Looking to add another victory to their active five game winning streak, the Boston Bruins will host Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils tonight at the Garden. Only a mere two weeks ago, the still Stanley Cup champs found themselves in the last place spot in the Eastern Conference, a position a team with such talent and still the rights to Lords Stanley's Cup deserves to be in. However, the past five games have brought nothing but success to that of the Bruins line up.
With contributions from everyone in the line up, the Bruins not only have won their past five games, they have embarrassed their opponents greatly. With help from sophomore stars, Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand, as well as many other offensive threats in the line up, the Bruins have out scored their past five opponents 30-10.
However, not only is the offense to thank. Tenacious defense from Zdeno Chara and the other five Bruins defensemen has had great impact on their success. Like defense, good goal tending from both, Tim Thomas and Tuuka Rask has contributed to the teams winning streak.
With 17 overall points, the New Jersey Devils will look to come into Boston and end the streak that has increased the Bruins to 16 overall points. Although currently sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, four points separates the teams ranked 7 through 14, and there is no one in the NHL who has been playing better hockey than that of the Boston Bruins over the past two weeks of the regular season.
With home games tonight against the Devils and Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Bruins will then find themselves on a three game road trip against the last place New York Islanders and division rivals, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.
Still early in the season, the Bruins will have to continue to keep their fast paced offense alive and there defense strong, because finding yourself at the bottom of the standings come all star break, is a hard thing to get yourself out of. The Bruins have the talent and depth, however they need to continue to have the heart that they have played with the past five games, the same heart that won them the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
To go down in collegiate sports history, never sounded so bad.
If you have turned on a television, computer or radio in the past two weeks, you've probably heard about the disguising sexual abuse scandal that is surrounding the Penn State Nittany Lions and there ex coaches, Joe Paterno and Jerry Sandusky. Paterno has been the head of one of the most winning teams in collegiate history. However, after assisting to the head coach from 1950-65, finally taking over as head coach in 1966, Paterno's 46 year run as head coach of Penn State took an abrupt end last week, after being fired from his job when allegations arose that he knew of the sexual abuse of his defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky to about a dozen known victims throughout the 90's.
Sandusky played under Paterno at Penn State in the 60's and after bouncing around to different universities as linebacker and assistant coaching jobs, Sandusky returned to Penn State in 1977 and remained there until his retirement in 1999. However, the past few weeks Sanduksy has been roaming around, what must seem like hell to him. And as far as I'm concerned, hell couldn't even set this man straight and give him what he deserves.
Jerry Sandusky, once praised for his attributions towards the lives of under privileged children throughout his work in his "Second Mile" program, a program which focused on improving the lives of many local foster children and under privileged boys. However, over the past two weeks of Jerry Sandusky's life, many of the dark secrets that have been hidden behind the closed doors of Penn State are now becoming a reality for Sandusky.
The investigation has been on going for several years, since one of the victims mothers confronted Sandusky about the allegations on her child. Since that time, Sanduksy has "not been allowed" on the campus of Penn State or have any contact with children from the Second Mile program. However, I use quotations because several interviews over the past few days including current players from Penn State's football team have told reporters that Sandusky acted as one of the major recruiters for incoming PSU football players. Also saying that Sandusky would come to their house, while still in high school and persuade them to go Penn State as any other recruiter would do. Many players also added that Sandusky can be seen in Penn State's locker room almost everyday since being forced to stay away from the campus, and in many cases, the players have said he was seen with young children from time to time.
Sexual abuse, consisting of an adult and a young child, remains one of the most pathetic and disturbing acts of violence. The fact these cases in fact exist turns my stomach upside down. Life in prison for Sanduksy, which would probably not last long, does not do this man justice. He is a creep and does not deserve anything but the worst. Nothing in this world could give this man what he deserves. He has placed his name in one of the most infamous and utterly disturbing sports scandals of all time.
I wish of him nothing but the worst.
Sandusky played under Paterno at Penn State in the 60's and after bouncing around to different universities as linebacker and assistant coaching jobs, Sandusky returned to Penn State in 1977 and remained there until his retirement in 1999. However, the past few weeks Sanduksy has been roaming around, what must seem like hell to him. And as far as I'm concerned, hell couldn't even set this man straight and give him what he deserves.
