By Matt Moore, howiGit Contributing Writer, Boston, MA
We are now a few days removed from the Bruins capturing the Stanley Cup with a Game 7 victory in Vancouver; a victory that ended a 39 year drought for the Bruins organization. However the 2011 championship did so much more than just end a dry spell – it restored hockey to the forefront of the Boston sports scene. Much like the 2008 Celtics championship bridged a gap between generations of fans, this Stanley Cup united Bruins fans of all ages. Watching the Bruins’ playoff run with my father made things extra special, because I saw how much it meant to him as a fan that had been waiting since 1972 to see the Cup back in Boston. I was in Boston for the celebration parade, and you could see how much it meant to fans that Boston had finally won again. People all around shared stories of watching the Bruins in the 1970s, how they stuck through the low years and even the lockout, just because they knew the time would come when the Bruins would be champions again. Their faith was rewarded this season, and in doing so, the Bruins put themselves in the same category of the other title teams in recent Boston history.
The championship was made all the more rewarding because of the way the team played, and the characteristics they personified. The Bruin players endeared themselves to the fan base by playing a tough, physical brand of hockey that resonates with a city like Boston. They lacked true star power, but instead were a collective unit that succeeded; oftentimes when facing opponents with supposedly more skill. The phrase “will beats skill” was used often to describe the Bruins title winning team, and it really is appropriate. This isn’t to say Boston was without skilled players, but rather that they found the extra gear when needed to win games. It maybe cliché to say that a team takes on the identity of the city they play in, but that truly was the case with these Bruins. Every fan base may say that their team represents the qualities of their city, whether it is true or not. Perhaps Vancouver showed this to be true in the way they reacted to losing the finals. But I don’t know much about Vancouver or how they view themselves there. I do know that the inherent differences between the two teams became more and more evident as the series progressed. The Bruins played hard, physical hockey and knew when to play with an edge. This is how the teams of the 70’s played and were successful. When the Bruins mirrored those teams and that style of hockey, the results spoke for themselves.
This Bruins season will always be remembered for the amazing run throughout the regular the season, the three Game 7s they won, the performance of Tim Thomas, and the new hero that seemingly emerged each round. The good news continues though, as this team is built for years of success. The shift started with signing Chara and Savard five years ago, and now through drafts and trades, the Bruins have a balanced, talented, and most importantly, young core of players. Just looking down the roster shows the number of young, valuable players: Horton(26), Bergeron (25), Krecji (25), McQuaid (24), Lucic (23), Marchand (23), Seguin (19). We heard during the rally several members of the Bruins organization say that there won’t be such a long wait for the next Cup and they are eager to bring more to Boston. Looking at the roster, and what this Bruin team just accomplished, you can’t help but believe it.
If this team wants to continue to be a title contender year in and year out the development of Seguin is paramount. If Seguin turns into a top 10 player in the league, like he should, this team will be damn near unbeatable.
Oh yeah, and trade Thomas and get a winger who can score.
I disagree with trading Thomas – he’s the one that just won this title. You seem to forget we went to 3 game 7′s – in other words we could have very easily lost in the first round of the playoffs. Very easily. Without Thomas, you probably aren’t even making a single game 7. Seguin will turn into a good player, I don’t think there’s much that can derail that.
I agree with keeping Thomas. If you’re talking about trading him during the offseason, I don’t think that’s a good idea. He just showed that his age isn’t a factor, and the hip surgery he had a year ago really made a difference. His performance this year bought him some breathing room for next year if he gets off to a slow start. Obviously Rask is waiting and his time will come, but for now it’s still Thomas’ job. True they don’t have a pure scorer per se, but hopefully Seguin develops into that type of player.
And I’d say that had no problems scoring as it is. A balanced scoring attack is far better than one superstar.
Thomas won us the title because we had to win games 2-1. Rask could easily fill that void (we saw how good he could be) and we could have a more consistent scoring attack.
What we saw in the playoffs is not how this team can play day in and day out.
To say we had to win 2-1, and then to say Rask could fill this void, shows that you know absolutely nothing about hockey. Thomas just came off the greatest season by any goalie ever and it was barely enough. One better offensive player and a worse goalie is not going to make up that difference.
Hockey is such a crap shoot every year, but the Bruins do look to have a young base.
Williams, your investigation skills find any dirt on the 2007 Giants yet?
oh its coming jimmy
Can’t Wait
call me when the playoffs start again next year, until then hockey does nothing for me.
Same.
you heard the same thing out of bandwagon town, i mean beantown last year
you mean last year when the flyers came back from down 3 games to beat the bruins?
and yes, i live in the past… but even after that i didn’t become a big fan of the sport. I havent been a big hockey fan for 25 years, and i wont start if the flyers win the cup
Good boy.
neither will most of these bruins “fans” if they lose in the first round next year
probably true but, as huge red sox fan the fact that tons of fans just showed up out of nowhere when the red sox won didnt really bother me, because the red sox won and that is all that mattered to me. I could not be held be responsible for all of those bandwagon fans and i don’t think it puts a blemish on the true fans.
any true bruins fan should enjoy this win. i cant hold a team or city responsible for their bandwagon fans.
j-bone when any team wins a championship people from the city hop on board (as the saying goes…. it happens in every city)
yes i know, but to take the opportunity to say how great your city is when 4 months ago you didnt give one crap is pretty humorous.
I’ve been saying it’s great all along – it was great way before the Bruins won.
Very true.
Which the almost did this year, funnily enough.