Archive for the ‘News’ Category

American-born Captains making noise in NHL playoffs

Posted on: May 17th, 2012 by Anthony No Comments
Dustin Brown, USA

American-born Captains, Ryan Callahan, Zach Parise, and Dustin Brown(pictured above) are all looking to become the second ever American-born Captains to lead their teams to Stanley Cup Championships.

As an American-born hockey fan I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for the American-born stars of the National Hockey League. I grew up idolizing the likes of Chris Chelios, Mike Modano, Brian Leetch and many others.

I’ll never forget that February afternoon two years ago in Vancouver during the Gold Medal Game of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I’ll never forget the tremendous excitement I felt when Zach Parise scored with 24.4 seconds left in regulation to tie Team Canada at two, and I’ll never forget the extreme heartbreak—that still stings today—that overtook my body when Sidney Crosby snuck one past Ryan Miller, killing my hopes of seeing my home country take home a Gold medal in the sport that I love so much.

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Questions arise as Bruins officially pack up

Posted on: April 27th, 2012 by Tim Rosenthal No Comments
Peter Chiarelli, Boston Bruins Blogs, Boston Bruins

(Photo Credit: Getty) Peter Chiarelli might need to make a few changes during the offseason, but don't expect the Bruins GM to shake things up too much this summer

BOSTON — Every year — even after last year’s run at the Stanley Cup — questions arise after a team officially ends its season.

Things are no different for the Boston Bruins after being eliminated Wednesday night in their Game 7 overtime loss against the Washington Capitals at the TD Garden in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the first time they had lost in round one since their Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 postseason.

For some, like Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille, Benoit Pouliot, Brian Rolston, Mike Motau, Greg Zanon Joe Corvo (all UFA’s) and Tuukka Rask (an RFA), those questions come to the extent of whether or not they will don the Black and Gold in 2012-13 after contract negotiations. The same can be said for Tim Thomas, whose no-movement clause expires after July 1. For Adam McQuaid and Nathan Horton, the questions remain in the form of their long-term health after missing the postseason due to concussion.

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Bergeron finally named Selke Trophy finalist

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012 by Anthony No Comments

(Photo: Bridget Samuels) For the first time in his NHL career, Patrice Bergeron has been named a Selke Award finalist

The Selke trophy is awarded annually to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game”. When you hear the definition of the Selke award, Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron instantly comes to mind.

For whatever reason over the past several years, Bergeron has been overlooked by national media when it comes down to picking the three finalists for this special award, but finally this year Bergeron has gotten the recognition he deserves and has been named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Joining Bergeron as finalist are David Backes of the St. Louis Blues and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings. Datsyuk has won three of the last four Selke trophies. Like Bergeron, this is Backes first nomination.

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Without Backstrom, Bruins’ focus still on task in hand

Posted on: April 18th, 2012 by Tim Rosenthal No Comments
Boston Bruins, Boston Bruins Blogs, Washington Capitals, Capitals, Washington Capitals Blogs, Nicklas Backstrom, Rich Peverley, 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

(Photo credit: Bridget Samuels) The Bruins will face the Caps without Nicklas Backstrom (one-game suspension) Thursday night in Game 4

ARLINGTON, Va. — There’s no secret that both Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom deserve a lot of attention from opposing defenses when the Washington Capitals take the ice. But this year, without Backstrom for 40 games due to a concussion, Ovechkin has seen his numbers drop as a result.

In Game 4, the Caps will once again be without Backstrom, who is serving a one-game suspension for his cross-check on Rich Peverley. With that, the Boston Bruins are presented with a golden opportunity to go up three games to one in their best of seven first round series Thursday night at the Verizon Center.

But, like usual, the Bruins are focusing on the task in hand rather than get too caught up in the distraction.

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Seguin looks to turn corner in Game 4

Posted on: April 18th, 2012 by Chris Chirichiello No Comments

(Getty Images) After leading the Bruins in scoring during the regular season, Seguin has been held pointless in the Bruins first three playoff games against the Washington Capitals

During the regular season, Tyler Seguin became that player the Boston Bruins thought he could be when the team drafted him second overall in the 2010 National Hockey League entry draft.

He led the Bruins with 29 goals and 67 points, but during the 2012 playoffs, he has been invisible. If the Bruins want to make a deep run in the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Seguin must kick it up a notch. Although he leads the team with 10 shots over the first three games, he has zero goals, zero assists and zero points to show for it.

Head Coach Claude Julien does not want to put much pressure on a young kid like Seguin, but he knows Seguin will snap out of it.

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