Boston Bruins: Torrey Krug sweet move (Vine)

Here's a sweet shootout move by former Michigan State Spartan  and current Boston Bruins defenseman Tory Krug.

NCHC honors Zane Gothberg and Luke Johnson

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Luke Johnson, North Dakota

Freshman Forward

Grand Forks, N.D.

Johnson sparked North Dakota to a sweep at Minnesota Duluth, UND’s second straight sweep, behind a two-goal, four-point series. In Friday’s 3-0 victory, the Chicago Blackhawks prospect had a hand in all three goals for a career-high three-point game, scoring twice and assisting on the other. Johnson scored the game’s first goal in the first period on the power play, which proved to be the game-winner, while he set up the second goal with the primary assist and capped the outing with an unassisted goal in the third period. He had a +2 rating in the game and was named the game’s first star. The next night, Johnson assisted on a power play goal in the second period that tied the game at 2-2 as UND went on to a 6-2 victory. He completed the weekend with a +2 rating while earning NCHC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Zane Gothberg, North Dakota

Sophomore Goaltender

Thief River Falls, Minn.

Gothberg continued his strong play in net of late, backstopping North Dakota to a sweep at Minnesota Duluth. He played all 120 minutes in net, while allowing just two goals in the series with a .970 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. In Friday’s 3-0 win, the Boston Bruins prospect stopped all 33 shots that came his way in his second start back from injury to pitch his first career shutout, while he was named the game’s second star. On Saturday, Gothberg totaled 31 saves on 33 shots against in a 6-2 victory, while stopping all 23 shots over the final 40 minutes, as he is now unbeaten in his last 12 starts. He also helped UND go 9-for-9 on the penalty kill against the Bulldogs, including 5-for-5 on Saturday. Gothberg totaled 64 saves in the wins while claiming NCHC Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season.

@UNDSID have to think that Gothberg should be @TheNCHC defensive player of the week
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) February 23, 2014

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Another Circle of Sticks and More Inner Geek (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND vs UND: Series preview (hockeywilderness.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)

T.J. Oshie's game winning goal against Boston

Of all the people to beat my favorite hockey team, it had to be former Fighting Sioux forward  T.J. Oshie. Actually, Boston Boston overcame a 2-0 deficit to come back and tie the game in the third period. Before Oshie won it for the Blues in overtime.

Oh marvelous, T.J. Oshie scores for the Blues to beat the Bruins in O.T.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) February 7, 2014

Related articles

• T.J. Oshie hit on Torey Krug (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

T.J. Oshie hit on Torey Krug

Well former Fighting Sioux forward T.J. Oshie was engaged tonight. I wish the refs would have let Johnny Boychuk and Oshie fight first. Osh had his glove off.

The box score reads.
17:59 BOS Johnny Boychuk Roughing - 2 min against T.J. Oshie
17:59 BOS Johnny Boychuk served by Shawn Thornton Roughing - 2 min against T.J. Oshie
17:59 STL T.J. Oshie Roughing - 2 min against Johnny Boychuk

Florida Panthers: Tim Thomas snaps on Carl Soderberg

Former Boston Bruins and current Florida Panthers goalie Tim Thomas made his return to Boston tonight and Timmy's new team didn't do very well against his old team. In fact the Panthers were shell 6-2 by the Bruins. Check out Thomas, as he goes Paul Bunyan on Boston Bruins forward Carl Soderberg.

Dustin Brown scores on Chad Johnson - GIF

That's some bad goaltending by Boston Bruins goalie Chad Johnson. Of course, you have to give Mr. Elbow Dustin Brown some credit as well.

Jonas Hiller Robs Brad Marchand - GIF

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What a save by Jonas Hiller as he robs the "little ball of hate" Brad Marchand.

Boston Bruins: Ducks Goalie Jonas Hiller Robs Brad Marchand in the Blue Paint (Video)

Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller robs Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand in the blue paint, nice 10-bell save, The Boston Bruins outshot the Ducks 16-3 in the first period.

Jonas Hiller showing off his phenomenal glove. He robs Brad Marchand from the left circle, and frustrating the B's many chances
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) January 8, 2014

Related articles

• Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand kisses ring finger (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Tyler Seguin goals against the Habs - GIF

That's goals number 21 on the year for Dallas Stars forward  Tyler Seguin. Looks almost like a knuckle-puck to me.

Yeah in Review 2013

Personally, I think that 2013 was a crummy year, however, it was a very good year for sports. There's been some really nice stories. When it looked like the Boston Bruins were going back to Chicago for game seven, but it wasn't meant to be, as the Blackhawks scored two goals in 17-seconds to win the Stanley Cup over the Boston Bruins.



