Fur Flys as Bruins Fall

Flyers goalie Antero Niittymaki turned away 20 of 22 Boston shots on Tuesday

By Jim Chandley

The Bruins and Flyers were locked in a battle similar to a heavy-weight fight for most of three periods Tuesday.  But instead of a cliffhanger split decision, the end was an Ali-Fraizer like knockout in favor of Philadelphia.

Boston drew first blood on a powerplay goal from Patrice Bergeron at 14:25 in the first period.  The Bruins had other chances in the first.  David Krejci was robbed by Antero Niittymaki on an incredible glove save before the Bergeron goal.  Byron Bitz rattled the Philly crossbar later in the period.

Philadelphia’s Scottie Upshall scored early in the second, the only goal of the period.  Throughout the first to periods, hits flew in both directions and the biggest moment was when Zdeno Chara floored flyers winger Scott Hartnell (a noted NHL enforcer) with a single shot in front of the Bruins goal after the Upshall goal.

But the real knockout blow came from the sticks of Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble.  Gagne scored at 2:22 in the 3rd, tipping a slapshot from former Bruin Andrew Alberts.  Minutes later, another former Bruins, Mike Knuble scored from the slot to make it 3-1.

Gange would score again on the powerplay later in the period.  With a minute left, Stephane Yelle scored on a Bruins powerplay but it was too little, too late.  The Bruins fell 4-2

The Bruins will host the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday night at the Garden.

Bruins Skate Past Ducks, 6-0

Bruins defenseman Matt Hunwick who scored the winning goal early in the game Thursday

By Jim Chandley

Boston brought intensity that we haven’t seen in some time tonight as they hosted Anaheim at the Garden.  Tim Thomas stopped 35 shots and recorded his 4th shutout of the season.

Matt Hunwick scored at 17:54 in the first.  Michael Ryder and Chuck Kobasew each netted two goals in the Second period, effectively ending the game.  Byron Bitz tacked one on in the middle of the third.

The Bruins will host Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon at 1.  The Bruins still lead the Eastern Conference with 92 points and have the second best record in all of hockey.

Bruins Stomp Panthers

Boston's Chuck Kobasew

By Jim Chandley

After a 1-3-1 road trip, the Bruins just needed to sleep in their own beds for a night.  Back at the Garden on Tuesday, Boston dominated the Florida Panthers in every aspect of the game.

The Bruins were clearly a better team all night, taking a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period.  But in the 3rd, things just got out of hand.  Byron Bitz, Aaron Ward and Michael Ryder (back from injury) all netted goals in the third.

Between the fourth and fifth goals, Chuck Kobasew destroyed the Panthers Keith Ballard along the boards in the Panthers zone.  Ballard got up looking for a piece of Kobasew and didn’t get much.  The two danced, Kobasew landed a few shots and Ballard fell to his knees.  The fight was not one-sided, but Ballard had already lost when his clocked was cleaned seconds earlier.

Tim Thomas stopped 24 of 25 shots from Florida for his 26th win of the season.

The B’s will host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at the Garden.