11/26 - @ Flyers

Whatever happened at Claude Julien's practice yesterday was super-effective. For the first period, the Bruins outplayed the Flyers in every facet of the game. Maybe there were a few lucky bounces, but this wasn't the same team from Saturday night. Glen Murray has finally hit his stride, Glen Metropolit is filling in admirably for Patrice Bergeron, and Matt Hunwick is doing a nice job back on the point. Tuukka Rask was good enough in his second NHL start though its obvious he isn't ready to carry the load yet. The main downer was the PK, which was horrendous allowing all three goals. This is an area that desperately needs improvement.

*The Flyers continue to be the dirtiest team in the league as Scott Hartnell put an awful hit on Andrew Alberts who left the game. Hartnell was ejected and hopefully suspension will follow. I think it should be steeper than Jones on Bergy since this hit was far more deliberate. The Broad Street Bullies are defiantly back.

* Jack Edwards could have used a deer tranquilizer or three in the booth tonight. He completely overreacted to a stat inaccuracy about hits, and continues to act like he knows everything about everything.

10/24 - @ Islanders

After a solid first game of the home and home against the Isles, the Bruins just looked Saturday night on Long Island. There was no jump in any ones step and and the boys with the spoked B's on their chests were thoroughly beaten down. A few bright spots were the continuing solid play of Tim Thomas in net and the emergence of Mark Stuart as a legitimate top-4 defenseman. The Bs are going to need to find some offense soon, as Rick DiPietro was never really rattled in this one. Claude Julien has his work cut out with these guys.

*Tonight marked the NHL debut for Vladimir Sobotka

11/23 - vs. NY Islanders

The Bruins notched an important win in an important contest against the Islanders yesterday afternoon at the Garden. After a very slow start for both team, the late second and third periods were pretty good. Glen Murray showed signs of life, getting his name on the score sheet and looking more mobile than usual in the process. Tim Thomas was very solid again, allowing only one goal late, but the Tank hung in for the win. This guy has to be in the All-Star Game, no questions asked. As Glen Metropolit scored the game winner Andy Brickley said Metropolit was the best tryout invitee in NHL history, take it easy Brick. Home and homes are always fun, so tonight should be another good one on the Island.

*Vladimir Sobotka will probably see his first NHL action in place of the dinged up Milan Lucic.

* Spectors Trade Site is reporting the Bruins are shopping for an experienced back-up goalie. I'm not sure that should be on the top of Peter Chiarelli's wish list. Even though Rask is young, he certainly can stay up, though after Toivonen and Raycroft, I understand his reluctance to rush young netminders.

11/11 - vs. CT Selects

Due to the fast approaching Xavier season, I changed the site over, and put the last game write-up on here. This is the end for game summaries and three stars.

*Not the way anyone wanted to end the season this afternoon, as the Red Devils fell 5-3 at the hands of the CT Selects in Cromwell. Ryan Lee kept the score out of the double digits, making over 40 saves, and stopping everything he could. After an awful start, the Devils picked it up a bit, but with Piscottano touring the Rockies and Malz battling a fever, it just wasnt meant to be. Captain Vino did what he could notching two goals, but it wasnt enough in the end, even with Will doing what he could to fire up the bench. Coach Ken stayed suprisingly calm throughout the game. After the banquet on Thursday its go time!

*The Last Three Stars: 1)Lee 2) O'Hara 3) Even

*If anyone knows a junior who wants to help me out this year, let me know.

Summer(s over) Camp

Wow, I havent written anything in a long time. I've been really busy, and as a result the site has been neglected...sorry. Camp has opened since the last time I wrote. Today, the Bruins rookie team played a game in Shelton, CT. Being a CT resident I caught the beginning of the game, and I was very impressed, especially with Tuukka Rask and Milan Lucic. Rask looked solid during his time in net, though he wasnt tested that often. Lucic looked like a really dominant big man. He dominated a fight towards the end of the game (so I heard from a friend who was there to the end)

* One interesting note: the Bruins have invited Glen Metropolit to camp on a tryout basis. Glen is much better than candidates from the last couple years (ie. Billy Tibbetts) and unlike many non-roster guys, with a strong camp, Metropolit just might make the roster.

* If you havent checked out NHL 08 yet, you need to. It is a great game, especially for PS3. One issue I had with the game is Tim Thomas has a skill rating of only 78, give Boston's real number one goalie a littlw love, but really check this game out.

Camp Coming Fast

You know we are nearing the start of the season when all the veterans have arrived at camp in Wilmington. Oh wait, almost all the veterens! "Big-time" offseason pickup Manny Fernandez is yet to strap on the pads at Ristuccia Arena. As far as I'm concerned, this is a positive since it may allow Tim Thomas to get a leg up on the number one goalie job. Bergeron, Murray, and enforcer Jeremy Reich are some of the most recent arrivals, rounding out the veteran core. The Globe put out a full list of the attendees: Andrew Alberts, P.J. Axelsson, Patrice Bergeron, Brandon Bochenski, Zdeno Chara, Chris Collins, Jeff Hoggan, Matt Hunwick, Martins Karsums, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Matt Lashoff, Mark Mowers, Glen Murray, Jeremy Reich, Marc Savard, Jonathan Sigalet, Jordan Sigalet, Marco Sturm, Nate Thompson, Dennis Wideman.

* Among the veterans who have yet to arrive and skate: Peter Schaefer, Shawn Thornton, Manny Fernandez, Aaron Ward, and Chuck Kobasew.

* While attending the Redsox game last Friday, I was walking around before the game and saw the towering figure of Captain Zdeno Chara nearby. He was on his way to the pregame show on Yawkey Way and let me tell you, Chara is even bigger in person!

Season just around the corner

It's been too long since I posted but in this part of the off season there's very little going on. One important note is the first few Bruins players have made there way back to Wilmington. Reports say so far Andrew Alberts, Bobby Allen, Zdeno Chara, Matt Hunwick, Matt Lashoff, Mark Mowers, Marc Savard, Mark Stuart, Tim Thomas, Nate Thompson. Obviously the surprising names there are Savard and Thomas, seeing as they have very little to prove going into the upcoming season, but it is good to see some team spirit from the big guns. Timmy T usually goes to a goalie showcase in Chicago with his agent, Bill Zito, this week, but this year he is choosing to spend it with the team in Boston. Maybe Thomas can get a leg up on Manny before camp even begins, that would be nice.