This week I’m recommending Boston sports fans show their support for our local NHL entrant, the Bruins. Although, for a number of reasons, the B’s (and the NHL as a whole) have been a disappointment for a number of years now, the 2008-09 Bruins deserve a chance. Here is a 6-pack of reasons you should be tuned into the B’s this season, starting with the season opener tonight….1) Milan Lucic – Most exciting Bruin since Cam earned playing time as a rookie last year with old school hockey style: hits, fights and goals. (check out YouTube for some highlights). 2) Patrice Bergeron – Most talented Bruin is making an amazing comeback from an injury that easily could have ended his career. His journey back is worth watching. 3) They spent money! – The team with tight purse strings has finally shelled out cash in recent years (Chara, Savard and Ryder). They also ate contracts of Murray and Scheafer to improve on-ice product. 4) Claude Julien –With Belichick, Tito and Doc in town the job Julien did last year went largely underappreciated, but this guy can coach! The B’s are at guaranteed to be as good as they possibly can be. 5) Blake Wheeler – Rookie wing is 6’5” with a scoring touch. Was the 5th overall pick in ’04 draft (Ovechkin/Malkin went 1/2) and B’s fought hard to sign him. 6) Phil Kessel – If he plays like he did in last 3 games of the playoffs last season the 19-goal scorer who is still just 21 could end up an All Star. 7) East is wide open – With the exception of the Penguins there are no dominant teams in the B’s conference, which means the opportunity to rack up a lot of wins exists…and everyone loves a winner! 8) Hockey in HD – I believe HD was made to watch sports and hockey is the best of them all. Don’t believe me? Give it a shot. 9) Stanley Cup drought – The B’s haven’t won it all since ’72…36 years! So when they finally do they bandwagon will get awfully crowded, get aboard while there is still room. 10) They are our team!!! – They are from Boston, they deserve our support, at least when they make an effort to put out a quality product, which they have this year. So there are just 10 of the reasons to support the B’s. If you never liked hockey perhaps you never will, but if you long for the old days of exciting B’s hockey, this could be the team to give you what you’ve been missing. Give them a shot!
Posts
20 comments:
Sorry, I do realize this is a very long post, but getting people excited about the B's takes a bit more work than some of my other recommendations.
The B's are the only hockey team i care about but its been a pretty long time since i cared about hockey. I've watched a few hockey games over the last 2 seasons, some playoffs last year. It will be rare that i get to see a game down here. Online is basically my only source for B's coverage.
I found a B's event that could help us to get more people involved in the site. There is a Bruin's Pub Crawl on Nov 9, 2008. tickets info can be found at http://entertainment.anthemevents.com/. Check it out if your in Boston and like the Bruins. DK i mentioned possible interest being generated in the site, they say the last time they hosted an event like this they had 350 people buy tickets.
Outside of the B's I do not care for hockey. The only time I will watch it is in the playoffs, but hopefully this young talent will produce this year!
A few thoughts on hockey:
1) Bottom line, the NHL is he most poorly marketed league in the America. The MLS does a better job at marketing their product.
2) They need to shorten the season. There is just something awkward about hockey going from October to June. A 9 month season is absurd. Especially considering hockey is a WINTER SPORT. Hockey should be played from November to March...MAX. The sport would then have its own start and finish.
I can't believe I can watch the Bruins opener on the Versus network. They are really fun to watch - a ton of confidence and good skating. I will watch whatever I can...be to be honest the only way I will keep up is if RBSF writes weekly/monthly Bruins "in case you missed it" recaps.
Love the enthusaiasm DK--I'm pumped for the B's this year although that doesn't take much. Good young offensive talent that will make them fun to watch--I don't see how they don't improve on last year. As far as NHL not being mainstream/marketed well enough--who cares. Hockey's great, if you can't enjoy watching a live hockey game you've got issues----season may be a little long, but no longer than basketball. Go B's!
