First of all, sorry about not posting a game preview. There was no particular reason for missing it, I just procrastinated too much. Anyway, the Bruins won 5-3 against the Islanders in Brooklyn in Jonas Gustavsson's second start of the season. Four goals in the final 40 minutes generally translate into a win. On to the highlights:
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Kemppainen notches first NHL goal
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Kemppainen notches first NHL goal
Joonas Kemppainen celebrates with the Bruins bench after his first goal. Photo credit: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Former Finnish League forward Joonas Kemppainen netted his first goal in the NHL in the second period of the game after a Ryan Spooner wrist shot was blocked and trickled its way to Kemppainen. Kemppainen let loose a laser on Jaroslav Halak that travelled straight into the net. Later in the game, the forward recorded his first assist on Ryan Spooner's goal in the third.
Spooner With Two Points
The trio of Spooner, Kemppainen and Tyler Randell performed well in limited duty with total ice times of 10:24, 11:21, and 7:50, respectively. After he assisted on Kemppainen's goal, Spooner notched a goal of his own (as previously meintioned) in the third period, and it was beautiful. Kemppainen emerged with the puck in a three-man battle along the boards, then danced past two more Isles players and passed to Spooner, who backhanded the puck from a sharp angle into the net.
Connolly Keeps Point Streak Alive
While on the subject of overachieving bottom-six forwards, Brett Connolly scored his second goal in two game and has scored two goals and one assist in the past three games. After a bad ending to 2014-15 thanks to Dennis Seidenberg, Connolly showed potential as a middle-six forward, and he seems to be realizing that potential. It's nice to see him performing well.
Hickey with Two Goals in Three Games
Defenseman Thomas Hickey is widely considered to be a bust. Picked 4th overall in 2007, Hickey took seven seasons to make the NHL, during which time he was waived by his draft team (the Kings) and picked up by the Islanders. Hickey scored a goal against the Bruins late in the third period to make the score 5-3 with his second goal in three games. While he is still considered a bust, two goals in three games must feel good.
BONUS SECTION: WINTER CLASSIC JERSEY UNVEILED
Spooner With Two Points
The trio of Spooner, Kemppainen and Tyler Randell performed well in limited duty with total ice times of 10:24, 11:21, and 7:50, respectively. After he assisted on Kemppainen's goal, Spooner notched a goal of his own (as previously meintioned) in the third period, and it was beautiful. Kemppainen emerged with the puck in a three-man battle along the boards, then danced past two more Isles players and passed to Spooner, who backhanded the puck from a sharp angle into the net.
Connolly Keeps Point Streak Alive
While on the subject of overachieving bottom-six forwards, Brett Connolly scored his second goal in two game and has scored two goals and one assist in the past three games. After a bad ending to 2014-15 thanks to Dennis Seidenberg, Connolly showed potential as a middle-six forward, and he seems to be realizing that potential. It's nice to see him performing well.
Hickey with Two Goals in Three Games
Defenseman Thomas Hickey is widely considered to be a bust. Picked 4th overall in 2007, Hickey took seven seasons to make the NHL, during which time he was waived by his draft team (the Kings) and picked up by the Islanders. Hickey scored a goal against the Bruins late in the third period to make the score 5-3 with his second goal in three games. While he is still considered a bust, two goals in three games must feel good.
BONUS SECTION: WINTER CLASSIC JERSEY UNVEILED
Yesterday, the Bruins announced the release of their jerseys for the winter classic. It was based off of their original jersey in 1924-25, with some changes, most notably the switch of the jersey's color scheme from brown and yellow to black and yellow*. Another interesting feature is that the bear in the center of the Bruins' throwback logo is made of synthetic fur and the old-timey crewneck collar made in the style of an actual 1920s hockey sweater.
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
* By the way, all of the changes made to the Winter Classsic jersey from the original is detailed here in an interesting article at Stanley Cup of Chowder.
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
- Joonas Kemppainen - Kemppainen got his first NHL goal and a beautiful assist.
- Ryan Spooner - Identical statline with Kemppainen with a nice goal.
- Brett Connolly - Two goals in two games. Not too shabby.
* By the way, all of the changes made to the Winter Classsic jersey from the original is detailed here in an interesting article at Stanley Cup of Chowder.