Bruins Nation

My apologies for not posting. This is my first real time in front of a computer since Saturday night. Anyway, the Bruins lost Saturday night to the Florida Panthers in what was a huge third period failure. The third period, and the special teams hurt the Bruins. The Bruins were 1 for 7 on the power play whereas the Panthers were 3 for 7 and had two 2-man advantage goals. Though I thought the penalties that made the 2 man advantage opportunities were crap calls, the Bruins still shouldn't give up goals. Our penalty kill needs to be more sound, especially when we're down by two men. We should be able to go out onto the ice down by two men and make sure the other team doesn't score for two minutes.

The first two periods were fine for the Bruins. Three minutes into the game Brad Boyes was in the neutral zone without a stick when he kicked the puck to the blue line where Patrice Bergeron was. Bergeron then skated up to the net and passed the puck to Marco Sturm who easily scored. Then ten minutes into the period, the Bruins found themselves on the ice with only three men after crap calls put York and Mara in the penalty box. the Panthers took advantage of the 5 on 3 and scored, tying the game.

The second period started off really well, just like the first one. Exactly two minutes in Glen Murray got his 600th career NHL point when his wrist shot went into the net. The lead didn't last very long though, a minute later the Panthers were on the power play when a drive from between the faceoff circles got past Thomas.

Then later in the period, the Bruins were on the power play when Glen Murray shot the puck, then put his own rebound into the back of the net, giving himself his 601st NHL point, and the Bruins a one goal lead. Then what seemed like a few seconds later, Florida managed to score a goal right off of a faceoff win in the Bruins zone. So the game was tied 3-3 heading into the third period.

All went to hell in the third period though. Florida got anohter two-man advantage goal. The Bruins had a big screw-up in their own zone that lead to an easy Panther one-timer getting by Thomas, and Florida got an empty net goal. Giving up three third-period goals is not the way to end a hockey game.

One last game note: The Bruins only had 21 shots. In their win against the Devils they had 45 shots. That's how you win games, by taking as many quality shots as you can. 21 shots will rarely end up a win in the new NHL.

One last other note: Phil Kessel is cured. Sorry I don't have time to write about this but it was announced Saturday and it is big news. Kessel is officially cancer free.