I wasn't able to catch any of the Boston Bruins' Game 7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, so I don't have very much analysis to offer. Call me un-American, but every year after the Capitals eventually choke in the first or second round of the playoffs, I immediately start pulling for any Canadian team to lift the Cup. It just means so much to them, in fact it quite possibly means more than any sport does to any nation in the world. Especially for fans in Vancouver, because while Montreal and Edmonton had dynasty after dynasty back in the day, and even the Calgary Flames won a couple in the late 80's, the Canucks have never won a Stanley Cup.
This series was very bizarre in the wild momentum swings that occurred as the games alternated between the two cities. Each of the first three games played in Vancouver was a nervy, tense affair, with the Canucks winning all three by a close margin. Conversely, the games in Boston were raucous free-for-alls that resembled hockey's old days, where everybody pretty much brawled in the time between each goal. The Bruins won each of those games in a rout.
The Bruins were able to buck that trend by winning Game 7 on Canadian ice, though the 4-0 scoreline in their favor was somewhat familiar. I wasn't really a fan of their team after Boston captain Zdeno Chara's vicious hit on Montreal's Max Pacioretty was met with a slap on the wrist by the NHL's disciplinary committee. However, I was able to overlook that due to the fact that they mercifully knocked the Tampa Bay Lightning out of the playoffs, preventing a team with no history and no fanbase from winning a second Cup before the Caps had won a single one. They also got a taste of their own medicine, so I guess all has been forgiven as far as I'm concerned.
At least the Bruins are an original six team, and they hadn't won since 1972. But seriously, Boston has won enough already. Curse of the Bambino, my ass, the Red Sox have won two now, you've had the Patriots and even the resurgence of the Celtics. Add the Bruins now and you've got all four major pro sports franchises winning a title within a decade. Now go away, please and get back to losing stuff.
Chara is historically a really clean player especially considering he is 10 ft tall.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to complain about Boston playing dirty check out Marchand (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CATs8GTkN7A).
The bruins have a real hardcore fan base in Boston, and he whole city really rallied around them like I've never seen before.
Vancouver really didn't play tough as cliche as it is, also Tim thomas could outplay luongo on one leg.
-Brett
you are correct on all accounts. I agree that Chara has no history of any dirty, or even questionable hits. I just thought the Pacioretty hit merited a tougher punishment, as it was more reckless than anything. also, Tim Thomas was absolutely incredible all series long. and I wasn't criticizing Boston fans, I'm just tired of Boston teams winning things, watching from a pathetic sports town like DC.
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