Not a classic for Bruins

The Boston Bruins were left searching for answers.

The Boston Pride tied the Montreal Canadiennes 1-1 at the home of the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. But there are only so many stadiums capable of attracting eyeballs on their own – especially if you limit it to those in existing National Hockey League markets.

“We just didn’t play our game; we didn’t move our feet, we didn’t support each other whenever we had the puck, whether it was in the battles or on the attack”.

Condon was arguably Montreal’s top performer, but all the players on the entire roster did their part in what was a complete team win. However, even with all of the struggles the Canadiens (45) remain a point up on the Bruins (44) in the Atlantic Division standings heading into their outdoor tilt in Foxboro. Montreal has surrendered six power-play goals in its last six games, including one in Tuesday’s 3-1 loss at Florida. “Weren’t executing the game plan like we wanted to in skate”. His energy fuels the Canadiens, and they were far more risky with him.

While Friday’s triumph may not technically carry any extra weight in comparison to other regular-season games, a road win over a rival in the NHL’s signature game could give Montreal the confidence it needs to regain a stranglehold on the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the campaign.

“Two major teams that are always going at it together and the fact that it’s the winter classic?”.

“When I grew up and played college hockey I’d meet these kids from Minnesota, and they’d all talk about pond hockey”, he said.

Gallagher’s presence gives the Canadiens more prickliness.

“You can’t undervalue the smiles that everyone had coming into the rink”, Gallagher said. He’s very annoying to goalies. It hasn’t worked almost as often as they would’ve hoped.

The Habs carried the three goal lead into the final frame thanks to an excellent save by Mike Condon who could have taken the first period off, but was fantastic through the final two as the Bruins chased from behind in an attempt to make a game of the Winter Classic. “You know, we weren’t first on pucks”.

No team in the league started out better than the Canadiens. “We’re done talking about this last month”. Single markers went to Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais – who, at 74 seconds, scored one of the fastest opening goals in Wither Classic history.

“That’s what happens sometimes”, said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “During a game that is rare to see”.

“We were playing a little bit more defensive”, Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins said.

After generating just three shots in a lame first period, the Bruins had several chances to make it close in the second period. Paul Byron scored off of a Rebound from Rask. That led to Ted Condon working every shift he could grab and additional jobs as well, the money going towards everything from goalie gear to tuition at Belmont Hill, where his education led to his attending Princeton University later.

NOTES: Both goaltenders wore masks honoring the New England Patriots….

G Mike Condon made 27 saves, the highlight a glove grab off center Ryan Spooner with one-tenth of a second left in the second period and his team ahead 3-0.

“It’s really impressive given all the pressure that’s on his shoulders for him to step up and play like this”, Pacioretty said.

Montreal, which has also been without goaltender Carey Price since November 25, showed renewed energy from start to finish with Gallagher back.

Rask had Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski on his, along with a scowling minuteman – in black and gold, rather than the red, white and blue colors that the Patriots share with the Canadians. “So I was pretty happy”. “Hopefully got some of his mojo on my helmet there”.