Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals returned to Boston where the Bruins were in a must-win situation, trailing the Carolina Hurricanes 3–1.
Boston goalie Tim Thomas knew he had to have a big game in order to keep his team alive. And have a big game he did have, as he shut out Carolina 4–0 ,and Boston inched their way back into the series still down 3–2.
The Bruins struck first as big defenseman Zdeno Chara put a slap shot on Cam Ward.. As he tried to stop the puck it appeared to deflect off teammate Joe Corvo and in under Ward’s legs.
Feeding off the energy, Thomas made an incredible save robbing Joni Pitkanen after a quick one-timer from the Carolina defenseman.
Minutes later, winger Phil Kessel would add to that energy and put Boston up 2–0 after a quick shot off a beautiful feed by Marc Savard.
The Bruins came out on fire in the second period laying body checks on several Canes players. In particular, Zdeno Chara put a big hit on Eric Staal and the crowd cheered as the Carolina star center fell down to the ice.
Shortly after the checks, Bruins fans had another reason to cheer as Savard skated in front of the Carolina net and beat Cam Ward, putting Boston up 3–0.
Tempers flared throughout the period and seemed to hit an all-time high after Bruins center Patrice Burgeron made contact with Ward. Chad LaRose went to this goalie’s defense and a scrum developed in front of the Carolina net.
Shortly after, Canes head coach Paul Maurice called his players to the bench and tore into them with a spirited discussion.
The Bruins would once again assert themselves as rugged winger Shawn Thornton fought with Carolina’s Tim Conboy.
After both players dropped the gloves, Thornton took command and landed several big blows that dropped the Canes winger to the ice. The one-sided brawl seemed to be an epitome of the game.
With about seven minutes remaining in the third, Boston started putting heat on Cam Ward and it paid of as winger Milan Lucic put a bullet past Ward from the top of the circle and sealed the game at 4–0.
Minutes later, Tim Conboy would be on the losing end of another bout as he tried to energize his team and took on Boston defenseman Mark Stuart. The “no nonsense” Stuart blasted Conboy with punches to the face and chopped him down to the delight of the Boston crowd.
Tempers flared in the closing minutes as Canes winger Scott Walker threw a right hook at an unsuspecting Aaron Ward who was tied up with Canes center Matt Cullen. Ward never saw the punch coming and was floored, bringing the ire of several Boston players.
The aggressiveness of both teams will undoubtedly be on display for Game 6, which takes place on Tuesday night in Carolina.
Boston needed this game to stay alive. However, the Canes can still close it out with a win in Game 6. If the Bruins want to return the series back to Boston for a Game 7, they will have to bring another intense effort. Tim Thomas, who made 19 saves for the shutout, will also have to bring his “A” game if his team is going live to “fight” another day.
Boston goalie Tim Thomas knew he had to have a big game in order to keep his team alive. And have a big game he did have, as he shut out Carolina 4–0 ,and Boston inched their way back into the series still down 3–2.
The Bruins struck first as big defenseman Zdeno Chara put a slap shot on Cam Ward.. As he tried to stop the puck it appeared to deflect off teammate Joe Corvo and in under Ward’s legs.
Feeding off the energy, Thomas made an incredible save robbing Joni Pitkanen after a quick one-timer from the Carolina defenseman.
Minutes later, winger Phil Kessel would add to that energy and put Boston up 2–0 after a quick shot off a beautiful feed by Marc Savard.
The Bruins came out on fire in the second period laying body checks on several Canes players. In particular, Zdeno Chara put a big hit on Eric Staal and the crowd cheered as the Carolina star center fell down to the ice.
Shortly after the checks, Bruins fans had another reason to cheer as Savard skated in front of the Carolina net and beat Cam Ward, putting Boston up 3–0.
Tempers flared throughout the period and seemed to hit an all-time high after Bruins center Patrice Burgeron made contact with Ward. Chad LaRose went to this goalie’s defense and a scrum developed in front of the Carolina net.
Shortly after, Canes head coach Paul Maurice called his players to the bench and tore into them with a spirited discussion.
The Bruins would once again assert themselves as rugged winger Shawn Thornton fought with Carolina’s Tim Conboy.
After both players dropped the gloves, Thornton took command and landed several big blows that dropped the Canes winger to the ice. The one-sided brawl seemed to be an epitome of the game.
With about seven minutes remaining in the third, Boston started putting heat on Cam Ward and it paid of as winger Milan Lucic put a bullet past Ward from the top of the circle and sealed the game at 4–0.
Minutes later, Tim Conboy would be on the losing end of another bout as he tried to energize his team and took on Boston defenseman Mark Stuart. The “no nonsense” Stuart blasted Conboy with punches to the face and chopped him down to the delight of the Boston crowd.
Tempers flared in the closing minutes as Canes winger Scott Walker threw a right hook at an unsuspecting Aaron Ward who was tied up with Canes center Matt Cullen. Ward never saw the punch coming and was floored, bringing the ire of several Boston players.
The aggressiveness of both teams will undoubtedly be on display for Game 6, which takes place on Tuesday night in Carolina.
Boston needed this game to stay alive. However, the Canes can still close it out with a win in Game 6. If the Bruins want to return the series back to Boston for a Game 7, they will have to bring another intense effort. Tim Thomas, who made 19 saves for the shutout, will also have to bring his “A” game if his team is going live to “fight” another day.
