Boston at Carolina

  • Game info: 7:00 pm EDT Tue May 12, 2009
  • TV: VS., TSN

By JOEDY McCREARY, AP Sports Writer May 11, 4:37 pm EDT

Preview | Box Score | Recap | Series Breakdown
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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)—The Boston Bruins aren’t going down without a fight. Or several of them, actually.

One loss from early elimination, hockey’s top remaining seed got itself back into the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes with a series of hard hits, bruising checks—and, yes, an occasional skirmish.

After cutting the Hurricanes’ lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-2 with a shutout romp in Game 5, the Bruins are looking to even things in Game 6 on Tuesday night and go back to Boston for a decisive Game 7.

This much has become clear: What was a surprisingly one-sided affair for a while suddenly has become a series again—and one with a rough edge, if not some old-fashioned hatred.

“I know we’re a team that plays on the edge, as far as being physical and playing with a lot of emotion that way, and (Game 5) was certainly more our type” of game, Bruins coach Claude Julien said Monday. “Now whether it plays more to our advantage, I don’t know. It’s certainly the type of game that we want to play.”

Except, of course, when it costs him a key player.

Defenseman Aaron Ward(notes) was a question mark after he was dropped to the ice in the final minutes of Game 5 by a right cross from Carolina’s Scott Walker(notes), who was not suspended but was fined $2,500 by the league. Team doctors who initially feared Ward had a broken orbital bone were re-evaluating him Monday, and the defenseman was expected to travel to Raleigh.

A day later, the knockdown remained a hot topic for both teams. Julien called it a sucker punch, Boston forward Shawn Thornton(notes) vowed to remember it and Carolina forward Erik Cole(notes) simply said of it: “That’s hockey.”

“We have long memories, how about that?” Thornton said. “It’s not something you can obviously address this time of year. Winning games is more important than anything else. But things are not forgotten.”

That dustup marked the crescendo of a chippy game that featured a combined 29 penalties and 83 penalty minutes and at times devolved into “Slap Shot” hockey. Carolina defenseman Tim Conboy(notes) twice came to blows with Bruins and Boston’s Milan Lucic(notes) delivered the hardest legal hit of the night when he checked Dennis Seidenberg(notes) by the corner boards to set up the first goal.

That started a flurry of scoring in which the Bruins began to resemble the group that claimed the No. 1 seed in the East, swept Montreal in the first round and won its first five playoff games before dropping three in a row to Carolina. They hope the 4-0 victory gave them confidence that they finally have figured out Carolina goalie Cam Ward(notes), who in Games 2-4 held them to a total of three goals during his three-game winning streak.

“We lost our focus a little bit. I think we got caught up into their style of game,” Cam Ward said. “We were taking a little bit more penalties than we did in the first few games, and got caught up in what was going on after the whistle was blown. We’ve just got to get back to back to playing the way we did in the previous three games.

“We’re still in a good situation.”

The way the Hurricanes see it, losing in such lopsided fashion might wind up working to their advantage because—unlike those nagging one-goal losses that usually lead to soul searching at this time of year—this one was easy to forget.

“The good news is, it wasn’t one of those heartbreaking losses that lingers,” Carolina captain Rod Brind’Amour(notes) said. “That one’s pretty much easy to put behind you.”

Now the heat is on the Hurricanes to close out the series on home ice.

They would prefer not to make another trip to Boston for a winner-take-all Game 7, a matchup in which they’d face both the pressure of possibly blowing a 3-1 series lead and the wrath of Bruins fans who certainly won’t forget Walker’s knockdown of Aaron Ward.

“It’s not a must-win because we’d have another one,” Brind’Amour said. “But we definitely, obviously, want to take care of it here.”

