Tony Esposito Shines in Nets As Chicago Beats Bruins, 6-4

The Boston Bruins season came to an abrupt and unexpected end last night as the Chicago Black Hawks defeated the Bruins, 6-4, last night to win their best-of-three series with Boston.

The Bruins dominated the contest from the outset, and maintained constant pressure on Chicago goalie Tony Esposito throughout the game, outshooting the Black Hawks, 56-19. But Tony O, who had been atrocious in the two previous games in the series, came up with the big game stopping 52 of the Boston shots.

Chicago got out to a quick 1-0 lead on a Keith Magnuson slap shot from 40 at 1:46. Cliff Koroll of the Hawks upped the margin to 2-0 at 19:13 of the first, and J.P. Borgeleau made it 3-0 early in the second period before the Bruins got untracked.

Bobby Schmautz got the first Boston tally at 7:16, and Hank Nowak brought the Bruins within one at 9:32.

But the Black Hawks stared off the Bruin comeback with markers by Koroll and John Marks to lead again by three. 5.2.

Gregg Sheperd made it 5.3 with 1:02 to go in the second stanza and the Bruins had at least a fighting chance to get back into the game entering the third period.

The Black Hawks iced the victory at 11:27 on Bordeleau's second goal of the night, giving Chicago an insurmountable 6-3 advantage. Phil Esposito deflected one home past brother Tony at 15:55, but the issue had already been decided.

So the Bruins' season and Stanley Cup hopes are over, the quickest finish to a Boston season in six years. Undoubtedly Orr. Esposito, and the rest can now enjoy the fruits of their million dollar contracts.