Something brewin' on Causeway Street
In the aftermath of Game 6 in April, the Bruins had an audience. They had the chance to make us sit down and take notice. They had the chance to keep us, to convince us, to prove once and for all that hockey had returned to the indisputable hub of the sports world.
Now here we are, 19 games into the 2008-09 hockey season, and the darnedest thing is happening at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Bruins have catapulted into December as if last April were a spring. Last night's thoroughly entertaining 7-4 victory over Buffalo extended the Bruins' current run to 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, widening their lead in the Northeast Division to six points and leaving them behind only the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks for the highest point total in the entire NHL.
Don't look now, but something appears to be brewin'.
"I don't know if anybody thought we would do this well, but I knew we had the capability," Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said yesterday following the team's customary morning skate. "To be 9-1-1 in the last 11 games is pretty impressive. I don't care who you are."
Then, as Thomas watched from the bench and with Manny Fernandez between the proverbial pipes, the Bruins went out and sniped their way to a high-scoring win that might have left coach Claude Julien with an upset stomach -- what's the French word for agita, anyway? -- were it not for the simple fact that the night resulted in another two points. The Bruins faced deficits of 1-0, 3-1 and 4-2 in the first period alone, then scored the final five goals of the night to win for the 12th time this year.
So what exactly do we have here? Even the Bruins do not seem to know for sure. Maybe they are still a little too wary to wonder. Two years ago, despite having added Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard to the cause, the Bruins skated face first into the boards and finished last in the division. Under then coach Dave Lewis, that undisciplined crew allowed a whopping 289 goals, more than any team in the league but the Philadelphia Flyers. In terms of goals scored, only seven teams had fewer.
All of that began to change under Julien, who brought order, pride, and structure back to the Boston uniform. The B's started to earn their spokes again. And as much as the Bruins have yet to win a playoff series since 1999 -- they have won just one since 1994 -- what they proved last spring is that they are no longer a doormat, no longer an uninspiring bore.
Small strides, friends.
Small strides.
"The reason I signed here is because I knew they were headed in the right direction and I wanted to be a part of it," said the gifted Savard, who had a goal and three assists against the Sabres to move him into third place in the league scoring race. "Now I think we're seeing what we can be."
Exactly what that is remains to be seen, of course, and even the Bruins are smart enough to know that they would be ill-advised to look over their shoulders. Truth be told, the team simply cannot expect to win the way it did last night. In the 89 regular season and postseason games the Bruins played last season, they scored as many as seven goals on just one occasion. The year before, the B's similarly did it once. Julien preaches defense first, offense second, and he has no tolerance for anyone unwilling to buy in, no matter how great the potential payoff. Just ask Phil Kessel.
"We don't want to play like this, obviously, and Claude probably doesn't want to see that either," mused Savard. "So I think we're just doing things it takes to win right now. Obviously we want to win the games 2-1, but tonight it was a game I guess we had to win 7-4."
Nonetheless, the Bruins now haven seven players on pace to score 20 goals this season, another two or three on the cusp of that pace. Five players scored goals last night. There is not yet the kind of buzz at the Garden that there could be -- should be? -- though forgive the masses if they will need additional convincing. The Bruins have done nothing for far too long for skeptics to come flocking back to what has been a couple of good months.
Of course, all of this goes back to Game 6 of the first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, the top seed in the Eastern Conference during last year's playoffs. The Bruins trailed the series by a 3-1 count before a resounding 5-1 victory at Montreal in Game 5, but they looked cooked entering the third period of Game 6 at home. The stingy Canadiens had a 2-1 lead entering what looked to be the final period of the 2007-08 Boston hockey season when the Bruins turned in the kind of period that could not help but make you take notice.
In the final 20 minutes of Game 6, the Bruins scored four times, twice to erase deficits, once to win the game. It was the kind of fight that made even the great Cam Neely jump from his seat and cheer. The Bruins went on to get skunked in Game 7 by a lopsided 5-0 score, but Game 6 provided more than a glimmer of hope for a team that desperately needed one.
"The playoff series was a growth step, so to speak," said Thomas, the possessor of a sterling 1.78 goals-against average this season. "Having said that, with a whole summer off, it could end up doing nothing for you. Our goal as a team was to pick where we left off and not waste that growth."
Right now, they're doing one better.
They're building on it.
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When does the NHL lockout end?
Which local cable access channel is covering the games these days?
1...2...3...4....The Bruins are 12-3-4!? Wow!!
Nice to see someone in the media is taking notice besides KPD and the beat writers. Will they win the cup this year? Doubtful as long as Detroit or San Jose are around, but it's more possible than it's been in recent memory. There's a difference with these guys that's hard to quantify, but at the same time is glaringly apparent. I began to suspect that this was not going to be a repeat of the Thornton led teams (the teams that won plenty of games, but had all the backbone of a squid), when Marc Savard(!) jumped Sean Avery several weeks ago. I'm almost fully convinced at this point.
