As one Boston band put it; "Let the Good Times Roll". That's been the case for the Boston Bruins all-season long as they skated and deked their way to an 8-5 win over their Original Six rival Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the 4th meeting between the Northeast Divisional foes, the 3rd and final of the season at the Garden. The now officially Sundin-less Maple Leafs gave the Bruins a valiant fight yet again but in the end the Black and Gold prevailed to improve their record to 22-5-4 on the year. It was as if Vesa Toskala and Curtis Joseph didn't have a chance right from the get-go of this one as the Bruins lit them up for 8 goals in all. Toskala, was pulled after giving up 2 goals in just over 4 and half minutes. Goal 1 of 8 was scored by Marco Sturm who was held to just over 2 minutes of time on ice due to what appeared to be a lower body injury in his return from the IR. The 2nd was scored by none other than the red hot David Krejci, which closed the door on Toskala's night...for now.
As Toronto coach Ron Wilson made the call for 41 year old Curtis Joesph, the Garden faithful sang Vesa a chorus of sarcastic cheers as his night appeared finished. This was just the beginning on CuJo proved to be no relief as he gave up 4 goals on 16 shots; giving up goals to Savard, Krejci and Phil Kessel. Giving up was never in Toronto's mindset that night as after goals by Alexei Ponikarovsky, Nik Antropov and Mikhali Grabovski the Leafs found themselves trailing by only 2. One Phil Kessel goal later the Bruins were back ahead by 2 before an apparent "holding" call on Tim Thomas lead to a Jason Blake powerplay goal. As the horn sounded the 2nd period concluded with the Bruins clinging on for dear life with a 6-5 lead.
The 3rd period opened with 2 goalie changes. Fernandez was in net for Boston and Toskala was back in net for the Leafs. Following a Michael Ryder powerplay goal the Bruins were back on top by 2. And the proverbial icing on the cake was the powerplay goal late in the 3rd by Czech Republic native David Krejci. Krejci netted his 11th of the season and notably 3rd of the night after banging the puck past Toskala off a great cross-ice pass by Savard. This was the 3rd Bruins hat-trick of the season and their 2nd against the Maple Leafs.
The absolute dominance this team is displaying over their opponents at home is giving the Garden an electric feel every time the Black and Gold take the ice. The Bruins improved to 12-1-1 at home after last night and are now 17-2-1 in their last 20. Their consistent play and new high powered offense are giving the entire city of Boston and NHL fans around the world something to talk about. Most notably have been the play of David Krejci and Phil Kessel (yes the same Phil Kessel that was almost traded at last years deadline) as they are both on pace for 80+ points. They along with the rest of the Bruins players and the 17,000+ screaming Bruins fans are making the Garden a truly undesirable place to play for visiting teams.
Sundin Makes Decision; Picks....The Canucks?
All I can say is, finally. This saga reminded me of Brett Favre, it was long, uneventful and unnecesary. After days, no, weeks, no, months of hearing "Sundin to Montreal, Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Hartford etc etc" he finally chose to go to Vancouver. Vancouver got their center, but did Sundin get what he wanted? After all, he said he wants a Stanley Cup Championship, does he really think it's going to be in Vancouver? No, Sundin's like every other athlete in the world; he went where there was the most money. When it became apparent that both the salary cap crippled Rangers and Canadiens wouldn't be able to give Mats a multi-million deal he moved on. It's not this that I'm upset, it's more about the continuing trend of athletes taking off half a season like it's normal.
It's truly an alarming trend. NHL players taking almost half a season off and joining a team mid-way through for the "Cup Run" (how'd that go for you Peter Forsberg?). After this stunt was made popular by the boys in Anaheim named Teemu and Niedermayer it's now officially become a trend for veterans. This fan says no, it's time for the NHL to step in and create a deadline. Think about it from the "little guys perspective", you're from Slovakia, you fight in your country with the dream of getting to the NHL and you actually make it! You fight through the grueling training camps, work-outs and drills with the coach and you make the team only to be sent outright to your AHL team because some thirty-something year old decided retirement wasn't for him.
It's simply not fair. An idea I have is to make it so the players who want to play find a team exactly one month from the NHL's first game of the season. This way the NHL can avoid some of their once elite veterans joining on with teams just before the playoffs for that added bonus. If Claude Lemieux is willing to fight for another shot by playing for the Shanghai Sharks (The San Jose Sharks Chinese affiliate, no lie) then Sundin, Forsberg, Selanne and others can make their decision in less than a month if they really want to play in the NHL.
The Comment Heard 'Round The World: Sean Avery's "Sloppy Seconds"
When I say Sean Avery, what do you think? Most people would say you think of an agitator, an elite agitator at that. He's been dubbed "The Most Hated Man in the NHL" and for good reason. He's insulted French-Canadians, commentators, fellow players and even the commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman. He's been through it before but the 28 year old Ontario native found himself in a little more than 'hot water' when he made this now famous comment on December 2nd following a morning skate in Calgary. "I am going to say one thing. I am really happy to be back in Calgary. I love Canada. I just want to comment on how, it has become a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I do not know what that is about, but enjoy the game.". This comment was clearly directed towards Avery's ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert being with Calgary Flames defensemen and NHL09 coverman Dion Phanuef. Within hours Avery found himself suspended indefinitely.
"Indefinitely" was a rather light way to put what followed. Following a meeting with Commisioner Bettman, Avery was slapped with a 6 game suspension which would become the least of his worries. After serving this suspension it was announced that "Avery and the Dallas Stars are parting ways" after just 23 games which in my opinion was a move made by GM Brett Hull to save his own hide. After all, it was Hull's decision to let Niklas Hagman go and replace him with Avery. Although this move may be best for the cellar-dwelling Stars, it's not sending the right message for the NHL.
In a country where athletes have gone into the crowd and fought fans, been caught drunk and with hookers by police, shot themselves in the leg, shot one another, complained to the media about having to practice, accused teammates of being gay and injected needles into one anothers buttcheeks the NHL is attempting to make an example of Sean Avery for essentially being a smart-ass. Was his comment uncalled for? Yes. Was it malicious? No. He was being Sean Avery, mouthy and honest.
In no way do I think Avery's career should be done for just because of this, there's been much worse things that have gone virtually unpunished. An example that hits home with me is the fact that Randy Jones got a 2 game suspension for almost killing Patrice Bergeron. Not only this, but later in the year the Flyers pulled another boarding, this time on Andrew Alberts and Hartnell (the guy who drove the kneeling Alberts head into the dasher) was only hit with a 2 game suspension. You're honestly going to try and tell me that Avery's comments were 3 times as bad as almost ending a players career? I don't buy it.
1 comment:
i agree with your speculation on the 'cup run' problem in the NHL. But do remember good ol' #77 choosing Colorado, which did benefit him. Other than that, there are only a select few who have actually hit it right with their respective 'cup run' teams.
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