Sorry to distract you guys from Emma, but we need to talk some hockey here or my mother will be very upset. Well, first, let’s talk holidays, then hockey. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Mine was lovely. A little stressful as mother was cagey with her broken ankle, and MOL, and SIL (Sister in Law) had to run the show. Mother is a lovely woman, but has problems saying exactly what she wants. Oh, she’ll dance around it, and hint at what she wants, and when you guess wrong, she will let you know. All in all, MOL, and SIL did a fantastic job saving Christmas. They make a great team, and I couldn’t ask for a better SIL, or OL. As an aside, while the ladies were busy saving Christmas, my brother and I were busy drinking. It was great to see everyone, and enjoy my niece and nephew.

Onto hockey. Did anyone see the hit Colton Orr laid on Matt Cullen last night? Holy shit. That is the way you get someone with their head down. He hit him so hard he thought it was last Boxing Day. Kudos to Goonblog favorite Mike Commodore for coming to Cullen’s defense. Orrsie is much more a fighter than Commodore is, but he took him on anyway in defense of a mate. He was honoring the code, and I have no issue with the hit, or Commodore coming to Cullen’s defense. The rest of the league take note: you can still hit someone hard, and do it cleanly. Well done Colton.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without egg nog, a nicely trimmed tree, presents, more liquor and of course - our very own GoonBlog Girl! Emma took these pictures for us a few days ago and was more than happy to once again provide our loyal readers with a little yuletide titillation. A full gallery of this latest session is forthcoming - and it’s a doozy my friends. And with no further ado, Merry Christmas GoonBloggers!

You’ll all be happy to know that The Hammer and I made it to and from the Bruins game in one piece. We took the train in, and brought some Knobb. After a couple of slices at halftime, and a 25 ouncer we headed in for the game. Our seats were incredible, and I really gotta that MOL for the above and beyond birthday present. The game started very poorly for Boston. They got down early and often, as they had no answer for Sid and company. I must tell you. If you have the mean, I implore you to get really good seats to any game in which the Pens are playing. I’m serious. To watch Crosby, Stall, and Malikn do their thing is incredible. Plus, there’s Georges Laraque.

Big Georges came to play last night. In his first three shifts he found himself on the ice with Jeremy Reich, and every time he was near Reich he asked him to go. Reich obviously wanted no part of the Heavyweight Champ, as he turned him down every single time. Finally, Georges had enough. He lined up next to Reich on a face off, and luckily he was facing us, and I was close enough to read his lips. He looked around Reich to Zdeno Chara, and said, “Hey, big fella! You wanna go?” Big Z shook his head. Laraque says, “Yeah? OK let’s do it.” As soon as the puck dropped, they squared up for a long time. The building was going crazy waiting for them to start chucking them. I was screaming for Laraque to destroy Chara. Cats and dogs were living together. It was anarchy. So finally, they do get together. I don’t think any punches were even thrown and landed. Chara got the takedown, no points by the way, and the place was booing. Hell, they weren’t even assessed fighting majors. I don’t think that sat well with big 27, because as soon as the 2 minutes were up, the boys got back together. Well, not much changed after 2 minutes. Same thing happened, only this time, Laraque got the takedown. Again. No points. It was pretty disappointing.

I tell you what was not disappointing. Being in the building for Crosby’s Gordie Howe hat trick. He fucking destroyed Ference. That was amazing to watch him stick up for himself like that. I think he really handled himself nicely, and it was definitely the fight of the night. Nice work Sid.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. Mother broke her ankle the other day so I’ll pretty much be at her beck and call for the next couple of weeks, with extra effort required this weekend. I am excited to see my little guys as well, and spend some QT with MOL. Merry Christmas all. Please be safe, happy, and healthy!

I feel like the girl at the end of Blair Witch Project right now. You know, I’m so scared…..The Hammer and I are headed to the Bruins right now to watch them take on the Penguins. By train. I hope Laraque gives Lucic a shot at the title. Pray for us. I’m so scared.

I finally saw the Chris Simon leg stomp, and I gotta tell you, I think this guy is deranged. Simon got 30 games for his action the other night. With this 30 game suspension, the 7th of his career, he has now been suspended for 65 total NHL contests. He’s had one gamers, two and three gamers but the last two incidents have netted him 55 total games lost. 25 for one of the most brutal stick attacks I have ever seen, and 30 for a cowardly, totally uncalled for act. Both guys he attacked were pests to be sure, but you no do that, never, never.

I just don’t understand how a guy that was very remorseful after trying to separate Ryan Hollweg’s head from the rest of his body, cannot have enough sense in his head to think before stomping on someone. I understand hockey is a game of speed, violence and emotion. We’ve been over this. It’s also a game of harnessing those emotions and using them to beat your opponent fair and square. I don’t think Simon should be allowed to lace them up in the NHL anymore. He clearly has no respect for his peers, and he can’t keep his emotions in check.

I’m sorry Chris that you do these things because you’re a recovering alcoholic. Look, I’m a drunk, but you don’t see me pushing people down the stairs at the office do you? We all have inner demons. You can’t keep yours in check so you should be allowed to play a game that is all emotion.

The Goonsquad was well represented at the Garden last night as the Bruins defeated the Columbus BlueJackets. The starting lineup included Tweener, MOL, and after an extended breakfast, TKO. The night started at the Fours for some wings, Flutie sandwiches, and a few Miller High Life. We headed over to the Garden and found our seats. Great seats by the way. Thanks Cato. Anyhow, Tweener and I were glad to see number 45 for Columbus, Jody Shelley was dressed. I had never seen him live before, and I was surprised how big he was. You know who else is big? Rick Nash. We’ll get to her. Wait for it. You’ll see. Milan Lucic got the Garden faithful into it early with another impressive dust up with Columbus forward Jarred Boll. Once again, Milan overpowered his opponent and landed some hard punches. Rest of the league beware, this kid is for real. Shortly thereafter, Jeremy Reich got the game winner for Boston with a nice hardworking goal in our end. Good to see Reicher get one there. Tweener and I were talking, and he seems to have some faster hands this season. It’s good to see him do well.

Now on to the real highlights. There was a very hot girl in a Rick Nash jersey in front of us. Her glasses were blue, and so was her head band. I am not sure her boyfriend in the Bruins jersey was pleased about me calling her a puck slut loud enough for everyone to hear, but fuck him. It’s not my fault HOL is foxy. Even MOL thought she was sexy.

Tommy Gunn was plastered and was making friends all over the arena. Everyone loves a drunken guy in a Serial Killer T shirt. My favorite part of the night though was the woman that had no idea about hockey cheering, or urging the boys on. She had no clue, and it was hysterical. My favorite line? “Get it up the ice and work it, work it, woooork it!” No one else heard it, but I did, and nearly spit out my brew I was laughing so hard. Getting ready for the Pats game here. Good times last night. Tweener, it was good to see you. It’s been too long.

Wow who woke up the big bad Bruins. I was watching Lucic in HD drop the gloves in the first five minutes of the game and had to immediately call Chris and give him the detial (he and HOL were present in the Garden for the tilt), I thought it was a pretty good bout and Lucic came out on top. That was soon followed up by Stewart throwing his weight around and pounding people into the boards.
Chris and I will be attending Thursday nights throwdown in the Garden, any other Goons out there, you can be assured we will be at Sully Tap before the game so please join us for a cold one.

Anyone watching the Bruins game last night saw a dandy between New Jersey’s David Clarkson, and Boston’s “Scary Tough” Milan Lucic. It started with a minute left in the first when Lucic and Clarkson went into the end boards together. Alberts worked the puck out, and the boys decided it was time for a go behind the play. The fight was slow to start as they were both hanging on to each other behind the goal. Then as they started drifting from out behind the goal it got started with Lucic and Clarkson throwing some hard right hands at each other. They both took a couple and Clarkson missed with a big uppercut. As the fight wound down and they traded a couple more shots, Lucic landed a huge straight hand right that stunned Clarkson. He called for the Linesman to get in and the tilt was over. TKO Lucic.

I like this fight for a couple of reasons. David Clarkson is my kind of player. I saw him quite a bit in Lowell last year and he gives an honest effort every night. He never takes a shift off, in his play, or his mouth. He gets under everyone’s skin, and is not afraid of anyone. I think he’d look awesome in the black and gold.

Milan continues to impress me as well. He’s getting better at the hockey aspect of the NHL game every time out, and boy is this kid some kind of tough? Shawn Thornton called him “Scary Tough”, and went on to say “He’s going to be bad news for a lot of people in this league when he figures out how tough he is.” That’s a pretty ringing endorsement from a pretty tough customer himself. Right it looks like Lucic is trying to get himself a place on the mantle with other Boston cult heroes like, Stock, Jonathan, and Shoebottom. (He more for his last name and the fact people used to whip shoes on the ice when he fought. That’s brilliant genius. Imaging whipping off your shoes at last night’s game. Enjoy the walk back to the car.)

I’m off to work now, and then up to the Paul tonight for Albany’s return visit. Hopefully Trevor is all wound up. Tweener, MOL and I are going to the Bruins Saturday. I have never seen the Bluejackets play. As always, I’ll be the fat kid in the Goonblog T. Stop by and say hi.

In reply to Chris’ most recent post, I wanted to add my 2 cents:

Wondering Point # 1 – Are the Bruins for real?
No they are not and here is why:
• The “new” starting goalie is on the shelf and could be for an extended period of time as he may need additional knee surgery
• The “backup” goalie who has stood on his head All season and was among the leaders in goals against average and save % is on the shelf now
• They have 15 guys in their lineup with less than double digit points on the season
• They rank 19th out of 30 teams for total goals for
• They are in second to last place in penalty kill
• The teams they have beaten have a combined record of 133 wins and 149 losses
• The teams they have lost against have a combined record of 136 wins and 103 losses
• They have lost all 4 games vs. Montreal this year being outscored 19-8
• And yes Chara is the most overrated player in the NHL today

Wondering Point # 2 – Claude Julien for coach of the year?
Claude has significantly improved the Bruins, not hard to do after Dave Lewis was at the helm last year. Think about that for a second…this time last year Dave Lewis was coaching the Boston Bruins!! He has them playing physical, disciplined and smart hockey…to date. It’s early still and we will see how things progress after the holidays. As I have said numerous times in the past, as long as JJ and his Smarty Pants Lucky Sperm Club son are in charge of this team, mediocrity is the best we will get as fans.

Wondering Point # 3 – Is Chris on drugs
Ah yeah Chris…we all know you are!

Killer and KSpecial. I am glad you guys are having the debate about the Bruins in the comment section of my last post. As I was watching the Bruins last night I was wondering two things. Well, three actually. They are as follows.

1. Are these Boston Bruins for real? Not a lot has changed from the Bruins of last year really. It’s a lot of the same faces, which the obvious exceptions in goal. Savard is a God, and Muzz has really been filling the back of the net once he started scoring. I think the biggest differences up front are Chuck Kobasew, and Kessel’s continued improvement over last season. While Kessel doesn’t always find the score sheet, he does a lot of things better this season than he did the last. Kobasew is a guy that gives an honest effort every night and can be counted on for 20 this season. The addition of Milan Lucic up front has given them a nice crash and bang style, and when Thornton comes back from injury, those two will be reunited. On defense, the biggest difference is the reduction in Chara’s minutes. I think he is the most over rated player in the whole league, and last season he just played waaaaaay too much. He isn’t good enough to log that many minutes and it showed last year.

2. Is Claude Julien the favorite for the Jack Adams award? I’m fucking serious. Stop laughing. Think about it. Is this team much different from the team last year? Not really. Most of the key ingredients are there. Julien said he wanted them to be a tougher team to play against physically, and system wise. With the exception of the lack of response in the two games against the Philadelphia Criminals, I think they have been. Shawn Thornton, Jeremy Reich, and Milan Lucic have all shown a willingness to drop the mitts in defense of a teammate, or to send a message. Hell, even Chara has a fight this year! It’s obvious they have bought into Julien’s system as they are playing better positional hockey on both ends of the ice. It’s also obvious he holds the accountable to that system, as gone are the nightly too many men penalties, and undisciplined play that plagued them last year. As well as, Coach Julien gets an honest effort from the team every night. Even when losing, they are still in most hockey games, and you cannot say that about the club from last season. Bottom line is, he gets them into the playoffs, and I think he has to be considered a favorite for the Jack Adams trophy.

3. Am I on fucking drugs?