OTHL -- The Montreal Canadiens cashed in there fourth win in the playoffs, and that meant that the biggest upset to date in the OTHL was a fact. The 8th seeded Montreal won against the number 1 seeded Boston Bruins, who won the President Trophy as the team with the best record during the reagular season. And Montreal won in convincing fashion, the only set back was the 7-1 loss in game three. Witch turned out to be Boston's lone win in the series. Montreal came to play without Zigmund Palffy who started to serve his two game suspension tonight. But the Habs managed to get by wihtout there top winger, as Rickard Zednik (1) and Andreas Johansson (1) scored for the visitors in the second period. Todd Marchant (5) who had a very good playoff, scored to cut the Habs lead in half. But when Ladislav Nagy (4) made it 3-1 with five minutes to go in the game, then the fans left the FleetCenter. And five minutes later, the Bruins left the playoffs.
Buffalo faced a tough task tonight, as they had to win on away ice against the New Jersey Devils to stay alive in the playoffs. And thanks to a overtime goal from Daniel Briere (1), the Buffalo Sabres reduced the Devils lead to 3-2. New Jersey took the lead in the first period when Pavel Kubina (2) scored. A first period that featured 20 shots, but only 1 goal and no penalties. And the rest of the game where also very nice, with only a handful of penalties handed out. In the second period Mike York (2) and the Sabres tied up the game. But early in the third, the Devils re-took the lead. This time it was defensive forward Jay Pandolfo (1) who found the net behind J-S Giguere. And with the time ticking down, it looked like the home team would take the win and advance to the second round. But a bad pass witch caused a turnover tied up the game. Sean Hill (1) intercepted a sloppy pass from a Devil defender, and blasted home the puck. So we got a overtime on our hands. But the overtime only lasted 3 minutes, and the lone shot in the overtime went in. Daniel Brier wristed home the puck, and the Sabres won game five.
The series between Pittsburgh and Florida has been a real goal scoring affair, with high scoring game going either way. And tonights game where no difference as the Penguins scored 5 goals for the second straight game. While holding the home team to only 2 goals. Vinny Prospal (3) and Adam Deadmarsh (2) scored one each for the teams in the first period. In the second the sharing of goals continued, but the Pens got one extra. Klesla (1) and McKenna (1) scored for Pittsburgh, while the Panthers goal was scored by Brian Rolston (1). In the third period, the Penguins gained momentum and scored twice. Saku Koivu (3) and Marc Savard (3) where the two scorers in the third period. Pittsburgh can now take home the series if they win game 6 on home ice.
In game four the Leafs took a 3-1 lead in the series thanks to a 5-3 win over Philadephia. Tonight the Flyers turned around the scoreline and won 5-3 on home ice. Philadelphia started with a bang, as they scored twice in the first period. Both goals where scored on powerplay's, and they where scored by Eric Desjardins (1) and Mario Lemieux (1), who both scored there first goals in this years playoffs tonight. The Flyers padded there lead with two more goals before the Leafs could answer. Mattias Timander (1) and Mario Lemieux (2) again scored just seconds between them in the second period. The Leafs Mark Eaton (1) got a goal back with his first in the playoffs. But Claude Lapointe (1) scored a powerplay goal for the Flyers to regain there 4 goal lead. However, with 28 seconds to go in the middle period, Peter Nedved (2) scored a powerplay goal to make it a 5-2 game with 20 minutes left to play. And the third period featured yet another powerplay goal, as Peter Nedved (3) scored again getting the Leafs within 2 goals. But the Leafs failed to score another goal.
PLAYER OF THE NIGHT: Mario Lemieux (Philadelphia), scored his first 2 goals in this years playoff and added 1 assist in the Flyers win over Toronto.