So I forgot to mention in my post yesterday that when the Celtics went to halftime I flipped over to NBC to watch the Bruins. And they drew me in. Even down 3-1 to start the third period, I have a confidence in this team that I haven’t had in years.
I was right. The B’s came storming back and tied the game at three. Sure they ended up losing, but this was an exciting hockey game.
The loss fell on two people’s shoulders, possibly three. First, Claude Julien. I understand that Tim Thomas played in the win Saturday, but that’s no reason to start Manny Fernandez on Sunday. That’s why second it falls on Manny. Look, if your number is called you need to step it up and play like an NHL goalie, not a Pee Wee League cardboard cutout. Manny sucked. Finally why on Earth didn’t Peter Chiarelli move Manny at the deadline. I understand the goalie tandem theory, but isn’t Tuukka Rask (Happy 22nd Birthday Tuukka) one of the best young goalies in hockey? Why not have him up here in Boston and trade Manny? Trade Manny for a bag of pucks and a goalie cutout. It doesn’t matter. Just get him out of town.
Before I get to tonight’s game I’d like to say that certain hockey arenas suck. Madison Square Garden’s lighting looks like the game is being played in someone’s garage. A very large garage, but a garage all the same. How about some friggin lights? Florida has the same thing. It just looks bad. Turn on the lights. You think that’s why you can’t grow your sport? Because it looks like the games are being played in people’s garages? Just saying.
So tonight the Bruins take on Columbus. Who? Exactly. A franchise that should never have been created (you listening Nashville?). The Blue Jackets (what the hell is a Blue Jacket?) are the 6th seed in the west right now and are coming off a huge 8-2 win over the Red Wings. The Bruins should win this game handily, so long as Thomas is in net and the power play is working, but isn’t that the formula for every game? Thought so.
I watched almost that entire Rangers game. Fucking fantastic hockey action! It had it all, back and forth scoring, fights, bad penalties, great penalty kills, incredible saves and embarrasing non saves Manny Fernandez! Also known as “not ready for primetime!”! Bring up Rass, or tucka, tookah, hookah, whatever his face is. He has to be better than Manny!
So much for a handy win. I was busy workin… Who was in net? Are these Bruins returning into previous years’ Bruins? At least the Celts have an excuse. I don’t like the trend goin on here.
That’s funny about the lights. How about the cameramen? The Sunshine channel does a terrible job still nothing compares to NESN or TSN. http://www.chicshockey.com
Manny wasn’t moved because no one would take him. It has been common knowledge in the league that he has a serious and recurring back injury, though only recently was it revealed that the problem was a ruptured disc.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/bruins/view/2009_03_26_Manny_Fernandez_roles_on_for_Bruins/
Also note that despite the few bad games, he is 14-6-3 this season with a 2.39 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.