The Carolina Hurricanes were in town on Saturday night. Nothing can bring back losing to the Hurricanes in game 7 in the conference semifinals, but this game took a little of the sting away. It had the feel of a playoff game.
Marc Savard and Michael Ryder scored power play goals in the first period. Blake Wheeler added a tally at even strength less than 30 seconds after Ryder's goal. The Bruins had a 3-0 lead after the first period. Marco Sturm scored midway through the second period and Dennis Wideman scored a power play goal to give the Bruins a 5-0 lead.
It was almost like the Bruins were playing the Southeast Bruins because of the familiar faces on the other side of the ice. Sergei Samsonov, Stephane Yelle, Andrew Alberts and Aaron Ward are all part of the enemy now. Other than Ward and Samsonov assisting on Scott Walker's goal, they all were quiet... Except for Alberts. Alberts cross-checked Sturm into the boards after Shawn Thornton scored and made it 6-1 late in the second. Savard took exception to the hit, along with every other Bruin on the ice and Alberts was at the bottom of the pile.
Eric Staal and Matt Hunwick both scored power play goals in the third period. Thornton and Alberts dropped the gloves. Thornton didn't like some of the hits and Alberts went toe to toe. Thornton had the advantage of course.
The Bruins won 7-2. Cam Ward was chased after the fourth goal.Michael Leighton came into the game and allowed three goals. Tim Thomas made 25 saves in the game.
The game was televised on NESN and was their highest-rated opening broadcast.
I'm glad at least someone was able to enjoy that. Bleh. Our coach babbled about the boys getting tough or whatever in response to what was happening (them sucking horribly), all I could think was yeah, real tough "We'll show them" and then proceeding to bleed all over the place. Your boys played a very good game. That's pretty much all that kept me watching til the final horn.
I think maybe my team played too few preseason games and just weren't ready when the season finally did start. They were pretty atrocious against TB on Tuesday but somehow managed to get the win.
I think the Bruins forgot that hibernation is over. The game against the 'Canes was a fluke game so far.