The last team in the NCAA tourney, wins the NCAA tourney by going through a bunch of one and two seeded teams. Also, Yale becomes the first Ivy League school as well as the first ECAC team since 1989 to win the NCAA title. With the NCAA title win, the ECAC sheds the EZAC label.

The Minnesota Wild sign the big-time free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise in the summer of 2012 and the Minnesota make the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 2006-07 season. However, the Wild playoff drive is short lived as they are quickly dispatched in five games (4-1) by the eventual Stanley Cup champion the Chicago Blackhawks.



After much discussion, hand wringing and teeth gnashing, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference begins play in Oxford, Ohio as North Dakota and Miami play in the first ever game. North Dakota would go on to win game one by a score of 4-2.



The Toronto Maple Leafs looked like they were headed to the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Leafs had what looked like a comfortable 4-1 lead. Then the roof fell in on the Maple Leafs during the third period. The Bruins would move on to face the New York Rangers in the second round of the playoffs.



Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand, aka the Little Ball of Hate, would get things rolling in round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Boston Bruins would win in overtime.

Like I mentioned earlier, personally, for me, 2013 has been one of those years that I will soon hopefully forget, but there's been some great sports stories. Happy New Year and see you next year.

Bettman upholds Thornton's 15-game suspension

The Ruling has come down. The NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld Shawn Thornton's 15-game suspension.


NEW YORK -- Commissioner Gary Bettman today upheld the 15-game suspension that was assessed to Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton by the Department of Player Safety for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent, Brooks Orpik of the Pittsburgh Penguins, in NHL Game No. 438 at Boston on Dec. 7.

Commissioner Bettman heard Thornton's appeal at a hearing in New York on Friday, Dec. 20. The original decision was assessed Dec. 14.

The incident occurred at 11:06 of the first period. Thornton was assessed a match penalty for violating NHL Rule 46.15.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Thornton will forfeit $84,615.45. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Click here to view Commissioner's complete ruling (PDF)

Shawn Thornton to appeal 15-game suspension

Shawn Thornton's agent Anton Thun confirms his client will appeal his 15-game suspension
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 16, 2013

Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is going to appeal his 15-game suspension. I can't imagine an independent arbitrator ruling in his favor, but we will soon find out.

So Shawn Thornton is appealing his 15-game suspension. First appeal is to Bettman, who will provide written judgment.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

If, after receiving Bettman's judgment and narrative, Thornton wants to appeal that, he can go to independent arbitrator.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

(Video) Milan Lucic Fights outside Vancouver Club

This happened after the Boston Bruins lost to the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 on Saturday night. From the Sporting News.

After his Bruins lost to the Canucks in Vancouver on Saturday night, video surfaced of an angry Milan Lucic cursing outside a Vancouver nightclub following an apparent altercation.

No punches are thrown in the video, and Lucic was not the aggressor, but he did say he'd been hit twice and was upset that an officer suggested that he leave.

Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand kisses ring finger

Apparently, Brad Marchand kissed his ring finger that his Stanley Cup Ring sits on and the Boston Bruins hating fans went nuts.

As most Boston Bruins fans know, there's a whole group of NHL fans that hate the Boston Bruins and go nuts no matter what the Boston Bruins do. It's the same thing being a member of the UND fan base as well. I heard about this little incident last night, as I was going home from the Engelstad Arena, after the game last night. I kind of figured some would be getting all spun up about this today.

OK, now that I've seen Marchand kissing his ring finger, I think I'm right -- he made the Cup-raising motion coming off the ice from warmup.
— Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) December 15, 2013

What about kissing the Cup after that? RT @Real_ESPNLeBrun Kesler on Marchand kissing his ring: "Obviously no class."
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 15, 2013

(Video) Boston Bruins: Shawn Thornton Suspended 15-games

Update: The NHL has thrown the book at Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is suspended 15-games for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. That means that Thornton will not be eligible to return to the ice until January 11, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks. Developing.

Thornton gets 15 games. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 14, 2013

Chiarelli: "We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person. At this time, we will decline comment..."
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) December 14, 2013

Boston Bruins issue statements regarding the suspension of Shawn Thornton. Read: http://t.co/s7xLfTAG57 ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 14, 2013

Via a team press release, Shawn Thornton says he'll discuss suspension with team, NHLPA and his reps, will address publicly after that.
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) December 14, 2013

Related articles

• Doesn't look good for Shawn Thornton (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Settling the Debate: Thornton Hit Worse Than Neal Knee (thehockeywriters.com)
• The Character Assassination of Brooks Orpik (thehockeywriters.com)
• VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

James Neal suspended 5-games for kneeing Marchand

I think the suspension should be longer, but that's the breaks. It's a good thing that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn't hurt by the dirty play. Nice to see that Dion Phaneuf will probably be getting suspended for his dirty hit on Kevan Miller.

