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Post by RascalHoudi on Apr 1, 2020 11:34:34 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 2, 2020 6:38:55 GMT -5
Breaks my friggen heart.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 2, 2020 7:11:21 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 2, 2020 11:12:58 GMT -5
Editor’s note: “Distant Replay” is an occasional feature from The Athletic re-examining notable games from Boston sports history. You can read more here.
Only twice during my career have I jumped out of my seat while covering a game. It’s probably two too many, but these events warranted that reaction. For the record, it had nothing to do with the fortunes of the teams involved, the Bruins and Red Sox. Rather, what resonated were the incredible individual accomplishments I was lucky enough to witness.
The first came when Manny Ramirez crushed a walk-off home run against Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. Ramirez stood motionless at home plate with his arms in the air as the ball soared out of Fenway Park. It was one of the hardest-hit balls I had ever seen, and it was still climbing high over the Monster when we lost sight of it. The ball probably landed somewhere in New Hampshire.
The second time I was forced out of my seat, the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron provided the heroics. His goal at 19:09 of the third period of Game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals erased a three-goal deficit and tied the contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4-4. It was an incredible moment that forced overtime, leading to Bergeron’s next great feat, when he scored the winner to close out the series at TD Garden.
The 2013 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Bruins, with a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final. But the Bruins would’ve never made it that far without the epic Game 7 win against the Maple Leafs. It’s a moment that still resonates throughout the organization, and one that might even still provide a little bit of a psychological edge over Toronto. It’s a comeback that’s still worth revisiting, remembering, and rewatching today.
The Setting That spring wasn’t a normal one. It was the year of Boston Strong, with only a month passing since the Boston Marathon bombings, and seemingly the entire city was cheering on the Bruins as they tried to hoist their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The Maple Leafs staved off elimination twice in the series to force Game 7 in Boston. The Bruins trailed 4-1 midway through the third period and the season appeared to be over. If it ended with a loss, many changes would have been made. Coach Claude Julien probably would have been fired and the roster would have been completely revamped.
However, the Bruins weren’t ready for it to be over.
Immediate response Many forget that Games 6 and 7 of this series were played on back-to-back days. In fact, after losing Game 6, the Bruins didn’t arrive home from Toronto until after 2 a.m. the morning of Game 7. So, it was important to start heavy and fast, which is exactly how the Bruins came out. Instead of overtime, this game could have been decided in the opening minute. Boston’s top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton immediately set the tone. Krejci registered two quality shots in the first 21 seconds, and Jaromir Jagr had a golden opportunity from the slot only 43 seconds into the first period, but Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer made the crucial save. A goal in that situation — especially for Jagr, who went goalless in all 22 games of his only postseason with Boston — would have made a big difference for the team and the individual.
Bart man Remember Matt Bartkowski? Julien decided to replace veteran defenseman Wade Redden and insert Bartkowski for Game 7. He never lived up to expectations during his NHL career, but he was a key factor in Game 7 against the Leafs. Paired with Johnny Boychuk, Bartkowski made an immediate impact when he scored at 5:39 of the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. He was solid at both ends in one of his best games for the Bruins. After Dennis Seidenberg suffered an injury early in the game (more on that later), the Bruins were forced to play with five defensemen. Bartkowski logged 24:51 of ice time.
Down to five, and the arrival of the future Seidenberg played only two shifts for a total of 36 seconds before he pulled his hamstring, keeping him out for the remainder of the game. He wasn’t able to return until Game 5 of the semifinal series against the New York Rangers. His absence allowed the Bruins to insert then-rookie Torey Krug into the lineup. Krug took full advantage of the opportunity in his Stanley Cup playoff debut and finished the five-game series with four goals and one assist. Because of his contributions, Krug remained in the lineup for the duration of the playoffs, while Dougie Hamilton was the odd man out.
The beginning of the end? Speaking of Hamilton, his performance in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs was probably the beginning of the Bruins decision to trade the one-time top prospect two summers later. He never fit well in the locker room and never lived up to expectations on the ice in Boston. In this game, especially with the blue line down to five after Seidenberg’s injury, Hamilton struggled. On Toronto’s second goal, he easily lost a 50/50 puck race behind Boston’s net when he decided to play the body instead of possessing the puck and making a play. The Maple Leafs capitalized with Cody Franson’s second goal of the game at 5:48 of the second period.
Chara was a beast On the opposite end of the defensive spectrum, captain Zdeno Chara was involved in every aspect of this game. He continually pinched deep in the offensive zone and played his typical shutdown role, especially against the Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel. Chara also worked the top power-play unit as the point man, alongside forwards Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin, Jagr and Lucic. He was a physical presence and it proved crucial on Bergeron’s game-tying goal when Chara camped out in front of the crease and limited Reimer’s ability to see the puck. His decision to pinch time and again, however, backfired on Chara and resulted in Toronto’s fourth goal. The Bruins created sustained pressure in the offensive zone and Chara crashed the net. Seguin failed to cover the point and Toronto created an odd-man rush with only defenseman Adam McQuaid back to defend before Nazem Kadri’s tally at 5:29 of the third. Overall, Chara was a beast and logged a total of 35:46 of ice time.
Best players being the best players The Bruins’ top line of Lucic, Krejci and Horton proved crucial in the third period. It was another example of Krejci’s ability to reach a different level in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In this game, he was going to the dirty areas and having success. On Boston’s first goal, he recognized where Bartkowski had the puck in the high slot, so Krejci raced to the front of the net to screen Reimer and it worked. In the third period, this trio kept hammering away and it resulted in Horton’s goal at 9:18. It wasn’t the turning point of the game, but Lucic skated back to the bench after Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 and told his teammates, “Here we go, boys. There’s one. Let’s go.”
