Finally, its 8pm!! The sweet start of the game. I have an empty apartment, chocolate covered strawberries (always the way to make this dinosaur happy in any situation ever if cuddling cannot occur) and a cat snoring and passed the eff out next to me. I was glad to see the NHL honor a moment of silence for the Boogey-man even if Bruins fans didn't actually shut their mouth during it (not cool).
The game for the Bruins started strong and surprisingly, it wasnt the lack of Bergeron that hindered the Bruins. The Bruins had terrible neutral zone play and as a result, the second goal by the Lightning came fast and furious after goal one. The first goal was almost bound to happen with Seidenberg without his stick and the crowd growing around Timmy T. Versus kept repeating the three on ones but it was occurring for both teams with the exception being that the Lightning capitalizing on their rebounds. I think the Bruins need to learn REALLL QUICK that rebounds are going to hurt them playing against a team with sneaky and fast skaters who have "lightning" (ZING!) quick reflexes. They kept crowding the zone and playing hard. In the post season, that's the recipe for goals. The first period is reminded of the X-Files Simpsons episode when they are getting shamoo out of Moe's and they say "Who knew a whale would be so heavy?!" That episode is also where my subtitle comes from. Man, I love that episode. Anyhoo, that being said Tyler Seguin's goal was an effing beauty. Sick stick handling, crazy facial hair and Adam McQuaid was on the ice (did nothing on the goal but I always think Thriller McQuaid is worth mentioning - why does he wear shirts...unfair). Doc Emmerich's ever useful commentary on Seguin was and I quote here "His number is his age". Oh really, Doc, thanks, no one cares (however, you have made up for this with the shoutout to Northeastern! Yay Huskies!). As Hilary so punnily stated "I think that was the high energy play of the game". The last few minutes after Seguin's goal gave the Bruins more life. The game itself is wide open but the exception is the Bruins are paying for their mistakes, the Lightning playing with intensity and the only Bruins goal was scored with an incredibly skillful goal.
The second period started off with a great penalty kill by Boston with some great saves by Thomas. But then, Boston went on the power play. And, uhh, yeah. Let's just equate the Bruins power play this postseason with the goaltending of Brian Boucher. That's about as nice as I can get on that one. Although, it's not like any of the teams that Tampa played could do anything against them either but still. I like to make fun of the Flyers! Also, what the hell is wrong with Milan Lucic?! Every shot on goal for him was WELL WIDE of the net and methinks the guy is secretly injured. He is about a step slower than he ever has been. He seems to have sacrificed his tough guy identity to turn himself into a goal scorer but when he's not doing either of those things, the guy is just another Michael Ryder. Lucky for the Bruins, they still have Krecji even if it wasn't his best game to date. Chris Kelly's penalty was just dumb. The only high note was that Versus showed Ryan Malone for about 2 minutes and that man's playoff beard is just fantastic. A giant red bushy lumberjack beard if I've ever seen one. Hopefully, I don't see that beard in June but I don't think I would mind if I did. That thing should have a website. The Bruins power play towards the end of the period, the penalty where Krecji was tripped, was a little better. I agree with Pierre that Kaberle isn't really useful at this particular time, but the Lightning have Chara pretty well guarded and unless there are multiple lapses in defensive judgement, Chara might not get the opportunity. Which basically means, someone else is going to have to do something. While the Lightning block Chara, there are to be more open lanes on the wings and someone is going to have to take the shot and hope for the rebound.
The third period started with a good forecheck by the Bruins in the first few minutes but still with the lack of goals. The faceoffs have been largely Tampa and the one goal scorer for the Bruins is barely playing minutes. Seems like Bruins are barely in their end long enough to get traffic in front of Roloson. With the Lecavlier penalty, Boston got some great shots on goal. It's clear that the Bruins need to move the puck a little more and keep shooting. Obviously, puck possession helps. But the rest of the period ended up with the Bruins letting emotions and frustrations get the best of them and then ultimately losing.
Here's to a better game two!
