The face of shame

As much as I hate to pollute this site with images of cowardly, chickenshit low lifes, I thought putting a face to Steve Ott was worthwhile. This is what a disgraceful player looks like. This is the face of the "New NHL", where you can cheap shot, yap and do whatever you want, and not have to answer for your actions. "Back in the day", had Ott done anything like what he did Saturday at the Garden, he would have been pummeled. Now, with the instigator rules and all that, players have to "ask" for his cooperation, or face ejection and possible suspension. Thornton got a big break only getting the double minor for roughing when he went after Ott (or "Brave Steve" as Jack Edwards so aptly called him). Ott never dropped his stick or gloves. Shane Hnidy tried to engage Ott later on, and again Ott declined. I don't care which side of the fighting debate you're on, you can't tell me you watched his antics the other night and DIDN'T want someone to pound him.

If you aren't convinced that the Ott and Avery show is a pathetic embarrassment, all you need to see are their TEAMMATES comments. Here's a quote from Mike Modano immediately after the game: "Tonight it seemed to be idiotic," said Stars alternate captain Mike Modano of his team's identity. "It's stupid. It's one of the more embarrassing things I have seen, on the ice and involved with the fans. In 20 years, I haven't seen anything like it. If that's what we're going for, maybe I need to find myself an office job."
Those are comments Modano, a Captain, was willing to make to the press. What do you think the conversations were like in private? No way players like Modano, Morrow, Robidas and to a lesser extent, even the likes of Kris Barch can be too happy with these two. Barch had to fight Thornton because of all the bad blood Avery & Ott stirred up. And poor Matt Niskanen got absolutely hammered by Shane Hnidy because of a brawl touched off by yet another cheap shot from Avery.
When your own teammates start calling your actions embarrassing, maybe it's time to reconsider your tactics. But I think we all know these two jackasses will never change. The question is, will they end some one's career with a cheap shot before all is said and done?
Kynch

Now THAT is called "BRUINS"!

Went to the "New Garden" last night, and if it wasn't for the giant HD video screen, loud music at every whistle and the canned "Get loud" prompts, I'd have sworn I was at the OLD (REAL) Garden. Five goals, three fights and More bad blood than I can count. Boston stepped up and answered the bell in every way possible against two of the biggest pansy RATS in the NHL, Sean Avery and Steve Ott. Those two, especially Ott, played like cowards. Cowards that knew they only had to face Boston once this year. It seemed to me like Ott especially wasn't worried about consequences, figuring he could slide out of any trouble for one night. And not have to answer for anything later in the season. No way he gets away with that stuff against a division opponent. Ott's constant chirping and border line hits were unreal. He should be EMBARRASSED that he turned down invitations to drop the gloves on two occasion. Hey, if you're going to play that way, be ready to answer for it. I swear, after watching the replay, at one point Turco was embarrassed by Ott's actions. Honestly, people always say "you only hate guys like that unless they're on your team". Nope. I wouldn't want either of those gutless pukes on my team (and contrary to Brickley, I don't give Avery any credit for picking his spot and going with Ference And all Avery did was reach down and tackle Andy....well, and throw a shot while he was falling. CHEAP and GUTLESS. But, they may have done the B's a huge favor. Games like that, when everyone....and I mean EVERYONE, steps in and defends each other, can do wonders for a team. To see Savard of all people dive on Avery and throw bombs after he boarded Lucic was impressive to say the least. Hell, even Kessel got involved in the scrums a couple times, and actually didn't look like he wanted to back down an inch. Kid hung in there and "showed up" for his teammates. The big scrum late in the third may have been the biggest "event" of the night......featuring Shane Hnidy just laying an absolute BEAT DOWN (speaking of Hnidy....he's another guy the "haters" can lay off now. Guy has been a solid veteran presence back there all year.) But the "signature moment" would probably have to be the absolute bomb of a hit Ference through on Ott. Perfectly clean and against the perfect guy. Justice. Of course, that spurred "tough guy" Avery to "go after" Ference. Whatever. Those two have to look themselves in the mirror, and I honestly don't know how Ott and Avery can feel good about themselves after that. As a teammate, how do you not snap at those guys and tell them to cut the BS? Everyone else ends up paying the price for their nonsense (just ask Kris Barch).
As far as the game itself, yet another OUTRAGEOUS performance by Thomas. B's gave up 21 shots in the second period (to 5 of their own). And Timmy held them in.....again. But this night at least, the offense woke up to score five of their own. Sturm, properly motivated by a demotion to the third line (although, getting to play with Krecji and Wheeler isn't much of a punishment), potted two. Kessel......man. The kid just continues to impress with his speed and his shot. Best wrist shot I've seen since Tom Fergus (Johnny Pearson would be proud). Kess isn't just using his speed with the puck now either. He's becoming an effective fore-checker because of it, and is getting back on D as well. Do yourself a favor, and key in on him for a shift. If he plays anything like he did last night, you'll see constant motion, all at top speed. Can't say enough about his play this year. The defense got involved, with Stuart picking up a goal, and Chara jumping into the play constantly. The PK killed off all six man-down situations they faced.....which was a huge story lost in this game.

