The NHL schedule provided us with a Game 6 matchup and not one but TWO Game 7 showdowns. On paper, this looked very appealing and live, it was even better.
The Game 6 matchup featured Montreal vs Boston, an Original Six matchup of teams who simply disliked each other. Their long historic rivalry has always been a heated one and this season the tensions were even higher due to a couple of key games involving a TON of penalties and injuries. In this series, Montreal jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to have Boston win the next three games, leading up to Game 6. So if you were a Habs fan, you had reason to be concerned. Lose this game and your season's over. Win and you get to play again tomorrow night for all the marbles. So there was a lot on the line.
As expected, both teams played tight at first, afraid to make any mistakes. Eventually Boston would make the first mistake and it would cost them. Montreal scored on a penalty and after Boston scored to tie the game, mistakes would kill them again. Montreal again capitalized on a penalty and they made it hold up this time, eventually winning 2-1 and tying the series 3-3. Habs fans were relieved while Bruin fans left the bar frustrated. Game 7 takes place on Wednesday night (7pm).
The first Game 7 featured Philadelphia vs Buffalo. Going into the series, Philadelphia was favored to win, however, they found themselves in a heap of trouble as Buffalo gave them all they could handle. The series went back and forth and it led up the eventual final game of the series. Unfortunately for Sabres fans, the usually reliable Ryan Miller wasn't up to the task and the Flyers won easily, 5-2, advancing to the next round. A game effort for the Sabres but I guess this wasn't their year.
The final game of the night pitted Vancouver against the Chicago Blackhawks in another Game 7. Vancouver jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, only to allow the Blackhawks to work their way back into the series by winning the next 3 games. This game was HUGE in that this wasn't the first time that Chicago has come back to win a series from the Canucks. And we had a nice number of fans from both teams in attendance to check out the late game and they weren't disappointed.
This was a GREAT defensive battle with stellar performances from both goalies. Vancouver scored in the first period and that 1-0 lead held up until about a minute left in the game when "Captain Serious", Johnathan Toews scored to tie the game and send it into overtime, much to the delight of Blackhawks fans in the bar. Unfortunately for them, Vancouver scored 5:22 into overtime to win the game and advance to the next round. Seriously, you really hated to see anyone lose this game as both teams really fought it out til the very end. It capped what was a great night of hockey at the bar.
TONIGHT: GAME 7: MONTREAL vs BOSTON (7pm, w/audio) and PITTSBURGH vs TAMPA BAY (8pm)! Hockey Night Specials in effect ($4 Molson/Labatt Blue bottles, Full Sail Buckets-5/$20, $4 Mixed Well Drinks for ladies). PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Game 7 matchups PUB TRIVIA, normally scheduled for Wednesday night, will take place TOMORROW NIGHT (8pm)! Look forward to having the Pub Trivia regulars back!
Cheers!
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