Bruins and Stars throw down

Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic, right, celebrates his goal with teammate Johnny Boychuck as Dallas Stars' Brendan Morrow, left, looks on during the first period of Boston's 6-3 win in an NHL hockey game in Boston on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

I don't know what it is with the Bruins and Stars but whenever they meet up, the games are ones you don't want to miss during the season. The Bruins had the best first period they have had in a long time and managed to hang on in the third period to beat the Dallas Stars 6-3 in a wild one. The game started with three fights in four seconds. That must be a record, right?

Off the opening faceoff Gregory Campbell lined up on the wing with agitator Steve Ott and they dropped the gloves, as Shawn Thornton took the faceoff. Ott landed the first punch he threw which bloodied Campbell's nose and not much was thrown after that as both guys grappled with each other. Off the next faceoff, the enforcers went at it, Shawn Thornton took on Krys Barch. These two fought two years ago in the last Bruins-Stars matchup. Thornton got the better of Barch and Barch went straight to the dressing room and didn't return to the game. Thornton tagged Barch with two solid punches to the face so you have to wonder if Barch has a head injury due to that fight. Off the next faceoff, Brian Sutherby went right at Adam McQuaid and they dropped the gloves and soon after McQuaid dropped Sutherby to the ice after some big punches. A first period highlights video is down below.

Thirty-five seconds into the first period, Milan Lucic would score his 21st goal of the season. Patrice Bergeron would score the next two Bruins goals to make it 3-0 (Bergeron's 18th and 19th goals). Shawn Thornton scored later on in the period, his 8th goal of the season. Between the Bergeron goals there was a fourth fight. Andrew Ference dropped the gloves with Adam Burish after Burish took a late shot at Rask after the linesman blew the whistle a few times indicating off-sides. Ference nailed Burish and dropped him with a huge punch. Burish's left eye I believe soon was black and blue and almost shut closed.

In the second period, the Stars scored a goal to make it 4-1. Later in the period, Daniel Paille hit Raymond Sawada with a blindside hit as he was backchecking. Paille got a 5-minute major and game misconduct. I have a feeling that he will be suspended for that hit.

In the third period, the Stars managed to score two unanswered goals to make it 4-3. But rookie Tyler Seguin scored his 8th goal of the season to give the Bruins a two goal cushion again. With 2:20 left, Brad Marchand scored an empty net goal to make it 6-3.

Tuukka Rask played in net and made 30 saves on 33 shots. Rask is now 5-10-1, with a 2.69 GAA, and a .922 save percentage.

The Bruins led the game in shots 34-33 and the Stars dominated faceoffs 42-22.

Notes about the game
Before the game, GM Peter Chiarelli recalled Zach Hamill from Providence (AHL). If Paille gets suspended, which is almost a no-brainer, then look for Hamill to get into the lineup.

Props to Stanley Cup of Chowder for this info, but two years ago Steve Ott got a charging major for running Gregory Campbell into the boards.

Mark Stuart was again scratched for this game.

Bergeron, Marchand, and Mark Recchi all had 3 points apiece. Bergeron had 2 goals and an assist, Marchand had a goal and 2 assists, and Recchi had 3 assists.

Onto the next one
The Bruins next game is against ex-Bruins captain Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks.

First period highlights