Bruin’s Notebook: Boston Bruin’s Stanley Cup DVD Review

I finally received my copy of the Boston Bruin’s Stanley Cup video released by NHL.Com and NHL Network. I immediately popped it in my laptop(Ok actually my wife’s) and started reliving history. It gives a little back story and then dives into their historic playoff run ending with the Stanley Cup.It certainly was nice to review all of this but it seemed to come up short as far as emotion is involved. That was what the Bruin’s thrived on but unfortunately didn’t translate very well to this video. Here’s the good and the bad.

Don’t get me wrong I love the video and it certainly had it’s good points. One was background to how this team came about. Not just starting from 2010’s crushing loss to the Flyer’s but back to the Joe Thornton trade which many believe was the low point of this franchise(I actually think it was when Ray Bourque was traded to Colorado to try for the Cup). We get a good picture of how low this team had gone before evolving into Cup winners.

What was disappointing about the video was more about what was missing or glossed over. Chara’s controversial hit on Montreal Canadien’s Max Paciorrety wasn’t even hinted at. The Bruin’s and Canadien’s rivalry is already intense even before the ensuing soap opera that followed this. This was still in the mind of the players and fans as the faced each other in the first round of the playoff’s.

Nothing is mentioned on how Coach Claude Julien’s job was in jeopardy if the Bruin’s made another disappointing exit from the playoff’s. This especially heated up when the Bruin’s lost the first two game’s at home. It started some speculating who the new coach was going to be next year.

 

I think his job is safe for quite awhile now.

Andrew Ference saluting the Canadien fans is surprisingly missing.

You also won’t find Max Paciorrety(see above) Tweeting about Brad Marchand’s nose. Montreal player’s trying out for the the Canadian diving team and Oscar nomination’s for best acting on ice. It was all part of the intensity that these two teams always bring when they play each other.

Of course when they faced the Philadelphia Flyer’s much was made about last year’s historic collapse. Aside from game two when the Flyer’s came the closest to making it a contest the series seemed to be over before it started.  The Flyer’s seemed to be shadow’s of themselves compared to last year. Veteran defenseman Chris Pronger’s injury and Philly’s revolving door in goal did them in. It was certainly sweet to see them sweep them in four. The only sour note was Bergeron’s concussion in game four.

The series against Tampa Bay was covered fairly well. Some behind the scenes stuff missing was Lightning Coach Guy Boucher playing mind games at press conferences(the facial scar was just too weird also). Another missing item was Nathan Horton giving some Tampa fans a shower from his water bottle. It was nice to see them highlight rookie Tyler Seguin’s sensational playoff debut in Bergeron’s brief absence(see above video).

One non-Bruin item that I thought worth mentioning was Tampa’s Steve Stamko’s taking a mean slap shot to the nose and then came back in the same period in game 7. His nose looked like it went through a meat grinder. It’s one of the reason’s I think hockey player’s are some of the toughest hombre’s around. If I could I’d make Stamkos an “Honorary Boston Bruin” for his guts and determination.

From Vancouver we miss Recchi and Lucic returning the fingers to the Canuck’s. Vancouver it seemed to turn into another ”Montreal” with a lot of diving and acting going on. The banter between Louongo and Thomas only get’s only briefly mentioned. We hear a bit about pumping tires but no mention of “staying in the paint”. No mention of the “Thelma and Louise” comment by commentator Mike Milbury and none about “The Sedin Sisters” on Twitter.  Even the “Green Men” were never mentioned or shown(if they were I missed it). They certainly didn’t show NHL President Gary Bettman getting booed. Although they showed clips from the parade in Boston they did miss this:

 

It may seem like I’m ranking on this video but I actually like it a lot. I saw plenty of highlights and stuff that I missed. Almost worth the price is the bonus all the Bruin’s NHL History clips are included. The video just has that rushed together feel (which it was). I’m hoping someone will do a more in depth video of the Bruin’s in 2011. It’s a very good video and worth getting but it’s just not “great”. 

Civics Notebook: Jury Duty in Providence

Just recently I was summoned to jury duty in Providence, Rhode Island. Although some people may get annoyed by this inconvenience but look at as a break from your normal routine and also a learning experience. Most of us only see the court system from television, books or movies. This was actually my second time reporting to this same location so I wasn’t a total stranger to the procedure. I thought I’d share some of my thoughts on the whole experience.

Getting There

I took advantage of the free parking and shuttle service that is provided a short distance away from the courts. It really makes sense to use this service if possible. Traffic and parking near courts is quite congested and busy. As is common in most urban areas is that parking is at a premium. On street parking is very limited and some nearby parking lots will cost you some dough. Why spend money and deal with the hassle of finding a spot?

Security

To be warned their is security checkpoints at entrances which there is a metal detector and x-ray screening(for belongings). This can be a minor hassle coming and going from the building. All belongings watches, belts, wallets, purses, backpacks and so on must go through the scanner. I’d advise to travel light and come and go from the building a limited number of times. Don’t worry about the screeners they aren’t same group as the ones strip search 95 year old women's diapers in the airports.

Lunch

I’m not much of a lunch time eater but there are small eateries in the area. The courthouse does have a small snack bar. You could bring a lunch if you like. I didn’t notice any name brand fast food or coffee shops nearby.

