Saturday 31 March 2012

Washington @ Boston

On Thursday night saw Boston welcome Washington Capitals to the TD Garden. It was to be a big night for Boston, as if they were to win they would of clinched a Play off spot for the 2012 Stanley Cup. 

The Capitals took control and Game 77 was underway. Unfortunately the 1st period was not the best for either team. But the big talking point of the period is the Big hit on Boston's Defenseman Adam McQuaid from Jason Chimera. On the 14th minute Jason Chimera got a 5 minute charging Major and a game misconduct.  Boston's PP is tied at 14th with a 17.2% and the Capitals Penalty Kill is 21st with a 81%. During the PP WASH's Goal tender Tomas Vokoun left the game with a injury and Michal Neuvirth came into Goal for the Caps. The Capital's managed to kill Boston's PP at the end of the period. The score remains 0-0, Boston is ahead on the shots on goal with 7-2.

During the 1st Intermission got some word on Adam Mcquaid's injury, he got a cut above his eye and the Medical team thought it was best to keep him out of the remainder of the game.

The players are back out for the 2nd period. With 14:51 left of the 2nd the Capitals had only their 3rd shot of the game, Boston's Goaltender Tim Thomas saved both times, once by the pad and the other by the glove. With 12:30 left in the 2nd Capitals had their best chance of the game, Matt Hendricks shot hits the outside of the post.Boston are still ahead on the Shots on Goal with 10-4. On the 11:08 minutes Boston's David Krejci goes to the Box for hi-sticking. He goes to the box for 2 minutes. The Capitals PP is tied at 14th with 17.2% and Boston's PK is 10 with 83.3%. Boston killed the PP with some luck. The horn sounded to end the 2nd period. Score remains 0-0 with Boston's 15 shots on goal to Washington's 9.

Both teams are back on the ice for the 3rd. Boston and Washington were both showing desperation to score the opening  goal of the game, unfortunately the 1st goal went to Washington. Former Boston's Defenseman Dennis Wideman with a wrist shot, past into Boston's goaltender Tim Thomas's net. Dennis Wideman with his 11th goal of the season. Marcus Johansson with his 30th assist of the season and Washington's captain Alex Ovechkin with his 26th of the season. Boston was slow to get back into the game after the Capitals took the lead. And with 10:06 Capitals scored their 2nd goal of the game. Marcus Johansson with a snap shot, past Tim Thomas and into Boston's goal for his 14th of the season.  We have to give Washington's goaltender Michal Neuvirth is playing well. The fans in the Garden were getting really worried as the clock ticked down, but with 3:10 left Boston's Captain Zdeno Chara tipped the puck nicely in front of David Krejci, David Krejci with a wrist shot to put the puck past Michal Neuvirth's goal to score his 21st of the season. Zdeno Chara with his 37th assist of the season and Milan Lucic's with his 32nd assist of the season. With that goal, the crowd in the Garden got behind the team, and with less than 2 minutes the crowd got their reward. Boston's defenseman Andrew Ference with a snap shot, to score his 6th goal of the season, and David Krejci with his 36th assist of the season. The horn sounds to the end the 3rd the game is tied 2-2. The Game went to Overtime.

With the 5 minutes of Overtime, both teams were still pretty evenly tied.During the OT Washington took a timeout. The Horn sounded to end OT and the game went to a Shootout to see who wins the 2 points. Score remains 2-2 with Boston's 28 shots on goal to Washington's 23.

First up in the Shootout was Boston's David Krejci, unfortunately his shot was saved by Michal Neuvirth.
Second up in the Shootout was Washington's Matt Hendricks and his shot went past Tim Thomas and into the net.
Tyler Seguin was next, and his shot went past Michal Neuvirth and into the net.
Alex Ovechkin was up next and his shot was saved by Tim Thomas.
Alexander Semin put his shot past Tim Thomas and into the net.
Scores are tied after 3 rounds.
Rich Peverley was up next and his shot was saved by Michal Neuvirth.
Brooks Laich puts his shot past Tim Thomas and into the net.