5 games for Neal. Phaneuf phone hearing tomorrow at 10am.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 9, 2013

James Neal suspension video: http://t.co/vOqnaI92TR
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 9, 2013

Dion Phaneuf boards Kevan Miller http://t.co/MyQmHP7xqI
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Was James Neal Kneeing Marchand Intentional? (thehockeywriters.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf

Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller is absolutely destroyed by Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf. There's no sense to this hit, this is a major penalty, in my opinion. This is a dangerous hit and has no place in any level of hockey. The refs in this instance should be fined for not making the proper call.

I've seen some really bad NHL officiating this weekend. Totally lost control last night. Tonight they miss major Phaneuf hit from behind
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Boston Bruins News: Miller's Debut & the Penalty Kill (thehockeywriters.com)
• Dion Phaneuf NOT Worth $7 Million (thehockeywriters.com)

Bruins Hockey: Chris Kelly Out With Broken Ankle

s/t KK... Before Pittsburgh Penguins fans lecture us about the Boston Bruins being dirty, check this out. Chris Kelly is out with a broken ankle after he was slashed by Pens forward Pascal Dupuis last night.

Doesn't look good for Shawn Thornton

I going to predict that that this isn't going to end well for Boston Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton. Now, it's just a matter of how long the suspension is going to be... That discussion will happen on Monday.

Again, it doesn't matter that Brooks Orpik caught Loui Erikkson with a questionable, late, high-hit early in the game. The hit in question sent the Bruins forward to the locker room with a concussion. That's his second concussion of the season. None of that matters.

The Department of Player Safety won't look at that, when they make their decision on Monday. What they will look at; Thornton attacked a guy while he laid on the ice. That's not acceptable behavior in any league.

Shawn Thornton has a hearing and will not be traveling with the team to Toronto ^CS— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 8, 2013

s/t puck daddy... Shawn Thornton said this, in an ESPN interview recently.

DOES THE CODE STILL EXIST? IS THAT SOMETHING YOU TAKE PRIDE IN/ABIDE BY?

I take a lot of pride in that. I do. People could probably criticize that I’m a little too honorable, I suppose, in some instances. I've been a firm believer my whole life that what goes around comes around. If you’re one of those guys that suckers someone when they’re down or you go after somebody that doesn’t deserve it or isn’t the same category as you, that will come back and bite you at some point, too. I also take a lot of pride in the fact that I can play 8-12 minutes a night. I’ve had to work extremely hard on that part of my game to bring more to the table than just fighting. That’s part of my game, but I can do a lot more.

There's some good news for Boston Bruins fans. NHL announces Pittsburgh forward James Neal to have a phone hearing Monday with the NHL's Department of Players Safety. A phone hearing means that Neil won't be suspended more than five-games.

Lastly, I was reading the one of the local Pittsburgh Newspapers and this is what they have to say on the matter. James Neil doesn't sound very contrite for his bush league kneeing incident on Brad Marchand.   For the record, Neil has been suspended before.

Rob Rossi, Trib Live -- About four minutes passed before Penguins captain Sidney Crosby tripped Bruins winger Brad Marchand near the Boston bench. Neal skated past and clipped Marchand in the head with his knee.

“I was skating by him,” Neal said, noting he had not seen a replay of his hit, which resulted in a minor penalty for kneeing. “I hit him in the head with my leg or my foot or my knee or my shin area; I don't know. He went down. I guess I need to try and avoid him.

“I need to be more careful and get my knee out of the way. I'm not trying to hit him in the head or injure him or anything like that.”

Marchand said he “could not comment” on Neal's hit.

Bylsma said Neal “didn't make an attempt to get out of the way on Marchand.”

VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik

First, this is the hit by Brooks Orpik on Loui Eriksson that caused Shawn Thornton to snap tonight. This hit also injured Eriksson, and from the video, you can see that the puck was nowhere near Erikson. 

While the hit definitely a penalty; it's probably nothing more than a two-minute minor penalty for interference. 

That being said, there’s no excusing what Shawn Thornton did, this is unacceptable. I believe that Thornton broke the hockey code by attacking a player that was laying on the ice. You can't have that. 

Thornton is going to have a hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety. While Thornton has never been suspended by the NHL, they have to respond to this hit.

I think that it would be safe to say that Thornton will be looking at a very long suspension. The NHL has to respond harshly to this act of violence. I am going to predict that Thornton is looking at a 10-game suspension, minimum. Some might compare what There's no excusing what he did. Before Boston Bruins fans eviscerate me, I am Boston Bruins fan, but we can't excuse this.