Bruins caught in no-win situation

[ Game summary ]

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 3/2/2003

he last time the Bruins stumbled through an eight-game winless stretch was March 23-April 8, 2000 -- not long after Ray Bourque was traded to the Colorado Avalanche -- when they went on an 0-6-2 skid en route to missing the playoffs.

The club equaled that dubious streak yesterday -- ironically, with Bourque in attendance for a postgame charity event -- with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at the sold-out FleetCenter.

Obviously, the Bruins' fortunes are nowhere near as dire this year as they were in 2000 -- but they haven't won since Valentine's Day. They've lost four of eight (0-4-3-1) and seven of 11 (1-6-3-1). With 18 games remaining, they aren't a sure bet to be invited to the postseason but they believe by picking up points (1 for overtime yesterday) and having their injured players back, they're moving in the right direction.

''I think everyone's a little bit edgy, a little bit frustrated,'' said goalie Jeff Hackett, who surrendered three goals on 32 shots. ''But we're going to stick together in here and get this thing turned around. We're close. It's just a few details right now.

''The roof could fall in but we've got to still go out there and play as hard as we can and that's how we're going to get out of this.''

Philadelphia's Jeremy Roenick potted a pair of goals, including the winner, and assisted on the other. His first came at 2:27 of the second period. Forward Rob Zamuner, playing in his second game after missing 22 with a fractured foot, pulled the Bruins even just over a minute later.

Donald Brashear restored the Flyers' lead at 13:56 of the second. He took a pass from Roenick, who was behind the blue line in the neutral zone, and fired a shot from the right circle that Hackett gloved and then dropped. Brashear poked home the rebound, which prompted Hackett to smash his stick to the ice.

''I was out on my angle, I saw it come right in,'' said Hackett. ''I had it and I squeezed and it popped out. It's happened three or four times since I've been here and that never happens. I'm not going to blame it on equipment. I don't know exactly why.

''I'm right in my position, I feel very confident and very good. It's about four times now where pucks have bobbled out. I don't have the answer why it's doing that. I'm frustrated. But I put it behind me and I played well. I'm just really trying to stay positive. I think the last two games, I've been very solid.''

Defenseman Jonathan Girard helped Boston battle back to tie when he backhanded a centering pass to Brian Rolston in front. Rolston, from the edge of the crease, tapped the relay past Roman Cechmanek for his 25th of the year at 7:46 of the third.

In overtime, Roenick fired a slapper from the left circle exactly a minute in and that was it.

''The puck went on its end and he put it right top shelf,'' said Hackett. ''It was a great shot.''

Joe Thornton's line had a very quiet game, which is always an indication the team is going to struggle offensively. Thornton, Glen Murray, and Mike Knuble combined for five shots -- with Murray landing three. Thornton and Murray finished at minus-2.

With Game 64 in the books, time continues to tick away for the Bruins, whose schedule only gets more difficult with the red-hot Vancouver Canucks coming to town tomorrow night. Robbie Ftorek, ever the upbeat presence, said his team could certainly play better than it did yesterday, but one point is better than none.

''It's nice that we're accumulating some points,'' said Ftorek. ''It's very important to accumulate points, be it at the beginning of the season or right now. And it's a good thing that we're able to fight back and get some of these ties that we've been having and very shortly, I'm sure, we'll start to get some of the wins. We have to get some people to jump up and make sure we get that win.

''Believe me, the Boston Bruins are trying, they're working. Somebody's got to step up and get that extra one to get us the win and they will. They will.''

But when?

This story ran on page D4 of the Boston Globe on 3/2/2003.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.