Zdeno Chara leads as Boston Bruins thrash Montreal Canadiens 7-3 -NHL Preseason Update
It was not hard to see that both teams had a lot of catching up to do after their last meeting during round-one of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Playoffs. Boston Bruins thrashed Montreal Canadiens in their first matchup of the preseason, 7-3, at
the Metro Centre on Sunday, September 25, 2011.
For Montreal, it was certainly an embarrassing moment to face their fourth loss of the preseason and that too against their arch rival team, Boston Bruins, but for head coach Jacques Martin, the preseason is just testing time.
“Our goal is to evaluate players”, said Martin. “This is five games in six nights, we’re a depleted line-up (but) it gives us a good opportunity to see where some of our players are”.
Scott Gomez scored to put Montreal ahead at the 6:55 mark during the first period, which was his second of the preaseason. Joe Corvo potted his first on a pass from captain Zdeno Chara, during the first added man advantage of the match. Gregory Campbell
further extended the lead 13 seconds later and ended it ahead by 2-1.
Fighting broke out as tensions rose right as the teams got on the ice rink as Alex Henry and Shawn Thornton were each given a five minute major for exchanging fists.
Brad Marchand continued the shooting streak by taking advantage of Montreal’s only penalty of the second period, giving Chara another assist. He was followed by Daniel Paille and Zdeno Chara who both got goals on breakaways unassisted and shorthanded as
Zach Hamil and Zach McKelvie were sent to the benches with minor penalties.
“We finished the first period down 2-1 and we were still in the game”, said Montreal goalie, Peter Budaj, said. “But after they scored a power-play and two short-handed goals, everything started going their way. It was a bad game. I have to be better”.
It was a shaky third period as Montreal attempted at a comeback with Brian Willsie scoring 1:29 into the final 20 minutes on a power play but Tyler Seguin broke their chances by widening the gap nearly four minutes later.
Aaron Palushaj brought Canadiens within three near the half point but it was Jordan Caron who secured the match in their favour by scoring with less than eight minutes remaining.
Boston Bruins will stay in Montreal as both teams face-off again next day, on Monday, September 26.
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