AS GOOD AS IT GETS

The Philadelphia Flyers held on to beat Montreal and tie the second round series and there is no doubt in my mind what so ever, this is where the best hockey on the planet is being played. It is too bad only one of these two teams can advance to the Eastern Conference finals. All we can do is enjoy this while it lasts and hope it does so for a full seven games. This, ladies and gentlemen, is as good as it gets.

The Candiens missed the oppurtunity to go 2-0 in the series against the Flyers much because of Martin Biron's stellar play last night at the Bell Centre. Game 2 of the series was just as close as the first one, only this time the Flyers managed to hold on for the win. Biron took 34 of the 36 shots he faced giving the Flyers a 4-2 win. R J Umberger scored twice and red hot Daniel Briere got one as well. But, even though the Flyers played a really solid game, beating the Habs in everything, it was Biron who made the biggest difference.

The Habs certainly aren't happy with splitting the two first games in their own building so expect them to want to do at least the same once the series turn to the city of brotherly love. The Flyers, though probably quite content with getting one game in Montreal, surely must feel they let Game 1 slip away and that they should be heading home leading the series 2-0.

Habs goalie, Carey Price, rated his own performance a 6 out of 10, stating he wasn't lucky with the bounces, but I'm not sure that many would agree with him. Coach Guy Carbonneau just said that great players create their own luck. Price gets a lot of praise for always looking so relaxed and composed in the net, but that means nothing if you don't stop the pucks. Sometimes his relaxed style borders on nonchalance like in Game 2 where he had major difficulties with his glove hand. I don't doubt that Price will get the start in Game 3 in Philadelphia because great players also bounce back.