past Tim Thomas high on the near side.
Chris Kelly jammed home a loose puck from in close in front of Carey Price after Rich Peverley centered the puck to the goal mouth to make it 4-4 with 6:18 left in the third period.
An interference call on Dennis Seidenberg with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation created some tense moments for the B's, but they were able to kill off the penalty and eventually hang on to force overtime.
In overtime, Michael Ryder proved to be the hero for the B's when he netted the game winner 1:59 into the extra session. Rich Peverley's shot missed wide-right. Chris Kelly gained possession of the puck behind the net and sent a pass to Ryder at the bottom of the left circle. Ryder's quick catch and release shot beat Carey Price to send the Bruins off the ice at Bell Centre with a 5-4 win to tie the series at 2-2.
Notes:
- I don't like to say I told you so, but...I do like to rub it on the rare occasion I am right. This was the text I sent to our emergency call-up/black ace Tim before the game:
I'm thinking ot.don't know who wins but 73 scores.
- The Bruins looked awful in the first period, especially moving the puck of their own zone. The Habs forecheck is still causing problems for the B's.
- Video of Andrew Ference's Bell Centre Salute:
- If Ference gets fined for his gesture, I say it was money well spent. If he gets suspended, it was a dumb selfish move.
- How bad was Dennis Seidenberg tonight? First, he coasted back into the defensive zone on Andrei Kostitsyn goal like it was a Sunday afternoon skate at the Frog Pond. Then, he almost gave away the game with just over 2 minutes left in regulation on dumb interference penalty. It was not a great night #44.
- It was a 3-point night for Michael Ryder (2-1-3).
- Tim Thomas made 34 saves. Thomas still struggled with rebound control and got caught out of position at times tonight, but he made some big stops to keep his team in the game.
- I thought this was going to be a deep series, but this is not how I expected things to go. I had the home team winning every game. The Bruins must really hate their wives and kids. There is no other explanation for their success on the road. Who wants road meat?
- This P.K. Subban video will haunt your dreams.
- Patrice Bergeron and Brian Gionta each put a game-high 7 shots on goal.
- Brad Marchand led Bruins forwards in ice time with 20:21.
- The Bruins return home for Game 5 on Saturday night.
- For more on tonight's game from up north, head over to Habs Eyes On The Prize