The 2009 Boston Bruins, owners of the top spot in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, are for real. As the team’s marketing slogan eloquently states, “We want it.” Truer words cannot be spoken. Game three lived up the hype as the pundits fully expected the game to be a physical affair, especially in front of the Montreal faithful.
From the initial puck drop both teams quickly set the tempo with hard hitting and speed. But it was the Bruins who prevailed with the shear will to want it more. For the first time since the lockout the Bruins marketing team can sit down and have a nice cold beer. They finally got the slogan right, “We Want It.”
There is absolutely no question the Bruins want it more than the Canadiens and any skeptics should watch a replay of Chuck Kobasew’s empty net goal. Granted it was an empty netter, but the loose puck battle he won against Captain Saku Koivu for the empty net was pure beauty. It was the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Habs in game three and as far as my eyes can tell, the series.
The Canadiens are on the brink and their fans are most likely on the ledge after last year’s phenomenal season and this year being the organizations 100th anniversary.
The biggest story of the game has to be Bruins forward Michael Ryder though. After a dismal season last year with the hated Canadiens, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli enticed the hard shooting forward with a four-million dollar pact over three three years to cross enemy lines and come play with his former coach Claude Julien. Ryder took a lot of heat in Montreal last year, but it was he who has the last laugh against his former team. The New Foundland native ripped a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a Dennis Wideman rebound. The shot beat Carey Price under the cross bar for the Bruins third goal and the eventual game winner. No doubt Ryder was excited to see that one cross the goal line for his new team. His words to the fans who booed him all night? OLE THIS!?!?
So, Wednesday the boys in Black ‘N Gold will look to dispose of their hated rivals in game four for the series sweep. This will unquestionably give the B’s some serious confidence (not like they don’t already have it) heading into the second round of the playoffs. For right now, they just need to concentrate on game four and if there is one team that can do it, its Boston.
From the initial puck drop both teams quickly set the tempo with hard hitting and speed. But it was the Bruins who prevailed with the shear will to want it more. For the first time since the lockout the Bruins marketing team can sit down and have a nice cold beer. They finally got the slogan right, “We Want It.”
There is absolutely no question the Bruins want it more than the Canadiens and any skeptics should watch a replay of Chuck Kobasew’s empty net goal. Granted it was an empty netter, but the loose puck battle he won against Captain Saku Koivu for the empty net was pure beauty. It was the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Habs in game three and as far as my eyes can tell, the series.
The Canadiens are on the brink and their fans are most likely on the ledge after last year’s phenomenal season and this year being the organizations 100th anniversary.
The biggest story of the game has to be Bruins forward Michael Ryder though. After a dismal season last year with the hated Canadiens, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli enticed the hard shooting forward with a four-million dollar pact over three three years to cross enemy lines and come play with his former coach Claude Julien. Ryder took a lot of heat in Montreal last year, but it was he who has the last laugh against his former team. The New Foundland native ripped a one-timer from the right faceoff circle off a Dennis Wideman rebound. The shot beat Carey Price under the cross bar for the Bruins third goal and the eventual game winner. No doubt Ryder was excited to see that one cross the goal line for his new team. His words to the fans who booed him all night? OLE THIS!?!?
So, Wednesday the boys in Black ‘N Gold will look to dispose of their hated rivals in game four for the series sweep. This will unquestionably give the B’s some serious confidence (not like they don’t already have it) heading into the second round of the playoffs. For right now, they just need to concentrate on game four and if there is one team that can do it, its Boston.
A four-game sweep will give the Bruins a nice rest period to heal and prepare for that second round while the rest of the first round completes.
This faithful scribe’s guess: The Bruins come in and steam role Montreal in game four to get ready for the semi final matchup versus either the New York Rangers or the winners the Penguins/ Flyers series.
By the way, helmets off to rookie Byron Bitz. Filling in for the suspended Milan Lucic, played defensively responsible and setup linemate Shawn Thornton for the B’s second goal. Depth continues to be a key factor here for the Bruins successful season. Phil Kessel added the other Boston goal on a beautiful tip past Price in the first period.
As for me, good fight and good night!
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