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Chara's OT goal caps comeback as Bruins end skid

Feb 4, 2007 - 6:22 AM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins did not turn out to be the perfect elixir for the Carolina Hurricanes.

All-Star defenseman Zdeno Chara scored a power-play goal 1:49 into overtime as the Bruins overcame a two-goal, first-period deficit to post a 4-3 victory over the Hurricanes, snapping a five-game losing streak.

Glen Murray scored two goals for the Bruins, who also halted a seven-game road slide.

"We were emotional. We were physical, for the most part," Boston coach Dave Lewis said. "The game was on the line a number of times, and we found a way. It's one little baby step at a critical time in the season."

The struggling Hurricanes, who entered having lost three straight games and five of six, were hoping the slumping Bruins would be the perfect opponent. Carolina, which had thumped Boston twice this season by a combined 10-3 margin, was outscored, 22-4, during its five setbacks.

It appeared as if an easy night was in store for the Hurricanes after Erik Cole scored on a breakaway and off a rebound in the first period. But the troubled Bruins did not quit and overcame the deficit as Murray sandwiched his tallies around one by Brad Boyes, who ended a 15-game drought, to give Boston a 3-2 lead just over 6 1/2 minutes into the third.

"We had a 2-0 lead, and I actually thought our second period was much better than our first, but we couldn't seem to find the back of the net," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. "I think you can talk all you want, coaches and players, but in the end, you've got to go out and play. It's kind of frustrating. That's the best word to describe it."

But the Hurricanes forced the extra session with 3:12 left during a 5-on-3 power play. Ray Whitney carried the puck down the left side, hesitated before sending a cross-ice feed to the right side of the slot to captain Rod Brind'Amour, who beat goaltender Tim Thomas to the glove side for just his second goal in the last 15 games.

In the overtime, Chara received a pass from the left faceoff circle by Marc Savard and rifled a slap shot from the right point past goaltender Cam Ward.

"He's got a tremendous shot, and that's what we want him to do - shoot," Lewis said.

"From now on, every victory is important," Boston defenseman Brad Stuart said. "Every point that we can get. We're not in a position to take nights off anymore. We had to get that extra point tonight. It's unfortunate that we gave that extra point to them, but we got two points and we'll move on."

After giving up the two early goals, Thomas stymied the Hurricanes, stopping 34 shots.

"Every game is a must win. Carolina has embarrassed us a couple times this year," Thomas said. "I think it's important for us to stick it out. The way it started out in the first period, I said, 'Oh no. Erik Cole was making it look easy.'

"For us to stick with it and pull the win out is important to our psyche."

The Hurricanes, who were 2-for-29 on the power play over their previous six games, scored just once on 10 opportunities in this one.

"We're not winning, and it seems like every time we make a mistake, it's in our net," Brind'Amour said. "We're just not getting the big play when we need it. Power play, penalty kill, whatever it is. It's tough, because it's testing us."