[ Game summary ]

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 10/17/2001

HOENIX - Maybe it seems absurd to suggest less than two weeks into the 82-game regular season that there is a must-win situation.

But the feeling around the Bruins after the two contests prior to last night's - losses in Minnesota and San Jose - was that something needed to change and change quickly. A pair of losses is one thing, a bona fide losing streak is another.

It wasn't a victory but the Bruins took a step in the right direction, earning a point in a 1-1 overtime tie with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Bruins had to be considered a pretty decent favorite over the new-look Coyotes. Gone are the Phoenix superstars - namely Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick. The only star here now is in the front office: managing partner Wayne Gretzky. The high-priced talent has been replaced by hard-working youngsters who are being guided by former Bruins assistant coach Bobby Francis.

The first 40 minutes were pretty evenly played, with each club scoring a goal in the opening period. The Bruins struck first on a shorthanded goal by Brian Rolston at 11:47.

With defenseman Hal Gill off for holding, the Coyotes set up their power play but had trouble getting the puck to the net, and the Bruins took advantage.

A cross-ice pass intended for defenseman Teppo Numminen was picked off by Rolston, who took off up the right side with Scott Pellerin on a partial two-on-one. Rolston skated into the right circle and put a head fake on defenseman Danny Markov. Markov dropped down and Rolston cut into the slot. As he skated left, he let his shot go, and it banked off the right post and past goaltender Sean Burke. It was Rolston's fourth goal of the season. It was also the third shorthanded goal Phoenix has surrendered in just six games.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, the lead evaporated in less than a minute, thanks to two Coyotes with Boston connections.

Former Boston College standout Krys Kolanos, who elected to turn pro rather than go back to school, dished a terrific pass from the left circle to the right to defenseman Paul Mara, a Belmont, Mass., native. Mara one-timed the puck and beat Byron Dafoe at 12:36 to make it 1-1.

The goaltenders turned back everything in the middle period, with Boston outshooting the Coyotes, 14-7.

The Bruins had a few chances on power plays in the period. After center P.J. Stock was hauled down by Daymond Langkow at 3:15, Boston attempted to force something past Burke. The best chance came on a bid by right wing Bill Guerin from the right circle.

Phoenix had opportunities of its own, including one flurry that was very dangerous. At 6:12, Dafoe faced a stern test. After making one save on a hard shot from the right side, he fell backward and lost his stick. The Coyotes got the puck again and the second chance hit the post.

One of the Bruins' best chances came during another shorthanded situation. With Don Sweeney off for tripping at 10:31, the Coyotes had difficulty organizing their attack. P.J. Axelsson took advantage of a loose puck and charged up ice in a two-on-one with Mikko Eloranta.

Axelsson sailed a pass across the slot to Eloranta, who was charging toward the net. The pass found its target but Eloranta's shot was just wide of the left post.

The Bruins dodged a bullet in the extra period when center Rob Zamuner was assessed a four-minute minor for high sticking Trevor Letowski in the face after a draw, giving the Coyotes a power play for the final 3:54.

The man advantage lasted just 47 seconds until Shane Doan was assessed a controversial roughig call with 3:07 left. New Bruins defenseman Jamie Rivers jumped Doan, who was near Dafoe, and then defenseman Sean O'Donnell gave Doan a whack when he was down. The referees gave Doan a roughing penalty, cutting the power play virtually in half.

This story ran on page E1 of the Boston Globe on 10/17/2001.
© Copyright 2001 Globe Newspaper Company.