B's Lose in Shootout, C's Win

BRUINS

The puck dropped at 12 PM yesterday as the Bruins took on the New Jersey Devils in their traditional game the day after Thanksgiving. As the third period opened in a 1-0 game, Blake Wheeler put the B's on the board 12 seconds into the period. The score would stay 1-1 for the duration of regulation and OT as Tuukka Rask continues to play extraordinary between the pipes. Yesterday, the young stud stoned 36 of the 37 shots (.973%) that came his way but fell just short in the shootout tonight as the B's lost 2-1. The young stud has been nothing but a dream for the team in goal, and even with the loss tonight was no exception.

Shootout Lineup: BOS 1) Patrice Bergeron 2) Blake Wheeler 3) David Krejci
NJD 1) Patrick Elias 2) Zach Parise 3) Jamie Langenbrunner

The B's received shootout help from Blake Wheeler as he scored the only goal of the three, but it was not enough as the Devils received shootout scores from Parise and Langenbrunner.

The B's picked up a point in the standings tonight and their season total now sits at 29 (12-8-4). Despite all the injuries, the Bruins find themselves in 5th place in the Eastern Conference which is truly an outstanding accomplishment based on the way the season started. Amazingly, this was the 6th of 8 games in which the B's have needed extra time to finish the game; they are 4-1-3 in these games picking up 11 points.

In an update of the condition of star forward Milan Lucic, who skated off with an injured leg last game, he will miss up to four weeks with a dreaded high ankle sprain. The recovery time from such an injury varies on a case-by-case basis but the team will certainly not look to rush him back. The Bruins will have to pick up the play with the young aggressor out of the lineup again.


No rest for the Bruins as they host the 13-7-3 Ottawa Senators tonight at 7.

CELTICS

The team took on the Toronto Raptors last night and gave them a lesson in USA basketball. After a crazy first half which saw the Celtics hit over 70% of their shots while matching the fast pace game the Raptors play, the third quarter was a different story. The Celtics have not been playing "Celtic Basketball" lately, but the third quarter was a prime example of what it took for the C's to step up and play their game. With solid D, the Celtics outscored Toronto 33-17 out of the break and that was the difference in the 116-103 win.

• Yet again, the Celtics had six players in double figures (now 5 out of 6 games).
• The attack was led by Ray Allen who put up 20 points (3-4 3PTs) and added 3 steals. This was the first time he hit 3 threes since October 28th against the Bobcats (a 14 game stretch!)
  
• Paul Pierce, who has been carrying this squad all season, continued his excellent all-around play with 18 points with 5 rebounds and 7 assists including an absolutely mesmerizing dunk over fellow all-star Chris Bosh.
• Perkins (18) and Garnett (12) combined for 30 points on a perfect 14-14 shooting. The game plan worked to perfection, as the C's pounded the ball down low all night.
• Rajon Rondo had a good night scoring 12 points and adding 11 assists (3 turnovers) with 4 steals. He even hit both of his free throw attempts to bring his season total up to 10 for 26 39%).
• Rasheed Wallace had his best game in recent memory tonight, even though he picked up yet another technical, Sheed scored 15 points on 6-11 from the floor, including three 3's and even added 4 steals for good measure.
  
• The numbers reflect the Celtics' improved D last night. They were able to force 25 turnovers and limit the Raptors to only 15 assists on 39 baskets.
  
• The C's shot an amazing 62.3% from the floor and aren't going to lose on a lot of nights they are able to execute at such a high level.
  

The 12-4 Celtics embark on a four game road trip which begins Sunday night against Dwayne Wade and his 9-6 Miami Heat.