Flyers Fall To Montreal

Doug Gilmour is finally scoring goals for the Canadiens. He just doesn't want to discuss it.

Gilmour scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night for his second goal of the season. He scored his first in Atlanta on Wednesday.

"The goal felt good," Gilmour said. "I've had chances all year but haven't gotten one, but I don't like talking too much about it."

Gilmour, who had announced his retirement before signing with the Canadiens last summer, scored on the power play when he lifted a backhander from the doorstep at 15:43 of the second period to extend the Montreal lead to 3-1.

Gilmour had struggled through the first third of the season, going without a goal through the Canadiens first 29 games.

"Two goals in two games," Gilmour said. "Nope...not going to talk about it."

After going winless in five straight, the Canadiens have rebounded and are undefeated in their last four (2-0-2).

Jose Theodore returned in net and gave a solid performance, making 31 saves after finally getting a night off on Wednesday.

"Jose was just outstanding again," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. "He has been playing very well for us. He gives us a chance to win each game."

Before Wednesday's game, Theodore had played in a career-high 16 consecutive games.

"I feel pretty good right now," Theodore said. "I'm seeing the puck well and that's the main thing. When the goalie sees the puck well, then the team plays well."

Richard Zednik put Montreal ahead 2-1 in the second period when he directed a shot off the skate of Flyers defenseman Kim Johnsson and past Roman Cechmanek.

Chad Kilger tied the score at 1 at 12:40 of the first when Cechmanek swatted an Oleg Petrov shot out of the air and into Kilger's knee where it then ricocheted into the net.

Philadelphia's Simon Gagne opened the scoring at 4:23 of the first period when he took a cross-ice pass from Jeremy Roenick on a two-on-one breakaway that beat Jose Theodore high to the stick side.

Johnsson narrowed the Canadien lead to 3-2 when he scored off a rebound of a Keith Primeau shot at 11:17 of the third period. Cechmanek was replaced by Brian Boucher after two periods after giving up three goals on just 15 shots.

Boucher saw his first action since leaving the ice with a hamstring injury against Washington on November 15th.

"It was nice to get back out there and get in to a game," Boucher said. "Obviously it wasn't the result we wanted in the team aspect, but personally it felt good."

Flyers coach Bill Barber immediately announced Boucher as the starting goalie for the Flyers next game at Boston on Saturday.

Game notes:
Both Cechmanek and Jiri Dopita were named to the Czech Republic Olympic team on Thursday. It will be the second appearance for both players. ... The Canadiens are 7-1-1 when Oleg Petrov registers at least one point. ... The Flyers are tied with the Colorado Avalanche in allowing the fewest goals against in the NHL (62). ... Sheldon Souray and Yanic Perrault both extended their point scoring streaks to three games. ... The Canadiens are 4-0-1-1 in back-to-back games this season. ... John LeClair has now gone nine straight games without a goal, his longest stretch in his career in Philadelphia.

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News