Take a walk

The John Brown House: Founder of Brown University

The surrounding neighborhood was actually quite interesting. The courthouse borders Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University and the historic Benefit Street. Across the street is also park which borders the Providence River where one can hang out. It’s surprising how much is packed into this small area that is all within short walking distance. This was how I spent my lunch breaks.

Jury Selection

On the second day I was one of many selected to be to go through the process of selecting a jury. Your group is selected at random and you are brought up a courtroom where you meet the judge, prosecutor, defense lawyer and defendant. Our particular case was a criminal trial which required 14 jurors(12 plus 2 alternates). The process is somewhat tedious but the judge we had was friendly and full of humor at times. From the jury pool names were picked at random. The judge, prosecution and defendant’s lawyer asked a series of questions. Some people were excused for one reason or another. Finally when they had the right number they were sworn in and the rest of us were released. To be honest I was kind of disappointed to not be selected. I thought it would have been an excellent learning experience, maybe next time.

Summary

Like I said I looked this a break from my routine. Keep in mind their is a lot of waiting. In the lounge there are different rooms with TV’s around with some snack and soda machines. There is also a library room with plenty of books to choose from with a couple of PC’s for Internet use. Try to take advantage of opportunities around this time. It can be a rewarding experience if you want it to be.

Paul McCartney - Mull Of Kintyre

History Notebook: The World at War

Part of my personal interest in modern world history can be traced to this early 1970’s British documentary about World War Two. I do remember as a kid seeing parts of this documentary on television. Courtesy of Netflix I’m able to see this documentary from start to finish. It’s a must see film of this genre. Although it’s done by the British it does a well rounded view of this event that defined the Twentieth Century. Interviewed are people involved from all sides of this conflict. For history buffs this is a must see documentary.

Bruin’s Notebook: The Hangover

It’s still hard to believe they won Lord Stanley’s Cup. All the year’s of frustration, too many men on the ice, 3 game(and goals) leads lost and perhaps too many years of watching their bottom line instead spending a bit more to get final player to put them over. The Bruin’s have finally joined the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics with the amazing championship performances in the past ten years.

Here are some thought’s of the championship run that started in April:

• Claude Julien: After losing the first two games (at home) to the Montreal Canadien’s it looked like Claude would be looking for a new job soon. He never seemed to panic and stayed the course to his first Cup win in his career. I think his job is safe in the foreseeable future.
•  Brad Marchand(AKA: “Marshmont” from 98.5 The Sports Hub): He’s been called everything from a rat to a Honey Badger(By team mate Andrew Ference). He  play’s with a tenacity and attitide I haven’t seen in a long time in a Bruin’s uniform. He’s the player you hate on the other team. He’s full of energy and isn’t afraid of anyone. He’s one of the pieces the B’s have been missing for many year’s. Here’s an example that I can’t help from laughing at:

• Tomas Kaberle: This poor guy was so over hyped as the savior of the already dismal power play. I’d have to admit at first he looked like a poor fit to the Bruin’s system and soon became a scapegoat for the joke the that became the power play during the playoff’s. I thinks people forget that other players and coaches beside Kaberle were also involved in the fiasco. Luckily the Bruin’s were able to win without it. Actually it performed better than Vancouver’s power play in the Final’s. He tied Seidenberg for Bruin’s defensemen with 11 points. I think the B’s could still use his skill and offense. Don’t let his slow start blind you.
• Tim Thomas: What else can be said about this man that hasn’t been said already. Fierce competitor but yet a very likable guy. His performance in the regular season and playoff’s were for the history books. To be honest for a long time I thought of him as a fluke or in last year of being any good. He’s got his second Vezina Trophy(and Conn Smythe Trophy) to prove me wrong. Here’s the “History” clip showing  what will go down as “The Save”:

• Patrice Bergeron: He put on one hell of a show on Game 7 against Vancouver. Perhaps the best all around pure hockey player’s the Bruin’s have. Not the flashiest nor highest scoring. He’s a face off master and play’s very well on offence and defense. Perhaps one of the most underrated player’s in the NHL. He put’s everything on the ice every game. He scores this shorthanded goal against Vancouver in game 7 by shear will power:

• Zdeno Chara: When he lifted Cup above his head it was an unbelievable sight. Gone were the doubts about his Captaincy or his legacy as a great player. When he came here he had the shadow of Shore, Orr and Bourque over him. He has fulfilled his destiny and solidified his place among Bruin’s defensemen greats.

• Tyler Seguin: Originally a healthy scratch for the first two playoff rounds he wouldn’t have got a chance except for Patrice Bergeron’s unfortunate concussion against the Flyer’s in game 4. Many wondered why he wasn’t playing with a team that struggled at time’s for offence. In just his second game against Tampa Bay he showed us why he was picked #2 in the draft with a 4 point second period. He’s going to have a bright future in the black and gold.

• Nathan Horton: With three game winning clutch goal’s in the playoff’s Bruin’s fan’s held there breathe when he was the victim of a late hit by Vancouver’s Rome. Out for the playoff’s with a concussion just how would the Bruin’s deal with losing him. “Win it for Horty” soon became the battle cry and Bruin’s finished the next two games scoring 8-1 and 4-0 respectively.  He help the Bruin’s win without being there. Here’s a touching video shown during game 6:

Thank you 2011 Boston Bruin’s for bring home the Cup!