Recchi Makes His Mark With Thrashers

Courtesy Jaci Donahe of Wicked Bruins Fan: 

This is the first season where I’ve missed my fair share of Bruins games. It saddens me, but such is life. I remember the days where I’d schedule my life around games. “Invite to a wedding? Sorry, there’s a Bruins game that day and I’m going.” Oh yes, I was almost that bad. But now that I’m getting older (maybe wiser), it’s not the end of the world if I miss a game here or there, or every other week.

I found games onDemand last night, including Overtime so I know where I can catch all the action if I need to. Wednesday night when the Bruins were in Atlanta was no exception. I worked, and it wasn’t until well after 7:30 when I finally got around to asking the bar to please put the Bruins game on. My boss kind of asked, “Does anybody care about the Bruins?” and then continued with, “That new goalie is doing well, huh?”

Obviously people are caring enough to know that the Bruins have a new goaltender. The Bruins played the Thrashers and were leading 2-0 in the first period. I missed the first goal, but saw the second and that was it, well other than the three goals the Thrashers scored in response. Petteri “I still don’t know how to say your name” Nokelainen scored the first goal for the Bruins, and Peter Schaefer scored the second.

Mark Recchi scored two straight goals for the Thrashers, and Ilya Kovalchuk gave the Thrashers their first and only lead for the night. I didn’t see Mark Stuart’s hit on Kovalchuk, but only knew Kovalchuk was down and later that Stuart got a five minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct. But I guess since Kovalchuk’s goal came after the kneeing, that he was fine. (This is when I wish I watched the game, or at least knew the sequence of events.)

Long story short, Glen Murray scored with less than two minutes left in the second period to tie the game 3-3. Milan Lucic scored his 2nd goal of the season at 16:13 in the third period to give the Bruins a 4-3 lead. Marc Savard added an empty net goal at 19:56 to make it 5-3. Alex Auld had 23 saves for his third straight win for the Bruins.

Speaking of Goalies

As expected, Tim Thomas was placed of injured reserve to make room for Andrew Ference on the 23 player roster. Thomas is 5-7 days away from returning. And Manny Fernandez had knee surgery Wednesday that could end his season.

“It’s been a chronic thing all year,” said GM Peter Chiarelli, who noted that Fernandez’s knee had not improved since training camp despite rehab and therapy. “Manny felt he couldn’t perform at 100 percent. He had to alter his style. We felt that it would be best to do it now. Likely that he’ll be gone the whole year — maybe not — but he’ll be ready for next year at the latest.”

Once Thomas returns, it will be him and Auld splitting time in Boston. Tuukka Rask will continue his development in Providence. The Bruins host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, technically today.