I've started and erased this post about five times now. I am really struggling to put my thoughts down on paper. I want to write something poignant, something I can look back on years later and be brought back to this moment, but it's not happening. As much as I am a baseball guy, it's the sport I played, the sport I fell in love with, my family is a hockey family. As emotional as the Red Sox win in 2004 was, it was a personal win, a personal celebration. The Bruins win last night was a different story. I was on the phone with my Dad. I was on the phone with my sister. I was on the phone with my cousin. I don't know how to compare it with '04 because I don't know that the wins mean the same thing. I really don't know what to say about it at all.
The game itself felt anti-climactic. By the time the clock ran out on game seven the game had been safely over for five to ten minutes. That doesn't mean I wasn't on the edge of my seat, chewing on my nails for the other 50 minutes, but part of me felt cheated of a last minute emotional release. Patrice Bergeron proved no matter how much we talk of other players contributions, no matter how much we talk about how this team had undying faith in each other's abilities, this Boston team was his. He is everything a Bruin should be. A tough nosed player, yet a class act. An offensive threat to be worried about, yet an amazing defensive forward. Someone who will punch you for biting him. Someone who can overcome career ending injuries. Someone who will score when he's needed to. Someone who elevates the game of everyone around him. As much as everyone wants to talk about how last night launched Tim Thomas into Boston Elite Athlete status (and that can't be argued), I think Bergeron reached that height as well.
Which Boston line made the difference last night? Which line was able to bring the intensity we saw in three games in Boston to Vancouver for game seven? Thorton, Campbell and Paille! They might not have directly put a point of the board, but their strong fore checking, big hits and great play paved the way for all the goals scored. I have to commend Julian for giving them the playing time they obviously deserved and the team obviously needed. This line was the Kevin Millar walk and Dave Roberts steal of the Bruins championship.
I've always argued Boston is a hockey town. The town loves the Red Sox more then anything, but hockey is it's sport. From high school, to college, to the Bruins, Boston relates to the sport of hockey more then anything else. They've waited 39 years for pro hockey to be king again. I've waited 34 to witness the Cup driving down Causeway Street. I've seen it all now. Go Bruins!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Boston Bruins: Round Four Game Six (Canucks)
And the 2010-2011 hockey season will come down to one game. I don't think the Bruins or us fans could ask for much more. This team that has entertained us for over 100 games has never done anything the easy way, so it feels fitting that they take the Stanley Cups Finals to a game seven. We've spent 106 games on the edge of our seats, what's one game more? Once the finals came back to Boston, I figured this was how the series would play out, it was the best the Bruins fans could hope for. Dominate in Boston and hope for that lucky bounce in Vancouver that has avoided them thus far. Anything can happen in a game seven, it's one game for everything, and if the Bruins play like they have all series, all they need is that one break and they will be carrying the cup back to Boston.
I'll admit it, I was a little scared going into game six. Everyone seemed to confident. Everyone was saying what I wrote after game 5 and it all started to sound like a done deal. Boston couldn't lose in Boston, this series was going back to Vancouver for game seven. When the media takes a side like that it's usually a sure win for the other side. I was scared the Bruins would buy into the hype, believe that they couldn't lose at home, and not play as desperate as they did the last two home games. And the first three minutes looked bad... really bad. Vancouver was taking it to the Bruins and I was shaking in my boots. And then Marchand fired that shot over the world's greatest positional goalie, Roberto Loungo, and everything changed. Mr. Loungo sure could have used some tire pumping after getting pulled a few minutes and a few goals later.
The most important thing for the Bruins in game seven is to get the first goal. They don't necessarily need to bust out of the box, it seems like the team that jumps out early ends up losing during these playoffs, but they have to get that first goal and get it in the first period. They have to take the crowd out early and put doubt into Loungo's head. It can be done. There's no reason we can't see the Bruins that played games three, four and six in Vancouver. Thorton or Recchi or Julian needs to figure out how to get that team out on Vancouver ice.
9 months, 106 games and it all comes down to sixty minutes (or maybe a few more). This team has brought me back to my youth. They remind me of the Bruins teams I grew up with. Teams that fought and scrapped for everything they got, teams that represented the blue collar make-up of the city they played in, teams filled with colorful character and amazing talent, teams that were able to take Boston to the brink of their first championship since '72. No matter what happens Wednesday night, I will thank this team for the enjoyment they have given me and will look forward to what the future holds, but really, nothing is going to feel more rewarding then hoisting that cup. I want to go to a parade, boys! Let's get this done!
I'll admit it, I was a little scared going into game six. Everyone seemed to confident. Everyone was saying what I wrote after game 5 and it all started to sound like a done deal. Boston couldn't lose in Boston, this series was going back to Vancouver for game seven. When the media takes a side like that it's usually a sure win for the other side. I was scared the Bruins would buy into the hype, believe that they couldn't lose at home, and not play as desperate as they did the last two home games. And the first three minutes looked bad... really bad. Vancouver was taking it to the Bruins and I was shaking in my boots. And then Marchand fired that shot over the world's greatest positional goalie, Roberto Loungo, and everything changed. Mr. Loungo sure could have used some tire pumping after getting pulled a few minutes and a few goals later.
