There are wins that stand out in the moment that you know you will remember for a long time.
The Habs victory over the Capitals to end their 14 game winning streak is one of those wins.
What a special night to have been a Habs fan at the Bell Centre.
Reminiscing
It reminded me very much of that miracle 5-0 comeback against the Rangers a couple years ago when the Habs won 6-5 in a shootout.
This one was a miracle too, but for vastly different reasons. That win over the Rangers was to be expected. The Habs ended up being the number one seed that season.
This win was so much more incredible. Look at the lineup and how it is depleted. The team's three top scorers in Pouliot, Cammalleri, and Andrei Kostitsyn are all sidelined. So is Marc Andre Bergeron, the powerplay defensive specialist with the cannon shot. In their place -- about a half dozen players you didn't think you would even see this season.
Tom Pyatt gets his first NHL goal. David Desharnais gets a beautiful assist. Mathieu Darche plays his usual heart out. The Bulldog players are integrating so well and contributing beyond even Habs management hopes, I presume. That's a credit first to Guy Boucher and secondly to Jacques Martin. The Bulldogs are ready to play in the NHL when they get here. Remarkable, really.
Throw in as well the fact that the club was down to five defensemen after Josh Gorges courageously blocked a shot with his head, denting his helmet.
All of this adds up to a remarkable achievement by itself, but remember too that it came against a Capitals team riding a 14-game winning streak, nearing an all-time record.
This game was huge for the Caps, and the Bulldogs/Habs beat them. If you aren't impressed with this, then you need to change your medicine because the one you are on is dulling your senses.
This was an instant classic. The same score as the NYR win a couple seasons ago, but better because David brought down Goliath in just short of 65 minutes of thrilling hockey.
Remember where you were when it happened. I sure will.
