Bruins Take Game One

The Boston Bruins were looking to take a one game lead as they faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the first game of the semi-final showdown tonight at the Boston Garden. Carolina was looking to pull an underdog win against the top seeded Bruins, after going seven games against New Jersey and eventually winning out with ninety seconds left in the third on Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for Carolina, their underdog win will have to wait.

Boston's faithful packed the "gahden" tonight, donning their black&gold and starting off the chant of "Let's Go Boston" as both teams took the ice. The fans were the seventh player in the game tonight, loving every hit Boston doled out as well as the many breakaways Boston had against Carolina goaltender Cam Ward (or Ward-O. What a nickname).

Boston took the lead 1:34 into the first with a nice goal from David Krejci...no wait Aaron Ward...no wait Krejci...Ward...Krejci.

Yeah. It was that confusing. Krejci looked like he got the goal until NESN took another look and it seemed to be a tip-in from Ward. So therefore the goal would've gone to Ward and, as Krejci stated, Krejci doesn't want to take a goal from Ward. It was labeled as tip-in from Krejci, which I find odd since it was definitely not a tip-in, instead a shot from Krejci. It was a tip-in from Ward and we're hoping to see a change in that by tomorrow as the NHL takes another look at the shot.

Anyway, the little annoying critter that is Carolina got a goal with 1:10 left in the first, when Jokinen's goal made it past Thomas (under his pads to be exact). By the way, did you know Thomas had the flu? Since, just because it's the flu doesn't mean it's the swine flu *over-reactingidiots.*

The next three Bruins goal come naturally: Savard, Ryder, Savard. Ryder's goal was gorgeous though (and yes, goals can be gorgeous). He was fresh off the bench and took a pass away from Carolina and beat Ward for his fifth goal of the playoffs (five goals=five games, I'm loving Ryder). Ryder also gained an assist, tallying it as his fourth.

First star: Savard
Second star: Thomas
Third star: Ryder (though I think it should've gone to Kessel...but hey I'm not making the decisions)

Now, on to the whole "let's get damn opinionated" part of this here blog.

I can understand that with nine days off from their last game, Boston had some rusty moves going on. But yet, what was with the whole "let's get body slammed but not give some big hits back" thing? Yes, Stuart had a great hit in the middle of the second and there were, maybe, two bigger hits throughout the game.

But still, c'mon. The Montreal-Boston series saw some huge hits, especially from young'uns Krejci and Lucic. Understandably, Chara has been backing off a little bit (I mean, do you really want your top defensemen in the box?), but still. What's up with the lack of hits on the side of the Bruins? I was talking to a friend during the end of the third and she said the same thing. Carolina was (trying) to pummel us and we weren't giving anything back. We need some hits and we need 'em now.

Now, towards Carolina: they're a bunch of crease pushers in my opinion. I don't think they have the guts to show up on the ice, so they do it in front of Thomas. They rush the crease, it's been their game and it's gotten them this far but it's time that Boston took someone out because of what they've been doing. Thomas doesn't need a bunch of Canes up in his crease simply because they don't know how to score goals from far away.

Last but not least: the double-teaming. I'm so sick of the double-teaming done by Carolina all season. I mean, seriously. Carolina is annoying simply because of the way they play, but by doubling teaming former team-mate Aaron Ward, it just gets to me. They pounce on Wides or Chara when they have the puck at the points, which is really idiotic in my opinion. It leaves Ryder or Wheeler open to take the puck to the net and have a two-on-one. Honestly, what the hell is Paul Maurice (their coach) thinking?

Better yet, from this standpoint, what the hell was Maurice wearing? Was he blind when he was dressing tonight? What coach dresses like that? Honestly, jeez.

Maybe it's the stress of finals, maybe it's because we've dealt with Carolina's antics all season long, but I'm sick of the way they're playing. Sick of it. SICK.

Speaking of being sick, this blogger ain't feeling so well. I think it's finals stress. Joyous (not).

So here's to hoping Paul Maurice will be wearing a co-ordinating and not-so-blinding outfit this Sunday.