If you aren't watching tonight, good stuff so far. B's just took a 4-3 lead on an amazing pass by Savard and goal by Ryder.
Now just hold on for the win!
Nice goal by Kreijci to give the B's a 5-4 lead.
Oh my God! Avs crash the net with about a second left. Really nice split save by Thomas while lying on his stomach.
1.1 seconds left for the final faceoff.....B's win!!!!
5-4 victory and B's are off to a nice start to the season.
Some key players for the B's tonight:
*Dennis Wideman led all players in ice time and finished +3 in +/-.
*Patrice Bergeron had 2 assists and led the team in shots with 5 (next highest had 2).
*David Krejci had game-winning goal with 2:36 left, and also added an assist.
*Marc Savard had a goal and an amazing assist.
*Phil Kessel scored the first B's goal of the season, 6:21 into the first.
*Chuck Kobasew has 2 assists.
*Blake Wheeler scored a goal in his first NHL game (assisted by Krejci and Kobasew)
*Avs outshot Bruins 37-20, which means not only did the B's have a 25% shooting percentage (amazing) but Tim Thomas had a solid game despite allowing 4 goals (33 saves).
*No fights, but Chara clearly seemed ready to go in the 3rd...he just couldn't find anyone dumb enough to make the first move.
*Good start to the season, especially on the road.
I am one of those people (though I kind of hate to admit it) that loves watching hockey live, but has a tough time on tv. I know, as a sports fan, that that is pretty weak, and if a sport is good, it's good.
I have made a concerted effort to get into hockey a couple of times in the last 4 or so years. Each time, I figured watching the Bruins in the Playoffs was a good way to start. Both times the Bruins got eliminated in the first round by the Canadiens. I will continue to try, and will of course rep the Bruins like any other Boston team. Anxiously awaiting a parade in this category. (A whole lot of yellow)
I also know it is a super fun game to play, although I was usually occupied with basketball during the winter season. And if I got my hands on NHL '93 for Genesis you better not let me be the Kings.
Luke, I appreciate your honesty and your effort...but I must say that if you didn't enjoy watching last year's playoffs vs Montreal, despite the loss, you likely never will.
THE 3 STARS
1 - KREJCI
2 - SAVARD
3 - BERGERON
After all my talk about not getting hockey i found the Bruins game on Vs. last night. Pretty good game, Hopefully Thomas wont give up 4 goals a game, but they won and thats never a bad thing.
Hey who is considered the enforcer on the Bruins? no fights last night to get a view of the brawler. The last one i remember was PJ Stock. And i think he had to retire from hockey after an injury he got in a fight.
Lucic is the enforcer
last years fights:
1) Lucic v. Winchester Opening Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gJWy_uJFg
2) Lucic v. Ivanas Gordie Howe Hat Trick Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp7As-sF-U&feature=related
3) Lucic v. Tarnasky 1st Home Fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncAVqZ9HMN8&feature=related
3A) Lucic v. Bell Good scrap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlh67rsy1EA
4) Lucic v. Eager V. Philly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnESV5bC5vc&feature=related
5) Lucic v. Clarkson Watch the Right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eye1hzMB--k
6) Lucic v. Boll 12/15/07 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsRmKFbwG1o
Man this could be tough - Grew up in Detroit.
Wings were always No #1 in that town,
Remember going to Games at the Old Olympia Stadium the big red barn, Made the Boston Garden - you know the old one, look like a modern work of Art.
So I guess, and you are going to hate this, for me It goes.
Wings
Canadians
Leafs
Whalers(if they come back to Hartford they are No4)
Bruins.
I actually didn't get to even see that much of the first round last year, though I intended to...
Not ready to give up just yet!
WCC supports the Bruins....in fact he supports all athletics.....you could say he is an athletic supporter.
The Arsenal Labradoodle, what is with the Wings not selling out playoff games the last few years?
The economy?
High ticket prices?
Just used to winning?
Something else?
It can't be the product on the ice, they are a great team.
Post a Comment