Vancouver Canucks left wing Henrik Sedin falls backward on the ice after taking a hit from Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (30) in the third period during Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 6, 2011, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
The game started out with both teams going back and forth with chances. Then at 14:53 of the first period, Aaron Rome hit Nathan Horton with a late hit that looked to be shoulder-on-shoulder but there was some contact with the head and then as Horton went down to the ice his helmet did hit the ice. Horton looked like he was knocked out for a second. Horton would be carried off on a stretcher and it was later confirmed that Horton was moving his extremities which is good news. He is expected to remain overnight for observation at Mass General. The Bruins went on a 5-minute major power-play but didn't manage to score a goal.
Video of Aaron Rome knocking out Nathan Horton with a late hit
In the second period, the Bruins would break the game open by scoring four goals. Andrew Ference scored his 3rd goal of the playoffs on a long slap shot from the blue line on a screen Luongo. Mark Recchi would make it 2-0 with a power-play goal, his 4th goal of the playoffs, as his shot got deflected into the net by Ryan Kesler. Brad Marchand would later score a short-handed goal on a great effort to make it 3-0, his 7th goal of the playoffs. Later, David Krejci scored his 11th goal of the playoffs to make it 4-0.
In the third period, Daniel Paille scored his 3rd goal of the playoffs, a short-handed goal to make it 5-0. Jannik Hansen would later score after slashing Rich Peverley in his leg (some payback for Peverley slashing Kevin Bieksa in Game 2) to make it 5-1. Later, Recchi scored his 2nd goal of the game, his 5th goal of the playoffs to make it 6-1. Chris Kelly later scored his 5th goal of the playoffs to make it 7-1. With 31 seconds left in the game, Michael Ryder scored his 6th goal of the playoffs, a power-play goal to make it 8-1.
In the third period there was a lot of rough stuff going on, mainly because of the score and guys getting some revenge. Even Tim Thomas got in on the action laying out Henrik Sedin with a big hit. Andrew Ference and Daniel Sedin got misconducts after Ference knocked Sedin down, Sedin then hugged Ference from behind and wouldn't let go as they talked. Later the refs would throw out Shawn Thornton after he grabbed Ryan Kesler in front of the Bruins net and talked to him. A little later, Milan Lucic went after Alex Burrows and mocked him by putting his fingers in front of Burrows mouth. Both would get thrown out of the game. After the game Lucic said his actions were classless but felt he needed to do something after Burrows slashed at Thomas. During that same scrum, Dennis Seidenberg dropped the gloves with Ryan Kesler. What a Canucks player dropped the gloves? Yup just this one time though. Not much of a fight as they both fell down and Kesler threw some punches at Seidenberg with Seidenberg down on the ice and Kesler on top. With 2:09 left in the period, Ference and Bieksa got misconducts but I don't know what happened as the Versus broadcast didn't show it and kept going away to replays and whatever during the scrums which sucks.
Tim Thomas made 40 saves on 41 shots. Thomas is now 13-8 with a 2.21 GAA and a .932 save percentage.
The Canucks led the game in shots 41-38 and faceoff wins 38-27. The Bruins led the game in hits 39-31.
Notes from the game
Shawn Thornton was in the lineup for Tyler Seguin and his presence seemed to bring energy and jump that the Bruins have needed. Thornton played well, throwing hits and cycling the puck. If Horton can't play in Game 4 then look for Seguin to come back into the lineup.
Mark Recchi had another strong game despite people questioning if he should be playing. He had 2 goals on 2 shots and 4 hits.
Patrice Bergeron went 10-9 in faceoffs, had an assist, was +2, and had 6 shots.
Zdeno Chara had 2 assists and was +3.
Andrew Ference had a goal and an assist, was +2, led the Bruins in hits with 6 and PIMs with 22.
David Krejci had a goal and an assist.
Milan Lucic had 16 PIMs, was +2 with 2 shots and 3 hits.
Brad Marchand had a goal and an assist and was +2.
Daniel Paille had a goal and an assist and 5 hits with 3 shots.
Michael Ryder had a goal and 2 assists
Gregory Campbell went 0 for 9 in faceoffs.
The Bruins put the game jacket in Hortons stall. We all hope Horton is ok, our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Rome will meet with the NHL tomorrow for any discipline for his hit on Horton. I have no idea what to expect with the NHL dealing with discipline so who knows if Rome even gets suspended for any games.
Onto the next one
Game 4 is on Wednesday at 8pm ET in Boston. The Bruins need 3 more wins to bring the Cup to Boston. The Bruins need to play the rest of the series as they did tonight. If they do that they will win this series.
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