Saturday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Just finished shovelling out of 16" of snow that got dumped on us...

BOSTON BRUINS vs. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Saturday, February 8, 2003
FleetCenter; Boston MA
3:00 PM (ET) - Gametime
ABC

Tonight?s Game
The Bruins host the Penguins tonight in the fourth and final game between these clubs this season and the second and last game of this season's series at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 27-19-5-2 overall and are 17-8-3-1 on home ice thus far this season. The Penguins are 21-24-4-5 overall with a 9-13-3-3 record on the road thus far this season. The Bruins are 6-3-1-0 vs. Atlantic Division opponents this season and they are 19-15-4-0 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Penguins are 7-5-2-2 this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and they are 18-18-3-4 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 86-46-21-0 lifetime vs. the Penguins with a 612-478 scoring advantage in those 153 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 54-15-6-0 lifetime vs. Pittsburgh with a 333-211 scoring edge in those 75 contests. The Bruins are 2-1-0-0 vs. Pittsburgh in this season's series with each team winning road games thus far. The Bruins took a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh on Nov. 30 and a 4-1 victory in Pittsburgh on Jan. 23. The Penguins won a 2-1 decision in Boston on Jan. 13.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have taken points out of seven of their last eight games at 5-1-1-1 with a 7-2 win over Columbus on Jan. 18, a 3-3 tie with Washington on Jan. 20, a 4-1 victory in Pittsburgh on Jan. 23, a 1-0 overtime win over Philadelphia on Jan. 25, a 2-1 victory vs. Nashville on Jan. 28, a 3-1 loss to Chicago on Jan. 30, a 3-2 overtime loss to Colorado on Feb. 4 and a 6-3 win over Montreal on Feb. 6. They are 6-4-1-1 in their last 12 games, are 6-9-1-1 in their last 17 games and are 8-10-2-1 in their last 21 contests.

Recent Penguins Games
The Penguins have lost their last four games with a 5-2 loss at NY Islanders on Jan. 28, a 2-1 loss in Washington on Jan. 30, a 3-2 loss to Vancouver on Feb. 4 and a 6-0 loss to Florida on Feb. 6. Their last win was a 5-3 victory vs. Chicago on Jan. 25. They are 1-6-1-0 in their last eight games and are 6-10-1-1 in their last 18 contests.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins next face a seven-game road trip, playing in Montreal (Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.), Florida (Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.), Tampa Bay (Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.), Nashville (Feb. 17, 8:00 p.m.), Carolina (Feb. 19, 7:00 p.m.), New Jersey (Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.) and NY Islanders (Feb. 23, 1:00 p.m.). All of the games will be broadcast on NESN and WBZ Radio.

Upcoming Penguins Games
The Penguins return home to host Ottawa on Feb. 12 and then face road games at NY Rangers on Feb. 14 and in New Jersey on Feb. 15.

Bruins Injuries
Richard Brennan: Right ankle bruise suffered Jan. 28 vs. Nashville; out indefinitely.
Sean O'Donnell: Right ankle sprain suffered Feb. 4 vs. Colorado; out indefinitely.
Sergei Samsonov: Dec. 24 right wrist surgery; out indefinitely.
Rob Zamuner: Right foot fracture suffered Jan. 7 in Toronto; out indefinitely.

Bruins Recent Transactions
Jan. 20: Kris Vernarsky recalled from Providence/AHL.
Jan. 23: Jeff Hackett and Jeff Jillson acquired from San Jose for Kyle McLaren and 2004 fourth round draft pick.
Jan. 24: Andrew Raycroft returned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 24: Jeff Jillson assigned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 25: Lee Goren returned to Providence/AHL.
Jan. 30: Kris Vernarsky and Martin Samuelsson returned to Providence/AHL.
Feb. 5: Kris Vernarsky and Shaone Morrisonn recalled from Providence/AHL.

