Bruins Light Up Flames

Scoring a couple goals can do wonders for the sophomore jinx.

Sergei Samsonov, last year's NHL rookie of the year, scored two goals Monday night as the Boston Bruins beat the Calgary Flames 5-1.

"Samsonov put on a pretty good show," Bruins coach Pat Burns said. "He creates havoc with opposing defenses."

Burns noted that Samsonov, who picked up his 14th goal, has lost some confidence over the past few weeks.

"He is only averaging two shots per game through the first 36 games and he needs to put more on net," Burns said.

Calgary goalie Tyrone Garner didn't notice any lack of confidence.

"Samsonov has amazing speed," Garner said. "It is incredible what he is able to do with the puck."

Garner made his second NHL appearance after starter Andrei Trefilov left the game 50 seconds into the first with a groin injury after stretching to reach Ray Bourque's slap shot. Trefilov, acquired from Chicago on Dec. 29, was the fourth Calgary goalie injured this season.

"We have been going with a rookie goalie for nine straight weeks so we are used to dealing with this situation," Calgary coach Brian Sutter said.

Garner, who had 33 saves, made his first appearance Saturday, playing the final period of Saturday's 7-1 loss in Buffalo.

Steve Heinze, Rob DiMaio and Joe Thornton also scored for Boston, which has won three of four games.

Bruins goaltender Byron Dafoe made 39 saves, 19 in the first period, allowed only Theoren Fleury's 19th goal at 17:32 of the first.

"I like getting shots in the early part of the game, especially if you're stopping them," Dafoe said. "Even though they got 40 shots, most of hem were from the blue line. Sometimes the shots aren't indicative of the type of play it is."

After Thornton opened the scoring with his sixth goal at 3:35 of the first, Samsonov made it 2-0 at 15:18. Samsonov's second goal came at 12:30 of the third.

DiMaio, who had missed the last five games with viral meningitis, scored his second goal of the season from the right point at 1:13 in the second.

Calgary's Jason Wiemer did not return to the game after he was hit in the throat by a loose puck in the second while sitting on the bench.

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