Matt Cooke, Enough is Enough.

I'm actually starting to be a bit concerned about Matt Cooke. I hope the Pittsburgh Penguins doctor is hard at work diagnosing him. Cooke must have some sort of rare medical condition that doesn't allow him to put his elbows down, right? Why else would his elbows be constantly raised and aimed at player's heads? All jokes aside, this is a serious, serious issue. Cooke was up to his old tricks again today when he decided to elbow Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers. He is one of the dirtiest, cheapest players in the league. Someone NEEDS to teach Cooke a lesson. Clearly getting KO'd by an Evander Kane punch last year wasn't enough to put an end to Cooke's shenanigans.

Although the league has recently been working hard to prevent these type of cheap shots, they really need to take action when it comes to Cooke. I mean the guy pretty much single handedly- (err..single-elbowedly? single-shoulderedly?), ended Savard's season and received zero punishment. The guy is KNOWN for being one of the most despicably cheap and cowardly players in the league.. yet for some reason, he never seems to get enough punishment. When is enough enough?

Let's take a look back at some of Cooke's handiwork..shall we?

Head Shots and Headaches

Where do I even begin? First and foremost, I want to make it clear that I stand behind the NHL's (better late than never) crack-down on head shots. Randy Jones' hit on Bergeron resulted in one of the scariest injuries I've ever witnessed in a sporting event. It took Bergeron an entire season (and then some) to regain his skill. Then last year was the hit on Savard by Matt Cooke. Fast foward to this season, and Savard has his second concussion courtesy of former Bruin Matt Hunwick. Now Savvy is dunzo for the remainder of the season and postseason. Last week in a game against the Dallas Stars, B's foward Daniel Paille delivered an illegal hit on Ray Sawada. I was at the game and couldn't make my own decision on how dirty the hit was until I went home and watched the replays. It was a bad hit. Do I think it was intentional? No. But it could have been avoided. The NHL needs to be consistent; I understand that. However, being that it was Paille's first offense of that nature, I think a FOUR game suspension was a little dramatic. (Sean Avery receieved a 6-game suspension by the League for his distasteful-- yet hilarious, comments about an ex-girlfriend) Paille has since contacted Sawada and apologized, which was definitely the right move. I think Paille did what he needed to do; and I'm pretty sure the 4-game suspension was more than enough punishment and he feels bad enough. Right? Wrong. Enter, Andrew Ference.

Let me preface thisi by saying, Ference has been known to cause rifts in the dressing room in the past due to NHLPA-related issues and I ignored it, because quite frankly, those type of shenanigans bore me. But following the game against the Stars, Ference was very quick to talk to the media and he sort of threw Paille under the bus. He explains how he can't be a hypocrite and how sensitive the Bruins are to head shots. I understand that, and it makes sense. But Ference should have waited to comment to the media until he spoke to Paille first. I think team chemistry is extremely important- especially during this stretch of games at the midway point of the season.

As Don Cherry stated, “I don’t care if your teammate is an ax murderer. What you’ve got to say to the guy, you tell him in the dressing room. You tell him that was a dirty hit. You never go to the press".

And to be honest, I think this DID cause a problem in the locker room. In their last game, they came out flat, couldn't clear their own zone, they were sloppy in the neutral zone and most importantly couldn't even connect on passes. Ference should have kept his mouth shut on the matter- or at the very least spoken to Paille first, then explained to the press his feelings. There was no need to throw a teammate under the bus, full well knowing a suspension was going to come anyway.

I hope Wednesday's game against the Habs can help the B's find their chemistry again.

All-Star Draft: Awk-ertainment At Its Finest

October..finally.

Well, to be honest I've only vaguely thought about this blog a few times since...well, the last post. I was so carefree, so happy, so...hopeful. Then everything came crashing down. I didn't think it could happen again, I didn't think it would happen again. You know? The crushing defeat was like a blow to the head or an Exacto knife to the heart. I'm not just being dramatic because that's how it felt. Sitting in section 314, row 9...seats 1 and 2. Bear Hat activated. We were up 3-0. Three to nothing. And then...we weren't. An epic collapse, a choke, whatever the headlines said. The fair-weather, pink-hat, bandwagoners could say whatever they wanted. But that night in the Garden, I truly believe some hearts were broken. Or at the very least, cracked for awhile. That's why I couldn't face this blog. I didn't want to relive that 60 minutes.

Last season was the definition of a rollercoaster ride. The ups and downs provided some shortlived thrills and cheers; but ultimately ended in nausea and sickness. The reason for that was the consistent inconsistency. (Not to mention the inability to score goals) This summer felt long. Too long. I've waited impatiently for the puck to drop on the 2010-2011 season.

I can't make any sort of predictions now..because it's clearly way too early for any of that. All I can say is...I'm excited. I'm ready to put last season's debacle in the past and turn the page.

Lastly, I will ask some questions to be answered later in the season.
-Where will Tyler Seguin fit in?
-Has Tuukka permanently secured the number one spot in net?
-Will Michael Ryder score a goal?
-Will Blake Wheeler not fall everytime he touches the ice?
-Will I miss Dennis Wideman?

Stop Numero Dos of Playoff Debauchery

Well, this should be interesting. The faithful fans of the Black & Gold eagerly awaited the second round, expecting to see a matchup between the B's and Pittsburgh. Well, not so fast. Because Montreal pulled off a HUGE upset last night- stunning Team Ovechkin and knocking them into an early summer vacation. So now, the B's are set to take on the gritty, hardnosed (but mostly downright annoying) Flyers. Luckily, we have home advantage- so hopefully the B's can get a big win come Saturday's matinee at 12:30.

