Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin notches goals for the Boston Bruins in a wild third period, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their uninspired first two periods as the Carolina Hurricanes won their first game of the season, 3-2.
The game began with a great deal of intensity as tempers flared repeatedly in the opening period. Neither team was able to notch a goal in the first period, despite 23 total shots (13 for Carolina, 10 for Boston).
Just 44 seconds into the second period though, the ’Canes got on the board. Yoni Pitkonen scored on the leftover power play from the end of the first period to put the ’Canes up 1-0.
Carolina would continue to dominate the Bruins in the period, with the B’s unable to get much going thanks to an anemic power play and struggles bringing the puck out of their own zone. Carolina showed little respect for the Bruins defenders, extending their forecheck almost the entire length of the ice for practically the entire game and causing a number of turnovers.
Tim Thomas did an admirable job keeping the B’s in the game during the second period, he was credited with five saves but also was forced to dive on the puck to slow the on-rush of the Hurricanes.
In the third period at 3:42, Anthony Stewart beat Tim Thomas with a wrist shot from in close to open up a two goal lead.
The goal awakened the Bruins offense though, as Tyler Seguin would answer just 25 seconds later with a wrister from the right side of Cam Ward to cut lead in half at 2-1. The goal was the first of the season for Seguin and was assisted by Nathan Horton and Adam McQuaid.
The game was back and forth for the next 10 minutes with both sides getting quality looks and both goalies making spectacular saves to keep it a 2-1 game. Finally though, Jiri Tlusty scored what would be the game winner for the Hurricanes with a long range blast from Brandon Sutter and Patrick Dwyer at 13:32.
The Bruins would score once more three minutes later on a delayed penalty call when Patrice Bergeron made a whirling cross ice pass on to the stick of Brad Marchand, who one-timed it past Cam Ward to make it 3-2.
A frantic final five minutes produced a number of chances for the Bruins but not the equalizer and the Hurricanes escaped with a 3-2 win.
The Bruins were 0-5 on the power play tonight, continuing their early season struggles with the man advantage. They’re just 1-18 on the season.