Sep 26, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson (21) is congratulated by teammate Boston Bruins forward Ryan Spooner (51) after scoring in overtime at MTS Centre. Bruins win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins were able to bring themselves a win last night at the MTS Centre in overtime, topping the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. This brought their preseason record to an impressive 5-1. The Bruins fell back on a few bad habits last night, not really playing a full sixty minute game. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and the entire first line of Jarome Iginla, David Krejci, and Milan Lucic sat out the night, and that affected the overall game dynamic for Boston.The Bruins had some chip-and-chase moments that made us worry, especially a second period where the Jets out shot the Bruins 13-to-3.
Thankfully, the Bruins net minder Niklas Svedberg was there to help bail his struggling team out. Svedberg, who was last year’s goalie for the AHL Providence Bruins made a strong case for himself to be the new number two goalie in Boston. He was strong in the net playing through rough traffic and was everywhere the big Bruins needed him to be last night.
“You try to show your best game.” mentioned Svedberg after the game. “I had three goals allowed here when I could have had zero, but we had two wins in my two games, so that was good.”
“I play my best game on the ice and that’s what should matter. I don’t pay attention to things like .”
There were some good things to come out of this game though. Torey Krug played a strong game making very few technical mistakes. He earned two assists for Boston, and had a solid night on the blueline. At one point, he was literally run over by Dustin Byfuglien. After getting knocked to the ice, the former Michigan Spartan was ready to have a go at the biggest person in the NHL.
Patrice Bergeron connected with Brad Marchand early in the game to give the Bruins an early 1-0 lead, and while the chemistry on the second line looks like it needs a few tweaks, they played well tonight as the lead line. It was Loui Eriksson who earned the overtime win for Boston, getting a nice shot past Ondrej Pavelec. While Bergeron and Eriksson earned first and third stars for last night’s performance, one potential Bruin made a case for himself last night.
Ryan Spooner was everywhere the Bruins needed him to be. He scored the second goal of the night for Boston, and earned an assist on Eriksson’s overtime goal. He was a +2, with three shots on goal with sixteen minutes of ice time. Spooner is trying to break away from the pack in his chance to get one of the last remaining slots on the Bruins roster, and last night’s performance might have sealed the deal for him.
The Bruins play the Jets again tonight, this time in Saskatoon.