Boston Sports Then and Now

Marc Savard began and finished the Bruins comeback win versus the Isles.

The Bruins were dead in the water!

Lifeless!

The Garden natives were growing restless!

I was spewing venom!

The young Islanders and UMass-Lowell alum, Dwayne Roloson, were putting a severed Bear’s head in Boston’s bed. They were dominating the Bruins in every phase of the game.

Boston was a headed to another embarrassing blowout loss at home.

My remote control trigger finger was itchy. Flipping back and forth to the Gators-LSU game.

The clock read 11:59 of the third period. The Bruins were down 3-0.

Would they roll over and die or go out with a little bite?

Marc Savard started the comeback with a goal against Roloson to make the game, 3-1.

I actually caught myself yelling; “Dammitt” because Roloson’s shut out was spoiled.

Islander and former UMass-Lowell goalie, Dwayne Roloson, made 27 saves in a losing cause.

I figured if the Bruins were going to lose again, I might as well root for my fellow UMass-Lowell Riverhawk!

Little did I know what was going to transpire.

Byron Bitz did his best spinorama, three minutes and thirty six seconds later and found the back of the net.

The Garden was in frenzy. I screamed loud enough that I shook the foundations of my house.  My Bruins buddies on Twitter were tweeting in jubilation!

The Bruins were still trailing however. One goal loss would not cut the mustard. Who would step up and even the game?

Less than two minutes later, Matt Hunwick answered the call. He roofed a slap shot past Roloson to tie the game at three.

I was grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. My Twitter was melting. The TD Bank Garden was an insane asylum.

Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, held down the fort in overtime, making 35 saves. He played very well and kept his team in the game, so the comeback could happen.

Great first impression Young Rask!

Now off to the shootout. By far one of the best changes the NHL has EVER made to the game.

Scorer versus Goalie.

Mano y Mano.

Old West Gunfight.

Tuukka Rask made 35 saves to give his team a chance to win.

The Bruins had to win this game. The roller coaster had to end at a peak and not a valley. Only a win would be satisfying, not just one point for “almost” winning the game.

Blake Wheeler and Rob Schremp exchanged goals for the two teams. Bergeron hit the post and Richard Park missed the net for the Isles.

Fitting that Marc Savard, who scored and turned the momentum of the game, was now in position to put the Bruins in the driver’s seat.

He put the pedal to the metal. He beat Roloson and the Bruins were a Rask save from winning the game.

Kyle Okposo shoots. Rask makes the save!

Bruins win!!!!!!!!!!!

Another loss at home would have been damaging for the Bruins. All of the preseason Cup picks would be a joke. The only cup that Boston would be worthy of was a sippy cup!

Fans of the Black and Gold would be headed to the Tobin along with members of Red Sox nation, to plunge themselves into the Mystic River.

Disaster averted. Bruins fans can breathe with a sigh of relief.

The Bruins almost went into another slumber, but you can only poke a bear with a short stick for so long.