The Bruins continued their winning ways last night, beating the Penguins in the second half of a home-and-home series, and pushing their current win-streak to 10 games. This is the Bruins longest streak since 1973 (the '73 Bruins featuring Bruins greats Orr, Esposito, and Bucyk).Manny Fernandez got the start in nets, remaining undefeated at home, and the win gave the Bruins possession of first-place overall in the League.
Bruins goals were scored by Krejci, Alexsson, Lucic and Savard, and despite a more than tw0-minute period where the Bruins were pinned in their own zone, the team came out skating and hitting hard. One notable moment came when 5'9" Vladmir Sobotka leveled 6'3" Jordan Staal at the Bruins blueline -- perhaps a tangible example of every Bruin playing larger than his frame suggests.
I am a little surprised that this Bruins club, despite nightly lip-service about how "hot" or "surprising" they are, still largely remains under the radar of the media and most sports fans. In the hockey-obsessed country I live in, it is far easier to find detailed information about several teams that are under-500 (Senators, Leafs, Oilers), or playing in a baseball stadium.
But perhaps this is a good thing; it is far easier for the Bruins to retain some underdog element of surprise if the media continues to ignore them. I just hope when the hardware is passed out at the end of the season, the efforts of Bruins like Chara, Kessel, Savard, Wheeler, Fernandez, Thomas, Wideman and, most importantly, Claude Julien, are recognized with individual awards -- and the most coveted team-wide award the League can offer.
The Bruins' next game is an afternoon match on Saturday against the Sabres.
2 comments:
Is talking about winning awards in January kind of like Harry Neale announcing a shutout with 3 minutes left in a game? Don't get ahead of yourself! This season is long from over. I have to say that so far this has been a pretty decent slow burner of a season for hockey, and the Bruins' success has been a big part of that. They are definitely a solid, well-coached, and disciplined team, AND they are fun to watch. But there is a long way to go and there are a few other really really good teams out there. But good luck to your Bruins.
Well, you're absolutely right, of course. Talking about the Bruins winning hardware is always a gamble, and I take it all back for fear of looking like Harry Neale.
But the more relevant issue in the post, to me, is the lack of credit the Bruins org has received for such a remarkable year. Perhaps I spoke out of frustration on that score.
Or perhaps I am lightheaded....not used to being so far up the standings and unused to the thinner air?
Your comment is duly noted and I doff my cap to you.
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