“BOASTIN” BRUINS

The Toronto Maple Leafs had one more chance to show the Boston Bruins that they were not going to let them just run away and hide with the Atlantic Division crown.  Boston has been lights out for most of this season and no matter what the Leafs did in their own situation, the Bruins would not yield.  The point differential was 11 points despite the Bruins suffering their first three game losing streak of the series.

As per the script, both teams started off on fire with a slight edge to the Bruins.  Ilya Samsonov had to make 6 saves, including a couple 10 bellers, in the first 3 minutes.  Typical, hardnosed Hockey led to action at both ends.  The Leafs seemed to takeover the momentum with several great chances in close.  Shots on Goal by the 8 minute mark had Toronto ahead 9 to 7.  One particular Leafs breakout had 4 of them penetrating the zone, A Sandin saucer to Engval was just kept out.  The refs reviewed it but – no goal.  A fabulous period of hockey by 2 great teams.

Both sets of defence had great games – very assertive on the rush and forecheck.  We’ve heard about McIlvoy and Lindholm for Boston, but don’t count out support guys like Forbert (1g) and Carlo (1g).  They put the Bruins up by 2 to 1.  Boston has the league’s leading penalty kill @ 83.2%.  They proved it tonight with the aforementioned Forbert’s shorty to open the scoring.  Mitchell Marner got that one back however on a PPG by converting a long, heads up lead pass from Samsanov.  A fourth line shift that lasted WAY too long (over 2 minutes for Sandin and Liligren) resulted in the Bruins go ahead goal.  The Leafs seemed to lose their edge and scrappiness in the second half of the period resulting in very scrambly play especially in their zone.  Final SOG 23-21 Tranna.

That sloppy play from the Leafs continued in to the third as AJ Grier went high, glove, shelf to put the Bruins out front 3-2.  Wayne Simmonds tried to breathe some life in to the Blue and White when he dropped the mitts with Grier off the ensuing faceoff.  This one didn’t last long – Simmonds clocked his opponent with a stiff right early.  Greir was sent off for concussion protocol as a result.  Cake Jarnkrok scored his 12^th off a Giordano cross ice pass.  A dust up behind the Bruins net resulted in a 4 on 4 where Zacha took any life left in the Leafs to make it 4-2.  He later scored 11^th to salt things away.  Next week’s Stanley Cup Parade planning committee meeting has been cancelled.

HOPPER NOTES:  It looks as though the Referee’s union has finally caught on to Bunting’s “act” – love the guy but he’s got to tone it down…Linus Ullmark really is a solid NHL Goaltender: his 26-4-1 record matches up nicely with his 1.9 GAA and his .936 sv%…Marner’s goal gave him 60 points on the season, his 7^th consecutive season with such a total…is our Sami looking a little tired out there ?  That was his 7^th start in a row and despite looking great in the first half, I’m pretty sure he’d like at least two of those goals back…go to the beach Sami – rest !  …guys I’d like on my team Charlie Coyle…Craig Simpson was not at all kind with comments regarding the Leaf pairing of Sandin and Lilgren…see y’all on Feb 10 – maybe I’ll go to Aruba…CHEERS !