Andrew Peeke thought he had him.
On Saturday evening, Bruins coach Marco Sturm shocked everybody within the Backyard by tapping the stay-at-home defenseman’s shoulder within the potential game-winning state of affairs within the shootout towards the Vancouver Canucks.
Not solely had Peeke scored the tying purpose late within the third interval to get the sport to extra time and provides the B’s a degree, however Sturm had seen the defenseman rating on a shootout purpose earlier within the week in follow and hoped he would pull it off.
However his first ever shootout try in his professional profession, Peeke went with a unique transfer and Kevin Lankinen stopped it on a save that – in Peeke’s eyes – with the assistance of just a little luck. Within the fourth spherical, Peeke stated the goalie bit on blocker facet transfer however the Bruins’ shot went glove facet. It simply occurred to hit the glove and keep out. The Canucks would go on to win it within the seventh spherical.
Whereas Peeke had by no means tried one in a recreation, he stated he did go in with a sure technique and didn’t simply wing it.
“I noticed his post-game remark and it was a few transfer I made in follow a few days in the past and I scored on it,” stated Peeke. “Clearly, to do in follow and rating on the goalies, it’s enjoyable to rub it of their face. However I normally come down the identical approach on the best facet and reduce center and I type of base it off the place the goalie is positioned – shoot it, pull it backhand, pull it forehand. I base my learn off of their place. I assumed that I used to be coming in, he was favoring the blocker facet and that’s why I went glove and it simply nicked a bit of it.”
Peeke admitted standing at middle ice with the sport on the road was each “nerve-wracking, however thrilling.
“In my thoughts, I’m pondering if I rating, this constructing goes to explode. I do know I would by no means have many alternatives like that once more so I used to be fired up,” he stated.
At the very least his earlier purpose had gotten the B’s a degree within the oh-so-tight Jap Convention standings. It additionally gave him his third purpose of the season, which going into Sunday’s recreation towards Ottawa led the B’s defensemen in purpose scoring.
That stat is just a little little bit of a statistical oddity. His first purpose was an empty netter and the second got here within the ultimate seconds of a blowout loss in Minnesota. His extra significant purpose on Saturday hit the publish, bounced off Lankinen and in.
Whereas Peeke is aware of what his strengths are, he takes satisfaction in attempting to enhance his offensive recreation.
“It’s one thing I’ve labored on rather a lot over the previous couple of summers. Clearly, for me I’m extra of a defensive defenseman. That’s what I take probably the most satisfaction in, profitable battles, net-front, exiting the zone. However including offense is one thing anybody would wish to do and it’s one thing I labored arduous on,” stated Peeke, who additionally has 5 assists. “The largest factor for me is getting pictures via. Some guys are extra prolific on the blue line. Cale Makar, for instance, goes to stroll the blue line for days. For me, it’s specializing in getting my pictures via, getting a fast launch and discovering the place there’s net-front presence. (Saturday) evening, I noticed that we had a few guys proper in that lane and if I may simply put it there, one thing may occur. And it did.”
Free pucks
After being scratched for Saturday’s recreation towards Vancouver, Alex Steeves was again within the lineup on Sunday and Jeffrey Viel got here out.
“(Steeves) did an amazing job within the time that he was taking part in. He received just a little drained taking part in. He’s not used to this at this degree, so I feel (Saturday) hopefully it recharged the battery just a little bit. That was the purpose with him,” stated Sturm. … The protection corps remained the identical. Vladislav Kolyachonok continues to be ready for his first probability to play since being acquired by way of waivers from Dallas.
“We’re not ready for an harm. We’d prefer to see him at one level. However the timing needs to be proper … we’ll see subsequent recreation,” stated Sturm. … Victor Soderstrom, in the meantime, has performed a powerful recreation on the third pair. He made keep-in previous to Tanner Jeannot’s purpose on Saturday.
“As coaches, we have a look at a whole lot of video and if you happen to don’t discuss rather a lot a few participant, that’s factor. He’s considered one of them. He’s been a extremely good, quick puck mover. He’s received a extremely good move. He stays out of hassle. He’s been good,” stated Sturm.
