When hockey season ends and the Bruins lose, I want hockey season back as soon as possible but this year they did not lose. So the off season was a little strange. Do I want it to go by quickly so I can see the B’s back in action as Stanley Cup Champions? Or do I want to enjoy the off season and watch the B’s chill as Stanley Cup Champions? Tough choices but everyone wants to see some hockey action so let’s finally raise that banner! It’s hockey season and it’s time to go.
The Bruins start their season on Thursday and I obviously beyond excited but the fact that the game is only on Versus has me pretty bummed out. One reason is because we do not have Versus on campus and two is that Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley do not get to call it. But I guess we will all take a Stanley Cup over having NESN carry game one of the 2011-12 season.
With the season here, the roster is pretty much set and with Kampfer going down with a knee injury in the last preseason game, it made the 7th defenseman question a little easier to answer. Matt Bartkowski will slide into the 7th spot with Chara, Seidenberg, Boychuk, Corvo, Ference and McQuaid securing the six starting positions. I am really glad to see McQuaid getting the chance to play and I love the fact that he still has the mullet. Pretty sure if that was any other player, they would have shaved their mullet as soon as possible.
The forwards are set but I am not going to list all twelve. I think one forward better perform in the opening few games or maybe throughout the first month or the Bruins may rethink their choice. I really think Pouliot needs to perform and if not, give Caron or Sauve a shot. Maybe it’s because I don’t like the guy or because I really like the way Caron and Sauve can play but that’s what I think.
Any question I have is how much play is Tim Thomas going to get. No doubt he was incredible throughout last season and the playoffs but can he do that again? Rask is going to have to see major playing time soon or he may jump ship and go start some place else. I really do not care who’s in net as long as they are stopping the pucks that are coming at them.
And then there’s the big question: do I think the Bruins can repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? A lot of people are thinking no but I ask, did you think they were going to win last year at the beginning of the season? Nope. I didn’t think so. Well, I always believe they can but the way they started last season made it really had to. So I believe they can win it all again this year. Do I have much confidence in that belief? Of course. I put all my confidence in my teams…until they lose. Stranger things have happened than the Bruins repeating so why not?
I still cannot believe the NHL season is upon but it is. I’m ready along with the rest of the true believers to get this season going. I’ll be going to my first game on Monday and that brings my excitement level just a little bit higher but it makes my wallet a little but smaller. But I don’t want to talk about how much they raise prices and how hard it was to buy any tickets under $50. It makes me angry but if you are looking for cheaper tickets look for the student nights and get $44 balcony seats.
Game 7 victory was great. The locker room celebration was awesome. Being at the parade was insane. Seeing all the players have their day was really cool. But it’s finally time to raise the banner and start this season as Stanley Cup Champions. Let’s go!
Kristin Carbone
Pierce Arrow Blogger
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