It’s nearly 1 o’clock in the morning and the Bruins-Lightning game has been over for nearly two hours at this point. I’m trying to figure out what to say and how I feel. I can answer that, sort of: I feel confused and numb. I’m oddly comforted that I won’t have to watch this Bruins team, which doesn’t look like the team from the regualr season that was the first to 100. It’s hard to watch the team who was dominant for most of the season just flail about against a team that is playing much better than them. I refuse to define them as better since we all know the playoffs are ruled by hot teams and luck. Also, I was hoping that the return of hockey would bring me some glimmer of joy, a break from the monotony of social distancing and self-isolation, a different thing to watch and be compelled by than any of the content on the 600 streaming services we have. It didn’t make me happy. Perhaps, if the team had played like they did earlier in the year, that may have made a difference. Who knows?
This isn’t how I pictured the season would end when it started in October. When the B’s endured their losing streak in December, I still couldn’t imagine this way. Of course, we didn’t know the pandemic would shut everything down for months or years. At this point, it certainly feels like years. The Bruins rode into March hot and had 4 months to grow cold, not easy to do in the heat of summer. It’s fitting somehow that their postseason came to an end just short of Septmeber and the start of autumn.
Years from now, when we look back at the 2020 Boston Bruins season with the benefit of hindsight, I think it will be important to remember one thing and carry that one thing with us for the rest of our lives: the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to a 42 year old Zamboni driver.
— JEFF (@jeffisrael25) September 1, 2020
Last night, they fought to remain in the bubble. They went down by one goal and tied it up before the end of the period. When the Bolts scored again, David Krejci was the equalizer. They fought through one overtime and through most of a second, 94:10 in all.
My heart sank when Charlie McAvoy was boarded by Cedric Paquette. Cheeks would return later ; whether or not he truly cleared the concussion protocol we’ll never know. With this non-call, the refs pissed off everyone who’s a Bruins fan. The good parts of Twitter actually mocked the Jones and Boucher for their commentary, since Jones blamed McAvoy for his positioning because he turned.
A look at Paquette’s hit on McAvoy. pic.twitter.com/SVfhhcKP9h
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 1, 2020
The NBC crew defending Paquette (a player with a rapsheet and one game removed from boarding Karson Kuhlman) after holding a candlelit vigil for Nikita Kucherov getting clipped with a high-stick is legitimately embarrassing.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) September 1, 2020
(Charles Manson in a Lightning jersey)
Keith Jones: I don’t know Bouch, I think all those people murdered themselves
— ETD51 (@ETD51) September 1, 2020
:Ted Bundy gets arrested again:
Keith Jones: it’s important we give him the benefit of the doubt
— JEFF (@jeffisrael25) September 1, 2020
This after they acted as if Kucherov was dying after an inadvertent hi-stick by Chara.
Sigh. I’m not ready to eulogize the team yet – that should be done with a clearer head and heart.
And perhaps not at 1:38am. We have days on days to do that. I mean, what else are we going to do?
Lat night’s game was probably the best of the series. Good pace, competitive. If the Bruins had played like that in games 2-4, they likely wouldn’t be loading up the buses this morning. They played well enough to win, but so did Tampa.
I only saw the highlights but it looked like the goal tending was exceptional. Can’t fault Halak for any of the TB goals and vasilevski had to be at his best too.
Both ‘tenders were great. I could have done with Vasilevskiy being less great, but it made for an interesting game.
Honestly, going into this series w/o Tuukka and then the 7-1 debacle, I was pretty much done with hockey, ready for the run to end, but I enjoyed last night and was re-enthused for a while. I’m glad it ended on a relatively high note.
I would have called a penalty on the McAvoy hit, but I can see why they didn’t (regardless of the boobery of the NBC talking heads) and Kucherov missed more shifts than McAvoy so I’m not salty over the officiating. I thought both teams played well so the Bruins getting edged out by a genuine contender and peer is just shit that is gonna happen sometimes.
I did like what I saw from the kids last night. Bjork, finally moving up toward his potential, Kuhlman, Studnicka…. With the B’s young D corps, the future (if there is one) looks bright.
The kids looked like they belonged there last night.
Am frustrated that Krug isn’t likely to stay, not too concerned about reduced minutes/retirement for Chara and have some concerns that Tuukka’s bubble exit may result in the Bruins doing something dumb. Still, I don’t think “the window has closed” with a young(ish) Pasta & Marchy, Coyle, McAvoy & Carlo, and Bergy & Krejci having a couple more years left in ’em.
If they can retain Tuuks & Krug, they are legit contenders again next season.
With the emergence of Grizz, Macavoy, and Clifton the puck moving is less of an issue. I don’t think the Bruins can afford to keep Krug.
Hopefully the Bs brass doesn’t go all knee jerk on Tuukka. It’s a weird year.
Agree on the puck moving now that you mention Cliffy. Though the difference in scoring threat between Krug & Grizz/Clifton seems pretty big.
Still think we’ll lose something on the PP. PP captains would be 73 & 46 now?
Morning all. It’s fun trying to sleep while your cat is engaged in all out warfare with the catnip fish and owl.
And looks like she involved the catnip gnome at some point though he could have just been collateral damage.
Morning folks.
Well that’s that then. I support the NHL’s decision to finish the season and the way they’ve gone about it, but it never really felt remotely normal to me. They’d probably have gone deeper in a normal season but they’ve had trouble with Tampa for years.
It’s disappointing it’s over but I bet the guys are looking forward to going home.
Leah is back from her extra week in Worcester and goes back to school on Thursday. I may become an early bird again.
Speaking of birds, we have two now! Decided to get a friend for Ziggy. So far this has been a very good decision. They’re so cute together.
Congrats on the new bird! Does Budgie #2 have a name yet?
Leah looking forward to going back to school?
Yes and no. She’s looking forward to seeing her friends and teachers but she knows it’s going to be different to before.
New budgie is John! (or Johnny or John boy)
Future budgies need to be named after the Walton family Goodnight John boy
Hola! Numb is a good description. In this weirdest of years, nothing should surprise me. The B’s played pretty well last night. Hey, they even had a bounce go there way…. finally. I want to say “There’s always next year” , but this is 2020, so \_0_/.
Time to concentrate on other things….. September 12th is this year’s edition of Beatercross, it’s like the Cracked Ice event but in kayaks in a rapid. Heats of four racing through one of New England’s toughest rapids. I think the London Bear should come over and cover it…. if course, England might not allow you to go back home…
There is life after hockey, just give me a couple days to find it.
I remember boater cross from last year! I bet it’s great to watch in person. When is the kayak polo season?
Kayak polo usually starts in December… I’ve only played indoors, but I’ve seen it played outdoors in the summer
Any sport ending in cross is bonkers fun. I enjoy watching snowboard cross during the winter Olympics.
I think JoAnn is doing video this year!!
Cool!