As I sit here during my lunch break, I figure why not write about the Bruins. I’ve already eaten a sandwich and well, quite frankly, every time I think about my favorite team I feel sick to my stomach. So, with that being the case, why not write about them.
Anybody who follows hockey or even the Bruins knows that the trade deadline is looming and if the Bruins want to make the playoffs something will need to happen.
Now, when I say something needs to happen, that doesn’t mean go out and send two draft picks, two prospects and a roster player to Atlanta to have Ilya Kovalchuk play for your team for two months. I’m all set with that notion. No matter what this team does this year, they are not winning the Stanley Cup. There is just not enough passion in the locker room. So, bringing the almighty Ilya Kovalchuk to the team will be a waste, even if he is one of the most dynamic scorer’s in the league.
Okay, so now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, that doesn’t mean the Bruins need to stand pat. To be completely honest, I’m sick of GM Peter Chiarelli continue to say he’s still evaluating etc. It’s time to do something. Stop being a chicken shit and pull the trigger. I’m not saying make a move to make one, but for cripe sake, do something to put a spark under this dastardly-looking hockey team.
Many people are calling out for Claude Julien to be fired. Sorry folks, aint happenin’. Nor should it. Julien proved last year that he’s worth every penny they’ve paid him and he will make this team a contender. Chiarelli needs to do his part and provide a roster with some talent and passion. Last year, it looked as though we had it, this year, not so much. Julien didn’t win the Coach of the Year award for nothing last year. So let’s stop with the nonsense that he needs to be axed.
Players on the roster that have disappointed are as follows: Blake Wheeler, Marco Sturm, Matt Hunwick, Dennis Wideman, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and Michael Ryder. I’m willing to see any of these guys go except Krejci. Unfortunately Chara and Sturm have no-trade clauses so it wouldn’t be that easy.
There now I feel better. Regardless of any trade, I think tonight’s Montreal game will be the turnaround the Bruins need. A big rivalry and tons of bad blood between these two squads should be just what the doctor ordered to get this hockey team out from underneath the avalanche that’s rapidly ripping them away from a playoff stop.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins + TD Garden + sold-out raucous crowd = slump buster. Let’s see it. You heard it here first.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bruins Season Right Around the Corner
Well it’s been a while since I shared my thoughts on all things NHL. I have had a busy summer and with my recent decision to buy a house, it’s been a bit nuts around here. With that being said, some extra time tonight gave me the opportunity to share my thoughts on a few things regarding the Bruins.
We all knew it was coming and finally the National Hockey League announced that the Bruins would host this year’s Outdoor Winter Classic at no better place than Fenway Park. The opponent? The Philadelphia Flyers. Ironically enough, I’ve been employed by both organizations. Albeit the Flyers never paid me because it was a summer internship, but I was there everyday during the summer of 2004 and it was the best experience of my life nevertheless.
I have heard many people say they think it’s dumb to the play the Flyers and it should be Montreal or Washington or even the Rangers instead. Well, I respectfully disagree. My reasoning is simple too. I’ll list them out…
Obviously Montreal is in the Canadian market where hockey is thriving. Yes, hockey is thriving in some parts of North America, but not all. It’s important the NHL has two teams south of the Canadian border to play against each other to keep US interest the highest possible.
Why not Washington with Alexander Ovechkin? Not a terrible point as he is the leagues most dynamic player to watch, except the Maryland and D.C. market doesn’t nearly have the television market that Philadelphia has. Ill prove this more in a bit…
The Rangers are a decent idea, but Boston and New York are closer in proximity than that of Philly and Boston. In addition, although the Rags are another Original Six, the Big Bad Bruins and the Broad Street Bullies have a bigger rivalry. The two names originated from playing one another and with the Bruins playing a new blue-collar style that GM Peter Chiarelli has implemented, it makes for a good game against the rough and tough style the Flyers play. Good, exciting games equal better TV ratings and more money in the NHL’s pocket in many ways. Which, is the name of the game… I mean business.
