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Bruins whip Canucks again

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand celebrates with teammates Patrice Bergeron, left, and Dennis Seidenberg after scoring the third goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals, Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in Boston. (Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press)
Associated Press
BBOSTON — Just three days after the Bruins staggered back to Boston, they’ve barged right back into the Stanley Cup finals with two brilliant blowout wins. Tim Thomas made 38 saves in his third shutout of the playoffs, Rich Peverley scored two goals after replacing injured Nathan Horton on Boston’s top line, and the Bruins emphatically evened the finals at two games apiece with a 4-0 victory over the foundering Vancouver Canucks in Game 4 on Wednesday night. Michael Ryder and Brad Marchand also had goals for the Bruins, who chased Roberto Luongo early in the third period after Vancouver’s star goalie allowed his 12th goal in less than two games. The finals are now a best-of-three, with Game 5 in Vancouver on Friday night. Game 6 is Monday night back in Boston. After outscoring Vancouver 12-1 in the last two games, the Bruins are halfway to their first NHL title since 1972 — but they’ll have to win at least once on the West Coast. Boston opened its first finals trip in 21 years with two deflating one-goal losses last week in Vancouver, but the Bruins have wrested all momentum from the suddenly shaky Canucks with two thoroughly dominant wins. Luongo gave up four goals on 20 shots before Cory Schneider replaced him, ending yet another shaky defensive performance for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Canucks, who were inexplicably passionless in Boston. Vancouver needed just one win in Boston to earn the chance to win the franchise’s first championship on home ice. Instead, the Canucks headed home with huge questions about their mental toughness, defense and goaltending. The Bruins rolled on an emotional high that began with a stirring pregame tribute to Horton. The right wing will miss the rest of the series after incurring a serious concussion early in Game 3 on a hit from Vancouver defenseman Aaron Rome, who was suspended for four games. Bobby Orr, the Hall of Fame defenseman and Boston icon, wore his own No. 4 jersey as he waved a flag bearing Horton’s No. 18, drawing thunderous cheers while standing in the lower bowl under a spotlight. Hundreds of Canucks fans in blue jerseys joined in the cheers for Horton, who scored the winning goals in both of Boston’s Game 7 victories during these playoffs. With the victory secure in the final minutes, the entire building loudly chanted Horton’s name. Thomas was outstanding yet again. He has allowed just five goals in four games in his first Stanley Cup finals, with Vancouver’s vaunted Sedin twins — the NHL’s last two scoring champions — failing to beat him. Despite the NHL’s warning to these teams about keeping their competition between the whistles, the third period featured another handful of skirmishes. Thomas delighted Boston’s fans when he slashed Vancouver agitator Alex Burrows with 1:51 to play, precipitating another brawl.