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By: Jeff Playdon | Follow me @PlaydonJeff
Ten years ago, Boston was treated to witnessing the Boston Bruins win their 6th Stanley Cup. A Stanley Cup that broke a 39-year cold spell for Boston and uplifted the spirits of all Bruins fans. Today we look back on February 15th, 2011. A game that took place in Boston against divisional rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
Going Against Toronto
Going into the game, Boston was 31-18-7, and Toronto was 23-27-6. Boston, sitting around the top of the division, looked to bounce back from back-to-back losses handed by the Veteran, Talented Detroit Red Wings. Toronto, on the other hand, was looking to win some more games and hopefully sneak into the wild card. Toronto was also looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses, which was a meaningful game for both teams.
First Period Summary
Boston started the game strong with a Daniel Paille goal 8:04 into the game, and it would be Paille’s second of the season, the assists would go to Mark Stuart and Gregory Campbell. The lead wouldn’t last long as Zdeno Chara got called for boarding, and Toronto would be on the powerplay. Ex-Bruin Phil Kessel would score 17:22 into the first period and make it a 1-1 game. It would be Kessel’s 20th goal of the season.
Second Period Summary
The second period wasn’t looking too good for Boston as centerman Mikhail Grabovski scored 4:35 into the period and made it a 2-1 Toronto lead. It would be Grabovski’s 23rd of the year, and on the assists were Mike Komisarek, and Carl Gunnarsson. Even though Toronto got two penalties called against them, Boston couldn’t convert on the powerplay until 16:44 into the game when Toronto’s Mikhail Grabovski got a High-Sticking called against him. The Bruins would finally convert on the powerplay from a Gregory Campbell goal to make it 2-2. The assists would go to young, uprising Brad Marchand and veteran Michael Ryder.
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Third Period Summary
Going into the third, Boston wanted to stay disciplined and keep it a 5 on 5 game. 9:08 into the third period, centerman Patrice Bergeron put the Bruins ahead 3-2 with assists coming from Adam McQuaid and 43-year-old veteran Mark Recchi. The lead wouldn’t last long as Boston’s discipline wasn’t existing, and Toronto went on the powerplay again. Dennis Seidenberg went to the box for cross-checking, and Phil Kessel would score his second of the night to make it a 3-3 game. Boston would get a chance to take the lead late in the game when they would go on a powerplay from a Keith Aulie hooking penalty. Boston couldn’t convert, and with just over a minute remaining, Toronto’s Mikhail Grabovski would score his second of the game and give Toronto a 4-3 lead with a minute left in regulation. Boston ran out of time to tie the game, and Toronto would win 4-3. Boston’s goaltender Tim Thomas would end up having 24 saves on 28 shots, and Boston’s record would go to 31-19-7. Boston would look to rebound as they would visit the New York Islanders on February 17th.
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