"Keep Your Friends Close...

Here we see Hab newcomers (l. to r.) Hal Gill, Michael Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Travis Moen working on their form.






...but your enemies closer" (Michael Corleone, others)

Here is some Canadiens news:

The Habs are traveling to Ontario to a teen camp for bonding exercises. Very similar to what the Bruins did the previous 2 seasons when they traveled to Vermont to climb ropes and stuff. The Bruins opted out this year because they realize that real bonding happens during line brawls, not climbing ropes and doing trust fall activities.

The Habs pretend to not be concerned about being small. We all know that Hal Gill can't fight (when you're that big - who is going to mess with you? Therefore, you never really learn to brawl. see: NBA fights), so the Habs are hoping Guy Latendresse can pick up the slack, or perhaps douche-in-the-making Matt D'Agostini.

Dave Stubbs (Montreal Gazette) does a puff piece on Hal Gill. Gill is such a tool. Go ahead, read the article about how he got a ridiculous contract, his kid has been picking up the language quickly (didn't get the brains from you Hal, that's fer sure), and how he snubbed the White House for golfing. Bonus: tomorrow's puff piece is on Paul Mara.

Sergei Kostitsyn sent down to the minors. At some point, that city is going to wake up and see that the Brothers Kostitsyn are overrated.

I was going to post a link to the puff piece on Travis Moen and how the Habs are pinning their championship hopes on his Stanley Cup-winning goal for Anaheim a few years back. But I think we've had enough.

Last Night...

Fair to say Jack Edwards is in mid-season form...

"Look at the guy in the hoodie down there...you think he got his money's worth?"

Fistacuffs here...

There Will Be Blood

This is why I prefer watching hockey over baseball - both the Sox and the Bruins started at 7pm, and the Sox game is somewhere in the 6th inning with that hillbilly mouth-breather Joba Chamberlain pitching, and the Bruins game is already over. Yeah, the Bruins beat the Senators in Ottawa by - guess the score - 2-1. At least the game did not go into OT. Goals by Marchand (slap pass/tip from Morris) and by Fata (slapshot with 2 Bruins screening LeClaire after Sobotka won a faceoff).

Highlight of the night: Lootch taking Chris Neil to the woodshed. Neil had been taking liberties with Savard throughout the night, so Lootch hunted him down, provoked him during the faceoff (check the stickwork by Lootch between Neil's legs just as the puck is dropped), and opened up his face with some quick punches. Blood covered Neil's face and Lootch kept throwing 'em. The linesmen let the fight go on a bit too long...Neil hung in there, got a few good ones in, but the decision goes to Lootch. Also Thornton took on Carkner in a wrestling match with Thornton getting the takedown/win.

The kids played a fast, inspired game - Marchand, Sobotka (looking like the Sobotka of 2007), Lovecchio, etc. I think we should start planning the parade route for the Calder Cup celebration...

Thomas was solid as usual - made about 3 to 5 of his trademark sprawling saves - the kind of shit that makes goaltending coaches cringe and fans go berserk. The B's took awhile to catch fire, not registering their first shot until about 15 minutes had expired in the first period, so Thomas had to withstand that intial offensive push.

Andy Wozniewski had a bad game - I counted 4 giveaways alone in the 1st two periods. Ottawa had their best players out there, and the Bruins did not roll out Wheels, Bergeron, Sturm, Krejci, Recchi, Wideman. If this was the actual season, I'd say the Bruins would have won this game 9-1.

Brawl of the night...

Lefevbre vs. Stewart.

I love Lefevbre.

Click here for the donnybrook.

B's Beat Habs! (Shootout..horrible) in Preseason..2-1

Just finished watching a French broadcast of the B's/Habs game online.

I need to learn French.

Either way. Another preseason game ends in Shootout...HORRIBLE!

However, SWEET goal by Bergie on the stop and flick to win the game.

Great stop by Timmy with the blocker...

Viva La Bruins...or something like that....

Win 2 tickets to the Opener and Benefit a Great Cause!

I received an E-mail about this today, and I wanted to pass it along. This is a good cause and one not to ever be forgotten.

Nicholas Rossomando was a 35 year old fireman and rescue specialist for the FDNY who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001.

Please click here to help out the Nicholas Rossomando Memorial Scholarship Fund and hopefully win tickets to the Opener on October 1st or other great prizes.

6-5 (SO)...B's Lose in Preseason..Wait..SHOOTOUT?

So a little absurd hockey tonight as the B's lose to the Blue Jackets 6-5 in a Shootout.

Several things are wrong with this.

#1 The fact that this is a pre-season game.

#2- The fact that the game ENDED IN A SHOOTOUT.

I know the shootout has brought interest back to hockey, blah blah blah from non-hockey fans. Everyone loved to see Sid the Kid score the shootout goal in the snow vs. Buffalo in the Winter Classic etc etc etc.

But seriously now? A shootout in pre-season hockey? What a joke. End the game after regulation.

So real goals tonight by Ference (welcome back), Chuckles, Thornton, J-Boy, and Savvy. 

Wheeler nets one in the joke shoot-out.

Brawls by Fata (LOVE THIS GUY) and Stuart.

Less than 2 weeks til real hockey starts!

Oh and while we are at it- HORRIBLE news with the DirectTV/Versus deal. Hopefully they get that dealt with by the Caps game.

Bye Bye Phil...

Kessel traded to TO for draft picks. 1st and 2nd rounder in 2010 and first rounder in 2011. About time.

Cracking a beer in celebration...

Thanks for the memories Phil, but it is about time.

Read my earlier posts. Good Luck in Toronto, but it could be doomsday....

No more DEKE DEKE DEKE in Boston.

Go Bruins...

Latest on Kessel

Here's a look at some different opinions from around the web:

Bob McKenzie (Toronto blocking other deals)
KPD (pulling things out of thin air including Dubinsky)
Hockeybuzz.com (Preds point of view)
ESPN (Pierre Lebrun - brief discussions with the Wild?)
Joe Haggerty (more of the same)

Here's mine - I've said all along that this kid was going to get a lot better once he finished puberty. Unfortunately for the Bruins, I think he is about to. When this Spencer Pratt lookalike grows into his body, he will be much stronger on his skates and be able to score more goals. He managed 36 last year thanks to speed, his shot, and the occasional deke that actually worked. Add some strength to that and he's a 50-goal scorer in this league. I know a late-bloomer when I see one. On a much smaller and more pathetic scale, I went through the same thing when I played some small-time college hockey in Worcester.

I hate to see him go, but he has to if these rumors are true of multi-year deals worth $5.5M-$6.0M per year. The Bruins would be committing cap suicide by signing him for that and it would probably not be good for the team either. At that number, Michael Ryder would have to go to make room for him.

If you believe Bob McKenzie, an offer sheet could be coming down this weekend. According to all the rumors, we are going to know soon. I just hope he goes to the Western Conference and the Bruins score a nice package of draft picks.

Winter Classic Jersey Commercial...

If you haven't seen it, check it out.

Although it would have been hilarious if the Bear and Neely threw down...

State of the Bruins Recap - Alternate

Sister of 311'er was able to attend this evening's "State of the Bruins" extravaganza. Here is her field report, written especially for View From 311:

"At approximately 5:34, we entered the West entrance and hopped on the escalator. Ah. We're back.

Big crowd at the turnstiles. Only TWO turnstiles open. Fabulous. Loads of annoying pushy fans with clear pro shop bags filled with shirts, hats, foam fingers and foam claws.

The fan relations crew handed out applications for the Winter Jerseys. Adult blank jersey is $150. Adult customized $220. Youth blank $85. Youth Customized $155. (dang!)

Another escalator and we're told to enter at Loge 6/7. They offered free popcorn, hot dogs, soda, and water.

The seating was similar to last year. They had us sitting on the roundy part of the rink, but this time, the seats came down onto the ice itself. We sat down there...about row 4 or 5 from the front. Now it's 5:45. After contemplating the universe, making fun of freak fans, and putting my husband into a coma with ramblings about work, I focused on the back of someone's head and fell asleep with my eyes open. The fans: the usual fanatics that you see at every event. The elderly lady who is infatuated with Lucic was there in the front row greeting every walk of life that entered her realm. Will this EVER start??

Finally, at approximately 6:35, Andy Brickley walked out. No one did anything. Hello, this is Brick... doesn't anyone know who this is?

Brick said his hello and introduced the panel: Derek Morris, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron (surprise!), Claude Julien, Peter Chiarelli, Old man Jacobs, Little Jacobs, and Cam Neely.

PC spoke first and gave a nice speech about last year's expectations and this year's expectations. He spoke about losing some players, and the reasoning for it (nothing you haven't heard before) such as the players not "fitting" into what they want for a team this year.

Then the Jacobs spoke. Little Jacobs talked about the Winter Classic. He said the rink will be in place by around December 20th. There will be events planned at Fenway (that will be offered to the world not just STHers) after the installation of the rink to celebrate and get everyone geared up for Jan. 1. He rambled on about how excited he is.

Old man Jacobs spoke about stuff but I got bored with him. Sorry.

Cam Neely spoke wanting players who want to be Bruins, wear the jersey, etc. His expectations are having players who want to be here, and players who generate excitement with the fans.

Morris, Lucic, and Bergeron all basically had the same speech. Lucic and Bergeron spoke about feeling like it was "unfinished business" last year. And they expect to work very hard to be very successful this year. Morris is happy as hell to be in Boston.

The Q&A from the fans: same old thing, really. Some fans kept asking PC to answer the same question over and over. Just fill in the blank with any player who is not with us this season. Peter, why didn't you sign BLANK. Why didn't you make room for BLANK. Why did you sign BLANK, and not sign BLANK? To which Peter answered with "I cannot discuss why I didn't sign BLANK. I will not discuss why I did sign BLANK and not BLANK. But I will explain the rationale." Some darn fool asked what was going on with Kessel. Yeah, like PC was going to enlighten just us, just the STHers, because we're special? Guess what he said... that's right: "I can't discuss what's going on with Kessel." DUH. A couple of kids asked some stuff like ... what does Lucic eat for breakfast? Cute.

If you're curious, it was hard to hear him but I believe he answered with honey nut cheerios (me, too!!), three strips of bacon, and fruit. Some guy asked how to pronounce Lucic. Some girl asked if Derek liked Boston (why do people ask this? What's he gonna say? "No. I hate it." )

The microphone/audio system was very weird. I couldn't hear anything very well. And the panel couldn't hear us.

Some fans asked kinda fun questions like, hey, Bergeron, we liked seeing you fight last season. Will we see you fight more? Bergeron got a kick out of that, and the whole place cheered really loud. He said not to get used to seeing that, it's not really his style, so don't get too excited. He said the fight was "in the moment", but he has no plans to change his style of play.

Aw, darn.

Another question was to Lucic "how are you gonna top smashing the glass panel?" and Lucic answered "smash two at the same time?" Oh fun! The crowd liked that.

Q&A was over, and we were told to watch the screen. It was a Winter Classic thingie. And it began with the snowflakes from last season's wintery/holiday reel. The lights went down, and we realized that...hey... what's that coming from the ceiling... it's snowing fake snow in here?! It was actually tiny bubbles/lather of soap that was made to look like snow drifting down on the crowd. Ahhhh, clever! The crowd went for it.

Suddenly...(well, not suddenly... but I wanted to make it sound exciting)...a huge cloud of smoke appeared, and then a spotlight on the stage... and POW! There's David Krejci in the Winter Classic Uniform. "Ahhhhhh," everyone said. Crowd cheered. Applause. Krejci looked like he wanted to disappear.

The Winter Classic uniform was described by Neely. The whole thing is compiled from several B's uniforms from the past. Kinda cool. (my opinion: I wish it was black. The yellow is too yellowy/gold. And I don't like that spoked B design either. It's some anniversary B, and I understand why it's used, but I still don't like it. I love the striped socks.)

Brick told us to wait a sec and watch the tron for the new B's commercial. It's the one with Neely with the Big Bear stealing the Winter Classic jersey. I just got it in an email.

We filed out slooowwwwwly because people just can't move normally, for some reason, and prefer to walk like the Dead. When we got out there, the crowd was worse because people wanted to turn in their Pre-Order form for the Winter Classic jersey to the fan relations crew because... they just couldn't wait any longer (!!!).

$34 at the Govt Center garage for 3 1/2 hours. AND you have to pre-pay now if you're using cash. FYI. It's all different now. Fantastic.

I think little Jacobs said we had 2700 people here tonight. Neely said there's 5100 STHers now."

State of the Bruins Recap...

All in all a class act by the B's...

