Quick Bruins/Caps Notes

• In case you haven’t heard, Backstrom’s automatic disciplinary hearing that comes with a match penalty has been moved up from tomorrow to today at 3:30 PM aka RIGHT NOW.
• Last night, Chimera DID NOT apologize to Marchand. Alzner, however, apologized to Marchand at the Bruins team bus after the game for an incident in the 2nd period that involved an unintentionally dirty hit.
• Dale Hunter thinks the Bruins are targeting Backstrom’s head, presumably because the only thing Hunter knows about hockey involves cheap shots and injuring other peoples heads on purpose.
• Claude Julien’s only comment on Backstrom’s crosscheck was the same as always (“it’s not our job, it’s up to the league, and we support them”), but he did say that while the team expects that type of play in the playoffs, he feels “disappointed, personally” that this was the THIRD TIME in THREE GAMES that a Cap has cross-checked a Bruin in the face. and he’s right.
• Chris Kelly is on NHL Live today doing an interview.
• He also had a great quote yesterday in response to Alzner’s “crybaby” gesture at Lucic; he said that he is pretty sure Lucic has never cried in his life, even as a baby
• Paille got the team link chain last night
• A bird shit on Tyler Seguin and his phone at lunch today

Talented Hair, Lies about Clinching, RIP Rolston's Scoring Streak

Congrats to Horton & family on their new baby boy.

Earlier tonight, Emma inquired about the Bruins record in the games immediately after Cuts for a Cause. Since I like to pretend I'm useful, I looked it up. Aaron Ward administered the first Cuts for a Cause in 2008 and did so again in 2009, but since he was traded, Shawn Thornton took over and has run the event each of the past 3 years. The Bruins record in the next game after the event takes place each year? 2-1-2.

• 2008: 3-2 Overtime loss to New Jersey (this is the only game listed here that was away, not home)
• 2009: 2-1 Win over Ottawa
• 2010: 1-0 Loss to Florida
• 2011: 3-1 Win over Ottawa
• 2012: 3-2 Shootout loss to Washington

Progression of Suspensions Thus Far this Season

Using the data compiled here that lists the suspensions handed out this season, I have created some graphs and written some extensive thoughts.

The Bruins are Proof that the Problems in the New NHL Aren't Actually Universal Despite What Brian Burke Believes

Apparently hockey is going through a horrible change that is deeply distressing...


Essentially Burke is upset because he had to send Colton Orr to the AHL (thank heavens he cleared waivers!) and he had to send Orr to the AHL because, as an enforcer, there is no longer a spot on the roster available for a player who isn't necessarily the best skater (in other words, is nothing but a fighter) in the new and evolving NHL in which Brendan Shanahan suspensions are strict and frequent. He feels that because of Shanahan's excessive "policing", the physical aspect of the game is being forcefully removed and accountability on players who take cheap shots is placed solely on the shoulders of league disciplinarians (Shanahan) rather than players on the ice. In the past, for example, if a player like Downie takes a run at Phaneuf (who can protect himself, by the way), Orr comes out and makes Downie pay for it. Throwing a cheap shot directly leads to physically paying for it on the ice in that game, rather than perhaps a penalty and waiting to see if you do or don't get suspended by Shanahan. If Downie throws a questionable hit on Phaneuf, nobody on the Leafs can respond to it, because apparently the fact that Shanahan will look over the hit means nobody can respond to it on the ice.

Did Shanahan Make the Right Call Suspending Lucic for 1 Game?

I have to say I was surprised when I heard that Lucic got suspended. I didn't think much of the hit when it happened because I, as usual, tend to just agree with what the NESN analysists say, and they all seemed to agree that the hit was borderline, but not suspension-worthy. If this was any other player, the hit probably wouldn't be suspension-worthy either. As Shanahan says in the video, Lucic's frequent penalties, past suspension (2009) and fines (last year), and overall style of play that has built up quite a reputation among the league played a big factor in determining whether or not to suspend Lucic. The fact that he narrowly escaped suspension just a few weeks ago for the hit on Miller probably played a pretty big role, too.

Illegal Hits and Head Injuries: Pushing for Suspension through Severity of Injury

I wrote this a few weeks ago, and given the discussion that just took place about McQuaid's dirty hit on Foligno and Foligno's immediate return to the bench inspired me to post this (although it was not written or read very thoroughly). Before I get to that, I want to express my thoughts on McQuaid's hit. It was dirty, but I don't believe there was malicious intent at all. I agree with what Bill Jaffe said with that it's reactionary, but it's a bad reaction so the punishment is correct. If McQuaid is suspended, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm glad Foligno is okay, and I think that what Jack Edwards said about why Foligno appeared extremely hurt but was fine a few minutes later is a compelling enough argument. I believe that Folgino wasn't truly trying to overreact to maximize the punishment, although, as I get into below, there is always that subconscious drive in all our actions. The original essay is under the read more below.

Negative Perceptions of the "Big Bad Bruins" in Today's Game

The Bruins have always been a physical team - it is at the very core of the Bruins organization that blue-collar work ethic and tough, physical attitude were the strength of the team and all the successful Bruins teams in the past have lived up to those traits. Over the past season and into this season, I have heard fans and critics in some cases accusing the Bruins of taking their physicality to another level and using intimidating and bullying tactics in a way that is negative to the game and dangerous to opponents. I simply don't think that is true at all.