The most important thing for the Bruins in game seven is to get the first goal. They don't necessarily need to bust out of the box, it seems like the team that jumps out early ends up losing during these playoffs, but they have to get that first goal and get it in the first period. They have to take the crowd out early and put doubt into Loungo's head. It can be done. There's no reason we can't see the Bruins that played games three, four and six in Vancouver. Thorton or Recchi or Julian needs to figure out how to get that team out on Vancouver ice.
9 months, 106 games and it all comes down to sixty minutes (or maybe a few more). This team has brought me back to my youth. They remind me of the Bruins teams I grew up with. Teams that fought and scrapped for everything they got, teams that represented the blue collar make-up of the city they played in, teams filled with colorful character and amazing talent, teams that were able to take Boston to the brink of their first championship since '72. No matter what happens Wednesday night, I will thank this team for the enjoyment they have given me and will look forward to what the future holds, but really, nothing is going to feel more rewarding then hoisting that cup. I want to go to a parade, boys! Let's get this done!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Boston Bruins: Round Four Game Five (Canucks)
Well, I guess my hoping was for not. The six hour plane ride was just long enough to suck all the tenacity and intensity out of the Bruins game. It's odd to think where one plays can have that much effect on how one plays, but this series seems to be proof of such a claim. The two teams that have played three games in Vancouver are night and day different then the two teams that played in Boston, even though they are the same teams. Boston needed to come out and establish themselves physically in game five like they had in games three and four, put the fear of God into the Canucks in their own area, and it just didn't happen. They carried most of the play, but without the physical dominance they couldn't get established in front of the net or get more then one quality scoring chance at a time. It isn't just the Bruins who are playing different, though. The Canucks defense don't look like deer in headlights in Vancouver. They, for some reason, are able to pinch against the boards and prevent the Bruins from entering the zone or moving quickly up the ice, something that just didn't happen in Boston.
One thing the Bruins have going for them is they are now headed back to Boston. If the series continues to play out they way it is going, they should be able to pull off a game six win. Of course this will only happen if they reestablish they physical dominance they showcased in games three and four. They have to come out of the blocks hitting everything that moves, finishing every hit strong, pressuring the Vancouver defense men at the points and making sure they get the ever important first goal. It can't be ignored that the Bruins have looked much better in Vancouver then the Canucks have looked in Boston. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that the Bruins take game six, head back to Vancouver and get that one lucky puck bounce that has prevented them from winning there so far.
At this point in the season it's hard to suggest what can be done different to ensure a B's win, or at least get them to bounce back from game five. Julian is pretty much set in his ways, his roster has become pretty limited as far as moves go and game six of the Stanley Cups finals seems an odd time to try something new. If anything, I think it's time to give Seguin some more ice time. He has the freshest legs on the team, why not give him more opportunity to bust up the open middle of the ice when the Canuck defense pinches against the boards? He hasn't looked all that great since his breakout in game two of the last series, but at this point in the season something can be said about a fast skater having the freshest legs on the ice.
One last thing before I wrap this up. Mr. Luongo, Tim Thomas may not have been in the position that you would have on the Canucks goal in game five, but what difference does position make when you leave a five hole open as wide as the Panama Canal? There is a reason you haven't heard Thomas say anything nice about you, he believes in the saying 'when you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.' If I was your coach you never would have seen a minute of game five because you sucked in those games in Boston. This is just another thing to add to the list of Why Vancouver Is A Classless Team.
This thing is far from over. Over confidence can kill, so the Bruins can't look at the last two games in Boston and think this is a gimme. It's time for the Bruins to get desperate!
One thing the Bruins have going for them is they are now headed back to Boston. If the series continues to play out they way it is going, they should be able to pull off a game six win. Of course this will only happen if they reestablish they physical dominance they showcased in games three and four. They have to come out of the blocks hitting everything that moves, finishing every hit strong, pressuring the Vancouver defense men at the points and making sure they get the ever important first goal. It can't be ignored that the Bruins have looked much better in Vancouver then the Canucks have looked in Boston. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that the Bruins take game six, head back to Vancouver and get that one lucky puck bounce that has prevented them from winning there so far.
At this point in the season it's hard to suggest what can be done different to ensure a B's win, or at least get them to bounce back from game five. Julian is pretty much set in his ways, his roster has become pretty limited as far as moves go and game six of the Stanley Cups finals seems an odd time to try something new. If anything, I think it's time to give Seguin some more ice time. He has the freshest legs on the team, why not give him more opportunity to bust up the open middle of the ice when the Canuck defense pinches against the boards? He hasn't looked all that great since his breakout in game two of the last series, but at this point in the season something can be said about a fast skater having the freshest legs on the ice.
One last thing before I wrap this up. Mr. Luongo, Tim Thomas may not have been in the position that you would have on the Canucks goal in game five, but what difference does position make when you leave a five hole open as wide as the Panama Canal? There is a reason you haven't heard Thomas say anything nice about you, he believes in the saying 'when you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.' If I was your coach you never would have seen a minute of game five because you sucked in those games in Boston. This is just another thing to add to the list of Why Vancouver Is A Classless Team.
This thing is far from over. Over confidence can kill, so the Bruins can't look at the last two games in Boston and think this is a gimme. It's time for the Bruins to get desperate!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Boston Bruins: Round Four Game Four (Canucks)
Let's debunk two common beliefs about the Vancouver Canucks that the media has become determined to make the story of the playoffs and the Stanley Cups Finals.
Belief number one: The Vancouver Canucks are clearly a more talented team the then Boston Bruins.
Not sure who started this one, but I've heard it a hundred times over the last week. Every talking head and hockey "expert" has stressed how much more talented and skillful the Canucks are as if this point would never be argued by anyone. Well, I'll step up to the plate and break down the teams line by line. I can't argue that the Canucks top line gets the edge over the Bruins even with Nathan Horton playing. They have two league MVPs, even if they have been persona non grata so far in the series. Line one advantage: Vancouver.
The Canucks second line is Chris Higgins, Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond, while the Bruins have Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. If you look strictly at point totals over the regular season, the Bruins scored 6 more points and the only reason it's that close is because Kesler was a much better goal scorer then Bergeron. But, are there very many people that would argue Kesler is a much higher skilled player then Bergeron? I think both players are pretty equal in the skill department. This was very much a break out season for Kesler and if we looked more over each player's career Bergeron has 50 more points in 30 less games. Both are excellent in both zones and are lynch pins to their teams all around play. Mason Raymond and Marchand are a wash. Mark Recchi has played over 1600 games in the NHL, he had 20 more point this season, something tells me he is a far superior skilled player then Higgins. If anyone wants to argue that, give me a call when people are talking about Higgins as a Hall Of Famer. Line two advantage: Boston
The Canucks third line is Jannik Hansen, Maxim Lapierre and Raffi Torres, while the Bruins run out Michael Ryder, Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin. Ryder scored 10 more points then anyone on Vancouver. His play is a little up and down, but it's hard to ignore his skill, especially his wrist shot, and the fact that he single handily saved at least three goals this playoffs. Chris Kelly is key to the Bruins penalty kill, something no one on Vancouver's third line can boast. Seguin is going to be a stud one day, but right now is the weak link. He has skill potential to be better then anyone on any line on either team, but right now he's the weakest player on the Bruins line, but probably only weaker then Hansen on Vancouver. Both Lapierre and Torres are better classified as goons then skilled players, even though neither would drop their gloves to defend their cheap play. Line Three Advantage: Boston (and it's not even close)
Neither line 4 play much to really matter. Both Malhotra for Vancouver and Campbell for Boston are important penalty killers, so we'll call this a wash.
On defense, the first pairs, Bieksa and Salo vs Chara and Seidenberg, are a wash. The second pairs, Ehrhoff and Edler vs Boychuck and Ferrance, are a wash as well. The third pairs are Rome and Alberts vs McQuaid and Kaberle. As horrible as Kaberle has been, McQuaid is way better then either Rome or Alberts. Defense Advantage: Boston
So, I can't help but conclude, after calling the goaltending a wash, that Vancouver is not as superior a skilled team as everyone claims. After Vancouver's first line, the Bruins have may more skill at almost every position. So let's stop with this Vancouver is the more skilled team crap and give a little respect to these Bruin players.
Belief Number Two: Vancouver is being lowered to Boston's cheap tactics and chippy play
This one blows my mind. I have no idea what first two games all these "experts" watched, but it wasn't the first two games between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. Those first two games consisted of Vancouver pulling every cheap shot and illegal play in the book, biting, elbowing, slew footing, slashing, and doing it all behind the play, while the Bruins tried to play a relatively clean game. It was only after two losses and two games of getting slashed and elbowed, and two games of the league refusing to punish Vancouver for their actions, that the Bruins decided to up the ante. The Bruins play in the last two games is not so much an example of their style as it is a response to the bullshit Vancouver has been pulling. I always thought that Philly was the dirtiest team in hockey with Pittsburg a close second, but I guess that was just because I never really got a chance to watch west coast hockey, because after the first two games of this series there is no doubt in my mind Vancouver is as dirty as it gets. The problem with this myth that the Bruins are the thugs is the refs are starting to call stuff on the Bruins and kicking them out of games before they even do anything. Thorton shouldn't have been kicked out of game 3 and last game Adam McQuaid was booted late for grabbing a guy who was trying to be a third man in a fight. Meanwhile, no Canucks
No matter how things are being reported, Boston has evened the series and did so in a convincing manner. The fact that Boston's losses were much closer then Vancouver's gives me a lot of hope. Actually, probably to much hope, because all us Bruins fans know what happens when our confidence gets to high. I'm hoping the cross continent trip doesn't lead to a let down. I hope the Bruins can play in Vancouver like they played in Boston. The fact of the matter is this game is more important to Vancouver then Boston. If Boston loses they get to go home where they have looked light years better then Vancouver. If Vancouver loses they have to play for their lives in a super hostile environment. Here to hoping the pressure gets to them!
