In a game showcasing the flawed nature of the shootout system, the Bruins fell to the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 yesterday in Chicago. The bright side of the situation was the one point we managed to get out of that game.
The Bruins started out a little shaky, with some missed opportunities and sloppy defensive plays that resulted in a goal from Hossa early in the first. Tuukka Rask definitely showed up during this period though and managed to hold off the rest of the shots on goal until Marchand managed to score with 19 seconds left in the period to tie the game going into the second.
Roles were definitely reversed in the second period with Brad Marchand scoring again just 50 seconds into the second. The Bruins managed to maintain some great offensive pressure and zone time and the lead was only taken by a relatively sloppy goal allowed by Tuukka Rask almost 10 minutes into the period.
Going into the third tied pushed both teams to play some of their best hockey. We saw a pretty even game with the Bruins and Hawks remaining neck and neck in shots on goal and an equal amount of offensive pressure until the final buzzer sounded.
Overtime also saw some great opportunities for the Bruins that they just couldn't capitalize on. The Hawks weren't getting very lucky either because we went into that oh so dreaded shoot out, which in my opinion is a stupid, entirely unnecessary part of the game. But in any case, the Hawks came out on top off two goals from Toews and Kane.
The Bruins started out a little shaky, with some missed opportunities and sloppy defensive plays that resulted in a goal from Hossa early in the first. Tuukka Rask definitely showed up during this period though and managed to hold off the rest of the shots on goal until Marchand managed to score with 19 seconds left in the period to tie the game going into the second.
Roles were definitely reversed in the second period with Brad Marchand scoring again just 50 seconds into the second. The Bruins managed to maintain some great offensive pressure and zone time and the lead was only taken by a relatively sloppy goal allowed by Tuukka Rask almost 10 minutes into the period.
Going into the third tied pushed both teams to play some of their best hockey. We saw a pretty even game with the Bruins and Hawks remaining neck and neck in shots on goal and an equal amount of offensive pressure until the final buzzer sounded.
Overtime also saw some great opportunities for the Bruins that they just couldn't capitalize on. The Hawks weren't getting very lucky either because we went into that oh so dreaded shoot out, which in my opinion is a stupid, entirely unnecessary part of the game. But in any case, the Hawks came out on top off two goals from Toews and Kane.
Bruins Positives
1. Looks like our little ball of hate is finally getting that monkey off his shoulders. Marchy has 4 goals in three games including the two goals he scored yesterday. It's a welcome change that his teammates and his fans alike are noticing. His line-mates are trying to feed off of his new found energy to continue being the offensive force they've been. Cheers to hoping Marchand keeps this streak up.
2. As I mentioned, our offensive zone presence was great for most of the game. We kept pressure on Crawford and were getting shots off, even a few on the power play. We played a fast, physical game and we're strong in the corners. I was impressed with our effort.
3. Torey Krug and Lucic sticking up for Miller after Bollig hit him when he had his head down looking at the puck. You always love to see that kind of team bond and I personally always love to see Kruger get scrappy.
4. Tuukka Rask was so much better tonight than he has been. He made spectacular saves all game and managed to steal some pretty promising chances from the Hawks. So screw those people saying he's in a slump because with that performance, I think it's obvious he's just fine.
2. As I mentioned, our offensive zone presence was great for most of the game. We kept pressure on Crawford and were getting shots off, even a few on the power play. We played a fast, physical game and we're strong in the corners. I was impressed with our effort.
3. Torey Krug and Lucic sticking up for Miller after Bollig hit him when he had his head down looking at the puck. You always love to see that kind of team bond and I personally always love to see Kruger get scrappy.
4. Tuukka Rask was so much better tonight than he has been. He made spectacular saves all game and managed to steal some pretty promising chances from the Hawks. So screw those people saying he's in a slump because with that performance, I think it's obvious he's just fine.
Bruins Negatives
1. Our defense looked lousy in the beginning of the first period. That first Hawks goal was a direct restult of that.
2. There were so many turnovers that game I could probably open a bakery and make enough money to buy myself Bruins tickets. Absolutely no good.
3. That icky second goal the Hawks got on Rask. It was just a sloppy goal for Rask to let slip through.
4. McQuaid getting injured in the second period and not returning for the rest of the game.
5. The refs were once again absolutely horrible this game. They were missing all kinds of calls all game. That 10 minute misconduct on Toews was a little bit excessive. They also missed a cross check on Marchand and Marchand cross checking somebody. I might invest the money I would get from my turnover bakery into buying the refs glasses because they're kind of ridiculous at this point.
6. We missed so many opportunities this game. We had a wide open net several times and didn't manage to capitalize on them. We also made Crawford on several occasions. We should have gone for his gloved side more because god knows it's basically useless.
7. That shootout. Enough said.
Despite this kind of disappointing loss, we did manage to get a point out of it and we have a chance to get another two out of today's game. So let's hope the Bruins can take the kind of game we saw them play yesterday into the game today.
Until after said game,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!
2. There were so many turnovers that game I could probably open a bakery and make enough money to buy myself Bruins tickets. Absolutely no good.
3. That icky second goal the Hawks got on Rask. It was just a sloppy goal for Rask to let slip through.
4. McQuaid getting injured in the second period and not returning for the rest of the game.
5. The refs were once again absolutely horrible this game. They were missing all kinds of calls all game. That 10 minute misconduct on Toews was a little bit excessive. They also missed a cross check on Marchand and Marchand cross checking somebody. I might invest the money I would get from my turnover bakery into buying the refs glasses because they're kind of ridiculous at this point.
6. We missed so many opportunities this game. We had a wide open net several times and didn't manage to capitalize on them. We also made Crawford on several occasions. We should have gone for his gloved side more because god knows it's basically useless.
7. That shootout. Enough said.
Despite this kind of disappointing loss, we did manage to get a point out of it and we have a chance to get another two out of today's game. So let's hope the Bruins can take the kind of game we saw them play yesterday into the game today.
Until after said game,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!