Round 2, Game 4: Bégin penalty costs Canadiens

habs have played well? are you joking? If they were playing well, they wouldn't be down 3 games to 1. They're just a bunch of soft pussies afraid to get hit and do the dirty work it takes to win!

Guys, The Habs have played well in this series and unfortunately it hasn't worked out. A few of our defensive lapses have lead to goals and the Flyers to be certain, might be saying they are the better team, but I think, they are patting Biron's head for such a great series that he is having them. Saving them from what could be a very different story. I wonder how different these games would be if we could ever score first. That must be a priority going forward, because then Philly will have to play differently and we will be able to use our speed more. One thing we learned for sure in this series, is that we are a little small in the middle and I think this problem will be addressed in the off-season with people coming and going and perhaps a trade. I for one am not yet giving up on the dream. We can beat this team, the question is will we be able to. Beyond that, this team is very young and like Washington this year and Pittsburgh last year, young teams take time to learn how the playoffs are played, we will only get better for it, in the long run. The future is bright and the present has been really exciting. GO HABS GO!!!

its he same old situation.super hot flyers goalie.we go down 2 zip.desperation kicks in too late and begins dumb penalty didnt help for sure. look habs fans nothing short of a cup will do for us but lets be realistic here.before the start of the regular season our beloved habs were predicted to finish 13th place in the east.we finished 1st overall in the east!! plus weve made it to the second round of the playoffs!. not bad for a team predicted to finish 13th.give this team 2 more years to jell and stanley will be comming home where he belongs.as for now, get on ur knees and pray to the hockey gods that birons magic powers expires at 7pm saturday night. go habs goooo!!

I think it's unfair to solely blame Begin for the loss tonight; yes the penalty was dumb but the man gives his all day in day out for this club as he showed when he blocked a shot in the gut earlier and had to go to the rooms. We lost this game because Biron is on fire right now and turnovers are killing us - Smolinkski's in particular was awful. Hopefully we can get into Biron's head for the next 3 games (get in front of the net, rough him up a bit maybe... ;-D ) and make a brilliant comeback. On a seperate note thank god for CJAD as I live in Australia and their coverage (plus this site) is keeping me sane!!! COME ON HABS!!!! #1 IN THE EAST LETS SHOW 'EM WHY!

I was down last night like everybody else but it is difficult at times to witness how posters change their allegiances with the wind. Fair weather fans at best. However, I feel better this morning. Still very proud to be a Hab. Time to prepare for game five on Saturday. The Original 24.4 Cups

Plecks, Kovy, Kost Koivu, Ryder, S. Kost Lapps, Higgins, streit Please!!

I dont care who carbonneau puts in just as long as they dont mind getting their noses dirty.

I would like to see Carbo make several changes for the next game,and that being to bring in the kids that have not seem any playoff action as of yet. Earlier this year they brought up the kids like that young Sergie Kos,and that put a sparke in the other guys.If you let Grab. Stewart, and Obryne, play. These guys are the future,so lets face it. I hope,but it seems unlikely,they come back,from being down 3 to 1. Something in this series must change, so why not make it. And maybe,even, put my buddy RYDER in. GOOD LUCK

Well, isn't AK46 snakebit? He pretty much could have won the game by himself with all the chances he had. He was too fine with his shots, ripping a lot of them wide. Lapierre played his best game of the playoffs. Halak was fine. My only question is why break up the Smo-Beg-Kos line? They were the only line that was consistent throughout the Boston series. I see Guy (Balls of Steel) Carbonneau is up for coach of the year. Many posters only see his mistakes, but I see a guy (get it?) who has grown with the job. Well, we're down 3-1. Do we have to resort to heart transplants or do we just need a defibrillator? Gilbert Remember '71? Remember '86? I STILL BELIEVE. The Drive for 25 is STILL on! Go Habs Go!

