B-R-U-I-N-S Not U-S-A!

Ok. So I haven’t wirtten about hockey much this year. But I do have a request for the Bruins fans out there and hopefully you’ll humor me and take this request seriously.

I’m amped the Bruins are going to the Stanley Cup Finals, why wouldn’t I be? It’s a great thing for the team, the fans and for the city of Boston. Plus, why should they let the Red Sox get all the attention? Let those bitches work for it! Now I do have one request for the fans when going to the games in town and I’m sure there’s more than a few who will disagree with this request, but hear me out. The Boston Bruins have 3, yes, THREE(1-2-3) players on the roster from the United States. Can we PLEASE drop the ‘USA’ chant?

Do I get why y’all do it? Yeah. I mean, we ARE in the US and Tim Thomas is from the US and we don’t let the colors run and we killed Bin Laden. Yeah, yeah, I get it. I know you chant it to inspire the players or Thomas. But it’s not about one guy – it’s a team effort!

But there is just something about the chant during a normal hockey game that’s just so cringe worthy. It just screams ‘Douche Bag American’ and what aboot the players from different lands that bust their humps? Where’s there’s chant?(Since you’ll never be able to inspire Kaberle, can we all agree that he is the Eric Gagne of the Bruins?)

Oh and Vancouver has 6 American players. Two of them are Ryan Kesler & Andrew Alberts. Do you REALLY want to inspire them? I mean, Kesler is a beast and Alberts is…..ok….not so much Alberts. But you get what I’m trying to say, right?

Do you really want to inspire these douche nozzles?

With that said, if you’re looking to chant something at the game – here are some ideas for you:

Thomas is Good!
Go Whalers….Errr…Ummm…I mean, never mind!
Chara is Tall!
Make Daddy Proud, Greggy!

And my personal favorite:
Kesler is a Cunt!

So feel free to take the ball and run with it. Come up with your own chant to inspire the Black & Gold and who knows, maybe we can get together and sing it to the boys over & over & over again during a parade in Boston? It could happen……..right?

Godspeed!

Oh yeah…P.S. Can we PLEASE have Terry Francona, Doc Rivers & Bill Belichick speak to the lads & inspire them to win?

2010 Winter Classic: A Fan’s Review

Winter Classic Image from CharlieOnTheRadio on Flickr

@ComicGirl8 is back and she wants to share with you her thoughts on the Winter Classic that just occurred. I’ll be posting later on about the game….I’ve finally recover somewhat. haha If you want, comment on what you thought of the Winter Classic and who do you think should be showcased next time around! – Cameron Frye

I, sadly, did not attend the Winter Classic. In the words of my favorite hockey player, “It wasn’t meant to be”. However, since the same game that was played at Fenway; was also on my tv, here’s my two cents.

Team Canada Becomes A 5 Year Reunion – Olympic Bound Bruins

"You guys want to do this again on 2010?"

 As mentioned on my Twitter, considering the dramatic way Steve Yzerman announced Team Canada this afternoon, Brian Burke should contact Simon Fueller and everyone  at American Idol and have Ryan Seacrest do the announcement of Team USA. 

  “Phil Kessel……You are…….NOT on Team USA.” 

Let’s be honest, the best part (for Bruins fans at least!) was the announcement that Patrice Bergeron would be joining the team in Vancouver. Not bad for a kid who didn’t get an invite to camp this summer.  With the addition of Bergy, the Olympic viewers get to check out a mini reunion of sorts of the 2005 Canadian World Juniors Championship Hockey Team  that featured Sidney Crosby(A) – Pittsburgh Penguins, Corey Perry & Ryan Getzlaf - Anaheim (Formerly Mighty) Ducks, Brent Seabrook – Chicago Blackhawks, Shea Webber – Nashville Predators and  Mike Richards - Philadelphia Flyers . For the complete roster of Team Canada, go here. 

And Patrice isn’t the only Bruin heading to Vancouver in February, Zdeno Chara will be going and representing Team Slovakia, Marco Sturm will be representing Germany and David Krejci will be on the ice in Vancouver for the Czechs. 

Team USA will be announced on New Year’s Day in conjunction with the Winter Classic. Here’s to hoping Tim Thomas makes the team!

Bruins Practice Log 12/22/09

Even after last night’s 2-0 victory in Ottawa against the Senators, the Bruins were back in Boston this morning and ready for practice.  The team had a bit of a late start, allowing injured forward Milan Lucic to take the ice.  Lucic skated with assistant coach John Whitesides for about 15 minutes; doing fast laps and stick-handling/passing drills. He bounced a lot of shots off the glass, which were received by shrieks from the fangirl troupe huddled near the doors.  Note: hockey is loud, keep this in mind before coming to Ristuccia.  It is also cold, so stop whining loudly about how the heat’s not working.

Lucic left the ice, and in the lull before the regular practice, Tim Thomas strolled by me, decked out in tight Under Armor and gym shorts.  The Starbucks barista in me noticed that he was drinking generic coffee.  For shame, Timmy.  He made up for it by wishing me a Merry Christmas.

Also spotted was Vladimir Sobotka, rocking a taped up right lower-thigh and workout gear.  As you will recall, Sobotka took a Chara shot to the leg and left the ice for part of last night’s game.  Mark Stuart was also wandering around off ice, which pleased me greatly.  Not only because I like the defenseman, but because his shorts were very, umm, flattering in the crotchal region, and he seemed to know it, the way he was parading himself around the arena.  He and Sobotka appeared to be doing off-ice workouts, and contrary to other reports, they were both in attendance.

The rest of the team took to the ice about a half hour later than scheduled, wearing their Winter Classic pants and helmets.  The pants are dark brown with a gold stripe down the leg, and apparently Johnny Boychuk’s were too big, as he had to drop his gloves to tighten and readjust himself.

Practice consisted mostly of game situation drills.  They all looked pretty confusing to me, but one in particular even tripped up the players.  Luckily, they all found their confusion hilarious.  The offensive lines were pretty messed up, due to absences, but it worked out well in the end.

Other observations worth noting: Dennis Wideman did not fall.  Adam Wozniewski almost did.  The Bruins began practice by shooting on a child-size two-foot high goal with Tuukka Rask defending.  I’m not sure what purpose this served, but it was pretty comical to watch.  Sobotka, Stuart, Derek Morris, and Michael Ryder were missing from the on-ice festivities.  And the fangirl squad ended up leaving before the team even came out. *** By @SweetCaroline04

Milan Lucic takes to the ice

Game Seven

This is it, people. Game seven! Someone is going to be setting up tee times tomorrow and while the other will be prepping to play the Penguins. The momentum has shifted and the B's have won the last two games. So this will be easy, right? Who knows.

But after the performance we got during Game 6, I'm thinking the people in Boston are going to be very happy tonight. I cannot wait for the game – it's going to be amazing! I could say more, but it's already  been  said. We all know what they need to do.

LET'S GO B'S!!!

Mike Wendt made this great video – add him on Twitter!

If the Bruins needed another reason to win – do it for Mikey!

 

By the way, congrats to the Pittsburgh Penguins who demolished the Washington Capitals last night! I recommendy you watch the video Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski, did. Mike Green was just not having it when it came to the handshake. I guess that's what happens when you get pulled in the third period for playing like crap. At least he has his sack to come home to.

One Game Can Change Everything

 

I posted the Kevin Millar comment from 2004 yesterday and I decided to take some liberties and put a Bruins spin to it. Lame….I know. But here ya go!

"Don’t let us win tonight. This is a big game. They’ve got to win because we’ve got Ward coming back today and then we'll  be back in Boston for Game 7 and then you can take that fraud stuff and put it to bed. Don’t let the Bruins win this game." – Jack Edwards, May 12, 2008

Go Bruins!!