Jerry Sandusky, once praised for his attributions towards the lives of under privileged children throughout his work in his "Second Mile" program, a program which focused on improving the lives of many local foster children and under privileged boys. However, over the past two weeks of Jerry Sandusky's life, many of the dark secrets that have been hidden behind the closed doors of Penn State are now becoming a reality for Sandusky.
The investigation has been on going for several years, since one of the victims mothers confronted Sandusky about the allegations on her child. Since that time, Sanduksy has "not been allowed" on the campus of Penn State or have any contact with children from the Second Mile program. However, I use quotations because several interviews over the past few days including current players from Penn State's football team have told reporters that Sandusky acted as one of the major recruiters for incoming PSU football players. Also saying that Sandusky would come to their house, while still in high school and persuade them to go Penn State as any other recruiter would do. Many players also added that Sandusky can be seen in Penn State's locker room almost everyday since being forced to stay away from the campus, and in many cases, the players have said he was seen with young children from time to time.
Sexual abuse, consisting of an adult and a young child, remains one of the most pathetic and disturbing acts of violence. The fact these cases in fact exist turns my stomach upside down. Life in prison for Sanduksy, which would probably not last long, does not do this man justice. He is a creep and does not deserve anything but the worst. Nothing in this world could give this man what he deserves. He has placed his name in one of the most infamous and utterly disturbing sports scandals of all time.
I wish of him nothing but the worst.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
From First to Last
Stanley cup slump or not, the Boston Bruins are just not playing good hockey so far this 2011-2012 season. With a record of 4-7, the Bruins find themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference. And if seeing your home town Bruins in the bottom of the Eastern Conference isn't worse enough, this past weekend they lost a home and home series to their most rivaled opponent, the Montreal Canadiens. The goaltending, although not the main problem, is not at the level it should be at, however, the main problem is producing goals. With players such as Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand playing at high levels, the rest of the Bruins offense is struggling to find the back of the net.
However, hope should not be lost. The Bruins are still the rightful owners to the Stanley cup and this past Tuesday night the squad came together and decided to play Boston Bruins style hockey. With Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell dropping the gloves each, the Bruins rallied to score five goals, beating the Ottawa Senators 5-2, in what looks like a game that could turn around the Bruins most recent losing streak.
However, to continue their winning streak, the Bruins must continue to play the style hockey that wins them games. Hitting everyone with the puck, crashing the net, fore checking hard and if the opportunity arises, dropping the gloves and challenging one of their opponents tougher skaters to a fight to get the team motivated. In the past, when all of these styles of hockey are contributed into one game, the Bruins usually find themselves the victor. However, that will have to be applied to Saturday's game against division rival, Toronto Maple Leafs. All while trying to ice down, red hot former Bruin Phil Kessel, whose ten goals and eighteen points leads the NHL.
However, hope should not be lost. The Bruins are still the rightful owners to the Stanley cup and this past Tuesday night the squad came together and decided to play Boston Bruins style hockey. With Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell dropping the gloves each, the Bruins rallied to score five goals, beating the Ottawa Senators 5-2, in what looks like a game that could turn around the Bruins most recent losing streak.
However, to continue their winning streak, the Bruins must continue to play the style hockey that wins them games. Hitting everyone with the puck, crashing the net, fore checking hard and if the opportunity arises, dropping the gloves and challenging one of their opponents tougher skaters to a fight to get the team motivated. In the past, when all of these styles of hockey are contributed into one game, the Bruins usually find themselves the victor. However, that will have to be applied to Saturday's game against division rival, Toronto Maple Leafs. All while trying to ice down, red hot former Bruin Phil Kessel, whose ten goals and eighteen points leads the NHL.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Beginning to an End
Only a week after the Red Sox ended their 162 game season in a remarkably unfashionable way, the Boston Bruins will start their season off tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, after a long needed ceremony to congratulate the 2011 Stanley Cup champs. It seems game 7 against the newest rival added to the Bruins list, the Vancouver Canucks was just yesterday. However, after a long summer of late nights and early morning skating, hopefully the Bruins can piece together what happened to click together so well last year.