Updated May 11, 4:37 pm EDT
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Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
Boston 82 53 19 10 116 1st, Northeast 274 196 24-13-4 Road
Carolina 82 45 30 7 97 2nd, Southeast 239 226 26-14-1 Home

Injuries

Levi Nelson C

Michael Ryan LW, Cam Ward G

Notes

The Bruins won the Eastern Conference quarterfinal for their first playoff series win in 10 years. ... RW Michael Ryder, who signed as a free agent after he was a healthy scratch for all but four of the Montreal Canadiens' 12 playoff games last season, scored twice on Wednesday. He recorded 27 goals in 74 regular-season contests. ... LW Milan Lucic returned to the Bruins' lineup after serving a one-game league suspension Monday and fought with Mike Komisarek late in the second period. ... RW Byron Bitz was left out of the lineup. Bitz replaced Lucic in the lineup Monday and recorded an assist in his playoff debut.

Apr 23, 12:02 am EDT

The Hurricanes rallied for two goals in the final 80 seconds of the third period to eliminate the Devils. The victory marked the first time in the series a team won consecutive games. ... Five of the seven games were decided by one goal, including two that needed overtime. ... D Tim Gleason was the lone Hurricane not to register a shot on goal. ... C Eric Staal scored the game-winning goal with 31.7 seconds remaining, his team-leading fifth tally of the series. ... The line of Staal (five goals, two assists), LW Ray Whitney (three goals, four assists) and RW Chad LaRose (two goals, five assists) combined for 21 points.

Apr 28, 11:50 pm EDT
NHL

149 Comments

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  1. Armenian All-Stars
    149. Posted by Armenian All-Stars Fri May 15 11:25am EDT

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    Congratulations to all the Caniacs here. Great game overall, and you guys deserve it. The B's were flat in the 2nd period, and 0-4 on the PP, and that was enough to seal the deal. Good luck against the Pens (you'll need it ;) )
  2. Armenian All-Stars
    148. Posted by Armenian All-Stars Thu May 14 5:24pm EDT

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    dan p fills me with hate and laughs. I love it. Good luck to you caniacs, and may the black and gold DOMINATE!!!
  3. <i>hsengine2</i>
    147. Posted by hsengine2 Thu May 14 9:32am EDT

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    Just because I've been getting a kick out of all the people complaining about Walker's sucker punch on Ward, (and yes it was a sucker punch which has happened countless times in NHL history without suspensions or fines, grow a pair all you Sallies) I don't agree with what he did but at the same time it doesn't hurt my feelings that he didn't have to serve a suspension. The sad thing is that ONE SINGLE incident has suddenly put a GOON or THUG stamp on the Canes. If that's all it takes to put that stamp on a team, why aren't more people complaining about Lucic's multiple crosschecks and kicks to the back and head of the poor Canes' player during game two while he was down on the ice defenseless? Seems a lot of people missed that one, I sure as heck didn't and feel that was more of an act of a GOON or THUG than anything else I've seen in this series. A skate blade to the head or facial area of someone is a bit more dangerous than a sucker punch. Please keep in mind I'm a neutral party in this series, not taking sides, just stating the facts. Good luck to both sides tonight, I hope both teams show up unlike last nights Pens/Caps game 7.
  4. dan p
    146. Posted by dan p Thu May 14 5:57am EDT

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    Its 5:54 am on a Thursday morning - in about 14 hours the game will begin - in about 16.5 hours the internet in Boston will be MIA - What say you.
    Guys getting ready to take a shower and go to work - hope everyone has a safe trip to the game / Boston fans included - I would rather argue with you than read about you.
    Go Canes.
  5. steady
    145. Posted by steady Wed May 13 8:41pm EDT

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    @ Ryan M - Thanks boss. Just sick of everyone talking out their ass haha. Good to see the passion though, thats what real fans are all about. I hope Bruins win tomorrow for sure, but to me nothing is sweeter as A B's fan than sweeping Montreal in their centennial season!
  6. steady
    144. Posted by steady Wed May 13 8:38pm EDT

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    Dan P... hahaha I like to hate you and hate to like you. You're good in my book dude. May the best team win. Go Bruins!
  7. dan p
    143. Posted by dan p Wed May 13 7:35pm EDT

