Snow has been covering the Boston area since early afternoon. The Bruins are hosting the Devils in tonight’s game. During the pre-game show, Rob Simpson went over the cancellation process of a game. It comes down to whether or not the visiting team can get to town and to the rink, and since the Devils were here last night, the game is a go.
I had tickets to tonight’s game, freebies, and I had planned on going with my mother. We decided yesterday if we were going, we’d take the MBTA in. But this afternoon, as snow fell and shoveling was done, we both collectively said, “pass!” Sorry Bruins. There was one year when I was in high school we went during an ice storm, and practically skated our way back to the parking garage after the game. I think that makes up for not trekking through this light and fluffy stuff tonight. I shall shovel three more times as my penance.
As for the game, the Bruins are coming off a 5-3 win last night in Atlanta and the Devils 3-2 loss against Washington.
The Bruins will be starting Alex Auld (3-0-0, stats TBD) in goal tonight. Marco Sturm returns to the line-up wearing a half-shield.
I will be around to live-blog this game as I have my laptop resting on my lap as my feet are resting on the ottoman. I’m going to go grab an adult beverage before the puck drops and will be updating during the intermissions, as usual.
Wow, there are some major people missing from the game tonight. The organ is playing the anthem, sans singer. There’s a different announcer at the game. All the fans at the game get major kudos for being there.
Martin Broduer (14-10-2, 2.25 GAA, .912 Sv%) is in goal for the Devils. Auld (3-0-0, 1.67 GAA, .948 Sv%) is in net and yay for stats with Boston.
Starters: Savard, Murray, Axelsson, Ference, Chara.
First Period: Metropolit had the first scoring chance for the Bruins and Broduer made a pad save. Wideman is getting the first penalty of the game for hooking Clarkson at 9:03. Lucic and Clarkson dropped the gloves. Lucic has the height and weight advantage. Lucic connected with Clarkson’s cheek for the finale. Alberts was interviewed during the intermission. Score is 0-0 after one.
Second Period: Bobby Allen was seen on the 9th floor and it took him five hours to get to the rink. His windshield wiper broke and he was sticking his arm out the window as he drove to clean it. Poor Bobby. Bruins get a power play 36 seconds in. Wideman had a shot on net, but Kobasew couldn’t put the rebound in. Gionta scores at 10:57 to give the Devils a 1-0 lead. Madden received a high-stick from Alberts, who goes to the penalty box for four minutes. Chara gets a slashing penalty at 13:55, giving the Devils a 5-on-3 for 2 minutes. Langenbrunner scores at 14:34 and Chara comes out of the box. Devils lead 2-0.
Patrice Bergeron is in attendance at the game! It was nice to see him again and looking better than before. Bruins trail 2-0, but who cares? Bergeron is at the game.
Third Period: Shawn Thornton was in the NESN “studio” at the Garden for an interview during the second intermission. Bruins go on the power play 1:10 into the period. And it only took Savard 21 seconds into the man-advantage to score a power play goal. Savard’s goal was assisted by Chara and Wideman. Rachunek goes off for holding at 7:32 to give the Bruins another power play opportunity. Wideman got a deflected puck off the face with 4:06 left remaining in the game. Wideman had a tough game. Bruins take a timeout with 58.9 seconds left. Julien pulls Auld. Wideman is out there for the last minute, along with Chara, Murray, Savard, Sturm and Metropolit. Gionta put himself offside with 21.8 seconds left. Chara gave the puck away and Langenbrunner scores the empty-net goal to make it 3-1. 14.8 seconds left.
Eh, the Bruins had a good streak on the road. It was their first game of a home stand that will take them until Christmas. They should play better on Saturday against Columbus.
