“It’s Just Another Game”
The Vancouver Canucks overcame consistent physicality from the Boston Bruins to win the rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals 4-3 at TD Garden Saturday Afternoon.
Vancouver converted three power-play goals against their rivals, taking advantage of an early line brawl and second period cheap-shot by Brad Marchand to secure the victory.
The Hat Trick
Hodgson Plays Hero
While Cody Hodgson wasn’t able to make his mark in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals, the young forward beat Tim Thomas with one of the best pure shots of the season for Saturday’s game-winning goal against the Bruins.
Hodgson has a solid game including an assist on another shot of his that slipped past Thomas courtesy of a slick second period tip by Alex Burrows.
Bruins Brutality
Burrows and Shawn Thornton opened the game with some afternoon animosity only four minutes into the first period on Saturday, sparking a line brawl that cost the home team on a resulting 5-on-3 power play.
Milan Lucic could face suspension from the NHL after it appeared the forward stepped off the Bruins’ bench to brawl with Burrows and the Canucks early in the first.
Late in the second period Brad Marchand’s low hit on Sami Salo earned the feisty forward a five-minute major for Clipping that cost the Bruins big with two additional power play goals against.
Schneider Shines in Showcase
Cory Schneider took full advantage of the surprise start in Boston with a bold performance against the Bruins Saturday afternoon. Schneider was stellar in his hometown stopping 36 of 39 shots against the Bruins including a second period penalty shot for Daniel Paille.
Roberto Luongo (On The Bench) & Cory Schneider defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
While Bruins fans relentlessly chanted for weekend backup Roberto Luongo, the young Massachusetts native kept calm in the Canucks’ crease during the final minutes of the hockey game.
Schneider scared Canucks fans late in the game when a clearing attempt bounced off the outside of his net in a late close call from the white paint for Vancouver.
V’s Thoughts
The Vancouver Canucks stuck to their original game plan against the Boston Bruins, taking advantage of their bruising physical style to convert three power play goals in the competitive win over the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.
Of those physical altercations, Brad Marchand’s clip on Sami Salo could require supplementary discipline from the NHL after the Bruins forward knocked the fragile Fin out of the hockey game with the devastating hit.
Andrew Ebbett also left Saturday’s game with a fractured collarbone and will require surgery following Saturday’s costly physical affair.
Quote
“What a shot. I don’t think John Garrett in his prime would have caught that one.” Garrett spoke humbly of himself in the third person after Cody Hodgson blew the game winner past Tim Thomas.
3 Stars
1st. Cody Hodgson GOALS: 1| PTS: 2| ASST: 1 SOG: 3| PLUS/MINUS: 0
2nd. Nathan Horton GOALS: 0| PTS: 0| ASST: 0 SOG: 4| PLUS/MINUS: 1
3rd. D.avid Krejci GOALS: 1| PTS: 1| ASST: 0 SOG: 5| PLUS/MINUS: 1
BOXSCORE | Q’s POST GAME RECAP
Vancouver 4, Boston 3
When: 1:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 7, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Referees: Don VanMassenhoven, Brad Kovachik
Linesmen: Derek Nansen, Dan O’Rourke
Attendance: 17565
About Kevin Vanstone
