The Boston Bruins hit the road on Wednesday night, heading to Anaheim in search of a much-needed win to break their frustrating six-game losing streak. The game marked the fourth contest of their five-game road trip, and the Bruins were hoping to regain momentum before heading back home. Unfortunately for Boston, their struggles continued, as the Anaheim Ducks dominated from start to finish, leaving the Bruins with yet another disappointing result.
Ducks Set the Tone Early
The Ducks wasted no time taking control of the game, striking first in the opening period. Rookie forward Leo Carlsson found the back of the net, registering his 17th goal of the season and giving Anaheim an early lead. Despite a few offensive chances from Boston, the Bruins were unable to respond before the first intermission, setting the stage for an uphill battle the rest of the night.
Second Period Collapse
The second period proved disastrous for Boston, as Anaheim widened the gap with a relentless offensive attack. The Ducks managed to light the lamp three times in the frame, putting immense pressure on the struggling Bruins. Boston’s lone bright spot came from star forward David Pastrnak, who capitalized on a power play opportunity to put his team on the board. However, Pastrnak’s goal did little to shift the momentum, as the Bruins remained outplayed and outworked in nearly every aspect of the game.
To make matters worse, defenseman Michael Callahan found himself in trouble after a high-sticking infraction on Ducks forward Jansen Harkins. Callahan was assessed a double-minor penalty for the incident, which only added to Boston’s woes. Later in the period, tensions boiled over between the two players, leading to a heated fight.
Third Period Seals Bruins’ Fate
Any hopes of a late-game comeback were quickly dashed in the final period, as Anaheim continued to dominate. The Ducks tacked on two more goals, further extending their lead and sealing Boston’s fate. While the Bruins did manage to add one more goal to their tally, it wasn’t nearly enough to make a dent in the scoreboard. When the final buzzer sounded, Anaheim walked away with a commanding 6-2 victory, handing Boston its seventh consecutive loss.
Callahan Fined for Cross-Checking
Following the game, Callahan’s high-sticking penalty caught the attention of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. After reviewing the play, the league determined that further action was warranted. On Thursday, the NHL announced that Callahan had been fined $2,018.23—the maximum amount allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement—for cross-checking Harkins.
Callahan, who is currently in his first NHL season after spending several years developing in the AHL, has yet to register his first career NHL point. The 25-year-old defenseman has appeared in 14 games for the Bruins so far, gradually carving out a role for himself on the team’s blue line. Against Anaheim, he logged 14 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time and registered one shot on goal.
With their latest loss in the books, the Bruins will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the final game of their road trip. With their playoff aspirations on the line, Boston will have to find a way to snap their losing streak and regain the form that made them a formidable force earlier in the season.
Leave a Reply