Paul Kelly on the Boston Bruins Draft posted by Randolph Charlotin

I recently sat with College Hockey Inc. Executive Director Paul Kelly to get his opinion Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin and what the Boston Bruins will do in the NHL Draft with their two first round picks. I have one correction to mention. During the interview, I said the Bruins have the 17th pick in the first round. It is actually the 15th.

Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com

The Tri-fecta, the Trinity, TGIF for Boston Sports. posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

Red Sox vs. Yankees. Celtics vs. Cavaliers in game 3 of a 1-1 series. Bruins vs. Flyers in possible series sweep.

There are so many story lines for this Friday night in Boston Sports.

Red Sox: You just swept the Angels. The Angels have problems of their own, being staked to a 4-0 lead after the ist inning thanks to the Dice-man's proclivity to gamble on his pitches. I understand that the Japanese strike-zone is different than MLB...but Dice-dude, you've been here 3 years now. I know you can speak English. You have to at least understand it, or else what exactly is V-mart and his own heavy accent conveying to you when he goes to chat on the mound after you walk 3 straight? What does John Farrell say while the umpire walks all the way out to the mound to break the conversation up. That's always a great way to get on the Ump's good side. Throw a ton of balls, and then make the Ump actually walk the 60'6" to the pitchers mound. In any event, the Sox offense again came up huge. The Angels certainly helped, but at this point we'll take whatever help we can get. On a 4 game win-streak, Bring on the Yankees!

Celtics: You have the momentum. Keep it. Don't come out flat. Don't wait for the crowd to get you going. Get the crowd going and you'll get yourselves further into the play-offs. The Cav's think they have the experience and the talent to finally get Lebron a ring. If Lebron is at 80%, and the rest of his team can't pick up any of that other 20%, do they really deserve to advance? Celtic basketball is better than Cavalier basketball. Enough said.

Walk-Offs at Fenway Park, Skate-off at the Garden, Stroll-off to Miami posted by Joe Franciosa, Jr.

After a long weekend in Boston Sports Hell, (even the Celtics winning game 1 of their series with the Heat was a kind of loss with the Garnett suspension), Tuesday was a day of Miracles. Who had ever heard of Darnell McDonald? A man who waited 13 years to get his chance to make a difference on a big league team, and on his very first at bat, he hits a two-run home run to breathe life back into this Sox season. Then, the 31 year old rookie hit’s a Monster-scraping walk-off.

I know there were a lot of story lines in that game that might carry greater significance over the course of the season, like Lowell finally pinch-hitting for Ortiz. Fact is, though Papi was a “good team-mate” for hanging around long enough to give Lowell daps as he came back to the dug-out…Ortiz still then left straight away for the clubhouse after his token gesture of solidarity. Grimace, as my friends and I often call Ortiz, probably just had a craving for more mango-salsa.

We could talk about the Rangers stealing 9 bases against V-mart. Man on 1st, I tell my buddy watching the game with me “After this pitch, he’ll be on 2nd”…and Victor’s throw (on a pitch-out) Sails high over the sliding base-runner. Then, I tell my friend, “Watch, after this pitch, he’ll be on 3rd”… Guess what happened next? Sox fans, I have the solution to all our problems. Ortiz can play catcher. Lowell can DH. V-Mart moves to 1st so he never has to throw out a runner again. Youk moves back to 3rd, and Beltre plays…oh never mind.

Boston Trades Craig Weller, Byron Bitz and a second-round pick in 2010 to Florida for Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski posted by Jeff Ponder

Shortly after moving defensive defenseman Derek Morris, Boston added another veteran to their blue line.

Dennis Seidenberg, who signed a one-year deal with Florida this past summer, leaves Florida as the top ice-time getter, averaging 22:54 played a game.  The German Olympian adds just two goals to the Bruins' lineup, but has 21 assists on a low-scoring team.  He is very good at getting the puck out of the zone and moving the puck up ice, but will not contribute much to the Bruins and their 16th ranked power-play. 

Byron Bitz was once considered a good prospect for the Bruins, but has fallen down on the team's depth chart.  He has seen mostly checking line time in Boston, but will add grit and flexibility to a low-scoring Panthers wing-core.

While Weller and Bitz will add depth to the Panthers' lineup, they also don't give much more in the scoring department, which is what the Panthers truly needed.  Bitz's contract goes through 2010-11 though, so he has time to develop in a new system.

