The Boston Bruins scored four unanswered goals in the third period to beat Philadelphia 5-1 and sweep their Eastern Conference semi-final as the Detroit Red Wings beat San Jose 4-3 to extend their series with the Sharks.
Detroit squandered a three-goal lead against San Jose on Friday before Darren Helm’s strike with less than 90 seconds left earned the Red Wings a 4-3 win in Game 4 of their NHL Western Conference semi-final series.
The Sharks, who now lead the series 3-1, will have another chance to advance to the conference final in Game 5 today in San Jose.
Photo: AFP
“We’re going back home still in command up 3-1,” said Sharks winger Ryan Clowe, who assisted on all three Sharks goals. “We won last game, we lost tonight in the last minute and we weren’t close to being on top of our game. We have to regroup. Give them credit.”
With the scores locked at 3-3, Detroit winger Patrick Eaves picked up a loose puck in the Sharks zone and faked a shot before sliding a pass across the slot to the wide open Helm.
“It was a great pass by Patty,” Helm said. “He gave a good pump and kind of put everyone down, and I think the goalie bit pretty good on it. Just laid it nicely there in front of me and I was able to see the open net.”
Photo: Reuters
The Red Wings showed their desperation from the opening face-off and jumped out to a three-goal lead in the first period, Todd Bertuzzi’s opener followed by two goals from Nicklas Lidstrom.
The Sharks got one back late in the period through Logan Couture and despite being outshot 10-6 in the second, San Jose cut the deficit to 3-2 on defenseman Dan Boyle’s goal.
San Jose leveled the score at 3-3 early in the third period through Dany Heatley and the writing looked on the wall as the Sharks went on a pair of power-plays.
Photo: AFP
However, Detroit regained the momentum by killing off both penalties and Helm struck late to earn the Wings the win.
“It’s about the logo on your chest. There’s a lot of pride in this dressing room and guys knew it was a desperate situation, and they didn’t want to be embarrassed by being swept,” Helm said. “Tonight, we just told ourselves we weren’t going to be denied.”
In Boston, the Bruins exacted revenge on the Flyers, who became the third team in NHL history to battle back from a 3-0 series deficit to eliminate Boston last season.
“It was really big for us,” Bruins winger Brad Marchand said. “There was so much talk and hype about what happened last year, so we just wanted to take control and not go through that same situation.”
Milan Lucic scored his first goal of the playoffs to give the Bruins a 1-0 first period lead, but Kris Versteeg scored the only goal in the second period to tie the game heading into the third period.
Johnny Boychuk scored the eventual game-winner early in the third period, slapping a rolling puck past Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Lucic scored his second goal of the game on a breakaway with less than five minutes remaining.
“It was unbelievable, it was huge,” Boychuk said of his goal. “As soon as it happened I … was relieved I got a chance to make sure our team got up another goal and it’s just a great feeling and when Lucic scored, it was an even better feeling.”
Marchand and Daniel Paille scored into an empty net for further insurance.
“I really think they outworked us, they won more battles,” Flyers center Claude Giroux said. “Their team was better than our team.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely