Wow
To quote Vin Scully: "I can't believe what I just saw!"
Tonight in Montreal, a hockey game was played between the Canadiens and New York Rangers. But it was more than a game; tonight embodied everything that is good about the game of hockey.
The Rangers had built up a 5-0 lead by the middle of the second period. By this point I was ready to pack it in, but I decided to watch a few more minutes.
Let me tell you something about Montreal fans: I may be biased, but there's no other fans like us. Even down 5-0 the crowd was still in it, encouraging the team on. Then, the Habs scored their first goal midway through the second. A few minutes later another goal. 5-2 and Rangers called timeout. The crowd was going nuts. Both teams traded scoring chances until the end of the period.
Six minutes in the third Alex Kovalev scores another goal. 5-3. Four minutes later and Michael Ryder gets his third of the game. 5-4. The enthusiasm and excitement in the building was palpable.
After going 0-2 on the power-play, Kovalev scores a beauty with the man advantage to tie the game. More camera shots of fans with hands on heads, not quite sure they believe what they just saw.
Overtime was absolutely electric, with many near misses by the Habs. OT solves nothing and it's on to a shoot-out, which the Canadiens win easily. Final score: 6-5 and I'm still shaking.
Easily the game of the year. Oh, and here's a bit of trivia. In the club's 99-year history, they have never come back from a 5 goal deficit to win the game.
Again....wow.