Boston finished up a reasonably successful month of December with an 8-3-3 record, wrapping up the year Thursday with a 3-2 shootout loss to Atlanta. Nevertheless, the B’s find themselves heading into 2011 atop the Northeast Division, a spot they surely hope they can hold on to heading into the playoffs.

For Buffalo, 2010 was largely a disappointing year. First was their early exit from last season’s playoffs (at the hands of the Bruins), then their inconsistent start to this current season. The Sabres went 6-5-1 in December, and sit on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They rank 12th in the East right now, 10 points behind 8th-ranked Montreal.

As always with divisional games, there are plenty of storylines to cover, so let’s get right to it with the pre-game notes…

- Tonight marks the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. The Bruins took the first two, winning 5-2 and 3-2 games, before Buffalo snuck away with the last game, 3-2, back on December 15th.

- December 15th happens to be the last time we saw Tuukka Rask get a start in goal. Coincidentally, Rask will get the nod again tonight, snapping Tim Thomas’s seven-game start streak. Rask is 2-7-1 so far this year.

- Rask will likely go up against Buffalo’s Ryan Miller (13-12-3, 2.62GAA). On Tuesday, Miller notched his 200th career victory, topping the Oilers in Edmonton, 4-2. Miller ranks second, only behind Dominic Hasek, in franchise history with those 200 wins. Miller’s backups this season have been the veteran Patrick Lalime (0-4-0, 3.03GAA) and the youngster Jhonas Enroth (2-2-1, 2.90GAA).

- The Sabres suffered a tough loss right before Christmas. That’s when they lost their team’s leading scorer, center Derek Roy, for the remainder of the season with a torn quad tendon. Patrick Kaleta also remains out, nursing an upper-body injury. Tim Connolly, who recently had reconstructive surgery on his nose, is expected to return to the Sabres’ lineup this evening.

- Gregory Campbell missed his first game in a Bruins uniform Thursday with an undisclosed illness. If he can’t go tonight (he’s a game-time decision), look for Daniel Paille to again fill in for him on the fourth line, while Brad Marchand skates with the Bergeron-Recchi line.

- After Roy (10G, 25A) on the score sheet, the Sabres are led by winger Thomas Vanek (13G, 12A) and defenseman Jordan Leopold (9G, 12A). Those are the only Sabres over 20 points. In comparison, the Bruins boast six skaters with 20 or more points this season.

- The Sabres are able to play at home this evening due to it being the only off day for the World Junior Hockey Championship tournament, being played at HSBC Arena. The preliminary round wrapped up Friday, with the U.S. team earning the top spot in Group A. That gives them a bye to the semifinal round, where they will take on the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Canada and Switzerland. That semifinal round game will be on Monday night at 7:30pm, and can be seen on NHL Network. The tournament wraps up on Wednesday with the pair of medal round games, also being shown on NHL Network.

- Lastly, just a programming note about the league’s annual Winter Classic. Due to a rain storm in Pittsburgh, today’s outdoor game being played at Heinz Field has been pushed back from its original 1pm start to instead begin at 8pm tonight. The game can still be found on NBC, featuring Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals taking on Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

- The Sabres are in the middle of a very strange stretch of their schedule. Earlier in the week, they were out west for a pair of back-to-back games in Calgary Monday and Edmonton on Tuesday. They head all the way back east to play tonight’s one home game, then next week, they find themselves back out west, with stops in Colorado, San Jose, and Phoenix.

-

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2011. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins.

There is never anything wrong with looking back. But after a while, you just get tired of it. Over the last few weeks, we have all been inundated with year-end and decade-end reviews, “Best of” lists, and whatever else writers and newscasters like to throw at you to fill time in December. It’s all well and good, as reliving the best of the best can be fun.

But, I’m a future guy. A “what’s next?” kind of guy. So, as the calendar turns and the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close, I have turned my attention on my hopes and dreams for the next ten years. Sure, I have some personal goals and aspirations, but I won’t bore you with those. Instead, I’ve been focusing on summarizing my wish list in the Boston sports world.

