Boston Bruins right wing Nathan Horton, right, battles Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean O'Donnell during a fight during the second period in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston, Wednesday, May 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
In the first period, Zdeno Chara scored his 1st goal of the playoffs to make it 1-0. Chara received a nice pass from Brad Marchand who was behind the Flyers net. Chara was wide open in the slot for a quick one-timer which blew right by Boucher and into the net. 33 seconds later David Krejci scored his 5th goal of the playoffs to make it 2-0, from a nice pass from Milan Lucic.
In the second period, Nathan Horton dropped the gloves with Sean O'Donnell after they mixed it up during an entire shift just about. Going on one view of the fight it looked like O'Donnell controlled most of it but both guys didn't really land anything. Daniel Paille would later score his 1st career playoff goal to make it 3-0. Later Horton would finish the Gordie Howe hat trick, scoring his 5th goal of the playoffs to make it 4-0. Boucher should have had that one and he was pulled after that goal. Sergei Bobrovsky would come into the game in net for the Flyers. The Flyers would score later to make it 4-1.
In the third period, the Flyers had the better of the play as it looked like the Bruins sat back a little. But Thomas made the saves and the Bruins defense played well. Late in the period, on a 5-on-3 power-play, Chara would end the power-play goal-less streak by scoring his 2nd goal of the playoffs to make it 5-1.
Tim Thomas made 37 saves on 38 shots. Thomas is now 7-3 with a 2.13 GAA and a .935 save percentage.
The Flyers led the game in shots 38-28 and hits 31-23. The Bruins dominated the faceoff circle going 43-12.
Notes from the game
Patrice Bergeron had an assist, was +1, and went 17-2 in the faceoff circle. That faceoff stat is just amazing.
Gregory Campbell had an assist and went 11-1 in the faceoff circle. Another amazing faceoff stat.
David Krejci had a goal, 2 assists, was +2 and went 8-0 in the faceoff circle.
Zdeno Chara had 2 goals, an assist, was +4 and had 5 shots.
Brad Marchand had a strong game, leading everyone with 7 hits, and recording an assist.
Shane Hnidy played in place of Adam McQuaid. Hnidy had 4 shifts for 2:38 of ice time.
Jeff Carter came back to the lineup for the Flyers and had 5 shots on net. Chris Pronger did not play in this game. I'm going to bet that he will play in the Game 4. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said that the Flyers would win this game and win this series. Well you were wrong about this game Peter. I wouldn't be surprised if Bobrovsky started Game 4.
The Tampa Bay Lightning swept the Washington Capitals, finishing the series tonight, so whoever wins the Bruins-Flyers series will take on the Lightning.
Onto the next one
Game 4 is on Friday at 8pm ET in Boston. The Bruins lead the series 3-0 and can end it on Friday.
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