Avery, Thomas Tussle As Bruins Beat Rangers

05/04/2009 19:55

BOSTON -- A boost to his bank account and a stick to the head couldn't throw Tim Thomas off his game.

One day after signing a US$20-million, four-year contract extension and 5 1/2 minutes after being hit in the back of his helmet by Sean Avery, Thomas was mobbed by teammates celebrating the Boston Bruins' 1-0 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday.

The victory clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference for Boston for the first time since 2001-2002. And it may have been a preview of the first playoff round. The Rangers hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

"Obviously, this stuff affects you to a certain point," Thomas said of the contract talks, "but I've been able to put it behind me and just concentrate on hockey."

He did that so well that the Bruins won their sixth straight game -- five of them before he signed -- and he got his fifth shutout of the season.

Blake Wheeler scored his 21st goal for Boston at 9:04 of the first period and nothing New York did could tie the game.

Then Avery hit Thomas as the goalie was stretching in front of his net during a television timeout with 5:24 left.

"I really like the fact that we kept our composure and got the win," Thomas said. "If you can react and not have it affect your game, then he didn't do his job and it didn't work."

After that, he made a save on a slap shot by Derek Morris on a New York power play and finished with 31 saves.

Thomas did chase Avery to centre-ice as Avery kept skating with his back to the goalie. He pushed Avery then was hit from behind by New York's Frederik Sjostrom. Thomas turned and swung at Sjostrom before officials separated players.

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stayed out of the action.

Thomas "looks like a pretty strong guy. When he goes after one of our guys, I looked at the bench for the OK," Lundqvist said. "I think he overreacted."

Avery was acquired on waivers by the Rangers on March 3 after being released by Dallas. While with the Stars, he was suspended by the NHL for crude public comments directed toward players dating his former girlfriends.

"I actually like the way he plays around the net. He's tenacious. He gets in right around the crease but he's not actually doing anything illegal," Thomas said, "but there's lines that you can cross and he seems to have a hard time figuring out what those lines are."

Both received two-minute penalties.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

I’m telling you folks, this clown Sean Avery is a real head case. And, I hate to say I told you so, but the leopard never changes his spots, either. They should just kick the guy out of the league and be done with him once and for all.

To see the video of Sean Avery’s latest stupid stunt, click below.