Turning point Yes, Horton’s goal was crucial and gave the Bruins life, but it was Julien’s decision to send out the Merlot Line on the ensuing faceoff that really paid off. The trio of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton did their job to the best of their ability and sent a physical message during that shift, indicating this game was far from over. They were on the ice for less than a minute before Julien sent Krejci’s line back out. From that moment, the lines were rolling and gaining momentum. Lucic led the charge and was rewarded for his efforts. With four minutes remaining and the Bruins still down by two, Lucic applied a huge body check on the Leafs’ Carl Gunnarsson in the offensive zone. Boston’s momentum kept building until Lucic scored with only 1:22 remaining to cut the deficit to one.
On the dot The Bruins finished the game with a 71 percent success rate on faceoffs, partially reflecting that Toronto’s top centerman, Tyler Bozak missed Game 7 due to injury. Krejci (9-for-14), Bergeron (16-for-22), Rich Peverley (7-for-9), Chris Kelly (6-for-7), Campbell (3-for-5) and Lucic (2-for-4) dominated in the circle. That stat proved crucial because the Bruins are at their best when they start with the puck, which was the case on Bergeron’s game-tying goal. The Bruins called a timeout, and assistant coach Geoff Ward designed the play with an extra attacker. It was important to win the ensuing faceoff in order to get Rask off the ice immediately. Bergeron won the drop, allowing Rask to race to the bench and Jagr to jump into the play. That faceoff win set in motion the sequence that would lead to the game-tying goal. The Maple Leafs weren’t as aggressive as they should’ve been in this situation and the Bruins took advantage and when Bergeron’s shot from the high slot beat Reimer, it was total bedlam at TD Garden — yes, including me, and I couldn’t help but get out of my chair in amazement at what I’d just witnessed.
Save of the game Only 1:53 into overtime, the Leafs created a quality scoring chance when Joffrey Lupul released a quick wrister from 44 feet outside the crease. Rask, who finished the game with 24 saves, moved from left to right and made a right-pad save. It turned out to be Toronto’s last shot on net before Bergeron scored the game-winner at 6:05 of overtime.
The Jagr effect The Bruins acquired the veteran forward from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline with the idea that the two-time Stanley Cup winner, and proven postseason performer, would help Boston reach its ultimate goal. When it was over, No. 68 only had 10 assists in 22 playoff games for the Bruins. In Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, he played with Bergeron and Marchand, but on the winning goal it was Seguin who proved crucial on that line. While Jagr was down the tunnel behind the bench with either an injury or equipment issue, Julien sent Seguin onto the ice. He had been playing with Peverley and Kelly the majority of the game, and hadn’t registered a point in the entire series. Seguin stepped up when needed. He won a net-front battle, which forced the puck loose before Bergeron drove it home for the winner. It would have been fun to see how well Marchand, Bergeron and Jagr could have played together if they had a full season to build chemistry. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because Jagr signed with the Devils that summer.
The end result After defeating the Rangers in five games in the conference semifinals and sweeping the Penguins in the Eastern Conference final, the Bruins were banged up and hurting against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final. Chicago proved to be a resilient team and, down 2-1 in Game 6, scored a pair of goals in 17 seconds in the waning minutes of regulation en route to claiming the Cup. Still, that Game 7 comeback against the Maple Leafs is in the books as one of the most dramatic wins in Stanley Cup playoff history for the Bruins, one that resonates to this day.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 2, 2020 13:45:46 GMT -5
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Post by madmarx on Apr 2, 2020 18:33:27 GMT -5
Editor’s note: “Distant Replay” is an occasional feature from The Athletic re-examining notable games from Boston sports history. You can read more here. Only twice during my career have I jumped out of my seat while covering a game. It’s probably two too many, but these events warranted that reaction. For the record, it had nothing to do with the fortunes of the teams involved, the Bruins and Red Sox. Rather, what resonated were the incredible individual accomplishments I was lucky enough to witness. The first came when Manny Ramirez crushed a walk-off home run against Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. Ramirez stood motionless at home plate with his arms in the air as the ball soared out of Fenway Park. It was one of the hardest-hit balls I had ever seen, and it was still climbing high over the Monster when we lost sight of it. The ball probably landed somewhere in New Hampshire. The second time I was forced out of my seat, the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron provided the heroics. His goal at 19:09 of the third period of Game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals erased a three-goal deficit and tied the contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4-4. It was an incredible moment that forced overtime, leading to Bergeron’s next great feat, when he scored the winner to close out the series at TD Garden. The 2013 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Bruins, with a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final. But the Bruins would’ve never made it that far without the epic Game 7 win against the Maple Leafs. It’s a moment that still resonates throughout the organization, and one that might even still provide a little bit of a psychological edge over Toronto. It’s a comeback that’s still worth revisiting, remembering, and rewatching today. The Setting That spring wasn’t a normal one. It was the year of Boston Strong, with only a month passing since the Boston Marathon bombings, and seemingly the entire city was cheering on the Bruins as they tried to hoist their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The Maple Leafs staved off elimination twice in the series to force Game 7 in Boston. The Bruins trailed 4-1 midway through the third period and the season appeared to be over. If it ended with a loss, many changes would have been made. Coach Claude Julien probably would have been fired and the roster would have been completely revamped. However, the Bruins weren’t ready for it to be over. Immediate response Many forget that Games 6 and 7 of this series were played on back-to-back days. In fact, after losing Game 6, the Bruins didn’t arrive home from Toronto until after 2 a.m. the morning of Game 7. So, it was important to start heavy and fast, which is exactly how the Bruins came out. Instead of overtime, this game could have been decided in the opening minute. Boston’s top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton immediately set the tone. Krejci registered two quality shots in the first 21 seconds, and Jaromir Jagr had a golden opportunity from the slot only 43 seconds into the first period, but Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer made the crucial save. A goal in that situation — especially for Jagr, who went goalless in all 22 games of his only postseason with Boston — would have made a big difference for the team and the individual. Bart man Remember Matt Bartkowski? Julien decided to replace veteran defenseman Wade Redden and insert Bartkowski for Game 