We Want It!

"Don't let us win tonight. This is a big game. They've got to win because if we win we've got Pedro coming back today and then Schilling will pitch Game 6 and then you can take that fraud stuff and put it to bed. Don't let the Sox win this game." – Kevin Millar, October 17, 2004

I remember hearing that and thinking he was crazy. But then again, who didn't think Millar was crazy? Red Sox fans knew Manny's former spokesperson was a bit of an attention whore, but no one knew he was also a psychic. If you told me what happened in '04 was going to, I was going to say you're crazy and need to lay off the pipe. But the Sox did win and went onto win the World Series. They did it again in '07 and that's when I started to be less pessimistic.

When the Bruins started their comeback last year against the Habs, I wondered if there was going to be another epic comeback – but this time on ice. Well, it didn't. But this year, it's different. The team that hits the ice now on Causeway Street is big, bad and would make Bruins fans of the past proud.

The black & gold were down 3-1 going into last night's game and the team who's been telling their fans on a nightly basis that they wanted it, weren't playing like they did. But last night was different. It was Carolina's game to lose and it was also the anniversary of when Bobby Orr flew through the air with the greatest of ease and lead the B's to winning the Stanley Cup. So no one wanted to see this day in Bruins history tainted.

There were signs everywhere giving encouragement and then there was one that spoke the truth: PLAY LIKE YOU WANT IT! We'll never know what was said before the game or on the plane, but whatever it was, it seemed to work and the boring series became a little more interesting. Everyone is saying the Milan Lucic's hit on DennisSeidenberg changed the momentum of the game and I would have to agree. Last night showed cracks in Cam Ward's armor and we saw what happens when the tables were turned. Tim Conboy desperately tried to turn the game around by attempting to fight with Shawn Thornton & Mark Stuart and failing miserably. Then there's Scott Walker. Who let's be honest, is a douche and has face that deserves to be beaten, took out Aaron Ward. Coach Claude Julien is reporting that Ward might have a broken orbital bone and Carolina Hurricane's coach, Paul Maurice didn't seem the slightest concerned for his team's bush league play.  Jussi Jokinen started it off, when he slashed B's captain, Zdeno Chara, with less than a minute left and sending Chara hobbling back to the locker room. But Chara did his best Paul Pierce impersonation and came back in the third. 

According to an AP story, Maurice reportedly laughed off the idea of repercussions in upcoming games and seemed to be more concerned with Walker's sore knuckles and with the idea thaving to sell his truck for any fines. Classy, Maurice. 

 I'm assuming Ward is going to be out. I know you should never assume, but if he is – can we please give Johnny Boychuk a chance? The kid is a beast! The B's are off until Tuesday and the next game is on enemy territory. They're down, but they're not out. Take it one game at a time and show the fans that they do in fact want it. Go Bruins!

Game 4

This time last year, the Bruins were already out of the playoffs, but a lot has changed since then. I know it's generic and I've said it over and over – but it's true. There's something special about this team and the fact they actually play like a team is refreshing.

I know there are tons of people out there who would kill to have that BIG name guy on the team - but we've got better than that. We've got guys who go out there and perform every night. We've got veterans guys who take the time and work with the youth of the team and help them become better players. Plus we have youth that'll give a veteran that spark they've been longing for.

We saw the resurgence of Michael Ryder with the thanks of David Krejci and Blake Wheeler. We saw the veteran take rookies like, Byron Bitz and Matt Hunwick, under their wings and look at the players they grew into this season. Almost everyone seems to walk of the ice at the end of the night with a point and they do whatever they can to make sure the team succeeds. I'd rather have that than a flashy 50 goal scorer. But then again, I like Sean Avery – so what do I know?