I remember two years ago at the same event, about 500, VERY ANGRY Bruins fans sitting, pissed off , and since then Chiarelli and company have really turned things around. Well done.

The Winter Classic Jersey was modeled by Krej, also the worst kept secret in Boston since Timmy was caught wearing it...

Some really funny moments, especially with the fan asking Patrice if we were going to see more of him throwing down.

Also, the possibly intoxicated young man who rambled on about being first in the northeast, and even Lucic had to ask "what was the question?". Hilarious.

An event that got me even more excited for this great season....

GREAT WORK- by the fan who asked the Bitz question. Clearly a 311 devotee...

Let's Go Bruins!

Bitz vs. Rosehill....

Clearly after Bitz lost his footing it was over. I still think Rosehill was cheating in some way (steroids etc.)...Rosehill hits him when he's down, and just wrestles him over. Great job by Byron taking the haymakers from the juicer....Bettman I expect a thorough investigation...

Here's the bout from tonight...

B's beat TO 3-2....

Everybody was kung fu fighting....

Good to see some brawls tonight. And thank goodness for the NHL network.

Goals by Begin, Marchand, Wozniewski for the B's.

Also- Bitz should have gotten his 2nd fighting major of the evening, but Andre "The Giant" Deveaux pulled the jersey over Bitz's head. How was that just roughing?

I think we are going to like Derek Morris. Great breakout pass to Patrice for The Woz's goal.

Also 2 assists by Bergie...It's going to be a great season for Patrice.

NEGATIVE POINTS- Toronto fans starting the wave. Seriously? And I like Leafs fans, they are just TORTURED.

However- The clip of the d-bag B's fan celebrating standing up with his beer was just as bad. Another reason why everyone loves Boston....wait a minute.

Let's Go Bruins...

Begin and BITZ...

B's at Leafs currently in the 2nd preseason contest.

First two fights of the preseason. The new guy Begin loses to Andre Deveaux.

BITZ, the man, the myth, the legend throws with Jay Rosehill. Apparently loses after a flurry of lefts from Rosehill.

My guess is that Rosehill had razor blades hidden in his gloves, only way Bitz loses.

Oh yeah apparently the score is 1-0 Leafs on a Tyaler Bozak goal that schooled Hunwick.

Rico Sauve and Zach Hamill....

And B's beat the Rangers 2-1.

I have to be honest, all I saw of this game was a brief replay on ESPNBoston, viewfrom311's new favorite website.

Hamill's goal was sweet. That's why Recchi was so productive last year in a B's uniform. We haven't had enough guys with a nose for the net. Put your body near the net, and good things will happen. No I am not channeling the great Phil Esposito, but why not?

Click here for vintage Hamill.

Tukka gets the win. When he is not blowing up and throwing things in the crowd he does look cool and composed in the crease.

No fights last night? I thought this was pre-season hockey?

ESPNBoston Wants Bitz...

Great piece here.

I think I am going to like ESPNBoston.

For the record, let us never forget who started that "We Want Bitz" Chant.

Your friends in 311....

It never gets old. Click here to relive the moment.

"We Want What? We Want Bitz. They're calling for Byron Bitz with a minute to go in the game...The crowd calling for Byron Bitz to give him a chance for the hat trick. (Crowd goes beserk) Listen to this! Bitz comes off the bench. You can't tell me Boston isn't a hockey town again when the crowd's doin that. "
-Jack Edwards 2/24/09

RIP Fred Cusick...

Shortly after my last post, it was announced that the legend has passed away.

We'll always remember you Cusick, you were a class act...

Thanks for the memories...

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/2009/09/legendary_voice.html

Cusick!

Great interview here...

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/

I can't believe Fred is turning 91! One of the highlights of my childhood was going to the old Garden and sitting in the first row of the balcony near where Fred and Derek were doing the game. Awesome.

Congratulations to Fred Cusick on the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame!

Fantasy Hockey Preview

Ladies and gentleman – another hockey season is nearly upon us and the first year of Section 311 Fantasy Hockey is just about ready to go. The members of the league are all Bruins season ticket holders and they were before it was cool to be one after the great season last year and the guaranteed Winter Classic tickets this year. The roster of fantasy hockey managerial talent includes all four contributors to this blog, half of Row 11, a little Row 12 thrown in to give the league its odor, and one member of Row 13. I even let a guy in who has his tickets in Section 314, but he was instrumental in shutting down the wave early last season when some delinquents in 312 tried to start one. Note to the fanbase – this is not Fenway Park, hockey fans do not tolerate the wave.