7. He never lived up to expectations during his NHL career, but he was a key factor in Game 7 against the Leafs. Paired with Johnny Boychuk, Bartkowski made an immediate impact when he scored at 5:39 of the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. He was solid at both ends in one of his best games for the Bruins. After Dennis Seidenberg suffered an injury early in the game (more on that later), the Bruins were forced to play with five defensemen. Bartkowski logged 24:51 of ice time. Down to five, and the arrival of the future Seidenberg played only two shifts for a total of 36 seconds before he pulled his hamstring, keeping him out for the remainder of the game. He wasn’t able to return until Game 5 of the semifinal series against the New York Rangers. His absence allowed the Bruins to insert then-rookie Torey Krug into the lineup. Krug took full advantage of the opportunity in his Stanley Cup playoff debut and finished the five-game series with four goals and one assist. Because of his contributions, Krug remained in the lineup for the duration of the playoffs, while Dougie Hamilton was the odd man out. The beginning of the end? Speaking of Hamilton, his performance in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs was probably the beginning of the Bruins decision to trade the one-time top prospect two summers later. He never fit well in the locker room and never lived up to expectations on the ice in Boston. In this game, especially with the blue line down to five after Seidenberg’s injury, Hamilton struggled. On Toronto’s second goal, he easily lost a 50/50 puck race behind Boston’s net when he decided to play the body instead of possessing the puck and making a play. The Maple Leafs capitalized with Cody Franson’s second goal of the game at 5:48 of the second period. Chara was a beast On the opposite end of the defensive spectrum, captain Zdeno Chara was involved in every aspect of this game. He continually pinched deep in the offensive zone and played his typical shutdown role, especially against the Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel. Chara also worked the top power-play unit as the point man, alongside forwards Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin, Jagr and Lucic. He was a physical presence and it proved crucial on Bergeron’s game-tying goal when Chara camped out in front of the crease and limited Reimer’s ability to see the puck. His decision to pinch time and again, however, backfired on Chara and resulted in Toronto’s fourth goal. The Bruins created sustained pressure in the offensive zone and Chara crashed the net. Seguin failed to cover the point and Toronto created an odd-man rush with only defenseman Adam McQuaid back to defend before Nazem Kadri’s tally at 5:29 of the third. Overall, Chara was a beast and logged a total of 35:46 of ice time. Best players being the best players The Bruins’ top line of Lucic, Krejci and Horton proved crucial in the third period. It was another example of Krejci’s ability to reach a different level in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In this game, he was going to the dirty areas and having success. On Boston’s first goal, he recognized where Bartkowski had the puck in the high slot, so Krejci raced to the front of the net to screen Reimer and it worked. In the third period, this trio kept hammering away and it resulted in Horton’s goal at 9:18. It wasn’t the turning point of the game, but Lucic skated back to the bench after Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 and told his teammates, “Here we go, boys. There’s one. Let’s go.” Turning point Yes, Horton’s goal was crucial and gave the Bruins life, but it was Julien’s decision to send out the Merlot Line on the ensuing faceoff that really paid off. The trio of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton did their job to the best of their ability and sent a physical message during that shift, indicating this game was far from over. They were on the ice for less than a minute before Julien sent Krejci’s line back out. From that moment, the lines were rolling and gaining momentum. Lucic led the charge and was rewarded for his efforts. With four minutes remaining and the Bruins still down by two, Lucic applied a huge body check on the Leafs’ Carl Gunnarsson in the offensive zone. Boston’s momentum kept building until Lucic scored with only 1:22 remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the dot The Bruins finished the game with a 71 percent success rate on faceoffs, partially reflecting that Toronto’s top centerman, Tyler Bozak missed Game 7 due to injury. Krejci (9-for-14), Bergeron (16-for-22), Rich Peverley (7-for-9), Chris Kelly (6-for-7), Campbell (3-for-5) and Lucic (2-for-4) dominated in the circle. That stat proved crucial because the Bruins are at their best when they start with the puck, which was the case on Bergeron’s game-tying goal. The Bruins called a timeout, and assistant coach Geoff Ward designed the play with an extra attacker. It was important to win the ensuing faceoff in order to get Rask off the ice immediately. Bergeron won the drop, allowing Rask to race to the bench and Jagr to jump into the play. That faceoff win set in motion the sequence that would lead to the game-tying goal. The Maple Leafs weren’t as aggressive as they should’ve been in this situation and the Bruins took advantage and when Bergeron’s shot from the high slot beat Reimer, it was total bedlam at TD Garden — yes, including me, and I couldn’t help but get out of my chair in amazement at what I’d just witnessed. Save of the game Only 1:53 into overtime, the Leafs created a quality scoring chance when Joffrey Lupul released a quick wrister from 44 feet outside the crease. Rask, who finished the game with 24 saves, moved from left to right and made a right-pad save. It turned out to be Toronto’s last shot on net before Bergeron scored the game-winner at 6:05 of overtime. The Jagr effect The Bruins acquired the veteran forward from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline with the idea that the two-time Stanley Cup winner, and proven postseason performer, would help Boston reach its ultimate goal. When it was over, No. 68 only had 10 assists in 22 playoff games for the Bruins. In Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, he played with Bergeron and Marchand, but on the winning goal it was Seguin who proved crucial on that line. While Jagr was down the tunnel behind the bench with either an injury or equipment issue, Julien sent Seguin onto the ice. He had been playing with Peverley and Kelly the majority of the game, and hadn’t registered a point in the entire series. Seguin stepped up when needed. He won a net-front battle, which forced the puck loose before Bergeron drove it home for the winner. It would have been fun to see how well Marchand, Bergeron and Jagr could have played together if they had a full season to build chemistry. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because Jagr signed with the Devils that summer. The end result After defeating the Rangers in five games in the conference semifinals and sweeping the Penguins in the Eastern Conference final, the Bruins were banged up and hurting against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final. Chicago proved to be a resilient team and, down 2-1 in Game 6, scored a pair of goals in 17 seconds in the waning minutes of regulation en route to claiming the Cup. Still, that Game 7 comeback against the Maple Leafs is in the books as one of the most dramatic wins in Stanley Cup playoff history for the Bruins, one that resonates to this day. Sea bass I would love to see the timeline of the posts from that game do you still have them ??