Bottom line, nothing not to like about this one. If every game was like that, you wouldn't be able to get a ticket to the "Garden". The kind of game you just don't mind paying to see. Some great goal tending, big hits, a few bouts, a lot of offense and more than a little "hate". Ahhh....now that's a Saturday night at the ole hockey game!

With luck, this emotion and team unity they gained last night carries over to Thursday against the Leafs (and beyond) I suspect we'll see a similar effort against Toronto, after coughing up the lead to them last time out.
The season is getting interesting
Go B's- Kynch

BOO! Scary stuff, eh kids?

Well, I promised you a SCARY Halloween. And I don't think I've seen anything scarier than that two headed monster above. What could be worse than Steve Kasper or Dave Lewis behind the B's bench? BOTH OF THEM!
I feel dirty for even having these two on the site.

60 X 2 + 40 = 4

Sixty minutes. coach Julien has been preaching it since he arrived on Boston. Sixty minutes of sustained effort. Sixty minutes of sticking to the system. Sixty minutes of being a "Bruin". For the first two games of the trip the B's did just that. Two complete sixty minute efforts earned them a much needed four points. last night in Calgary, they came out storming and played a very solid first period. And entered the second with a 1-0 lead to show for it. Then the wheels fell off. Calgary dominated Boston for the entire twenty minutes. A steady stream of B's to the penalty box didn't help matters. More concerning were all the turnovers in their defensive end, and the utter failure to clear pucks when they had the chance. This whole puck clearing thing has me dumbfounded, because it seems like it's been going on for year. How many times can you have full control of a puck, then not get enough steam on it to get it past your own blue line? That is probably the single biggest issue with their dreadful (to borrow a word from the great Fred Cusick) penalty killing. They've been in position to make plays, but for whatever reason rarely seem to be able to finish them. Fortunately, Boston regrouped between periods and came out with a much better effort in the third and made a game of it. So, another coaching opportunity if nothing else. Play sixty minutes-you have a damn good chance to win. Play anything less than that-you probably will fail.

Bottom line on the trip is they took four very big point of a possible six. It would have been great to pull off a sweep, obviously. I really think that would have done wonders for the team confidence. But they still have to feel good about their play, especially defensively (three goals against in three games isn't bad!). I know Chiarelli mentioned he was concerned about the goal scoring. Which is understandable, since his charges only scored four of their own. But, in my opinion, they were just unlucky for the most part. Unlucky in that they ran into Dwayne Rolloson, who played absolutely out of his mind for Edmonton. Then they had to face a couple guys named Luongo and Kiprusoff. Granted, one goal per night isn't a recipe for success, but it's nice to know that they CAN win games like that. Well, at least with Tim Thomas between the pipes. I was THRILLED to see Julien ride the hot hand and go with Timmy three straight games. The first time he's deviated from the every other game rotation this year. My guess is, Manny Freaking Fernandez gets the nod against Dallas tomorrow at the Shawmut/Fleet/TD Banknorth Garden. But, maybe Claude has some left over Halloween treats for us and goes with Thomas again.
(speaking of Halloween, I have a very scary picture I'll share later. I've been debating posting it....it's just too hideous for public consumption. So be warned. I'll post it this afternoon. You've been warned.) Go B's-Kynch

TIM-MAY!!!!

