The Boston Bruins found success in games three and four of the Stanley Cup Final when they played a physical game that neutralized Vancouver's speed and created space for their scorers.
At the beginning of game five, Boston struggled to find that game as the Canucks started the game with a ferocious attack. But as the first period wore on, Boston found their legs and started skating downhill, drawing three Vancouver minor penalties and dominating the pace of play.
The Bruins habitual power play struggles continued on each of the opportunities, however, as the Vancouver penalty killers were quick to the puck and Roberto Luongo came up big when the puck got between the circles.
Tim Thomas was forced to make a couple big saves on the Vancouver attack early on, but stood tall in the face of the early adversity, giving his team a chance to counterattack and turn the ice in their favor, which they did.
Still, the Vancouver faithful - who cheered the removal of Luongo from game four - weren't given much to boo about in the period.
Alexandre Burrows, looking to cause problems late in the period, took an embellishment call when he tried to get Milan Lucic sent to the box. Lucic went as well, but it will be 4-on-4 hockey for 90 seconds to start the second period.
SOG Boston 12 Vancouver 6
Penalties Boton: Lucic (Tripping), 19:27. Vancouver: Torres (Tripping), 1:39; Sedin (Interference), 6:54; Alberts (Roughing), 14:13; Burrows (Embellishment), 19:27.