 

[the mugs]

Pittsburgh Injuries
Johan Hedberg G Shoulder Prob Sat
Janne Laukkanen D Hip Out indefinitely
Kris Beech C Appendectomy I-R
Aleksey Morozov LW Wrist Out indefinitely
Josef Melichar D Forearm Out indefinitely

Boston Injuries
Sean O'Donnell D Knee Mid Mar
Rich Brennan D Ankle Late Feb
Rob Zamuner LW Foot Out indefinitely
Sergei Samsonov F Wrist Mid Mar

 

[the mugs]

Trends...

Trends...

Recent Trends
PIT has lost its last four overall ATS.
The under is 8-3-1 in PIT last 12 overall.
PIT is 3-11 ATS on the road after a loss.
BOS is 4-2 ATS in its last six overall.
BOS is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
BOS is 17-9 ATS overall after a win.

 

[the mugs]

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
1/23/2003 Pit. 1 Bos. 4 0.5,-115/5 Bos./P (02-03)
1/13/2003 Bos. 1 Pit. 2 -0.5,-170/5 Pit./U
11/30/2002 Pit. 2 Bos. 3 0.5,-140/6 Bos./U

4/13/2002 Bos. 7 Pit. 1 -1.5,-110/5.5 Bos./O (01-02)
1/8/2002 Pit. 2 Bos. 3 0,130/5.5 Bos./U
12/12/2001 Pit. 2 Bos. 4 0,-110/5 Bos./O
12/6/2001 Bos. 1 Pit. 4 0,-220/5 Pit./P

3/20/2001 Pit. 2 Bos. 2 0,-200/7 P/U (00-01)
1/9/2001 Bos. 5 Pit. 2 0,130/6 Bos./O
12/6/2000 Pit. 2 Bos. 3 0,-220/5.5 Bos./U

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 2/7/03

Boston Globe 2/7/03

Rolston's passing fancy

He sparks offense with three assists

Brian Rolston was in a giving mood last night, and that's always a good thing for the Bruins. Boston's speedy center set up his club's first three goals as the Bruins slapped a 6-3 loss on archrival Montreal at the FleetCenter.

With his three assists, which give him 16 for the season, Rolston is just three helpers shy of 200 for his eight-year career. He also has four goals in his last eight games.

Rolston, the Bruins' jack-of-all-trades, played 26 shifts last night and continues to be a key component in all areas -- especially special teams -- for the Black and Gold. Rolston was especially pleased to have P.J. Axelsson and Martin Lapointe, both recently recovered from injuries, riding his wings. ''It's nice to have everyone back,'' said Rolston, who is looking forward to Saturday's home date with the Penguins before the team embarks on a seven-game road swing. ''We want to continue building on things we've been doing well and we want to have our confidence continue to build.''

According to Rolston, the Bruins, who are 4-1-1-1 in their last six, were on their game from the opening faceoff last night and fed off the FleetCenter crowd. ''We came in feeling our confidence is building and that's the attitude we had coming into the game,'' Rolston said. ''Obviously, it was a big game, with the points coming so close as they were, so you know it was a big game for us.''

Rolston was especially happy for Lapointe, his oft-injured right wing who scored his first goal since Oct. 14, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead late in the first period. Boston's first goal was scored by Axelsson.''It's been tough to get going for Martin,'' Rolston said. ''He plays so hard, and he showed that again tonight, so it was nice to see him flying out there. He's trying to build his confidence back up, and scoring will help that. ''I feel happy for him. He's such a hard worker and it seems nothing comes easy for him.''

Rolston said the Bruins' main goal is to get back to the level of play that was the hallmark of the first two months of the season. ''After we went 19-4, we went on a slide again, but now it looks as though we're getting the bounces [and] we want [that] to continue,'' Rolston said. ''We feel we are that 19-4 team again, with the way we're playing [lately], especially in how we've been playing [in front of new goalie] Jeff Hackett.''

 

[the mugs]

Globe 2/8

Globe 2/8

Lemieux comes in swinging

Penguin star's conduct was unbecoming in loss

Mario Lemieux, here in the Hub of Hockey for a 3 o'clock matinee against the Bruins today, lit it up big Thursday night for the Penguins.