NOW can we quit the Timmy Thomas bashing? You haters know who you are. You're the ones that whine that Thomas doesn't look "controlled" enough. You're the ones that disregard any athletic save he makes by saying "It's because he was out of position to begin with". Whatever. The man is paid to stop pucks. On back to back nights he stopped everything thrown his way. And it couldn't have happened at a better time, as his mates only managed a single goal in each game. Seriously.....what more does he have to do? Was anyone really hoping Julien would start Fernandez against Vancouver? Or against anyone? Julien has made it clear he's at the point where he wants one goalie to take the reins and be "the man". Well, Timmy has a death grip on those suckers now, and I don't know that Manny is the man to take them away. LOVED the decision to play Thomas on back to back nights. That is completely in line with the coach's methodology for the rest of the team. Play well, play more. Play not so well, enjoy the pine. Manny hasn't been "horrible" on most nights, but he's been average at best too many times. If you have greatness on your roster, you don't alternate it with mediocre.

Aside from Thomas, there were other stand out performances in the last couple nights (yeah, been busy and sick so I missed an Edmonton wrap-up & Vancouver preview). Phil Kessel continues to be a joy to watch. Kid is FLYING on every shift. And better yet, he's actually competing for the puck. Never expected him to run people through the boards, but to see him dip his shoulder in and go for pucks is a thing of beauty. Krec is also looking very very good still. As Brickley has been pointing out, the kid just seems to have a great head for the game. He sees the ice very well, and he doesn't have any panic in his game. He's also pretty tough. He's not afraid to take a hit to make a play, which is huge. In Edmonton, I thought Axe had one of his best games in recent memory. He seemed to be everywhere all night and looked ten years younger the way he was skating (must have been that beautiful sheet of ice Jack Edwards wouldn't shut up about).
All in all, an amazing four points gained by the good guys. A win in Calgary is just icing on the cake at this point. But hey, I'm greedy. let's make it a western Canada sweep! Too bad Kobasew is still out, he and Ference making their returns would be a good story.
Go B's- Kynch

Game Day @ Edmonton 10/27

BIG game on tap out in Edmonton tonight. B's need to garner some momentum off their come-from-behind win against Atlanta Saturday. I'll be especially curious to see how Looch responds after his first NHL Hat Trick. I'm hoping he doesn't come out thinking "I'm a goal scorer now". Yes, he CAN score. BUT, he has to do it in the "dirty areas". And he also MUST continue to bang bodies out there. In fact, he really still needs to pick up that aspect of his game. Credit where it's due, he has gotten more physically involved of late (ask Mike Van Ryn, who said it felt like he was "hit by an elephant" when Looch put him through the galls Thursday). All the boys better be prepared for a VERY physical game tonight. The Oilers already have 9 fighting majors as a team, in only 7 games. Zack Stortini leads the way with three. While Stortini is a "good" fighter, and a big kid at 6'4" 215lbs, he is far from their toughest customer (he did put up an impressive 23 fighting majors last year though. Wow). That goes to former Pro-B enforcer Steve Macintyre. Big Mac (6'6" 250lbs) has found a home in Oil country, and is making the most of his chance to play in the NHL. Mac will dish out huge hits every chance he gets. He's also very good at timing his bigger hits and fights. If Boston starts to gain control of the game, be extra cautious if Stevie Mac is out there. The hammer is coming. So, Thornton and Lucic both could have their hands full. As much as we all want Milan on the ice, he just may HAVE to answer to Stortini, while hopefully Thornton will get Macintyre (if anyone has to, it's Thornton.). Both of those match-ups could prove to be very entertaining (even though Stortini does do a bit of hugging/tackling in his bouts...and he's also not bashful about throwing shots once he gets his opponent down. Makes me glad he's a Western Conference player).

Beyond the rough stuff, Boston desperately needs points. The schedule makers didn't do them any favors with this trip, but it is what it is. And it's important. The Oil has to be feeling the same way, as both teams currently sit in 8th in the respective conferences. Boston, again, SHOULD have the advantage, as Edmonton is having all kinds of trouble scoring. Shawn Horcoff leads the team with 3 goals. Hey, looch had that in the last game alone! Bottom line, stick to the game plan and match Edmonton's physicality and they should be fine. (and by Edmoton's physicality, I really mean the two aforementioned tough guys).

