R2G3 - Bruins v Flyers in photos

Just for a point of reference vs my Tumblr blog. All photos © Reuter's, Getty Images and the Boston Bruins.

  

 

Matt Hunwick: Goodbye to you!

Today we awaken to a world where Matt "Munch" Hunwick is no longer a Bruin. For this, dear friends, I do not shed a tear. Don't get me wrong, Munch is a cutie:

But in hockey, cute only goes so far. He was always on the rush, generally beating the forwards to the crease, but with little to show for it. In 164 games in the NHL, he has 13G and 32A for 45P, along with 76 PIMs and 150 SOG.I know, I know. You can't look at a defenceman's numbers and say how good or bad he is, except for the hits numbers, which NHL.com either stops counting or I forgot how to find them. But let's celebrate Munch for a few moments because as his quote on leaving the B's was:

“It’s an Original Six team with great fans,” he said. “I grew up watching the Bruins. Growing up in Michigan I had a chance to watch the Bruins on Hockey Night in Canada, and from the time I was drafted until today, I’ve loved every minute of being a part of this organization.

“It’s been great. The city is phenomenal and I love living downtown. It’s been a great experience overall, and that’s what makes it so disappointing.”

Oh Munch. I have the snifflies now. Here's a few pictures of him to celebrate his time with the B's.

But let's be honest. This hippie will probably be better off in Denver with his university BFF Kevin Porter.

 

 

Seeya, Munch.

Quickie

I wasn't able to watch any of Kari Lehtonen's games in Dallas last season, but as a career-long fan, it is SO refreshing and energising to see such a full, loud arena for him to play in. To see such excited, knowledgeable fans, who raised the roof during his introduction tonight, and who turned raucous for his saves. Thank you, Dallas fans, for giving Karppa a fanbase that loves him, and gives him a reason to keep on giving 110%.

Prelim reports

Ondrej Pavelec is awake and alerts at the hospital. Thrashers are reporting that preliminary tests are negative. What tests those may be are unknown. However, Pony keeps asking the score, currently 4-2 Thrash with under 5:00 to go. That indicates good awareness and spirits. Love to everyone on Twitter for the #PrayersforPavs.

Feel free to follow me there if you're not already. I update there quicker than here (and you can read pointless tweets about my life): <b>krejcis_moxie</b>

Stay well, Pony! Just don't push to come back if you're not 100%.

Please be well Pavs

I'm not able to view the ga.e but am told Ondrej Pavelec jusat collapse on the ice. He waved a requwst to come off, and passed out on the ice. He was taken off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital. It's thought he may have regained consciousness on the gurney, but that is speculation.

Everyone, please keep Pavs in your thoughts and paryers. For someone so young to just collapse if horrifyin, regardless of any prior injuries. I'll keep you updated as best I can thought the boys at The Blueland Chronicle will surely have better information.

Please be well, Pony.

The most wonderful time of the year

Hello again friends and readers! Today's post is brought to you by my virgin mobile phone (unlimited web and texting - $25/mo!). So sadly, no amazing pictures for you. I just wanted to drop in and say hi, and tell you I haven't forgotten about you (or my blog) but with no internet acess it's hard to be on the cutting edge of the blogosphere. But it matters not, as time still marches on and teams are getting ready to drop the puck on the 2010-11 season. Not that I'll get to see much of it, as we don't have cable either. Believe me when I tell you I'm mourning the loss of these two 21st century necessities.

I do have a few little tidbits for you. As it's late September, Kari Lehtonen has stuck to schedule and again injured his groin in his first preseason game. As always, get well soon Karppa!

In light of my inability to maintain the timeliness of my blog, I invite you to visit BFF blog: http://wisdomoflaich.blogspot.com It has teh fnny!

Until next time.

Check out Kari!

Hey if you still carry your torch for Kari (and let's be real, if you read this blog, you probably do!), go visit stars.nhl.com! Be wowed by the background and its implications!

That is all.

Kari stuff

Hey, remember me? What's up? Long time no talk.

So I was surfing through random stuff today, and came across this article. I thought a few of you would be interested in the blurb below, especially considering Marty Turco's recent signing in Chicago:

His stellar performance over the final month of last season proved to the Stars that Lehtonen would be a worthy successor to Turco and earned him the contract extension, which will pay him $10.65 million ($3.55 million average per year) over the next three seasons.

Over the final 14 games, of which he started nine, Lehtonen sparkled, fashioning a 6-3-0 mark, including his 100th career victory, with a 2.44 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. 

“We’re moving forward with Kari,” Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. “We’ve had a long tradition here of having premium goaltenders. Marty Turco has been a solid goaltender here for over a decade now and has done great things on and off the ice. But I just felt for the long-term success of our franchise, we needed to acquire Kari Lehtonen. I think the way he played in the last 10-12 games, his performance showed that with a good summer of training, we hope that he can be an elite goaltender once again like he was early in his career.”

Rock on, Karppa. I might even consider getting a Stars jersey and hopping that bandwagon (but staying on the Bruins' one at the same time!) .

All I've got for now. Lots of shit going on everywhere and it's too hard to keep up and do it all on a mobile phone (OMG I HAVE NO INTERNET AT HOME ANYMORE! OR TV! AND AM ABOUT TO LOSE HOME! HELLLLLLLP!).

Take 'er easy, friends and readers. Love yous guys.

Whoah, it's summer....

What's up, blog world? Welcome to summer, wherever in the real world you may be. I'm currently sporting sunburn (base tan?) #7 of the season, so clearly, it's been hot here for a while.

I know, I know, it's not OFFICIALLY summer until the SCF is over, but you know what? I honestly couldn't give a shit less about who wins it this year. I'm pissed off the Bruins fucked themselves out of their shot, and I'm happy it's not freakin' Detroit or Pittsburgh again. Other than that, I don't care.

A lot of bloggers are going through and grading the players on their season's performance. I'm not that kind of blogger. I mean, I'd be more than happy to give some grades, but I'm not gonna do any in-depth posting on why, nor giving an entire post to one player ('cept maybe Lucic. Or Krejci...). So here's my bare-bones thoughts on the tragic ending of a tragic season (at least it was consistent).

Marc Savard, was the veteran in the situation. Blaming Sobotka for the too-many-men penalty is bush league. He should be ashamed of himself. I'm not wearing his jersey again until November, unless he does some pretty spectacular shit in the opening month of the season. I'm not above hopping back on the Savvy bandwagon a little early.

The real Milan Lucic showed up in the playoffs. Where was he prior to that? Sure, playoffs give you the adrenaline and the push you need to do what needs to get done, but it would've been nice to see the beast in the regular season. Bring the playoffs-Looch back for next season. Not the injury-prone Looch.

The real David Krejci showed up with about 3 weeks left in the regular season. The Olympics brought out the best in him, and if he'd had the ability to pick up the entire Czech team and carry them to gold, he would have. But he can't be a goaltender, too. If he hadn't been injured, he would have added even more power to the team that won World's. Small consolation.

Dennis Wideman and Matt Hunwick, what the fuck? One of you is going to be gone next season. You only have yourselves to blame.

Johnny Boychuck, you are made of awesome. Am I the only person that's ever noticed that before every slapshot goal, he spins his stick in his hands? This, I believe, is the key to the goal. Not sure why, maybe it's the momentum. But for a journeyman everyone kept confusing with Zach Boychuk (maybe it was just me?), this guy's got the goods, and I demand he remain in Black and Gold for years to come.

Perhaps it is time for Zdeno Chara to step down as captain. Let Patrice Bergeron wear the C. I'm not necessarily talking shit about Z here, but he did not step up during playoffs, and aside from a soundbite after every game, there didn't appear to be a lot of captaining going on from #33.

Following that, Bergy, epitomizes the heart and soul of the Bruins. I can't fucking wait until next season to see what he's ready to do. Here's to hoping he has a team full of awesome to work with.

To all of the Bruins, Savvy excluded, I'm ashamed and hurt that so little was done in retaliation of Cooke's hit on Savard. Michael Ryder in particular.

Tuukka was the man for sure, but in this blogger's opinion, he was ridden a little too hard, too soon. Next season, I suggest doing what was done in 08-09, and splitting the games between he and Timmy. It's the logical solution.

Shawn Thornton, you keep being you.

Why couldn't Miro Satan play in the regular season like he did in the playoffs?

Vladimir Sobotka, welcome to the NHL. Keep on keeping on, but keep a closer eye on the line changes. If Vladi keeps playing the way he did this season, he should also be in the lineup for years to come. His points could come up, but he needs to consistently play centre for this to happen and not be stuck haphazardly on the wing every other game.

Marco Sturm's OT GWG in the Classic is all I really have to point to.

Dennis Seidenberg, we hardly knew ye. But what we saw was pretty tight. Bring back some more next season.

Mark Stuart and Marc Recchi, I love you both.

There were other guys on the team, but I can't remember who right now (hi, headache), so I'm wrapping up my summary now. Bruins' overall grade: C+ regular season, B+ playoffs.

The B's signed defenceman Yuri Alexandrov today to an entry level contract ($730k cap hit for next season). The only thing I can think of when I hear his name is this:

For full context, here's the video:

Game 7 in pictures

There are no words. They say a picture says a thousand words, so here's a few thousand.

Johnny Boychuk, you're money and you don't even know it!

Four rookie defencemen have scored at least 2 goals for the Boston Bruins over the course of the franchise's history:

• Mike Milbury
• Ray Bourque
• Glen Wesley

The fourth one? This guy:

Johnny Boychuk, you sir, are awesome. Enjoy it.

R2 G1 in photos

Photos © Reuter's.

Onto Round 2

Those aren't spirit fingers!

THESE are SPIRIT FINGERS!

Playoffs note!

Dear readers, please don't be fooled by my lack of updates. I'm following the team. Rather religiously, one would say. I am worshiping at the altar of the Spoked B. I am just painfully superstitious, and not posting a damned thing until the series ends, one way or the other. Because as we know, it's all about me, and I do not want the weight of Bruins Nation on my shoulders. Nor the fury. That said, let's go Bruins!

Also, I'm a lot more active on Twitter if you're interested enough. http://twitter.com/roundthewaygrrl

O hai, I have a blog....

Sorry. Some personal crises been goin' on lately. I'm sure all 12 of my faithful readers missed me. My bad.

So much shit has happened in Bruins hockey. And also there was Olympics! How is Matt Cooke still playing hockey? How did Mark Stuart get a skin infection on his hand? Did you know Patrice Bergeron is one of Boston's Sexiest People? David Krejci is smirky that the "Euro Line" is kicking ass. I would be too if I had his point spread across the past 12 games. What's he at now, like 19? 21? Milan Lucic found his game again. Marc Savard is so sorely missed. Tuukka Rask has proven to be awesome (and hasn't thrown a milk crate in over a year!). And the Bruins are playing in my local area tonight. A game I can not watch because DirecTV and Comcast hate each other. It didn't occur to me to try and go see practice until well after noon.

Someone said to me the other night, hey, just remember what RJ Umberger said about the Caps. I hadn't heard what he said in the first place, so that got me nowhere, but apparently he said, if you play a defencive game against the Caps, you'll win. Shut down their O, their goaltending can't hold up, and Mike Green is only one guy. That's great, and I totally paraphrased there, but um. The Bruins have 3 defencemen right now with any experience. Four if you count Tuukka (which really, we probably should). Except Johnny Boychuk is still a rookie, and Dennis Wideman - I preface this by saying I love Dennis as a player, when he's playing well - seems to have forgotten how to play defence half the bobbles too many passes. That leaves Z. The man is Hercules, but tonight and Sunday against the Caps with no glimmer of returning-defenceman-hope, the guy's going to be putting up 30 minutes a night easy. I'm exhausted just thinking about that.

The bottom line here is, the B's have to win both games against the Caps (and the other two they've got until the regular season ends) to keep hockey going. Is that the NESN slogan? No wait, that's keep something alive. Whatever. But the next 4 are pretty much must-wins, and no one likes to be facing that. And there isn't really much blame to be laid here, not individually. Injuries ruined the hopes we all had in September -- it'd be easier to count the games when there were no injuries, than count the man-games lost to injury. I think there were 4. It's a painful reality to accept, but accept it everyone must - from the players to the fans to management to the coaching staff. Do or die time, guys.

And here, have a photo of Tuukka and Stu pretending they're BFD. Hah, I made a double-entendre. Picture snagged off the B's site