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SHARKS 3, BRUINS 2 Change is no help Bruins stumble in O'Connell's debut [ Game summary ] By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 3/22/2003
When general manager Mike O'Connell decided to fire Robbie Ftorek and assistant Jim Hughes Wednesday and take over behind the bench, he said he felt he knew what was wrong with his frustratingly inconsistent club. There were several areas O'Connell targeted for improvement - effort, intensity, and hitting. Sure, the Bruins were better in O'Connell's debut, certainly better than they were Tuesday night during a lackluster effort in Phoenix. But the result was the same - a 3-2 defeat to the Sharks as the Bruins continue to be a work in progress. Vincent Damphousse scored his second of the game, capping three straight scores by the Sharks, at 15:27 of the third period on San Jose's first - and only - shot of the period. Everything went Boston's way in the opening period as it took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. The lone score came on the power play, Glen Murray converting his 39th goal of the season. With San Jose forward Mike Ricci off for hooking at 14:19, the Bruins wasted little time making the Sharks pay. Joe Thornton, positioned in the right circle, fired a hard cross-ice pass onto Murray's tape. Murray, who was deep in the left circle, snapped a quick shot past goaltender Vesa Toskala at 14:40 to put the Bruins on the board. The Bruins made it a two-goal advantage early in the second period when forward Rob Zamuner potted his ninth goal of the season just 1:29 in. The Bruins appeared to be in command, but as we've seen many times this season, it didn't last. The Sharks were awarded a penalty shot when defenseman Dan McGillis was called for covering the puck in the crease at 10:14. Patrick Marleau, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1997 draft - right after Thornton - tried to beat goalie Steve Shields with a forehand bid but was denied. The Sharks picked up momentum despite the failed attempt and kept on coming. At 13:42, Marco Sturm pulled San Jose to within one with his 25th of the season. Brian Rolston was whistled for high-sticking at 17:17, giving the Sharks their third power play of the period (and fourth of the game). They tied the game with 1:09 left when Damphousse cashed in for his 21st tally of the season. Murray came close 54 seconds in when he rang one off the goal post, kicking off a strong period for the Bruins. Halfway through the third, the Bruins had an 8-0 shot advantage but Toskala denied them all. But Damphousse put it away with 4:33 left in regulation. He beat Thornton on a faceoff in the left circle. Sturm got the puck and Damphousse went to the net. Sturm found him and beat Shields for the winner.
This story ran on page F10 of the Boston
Globe on 3/22/2003.
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AN JOSE, Calif. - A new coach, a new attitude, a new approach.