This is the first season where I’ve missed my fair share of Bruins games. It saddens me, but such is life. I remember the days where I’d schedule my life around games. “Invite to a wedding? Sorry, there’s a Bruins game that day and I’m going.” Oh yes, I was almost that bad. But now that I’m getting older (maybe wiser), it’s not the end of the world if I miss a game here or there, or every other week. I found games onDemand last night, including Overtime so I know where I can catch all the action if I need to.
Wednesday night when the Bruins were in Atlanta was no exception. I worked, and it wasn’t until well after 7:30 when I finally got around to asking the bar to please put the Bruins game on.
The Bruins played the Thrashers and were leading 2-0 in the first period. I missed the first goal, but saw the second and that was it, well other than the three goals the Thrashers scored in response. Petteri “I still don’t know how to say your name” Nokelainen scored the first goal for the Bruins, and Peter Schaefer scored the second. Mark Recchi scored two straight goals for the Thrashers, and Ilya Kovalchuk gave the Thrashers their first and only lead for the night.
I didn’t see Mark Stuart’s hit on Kovalchuk, but only knew Kovalchuk was down and later that Stuart got a five minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. But I guess since Kovalchuk’s goal came after the kneeing, that he was fine. (This is when I wish I watched the game, or at least knew the sequence of events.)
Long story short, Glen Murray scored with less than two minutes left in the second period to tie the game 3-3. Milan Lucic scored his 2nd goal of the season at 16:13 in the third period to give the Bruins a 4-3 lead. Marc Savard added an empty net goal at 19:56 to make it 5-3.
Alex Auld had 23 saves for his third straight win for the Bruins.
Speaking of Goalies
As expected, Tim Thomas was placed of injured reserve to make room for Andrew Ference on the 23 player roster. Thomas is 5-7 days away from returning.
And Manny Fernandez had knee surgery Wednesday that could end his season.
"It's been a chronic thing all year," said GM Peter Chiarelli, who noted that Fernandez's knee had not improved since training camp despite rehab and therapy. "Manny felt he couldn't perform at 100 percent. He had to alter his style. We felt that it would be best to do it now. Likely that he'll be gone the whole year -- maybe not -- but he'll be ready for next year at the latest."
Once Thomas returns, it will be him and Auld splitting time in Boston. Tuukka Rask will continue his development in Providence.
The Bruins host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, technically today. Check back for a preview early afternoon.
3 Comments
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Yeah, Boston Bruins fans are kind of like the Irish -- there are more of them around the world than there is in Boston.
Glad to see my hometown boy Alex Auld is doing so well. He did really well in Vancouver a few years ago, but then, like about 75% of goaltenders, shooters figured him out and his impact declined. (Most of those, it seems, played in Boston: Blaine Lacher, Jim Carrey, Bill Ranford x2, John Grahame, off the top of my head...)
Here's hoping that he is one of those gems that can actually bounce back and make a career of it. Especially now that Manny is officially out for the season!
~Graham
1. Posted by Graham | December 13, 2007 9:46 AM
I'll admit I cam sort of glad Tuukka is being sent down..mostly for selfish reasons in that I have tickets for the PBs as well as "skate w/the players" in January. Tuukka got called up the day of the "meet the players" party so I need him to sign a yearbook still for me. I'd like to see him get more icetime etc.
that hit was crap..bad call..i realize they need to react..but sometimes instant replay on penalties might help.
2. Posted by March | December 13, 2007 11:13 AM
I read the newspaper this morning and the B's are 3rd best team in NHL (despite all injuries). 10 losses so far (including 4 against the Habs). Imagine if they would have splitted victories against Mtl ??
They just played 9 games on the road and collected 13 points (out of 18). Usually, this part of calendar means "free falling" but for the B's it turned out as "free climbing"
Excluding Mtl (soon to come), the B's showed that they can beat any opponent this year. Let's hope they'll keep the paiste. Now let's look for stability in the Organization. If Bergy could come back shortly !!
3. Posted by yves | December 13, 2007 1:24 PM