Alright, so there you have my opinion. Take it or leave it. Now back to rankings. According to DMA Rankings the Philadelphia market is ranked No. 3 with 2.95 million households (2.6% of the US) in North America. The Boston market is ranked seventh with 2.40 million households (2.1% of the US). Now, I understand that New York is ranked first, but Boston and Philadelphia together will cover the New York region. So, if my math would serve me correct, that would make 4.7% of Boston and Philly combined with 6.5% of New York’s equals approximately 11.2% of the US Television market. That represents approximately 12.7 million households in that area. Now these numbers are skewed because not every household would tune in, but it will be on NBC with coverage throughout the country. That gives me leeway by not counting all of the other top-10 markets that will have households watching the game live from Boston. From 2008 to 2009, the NHL saw an increase of 12% in the Neilson ratings. If I’m wrong and the ratings drop, you can give me a hard time, but I’m pretty confident this Winter Classic in the Fens will shatter last year’s mark. By the way, Washington is ranked ninth and its all politicians so I really don’t think that would help much. Besides if Obama watches, it will be from a warm suite within the friendly confines of Fenway. And if he does show up, I’ll be shocked.
My last topic is Phil Kessel. I’m getting sick of the stalemate but it is a business. It’s tough; he scored 36 goals last year and battled a shoulder a painful shoulder injury at the latter part of the season. Still, he’s young and it’s one season. His first three seasons he made $850,000 per year, so I think anything over $4 million this coming year is too much of a raise. He’s barely 20 years old so to make 4 million of course I’m going to disagree. Not to mention we’d have to make too much room for him to fit under the cap and that means sacrificing another part of your lineup. This team is strong, has plenty of depth and good breadth of young talent in Providence. I say trade Kessel if Chiarelli can’t sign him a two-year deal worth 3.5 million. He isn't playing this year until December anyway so why not do the two years. He should prove his worth and take a huge pay increase come 2012. The Bruins can still get good return out of him so I still say trade him if you need to make too much room for him. With Krejci, Bergeron, Savard, Wheeler, Lucic and Ryder in the mix and Sturm returning, Boston will have plenty of offense. Not to mention the newly acquired defenseman Derek Morris who should add some pop to the Bruins second powerplay unit as well as added offensive minded play on the back line. He better too because I really liked Aaron Ward and was a bit sad to see him go.
That’s it for now…more in the future!
We all knew it was coming and finally the National Hockey League announced that the Bruins would host this year’s Outdoor Winter Classic at no better place than Fenway Park. The opponent? The Philadelphia Flyers. Ironically enough, I’ve been employed by both organizations. Albeit the Flyers never paid me because it was a summer internship, but I was there everyday during the summer of 2004 and it was the best experience of my life nevertheless.
I have heard many people say they think it’s dumb to the play the Flyers and it should be Montreal or Washington or even the Rangers instead. Well, I respectfully disagree. My reasoning is simple too. I’ll list them out…
Obviously Montreal is in the Canadian market where hockey is thriving. Yes, hockey is thriving in some parts of North America, but not all. It’s important the NHL has two teams south of the Canadian border to play against each other to keep US interest the highest possible.
Why not Washington with Alexander Ovechkin? Not a terrible point as he is the leagues most dynamic player to watch, except the Maryland and D.C. market doesn’t nearly have the television market that Philadelphia has. Ill prove this more in a bit…
The Rangers are a decent idea, but Boston and New York are closer in proximity than that of Philly and Boston. In addition, although the Rags are another Original Six, the Big Bad Bruins and the Broad Street Bullies have a bigger rivalry. The two names originated from playing one another and with the Bruins playing a new blue-collar style that GM Peter Chiarelli has implemented, it makes for a good game against the rough and tough style the Flyers play. Good, exciting games equal better TV ratings and more money in the NHL’s pocket in many ways. Which, is the name of the game… I mean business.
Alright, so there you have my opinion. Take it or leave it. Now back to rankings. According to DMA Rankings the Philadelphia market is ranked No. 3 with 2.95 million households (2.6% of the US) in North America. The Boston market is ranked seventh with 2.40 million households (2.1% of the US). Now, I understand that New York is ranked first, but Boston and Philadelphia together will cover the New York region. So, if my math would serve me correct, that would make 4.7% of Boston and Philly combined with 6.5% of New York’s equals approximately 11.2% of the US Television market. That represents approximately 12.7 million households in that area. Now these numbers are skewed because not every household would tune in, but it will be on NBC with coverage throughout the country. That gives me leeway by not counting all of the other top-10 markets that will have households watching the game live from Boston. From 2008 to 2009, the NHL saw an increase of 12% in the Neilson ratings. If I’m wrong and the ratings drop, you can give me a hard time, but I’m pretty confident this Winter Classic in the Fens will shatter last year’s mark. By the way, Washington is ranked ninth and its all politicians so I really don’t think that would help much. Besides if Obama watches, it will be from a warm suite within the friendly confines of Fenway. And if he does show up, I’ll be shocked.
