Bruins Take Split Back to Boston
Series tied at 1-1
KANATA, Ont. – The Bruins headed home to Boston with the series tied at 1-1 with the Ottawa Senators.
Saturday’s Game 2 at Canadian Tire Centre was shaping up to be a Bruins’ win, with Boston holding a 3-1 lead entering the third period.
Ottawa wasn’t going to let its opponent take a 2-0 series lead back to home ice. They stormed back for three straight goals, including the game-winner at 1:59 into overtime for the 4-3 final.
Still, the Bruins hold the upper hand as they get ready for two games on home ice, starting with Game 3 on Monday night at TD Garden.
“We wanted to make it 2-0. I don’t think anybody in our room – I’m not going to stand here and tell you we’re satisfied with a split. We were 20 minutes away from being up 2-0, so that’s the way I look at it,” said Interim Head Coach Bruce Cassidy.
“No matter where we play, we’re a good hockey club, home, or on the road. We go into every game with a game plan to win the game, so we’re disappointed, plain and simple.”
After a scoreless first period, the Bruins gained a 1-0, then 2-1 edge with goals from Drew Stafford and Tim Schaller, before Patrice Bergeron scored a power play goal to make it a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
The Senators scored three straight goals, including the winner at 1:59 into overtime for the 4-3 win.
“Could have gone the other way for us, and we could be going home up two right now, but unfortunately they were able to find a way, and we’re heading back,” said Stafford. “We’ll regroup [on Sunday] and get ready to play in front of our fans now, so we’re looking forward to that.”
Dion Phaneuf’s overtime winner came off a point shot after the Bruins had to kill off the rest of a Zdeno Chara delay of game penalty that occurred late in the third.
“They capitalized on a point shot, a seeing eye shot, and a little bit of a breakdown and they were able to get it through, so they capitalized on their chances, and unfortunately the way it went in overtime, it’s just a bad break,” said Stafford. “With Zee, with that call, it happens, but we’re in here for each other, we pick each other up and that one’s over now. We’ll get out of here, regroup at home and put on a show for our fans.”
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