New thread. Three weeks until the preseason begins.

Article on Thornton from ESPN.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2146795

Nice work Marble. I was coming here to make sure this thread was in place.

I noticed Dale Arnold has joined the Eklund team. Eklund distributed a nice article penned by Dale.

I am psyched to get this season going. Our 2nd line could be the best of its kind in the NHL this year if it turns out to be Samsonov/Zhamnov/Bergeron. If nothing else, it'll be great to watch.

I've already got my tickets for October 5th vs. Les Habs

"Courage . . it's called Bruins"

That's got to be up there among the dumbest slogans ever.

Just a reminder that we'll be trying to get a SoSH Bruins bash going at some point this season, likely a Saturday night game.

I agree, this new campaign is ridiculous. Anyone else notice how much Bergeron's English has improved since 2003?

I miss the awful commercial where Raycroft and Bergeron leave the house and hop aboard the Zamboni. Some random woman yells from the door "Au Revoir!"

I'd feel a lot better if Raycroft was signed by now. Are there any indications what kind of deal he and his agent are looking for? I know the Bruins want to have some breathing room under that cap, but I can't imagine he's asking for a ton of cash.

My comments from the first day of rookie camp...

For some reason, it got off to a late start (I think the players got stuck in traffic), so there was no practice before the scrimmage. The people who showed up for the practice at 9:00 AM were left to sit there until just after 10 when the players finally took the ice. Not so much as a word from anyone with the Bruins to explain the delay, which would have taken them all of 10 seconds. Not a good start for the B's in terms of fan friendliness, IMO.

I had never seen ANY of these players before, never even heard of some, so I was mostly just trying to absorb it all. I will include some comments about players, but take them with a big grain of salt.

Looking at the rosters before the game, it seemed that Team Black had the better defensemen, Team White the better forwards. Mike Brown played goal for Black, Jordan Sigalet (first half) and Mike Ayers (second half) for team White.

Here are the rosters:

Black:

Defense: Andrew Alberts, Matt Lashoff, Jonathan Sigalet, Frank Rediker, Guillaume Lepine

Forwards: Ashton Rome, Petr Kalus, Milan Gajic, Ben Walter, Tyler Redenbach, Scott Mifsud, Peter Zingoni, Ryan Watson, Benoit Mondou

White:

Defense: Mark Stuart, Michael Korenko, Jesse Lane, Evan Shaw, Bobby Gates

Forwards: Nate Thompson, Kris Versteeg, Lukas Vantuch, Cody McLeod, Anton Hedman, Wacey Rabbit, Adam Paiement, Brian McConnell, David Krejci

Game ended tied 2-2, they did a 4-on-4 OT and then each side took 5 penalty shots. I think White won, 5-4.

I spent most of the game watching Black's defensive end, which is where most of the action seemed to be. I'd say White had the better of the play, especially in the first half.

No one player really stood out, so there probably isn't a Bergeron-type who will surprise and make the team. That said...

Alberts: Had a big size/age/experience edge on almost everyone on the ice, so I was expecting him to be more of a force. He was good, and had a couple of very good shifts, but didn't stand out the way I expected. (He's the type who might look better in veteran camp, though.)

Jon. Sigalet: This guy looks like a twerp next to Alberts, but I thought he played well. Didn't show much flash (few did) but he seemed to always know what he was doing. Probably needs to get stronger & more physical.

Lashoff: He's big... not a whole lot smaller than Alberts. Didn't really stand out in the first half, but played noticeably better in the second. On one of White's goals in the second half, Lashoff nicely blocked a centering pass from the right end boards, but it went right back to the passer (not sure who it was), who took advantage of the second try by getting the pass through to set up the goal.

Kalus: Looked to be one of the better skaters for Black.

Walter: Didn't notice him do much of anything. Was expecting more from him since he has a couple of years of college under his belt.

Mondou: Looked like he understand the game and knew what he was doing, but also looked slow even in this group. If he was a little quicker he'd have been in alone twice. I'm not surprised the B's didn't sign him.

Stuart: Didn't really pay much specific attention to him, or any of the White defensemen, but he did make some good plays. I would probably be giving him a much better report if he'd played for Black.

Thompson: Didn't really notice him.

Versteeg: Didn't impress me at all. He was small and got hit a lot, but didn't seem to have the wheels a little guy needs to get by. Based on what I saw, I don't think he's an NHL guy. Scored on his penalty shot though.

Vantuch: Didn't notice him at all.

