The Boston Bruins currently hold a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Semi Final series against the New York Rangers.  I refuse to call it a stranglehold, but I wouldn’t be a fan if I didn’t say how god damn impressed I am with the young (fast) defense that’s been showcased over the first two contests.  I don’t claim to know a lot, but when it comes to hockey, I know a lot.  Perhaps the physical presence of Ference, Seidenberg, and Redden has been missed, but the speed of the younger, Hamilton, Bartkowski, and Krug is something worth noting.  All of a sudden, the power play is clicking, they’re getting shots to the net, and most importantly, breaking the puck out of the defensive zone has looked as smooth as ever.  The breakout may be the most overlooked “play” in hockey, and you can take that to the bank.  If you get caught in your own zone for an extended period of time, I don’t give a shit who you’re playing, eventually they’ll put the puck in the net.  In no way, shape, or form is this downing the three veteran blueliners that have been sidelined due to injury, but the offense and speed that the youngsters are providing give the Bruins a new dimensions that our Eastern Conference foes haven’t seen in Boston for quite some time and it’s something for the fans to get excited about.

I also want to take the time and address the criticism of “bandwagon” Bruins fans.  Now, I’ve been a B’s fan since I was a young buck.  My old man took me to the Garden, and I mean, THE GARDEN to see our boys battle during a time when the home team wore white.  However, I’ll never be the guy to rag on a bandwagon fan, especially in hockey.  We need all the help we can get if we want more games televised.  It blows my mind that people don’t find hockey exciting.  You’re allowed to fight! If there is a fight in any other major sport, ESPN makes a federal case out of it.  Everyone and their brother chimes in with what needs to be done to “fix” the game.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand watching basketball.  It’s just plain awful.  People rag on hockey players for taking shifts that max out at 2 minutes in length, but when there’s a whistle every two seconds and two hours worth of commercial breaks, basketball players sure do get their time to recover.  I don’t quite want to start the engines on my NBA hate train just yet, but put the other long time Bruins fans on notice.  This is a time to unite as a fan base, throw on your black and gold, grab 30-40 beers, and cheer on your team.  In this case, it’s the Bruins, so if you’re a new fan, and you need a friend…I’m your guy.  See you in NYC for game 3.  Go B’s

-Berno