Former Bruin defenseman and now Carolina Hurricane Dougie Hamilton scored a third period goal on Thursday night, leading his current team to a 3-2 win over Boston in game two of a first round Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoff game at Scotiabank Bank Arena in Toronto. The series is now tied 1-1.
Boston finally ended their long goal-less streak on the powerplay to break a 0-0 tie late in the first period. David Krejci shot one through traffic from the point that found the back of the net behind Carolina goalie James Reimer at 15:41 to make it 1-0. The Bruins had been 0 for their last 33 on the man advantage, including 0-13 since the NHL restart. Boston nearly extended the lead when Krejci broke in alone 30 seconds into the middle period after a turnover, but his shot went up and over the net. The ‘Canes would surge ahead late in the period, scoring two goals in just 1:28 to take the lead. Teuvo Teravainen scored at 15:13 on a powerplay, and then Andrei Svechnikov buried one at 16:41 to make it 2-1 Carolina. Boston had another powerplay very late in the second, and Brad Marchand took advantage finding a rebound in front and shoveling it past Reimer at 19:55 to even things 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Carolina looked like it had possibly taken the lead 3:26 into the third, however goalie interference was called and the go ahead goal was for not. The ‘Canes asked for a review, but the call was upheld and a penalty was accessed for delay of game but the Bruins couldn’t convert. Hamiltons game winner gave Carolina their second lead of the night on a slapshot past Tuuka Rask with 11:30 left in the game. Boston had great chances down the stretch, also pulling Rask late for the extra attacker and almost knocking one in in the closing seconds but couldn’t lite the lamp. The goal for Hamilton was at a great time and was his first since January, as he has been battling an injury and hadn’t been cleared to return to play until game one of this series.
Rask made 23 saves in the loss. Krejci and Marchand both had a goal and an assist on the night. Boston was 2-3 on the powerplay, while Carolina went 1-3. Reimer made 33 saves to help the ‘Canes to the win. Svechnikov had a goal and an assist, and Martin Necas had two assists. Game three is scheduled for Saturday at 12 noon.
