Canadiens bench goalie Price for Game 4

4/30/2008 5:01 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Montreal Canadiens benched rookie goalie Carey Price and started Jaroslav Halak against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Price was pulled after he allowed three goals in the first two periods of Philadelphia's 3-2 Game 3 victory. Halak played the third period. He hasn't started since March 29 at Toronto.

Coach Guy Carbonneau decided to make the switch with the Flyers holding a 2-1 series lead.

``I made my decision and I feel strongly about it,'' Carbonneau said.

The 20-year-old Price has an .853 save percentage in the last three games, but was outstanding in the regular season and in a first-round victory over Boston.

``I spoke to certain people in the organization but at the end of the day it's still my decision,'' Carbonneau said. ``It will be me who will be blamed one way or the other. I have to be conscious of the consequences. You have to look at all the factors when you make a decision like this. My decision is a solid one. And the reason why I made the decision is a solid one, too. I won't have any regrets.''

The Canadiens sent pending free-agent Cristobal Huet to Washington at the trade deadline for a draft pick, trusting Price to become the No. 1 goalie. Now they have to turn to Halak instead of an established Huet.