My last topic is Phil Kessel. I’m getting sick of the stalemate but it is a business. It’s tough; he scored 36 goals last year and battled a shoulder a painful shoulder injury at the latter part of the season. Still, he’s young and it’s one season. His first three seasons he made $850,000 per year, so I think anything over $4 million this coming year is too much of a raise. He’s barely 20 years old so to make 4 million of course I’m going to disagree. Not to mention we’d have to make too much room for him to fit under the cap and that means sacrificing another part of your lineup. This team is strong, has plenty of depth and good breadth of young talent in Providence. I say trade Kessel if Chiarelli can’t sign him a two-year deal worth 3.5 million. He isn't playing this year until December anyway so why not do the two years. He should prove his worth and take a huge pay increase come 2012. The Bruins can still get good return out of him so I still say trade him if you need to make too much room for him. With Krejci, Bergeron, Savard, Wheeler, Lucic and Ryder in the mix and Sturm returning, Boston will have plenty of offense. Not to mention the newly acquired defenseman Derek Morris who should add some pop to the Bruins second powerplay unit as well as added offensive minded play on the back line. He better too because I really liked Aaron Ward and was a bit sad to see him go.
That’s it for now…more in the future!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Hammers Ready for Game Three -- A Win Sends Them to Gold Medal Round
Its Saturday morning and its 1030 am. Roc is still passed out in his bed with an occasional groan. He did wake up to tell me he was still drunk and figured he would vomit around 1:00 pm.
As for me, I was up late and up early. I feel good and hope that can carry over to our game at 3:30 against the guys from Montreal. I met a couple of them last night at the bar. They were Bruins fans who live in Montreal. I loved it. After watching them play we should be able to handle them quite easily. We will have to see. A win will put us in the gold medal round. We will surely be playing against the Syracuse Rangers who beat the Nordiques this morning 7-0.
We lost to the Rangers yesterday 5-3. Their goalie is awful, but they were definitely the better team. I don’t want to admit it but I really have no choice. They’re much faster than us but tire easily. If we can wear them down tomorrow morning we will have a game. Its important to note that we can beat them. They were better but not unbeatable. We are a good team when everybody does their part, spreads out and sticks to the game plan.
As a side note, Charlie must have made 45 saves yesterday. He played magnificently and as much as I don’t want to say he’ll have to be a huge factor for us tomorrow, he really is going to need to be. I don’t think I have ever seen him play better than the performance he turned in yesterday. The score sheet said 21 saves but I’m pretty sure the scorekeeper was blind in one eye. Speaking of blind, the referees we had were terrible. I have never seen a game called as lop-sided as they called it yesterday. Not to mention, those bastards looked pretty young. I’m going to go out on a limb and say they probably just started growing pubic hair this year. I hope they don’t ref us again and for their sake too because I will be shooting at them when I dump the puck in the zone. We shall see.
So Chris Mackin will be doing the shootout. Hope he does well. He looked much better today than he did yesterday. He looked like the floor of taxi cab yesterday. Im pretty sure Roc took that analogy today.
So with all that being said, I’m done here. Ill have a game recap after our game later.
GO HAMMERS!
As for me, I was up late and up early. I feel good and hope that can carry over to our game at 3:30 against the guys from Montreal. I met a couple of them last night at the bar. They were Bruins fans who live in Montreal. I loved it. After watching them play we should be able to handle them quite easily. We will have to see. A win will put us in the gold medal round. We will surely be playing against the Syracuse Rangers who beat the Nordiques this morning 7-0.
We lost to the Rangers yesterday 5-3. Their goalie is awful, but they were definitely the better team. I don’t want to admit it but I really have no choice. They’re much faster than us but tire easily. If we can wear them down tomorrow morning we will have a game. Its important to note that we can beat them. They were better but not unbeatable. We are a good team when everybody does their part, spreads out and sticks to the game plan.
