image: TSN

The Bruins definitely came out on the ice and proved that, when they are on their game, they are virtually unstoppable.  Michael Ryder and Blake Wheeler put the puck in the back of the net just 26 seconds apart in the first period and the team scored four-power play goals to beat the Hurricanes 7-2. 7.

“We wanted to come out and put our better foot forward tonight and I think we did that,” said Marc Savard. “The biggest thing is we played simple tonight.”  Savard had a goal and two assists.

Of course, as is often the case in a blowout like this one, things got pretty heated between the teams and resulted in so many penalties that it’s pointless to list them all.

Here’s a video in case you need a better idea of what happened last night.

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image: TSN

There were 70 minutes of penalties, which I think is just downright ridiculous for a game so close to the end of the season.  Plus, it’s no secret that these teams don’t particularly like each other so when you combine that, the penalty minutes and the poor officiating (along with the pressure to do well before the playoffs), it was a perfect recipe for a disaster.

Still, in the end, the Sharks were able to hold on and skate away with a 3-2 victory over their Pacific Division rivals.  Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that anyone got hurt but it’s always scary to see a goaltender buried beneath a brawl.  Watch the video:

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image: Newscom

It all started when Dustin Byfuglien (Chicago) decided to push Roberto Luongo (G, Vancouver) in the face after he made a save.  It was totally unnecessary and I can understand the outrage considering the fact that it’s almost playoff time and the team has also been without Luongo earlier this year due to injury.  Plus, it’s just nasty to touch a goalie…

This sparked a brawl that can only be described as emotional because I saw some things I’ve never seen before.  The Hawks were down by 3-0 so you can understand why they were frustrated and then the Canucks were pissed about the swipe on Luongo.

Ben Eager (Chicago) and Kevin Bieksa (Vancouver) went off to the side of the net and were the first to exchange blows.  There were some good hits but then there were times when it looked more like something from the WWE (and I am not sure if it was because of the body slams or the lack of clothing by the end of it).

Next, a catfight broke out between Duncan Keith (Chicago) and Alex Burrows (Vancouver) with Keith putting Burrows in a headlock with him retaliating by grabbing Keith’s hair (around 1:30). He wouldn’t let go, either, and was trying to repeatedly use it to pull Keith down to the ice.  I seriously couldn’t stop laughing.  Watch the video:

In the end, Byfuglien earned a goaltender interference penalty but there were  there were 12 additional penalties called, including six 10-minute misconducts.  Vancouver went on to win the game 4-0 and have now tied with Chicago for fourth place in the Western Conference.

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The disciplinary action comes after the Leafs requested the even be reviewed and alleged that Kennedy came off the Pens bench with the intent of starting a fight with Schenn.

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Montreal Canadiens defenceman, Mike Komisarek, suffered a shoulder injury after he tangled with Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins last week.  As a result, he will be off the roster for about a month.  That really sucks.  He’s one of the Habs’ hardest hitters so I’m sure they will miss him.  Here’s a video of the fight:

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat