The Providence Bruins dropped their second game in a row Sunday afternoon when they fell 5-1 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Dunkin Donuts center. Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman was the lone goal scorer for the home team.
Both Andrew Bodnarchuk and Kirk MacDonald returned to the ice in this game following their respective three game suspensions they received following last Sunday’s match up against the Sound Tigers. Bodnarchuk was received a game misconduct for checking to the head and MacDonald for boarding.
After the jump, more on the Sunday afternoon match up...
The Minutemen wasted no time as they broke open the scoring less than a minute into the game. Forward Chase Langeraap jumped on a bobbled puck at the blue line by BC defenseman Patrick Wey and beat John Muse on the short side.
After looking lackluster for the start of the period, the Eagles found they legs at the half way point of the 1st and poured on the pressure however they could not solve goalie Paul Dainton. The Eagles had excellent puck control and often looked like they had a man advantage.
Boston College opened the 2nd period on the powerplay and never took their collective feet of the gas. After many great chances denied by some stellar goaltending from Dainton, BC finally got one past The Minutemen captain. Dainton failed to cover up the puck at the side of the net and pinching defenceman Tommy Cross slid the puck into a wide open crease where Jimmy Hayes buried put it home in the back of the net.
Joe Whitney put the Eagles ahead with a rocket of a shot from the point through a screen just as yet another UMass penalty expired. Assisting on the goal were Barry Almeida and Brian Gibbons.
UMass struggled mightily in the second to generate any sort of offence. It wasn’t until the 15 minute that they registered their first shot on net for the period. It only took The Minutemen two more shots to tie the game. Michael Marcou’s low shot from the point found its way to the back of the net through a sea of legs and sticks.
The 3rd period turned into the Hayes show as the junior broke the tie at 8:33 with a quick shot to the roof of the net on the short side after getting a beautiful pass from his younger brother Kevin Hayes. The big winger capped off the night with his 3rd for the hat trick into the empty net to make the score 4-2 as UMass was trying anything to get that late tying goal to send the game to overtime. Tonight’s hat trick gives Hayes 4 goals in the two series games.
“I had an idea where the net was and I wanted to go high.” said Hayes of the game winning goal.
Both Dainton and Muse put on a goaltending clinic tonight with some brilliant saves that kept their respective team in in the game. If it wasn’t for Dainton, the final score would have been much different.
UMass coach Don Cahoon described his senior captain as player that had “control of the room and will be sorely missed.”
Coach Jerry York also had lots of praise for both goalies as well. “Dainton was playing extremely well at the other end but Johnny Muse with less shots made some incredible saves.”
The Eagles will now sit and wait to see who they face on Friday at TD Garden. If Boston University beats Northeastern, they will play Merrimack. If Northeastern can pull of the win, the Huskies will face BC.
To sum up his feelings on the night, coach York put it best. “Very Proud. Looking forward to the Garden.”
3 Stars
1st star: BC - Jimmy Hayes
Jimmy proved once again that he is a big game player and his size and skill is starting to set him apart from the rest of the players on the ice.
2nd star: UMass - Paul Dainton
Dainton had two big saves on one timers including a big blocker save against Cam Atkinson. Dainton put on a show for the UMass fans in attendance and gave the BC forwards all they could handle.
3rd star: BC - Cam Atkinson
While no points on the night, Cam’s work on the PK was exceptional and had 8 shots on net.
The first period started slow for the Eagles, as they were unable to make any sort of pass through the neutral zone. UMass was jumping at the opportunity to capitalize on a sluggish BC team yet John Muse was able to come up with a few of key saves to keep the game scoreless including a point blank stop while BC was a man down.
Junior Jimmy Hayes opened the scoring with a strong snap shot from inside the slot that was tipped over the goalie’s shoulder. He was able to sneak behind the defense as Boston College created some room by cycling the puck down low. Pat Mullane assisted on the goal. The goal seemed to spark Boston College as they went on attack for the rest of the period and moving the puck very well in both the neutral and offensive zone. It was almost as if the goal reminded them that they were playing.
The second period saw the ice open up as both teams had a lot more jump and stronger transitions games. The period started with a quick powerplay goal for the Eagles as Cam Atkinson netted his 28th of the season. The goal as assisted by Joe Whitney and Tommy Cross.
The aggressive penalty kill that Boston College is well-known for struck again for the 13th time this season with an outstanding unassisted goal by Brain Gibbons. Gibbons came down the left side and fired a bullet over the shoulder of UMass goalie Paul Dainton. That was Gibbons’ 4th short-handed goal on the season. “The shorted handed goal was really something special,” said Coach York after the game.
The Minutemen quickly fired right back with a powerplay goal by forward Danny Hobbs who was open in the slot much like Hayes’ goal in the first.
Dainton’s strong play in the second kept the score at 3-1. He made a couple of spectacular saves against an energized BC forward group including diving across an open net to rob Bill Arnold after being partially tackled by another BC forward. Without him in net, the result could have easily been much worse for the Minutemen.
The 3rd period saw The Eagles’ Barry Almeida bury one final goal past Dainton after a perfect pass from Steven Whitney right through the crease.
Despite the win, Boston College was very undisciplined with providing UMass with 8 powerplay opportunities. This type of play could lead them into trouble going forward in the playoffs. Thankfully for the BC, UMass was only able to capitalize on one of the powerplays. Against a strong team, the final outcome could be a lot different.
Coach York was not happy with his team in this regard. “We need to be more disciplined. Each game is a challenge. You want to defend and be physical but stay out of the penalty box. It’s not like a script the game to have that many penalties.”
It wasn’t all negative from the coach after the win. He felt that there was ”a real playoff intensity” in the building and from the players. This is something that the team should be able toe build on.
Boston College will look to close out the series tomorrow night at Kelley Rink at 7pm and avoid a 3rd and final game on Sunday.
Total attendance: 2,868.
3 Stars
1st star: BC - Brian Gibbons
The senior had a highlight reel goal tonight. It was a beautiful shot that really sunk the hopes of UMass at the half waypoint of the game.
2nd star: BC Philip Samuelsson
Samuelsson finished the game a +3 and was all over the ice making outlet passes through the neutral zone
3rd star: BC John Muse
26 saves for the star goalie. He came up big when he needed to and described as “rock solid” by his coach.
Anton Khudobin stood strong in his second shootout in a row, and Jamie Arniel and Zach Hamill both scored in regulation and the shootout to give the Providence Bruins a 4-3 win over the floundering Bridgeport Sound Tigers in a relatively calm rematch game after last Sunday's penalty-minutes-filled tilt.
Khudobin answers questions after the game on Friday.
This Providence team, fraught with personnel changes over the last few weeks, has the best record in the AHL over the last ten games, with seven wins and one shootout loss. They have overcome the losses of Jeff Penner (trade), Sean Zimmerman (trade), Matt Bartkowski (called up), Nathan McIver (broken wrist), and temporarily Andrew Bodnarchuk (suspension) on defense with the additions of Boris Valabik from Atlanta, Alain Goulet and Ryan Donald from the ECHL, as well as Maury Edwards from UMass Lowell, who was signed to an ATO before the game against Manchester on Thursday. Goulet and Donald, who both saw significant time in Providence last season, have picked up their game, and it hasn't gone unnoticed.
"Ryan Donald's playing with an edge, which he wasn't the last time he was here...he's playing with that edge and it brings confidence. [Goulet] played very well for us tonight, it's been a pleasant surprise how well he's done. He has a very good shot and one of the things he wasn't able to accomplish last year on a consistent basis was getting it through. These last few games that he's been here, it's the other way around, they can't stop it. He's getting the puck through all the time, and doing a great job. They've stepped in right when we need them, and Maury Edwards as well...I thought he played a good game against Manchester and had another strong game tonight," said coach Rob Murray.
After the jump, more on Friday's game, and a look ahead for Providence...
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Boston Bruins prospect Ryan Spooner was voted among the best in the annual coach’s poll in the Ontario Hockey League’s Eastern Conference.
The Bruins second choice of the second round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, 45th overall ranked in three different categories. Spooner was 3rd in the coach’s poll of smartest player. Spooner also ranked second as best skater, behind 2011 Top Prospect Dougie Hamilton. He then topped that off by being selected as the best stick handler, tied with another 2011 Top Prospect, Ryan Strome. Spooner was 3rd in this category last season among the coaches voting.
Here are your categories and winners for the 2010-2011 season.
Most Underrated Player
Andy Andreoff, Oshawa Generals (24)
Brett Flemming, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (18)
Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs (14)
Most Improved Player
Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs (39)
Shane Prince, Ottawa 67’s (22)
Andy Andreoff, Oshawa Generals (13)
Smartest Player
Casey Cizikas, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors (31)
Alex Friesen, Niagara IceDogs (16)
Ryan Spooner, Kingston Frontenacs tied Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s (14)
All season long, the Bruins have been very good with a lead. They’ve been great with a two-goal lead. Unbeatable, in fact.
Unless they’re playing the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres, who went undefeated in the regular season with a lead in the third period last year, lost leads in the final frame twice to the Bruins en route to an early exit from last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Thursday night at TD Garden, the Sabres again spotted Boston a two-goal lead before coming back to earn two points on Boston’s ice for the second time this season, leaving with a 4-3 overtime win.
Gregory Campbell celebrates his third period goal that gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead. Photo courtesy Scott Slingsby
After the jump, how the Bruins squandered another golden opportunity against the Sabres...
When the Boston Bruins selected Jared Knight in the second round, 32nd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry draft, many Bruins fans asked themselves “who?” It didn’t take long, though, for his name to become synonymous with the Bruins. When Bruins fans invaded YouTube and watched a video of Knight performing NHL Combine Testing on his own after not being invited to participate, he instantly became a favorite.
Jared Knight, Boston Bruins development camp 2010. Photo by Emily Poikonen.
Only time will tell if Knight will forever be known as “the third piece in the Phil Kessel trade” joining Tyler Seguin and a first round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. But make no mistake about it. Knight is a bona fide OHL star.
When you think of Knight, these adjectives will come to mind: speed; leadership; character; heart; desire; loyalty; competitive; defensively responsible, no one drives to the net harder; clutch goal scorer, and many more.
His dedication to the game and his teammates was apparent on the very first night of the OHL season. After being sent back to London from the Bruins camp, he rushed back to make a game in London. He arrived 5 minutes into the first period. Later into the season, it was revealed that Knight had his foot run over by a car while he was at Bruins camp. Wanting to not let anyone down, he kept it to himself and finished camp.
His leadership has shown through on many occasions. When trade deadline came in the OHL, the Knights traded away most of their veteran leadership, with only draft picks coming back in return. And Knight has carried this team on his shoulders since then. He made it clear that his first choice was to remain a London Knight.
But his leadership was none the more evident than it was on November 4, 2010, when at home they were down 7-1 to hated arch rivals, The Kitchener Rangers. A rematch was set for November 7, and Knight sent a message not only to the Rangers, but his own teammates when he took on a much bigger and fellow Bruin prospect, Tyler Randell, telling all involved “we will not be pushed around.”
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Although they lost the game 5-4, they went into the Aud in Kitchener and Knight led his squad with a goal and an assist.
His speed and drive to the net were in full force on February 21st when his two goals led the Knights to a 3-2 victory over the Windsor Spitfires. His winning goal, in which he blew past super speedy Windsor rear guard Ryan Ellis, made OHL’s plays of the week and shows just how fast Knight is.
Knight has 24 goals and 40 assists for 64 points in 63 games this season. His assists and points are career highs, surpassing last season’s totals. He kills penalties, can play the point on the power play; can play at center or the wing. When you are in the last minute of a game trying to protect a one goal lead, or trying to get the equalizer, Knight is the guy you want on the ice.