After only losing Michael Ryder to the Dallas Stars, who was a significant player in the playoff run, however, did not nearly play up to the level that was expected of him. Similar to that of defensemen Tomas Kaberle, who found a new home in Carolina, playing for the Hurricanes. That being the only two major losses to the Bruins line-up, and in my opinion they are not considered losses at all, the Bruins are heading into the 2011-2012 season as favorites for the Stanley Cup once again.
However, like every year in the NHL, new young players seem to arise, jump starting a team to the top of their conference. This year, that team will be determined shortly, however, after winning the cup, the Bruins still find themseleves having some of the youngest talent in the league.
I believe the Bruins will win the Eastern Conference, from there on, who knows what will happen. The Stanley Cup playoffs are always a mystery. However, if Tim Thomas can play as well as he did last year and Tuuka Rask can remain to understand his roll as the back up and play to the best of his level when called upon, than the goalie situation should not be an issue.
For the defense, Zdeno Chara, always a favorite for the Norris Trophy every year, an award that is given to the NHL's best defenseman. Also, with help from Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuck, Andrew Ference and the rest of the Bruins D-men, than the Bruins defenesive zone should be that of the Stanley Cup champions they are.
For the offense, Nathan Horton is coming off a Stanley Cup concussion and hopefully will be able to turn it around for the 11-12 season, establishing himself as one of the NHL's leading goal scorers. Also upfront, play makers like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand should be able to keep the Bruin's scoring. And with tough hard hitting from Milan Lucic, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton, the Bruins should be able to establish themselves once again as a team with the most depth in the league.
Asides from the players mentioned, two players that i believe will have major break out seasons this year, leading the league in many categories and finding themselves as NHL all stars are David Krejci and Tyler Seguin. Krejci has been in the league for a few years and has shown that he has some of the best all around talent in the league. There is really no aspect to hockey that he cannot do well, however, he never really finds himself at the top of the leader categories in goals and assists, this year will be his break out year. For Tyler Seguin, he is playing in his supposedly "sophmore slump" year, however, the slump will miss him. He is one of the fastest skaters in the league, and after a long off season of working out to add weight to his nineteen year old frame, Seguin will establish himself as the player the Bruins expected to get when they drafted him second overall in the 2010 draft.
The 2011-2012 season is less than 10 hours away. The Bruins will have their last night to celebrate their 2011 Stanley Cup victory as the rings will be received and the banner will be risen. However, after tonight's ceremony, they are the same as every other team in the league. Although still champs, there starting from an empty slate, and repeating as champions in the NHL is close to impossible. Regardless, the NHL is back in season and their is no better time of year for sports than now. Teams will develop, enemies will be made and the Bruins will be on the top of everyone's list to beat. Lets go B's!
After only losing Michael Ryder to the Dallas Stars, who was a significant player in the playoff run, however, did not nearly play up to the level that was expected of him. Similar to that of defensemen Tomas Kaberle, who found a new home in Carolina, playing for the Hurricanes. That being the only two major losses to the Bruins line-up, and in my opinion they are not considered losses at all, the Bruins are heading into the 2011-2012 season as favorites for the Stanley Cup once again.
However, like every year in the NHL, new young players seem to arise, jump starting a team to the top of their conference. This year, that team will be determined shortly, however, after winning the cup, the Bruins still find themseleves having some of the youngest talent in the league.
I believe the Bruins will win the Eastern Conference, from there on, who knows what will happen. The Stanley Cup playoffs are always a mystery. However, if Tim Thomas can play as well as he did last year and Tuuka Rask can remain to understand his roll as the back up and play to the best of his level when called upon, than the goalie situation should not be an issue.
For the defense, Zdeno Chara, always a favorite for the Norris Trophy every year, an award that is given to the NHL's best defenseman. Also, with help from Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuck, Andrew Ference and the rest of the Bruins D-men, than the Bruins defenesive zone should be that of the Stanley Cup champions they are.
For the offense, Nathan Horton is coming off a Stanley Cup concussion and hopefully will be able to turn it around for the 11-12 season, establishing himself as one of the NHL's leading goal scorers. Also upfront, play makers like Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand should be able to keep the Bruin's scoring. And with tough hard hitting from Milan Lucic, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton, the Bruins should be able to establish themselves once again as a team with the most depth in the league.