Belief number one: The Vancouver Canucks are clearly a more talented team the then Boston Bruins.
Not sure who started this one, but I've heard it a hundred times over the last week. Every talking head and hockey "expert" has stressed how much more talented and skillful the Canucks are as if this point would never be argued by anyone. Well, I'll step up to the plate and break down the teams line by line. I can't argue that the Canucks top line gets the edge over the Bruins even with Nathan Horton playing. They have two league MVPs, even if they have been persona non grata so far in the series. Line one advantage: Vancouver.
The Canucks second line is Chris Higgins, Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond, while the Bruins have Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. If you look strictly at point totals over the regular season, the Bruins scored 6 more points and the only reason it's that close is because Kesler was a much better goal scorer then Bergeron. But, are there very many people that would argue Kesler is a much higher skilled player then Bergeron? I think both players are pretty equal in the skill department. This was very much a break out season for Kesler and if we looked more over each player's career Bergeron has 50 more points in 30 less games. Both are excellent in both zones and are lynch pins to their teams all around play. Mason Raymond and Marchand are a wash. Mark Recchi has played over 1600 games in the NHL, he had 20 more point this season, something tells me he is a far superior skilled player then Higgins. If anyone wants to argue that, give me a call when people are talking about Higgins as a Hall Of Famer. Line two advantage: Boston
The Canucks third line is Jannik Hansen, Maxim Lapierre and Raffi Torres, while the Bruins run out Michael Ryder, Chris Kelly and Tyler Seguin. Ryder scored 10 more points then anyone on Vancouver. His play is a little up and down, but it's hard to ignore his skill, especially his wrist shot, and the fact that he single handily saved at least three goals this playoffs. Chris Kelly is key to the Bruins penalty kill, something no one on Vancouver's third line can boast. Seguin is going to be a stud one day, but right now is the weak link. He has skill potential to be better then anyone on any line on either team, but right now he's the weakest player on the Bruins line, but probably only weaker then Hansen on Vancouver. Both Lapierre and Torres are better classified as goons then skilled players, even though neither would drop their gloves to defend their cheap play. Line Three Advantage: Boston (and it's not even close)
Neither line 4 play much to really matter. Both Malhotra for Vancouver and Campbell for Boston are important penalty killers, so we'll call this a wash.
On defense, the first pairs, Bieksa and Salo vs Chara and Seidenberg, are a wash. The second pairs, Ehrhoff and Edler vs Boychuck and Ferrance, are a wash as well. The third pairs are Rome and Alberts vs McQuaid and Kaberle. As horrible as Kaberle has been, McQuaid is way better then either Rome or Alberts. Defense Advantage: Boston
So, I can't help but conclude, after calling the goaltending a wash, that Vancouver is not as superior a skilled team as everyone claims. After Vancouver's first line, the Bruins have may more skill at almost every position. So let's stop with this Vancouver is the more skilled team crap and give a little respect to these Bruin players.
Belief Number Two: Vancouver is being lowered to Boston's cheap tactics and chippy play
This one blows my mind. I have no idea what first two games all these "experts" watched, but it wasn't the first two games between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. Those first two games consisted of Vancouver pulling every cheap shot and illegal play in the book, biting, elbowing, slew footing, slashing, and doing it all behind the play, while the Bruins tried to play a relatively clean game. It was only after two losses and two games of getting slashed and elbowed, and two games of the league refusing to punish Vancouver for their actions, that the Bruins decided to up the ante. The Bruins play in the last two games is not so much an example of their style as it is a response to the bullshit Vancouver has been pulling. I always thought that Philly was the dirtiest team in hockey with Pittsburg a close second, but I guess that was just because I never really got a chance to watch west coast hockey, because after the first two games of this series there is no doubt in my mind Vancouver is as dirty as it gets. The problem with this myth that the Bruins are the thugs is the refs are starting to call stuff on the Bruins and kicking them out of games before they even do anything. Thorton shouldn't have been kicked out of game 3 and last game Adam McQuaid was booted late for grabbing a guy who was trying to be a third man in a fight. Meanwhile, no Canucks
No matter how things are being reported, Boston has evened the series and did so in a convincing manner. The fact that Boston's losses were much closer then Vancouver's gives me a lot of hope. Actually, probably to much hope, because all us Bruins fans know what happens when our confidence gets to high. I'm hoping the cross continent trip doesn't lead to a let down. I hope the Bruins can play in Vancouver like they played in Boston. The fact of the matter is this game is more important to Vancouver then Boston. If Boston loses they get to go home where they have looked light years better then Vancouver. If Vancouver loses they have to play for their lives in a super hostile environment. Here to hoping the pressure gets to them!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Boston Bruins: Round Four Game Three (Canucks)
That's what I'm talking about! That's what this team needed. It sucks that the wake up call was yet another cheap shot by Vancouver and at the expense of one of our best scorers, but man was there a different team on the ice for the last two periods last night. I commend Claude Julian for putting Shawn Thorton back in the lineup. He was definitely a major cause of the change in play. His presence alone sent the Boston crowd into a frenzy. He set the mood early by nailing Burrows on his first shift. He challenged the whole Vancouver bench when their bullshit reached the boiling point. And all those people who said he didn't have any effect on the goal scoring no nothing about hockey. His work in the corners led directly to the Krejic goal that pretty much put the game away. Last night was the way the Bruins have to play if they are going to win this thing and, as far as I'm concerned, Shawn Thorton was the MVP.