Boston did give up some depth for Seidenberg, but may have upgraded over Morris.  Seidenberg was as good as he could be for Germany in these past Olympics, which may be the reason this trade was made by Bruins' GM Peter Chiarelli.  Boston may have edged Florida in this deal, although the verdict will be out until Seidenberg can prove that he can compete in the NHL playoffs.Continue reading "Boston Trades Craig Weller, Byron ..."

Golden Effort Falls Just Short posted by Brad VanFossan

A Golden Effort Falls Just Short By Brad VanFossan I know it’s more than just a hockey game when my 63 year old father is looking forward to watching, and has been watching most of the hockey games during this Olympics. I know it’s more than just a game when patrons at bars ask to turn the hockey game on, both the men’s and women’s games, as I have seen happen over the last couple weeks. This is about reliving nostalgia for those who were around for the 1980 Gold Medal team‘s “Miracle“ run. And it’s about wanting to experience that same feeling for those of us who were too young or weren’t around then. This is the kind of thing the brings generations of sons and fathers together creating memories that become part of family lore. More importantly, this is a message to the world that hockey isn’t a secondary sport in the United States anymore, but one we can excel at, and even be the best.  It’s almost time for the opening face off, winning twice on enemy territory won’t be easy, but I think if anyone can, it’s this group of relentless young men. No matter what the outcome, they will put forth an effort to be proud of.My in game thoughts from the penalty box: -In the first U.S./Canada match up the U.S. was able to score first, taking the crowd out of things for a bit, today Canada scored first, it’s the first time the U.S. has trailed all Olympics. -Jonathan Toews goal was off of a rebound, not too much cause for concern yet. The U.S. is still playing pretty well, theyContinue reading "Golden Effort Falls Just Short"

A Message to Boston Sports Fans posted by Charles Bisbee

There’s been a lot of griping recently over the state of Boston sports, serving (for me) as another ugly reminder of the developing, spoiled and cocksure nature of fans in this area. Let’s take a quick look, shall we?

Despite not  having played superbly of late, the Celtics stand at 31-16 and hold a five-and-a-half game lead in their division over Toronto.  

The Patriots finished the season at 10-6 (and a perfect 8-0 at home) and lost in the conference semi-finals to Baltimore.

The line between the Red Sox and Yankees is becoming more blurred each year (I know, I know, blasphemous!). But the Sox pay more and more to rob smaller market teams of their best players. Last year they finished 95-67 and, again, made the playoffs.

The Bruins are apparently stinking up then Garden this year but last year made a nice push into the playoffs.

All this leading me to ask, “what the deuce is the matter with Boston sports fans?” Have we become so spoiled and jaded by the seemingly constant ticker-tape parades down Tremont St. that we’ve subconsciously assumed an unwarranted sense of entitlement traditionally held by Yankee fans?

Not to sound like some ornery, old folgie wannabe but do you remember the early-mid 90’s? Do you remember Carlos Quintana? Todd Day? How about Marty Conlan? Lets gain a little perspective and lose the sense of entitlement. Isn’t that what always has (and still should) differentiate us from Yankee fans?

Boston Boxing: Team Training on NESN packs quite a punch posted by Colin Linneweber

New England Sports Network (NESN) is in the midst of airing a six-episode reality television program titled, Boston Boxing: Team Training.

The series documents the teachings of a renowned local boxing trainer to 40 amateur pugilists with extremely varying skill levels over a span of 12 weeks.

Ed LaVache, the owner of the Boston Boxing Club in Allston, instructed these amateurs how to train and box in competitive teams.

“This series is special because it shows what type of gym we run,” said LaVache, who began boxing 20 years ago for exercise when he played football at Framingham State College. “We have a varying clientele. Some boxers are extremely competitive and others are mostly non-competitive. Some are males, and some are females.”

Among LaVache’s elite pupils are New England Amateur Welterweight champ Tommy Duchette of Waltham and Hector Hernandez of Boston.

Duchette, who is ranked 13th in the nation as an amateur in his weight class, is attempting to qualify for the U.S. Olympic boxing team and Hernandez is training with hope of capturing his Marciano belt and title.

“These people aren’t in it for the money," said LaVache. “They are fighting to improve and win.”

The idea for this series was spawned by filmmaker and President of Metropolitan Pictures, Scott Matalon.

