The Boston Bruins showcased their two newest players last night in the game against the Calgary Flames. The team’s newest members integrated themselves well, and were able to contribute as part of a 2-1 win over the Flames. Last night’s win puts the Bruins back into the third playoff slot in the Atlantic Division, sending the Detroit Red Wings back to the wild card.
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Lee Stempniak was placed on the right wing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. While Stempniak didn’t put up any points last night, he had a respectable showing in his 16:12 on the ice. The 33-year-old winger even saw some time on the penalty kill, where the Bruins went 4-for-4 against Calgary. Claude Julien also felt that he was good enough to play in the final shifts to help preserve Boston’s one goal lead.
“He’s a great player, and he’s been around for a while,” offered Patrice Bergeron on his latest linemate. “He knows where to be on the ice, he’s got a great shot and good speed as well. Every time you have a new linemate it’s about communicating and talking, and getting used to each other. I thought in the third period it was already a lot better.”
Overall, Stempniak did his job. While a lot of the fans were hoping for more at the trade deadline, they shouldn’t be upset with his performance in a Black and Gold uniform.
John-Michael Liles registered a shot on goal, a hit, and played well in his Bruins debut. The Bruins needed another puck-moving defeseman, and he lived up to the B’s expectations. Liles saw action on both the power play and the penalty kill in his 16:55 of ice time.
While the B’s didn’t play a complete game, they were able to frustrate Calgary by shutting down many of their scoring opportunities. Both players did their jobs. In the end, Bruins head coach Claude Julien thought both Stempniak and Liles played well.
“That’s what we wanted them to do tonight, we kind of explained a little bit this morning what we do. I think it was an easy transition for Lee because you know playing in New Jersey, they do a lot of the same things we do here. I think he walked into a very similar situation,” said Julien. “John-Michael has played for different teams as you know and he has played different systems. So the way we play here, he has played before.