Sports Redux: Classic Comeback

The idea that the Boston Bruins could play the 2010 Winter Classic in Fenway TPark and lose to the Philadelphia Flyers would have been tough to accept. The setting, sounds and atmosphere set the table for a home-team victory. Fortunately, for us, the Bruins obliged with a, yes, classic comeback and a 2-1 overtime win.

Mark Recchi's power-play goal, which was really a deft tip of a Derek Morris pass from a veteran who has done it before, tied the game at 1-1 with 2:18 left to play in regulation. The Bruins needed an Olympian effort to complete the rally and got it from Marco Sturm (Germany) with 1:57 left in overtime. Patrice Bergeron (Canada) and Zdeno Chara (Slovakia) set up Sturm for the decisive strike.

Before that, the Bruins played like they figured nobody was really watching the first 58:00 of the New Year's Day game, or that a hockey game played on a baseball field couldn't possibly count in the standings. But, before the comeback was at hand, the Bruins hadn't done much. Shawn Thornton had a good bout with Daniel Carcillo. Thomas must have froze his brain when he allowed the Flyers' first goal in the second period. Bostonist was so stunned at how easily Thomas was distracted by retribution in allowing his team to fall behind 1-0 that we started our own Tuukka Rask chant. We admit, however, Scott Hartnell's hair is distracting.

Thomas, to be fair, was a huge reason the Bruins won the game. Despite his gaffe on the Philly goal, Thomas was quite sharp. His 24 saves kept the Flyers at bay until the Bruins could generate enough offense to pick Thomas up.

After the game ended, Thomas was named to the United States Olympic hockey team. "Just this whole day, overall, this will go down as one of the most memorable days of my life, of my career. I feel like I've been waiting my whole life for this opportunity, " he said.

Bowl Games

America's long pigskin nightmare is over, Brett Favre Tim Tebow has completed his senior season at Florida in last night's Allstate Sugar Bowl. Florida faced Cincinnati and ran them off the field, 51-24...Ohio State won the Rose Bowl, 26-17, over Oregon...Bobby Bowden ended his coaching career with 389 wins after Florida State beat West Virginia, 33-21, in the Gator Bowl.

Other Boston news

• The Bruins are reportedly "close" to signing free agent Miroslav Satan to a contract. [ESPNBoston.com]

• Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are out for tonight's Celtics game in Toronto. [Boston Globe]

• Tom Brady says he is playing in Sunday's regular season finale. [Boston Herald]