As a side note, Charlie must have made 45 saves yesterday. He played magnificently and as much as I don’t want to say he’ll have to be a huge factor for us tomorrow, he really is going to need to be. I don’t think I have ever seen him play better than the performance he turned in yesterday. The score sheet said 21 saves but I’m pretty sure the scorekeeper was blind in one eye. Speaking of blind, the referees we had were terrible. I have never seen a game called as lop-sided as they called it yesterday. Not to mention, those bastards looked pretty young. I’m going to go out on a limb and say they probably just started growing pubic hair this year. I hope they don’t ref us again and for their sake too because I will be shooting at them when I dump the puck in the zone. We shall see.
So Chris Mackin will be doing the shootout. Hope he does well. He looked much better today than he did yesterday. He looked like the floor of taxi cab yesterday. Im pretty sure Roc took that analogy today.
So with all that being said, I’m done here. Ill have a game recap after our game later.
GO HAMMERS!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Hammers Dispose of Nordiques, 5-1
Lake Placid, NY – After a long night of drinking and shenanigans, the opening game for the tournament could have gone very well or terribly for the Hammers. After a slow start though, the boys in red started hunting down pucks, threaded passes and slowly picked apart the defense and goaltending of the Westmount Nordiques. When the final buzzer sounded, the Hammers were victorious by a score of 5-1.
It’s should be known that they didn’t play their best and were quite sloppy, but still managed to up their record to 1-0 in the Sarajevo division of 2009 Can/Am Classic.
Mike Gresko, Ric Novak (2) and Johnny Dagostino did all the goal scoring, while Jeremy Lemoine and Paul Carpenter chipped in with three assists apiece.
As always, Hammers netminder Charlie Kunkel was stellar between the piped with a 15 save effort.
The Auburn Hammers will look to go up 2-0 in the tournament when they take on the Syracuse Rangers tonight at 5:00 pm. A win will put them in a great position to play for the gold medal on Sunday morning at 8:00 am in the Herb Brooks 1980 Arena.
To view the box score of the game click here.
It’s should be known that they didn’t play their best and were quite sloppy, but still managed to up their record to 1-0 in the Sarajevo division of 2009 Can/Am Classic.
Mike Gresko, Ric Novak (2) and Johnny Dagostino did all the goal scoring, while Jeremy Lemoine and Paul Carpenter chipped in with three assists apiece.
As always, Hammers netminder Charlie Kunkel was stellar between the piped with a 15 save effort.
The Auburn Hammers will look to go up 2-0 in the tournament when they take on the Syracuse Rangers tonight at 5:00 pm. A win will put them in a great position to play for the gold medal on Sunday morning at 8:00 am in the Herb Brooks 1980 Arena.
To view the box score of the game click here.
Hammers Gear Up for Day One in Lake Placid
It is 8:55am and I am awake. Should I be? Probably not, but then again I have never been able to sleep late so who cares. We made it Lake Placid yesterday afternoon about 3:30 pm and after seeing my room I knew it was going to be a great weekend.
Rock is my roommate. Eric Plainte is his real name, but for the record, I have never ever heard anybody use his name. Actually, the first three years playing with these guys I never knew his real name.
Now, I get here and check-in and head to the room. I open the door and walk in. My jaw hit the floor.
“How the hell did I manage to land a suite,” I muttered to myself.
Yes, you read right. We got a suite. Now, this could be great or very bad. No matter what, I love it. We have a couch and a fireplace up in here. It’s awesome. So right now, I am on the couch, buck naked, typing this while Rock-o sleeps. I really am naked and I only told you so you can picture it perfectly in your head! SORRY! Hahah
So last night we went to Rumours – a nice bar/ club in the hotel. It was dead at first and I was skeptical, but as the night went on it got better. I should not fail to mention that George had already put me in a Jacuzzi and soaked me so I was on my second set of clothes for the day. Figures, the year I don’t bring much and that happens. It’s ok though, you know what the say about payback.
So back to Rumours. I’m a young guy and single so naturally when I see a girl by herself at the bar, I’ll say hi. Her friend stood her up and she’s throwing back Long Island Ice Tea’s like a champ. I’m impressed… and attracted. No, she was not fat. So, we get to talking and Paulie comes over and dumps popcorn on my head… and hers. Really?!?! I thought right there it was over, but shockingly enough, we kept talking.