Rabbit: This guy looked very good to me. Fast, good sense of the game, and made a few nice passes that didn't quite connect for scoring chances. I like this guy a lot better than Versteeg so far.

Krejci: Best offensive talent on the ice. His ability to stickhandle in traffice WAS head and shoulders above everyone else on the ice. I liked him and Rabbit best of all the forwards.

Anyway, that's about it. As I said, take all of this with a grain of salt. Maybe some of the guys who didn't impress me did all sorts of good stuff while I wasn't playing attention.

I'm interested to hear what others who were there thought.

I vote for a bash game on the Saturday Pittsburgh rolls into town

lets give Crosby a healthy SoSH welcome

I'm too lazy to link it again, but there's a Bruins Magic Link for tickets for individual games going on sale TODAY up in P&G

October 22, 7 PM? Would folks be up for that, possibly in the midst of baseball playoffs for the Sox?

The Pens are back in town on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7PM as well. Would that be better for those interested?

LMK ASAP.

Definitely in for the Pens.
Probably in for the other one.

Nap, the first or second Pens game?

Oct 22 or Nov 5?

Sat Oct 22 is when the WS opens at Fenway.

I bet the B's move the game to 5.

Back from another day at rookie camp...

Today, Krejci didn't look as good, didn't really make you notice him until a couple of shifts late in the scrimmage. His linemates were better though (Versteeg and McLeod). Versteeg hit a post off a nice feed from McLeod, and later scored off another McLeod pass. He also scored on a penalty shot. Versteeg has a whole bunch of different moves and fakes that he uses, although I don't think he's got them up to NHL speed. While he can clearly score, he's not a consistent force. McLeod played well, and had a wrestling match with Lepine.

Wacey Rabbit had another very good game. Unlike many others on the ice, he has a good sense of where players are, what plays to make, etc. Really knows what he's doing. Doesn't have Versteeg's scoring ability or he'd have gone earlier than 5th round for sure. On his first shift, he created several scoring chances. On his second shift he was all over Benoit Mondou in the defensive zone. I think he's probably earning himself an invite to veterans' camp.

Maybe the best line of the game was Black's line of Ben Walter, Petr Kalus, and Milan Gajic. In the second half especially, these guys were all over White's defense. At one point, Kalus took a nice feed and rang one loudly off of the inside of the far post.

Nate Thompson made Mike Brown look silly on a penalty shot. Deked him good enough to have half of an empty net to shoot at.

On the defensive side, Stuart had a mostly quiet game. Didn't look bad, didn't stand out.

Andrew Alberts was a lot more assertive in the offensive end. Did a lot of pinching to hold the puck in, moving into the high slot for a one timer, etc.,.

Matt Lashoff was also much improved. I think he's shown improvement in every half. If he keeps it up, he's another one who might not get sent back right away.

One thing I finally noticed is that there isn't so much hooking as I'm used to seeing in an NHL game. The players have mostly not been using their sticks to play the body. I hope that trend continues into the regular season.

I'm sorry, I completely misread that.
Def in for Nov 5.
Maybe for Oct 22. Worst case scenario I'll eat my ticket.

I get a Kariya vibe from reading/hearing about him. Am I crazy or is just the size thing?

You're crazy. Kariya had tremendous offensive skills. Rabbit appears to be a good all around hockey player, but not a gifted scorer. Last year's 5th round pick, Kris Versteeg, is about the same size as Rabbit. Versteeg's overall game is much less impressive than Rabbit.s, but Rabbit has yet to score a goal, while Versteeg has 2 goals and a post during game action, and is 2 for 2 in the post game penalty shots.

If Rabbit makes it to the NHL, he is probably destined to be one of those underrated guys who does all the little things but not not have a big impact as a scorer.

That's said, Wacey Rabbit is my favorite of all of these rookies, and I really hope the B's brass invites him to veteran training camp before sending him back to juniors.

SJH, count me in for either bash date.

So more of a Hawgood?

Shame.

I wouldn't say that, either. I think Hawgood could have had a good career, but the Bruins ruined him by turning him into a forward. I'm not sure who I'd compare Rabbit to...

Shawn Bates?
Carl Corrazini?
Steve Sullivan?

Rabbit put up some points in junior WHL. He won the fastest skater competition in the 2005 top prospects game. He supposedly has some offensive ability as per the CSB scouting report. I was happy the Bs drafted him--seems like a kid that went that low primarily due to his size.

http://www.bostonbruins.com/pressbox/press...type=FS&id=1477

That would be great.

I decided to go to the 10/22 game anyways, i'd be in for the November game too if someone got some tickets through group sales.


:EDIT: i'll be easy to find/assault too i'll be the only dumb fuck to walk around wearing an Avs Jersey/Hat but which one to wear? the 3rd alternate jersey or the practice jersey?

A few brief thoughts on today's final rookie scrimmage...

Today's game was the best game for Versteeg and Krejci, who scored a couple. They were very good in the offensive end, though not so hot defensively.

Versteeg is probably going to have nightmares about going one-on-one with Andrew Alberts. That happened frequently during the three games, and I think Alberts got the better of him every time.

Another strong game for Black's top line - Walter/Kalus/Gajic. Kalus looks like a guy who combines skating and scoring ability with some grit. (Krejci and Versteeg are not gritty at all).

Wacey Rabbit finally scored, and had a nice hit on Alberts along the boards. (Not that it had much effect on Alberts, but it's the thought that counts).

I'd give Alberts the "best defenseman in camp" award.

From Eklund:




The key is the 1-way contract info.
If correct, the salary will count toward the cap if he makes the big club.

Thomas is not what I'd call a real talent. He's an older player for a rookie (31 years old). I'm not too thrilled with this; instead of farting around with Tim Thomas and Felix Potvin and inviting Byron Dafoe in for a tryout, they should be concetrating on getting Raycroft signed and into camp as soon as possible.

Ugh.

I got a look at today's scrimmage. Zhamnov's team beat Leetch's team (not sure who is A,B,C, etc.) 3-1.

Ben Walter had a nice feed to set someone up for his team's only goal.

A few minutes later, Bergeron set someone (Blatny?) for a goal.

Redenbach carried the puck in and scored one, and Robinson showed some speed and then followed his schot for the other (I think) goal.

The guy who really stood out for me today was Kevin Dallman. He seemed to make every play at both ends of the ice, and played both sides. I was impressed. That's not saying he's going to make the team - I don't think most of the veterans are going all out at this point. (Leetch, for example, did nothing to stand out, but this is probably just a tuneup for him.)

I think Bergeron is going to be a beast this year. He looks stronger. In his rookie year, one problem he had was getting pushed around at times - I don't think that will be an issue for him this year.

Zhamnov was centering Isbister and Krejci. That line had a tremendous shift to open the game (held the puck in the offensive zone for their full shift against Bergeron, Blatny, Kalus, Leetch, and STuart).

Versteeg showed some good offensive skills.

Jurcina looked steady.

O'Connell was on with Dale & Holley today and seemed to be pretty pumped for the season.............it was actually a fairly nice piece. Go figure!!

Plus I think Tim Thomas is probably a little too tall to be a goalie.

Anyone here checking out tomorrow's Black & White game?

White Team:

Hannu Toivonen, G
Mike Brown, G

Ian Moran, D
Brian Leetch, D
Jay Leach, D
Guillaume Lepine, D
Milan Jurcina, D
Jiri Slegr, D

Alex Zhamnov, F
PJ Axelsson, F
Patrice Bergeron, F
Martin Samuelsson, F
Nathan Robinson, F
Petr Kalus, F
Lukas Vantuch, F
Wacey Rabbit, F
David Krejci, F
Pat Leahy, F
Tyler Redenbach, F
Zdenek Blatny, F

Black Team:

Jordan Sigalet, G
Mike Ayers, G

Hal Gill, D
Andrew Alberts, D
Jonathan Girard, D
Matt Lashoff, D
Jonathan Sigalet, D
Kevin Dallman, D

Tom Fitzgerald, F
Joe Thornton, F
Brad Isbister, F
Brad Boyes, F
Dave Scatchard, F
Travis Green, F
Eric Healey, F
Eric Nickulas, F
Nate Thompson, F
Kris Versteeg, F
Cody McLeod, F
Ben Walter, F

Raycroft signed a one-year deal with the B's.



Boston.com link

33 Hannu Toivonen G

Hannu played the first half, and looked shaky at times, but made a couple of great saves. Seemed to have trouble covering pucks in his crease. Didn't look good on the Sigalet goal, which came in like a knuckleball. Maybe he was screened.

79 Mike Brown G

Stuffed Joe and Versteeg penalty shots, but was beaten by Walter. Was not scored on in the game.

10 Alex Zhamnov F

Great move on a penalty shot then slid the puck 5 hole to beat Ayers. Played the point on the power play, and picked up at least one assist (I think more). I don't think he was going at full speed.

