MONTREAL - Canadiens coach Michel Therrien has mastered the sour and dour look of a man who feels that neither he nor his team have garnered the respect they deserve this season. Yesterday, however, he was a very happy camper.
And with good reason. Montreal finds itself leading the favored Bruins, 2-1, in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series heading into tonight's pivotal Game 4 at the Molson Centre. The energy of Tuesday night's dramatic come-from-behind triumph carried over to the Habs' practice yesterday, and even Therrien sported a wide grin.
Beyond crediting his players, Therrien thanked the crowd of 21,000 that rocked the rafters as it cheered on the Canadiens to their 5-3 victory. What's not to like when you're winning and about to play another contest before such a fervent audience?
``It's great to be part of all this,'' said Therrien. ``And the ambience, especially in the Molson Centre, has been great. I think we can expect more of the same (tonight.)
``The people of Montreal are enjoying it, the way the team is playing. They know this team never quits and plays hard. That is what people expect, and they deserve it.''
Suddenly, the Canadiens are as scrappy as the Bruins - and have more to show for it. After the B's scored three straight goals and had dominated the second period Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead into the final period, the Habs dug deep and came up with four of their own.
Surging Saku Koivu, who scored the game-winner, echoed his coach's sentiments. ``Well, I think confidence-wise it was great,'' he said. ``We came back, because we didn't play well in the second period, and we were able to grab the momentum back and win the game.''
Koivu, who's helped to inspire his mates with his return from stomach cancer, noted that Tuesday night's surge had shades of Game 2, which the B's hung on to win, 6-4, only after blowing a 4-0 lead. ``We almost did it in that second game in Boston,'' Koivu said, ``and we did it again (Tuesday) night, so it shows this team, it's not going to quit.''
The Canadiens captain added that hoping to charge back in the third period isn't a good strategy.
``You're not going to get those comebacks every day, or every game,'' Koivu acknowledged, ``so we have to be able to play better - for 60 minutes. If we're down again, 3-0, 3-1, it's going to be a tough and long series.''
That prospect can wipe the grin right off the face of his coach, as if Therrien didn't have enough to worry about, including an anemic power play that has been 2-for-14.
``We are working on that, working on some set plays,'' Therrien said. ``We don't have to look too much for the perfect play. We have to put the puck on the net more, get some traffic in front and get some rebounds.''
And with good reason. Montreal finds itself leading the favored Bruins, 2-1, in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series heading into tonight's pivotal Game 4 at the Molson Centre. The energy of Tuesday night's dramatic come-from-behind triumph carried over to the Habs' practice yesterday, and even Therrien sported a wide grin.
Beyond crediting his players, Therrien thanked the crowd of 21,000 that rocked the rafters as it cheered on the Canadiens to their 5-3 victory. What's not to like when you're winning and about to play another contest before such a fervent audience?
``It's great to be part of all this,'' said Therrien. ``And the ambience, especially in the Molson Centre, has been great. I think we can expect more of the same (tonight.)
``The people of Montreal are enjoying it, the way the team is playing. They know this team never quits and plays hard. That is what people expect, and they deserve it.''
Suddenly, the Canadiens are as scrappy as the Bruins - and have more to show for it. After the B's scored three straight goals and had dominated the second period Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead into the final period, the Habs dug deep and came up with four of their own.
Surging Saku Koivu, who scored the game-winner, echoed his coach's sentiments. ``Well, I think confidence-wise it was great,'' he said. ``We came back, because we didn't play well in the second period, and we were able to grab the momentum back and win the game.''
Koivu, who's helped to inspire his mates with his return from stomach cancer, noted that Tuesday night's surge had shades of Game 2, which the B's hung on to win, 6-4, only after blowing a 4-0 lead. ``We almost did it in that second game in Boston,'' Koivu said, ``and we did it again (Tuesday) night, so it shows this team, it's not going to quit.''
The Canadiens captain added that hoping to charge back in the third period isn't a good strategy.
``You're not going to get those comebacks every day, or every game,'' Koivu acknowledged, ``so we have to be able to play better - for 60 minutes. If we're down again, 3-0, 3-1, it's going to be a tough and long series.''
That prospect can wipe the grin right off the face of his coach, as if Therrien didn't have enough to worry about, including an anemic power play that has been 2-for-14.
``We are working on that, working on some set plays,'' Therrien said. ``We don't have to look too much for the perfect play. We have to put the puck on the net more, get some traffic in front and get some rebounds.''
