I HAVE A DREAM!

I have a dream that one day, all professional athletes will "get" clock management.

I have a dream, that in rinks across America,well paid, highly skilled hockey players will not stare at an open net and be seduced by the prospect of an "easy goal".

I have a dream, that when the other team pulls their goalie, while on a power play, that the defenseman many are calling Norris caliber will not try to skate the puck out his own zone, but rather just clear it the length of the ice.

I have a dream, that two of the top skill guys on the Bruins will either be able to hit a wide open empty net, or know enough to just eat the puck to allow time to expire.

I have a dream, that after rallying from a 2-1 deficit by scoring 3 goals in a minute and a half, that the top team in the East won't allow 2 goals in the final minute and a half of the game.

I have a dream that Claude Julien never put PJ Axelsson in the shootout again.

I have a dream, that barring Julien not giving him another chance, that Axe actually comes up with another move on the shootout.

I have a dream, lastly, that, the Bruins start to get healthy again so they can actually dress an NHL line-up for the rest of the season.


Of all the dreams I have, the B's returning to health is the most likely, and probably the most important. Perhaps, just perhaps, if the B's weren't so ravaged by injuries most of the above situations wouldn't have come into play. I'm not one for excuse making, because as Mike Milbury said, the B's had enough talent on the ice yesterday to beat the St. Louis Blues. But a funny thing happened. The Blues beat the Bruins at their own game. They worked hard. They forechecked (A constant source of trouble for the B's, hard forechecking teams have given them fits all season). They never gave up hope, even when it looked like they blew their last best chance for the win. The Blues, despite this huge win, aren't going anywhere this year. But this should go a long way towards boosting their team confidence, and serve as a great teaching tool for the coaching staff. The question now becomes, what lessons id the Bruins learn? For a moment, it looked like the Black & Gold was going to pull off their customary rally and win another game they probably didn't deserve to. But once they got the 2 goal lead, they sat back. And the Blues, to their credit, came at them with everything they had. The most distressing part of the "collapse" was who made the big mistakes. Chara had a chance to clear the puck before the Blues third goal. But he muffed it, and only got it to the blue line, not out. Then Wideman, the one many are saying is Boston's best D-man, decides to skate the puck out of harms way instead of firing it the length of the ice. Moments later, it's 4-3 and St. Louis smells blood in the water. But surely the Bruins, the top team in the Eastern Conference will be able to protect the one goal lead for a minute twenty, right? Well, no. They hung on for a minute nineteen and change. But it wasn't for a lack of opportunity to ice the game. The B's had PLENTY of chances to bleed the clock dry. First Wheeler couldn't handle a puck along the left wall, allowing St. Louis to remain in the zone.Seconds later, Wheeler got beat to a loose puck along the boards by Jackman (much tougher play, but Wheels could/should have eliminated Jackman at least causing a scrum). Just a few seconds after THAT, Ryder was able to clear the puck, sending Wheeler on a break down the right wing. Wheels made a good decision in making sure he crossed the red line before shooting at the empty net. But then, "IT" happened again. As any of you have read this space previously know, I've often blasted Wheeler for not "bearing down" and "burying" chances. Well, his shot at the empty net was as lazy as they get (well, maybe not, ut we'll get to that later). He casually flicked the puck towards goal, assuming he had the easy lay up. As we know, the shot just missed off the left post. No problem, the rebound went directly to Krejci positioned at the top of the left face off circle. With only 19 seconds left on the clock, all he has to do is A)rip it into the empty net or B)carry into the corner and eat it. If he had a clean shot at the net, shooting from there is an easy call. But he didn't. Two Blues stood between him and the net. He got it past the first one (who was standing on the face off dot attempting the block), but he wasn't able to get it past the terrific game saving block by Barret Jackman. I give tons of credit to Jackman for that play. He did a great job of giving his team that one last chance. But that still doesn't excuse Wheeler and Krejci. Wheeler should have hit the net. Krejci probably shouldn't have even shot it. With so little time on the clock, the wise play is to milk it and escape with the two points. Forget padding your stats with an empty netter. But, that didn't happen and St. Louis came down the ice and got the benefit, I think, of a fairly generous allowed goal call. It appeared to me that the puck was batted in with a high stick. But it was close enough that whatever was called on the ice, would probably stand up under review. Again, I think it was a high stick. But it shouldn't have ever gotten to that point. The over time was sort of a whole lot of nothing. Bruins had 2 shots during the extra session, the Blues had none. So, it would come down to the shootout. Here we go again. Wheeler was first up and made a great move. He cleanly beat Mason and had a huge opening on the right side to bury the puck. But alas, this is Blake Wheeler we're talking about. The move was great, but again, he failed to bear down and bury the shot. He just casually slid the puck at the net, and caught the right post. No goal. Next up for the good guys? Krejci? Ryder? Savard? Friggin' Sobotka, Wideman, St. Pierre......??? Nope, well known defensive specialist Pj Axelsson. He of the one shoot out move. Predictably, he did it again. Swing wide right, come across the crease and jam on the brakes, trying to backhand it short side high. Yes, it worked to great effect once for a SO win earlier this year. But every time he's tried it since, he hasn't been able to roof the puck. And that move depends on roofing it, not just getting it barely off the ice. It's not, by any means, an easy move to pull off. But that's the point. Why put a player out there, not known for his great offensive skills, to try such a difficult shot? Julien has to know PJ is going to go back to that one....it apparently is the only thing he knows how to do in the SO. So why not put a more versatile offensive player out there? I know they're very short handed right now, and guys like Kessel, Bergeron and Sturm would be your first choice. But you can't tell me there were no better options than Axe in that situation.

All in all, the B's lost a game at the very end that they never deserved to win anyway. Yet another sluggish performance in a matinee. They better figure out what needs to be changed in their pre-game routine quick, because they play a ton of Saturday afternoon affairs from here on out. The good news is, they should be getting a lot of their walking wounded back after the All-Star break. Judging the play of the team recently is tough, with so many spare parts playing big roles. But it's the regulars in the lineup that really let them down yesterday. And it won't be any easier in Toronto tomorrow. You can be sure the Leafs saw how hard work by the Blues resulted in a W. Bet the ranch that the already hard working Leafs bring their "A" effort Wednesday night. But also bet everything that the Bruins bring twice the effort. All in all, it could be a very entertaining game up in TO. At least that is my dream. Go B's-Kynch