OK our 2nd season is now kicked off.

Early tilt yesterday featured a possible one sided affair as the Bruins faced off against the Habs.  Both squads had some March break absentees and both missing their top defensemen.  Habs did look too confident in the pre game warmup except fill in goalie Senkowski who told the media, pre puck drop, that the Habs will shock the world!!!!  Bruins opened the scoring at 12:06 but the Habs looked like a much more energized squad and out shot the Bruins the rest of the opening period.  Habs got 2 goals to close out the 1st period leading 2-1 and most observers thought they should have had a few more but Gord Ide looked very good.  The 2nd period saw the Bruins take control and out scored the Habs 5-1 for a 6-3 lead after 2 periods.  Things looked not well for the Habs but they played their best period the entire season and played the entire period in the Bruins end.  Habs made it 6-4 early in the 3rd and then 6-5 with 7:30 left to go in the game.  Bruins were right back on their heels.  Brideau had a few meetings with his back stop trying to help Ide catch his breath.  Habs just could not get that tieing goal after a minimum of 25 shots on goal in the last period.  The final buzzer went with the puck in the Bruins crease.  6-5 Bruins win.  Great game all around.  Bruins goal scorers 2 for Brideau and singles for Sharp (a break away beauty with no Habs able to catch the flying Bruin), McKean short handed, Peacock and Cormier with the game winner.  Habs got 2 goals from the wood of Maguire, and singles from Rukavina, Chantaj and Kryslak.  Bruins went 0-2 on the PP and Montreal was 1-3.  Players of the Game for the Bruins #18 Patrick Sharp who carried the Bruins in the opening 2 periods and for the Habs #4 Jim Maguire.  Special shout out to both goalies, Ide and Senkowski.

Late game between the #3 and #4 teams, Flyers vs Islanders.  Islanders with only 9 skaters for their opening playoff tilt.  3-1 Flyers after the opening period.  Flyers continued to look strong in the 2nd as they out score the Islanders 2-1 for a 5-2 lead after 2.  Islanders looked a bit stronger in the final frame as they skate to a 2-2 draw in the final frame but the outcome falls in the favour of the Flyers 7-4 winning their 4th straight game.  Flyers sending a message to the rest of the league that they must be considered as serious contenders for a championship run.  Both squads went 0-3 on the PP.  Goal scorers for the Flyers, 2 for Cummings and 2 for Diluzio and singles for Tygesen, Ree, Ferrin.  For the Islanders Annan, Robb, Chantaj and Carlisle.  Players of the Game go to Flyers #28 Marcello Diluzio and Islanders #23 John Annan.

So, away we go, next weeks games will go Friday, March 27 at Port Credit arena but note both games will be earlier.  8:15 puck drop with the Habs trying to duplicate their efforts again against the top team in the league Edmonton Oilers.  The late game puck drop will be at 9:30 with Boston facing off against the New York Islanders.  The Flyers get the week off.

See you all on the ice and reminder to bring in your application and $50 deposit for next season as well.