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Top 10 Bruins games of the ’11-12 season: December 23, 2011
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(Photo Credit: Portland Press Herald) Brad Marchand's first career NHL Hat Trick propelled the Bruins to a 8-0 win over the Florida Panthers on December 23, 2011. The win comes in as No. 8 on the list of the Top 10 Bruins games of the 2011-12 season.
Bruins Daily will be taking a look at the top 10 Bruins games of the 2011-2012 season.
Today, we take a look at No. 8: December 23, 2011 Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins
The Bruins came into the game on a five-game win streak and winners of 19 of 22. Between the months of November and December the Bruins were dominant. As Christmas was on the horizon, the B’s had many gifts for the fans as they hung a snowman on the Florida Panthers in one of the best offensive games of the season.
It was all about Brad Marchand on this evening as he posted his first career hat trick while adding two assists on his way to a five point night.
Marchand and the B’s got things started early as No. 63 netted his 13th goal of the year (shorthanded). The B’s did not stop there as they lit the lamp three more times in the opening period taking a 4-0 lead into the first intermission.
The offense did not stop as in the second period as Gregory Campbell and Patrice Bergeron made it a 6-0 rout heading into the third period. With a goal and two assists heading into the final frame, Marchand wanted more. He scored twice in the third period to earn his first career hat-trick as Santa hats and baseball caps flew onto the ice in celebration.
The Bruins earned the 8-0 beat down and headed into the Christmas break winners in 20 of 23 as whispers of repeating as Stanley Cup Champions began to circle again.
Panthers goal scorers: None
Bruins goal scorers: Marchand (3), Lucic, Pouliot, Seidenberg, Campbell, Bergeron
Game Notes: Marchand had a career night netting three goals and two assists. Tuukka Rask made 30 saves on the night on his way to his second consecutive shutout. PGA champion and rookie of the year Keegan Bradley (grew up in Massachusetts) dropped the ceremonial first puck. Bruins forward Rich Peverley did not play due to an undisclosed injury.
