LOCKOUT: Day 47 – Is this lockout a career ender?
Feb 8, 2012; Buffalo, NY, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Shawn Thornton (22) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mike Weber (6) fight at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Bruins 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-US PRESSWIRE
Shawn Thornton has been a dedicated teammate, an aggressive two-way winger, and a superb brawler for the Boston Bruins. He has been a mainstay of the Bruins since he was signed as a free agent in July 2007. He was tied last season for the most fighting majors(20). Thornton has been an impressive physical player, with the occasional surprise up his sleeve. Like this amazing penalty shot goal against the Winnipeg Jets. Thornton has been the enforcer for the fabled “Merlot Line”, and has played three hundred and seventy one games for Boston.
Now at 35, Shawn Thornton contemplated the lockout’s effect on his career.”For guys like me I have a few years left and I’m kind of caught in the middle and squeezed out on both sides,” he said today. “If this [lockout] goes on for a year or two, then I’m probably done and I have to go back to working for a living. That’s fine. I’ve done it before. I worked in a steel factory when I was younger. But on the other side I’d like to play out the last two years of my contract and be a little bit ahead after fighting 400 times over the last 15 years.”
Great, first we get no hockey and now we get to hear one of our favorite players is ready to hang up the skates. One more lump of coal in Bettman’s stocking I suppose. As for more depressing news, if the Winter Classic is cancelled by tomorrow, then the NHL is only out the $100,000 down payment for the use of Michigan Stadium.
The only bright spot that I can recall for the first day of November was remembering Tim Thomas’ rather epic “Movember” last year. Tim Thomas went nine wins for nine games, three of them being shutouts. Thomas put up a .941 save percentage that month, and achieved a 1.76 goals against average.
On a final note, happy 88th Birthday Boston Bruins! Mr. Jacobs, in lieu of cake for the fans, we’d just like to watch Thornton and the rest of the Bruins play hockey. (In Boston!)