WickedBruinsFan's Blog

Bruins fans had to wait an additional 20 minutes for the puck to drop.

Starters: Thomas, Bergeron, Sturm, Kessel, Ward, Chara. Bergeron is wearing the permanent 'A' this season, and Axelsson has the rotating 'A'.

Andy Brickley is working the game for Versus.

First: Less than 15 seconds in and Thomas already made a save. Yelle had a nice rush, but former Bruins Guite checked the puck away. I do need to add that it is great seeing Bergeron in a regular season game again. Bruins have a nice breakout going from the defensive zone, but can't generate any pressure in the offensive zone yet. Yelle set up Lucic for the first shot on goal. Bruins went offside at the first TV timout. Kessel puts the Bruins on top on a turnover by the Avalanche at 6:21. The TV timeout seemed to help the Bruins offensive game. Chara buried Jones behind the Bruins' goal. Chara got a penalty for boarding at 9:17. Bergeron had a shorthanded breakaway and Budaj saved it. Never did I want Bergeron to score a goal so bad as then, especially since the Avalanche tied the game with a power play goal scored by Hejduk. Wheeler scored his first NHL goal at 10:51, assisted by Krejci and Kobasew. Thomas made some huge saves on Wolski and Sakic, the beauty of the save coming on Sakic's chance that I think had all fans thinking it was going in. Bruins gave a lengthy 5-on3 to the Avalanche after Ference went off for hooking at 12:41 and was followed 4 seconds later by Ward for a delay of game penalty. The 5-on-3 penalty killers did a great job. Then Wolski scored on the 5-on-4 power play advantage. End of the period, score is tied 2-2.

Second: Budaj made a save on Bergeron. Avalanche got a penalty. Guite almost had a shot at a breakaway, but the puck reached Thomas first. Avalanche killed the penalty off. Thomas made a nice save. (I'm not sure why I don't type much during second periods, but I guess when I do, the Avalanche score.) McLeod got the goal. Bruins defense is collapsing right before our eyes. Bruins are on the power play and they scored, Savard was credited with the goal. He tipped a Chara shot from the point. And Ward shoots the puck from the point and breaks some glass behind the net. They elected to go to intermission now and add the time to the third period. Score is tied 3-3.

Last 2:47 of Second: Thomas made a save on Smyth. And he made a save on Hejduk. A little pushing in front of the net after the save. The net camera did not flatter the back of Thomas during one of those saves. Another save by Thomas. Wheeler got his first penalty with 24 seconds left in the period. Score is still 3-3 after two periods.

Third: Avalanche start the period on the power play. Thomas made another save. Ryder scores his first Bruins goal at 5:36, which is also his 100th NHL goal. The goal was assisted by Savard and Axelsson. Bruins lead 4-3. Avalanche tie the game at 10:17, goal scored by Leopold. Game is tied 4-4. All I want is a win. Bruins had a couple of chances, followed by a couple Avalanche chances. Krejci puts the Bruins on top 5-4 with a little over 2 minutes remaining in the game. (I would have typed more before that, but I started yawning anytime I tried to start.) Kobasew and Lucic had the assists. Bergeron picks up a tripping penalty with 1:41 remaining. Nothing like making it a little exciting. Bruins did a good job during the first minute of the penalty. Thomas made a save. 33 seconds left in the game. Budaj is pulled and sitting on the bench for the extra attacker. Colorado called a timeout. Pile up in front of the net with 1.1 second to go. Thomas seemed to be shaken up as he didn't move much after the pile cleared, but he seems okay. Bruins win 5-4!

Ending the live-blog at 12:48 a.m. I will post a recap and thoughts later today.