Asides from the players mentioned, two players that i believe will have major break out seasons this year, leading the league in many categories and finding themselves as NHL all stars are David Krejci and Tyler Seguin. Krejci has been in the league for a few years and has shown that he has some of the best all around talent in the league. There is really no aspect to hockey that he cannot do well, however, he never really finds himself at the top of the leader categories in goals and assists, this year will be his break out year. For Tyler Seguin, he is playing in his supposedly "sophmore slump" year, however, the slump will miss him. He is one of the fastest skaters in the league, and after a long off season of working out to add weight to his nineteen year old frame, Seguin will establish himself as the player the Bruins expected to get when they drafted him second overall in the 2010 draft.
The 2011-2012 season is less than 10 hours away. The Bruins will have their last night to celebrate their 2011 Stanley Cup victory as the rings will be received and the banner will be risen. However, after tonight's ceremony, they are the same as every other team in the league. Although still champs, there starting from an empty slate, and repeating as champions in the NHL is close to impossible. Regardless, the NHL is back in season and their is no better time of year for sports than now. Teams will develop, enemies will be made and the Bruins will be on the top of everyone's list to beat. Lets go B's!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Amazement out weighs that of dissapointment
As the clock read 7 p.m. last night, I needed to make up an excuse to leave work an hour early. Homework was the excuse, but Jon Lester against the Baltimore Orioles was the reason. The last night of the Major League Baseball season was nothing less than amazing. Except that's the baseball fan in me speaking, not the Red Sox fan. Only an hour into the game, we had already established a one run lead, nothing compared to the 7 run lead that the Yankees had over the Tampa Bay Rays. And for the first time in my life, I saw the Yankees score and could not have been happier seeing them ahead.
With a balk call, that without review, not one fan watching the game at their houses could have noticed, the Red Sox tied the game 2-2. Not long after, a solo home run by Dustin Pedroia gave the Red Sox the one run lead. However, as the rain began to fall and the white tarp was escorted onto the infield in Baltimore, the Rays went from a 7-0 deficit to down by one run in the matter of an inning.
As I made my way from my living room to my bed room to watch the end of both games, I still was thinking of whether the Red Sox would be flying to Tampa Bay, Detroit or Texas within the next two days on their quest for their second World Series title in five years. However, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep. Only to wake up an hour later to an ESPN commentator yelling at the top of his lungs that Evan Longoria had just won the game for the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the 12th inning walk off home run. And before I could even change the channel to see if the Red Sox game had resumed yet, the American League wild card hats were already on the majority of Tampa Bay's players heads.
Confused and angry, I turned the channel to NESN, to see what could have possibly happened to the Red Sox lead and how they could have gone from ahead and Tampa Bay down, to the exact opposite. And a ninth inning collapse of Jonathon Papelbon, who recently had been one of the best closers in the league, was the case.
Last March, after an off season consisting of millions of dollars and a transformation of a Boston team(for the better?), took the field in Ft. Myers. However, 162 games later, and a season consisting of 1 more win than the previous year, the Red Sox find themselves out of the post season.
Mad? Yes. The fact that a team with so much talent and character can let multiple injuries affect the players who are not even on the DL for the worse, does not deserve to make the playoffs. I will forever be a Red Sox fan, however, losing a 9 game lead with 24 games left in the regular season to a division rival is nothing to cheer about. However, in the end, looking at last night as a fan of the game and not of the Red Sox, it was arguably one of the best nights of baseball that I have been fortunate enough to have seen. Granted, talking about it and even writing this article angers me.
However, the fact that a team, down 9 games in the wild card on Sept. 1st can come from behind to a tie for the wild card in the last game of the season, only to then come from behind in a 7-0 game to win in the 12th inning, deserves a chance at the World Series before a team, that for most of the season was in first place in arguably the best division in baseball. It will be a long off season and changes do need to be made. However, that's sports. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But, whatever the outcome is, you need to work on your mistakes on the off season, and contribute to them during the following season. This year wasn't the Red Sox year.
With a balk call, that without review, not one fan watching the game at their houses could have noticed, the Red Sox tied the game 2-2. Not long after, a solo home run by Dustin Pedroia gave the Red Sox the one run lead. However, as the rain began to fall and the white tarp was escorted onto the infield in Baltimore, the Rays went from a 7-0 deficit to down by one run in the matter of an inning.
