Special teams let Bs down in loss to Panthers

 

Boston swam down to the swamp to face the Florida Panthers last night. Boston was riding a three game winning streak, but none of that matters if your special teams let you down once again like they did on this night in a 6-5 loss.

 

High priced free agency acquisition Jim Benning opened the scoring for Florida with his 5^th of the season, and certainly not his last (more on that to come). The Bruins answered quickly after, though, with two quick goals both being set up by Troy Murray. First it was Ziggy Palffy that tied it up, then two minutes later Steve Larmer gave the Bs a brief lead. Kevin McClelland tied it back up shorthanded and that’s the way the period ended.

 

Benning beat Curtis Joseph on the PP three minutes into the second to restore a Florida lead. Jim Peplinski picked up his 19^th of the season at the tail end of the frame to tie this one up once again.

 

The Panthers pressed in the third and took the early lead. Kevin McClelland scored his second of the game and then Benning picked up the hatty to make it 5-3. Joseph left the game with an injury after the fourth goal and was replaced by Hayward, who coughed up the hat trick marker. To the Bruins credit, they showed resilience and did not let it phase them. Scott Young scored to make it 5-4, then Steve Larmer scored his second of the game with under a minute left to tie it up. In OT Steve Thomas scored on the lone shot of the period to give Florida the victory.

 

The Bruins had their chances in this one. They had an extended 5 on 3 opportunity at the end of the second and failed to cash. The powerplay has to be better going forward, and it was truly the difference in this one.

 

Next game is against Hartford in a very important game in the Adams Division race. Right now it is unknown if Cujo will play, but it looks like he’s expected to be a game-time decision.

 

GAME STARS:

 

3. Steve Larmer

2. Kevin McCLelland

1. Jim Benning

 

GAME NOTES:

 

-The Bruin PP went an abysmal 0 for 6 and the PK went 1 for 2

-Dmitri Mironov went down at the end of the second and is expected to be out day to day with a UBI

 

THE SANDWICH REPORT:

 

The Sandwich Bruins travelled to Houston and lost 3-1. Alex Godynyuk scored the lone goal and Pasi Nurminen took the loss.