I know there is a group of people who feel the Bruins gooned it up last night, that there is no place in the game for what happened last night. I think those people have it all wrong. What happened last night was the direct effect of a team getting fed up with a dirty team the league has made clear they are going to do nothing to stop. There are only so many liberties a team can give up before they have to defend themselves and that's what last night was about, self-defense. If the NHL had stepped in when they should have and suspended Burrows, last night would not have devolved like it did. I'm glad to see they final did the right thing and suspended Rome for the rest of the playoffs, but it's too little too late for stopping this series from turning seriously chippy.
And could it have been any clearer at the end of the night who the NHL wants to win this cup? Daniel Sedin gets up after the play is over and everyone is skating back to the bench and grabs Andrew Ference by the neck and both players get a 10 minute misconduct. Ryan Kessler take a cheap shot at Adam McQuaid and Shawn Thorton comes over to step in, he doesn't throw a punch, he doesn't even touch Kessler, and he gets a 10 minute misconduct. I've never seen someone kicked out of a game for just standing up to another player. Mean while, Hastings slashes Krejic's legs out from under him, gets a pass and scores a goal because the guy who was defending him is layed out on the ice and nobody bats an eye.
Yes, the odds and the league are against the Bruins right now, but I still have hope. Last night was the throw back performance I called for. Even though the score was really 5-1 because Vancouver gave up late in that game, the Bruins kicked Canuck butt all over the ice. Now the question is, can they keep it up for three more games. The next game is huge. If we lose the series is all but over. If not, the momentum will be totally on our side and we may have turned a corner in the series. I can't wait for tomorrow!
I know there is a group of people who feel the Bruins gooned it up last night, that there is no place in the game for what happened last night. I think those people have it all wrong. What happened last night was the direct effect of a team getting fed up with a dirty team the league has made clear they are going to do nothing to stop. There are only so many liberties a team can give up before they have to defend themselves and that's what last night was about, self-defense. If the NHL had stepped in when they should have and suspended Burrows, last night would not have devolved like it did. I'm glad to see they final did the right thing and suspended Rome for the rest of the playoffs, but it's too little too late for stopping this series from turning seriously chippy.
And could it have been any clearer at the end of the night who the NHL wants to win this cup? Daniel Sedin gets up after the play is over and everyone is skating back to the bench and grabs Andrew Ference by the neck and both players get a 10 minute misconduct. Ryan Kessler take a cheap shot at Adam McQuaid and Shawn Thorton comes over to step in, he doesn't throw a punch, he doesn't even touch Kessler, and he gets a 10 minute misconduct. I've never seen someone kicked out of a game for just standing up to another player. Mean while, Hastings slashes Krejic's legs out from under him, gets a pass and scores a goal because the guy who was defending him is layed out on the ice and nobody bats an eye.
Yes, the odds and the league are against the Bruins right now, but I still have hope. Last night was the throw back performance I called for. Even though the score was really 5-1 because Vancouver gave up late in that game, the Bruins kicked Canuck butt all over the ice. Now the question is, can they keep it up for three more games. The next game is huge. If we lose the series is all but over. If not, the momentum will be totally on our side and we may have turned a corner in the series. I can't wait for tomorrow!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Boston Bruins: Round Four Game Two (Canucks)
Before this series started I went back and looked at the Bruins stats from their last two trips to the finals. It was a small trip down memory lane to my youth, an attempt to recapture childlike exuberance for the Bruins first attempt to win the Cup in 19 years. There was a lot of interesting stuff I found, like the fact that Kenny Linesman was the '88 teams leading point scorer, but the most interesting was the fact Jay Miller led the '88 team in playoff penalty minutes with 124. That's not a typo, one hundred and twenty four penalty minutes in one post season. That's more then this year's team penalty leader, Shawn Thorton, had all season. Now, I know things have changed dramatically over the last 23 years in the NHL, even two years later the team leader in the playoffs, Cam Neely, only had 51 minutes, but I think there is a lesson to be learned. Jay Miller wouldn't have let Alex Burrows score two goals and assist on another. Jay Miller would have made sure Burrows paid a price for his actions even if the NHL didn't think he had too. Hell, even Cam Neely would have punished Burrows to the point where he wouldn't feel as comfortable as he did last night in front of the net. I can't imagine Neely was happy sitting in the GM boxes watching the Canucks abuse and taunt the Bruins up one side of the ice and down the other.
