Last night, the Montreal Canadiens hosted the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Christopher Higgins recorded his first career hat trick, leading the Habs to a big 4-0 win against the Senators.
STARTING THINGS OFF
Both teams entered this game striving for that first early goal that would get their team going. Constant pressure was put on by these two teams, giving hockey fans exactly what they wanted.
Five and a half minutes into the first, Ryan O'Byrne makes a critical mistake, lobbing the puck over the glass, sending Ottawa to the power play. Montreal goaltender Carey Price stayed focused and denied all the shots he faced during the penalty kill.
Then, in the dying seconds of the Habs penalty, Koivu sent a long lead pass to speedy Christopher Higgins. With a Senators' defender chasing after him, Higgins entered the zone with a burst of speed and beat Ottawa net-minder Alex Auld, putting Montreal in a one goal lead.
AN EXCITING SECOND
Coming into the second period of play, Ottawa was looking to tie things up.
- B/R Ticket Guide
For the majority of the period, both teams were taking many shots, and the goaltenders were making those key saves (not to mention Auld's great save in close on the Habs team leader Saku Koivu).
However, in the final six minutes of the second, the Canadiens were pressing. From the point, Ryan O'Byrne connected on a hard slapshot that hit off Ottawa goaltender right to Sergei Kostitsyn who had the wide open net.
But, wait!! Sergei doesn't shoot, but instead passes it to none other than Christopher Higgins, giving him the gaping six by four. Without hesitation, Higgins posted his second of the night past the scrambling Auld, giving the Canadiens a safe 2-0 lead.
Only two minutes after the second goal of the game, Guillaume Latendresse took a shot right off the face-off in the opposing zone, beating a surprised Senator goaltender. With that goal, Montreal was up by three.
HAT-TRICK COMPLETES THE THIRD
Entering the final twenty minutes of the game, Montreal only had to do one thing: protect the lead.
Just like the previous period, there was no scoring until the final minutes. With only four minutes to go, the Senators were straining to break the Habs' net-minder's shutout.
Montreal tried several times to exit their own zone, but failed on all attempts. But with only three and a half left on the clock, Tanguay spotted a speeding Higgins, giving him the long pass. Higgings broke out on yet another breakaway, this time looking for his first three goal game.
"Long lead pass for Higgings, looking for the hat-trick. Higgins in... scores! Hat-trick for Christopher Higgins!" - Gord Miller, TSN
So Christopher's first career hat-trick concluded this game, giving Montreal the big win, and placing them first in the Northeast Division.
Goalies
MTL Price - 28 saves (shutout)
OTT Auld - 27 saves
Power play
MTL 0 for 7
OTT 0 for 6
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about 1 month ago
big game for Price and Higgins. honorable mention for Latendresse .
most people complain that latendresse is the victim of Higgins, being put on the third line to leave his place for the 21. but if higgins offers that kind of performance most times, i say higgins over him, anytime! lol
did u see Koivu and Kovalev together on the penalty killing in the first? they were amazing. i wish the coach would consider them in the same lineup!
great recap,
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