Bruins win thrilling Game 7

Associated Press

BOSTON

Nathan Horton scored with 7:33 left in Game 7, sending the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in more than two decades with a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals on Friday night.

The right wing on Boston’s top line cleanly beat goalie Dwayne Roloson by deflecting a pass across the slot from David Krejci. That set off a loud celebration among Bruins fans, who have waited a long time for a trip to the finals.

Tim Thomas made 24 saves in his third career playoff shutout and second this season.

Boston will open the Stanley Cup finals in Vancouver against the Western Conference champion Canucks on Wednesday.

The Bruins won their most recent championship in 1972 and hadn’t reached the finals since 1990, when they lost to the Edmonton Oilers.

Both goalies were outstanding behind teammates playing energetic, impressive defense in a hard-hitting game without a single penalty.

When the game ended, Thomas raised both arms and arched his back against the net that the Lightning never reached in the decisive game.

“I think a lot of people thought I was over the hill,”’ said the 37-year-old Thomas, a Vezina Trophy finalist who was sidelined throughout last year’s playoffs. “I knew it wasn’t true. I put in a lot of work over the summer and I’ve had an unbelievable year.”

Andrew Ference started the only scoring play on the left side behind the red line with a pass to Krejci, also on the left. Horton was on the same side, but when Krejci got the puck, Horton veered to the right. Krejci skated in and threaded a pass to Horton, who put the puck in the open side between Roloson and the left post..