Prior to the start of the Winter Classic game, Brady took to Facebook and shared his own version of appreciation toward the Bruins goaltender. Or, how about the Canadiens goalie Mike Condon? “We gave them a ton of scoring chances there in the first two periods and that’s unlike us”.
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My seats for that 2008 Winter Classic were in section 235, close to the press box at Ralph Wilson Stadium and near an indoor section of stadium with higher-level food stands and – most importantly – warmth, just a few steps away. They got it, and a pretty good game, but it lacked the buzz of previous years.
Paul Byron – who was claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames at the start of the season and scored two goals in the Winter Classic – said the Canadiens fed off the atmosphere at Gillette Stadium.
It didn’t take long for things to get heated between the two teams either as many would expect. “The Bruins still have a lot of big guys, and for us, I always think we have the most success just playing to our strengths, and that’s playing the game fast and not gooning it up”, said winger Lars Eller, who fought Hayes at the end.
His fortunes changed dramatically, as they did for the Canadiens, in December.
Shots are 25-17 Montreal after two periods, 14-11 Boston for the second period.
He made some key saves and held the Canadiens to only one goal in the first. I was going to be able to witness arguably the biggest non-Stanley Cup final game of the year. Without his team backing him as well as he needed, Montreal went up 3-0 in the second period. Assuming they can stay in the playoff picture, they have three months to learn how to better prepare for games of greater importance.
After going on the power play twice, the team seemed to gain some momentum.
Beleskey ended the potential shutout with his fourth goal in four games 3:56 into the third period.
The Canadiens entered the locker room with a commanding 3-0 lead, but Boston attempted to mount a comeback in the third. In this game, all five goals were scored by pushing toward the crease.
Los Angeles wrapped up a ideal four-game trip and opened up a 12-point lead over the Sharks in the Pacific Division.
“Gallagher’s presence puts everyone in the position they’re supposed to be in”, said Desharnais. “Especially on a big stage, all things considered”. But given the appeal of the game, I’m guessing there is no expiration date for the Winter Classic. “Weren’t executing the game plan like we wanted to in skate”.
“Tuukka was the reason why we were down by one”, Boston center Patrice Bergeron said. They won the game in 2003 and were shut out in 2011 by the Calgary Flames.
Q: How do you feel about taking the Winter Classic to historic venues where there is not necessarily a home team, like Lambeau Field in Green Bay, for example?
FROZEN FENWAY: The last time the Winter Classic came to Boston, the festivities ballooned into several weeks of skating- and hockey-related festivities. Unfortunately for the Bruins they just couldn’t get any bounces to go their way.
The Forum in Montreal was the Canadiens’ home for one of the most successful dynasties in professional sports. P.K. and Malcolm’s nephew is seen wearing a Boston Bruins sweatshirt with a Montreal Canadiens t-shirt underneath, which is big no-no as far as both Bruins and Canadiens fans are concerned. American anthem singer Jordan Smith heard boos because he wasn’t Bruins fan favorite Rene Rancourt. However, they fell short.
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The New Year is a time for change. Their next game is against the Washington Capitals, another Eastern Conference team, on Tuesday, Jan. 5.