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    One more useless fact - Saukuk Corn Maze is 1 hour south of Boston.
  8. dan p
    142. Posted by dan p Wed May 13 7:22pm EDT

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    Patti - are you a male or female -Its good that you are a hockey player but I dont recall seeing you on the ice - I am not the hockey "guru" that you are... Obviously.. Hows the 5 titles you guys won over the years. I think it was 1924 when you came into the league and I believe you stated yourself there was only....5 teams. Your first title was in 1924 out of 5 team... love it baby.. your second title was in 1938... hell of a team.. were you on it? 1940- 1969 - 1971.....
    Here are some more worthless facts and I will type slow for you Patti Lynn;
    The original site of cheers use to be a whorehouse. Conversely, your moms house use to be a bar.
    Boston has no street signs named- do you want to know why? This is to deter the college students from leaving their neighborhoods. Again,, useless facts to hang on your mantle - kind of like the one you just dumped on me about how you laced up up on ponds- atta boy Patti Lynn.
    WTF is your point - In 90 years I am willing to bet you "Patti Lynn" that the Hurricanes will have surpassed your 5 titles but unlike you we will not brag about what our daddy did. Your new friend.
  9. <i>pattygrace</i>
    141. Posted by pattygrace Wed May 13 6:59pm EDT

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    ok ;ets set the record straight there danp when the bruins who are one of the original 6 teams that formed the nhl beat the canes tomm just please stop being such an arrogant a%%. The canes did beat a good team in the devils but they choked during this series when they allowed the bruins to gain momentum.When you have a team down you step on their throat.
    The sucker punch at the end of game 5 and yes it was a sucker punch and the league allowing it was just the icing on the cake to rally the bruins past the canes.As for all of you other cane fans i am sorry you have danp rooting with you. The bruins will win and the record will show that the canes choked the series away by not showing up for game 5.Its plain and simple in playoff hockey you cant let up for one minute.As for you Danp whens the last time you laced up the skates and im not talking roller skates I was playing pond hockey back home when i was 5 so when you havent actually played a game and sit there and prtend to be an authority on it its just laughable. Well good luck next yr and have fun in in your trailor with your tight mullet you redneck
  10. dan p
    140. Posted by dan p Wed May 13 6:49pm EDT

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    Hey, I do like that law Ted Kennedy got passed - you know- cracking down on drunk drivers.... I mean he didnt write the law but he was a big influence on it.....Come on guys now thats a good one. Hey... I am not feeling the love from my friends in the Boston area.
  11. Bryan
    139. Posted by Bryan Wed May 13 6:36pm EDT

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    @puckhead: "How many 'Canes games did they blackout on TV for college basketball this year??" how about none? i saw all of the canes games on tv
  12. dan p
    138. Posted by dan p Wed May 13 6:13pm EDT

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    I have stated several times on here that you guys have played better than us the past two games- your goalie has proven me wrong about his ability - I have no problems admitting when I am wrong - some of you cant. Carolina was in the drivers seat two games ago but now their behind the 8 ball. LIke a boston fan said - Great teams close out series- I do here what you guys are saying. To the few who bash the city of Raleigh and most of you have never been here- please shut up. Boston is a great city - I wouldnt live in it - I like to visit but thats it / nothing against boston just "my"preference. Anything can happen thursday night - I still like our chances. If you guys want to keep taking personnel shots email to email - thats fun too - either way I like my chances of coming out on top but I have been wrong before and it wont be the last. Your new best friend.
  13. dan p
    137. Posted by dan p Wed May 13 5:50pm EDT

