The Bruins Play Like They Want It

The Boston Bruins come back with a vengeance in Game 5

By Rick Gethin

The Hockey Writers

     A more composed Boston Bruins team took the ice Sunday on their way to a 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Tim Thomas stood tall in goal for the Black & Gold, netting his first NHL playoff shutout victory.

   Facing elimination by the surging ‘Canes, the Bruins didn’t want to lose in front of the hometown fans. “It was the only option we had, being down 3-1 and at home in front of our fans,” Chara said. “But we are in the same situation and are fighting for another day.”

     The spark that seemed to ignite the Bruins came with 5:49 left in the first period. Milan Lucic drove Dennis Seidenberg into the boards with a crushing hit. Boston played a physical game the Hurricanes seemed unable to answer. The Bruins dominated this game by putting their foot on the ‘Canes throat and never letting up. They didn’t seem content to protect the lead; rather, they wanted to make a statement. The final tally told the tale.

     The Boston crowd held their breath towards the end of the 2nd period when Zdeno Chara took a stick to the left shin from Jussi Jokinen. He skated off after laying on the ice in obvious pain for a few minutes. The Bruin faithful were unsure of the seriousness of his injury. “My heart skipped a beat when he was down because I know he doesn’t fake things—ever,” Tim Thomas said. 48 seconds into the 3rd, the fans stood and chanted “Cha-ra!” when he took the ice to continue playing. “We all have to make sacrifices. It’s nothing unusual,” Chara said.

     Phil Kessel (2), Lucic and former Hurricane Mark Recchi got on the scoreboard for Boston. Carolina chased the puck all night yet were unable to find the back of the net. After winning back-to-back elimination games in the first round, the Hurricanes know what the Bruins are facing. “We know what it’s like to be in an elimination game,” coach Paul Maurice said. “The challenge for us is to be able to weather the storm we know we’re going to get.”

     The Eastern Conference Semifinals have become chippy, and it will only be more so going into Game 6 on Tuesday. The Carolina Hurricanes want to wrap up the series while the Boston Bruins are fighting to stay alive.

     I leave you with these two observations. First, Boston has never won a playoff series in which it trailed 3-1. And second, Boston has never lost a playoff series to the Hartford/Carolina franchise. It makes you wonder.

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