We laughed it off so no big deal. But at this point I know any single guy on our team is going to try and mess up my game. Sure enough, I couldn’t have been more right. Where was Rock when I needed him? Mackin and Mike (Philly Cheese Steak) come over and start talking to her so I just said screw it. It doesn’t matter because I realized she was just looking for free drinks. So I let them by her the drinks. I am here to play hockey and win games anyway. If there are girls, that’s just bonus.
I let them do their thing… no clue what happened because I headed back to MY SUITE. Did they? No, so I don’t care, I was happy regardless.
Now, back to hockey. We have two games today. If you click here, you can follow us on Pointstreak.com.
Our first game is against the Westmount Nordiques. They are from Quebec so we won’t be able to understand any of their French. Dad, if your reading, thanks for teaching me the French you know… sense the sarcasm!
That first game begins at 11:20 am and then we play the Syracuse Rangers at 4:50 pm. Hopefully when I come back later for game recaps we will be 2-0. If we play the way we can, we are capable of coming up here and kicking the crap out of every team. That’s a fact.
Ok its 9:15 and I need a coffee and a bagel and need to hit the gym for a quick jog to loosen up. Keep checking in all day, Ill have updates!
Rock is my roommate. Eric Plainte is his real name, but for the record, I have never ever heard anybody use his name. Actually, the first three years playing with these guys I never knew his real name.
Now, I get here and check-in and head to the room. I open the door and walk in. My jaw hit the floor.
“How the hell did I manage to land a suite,” I muttered to myself.
Yes, you read right. We got a suite. Now, this could be great or very bad. No matter what, I love it. We have a couch and a fireplace up in here. It’s awesome. So right now, I am on the couch, buck naked, typing this while Rock-o sleeps. I really am naked and I only told you so you can picture it perfectly in your head! SORRY! Hahah
So last night we went to Rumours – a nice bar/ club in the hotel. It was dead at first and I was skeptical, but as the night went on it got better. I should not fail to mention that George had already put me in a Jacuzzi and soaked me so I was on my second set of clothes for the day. Figures, the year I don’t bring much and that happens. It’s ok though, you know what the say about payback.
So back to Rumours. I’m a young guy and single so naturally when I see a girl by herself at the bar, I’ll say hi. Her friend stood her up and she’s throwing back Long Island Ice Tea’s like a champ. I’m impressed… and attracted. No, she was not fat. So, we get to talking and Paulie comes over and dumps popcorn on my head… and hers. Really?!?! I thought right there it was over, but shockingly enough, we kept talking.
We laughed it off so no big deal. But at this point I know any single guy on our team is going to try and mess up my game. Sure enough, I couldn’t have been more right. Where was Rock when I needed him? Mackin and Mike (Philly Cheese Steak) come over and start talking to her so I just said screw it. It doesn’t matter because I realized she was just looking for free drinks. So I let them by her the drinks. I am here to play hockey and win games anyway. If there are girls, that’s just bonus.
I let them do their thing… no clue what happened because I headed back to MY SUITE. Did they? No, so I don’t care, I was happy regardless.
Now, back to hockey. We have two games today. If you click here, you can follow us on Pointstreak.com.
Our first game is against the Westmount Nordiques. They are from Quebec so we won’t be able to understand any of their French. Dad, if your reading, thanks for teaching me the French you know… sense the sarcasm!
That first game begins at 11:20 am and then we play the Syracuse Rangers at 4:50 pm. Hopefully when I come back later for game recaps we will be 2-0. If we play the way we can, we are capable of coming up here and kicking the crap out of every team. That’s a fact.
Ok its 9:15 and I need a coffee and a bagel and need to hit the gym for a quick jog to loosen up. Keep checking in all day, Ill have updates!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bruins Begin Second Round vs. the Hurricanes or Whalers?
This coming Friday, May 1, the Boston Bruins will commence the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This Eastern Conference Semifinal marks the first time the Bruins have made it to the second round in 10 years. Yes, I said 10 years -- much to my chagrin. I suppose rather than dwell on that, we should all be excited because this team is legit.
