The 2023-24 Boston Bruins, celebrating their 100th year of existence, was trying to set a franchise record on Thursday night. That however didn’t happen, as the Anaheim Ducks scored twice in the final two minutes of the third period and then got a goal in overtime by Mason McTavish for a 4-3 victory at TD Garden. Boston, who was 6-0-0 coming in, was attempting to pass the 1937-38 club for most consecutive wins to begin a season.
Radko Gudas on a wristshot had the lone goal of the first period to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead at the 15:00 mark. Boston tied it 1:41 into the second. Charlie McAvoy started at it at the point on the powerplay, sending a pass to David Pastrnak in the left faceoff circle. Pastrnak didn’t get all of the shot on a one-timer, but the puck found the stick of Charlie Coyle for an easy tip-in from the low slot. Just 1:20 later on another powerplay the Bruins jumped in front on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle by Grzelyck, off a feed from Matt Poitras beating Ducks goalie John Gibson five-hole. They added another at 16:40 of the period. Pastrnak had his original shot from the right circle stopped, and Pavel Zacha also had his rebound stopped in front of Gibson, but Pastrnak was there to scoop up the third rebound to make it 3-1. Anaheim (3-4-0) though came back to tie it late to send it to the extra session. On a powerplay and their netminder pulled for a 6 on 4 advantage, Leo Carlsson potted a rebound with 1:55 left. With Gibson back on the bench again for that extra attacker, Troy Terry would extend the game when his shot went off the skate of Brad Marchand and into the net with just 14.7 seconds remaining on the clock. McTavish completed the comeback with a wristshot past Linus Ullmark 2:08 into overtime.
Pastrnak had a goal and an assist in the loss for Boston (6-0-1). Pastrnak after scoring 61 goals last season has six already in seven games so far. McAvoy added three assists, and Ullmark had 28 saves. Terry and Carlsson had a goal and an assist each for Anaheim, and Gibson had 27 stops in net. Boston stays at home to take on the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
Before the game Thursday, the Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation announced they had joined forces to raise money to the families affected by the tragedy in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday evening. Along with a special Spoked-B jersey featuring the words “Lewiston Strong” and the Maine area code 207 on the back being displayed on the bench, the Boston Bruins Foundation created a fund in support of the families of those affected in the tragedy and pledged a minimum of $100,000. The Bruins players, joined by members of the Anaheim Ducks also donated player-signed, blue-taped sticks for auction. Boston Head Coach Jim Montgomery said, “I personally spent four wonderful years at the University of Maine and I know how great the culture is in that state. And I know how great the people are. My heartfelt sympathies to everybody that’s impacted.”
Story by Chris Lessner
