Last Skate of The Day, February 4th, 2014
Feb 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) celebrates scoring a goal on Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (1) during the second period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins took on the Vancouver Canucks at the TD Garden tonight. The Bruins saw it as another two points to pick up before the Olympic break. The Canucks saw it as game eight of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. The Canucks certainly played like it was game seven. The Canucks went with straight offense and sort of neglected to play three zone hockey. Four goals got passed Luongo, although one of them was called back. (Apparently you as a Canuck you can push a Bruin into Roberto Luongo and still have it called goaltender interference.) The Canucks only got lucky (Diaz even said he got lucky) once and the Boston Bruins came away with two more points as they beat the Canucks 3-1 at home.
Jarome Iginla got a goal and his six hundredth assist tonight. (Pity he couldn’t have Gordie Howe‘d tonight.) Here’s how the Boston Bruins saw the game play out. (Boston Bruins)
On the other side of the ice, Roberto Luongo took full responsibility for the loss tonight. (In his defense, having his defensemen actually defending him might have been a big help for the Canucks.) Here’s all the post game griping you’ve come to love from Vancouver. (Vancouver Canucks)
It was pretty smooth sailing for the Bruins, who have now gone 7-1-1 in their last nine games. The Canucks have now dropped five straight and are in free fall when it comes to competing for a playoff spot this year. John Tortorella’s future may be in doubt in Vancouver, and what should be a very good team is playing poorly. (On a side note, did anyone else notice that Alexandre Burrows was wearing a bite-proof mask against the Bruins tonight?) Here’s how the folks at Comcast saw the win. (CSNNE)
Brad Marchand‘s goal was disallowed, but Daniel Paille used the rockets installed in his skates to make up for the recalled goal tonight. He (in my humble opinion) was robbed of the 7th Player Award last season (by the puck bunnies who gave it to Dougie Hamilton), and it’s great to see him consistently great hockey.