Baffled Bruins Beaten in Boston
It was either utter lunacy or a mere atrocity, depending on which perspective you take. Comebacks such as last night are more historical than Jamie Moyer taking the mound for another season. The resilient Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-0 series deficit and 3-0 hole in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to best the Bruins 4-3 in Boston. That means the Flyers scored four straight goals and defeated Boston four straight times. The seventh seeded Flyers advanced Friday to face eighth seeded Montreal in an unlikely Eastern Conference final beginning Sunday. Boston becomes just the fourth team in NHL history to lose a series after winning the first three games.
Boston sizzled from the start and sailed out to a 3-0 lead with home ice advantage in their favor. Michael Ryder and Milan Lucic collected power play goals for the home team within the first fourteen minutes of the contest. Lucic slipped an unassisted puck past Michael Leighton, again with 5:50 left in the first period for a 3-0 blitzing Boston edge. James van Reimsdyk found the back of the net for the first time this series with 2:48 remaining in the opening period to cut the Bruins’ lead to 3-1. Claude Giroux was credited with the assist on the first Flyers’ goal that gave Philadelphia life. Philadelphia worked quickly to silence the crowd and held the Bruins without a shot for a span of ten minutes in the second period.
Pete Laviolette’s Flyers were ferocious during the second period as they scored twice to knot the game at three. Scott Hartnell backhanded a rebound at 2:49 into the second and Daniel Briere solved Tuuka Rask with a wraparound attempt at 8:39 to tie the game. Rask made 23 stops but the Flyers were the beneficiaries of some good bounces and bad breaks by the Bruins. Boston was whistled for having too many men on the ice at 11:10 into the final period. The game remained tied until Philadelphia’s Simon Gagne buried the Bruins with his fourth post-season goal off a blocked shot. The Flyers made the lead stand on the road to send Boston home with an historical collapse. Gagne’s wrist shot goal occurred on a power play, where the Flyers went 1 for 3. Gagne, who began the series with a broken toe, was the hero for Philly in Game 4 when he prevented a series sweep by potting the deciding goal in overtime. Last night, he capped off the last of four unanswered goals by the Flyers. Philadelphia toppled the Devils in round one, defeated Boston in four straight games and have now earned the right to play for a chance in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers are fabulously fine in elimination games this season.
Parting Points: Song for Saturday- “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”- Green Day
I love seeing an ARod grand slam. It would be even sweeter if he did the same Monday against Boston.
Showing posts with label Boston Bruins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston Bruins. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Brodeur Breaks Boston
Black Friday in Boston saw the snap of the Bruins season-high four game winning streak. History was also made in the New Jersey Devils 2-1 win over Boston in a shootout. New Jersy goalie, Martin Brodeur surpassed Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most minutes played in breaking Boston’s streak. The 37 year old eclipsed the 60,235 minutes record in the opening of the third period. New Jersey outshot the Bruins 37-33, but the goaltending was the story of the game for both teams. Something was always going on during the contest. The Bruins matched New Jersey’s electricity from the second the puck dropped at TD Garden.
The Devils earned their 16th victory of the season behind two Zach Parise goals. Parise was the lone Devil to score in regulation when he forced the puck into the net in the second period. Matt Halischuk was credited with his first assist of the year on the play. Parise extended his point streak to a career high nine games with the shot past Tuuka Rask. The Boston netminder allowed only Parise’s goal during regulation and was otherwise brilliant. Brodeur was a bit more fantastic in net and saved the game in the shootout. Blake Wheeler scored for Boston in regulation and in the shootout. Wheeler fired the tying shot 12 seconds into the third period to end Brodeur’s record shutout bid. The puck caromed off the glass, allowing Byron Bitz to set up Wheeler’s shot off Brodeur’s block. The Devils goalie needs one more shutout to tie Terry Sawchuk’s NHL record with 103.
Boston forced the Devils to play heads-up hockey and skate deep in their own zone throughout the game. New Jersey winger, David Clarkson took a wicked shot off his ankle from Zdeno Chara 2:30 in the opening period. Clarkson left the game and did not return for the already deterred by injuries Devils. Brodeur helped keep it a tie game instead of putting a damper on the Devils night. He made a quick stop on Marc Savard’s wrister from the slot in the closing seconds of regulation. Andy Greene has been piloting the Devils defense with the Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya on the sidelines. The Devils put up zeros on three power play opportunities. The Bruins did likewise. But, Boston brought a balanced attack and managed to send the game into overtime. The Devils were steady in the extra session to push the game into the deciding shootout. Patrice Bergeron failed on a forehand stuff for Boston. Patrik Elias couldn’t connect off Rask to give the Devils a point. After Wheeler whacked the puck past Brodeur in the second round, Parise notched his second goal. Parise answered Boston’s temporary lead with a deke just beyond Rask’s reach. David Krejci’s shootout shot was cut down with a Brodeur pad stop. Jamie Langenbrunner had a chance to seal the deal for the Devils. The 34 year old right winger skated in and jammed the game winner past Rask in the third round for the 2-1 dramatic Devils defeat. The team is now 4-1 in shootouts this season. New Jersey last conquered the Bruins at TD Garden on October 29th. Head coach, Jacques Lemaire, sent Yann Davis to the net in that win. Lemaire went with Brodeur last night, and it paid off for New Jersey. For Boston, it was a continuation of scoring woes. The Bruins were not without scoring opportunities against the Devils last night. In four of their last six games the Bruins have mustered one goal during regulation. Despite the disengaged offense, goalies Rask and Tim Thomas have kept Boston a winning hockey team.
