B’s Blank The Bolts 2-0!
Friday, May 20, 2011
You had the feeling it was going to be a good night for the Bruins when Patrice Bergeron was on the ice to start the game and won the opening faceoff. Then, when Milan Lucic found David Krejci all alone in front of Dwyane Roloson for a goal just 1:09 into the game, it was on!
Boston knew that Tampa would come out flying at home and, because of that, had to play tough, smart hockey. That’s exactly what they did.
Krejci’s goal was the only score by either team in the first period and even though the Lightning outshot the Bruins 10-8 in the first, the Bruins did a nice job of keeping Tampa Bay to the outside while limiting their quality scoring opportunities.
The two teams played a scoreless second period with Boston outshooting Tampa 12-6. But unlike game 2, this game featured some solid defense and goaltending.
Still down 1-0, the Lightning came out flying to start the third as well but Boston withstood the pressure thanks to good, smart, disciplined play and solid goaltending by Tim Thomas.
Rookie Tyler Seguin was active with Shawn Thornton the odd man out. After 6 points in the first two games of the series, Seguin did it again! He got a piece of Andrew Ference’s slap shot midway through the third to make it 2-0 Boston. It was Seguin’s 4th goal in 3 career playoff games. And it was more than enough for the B’s to secure the game 3 victory 2-0.
With the win, the Bruins regain home ice advantage in the series which they now lead 2-1. Game 4 will be played Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm in Tampa. The game will be televised nationally on NBC.
NOTES:
-For the game, Tampa outshot Boston 31-25 but Tim Thomas picked up his second career playoff shutout stopping all 31 shots he faced.
-Patrice Bergeron showed no effects of the concussion last night. He took some hits and was not afraid to mix it up in the corners. He also continues to be the master of the draw winning 64% of his faceoffs.
-Versus coverage of the NHL playoffs is outstanding! Keith Jones, Jeremy Roenick and Mike Keenan are outstanding studio analysts and Mike Emrick’s play-by-play makes Bruins fans never want to hear Jack Edwards again.
-While all of New England was watching the Bruins-Lightning game, the red-hot Red Sox won again in dramatic fashion. Carl Crawford’s walk-off bases loaded single in the bottom of the 9th scored Darnell McDonald for the 4-3 win over Detroit at Fenway. It was Boston’s 6th straight win. After starting the season 0-6 and then 2-10, they are now just 1 ½ games out of first place in the American League East.
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