Canadiens-Bruins: A Seventh Game Is Needed

Yesterday, Game Six of the first-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins was an emotional rollercoaster ride for the fans at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

The Boston Bruins deserve all the credit in this game. They have worked very hard and rallied from a one-goal deficit three times.

After Montreal got a goal from Chris Higgins during the first period, Phil Kessel tied the game at 1-1 early into the second period.

Then Tomas Plekanec getting out of the penalty box received a pass from Steve Begin and went all alone with goaltender Tim Thomas. Plekanec netted his first goal of the series and gave Montreal a 2-1 lead after two periods.

A great main course was served to the fans during the third period. A total of six goals were scored during this exciting last frame.

Vladimir Sobotka tied the game at 2-2 early into the third on a very disputable play. The Bruins looked to be offside at the Montreal blue line but the linesman misjudged Boston's entrance in Montreal's zone on the play.

Francis Bouillon gave a 3-2 lead to Montreal halfway into the third period when his shot was deflected by a Bruins defenseman in front of Thomas. Only two minutes later, Milan Lucic deflected a shot from Aaron Ward to tie the game once again.

With under five minutes to go, Phil Kessel gave Boston the lead for the first time with his second goal of the game. Montreal replied immediately: Chris Higgins tied the game at 4-4 only 11 seconds later on a great feed from captain Saku Koivu.

Marco Sturm scored the game-winner for Boston with under three minutes to go in the contest.

Final score: Boston Bruins 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (The series is tied at 3-3)

Should the Bruins come back from a 3-1 deficit and win this series monday, Boston head coach Claude Julien would reach a unique milestone.

Julien, a former Canadiens head coach, has already registered a 3-1 series comeback against the Boston Bruins a few seasons ago. Julien will have a 3-1 series comeback with both Boston and Montreal on his resume.

(Picture: Claude Julien, Canadian Press.)