BOSTON, Mass – Johnny Boychuk’s slap shot at the 2:42 mark of the third period triggered a four-goal avalanche as the Boston Bruins completed their sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers with a 5-1 win. A packed TD Bank Garden witnessed a tense defensive contest until the late barrage settled matters.
Boston managed to get on the board first when Milan Lucic tallied his first goal of the playoffs at the 12:02 mark of the first period. The score stayed that way until Kris Versteeg knotted the contest in the second period. Lucic’s goal was a result of a cross-crease pass by line mate Nathan Horton while Versteeg capped a two-on-one break with Mike Richards.
The Bruins have often been quoted as saying last year’s collapse was last year and had nothing to do with this year. It seemed like so much whistling past the graveyard until the Bruins silenced their multitude of doubters with the sweep. With the victory the Bruins move into their first conference finals since the 1992 season where they will tangle with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Everyone knows we have heart now, that’s not even a question anymore,” said Boston goaltender Tim Thomas. “Now we just have to execute.”
The Flyers were down to their last chance and came out blazing. But the Bruins weathered the storm and Philadelphia was caged by the Bruins as the game progressed. Philadelphia would up going long stretches of time without a shot on goal en route to being held to only 23 shots in the do-or-die contest.
Philadelphia held the Bruins close and were putting pressure on Boston in an effort to tie the game after Boychuk’s tally. The Flyers received a lift when Claude Giroux flattened Bruins alternate captain Patrice Bergeron with a check that knocked the key Boston player out of the game.
Yet seconds later the Bruins would gather an insurance goal when Lucic broke in alone on goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Lucic did not try to overwhelm the Philadelphia goaltender with dazzling moves, and patiently waited until Bobrovsky moved to follow his lead. Once the Bruins banger caught Bobrovsky moving he slid the puck through the netminder’s five-hole.
Boston finished the game with empty-net tallies by Brad Marchand and Daniel Paille to set the final margin. The club’s next challenge will come at home when they host the Lightning for games one and two.
“This was a huge win for our club and organization,” said Lucic. “For the last three years we’ve been looking for this eighth win.”
A key matter will be the health of Bergeron. The Bruins center has suffered from concussions in the past and his collision with Giroux was head-to-head. Bergeron did not appear to be dazed after the hit, but the Bruins will be waiting for his medical evaluation results.
Contact Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com
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