GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NHL: MONTREAL (0-0) at CAROLINA (0-0)

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 1 7:06 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2
3RD PRD: CAR - BRET HEDICAN 1 (JUSTIN WILLIAMS, ROD BRIND'AMOUR) 12:38</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 4:45 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 3:15 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 2:32 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">CORRECTION

NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 3:00 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 1:25 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 1:00 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 0:30 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 3RD GOING INTO OT

1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
MONTREAL 1 0 1 2
CAROLINA 1 0 1 2 GOING INTO OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: CAR - (PP) ERIK COLE 1 (ERIC STAAL, SCOTT WALKER) 3:37
MON - (PP) MARK STREIT 1 (ANDREI MARKOV, ALEXEI KOVALEV)
13:01
2ND PRD: NONE
3RD PRD: MON - (PP) SAKU KOIVU 1 (ANDREI MARKOV) 9:31
CAR - BRET HEDICAN 1 (JUSTIN WILLIAMS, ROD BRIND'AMOUR)
12:38

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
MON 8 11 19 38
CAR 13 9 9 31

GOALIES: MON - CRISTOBAL HUET
CAR - CAM WARD</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Montreal 1 0 1 --2
Carolina 1 0 1 --2
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Carolina, Erik Cole 1 (power play) (Eric
Staal, Scott Walker), 3:37. 2, Montreal, Mark Streit 1 (power play)
(Andrei Markov, Alexei Kovalev), 13:01. Penalties: A Kovalev, Mon
(hooking), 1:51; M Ryder, Mon (holding), 9:13; A Ladd, Car (holding
stick), 12:02; M Komisarek, Mon (hooking), 15:12; M Streit, Mon
(holding), 16:07; R Brind'Amour, Car (goalie interference), 17:16; P
Brisebois, Mon (delay of game), 17:55.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: B Smolinski, Mon (interference), 3:27; C
Higgins, Mon (delay of game), 4:21; R Bayda, Car (double minor high
sticking), 10:44; B Hedican, Car (hooking), 19:50.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Montreal, Saku Koivu 1 (power play) (Andrei
Markov), 9:31. 4, Carolina, Bret Hedican 1 (Justin Williams, Rod
Brind'Amour), 12:38. Penalties: - Bench, Car (too many men served by
R Bayda), 6:01; N Wallin, Car (tripping), 9:13.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Montreal 8 11 19 --38
Carolina 13 9 9 --31
---------------------------------------

Goalies : Montreal, Cristobal Huet (31 shots, 29 saves). Carolina, Cam
Ward (38 shots, 36 saves). Referees: Gord Dwyer, Kerry Fraser.
Linesmen: Jonny Murray, Mark Pare.</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 2
CAROLINA 2 4:55 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL MONTREAL 3
CAROLINA 2
OT: MON - SAKU KOIVU 2 (CHRIS HIGGINS, MICHAEL RYDER) 1:05</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MONTREAL 1 0 1 1 3
CAROLINA 1 0 1 0 2 FINAL IN OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: CAR - (PP) ERIK COLE 1 (ERIC STAAL, SCOTT WALKER) 3:37
MON - (PP) MARK STREIT 1 (ANDREI MARKOV, ALEXEI KOVALEV)
13:01
2ND PRD: NONE
3RD PRD: MON - (PP) SAKU KOIVU 1 (ANDREI MARKOV) 9:31
CAR - BRET HEDICAN 1 (JUSTIN WILLIAMS, ROD BRIND'AMOUR)
12:38
OT: MON - SAKU KOIVU 2 (CHRIS HIGGINS, MICHAEL RYDER) 1:05

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: MON - 3 OF 7, CAR - 1 OF 7.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MON 8 11 19 2 40
CAR 13 9 9 0 31

