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Bruins, 8-3

Email|Link|Comments (13) Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff September 22, 2008 09:46 PM

How does a goal and three assists in your first NHL action since last October sound?

Pretty good if you're Patrice Bergeron.

"I thought it went pretty well," Bergeron said. "I had to adjust in that first period, which is a good time to do it. In the second, I felt pretty good and just kept going."

Bergeron, centering Marco Sturm and Phil Kessel, recorded a goal and two assists in the second period, and added a helper in the third.

* Manny Fernandez also made his return, stopping 10 of 12 shots through 40 minutes. Kevin Regan played the third period. Fernandez looked like he was sitting back in his crease instead of challenging shooters. "I want to jump in there and see some action," Fernandez said of the preseason. "I think both teams were a little bit tired. Travel wasn't easy for any of us. But it was a good effort. As far as my playing time, I leave that to the people who make decisions. When I get the nod, I'll go 100 percent. The only thing I can tell you is that I'll work hard in practice, try to get better, and try to get those butterflies away. Every time I get in there, it's like breaking the ice all over again."

* Not a bad debut for Blake Wheeler, who rode shotgun on Boston's second line with P.J. Axelsson and David Krejci. Wheeler skated with the No. 2 power-play unit and also killed penalties with Vladimir Sobotka. Wheeler recorded an assist on Sobotka's game-opening goal.

* Steve Begin, who broke a bone in Marc Savard's back last season, looked like he had something coming when he got tuned up by Shawn Thornton in the third period. Thornton declined to talk about the fight. Begin left the rink with an ice bag on his left hand, while Thornton had a scrape under his right eye.

STICK SALUTE: Sobotka. Two goals. Hitting and absorbing checks. Flying all over the ice. He's in a serious fight for an NHL job, but he's doing his best to lay claim to a big-league check.

SIN BIN: Andrei Kostitsyn. The top-line winger threw two hits the Bruins didn't like: one on Sturm in the first period that brought Kessel flying (one Bruin said he did a double-take when No. 81 charged into the mix), and another on Andrew Ference in the third period. After the hit, Ference first slashed Kostitsyn, then dropped the gloves (instigating, fighting, misconduct). Last season, Kostitsyn touched off a dust-up when he speared Mark Stuart.

tags Blake Wheeler, Manny Fernandez, Patrice Bergeron, Shawn Thornton, Training camp, Vladimir Sobotka

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13 comments so far...

I thought the radio announcers had misread the name/numbers.

Good for PK. He doesn't have to become the mosy physical guy in the NHL but he should make people honor the threat.

Posted by b&gbleeder September 22, 08 10:22 PM

One of the Kostitsyn boys playing dirty? I don't believe you. Next you'll be telling me Ilya "Half pike" Kovulchuk has embelished a hook or too. I mean just because Ilya's SAG card is more worn than either his passport or credit card is no reason to doubt him....

Good game for the guys tonight. Hopefully Sobotka earned his roster slot in Boston.

Posted by b&gbleeders September 22, 08 11:07 PM

Thanks, Fluto. It's wonderful to hear about Patrice. And yay for Vladdie! Keep it up!

Posted by duinne September 23, 08 12:03 AM

I can't believe how much of d-bags these habs players can be with their cheapshots and refusal to answer the bell.

Posted by HaterOfHabs September 23, 08 01:18 AM

Great start for the Black and Gold... now is about the time I start saying, Baseball? What is baseball? Football? What is football? Hockey season is almost here and there is nothing better in my eyes.

Welcome back Bergeron!!!

Glad to hear the guys are sticking up for each other and finishing their hits!

I'm excited for the upcoming season, I have a feeling the Bruins are going to be put back on the map in Boston, and no, not just because they won one game; but because of what they did last year and who they have coming back. GO Bs!

IMO

Posted by Lady Bruins Fan September 23, 08 06:08 AM

I am glad to see that Begin got roughed up last night. I thought that he got off kind of easy after that hit last season.
It's is good to hear that Philly USA got aggitated too! Could this be the beginning of him starting to embrace the Julien system, 100%?????? I do hope so.
Sounds like a great game for Sobotka too. Hope to see more of that.
The old lady stole the computer last night so I unfortunately couldnt listen, but I cant wait until saturdays televised tilt, GIDDY-UP and thank you NESN.
Great pre-season game one tune up though, lets hope this outcome translates to the season. Effing Habs.

b&g: nice sum up of Kovulchuk. You said "SAG card", Jack Edwards would be proud. ;D

Posted by Pete September 23, 08 07:42 AM

Pete,
If Kovulchuk drove as often as he dove he'd score about 15 more goals a season. I'm kinda surprised he didn't get an Emmy for any of his performances last year.

Posted by b&gbleeder September 23, 08 08:20 AM

Easily one of the Bruins' top 10 wins ever. Can't wait to see it on NHL classic! Start planning the parade now!!

Posted by Laughing to you, Bruins' fans September 23, 08 08:23 AM

My thoughts on the Bs.The stiff competition for 3rd 4th line spots is high.Count on good production who ever lands there.Ryder-Kessel-Bergy can hopefully land 25+ goals each.I cant see the Bs having a bad year.

Posted by nhl1 September 23, 08 08:29 AM

b&g:
I was not disagreeing with you, I think it is a shame. He is such a good player, but he could be soooo much better if he would just play and quit the b.s.

Posted by pete September 23, 08 11:10 AM

Laughing - did someone push you off the Sox bandwagon or something?

Posted by AL September 23, 08 11:16 AM

Hey Fluto....great to meet you last nite!! The game was very entertaining right from the get go... Bruins smothered the habs in every aspect of the game...Wheeler was very impressive....Should be a shoe in??? Marchand did very well too...Nice to see Begin get it handed to him as well...Looking forward tob thursday's game vs..Detroit..Hope to see you there...Keep up the great work! Andrew

Posted by Andrew September 23, 08 11:56 AM

With good health, and luck we could honestly have 5 guys get 25 or more: Ryder, Bergeron, and Sturm who have all done it before, Kobasew who set a career high in goal, points, and plus minus, Kessel who should have at least one solid player on his line all season. Hell if Lucic spends time on the Ryder/Savard line he could hit 20 this year.

Posted by b&gbleeder September 23, 08 11:59 AM