11 P. J. Axelsson F

I didn't really notice him, except for his clean breakaway that was stopped by Ayers.

18 Ian Moran D

Scored 2 goals! Must have been juiced up to play at the BU rink.

22 Brian Leetch D

Wasn't there, White played 5 defensemen.

37 Patrice Bergeron F

He's very hard to separate from the puck. He was stoned on a breakaway and a penalty shot. SHowed the usual assortment of good moves and passes.

43 Martin Samuelsson F

Wasn't really noticeable until towards the end of the game; then he made some plays with his speed. I think it's time for him to start yodeling, much as I would have liked to see him get a shot with the B's.

48 Jay Leach D

Wow. This guy is S-L-O-W. Not Hal Gill slow; much slower than that.

51 Nathan Robinson F

This guy isn't slow. Hit one of the few home run passes to Bergeron, who got in alone but was stopped by Ayers.

56 Guillaume Lepine D

Didn't really notice him.

63 Petr Kalus F

Red Line Report blew it with this guy. Fast, gritty, and seems to have some offensive skills. Maybe he's the closest of all of the new batch of kids to being ready to play in the NHL. Scored on a penalty shot with a backhand top shelf.

64 Lukas Vantuch F

Didn't really notice him.

68 Milan Jurcina D

Quiet game for Jurcina. Spent some time in the box as he served a delay of game and then promptly picked up a minor penalty.

71 Jiri Slegr D

Last one off of the ice in the warmup. The White PP unit did a very nice job of controlling the puck (Bergeron, Zhamnov, Slegr, Axelsson, Krejci, Kalus, Moran, Redenbach, Blatny - not all at the same time, obviously ).

73 Wacey Rabbit F

Showed that he is willing to throw what little weight he has around. Doesn't have the offensive skills of a Versteeg, and doesn't look ready for the NHL, but I like him.

76 David Krejci F

Scored a goal assisted by Blatny and Bergeron. Bergeron carried in along the right wing boards, fed a nice pass through a defenseman to Blatny at the right circle, and Blatny took a "shot pass" that a crashing-the-net Krejci redirected in from the top of the crease.

83 Pat Leahy F

Didn't see much of anything from him.

85 Tyler Redenbach F

Assisted on Moran's first goal.

89 Zdenek Blatny F

Scored a goal and assisted on a nice Krejci goal.

Black Team
57 Jordan Sigalet G

He played at the far end, so I didn't see how he looked on Moran's 2 goals.

60 Mike Ayers G

Stoned a couple of Bruins on breakaways (Axelsson, Bergeron), but was beaten by Zhamnov and Kalus on the penalty shots.

12 Tom Fitzgerald F

Didn't do much.

19 Joe Thornton F

Cruise control. I almost wonder why they even bother suiting him up.

21 Brad Isbister F

Looked OK at times.

25 Hal Gill D

Took a penalty hauling down Samuelsson on a first-half ending breakaway. Paired with Lashoff for most of the game. Didn't really notice him much.

26 Brad Boyes F

My first look at Boyes, and I was impressed. Very good passer.

38 Dave Scatchard F

Didn't notice him much.

39 Travis Green F

Or him.

40 Eric Healey F

His line (with Boyes and Nickulas) made some stuff happen.

41 Andrew Alberts D

I like this guy. Big, physical, and not without offensive ability. I think he makes the team. Good partner for Boynton or Slegr. Pinched in a few times, and made some good plays to hold the puck in at the point.

46 Jonathan Girard D

It was nice to see him again, but he really didn't impress.

47 Eric Nickulas F

Had some good shifts with Boyes and Healey.

49 Matt Lashoff D

Didn't stand out; looked shaky at times.

52 Nate Thompson F

Didn't really notice him.

54 Jonathan Sigalet D

Scored Black's only goal, on a screened/deflected knuckleball shot from the point on the PP. Looked OK.

58 Kevin Dallman D

Dallman was the most offensive minded defenseman on the ice. I like the guy.

59 Kris Versteeg F

This guy absolutely schooled a couple of White players with his moves, and again looked good in the offensive end.

66 Cody McLeod F

Didn't do much.

72 Ben Walter F

Scored on a penalty shot, stole the puck from Slegr during a PK and went in alone, but got stoned by Hannu, and had a great move on someone as he gained the zone. Looks good.

I was at tonight's scrimmage, and I couldn't believe the entertainment value on the dollar ($10 seats) and the seating at Agganis. There literally isn't a bad seat in that place (granted, it's not huge by any means).

