Bruins 6, Panthers 1
“These aren’t your grandfather’s Panthers”
At least that is what the standings and their recent play might suggest. Couple those factors with the 2-0 cake walk they enjoyed down in Sunrise on Saturday night and it is no longer outrageous to suggest that the B’s run to the cup may have a stop or two in Florida. There are about 40 or so people out there that are really excited about this.
In the meantime, NESN has billed this one as a “payback” game and you know it’s true when they break out special pre-game music to drive the point home…Jack Edwards even brought himself a change of pants just in case. Unfortunately for NESN, and the Panth, this one turned out to be your textbook Bruins home win….a close game through two, devolving into a 3rd period clinic…paced by breakout fantasy star, Byron Bitz’s two pots. Overall, it was a rather dominant three zone effort from the boys all night (well, give or take 15 mins.) suggesting that replacing the morning skates down in Florida with Marlin fishing and three-puts at Doral weren’t really part of a winning formula. That’s good to know moving forward.
The Highlights:
- Realizing his line mates are offensive kryptonite, Patty B finally took it upon himself to create his own offense early in the first, stealing a bouncing puck and walking in “unmolested” for the goal. More importantly, the patience he displayed waiting out Craig Anderson for the far side roof job suggests that his timing and touch are back to levels we used to remember. We can only hope.
- Michael Ryder returned wearing a full shield that looks like a cross between a welders mask and the shields the hygienists wear at Gentle Dental right before they dive into unkempt mouths. Either way, I’m on my way out to get fitted for one of these bad larrys as we speak, considering the offensive output that comes with it.
- Blades the Mascot’s mom “Penny” is in the hospital sick. I found myself disappointed by this on many levels. For one, why was he even there? With the departure of Lucky the Leprechaun, Blades has become the third ranked mascot in the area. Stature like that should generally come with a little sick/bereavement time to care for loved ones, no? Secondly, you would think Blade’s mom would have a much cooler name than ordinary “Penny.” I think the B’s PR/Marketing machine dropped the ball on this, which is unusual because they are ordinarily the cat’s ass when it comes to the Boston sports scene.
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- Chucky Kobasew is the guy you despise in Men’s League because he hustles and only knows one speed. I think we have seen a large enough sample of games at this point to suggest that he doesn’t make anyone he plays with better, but when you need that ugly goal, timely back check, or someone to instigate a corner scrum, Chucky is your guy, or at least will be until he’s dealt this summer.
- Thanks to the “No TV Time Outs following Icings” rule, Brick had the opportunity to reveal that Jack Edwards prefers to roll in “leather chaps when riding his hog.” I’m not going to lie, I find this quite surprising. Not so much the leather chaps, but the fact the Jack drives a hog. I had him pinned as more of a leather chaps and Honda Ruckus kind of guy.
- Aaron Ward is a great lockeroom guy. He’s the master of the fore-arm shiver. He even grabbed himself a goal last night. I feel great having him on our blue line going forward. Just don’t ask him to make plays in his own end.
- The Ace Ticket, “Best Seats In the House” winners were Andrew and Kadane from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Look, I’m sure Big Brothers and Big Sister is a tremendous organization, but poor Kadane looked like he was being held against his will.
Despite the media’s attempt to paint the Caps as the second coming of the old Red Army teams, they weren’t good enough to match a solid road effort by the Flyers, pushing the B’s lead in the East to 9 points. Byron Bitz and Co. will be back at the Garden Thursday night against another team on the edge of the playoff bubble, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
:whip2:WTF?
for even suggesting that. 
