I chose not to blog after Friday night's debacle when both the Bruins and Celtics failed to show up in critical playoff games.
Last night more than made up for it as the Bruins kept their season alive with a 4-0 shutout of the Hurricanes, the Celtics won on a buzzer-beater by Big Baby and the Red Sox won a series vs. the Rays in exciting fashion (as Papelbon struck out the side in the ninth).
After playing awful in Games 2-4, the Bruins finally returned to form at the Garden. Phil Kessel scored twice, Zdeno Chara inspired (and had two assists) while Tim Thomas stopped 19 shots for his first career playoff shutout.
Mark Recchi scored a power-play goal (from Chara and Dennis Wideman) at 14:48 in the first period. Recchi deflected Chara's wrist shot between Cam Ward's (36 saves) legs.
Kessel scored his first of the game less than four minutes later after a cross-ice feed from Savard. Milan Lucic also assisted.
With his second goal, this one in the second period, Kessel ensured there would be a Game 6 back in Carolina. Like a basketball player filling the lane, Kessel was able to put in a rebound from Savard and Chara.
For all his hard work and thundering body checks, Lucic was also rewarded on the score sheet as he completed the scoring in the third period with a slap shot. Michael Ryder and Patrice Bergeron notched the helpers.
To win tomorrow night in Raleigh, the B's will have to play the tough, physical game they displayed last night. They also got bodies to the front of the net which clearly disrupted the normally dominant Ward.
Any extra motivation Boston needed was provided by two dumb Carolina plays: Jussi Jokinen slashed Chara in the back of the leg and Scott Walker sucker-punched Aaron Ward. Jokinen will be targeted no doubt and Walker will likely be out of action for awhile after a suspension.
No comments:
Post a Comment