After nearly 2 hours of hockey, Washington Beats Boston 3-2.

Boston would have to wait another day to clinch a playoff spot.

Tonights 3 stars go to: 1.Marcus Johansson 2. David Krejci 3. Alex Ovechkin.

Up next for Boston is the NYI in Long Island, a Matinee Game as its a 1pm start.





Thursday 29 March 2012

Tampa Bay @ Boston.

On Tuesday night, saw the Boston Bruins take on the Tampa Bay Lightening at the TD Garden. Before the Game Boston paid tribute to their Captain Zdeno Chara who played his 1,000TH game on Saturday night in LA. He was joined on the ice with his wife,Tatiana and daughter Elliz Victoria. Some of his team mates, came on and gave flowers to Tatiana and Elliz. He was also presented with a framed picture and a silver hockey stick. 

Boston's Alternative Captain won the faceoff to get the game underway. Boston got off to a good start, and had the first shot on goal. Dwayne Roloson's nice save from a David Krejic's shot to keep the score 0-0. In the first 4 minutes of the game each team had a shot each on Goal. Tampa Bay's Center Steven Stamkos let with a wrist shot rip past Boston's Goaltender to score the opening goal of the game. Steven Stamkos with his 54th goal of the season and Marty St. Louis with his 45th assist of the season. In 15 career games against Boston Steven Stamkos has scored 9 goals. Within 6 minutes, Boston equalized, Zdeno Chara drove to the net, Dwayne Roloson saved, Shawn Thornton got on the rebound to put the puck into the net to tie the game 1-1. Shawn Thornton scored his 5th goal of the season with a snap shot. Zdeno Chara with his 34th assist of the season and Gregory Campbell with his 8th assist of the season. On the 7th minute of the game, Boston got their first PP of the game. Keith Aulie tripped up Boston's Brad Marchand right in front of Tampa Bay's goal. Keith Aulie to the box for 2 minutes. Boston's Power Play is 14th in the NHL with a 17.6%. Tampa Bay's penalty kill is 28th in the NHL with a 78.2%. If it was not Dwayne Roloson the score would of been 3-1 Boston. After that exciting 1st period, the horn sounds to end the 1st. The score still tied at 1-1 and with Boston out-shooting Tampa Bay 11-5. Boston would be in front if it was not Dwayne Roloson being very sharp. In the 1st period Boston won 14 out of 20 faceoffs with Boston's alternative captain Patrice Bergeron winning 7 out of 9, Boston also outhitting Tamp Bay 12-8. I also forgot to say that on 06:11 minute of the game Tampa Bay's Right-Winger T.J Wyman went to the box for holding the stick. He went to the box for 2 minutes. 

During the first intermission Boston's assistant GM Don Sweeney introduced Mary Parker and Jimmy Vesey as the winners of the 2012 Carlton Award. 

Boston's, Patrice Bergeron won the opening draw to start off the 2nd period. Gregory Campbell was robbed by Dwayne Roloson twice. Boston was creating some lovely changes but unfortunately can't beat the Tampa Bay's Goalie. With 16:05 left in the 2nd period score still tied 1-1. with 04:43 minutes gone in the 2nd period, Boston's Left Winger Brad Marchand went to the box for cross-checking. Brad gets 2 minutes in the box. Tampa Bay's Power Play is the 22nd in the NHL with a 15.6% and Boston' penalty kill is 10th in the NHL with a 83.5%. Tampa Bays center Eric Brewer with a shot and hit the junction of the post and crossbar was a very close call. Adam McQuaid had a nice thought sends a puck through traffic but Dwayne Roloson has it. With 06:44 left to go both Boston's Gregory Campbell and Tampa's  Keith Aulie goes to the box for roughing. Both gets 2 minutes each. Things are heating up in this game, with Both Steven Stamkos and Zdeno Chara exchange crosschecks behind the play. With 04:55 left in the period, Zdeno Chara with a slap shot, and it rebounded to Dennis Seidenberg who, with a wrist shot scores his 4th goal of the season. Zdeno Chara with his 35th assist of the season and David Krejci with his 34th assist of the season. Just after Boston scored their 2nd goal of the game, Tampa Bay's center Mike Commodore goes to the box for a tripping call, 2 minutes. Boston back on the Power Play. In 38 minutes Tampa Bay had only 7 shots on goal. A very late call on Boston's Tyler Seguin who goes to the box for 2 minutes with a tripping call. Boston will start the 3rd with a penalty kill. Boston has 23-8 shots on goal after 40 minutes. Boston are 22-0-0 of the year when leading after 2.


