The Bruins’ house venue could have been a lot completely different than their common cozy confines on Causeway Street, however the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park on Monday performed out very similar to most of their video games on the Garden have this yr.
In a recreation that was remarkably just like their first Classic at Fenway in 2010, the B’s wanted to tie it up within the third interval with their first aim of the sport, however this time they didn’t have to attend until extra time to get the winner. Jake DeBrusk scored two third-period objectives to raise the B’s to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins within the Fens.
“It’s hard because there’s a lot of distractions (for the home team) and you want to win. It’s filled with Bruins fans. We’re in an incredible atmosphere. We’re at Fenway Park. So for that reason, it’s great to come out with a win,” mentioned coach Jim Montgomery. “And again, in the third period, this team finds ways to raise their level and take over a game.”
Meanwhile, Linus Ullmark continued to burnish his Vezina Trophy credentials, stopping 26 photographs to enhance his file to 21-0-1 with a 1.86 GAA and .938 save share.
There had been some bushy moments on the of the sport. With Pittsburgh’s goalie pulled for an additional attacker, Ullmark went for a goalie aim from behind his personal internet however his wrister bounced about 10 ft huge of the cage on the different finish. Then in a mad scramble on the finish, Evgeni Malkin obtained a shot behind him, nevertheless it was clearly after time had expired. Once he realized the inexperienced gentle was on, Ullmark raised his arms in emotional celebration.
“It was a lot of chaos there at the end. I got a shot on net and we put it in the corner and we weren’t able to keep it there. But for some reason, we felt like we had it under control,” mentioned Ullmark, who determined to place his old-timey Red Sox uniform — full with spikes — again on for the post-game press convention. “It was just pure joy and happiness afterwards. It’s something that I’ve dreamt about for like 14 years… since I saw the first one at home in Sweden. I always dreamt about it and was jealous of the people who had the opportunity. Now we’ve had the opportunity and… it’s a dream come true.”
Trailing 1-0 halfway within the third interval, DeBrusk tied it with an even-strength aim at 7:46 simply seconds after a Bruins energy play was up. Brad Marchand dished it down low to DeBrusk on the proper aspect of the online. DeBrusk stepped out entrance and, from the highest of the crease, jammed the puck via goalie Casey DeSmith, who had changed injured starter Tristan Jarry within the first interval.
Then, with 2:24 left in regulation, DeBrusk scored his second of the sport when he scored on a rebound of a Taylor Hall shot off the frenzy.
With the best way that this season is unfolding for this staff, there appeared to be little doubt that — on this stage — the B’s would nail it down.
“That’s the kind of group we are,” mentioned veteran Nick Foligno, one in all a number of B’s who spoke within the second intermission. “We didn’t have it early on but we found a way to settle ourselves. Especially for our fans, this is the game you want to win. We’ve got something special going on here.”
The first curveball of the day got here with 4:30 left within the first interval when Jarry, who didn’t face quite a lot of testers, was compelled to depart the sport with a decrease physique damage. In got here DeSmith and he performed admirably. He was in line to get the win after the Pens took the primary lead of the sport at 8:40 of the second.
Jeff Carter picked Clifton’s pocket behind the online and outdated pal Danton Heinen dished it out entrance for Kasperi Kapenen, who roofed it over Ullmark for the 1-0 lead.
For many of the first two durations, the B’s playmaking was not crisp, with passes ending up simply huge of the mark. The Czech line of David Pastrnak, David Krejci and Pavel Zacha had only one shot on internet (Pastrnak’s). They had an early energy play within the second interval solely to have Pastrnak rapidly nullify it with a holding penalty. And it didn’t assist issues that their greatest likelihood, early within the second interval, was blown useless. Marchand and Krejci had a 2-on-1 and it gave the impression to be very a lot onside nevertheless it was dominated offside.
After 40 minutes, it didn’t look good for the B’s. But they’ve been in worse predicaments.
“The resilient attitude and never-say-die ability of this team to ratchet it up … ,” marveled Montgomery. “At the end of the second, Foligno asked me if he could have the room and I said ‘Yes, you can.’ … it was (1-0) and Pittsburgh was forechecking us good and we weren’t getting pucks out and I was getting a little negative and (captain Patrice Bergeron) was like ‘We’ll be all right.’ That was another way to communicate to me that these guys got it. And I can just shut up behind the bench.”
To begin the third interval, Montgomery went together with his dependable tactic of placing Pastrnak again with Bergeron and Marchand. But it was DeBrusk, who obtained bumped down, notching the equalizer with many of the first power-play unit on the ice, after which he obtained the winner (his sixteenth aim on the season) together with his first NHL centerman Krejci and Hall.
It was a win that was emblematic of this 29-4-4 staff. And on the large stage on Monday, the B’s discovered a approach but once more.
Source: www.bostonherald.com