Had a great time and watched a pretty good game.

It's HUGE that Raycroft is now in the fold. I am very happy about this development, and from Andrew's comments in the Globe today it sounds like he's happy as well. Let's face it, without Razor we aren't going anywhere this year.

Should make for an interesting goalie battle in camp, as Toivenen may be ready to make the jump to the NHL and Thomas is coming off an MVP season in Finland. My guess is that Toivenen will begin the season in Providence but will be recalled at some point due to injury or to get another look at him.

I agree. I think Hannu looked shaky last night, and I think that the best goalie in Finland can, at the very least, be a quality backup in the NHL.

The Bruins have made some more cuts:

To Providence: Mike Ayers (G), Mike Brown (G), Cody McLeod (F), Peter Zingoni (F)

To juniors: David Krejci (F), Wacey Wabbit (F), Anton Hedman (F), Lukas Vantuch (F), Ashton Rome (F), Kris Versteeg (F)

Released: Michal Korenko (D), Guillaume Lepine (D), Frank Rediker (D)

Wacey Rabbit's parents must absolutely hate him. Poor guy.

Too bad. I was really looking forward to hearing Bob Lobel attempt to pronounce "Wacey Rabbit" on the 11PM broadcast. The very definition of unintentional comedy.

Rumors are that the B's are trying to shop Gill so they can free up cash for Boynton. I like this, as I believe that we need a spot for one or two of Jurcina, Alberts, and the other kids.

As much as I'd love for this to happen, MO'C explicity denies the shopping Gill rumors in today's Globe. Pity.

Funny how the Gill trade rumors coincide with an article in today's Boston Herald regarding the new rule changes on clutching and grabbing and how they are going to seriously impact Gill's game.

If they truly stick to the new rules, Gill could be in for a long season. Gill put up 99 PIM in 03-04. I wouldn't be surprised to see him with 140+ during 05-06.

He's slow footed as it is. He's always depended on extra means to impeded opposing puck carriers. He could be a serious liability on the blue line this season.

I'm hoping like hell they trade him.

As there is no all-purpose NHL thread, I'll stick this here.

If Kovalchuk signs, the Thrashers win the cup.

There, I feel better. Thanks for indulging me.

Encouraging article on Alex Zhamnov in today's Globe:



http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins..._helping_hands/

Welcome to the NHL, Mr. Crosby.



That's the hardest Gill's hit anyone in 4 years.

For those hockey fans that may have missed, there is a SoSH Fantasy hockey league on yahoo. League ID# is 56225 and the password is: hansons

Draft is Sunday, Oct 2, 6:45 EST. About 6 guys already in, can take up to 6 more.

Isn't that true. And now with Gill on the block, we'll see if there are any takers.

That was an incredible hit.

I love you, Skillsy.

I saw the B's Isles game tonight. I was a little bummed out to see that Bergeron and Alberts did not play, and a ton of Providence forwards were in the lineup, but it was still a decent game. For the most part, the Bruins outplayed the Isles, everywhere but the scoreboard as they lost 2-1. They also "won" the shootout 2-1, with Leetch and Fitzgerald scoring.

Guys who didn't suit up: Toivonen, Alberts, Dallman, Slegr, Boynton (duh), Murray, Zhamnov, Samsonov, Bergeron, McEachern, Scatchard, Green, Samuelsson.

Comments on players:

Joe Thornton: Looked like his typical self; wasn't going all out, but then, it's preseason.

PJ Axelsson: Played on a line with Thornton and Isbister and looked good, as one would expect.

Brad Isbister: Strange player. He's got ALL the physical tools: size, strength, skating (I don't know why people knock his skating; he ain't Jon Girard out there, but he's very good for a 6'4" guy). On the downside, he strikes me as not having the brains/hockey sense to get the most out of his talent. On the plus side, he had a terrific one-on-one drive to the net where he carried down the left wing, fought off a defenseman, and cut in front for a great scoring chance. On the down side, he took one of the dumbest penalties I've ever seen while trying to forecheck. The NY defenseman tried to carry the puck behind the net, but Isbister had the angle on him, and it looked like he'd easily be able to shoulder him into the boards. But instead of a check, Isbister grabbed the guy with one hand while poke checking at the puck with the other, and ended up with a blatant hold. He also tried a couple of questionable passes in the offensive end, one when he was already in the slot and should have put the puck on net. I hope I just caught him on a bad day, but it would not surprise me if lack of hockey sense is the reason why he never amounted to much despite his tools.