Now I don’t want to come off as greedy, seeing that we just came off arguably the greatest ten-year period in Boston sports history. Six championships came in the decade, which really spoiled us. Three came from a Patriots team that before this decade, hadn’t won any. Two came from a Red Sox team that ended an 86-year title drought. Finally, one came from a Celtics team that finally, after a 22-year absence, was able to regain their throne as kings of the NBA. It was a decade like no other, and to that, all Boston sports fans have to give thanks.

But those championships are a thing of the past, and it’s time now to look ahead to a decade that hits us with just as much potential greatness as the last one had. Here now is my personal “Boston Sports Wish List” for the next ten years… 25 things across the entire Boston sports scene that if and they happen, will make this man a happy man. Without further ado, let’s drop the puck and get started with my No. 1 wish of them all…

1. A Stanley Cup victory for the Bruins

The other three major Boston sports teams got theirs, now it’s time for the Black and Gold to make Beantown a hockey town once again. They’ve got the pieces in place to do it, and I’m not even looking for more than one. One will do just fine.

2. Tom Brady retires a New England Patriot

By the end of this decade, “QB12″ will be 42 years old. And if by that time, Tom Brady still wants to be a New England Patriot, no one has the right to tell him he can’t be. Truly great players deserve to end their careers the way they want to end them, and here’s hoping Brady can finish his illustrious career wearing just one NFL uniform from beginning to end.

3. Paul Pierce retires a Boston Celtic

These days with free agency, gigantic contracts, and salary caps, teams in all four major sports just aren’t able to hold on to their young talent and players are forced to move from team to team, year after year. So for Paul Pierce to be able to end his career as a Boston Celtic would be rare and extraordinary. I’m hoping we see it happen.

4. Tear down Fenway Park

I hate Fenway Park. There, I said it. Seriously, what’s to like? It’s old. It’s uncomfortable. It’s an awful place to watch a baseball game. I’m more comfortable watching a Cape Cod League game, sitting on a stone wall. Set aside the history of the dump, and that’s exactly what you’ve got…a dump. After 2012, when the Sox will honor the 100th anniversary of the “House That Williams and Yaz Built,” I am praying that Red Sox Nation’s loyal fans will soon get to enjoy the same great baseball watching experience that millions of baseball fans across the nation flock to in other fancy-shmancy ball yards.

5. Boston College in the Elite 8 or in a BCS bowl game

It’s the only college that could possibly make this area truly energized and excited about college sports. But, that’s not going to happen until Al Skinner’s hoops group or Frank Spaziani’s gridiron gang reach new heights at The Heights. Mediocrity just isn’t going to fill seats or get people talking.

6. An NBA or NHL All-Star Game at TD Garden

The NHL hasn’t had their All-Star Game in Boston since 1996, and the C’s haven’t hosted the NBA All-Star Game since way back in 1964. All-Star Games can be somewhat of a joke, but they’re entertaining jokes. Bring ‘em to Boston, local sports fans would eat it up (myself included).

7. At least 5 Patriots inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau, Drew Bledsoe, and Curtis Martin all seem like locks, but maybe guys like Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Corey Dillon, and others could turn some heads and earn their way into Canton.

8. Deutsche Bank PGA golf event to continue on Labor Day weekend

It’s quickly becoming a New England tradition, and needs to stay that way. With or without Tiger, the town of Norton, MA should be buzzing with golf’s greats every Labor Day weekend. It’s an event I’ve come to love and I hope it continues to get bigger and better every year.

9. A major Boston street/highway named for Red Auerbach

If Ted Williams can have his own tunnel without winning a single World Series title, what does the father of the franchise that has an NBA-best 17 championships get? You don’t have to rename Causeway Street. Heck, I never liked the name, “Storrow.” How about “Red Auerbach Drive” instead? I like it.

