So yesterday being Patriot’s Day we were supposed to be in Boston rooting on our crazy marathon running buddies Jay and Gina but it never came to be. Very disappointed that we couldn’t be there, but good to see they both got in under the four hour mark. Amazing. I would be able to finish in 10 hours. Probably not. Congrats to Jay and Gina.
So as the Boston Marathon was going on the Red Sox took the field trying to sweep the series with the Orioles. Justin Masteron and the bullpen pitched an incredible game and the Sox won 12-1. Great win against a team that they’re expected to win against, great sweep against a team they were 10-6 against last season. Let’s hope this is the Red Sox team we’ll be watching all season opposed to the one we saw over the first two series.
Then a lull in the afternoon before the stuff we were really looking forward to. Bruins and Celtics.
As my buddy Dave pointed out, “Stay classy Montreal.” That’s really the only thing you can say about a country and fan base that boo through another country’s National Anthem. The Bruins were without Lucic for this game as he was suspended for a cross check in game two which is bullshit because this guy Laraque on Montreal can hit guys after the whistle, after the period has ended, and basically start fights after the game is over without consequence.
The Bruins came out and again didn’t look too hot. Of course the Montreal crowd was amped up and very hostile. When the Canadiens took the 1-0 lead I thought that the Bruins could have lost momentum. Yeah, that didn’t happen. The Bruins kept focus and tied the game. Coming out of the locker room they took a 2-1 lead at the start of the second period and Montreal got much quieter. Once the Canadiens tied it, the crowd came alive again. But when former Canadien Michael Ryder scored to give the Bruins the lead, Montreal was very deflated.
Despite all the cheering and willing their team, the Canadiens didn’t have an answer in the third and the Bruins held off a power play about half way through the period. An empty netter sealed the deal again for the Bruins and the same fans that booed the National Anthem at the beginning of the game were booing their own team off the ice at the end. Bruins take a 3-0 lead in the series and hope to close it out Wednesday night. What a difference a year makes.
Speaking of the difference a year makes. When the Celtics lost on Saturday to the Bulls, following the KG announcement Friday, you sensed that maybe this team was outmatched and the burden on Pierce’s shoulders and Ray Allen’s shoulder was too much. Pierce misses a free throw to take the lead and then Ray misses a jumper for the win.
Well, Monday wasn’t Saturday. Of course I was watching the Bruins so I didn’t catch the whole game. I tuned in with the Celtics down one with about five minutes left. I won’t get into all the back and forth. All we need to know is that Ray Allen drained a three pointer with two seconds on the clock. Pierce said he had ice water in his veins. Yup. Let’s hope this carries to Chicago. Series tied at one.
So Patriot’s Day was awesome for Boston Sports fans. Three games, three wins and two Americans finish third in the marathon. No double playoff on Wednesday, just Bruins and Sox. Celtics have the stage to themselves on Thursday. Should be a great week, this certainly was a great start.