Jim Halpert said: has anyone else noticed that the rebounds he gives up always go to the slot? No habs are in the slot.... seriously if someone was parked in the slot or in front of Biron then this series would be OVER. Youre absolutely right Jim. And I have no idea why this hasnt been remedied... I also think its time to change the PP unit, and its time for the habs to sit back and concentrate on defense and counter-attack. Dictating the play with our speed isnt working, since we have too many of our 'skilled' players not going the extra mile.

Hmm Kevin Pollack one of Walken's riot refs decided this game with a call that happens dozens of times during the game with no call. I'm watching the game again and i'm just into the 2nd period and i noticed at least 10 similar incidents of late hits with no calls after the puck been passed ( it's the playoffs stupid ). Mr.Pollack will get to kiss Big Cheese Walken's ring as he determined another game for his chief Stephen W. as Bettman wants a Pittsburgh/Philly series for U.S. TV. Also why wasn't Upshall called for embellishment on Saku's penalty, he always dives but when he has the puck in the scoring area you have a hard time to knock him down. I knew these young ambitious refs would cost games on their road to the top.

Not to take any credit away for the flyers - they have played well, but they don't deserve to be in second round. Yeah ok they have neutralized our power play, but didn't Boston do that too? The book on our PP is out yet there have been no changes to it. The Habs are the better team out on the ice but they can't find the back of the net. It seems as though everyone can see what the habs are doing wrong except them. They habs need to crash the net and get in Biron's head, no one has gone to screen him, no one has sprayed him, and no one has trash talked him. All the shots he is stopping he can see, we have no one in the slot to pick up the rebounds.... has anyone else noticed that the rebounds he gives up always go to the slot? No habs are in the slot.... seriously if someone was parked in the slot or in front of Biron then this series would be OVER. If the habs don't adjust by next game then this series is donezo!

I will not fault Begin for taking a penalty of aggression. Too many times habs have pansied out and it is showing. This team needs some jam and sometimes penalties happen because you are trying. The habs have played passive, no penalties hockey all year. It was good enough in the regular season but isnt working so good now. I didnt see many Habs willing to take a shot to go to the net. Too much perimeter skating. Looks good but accomplishes nothing. We need grit and we need it bad. Bye Bye Higgins for some power? Streit is gonzo, Breezer too thank god, we need a tough, puck moving d-man for next year to go with some size up front.

I am a HUGE Begin supporter!!! This kid is a true Hab....game in and game out. Horrible call - Welcome to the new "soccer rules" where refs call the shots and hitting is on the way out. Our guys are doing everything "except" winning! 38 shots? WOW! Habs in 7

Did it ever occur to any of you that the Flyers are playing some very good playoff hockey??? Their PK is awesome! Their goaltending is bang on! Their opportunities are being finished!! Carbo's a fantastic coach who keeps getting better and Gainey's constantly assessing what he has and will make them better (more grit and killer instinct needed please Bob). Steve Begin is a little too rambunctious but tonight's loss in squarely on the referee who just had to decide the game to satisfy his ego. To call a penalty on Begin for a hit that was a non-call when the Flyers were doing it not 5 minutes earlier is complete BULLSH*T.

Not much to say about this one. It really is deflating to go down 3-1 and to suddenly look like nothing can go right. I think it was a good choice to start Halak because even though they lost with him at least Carbo tried something. Plus if Price had played and lost then it would be too late to give Halak a chance. Oh how far the power play has sunk. Where is Markov? This team used to CONTROL power plays. Now they look lost and desperate. I think Carbo should put Kostopolous, Begin & Smolinski on the power play and tell them to crash the net. It can't work out any worse. As for Begin and his penalty... I'm sure his heart is in his feet right about now. Every part of him as a hockey player tells him to go out with energy and make a big hit, but he has got to control himself in that situation. I don't want to be too hard on him though because from the second half of the second period to the second half of the third period when the rest of the team looked asleep he was still out there leaving everything he had on the ice. Just look at that shot block in the guts to prove it. This would be such an unsatisfying end to this season if they go down in the second round without even a sniff of winning it. Price back in for game 5 and is there any chance he can put together 3 straight games like Biron has? WE NEED TO SCORE SOME GOALS EARLIER. Chances are great and fun to watch but we need some GOALS. Not two late in the game on the power play just to make the game look like it was respectable. We need some good goals...where is Pleks shot? Where is that surprising timely goal by Streit, where is that finish by A Kost?? Where is the stick to stick passing we enjoyed all season and at times against the Bruins? Koivu has been very impressive and could this not be a great year for him to win a Con Smyth? S Kost has been a joy to watch. Hard working, not afraid to hit or muck it up in the corners, great passing. Looks very promising for the future. Nothing to loose by putting Ryder back in. I guess all I was really trying to say is... Go Habs. Get things turned around next game at home then steal one in Philly to set up game 7.

