The Boston Bruins lost on this day, but the hype did not disappoint. The Vancouver Canucks were able to “avenge” their Stanley Cup loss to the Bruins with a 4-3 win over Boston. Here are my five observations from this crazy game.
Number Five- Bruins’ Power Play
It’s only tradition, the Bruins power play has been a fixture in this column for months now, just to disappear as it seemed to improve. Today, it regressed. The Bruins power play was reflective of the power play against the Canucks in the playoffs. In a game like this, were officiating was not at its best, the Bruins could not take advantage of special teams.
Number Four- Goaltending
Roberto Luongo did not play in this game, as I am sure you know, but Cory Schneider really proved a point today. Many have said that Luongo was “scared” to play in Boston, but today Schneider proved that maybe the Canucks just felt he was the better goaltender. And they did indeed make the right decision on that one.
Number Three- Power Plays
If this game was played five on five all game, the Bruins would have won 2-0. The Canucks scored all four goals on the power play, which has to do with the next point but also undisciplined play by Boston. The Canucks got their way right from the get go. When Burrows high sticked Thornton, Thornton reacted and Lucic ended up kicked out of the game, which is just what the Canucks were looking for. The Canucks did not play any tougher than before and are the same team, they were just able to bait the Bruins.
Number Two- Let Them Play, Or Don’t
This is a case where the referees ruin the hype of a hockey game, on both sides. Several soft calls were on both teams. One example of inconsistent reffing was the Brad Marchand call. Yes, that was a penalty and Marchand did clip Sami Salo. However, Keith Ballard did the same thing to Gregory Campbell earlier on in the game. Marchand should be suspended, but when someone on the Canucks does the same exact thing, that should be tabbed.
Number One- Milan Lucic
If Lucic gets suspended for ten games I will not understand this. Coming off of the bench is illegal, but when Alexandre Burrows nails Shawn Thornton in the throat and then five Canucks pile on him, should the Bruins let that happen? Lucic’s line was coming off of the ice because Daniel Paille was coming off with the fourth line. Should Lucic have gotten a bench penalty? Yes, but a game misconduct seemed unnecessary as does a suspension if it happens. To me, those brawls are good- it gets the emotions out and then it is done with, and that is why this game was handled poorly.
The Bruins are back Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
This just came in from the NHL:
GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY TO BRUINS’ MILAN LUCIC RESCINDED
TORONTO (January 7, 2012) — The Game Misconduct penalty assessed to
Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic during NHL Game #598 this afternoon in
Boston has been rescinded, National Hockey League Senior Vice President and
Director of Officiating Terry Gregson announced today.
Lucic was assessed a Game Misconduct 3:54 into the first period for
violating National Hockey League Rule 70.1 – Leaving the Bench. However, a
video review of the incident revealed that Lucic did not leave the bench to
join or start an altercation but rather had entered the ice legally over
the boards and was about to step back onto the bench through the door when
he changed course and joined a scrum.
“The referees reacted to what they saw,” Gregson said. “The only
player they saw coming from the bench area from either team was Lucic. But
with the benefit of replay, we can see that Lucic had previously entered
the ice over the boards legally to join the play and actually was
contemplating stepping back onto the bench through the door when the
altercation ensued.
“It should be further noted that a review of the video confirmed that
all players on both teams involved in the altercation had entered the ice
legally for the purpose of joining the play. None entered the ice for the
purpose of joining or starting an altercation, which is prohibited by Rule
70.”
NHL Rule 70.1 – Leaving the Bench reads: “No player may leave the
players’ or penalty bench at any time during an altercation or for the
purpose of starting an altercation.”
Good, Lucic being suspended would have been a joke
The refereeing of this game was beyond horrible. On the play in question the Canucks had 6, that’s right 6 skaters going at Thornton. When the rest of the Bruins started to arrive Henrick Sedin back off and goes into the bench through the open door. Somehow the Bruins end up two men short, what a joke!
I don’t get how was there not a too many men on the ice penalty against Vancouver? Also, all of a sudden Burrows spearing Thornton in the neck is ok?
Vancouver continues turning hockey into soccer with their theatrics. They need to get more yellow in their uniforms to represent the cowardly way they play hockey. Whatever. That Stanley Cup banner is never coming down. They won the battle but we won the war.