By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277
Yesterday afternoon was the annual Boston Bruins post-American Thanksgiving matinee game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The visiting 10-6-4 Metropolitan Division third-place Carolina Hurricanes were in town looking to snap the B’s current winning streak of 11-0 this season at TD Garden.
Even though I thought this game was a bit sluggish to start and the Bruins passing game a bit off, this Boston team dug down later in the game to capture the two points. Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery mentioned in his Boston 3-2 overtime victory over the Hurricanes that it was a playoff-style atmosphere out on the Garden ice. Montgomery also said it was a great feeling just to be in the building because the place was loud, and the fans were certainly getting into it.
Fans were also getting into the frustration with this team in the opening frame when the B’s were playing undisciplined hockey, taking three penalties. The Bruins penalty kill that was challenged in the first period of yesterday’s Hurricanes game gave up two power-play goals and slipped from a league-best to second place in the special team’s stat.
While the offensive chances were few and far between for the Bruins in the first period, being outshot 16-9, down 0-2, and in penalty trouble, the second period saw significant changes. After the first intermission, the B’s had a little bit of a jump in their step tilting the ice in their favor. The shots on goal in the middle frame were much better for the Bruins 13-6, which led to the first goal of the game late in the second period. Veteran forward David Krejci got the team closer with under a minute to go when he wristed his seventh goal of the season to extend his 22-23 season-high point streak to five games.
The assists on Krejci’s seventh of the season went to fellow Czech forward natives David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha. With the helpers on the Krejci second-period goal, Pastrnak extended his season-high point streak to nine games.
In the third period, the Bruins hemmed in the visiting Hurricanes possessing a majority of time in the Cane’s defensive zone. Mid-period, the Bruins would tie the game at two apiece with another tremendous effort from B’s veteran Krejci, who scored his second of the game. The helpers on Krejci’s eighth goal of the season went to Zacha, who notched his third multi-point game of the season, and the secondary assist went to forward Nick Foligno. Uncle Nick now has 1-4-5 numbers in his last five games and continues to have a turnaround season as one of Boston’s veteran leaders.
This game would need an overtime session to determine a winner and a chance to keep the TD Garden home winning streak alive. As the Bruins struggled in the first period with frustrating penalties, the Hurricanes fell victim to the same late in the game, giving the home B’s increased chances for the two points. At the 2:56 mark of the overtime period, the Canes got a too many men on the ice bench minor, and the Bruins would only need around 20 seconds to capitalize.
At the 3:19 mark of the overtime period at TD Garden, Bruins superstar forward David Pastrnak made history for his Boston organization by scoring the game-winner and his 14th of the season. The Pastrnak goal was assisted by Brad Marchand, who extended his point streak to four games, and Captain Patrice Bergeron, who now has 1-3-4 numbers in his last four games.
The 12th straight victory at TD Garden was a Bruins franchise best and a National Hockey League record. Previously the 11-straight at-home game streak to start a season was held by the 1963-64 Chicago Blackhawks, who did it from October 9th, 1963, to November 28th, 1963.
Unfortunate Bruins-Hurricanes Game News
Starting goaltender Linus Ullmark and forward Craig Smith both left the game in the third period due to injuries. Both players suffered upper-body injuries and were unable to return to action in yesterday afternoon’s Black Friday holiday matinee. Per Bruins beat writer on the 98.5 The Sports Hub’s website, Ty Anderson, who was in attendance for this morning’s practice and post media availability, mentions both Smith and Ullmark remain as day-to-day in his latest article HERE.
Anderson also mentioned in his latest piece that coach Montgomery touched on a few other players who are currently on the shelf recovering from recent injuries. Forward Trent Frederic, who last saw game action on November 21st against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recently did a solo skate as he looks to get back in the Bruins lineup. Defenseman Derek Forbort who suffered a hand injury a few weeks ago and had successful surgery has been practicing regularly with the main club and is expected to return next weekend against the Colorado Avalanche.
Moment of Appreciation From the Founder/CEO of Black N’ Gold Productions
I want to extend my gratitude to the Bruins organization for having the availability for me to cover my first National Hockey League game as a credentialed media member. The class from the organization’s public relations staff is second to none, and we, as a Black N’ Gold Productions LLC Sports Media Company, are genuinely grateful for the media opportunities in the past leading up to this season. This proves that if you work hard and never give up, any respected professional sports organization will give you a chance to take your content to the next level with available access.
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