Saturday in Montreal will be the true test. Roy's number is going to the rafters, and the Habs will be looking to exact revenge for last Thursdays beating. This has all the fixins of a true war, the likes of which we haven't seen in a regular season affair since the late 80's. As long as these guys keep the even keel and determination they've shown so far, I no longer am expecting the worst. All I ask is for Lucic to dispatch Georges Laracque with a flurry of rights, and give his best Tim (Dr. Hook) McCracken imitation to the Forum Faithful on his way to the box. Go B's, I'm beginning to be proud to be a fan once more....
Mazz are u serious. Did you do any research regarding current standings? We are behind the Rangers and Sharks and a point ahead of the Red Wings (although they have 2 fewer games than the B's). Stick to what you know which is pretty much the Red Sox, and even that I am not sure of.
Can't wait to see how this season unfolds and I hope the skeptics will start joining the people like me who have been going to games no matter what just because I love hockey. This team deserves to be playing in front of a full house making the type of noise that we made in game 6 last year.
Mazz wouldn't know a hockey puck from a duck. I find ironic that he spent much of his time last year making fun of hockey and how irrelevant it was to now writing a column about the up and coming B's. Don't sprain an ankle jumping on the band wagon Mazz.
Right on. Going unsaid (for the most part) amidst this success is the impact Cam Neely has had as VP. You KNOW he's got Chiarelli's ear - and since he's been with the management team, they've eliminated alot of the ridiculous trades (not that there have been many) and unnecessary free agent signings.
Then there are guys like Lucic and, this year, Wheeler who are "Neely guys." Big, tough, skilled. Young guys who want to work - and want to win. No more Murrays lazily doing laps up and down the ice with one eye one the game clock...
This team looks good. The Chicago game last Wednesday night (in Chicago) was awesome. Another young and up-and-coming team with similar past fortunes. Don't be surprised if we see an Original Six Stanley Cup final in the next few seasons with the Bruins and Chicago. That would be one for the ages.
And if you think the 'New Garden' was rocking during last season's Celtics championship run... Just wait and see. Go B's !!
So far this season the Bs are fabulously entertaining. In my house they are must see TV. Keep it up men.
You know you've got something when Mazz starts to say good things about you..I personally knew something was up when the Bruins ownership ( yes , that same Jeremy Jacobs that everyone complained about ad naseum), jettisoned Harry Sinden and O'Connell replacing them with a new management staff. Chirrelli immediately started doing the little things in rebuilding, although Dave Lewis was a bump in the road, all signs point to an exciting hockey team that will eventually capture Bostons hockeys fan base. Keep your eye on David Krejci, still a relative unknown.
I am a huge Boston sports fan. I've always rooted intensely for all of the teams (accept the Celtics, I'm not into basketball). But rooting for this Bruins team is just more fun than anything else. It's fun because no one thinks they can do it, and by rooting for them, and watching every single game, you feel like you're part of the team making strides. It feels like rooting for the Patriots before 2001 and the Sox before 2004.
Just like those teams, this team is good because they buy into the TEAM concept 100%. Anyone who has played hockey in their life, knows that this team plays the game the right way.
GO BRUINS!!
You know as a long time bruins fan, even one after the lock out i used to hate people for being bandwagon fans and show up only when they win. But you are blind if you have not noticed or enjoyed this team play hockey the last season and a half. These guys have everything from speed, to toughness and to goaltending, they are very fun to watch. What made me feel good was i was at the Pats game on thursday night and i brought a radio so i could listen to the B's before going into Gilette and as the B's game kept playing, i noticed all these Patriots fans gathered around the radio to listen to the B's game, and as a true fan that made me feel good and happy to see ththat hockey is back in the Hub.
Mazz,
It is about time someone took notice. I am sick and tired of all of the football talk in this town. Watching football is good for one thing. Taking a nap. It will put you right to sleep. Run a play = 5 seconds. Wait 40 seconds. Run another play = 5 seconds. Wait another 40 seconds. Hockey is so much more exciting. Non stop action with many changes within the ebb and flow of the game. Go Bruins!! Stay on their trail Mazz. You are onto something.
Er... I'd like to point out that the Bruins actually trail the San Jose Sharks and the New York Rangers (not the Detroit Red Wings) for the highest point total in the NHL.
:D
So Detroit's 27 points are more than the Bruin's 28...and the B's 28 are more than the Ranger's 33.... Interesting...
You guys really should consult with Fluto and, I hate to say, KPD as well before you publish your articles or writings about anything hockey related. When it comes to the B's, the more fans the merrier and hop on board. It's a shame what the sport's writing in this city has become (clear pandering to the proverbial cash crops).
Tony,
The Bruins are also behind the New York Rangers points wise too.
Do a little more research, like glancing at the standings.
Both you and Buckley should refrain from writing about any other sports other than baseball
Go Bruins!!!!!
