Monday, March 28, 2011

Brad Marchand's power play goal leads Bruins past Flyers

The Boston Bruins used two power-play goals to clinch a playoff berth and defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, on Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

The scoring started rather early when Philadelphia's James van Riemsdyk used his speed to get to a loose puck behind the net and send it back to Mike Richards at the point. The Flyers' captain immediately fed Kris Versteeg with a fake slap pass and Versteeg was able to beat Boston's goalie Tim Thomas.

Versteeg's goal put the Flyers on the board just before the five minute mark of the first period and was his 20th of the season. The Flyers now have six 20-goal scorers on the season. Van Riemsdyk, who has 19 goals on the season, could become the seventh Flyer to reach the 20-goal mark with one more goal.

Philadelphia would remain in the lead until Blair Betts took a tripping penalty at the 12:24 mark of the second period and the Bruins wasted no time in capitalizing on the power play. Tomas Kaberle blasted a shot from the point that Flyers goalie Brian Boucher stopped, but Nathan Horton was free in front to pounce on the rebound and tie the score at one.

With the score still tied at one after two periods, things looked to be in the Bruins favor since coming into the game, Boston boasted an NHL best plus-38 goal differential in the third period.

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