BruinsRed Wings: 5 from the First

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By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.comDETROITHere are five thoughts from the first period with the Bruins leading the Red Wings by a 2-1 score at Joe Louis Arena after the first 20 minutes of play in Motor City.1)Theres a response by Tyler Seguin. The 19-year-old puck wunderkind has shown the ability to respond and do it with flair when a little pressure has been applied to his game, and he did exactly that in the opening minutes of Sundays game. Seguin worked with Blake Wheeler to create a scoring chance in front, and should get credit for a goal that he pounced on in front of the net when Jimmy Howard couldnt control a wraparound backhand from Wheeler. If Seguin gets the goal itll be his second point in the last 2 games while Wheeler will snap a 13-game goal-scoring drought if its his goal. Views of replays after the first period credited Seguin with the goal.2)Tough play by Brad Marchand when he threw a blind backhand clear attempt in front of the net when he was left all alone in the defensive end on a line change, and it immediately turned into a Red Wings goal. Todd Bertuzzi was pressuring Marchand and simply stripped the puck before throwing a couple of shots at Tim Thomas. He finally beat Thomas up high when he was all alone in front for the Wings first goal. Marchand responded by scoring a power play goal later in the period to give Boston the lead again, and show why hes become a tough player to go up against. His resiliency is the real deal. Tough spot for Marchand to be on for the goal: if he throws the puck up the boards he earns the team a too many men penalty while theyre changing up.3)Much more competitive first period for the Bruins today than at anytime on Friday. Theyre playing physicaleven Seguin is getting his nose dirty, which is a big indicatorand making things more difficult for Detroit skaters looking to just play shinny. If the Bs can sustain this for two more periods they should be in very good shape when the final buzzer sounds.4)Its tough to watch Steve Kampfer sit in the stands when he had 50 family and friends in the stands, but itll end up being a tough learning tool for the 22-year-old. Claude Julien is absolutely right that his game slipped over the last handful of games, and this time was coming with his ice time dropping over the last few games. Its not youth hockey, and sometimes the lessons learned at the NHL level are tough ones. Its pretty clear Claude Julien wanted the Bruins to be much grittier and more physically engaging today, and that played right into the decision to play Mark Stuart.5)First time Tim Thomas has played an NHL game in front of his parents at Joe Louis Arena, and hes looking properly inspired. Hes been active with the poke checks to get himself out of trouble on several occasions, and he bears no responsibility for that first one after Marchand coughed up the puck. Nine saves for Thomas in the first period.

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