this series is too much like the first round. just fliped. we are out playing them and losing. i call biron weak for the next 2 games.

Here's a funny video to lift everyone's spirits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfsorLmH-f4

Windsor, I totally agree with your everything you wrote, except for Begin....the mans a workhorse!!!!

maybe if it WAS a contract year he's put out a little more in the playoffs !!!!!!

Here's something that could cheer us up :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEvNuUKAK4U&feature=related

YES we did say bad stuff about KOVI last year but we brushed it off on SAMSONOV, but KOVI had a bad attitude last year also, RYDER has never said anything negative about the team, He needs a chance, he is a talented goal scorer, he did not prove that this year because he had aseason tickets in the Press box. CARBO, please consider playing RYDER in Game 5!!@

Isn't it ironic that we lose all the games where we outplay the Flyers for the majority of the game and the only game that we won was the Flyers best game from start to finish?

My few cents from the peanut gallery: (1) Say what you will about Carbonneau but the guy has got stones. If Halak had won tonight he would have been hailed as a genius. (2) We have outplayed the Flyers in the past 3 games. There is no doubt about it (in my mind at least). We just haven't gotten the breaks or requisite goaltending. (3) Begin took a stupid penalty. We know it. He knows it. Having said that, this guy plays his heart out and leaves everything on the ice. He's been part of the Habs best line (with Smolinski & Kostopolous) in the playoffs. I'm irritated but disagree with posters saying kick him off the team or trade him. You don't win in the playoffs without guys like him. (4) People are now calling Gainey an idiot for trading Ribiero and Robidas. Granted those were not great trades but what about the trade of Balej and a draft pick for Kovalev? What about trading Theodore to open up cap space? What about all the great draft picks under his watch? How soon we forget. (5) I want the team to win #25 this year. We're a better team than Philadelphia but we are a young team as well. They are learning and will get better. No one (except the biggest die-hard fans) thought we would even make the playoffs let alone get to the second round. Even if we lose Game 5, I believe this season was a success and the future looks great.

We have nothing to lose Saturday. Bring on the youngsters and bench the deadwood. No need to name them, Carbo knows who they are.

Habs came back from being down 1 - 3 vs Boston in 04. Can they repeat ? I say yes. We take game 5 and Philly won't be so sure of themselves.

I have been reading the posts daily amd have only recently joined in on the conversations, but i know many HABS fan agree that RYDER has been geting the shaft this year, and most likely he won't be playing in Montreal next year, but give him a chance to play in this series, I know he will make a difference!! PLAY RYDER!! I won't give up!! I will continue to POST and hope the HABS go all the way and Win the Stanley Cup. I have picked DETROIT and Montreal in the Final and I still believe that can happen even though the PENS have not lost a playoff game Montreal can still pull it together, we have 2 great Rookie goalies and many talented players including RYDER!!