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    Patti Grace is it ? real sexy name first of all / I am an actuary here in the Triangle area - you may or may not know what that is but its not important. I have not stopped coming on these boards from game one - I will not stop no matter what because its too easy to get under the skin of you boston bruins - the way you talk about boston hockey is terrific. I almost believed you guys win the stanley cup every other year / then I looked it up.......What do you think I found? North Carolina does not have the tradition of your daddys team..... It does have a pretty good start for the short time that we have had hockey. It must really suck knowing that three years ago we did put moonshine in lord stanleys cup while you were still talking about what your dads team accomplished. I do not hate the boston area, you guys have great clam chowder and the women come pretty cheap. Its been pointed out several times that none of the players on the Canes are from NC - can you tell me how many are from your state? I know if you dont. How many people who go to harvard are actually from your area / I know do you? You see Patti Grace Lynn ( real cute name) the great thing about our country is we can pursue happiness if our education or abilities allows us too. I understand the jokes that your co-fans are trying to make but if you only knew how bad the stats are in our favor when it comes to educated people in the triangle compared to where you guys live - Patti Lynn Grace- you would shut the @#$% up. Go back to your mobile home and get back on your financed out your ass computer and come up with some new @#$% because NJ fans were more original.
  14. Robbie
    136. Posted by Robbie Wed May 13 5:29pm EDT

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    Jesus Christ!!!! All of you sound like a bunch of Godd@#!ed Idiots...lets just Root our @!$#ing teams on and hope for one heck of a game 7. This is what playoff hockey is all about! GO BRUINS!!!!!!
  15. <i>hsengine2</i>
    135. Posted by hsengine2 Wed May 13 5:18pm EDT

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    Soxman24...I used to think the same about the Canes fans cheering for no reason til I got a chance to attend a few games in Raleigh. (Keep in mind I've probably attended well over 500 NHL games at various venues in my life) The fans actually seemed pretty educated about the "goings on" of the game. No props telling people when to cheer, no cheering when inappropriate. The people were just that much into the game, I was suprisingly impressed. Keep in mind a lot of the people in that area are transplants from cities that had hockey so they have a good knowledge of the game. Given that I live in the northeast I attend many Bruins games and even at the GREAT games I attended at the garden this year, I didn't feel that consistent passion like I did at a few other venues that I mentioned previously. The closest the garden came to matching that level this past season was the game vs Montreal in November when they spanked the Habs 6-1 and Lucic destroyed Komisarek. Aside from that one game (I only attended a dozen B's games last season) the garden didn't get close to matching the feeling you get at the RBC Center in the games I attended. The worst part of the game at the RBC is all the stupid sound effects...thunder, tarzan, and some other whooping noise they play every time they score. So feel blessed that you only have to tolerate the gay fog horn and the WOOOOOO when they annouce the goals at the garden. Anyway, guess my point in this whole rambling mess is not to judge based on location. They have a solid fan base, they have since 2000 although they have their problems topping off the attendance just like most other arenas in this economy, and yes the fans actually have a clue. Worse places to see a game...Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. Trust me on that! Just want a good game tomorrow night!
  16. clawson
    134. Posted by clawson Wed May 13 4:57pm EDT

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    dan p I like how you think.
  17. D.W.B.
    133. Posted by D.W.B. Wed May 13 4:55pm EDT

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    not much left to say "Go Bruins" thats all BURN RUBBER
  18. Soxman24
    132. Posted by Soxman24 Wed May 13 4:49pm EDT

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    Right, so thats why the Yankees won in 04 with a 3-0 lead on the sox, or the sox beat Tampa last year after they forced a game 7...because ALL THOSE SAME PLAYERS HAD NEVER LOST A GAME 7 BEFORE!!! Past is nothing, current players are everything, and the Bruins who actually have a legitimate 4 lines that can score have the advantage.....
  19. CanesFanFromLI
    131. Posted by CanesFanFromLI Wed May 13 4:48pm EDT

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    pattygrace, why did you move to NC if you consider it a state of white trash and trailer parks, why don't you go back to New England?

    You won't find any posts from North Carolinians who moved to Boston, because few if any would want to move there.