For the record, Mario Magnifique finished with a gaudy, over-the-top, 29 against the Panthers.

Also for the record: Those were penalty minutes, not points.

Lemieux, his Penguins dropping like a rock in the Eastern Conference standings and well along the way to a 6-0 loss to Florida, dropped his gloves with 5:12 to go for a joust with blue liner Brad Ference. When the dust settled, Lemieux had cobbled together the 29 PIMs with a slash (2), an instigating minor (2), a fight (5), a 10-minute misconduct, and a game misconduct (10).

''The way [Ference] plays, he's got to expect that,'' said Lemieux, who hadn't been tossed for fighting in a regular-season game since a March 20, 1987, dustup with Washington's Bob Gould, who went on to finish his NHL career with the Bruins. ''He takes a lot of cheap shots out there.''

And we thought it was Joe Thornton who had to get his emotions under control.

=====

Scoring race tightens

Lemieux, held to 0-0--0 elsewhere on the game summary Thursday night, woke up today looking up in the league's scoring race. Sidelined recently by injury, the 37-year-old Lemieux (20 goals, 49 assists for 69 points) watched his once-comfortable lead fade, and he was passed last night by Vancouver's Markus Naslund, who had a goal and assist for his 69th and 70th points in a win over the Sabres.

Thornton remains third with 66, but tied for fourth wwith 62 are Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi and Washington's Jaromir Jagr, Lemieux's old linemate in Pittsburgh.

=====

Now the Penguins' owner after buying the team out of bankruptcy in 1999, a bigger concern for Lemieux these days is what to do with Alexei Kovalev. The star winger wouldn't sign a five-year, $30 million extension last summer and is certain to be traded now with the March 11 trade deadline fast approaching. The Penguins would like to keep Kovalev (60 points) in the lineup to help tie up a postseason berth, but their recent 1-6-1 struggles could mean he is out of town sooner rather than later.

=====

Back on scoresheet

Martin Lapointe's goal in Thursday's win over Montreal was his first strike in 115 days, dating to Oct. 14 . . .

Considering the size of the Pittsburgh forwards, and their recent struggles scoring (five goals over a stretch of four straight losses), Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek today could be tempted to dress Sean Brown as a seventh defenseman. Brown, who switched to forward earlier this season, recently has been working out again along the blue line . . .

The Brian Rolston-P.J. Axelsson-Lapointe line Thursday night skated with the most energy of a Boston line this season. The trio stole the focus of the game to the extent that they almost masked the fact that Thornton and Glen Murray were in uniform . . .

Newcomer Kris Vernarsky, who scored his first NHL goal vs. the Habs, showed the kind of net sense that could make him at least a temporary candidate to work at left wing with Thornton and Murray. He provides a much better look there than, say, uh, Krzysztof Oliwa . . .

Word from Las Vegas is that bookmakers are considering posting a money line on whether the Bruins will or won't be tagged with a high-sticking minor in the first minute of each game the rest of the season . . .

The Bruins have five more FleetStreet Saturday matinees scheduled -- nearly half of their 11 remaining home games after today . . .

Following today's action, the Bruins are off before taking on the Habs in Montreal Tuesday . . .

The Bruins aren't on home ice again until the Stars visit Feb. 25 . . .

Andrew Raycroft stopped 36 shots as the Providence Bruins extended their franchise-best home unbeaten streak to 15 games with a 4-1 win over the Saint John Flames.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 2/8/03

Boston Herald 2/8/03

This sucks but it's a sad sign of the times...

Fleet: Get there early

The FleetCenter is encouraging ticket-holders to arrive one hour before the start times of all upcoming events to accommodate additional security procedures.

Those events include today's Bruins game against Pittsburgh at 3 p.m., and Monday's Beanpot consolation (5 p.m.) and championship (8) games.

