Bruins getting ready for season opener.(And Looch is a dad!)

Apr 5, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Boston Bruins left wing

(17) celebrates his goal scored on the Ottawa Senators in the third period at Scotiabank Place. The Bruins defeated the Senators, 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Practice continued at Ristuccia Arena as the Boston Bruins make an attempt to bring back the Stanley Cup. All but one of the Bruins were there. Milan Lucic was excused for personal reasons. Don’t worry Bruins Nation, they only thing that may slow down Looch the Gooch is that he’s about to become a first time father. He and his wife are expecting any day now. (UPDATE: Milan and Brittney Lucic just welcomed their daughter into the world. Mother and baby are healthy and fine.) Now little Looch’s birthday is the same number that her father wears. Got to love how the universe works out.)

Claude Julien was putting the focus on drills today, and making sure his goaltenders got more comfortable in the net. At the moment, ESPN ranks the Bruins as the 3rd best team going into the first game of the season. We’ll get to see if the Bruins can shake off the scrimmage(and the rust) and deliver to the Nation its first win of the year.  The players are focused and ready to go. Especially the ‘Little Ball of Hate’.

Brad Marchand is starting his third year as a Bruin, and he took a little time to jot down a few thoughts in his ESPN diary. “We start the season against the Rangers.  We have a week to prepare.  We don’t really have a choice but to prepare fast.  They’re a very strong team.  They had a good run last year.  We just have to make sure we’re prepared on the ice, get lots of rest, good nutrition, and hopefully we’ll be ready.  It’s huge for us to go out and get a fast start.  Everyone wants to come out of the gate hard.  If you fall behind with like a 1-6 start, you can quickly find yourself out of a playoff position.  Right now, it’s a sprint.  We have to make sure we’re prepared every day and put our best game on the ice every night.”

Marchand made it clear how he feels about the Nation. “I’m hoping the fan reaction on Saturday is good like it was on Tuesday for our scrimmage against the Providence Bruins.  We have the best fans in the world.  They’ve always been so supportive.  We want to see them come out and cheer just as loud as ever.  I know some fans aren’t happy we had a lockout.  I think the best thing that we, the players, can do is make sure we put on a good show for them when they come to the rink.  We also need to make public appearances and show we appreciate their support and coming back to the game.  It’s looking for ways to show our appreciation in any way we can. ”

So, the team is ready, Lucic is a father, and in two days we’re going to have hockey back. No, seriously. We’re going to have the Boston Bruins back. Now, if only Mr. Jacobs wouldn’t charge $145.00 prices for balcony seats for opening night. One miracle at a time I guess.