SUNDAYS #6 vs. BRUINS:

(vol. 28S, no. 6; newsletter by brooks)
Whenever you take on an elite team, it always presents a challenge. The “A” teams are the elite teams of this league and the Bruins are one of those. They don't always finish first or win Championships, but they have a lot of talent. Add to that the pride at stake when you play an out-of-division rival — one who beat them 4-3 earlier this season — and you have the makings of a heated match-up.

The game began on shaky start when the Pirates went down 2-0. We couldn't get much going early and with Casey guarding the Bruins net, it didn't look promising. Then, in the last 2:44 minutes the Pirates started clicking. In those final 160-seconds the Pirates scored two quick goals: Tony (assist Brooks) and Brooks (assist Tony). That final, game-tying goal — which had Tony patiently holding the puck and skating through the defense before finding the twine — was literally in the final second before the break. The 2-2 score at the intermission felt like there might be another upset in making ... it was not to be however.

During the final 22:00 minutes the Pirates were outshot, outplayed, and outscored. The Pirates were able to consistently get within a goal of the Bruins (3-to-4 and 4-to-5), but each time the Bruins quickly answered back and regained their two-goal lead. When the buzzer finally sounded, the Bruins had found the net five more times (including an emptynetter), while the Pirates were only able to score twice more: Brooks (assist Tony) and Tony (Brooks). Harris played well, although six goals was a season high; Not surprising, though, since they had shot-after shot-on net. We will get a chance to rebound from our first loss of the season after the Super Bowl break. A tough loss to take, but one to build on.
date of game: 1.29.06