After weeks of below average hockey the Boston Bruins finally clinched the Northeast Division title beating the New Jersey Devils 4-1 on Sunday. The Bruins who have been victims of some very bad bounces finally got a coupe to got their way Sunday getting two goals off of deflections and holding their ground defensively to secure the victory.
"Lately we've been wasting allot of energy jut thinking about getting the win and forgetting how to get the win" said Bruins Coach Claude Julien, after the game. The Bruins who were coming off back to back loses needed this win not only to clinch their division but for their confidence going forward.
Boston holds a five point lead in the eastern conference with nine games to go have seen that lead dwindle over the course of the last two months. They have played poorly on all sides of the puck causing many Bruins fans to question how much this team has left in the tank.
However, this win could give the team the confidence it needs to move forward. The Devils are one of the best teams in the league and the Bruins played them desperate on Sunday. down the stretch look for more desperate play but this young team along with intense battle for the puck in every game.
The only way this team can continue winning just like every other hockey team is to play desperate. The team who wants it more will win in the end. For now as Bruins fans lets rejoice enjoy the Division title hopefully the conference title is next.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thank You Curt
Goodbye Curt Schilling. Today Curt Schilling announced his retirement on his blog, putting an end to a great career. Schilling began his Baseball career in 1986 being drafted by the Red Sox and now in 2009 he has retired with the same team.
He played with five major league clubs starting with Baltimore after being traded by the Red Sox, then pitching for Houston, Philadelphia, Arizona, then back to Boston in 2004. Schilling appeared in four World Series winning one with Arizona in 2001 which he was the co-MVP of with Randy Johnson, then adding two more championships with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.
Schilling finishes his career with 216 wins, a 3.46 ERA, and 3,116 strike outs which puts him 15th on the all time strike out list. His regular season numbers show a solid fast ball pitcher worthy of some recognition for the hall of fame however; his postseason numbers are second to none.
Schilling posted an 11-2 record in postseason play which is the best of any pitcher with 10 decisions or more. He also had an astounding 2.23 ERA in his 19 postseason appearances which could secure a spot in Cooperstown.
Schilling was a pitcher who was not afraid to speak his mind no matter how it made him look. He never shied away from the spotlight which rubbed allot of people the wrong way including this writer.
Schilling hurt his Hall of Fame bid almost every time he opened his mouth, which was often, making enemies with many voters, but that never stopped him from voicing his own opinion which must be respected especially this day and age.
Love him or hate him, Boston Sports fans owe him. He came to Boston in 2004 and brought the end of an 86 year drought. Whether you agree with him or not ever Boston Red Sox fans owe him a giant thank you.
Thank You Curt, for giving it all you had and giving all Sox fans young and old a reason to believe.
He played with five major league clubs starting with Baltimore after being traded by the Red Sox, then pitching for Houston, Philadelphia, Arizona, then back to Boston in 2004. Schilling appeared in four World Series winning one with Arizona in 2001 which he was the co-MVP of with Randy Johnson, then adding two more championships with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.
Schilling finishes his career with 216 wins, a 3.46 ERA, and 3,116 strike outs which puts him 15th on the all time strike out list. His regular season numbers show a solid fast ball pitcher worthy of some recognition for the hall of fame however; his postseason numbers are second to none.
Schilling posted an 11-2 record in postseason play which is the best of any pitcher with 10 decisions or more. He also had an astounding 2.23 ERA in his 19 postseason appearances which could secure a spot in Cooperstown.
Schilling was a pitcher who was not afraid to speak his mind no matter how it made him look. He never shied away from the spotlight which rubbed allot of people the wrong way including this writer.
Schilling hurt his Hall of Fame bid almost every time he opened his mouth, which was often, making enemies with many voters, but that never stopped him from voicing his own opinion which must be respected especially this day and age.
Love him or hate him, Boston Sports fans owe him. He came to Boston in 2004 and brought the end of an 86 year drought. Whether you agree with him or not ever Boston Red Sox fans owe him a giant thank you.
Thank You Curt, for giving it all you had and giving all Sox fans young and old a reason to believe.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Bruins Coming On?
The Bruins on Saturday looked as though they were ready to start their run at the playoffs, Sunday was a different story. On Saturday the Bruins beat the Black Hawks, who are fourth best team in the Western Conference, playing mean, tough, desperate hockey.
On Sunday against the Rangers the Bruins also came to play and play hard with the exception of their goal tender Manny Fernandez, who single handedly cost his team the game. Fernandez gave up four goals in the game including one he put in himself and one he was out of position on so badly the announcer of the game voiced his disgust.