The Flyers are missing three important forwards- Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne and Ian Laperriere. The Bruins are welcoming back Savard. Don't get too excited yet folks because I have a feeling its going to take Savvy a bit of time to get back into the swing of things. He said so himself, that he doesn't expect himself to be an immediate hero. However, I think he's been itching to get back into the lineup and when he's motivated, he's successful.

That's all for now; I will add to this later after thoroughly analyzing the Flyers.

See Ya

Can't spell OVECHKIN without CHOKE. Choked by the Habs. Choked in the Olympics. Lucky for Ovie, he'll get another shot with team Russia in the World Championships. haha. Peace out, bro.

And after 22 years...

I watch Ray win the Cup at least once a week and get weepy every time, so it's no big shock that this commercial makes me bawl my eyes out.

2010 Playoffs: WTF?

Nevermind the Bizarro Bruins- we'll get to them in another post. What the hell is going on in the rest of the playoffs?

I'm not saying that I'm an all-knowing and infallible playoff picker, but in the past I've always been damn good at it. Usually I only get a few series wrong throughout the entire playoffs. Technically I've only gotten one wrong so far, but many series in this first round are on the verge of embarrassing me further.

Let's first look at the series I got dead wrong: Philly and New Jersey. I thought that it would be a close series that could potentially go either way, but in the end said Devils over Flyers in 7 games. This was because I value goaltending over scoring in the playoffs, at least when the matchup is close. Of course, in order for my prediction to be true, New Jersey would have to actually get good goaltending, and that didn't happen. Brodeur allowed 15 goals in 5 games and managed a measley .881 SV%, despite facing the fewest shots against per game in the playoffs. Philadelphia, on the other hand, held up their end of the bargain (despite, I suppose, getting the fewest shots FOR per game in the playoffs). Basically, Brodeur shit the bed. Worse than that, he made me look bad. Worse still than that, he was nominated for the Vezina over Tuukka.

Sidetrack: WTF NHL? I understand not giving Tuukka the Vezina. Ryan Miller should win it. But he had the best goaltending numbers in the league- how could you not nominate him? And how in god's name did you pass him over for the Calder? And why isn't Patrice up for the Selke? Even the Wreck doesn't agree with that last one.


I was confident that Chicago would completely whoop Nashville's ass, potentially even sweeping them. The series is now tied at 2, which isn't a total disaster, but it's not what it should be. Chicago played more like themselves in Game 4, but before that they were genuinely being dominated by the Preds. The only explanation I can offer is that they weren't playing very well, which isn't particularly enlightening. I also sold Nashville short. They defied predictions with relentless effort, likely throwing the Blackhawks off their game. I still believe Chicago will recover, and Nashville may have won its last game, but you have to commend them.

I suppose "WTF?" was an overreaction, as those are really the only two series that have gone strangely (besides the obvious). I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the first round, and the start of the second.

Miro the Hero; B's Lead Series 3-1

I am still in shock from the show the B's put on last night. In a good way. After a painful first half of the game, the B's rallied in the 3rd to tie it up to send the game into 2 OT. The Sabres came out hard from the start of the game, and scored a goal within the first 3 minutes. Woops. Then again in the 2nd period. It wasn't until the 3rd period that the Black & Gold started moving their legs. Better late than never, right?

During the overtime period(s), the Garden was ROCKING. At least I think it was. Everything felt like a dream to me. There was this looming cloud over my head the entire time that wouldn't evaporate until Satan scored the game winner. Every time the puck would cross the blue line into the B's zone, I would twist and mangle my rally towel because I was sure that the Sabres would get a lucky bounce, and break my heart. Throughout the game, we kept thinking...the B's can do this- IF this happens, or IF that happens; IF they do this; IF they can do that. They answered all our "ifs". And they answered them with confidence.

Tuukka was nothing short of brilliant. Which doesn't even come to a surprise to me at this point. So resilient; so calm. Although, he did made an epic, diving, mid air save- a la Timmy, to rob Grier. This whole series I have been torn between who has got the better goaltender. I've got to hand it to Miller- he makes it VERY difficult for anyone to score. He makes timely saves and makes it seem like the B's don't stand a chance. Even after being momentarily crippled by a Lucic shot, he continued to make save after save. The goaltending in these series is downright breathtaking- as I have been literally holding my breath. But...what Tuukka has that Miller doesn't, is his calm and cool demeanor. Tuukka is so poised and almost always in position; at least last night he was. He's always ready. He let in two goals; and then turns into the Great Wall..of..Finland. Miller on the other hand, although having his moments of resilience, does get rattled. He was out of position during that penalty, when the B's won the game; and Satan knew it.

Last night was amazing. It showed those who had lost hope that the B's CAN and WILL do what it takes to win. They haven't scored first in this entire series- but with a young, relaxed goaltender; worried, yet redeeming defenseman (And a 6'9 monster wearing a cage), mismatched lines of hungry forwards, and maybe a hint of luck; the B's are now one win away from receiving a ticket to round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Game 3 Tonight

In a stunning game 2 in Buffalo, the B's managed to tie up the series. Tonight's game is at the Garden; and Me, Tizzle and Bear Hat are sure to be in attendance. Not much more I can say about Game 3- still think its going to be a tight game.

I can't wait to feel that playoff-hockey meets drunk-Bostonians-on-marathon-monday atmoshphere. And its Tizzle's 21st. And Savard is closer to returning as he feels "unbelievable" and has to pass a neuropsych test in order to be cleared to return as soon as later in these series! And, Vanek won't play tonight with a high ankle sprain. So, its fair to say the stars are aligned, my friends. LET'S GO BRUINS.