Bruins 3-2 Overtime Win Over the Philadelphia Flyers in GIFs

This recap has it all: goals, hits, saves, disappointment, heartbreak, overtime, euphoria, joy, two points, happy fans, and happier players.

The Bruins got two points in dramatic fashion against the Flyers, getting off to the familiar start of scoring first only to squander their lead later in the game. Boston scored the first goal of the game 7:07 into the first period on the power play. Although Zdeno Chara is credited with the goal, certain replay angles show that Patrice Bergeron may have deflected it in.

The game had the intensity of a playoff series for the full 60+ minutes, which resulted in some typically frustrating antics from certain players. Zac Rinaldo goaded Adam McQuaid into a penalty after McQuaid delivered a clean hit to another player. Rinaldo stepped in to challenge McQuaid but refused to drop his gloves, and McQuaid got the only penalty. Luckily, the Bruins killed it off.

The teams combined for 54 hits throughout the game, although these two Flyers’ teammates ended up hitting each other rather than their target, Daniel Paille.

Max Talbot made a solid impression with this hit on Nick Schultz.

The Bruins led 1-0 going into the second period, but Matt Bartkowski was sent to the penalty box for tripping at 8:58 of the middle frame.

Jakub Voracek scored his 20th goal of the season on the power play at 9:43 of the second period to tie the game 1-1.

Knotted 1-1 in the third period, the Bruins momentarily thought they had the go-ahead goal on an early third period power play, but Ryan Spooner’s shot was lodged into the side of the net.

At a crucial point late in the game, Gregory Campbell foolishly iced the puck and lost the defensive zone face-off that followed, leading to the Flyers go-ahead goal with 4:30 left in regulation. Chris VandeVelde deflected in Schultz’s wrist shot from the point to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead, and a feeling of doom for the Bruins.

The Flyers thought they had scored again with 3:27 left, but the goal was immediately and emphatically waved off for the obvious goaltender interference.

The Bruins got lucky when a relatively weak call went their way as Wayne Simmonds was sent to the box for tripping Paille with just over two minutes left in the third period. The Bruins immediately pulled Rask on begin the power play, giving them a 6-on-4 advantage. With under two seconds left in the game, Loui Eriksson helped Bergeron win the face-off in the offensive zone, sending the puck back to Dougie Hamilton at the point. Hamilton’s shot was deflected into the net masterfully by Brad Marchand for his 20th goal of the season, ting the game 2-2 with just 14.1 seconds left.

The celebrations reflected how important it was to get at least one point out of the game.

The Flyers had two key chances to score in overtime. The first involved a 3-on-1 rush for the Flyers with Voracek ready to shoot, but they were unable to get the puck to him and nothing resulted from the play.

Perhaps the biggest save of the season thus far for Tuukka Rask came shortly after in overtime when Voracek had a clear breakaway in on Rask. Rask was able to get the paddle of his stick on the puck, deflecting it just wide of the net to keep the game alive.

Not long after, the Bruins forced a turnover just outside their defensive blue line, springing Talbot and Marchand on an offensive rush. Talbot saucered the pass to Marchand, who deked around the defender and beat goaltender Steve Mason. The goal was the overtime winner and Marchand’s 21st of the season.

Hugs all around for Marchand!

Teammates didn’t forget to thank Tuukka as well. Watch David Pastrnak turn around to embrace Rask and feel the happiness in your soul.

Possibly the most thankful member of the Bruins for Marchand’s OT heroism was Rask, who understandably might have snapped if he was forced to endure another endless, futile shootout.