As we all remember, Rich Peverley, the phenom waiver wire pick up that was scoring at slightly under a point per game before last season, was traded to the Boston Bruins back in February. In return for Pevs (and defenseman Boris Valabik), the Atlanta Thrashers recieved forward Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart.
Many were shocked at the trade, but Tim of Birdwatchers Anonymous pointed out that Peverley on the fourth line because he was defensively irresponsible was not a Peverley that could add to the Thrashers. In fact, Blake Wheeler became part of the team's sharpest first line in years, standing beside Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd and helping to light the lamp fairly regularly.
Peverley was responsible for the game winning (and only) goal scored by the Vancouver Canucks in their 1-0 game one win; he couldn't maintain possession against the boards. Last night the former fan favorite - and former Thrasher that we're all living vicariously through - scored his first Stanley Cup final goal to erase the memory of that game one goof:
The Bruins won the game, 4-0, which means that Peverley's goal was the game winning goal. Just for insurance's sake, though, he added another one at 3:39 of the third period. First Cup final goal being a game winner? Scoring half of the goals in a series-tying game? Not bad for one of the hardest working guys in hockey. Congrats, Pevs Dispenser!
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