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 3, 2020 6:00:04 GMT -5
Editor’s note: “Distant Replay” is an occasional feature from The Athletic re-examining notable games from Boston sports history. You can read more here. Only twice during my career have I jumped out of my seat while covering a game. It’s probably two too many, but these events warranted that reaction. For the record, it had nothing to do with the fortunes of the teams involved, the Bruins and Red Sox. Rather, what resonated were the incredible individual accomplishments I was lucky enough to witness. The first came when Manny Ramirez crushed a walk-off home run against Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez in Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS. Ramirez stood motionless at home plate with his arms in the air as the ball soared out of Fenway Park. It was one of the hardest-hit balls I had ever seen, and it was still climbing high over the Monster when we lost sight of it. The ball probably landed somewhere in New Hampshire. The second time I was forced out of my seat, the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron provided the heroics. His goal at 19:09 of the third period of Game 7 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals erased a three-goal deficit and tied the contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 4-4. It was an incredible moment that forced overtime, leading to Bergeron’s next great feat, when he scored the winner to close out the series at TD Garden. The 2013 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Bruins, with a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final. But the Bruins would’ve never made it that far without the epic Game 7 win against the Maple Leafs. It’s a moment that still resonates throughout the organization, and one that might even still provide a little bit of a psychological edge over Toronto. It’s a comeback that’s still worth revisiting, remembering, and rewatching today. The Setting That spring wasn’t a normal one. It was the year of Boston Strong, with only a month passing since the Boston Marathon bombings, and seemingly the entire city was cheering on the Bruins as they tried to hoist their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. The Maple Leafs staved off elimination twice in the series to force Game 7 in Boston. The Bruins trailed 4-1 midway through the third period and the season appeared to be over. If it ended with a loss, many changes would have been made. Coach Claude Julien probably would have been fired and the roster would have been completely revamped. However, the Bruins weren’t ready for it to be over. Immediate response Many forget that Games 6 and 7 of this series were played on back-to-back days. In fact, after losing Game 6, the Bruins didn’t arrive home from Toronto until after 2 a.m. the morning of Game 7. So, it was important to start heavy and fast, which is exactly how the Bruins came out. Instead of overtime, this game could have been decided in the opening minute. Boston’s top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton immediately set the tone. Krejci registered two quality shots in the first 21 seconds, and Jaromir Jagr had a golden opportunity from the slot only 43 seconds into the first period, but Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer made the crucial save. A goal in that situation — especially for Jagr, who went goalless in all 22 games of his only postseason with Boston — would have made a big difference for the team and the individual. Bart man Remember Matt Bartkowski? Julien decided to replace veteran defenseman Wade Redden and insert Bartkowski for Game 7. He never lived up to expectations during his NHL career, but he was a key factor in Game 7 against the Leafs. Paired with Johnny Boychuk, Bartkowski made an immediate impact when he scored at 5:39 of the first period to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead. He was solid at both ends in one of his best games for the Bruins. After Dennis Seidenberg suffered an injury early in the game (more on that later), the Bruins were forced to play with five defensemen. Bartkowski logged 24:51 of ice time. Down to five, and the arrival of the future Seidenberg played only two shifts for a total of 36 seconds before he pulled his hamstring, keeping him out for the remainder of the game. He wasn’t able to return until Game 5 of the semifinal series against the New York Rangers. His absence allowed the Bruins to insert then-rookie Torey Krug into the lineup. Krug took full advantage of the opportunity in his Stanley Cup playoff debut and finished the five-game series with four goals and one assist. Because of his contributions, Krug remained in the lineup for the duration of the playoffs, while Dougie Hamilton was the odd man out. The beginning of the end? Speaking of Hamilton, his performance in Game 7 against the Maple Leafs was probably the beginning of the Bruins decision to trade the one-time top prospect two summers later. He never fit well in the locker room and never lived up to expectations on the ice in Boston. In this game, especially with the blue line down to five after Seidenberg’s injury, Hamilton struggled. On Toronto’s second goal, he easily lost a 50/50 puck race behind Boston’s net when he decided to play the body instead of possessing the puck and making a play. The Maple Leafs capitalized with Cody Franson’s second goal of the game at 5:48 of the second period. Chara was a beast On the opposite end of the defensive spectrum, captain Zdeno Chara was involved in every aspect of this game. He continually pinched deep in the offensive zone and played his typical shutdown role, especially against the Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel. Chara also worked the top power-play unit as the point man, alongside forwards Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin, Jagr and Lucic. He was a physical presence and it proved crucial on Bergeron’s game-tying goal when Chara camped out in front of the crease and limited Reimer’s ability to see the puck. His decision to pinch time and again, however, backfired on Chara and resulted in Toronto’s fourth goal. The Bruins created sustained pressure in the offensive zone and Chara crashed the net. Seguin failed to cover the point and Toronto created an odd-man rush with only defenseman Adam McQuaid back to defend before Nazem Kadri’s tally at 5:29 of the third. Overall, Chara was a beast and logged a total of 35:46 of ice time. Best players being the best players The Bruins’ top line of