Bruins Take Game Three & Series Lead
When Rene Rancourt is singing the anthem, you know it's game time at the TD Garden.
The Boston Bruins welcomed the Chicago Blackhawks for game three of the final. Before the puck was dropped; Chicago suffered a huge loss when Marian Hossa was injured during the warm up.
The first period started tentatively. Patrice Bergeron came close, forcing a superb skate save from Crawford but Chicago controlled the puck for most of the period.
Suprisingly, after the penalty-fests that were the first two games, it took 10 minutes before Kaspars Daugavins took a trip to the box for roughing. The call was controversial as replays showed that that Daugavins planted his elbow into Andrew Shaw's head. Still though the Bruins were able to kill the powerplay.
NHLPA might have something to say on that one.
Later in the period, Shawn Thornton took his seat in the box after more roughing on Shaw. There wasn't much to it but the whistle had already gone so fair call.
Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews almost linked up for a superb goal, except Toews put it wide under pressure.
Chris Kelly then picked up a loose puck in center ice and deked past three Bruins skaters to pass to an unmarked Rich Peverley. Crawford was alert to the shot and the rebound to keep the 'Hawks in the game.
Quickly into the second period, Danny Paille found the net to give the Bruins the lead and land his fourth goal of the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks' discipline took a dip in the second period as all three penalties went to Chicago skaters. Dave Bolland took the first trip to the box when he cross checked Chris Kelly on the back as he was skating toward goal.
Chicago's penalty killers were successful in defending the Bolland penalty but when Nicklas Hjalmarsson tripped Danny Paille; the PK unit faced a five-on-three situation.
It was a difficult call cos it looked like the d-man got the puck but the officials ruled it was a foul and as Bolland was leaving the box to rejoin his team, Jaromir Jagr played a perfect cross to Bergeron who turned to slot past a helpless Crawford.
Chicago responded with some good possession but were unable to find the target.
With a minute left on the clock, Bolland made his second visit to the penalty box when he tripped Johnny Boychuck. It was an incredibly stupid penalty to give away. Boychuck was nowhere near the action and the B's had already proven how dangerous they can be on the power play.
The third period produced no goals but plenty of penalties.
Adam McQuaid made the first trip to the box when he tripped Marcus Kruger. No argument. Bergeron looked like he'd be taking a penalty when the puck was fired into the netting above Rask's goal. The officials reviewed it and replays showed that a 'Hawks player was the last to touch the puck.
It wasn't long before all 17,000 fans in the arena collectively slapped their foreheads when Bolland took yet another penalty. Remember he started the period in the box. Yes, this was for tripping, this time on David Krejci.
It wasn't long before Krejci made his own journey to the box when he was caught hooking Brandon Saad.
In the last minute of the game, chaos descended on the Garden. Chicago pulled Crawford and Bryan Bickell hit Rask's post. Toews cross checked Kelly, who then lashed out at Toews. Bickell, after being knocked on his ass by the big #33's elbow then decided to pick a fight with Chara.. While the officials tried to pries Chara off Bickell, Shaw and Marchand then went for each other. Shaw and Marchand went to the box, Chara and Bickell went to the locker rooms. Madness.
That's how it ended. Rask had maybe five difficult saves. Crawford played incredibly but unfortunately he conceded two, cancelling out all of his great saves.
Honourable Mentions:
Milan Lucic - despite not putting any numbers on the board. The Canadian was a rock for the Bruins. Getting several big hits to keep Chicago at bay.
Jonathan Toews - With Hossa out, the 'Hawks captain had to step up and that he did. Despite an injury to his hand, he played well.
TD Garden's Organist - Daft Punk, Black Keys etc. Well done.
The Boston Bruins welcomed the Chicago Blackhawks for game three of the final. Before the puck was dropped; Chicago suffered a huge loss when Marian Hossa was injured during the warm up.
The first period started tentatively. Patrice Bergeron came close, forcing a superb skate save from Crawford but Chicago controlled the puck for most of the period.
Suprisingly, after the penalty-fests that were the first two games, it took 10 minutes before Kaspars Daugavins took a trip to the box for roughing. The call was controversial as replays showed that that Daugavins planted his elbow into Andrew Shaw's head. Still though the Bruins were able to kill the powerplay.
NHLPA might have something to say on that one.
Later in the period, Shawn Thornton took his seat in the box after more roughing on Shaw. There wasn't much to it but the whistle had already gone so fair call.
Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews almost linked up for a superb goal, except Toews put it wide under pressure.
Chris Kelly then picked up a loose puck in center ice and deked past three Bruins skaters to pass to an unmarked Rich Peverley. Crawford was alert to the shot and the rebound to keep the 'Hawks in the game.
Quickly into the second period, Danny Paille found the net to give the Bruins the lead and land his fourth goal of the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks' discipline took a dip in the second period as all three penalties went to Chicago skaters. Dave Bolland took the first trip to the box when he cross checked Chris Kelly on the back as he was skating toward goal.
Chicago's penalty killers were successful in defending the Bolland penalty but when Nicklas Hjalmarsson tripped Danny Paille; the PK unit faced a five-on-three situation.
It was a difficult call cos it looked like the d-man got the puck but the officials ruled it was a foul and as Bolland was leaving the box to rejoin his team, Jaromir Jagr played a perfect cross to Bergeron who turned to slot past a helpless Crawford.
Chicago responded with some good possession but were unable to find the target.
With a minute left on the clock, Bolland made his second visit to the penalty box when he tripped Johnny Boychuck. It was an incredibly stupid penalty to give away. Boychuck was nowhere near the action and the B's had already proven how dangerous they can be on the power play.
The third period produced no goals but plenty of penalties.
Adam McQuaid made the first trip to the box when he tripped Marcus Kruger. No argument. Bergeron looked like he'd be taking a penalty when the puck was fired into the netting above Rask's goal. The officials reviewed it and replays showed that a 'Hawks player was the last to touch the puck.
It wasn't long before all 17,000 fans in the arena collectively slapped their foreheads when Bolland took yet another penalty. Remember he started the period in the box. Yes, this was for tripping, this time on David Krejci.
It wasn't long before Krejci made his own journey to the box when he was caught hooking Brandon Saad.
In the last minute of the game, chaos descended on the Garden. Chicago pulled Crawford and Bryan Bickell hit Rask's post. Toews cross checked Kelly, who then lashed out at Toews. Bickell, after being knocked on his ass by the big #33's elbow then decided to pick a fight with Chara.. While the officials tried to pries Chara off Bickell, Shaw and Marchand then went for each other. Shaw and Marchand went to the box, Chara and Bickell went to the locker rooms. Madness.
That's how it ended. Rask had maybe five difficult saves. Crawford played incredibly but unfortunately he conceded two, cancelling out all of his great saves.
Honourable Mentions:
Milan Lucic - despite not putting any numbers on the board. The Canadian was a rock for the Bruins. Getting several big hits to keep Chicago at bay.
Jonathan Toews - With Hossa out, the 'Hawks captain had to step up and that he did. Despite an injury to his hand, he played well.
TD Garden's Organist - Daft Punk, Black Keys etc. Well done.
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