This was always going to be a close game, Luongo has been strong at home and Boston have been getting more and more aggressive as the series has gone on. The first goal will be crucial as throughout this series, the first team to score first has gone on to win the game.
First Period
The first six minutes of the game showed no sign of either team giving anything up and some fantastic saves made by both net minders. At 7:27 into the game the first goal was almost scored, a breakaway for Vancouver by Burrows and a great backhand shot by Daniel Sedin but Tim Thomas found the puck at the last second and closed his legs before it trickled over the line. After this close call, Boston started to dominate leading with the line of Bergeron, Marchand and Recchi and at 14:37 the first goal of the game was scored by Bergeron following a pass from the side wall from Marchand and the puck flew just inside the far post past Luongo, causing silence to fall over the Rogers Arena. Following this Vancouver got aggressive with an elbow from Higgins to Chara at centre ice, driving him to the ice which the referees appeared to have not seen and the game continued without any penalties being called.
So at the end of the first period, Boston were leading 1-0 and were much better in the second half of the period. Vancouver had shown some creative offensive play and weren't going to be giving up that easily, they were going to come out fighting in the second period.
Shots on goal - VAN 8 - BOS 5
Goals - BOS 14:37 - Bergeron, Assist - Marchand
Second Period
It was all about Vancouver at the beginning of this period and they came out fighting. Within 3 minutes they had already had 3 shots on goal. At 31:02 Vancouver had a great chance to tie the game. Chara turned the puck over in his own zone and gave it to Burrows who was unattended in front of the net, but Chara made it back to the crease just in time and kick saved Burrows shot after Tim Thomas had been left sprawled out. Out of nowhere at 32:13 Boston scored a second goal courtesy of Marchand following some great play and after a rebound shot from Recchi, took the goal behind the net to slot in a wraparound goal past Luongo who was hampered slightly by Daniel Sedin as he crashed into him chasing the play. Vancouver had another surge following the goal which put pressure on Tim Thomas but Vancouver were still unable to get the puck past him. It did, however result in the first power play of the game as Chara made his way to the box for interference. At 37:35 a controversial third goal was scored by Boston. Bergeron chased a bouncing puck out of his zone and broke away. He was tripped by Ehrnoff in front of the net and the momentum of both players took out Luongo and the puck slid into the back of the net. The goal was reviewed to ensure that Bergeron hadn't touched the puck with his hand as it went into the back of the net and the goal was awarded.
End of second period and it was 3-0 to Boston, things were looking bleak for Vancouver but they had to keep the faith if they wanted to win the game. Boston are very good with the lead and proved that they are able to win the game especially with the Recchi line playing well. In relation to the controversial goal, in my opinion Luongo should have been more forceful and stopped the puck from getting over the line. I think that a penalty shot would have been called anyway but Luongo may have had a chance at stopping the penalty shot and kept Vancouver in the game.
Shots on goal - VAN 13 - BOS 8
Goals - BOS 32:13 - Marchand, Assist - Seidenburg, Recchi, BOS 37:35 - Bergeron - shorthanded, Assist - Seidenburg, Campbell
Third Period
Boston came out for the third period and were sitting back and watching the clock run down. They were playing defensive as there was no need to attack the Vancouver goal and stopping traffic from forming in front of Tim Thomas. Vancouver started to get frustrated and Hansen checked Ference to the ice following a high stick from Ference earlier in the period which the referees didn't see and Hansen got 2 minutes for interference. Vancouver pounded the net during the power play but were still unable to get that puck past Tim Thomas who keeps making save after save. At 51:34 Lucic gets a penalty for a back check in the neutral zone and Vancouver are on the power play and a chance to start a come back. Boston killed the penalty and Vancouver get desperate, Luongo is taken off and a sixth player joins the Sedin line on the ice. At 57:16, Boston took advantage on the empty net and Marchand scores the 4th goal securing the win for Boston.
End of third period and Boston are crowned 2011 Stanley Cup Champions following a spectacular performance from Terrific Tim Thomas and the Recchi line that dominated throughout the game. Vancouver worked hard and I would of liked the cup to go back to Canada but Boston were fantastic and once they had the lead there was no way they were going to be giving it up. Vancouver had plenty of chances but just couldn't get it past Thomas who was more consistent than Luongo throughout the series.
Shots on goal VAN 16 - BOS 7
Goals - BOS 57:16 - Marchand, unassisted
No comments:
Post a Comment