Bruins Get Some Revenge
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by Rawbeezeitz
Nearly one month to the day after Bruins’ center Patrice Bergeron was hit from behind and into the boards by Flyers’ defenseman Randy Jones, the Bruins went to Philly and exacted a small measure of vengeance. They didn’t start brawls, or rack up stupid penalty minutes. Instead, they put six goals into the net, and came out of the Wachovia Center with two points and a little bit of satisfaction.
Glen Murray broke out of a slump and scored two goals, both assisted by Marc Savard who added a goal of his own. Savard would end the night with a goal and three assists. Rookie goaltender Tuukka Rask (with a name like that, you know he’s Finnish) had a solid night. Two of the goals were not really his fault. However, he did let in a power play goal by former Bruin Mike Knuble that had no business crossing the line. Rask got caught on the short side, leaving half the net open for Knuble, who shot it around Tuuka for Philly’s first goal.
Speaking of goalies, the last time Martin Biron played against the Bruins, he completely stifled their offense, stopping 38 of 39 shots faced. This time, however, he was chased from the game in the second period, replaced by Antero Niittymäki, MVP of the 2006 Olympics for Finland. Once again double vowels are a good way to spot a Finn.
Unfortunately, the Flyers could not control their tempers. Halfway through the second period, Ben Eager elbowed Zdeno Chara long after Chara got rid of his puck. One could argue that Eager was merely finishing his check, but had Chara not been slightly bent over after passing the puck, Eager might not have even bothered.
Then came a more clear and indisputable incident. Once again, a Bruin would wind up motionless on the ice. Once again, it was a Philadelphia Flyer who put him there. And once again, it was a dirty hit.
Defenseman Andrew Alberts, trying to keep the puck from going across his defensive blue line, was on his knees by the boards. Scott Hartnell came along and finished his check by slamming his hips into Alberts’ head, jamming his cranium into the dasher. Alberts spent a few moments face down on the ice, but eventually left the ice under his own power. He did not return to the game. There has been no official word yet as to his condition.
If this were an isolated incident, it wouldn’t be worth talking about. If this were just one of those things that happen in hockey every now and then, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But in two games with the Bruins, a Flyer has been given a 5 minute major for boarding, along with a game misconduct. And it isn’t just with the Bruins that the Flyers are dispensing their brand of cheap shots.
There was Steve Downie leaving his feet and launching himself at Dean McAmmond of Ottawa.
There was Jesse Boulerice cross-checking Ryan Kesler of the Canucks in the chin FOR NO REASON about 50 feet behind the play.
This is not incidental, it is intentional. It is abundantly clear that this is the brand of hockey that Philadelphia has decided to play. This is not the return of the Broad Street Bullies. This is the emergence of the Broad Street P*ssies, a team of cheap shot artists who wait until your back is turned, or the puck is gone for them to unleash their big hits. This isn’t physical hockey being played by the Flyers, this is prison yard hockey. And it has to stop.
Suspending a player for two or three games doesn’t send the message that needs to be sent. If it did, then the Flyers haven’t gotten it. The NHL needs to drop the hammer and make an example out of someone. Either that or fine the coach for at worst encouraging and at least allowing such dorty play.
One might argue that teams angered by Philly’s style of play can take it out on the Flyers. How? By getting instigator penalties? By pulling the same kind of B.S. that they pull? Wouldn’t that be playing right into their hands? And how can you get justice when you lose your best player for months? Ambush Danny Briere in the parking lot? Poison Mike Richards’ breakfast?
I probably wouldn’t be so enraged at the Flyers had the Bruins not been on the receiving end of their cheap shots twice this season. But if the League fails to take significant action to stop this crap, someone is going to get very hurt. Some player is going to get slammed head first into the boards and snap his spine. Or a Flyer is going to get slashed in the knee as a retaliation.
Don’t look now, but the Bruins are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference. Now if they could only figure out how to beat Montreal, they might just have a shot at winning the Northeast Division.