    I moved to NC from Long Island years ago, I love the Raleigh area. The native southerners are good and welcoming people, the majority of the population is from somewhere up North. There are plenty of people who root for the Canes who've followed hockey all their lives, there are also plenty of new fans.

    The RBC sells plenty of tickets, mostly to regular fans who just want to see a game. I know how it is with the established teams, large blocks of tickets are bought by companies to give out to clients or reward employees, other blocks are bought by brokers creating a shortage that jacks up the price.
  20. Armenian All-Stars
    130. Posted by Armenian All-Stars Wed May 13 4:36pm EDT

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    To set the record straight ,Carolina has missed MORE than one sellout in the playoffs this year.(only round 1 information available)**********************************************Also discouraging: The Carolina Hurricanes' gate, after the team surged into the playoffs and split the first two games against the New Jersey Devils. They drew 17,971 in the 18,680-capacity RBC Center for Game 3 last Sunday and 17,465 for Tuesday's stunning Game 4 victory. But hey, at least Ric Flair showed up. (H/T Dave from Carolina on Ice.)***************************************************SOURCE http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Playoff-non-sellouts-Signs-of-larger-trouble-or?urn=nhl,158865
  21. CanesFanFromLI
    129. Posted by CanesFanFromLI Wed May 13 4:36pm EDT

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    Soxman24, past history does mean something when you're talking about the same players who won all those game 7 situations. Also, as you pointed out, our best line was our checking line last night, that just shows the depth of the team, any one of the four lines has the potential to be the best, to score goals.

    I wouldn't be surprised at any posible out come tommorrow night, Canes win, Bruins win, close game or blow out. I understand how playoff hockey works, that the real season means little and that games turn on the smallest of bounces.

    Bruins fans seem very arrogant to assume that they're the heavy favorite, I hope the players are thinking the same way.
  22. <i>pattygrace</i>
    128. Posted by pattygrace Wed May 13 4:32pm EDT

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    Hey there DANP I see youve been talking trash for quit sometime now and all of a sudden your very quiet.Well sit down shut the f@#$ up and listen.You wouldnt know what a good hockey team is if it was in your face.The Canes have no chance tomm night in Boston. I am a transplanted new englnader here in nc and have ahd to listen and see your homer announcers broadcast the games.They know little to nothing about hockey or how it should be played.The REAL Bruins have showed the last 2 games and will drub your cheap shot filled lineup.
    I have been to the RBC center and have seen the fan base in raleigh.There is enough whit trash to fill 100 trailor parks. I am so glad the bruins came back and have spnked the canes nice choke job Carolina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  23. Armenian All-Stars
    127. Posted by Armenian All-Stars Wed May 13 4:31pm EDT

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    There are $1400 seats that get sold in boston. I think we sold out every single game this year as well. How bout you guys? I paid $300 for seats to Round 1 Game 1. Admit the "Bandwagon Boston fans" comment was totally stupid. This town has hockey in its veins. There isn't a frozen pond without dozens of kids playing pickup hockey on it. There isn't a town that doesn't have 3-5 teams per age level. Saying Boston is a bandwagon hockey town is simply ignorant. And stop whining about shots. I couldn't believe the garbage opportunities that Carolina had last night. They might have had a dozen real scoring chances overall.
  24. Goforbaroque
    126. Posted by Goforbaroque Wed May 13 3:56pm EDT

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    Hey, anybody notice that the Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox had another trifecta last night???? WOO-HOO...............sure is fun being a "Bawstin" fan!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. Soxman24
    125. Posted by Soxman24 Wed May 13 3:51pm EDT

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    didn't sell out? the only seats that were open are seats that cost hundreds of dollars, you gonna pay for that? How much are tix for Carolina games? And this Bandwagon thing is so dumb, We have had a team for 100 years!!! We have other teams to root for!!! I am a season ticket holder, but I certainly didnt blame people for not showing up when the team stunk....They stunk!! It would be like paying for a bad movie, would you waste money to see a bad product? Oh wait, you are if you are a Canes fan........
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