During the second intermission, Boston Legend Johnny Bucyk was in the Garden handing out MIAA sportsman awards to a High School Hockey Players. The Final Recipient to receive this award goes to Norwood High School's Matt Brown another nice moment for Matt. Congrats to all the players. they all deserve it.


The players are back on the ice for the final period. With 02:59 minutes gone in the 3rd Boston goes on a PP. Tyler Seguin was tripped up by Tampa Bay's Tim Wallace goes to the box for 2 minutes. Unfortunately during the PP Boston did not have a shot on goal, but jut after penalty expired David Krejci and Milan Lucic combined on a chance. Johnny Boychuk trips up Steven Stamkos. Johnny Boychuk goes to the box for 2 minutes, with 14:37 left in the game. Tampa Bay's center Steven Stamkos scores a PPG (Power Play Goal).  Steven Stamkos with a slap shot goes into Boston's net for his 2nd goal of the game and his 55th goal of the season. Victor Hedman with his 13th assist of the season and Marty St.Louis with his 46th assist of the season and 2nd of the game.  Game tied 2-2 with 14:14 left in regulation. Just after Tampa Bay's goal, Boston had a worry when Boston's defenseman Adam McQuaid went down behind Boston' goal, but fortunately he got up and skated off under his own power.  With 10:53 remaining Boston's center Tyler Seguin goes to the box for hi-sticking, 2 minutes for the penalty. During the Tampa Bay's PP they have big 2 shots on Boston's Goal, but Tim Thomas saves both shots. The Crowd in the Garden were fired up. With 11:34 to go Zdeno Chara had a shot on goal, but it rebounded Brian Rolston who then passes it to Benoit Pouliot shoots with a wrist shot, scores his 14th goal of the season. Brian Rolston with his 15th assist of the season, and Zdeno Chara with his 36th assist of the season and his 3rd of the game. But wait a minute the officials are talking so the play is under review. After the discussion it was decided it was a good call. Boston in front 3-2 with 8:26 left in regulation. Zdeno Chara with his 3rd career 3 game assist and Brian Rolston has now points in 7 straight games. Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos hits the post, But Boston's Goaltender Tim Thomas recovers quickly to cover the puck up to keep Boston in the lead. With 04:10 left in regulation Boston's left winger Brad Marchand makes it 4-2 Boston. Brad Marchand with a wrist shot to score his 26th goal of the season. It was a lovely pass by Patrice Bergeron. Boston's alternative captain with his 38th assist of the season and Tyler Seguin with his 35th of the season. With less than 4 minutes to go, Boston goes back on a PP with Tampa Bay's Brian Lee goes to the box for 2 minutes for a delaying the game call, as he puts the puck over the glass. Tampa Bay goes on a Timeout with 53.7 secs left of regulation. Boston's Rich  Peverley with 8secs to go, scores with a wrist shot to make the score 5-2 Boston. Rich Peverley scores his 10th goal of his season. David Krejci with his 35th assist of the season and his 2nd of the game. With that goal thats the end of the game Boston wins 5-2. 


Boston are now getting prepared for the visit of the Washington Capitals, a big night for Boston as they can clinch a Playoff place. 


