Bruins vs Flyers game 4 summary

Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk, left, celebrates with goalie Tim Thomas after the Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 in Game 4 in a second-round NHL Stanley Cup hockey playoff series in Boston Friday, May 6, 2011. The Bruins swept the series. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The Bruins are going to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1992 as they beat the Philadelphia Flyers tonight 5-1. The game was much closer than the score indicates, as the Bruins added two empty net goals at the end. With all of the celebration and joy from the sweep of the Flyers, there was one down moment during the game. Early in the third period, Patrice Bergeron was nailed with a huge hit from Flyers Claude Giroux. It looked like they hit helmets but I'm not sure. Bergeron looked shaken up and went straight to the dressing room and did not return. We hope he is ok as the Bruins desperately need him for a long run in the playoffs.

In the first period, Milan Lucic scored his 1st goal of the playoffs, a power-play goal to make it 1-0 Bruins.

In the second period, Kris Versteeg would score for the Flyers to tie the game.

In the third period, Johnny Boychuk scored his 2nd goal of the playoffs to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. With 4:57 left in the period, Lucic would score his second goal of the game (and 2nd of the playoffs) on a breakaway to make it 3-1. Brad Marchand would add the first empty net goal making it 4-1, his 5th goal of the playoffs. Daniel Paille would score the second empty net goal, his 2nd goal of the playoffs. He tipped in Gregory Campbell's shot and you could see Paille apologizing to Campbell for that.

Tim Thomas made 22 saves on 23 shots. Thomas is now 8-3 with a 2.03 GAA and a .937 save percentage.

The Bruins led the game in shots 25-23 and hits 23-19. The Flyers led the game in faceoff wins 33-28.

Notes from the game
Bergeron had another great night in the faceoff circle, going 14-4. He and Thomas are probably the MVPs from this series. David Krejci is also another Bruin who came up big in this series.

Nathan Horton with 2 assists and Lucic with 2 goals, while Krejci picked up an assist.

Shane Hnidy played in place of Adam McQuaid again, logging only 2:37 of ice time.

Chris Pronger and Zherdev did not play in this game.

Sergei Bobrovsky played in net for the Flyers in this one and played well.

Onto the next one
I will post the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals between the Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning when I find it. The Bruins have home ice in this series. Nobody should think the Lightning will be an easy opponent. They swept the Washington Capitals and their goalie Dwayne Roloson was hot playing very well. It will be tougher than this series I believe.