Lucic, Krejci and Horton proved crucial in the third period. It was another example of Krejci’s ability to reach a different level in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In this game, he was going to the dirty areas and having success. On Boston’s first goal, he recognized where Bartkowski had the puck in the high slot, so Krejci raced to the front of the net to screen Reimer and it worked. In the third period, this trio kept hammering away and it resulted in Horton’s goal at 9:18. It wasn’t the turning point of the game, but Lucic skated back to the bench after Boston cut the deficit to 4-2 and told his teammates, “Here we go, boys. There’s one. Let’s go.” Turning point Yes, Horton’s goal was crucial and gave the Bruins life, but it was Julien’s decision to send out the Merlot Line on the ensuing faceoff that really paid off. The trio of Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton did their job to the best of their ability and sent a physical message during that shift, indicating this game was far from over. They were on the ice for less than a minute before Julien sent Krejci’s line back out. From that moment, the lines were rolling and gaining momentum. Lucic led the charge and was rewarded for his efforts. With four minutes remaining and the Bruins still down by two, Lucic applied a huge body check on the Leafs’ Carl Gunnarsson in the offensive zone. Boston’s momentum kept building until Lucic scored with only 1:22 remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the dot The Bruins finished the game with a 71 percent success rate on faceoffs, partially reflecting that Toronto’s top centerman, Tyler Bozak missed Game 7 due to injury. Krejci (9-for-14), Bergeron (16-for-22), Rich Peverley (7-for-9), Chris Kelly (6-for-7), Campbell (3-for-5) and Lucic (2-for-4) dominated in the circle. That stat proved crucial because the Bruins are at their best when they start with the puck, which was the case on Bergeron’s game-tying goal. The Bruins called a timeout, and assistant coach Geoff Ward designed the play with an extra attacker. It was important to win the ensuing faceoff in order to get Rask off the ice immediately. Bergeron won the drop, allowing Rask to race to the bench and Jagr to jump into the play. That faceoff win set in motion the sequence that would lead to the game-tying goal. The Maple Leafs weren’t as aggressive as they should’ve been in this situation and the Bruins took advantage and when Bergeron’s shot from the high slot beat Reimer, it was total bedlam at TD Garden — yes, including me, and I couldn’t help but get out of my chair in amazement at what I’d just witnessed. Save of the game Only 1:53 into overtime, the Leafs created a quality scoring chance when Joffrey Lupul released a quick wrister from 44 feet outside the crease. Rask, who finished the game with 24 saves, moved from left to right and made a right-pad save. It turned out to be Toronto’s last shot on net before Bergeron scored the game-winner at 6:05 of overtime. The Jagr effect The Bruins acquired the veteran forward from the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline with the idea that the two-time Stanley Cup winner, and proven postseason performer, would help Boston reach its ultimate goal. When it was over, No. 68 only had 10 assists in 22 playoff games for the Bruins. In Game 7 against the Maple Leafs, he played with Bergeron and Marchand, but on the winning goal it was Seguin who proved crucial on that line. While Jagr was down the tunnel behind the bench with either an injury or equipment issue, Julien sent Seguin onto the ice. He had been playing with Peverley and Kelly the majority of the game, and hadn’t registered a point in the entire series. Seguin stepped up when needed. He won a net-front battle, which forced the puck loose before Bergeron drove it home for the winner. It would have been fun to see how well Marchand, Bergeron and Jagr could have played together if they had a full season to build chemistry. Ultimately, it didn’t matter because Jagr signed with the Devils that summer. The end result After defeating the Rangers in five games in the conference semifinals and sweeping the Penguins in the Eastern Conference final, the Bruins were banged up and hurting against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup final. Chicago proved to be a resilient team and, down 2-1 in Game 6, scored a pair of goals in 17 seconds in the waning minutes of regulation en route to claiming the Cup. Still, that Game 7 comeback against the Maple Leafs is in the books as one of the most dramatic wins in Stanley Cup playoff history for the Bruins, one that resonates to this day. Sea bass I would love to see the timeline of the posts from that game do you still have them ?? Unfortunately not. THe oldest one is from October of 2014.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 3, 2020 11:07:57 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 3, 2020 11:09:03 GMT -5
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Post by KSJ08 on Apr 3, 2020 13:11:53 GMT -5
Jeremy Swayman, G, Maine
No goalie meant more to his team this season than the Boston Bruins prospect, a fourth round pick (No. 111) in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Swayman (6-2, 187) was the difference between winning and losing for Maine on many nights. He The junior goalie put on a show down the stretch of the season as he went 10-3 with two ties in his final 15 games and helped Maine earn home ice in the Hockey East playoffs for the first time since 2011. The playoffs were canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The 21-year-old made the most saves (1,099) while facing the most shots (1,170) among Division I goalies. His .939 save percentage was second, behind Dryden McKay of Minnesota State (.942)
"The numbers provide evidence of his excellence," Maine coach Red Gendron said. "But more than that, he provided our team with tremendous confidence because we all understood that he would make the saves we needed whenever we needed them, ultimately leading to our team's success. His work habits and disciplined professionalism rivaled other great goalies I've been privileged to be on teams with, like Martin Brodeur and (Jonathan) Quick. These things can't be seen by just looking at numbers, but everyone here understands how real it truly was."
Swayman would be the third goalie to win the Hobey Baker, joining Ryan Miller of Michigan State University in 2001 and Robb Stauber of the University of Minnesota in 1988.
He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 18.