Matalon, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., had recently finished filming his second movie and he was looking for another project to commence.

Legend Of The Goon Squad pt.2 posted by Goon Squad

Violence has been a part of hockey since at least the early 1900's. According to the book Hockey: A People's History, in 1904 alone, four players were killed during hockey games from the frequent brawls and violent stickwork. 

Early hockey in particular was noted for its extreme violence, to the point where two players were killed in three years during brawls.
In both cases, the accused assailants were acquitted, but these and other bloody incidents led to calls for the sport to clean up its act or be banned with the likes of cock fighting.

The worst of the violence waned, particularly with regulations for quasi-legal fisticuffs, though incidents continue to occur from time to time.

Billy Coutu was the first player banned from the NHL for life when, in 1927, he attacked referee Jerry Laflamme in a Stanley Cup game between the Bruins and Senators - in which several players complained about the officiating, supposedly at the request of Bruins coach Art Ross before starting an all-in brawl.
NHL president Frank Calder, the League's first president, expelled Coutu from the NHL for life on March 29th, 1929; the ban was lifted after five years, but Coutu never played again in the NHL.
Billy Coutu - an OG Supreme! (Original Goon)

Other incidents include the December 12th, 1933 event when Eddie Shore hit Leafs player Ace Bailey from behind.
Bailey never played hockey again.
Another OG.

Somewhat recently, controversy and criminal charges have resulted from violent attacks by Marty McSorley, Todd Bertuzzi, and Chris Simon.

Deep 86-ed posted by Randolph Charlotin

Pardon me while I go off track for a moment.

Last night I watched one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries. It was “Without Bias: The Len Bias Story” or something like that. It didn’t blow me away as far as storytelling goes, but it was well done.

Near the end of the program, the documentary quickly reviewed what happened the year Bias died. In 1986, the New England Patriots were stomped by the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. The Red Sox blew the World Series against the New York Mets. And though the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship that year, Len’s June death began the 1986-87 season. A season the Celtics were unable to repeat as champions without Bias.

Not mentioned by the documentary was the Boston Bruins. The Black and Gold lost in the Division Semi-Finals in 85-86 and 86-87.

All in all, it was a very bad year for Boston sports.

Good Bye posted by Randolph Charlotin

After seven games played, the Patriots get a much deserved and needed break, thanks to the bye week. While it’s great for the players and coaches, it is sometimes tough for the fans.

Without the Pats playing this week, there’s no build up of anticipation for the weekly gratification of game day. Sure there are other games on, but for some, without the Patriots, a football weekend feels hollow.

Filling the void will be repeated over-analysis of the same concerns on a daily basis and human interest stories on the players. That’s like rice cakes for dinner.

For all the sacrificing the players make over the course of the season, fans should return the favor and make a sacrifice of their own. And no, I’m not suggesting fans sneak into the Gillette Stadium locker room, borrow the players’ pads and uniforms, and play a game of football for the Pats.

All fans have to do is just be patient. Whether following the NFL without the Patriots playing satisfies or distracting oneself with an overdue weekend project does the trick, don’t let the absence get to you.

Think of the benefits the Patriots gain from the week off. RBs Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris will get closer to returning to action, as will LT Matt Light. QB Tom Brady might have his hands full, thanks to his wife Gisele (lucky), but I’m sure he’ll sneak in extra work to fine tune his game.

Brady has already come a long way. He didn’t flinch when a Tampa Bay defender rolled towards his feet on Sunday. Brady stood and delivered a perfect strike for a completion.

Bruins: Savard deal investigated like Kovalchuk's

The Boston Bruins say they're cooperating with the NHL in itsinvestigation of Marc Savard's contract. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

NHL looking into deal of Bruins' Savard (AP)

The Boston Bruins say they're cooperating with the NHL in its investigation of Marc Savard's contract. The league is looking into Savard's contract after voiding one with a similar structure that went to Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils had agreed to pay Kovalchuk $102 million over 17 years, with much of the money coming upfront. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Bruins hire Jarvis as assistant coach (AP)

The Boston Bruins have hired Doug Jarvis as an assistant coach. Jarvis replaces Craig Ramsay, who was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers on June 24 after three seasons as an assistant to Boston coach Claude Julien. The Bruins announced the appointment of Jarvis on Wednesday. Jarvis was an associate coach for Montreal the past four seasons, the first of them when Julien was coach of the... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports