Weird Give-Aways from Hockey Games

This comes from a 2005 Chicago Blackhawks game at the United Center. I present to you...The Tommy Hawk Water Bottle.

Bruins, do not get any ideas.

That Winged Wheel in the Sky Keeps on Turnin'

Tonight's game four between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets was everything an NHL playoff game should be, disregarding the fact that it included the Blue Jackets. In a 6-5 thriller that came down to the final minute, Detroit swept Columbus, becoming the first defending Stanley Cup champions since the Colorado Avalanche seven years ago to just win a series (everyone else lost in the first round or - in one more humiliating case - did not even make the next year's playoffs).

While tonight won't go down as a favorite for either Chris Osgood or Steve Mason, it might for Marian Hossa, who made a case that Hockey Town just might be Hossa Town with his two goals. I also loved seeing Dan Cleary score because, well, I like Dan Cleary (sorry, I don't have any better reasoning than that).

From the Colombus side, Rick Nash's goal at 1:44 into the second was kind of pretty. And speaking of the second period, Detroit hasn't let a playoff oponent score that many goals in one period since 1996 - so Colombus, this me giving you credit where credit is due.

However, you still got swept. On to round two!

Scoring Summary:

2:58		Nicklas Lidstrom (Power Play) Assists: Brian Rafalski
6:12		Kristian Huselius (Power Play) Assists: Rick Nash, Kris Russell
7:09		Tomas Holmstrom Assists: Brad Stuart, Pavel Datsyuk
10:02		Daniel Cleary Assists: Tomas Kopecky, Valtteri Filppula
2ND PERIOD
1:44		Rick Nash Assists: Rostislav Klesla, Kristian Huselius
5:38		R.J. Umberger (Power Play) Assists: Raffi Torres, Steve Mason
6:59		Marian Hossa Assists: Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart
11:26		Marian Hossa (Power Play) Assists: Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lidstrom
15:45		Kris Russell Assists: Raffi Torres
18:04		Fredrik Modin Assists: Aaron Rome, Jason Chimera
3RD PERIOD
19:13		Johan Franzen (Power Play) Assists: Jiri Hudler, Niklas Kronwall

Bruins Get the Brooms Out: BOS 4, MTL 1

The Canadiens phoned this one in. But I was impressed how the Bruins kept the intensity up for the whole game, even when sporting a 4-1 lead.

Highlights:

• The Bear's dance video. Seriously, I love this Bear. Greatest Playoff marketing campaign ever!
• Michael Ryder - not just because he used to play for the Canadiens (as Edwards likes to tell us everytime the guy touches the puck at the Bell), but because he played awesome for the whole series, but especially last night. Great 1st goal with the puck feed from Krejci. It happened so fast I said "WHAAAT?"
• "Bye Mike, Have a nice summer!" I must be growing soft in my old age. First, I start to become less agrivated with Tim the Terrible. Then I find Jack Edwards funny 3 games in a row. What is the world coming to.
• Lucic's back - after his ridiculous suspension, Lucic came back as a force to be reconned with. I found it extremely helpful that the Habs fans booed every time he was on the ice. It helped me keep track of line changes. I thought his school boy smirk after his 1st fight with Komisarek was fantastic.

Double A Hockey's Stars of the Game

Really, I can't pick for last night's game. The whole team played great together. Let me just say that with the exception of Wheeler, the whole team gets a star for the game. I think the early season recognition has gone to his head or something, but Blake has been making a bunch of bonehead plays lately. Shape up Blake or they'll replace you with Bitz, which I don't think I can handle as Edwards will spend the whole game making aliterations from his name.

Scoring Summary

1st PERIOD

00:39Andrei Kotstitsyn
Assists: Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev

17:27 Michael Ryder
19:25David Krejci
Assists: Michael Ryder, Milan Lucic

2nd PERIOD

11:58Phil Kessel

Assists: Patrice Bergeron
12:43Michael Ryder
Assists: Dennis Wideman, David Krejci

3rd PERIOD

The Bruins are Coming, The Bruins are Coming: BOS 4, MTL 2

The Bruins faced off against the Habs with a 2-0 series lead. I did watch game 2 but couldn't really think of anything interesting to say besides "Concuss that" so I decided to forgo a post. Anyways, the game yesterday seemed to be a repeat of Game 1. Fast and furious action in the 1st and 3rd and not too much going on in the second. Carey Price still looked terrible. Tim Thomas still impressed me, probably because he kept the lunging and showboating to a minimum. Even the score was the same.

Highlights:

• Kissy Face Kessel. His goal at 18:35 in the 1st was awesome. No sooner had my Tim Thomas hating, Patrice Bergeron helmet joke loving friend John made a quip about how Kessel couldn't take on 5 Canadiens alone as he banged and forced his way through, he got the puck fed back to him and scored while not even looking at the net. Thanks Komisarek!
• Concuss that 2.0? Patrice is angry lately. Perhaps he caught the Canadiens not wearing a helmet while skateboarding. All I know is he has managed to get in 2 fights in 2 games while avoiding fights altogether in the rest of his NHL career.
• Thornton - the classier, more talented Laraque - as I've said before, Laraque is a no talent ass clown. Thornton on the other hand can skate without looking like he is playing peewee hockey and also score a goal.
• Now appearing on Comedy Central: Jack Edwards - Normally the man irritates me - from his terrible pronunciation (Stop saying THORN ton or I will kill you) to his stupid big stick Chara jokes to his stupid laugh I mostly scream at him to shut up. However, last night I found him incredibly amusing. From equating the Boston Bruins to the Lexington Patriots of Paul Revere fame to telling everyone that his mother always said to wash his face and then following with "or your opponent will do it for you" after Patrice got in another fight he was cracking me up. If only he threw in his "Concuss that" from game 2.

Double A Hockey's Stars of the Game

3. Tim Thomas - Don't get used to my sudden "love" of Tim. I still don't think he deserved a 4 year/ 20 million dollar contract but at least he is keeping the antics to a minimum. And stopping the puck much more efficiently than Price

2. Byron Bitz- While normally I think the kid can't get out of his own way, he played great last night. He had great positioning on the ice and was one of the only people who could actually clear the puck (Wheeler, I'm talking to you). However, with him on the ice we had to deal with Jack's annoying aliteration.

1. Phil Kessel - Great work by Kessel. He played hard all night and didn't get sloppy like some of his team mates. Plus his goal was sweet.

Scoring Summary

1st PERIOD

11:52Christopher Higgans
Assists: Yannick Weber
18:35Phil Kessel
Assists: Dennis Wideman

2nd PERIOD
3:36Shawn Thornton
Assists: Byron Bitz andStephane Yelle
5:16Yannick Weber
Assists: Glen Metropolit
17:21Michael Ryder
Assists: Dennis Wideman, Mark Stuart

3rd PERIOD

19:23Chuck Kobasew (Empty Net)
Assists: David Krejci, Zdeno Chara

Bruins Show Canadiens Who's Boss: BOS 4 , MTL 2

The first Bruins/Canadiens Playoff Matchup ended with a bang. Literally. The rest of the game not so much. Both teams came out hard and fast in the 1st. Boston scored 2 goals in 90 seconds, and then took the second period and half of the third period off, allowing the game to come to a 2-2 tie. However, with about 10 minutes left in regulation, the Bruins remembered why they are number 1, and started regaining control of the puck, agressively forechecking and skating circles around most of the Habs to win the game 4-2.

