2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Series – Montreal Canadiens win 4-2 against the Ottawa Senators at home
The 55th game of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Series took place as the Montreal Canadiens was up against the Ottawa Senators. The game promised to be an exciting encounter as both teams were looking to register a win. The match took place at the
Center Bell Arena this past Saturday. There was a capacity crowd of around 21,000 people who came in support of their respective teams. Both teams were playing in their 5th match of the regular season, as the Montreal Canadiens emerged as the winner
with the score 4-2 in their favour.
1st Period
The home team, Montreal Canadiens started off the proceedings in an impressive manner when they fired couple of shots at the opponent’s goals. With their determination, the Montreal Canadiens were reward as early as the 2nd minute when they scored
a goal thanks to 10 feet backhand shot by Captain Brain Gionta.
Taking the lead, the Montreal Canadiens was looking to further strengthen the lead and were pressing on with full force. However, the game saw a change in momentum after the 9th minute when the Ottawa Senators made the first attack of the period.
This attack saw very good passing and movement of players around the field.
The Ottawa Senators worked hard in order to grab a goal so that things would be level. They were successful in doing so as they scored in the 11th minute to level the score at 1-1. The goal was scored by Milan Michalek from a short range wrist
off. The rest of the period saw both teams come up with couple of scoring opportunities but neither of the team was able to score a goal.
The period ended on the same score and both of the teams made 11 goal attempts.
2nd Period
The 2nd period started in a good and strong fashion for the home team as they piled up shots attacking every now and then. They were on the verge of scoring in the 8th minute had it not been for the opposing goal keeper in the way.
The home team displayed excellent passing and shooting abilities from both short and long range.
However, like the 1st period there was change in momentum as the away side started to come up with shots of their own. Moreover, with the venomous attacks that they made, the Ottawa Senators scored in the 11th minute to take the lead.
This was scored by Erik Karlsson who scored from a distance of 39 feet.
Not giving any time to the Montreal Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators attacked once again as soon as play restarted. The result was same, an Ottawa Senators goal that was scored by Milan Michalek who bagged his 2nd goal of the match through a splendid
backhand shot from 18 feet.
With the score 3-1 in favour of the Ottawa Senators, the leaders switched their plan and started to play in a more defensive manner. This went against them as the Montreal Canadiens punished them with a goal in the 14th minute to cut down the
lead to 1 goal. The goal was scored by Jeff Halpern from 8 feet.
The Montreal Canadiens completed the comeback when they scored once again in the 18th minute to level things at 3-3. The goal came through Andrei Kostitsyn shot from 12 feet. The period levelled the score and promised us an exciting upcoming period.
3rd Period
The last period of the match didn't turn out the way it was expected to be. The home team dominated the proceedings as they managed to maintain a tough defence and the attack up front was no different.
The level of determination and hard work resulted in the Montreal Canadiens scoring and taking the lead in the 17th minute. The goal was scored by Tomas Plekanec, 28 feet away from goal.
The period ended and the Montreal Canadiens won the match 4-3 as they were able to pile up 16 shots and score once. The Ottawa Senators couldn't do much with the 2 shots they made with no goals.
"Andrei is an important element of our team when he uses his strength, when he goes to the net, and his shot can be an intimidating force," Canadiens Coach Jacques Martin said. "He's been a big factor in our success the last couple of games."
"I don't know if we're doing a bad job on the power play," Plekanec said.
"I feel we're moving the puck pretty well, but there are things we can definitely be doing better. We need to work on it."
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