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Post by madmarx on Apr 3, 2020 14:10:46 GMT -5
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Post by KSJ08 on Apr 3, 2020 14:31:15 GMT -5
Always thought Bruke was a huge Blow Hard. When I watch him on NHLN, he just seems so pompous.
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Post by KSJ08 on Apr 3, 2020 15:03:33 GMT -5
WTF?!?!
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Post by nfld77 on Apr 4, 2020 18:04:34 GMT -5
Taking nothing away from Vladar or Keyser, but I really believe Swayman could be one helluva steal of a deal, taken in 4th round 111th overall or something like that.. Who knows, maybe 2 of our 3 prospects may be Boston's 1-2 punch for yrs to come. Seabass, 2013 memory lane was a super great read also and like Madmarx said, it would be great to read those posts of the GDT but if they're gone, thats all we can do..Cant keep em forever.. Thanks for the great reads and I pray everyone here is staying healthy and doing everything possible to stay away from this F$%#ing virus and following the guidelines put in place for all our protection. We are very fortunate in our area. there's no one from Clarenville to Bonavista tested positive YET..That's roughtly 100 miles from Clarenville to Bonavista and we're pretty much in the middle, here in historic Trinity.. Stay safe and take good care of each other folks.. This WILL be over sometimes. On a positive note, gas prices are really down.. 83 cents a litre today, lowest I have seen since early 80's ..
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 7, 2020 7:02:56 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 7, 2020 8:27:59 GMT -5
In the weeks since the NHL officially paused the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has served as teacher, chef and trainer for his family. While the forced downtime has benefited family life, he’s itching to return to hockey — hopefully in the near future — and he misses his daily routine.
In his first public comments since the season’s suspension, Cassidy joined The Athletic’s Perfection Pod (listen below) to discuss how this situation has been “very odd” and he’s optimistic the season will resume in some form.
The Bruins own the best record in the NHL with 100 points, and at the time of the hiatus Boston was a favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup.
“We’re not done. We have a lot left in us. A good team, a good chance to win a Stanley Cup and that’s what motivates me. The powers that be will decide that down the road and hopefully we get our opportunity,” Cassidy said.
Last week, Cassidy checked in with all the players, making sure everyone’s family was healthy and safe.
“Great news for us is everybody’s healthy,” said Cassidy, who added it’s especially important for the wives of Tuukka Rask and Par Lindholm because they’re expecting babies soon.
Some other highlights from Cassidy’s interview include his recent video and scouting work, how Charlie Coyle found consistency in his game, how the team is preparing in case the league opens for business and how a veteran player helped him connect better with younger players this season.
Cassidy admitted he took a step back from the game at the beginning of this hiatus and only last week began to ramp up his video work on incoming college free agents, along with prospects in Providence. He also plans to meet with his coaching staff this week and will divvy up potential playoff opponents and break down the scouting reports on each one.
He’s been watching Providence Bruins games and keying on the organization’s top prospects, including center Jack Studnicka, who had been enjoying a promising season.
“How he scores goals is interesting,” Cassidy said. “He gets inside and works to the good ice a lot, which is important in the NHL. It’s hard to be a perimeter player and have success. That was one thing I noticed about him. … He’s a very aggressive guy on the puck, and for a centerman that’s unique because usually you want your wingers in there on puck pursuit more than a centerman because he has a long way to go (to get back into the defensive zone).”
Whether it’s Studnicka, Trent Frederic, Jakub Zboril or Urho Vaakanainen, Cassidy has been learning how each player’s respective skills could translate to the NHL and help the Bruins in the short and long term.
Since the Bruins are loaded down the middle with Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Charlie Coyle as the top three centers, Studnicka could fit as a winger if needed.
“He was a good player to begin with,” Cassidy said. “We expected him to have a good year like he has. When he came up he did well for us. We want him to get stronger and that’s going to take time. He’s a smart guy, has a good stick, good angles and he’s a worker. He’s improved and has the puck a lot.”
Coyle’s resurgence began after the All-Star break and the bye week. Since then, he’s been the team’s best and most consistent player, with seven goals and three assists in 18 games, and a reliable physical presence. Cassidy acknowledged it helped Coyle to receive more playing time in every situation, and that could have been what finally got him going in the right direction. Earlier this season, Cassidy relied more on the fourth line in an attempt to get that trio playing well, while leaning on the Bergeron and Krejci lines more than the third line.
“Charlie was the one who suffered with my rotation,” Cassidy said. “I started realizing we needed to use him more and get him involved.”
Sometimes that meant Coyle would play on Krejci’s right side, along with being used on both the power play and penalty kill.
“He’s responded well with that,” Cassidy said.
Coyle and the others will face an unfamiliar situation if and when hockey does return.
Preparing for the unknown has been a challenge. If the season does resume, the ramp-up would likely be similar to a normal training camp, but it’s unclear how much time each team would be given to prepare.
“You have to identify what your timeline is first and then map out your schedule accordingly, so you’re ramping up and not jumping in too quick, or the opposite where you’re not ready,” Cassidy said.
Since the Bruins are an experienced group, Cassidy expects each player to be focused and ready to go once practices begin. If it’s a scenario where the regular season is canceled and only the playoffs remain, the trick will be to quickly build physicality into practices, the coach said.
“Once we get together I think it all comes back quickly. We’ve all been through this for a long time, so for us getting back into work mode will be an easy transition,” Cassidy said.
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Post by madmarx on Apr 7, 2020 13:10:27 GMT -5
Really praying for Colby Cave very sad news ..
#Oilers & @condors forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma & admitted to the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time.
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Post by KSJ08 on Apr 7, 2020 14:01:37 GMT -5
Really praying for Colby Cave very sad news .. #Oilers & @condors forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma & admitted to the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time. What happened to cause all of this? Sad Hope for full speedy recovery
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Post by orym on Apr 7, 2020 14:05:57 GMT -5
Really praying for Colby Cave very sad news .. #Oilers & @condors forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma & admitted to the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time. Prairie boy. Very sad. Thoughts and prayers headed their way for sure.
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Post by madmarx on Apr 7, 2020 14:28:10 GMT -5
Really praying for Colby Cave very sad news .. #Oilers & @condors forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma & admitted to the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time. What happened to cause all of this? Sad Hope for full speedy recovery Not sure if I see anything I will post ..
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Post by KSJ08 on Apr 7, 2020 15:44:16 GMT -5
What happened to cause all of this? Sad Hope for full speedy recovery Not sure if I see anything I will post .. Yeah I went to NHL.com right after I read your post. They said nothing except what you had posted
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 8, 2020 6:56:53 GMT -5
Not sure if I see anything I will post .. Yeah I went to NHL.com right after I read your post. They said nothing except what you had posted Scary stuff for sure.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 8, 2020 6:57:14 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 8, 2020 8:36:22 GMT -5
On March 7, Torey Krug played 22:18 in the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to Tampa. It was Krug’s 523rd game for the only organization he’s ever known.
It may be that there will not be a 524th.
“I really hope I did not play my last game as a Boston Bruin,” Krug said during a Tuesday video call. “It’s been a special place for me and my family to grow. My love for the game and playing for these fans has been very special to me.”
On Nov. 27, Charlie Coyle signed a six-year, $31.5 million extension. The 28-year-old Coyle is signed through 2026, giving him the most security of any current Bruin.
In comparison, Krug, who is also 28, will be out of contract once the season officially ends. It may have already unofficially concluded.
Neither the NHL nor the NHLPA can project how next year’s salary cap — to say nothing of future ceilings — will be affected by the ongoing financial ruin from the decision to halt the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it has been impossible for general manager Don Sweeney and Lewis Gross, Krug’s agent, to formulate any kind of reasonable template for the defenseman’s next contract. So with any talks certain to be a wasted exercise, negotiations have ceased since the NHL slammed on the brakes.
“From a business perspective, I can’t put any assumption on it, but I can only guess that things are going to be a little different from a salary cap perspective next year,” Krug said. “Team structures as well are going to be affected by that.”
At one time, Krug (9-40—49 this season) would have been able to use fellow defensemen such as Roman Josi (16-49—65) and Jared Spurgeon (12-20—32) as comparables. Like Krug, Josi and Spurgeon are in the final years of their contracts.
But they had the fortune of signing extensions in the fall. Josi re-upped for eight years and $72.472 million. Spurgeon scored a seven-year, $53.025 million deal.
Whether the Bruins made Krug an offer or if Gross submitted a proposal is unknown. Either way, no agreement took place. Any future offer, from the Bruins or other clubs, is likely to be lesser in value considering the losses that every organization is absorbing as play is paused.
It is unfair, then, that arguably the NHL’s best power-play quarterback will not earn appropriate compensation for his services. But Krug has company, not just among fellow pending unrestricted Bruins free agents such as Jaroslav Halak, Zdeno Chara, Kevan Miller and Joakim Nordstrom, but also restricted free agents like Matt Grzelcyk, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork.
Comparables help to frame concepts for contracts. There is nothing comparable between pre-pandemic business and the uncertainty of what is to come.
The NHL and NHLPA may not set the 2020-21 salary cap to reflect lost revenue. It would be crippling for teams to reach compliance by jettisoning players. In all likelihood, the league and players would agree on a compromise — perhaps staying with the 2019-20 $81.5 million ceiling, or accommodating a small increase to account for agreed-upon extensions.
But even if the eventual 2020-21 cap gives the Bruins enough wiggle room to re-sign Krug, it’s no guarantee they would bring him back. Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy could take Krug’s power-play reps. At even strength, Jeremy Lauzon, Jakub Zboril and Urho Vaakanainen are pushing for regular left-side work. Krug turns 29 on April 12. A long-term extension, even before the shutdown, would have been suspect.
For now, Krug is counting on extending his 2019-20 season. He has settled in with his in-laws in Michigan alongside wife Melania, daughter Saylor and dog Fenway. He is riding a Peloton stationary bike, running outdoors and performing body-weight exercises issued by the team’s sports performance staff. Krug is also consulting with his personal trainer. He knows his workouts do not approximate his usual on-ice routine.
“Even rollerblading, yeah, it mimics the motion,” said Krug, more of a violent skater than a graceful one. “But you don’t get the buildup of lactic acid and having to deal with your groin and hip motions when you’re digging into the ice and trying to stop and start. That’s a big part of it. Riding a Peloton or using an Assault bike, that all helps and that’s great. But there’s absolutely nothing you can do to prepare for the ins and outs of a shift and the physicality of it. Not only are you trying to mimic the skating motion, but there’s no way you can train for going into a corner with a guy who’s 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, outbattle him, get the puck and skate away.”
If the NHL resumes, under whatever scenario — empty arenas, neutral sites, no regular-season games — Krug worries about the physical consequences. In his opinion, the players would require a mini-training camp to get back up to professional conditioning and reduce the risk of injury.
Players usually do not enjoy camp. But at this point, Krug would embrace the grind and the familiarity that goes with it: being blinded by David Pastrnak’s outfits, monitoring Chris Wagner’s grumpiness, seeing Charlie McAvoy’s smile, deciphering Jake DeBrusk’s lingo. Like every other player, Krug has experienced the trauma of an abrupt and unexpected halt following the NHL’s usual frenzied pace. Without structure, Krug has lost part of his compass.