The sharks just took the lead...now you gotta know that anything can happen...Its gotta be a sign...Habs will win on Saturday. I know I'm grasping at straws, but hey, it can't hurt. BTW, I have yet to say that the Habs will win. When asked, I always give a non-committal "its a 50-50 chance" (not because I don't believe, but because if the unthinkable happens, I would get ripped into tiny pieces by not only my co-workers, but by the Philly fan customers too, they are EVERYWHERE), but I'm going on record here tonight...the Habs will win on Saturday. :-)

Ok Lets look at some POSITIVE and NEGATIVE things... NEGATIVE 1. Why was Halak in nets... (No one say this was a good idea please) 2. Begin penalty, why was a fourth liner one in the final 5 min anyway, forget that it was a selfish dumbass penalty… 3. Carbo, is in panic mode…so what does he do…goes back to his old habits of CHANGING everything that got them here, PRICE, KPK line, O’byrne and Smokes line..just great…. POSITIVE: 1. All the pressure is on Philly to close out the series, with a win in Montreal on Sat Canadiens can even put more pressure on Philly. 2. Price will be well rested and ready to prove he is the best, (he will steal game 5) 3. GAME 5 IN MONTREAL!!!Fans will be rocking the joint….

1) No guts, no glory. Whatever happened to crashing the net and making life difficult for Biron? 2) Considering the circumstances, I thought Halak had a decent game and in no way is he to blame. 3) How can our powerplay be so good all year and then disappear in the most important part of the season? I just don't get it. All they did was pass the puck which usually ended on a Flyer's stick. 4) Even though we outshot the Flyers and came back to tie the game, we definitely did not deserve to win. 5) What was Steve Begin thinking? Better yet what was he and his line doing on the ice with 4 minutes to go? 6) Proud to have Saku Koivu as our captain. He was and has been the only player playing with heart, passion and grit. The rest of the team was AWOL. Having said all this, I still feel that this series is not over yet. I hope the coaching staff make allthe right moves and light a fire under everyone's you know what.

This time there was no luck involved, Biron was excellent. Halak was not bad (great save on the Carter breakaway). Philly opportunistic again. Habs fought hard all the way through and short of a win that is all I can ask of this team. Ryder deserves a chance to play next game. Doesn't matter whose in nets. Habs just need to continue to play hard, take it one game at a time.

I still have faith...they played hard enough to tie it (the first time in a long time this series when the score was not 0-0)...it ain't over until someone wins 4 games...fine, the Flyers are closer, but they still need to win that fourth one...forget stats, history, whatever, the Habs WILL pull it off, I believe, I have faith... I am out here in TO and man, Kilgour's was rocking, despite their new TV not having stereo or HD, people were still living by every play and man when Koivu tied it, the place exploded and when the Flyers took the lead, the whole place died, in terms of fun, it was a great night... In any case, it isn't over, it may be hard, but it is better than over...the Habs will stop the Flyers from winning that fourth game... Of course, they need more people around Biron, and some players need to stop playing scared... I STILL THINK THAT THEY CAN DO IT! GO HABS GO!!! And congrats on Gorges getting his first goal as a Canadien!

Uh-oh......is this the BEGINning of the end?!!! _______________________________________ Hockey / Hurling....... they're not all that different!

We need Dirty, Dirty Dirty Goals to get through Biron. Plain and simple.

99.9999999% of the people, oops i'm sorry, IDIOTS on this site (besides the team running, keep up the good work) are too quick to not only criticize, but flat out bash everyone on this team. The "blame", if any, rests on everyone's shoulders including the players who all played great games but could not bury the puck, the goalies who are great but did not do anything above and beyond to win ous the games themselves and finally the coaches, who are now taking the most heat, for teaching this team a great system that has hit an unbelievable, unthinkable and UNLUCKY standstill for making minor mistakes which should be minor if we could put the puck in the net. Don't know what will come of this series. All I know is that I'm as frustrated and upset with this series as anyone but I stil LOVE MY HABS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also the referees are brutal. VS. didn't show a replay of Begin's penalty but I remember it live and for all the other *** that was let go in this game, anyone who knocks Begin for that hit is not only a BAD Habs fan, they just plain and simple know nothing about hard fought, playoff hockey. GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!