We are now 9 games into the NHL season, and there has been a total of 1 fight. One. Uno. That’s not a lot. It was a decent scrap in yesterday afternoon’s contest between LA’s Kyle Clifford, and the Rangers Brandon Prust. I am not here to offer any analysis on why there has only been one fight, I’m just saying, there hasn’t been many.
The Flyers and Bruins sure could have used one the other night. I was certain Andy Ference and Zac Rinaldo were going to have it out at one point, to no avail. I am not sure if Rinaldo told Ference global warming is a sham, or what, but after Rinaldo finished his check on the North End’s Favorite Son he said something to him that really pissed him off. Maybe he was asking if Ference got noticed in the women’s department of Marshall’s buying that gawd awful yellow shirt he was wearing for his day with the Cup. My word, I had no idea Andy Ference was into that. Tree hugging hippie yes, but this freaky fashion is going a bit far. At any rate, I would have liked to have seen that tilt. Rinaldo can throw hands (and I suspect he’s probably taken the soon to be waived Jody Shelley’s spot) and Ference, when prompted, is good for a spirited bout.
While we’re on the topic of the Bruins and Flyers, I have to say, the banner ceremony was pretty cool the other night. I have mixed emotions on all the players skating with the cup one last time. On the one hand it was cool to see them with it on home ice. On the other, they didn’t earn the right to skate it around in front of the home fans. It was a nice touch having Recchi there, and I thought Neely killed with his speech. The home crowd took the opportunity, not all, but some, to boo owner Jeremy Jacobs. Nice work Boston, way to be classy. Like him or not, the Bruins won the Cup. Stop booing.
The banner itself is kick ass, and I am looking forward to turning my head slightly up and to the left to see it every night this year. Now with the banner up, and the page turned, it’s time to get down to business. Every team in the league is gunning for Boston right now, and they have to be ready every night, for every team’s best game. Other than the fact that it’s very hard to repeat in the NHL, I don’t see another reason why the Bruins can’t raise another banner next October. Tampa is in town tonight for a game 7 rematch.
Let’s see if the Bruins bring the game they need to bring, or if we’re talking about firing everyone, and the team having no heart tomorrow morning.