B’s Beat the Penguins In a Classic!

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

Now that was a hockey game!

Two of the best teams in the National Hockey League dropped the puck and dropped their mittens in what can best be described as an instant classic.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins squared off, in more ways than one, at the Consol Energy Center in a game that involved hard hits, plenty of fights and, most importantly, great hockey.

First, the fights. Boston’s Shawn Thornton, Greg Campbell and Adam McQuaid all took five for fighting. Thornton was named the game’s #1 star after he netted the game-winning goal for Boston at 12:40 of the third period.

The Bruins trailed quickly 1-0 when Pittsburgh’s Arron Asham beat Tim Thomas 1:05 into the first period. But Boston would answer with goals by Mark Recchi on the power play and Brad Marchand to take a 2-1 lead with 3:36 left in the first.

The Penguins Brooks Orpik tied the game at 2 less than a minute later which would be the score after one period.

Pittsburgh scored the only two goals of the second period. Chris Kunitz netted his 4th goal of the season at 15:44 of the second. Then it was Sidney Crosby scoring hit 10th goal of the season with :23 seconds left in the period. His power play tally put Pittsburgh up 4-2 after two.

Boston dominated the third period scoring 5 unanswered goals. Nathan Horton (7), Zdeno Chara (3), Thornton (3), Blake Wheeler (2) and Milan Lucic (6) (empty net) turned a 2-goal defecit into a 3-goal win bringing the Bruins to within two points of the Northeast Division-leading Montreal Canadiens whom they will host tonight at the TD Garden. Boston does have two games in hand on the Habs.

Tim Thomas stopped 42 of the 46 shots he faced to run his record to 7-0 on the season. The four goals allowed lifted his goals against average above one goal per game to 1.04. Thomas’ save percentage is a ridiculous .967.