So, with the Carolina Hurricanes coming to town, the Bruins will look to get to the Conference Finals since the 90-91 season. The year before that, my beloved Black N’ Gold lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers. For me personally, I was playing youth hockey for Mid-State scoring loads of goals and watching a highlight video of that Bruins season entitled “Reach for the Stars.” A pre-Parkinson’s Michael J Fox narrated and Mike Millbury was the team’s head coach. I swear to god I watched that movie over 100 times. I can still quote it 17 years later. Pathetic? Oh I would say so! But at least it legitimizes me as a true fan rather than be labeled as a bandwagoner as the Bruins re-mark their territory in the Hub of Hockey.
Before I preview this year’s showdown, please bear with me and let me revel in a little more history. That year the Boston made it to the finals, their path to the silver chalice was the Hartford Whalers in Round 1, the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2, the Washington Capitals in Round 3 and then the Edmonton Oilers in the Finals. Do you any of you see a pattern here? I do, if you flip-flop the first and second round opponents this just may be the exact road the 2009 Boston Bruins take the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ok who’s scratching their head? Today’s Carolina Hurricanes are formerly the Hartford Whalers. Cue Brass Bonanza. The old Whale skated in Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center, which is now called the XL Center, home to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. I saw two Bruins games in Connecticut against the Whalers -- one with my mom and one with my brother. It was a great place to catch a game and I really wish they would bring back the Whale.
So now that I have just rambled on and on about the History of the Bruins and the second round, I think I’ll give my short take on this coming series and then give a more in depth preview tomorrow. I can also preview the other playoff match-ups as well.
So the Bruins enter the series owning the regular season series 4-0. Throw it out the window folks. Paul Maurice’s Cardiac Canes are playing much better than when the season series concluded. Goalie Cam Ward is playing well, real well. Boston also outscored Carolina 18-6 throughout the season.
We all now about season series and then playoffs by looking at last year’s series vs. Montreal. With that being said, I still think the Bruins take this in six games. They’re big, tough, fast and have this season’s soon-to-be Vezina Trophy winner in Timmy Thomas. All things being equal though, the Bruins are too deep for the Hurricanes. To be more concise, the intrepid scribe believes that the B’s are the deepest team to come out of the East. I will be shocked if they don’t prove it. I really like Boston’s chances to go to the Cup Finals.
ESPN Analyst and recently shit-canned Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Barry Melrose picked the Hurricanes. That makes me feel even better because that guy may be animated, but he’s moron. Or better yet, a Don Cherry wannabe.
Be back tomorrow for less history and more fact so you can make your own prediction to the Bruins/ Canes series as well as the other games.
WOW, Jerry Remy just said Bruins in six during the Red Sox game. Well, the baseball guru agrees with me… do you? Bruins in six baby.
So, with the Carolina Hurricanes coming to town, the Bruins will look to get to the Conference Finals since the 90-91 season. The year before that, my beloved Black N’ Gold lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Edmonton Oilers. For me personally, I was playing youth hockey for Mid-State scoring loads of goals and watching a highlight video of that Bruins season entitled “Reach for the Stars.” A pre-Parkinson’s Michael J Fox narrated and Mike Millbury was the team’s head coach. I swear to god I watched that movie over 100 times. I can still quote it 17 years later. Pathetic? Oh I would say so! But at least it legitimizes me as a true fan rather than be labeled as a bandwagoner as the Bruins re-mark their territory in the Hub of Hockey.
Before I preview this year’s showdown, please bear with me and let me revel in a little more history. That year the Boston made it to the finals, their path to the silver chalice was the Hartford Whalers in Round 1, the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2, the Washington Capitals in Round 3 and then the Edmonton Oilers in the Finals. Do you any of you see a pattern here? I do, if you flip-flop the first and second round opponents this just may be the exact road the 2009 Boston Bruins take the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ok who’s scratching their head? Today’s Carolina Hurricanes are formerly the Hartford Whalers. Cue Brass Bonanza. The old Whale skated in Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center, which is now called the XL Center, home to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. I saw two Bruins games in Connecticut against the Whalers -- one with my mom and one with my brother. It was a great place to catch a game and I really wish they would bring back the Whale.
So now that I have just rambled on and on about the History of the Bruins and the second round, I think I’ll give my short take on this coming series and then give a more in depth preview tomorrow. I can also preview the other playoff match-ups as well.
So the Bruins enter the series owning the regular season series 4-0. Throw it out the window folks. Paul Maurice’s Cardiac Canes are playing much better than when the season series concluded. Goalie Cam Ward is playing well, real well. Boston also outscored Carolina 18-6 throughout the season.
