Preseason RECAP: Bruins drop Flyers in Overtime

A televised preseason game is still a preseason game. it's hard to read too much into it.

And then, a new Bruin hammers a Flyer. And then, a Flyer hammers a new Bruin. And, all of a sudden, it's beyond preseason. It's UTTER MAYHEM. WHERE IS OUR SEASON?!

First Period

Phlipadelphia came out fired up for this game, especially following the last loss to the Bruins in the SkillsOut. Hits, shots, etc. Not a lot of offensive attack on either side, though - but neither enjoyed giving up the puck.

At least, until David Backes decided that Jacub Voracek wouldn't touch the puck trickling at his feet.

Backes pummels Voracek pic.twitter.com/KJGScQbJ1V

— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) October 8, 2016

So, then...

Sean Couturier vs David Backes from Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins Oct 8, 2016 https://t.co/74NOWrHA72

— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) October 9, 2016

Couturier takes an Unsportsmanlike +2m, but the PP yields nothing.

Other "highlights" from this period:
Solid play from Brandon Carlo (being huge, clearing pucks, etc.) and Dominic Moore (being old, but otherwise effective in 4th-line defensive responsibilities). Ryan Spooner ends the period by nearly scoring on Steve Mason on a "breakaway".

Second Period

Hockey happened, but not a lot of the truly 'reportable' kind. Brad Marchand had to take a faceoff, which was strange to see. Krejci controlled portions of this period, and PTO defenseman Christian Ehrhoff did the opposite of the Kevan Miller defensive shuffle. (He faked six shots in seven seconds. I don't need to explain Kevan's version.) A pair of penalties kept the rest of the period from behaving properly. We moved on to the third.

Third Period

RADKO. GUDAS. IS. A. DIRTY. PLAYER.
You can evaluate that over time, and argue. Go ahead. (Given that this is a Bruins blog, I don't expect much, but I'm ready.) His late hit on Austin Czarnik, which should've warranted a pummeling from Chara if not for a short defensive bench tonight, was not acceptable at any level anymore. I'm eager to hear your arguments.

Late hit by Gudas here, hope Czarnik is okay! pic.twitter.com/dLzF3IuIZl

— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) October 8, 2016

OVERTIME

The. End. Under 2 minutes played and Ryan Spooner gets a gift of a setup, accompanied by a goalie's two worst enemies - Time, and of course, Space.

Off the post and in.✌️ pic.twitter.com/9FKvbGQkL3

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 9, 2016

Wrap-up

No heroics from Heinen tonight, so I'll swallow that pride and hope that he gets multiple looks during the regular season. In the same vein, however, O'Gara shows some veteran thanks - and poise - post-game:

"All we can do is come to the rink every day & put our best foot forward."

Rob O'Gara on the mindset he and roommate Brandon Carlo embody: pic.twitter.com/ICtHMKfHq4

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 9, 2016

See ya in the Regular Season, folks. Warm up those koozies, 'cause it's gonna be a doozie.