Carey Price has shaky start in pre-season debut
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price had a shaky start to the pre-season after he gave up four goals on only eight shots on Wednesday. Price and the Canadiens were playing their first
exhibition game losing to the Boston Bruins 4-2 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
The night started well for Price as the local crowd chanted his name during pre-game introductions. However, the chants were short-lived and turned to jeers when Price was eventually replaced
by Curtis Sanford midway through the second period. Price also received sarcastic cheers from the crowd after making routine saves or when he just touched the puck after giving up the four goals. Although he did not speak to the media after the game, many
team-mates came to his defence.
"We all got his (Price) back and we're all supporting him," said Habs forward Mike Cammalleri in defence of his goaltender, who may have suffered a slight ego bruising.
"No one in here is booing him, so if everyone wants to identify with this team, we're all supporting him so jump on board," Cammalleri continued.
After a disappointing year in 2009-10 where he lost the top goaltending job to Jaroslav Halak, Price will once again be feeing the pressure this season. The Canadiens traded Halak in June
to the St. Louis Blues after he reached folk-hero status with an unbelievable playoff run. After the Halak love-in last spring, everything Price does will be heavily scrutinized, as he already fell out of favour with some fans even before Halak’s magical playoff
run.
The Bruins were also playing their first exhibition game and got two goals from Patrice Bergeron. New addition Nathan Horton and defenseman Johnny Boychuk also scored for the visitors.
After trailing 4-0, the Canadiens made thing interesting late in the second period on goals from Maxim Lapierre and Tomas Plekanec to cut the lead to 4-2 heading into the third.
In contrast to Price, Boston’s starting goaltender Tuukka Rask was outstanding in his performance, stopping 36 of 38 shots. Rask also played the entire game.
"I felt good but I don't feel the same as I would after 20 games. It's not a shutout, but I've got be happy. Not many mistakes," the young Finnish goaltender said.
Like Price however, Rask was also drafted in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft with the 21st overall pick and was the second goaltender selected. Price was the first
goalie taken when Montreal selected him with the fifth overall pick.
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