They are still behind the Rangers in point total as well. If you're talking winning percentage, then only San Jose and Detroit apply, but as far as raw points it's San Jose, Detroit and New York
Boston.com: This mistake has been corrected.
Tony, thank you for a piece on the B's. Real fans have always been there. Right now all I can say is what a game the boys are playing..what a game
Black n'gold to the grave
Gee, Mazz, I thought the Bruins were a joke and weren't worth the time, and fans who paid attention to them were suckers? At least that's what you said on the radio not too long ago. And I don't mean two years ago.
Why don't you just leave the Bruins alone and pay attention to what you know. Which is... what DO you know, anyway?
These are not the dump and chase Bs of the Sinden-era. They can actually make 4 successive passes tape-to-tape and have more than their usual 4-5 NHL level forwards on the team. They actually skate 4 NHL quality lines. Chiarelli and Juilen have certainly built a more exciting team.
However, one cannot expect the last 10 game trend to continue. Teams don't play .850 hockey all season long. The Bs aren't a Cup contender until they add a another veteran skilled defenseman and get better goaltending out of Fernandez. Thomas has been very very good but Julien cannot afford to play him 60 games this year if the Bs have hopes of advancing to the Cup finals.
Shut up Hoss - redneck wouldn't know a wristshot from a wristwatch...Your TV probably only gets Rodeo anyway....
Anyhow thanks Mazz for the B's coverage it's refreshing
something brewin' on causeway? i thought this was going to be about beer. possibly a new brewery on causeway...that would be sweet. the bruins? boring.
Mazz I cant stand you go do sports final with felger another bandwagon jumper...you're both idiots
NESN and WBZ 1030 as always. hockey doesnt need to be subjected to mainstream american sports media. remember the red puck streaks? i do wish Fred and Derek were still calling the games though. this is the most exciting they've been since 03-04 but even better. boston remains a hockey town and we are loving the Bruins this year.
It's a long season, but when was the last time we were excited about hockey in November?! This team has it; young, nice mix of skills, grit, and toughness. I'll be going to games this year (I'm from Mass but live in Maine). It's nice to be able to go see a game that is exciting and affordable, and its good to hear the fans in a full house, even on TV.
Am I missing something? Was the article edited? I'm reading...
"Last night's thoroughly entertaining 7-4 victory over Buffalo extended the Bruins' current run to 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, widening their lead in the Northeast Division to six points and leaving them behind only the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks for the highest point total in the entire NHL."
...but the comments make me believe he wrote something different.
Go B's!
I think it's funny how people are jumping all over this bandwagon. I clearly remember the 1st seeded B's breaking my heat by losing, in convincing fashion, to the eighth seeded Habs not too many years ago. Broke my heart. I remember teams that won, and then took a backseat late in the season. What I love about this team is the passion and heart the boys in Causeway Street are playing with. It's the guys like Lucic, Krejci, and Kobasew that make this team a joy to watch. Keep it up B's, make this the season!
Franzino needs to get himself a nice TV from Wal-Mart, sit on his duff and watch a game. Maybe get some new glasses because the Bruins are far away from boring.
It's not smart to judge a season based on the first 20-ish games, but if things keep going the way they are, you just might be looking at a serious contender for the Cup. This team has so much confidence in themselves and you can certainly tell by the way they play. Watch out, Boston. Hockey is back!
this team brings back the meaning of old time hockey. they are all fearless when going into a scuffle even savard throws punches here and there. Not only are they punishing teams but they are beating them on the scoreboard and its entertaining. I have been watching this team for a while and there hasn't been this big of a buzz for as long as I can remember, even when they were a first place team with good players like guerin, rolston and thornton to name a few. This team differs because they are deep and their defense is strong. Go Bs!
As a life long Bruins fan and a father of three kids playing the sport it's a joke to see guys like Mazz and the rest of the chumps at WEEI, The Globe, etc start talking about hockey. It's 80% Red Sox talk/writing 20% Patriots talk/writing. I mean how many hours of the day can you listen to them talk about the Red Sox batting line up. They're not the only ones responsible, however. Jeremy Jacobs is still one of the worst owners in sports and the reason why I haven't paid money to see the Bruins at the Garden. I'll watch them on tv and save myself the $500 night.
Nice job Mazz, I know hockey coverage isn't your thing, but is nice to see someone who doesn't cover the B's give them their props...oh and Hoss, you can go and suck on it. Just stick to watching Lifetime on your local cable and you will be fine. Fem!
Why are are half these comments giving crap to Mazz because he got the standings screwed up. Here you have a Boston RED SOX beat writer coming out and writing a flattering article about the Boston Bruins. Everyone of you all complain that the Bruins are ignored in the Boston sports scene, no one cares, etc. Well, enjoy this. The Bruins are are back, people are watching and caring, and suddenly it's fun to be a Bruins fan again.
Who cares?
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