Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Patrice Bergeron suffered an apparent leg injury in the first period of Saturday night's 4-3 shootout win over the Senators. He was helped off the ice, missed a few shifts but eventually came back and played the remainder of the game. Word today from Bruins practice was that he would be in the lineup Wednesday when the Bruins host the Lightning.
But if the injury had been worse -- and it looked as if it might be -- some critics were questioning that maybe head coach Claude Julien shouldn't have the Bruins' best player on the penalty kill blocking shots. Huh? Then what's the point of having a player like Bergeron that can play in all situations? Think the Red Wings debate putting Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk out on the penalty kill or thought about asking Steve Yzerman to do tha same? Or the Avalanche with Joe Sakic or Peter Forsberg?
Unfortunately yes, injuries happen in hockey and blocking shots has became an integral part of defense in today's game but maybe protection is needed. Not sitting your best player or penalty killer.
But many, including my good friend and colleague Joe Haggerty, of CSNNE.com whom I agree with on most points, think maybe Julien needs to avoid having Bergeron out there in such situations and blocking shots.
The ever-controversial and well-watched Don Cherry did just that on his most recent "Coach's Corner" segment on Hockey Night In Canada.
“How many times have I said, don’t have your stars blocking shots and killing penalties?" Cherry asked co-host Ron MacLean as they went over the highlight of Bergeron's injury. "Mike Milbury said at the start [of the show] that he’s their best player. Look at him. That’s their best player and they’d already lost Marc Savard -- their first-best player -- blocking shots. The Bruins have got the guy killing penalties and blocking shots. How stupid can you be, and that’s coach of the year, Claude Julien? He could have had a broken foot. You never have your stars killing penalties.”
Chances are that Julien heard about or watched Cherry's critique, and when asked by a reporter after practice Monday if he felt "lucky" that Bergeron wasn't going to miss any games, Julien immediately pointed out that blocked shots are part of the game.
“It is what it is, guys. It’s the game of hockey, where there are a lot of shots taken," Julien said. "A lot of shots blocked in this game today. That’s what most teams do. You just have to look at the sheet at the end of the night. The amount of blocked shots in this game is unbelievable. I don’t think he intended to block the shot that way. He slipped and when he tried to regain his balance that’s when he got hit. It wasn’t a matter of recklessness. It was just an unfortunate situation.
"Anytime you’ve got a player back that wasn’t seriously injured, it’s a fortunate thing in this game today," Julien added. "There are tons of injuries around the league. Broken feet and other things seem to be common these days.”
Defenseman Dennis Wideman said pretty much the same thing and credited Bergeron for his willingness to block shots and play so many roles.
“When he blocked a shot and he doesn’t get up it makes us worried,” said Wideman. “But you need your best players doing stuff like that, and "Bergie" is a guy that does that on a night-in, night-out basis. He blocks shots, he hits, he scores, he works hard. Those are the guys that win.”
I'd have to agree with Julien and Wideman. Right now Bergeron is too valuable to not have him out there. He is playing the best hockey of his career and limiting what he can or not do or bring to the team, would hurt his momentum and subsequently the team. Hopefully protective equipment is introduced soon and players start wearing it, but until then, if you have a player like Bergeron that can do anything you ask him to, let him do it!
Sláinte!
Murph
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Bruins Fans Better Than This (Thomas Gets "Bronx Cheer"; "USA USA" not necessary)
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
During the 2008 playoffs, Montreal fans viciously booed the Star Spangled Banner prior to a playoff game between the Bruins and Canadiens. When the series shifted back to Boston, the Bruins fans in attendance reacted with class and grace, cheering throughout and singing “O’ Canada".
But for some reason when the Bruins play one of the six Canadian NHL clubs, a usually small but sometimes big, faction of fans at TD Garden seem to believe chanting “U-S-A” will spur their team onto victory.
Such was the case sporadically during the Bruins-Senators game. Apparently, this group of fans never took the time to checkout the current Bruins roster on the team website, where 15 of the 24 players listed are Canadian. The head coach and GM are Canadian. So why the “U-S-A” chant? It makes no sense!
