Lindholm's Standout Performance Lifts Bruins
Hampus Lindholm delivered an impressive showing, registering both a goal and an assist, as the Boston Bruins secured a hard-fought 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena on Wednesday. The win brings the Bruins to a 3-2-0 record, with key contributions from David Pastrnak, Charlie Coyle, and Cole Koepke. Joonas Korpisalo, in his first win with Boston, made 22 saves.
Full Team Effort
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery praised his team's balanced performance. Montgomery described it as "the most well-rounded performance we've had all season "Colorado’s a strong team, but I was impressed by how composed we stayed throughout." Korpisalo, acquired from the Ottawa Senators on June 24, played a pivotal role in helping Boston find its rhythm.
Korpisalo's Impact on Net
Korpisalo's early-game heroics set the tone, especially a crucial save against Miles Wood’s breakaway within the first two minutes. Montgomery noted, "That save allowed us to get settled in. He made several key stops, especially when the pressure ramped up in the third period."
Avalanche’s Struggles Continue
The Colorado Avalanche, now 0-4-0, find themselves in uncharted territory, starting a season with four consecutive losses for the first time since 1998-99. Despite strong performances from Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen, each contributing a goal and two assists, and two assists from Nathan MacKinnon, the team remains winless. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev managed 20 saves but couldn’t stem the Bruins' offensive push.
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar remained pragmatic. "No matter how things go, I'm not in the past," he said. The loss hurts, but we will find a way to unite." We must correct our mistakes and move forward.."The defeat stings, but we will come together and rebuild from this point forward."
Koepke’s Early Goal Sets the Tone
Cole Koepke opened the scoring for Boston at 13:46 in the first period, deflecting a shot from Andrew Peeke along the right wall into the net. "I saw Peeker coming with the ball and I went ahead, hoping for a pass," Koepke said.
Colton Levels the Game for Colorado
Colorado’s Ross Colton responded quickly with a power-play goal at 15:07, snapping a shot from the right circle past Korpisalo after receiving a slick pass from Rantanen.
Coyle Restores Bruins’ Lead
Charlie Coyle regained the lead for Boston late in the first period, converting a power-play opportunity at 17:09 by redirecting a centering pass from Mason Lohrei at the right post. "I wasn’t sure how it would come, but Mason’s vision is excellent.
Pastrnak and Lindholm Dominated the Second Period
David Pastrnak extended the Bruins' advantage in the second period with another power-play goal at 9:09, sneaking behind the defense and deflecting Lindholm’s centering pass into an open net. Lindholm added his own goal just 13 seconds later, firing a shot through traffic from the left half-wall to push the lead to 4-1.
Avalanche Fight Back
The Avalanche clawed back into the game as Makar rifled a slap shot from the point during a power play at 11:15, reducing Boston’s lead to 4-2. Rantanen followed suit early in the third period, one-timing a pass from Makar at the right face-off dot to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Beecher Seals the Win
With time winding down and the Avalanche pressing for an equalizer, Bruins forward John Beecher took advantage of a turnover by MacKinnon at center ice, scoring an empty-net goal at 17:59 to secure the 5-3 victory.
Conclusion
The Bruins now carry momentum as they continue their road trip, while the Avalanche must find answers quickly to halt their early-season struggles.
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