Category Archives: NHL

May 22, 2013 · 4:48 AM

B’s Up 3-0

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Think back to the last round. Heading into game seven you have to be pretty sure Cam Neely had the movers called. “If we lose, I need you to get down here first thing in the morning. I want Claude’s office packed up and Chiarelli’s too.”

The Bruins won, like they did in 2011, so the movers were called and cancelled.

Now I’m not counting my chickens before they’re hatched, but do you think that Glen Sather ha made that call for Tortorella?

It was clear listening to the awful announcers on NBC that the Rangers are clueless on the power play. Of course they had the only two power play opportunities in the game last night but we’ll not get into that.

It’s clear the Tortarolla is a clown. Sure he’s great for sound bytes but he’s not a leader. Not in what I’ve seen in this series or what I heard he was in the NHL special leading up to the Winter Classic.

So here’s hoping he’s fired and here’s hoping it’s because the Bruins sweep them out of the playoffs. Again, not counting my chickens, just optimistic.

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May 20, 2013 · 4:15 AM

Don’t Get Cocky

Yesterday’s Bruins win was awesome. But like Han Solo warns, “Don’t get cocky.”

I want to be. I really do. But the Jekyll and Hyde Bruins team has been too Jekyll-y so far. Scoring on a goalie that can’t be scored on, getting contributions from everyone on the team not named Jagr. It’s too good to be true, right?

Or is it?

I mean, this is the team we saw at the start of the year. Steamrolling opponents. It’s amazing when they’re not playing every other or every night how they seem to be a different team.

I’m hoping the articles I’ve read comparing this run to the 2011 Cup run hold true. Beat a Canadian team, sweep your second round opponent, and then grind out a seven game series in the conference finals.

Getting ahead of myself, I know. But wouldn’t it be great? Oh and Hamilton is my pick for odd man out if/when Redden is ready. Sorry Dougie, just not ready for prime time.

Not like Krug!

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May 17, 2013 · 4:36 AM

I Was Warned

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I’ve told you before. I have sports radio on all day while I’m at work. Barring conference calls or meetings it’s on in the background. Sometimes I hear things other times it’s just white noise.

Well, yesterday I heard that Marchand left practice. He pulled up on a 2 on 1 and just left the ice and went into the dressing room. All I could think was The Swede. Get that big oaf on a line with Bergeron and Jagr. No one would understand eachother.

Claude gave us all a sigh of relief when he said Marchand would be ready to go. Then it was eight hours of build up.

I was warned by a guy at work that it was a 7:30 start. My initial thought was, still beats West Coast baseball.

When I play NHL 13 and I need reinforcements I call up guys from Providence. I’ve called up Bartkowski in the game and I’ve called up Krug. They’re sent back just as quick but they usually contribute when they get their shot. So imagine the smile on my face as life imitated art and Krug scored the tying goal in the third period after just getting called up.

But this is where the warning came into play. A 7:30 start means that it’s really closer to a 7:45 start. Meaning if the game goes to overtime, I don’t know how long I’ll last. And I didn’t. I was knocked out. I mean, I was asleep at 7:30 on Tuesday night.

So I was pleasently surprised to wake up this morning and see that the little ball of hate scored the game winner on a perfect feed from Bergeron. I’m glad whatever caused him to leave the ice was gone as he lept into Chara’s arms.

Can’t wait till a 3PM start Sunday. They can go five overtimes, at least I know I’ll be awake for it.

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May 16, 2013 · 5:02 AM

Drop The Puck!

Krug in the mix?

I’ve recapped before my time in college at UMASS Lowell. Our pep band was the best in Hockey East and even got comments in the Globe confirming the same. We were so good that other teams in Hockey East tried to hire us as a mercenary pep band come the playoffs after Lowell was out.

I bring this up because “DROP THE PUCK!!” was one of our favorite things to yell at the refs. It was always follwed up with the obligatory “thank you”.

I’m ready for them to drop the puck tonight but if they wanted to wait till Sunday to start the series, I’d be OK with that too. The Bruins defense is all kinds of banged up. Redden, Ference, and Seidenberg are all question marks heading into tonight. That’s why the team called up Torey Krug (above) to join fellow call up Bartkowski who was called up last series.

All these rookies, Hamilton included, scare the crap out of me on the blue line. Sure they were servicable in Game 7 against Toronto, but New York is a tougher team.

I’ll be watching for sure. I just hope the defense is decent enough to keep them in the game. We’ll see.

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May 14, 2013 · 11:02 PM

Still Savoring

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I’ve already heard it said that 10, 20, 30 years from now attendance at the Garden Monday night will grow and grow. And eventually it will be 850,000 fans and you were one of them, there and witnessed history.

Listening to sports radio yesterday I heard so many fans that never gave up.

Bull!!

Just because you gave up, changed the channel, or went to bed doesn’t mean you’re not a fan anymore. Part of being a fan is that you can critique your team with honesty.

After the overtime win in Game 4, they played scared. They played game six like they were down in the series. Even their GM likely had people traded, not re-signed, coaches fired etc.

But the comeback changed everything. For now. They go up 3-0 against the Rangers and then lose the series I think all of that wold be back on the table.

I don’t think that’s what’s on tap. I think if this team can play like they played late in game seven, teams should fear the Bruins. I hope the beast has been awoken and won’t rest until Lord Stanley’s Cup is making its way through the streets of Boston on a duck boat.

Again, here’s hoping.

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