Bruins blow 3 goal lead in Game 7, fall 4-3 to Flyers

The '09-'10 Boston will not be remembered as the scrappy team that battled through injuries and made an improbable run in the playoffs despite an inability to score goals. No, this team will go down in history as the third team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead just 14:10 into Game 7, the Flyers stormed back to make it a game and took the lead with 7:08 left in the third period on a power play goal by Simon Gagne after a poorly-timed too many mean on the ice penalty.

The Bruins got on the board 5:27 into the game with a power play goal by Michael Ryder after Scott Hartnell was sent off for high-sticking. Ryder collected a rebound at the right circle off a point shot by Zdeno Chara and fired a quick shot that beat Michael Leighton for the early lead.

Milan Lucic extended the Bruins' lead to 2-0 with another power play goal with 10:58 left in the first period. With Daniel Briere in the box after a high stick to the mug of Dennis Wideman, Wideman carried the puck in deep along the right wing boards behind Leighton's cage and found Milan Lucic driving to the net. 

Milan Lucic got his second of the night to increase the lead to 3-0 just 14:10 into the game. Lucic's theft in the defensive zone created an odd man rush the other way. He carried the puck in on the right wing and put a wrist shot from the right circle low on Leighton for the game's third goal.

The Flyers got one back with 2:48 left in the first period on a fluky goal. James van Riemsdyk  took a shot from the left circle that was partially blocked by Mark Stuart, creating an off-speed dribbler that  caught Tuukka Rask off balance.

Scott Hartnell roofed a backhander over Tuukka Rask to pull within one at 2:49 of the second period after picking up a rebound off a Ville Leino backhand shot.

Daniel Briere tied it up for the Flyers at 8:39 of the second period. Briere went for the wrap around and flipped the puck under the cross bar.

The Flyers came within inches of make it 4-3 on controversial play late in the second period. Dennis Wideman appeared to swat the puck before it crossed the goal line and Rask covered it up with the blocker. After video review, the call on the ice of "no goal" was upheld.

Simon Gagne made it 4-3 for the Flyers at 12:52 of the third period after the Bruins took an ill-timed too many men on the ice penalty. Gagne hammered home a rebound from a Mike Richard's shot that was blocked in front by Mark Stuart.

Notes:

- Really? A too many men on the ice penalty? Of all penalties that could be called a Bruins playoff game was decided by a too many me on the ice call? Where have I heard this story before? Just a brutal way to lose a game and a series. Now when Bruins fans talk about "The Too Many Men on Ice Game", we will have to ask " which one?"

- Barstool Sports summed this one up best.

- I'm not even going to try to break this one down with statistics or analysis, because it doesn't really matter. The Bruins didn't get the job done and that is all you need to know.

- I want to thank my loyal readers for another great season. It has been a lot of fun talking hockey with you this year. Keep checking the site throughout the offseason for updates about the NHL Draft, off-season moves, and more.