His 24 goals are down from last season, but his goals are clutch. Just take note of some of these stats: Leads the team in power play goals; leads the team in game winning goals; first in the league in shootout goals; second in the league in shoot out percentage (min 5 shots); first in the league in shoot out game winning goals.
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The key word when it comes to Knight though is coachable. He’s easy to teach and quick to learn. But he’s also become a teacher. If you have the opportunity to watch Knight play live and watch him without the puck you will see him in his own zone making himself aware of where everyone is on the ice. He’ll direct traffic and help the younger players. He’ll be the first to block shots. Simply put, he does it all.
The question on most people’s minds is this; will he be in the NHL next season? In my mind he has a pretty good chance. But it wouldn’t surprise me to see him back in London for one more season. There, he would most likely be named captain or an alternate captain and have a legitimate chance to make Team USA for the World Junior Championships, and also give him a chance to add a little more bulk to his frame.
Not to mention it would give me a chance to watch him full time for another season.
Okay, Bruins fans, here's your contest of the day! Pick one of these questions, go to twitter, and answer it. The best answer wins an Adam McQuaid signed puck. Rules: You must be following @something_bruin on twitter, hashtag your tweets with #SBgameday and include the number of the question you're answering. Have at it....and may the most ridiculous Bruins fan win!
1. If Mike Cammalleri’s family went through Ellis Island, was the immigration official who “Americanized” their name drunk or figure it’d be a funny prank?
2. If Montreal radio shows are suggesting that the team call up their tough guys then should Boston radio shows start suggesting that their team call up a synchronized diving crew?
3. Why is it impossible for a stay at home defender be considered for rookie of the year?
4. What is this team with Patrice Bergeron out of the line up?
5. Is a #2 overall pick, a likely top 10 pick, a 32nd overall pick, and all-star UFA defenseman equal in value to a former 1st round prospect, a likely late 1st round draft pick, a conditional 2nd round pick and a likely overpaid RFA 30 goal forward?
6. When Bruce Boudreau called out the Lightning for diving did Claude Julien pick up the phone and try to setup a presser or did he go, “ha, see where that gets you...”?
7. Jordan Caron: Future 30 goal scorer on the power play or career PK specialist?
8. Which is better: Quebecoise French or Parisan French?
9. Does Boston have an answer for poutine?
10. Better potential star of the next season of, “The Bachelor”: Brad Marchand or David Krejci?
no commentsBridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers were beaten up this weekend as they dropped both of their games by five or more goals. Saturday night the Sound Tigers were nearly tripled up when they fell 8-3 to the Portland Pirates. Eric Castonguay, David Ullstrom and Rhett Rakshani made it on to the score sheet and Jeremy Colliton got an assist on each of the goals. Bridgeport went 2-for-6 on the power play but allowed Portland to go 5-for-9 through 60 minutes of play. Mikko Koskinen made 19 saves on 27 shots before Joel Martin (three saves) relieved him for the final 10 minutes.
Sunday afternoon was another loss when the Sound Tigers were blanked 6-0 in a very penalized game against the Providence Bruins. Through the first 10 minutes of the opening frame, the Sound Tigers were outshot 5-1 and were outshot by a tally of 18-6 in the last period. Brett Gallant got two fighting majors and Tony Romano was responsible for four of the penalties his team took. It was not just the Sound Tigers taking penalties as four different Bruins were tossed; two for hitting, one for spearing and another for chirping the refs. That resulted in three power play chances but Bridgeport went 0-for-9 on the man advantage.
The Sound Tigers fell to 21-34-3-4 and are settled at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Bridgeport returns to the ice Wednesday when they travel to New York to take on the Albany Devils. This weekend they will rematch the Providence Bruins Friday night as well as Sunday afternoon with a game at the Manchester Monarchs sandwiched in Saturday night.
