Dec 21, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers (57) exchange words during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
This game was the second half of a Home and Home series between the B’s and division foe Buffalo. The Bruins had a miserable showing on Thursday evening; a much better performance was expected from the home town team.
In nets: Tuukka Rask and Jhonas Enroth.
The game started off slow and choppy. The first goal of the game went to Bruins Reilly Smith (10) while on the Power Play. Reilly was set-up beautifully by Carl Soderberg who fed him a cross the crease pass. I have long felt that Soderberg should play Center over Kelly or anyone else on his line because of his passing abilities.
The B’s seemed to gain energy from that goal and began peppering Enroth with shots but most of those were from far away, not in close.
Unfortunately that last minute goal issue, that has plagued the B’s all season, came back to haunt them when Sabres Zemgus Girgensons chipped a puck off of Rask’s back and into the net, tying the game at one.
After 1 period; 1-1 Shots: 14-8 Boston
The second period started off like the first except the Bruins got an early goal. This time the B’s had an odd-man rush, carried by Jarome Iginla who set-up David Krejci (7) for the go ahead goal.
Buffalo was the benefit of back to back penalty calls on the Bruins (Bergeron and Campbell). Despite the 5 on 3 Buffalo was unable to penetrate the B’s excellent Penalty Killing units, who we’re missing their top two “PK” Centers.
*Mark this down as a sight not seen before (or at least I’ve never seen it) but Bruins Patrice Bergeron dropped the gloves with Sabres Defenseman Tyler Myers, who is 6’-8” tall. Bergy became frustrated when Myers was not penalized for his extracurricular stick work.
After 2 periods; 2-1 B’s Shots: 14-13 Boston
The third period started with each goaltender making amazing pad saves that left you shaking your head, wondering how the puck didn’t go in. The Bruins would get on the board again when Milan Lucic (12) fired home a Zdeno Chara pass on what looked like a Power Play but wasn’t.
Once again the Sabres were the benefit of multiple penalty calls but the Penalty Killers were up to the task.
Late in the game, with the net empty for the extra attacker, Reilly Smith (11) potted his second goal of the game, icing a victory for his team.
4-1 B’s win. Shots: 39-35 Boston
Next up for the Bruins is a Monday night game against the Nashville Predators. Go B’s!