The Bruins finish off the Flyers, move on to Eastern Conference Finals for 1st time in 19 years

There will be no repeat of the collapse of the Boston Bruins in 2011. Milan Lucic scored 2 goals and a blast from Johnny Boychuk put the Bruins on course for a conference final battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 Friday. The Bruins win the series 4-0.

Philadelphia looked very strong early, taking the play to the Bruins. They had an early SOG lead and looked like they were

ready to not give up yet. Braydon Coburn looked like a house on fire, pressing the Bruins everytime he hit the ice.

The Flyers energy didn't last all that long as the Bruins physical play and speed started wearing the defense down.

The power play got to show its improved self at the 12 minute mark of the 1st. Daniel Carsillo was tired of chasing Gregory

Campbell around and inexplicably clearly cross checked him in the kidneys right in front of goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The

crisp passing that has been missing from the PP of late showed up, as Milan Lucic broke his own scorless streak on 2 pretty

passes from Nathan Horton and David Krejci.

Both teams played extremely physical play throughout the 2nd period, and the Flyers threw the equalizing punch. On a nice two on one Mike rihards rushed with Kris Versteeg. Dennis Seidenburg tried to stay in the middle, but Richards did a great job holding the body, allowing Versteeg a virtual breakaway, went top shelf, beating Tim Thomas to make it 1-1.

The 3rd period was that much more physical from both teams, unfortunately the Bruins may have been dealt a blow. In the opening minute of the period.Patrice Bergeron took a shoulder to the head, went face dowbn on the ice, got right up and skated off the ice and didn't return.

Luckily, the Bruins wasted no time getting the game winnwer and making life easier without their best player. Johnny Boychuck buried a slapper from the blue line right off the face off at the 2:42 mark.

Philadelphia jumped right on the absence of Bergeron, playing desparate, yet controlled offense. The Bruins stood tall on wave after wave of Flyers pressure. Unfortunatly for the Flyers, the Bruins D was up to the task and nathan Horton fed Lucic for the backbreaker at the 15:03 mark of the 3rd. From then on it was all Bruins as Brad Marchand and Daniel Paille scored empty net goals for the 5 - 1 win to close the Philadelphia Flyers out 4-0.

The Bruins will go on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the 1st time in 19 years. The Bruins will go on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

POST GAME AUDIO
Claude Julien


Milan Lucic