Tuesdays 3 stars of the game went to: 1.Zdeno Chara  2.Steven Stamkos 3.Shawn Thornton

















































Monday 26 March 2012

Boston @ Anaheim

On Sunday night, saw the Stanley Cup Champions Boston take on the Anaheim Ducks at the Anaheim's Honda Center. It also saw the return of Bruins Center Rich Peverley.
    Anaheim Ducks won the draw and got game 75 underway. The first save of the game went to Jonas Hiller of the Ducks, as he robs Rich Peverley who was looking for his 1st goal back. Rich Peverley got a nice feed off  Patrice Bergeron, Rich Peverley was going for stick-side low, but unfortunately Jonas Hiller flashed the glove. On the 6TH minute Boston went on their PP of the game. Brian Rolston was tripped by Lubomir Visnovsky. Lubomir Visnovsky to the box for 2 minutes. Ducks managed to kill the PP with 12:15 left of the 1st shots on Goal were level at 1-1. The best moment of the game was when Greg Zanon's big hit on Corey Perry with 9:05 left in the period score was still 0-0. On the 15TH minute Anaheim went on a PP. Andrew Ference got penalized for tripping. Andrew Ference to the box for 2minutes. Boston managed to kill the Ducks PP. After 20 minutes, still 0-0 and even the shots on goals were even at 6-6. But on a positive note, Rich Peverley and Marty Turco have been terrific. Unfortunately it was a forgettable 1st period.
      Both set of players are back on the ice for the 2ND period. Both Goal tenders were having a good game. On the 5TH minute of the 2ND Zdeno Chara with a slap shot to score his 12TH of the season. No assists on the goal. Less than 2 minutes after Zdeno's goal Boston went 2-0 up. Benoit Pouliot with a snap shot scored his 13TH goal of the season. It was also Benoit Pouliot's 50TH career goal and his 100TH NHL point. Chris Kelly with his 18TH assist of the season, and Brian Rolston with his 14TH of the season. 11 minutes to left in the 2ND Anaheim went on a PP. Adam McQuaid goes to the box for holding, 2 minutes. 11 secs into the PP Anaheim scored a Power Play Goal, Temmu Selanne with a tip-in scored his 24TH of the season. Cam Fowler with hi 24TH assist of the season, and Ryan Getzlaf with his 45TH assist of the season. Score 2-1 Boston. That will do for the 2ND period. After 40 minutes Boston are holding on to a narrow 2-1 lead. Boston are  ahead on Shots on Goals with 18-13.
    Now the players are back on the ice for the final time of the night. Andrew Ference blocked a shot, and he was having trouble skating back to the bench, once he was off the ice, he went straight down the tunnel to the Boston's locker room. In the 3rd minute Boston went on their 2ND PP of the night, Anaheim's Luca Sbisa went to the box for interference. Luca Sbisa to the box for 2 minutes. Matt Beleskey thought he had equalized for his team when he beats Marty Turco, but the Referee chopped the goal off for having a man on the crease still 2-1 Boston. During that play Andrew Ference came back on to the Bruins bench good sign he will be alright to continue the game. With 13:06 on the clock, Brian Rolston with a slap shot scored his 7TH goal of the season. Chris Kelly with his 2ND assist of the evening and his 18TH of the season, and Benoit Pouliot with his 16TH assist of the season. On the 14:01 minute Tyler Seguin to the box for hi-sticking, 2 minutes. With less than 3 minutes to go in the game, Lubomir Visnovsky with a slap shot scored his 6TH of the season. Boston took a timeout with 1:04 remaining in the game. Jonas Hiller went to the bench for a extra attacker with 30 secs to go. Just then the Hoot signals the end of the Game, Boston wins 3-2. I will say this trip was a success, 4 points out of a possible 6, against 3 tough opponents.
  Tonight I will award the 3 stars to: 1. Marty Turco 2. Chris Kelly  3.Benoit Pouliot.

