Wow it was really great to see the Providence Bruins return to the ice tonight instead of the strange guys that paraded as them last weekend! And boy did they come back in a huge way in the first period. Actually, most all the action took place for Providence in that period -- even a fight! It was great fun to see them score three goals so close together and chase out Manchester's goalie.
I got a bit concerned as they seemed to be trying to protect the lead rather then score more, but fortunately it all worked out.
1st Period
Scoring
Providence:
J. Knackstedt (7) 5:52
J. Boychuk (12) (J. Penner, B. Marchand) 6:29
P. Schaefer (7) (B. Marchand, J. Boychuk) 6:50
J. Boychuk (13) (M. Lashoff, W. Rabbit) 12:31 PP
Manchester:
M. Murray (10) (M. Moulson, A. Martinez) 10:47 PP
Penalties:
Z. Hamill Pro (high-sticking) 1:47, B. Marchand Pro (roughing) 3:03, K. Westgarth Mch (fighting) 8:21, J. Tremblay Pro (fighting) 8:21, L. Nelson Pro (closing hand on puck) 9:00, O. Moller Mch (hooking) 11:10, D. Drewiske Mch (delay of game) 17:51
2nd Period
Scoring - No Scoring
Penalties:
M. Moulson Mch (interference) 5:00, M. Marquardt Pro (tripping) 12:21, A. Bodnarchuk Pro (holding) 15:42
3rd Period
Scoring
Providence:
W. Rabbit (10) (Z. Hamill, J. Penner) 17:23 EN
Manchester:
A. Martinez (6) (J. Azevedo, S. Parse) 11:39
Penalties:
J. Boychuk Pro (interference) 6:54, O. Moller Mch (holding) 9:10, A. Martinez Mch (high-sticking) 14:10
babybruinbunny (Login babybruinbunny) Moderator 68.9.87.93
Nice
February 21 2009, 1:45 PM
It was refreshing to see a team come out and play their best. Even though they are without their top line, others picked up the slack and are developing good, confidant lines.
I thought with the fight and Manchesters first goal that the momentum might turn. I thought that even though we were up three goals early, there was still way too much time left in the game to get excited. Our fourth goal changed my thinking a little. We played great through the second period. I figured that we would sit on out lead in the third and we did. I don't think we had a shot on goal for the first 10 minutes of the period.
One thing that concerns me is the penalties. We have to work on staying out of the box. I just seems to me we are always shorthanded. And last night, we were down two men at one point again.
We need to work on our power play too. I noticed that Manchester seemed to work the puck with ease around the boards during their power plays. That lead to a lot of quality shots on Rask, who thankfully was able to make awesome saves. We always struggle to control the puck and get very few quality shots. We only happen to get shots if it pinballs to someone. At least Boychuk's aim was on last night and he was able to bomb the puck often.
There was always a Monarch on our guys when the puck was along the boards. I think its something we need to work on.
Overall, a good night. A lot better than the past few weekends. We need to win now while the other teams on our tail seem to be faltering.
I agree about the penalties. I also noticed they got a few for nothing. Argh! I think that the penalty thing is a lazy thing at times. I always remember hearing that taking penalties is a lazy way to play hockey. I don't remember what coach said it. I know it's not that way all the time. But, with the number of rookies we have, it kind of makes sense that there have been more penalties, but they should know by now.
And, heaven knows that none of us can figure out the power(less) play. The one thing that has me really bothered about it (even more) is that they seem so far apart when they are (supposedly) in their positions they have been taught to play for the formation that is in the Bruins' system. You don't see that in Boston. And they weren't like that last year. Why is one person on one side of the ice and another on the other? That's nuts. They allow one guy from the other team to cover each of them. Very frustrating.
I also notice (fortunately they didn't do it as much last night) that they still do the dump and chase much to much. It's so much better when they have control and can make a breakaway or just crash the net.