BOSTON (AP) — Ronnie Lott scored on a second-period deflection, William Gibson stopped 24 shots and the Boston Tea Party beat the Miami Saints 1-0 on Monday at Boston Garden.
Lott’s unassisted goal at 14:41 of the second period was the only scoring in a tight defensive game. The shot came on a rush and changed direction during a crease scramble, beating Terry Sawchuk for the go-ahead goal and eventual winner.
Gibson made the lead stand, turning aside all 24 Miami shots for the shutout. He was named the game’s first star. Sawchuk, who stopped 24 of 25 shots for Miami, was the second star despite the loss. Lott was the third star.
Boston outshot Miami 25-24 in a game with little separation and no major momentum swing. Both teams generated chances from dangerous areas, but neither offense found much room. Miami had six shots from crease scrambles, four from the point, four from the low slot and four from the left circle. Boston created six shots from the low slot and five more from crease scrambles.
The Saints had the only power-play chance of the night after Cammi Granato was called for slashing at 4:05 of the first period. Miami could not convert, and Boston killed off the minor to keep the game scoreless.
The teams remained even through the first period and much of the second. Miami leaned on Barry Bonds and Jim Brown, who each finished with five shots, while Boston got five shots from Tom Brady and four from Robert Johnson. Gibson and Sawchuk traded saves until Lott broke through late in the second.
Lott entered the scoring column on his only shot of the game. His slap shot from a scramble in front came after Boston pushed forward on the rush, and it gave the Tea Party just enough offense on a night built around goaltending and defensive pressure.
Miami pressed in the third but could not find an equalizer. Brown, who also had three interceptions, was marked by a frustration and fatigue dip at 13:17 of the period. Barry Bonds had a similar dip late in the second, at 19:17, as the Saints’ scoring chances continued to vanish.
Boston’s defensive structure held up through the final period. The Tea Party finished with 18 interceptions, one more than Miami, and blocked two shots. Ray Bourque and Granato each had four interceptions for Boston. Robert Johnson added three interceptions, while Big Pun and Lawrence Lessig each had two.
Miami’s defensive work helped keep the game close. Geraldine Heaney had four interceptions, while Brown, Larry Ellison and Bo Jackson each had three. Natalie Darwitz and Ellison recorded Miami’s two blocked shots.
The Saints finished with nine slap shots, five one-timers and four snap shots, but Gibson handled everything. Their best looks included six crease-scramble chances and four low-slot attempts, yet Boston’s goaltender closed off second opportunities and preserved the shutout.
Sawchuk was nearly as sharp. Boston had seven snap shots, five one-timers, five backhands and four point-blank attempts, but Sawchuk allowed only Lott’s deflected shot. The Miami goalie’s .960 save percentage kept the Saints within one goal until the final horn.
The game was played cleanly compared with many tight contests. Miami had no penalty minutes, while Boston had only Granato’s two-minute minor. Neither team scored on special teams.
Boston led 1-0 after two periods and protected that margin through the third. The Tea Party did not need a surge, only one break near the crease and a flawless night from Gibson.
Miami left Boston Garden without a goal despite a near-even shot count and steady defensive play. Boston improved behind Gibson’s shutout, Lott’s winner and a disciplined defensive finish in front of 18,488 fans.