Boston Bruins fans waited a long long time for the beast to awaken.

More than a year infact.

When Chicago Blackhawks forward David Koci left the ice with his face covered in blood at the 11:42 mark of the first period, Bruins nation could just feel that this game was the Bruins to win.   He had just taken a series of right handed shots to the face from Zdeno Chara.

After engaging in a fight with the Bruins 6′8″ captain, Koci skated off the ice with a broken nose, and a broken ego.  Two periods later the Bruins skated off the ice with a 3-1 win - their third in a row on home ice.

Tim Thomas was steady once again in goal for Boston, turning aside 26 of 27 shots for the win.  Thomas is making a solid case to win the starting job over Manny Fernandez.

Speedy Phil Kessel scored two goals for the Bruins, who have won 5 of 6 overall. 

Phil - BTB