Well there it is. The Bruins have finally won the Cup in my lifetime.
It is such an unbelievable and satisfying feeling for Bruins fans everywhere to see the Stanley Cup hovering over a Bruins player and have it not be in EA Sports. We have waited a long time, we have endured a lot. And then a lot more, still.
Other than some shitty antics on both sides through through the final round (and post - jeez Vancouver get it together), the Bruins had a storybook playoff run. I've watched the Bruins for more than 30 years, and even through numerous Finals, but this team had more resolve than any I've seen previously.
When the B's put the Habs out, I knew the team would fortify around the experience, galvanizing into a team made deep and competitive through difficult ordeals. Then they destroyed Philly and moved along like last year's collapse didn't happen.
The Bruins probably could have lost to Tampa Bay, but I think that resolve got them through, being just that much more disciplined and focused in a 1-0 Game 7 win.
And I think a different Vancouver team could have closed the Bruins out in 4 straight. The goal-differential and timeliness of the Bruins goals showed they had more something than the Canucks in key games. I would argue that something is resolve.
I don't know how to explain any of this. The will to win is a fleet, odd thing. Brendan Shannahan has an apt quote that is something like, "Hockey is 80% mental, and the rest is in your head."
Hard to disagree when you see what these athletes are willing to do to win.
Congratulations to the 2010/2011 Bruins, former Bruins who came close to winning it all, and most importantly, to Bruins fans everywhere. Cheers and congrats to those fans that are still among us, and those who have passed into the great shinny game in the sky.
