Lucic/By S. Bradley
It’s a game that Bruins forward Milan Lucic looks back at fondly and general manager Peter Chiarelli today called “one of the best games that we’ve played throughout the year.”
In the only regular-season game between the Bruins and Vancouver Canucks, the Bruins won a big game as part of their season-best seven-game winning streak.
Here’s a capsule look back at that game with the Stanley Cup Final between the two teams just a few days away.
Saturday, Feb. 26
at Rogers Arena
Bruins 3, Vancouver 1
The Bruins had won three in a row, including a hard-fought victory at Calgary a couple nights before, when they hit the ice against the Canucks. Vancouver was stuck in a win-one-lose-one rut for about a week. Late in the first period, Manny Maholtra scored the game’s first goal on a backhand shot while falling down.
But that’s when Lucic, the Vancouver native, took over. He set up Nathan Horton’s game-tying goal 9:56 into the second with a pass to the front from behind the net. Then he scored the go-ahead goal with 4:38 remaining in the third on a rebound of a Dennis Seidenberg shot from the high slot after David Krejci rushed end to end and circled the net to set up Seidenberg. Lucic flipped the shot just under the bar.
To complete the night, Lucic set up Patrice Bergeron’s empty-net goal.
Tim Thomas made 27 saves on 28 shots, while Roberto Luongo stopped 22 of 24 for the Canucks. The Bruins played most of the night without defenseman Andrew Ference, who was hurt on a hit by forward Victor Oreskovich.
TCL I agree with you totally. I think if the style of game played is physical it plays to the Bruins advantage. The Flyers tried to rough them up but we all see where that got him.
Going to game 4. It’s a long way from Edmonton but wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Go B’s.
I have no problems with the Canucks being heavy favorites-based on regular season record and many of the stats they own. Just makes sense.
But the Bruins are no slouches-especially when they play clean and disciplined hockey.
I mostly hear Canucks fans make excuses for the one loss to the Bruins by saying there were injuries (and they did have some, but we rolled 5 d-men due to injury and I think Ference has been one of our best and most consistent) and we played that game without the fully acclimated Peverly and Kelly (it took them a while to click).
I think the series is going to be tight, but I have confidence that Chara/Seids will shut down the Sedins and Bergeron can handle Kessler.
Series is going to be tight, and the Bruins are going to have to play well, and that’s where I think Lucic playing in Vancouver is going to be a plus.
I will also say that I think Vancouver may be a better match up in regards to physical play. I think the Bruins struggle in match ups where the other team isn’t all that physical-like the Habs and Tampa. Lucic I think is going to break out and shine and if he shines it generally wakes that whole line up.
I’m glad you brought up this game, because every other media outlet has disregarded it completely. I know regular season may not translate to playoffs, but that game was important for both teams. That game was when some started to say the Bruins were contenders and when they played their best they could hang with any team. I have no doubt Lucic will have a better series than the previous 3. Although the it seems the Canucks are heavily favored if the Bruins play 2 games like they did vs TB in game 7 and Thomas steals 2 they can do it.
I kind of forgot that was when Ference was injured.
I think Lucic playing in Vancouver is going to be a wild card for the Bruins. Also the Canucks play a style of game that fits Lucic better-he seems to get his head in the game when the other team is physical. I fully expect Lucic to play well and the B’s are going to need him in top form to win the series I think.