Predictions- Boston wins 4-2. Goals by Ryder, Chara, Sturm and Krejci. Lucic & Stortini go at it, as do Thornton and Macintyre.
Go B's-Kynch

Milan Thrashes Atlanta

So THAT'S how you play around the net! Lucic must have gotten some one on one coaching on the fine art of net-front positioning. Because he was much better at it last night, and was rewarded with a hat trick. Funny how that works, huh? Stand out front, screen the goalie and throw everything you can on the net and you score goals. For a tough, complicated game.....it really can be pretty simple. Four of Boston goals came as a result of just going to the net hard. Yelle got the ball rolling by tipping a turn around slapper from Thornton. Simple play, goal. Krejci's goal a was the prettiest of the five, blasting a short range slapper from the slot. The beauty of it was not only that he nailed his spot, top corner, but that he was patient enough to let Kessel clear the shooting lane before pulling the trigger. But again, there was all kinds of traffic out front. Simple.

All in all a good effort all around, except of course in the horrible first period. The B's can not keep throwing periods away like that and expect keep winning. Last night they got lucky. It isn't a winning formula to hope you can outscore the opposition for two periods and not showing up for one. Speaking of not good enough.....yes, he made some big saves. But Manny Fernandez continues to scare the hell out of me. At least one softie AGAIN last night. Worst decision of the night award has to go to Wideman, who for some unfathomable reason, threw the puck around the boards behind his own net....when he had an easy out and three Thrashers in his own end. This bad idea inevitably led to a Chara turn-over and an Atlanta (soft?) goal to Schneider.

But hey, the bottom line is they won a game they really needed. And the offense put up another five spot. Lucic seemed more like his old self last night, but with more touch around the net (ok, full disclosure time: I still think he lacks all kinds of polish and hands. His first goal was nice, in that he beat Hedberg to the post. So, good location. But it makes me wonder, when the puck never leaves the ice. I prefer seeing a guy BURY that chance, by getting it upstairs a little. His second goal was a perfect tip, nothing to question there. But, his third was, well.....ugly. He tried forcing a pass to Kessel...which he had no prayer of making, then was lucky enough that his little backhand swat found it's way through a defender and the goalie. I know you gotta be lucky too, but that was kind of an "ugly" hat trick. I'll take those any night, but I'm just saying.....let's not get all wrapped up in "Milan is a goal scorer" now.)

Now if they can head out west and take two out of three at least, I'll be thrilled. Hell, I don't even care if they need OT to do it against a Western conference team.
Go B's-Kynch

Soft Game Costs B's

Disappointing effort (or lack thereof) from the Bruins last night. They played softer than that plush doll pictured here. Give Toronto credit, they did enough to win. But this was a game that was there for the taking. All the Bruins had to do was WORK for it. But from the drop of the puck, they showed no interest in getting dirty to earn the two points. The Leafs looked completely over matched defensively. Bruin forwards were able to find all kinds of room in the Leaf end, often slipping behind them on the fly.Sadly, they were unable, or unwilling, to continue to apply pressure to a shaky D. You just knew if the B's didn't start doing SOMETHING, the Leafs would find their way back into a game they had no business being in. I'm saving my WTF Milan!? rant for later, after I watch the game tape again. But Looch was guilty of an awful lot of standing around (again) last night. The hit on Van Ryn not withstanding, Lucic hasn't been much of a physical presence. And honestly, the hit looked a lot harder that it was. Speaking of hits....hit of the night (season?) was Wideman on Stajan. Perfectly clean, and a hammer shot. So when did it become standard practice that every time a player gets hit hard, and clean, a teammate feels like they HAVE to "respond" by fighting (or trying to) the guy that made the hit? Hey, you won't find a bigger fan of fighting and sticking up for your teammates. But this IS a contact league, and players shouldn't feel a need to "get" whoever makes a good hit. Just hit them back later. That being said, I'm sure Leaf fans were happy to see the rookie, Schenn, go after Wideman. I'm also sure Schenn soiled himself when he ended up with Chara. Funny how things settle down when Z is in the middle of it.

On the bright side of things (this should be quick), Bergeron got his first goal. That's a big monkey off his back, and finishes off his "firsts" list. First game back, first home game, first point, first goal.....now he can just play hockey. Beyond Bergy, Krecji may have been the only other player that stood out, in a positive way. The kid is still making plays, he just needs someone to finish off some of his good feeds.

Bottom line is, Saturday's tilt against Atlanta becomes an early season "must win". Another West coast trip looms next week, and the B's simply can't afford to give away more points. Blame tired legs, blame the schedule maker, blame the HORRIBLE officiating....make all the excuses you want, but Boston simply has to be better. Good teams win when they should. Great teams win when they're not at their best. So far, Boston should have no delusions of being either of those teams. They're average at best. And average doesn't play deep into the spring.