I just have to continue my Parise praise. The former first round draft pick is always amazing me. The kid can play hockey. He is one of the most relentless and determined players in the NHL. Parise’s wrist shot Friday night was nothing short of spectacular. He just kept grinding his way to the puck until he had a chance to drive the loose object into the goal. Parise is the Devils’ most persistent and consistent scorer. New Jersey can count on Parise to get his minutes and his goals.
Parting Points: Congrats to WVU on taking this year’s Backyard Brawl.
Song of the day- “Sometime Around Midnight” by Airborne Toxic Event
The Devils earned their 16th victory of the season behind two Zach Parise goals. Parise was the lone Devil to score in regulation when he forced the puck into the net in the second period. Matt Halischuk was credited with his first assist of the year on the play. Parise extended his point streak to a career high nine games with the shot past Tuuka Rask. The Boston netminder allowed only Parise’s goal during regulation and was otherwise brilliant. Brodeur was a bit more fantastic in net and saved the game in the shootout. Blake Wheeler scored for Boston in regulation and in the shootout. Wheeler fired the tying shot 12 seconds into the third period to end Brodeur’s record shutout bid. The puck caromed off the glass, allowing Byron Bitz to set up Wheeler’s shot off Brodeur’s block. The Devils goalie needs one more shutout to tie Terry Sawchuk’s NHL record with 103.
Boston forced the Devils to play heads-up hockey and skate deep in their own zone throughout the game. New Jersey winger, David Clarkson took a wicked shot off his ankle from Zdeno Chara 2:30 in the opening period. Clarkson left the game and did not return for the already deterred by injuries Devils. Brodeur helped keep it a tie game instead of putting a damper on the Devils night. He made a quick stop on Marc Savard’s wrister from the slot in the closing seconds of regulation. Andy Greene has been piloting the Devils defense with the Paul Martin and Johnny Oduya on the sidelines. The Devils put up zeros on three power play opportunities. The Bruins did likewise. But, Boston brought a balanced attack and managed to send the game into overtime. The Devils were steady in the extra session to push the game into the deciding shootout. Patrice Bergeron failed on a forehand stuff for Boston. Patrik Elias couldn’t connect off Rask to give the Devils a point. After Wheeler whacked the puck past Brodeur in the second round, Parise notched his second goal. Parise answered Boston’s temporary lead with a deke just beyond Rask’s reach. David Krejci’s shootout shot was cut down with a Brodeur pad stop. Jamie Langenbrunner had a chance to seal the deal for the Devils. The 34 year old right winger skated in and jammed the game winner past Rask in the third round for the 2-1 dramatic Devils defeat. The team is now 4-1 in shootouts this season. New Jersey last conquered the Bruins at TD Garden on October 29th. Head coach, Jacques Lemaire, sent Yann Davis to the net in that win. Lemaire went with Brodeur last night, and it paid off for New Jersey. For Boston, it was a continuation of scoring woes. The Bruins were not without scoring opportunities against the Devils last night. In four of their last six games the Bruins have mustered one goal during regulation. Despite the disengaged offense, goalies Rask and Tim Thomas have kept Boston a winning hockey team.
I just have to continue my Parise praise. The former first round draft pick is always amazing me. The kid can play hockey. He is one of the most relentless and determined players in the NHL. Parise’s wrist shot Friday night was nothing short of spectacular. He just kept grinding his way to the puck until he had a chance to drive the loose object into the goal. Parise is the Devils’ most persistent and consistent scorer. New Jersey can count on Parise to get his minutes and his goals.
Parting Points: Congrats to WVU on taking this year’s Backyard Brawl.
Song of the day- “Sometime Around Midnight” by Airborne Toxic Event
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ovechkin Opens Ornately
It’s not yet Halloween, but the Washington Capitals have one of the scariest skaters in the NHL. Alexander Ovechkin glided his way to a fast start in this unsullied hockey season by pummeling the Bruins on the ice in Boston last night. The teams both won their divisions last year but exited prematurely in the playoffs’ second round. Ovechkin appeared in mid-season form as he netted a pair of goals in Washington’s 4-1 season opener. The hard-hitting superstar with two NHL MVP trophies on his resume also added an assist. Brooks Laich, the six year veteran born in Saskatchewan, slipped the other two Capitals’ goals by Boston netminder, Tim Thomas. The defending Vezina Trophy winner for the league’s best goalie, Thomas made 30 saves. It was the goals allowed in the third period that really crippled Thomas and the Bruins. Laich scored on a power play before Ovechkin shoved the puck past Milan Lucic for the fourth Washington tally. Jose Theodore stopped 19 shots to aid the effort on defense. Even when Theodore mistakenly lost his stick for an integral initial two minutes of the game, the lackluster Bruins were unable to capitalize. Claude Julien’s team was humbled offensively, escaping a shutout loss on Patrice Bergeron’s lone goal in the final period.
