Chara comes through for Bruins again

Share

WASHINGTON, DCZdeno Chara has become the kind of postseason player that authors his biggest games when his team needs him most, and thats exactly what the Bs defensemen did in Game 3.

With the Bruins needing characteristic performances from their best players, the 6-foot-9 Bs captain played a team-high 26:29 of ice time, finished with a team-high three points and bombed home the game-winning goal in the third period in a 4-3 win after it glanced off Roman Hamrliks stick before beating Braden Holtby.

" 'Z' played a really great game. He definitely stepped up and was our big time leader today," said coach Claude Julien.

Chara threw down seven of Bostons 58 registered hits in the game, finished with three shots on net in the final 20 minutes of play and kept that steady, physical presence when things started turning nasty on the ice.

Its getting more emotional. Players are getting more involved and its starting getting more physical, said Chara. When you have teams playing back-to-backs its going to happen like that.

It wasnt all rainbows and puppy dogs for Chara, obviously. The captain took a high hit from Matt Hendricks that knocked his helmet off and send him down on all fours, but he shook that off to continue playing. The Norris Trophy candidate also lost sight of Brooks Laich in the third period for a game-tying breakaway goal when the Bs defense was paying a little too much attention to Alex Ovechkin on the other side of the ice.

We lost a guy. We were basically gapping up. I dont know what happened. Obviously thats my responsibility. He was ahead of me, but then he sneaked behind and made a nice play, said Chara. We have to be aware of that when they stretch guys. Its probably a lack of communication, too.

But Chara made up for his defensive misdeeds with the late game heroics from his customary shooting position near the point, and his stalwart play on the back end despite a mounting level of abuse from his Washington attackers.

Just about a year ago Chara was suffering from dehydration and illness as he battled his way through the first round against the Montreal Canadiens. This season hes better, faster and stronger. And he's one of the big reasons the Bruins came out on top against the Capitals in Game Three, seizing control of their highly competitive first round series.

Contact Us