Highlights:

• Krejci interview - I love when they interview him. He talks funny. There was a point when I burst out laughing because I thought he said that he just had to get the for chicken. Apparently, he meant forecheck in, but the way he emphasized the words was hilarious.
• Milan Lucic - Great game last night by Lucic. He played a solid game of hockey, got in a few killer hits in and didn't get baited into a fight by the Canadien goons. Check out his hit on Briosbois at 1:18 in the first and his puck interception, pass to Kessel at 19:42 in the 3rd
• David Krejci - The guy was everywhere last night. He played an absolutely fantastic game of hockey. He had a goal, an assists, two sweet interviews and countless great plays on the ice. I really don't understand why this guy doesn't get more fan love and press.
• Kissy Face Kessel - So we at Double A Hockey admit that we have been terrrible fans for the past month or so. So Kessel's return to full fighting force probably happened a while ago, but it was still great to see.
• Tim the Not so Terrible - Okay, I admit it. With the exception of the goal he let in when he was writhing around on the ice on his back, Tim played really well last night. And maybe his yoga moves do actually help him be a better goalie, because I saw him move his body in ways I could only dream of. Just don't tell him I said that...

Stars Losers of the Game

We normally list Double-A Hockey's 3 stars of the game. BUT, in honor of Boston's opponent, here's our pick for the 3 Losers of the game:

3. Carey Price

Price looked terrible last night. The first goal he lost the puck from under his glove. The second goal he moved like he was stuck in molasses. This is a guy that has severe cold streaks, which I hope continue for the rest of the series

2. Guillame Latendresse

Really, you're such a baby that you have to attack Kessel for scoring an empty netter? Did you forget Lucic was out there, or are you that sore of a loser?

1. George Laraque

Where to start - from his lame threat against Thornton, to his inability to get out of his own way on the ice to his amateur skating, this guy's sole claim to fame is being an asshole. According to the Toronto Star, Coach Bob Gainey said he expected Laraque to use all his skills in the series. That't not hard when your one skill is being a no talent ass clown. Now, Habs fans may say this is like the pot calling the kettle black in regards to Thornton, but at least the dude can skate and has an ounce of talent in his body.

Scoring Summary

1st PERIOD

13:11Phil Kessel
Assists: David Krejci and Chuck Kobasew
14:41David Krejci
Assists: MIchael Ryder and Milan Lucic
16:19Christopher Higgins
Assists: Glen Metropolit and Alex Tanguay

2nd PERIOD
17:37Alexei Kovalev
Assists: Saku Koivu and Josh Gorges

3rd PERIOD
11:15Zdeno Chara
Assists: Phil Kessel and Marc Savard
19:46Phil Kessel (Empty Net)
Assists: Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic

Bruins, Canadiens Series Preview

While I could list statistics for the regular season, and playoff history, there are plenty of blogs out there that have done that. Check them out:

• Cornelius Hardenbergh has the year in photo review
  
• Hub Hockey has a great recap of the season thus far
  
• Evan at Stanely Cup of Chowder has his list of Keys for Success on the part of the Bruins and the Habs

Along those lines, I thought I would put together a list of the ways I think the Bruins can beat the Habs:

• Call the Police and let them know that escaped criminals are on the loose at the Garden


With these jerseys, the police are sure to make the assumption that the Canadiens are the criminals

• Change the Bruins jerseys to all read #17 LUCIC on the back.
  

  Komisarek will be quaking in his stiletto boots and one less douchebag slot will be filled by the Canadiens.

• Tell the team Celine Dion is playing at the Roxy.
  

  You know how those Canadiens love their tranny singers.

• Let a bull loose in the arena
The bull will be sure to take out all the obnoxious tools there to support the Habs, thus making the atmosphere in the Garden much more condusive to hockey playing


• Post this all around the ice:

Sure, it probably won't stop the crybaby ways of the Habs, but at least it will be funny

But She's so Pretty!

While everyone is gearing up form Game 1 of what is sure to be an exciting matchup against the Canadiens tomorrow, I thought I would lighten the mood with two commercials a fellow Bruins fan and game viewing buddy found. I managed to miss both of these before, so I have no idea when they came out, but they are great. Enjoy!