[moore4807]

The usual routines are starting to settle in, and the players seem to be upbeat both on the morning flight and during afternoon practice. Bruins GM Peter Chiarulli pays a visit to Bonehead where he hands Bonehead the trade paperwork declining the trade. Bonehead simply asks "Is there any variation of the trade you would be interested in?" Chiarulli shakes his head no, they then shake hands and Chiarulli heads back to the elevators.

The coaches have the players ready, and the lines are posted on the whiteboard. Bonehead simply reminds the team that they are going to have to beat teams like this if they have any hope of the playoffs, but concentrate on tonight and get these two points! Coach Ramsay announces the Bruins tendencies on special teams and the team heads out for the opening faceoff.

The first period is a disaster... Five goals allowed on 14 shots, Tim Thomas doesn't even argue when Bonehead announces the goalie switch to Markstrom. Coach McCabe is irate - telling his defensemen to start finishing the checks and stop leaving bodies standing in front of the net. Coach Ramsay is more reserved but lectures his forwards to get back and help on defense. Bonehead simply says this is a test of the makeup of the team, if they want to make a game of it - now is the time! The line times are adjusted to 1-25/2-10/3-5/4-20.

The second period is even in goals but the Panthers are still outshot 12 - 6 and Bruins Jarome Iginlia scores his third PP goal for a hat trick, and yes the hats rained down! The Panthers squad is demoralized, but Bonehead just tells them to grind it out and make a game of it. Bone head is unhappy with the six minor penalties taken and none for the Bruins, but he wont use that crutch since most of the penalties were justified.

The third period slides backwards towards the disaster play like the first period, and the Bruins top line just has their way with our team. Iginlia (4G/2A), Krejci (2G/3A) and Lucic (0G/2A) all logged over 22 minutes of play. Bonehead just shakes his head and tells the team to shower up and let's get back to the airport and get home. The players air of confidence is definitely gone now, muttering and cursing and not even the stereo is playing as Bonehead heads back for the rink to think this over...