Guests are also reminded that bags, backpacks, luggage, coolers, parcels, briefcases and similar articles are prohibited. All guests will be subject to search, at the FleetCenter's discretion, of their person and possessions (including women's handbags of normal size that may be allowed entry after such search).

Patrons with prohibited articles will be turned away at the entrances and no storage will be provided for such items.

The enhanced security measures come in response to the increase in the alert level of the Homeland Security Advisory System announced yesterday by the Bush administration.

 

[the mugs]

Herald 2/8

Herald 2/8

Lemieux a hot topic

Bruins players see Mario Lemieux's use of his hands for fighting instead of scoring Thursday night either as a damning statement about the National Hockey League or a job well done by the player who frustrated the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner enough to get him off his game.

Lemieux, the NHL's leading scorer (20 goals, 49 assists, 69 points) at the age of 37, will take his act to the FleetCenter this afternoon for a nationally televised game against the Bruins. The contest comes just two days after Lemieux was ejected for instigating a fight with Florida Panthers defenseman Brad Ference late in the Penguins' 6-0 loss.

``Obviously when you see Mario snap like that you know something must have gone wrong,'' said Bruins center Joe Thornton, a young star who experiences nightly doses of the same clutching, grabbing and holding as Lemieux. ``He must have taken exception to holding or grabbing. It's too bad that he has to do that kind of stuff. I'm sure he'll settle down now though.''

Feisty forward P.J. Stock disagrees with the concept that some players in the league should be untouchable.

``He's fair game. I think it's guys like that I actually try to do more to. You have to play him like anybody else in the league,'' said Stock, who leads the Bruins in penalty minutes with 122 in 45 games. ``I want to be on a winning team and I think to win you've got to get those guys off their game. He's in the other team's uniform so I don't care who he is.

``Unfortunately some players in the league have the mentality that they're off-limits,'' Stock added. ``If you want to win you've got to do what you have to do. If you have to get a guy off his game by hitting him that's what you have to do. Ference did his job to a tee, perfectly. He played him physically. If (Lemieux) cross-checks you, most guys back away. Ference stood up to him. That showed a lot. It's tough for a young kid to do that to a guy like Mario. I think he's going to get a lot of respect for it.''

Stock said Thornton faces far worse violations than Lemieux. He noted that Thornton, who trails Lemieux by three points for the league's scoring lead, is a much more physical player than Lemieux and consistently mixes it up with the opposition.

Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek thinks referees will return to calling more of the penalties that apparently touched off Lemieux, who had just eight penalty minutes in 42 games before drawing 29 Thursday. It was the first time he's been ejected from a game since April 24, 1996.

``I didn't see all of what was going on but it's not real surprising because things have loosened up a little bit and players are taking liberties. It's got to be taken care of,'' said Ftorek, who was asked if he saw a comparison between what happened to Lemieux and the tactics endured by Thornton.

``Only that he's been dealing with it a heck of a lot longer than Joey has. It's the same stuff. Things have to be addressed and I'm sure that they will be.''

Thornton's linemate, Glen Murray, was in a Pittsburgh uniform that April night in 1996.

``(I've just seen him do that) one other time, in the playoffs,'' said Murray, who played with Lemieux in Pittsburgh from 1995-97. ``I think he was frustrated. He's been out for a while and this was his second game back and they were losing, 6-0. I guess he'd had enough of whatever happened.''

The Bruins will finish a six-game homestand this afternoon. A win would give them a mark of 4-1-0-1 before heading out on a seven-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Montreal.

 

[ddubs]

Mugs, I have no recollection of the Gretz/Kurri incident. Boy, would I love to see that, though.

About Lemieux being untouchable, it should be an unwritten rule amongs the Pens enforcers. You hit Mario, you gotta deal with ME. I remember whenever Gretz was hit remotely hard by someone, that player for sure will be charged at by the goons at some point, if not seconds after. Damn, I miss watching him play.

Good luck today, mugs

 

[the mugs]

ddubs...I think it was Dave Semenko in the early Edmonton days followed by Marty McSorley keeping an eye out for the Gretz