Bruins roll to 4-0 victory in Game 5

The Bruins looked like the team that we know and love tonight. The B's dominated the game from start to finish in their 4-0 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5 to keep their season alive. Tim Thomas earned his first career playoff shutout by turning aside all 19 shots he faced, while Phil Kessel led the way offensively with 2 goals.

The Bruins came out with a lot of energy and controlled the play in the first period. The Bruins were able to maintain possession of the puck in the attacking zone and throw a lot of rubber at Cam Ward early in the game. The Bruins outshot the Hurricanes 16-7 in the opening period and the Hurricanes did not record a shot on goal until 11:03 of the first period.

With Dennis Sidenberg in the box for slashing, Mark Recchi tipped in Zdeno Chara's shot from the right point at 14:48 of the first period for the game's first goal.

Phil Kessel extended the Bruins' lead to 2-0 with 1:24 left in the first period when Marc Savard came off the right wall and fed a perfect pass to Phil Kessel in the slot.

4:40 into the second period, Marc Savard and Phil Kessel connected once again for the Bruins' third goal. This time Marc Savard carried the puck on the left wing and slid a centering pass to Phil Kessel, who beat Cam Ward for the 3-0 lead.

There was a scary moment for Bruins fans when Zdeno Chara was slow to get up after taking a slash to the back of the leg from Jussi Jokinen. Chara left in the final minute of the second period, but was able to return for the start of the third period.

Shawn Thornton and Tim Conboy got into a little extracurricular activity early in the third period after Conboy took exception to Thornton's cross check (called a high stick) on Anton Babchuk. Conboy went after Thornton and quickly cowered after taking a few shots from Thornton. Thornton was given a high-sticking minor and a double minor for roughing, while Babchuk got 2 for cross checking and Tim Conboy got a double minor for roughing.

Milan Lucic added an insurance goal with 7:39 left when he hammered home a rebound with a one-time slapper from the left circle.

Tim Conboy was looking for a chance to redeem himself after his embarrassing performance during his bout with Shawn Thornton. Mark Stuart was a willing combatant and made quick work of Conboy.

The rough stuff continued late in the third period. Aaron Ward was tangled up with Matt Cullen in front of the net when Scott Walker came flying in and caught an unsuspecting Aaron Ward with a gloved punch. Walker had some words with Ward before throwing a sucker punch at Ward before Ward had a chance to drop the gloves and square off.

After the final horn sounded, Milan Lucic and Chad LaRose exchanged a few words.

The Bruins will head back to Raleigh for Game 6 on Tuesday night.

Notes:

- Every series needs a villain. This series now has two: Jussi Jokinen and Scott Walker.

- I would be surprised if Scott Walker was not suspended....but Colin Campbell's Wheel of Justice works in mysterious ways.

"That was one of the worst sucker punches I have ever seen."

- Tim Thomas talking about Scott Walker's punch on Aaron Ward

- Fluto Shinzawa is reporting that Aaron Ward may have suffered a broken orbital bone from the sucker punch from Scott Walker. I hope that isn't the case. The B's are shorthanded on the blue line as it is.

- The most disciplined team in the league didn't look very disciplined tonight.

- The Bruins outshot the Hurricanes 40-19. In the other 4 games this series, the Bruins recorded a combined 80 shots. The Bruins had 60 shots directed towards goal compared to 31 for the Hurricanes tonight.

- Zdeno Chara looked like his old self tonight: 2 assists, +3, 5 hits, 1 blocked shot

- I think if the Bruins can find a way to win on the road in Game 6, they will win this series.

- What a night for Boston sports!!!! Suck it DeCock! I think this young gentleman sums up how everyone in The Hub is feeling right now: