Sweet goal by Boston's Brad Marchand

This is an awesome goal by Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, this was the 14th goal of the season for the Little Ball of Hate. This was also the game tying goal for the Boston Bruins. The Bruins would go on to score two more goals by Patrice Bergeron and Nathan Horton.

As of late, the Boston Bruins have been goal starved,  but not this time, as the Boston Bruins scored four unanswered goals in 14:04 of the second period. This was after they had just given up a goal by Hab's defenseman P.K. Subban at the 2:53 mark of the second period.

Brad Marchand fights Mike Ribeiro

Brad Marchand fights Mike Ribeiro w/SlowMo 3/16/13: youtu.be/IbDIG_mdLms?a via @youtube
— dafoomie (@dafoomie) March 16, 2013

Boston Bruins game winning goal scored by Patrice Bergeron.

NESN announcer Jack Edwards with the call on Boston Bruins game winning goal, scored by Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. That's the fourth goal of the year for Bergeron. There was no doubt that it was a goal... Boston Bruins Haters the world over are probably happy it wasn't the Little Ball of Hate that scored the game winning goal for the Bruins.

(Video) Patrice Bergeron and Jeff Skinner dust-up

This is why Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was tied up with Carolina forward Jeff Skinner at the end of last night's game. You can see by the video that Bergeron was slew footed by Skinner behind the Bruins net. This was what Brad Marchand was suspended for last season.

Marchand: "Skinner slew foots all the time." Said he and Bergeron talked about it before the game. So there you go. #Bruins #Hurricanes
— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) January 29, 2013

Related articles

• Jeff Skinner's Questionable Slew-Foot Sends Patrice Bergeron Into Frenzy (Video) (nesn.com)
• Brad Marchand: Jeff Skinner 'Slew-Foots All the Time,' Says Skinner's Slew-Foot on Patrice Bergeron Was 'Very Blatant' (nesn.com)
• Patrice Bergeron Tries To Fight Jeff Skinner After Two Get Tangled Late In Third Period (boston.cbslocal.com)

What will Seguin get?

The recent signing of Jeff Skinner is going to set the bar for other RFA with similar numbers. The upside of Tyler Seguin is pretty big as I could see him erupt and have a very big season this year.

This is an interesting discussion that is worth talking about - one could also ask the question - what if Seguin gets somewhere in the neighborhood of  75-80 points - he is going to command a pretty big salary and if the Bruins low ball him you could see someone sign him to an offer sheet like the Toronto Maple Leafs did with Phil Kessel.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE.COM --- Skinner signed a six-year, $34.35 million contract that could wind up being very similar to Seguin’s second contract if the Bruins opt for a longer term pact with their budding superstar. The deal will play Skinner $4.35 million in his arbitration-eligible season in 2013-14 and $6 million per season from 2014-2019.

If Seguin got the same deal, it would make him the highest-paid forward on the Bruins, and the second-highest paid player behind only Zdeno Chara.

But it’s also the kind of deal that Seguin could command given the comparable track that both Skinner and Boston’s young superstar have undergone over the last two years. In essence Skinner has set the bar for Seguin and agent Ian Pulver if a contract extension is to be completed before the end of next season.

Boston could opt to go the shorter deal route with Seguin, but that could end up costing them more money if the B’s center continues his rapid ascension toward being one of the game’s best offensive players.

I am not sure what Joe Haggerty is talking about because according to Cap Geek David Krejci makes 5,250,000.00 and Patrice Bergeron makes 5,000,000.00 a year.

Big day in Hockey....

18, Nathan Horton, Bruins RW Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, December 18, 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the middle of the dog day of summer  - when we should be thinking about which watering hole we should be cooling ourselves off in - there are actually quite a few hockey stories... It's hot summer days like this that makes hockey fans long for the hockey season.

First off, the Boston Bruins got some Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid and forward Nathan Horton have been cleared to resume contact.

Douglas Flynn, NESN.COM --- There was also positive news to report for the players Julien will have at his disposal in the coming season, with general manager Peter Chiarelli offering optimistic updates on all of the Bruins recovering from injuries suffered last season.

The biggest of those is top-line forward Nathan Horton, who suffered his second concussion in less than a year on a hit from Philadelphia's Tom Sestito on Jan. 22. Horton did not play again last season, but Chiarelli confirmed that the rugged winger should be ready to go when the Bruins get back on the ice.

"Nathan Horton has been cleared for contact," Chiarelli said. "And by all accounts from our medical staff will be ready to play when it's time to play." Horton's first season in Boston ended in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final when he suffered a concussion on Aaron Rome's late hit.

After a slow start, he had returned strong from that injury with 17-15-32 totals in just 46 games last year, putting him on a 30-goal pace before suffering his second concussion in Philadelphia. Horton's absence had a ripple effect throughout the lineup and contributed to Boston's struggles to score at times, most notably in the first-round loss to Washington in the playoffs.

His return to the lineup, and his return to his pre-injury form, will be a key for the Bruins in the upcoming season.

The Bruins will also benefit from the return of defenseman Adam McQuaid, who has been "completely cleared" to return from his season-ending concussion, according to Chiarelli. The Bruins GM also noted that the oblique injury that hampered center Patrice Bergeron in the postseason will not be an issue going forward. "

In case we need to have our memory refreshed this hit by the Flyers Tom Sestito on Nathan Horton that took out Horton for the rest of the season. I believe that getting Horton back is like a free agent pickup for the Boston Bruins.



In one of the more shocking hockey news stories of the day - the Nashville Predators matched the Philadelphia Flyers ridiculous and expensive offer sheet. In my opinion, it was nice to see the Predators step up and match the Flyers offer sheet. It's kind of a thumb in the eyes for the Flyers.

Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2012) – In the most important hockey transaction in franchise history, Nashville Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran, President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile and CEO Jeff Cogen announced today that the team has matched the 14-year, $110 million offer sheet between the Philadelphia Flyers and defenseman Shea Weber, insuring that the Predators' captain will remain with the franchise for the next 14 years. The decision to enter into the largest contract in franchise history was made by all parts of the organization, including ownership, hockey operations and business operations.

As the organization analyzed the overall situation and worked toward a conclusion, the decision boiled down to three questions:

- Was Shea Weber the individual that this franchise wanted to lead our team, a team that would compete for the Stanley Cup every year, for the next 14 years?

- Would matching the offer sheet be in the best long-term interest of the team and organization?

- Would a decision not to match the offer sheet send a negative message to current Predators players and other NHL organizations, a message that the Predators would only go so far to protect its best players and be pushed around by teams with "deep pockets?"

Friday link around – Summer in full spring

The National Hockey League's 2012-13 season is set to begin playing games on Oct. 11 – yeah right.

After playing only 16 games in last season Guillaume Latendresse is close to signing a one year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Josh Harding will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a three year 5.7 million dollar deal.

According to Michael Russo - Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Chay Genoway will be back with the Minnesota Wild as he recently signed a new deal.

The Minnesota Wild Recently released their new schedule – not that it's going to be make any difference.

In one of the more shocking moves of the week – Penguins forward Jordan Staal – who is set to become an unrestricted free agent – recently rejected a 10-year contract extension from the Pittsburgh Penguin. The contract in question was believed to be in the $60 million dollar range.

Michigan defenseman and New Jersey Devils draft choice John Merill is undecided about his next step and will decide after the Devils development camp if he is ready to sign or return to school. My advice to Merill is to stay in school John; you will no doubt develop under Red Berenson if you can keep your nose clean.

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers are both involved in discussions with much sought after forwards Columbus’ Blue Jackets Rick Nash and Anaheim’s Ducks Bobby Ryan.

Former Boston University star forward Brandon Yip has signed with the Nashville Predators.

Apparently, the NHL players are optimistic that a lockout can be avoided – I am not as optimist that a lock-out can be avoided and I think that start of the season will be delayed.

Russian star Nail Yakupov who could go number one in the NHL draft - says that his goal is to play in the NHL – there are some that have their doubts.

Future Golden Gopher Taylor Cammarata was impressive at the NHL combine according to Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News.

The Boston Bruins have released their schedule and they will start the regulars season against the Broad Street Bullies in Philly.

Here is the Boston Bruins preseason schedule:

Sept. 25: Bruins at Capitals (Verizon Center, Washington)
Sept. 26: Bruins at Sabres (First Niagara Center, Buffalo)
Sept. 29: Bruins vs. Jets (Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon)
Sept. 30: Bruins at Jets (MTS Centre, Winnipeg)
Oct. 3: Bruins vs. Capitals (TD Garden)
Oct. 5: Bruins vs. Sabres (TD Garden)
Oct. 6: Bruins at Canadiens (Bell Centre, Montreal)

Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was named the Frank J. Selke Trophy winner at the NHL awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bergy was only the second Boston Bruins player to be awarded a Selke Trophy.

Caps want to take advantage of wear and tear on Bruins

Alzner Shoots (Photo credit: clydeorama)

After reading this blog post and some of the other ones from the Capitals media, it kind of hit me that the Washington Capitals have done a lot of extra talking and at times some serious whining during this hard fought series.

Maybe it's a difference in the two teams and their leadership. Frankly, you haven't heard the Boston Bruins doing this much talking.

Obviously I follow the Boston Bruins and I haven't watched the Capitals enough this season to know if it's their modus operandi or not. Lastly, if the Capitals think they are going to run the Boston Bruins out of the building playing a physical game they are sorely mistaken.That plays right into the Boston Bruins Hands.

Katie Carrera, Capitals Insider --- “You can tell by the way they play and where they go on the ice and where they don’t go on the ice and if they’re rushing off or if they’re on the play. You can definitely tell,” Karl Alzner said. “You’ve just got to — it’s like we said at the beginning of the series — you plant the seed. If it’s mentally with hitting them or getting in their face, or if it’s dumping the puck in every single time, then they start to know — and that’s when you start to take advantage.”

While some injuries are readily apparent — Patrice Bergeron is dealing with an upper-body ailment that likely will prevent him from taking face-offs again in Game 7, Joe Corvo missed Game 6 after taking a puck off the leg — others are less visible. Alzner said the Capitals have discussed who they think is hurting and how to put extra pressure on the Bruins in this contest.

“There’s a couple guys I know — and we talked about it — that they’re cheating,” Alzner said. “You can see where they’re cheating, and we’re waiting to for an opportunity to take advantage of it, and you’ve got to wait for that chance. It’s not always there, but sometimes it is, and it’s a fatigue thing. Hopefully you take advantage of it the next game.”

Backes, Bergeron and Datsyuk up for the Selke

The National Hockey League announced their year-end awards today and Former MSU-M Mavericks and current St. Louis Blues forward David Backes was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke trophy. I would think this is another great argument for the NCAA hockey being a great place to develop future talent for the NHL.

TSN.CA --- The National Hockey League has announced more nominees for its year end awards, unveiling the finalists for the Lady Byng and Frank J. Selke trophies.

David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings are the three finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward, the league announced Monday.

Backes had the highest average ice time per game among forwards (19 minutes 59 seconds) on a Blues club that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL by a wide margin. The six-foot-three, 225-pound centre was a punishing physical presence, doling out a team-leading 226 hits to join Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown as the only players to record 200 hits or more in each of the past five seasons.

Backes led the Blues in faceoffs, blocked shots and posted a plus-15 rating. The Blues captain is an NHL trophy finalist for first time in his seven-year career and is the first Blues player up for the Selke since Michal Handzus finished second in 2000.

Bergeron led the NHL in plus-minus (plus-36) and posted a plus-18 rating both at home and on the road in helping the Bruins rank second in the Eastern Conference in team defence (2.39 goals-against average).

Tyler Seguin extends the series

The Boston Bruins are going to another game seven as Tyler Seguin scored the game winning goal at the 3:17 of overtime to send the series back to Boston. This will be the Bruins fourth game seven in the last fourteen months. Game seven is on Wednesday night (TDB) at TD North Garden. This was the first goal of the playoffs for Seguin (1g-1a-2pts).

The Bruins have stuggled to get scoring from their top two lines, David Krejci (1g-2a-3pts), Milan Lucic (0g-3a-3pts), Patrice Bergeron (0g-2a-2pts), Brad Marchand (1g-1a-2pts). Krecji also scored his first goal of the playoffs today. Brad Marchand got his first goal of the playoffs yesterday.

Richard Peverley (3g-2a-5pts), Milan Lucic, Tyler Seguin, Andrew Ference and David Krejci all had 2 points in today's win against the Washington Capitals. 

The best line for the Bruins through the first five games of the Stanley Cup playoffs has been the line of Benoit Pouliot (1g-1a-2pts), Brian Rolston (1g-2a-3pts), Chris Kelly (1g-2a-3pts).

Related articles

• Bruins beat Capitals in OT to force Game 7
• Seguin Sinks Capitals; Forces Series To Seven

Chimera hit on Marchand

I apologize for the quality of the video, I do not have a steady hand, nor do I have a video recorder to tape the plays that I would like. This was the hit in question by Washington Capitals forward Jason Chimera on Boston Bruins forward Bard Marchand as you can seen by the video that the Little Ball of Hate was not hit in the head. What caused the cut to Marchand's face is unknown.

Related articles

• Marchand Not Happy With Chimera's 'Cheap Shot'
• Boston Bruins not panicking over Game 5 against Washington Capitals
• Boston Bruins Win Big Physical Game Against Washington Capitals, 4-3
• Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand could be moved down depth chart in Game 5 against Washington Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin elbows Patrice Bergeron in the head

The Washington Capitals star forward Alexander Ovechkin's is known for playing on the edge and there is nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, Ovechkin is also know for his questionable and sometimes dirty hits and in today's game Ovechkin was able to connect with a sneaky dirty elbow on  Patrice Bergeron's head.

Edit: If you go back and watch this video, you will see that Ovechkin hit Bergeron twice in the head.

Ovechkin's elbow caused Bergeron to miss most of the third period. With his previous concussion history, one has to wonder if Bergeron is suffering from another concussion. Don't expect the league to look at the Ovechkin elbow on Bergeron because Ovechkin is a star player.

Just for the record Alexander Ovechkin is a repeat offender and he has been suspended three times by the National Hockey League for hits that were deemed dangerous.

Related articles

• 
  
• Caps Practice Recap: Michal Neuvirth Returns In Back-up Role
• Pratfall alert: Alex Ovechkin falls backwards over the boards (VIDEO)
• Bergeron With Gresh & Zo: 'Doesn't Really Matter Who You're Put Out There With'

Marchand a diver?

Here is an entertaining and humorous video about Brad Marchand and his apparent diving that he did during game three against the Washington Capitals. The one play where Nikolas Backstrom hit him from behind, Marchand was off balance and basically already falling down, I will excuse that flop. That being said Marchand's diving is nothing compared to Ryan Kesler.

Related articles

• Boston Bruins Win Big Physical Game Against Washington Capitals, 4-3 (rantsports.com)
• Caps' coach: Bruins targeting Backstrom's head (espn.go.com)

Brad Marchand gets the hat trick

Brad Marchand has had a nose for the net as of late and has been on fire scoring nine points in the last five games (6g-3a—9pts). In his last game out against the Florida Panthers Marchand scored five points (3g-2a—5pts). This Brad Marchand hat trick against the Florida Panters is a thing of beauty.

Brad Marchand has a nose for the net

This is a perfect example of what happens when your team plays a solid, relentless fore check in the offensive zone, the Boston Bruins are a very good team on the fore check in the offensive zone. Nice goal by Bruins forward Brad Marchand but you can't discount the effort from Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron

Related articles

• Bruins Vs. Canadiens Final Score: Boston Skates Past Montreal, 3-2 (boston.sbnation.com)
• Bruins Rewind: Week In Review (Part Four) (insidehockey.com)
• Five Observations: Bruins vs Flyers (insidehockey.com)
• Bruins Beat Canadiens 3-2 in Boston [PHOTOS] (wzlx.radio.com)

Milan Lucic hit on Zac RInaldo

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo. In looking at the video, and watching the game, I don't think you will see a suspension to Milan Lucic.

The reason I say that I don't think that Lucic will be suspended is that last night Toronto Defenseman Dion Phaneuf  buried Buffalo Forward Zack Kassian into the boards and wasn't suspended. In my opinion that hit was worse than Lucic's hit on Rinaldo. So I don't see a this and there was no suspension given to Phaneuf.

I know that if Lucic isn’t suspended by the NHL we are going to hear the conspiracy theorist claim that the NHL is in bed with the Bruins because Colin Campbell’s son Gregory plays for the Boston Bruins, however, I don’t think this hit is suspension worthy.

After Milan Lucic's questionable hit on Flyers goon Zac Rinaldo, who has been in eight fights this season, goes after and challenges Bruins forward Nathan Horton to a fight. As a Bruins fan, I get a little worried  seeing one of the Bruins top six forwards, who has suffered a concussion in the past year, fighting an experienced fighter like Rinaldo. Rinaldo (1g-4a—5pts) is a cement head and is on the ice for one thing. Rinaldo is there to fight and cause havoc, you would think he should have challenged Lucic to the fight.

Related articles

• Dion Phaneuf plants Zack Kassian into the boards. (mvn.com)

Tuesday Morning Links

Image via WikipediaThere is a lot of news today in the hockey world. Sidney Crosby made his much anticipated return to the Penguins after missing over 10 months with a concussion. Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron is glad to see Sidney Crosby back in the Penguins line up as well.

“I am happy to hear that not just for him as a hockey player but for him a person first and foremost,” Bergeron said. “I think his health is the most important thing and I’m very happy to hear that. It’s obviously a good thing for the league and good for him.”

The Boston Bruins with their ninth win in a row actually vaulted to the top of the North East Division. Chris Kelly is the Boston Bruins of the week with his solid play. [the Bruins Blog]

Good news for the Fighting Sioux Women's team -> WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Jocelyne Lamoureux Junior, Forward North Dakota. Congrats to Jocelyn Lamoureux.

From the WCHA press release --- The Tigers (7-2-0, 5-2-0 WCHA) and defending WCHA/MacNaughton Cup-champion Fighting Sioux (4-7-1, 2-6-0 WCHA) will hook up at Ralph Engelstad Arena (11,634) in Grand Forks on Friday evening at 7:37 pm CT and Saturday night at 7:07 pm CT. This is the only regular season series between CC and UND.

Chris Peters of the United States of Hockey had this to say about the Fighting Sioux.

North Dakota – North Dakota is on this list for all the wrong reasons. The Sioux lost a bunch of firepower from last year’s club, but I don’t think anyone saw this coming. North Dakota is tied for 10th place in the 12-team WCHA with a 2-6-0 conference record to go along with an ugly 4-7-1 record. Adding insult to injury, the Sioux have been swept by rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin already this year. Making matters worse, they’ve just lost freshman phenom Rocco Grimaldi (who’s been hampered by injury all year) for the next 6-8 weeks. More on that in a bit…

Overall, there have been a lot of intriguing things happening in college hockey. Part of that may have to do with the ever-increasing parity. Save a few teams with tremendous records, everyone else has been pretty average. Typical powers like Boston University, Denver and Michigan haven’t been exactly dominant. In fact, each has mostly been average. Perhaps that’s good for college hockey. The fact that any team can win on any given night makes for some exciting match-ups. Expect this season to heat up even more, just in time for it’s national debut on VERSUS (featuring two of the best teams in the country in BC and Notre Dame) on New Year’s Eve.

Apparently the Badgers center Mark Zengerle was less than impressed with the WCHA on ice officials and got a 10 minute misconduct penalty for chirping at the refs. Looking at the box score from the game reveals that Derek Shepherd, Matt Ulwelling were the on ice officials for that game. I can't say that I blame Zengerle, most of us have been upset with the WCHA officiating from time to time.

Sophomore center Mark Zengerle compounded the first episode when he was assessed a 10-minute misconduct penalty for chirping at the officials, a misdeed that resulted in him sitting on the bench 10 minutes once he got out of the penalty box.

"I hope it's a lesson that (Zengerle) remembers," Eaves said.[Madison.com]

Did Zengerle learn his lesson? I was thinking that maybe the quality of the on ice officials could improve. This season the officiating in the WCHA has been confusing, inconsistent and I could see how the players get confused and upset. As a fan, you never know what the referees are going to call from game to game. There is no consistency from the various on ice crews.  What is a penalty one game; isn’t the next weekend.

I hope when the Big Ten Hockey Conference and the NCHC form that the NCHC can start over and acquire new on ice officials, it would be a good time to start fresh in the on ice officials department. Enough is enough, after watching the WCHA on a regular basis since 1993; I have to say that the quality of officiating has degraded to a very low level.

I would caution the newly formed NCHC from entertaining the idea that the current band of WCHA officials will suffice as on ice officials for NCHC play. I don’t care if a certain WCHA official lives in Colorado, let’s pay the extra money as a league and fly someone else in to officiate games in Denver or Colorado Springs.

There are other competent official’s currently officiating hockey games in other levels of hockey, one idea would be to recruit officials from the USHL who have a higher standard of quality than the WCHA.

The referees in the WCHA remind of a bunch of Keystone Kops or a bunch of bumbling buffoons, making stuff up as they go.  College hockey deserves better and it’s time we took action and demand better. The status quo is no longer acceptable.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings - November 21 (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux-Beavers Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: November 1st (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux Tip Huskies at Engelstad (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Tuesday Links...

Image via Wikipedia

Fargo Force beat writer Ryan S. Clarke has a great feature on Devils Lake resident and Fighting Sioux recruit Keaton Thompson. [Slightly Chilled]

This kid might be good at this hockey thing. The 16 year-old defenseman was part of the U.S. U-17 Team, which won its third straight Four Nations title over the weekend scoring two goals (three if you include an exhibition game) during the tournament.

Scoring goals in an international tournament is just adding to what’s been a good year for the Devils Lake, N.D. native.

“It’s really good,” said Thompson a few weeks before the tournament. “Everything is going good. Hockey is doing good. Every thing is going really good. Its kind of rainy out here so I’d say that’s the only bad thing.”

The NHL Hockey GM’s are going to discuss the 1-3-1 defense. Personally, I don’t know what they are going to discuss? Playing the trap is perfectly legal in the NHL and in all levels of hockey, “all” teams play it from time to time. [NHL.COM]

Vancover Canucks hack Alex Burrows isn't happy that the NHL didn't suspend Bruins forward Milan Lucic for his hit on Ryan Miller. My first question is, why does anyone care what the Canucks punk Alex Burrows has to say on anything? [Yahoo Sports]

"I'm really surprised and even more confused," Canucks winger Alex Burrows said after the ruling. "I've been trying to figure it out and I don't know if goalies are in play now if they're out of their crease. This might set a precedent. Shanahan played the game and he probably knew that he [Lucic] had time to move and growing up you learn you can't really hit the goalies. I would have dove at the puck or have tried to get out of the way.

"I thought there would be repercussions. We're concerned. I thought we were trying to get those kind of hits out of this league and now it might be back to old-time hockey. The next thing you know, you might have a line brawl or a bench clearing."

Alex Burrows can’t be serious; this clown doesn't have a leg to stand on or the moral compass to make these comments. In case anyone forgot, this was the same buffoon that bit Patrice Bergeron last spring in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Buffalo Sabre goalies are having a rough go of as of late. After Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was run over by  Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic, Sabres backup goaltender Jhonas Enroth was run over by the Canadiens' Erik Cole. The funny thing is there isn’t as much public out cry about Cole running over Enroth [Video]

Former Fighting Sioux goalie Eddy Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Click to view video]

"Bite This Burrows."

According to Puck Daddy, the Boston based rock band the Dropkick Murphys is selling "Bite Me Burrows" t-shirts. I am going to have to get one of these snazzy new t-shirts... You can get one of these new t-shirts at Sully's.com

Zachary Cox; NESN ----- Songs from the Dropkick Murphys have been a staple at Boston sporting events for years, as the band makes it clear where its allegiance lies.

"Tessie" and "Time To Go" were written as tributes to the Red Sox and Bruins, respectively, and the Dropkicks' hit "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" is nearly unavoidable at any game played in New England -- Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon even uses it as his entrance song.

Ironically, the band went on tour through Canada soon after the Bruins' Stanley Cup victory over the Vancouver Canucks in June. While there, they made sure that Canadians didn't forget who the NHL champion is.

According to Yahoo Sports' Puck Daddy blog, the Dropkicks entered the stage to Queen's "We Are the Champions" at several shows across Canada, including one in Vancouver.

The band also sold Bruins-themed merchandise at the shows, including one T-shirt that featured a tweaked Red Sox logo -- with skates instead of socks on the front -- and the words "Bite This Burrows" in black and gold on the back -- an obvious reference to Alexandre Burrows' infamous bite of Patrice Bergeron's finger in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Related articles

• Alex Burrows Video: Watch Burrows Take Bite out of Patrice Bergeron in Game 1 (bleacherreport.com)
• NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Alex Burrows Will Not Be Suspended for Bite (bleacherreport.com)
• Alex Burrows Escapes Suspension After Biting Patrice Bergeron In Game 1 (sbnation.com)
• Source: No suspension for Canucks' Burrows (sports.espn.go.com)
• NHL won't fine or suspend Alex Burrows for his bite on Patrice Bergeron (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)

Breaking down the stats from the Bruins magical season.

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe Boston Bruins made NHL history last night with their first Stanley Cup Championship in 39 years. The Boston Bruins needed three (3X) game sevens to win the 2011 Stanley Cup, with that accomplishment the Bruins were the first team in history to do this.

The Boston Bruins' All World goalie and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas had shutouts in those two of three game sevens (Eastern Conference and the Stanley Cup Finals).

Boston Bruins faced adversity in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

It would not be an understatement to say that the Boston Bruins faced a bit of adversity during the Stanley Cup Playoffs; first Patrice Bergeron missed two games with a concussion after he was knocked out by a hit from Flyers forward Claude Giroux in game four of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers and missed the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals against Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Boston Bruins also suffered a major blow when they lost one of their top six forward after Vancouver Defenseman Aaron Rome knocked out Nathan Horton at the blue line in the first period of game 3 with a questionable and unneeded hit. That bush league hit seemed to wake the Slumbering Bear as the Boston Bruins won 4 out of 5 games from that moment on.

Cutting it close with no margin for error

How close did the Bruins make it; breaking it down further, the Boston Bruins went down two games to none (2-0) in two for their four series they played during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Before you dismiss that fact, that is no small feat, the Boston Bruins had to win two games on the road in a hostile building in Montreal just to get back into the Eastern conference quarterfinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But it didn't stop there; the Boston Bruins also went 3-0 in overtime in their series with the Montreal Canadians, winning one of the games in overtime in Montreal. Overall, the Boston Bruins were 4-1 in overtime during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they lone loss came in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals. I think one could say that the Boston Bruins were battle tested and faced many tests along the way.

In Tim Thomas we trust

[1], [2]While the Bruins sprinted across the ice to mob him at the buzzer, Tim Thomas tapped both goalposts, sank to his knees and rubbed the ice in front of his empty goal.

I think it’s safe to say that if it wasn’t for Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas the Bruins could have been eliminated a long time ago. Thomas became the 15th goaltender to win the Conn Smythe, Tim Thomas posted an impressive 1.98 GAA and .940 save percentage and 16-9-0 record during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tim Thomas’ final crescendo was even more impressive as he stopped 37 of 37 shots securing his place in history as being one of the best goalies in NHL history.

Michigan a factory for All Star goalies

It would appear that Michigan is home to some of the better American goalies in the NHL. The last three goalies to win the Vezina Trophy (I don’t think that I am going out on a limb and assuming Thomas is a lock to win his second Vezina Trophy in three seasons) are both goalies are from the State of Michigan, Tim Thomas hales from Flint Michigan and fellow Olympic team mate Ryan Miller is from East Lansing, Michigan. Both All Star goalies played their college hockey at American universities; Ryan Miller was an All American at Michigan State University and Tim Thomas was an All American at the University of Vermont.

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