You can push and poke and antagonize for 60 minutes, but even the 6'9" beast has his boiling points.
Following a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night at the HSBC Arena, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara took exception a Paul Gaustad Slash to the skates with just seconds remaining in the third period.
According to Darren Dreger's 'Tweet' about 50 minutes ago, Chara will not be suspended for Game 6 in Boston on Monday night.
No suspension for Chara, but Bruins had to formally request postgame, the instigator be rescinded. They did. 2 instigators = 1 gm suspension
Although I do admire the wishful thinking of head coach Claude Julien, I can't help to think why he had his most skilled players on the ice -- albeit a power play -- in a game against Gaustad, Andrej Sekera, Craig Rivet, and Cody McCormick. Bergeron, Recchi, Satan, Krejci, Hunwick, and Chara were all out on the ice against those four Sabres in a 6-on-4 power play (empty net). Prior to the near riot that took place with 00:00.5 seconds left, the Bruins threw 35 shots on Ryan Miller with just one slipping by him.
Now this isn't to condone mailing it in or putting all fourth-liners out there with 0:20 remaining. But look at the players on the ice for Lindey Ruff and the Sabres in a game that was; well let's face it, over. Did he really think -- power play and a two-man-advantage or not -- that they were going to score three goals in under two minutes on Sabres home ice?
And speaking of McCormick and Miller: I'd like to see what unfolds for these two Sabres. McCormick, and Rivet, were clearly the third- and fourth-men in when Chara decided to tango with Gaustad. And the net-minder Miller left his crease during the altercations, shook off his gloves, and almost had a square dance of his own with Miro Satan.
This is obviously big news for the Bruins, who are up 3-2 on the Sabres this series, and could close it out back in Boston in Game 6 at the TD Garden on Monday, Apr. 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Comments
Love how its stated that Mcormick and Rivet are the third an fourth men in, everyone on the ice was in except Tukka. You're an idiot
The writer got this right Anthony. The third man in is a penalty/misconduct as stated by the rules of the league. Correct?
So who was the third man in? A Buffalo player. And it's spelled "Tuukka". Who's the idiot now? Buffalo homer.
April 26?
Anthony. It's stated that Rivet and McCormick were the 3rd and 4th men in the fight because they were. Those are the rules. Third man in = penalty.
Buffalo fans did their fair share of complaining (Ruff openly criticized the officiating; Boychuk's hit and slash etc). If it were Boychuk or another Black-and-Gold sweater jumping in first (or 3rd man in), and I said the same thing, would I still be an idiot?
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