• Is there anything more exciting than a Game 7?

Simple answer is, no.

Former Lewiston Maineiac goalie Jaroslav Halak is in the middle of one of the more breathtaking stories of this sporting year, having been the backbone of the Montreal Canadiens during their improbable run to the Eastern Conference final.

Game 7 against Ovechkin and the Caps? No problem.

Game 7 against Sid the Kid and Geno Malkin? No problem.

And now, they wait. For another Game 7, an equally improbably proposition given that Boston appeared to be on cruise control, until losing Krejci and watching Philly regain Gagne. Three-and-oh became three-and-uh-oh really quickly.

The hockey purist in me really wants to see a Montreal/Boston final, only because it hasn’t happened since 1979, and the infamous “too-many-men” call against Don Cherry’s Bruins.

Montreal is 24-8 all-time in playoff series’ against Boston, and the Habs have never lost to the Bruins in a league semifinal. But first, to even have a chance to rewrite history of their own, the Bruins have to fix whatever funk their in. And fast. game 7 is Friday night.

• Kudos to the Celtics. There were a lot of naysayers, myself included, who doubted their ability to continue to play at a high level, given their fragility this season, and their combined age. But they sent the Cavs home crying Thursday.

To win in the next round, someone is going to have to slow down the Magic attack, which has produced a pair of sweeps and 13 overall consecutive wins. Yikes!

• Nice to see the University of Maine get back on the right track this season. The Bears return 11 of their 12 top scorers for next year, too, they add a recruiting class, and they up the ante with their schedule — a pair in East Lansing against Michigan State, a pair at home against North Dakota and a tough schedule at the Florida College Classic.

Oh, right, and then all of those pesky Hockey East games, including three against the defending champs from Boston College.

It ought to be interesting to see how local product Mark Anthoine fares in his college debut this fall, too.

• Spring season is in full swing for Maine high schools. It’s great to be back outdoors again covering some great high school talent.

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