Now Boston will return home to face the Tampa Bay Lightening on March 27, 7.30 pm start.






Sunday 25 March 2012

Boston @ LA Kings.

The Stanley Cup Champions were in the Staples Center to take on the LA Kings. The Boston Bruins were looking for a huge win, to keep NYR in their sights at the top of the Eastern Conference. They also wanted to give them a bit of a gap between them and Ottawa. The game against LA was a big night for the Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara, who was playing in his 1,000 NHL Game. 
     LA Kings won the faceoff to get the game underway. The kings were making Boston's goal tender Tim Thomas work hard, with 3 saves in the first 3 minutes of the game. Boston's Captain Zdeno Chara with the first shot of the game, but Kings goal tender Quick turned it away with 16:45 left in the first with the score at 0-0. Dennis Seidenberg with the Boston's 3RD shot of the game, but it was sent out. LA was 7-3 Shots on Goal. Behind Boston's Net Zdeno Chara and LA's alternative Captain Anze Kopitar got into a tangle with Kopitar losing his helmet. In the 11TH minute of the Game, Chris Kelly and Trevor Lewis dropped the gloves, Chris Kelly got in a few jabs and got the early takedown.  Chris Kelly and Trevor Lewis both got a 5 minute fighting major. The LA Kings were averaging a shot a minute in the first period. Shots on Goal was reading 15-6 to LA. Boston went on their first PP of the game, with Chris Kelly taken a Hit off Justin Williams with 2:28 left of the 1st. Justin Williams went to the box for 2 minutes, Roughing call. Unfortunately Boston could not use the PP to their advantage and finished the 1st.After 20 minutes the score was still 0-0, still a lot of Hockey to play for. 
    The players are back on the ice for the 2ND period. At the start of the 2ND there was a heavy collision between Brad Marchand and Justin Williams and it looked like Brad Marchand took the full brunt of the collision. With 41 secs gone in the period, LA got their 1st PP of the game. Tyler Seguin hooking, went to the box for 2 minutes. Boston managed to Kill the penalty. Unfortunately Brian Rolston went to the box for 2 minutes for holding.With 5:18 gone of the 2ND period Boston scored. Patrice Bergeron with a wrist shot to score his 20TH of the Season. Brad Marchand with his 24TH assist of the season. With that goal it changed tremendously. On the 13:17 minute of the 2ND LA equalized with a snap shot.Colin Frazer scored his 2ND goal of the season. The assists on Frazer's goal went to Drew Doughty with his 25TH of the season, and Kyle Clifford with his 7TH of the season.With 2:02 left of the 2ND LA went on a PP. Boston's captain Zdeno Chara to the box for hi-sticking. Zdeno Chara went to the box for 2 minutes. Boston survived a late LA's PP to keep the score 1-1 after 40 minutes.
    The players are back on the ice for the 3RD period. Boston scored their 2ND goal of the game with 5 minutes played in the 3RD. Milan Lucic with a wrist shot, scored his 24TH goal of the season. David Krejci with his 33RD assist of the season, and Jordan Caron with his 7TH assist of the season. Less than 2 minutes later Boston scored their 3RD goal of the game, 2ND in the period. Chris Kelly with a tip-in to score his 19TH goal of the season. Brian Rolston with his 13TH assist of the season and Benoit Pouliot with his 15TH of the season.On the 15TH minute Slava Voynov with a wrist shot, scored his 7TH of the season. Justin Williams with his 35TH assist of the season. Score now reads 3-2 Boston, now this will be a nail-bitter to the finish. With 4:03 left Jordan Caron goes to the box for hi-sticking. Kings with a 2-minute PP. Boston with a huge penalty kill with 1:32 left in regulation. Boston took a timeout with 28.5 secs left in the game. With 1 sec to go. Brad Marchand scored a backhand, to score his 25TH goal of the season. No assists on this goal. 
    Boston needed this huge win. Boston now head to Anaheim to face the Ducks with a 8pm start. which is the last game on the Cali road trip.
      