I'm not going to sit here and say the Bruins should have won because Burrows shouldn't have been playing. Yes, he should have been suspended, but he wasn't. You can't whine and complain that something should have been done, you just have to deal with what was. What should have happened is the Bruins should have made Burrows pay their own price for such stupid and disgusting play instead of letting him single handily beat them. I can't help but think back two years to the Scott Walker/Aaron Ward incident. Walker should have been suspended for sucker punching Ward, but wasn't and ended up scoring the goal that knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs. Why does this Bruins team let people take advantage of them? I've said before on this blog that you can't rely on the league to do what's right, you have to take justice yourself, it's why fighting has to be allowed. The Bruins need to show some spine, let Vancouver know that they aren't going to let them bite and elbow and taunt by sticking fingers in their faces or they might as well just give up now.
This change in play has to begin with the coach. Julian needs to send a statement that the Bruins are done fooling around and put Thorton in the lineup. It doesn't matter who sits. Campbell and Paille played four minutes, Seguin eight, no one will notice if one of them isn't there. Which leads to the second things Julian needs to do, give the fourth line more ice time. All you hear is how the playoffs isn't the time to change what's been working and I remember reading how this year's team was different then last year because we actually had a fourth line that didn't hurt us when they were on the ice. So, here we are in the finals and that fourth line isn't playing. One thing have I pointed out over and over during this playoffs is that the Bruins don't have the legs to play 60 minutes with faster teams like Vancouver. You combat this problem by skating another line and shortening shifts and by wearing down the faster team with physical play. A line of Thorton, Campbell and whoever getting more ice time makes both of these things happen.
The Bruins aren't out of this series yet. They have played the Canucks close for two games and have fallen just short both times. An adjustment needs to be made to make sure the next two games it's the Canucks who fall short. Please, Julian, don't sit there on your laurels and watch this team lose, don't wait too long to pull the trigger and make the Vancouver lead insurmountable. Put Thorton on the ice, get the Garden crown in a frenzy and bring this series back to Canada tied 2-2.
I'm not going to sit here and say the Bruins should have won because Burrows shouldn't have been playing. Yes, he should have been suspended, but he wasn't. You can't whine and complain that something should have been done, you just have to deal with what was. What should have happened is the Bruins should have made Burrows pay their own price for such stupid and disgusting play instead of letting him single handily beat them. I can't help but think back two years to the Scott Walker/Aaron Ward incident. Walker should have been suspended for sucker punching Ward, but wasn't and ended up scoring the goal that knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs. Why does this Bruins team let people take advantage of them? I've said before on this blog that you can't rely on the league to do what's right, you have to take justice yourself, it's why fighting has to be allowed. The Bruins need to show some spine, let Vancouver know that they aren't going to let them bite and elbow and taunt by sticking fingers in their faces or they might as well just give up now.
This change in play has to begin with the coach. Julian needs to send a statement that the Bruins are done fooling around and put Thorton in the lineup. It doesn't matter who sits. Campbell and Paille played four minutes, Seguin eight, no one will notice if one of them isn't there. Which leads to the second things Julian needs to do, give the fourth line more ice time. All you hear is how the playoffs isn't the time to change what's been working and I remember reading how this year's team was different then last year because we actually had a fourth line that didn't hurt us when they were on the ice. So, here we are in the finals and that fourth line isn't playing. One thing have I pointed out over and over during this playoffs is that the Bruins don't have the legs to play 60 minutes with faster teams like Vancouver. You combat this problem by skating another line and shortening shifts and by wearing down the faster team with physical play. A line of Thorton, Campbell and whoever getting more ice time makes both of these things happen.
The Bruins aren't out of this series yet. They have played the Canucks close for two games and have fallen just short both times. An adjustment needs to be made to make sure the next two games it's the Canucks who fall short. Please, Julian, don't sit there on your laurels and watch this team lose, don't wait too long to pull the trigger and make the Vancouver lead insurmountable. Put Thorton on the ice, get the Garden crown in a frenzy and bring this series back to Canada tied 2-2.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Boston Bruins Round Four Game One (Canucks)
Let's be honest, there aren't many hockey games won by a team that starts the game with a 4 minute power play and the second period with an almost full 2 minute 5 on 3 and doesn't score a goal on either. As has been documented on this blog and almost any form of media dealing with this year's hockey playoffs, the biggest Achilles heel of this Bruins team is the power play and last night was probably the most glaring example we've seen. You have to score in at least one of those situations, if not both, if you want to win the Cup. Did the power play look better then it did against Tampa, who spent two minutes each power play throwing Boston's dump-ins back down the ice? Sure, but the results were the same. Vancouver's power play wasn't any better, and that is certainly a positive, but they didn't have a prolonged 5 on 3 or 4 straight minutes up a man. I know I'm kind of repeating myself, but there is just no excuse.