That said, I am the commisioner of this fledgling league and thought I would give a quick fantasy preview for this season:

Dany Heatley – he will now be skating on a line with Joe Thornton (who? Oops, I remember, he’s that guy who disappears every year in April and I forget he exists sometimes). Thornton is a good player when there’s nothing on the line and when you consider he made Jonathan Cheechoo a 50 goal scorer and Glen Murray look like he deserved the contract the B’s gave him coming out of the lockout, I would expect big things out of both of them. Just don’t use either one of them in your playoff pools. I will not be drafting either one because I don’t like them.

Tim Thomas – can he repeat last year’s success? It’s going to be tough to live up to, but i’m sure he’ll go early in the Section 311 draft.

Bob Probert – Yah, I know, he doesn’t play anymore, but he is still playing in the heart and mind of a league member who leads the section in trips to the men’s room. He will be sure to use his first round pick on Probert. The same guy wants me to add fighting majors as a stat. I had to say no since we are already using hits and PIMs as categories. Adding that stat would make the likes of Jody Shelley a sought after player. I just can’t bring myself to do it. I also brought him up just so I could include this link to a video of a heavyweight bout against Tie Domi.

Marco Sturm – I’m a mark for this guy and I will draft him. Stay healthy Sturmy, I want to see 30 of those patented “I shouldn’t have eaten those last ten hot wings last night” goal celebrations.



That's enough, I can’t give away too many of my draft strategies because I want to win this year.

16 days until opening night!

B's Winter Classic Jersey....

Thanks Timmy...

Looking like this is it.

Flyers Winter Classic Jerseys...GOLDBERG?

Reminds me of Goldberg's Jersey in the Mighty Ducks...

Can't wait to see the B's jerseys...

Check out the Philly jerseys gallery on the Flyers website.

And buy Goldberg's Game Worn Mighty Ducks Jersey here...Wow...worth way more than $300.

9/11/09

God Bless America

What Started It All...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfEfDfJsbgQ

You've got to love Edwards not knowing what the crowd is chanting, and then going nuts...

Kessel? Let's go already...

September 10, 2009, and the biggest lingering questions still seems to be what is happening with Phil "Deke" Kessel. Is he staying? Is he going? Clearly the Leafs want him, but haven't we been hearing that for months?

Anyone that has ever sat within earshot of 311 knows my personal feelings. Phil's got to go. Yes he is 21, very young with what everyone calls "huge upside." No doubt he is a brave kid, coming back after cancer at age 19. That being said, I just can't deal with him. Yes he put in 36 goals last year. However, I just have the burning vision in my head, seared in my memory of the "Phil move". For anyone that has been going to B's games longer than just last season, you can remember this:

Phil gets the puck, he skates over the red line, maybe even the blue line. Doesn't shoot. Tries his "deke" move on the defender, and loses the puck. Once again, not shooting. When he fires the puck he can score, he just tries too much for that move. Also, the Montreal series 2 years ago where Julien benched him (one of the greatest coaching moves in hockey history). Why did he bench him? He didn't have the fire, wouldn't hit anyone, and came back and played his tail off after that. The kid always needs a fire lit under him. Yes, he is talented. Yes, he is young. Dare, I say this, I'll take Krejci on my team any day of the week over Deke.

Plus- if he goes to Toronto, he won't succeed. I know Leafs fans have a grand history, Maple Leaf Gardens, etc. But, let's face it. Leafs fans are the hockey equivalent of Chicago Cubs fans. Doom will happen to Phil if he goes north.

Well, just a few more weeks until the greatest season of them all. This year should be a dandy, and a ton of fun. After last year hockey is clearly back in Boston bringing with it the good (great crowds, people talking about the B's everywhere) and the bad (pink hats at the game etc). I have NOTHING against true women hockey fans. They are some of the most knowledgeable, coolest chicks going. Seriously. There are a few season ticket holders amongst us, young and old, who are female and are some of the best fans in Boston. But, the Pink Hat invasion could be almost as bad as the idiots from the financial district who come to games in the middle of the first period and know nothing about the game. Ok, I'm off my soap box.

LET'S GO BRUINS!