But anyways, back to the main topic. The B's haven't been in a position like this in while. So to put it mildly, tonight is kind of a big deal. So don't screw it up! No, kidding. No, I'm serious. Watch your tempers, score early and score often. Let them get the penalties and spend time in the box. Good luck, boys and Go B's!

Let The Games Begin!

Tonight's match up couldn't have come at a better time.  The vast majority of Sox fans are ready to jump off the edge, Doc Rivers just announced that KG is pretty much out of the playoffs- but who cares? There's hockey to be played!

For the 32nd time, the Bruins take on the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last year the Bruins barely made it into the playoffs and were stuck playing the Habs, who were one of the best teams on ice. We all remembers game 6, we remember the intensity and how the B's out scored the Habs. But we also remember the end of game 7. While Bruins fans sunk in their chairs and dreamed about  next year – Habs fans attempted to burn the city down in celebration.

But things have changed, the roles are reversed and the B's are looking like they could win this one. The Bruins have a great mixture of youth with experience and experienced veterans, while the Habs are filled with purse snatchers, divers and wannabe Russian gangsters. Michael Ryder, who spend last year's playoffs riding the pine for the Habs, will be on the ice as one of the Bruins's top players. There's no need for Coach Claude Julien to scratch Phil Kessel to prove a point – Kessel is a year older, more mature, more experienced and the B's top goal scorer. What a difference a year makes.

Although, if there is one thing the Bruins are going to do, it's watch their emotions. Yeah, we want the B's to play to win and give their all. We want to see Looch show everyone who's boss and Thornton send some well wished to O'Byrnein the penalty box, but who wants to see them blow their proverbial load in the first round like Montreal did last year? You want them to go far and bring back some missing hardware to Boston. Who doesn't love the idea of skipping work to watch the guys roll down

Comm Ave in duck boats, while being accompanied by Lord Stanley's favorite beer stein?  So the B's are going to have to ignore some of the Habs desperate attempts to get under their skin. Case in point,  Georges Laraque will be suiting up for tonight's game. Old Georges, who is old and has been pretty much useless this season for Montreal, will be doing everything in his power to get under the skin of whoever will fall for his b.s. in a black & gold uniform. As Cornelius Hardenbergh said on twitter, 'Beat em on the scoreboard, let em get some penalties.'

Everyone has their own opinion about tonight's match up and the series in general. Greg Wyshynski, better known to you and me as Puck Daddy, gives it to the B's and gave us this gem when wondering about Montreal's goalie situation:

"It's assumed Price will get the majority of the work, but we'll see Jaroslav Halak at some point. Both have been about as solid as a game of Jenga being played by drunks wearing boxing gloves."

Bruins beat writer, Matt Kalman of  The Bruins Blog compares the excitement to Steve Martin's enthusiasm over the new phone books. Remember when Martin was funny? Stanley Cup of Chowderbreaks it all down for you, Chris from HubHockey.com shared his predictions and revealed new shirts that are available to buy in honor of the playoffs.WickedBruinsFans gives her opinion on tonight's match up. Jesse Connelly talks about the potential lines and changes for tonight's game. If you're interested on what the other side is thinking, check out 25stanley.com . They're ready to tell us and everyone why the B's and their fans suck. It's actually really funny and I love the site, when I can understand it. And finally, Joe Haggerty was able to get some great blackboard material from Georges.

So that's it. Now all we can do is wait and see. Me? I'll be watching the game and twittering my thoughts and have a full re-cap in the morning. Oh yeah, Bruins in 6.

Boston Bruins Cuts For A Cause

Myself and Kat from SportsGirlKat.com decided to play hookey this afternoon and check out Aaron Ward's second annual, Cut's for a Cause. The turn out was great and we were lucky enough to snag the last two seats. Everyone from Aaron Ward, his teammates, The Bruins Organization & WBCN's Toucher & Rich should be commended and should have lots of good karma coming their way.

I took tons of pictures and for the record, some look better with a shaved head than others….all of the pictures are here!