Morning Free Association: Back in the Win Column

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Last night the new look Bruins complete with both assets acquired at the deadline, Ondrej Kaše and Nick Ritchie, took the ice against the Dallas Stars at the TD Garden and won a game for the first time in 3 games. Kaše played in his first game since February 7th (UBI), now taking his place on David Krejci’s right wing. In his second game with the club, Ritchie played on the left wing of Krejci, on the same line as his teammate from the Ducks. With Anaheim, the two wings played plenty of time together and were pretty good.

Ritchie had an excellent night: 2 points (1 G, 1A), 2 hits, 2 blocks.

Both teams scored late in the first period, both on power plays. Matt Grzelcyk took a dumb hooking penalty in his zone and Jamie Benn made the Bruins pay for that 34 seconds later. Within a minute of game time, Andrew Cogliano slashed Charlie Coyle, breaking his stick spectacularly in the process. The Mayor tied it up with his 16th on the year by playing a little stickball.

For the first half of the second period, things got chippy between the two teams. Many hits, many liberties taken (Corey Perry, that dick), many irritations including one that boiled over into a tussle. Note pugilist, David Krejci, had had enough of Joe Pavelski and the two chucked some knucks.

Afterwards, Krejci’s knuckles were leaking so he went for repairs while his new Czech mate, Kaše, took his place in the box.

While the team continued to play at even strength, Brad Marchand netted his 26th of the season with a little help from his friends Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak.

One minute and seventeen seconds later, Nick Ritchie scored his first goal as a Bruin. In his last game with Anaheim on Sunday night, he had 2 goals, so he’s got 3 in his last 3 games.

Toward the end of the period, David Krejci stopped short in the areas but didn’t touch Ben Bishop. Mattias Janmark cross-checks David Krejci, sending him down to the ice. Chris Wagner, not wanting Krejci to fight again, takes on Janmark and goes for roughing. Wags goes to the box but quickly exits, again replaced by Kaše, to be checked by trainers. He doesn’t return, reportedly has an UBI which will be evaluated today.

The Bruins penalty kill ends period 2 and starts period 3. Just seconds after the Dallas power play had expired, Denis Gurlanov got one past Jaro Halak to make the score 3-2.

Pasta scored an insurance goal, which ultimately became the game winner, just about two minutes later. Pasta currently leads the NHL with 46.

Late in the period after Ben Bishop left the net for the sixth Stars skater, and a Bruins player totally bagged in the offensive zone, the Stars squeaked a puck by Halak after a great save and a rebound bounced off Zdeno Chara’s skate. Miro Heiskanen was credited with the goal.

Thankfully, the Bruins were able to hold off the late surge in the final 2 minutes to win. Believe it or not, Nick Ritchie was first star of the night. Not bad for the asset no one was super excited about. We’re 2-0 against Dallas in games during which a Ritchie scores!

The Bruins next play a huge manatee game on Saturday against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum.

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the german hammer

About the german hammer

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The London Bear
Member
The London Bear

Hi folks,

Good game, good win. Just finished watching it! They looked a lot sharper (apart from the final minute, but we’ll chalk that down to nerves).

Don’t know what the situation is with you guys but it looks like the rest of 2020 could be cancelled because of s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ ̶c̶a̶t̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ coronavirus. The Olympics is a big doubt apparently. Hopefully we’ll have a brief big freeze and that’ll kill it off.

Quaider4everwash
Guest
Quaider4everwash

I’m already canceling work indefinitely

Satan 81's Sister
Editor
Satan 81's Sister

Morning all. Yay winning. I like that.

Stripes
Guest
Stripes

Hi Pals!!!
That was a great hockey game!!! It had it all!! Kase looked better as the game went on and Ritchie…. if he keeps playing like that!!! I really enjoyed all the line scrambling in the second and third. There was a lot of unexpected chemistry in the random lines the B’s threw out there.
Top o the cap to Rick Bowness…

Stripes
Guest
Stripes

Tip of that f**kin’ cap, not the top

Satan 81's Sister
Editor
Satan 81's Sister

I put one of my winter hats in the laundry and lost the top of the cap! Now it’s a neck warmer!

IntentionallyWidenberg
Admin
IntentionallyWidenberg

Did Rick Bowness end up with the missing part?

Quaider4everwash
Guest
Quaider4everwash

Oh!!! It could also serve as an ear warmer.