Ovechkin is an animated athlete who usually plays out of his mind. There is nothing nondescript about the novel shooter. He initiated the first goal of October by feeding a cross pass to Nicholas Backstrum, who redirected the puck to Laich waiting in front of an empty net. Laich won’t grab headlines over his famous teammate, but the Washington center scored two timely goals key to the 4-1 nudging Thursday. Ovechkin was credited with his official first goal of the season in the middle period when he fired from the slot to beat Thomas. It was an uneven match with Ovechkin sliding and slipping through the Boston defense. He took 14 shots, about one-third as few as the entire Bruins line. There are many positive points to procure from last night if you’re a fan of the Washington Capitals. Although the Caps did take a couple unnecessary and frustrating penalties, they weren’t too costly in the end. The Washington defense deployed a disparate position in the third period, allowing just three shots the entire time. The work-in-progress continues a Captials credo of preventing goals. They were able to win last night because the defense shut down a more physical and demanding Boston team. The stable defense combined with an able offense helped control the tempo of the game Beantown. The early returns look good, but the NHL is a very competitive league. Ovechkin is a monster in protective pads. The left wing has 221 career goals in three season, so there is no down-playing his role. On the other side of the puck, Boston was ill-prepared to face the visiting antagonists in the Garden. The disintegration of Boston began when they were penalized for having an extra man on the ice in the opening period. The embarrassment escalated from that point on, and Boston was simply going through the motions until the final second. The seemingly aggressive gameplan was missing. The Bruins were not aggressive checkers and did not pin the Capitals deep often enough. Washington crossed the blue line unimpeded. The Bruins did not restrain Ovechkin but permitted the bubbly Russian to zip by briskly, bouncing as he applied blow after brutal blow. Had Thomas not halted some of those beastly slaps from Ovechkin, the blow would have been even more impactful. Boston’s team-wide lethargy was responsible for their self-inflicted loss. Next time, maybe they will get the job done and make smiles come to fruition for their fans.
Parting Points: Vikings-Packers Monday night should be a good one.
Have you taken a sneak-peak at the new Foo Fighters’ album? I dig the new tune, “Wheels”. Supposedly, that will be the only new track though. Bummer.
Ovechkin is an animated athlete who usually plays out of his mind. There is nothing nondescript about the novel shooter. He initiated the first goal of October by feeding a cross pass to Nicholas Backstrum, who redirected the puck to Laich waiting in front of an empty net. Laich won’t grab headlines over his famous teammate, but the Washington center scored two timely goals key to the 4-1 nudging Thursday. Ovechkin was credited with his official first goal of the season in the middle period when he fired from the slot to beat Thomas. It was an uneven match with Ovechkin sliding and slipping through the Boston defense. He took 14 shots, about one-third as few as the entire Bruins line. There are many positive points to procure from last night if you’re a fan of the Washington Capitals. Although the Caps did take a couple unnecessary and frustrating penalties, they weren’t too costly in the end. The Washington defense deployed a disparate position in the third period, allowing just three shots the entire time. The work-in-progress continues a Captials credo of preventing goals. They were able to win last night because the defense shut down a more physical and demanding Boston team. The stable defense combined with an able offense helped control the tempo of the game Beantown. The early returns look good, but the NHL is a very competitive league. Ovechkin is a monster in protective pads. The left wing has 221 career goals in three season, so there is no down-playing his role. On the other side of the puck, Boston was ill-prepared to face the visiting antagonists in the Garden. The disintegration of Boston began when they were penalized for having an extra man on the ice in the opening period. The embarrassment escalated from that point on, and Boston was simply going through the motions until the final second. The seemingly aggressive gameplan was missing. The Bruins were not aggressive checkers and did not pin the Capitals deep often enough. Washington crossed the blue line unimpeded. The Bruins did not restrain Ovechkin but permitted the bubbly Russian to zip by briskly, bouncing as he applied blow after brutal blow. Had Thomas not halted some of those beastly slaps from Ovechkin, the blow would have been even more impactful. Boston’s team-wide lethargy was responsible for their self-inflicted loss. Next time, maybe they will get the job done and make smiles come to fruition for their fans.
Parting Points: Vikings-Packers Monday night should be a good one.
Have you taken a sneak-peak at the new Foo Fighters’ album? I dig the new tune, “Wheels”. Supposedly, that will be the only new track though. Bummer.
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