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Bruins Lose Game 3 in OT to Hurricanes

Carolina outplayed the Bruins for most of the third period and sent the Bruins to the locker room three minutes into overtime in Game 3. The Bruins were careless with the puck in the third period and to open the overtime. A seemingly tired defense and a rebound off Tim Thomas allowed Jussi Jokinen to score the game winner, defeating the Bruins 3-2.

The game opened with the Bruins drawing first blood off a Milan Lucic goal eight and a half minutes in. The score stayed 1-0 until sixteen minutes into the second period. Carolina put forth a strong offensive onslaught into the second period and the Bruins couldn’t gain any offsetting momentum. Entering a power play in the second period, Erick Staal took a failed clearing attempt by the Bruins power play kill and lifted it into the upper left corner of the net, knotting the score at 1-1. The goal was the first one allowed by the Bruins in seven playoff games. Not even a minute later, some sloppy puck play by Bruins let Sergei Samsonov escape and score to put the Hurricanes ahead 2-1.

Carolina continued the offensive push in the third, but the Bruins were able to score nine minutes in from a goal by set up by Mark Recchi, and followed by some chance deflections, ended up behind Cam Ward, setting the score at 2-2. This score was the only bright point of the period for the Bruins. They were fully outplayed by the Hurricanes in the third, mounting only 4 shots on net compared to Carolina’s 11.

A similar fate of sub-par defense and a lack of offensive momentum followed the Bruins into overtime. The Hurricanes quickly capitalized, scoring with a Jussi Jokinen goal only three minutes in, ending the game.

The Bruins didn’t seem ready to play tonight. They were scattered and largely out of rhythm, unlike the majority of their previous playoff games. The defense suffered mental lapses and allowed 41 shots on net compared their 23 shots. Despite the large number of shots on net, Thomas really didn’t step up either. He was frequently out of position, especially on the goal by Samsonov to tie the score, not one of his better games.

Down two games to one, the Bruins have put themselves in a difficult spot, but one they can recover from. However, they are going to need to remember how they played in Game 1 and against Montreal to beat the Hurricanes. Game 4 is set for Friday at 7:30PM.

Tags: Bruins, NHL Playoffs