As I made my way from my living room to my bed room to watch the end of both games, I still was thinking of whether the Red Sox would be flying to Tampa Bay, Detroit or Texas within the next two days on their quest for their second World Series title in five years. However, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep. Only to wake up an hour later to an ESPN commentator yelling at the top of his lungs that Evan Longoria had just won the game for the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the 12th inning walk off home run. And before I could even change the channel to see if the Red Sox game had resumed yet, the American League wild card hats were already on the majority of Tampa Bay's players heads.
Confused and angry, I turned the channel to NESN, to see what could have possibly happened to the Red Sox lead and how they could have gone from ahead and Tampa Bay down, to the exact opposite. And a ninth inning collapse of Jonathon Papelbon, who recently had been one of the best closers in the league, was the case.
Last March, after an off season consisting of millions of dollars and a transformation of a Boston team(for the better?), took the field in Ft. Myers. However, 162 games later, and a season consisting of 1 more win than the previous year, the Red Sox find themselves out of the post season.
Mad? Yes. The fact that a team with so much talent and character can let multiple injuries affect the players who are not even on the DL for the worse, does not deserve to make the playoffs. I will forever be a Red Sox fan, however, losing a 9 game lead with 24 games left in the regular season to a division rival is nothing to cheer about. However, in the end, looking at last night as a fan of the game and not of the Red Sox, it was arguably one of the best nights of baseball that I have been fortunate enough to have seen. Granted, talking about it and even writing this article angers me.
However, the fact that a team, down 9 games in the wild card on Sept. 1st can come from behind to a tie for the wild card in the last game of the season, only to then come from behind in a 7-0 game to win in the 12th inning, deserves a chance at the World Series before a team, that for most of the season was in first place in arguably the best division in baseball. It will be a long off season and changes do need to be made. However, that's sports. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But, whatever the outcome is, you need to work on your mistakes on the off season, and contribute to them during the following season. This year wasn't the Red Sox year.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Down to the finish.
With six games left in the regular season, the Boston Red Sox have found themselves in a situation of win or go home. Granted, the sox still have a 2.5 game lead in the wild card race, however, tomorrow night starts the final three game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Although the Yankees have already clinched a playoff berth, the skill and depth of their team should still be considered a challenge to beat, whether they play their regular day starters or not.
While the Red Sox will be trying to leave New York with at least two wins this weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays and Anaheim Angels will also be competing for the Red Sox wild card spot. Both down 2.5 games, Tampa Bay and Anaheim have home series this weekend. The Rays against the Blue Jays and the Angels are taking on a division rival, Oakland.
Although arguably playing their worst baseball since the start of the season, the Red Sox, I do believe will advance to the post season. And although teams have made it to the playoffs by a hair before and then continued to advance multiple rounds into the playoffs, they will need to turn their game around significantly if they plan on making any bit of a run for a World Series. Granted injuries have not been in the Red Sox favor the past few weeks, however, the sox are a good enough team were a few injuries should not put the season in jeopardy. We will have to see how a weekend in the Bronx will pan out for the Red Sox. They are a good enough team were they can turn a winning slump around over night, however, it must happen soon or the end of their season is a week away.
While the Red Sox will be trying to leave New York with at least two wins this weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays and Anaheim Angels will also be competing for the Red Sox wild card spot. Both down 2.5 games, Tampa Bay and Anaheim have home series this weekend. The Rays against the Blue Jays and the Angels are taking on a division rival, Oakland.
Although arguably playing their worst baseball since the start of the season, the Red Sox, I do believe will advance to the post season. And although teams have made it to the playoffs by a hair before and then continued to advance multiple rounds into the playoffs, they will need to turn their game around significantly if they plan on making any bit of a run for a World Series. Granted injuries have not been in the Red Sox favor the past few weeks, however, the sox are a good enough team were a few injuries should not put the season in jeopardy. We will have to see how a weekend in the Bronx will pan out for the Red Sox. They are a good enough team were they can turn a winning slump around over night, however, it must happen soon or the end of their season is a week away.
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