10. Boston to get an Arena Football League franchise

After suspending their operations in 2009 due to the recession, the AFL hopes to get rolling again this year. They have never had a team in Boston, and I think that needs to change. Put it in the Garden and watch the crowds grow.

11. One more Super Bowl victory in the Brady-Belichick Era

Ok, maybe this is a greedy wish. These two are already one of the greatest “head coach-quarterback” combos of all time, but one more Super Bowl win would cinch their spot at the top of that list. I don’t see it happening this season, but they really aren’t too far off. Get it done soon though; they’re both not getting any younger, and Brady’s got more famous ladies to impregnate.

12. The return of greyhound racing to Massachusetts

It left just weeks ago, but I already want it back. Seriously, greyhounds were bred to run, it’s what they do! Let the pooches run, and let us bet on them. If they’re being mistreated, don’t crack down on the dog tracks or the hundreds of people who work there. Crack down on the kennels who abuse these dogs. How is horse racing okay and greyhound racing not okay? Bring my pooches back!

13. The retirement of several Boston sports media members

Where do I begin the list? Glenn Ordway, Steve DeOssie, Fred Smerlas, Jon Meterparel, John Dennis, Gerry Callahan, Ron Borges, Dan Shaughnessy, Kevin Paul Dupont, Jack Edwards, Greg Dickerson. Those ones just need to retire because they’re awful. Gino Cappelletti and Gil Santos, well they need to retire because they just aren’t as sharp as they were at their absolute best.

14. The end of Fenway’s “Sweet Caroline” tradition

Now I love Neil Diamond just as much as the next guy (probably even more), but even an avid Diamond fan like myself needs a “Sweet Caroline” break now and then. Play other Neil Diamond songs… “Heartlight,” “America,” “Cherry, Cherry.” I’d love it. Just mix it up a bit, that’s all I’m asking.

15. A parking and traffic solution at Gillette Stadium

Honestly, Gillette Stadium is in a relatively quiet suburb between Providence and Boston, yet before and after games, traffic is jammed solid beyond explanation. Traffic before and after games in the city isn’t nearly as bad. The folks in Foxboro keep working on it, so hopefully some time this decade it won’t take four hours to get to the highway after a Pats game from the parking spot you paid $50 for.

16. Curt Schilling to move… far, far away

Now granted, I’ll admit I’m not a Red Sox fan at heart. But really, do any of you Sox fans even like this guy any more? I mean really Big Schill, just shut the fudge up already! Move back to Arizona with your buddy John McCain. Move to Pittsburgh to root on your Steelers. Just go anywhere but here, we are sick of you! (Oh, but uh… thanks for the whole bloody sock thing.)

17. An ESPN Zone restaurant to open in Boston

I’ve been to a few ESPN Zones in other cities, and I will say, the food is just okay. But, the atmosphere is like no other, and with Boston being the best sports city in the country, there is no reason why an ESPN Zone in Boston wouldn’t be a gigantic success. Put it near the Garden? Put it over at Fenway? Put it in Faneuil Hall? In any location, it’s a home run waiting to happen.

18. Heavyweight boxing gets popular again with a title bout at the Garden

Our area is filled with great boxers of years past, from Marciano to Hagler and everyone in between. It’s been years since boxing’s glory days, but why not have a major event at the TD Garden help popularize the sport once again? Dana Whilte and the UFC have plans to bring ultimate fighting to the Bay State this summer. So, fill the Garden with 18,000 fight fans to watch the resurrection of heavyweight boxing.

19. The NFL’s leading rusher is a New England Patriot

In their 50-year history, the New England Patriots have never had a running back lead the league in rushing yards for a single season. With Tom Brady getting older and older, the Pats will need to rely on the running game more and more as the decade wears on. It probably won’t be Laurence Maroney or any other back they have on their current roster, but I’m hoping to see the Pats ground attack run wild at some point soon. And furthermore, let me be the guy who owns Mr. Patriot Leading Rusher in my fantasy league!

20. A trivia show focused solely on Boston sports

I’m not talking about another lame “Pocket Money” show. but I’m thinking more along the lines of VH1′s “World Series of Pop Culture,” Boston sports style. Teams of three, representing their home towns, showing off their stuff, answering questions about the most random crap in Boston sports. It can be on NESN or CSN, and if they ask nicely, I’ll even host the show. For the right price.

21. Red Sox and Yankees both make the playoffs every year

There is NOTHING better in sports than Sox-Yanks, and having it happen in October is just that much better. ‘Nuff said. Make it happen, men.

22. Another Winter Classic at Fenway

Was that not the single greatest sporting event to happen in Boston in recent memory? I mean, beyond the exciting finish, the whole thing was just an amazing spectacle of “what’s gonna happen next?” moments. The NHL can’t bring the Winter Classic back to Fenway soon enough. (Or to whatever ballpark the Sox play at after Fenway… see Wish #4.)

23. The Manning family to stop annoying the world

Eli. Peyton. Archie. All of them. Stop. Please. Just leave. I don’t care where you go, just go away. We won’t miss you. Any of you.

24. A “NESN Girls Gone Wild” video

It could have Heidi Watney, Kathryn Tappen, and a flashback to yesteryear with a cameo appearance from Hazel Mae. Someone with some power needs to make this wish a reality. Pronto.

25. Sports of Boston becomes the most popular Boston sports site EVER!!!

And it all starts now! Tell your friends, tell your family, spread the word: Sports of Boston is on its way to bigger and better things in the years to come, and you need to be on the bandwagon from the start, while there’s still room.

Here’s to a decade full of wishes coming true!

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Featured, Now!, Opinion, Top Story.

The Bruins are coming off a come-from-behind 2-1 OT win over the Flyers on Friday, in a game that few will forget any time soon. Friday’s Winter Classic lived up to all its hype, from the stealth bomber flyover to Marco Sturm’s overtime winner. The challenge now is to remain focused and build on the team’s momentum as they enter a very busy month of January. With the condensed schedule due to the two-week Olympic break, NHL teams league-wide will find themselves facing 3 or 4 games every week, leading up to the break.

Now that we’ve looked back a bit, let’s now look forward, to tonight’s battle in the Big Apple…

• Tonight is the second meeting of the season between these two Original Six teams. On Nov. 1, goalie Henrik Lundqvist saved 29 shots to lead the Rangers to a 1-0 shutout of Boston at MSG. Three of the last six games between the Bruins and Rangers have ended in 1-0 scores, and the last six meetings have all been decided by just one-goal margins.
• New York has been struggling to find offense this season, but recently has been able to string a few wins together to give themselves a glimmer of hope. The Blueshirts are 5-1-2 in their last 8 games, coming off a 2-1 OT home loss Saturday night against the worst team in the league, the Carolina Hurricanes.
• The Rangers have had a very tough time winning on home ice as of late, losing 8 of their last 9 games at the Garden.
• All indications from each teams’ morning skate sessions point to a goalie matchup of Tuukka Rask against New York’s Henriq Lundqvist (17-14-6, 2.43GAA). Lundqvist is backed up by Steve Valiquette (2-3-1, 3.74GAA).
• Scoring for the Rangers is led by the league’s leading goal scorer, Marian Gaborik. Gaborik, who came over via free agency in the off-season, has lit the lamp 27 times already, adding 25 assists. Behind Gaborik, there’s not much. The only other Ranger with more than 20 points on the stat sheet is center Vinny Prospal (8G, 24A), but he is out of the lineup after undergoing knee surgery last week.
• As for local flair on New York’s roster, you’ll find one Boston College alum, Hingham-born center Brian Boyle, and two former B.U. Terriers, veteran Chris Drury and rookie defenseman Matt Gilroy. Drury, a 33-year-old center and former Little League World Series star, was named to the U.S. Olympic hockey team on Friday, along with Boston’s Tim Thomas.
• For the home team, the B’s made noise in the hockey Hot Stove world over the weekend, signing 35-year-old winger Miroslav Satan to a 1-year, pro-rated $700,000 contract. The deal will hit the team’s cap with a modest $350,000 mark. Satan most recently saw NHL time as a part of last season’s Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins team. Satan, who will wear number 81, formerly worn by Phil Kessel of course, should be ready for game action in 7-10 days, according to the coaching staff. He was recently named as part of the Slovakian Olympic hockey team, meaning he will be alongside friend and new teammate Zdeno Chara.
• Tonight will mark the 41st game of the 82-game season for the Bruins, putting them at exactly the halfway mark.
• Lastly, a bit of good karma news on the side of the Black and Gold. The last two teams to win the Winter Classic, the ’08 Penguins and the ’09 Red Wings, have gone on to win the following four games after the Classic victory. They both also went on lengthy playoff runs, ending with losses in the Stanley Cup finals. Just sayin’…

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins.

Fenway Park was on the edge of its collective seat for the third annual Winter Classic. It was a close, tough match, but the Boston Bruins somehow clawed out a 2-1 victory at the end. The 1st period was nothing special, really. Some back and forth action, with a nice looking save or two on each side, which saw a 9-6 shot advantage for the Bruins. Daniel Carcillo got into it with Shawn Thornton as well, but Thornton was dispatched to the ground fairly quickly.

The 2nd was where the action really picked up. The action had made its way into the Bruins’ zone, where the puck was being passed around the goal. Tim Thomas was knocked into by a Flyers player, due to the closeness of the puck and goal. Instead of doing his job, Thomas was distracted and left the goal to deliver a hit. Meanwhile, the puck was on the other side of the net and easily tapped in (by Danny Syvret, for his first career goal). That demoralized the ball park in a hurry.

It stayed that way into the 3rd, even after each team traded power plays. Dennis Leary had to come out in the middle of it and lead the crowd in a rousing rendition of “Sweet Caroline” to stop the lackluster Bruins from not trying on many of the plays. It may have taken awhile to kick in, but kick in it did. The Bruins were on the power play again late, and had the puck crisscrossing around the Flyers’ zone when, in the right place at the right time, Mark Recchi was able to tip in a pass just pass Michael Leighton to tie the game with 2:18 left. A tripping penalty gave the Bruins another power play, which carried into overtime. The power play expired, but the Bruins were back. Just 1:57 into overtime, in a similar situation, Marco Sturm tipped in another shot for the impressive win.

B’s Stud of the Game: Mark Recchi and Patrice Bergeron

On a pass that was going to the side, Recchi had the wherewithal to tip it in at the right angle and the right time. Bergeron, in overtime, shot off a hard pass that was right on target, not even needing much of a deflection from Sturm.

B’s Dud of the Game: Tim Thomas

Sure, he stopped 24 of 25 shots, but if it weren’t for Thomas’ poor judgment, the Bruins wouldn’t have been in such an uncomfortable position. More evidence he’s nowhere near the goalie he was last year.

JERRY!! JERRY!! Moment of the Game:

There was only one fight, but Carcillo/Thornton was a good one, with hard punches. Plus it was the first ever fight in a Winter Classic.

That’s What He Said:

“We over-passed. We passed up on some great shooting opportunities.” – Bruins Coach Claude Julien on the bulk of the Bruins’ performance.

Game Notes:

• The previous two Winter Classics were won by the road team (PIT @ BUF, DET @ CHI) who also went on to lose the Stanley Cup Finals (PIT vs. DET, DET vs. PIT). By the law of opposites, that means the home team (BOS) that won the Winter Classic will win the Stanley Cup (TBD).
• After the game, Tim Thomas was named to the U.S. Olympic Hockey team. Hopefully he’ll step up his game and not screw things up. Maybe former Bruins and new U.S. teammate Phil Kessel (Boo!!) will help out.

© John for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Bruins, Featured, Top Story.

We will be liveblogging the event, so feel free to join in and submit your comments!

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins, Top Story.

Better yet, your entry into the raffle helps benefit the Celebrities for Charity Foundation and the Joey Fund. I don’t know any cooler opportunity out there!

Read on below for details. Good luck!

NetRaffle.org and the Joey Fund offers fans a chance to win Winter Classic Tickets!

One lucky fan will win tickets to the Winter Classic on New Years Day!

(Andover, MA) – December 28, 2009 – Celebrities for Charity and the Joey Fund is hosting an online raffle at www.netraffle.org to give one lucky fan a chance to win a once in a lifetime prize package. The grand prize package includes 4 tickets to the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Fenway Park. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit The Joey Fund and Celebrities for Charity. 

• Winner will receive 4 tickets to the NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2010 at Fenway Park
• Winner will receive and autographed Milan Lucic Winter Classic Boston Bruins Jersey
• The online raffle will take place at www.netraffle.org with tickets costing $2.00 each and a minimum purchase of 5 tickets. This gives every fan a chance to win this amazing prize. The raffle closes on Wednesday, December 30 2010 at 1:00 p.m. EST.

About Celebrities for Charity Foundation:

The Celebrities for Charity Foundation was established in 1997 to assist charities in obtaining celebrity support for their organizations fund raising and charitable purposes. It was also established to support celebrities in fulfilling their philanthropic aspirations. CFC is professionally managed by volunteers and provides celebrities with advice, fulfillment services, state of the art technology and a 501 (c) (3) public charity vehicle from which they can conduct their charitable work. Over the past 11 years Celebrities for Charity has donated over $2 million of memorabilia and funds to over 1,000 different causes. www.celebritiesforcharity.org

About The Joey Fund

The Joey Fund, which works in partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is an independent fund established by individuals in November 1986 in memory of Joey O’Donnell, a courageous fighter and victim of cystic fibrosis. In times of extreme sickness or need, New England cystic fibrosis patients and their families through the Joey Fund and the various Cystic Fibrosis clinics throughout Massachusetts have a unique opportunity to receive financial assistance for CF related problems. Today, Joey O’Donnell lives on through the Joey Fund, which has raised over $35,000,000. Together the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Joey Fund supply financial support for both patients and research. Working as a team they have created a future for children with cystic fibrosis, and are working even harder to achieve the ultimate goal – a cure for CF and to make cystic fibrosis… HISTORY

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Bruins, Charity.

So, you too would like to go the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, a matchup between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers that promises to be the most exciting – and most frigid – event of the entire hockey season? Well, today the NHL announced how you can be one of the spectators freezing their derrières off at the January 1^st game.

The opportunity to purchase tickets to the match will be determined by a random lottery open to the general public. Registration for the drawing, which is free, will take place online at the NHL’s Winter Classic website and begin at noon (EDT) on Tuesday, September 15, running until 11:59 a.m. on Monday, October 5.

If you are one of those lucky enough to be selected, you will be notified by October 20 of your opportunity to purchase a pair of tickets, which will range in cost from $50 to $300.

For some, Christmas will come early this year. For others – the ones who will be watching the Classic at home or in a restaurant – I urge you to take solace in the fact that you will not be frostbitten on January 2^nd.

To stay updated with the latest news on the Winter Classic, you can join the mailing list at the Winter Classic website or continue visiting Sports of Boston, the premier blog for all Boston sports news and updates.

Note: Bruins and Flyers season-ticket holders will be notified how to purchase their tickets later this month.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | One comment
Filed under: Bruins, Featured.

Fenway Park is set to have a very busy and very chilly off-season. The MLB’s oldest active stadium will play host not only to the NHL’s Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Philladelphia Flyers on New Year’s Day, but also to a college hockey double-header one week later, on January 8.

Hockey East officials will be joined at Boston’s beloved ballpark on August 20 by representatives from Boston College, Boston University, the University of New Hampshire, and Northeastern University to officially announce the games. The men’s teams from Boston College and Boston University will look to add a new chapter to their rivalry as they play in the NCAA’s third outdoor hockey match ever. The BC Eagles will play “host” to the Terriers in the Friday nightcap, whose 8 p.m. face-off will follow the tilt between the women’s teams from UNH and Northeastern.

When the NHL announced in July that this year’s Winter Classic would be at Fenway, speculation of a double-header involving BC and BU abounded. The event was unable to be finalized, but the NHL continued to work on deal that would maximize the use of the their portable rink, which cost the league over one-half of a million dollars simply to buy, never mind set-up, maintain, or move. After brief negotiations, the agreement was amiably finalized late last month according to reports.

In addition to the two events, fans may also be treated to public skating sessions at the park during the week between the two event. While that has yet to be made official, the matches alone will certainly provide a great deal of pleasure to hockey-lovers everywhere.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: College, Featured.

Fenway has been chosen to be the host of next season‘s NHL Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey game which has become an annual tradition. Following Ralph Wilson Stadium, in Buffalo, and Wrigley Field, in Chicago, Boston is the next stop for the cooler climate game.

The Bruins will find themselves against a familiar foe in the Philadelphia Flyers. The two teams will have to face the bitter New England elements in what could be a dazzling high definition image. New Year’s Day can be known for its harsh weather and hopefully fans can be treated to a great game, even in possibly horrid weather.

During the 2008 Winter Classic, the NHL was blessed with a light snow shower during the game against the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins. It was meant for HDTV and was a win in the eyes of the NHL, so much that it was held at historic Wrigley Field the next year. The game at Wrigley was the most watched regular-season game in 34 years and the NHL is hoping that Fenway can bring bigger numbers.

For the Bruins, it is a chance to showcase a team that was the best team in the Eastern Conference, during the regular season. They will get the chance to shine in front of a live television audience, behind the leadership of goaltender Tim Thomas. One of the original six teams, the Bruins will have the chance to be the focus of attention after the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics have been leading the way.

The rink will be similar to what was done in Wrigley. It will run across the field from first to third, covering part of the infield and outfield. With snow to surely to be on the ground, it will be a sight to see a hockey rink in front of the Green Monster. Views will be interesting, but one would have to think that on top of the Monster would be the way to go.

The Winter Classic and Fenway Park are sure to be a classic pairing. Fenway is the oldest ballpark still in use and has seen some greats events over the years. From football games to Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, and Dave Matthews, Fenway has been a summer destination and now will get to shine in the New England winter.

Other destinations that were taken into consideration were Yankee Stadium, two stadiums in Washington D.C., and even the Las Vegas Strip. To see what the game would have looked like in the Desert would have been amazing as well, but the NHL couldn’t resist the history and respect Fenway is given.

The Winter Classic will offer a great game in a great venue, with hopefully some great weather. Grab a great t-shirt for the event, too!

© Teddy for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments
Filed under: Bruins, News, Red Sox.

On Wednesday, the National Hockey League released the 2009-2010 Boston Bruins regular season schedule. The Bruins, who will open the season at home for the fist time since 2005, begin play against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. in a game that marks the beginning of the Bruins’ longest homestand (of five games).

The schedule is highlighted by the New Year’s Day Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers, which will be played at Fenway Park, and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will take place during the final two weeks of February. While these two events have been dominating the schedule headlines, the eighty-one other regular season games will provide plenty of action, entertainment, and storylines.