The unfortunate thing about last night was the Bruins played a better 59 minutes and 42 seconds then they have played all year and it wasn't good enough. It's the first time they got a great performance from Thomas that didn't end in a win and that's not a good sign. Maybe a bounce of a puck here or a bounce there and the result will be different... maybe. But I can't help feeling, after last night's game, that the best the Bruins have just isn't going to be enough against this team. As much as last night was Boston's best effort, I don't think we saw the best of Vancouver (they have a 30% power play that went 0-6). And let's not forget how sluggish the Bruins looked in the third period. All playoffs long the Bruins have lagged in the third. They just don't seem to have the legs to play 60 minutes against faster teams and I don't seem them jumping to any 3 or 4 goal leads in this series.
What was Johnny Boychuck thinking? Why take that risk with 18 seconds left? And if you do, you have to make sure of one of two things, you have to either make sure you get the puck or make sure you take out the player. Johnny seemed to get caught in between and ended up with neither. And then he dragged getting back into the play. He could have caught Torres if he rushed back into the play, but instead he lumbered back in leaving him open for the pass. I hate to slam him because I love Boychuck's potential and his physical play, but he has been on the ice for the last seven goals scored on Boston and hasn't looked good in the process. I'm not going to suggest Julian sit him, because Julian isn't going to sit anyone not injured at this point, but he has certainly proven to be the weak point on the blue line. Even Kaberle looked more then useless last night, which was a mild surprise.
Two more quick notes on last night’s physical play (it looks like this could be a chippy one)...
How blind is the NBC broadcasters that it took them over a period of watching replay after replay of the Hamhuis hit on Lucic before they realized that Krejic didn't really cross check him and he in fact hurt himself. Hey, Hamhuis, maybe if you tried to hit Lucic like a man, instead of ducking to hit him below the waist, you would have finished the game.
And of course, Alex Burrows is now enemy number one. The biting incident wasn't the only example of cheap, dirty play out of this joker. And of course the NHL, like always when dealing with people taking liberties with the Bruins, had decided to ignore it. Glad to see Colin Campbell's legacy will be continued. Game on boys, let's treat Mr. Burrows like Evander Holyfield in a Tyson fight, everyone gets a piece of ear.
I'd like to think this series is far from over, but now game two is a must win for Boston. Let's Go Bruins!!
The unfortunate thing about last night was the Bruins played a better 59 minutes and 42 seconds then they have played all year and it wasn't good enough. It's the first time they got a great performance from Thomas that didn't end in a win and that's not a good sign. Maybe a bounce of a puck here or a bounce there and the result will be different... maybe. But I can't help feeling, after last night's game, that the best the Bruins have just isn't going to be enough against this team. As much as last night was Boston's best effort, I don't think we saw the best of Vancouver (they have a 30% power play that went 0-6). And let's not forget how sluggish the Bruins looked in the third period. All playoffs long the Bruins have lagged in the third. They just don't seem to have the legs to play 60 minutes against faster teams and I don't seem them jumping to any 3 or 4 goal leads in this series.
What was Johnny Boychuck thinking? Why take that risk with 18 seconds left? And if you do, you have to make sure of one of two things, you have to either make sure you get the puck or make sure you take out the player. Johnny seemed to get caught in between and ended up with neither. And then he dragged getting back into the play. He could have caught Torres if he rushed back into the play, but instead he lumbered back in leaving him open for the pass. I hate to slam him because I love Boychuck's potential and his physical play, but he has been on the ice for the last seven goals scored on Boston and hasn't looked good in the process. I'm not going to suggest Julian sit him, because Julian isn't going to sit anyone not injured at this point, but he has certainly proven to be the weak point on the blue line. Even Kaberle looked more then useless last night, which was a mild surprise.
Two more quick notes on last night’s physical play (it looks like this could be a chippy one)...
How blind is the NBC broadcasters that it took them over a period of watching replay after replay of the Hamhuis hit on Lucic before they realized that Krejic didn't really cross check him and he in fact hurt himself. Hey, Hamhuis, maybe if you tried to hit Lucic like a man, instead of ducking to hit him below the waist, you would have finished the game.
And of course, Alex Burrows is now enemy number one. The biting incident wasn't the only example of cheap, dirty play out of this joker. And of course the NHL, like always when dealing with people taking liberties with the Bruins, had decided to ignore it. Glad to see Colin Campbell's legacy will be continued. Game on boys, let's treat Mr. Burrows like Evander Holyfield in a Tyson fight, everyone gets a piece of ear.
I'd like to think this series is far from over, but now game two is a must win for Boston. Let's Go Bruins!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Top 5: Fictional Hockey Players
I was trying to come up with a good top 5 topic in honor of my Bruins first trip to the finals since I was in middle school, but was finding it a little difficult. I've already done Top 5 Hockey Brawls and nothing else to do with the actual sport was ringing very interesting to me. So, I decided to really play to my interests and mix a little sport and pop culture. Today's list is Top 5 Fictional Hockey Players...
