Manges Merde, Montreal

Wow.

Talk about a statement game. For all of the Canadians fans that ranted on and on since 10pm Thursday about how weak a Bruins team this was and how easily Boston could be beaten, I'd love to hear what you have to say now. Yet, in the blogs and forums I frequent and in the articles I've been reading -- silence.

If you ever wanted proof of how bias the NHL is for Montreal, go no further than NHL.com. Every article written about the series that shows up on that site is how Montreal is going to come back and win the series, how when Montreal gouges out someone's eyes at the end of a game it's an incident that can be laughed off, and how the rules demand the Lucic be suspended indefinitely for punching (with stick in hand) one of the several Canadians players involved in an odd-man after the whistle rush on the B's young enforcer.

Don't worry. This is wear the die hard Bruins fan base comes in (like yours truly) and tears the NHL apart. And while this is normally rebutted by Habs fans talking about "hey we're going to kick your ass next game," today has been different. Today the normally energetic cheers coming down from our northern border are missing and with good reason. Nothing Montreal tried during the first two games in Boston worked. Georges Laraque proved once again that he can't skate or stick handle at all and would have trouble playing against a high school girls team (junior varsity, at that). Good job putting him on the first line, Bob. I think the ultimate admition of defeat may have come when Montreal tried to take on a strategy of instigating offsetting penalties to get in a 4-on-4 situation because they can't beat the B's 5-on-5. It was completely obvious how overmatched Habs were and my previous predictions of 'Bruins in 5' may be overestimating the red plague.

On a more positive note, the Big Bad Bruins steamrolled last night. Savard, finally showing the offensive talent that he is, hit the scoreboard big. I even thought his first goal of the night was actually of Montador until seeing the replay. Savard literally shot the puck while it was still on Montador's stick at the top of the slot. Boston would add 4 more goals before Carey was chased before the start of the third. That was probably the loudest Carey has ever heard his name chanted. It's too bad it was in a taunting manner.

Lastly, who knew Bergy was a lefty? Yes, you know it has to be an intense atmosphere for Patrice Bergeron, one of the most skilled players on the ice, to throw down for his first fighting major in the NHL. It sure didn't look like his first go, though. Josh Georges must have been in shock as he could barely land a single punch while Patrice connected on blow after blow before delivering a knee-buckling left hook to end it.

Bravo, Bruins. Bravo.