Friday 23 March 2012

Bruins @ San Jose

The Bruins started of their tough California Road trip, against San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. Boston were looking to tie the series with San Jose beating Boston in the Garden 4-2.Boston's David Krejci won the first faceoff to get game 73 underway.
    At the start of the game, Boston started off slow. In fact it took the Bruins almost 3 minutes to have the first shot at the Sharks goalkeeper. But unfortunately for the Bruins they went 1-0 down at 3:57 of the 1st. Joe Pavelski, scored his 27Th goal of the season with a wrist shot past Tim Thomas. The Goal was assisted by Patrick Marleau with his 31st of the season and Shark's captain Joe Thornton with his 53rd of the season. With 11:10 left of the 1st Gregory Campbell tripped Jason Demers to give SJ their first power play of the game. Gregory Campbell to the box for 2 minutes. With Gregory Campbell in the Box, Jason Demers was not happy with the hit, him and Shawn Thornton almost dropped their gloves, the linesmen had to intervene before any punches were thrown. Lucky for Boston they killed the PP. The first period ended with SJ having 8-5 Shots on Goals. 
     Boston's Tim Thomas was the busiest goalies at the start of the 2ND period, SJ was starting to put a lot of pressure on the Bruins, and in that period of time, SJ's Goalie Anti Niemi had 3 saves to make. With  11:27 of the 2ND gone, Boston went on their first power play of the game, with Justin Braun slashing. Justin Braun to the box for 2 mins. Unfortunately Boston, could not do anything with the PP but give Tim credit he kept the Boston in the game. The second period ended with still 1-0 to SJ. Sharks out-shooting Boston 19-10. 
      At the start of the 3rd period, Boston were very sloppy and SJ capitalized, Andrew Desjardins, past the puck to Daniel Winnick. Daniel Winnick took a wrist Shot, to slot home a 2ND goal for SJ. Daniel Winnick scored his 6Th goal of the season, with a 11Th assist of the season. going to Andrew Desjardins. With 15:51 left of regulation, Dennis Seidenberg had a big shot but fortunately for SJ's Niemi saw the puck all the way, still 2-0 SJ. With 6:41 left time was running out for the depleted Boston team, with SJ having 24-15 Shots on Goal. With 4:15 left to go, Boston Scores, Zdeno Chara banked a re-bound shot of SJ goalie Niemi, with a wrist shot past Niemi and into the SJ's goal to make it 2-1. Zdeno Chara scores his 11TH goal of the season, on his 999TH game. The Assists on the goal went to Chris Kelly with his 16TH of the season and Brian Rolston with his 12TH of the season. But unfortunately the goal Game too late in the game for Boston and it finished 2-1 SJ. 
              Boston now heads up to LA to face the Kings in the Staples Center on Saturday night with a 9pm start time. 

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Bruins Win 8-0

On Monday night, Stanley Cup Champions played host to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in their 6 game series of the season...With Boston winning the 1st 5 games in the series it was to see if Boston could sweep them over all. With just 13 minutes played in the 1st period Boston were already 4-0 to the good, Goals coming from Chris Kelly, Gregory Campbell, Benoit Pouliot and Brad Marchand. In the whole  Period Bruins Goalie Tim Thomas had 13 saves.
   On to the 2nd period Boston extended that lead with another 3 goals. Goals came from Benoit Pouliot, his 2nd of the game, Captain Zee Chara and Brian Rolston. With the score 7-0 the Maple Leafs look dejected and they were making easy mistakes.
     On to the 3rd period Tyler Seguin scored to make it 8-0 to the Champions. With that Boston just played out the remained of the game. Boston could easily of scored more goals.
      Boston really needed that win after having a tough week with 4 losses and a win on Saturday. Now Boston will go on a tough road trip to California to play the LA Kings, San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks, then head home to face Tampa Bay on March 27th.