Offensive instincts have always been one of Mason Lohrei’s biggest assets, and that was on display Thursday night at TD Garden.
The Boston Bruins defenseman potted the third goal in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames in their first home game since Dec. 23. It was a head-turner, too.
With just over six minutes to go in the middle period, Sean Kuraly slipped a pass across the zone from along the wall, finding Lohrei essentially alone at the left point. The defenseman received the pass and loaded up for a slapshot.
As Lohrei got ready to shoot, Flames winger Adam Klapka slid to lay out and try to block the shot. Lohrei adjusted accordingly, instead faking the shot and toe-dragging around Klapka before firing a wrister past Dustin Wolf.
Lohrei walked through the goal after the win.
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“When I kind of went to take the slapshot, I just kind of read what he did. When he went down, I decided to pull it,” Lohrei said, via Bruins.com. “Any time we can get back in front of our fans here at the Garden, there’s nothing better than playing in front of them and playing at home. No lack of energy there.”
This season has featured its ups and downs for the young blueliner. He’s been healthy scratched in some moments, and in others, relied upon heavily in a top-four role. But he’s now scored in each of his last two games, good for four on the season.
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With all the injuries the Bruins have dealt with this season to mainstay defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, players like Lohrei and Jonathan Aspirot stepping up is what will keep the Bruins’ backend afloat.
Featured image via Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