We all now about season series and then playoffs by looking at last year’s series vs. Montreal. With that being said, I still think the Bruins take this in six games. They’re big, tough, fast and have this season’s soon-to-be Vezina Trophy winner in Timmy Thomas. All things being equal though, the Bruins are too deep for the Hurricanes. To be more concise, the intrepid scribe believes that the B’s are the deepest team to come out of the East. I will be shocked if they don’t prove it. I really like Boston’s chances to go to the Cup Finals.
ESPN Analyst and recently shit-canned Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Barry Melrose picked the Hurricanes. That makes me feel even better because that guy may be animated, but he’s moron. Or better yet, a Don Cherry wannabe.
Be back tomorrow for less history and more fact so you can make your own prediction to the Bruins/ Canes series as well as the other games.
WOW, Jerry Remy just said Bruins in six during the Red Sox game. Well, the baseball guru agrees with me… do you? Bruins in six baby.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Matchups Set
I have not been very good at keeping this updated because I have been so busy lately. As I sit on the couch and watch the Rangers vs. Capitals game seven, it makes perfect sense to make a post.
As I type this I was going to start out by saying that the Rangers are playing tremendous hockey, and by this eye, may sneak out with a series upset as a the seventh seed. Nevermind speaking too soon -- I thought too soon. As I was gathering my thoughts, suddenly, the Verizon Center erupts because veteran Russian forward Sergei Fedorov sniped a wrister that beat Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist short side. By the way, it was the old-farts 52nd career tally in the playoffs. To my memory, I think that is the second goal of the series that beat him short side. Not good for “King Henrik,” affectionately called in the Big Apple.
With four minutes to go, it looks as though the Capitals will win this series.
Now to the Western Conference upset where the President’s Trophy winning San Jose Sharks choked again in the post-season. They lost in six games to the Anaheim Ducks.
By the way, the Caps won. Game over. I love the handshake…although I hope someone sucker punches Sean Avery. The Versus announcers are all of a sudden loving the Capitals and pumping their tires. Funny how the second best team in the Eastern Conference barely makes it out the first round and the announcers suddenly love them. How? They should have lost tonight and were being chastised during the intermissions by the same guys. How contradicting... go figure.
Back to the Sharks. I thought they would at least get to the Cup Finals. I guess when you take two Norris Trophy defensemen and put them up against a perrenial playoff failure in Joe Thornton, we should have known. Physical play was the key to the Ducks win there.
Both No show Joe and Captain Patrick Marleau weren’t very influential in the series and that’s a big reason they lost to the Ducks. I should make note that they were drafted Nos. one and two respectively in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
On November 30, 2006 Thornton was traded to San Jose. I was an employee of the Bruins at the time and what an interesting week that turned out to be. I did say it was going to turn out to be a good trade and it was for the Bruins. Only one other reporter agreed with me… and that was Boston Globe Hall of Fame writer, Kevin Paul Dupont. Oh, my good buddy Joey MacDonald from the Providence Journal agreed too. Oops. This summer I will break down that trade because after three years, we can look at it more in depth and see all the pros and cons.
On a positive note, the Worcester Sharks, a former place of employment for me as well, upset the first seeded Hartford Wolf Pack in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League. After dropping the first two, the Baby Sharks stormed back to take four in a row. Good friend of mine, Riley Armstrong leads the team with eight assists. The Sharks began the Atlantic Division Finals (Round 2) against the Providence Bruins tonight and dropped game one by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Good luck to the Sharkies!
Right now I am waiting to see final matchups for the second round for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once I find out I am going to bed. I will preview tomorrow.
SECOND ROUND MATCHUPS
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Well, I just found out that the Boston Bruins will take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Washington Capitals in the other round.
Western Conference Semifinals
The Anaheim Ducks will take on Detroit Red Wings while the Vancouver Canucks and face off against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Now, seeing that’s done, Im hitting the sheets. Previews tomorrow…
PS. Versus in-studio analyst Brian Engblom picked perfectly in the first round. Maybe now he can pick a new hairstylist because his current hair-do is pathetic. Poor bastard!
I would be remiss to not mention my good buddy Joe Roche went 6.5 and 8 on his picks. He lost the Carolina/ New Jersey series and was pretty sure the Sharks would lose their series but was afraid to actually pick against them. Way to Work esquire Roche, way to work!
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