The Bruins goaltending has proved to be a problem over their skid, with both goal tenders giving up questionable goals. The Defense and Offense seem to be coming on. The defense has looked great over the past few games, and the offense has finally turned their shots into goals over the last two games.
The Bruins offense has had trouble finding the back of the net over the last 10 game stretch, not lacking in shots or offensive pressure just in goals which is the most important stat of them all.
With only 15 games left before the playoffs the Bruins goal tenders better get their heads on straight or this top ranked team could be the victim of a first round knockout.
On Sunday against the Rangers the Bruins also came to play and play hard with the exception of their goal tender Manny Fernandez, who single handedly cost his team the game. Fernandez gave up four goals in the game including one he put in himself and one he was out of position on so badly the announcer of the game voiced his disgust.
The Bruins goaltending has proved to be a problem over their skid, with both goal tenders giving up questionable goals. The Defense and Offense seem to be coming on. The defense has looked great over the past few games, and the offense has finally turned their shots into goals over the last two games.
The Bruins offense has had trouble finding the back of the net over the last 10 game stretch, not lacking in shots or offensive pressure just in goals which is the most important stat of them all.
With only 15 games left before the playoffs the Bruins goal tenders better get their heads on straight or this top ranked team could be the victim of a first round knockout.
Celtics Fend Off Pesky Nets
Entering the fourth quarter the Celtics had a comfortable 13 Point lead, then with one minute left in the game it was tied. The nets, known for collapsing and giving up in games did the exact opposite Wednesday night and came from as many as 13 Down to give the Celtics a scare down the stretch.
Paul Pierce again rose to the occasion sinking a 17 foot fade away with 20 seconds left to put the Celtics up 113 to 111, and a couple of Ray Allen free throws later led a Celtics victory over the nets 115 to 111.
The Celtics defense is clearly hurting with Garnett and Scalabrine still out of the lineup. While Garnett’s timetable has stayed the same (2-3 weeks) the Celtics are still to report of anything positive Garnett is doing and Scalabrine has already been ruled out for the entire month of March with a concussion.
While the offense is stagnant at times without the energy of Garnett they are still scoring plenty of points. The defense is clearly suffering, a Garnett led defense does not give up an 11? Point lead in the fourth quarter to a New Jersey Nets squad who have been known to tank it if the game takes a bad turn.
With that said, Doc Rivers and the rest of the Celtics have done a great job over the past week, losing two key players in addition to incorporating two new players one of which has not played basketball in a year.
While Michael Moore has had his downs, he has adjusted and fit in pretty nicely thus far. Stephon Marbury had a good first game but has struggled since, turning the ball over and just not knowing the Celtics defensive and offensive sets yet. While the Marbury addition could prove to be a key addition to a playoff run the Celtics must go through this transition with the point guard and for the time being, deal with his mistakes.
However, none of that matter comes Friday night when the battle for eastern conference supremacy will take place between the Cavaliers and Celtics. So whether Starbury has learned the Celtics game plan or not the Cavaliers are coming with a full roster to win home court in the playoffs. After last year the Celtics better hope they learn how to win on the road before the third round starts.
Paul Pierce again rose to the occasion sinking a 17 foot fade away with 20 seconds left to put the Celtics up 113 to 111, and a couple of Ray Allen free throws later led a Celtics victory over the nets 115 to 111.
The Celtics defense is clearly hurting with Garnett and Scalabrine still out of the lineup. While Garnett’s timetable has stayed the same (2-3 weeks) the Celtics are still to report of anything positive Garnett is doing and Scalabrine has already been ruled out for the entire month of March with a concussion.
While the offense is stagnant at times without the energy of Garnett they are still scoring plenty of points. The defense is clearly suffering, a Garnett led defense does not give up an 11? Point lead in the fourth quarter to a New Jersey Nets squad who have been known to tank it if the game takes a bad turn.
With that said, Doc Rivers and the rest of the Celtics have done a great job over the past week, losing two key players in addition to incorporating two new players one of which has not played basketball in a year.
While Michael Moore has had his downs, he has adjusted and fit in pretty nicely thus far. Stephon Marbury had a good first game but has struggled since, turning the ball over and just not knowing the Celtics defensive and offensive sets yet. While the Marbury addition could prove to be a key addition to a playoff run the Celtics must go through this transition with the point guard and for the time being, deal with his mistakes.
However, none of that matter comes Friday night when the battle for eastern conference supremacy will take place between the Cavaliers and Celtics. So whether Starbury has learned the Celtics game plan or not the Cavaliers are coming with a full roster to win home court in the playoffs. After last year the Celtics better hope they learn how to win on the road before the third round starts.
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