Brad Boyes: This guy impressed the hell out of me. From what I've seen of Andy Hilbert, Boyes is a much better player. He has terrific playmaking skills (which I was expecting), but he surprised me with a powerful wrist shot and a willingness to take the body on defense. Looks like a very good player. I hope Sullivan gets him in there on the second PP unit along with 4th line duties.

Tom Fitzgerald: The Bruins took a lot of penalties, including having two men in the box for a minute early in the game. Fitzgerald did very well winning faceoffs in his end while killing the 5-on-3. Also scored the winning penalty shot.

Colton Orr: This guy was the worst skater on the ice by a wide margin. Doesn't handle the puck well either, and once failed to get a puck out of his end because he let an Islander tie up his stick. The Bruins are probably going to cut over a dozen players who deserve a spot in the NHL more than Orr. Towards the end of one of his shifts, Joe Thornton (who had just come on the ice) actually embarrassed him by making a great transition play that put him in a 2-on-1 with Orr, and sliding a perfect soft pass out in front of Orr, who fumbled it around like a beer league player. He is a goal against waiting to happen.

Eric Healey, Zdenek Blatny, Ben Walter, Eric Nickulas, Pat Leahy: all guys who came up from Providence to play. Healey hustled and made plays all night, including scoring the lone Bruin goal when Nickulas fed him all alone up front. Healey carried the puck across the slot in close and scored with a backhand to the goalie's left. Walter also had a nice game, and showed some good playmaking skills. The others were less impressive.

Ian Moran: Played some wing and some defense tonight - actually played the point on the power play, and took some shifts on D when defensemen were in the box, but otherwise played forward. I guess this may mean that the B's will use him as a forward/defense backup.

Brian Leetch: Looked good out there, but probably just tuning up. Scored on a penalty shot.

Mark Stuart: Before tonight, I saw Stuart at rookie camp and in a training camp scrimmage, and he did not impress me all that much. But today he impressed the hell out of me, maybe the best Bruin defenseman on the ice. He still needs a lot of work on certain areas of his game. First the good: he was EXCELLENT at playing defense without the puck. That includes physical play in his own end, but also includes mobility and positioning. He played a couple of 2-on-1s perfectly, and blocked a few shots. No one beat him on the rush. He also looked good playing the point on offense on a couple of shifts. Once, a unit of Leetch/Stuart/Walter/Nickulas/Healey kept the Isles pinned in their end for a LONG time, almost scoring on a Stuart point shot off of the far post. The bad: Stuart needs a LOT of work on clearing the puck out of his end, and on making transition plays. But based on what I saw tonight, he will be a damned good NHL defenseman once he gets the figured out.

Milan Jurcina: This guy doesn't have Stuart's mobility and stellar play in the defensive end, but he is more mobile than Gill or Leach. Seems like an all around solid player who is ready for the NHL. Not known as a physical player, but he made a couple of good hits in this game. In the first period, he pinched down to the half boards and drilled Eric Godard as he tried to clear the puck. Godard went after him - picking up an instigator penalty and misconduct in the process - and they fought. Jurcina gave as good as he got, and the Bruins had a power play. Later in the game he crushed someone trying to go around him into the boards and got into another scrap.

Jonathan Girard: Solid game, had one great chance to score when he pinched in and got a nice feed from Thornton, but the Isles goalie was able tog et side to side very quickly and make the save.

Hal Gill: He was paired with Girard, and he seemed to try and get the puck to Girard whenever he had it in his end. Took one penalty, but was otherwise OK. Gill and Girard had what seemed like a three minute shift in their own end, because of the new icing rule (no substitutions after you ice the puck). After getting pinned in their end, Gill iced the puck. Even though they were at the end of their shift, he and Girard had to stay out, and so they got pinned in their end again. Coaches are going to HATE that rule, and more than a few goals will be scored because of it.

Jay Leach: Paired with Jurcina, played a decent game, but I still think he is too slow.

I was just on-line looking for tickets.

Has anyone bought "Children 2-12" tickets yet? Apparently, you can get one free ticket for children 2-12 for each full priced ticket purchased - at any price level. It's not just for a lap, but an actual seat.


It seems like there has to be a catch. The Bruins are really going to give me a free seat right next to my $80 seat? Or in my case 3 free seats? It seems that way.

Has anyone done this?

Still room in the Reg Dunlop Fantasy League. Here is a link:
http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/56224/settings