The Bruins fall to the Washington Capitals 5-4
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| Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images |
Just 2:36 into the first, the Bruins’ Bobby Robins and Capitals’ Liam O’Brien tussled, sending both into the penalty box for matching five-minute fighting penalties, with Robins given an additional two minutes for roughing.
The Bruins were successful on the penalty kill, but Carl Soderberg was sent to the box for a high stick shortly after. Capitals’ captain Ovechkin was able to notch one over starting goalie Niklas Svedberg’s shoulder, putting the Caps up 1-0.
Right wing Matt Fraser responded quickly for the Bruins, tipping in a shot from defenseman Johnny Boychuk 28 seconds in after Brooks Laich went off for interference. Another power play was awarded to the Bruins after Dennis Seidenberg was tripped by Steve Oleksy. With 40 seconds left of the power play, left wing Loui Eriksson was called for hooking, and the first period ended with a 1-1 game.
Fraser was sent to the box early in the second for interference. The Bruins successfully made the kill, and a pass from right wing Jordan Caron to center Seth Griffith put the B’s up 2-1. Defenseman Adam McQuaid wasted no time letting everyone know that he was back and ready to play, dropping the gloves with Oleksy, each receiving fighting majors. Caps’ right wing Jay Beagle picked up an additional two minutes for holding.
A high stick from center Ben Sexton put the Bruins back on the kill, but a wrist shot from Ovechkin tied the game only 12 seconds into the power play. The Bruins rebounded quickly thanks to a beautiful Caron-to-Soderberg-to-Griffith passing sequence, leading to Griffith’s second goal of the night, putting the B’s up 3-2. Center Matt Lindblad made it 4-2 in the Bruins favor, but the Capitals’ Michael Latta responded, making it a 4-3 game to end the second.
The Bruins were called for a delay of game and Fraser sat, putting the Bruins on the kill once again. O’Brien was able to tie it up for the Caps. After the third, the game was tied 4-4, heading into OT. Caps’ right wing Troy Brouwer punched home a puck in front of the neck, winning the game for the Capitals 5-4.
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