Bruins Nation

A great win for Boston's hockey fans on New Year's eve. The Boston Bruins and all of Bruins Nation were able to celebrate the coming of the new year with a smile because of this win. TD Banknorth Garden was sold out, which means that 17,565 fans saw the Bruins play hockey against Atlanta (which they were unable to do 2 days earlier). Anyway it was a great win and a good confidence booster for Tim Thomas, who will hopefully be back to his old self.

Nine minutes into the game, after good puck movement on the power play, the Thrashers scored their first goal off a shot by Holik. Exactly four minutes later, a good pass led to a score by Colin Stuart (Mark's brother). Atlanta was up 2-0, but the second period was all Boston.

Early in the second, Wideman's drive on the power play went in. That goal by Dennis Wideman was the 18,000th in Bruins history. 34 seconds later, Chara saved a puck at the blue line and drove it to the net. Axelsson tipped it in and the game was tied. Four minutes later, Glen Metropolit (who was centering the third line) drew a penalty. With Thomas skating off the ice, Schaefer found Mark Stuart, whose drive went in, giving the Bruins the lead. That goal made it the second time this season that a pair of brothers on different teams have scored in the same game (the Hossa brothers on December 7th did it).

Early in the third period, an Andrew Ference power play drive created a long rebound. Phil Kessel then put the rebound where it should be and the Bruins were up two. A few minutes later, Matt Lashoff's first career NHL goal made the lead 3. The Bruins defense, with Thomas as its star, kept the game 5-2. A great way to end 2007 on a high note.