“We’re robots,” Krug said. “Every day, we go to the rink. We have a routine. We get up. We set our alarms. If it’s a practice day or a game day, we’re setting our alarm for a certain time. I think most guys have two alarms on their phone. You get up. Go to the rink. Have breakfast. Stretch. We go to meetings. Jump on the ice. Get off the ice. Eat lunch. Then our routine goes on from there. You go home and do whatever you do in your private life.”
Krug aches for a return to normal. What happens after that he cannot predict.
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Post by crafar01 on Apr 8, 2020 14:07:38 GMT -5
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Post by madmarx on Apr 8, 2020 19:43:59 GMT -5
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Post by crafar01 on Apr 9, 2020 6:27:10 GMT -5
Fucking Jack Edwards!
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Post by fforr on Apr 9, 2020 8:40:41 GMT -5
A lot more questions than answers for Don to deal with going forward it seems. Would all their regular season success carry through the playoffs? Would Z be able to keep up with the pace of playoff hockey. Could Gryz and Krug withstand the pounding. Would Lauzon have continued his strong play..Would Bjork, DeBrusk, Kashe, Ritchie have broken through and become reliable secondary scoring options. Would Studnika and possibly Senyshn, Zboril or Vaak been given an opportunity.
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 9, 2020 8:45:15 GMT -5
Really praying for Colby Cave very sad news .. #Oilers & @condors forward Colby Cave has been placed in a medically-induced coma & admitted to the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto after suffering a brain bleed overnight. Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time. While Edmonton Oilers center Colby Cave fights for his life in a Toronto hospital, his former Bruins coaches, teammates and friends are in the process of putting together video messages in an attempt to lift his spirits while he remains in a medically induced coma. Cave, 25, suffered a brain bleed Tuesday morning and underwent surgery to remove a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. He spent parts of five seasons in the Bruins organization and still remains close friends with Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, who first coached Cave in Providence of the AHL. On Wednesday morning, Cave’s wife, Emily, spoke with Cassidy’s wife, Julie, and updated them on the situation. Due to extra hospital precautions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, family members are not allowed in the room, which has been disheartening, frustrating and frightening given the situation. “It’s very difficult for her because she can’t get in the room and give him a hug, or anything,” the Bruce Cassidy said. Cassidy believes patients in a coma still have the ability to hear things, so he suggested playing audio or video messages over an intercom system in order for Cave to hear the messages. “Hopefully that helps,” Cassidy said. “Anything we can do. Every little bit helps and if we can chip in with some encouraging words then that’s what we’re going to do.” Cave was with the Bruins during the Winter Classic at Notre Dame last season, so one day in South Bend, the Cassidys enjoyed lunch with Colby and Emily, and the couples got to know each other better. In fact, the Cassidys received an invitation to Colby and Emily’s wedding last summer, but Bruce had knee replacement surgery, so unfortunately he could not attend. “He’s one of those players you stay connected with,” Cassidy said. “I think he enjoyed playing for me and Kevin (Dean) and I think he enjoyed his time in Providence and Boston. His wife got to know all the girls and he was very tight with the players here. They formed a good bond. Colby’s a likeable guy; he’s hard not to like.” Cave’s situation hit home for Cassidy, who was only 20 when his father passed away from a brain aneurysm at age 52. He’s not the only one affected. When Jay Leach learned the news of Cave’s condition, the Providence coach said he’s fearful and wishing his former player all the best in a difficult situation. “There’s no one better than Colby Cave with regards to being a person and the way he treats other people,” Leach said. “He was a terrific part of our organization for those three years, so I was certainly saddened to hear the news, but I’m hoping things are going to work out for him.” On the ice, Cave’s talent was a bit raw when he made the jump from junior hockey to the pros. Still, his work ethic was off the charts and he quickly gained the respect and admiration of his coaches and teammates. “He was a really smart player for us,” Leach said. “He really dove into the off-ice conditioning and diet and really wanted to be a pro hockey player. As a coach, you can’t help but love players like Colby. He got to a point where he’s an effective NHL player. He’s a very responsible, two-way centerman and you can put him in all situations. Off the ice, he treated his teammates like gold and there wasn’t a guy in that locker room who didn’t relate and love Colby as a teammate here in Providence.” Cassidy trusted Cave enough that during his recall to Boston in the 2018-19 season, he played on a line with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak while Patrice Bergeron was injured. “I knew he could defend and those guys – Marchand and Pastrnak – were going to create (offense) no matter what, so we wanted to see if (Cave) had it in him, even for a short period of time,” Cassidy explained. “When Bergy went down we needed someone to do the grunt work in our end because those guys like to get going. He’s a mature kid and he was going to give you everything he’s got, and the other guys respected that. They were going to try to make him a better player because Colby has really good character.” The Bruins knew once they sent Cave back to Providence there was a strong possibility he wouldn’t clear waivers. He didn’t, and Edmonton claimed him on Jan. 15, 2019. If Cave remained with the Bruins, he likely would’ve earned a full-time spot on the roster this season and the team probably wouldn’t have signed Par Lindholm. Former Bruins forward Noel Acciari played with Cave when the two were in Providence from 2015 to 2017. They play a similar style and the news of Cave’s situation was hard to take for Acciari, who already lost two close friends and former Providence College teammates in tragic circumstances. “Colby is a great guy with a great attitude and a very hard worker on and off the ice,” Acciari said. “He did all the little things and just a very good two-way forward. He isn’t afraid to step up and take on a leadership role or step up and defend a teammate. He’s who you want on your team. It’s a terrible thing what has happened to him, but he’s a fighter and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones.”
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Post by SeaBass on Apr 9, 2020 11:31:40 GMT -5
Which house do you live in? I am going with house #2. Marchy will keep me laughing and if I get bored I can snipe Tuukka.
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