You can’t really blame the Boston Bruins for stomping all over the Carolina Hurricanes today. After all, the two teams play again tomorrow night, and while today’s two points were guaranteed basically after 20 minutes of play, you’re kind of playing for the next night in a lot of ways.
Chara’s Hat Trick Leads Bruins In Huge 7-0 Win Over Hurricanes
So the Bruins made the Hurricanes pay from start to finish today. They scored often. They got the ‘Canes off their game in terms of discipline. It just wasn’t a pretty day if you’re a Carolina fan. As the Hurricanes fly home today, they’ll be embarrassed with their performance, and they’ll likely dwell on the fact that there’s a chance that same team dismantles them on home ice in just a few hours.
Gregory Campbell’s second period goal may have been the highlight of the game in a game full of highlights for Boston. Off a centering feed from the half boards, Campbell crashed the net. He wound up with his back to Carolina goaltender Justin Peters and while he was falling backwards off a check from a Canes defenseman, he somehow got hit stick on the puck just enough to deflect it into the net. He celebrated from his behind against the end boards.
And then there was the first career hat trick for Zdeno Chara, whose first period penalty actually might have been the turning point in this one. The Bruins were up 1-0 at that point and they thought they were going to be up 2-0 when Chara went to the box for slashing. A goal was waived off due to the delayed penalty call, but the Bruins killed off the Carolina power play. As Chara left the box, he was sprung on a 2-on-1 and he buried it.
That was his first goal, and he’d add one more in the first period and Boston’s seventh goal in the third.
The Bruins were successful in a lot of ways today. They killed penalties, they beat two goals, they controlled the puck and they were pretty stifling defensively. Oh, and Tim Thomas was really good, as he’s been all year.
It was a well-deserved shut out for him and a well-deserved win for the Bruins. With the win, they extend their lead in the Northeast Division over Montreal, while the Hurricanes remain on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture with the loss.
For more on the game, check in with Canes Country and Stanley Cup of Chowder.
See More:
