Goaltending difference in Boston win

The situation in goal in Boston has been quite the topic of conversation since the acquisition of Dominik Hasek. Tonight, though, all the talk was on the other Bruins netminder, notably Brian Hayward, who was solid in a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames.

Ziggy Palffy has been enjoying the transition of Steve Larmer to centre. Larmer has been playing the role of playmaker and picked up an unofficial assist on the first goal in this one. He made the play along the boards which sprung Houlder to bump the puck to Shaun Van Allen who got it to Palffy who made no mistake. A minute later, Libor Dolana took a slick pass from Jeff Larmer and deposited another behind Flames netminder Chris Terreri to double up the lead. 

Brian Rolston beat Hayward in the first minute of the second for the only goal of the period. The Bruins pinned the Flames in their own end for the majority of the period but couldn't increase their lead.

In the third, Boston broke through. Sean McKenna and Fred Boimistruck, with his third in the past two games, grew the bulge to two. Luciano Borsato scored late but Boston held on for the 4-3 win.

This was a good step for Boston, beating a team that they should beat on paper because that's what contending teams do. Another of those games tomorrow night against Buffalo.

GAME STARS:

3. Libor Dolana

2. Brian Rolston

1. Raimo Helminem

GAME NOTES:

-The Bruin PP went 0 for 5 and the PK was 2 for 2

-Mogilny returned to the lineup tonight but was held pointless

THE SANDWICH REPORT:

The Sandwich Bruins had a two game winning streak snapped tonight by Medicine Hat in a 7-5 loss. Sandwich was looking to string together their second two game winning streak of the season but no dice.