By no means is it as offensive as the booing of a national anthem, but Bruins fans already showed they’re better than that and this scribe believes they’re more original as well. If they did their research, they easily could have come up with a chant directed at the overrated Senators center Jason Spezza, who has only one goal in 10 games. Or maybe Ottawa defenseman Matt Carkner, who got into two fights the last time the two teams met.
But while the “U-S-A” chant was simply annoying and unoriginal, the booing and the “Bronx cheer” that reigned down on Thomas in the first period, when he let in a soft goal on the second shot he faced in two weeks was classless and is either the result of ignorance or a very short memory. Have these fans guilty of this act forgotten what Thomas has done and meant to this team over the last two seasons? Or are they simply bandwagon fans that don’t even know?
If their memory doesn’t work well enough, let’s just travel back to last season when he won the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender for those that don’t know the NHL, but consider themselves Bruins fans). Thomas stole plenty of games for the Bruins en route to a 36-11-7 record with a 2.10 GAA and .933 save percentage. He was also 7-4 with a 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoffs, helping the Bruins reach the second round for the first time since 1999.
The “what have you done lately” mentality is understandable if the season is halfway done, but just past the quarter mark? Thomas has not been that bad at 6-6-3 with a 2.36 GAA and .915 save percentage. He self-admittedly had a bad game Saturday but he came through in the shootout.
"Those things are going to happen," Wideman said when asked about Thomas’ tough night Saturday in which he let in a soft goal with 19 seconds left, allowing the game to go to overtime. "But how many times has Timmy bailed us out? Unfortunately when the goalie has a bad night, there’s no one to bail him out. Timmy got the job done in the shootout and he’s got it done for us so many times before."
Bruins fans should remember that as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
During the 2008 playoffs, Montreal fans viciously booed the Star Spangled Banner prior to a playoff game between the Bruins and Canadiens. When the series shifted back to Boston, the Bruins fans in attendance reacted with class and grace, cheering throughout and singing “O’ Canada".
But for some reason when the Bruins play one of the six Canadian NHL clubs, a usually small but sometimes big, faction of fans at TD Garden seem to believe chanting “U-S-A” will spur their team onto victory.
Such was the case sporadically during the Bruins-Senators game. Apparently, this group of fans never took the time to checkout the current Bruins roster on the team website, where 15 of the 24 players listed are Canadian. The head coach and GM are Canadian. So why the “U-S-A” chant? It makes no sense!
By no means is it as offensive as the booing of a national anthem, but Bruins fans already showed they’re better than that and this scribe believes they’re more original as well. If they did their research, they easily could have come up with a chant directed at the overrated Senators center Jason Spezza, who has only one goal in 10 games. Or maybe Ottawa defenseman Matt Carkner, who got into two fights the last time the two teams met.
But while the “U-S-A” chant was simply annoying and unoriginal, the booing and the “Bronx cheer” that reigned down on Thomas in the first period, when he let in a soft goal on the second shot he faced in two weeks was classless and is either the result of ignorance or a very short memory. Have these fans guilty of this act forgotten what Thomas has done and meant to this team over the last two seasons? Or are they simply bandwagon fans that don’t even know?
If their memory doesn’t work well enough, let’s just travel back to last season when he won the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender for those that don’t know the NHL, but consider themselves Bruins fans). Thomas stole plenty of games for the Bruins en route to a 36-11-7 record with a 2.10 GAA and .933 save percentage. He was also 7-4 with a 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoffs, helping the Bruins reach the second round for the first time since 1999.
The “what have you done lately” mentality is understandable if the season is halfway done, but just past the quarter mark? Thomas has not been that bad at 6-6-3 with a 2.36 GAA and .915 save percentage. He self-admittedly had a bad game Saturday but he came through in the shootout.
"Those things are going to happen," Wideman said when asked about Thomas’ tough night Saturday in which he let in a soft goal with 19 seconds left, allowing the game to go to overtime. "But how many times has Timmy bailed us out? Unfortunately when the goalie has a bad night, there’s no one to bail him out. Timmy got the job done in the shootout and he’s got it done for us so many times before."
Bruins fans should remember that as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Inside Hockey Radio Show November 28 (Featuring Michel Goulet and Jerry York)
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store this week, with Toddy joining me in the studio. We will welcome on NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet, Boston College Head Coach Jerry York, Conor McKenna of The Team 990, and we'll hit the Junior Circuit with Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca. And last but not least, I'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store this week, with Toddy joining me in the studio. We will welcome on NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet, Boston College Head Coach Jerry York, Conor McKenna of The Team 990, and we'll hit the Junior Circuit with Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca. And last but not least, I'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Does Tim Thomas have a broken hand? Bruins-Wild Live Blog and preview; November 21 Inside Hockey Radio Show MP3's; Another great time in Montreal!
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the United States!
Sources told me today that the reason Tim Thomas has missed the Bruins last four games is because of a broken hand suffered the night of the Bruins 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins on November 14. Thomas hasn't started a game since but thankfully for the Bruins, Tuukka Rask has been sensational going 3-1-0 and will be in net again tonight.
I've got more on that, a preview of the Bruins-Wild will be live blogging the game over at NESN.com.
In other Bruins news, Shawn Thornton has made his TV debut in a commercial for Pride Motors. I think he acts better than the Pride guy no?
Checkout my latest Northeast Division Notebook at NHL.com.
So I am just back from Montreal where as always I had a great time. Much thanks to the Dropkick Murphys who put on a great show at Metropolis last Friday and put me on their guest list along with my mates, Sean Ryan (Drunken Dru Band), Conor McKenna (Team 990), Lucas Tomalty, Chris Robitaille (Team 990), Mitch Melnick (Team 990) and Rod Applebee (Hurley's Irish Pub). A splendid time had by all there and at the after-party with the Mahones and Drunken Dru at Cafe Chaos!
Also great to catch up with the crew at Brutopia Jeff and Ariana and meet Deam Whalen, a good Irish and Scottish lad!
By the way, last week's Inside Hockey radio Show is up on Insidehockey.com. Thanks to Conor for hosting with me and to Chris for his help in allowing me to use the Team 990 production studio.
Also, yesterday was the 25th anniversary of this!
Finally, don't think I forgot what happened a week ago today! Let this be on your conscience in South Africa Henry!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 96th to my inspiration, my grandmother "Mum"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the United States!
Sources told me today that the reason Tim Thomas has missed the Bruins last four games is because of a broken hand suffered the night of the Bruins 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins on November 14. Thomas hasn't started a game since but thankfully for the Bruins, Tuukka Rask has been sensational going 3-1-0 and will be in net again tonight.
I've got more on that, a preview of the Bruins-Wild will be live blogging the game over at NESN.com.
In other Bruins news, Shawn Thornton has made his TV debut in a commercial for Pride Motors. I think he acts better than the Pride guy no?
Checkout my latest Northeast Division Notebook at NHL.com.
So I am just back from Montreal where as always I had a great time. Much thanks to the Dropkick Murphys who put on a great show at Metropolis last Friday and put me on their guest list along with my mates, Sean Ryan (Drunken Dru Band), Conor McKenna (Team 990), Lucas Tomalty, Chris Robitaille (Team 990), Mitch Melnick (Team 990) and Rod Applebee (Hurley's Irish Pub). A splendid time had by all there and at the after-party with the Mahones and Drunken Dru at Cafe Chaos!
Also great to catch up with the crew at Brutopia Jeff and Ariana and meet Deam Whalen, a good Irish and Scottish lad!
By the way, last week's Inside Hockey radio Show is up on Insidehockey.com. Thanks to Conor for hosting with me and to Chris for his help in allowing me to use the Team 990 production studio.
Also, yesterday was the 25th anniversary of this!
Finally, don't think I forgot what happened a week ago today! Let this be on your conscience in South Africa Henry!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 96th to my inspiration, my grandmother "Mum"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, November 20, 2009
Greetings From Montreal!
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey!
Greetings from Montreal where as always people are fretting over the Habs! But as Pat Hickey points out, Carey Price is starting to come around and find his game. I said it here before folks and specifically for you Habs fans, don't give up on this kid. He will be a star!
Back in Boston, I'm hearing that Marc Savard is very close to signing as reported a seven-year deal but DPM is hearing it will be closer to or upwards of $40 million.
In other Bruins news, Milan Lucic returned to the lineup Thursday and Savard is expected to be back by Thanksgiving, most likely for the Bruins game at Minnesota November 25. But as I pointed out in a recent column for NESN.com, if the Bruins don't tighten up there game again and start showing the trademark edge and emotion they built into their identity over the past two seasons, major changes could very well take place. Peter Chiarelli is on record as saying that he will be patient and he "believes" in this current team, but no one can argue they have grossly underachieved and if they don't get better with Savard and Lucic in the lineup that patience will wear thin.
So besides being here for the Habs-Red Wings Saturday night at the Bell Centre, I'm also in what has become my second home to see my good friends the Dropkick Murphys, for whom the title of my blog pays homage too. The Dropkicks are great hockey fans and of course have a song in honor of the Bruins.
But I'm looking forward to what to this date is the best intro to a concert I've ever witnessed! The build-up during this moment right before the band takes the stage is insane to say the least and Metropolis in Montreal should be rocking tonight! I'm convinced the Bruins should come onto the ice to this intro. Their PR and marketing staff can thank me when they do!
Sláinte!
Murph
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey!
Greetings from Montreal where as always people are fretting over the Habs! But as Pat Hickey points out, Carey Price is starting to come around and find his game. I said it here before folks and specifically for you Habs fans, don't give up on this kid. He will be a star!
Back in Boston, I'm hearing that Marc Savard is very close to signing as reported a seven-year deal but DPM is hearing it will be closer to or upwards of $40 million.
In other Bruins news, Milan Lucic returned to the lineup Thursday and Savard is expected to be back by Thanksgiving, most likely for the Bruins game at Minnesota November 25. But as I pointed out in a recent column for NESN.com, if the Bruins don't tighten up there game again and start showing the trademark edge and emotion they built into their identity over the past two seasons, major changes could very well take place. Peter Chiarelli is on record as saying that he will be patient and he "believes" in this current team, but no one can argue they have grossly underachieved and if they don't get better with Savard and Lucic in the lineup that patience will wear thin.
So besides being here for the Habs-Red Wings Saturday night at the Bell Centre, I'm also in what has become my second home to see my good friends the Dropkick Murphys, for whom the title of my blog pays homage too. The Dropkicks are great hockey fans and of course have a song in honor of the Bruins.
But I'm looking forward to what to this date is the best intro to a concert I've ever witnessed! The build-up during this moment right before the band takes the stage is insane to say the least and Metropolis in Montreal should be rocking tonight! I'm convinced the Bruins should come onto the ice to this intro. Their PR and marketing staff can thank me when they do!
Sláinte!
Murph
Inside Hockey Radio Show November 21
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as Conor McKenna of the Team 990 will join Murph in studio as a co-host. We will also welcome on Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, former NHLer and current Providence Bruin Dan LaCouture, and Greg Wyshynski (aka Puck Daddy) of Yahoo! Sports. We also will get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Don't forgetyou can find the archives here:
http://insidehockey.com/radio
Sláinte!
Murph
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as Conor McKenna of the Team 990 will join Murph in studio as a co-host. We will also welcome on Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, former NHLer and current Providence Bruin Dan LaCouture, and Greg Wyshynski (aka Puck Daddy) of Yahoo! Sports. We also will get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Don't forgetyou can find the archives here:
http://insidehockey.com/radio
Sláinte!
Murph
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bruins-Islanders preview; Live-Blogging at NESN.com
My "Facing Off" Bruins-Isles preview is up at NESN.com and I will be live-blogging the game later tonight. Looking forward to seeing John Tavares in person for the first time this season.
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
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