5. Happy Gilmore (Happy Gilmore)
Not the world's best player talent wise, thus he becomes a golfer, but he did hold two records, most time spent in the penalty box and the only player to stab another player with his skate, which is more records then most, so he gets the nod at number 5. If I was basing this just on the movie or TV show the player was in/on, Gilmore would probably be higher, but this list is best player, not best character.
4. Stevie Weeks (Mystery, Alaska)
Russell Crow's John Biebe was the movie's main character, Stevie Weeks was the Mystery's real talent. As important as Biebe's veteran presence was to the team and it's cohesiveness, there was no way the boys from Alaska would have been able to even challenge the Rangers without Weeks youth, speed and skill. Both Weeks and Conner Banks get invited to NHL camps, but my money is on Weeks becoming the first Mystery pro.
3. Jean "Rosie" LaRose (Strange Brew)
We will never really know how good Rosie would have been had he not had that nervous breakdown and fallen under the spell of the evil Brewmeister Smith. If his mind controlled play against the other inmates of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Mentally Insane is any sign, he would have been an all time great. If he's the McKenzie's favorite player, he probably belongs on this list
2. Derek Sutton (Youngblood)
Just because the movie is named Youngblood, doesn't mean Dean Youngblood was the best player the movie had to offer. Patrick Swayze's Derek Sutton was the full package. He was a Cam Neely, Milan Lucic, type before either had become stars. He could mix it up in the corners, drop the gloves and play with finesse. Yeah, the whole point of the movie was the Youngblood learned to fight and defend himself on the ice, but I don't buy that it stuck. I think he was too much of a wimp on the ice to ever make anything of himself in the NHL. Much like Neely, a horrible injury cut Sutton's playing career short, but when he was at the top of his game there wasn't many better.
1. The Hanson Brothers (Slap Shot)
I'm cheating a little by making the brothers count as one player, but really, they are a package deal. If you're talking just pure hockey skill and talent, there is no doubt that Ned Braden was the Chiefs best player, and really the only one with any shot of making the pros, but the Hansons turned the fortunes of whole franchise around. Before the Hansons were on the scene, the Chiefs were a team that couldn't win a game if they wanted to. Once they popped on the scene, busted a few heads, broke a few knuckles, the Chiefs were playing for the championship. They weren't good enough to save the team from being sold, but they were as big a difference as you could get.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Banks (Mighty Ducks), Eddie LeBec (Cheers)
5. Happy Gilmore (Happy Gilmore)
Not the world's best player talent wise, thus he becomes a golfer, but he did hold two records, most time spent in the penalty box and the only player to stab another player with his skate, which is more records then most, so he gets the nod at number 5. If I was basing this just on the movie or TV show the player was in/on, Gilmore would probably be higher, but this list is best player, not best character.
4. Stevie Weeks (Mystery, Alaska)
Russell Crow's John Biebe was the movie's main character, Stevie Weeks was the Mystery's real talent. As important as Biebe's veteran presence was to the team and it's cohesiveness, there was no way the boys from Alaska would have been able to even challenge the Rangers without Weeks youth, speed and skill. Both Weeks and Conner Banks get invited to NHL camps, but my money is on Weeks becoming the first Mystery pro.
3. Jean "Rosie" LaRose (Strange Brew)
We will never really know how good Rosie would have been had he not had that nervous breakdown and fallen under the spell of the evil Brewmeister Smith. If his mind controlled play against the other inmates of the Royal Canadian Institute for the Mentally Insane is any sign, he would have been an all time great. If he's the McKenzie's favorite player, he probably belongs on this list
2. Derek Sutton (Youngblood)
Just because the movie is named Youngblood, doesn't mean Dean Youngblood was the best player the movie had to offer. Patrick Swayze's Derek Sutton was the full package. He was a Cam Neely, Milan Lucic, type before either had become stars. He could mix it up in the corners, drop the gloves and play with finesse. Yeah, the whole point of the movie was the Youngblood learned to fight and defend himself on the ice, but I don't buy that it stuck. I think he was too much of a wimp on the ice to ever make anything of himself in the NHL. Much like Neely, a horrible injury cut Sutton's playing career short, but when he was at the top of his game there wasn't many better.
1. The Hanson Brothers (Slap Shot)
I'm cheating a little by making the brothers count as one player, but really, they are a package deal. If you're talking just pure hockey skill and talent, there is no doubt that Ned Braden was the Chiefs best player, and really the only one with any shot of making the pros, but the Hansons turned the fortunes of whole franchise around. Before the Hansons were on the scene, the Chiefs were a team that couldn't win a game if they wanted to. Once they popped on the scene, busted a few heads, broke a few knuckles, the Chiefs were playing for the championship. They weren't good enough to save the team from being sold, but they were as big a difference as you could get.
Honorable Mentions: Adam Banks (Mighty Ducks), Eddie LeBec (Cheers)
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