Schedule Highlights

Welcome Back, Scott Walker – October 3, vs. Carolina Hurricanes

For the second game of the season, the Bruins will “welcome” the sucker-punching Scott Walker and the Hurricanes to the TD Banknorth Garden for the first match against each other since the ‘Canes ended the B’s season in overtime of the seventh game of the second round of the playoffs. Don’t expect many pleasantries to be exchanged; the Bruins have plenty to say and they will most likely use their bodies, particularly their fists, to express themselves.

Sweep Up to Montréal – December 4, @ Montréal Canadiens

While this game is not the first of the season between these two teams since they play in Boston on November 5, this match marks the first time the Bruins return to Montréal since they swept the Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge in the opening round of last season’s playoffs. The Canadiens will be a new look team as the result of many free agency additions and losses, most notably their ten-season captain Saku Koivu, but the rivalry and Québecois welcome should remain unchanged.

Tempers in Toronto – December 5 & 10, vs. Toronto Maple Leafs; December 19, @ Maple Leafs

While the Maple Leafs have not been the competitive team they once were, this season is the first with Brian Burke as general manager and what the organization hopes to be a turn-around year. The Bruins and Maples Leafs play three of their six matches against each other in this two-week span, which should produce some natural intensity and, potentially, some fireworks.

Winter Classic – January 1, vs. Philadelphia Flyers, @ Fenway Park

This season’s New Year’s Day Winter Classic, which NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called “the NHL’s worst-kept secret,” will take place at Fenway Park, the 97-year-old home of the Boston Red Sox. Following the success of the last two Winter Classics, which occurred at Ralph Wilson Stadium in 2008 and Wrigley Field last season, this match promises to be the highlight of the entire NHL season, not just those of the Bruins and Flyers.

California Dreamin’ – January 13, @ Anaheim Ducks; January 14, @ San Jose Sharks; January 16, @ Los Angeles Kings

According to NHL scheduling rules, each team plays six games against each divisional opponent (three home, three away), four against their conference opponents (two home, two away), and one game against their non-conference opponents, except for three teams, which are each played twice (home and away). This season the Bruins get to enjoy the California sunshine thanks to being scheduled to a home-and-away with the Ducks and Kings (the third team being the Chicago Blackhawks). The Bruins’ mid-season jaunt to California should provide an opportunity to garner at least four points (two wins and a loss or one win and two overtime/shoot-out losses) and to get a break from northeast’s cold.

Olympic “Break” Instead of All-Star Game – no games, February 15 – February 28

As a result of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, the NHL will not host an All-Star game; they will instead take a two-week hiatus in order to allow players to represent their countries at the Games. While rosters will not be finalized for quite some time, expect to see the still-unsigned Phil Kessel and Tim Thomas representing Team USA and Milan Lucic playing for Team Canada.

Road Trippin’ – February 7 – March 16

Beginning with their match on Feb. 7 at the Canadiens, the Bruins will play eleven of their next thirteen games on the road, finishing this potentially harmful road stretch in Carolina on March 16. While this road trip is interrupted by the Olympic Break [which is followed by a two-game homestand (versus the Canadiens and Maple Leafs)], some of Boston’s top performers will be playing in Vancouver, which raises concerns of fatigue. March is also the season’s busiest month for the Bruins, who will play 16 games in 29 days. This grueling schedule, especially this late in the season, could be a problem for the Bruins if they are unable to stay fresh and motivated and could also possess potential playoff ramifications.

Eighty-Two… April 10, vs. the Hurricanes; April 11, @ the Capitals

The Bruins close the season in the reverse order they opened it, hosting the Hurricanes and visiting the Capitals in Washington, D.C. By this point, the Bruins will have played 82 games, hopefully winning enough (or losing enough in overtime) to have earned a playoff spot.

…And Some More?

The 2009-2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on either the 13th or 14th of April, days that will hopefully mark the beginning of the Bruins’ post-season campaign to bring Lord Stanley’s Cup back to Boston for the first time in 38 years.

© Erikk for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | One comment
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