GOALIES: MON - CRISTOBAL HUET
CAR - CAM WARD

OFFICIALS: REF - GORD DWYER, KERRY FRASER
LIN - JONNY MURRAY, MARK PARE

ATT: 18,680</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------
Montreal 1 0 1 1 --3
Carolina 1 0 1 0 --2
------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Carolina, Erik Cole 1 (power play) (Eric
Staal, Scott Walker)3:37. 2, Montreal, Mark Streit 1 (power play)
(Andrei Markov, Alexei Kovalev)13:01. Penalties: A Kovalev, Mon
(hooking), 1:51; M Ryder, Mon (holding), 9:13; A Ladd, Car (holding
stick), 12:02; M Komisarek, Mon (hooking), 15:12; M Streit, Mon
(holding), 16:07; R Brind'Amour, Car (goalie interference), 17:16; P
Brisebois, Mon (delay of game), 17:55.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: B Smolinski, Mon (interference), 3:27; C
Higgins, Mon (delay of game), 4:21; R Bayda, Car (double minor high
sticking), 10:44; B Hedican, Car (hooking), 19:50.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Montreal, Saku Koivu 1 (power play) (Andrei
Markov)9:31. 4, Carolina, Bret Hedican 1 (Justin Williams, Rod
Brind'Amour),12:38. Penalties: - Bench, Car (too many men served by R
Bayda), 6:01; N Wallin, Car (tripping), 9:13; R Brind'Amour, Car
(roughing), 17:59; S Begin, Mon (roughing), 17:59.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 5, Montreal, Saku Koivu 2 (power play) (Chris
Higgins, Michael Ryder)1:05.

Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Montreal 8 11 19 2 --40
Carolina 13 9 9 0 --31
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Montreal - 3 of 7, Carolina - 1 of 7. Goalies
: Montreal, Cristobal Huet (31 shots, 29 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Carolina, Cam Ward (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,680.
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Kerry Fraser. Linesmen: Jonny Murray, Mark Pare.</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
MONTREAL 3
CAROLINA 2</div>

 

By Joe Johnson
PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer


RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- When the Montreal Canadiensneeded him most, captain Saku Koivu came through.


Koivu scored two goals - including the winner in overtime - andCristobal Huet made 29 saves as the Canadiens edged the CarolinaHurricanes, 3-2, on Wednesday in the regular-season opener forboth teams.


Koivu capitalized on Carolina defenseman Niclas Wallin'scross-checking penalty in the opening minute of overtime. TheFinn took a feed from Chris Higgins and fired a snap shot fromthe slot, which found its way to the back of the net at 1:05 togive Montreal its third power-play goal of the night.

Koivu helped Montreal snap a 1-1 tie midway through the thirdsession on the power play, beating goaltender Cam Ward to theglove side. The captain took a feed from defenseman AndreiMarkov and flicked a snap shot into the top corner of the net.

It did not take long for the Hurricanes to answer, however.Defenseman Bret Hedican sent a blistering wrist shot from thetop of the slot past Huet to tie the game at 2-2 with 7:12remaining.


Huet was outstanding all night. After surrendering a power-playgoal early in the contest, the French netminder denied Carolinauntil Hedican's late tally. Huet's night was highlighted by abrillant stick save in the opening period.


The Hurricanes capitalized on an early man advantage when ErikCole deflected Eric Staal's one-timer from above the rightfaceoff circle past Huet at 3:37 for a 1-0 edge. It was Cole's13th goal in 18 career games against the Canadiens.

Montreal responded on the power play at 13:01 as blue-liner MarkStreit's slap shot found its way over the glove of Ward to eventhe contest at 1-1.


The Hurricanes squandered two 5-on-3 advantages in the first twoperiods and the Canadiens were unable to take advantage of afour-minute power play in the second after Ryan Bayda picked upa high-sticking double minor.


Ward stopped 37 shots for Carolina, which had won seven of itsprevious eight meetinsg with Montreal.


The setback marked the fifth consecutive season the Hurricaneshave lost their season opener.

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------
Montreal 1 0 1 1 --3
Carolina 1 0 1 0 --2
------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Carolina, Erik Cole 1 (power play) (Eric
Staal, Scott Walker)3:37. 2, Montreal, Mark Streit 1 (power play)
(Andrei Markov, Alexei Kovalev)13:01. Penalties: A Kovalev, Mon
(hooking), 1:51; M Ryder, Mon (holding), 9:13; A Ladd, Car (holding
stick), 12:02; M Komisarek, Mon (hooking), 15:12; M Streit, Mon
(holding), 16:07; R Brind'Amour, Car (goalie interference), 17:16; P
Brisebois, Mon (delay of game), 17:55.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: B Smolinski, Mon (interference), 3:27; C
Higgins, Mon (delay of game), 4:21; R Bayda, Car (double minor high
sticking), 10:44; B Hedican, Car (hooking), 19:50.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Montreal, Saku Koivu 1 (power play) (Andrei
Markov)9:31. 4, Carolina, Bret Hedican 1 (Justin Williams, Rod
Brind'Amour),12:38. Penalties: - Bench, Car (too many men served by R
Bayda), 6:01; N Wallin, Car (tripping), 9:13; R Brind'Amour, Car
(roughing), 17:59; S Begin, Mon (roughing), 17:59.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 5, Montreal, Saku Koivu 2 (power play) (Chris
Higgins, Michael Ryder)1:05. Penalties: N Wallin, Car (high
sticking), 0:46.

Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Montreal 8 12 18 2 --40
Carolina 13 9 9 0 --31
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Montreal - 3 of 8, Carolina - 1 of 7. Goalies
: Montreal, Cristobal Huet (31 shots, 29 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Carolina, Cam Ward (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,680.
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Kerry Fraser. Linesmen: Jonny Murray, Mark Pare.</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------------
MONTREAL 1 0 1 1 --3
CAROLINA 1 0 1 0 --2
-----------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Carolina, Erik Cole 1 (power play) (Eric
Staal, Scott Walker)3:37. 2, Montreal, Mark Streit 1 (power play)
(Andrei Markov, Alexei Kovalev)13:01. Penalties: A Kovalev, Mon
(hooking), 1:51; M Ryder, Mon (holding), 9:13; A Ladd, Car (holding
stick), 12:02; M Komisarek, Mon (hooking), 15:12; M Streit, Mon
(holding), 16:07; R Brind'Amour, Car (goalie interference), 17:16; P
Brisebois, Mon (delay of game), 17:55.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: None. Penalties: B Smolinski, Mon (interference), 3:27; C
Higgins, Mon (delay of game), 4:21; R Bayda, Car (double minor high
sticking), 10:44; B Hedican, Car (hooking), 19:50.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Montreal, Saku Koivu 1 (power play) (Andrei
Markov)9:31. 4, Carolina, Bret Hedican 1 (Justin Williams, Rod
Brind'Amour),12:38. Penalties: - Bench, Car (too many men served by R
Bayda), 6:01; N Wallin, Car (tripping), 9:13; R Brind'Amour, Car
(roughing), 17:59; S Begin, Mon (roughing), 17:59.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 5, Montreal, Saku Koivu 2 (power play) (Chris
Higgins, Michael Ryder)1:05. Penalties: N Wallin, Car (high
sticking), 0:46.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------------
MONTREAL 8 12 18 2 --40
CAROLINA 13 9 9 0 --31
---------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: MON - 3 of 8, CAR - 1 of 7. Goalies :
Montreal, Cristobal Huet (31 shots, 29 saves; record: 1-0-0).
Carolina, Cam Ward (40 shots, 37 saves; record: 0-1-0). A: 18,680.
Referees: Gord Dwyer, Kerry Fraser. Linesmen: Jonny Murray, Mark Pare.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

MONTREAL CAROLINA
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
S Koivu 2 0 even 4 J Williams 0 1 +1 2
T Plekanec 0 0 -1 1 E Staal 0 1 even 6
B Smolinski 0 0 even 2 R Whitney 0 0 +1 3
C Higgins 0 1 even 6 A Ladd 0 0 even 2
S Begin 0 0 even 3 R Brind'Amour 0 1 +1 3
M Dandenault 0 0 even 2 R Bayda 0 0 even 1
A Kovalev 0 1 even 2 G Wesley 0 0 even 0
M Streit 1 0 -1 4 M Commodore 0 0 even 1
R Hamrlik 0 0 even 2 S Walker 0 1 even 0
A Kostitsyn 0 0 even 1 E Cole 1 0 even 3
F Bouillon 0 0 -1 2 C Adams 0 0 even 0
M Grabovski 0 0 even 1 T Gleason 0 0 even 0
T Kostopoulos 0 0 -1 2 F Kaberle 0 0 +1 1
P Brisebois 0 0 even 2 J Hamilton 0 0 even 3
M Ryder 0 1 even 4 C LaRose 0 0 even 1
A Markov 0 2 even 1 B Hedican 1 0 +1 2
M Komisarek 0 0 even 1 N Wallin 0 0 even 1
G Latendresse 0 0 -1 0 M Cullen 0 0 even 2
G Murray HEALTHY T Letowski HEALTHY
J Gorges HEALTHY C Stillman HEALTHY
K Chipchura HEALTHY D Seidenberg HEALTHY</div>

 

NHL: MONTREAL at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
MONTREAL 3
CAROLINA 2</div>