Montreal 4 - Chicago 3 (OT)
January 9, 2008
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The Canadiens opened the scoring early with Saku Koivu scoring a beauty from the side of the net early in a first period largely controlled by Montreal. Chicago evened the score little more than a minute later, however, as Jack Skille netted his first career NHL goal for the Blackhawks. Fresh from an 11 game break due to injury, Patrice Brisebois put the Habs back on top with a powerplay goal from the point late in the period.
The Blackhawks stormed back quickly in the second period, scoring goals only 18 seconds apart on Christobal Huet to take a quick 3-2 lead; Robert Lang and Chris Versteeg took the credit. Midway through the period Canadiens All-Star starter Andrei Markov proved that he belonged on the All-Star starting lineup as he nabbed his 11th of the year on a Montreal powerplay from the point, tying the game at 3 going into the second intermission.
The third period saw a lot of grinding along the boards and some fantastic goaltending by both Patrick Lalime and Huet, and neither team was able to score a goal. The game went into overtime, a place the Habs rarely shine.
There were several big chances early in OT including a Blackhawks shot that got away from Huet and sat on an empty crease until Roman Hamrlik was able to deftly clear, saving a goal. Only seconds later Maxim Lapierre flew down the wing and placed a perfect pass onto the stick of a streaking Latendresse. The young Hab was able to tuck the puck past Lalime, giving Montreal only their eighth home win and putting them over .500 at the Bell Centre for the first time this season.
GAME NOTES: Brisebois looked great in his first game back, netting a goal and doing a great job on the blue line. He played well, but Andrei Kostitsyn saw his point streak end tonight; brother Sergei earned as assist on the Koivu goal.
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