First Off the Ice – December 16th 2013
Dec 14, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Boston Bruins forward
Jarome Iginla(12) is checked by Vancouver Canucks forward
Ryan Kesler(17) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Nothing like a good Bruins-Canucks game to bring out the best and worst in people. Brad Marchand chose a real poor time to chirp the Vancouver Canucks. Between kissing the ring and pretending to lift the Cup, he made a few more enemies in Vancouver. (Just wish he had scored more and chirped less.) Here’s what the staff at ComCast thought about the whole mess. (Comcast)
While Marchand was having trouble on the ice, Bruins forward Milan Lucic was having trouble off it. While going to a local bar in Vancouver (Lucic’s home stomping grounds), apparently another classless Vancouver fan thought he was Alexander Burrows and attempted to engage Lucic (you know, the player most other NHL players think is the best fighter in hockey) to a fight. Gold Star for Lucic not turning the Canucks fan into a messy puddle on the concrete. (SI.com)
Even though the Bruins went 3-1 last week, the usual fire and energy that is in the players wasn’t there. While I can understand the combination of injuries and illness will do that to a team, some people thought they could have been better. Here is what the folks at Bleacher Report thought about the Bruins last seven days. (Bleacher Report)
Will Shawn Thornton be the first person in the NHL to challenge a suspension and bring it to an independent arbitrator? He very well could be. The information coming from Thornton and the Bruins is vague, but a challenge might be forthcoming. Also, does the suspension from the Department of Player Safety give the green light for predatory players (like Brooks Orpik) to engage other players at will? (CSNNE)
Chad Johnson has done an alright job for the Bruins as the back up man for Tuukka Rask. Take a look at what one of our writers thinks about Johnson’s performance so far this season. Do you think he’ll be sticking around next year? (Causeway Crowd)