tuesday's bruins...

[the mugs]

i lined up the articles, took some pain medication ...now it's a race to get them all here before i become a one armed stoned mugs

b's kicking ass lately - my guess is that they will remember the whooping they took to the whaler-canes at home after the olympic break

here we go...

BOSTON BRUINS at
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Tuesday, March 26, 2002
Entertainment & Sports Arena; Raleigh, North Carolina
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Bruins Digest
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins visit the Hurricanes tonight in the third of four games between these teams this season and the second of two games of the season at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. The Bruins are 40-21-5-7 overall this season with an 18-12-4-3 record on the road. The Hurricanes are 30-23-14-5 overall this season with a 13-11-10-2 record on home ice. The Bruins are 13-2-0-2 vs. Southeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 29-15-2-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Hurricanes are 5-7-4-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 20-15-10-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 78-52-14-0 lifetime vs. the Carolina franchise (includes Hartford) with a 517-438 scoring edge in those 144 games. On the road, the Bruins are 33-31-7-0 lifetime vs. the Hurricanes franchise with a 249-242 scoring advantage in those 71 contests. The Bruins and Hurricanes have split this season's series thus far with Boston winning a 6-3 decision in Carolina on Jan. 2 and the Hurricanes taking the rematch by a 6-2 score in Boston on Feb. 28.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last five games and eight of their last nine contests with a 3-0 win at Atlanta on Mar. 8, a 3-2 victory over Calgary on Mar. 9, a 3-1 win at NY Rangers on Mar. 13, a 2-1 loss to Toronto on Mar. 14, a 2-1 victory over Detroit on Mar. 16, a 4-2 win over Phoenix on Mar. 19, a 2-1 victory in Buffalo on Mar. 21, 3-1 win in Florida on Mar. 23 and 4-3 overtime win in Tampa Bay on Mar. 24. They are now 8-5-1-0 in their last 14 games and are 14-6-2-0 in their last 22 contests overall.

The Bruins have matched their season-long win streak at five games which they first set from Dec. 20-29. They last won six straight games from Oct. 23-Nov. 6, 1999. They had a six-game unbeaten streak earlier this season with a 5-0-1 record from Jan. 26-Feb. 9. The Bruins have also won their last five road games, their longest such streak since a six-game road win streak from Oct. 13-Nov. 2, 1997.

The Bruins are 3-1-0-0 in their last four home games and are 9-4-1-1 in their last 15 home contests. They have won their last five road games, are 8-3-1-0 in their last 12 road games and are 13-6-1-2 in their last 22 road contests.

Recent Hurricanes Games
The Hurricanes are unbeaten in their last three games at 2-0-1-0 with a 1-1 tie with Montreal on Mar. 18, 3-2 win over Florida on Mar. 21 and 4-2 win in New Jersey on Mar. 23. They have lost just once in their last nine games at 5-1-3-0, a 3-2 setback in Montreal on Mar. 16. The Hurricanes are 7-6-9-0 in their last 22 games.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins next return to the home to Carolina on Mar. 30 (1:00 p.m.; UPN38 & WBZ Radio). They will then face the Flyers in Philadelphia on Apr. 2 (8:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Hurricanes Games
The Hurricanes will host Philadelphia on Mar. 28 and will then face the Bruins in Boston on Mar. 30.

Bruins Injuries
Jarno Kultanen: Knee injury; out indefinitely.
Joe Thornton: Shoulder injury; out indefinitely.
Total Man-Games Lost: 159

Bruins March Transactions
Mar. 1: Joe Thornton suspended by NHL for three games.
Mar. 5: Marty McInnis acquired from Anaheim for 2002 third round draft pick.
Mar. 5: Andy Hilbert returned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 16: Chris Kelleher recalled from Providence/AHL and returned to Providence/AHL after the game.
Mar. 19: Sean Brown acquired from Edmonton for Bobby Allen.
Mar. 19: Jeff Norton acquired from Florida for 2002 sixth round draft pick.
Mar. 19: Darryl Laplante acquired from Minnesota for Greg Crozier and assigned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 19: Benoit Hogue claimed on waivers by Washington.
Mar. 19: Gord Murphy assigned to Providence/AHL (did not report).

Hurricanes Injuries
Tommy Westlund: Back injury; out indefinitely.
Craig Adams RW Suspension Day to Day

 

[the mugs]

this year's games & trends

this year's games & trends

Recent Trends
BOS is 8-1 ATS & SU in their last nine overall.
Under is 4-1 in the Bruins last five on the road.
BOS allowed an avg. of 1.6 goals in their last five.
The last four meetings have played over.
CAR is 6-1-3 ATS in their last 10 overall.
CAR is 3-1 ATS & SU in the last four meetings.

this year the teams have split 2 games - each winning in the others building

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/28/2002 Bos. 2 Car. 6 0,-220/5.5 Car./O
1/2/2002 Car. 3 Bos. 6 0,-130/5.5 Bos./O

 

[the mugs]

BRUINS NOTEBOOK

Time off failed to break them

rALEIGH, N.C. - No team likes losing streaks, but in looking back at their five-game skid coming out of the Olympic break, in which they tied one and lost four in a row, the Bruins now say it might have been a blessing in disguise.

Since then, Boston has gone on a tear, winning five in a row and eight out of nine, and the club sits atop the Eastern Conference.

Tonight, the Bruins face the Carolina Hurricanes, who handed them their first loss of that bad stretch.

''You never want to have a bad streak, but I think it was good for us,'' said goalie Byron Dafoe, who tied a career-high with 32 victories set in 1998-99 as a result of the Bruins' overtime triumph in Tampa Sunday.

''It reminded us what we have to keep doing,'' he said. ''We can't just show up and expect to win, because it's not going to happen. We have a lot of talent but we definitely have to stay with the basics and work hard. Coming back from the break, we didn't recapture what we were doing before it, and that's when we went on a skid. The last 10 games, we've been just playing amazing hockey. It's a great time of year to be doing this.''

When the Bruins resumed practice after the Olympics, it took them a while to get back into synch. Their penalty killing, which had been among the league's best for much of the season, fell off significantly and their power play was struggling as well. Then there was the fatigue and emotional hangover that affected those players who had gone to Salt Lake.

''I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little letdown coming back,'' said Brian Rolston, who represented Team USA. ''It's like playing in the Stanley Cup finals and coming back to, I wouldn't say it's like a preseason game, but it just didn't have the same [feel]. And getting used to the smaller rink again was [an adjustment]. This last stretch, I want to try to get as much rest as I can. I think we're playing great as a team. I feel a little bit tired, but it's good to get rest down the stretch.''

Rolston said it wasn't as if the Bruins were mailing in efforts, they just didn't have the same focus they had before the forced recess, which they entered on a 6-1-1 run.

''There's no question about it, after that break we were definitely rusty,'' said Rolston. ''To lose four in a row like that, that hasn't happened all year. It was a wakeup call. You see if you don't go out there and give it your best effort, you're going to lose hockey games.''

Coach Robbie Ftorek said he's all for hindsight and the positive spins it can generate, but during the Bruins' roughest spot of the year it wasn't easy to take.

''Looking back on it, I guess you can say [it proved to be beneficial] if you want to, but at the time, no one was happy about it,'' said Ftorek. ''We just got away from some of the little things we needed to do to be successful. Some of the teams we did play against, their players didn't go to the Olympics and they were able to work on their power play. We got beat on the penalty kill because other teams had been working on [the man advantage]. I think that had a little bit to do with it. We're glad it's past us and now we're moving on.''

Rest for weary

Ftorek gave three players the day off - left wing Sergei Samsonov, right wing Bill Guerin, and Rolston. The coach said tomorrow will be a day off for the entire team at home. ''[Yesterday] would've been a perfect day to have off but [tomorrow] they can be with their families,'' he said. ''Here, what were they going to do all day? It was light, but it killed a few hours.'' ... Left wing P.J. Axelsson took a little ribbing for his heroics Sunday night. Axelsson, who was out on the ice in overtime for only the second time all year, set up Guerin's winning goal. When asked if he was the new secret weapon, the good-natured forward laughed. ''Yeah, that's me,'' he said, ''a secret weapon.'' Rolston said Axelsson doesn't get as much credit as he deserves. ''Maybe he doesn't score as much as everybody else,'' said Rolston. ''But he always makes great plays. I really enjoy playing with him. He's so smart with the puck. I think it's one of the reasons I've had as good a year as I've had, playing with him.'' ...

 

[the mugs]

Fans not sold on Black 'n' Gold

Following the Bruins' 4-2 win over the red-hot Phoenix Coyotes last week, Coyotes assistant coach Rick Bowness stood in the hallway outside the visiting team's locker room at the FleetCenter and shook his head in awe over the team he had just seen on the ice.

``They're so big, and they're fast and they're strong,'' Bowness said. ``I'll tell you what. They're going to be tough to beat.''

Bowness wasn't prodded to brag about the team he coached a decade ago. He wasn't solicited for a compliment. He just volunteered a mouthful of lofty praise.

For much of the season, the Bruins have made that kind of impression and impact on opponents and outsiders. They just smack teams over the head with how good they are, especially compared with Black 'n' Gold teams of the recent past. And as we've witnessed during their current stretch of games, they're so good, they can stink out the joint for a couple of periods, play without a dominating Joe Thornton up front, and still post wins.

As for the fandom at home, it almost seems like they don't believe what they're seeing or don't want to get lured back into the fold only to be disappointed. They don't want to fall into the trap of embracing this team, then watch the whole winning dynamic change if star players Byron Dafoe and Bill Guerin aren't re-signed and depart in the offseason as unrestricted free agents.

Without question, the Bruins are continuing to fight an uphill public relations battle. There's nothing worse than having fans who don't trust an organization or always fear the owner will never sufficiently step up to the plate.

Ultimately, however, if the B's go on a big-time playoff run next month, the fans will be there. It's one thing to turn your back on a winning team during the season and another to do it in the postseason. Already, the Bruins have started to see greater signs of fan renewal in recent weeks, as the FleetCenter has filled up more consistently for home games of late.

Why not enjoy the ride while it lasts, because right now, there's no reason - with the exception of Thornton's bum shoulder - to think the Black 'n' Gold won't make some noise, especially in the Eastern Conference?

The way Dafoe is playing in net, anything is possible. If he remains on course and continues to make up for the fact the B's have this annoying habit of surrendering the puck in their zone, they'll go a long way.

General manager Mike O'Connell may not have assembled a team as loaded across the board as Detroit or even Philadelphia, when the Flyers are healthy, but with Dafoe making up the difference, don't be surprised if the Bruins at least get to the conference finals.

``The one weapon you need to have during the playoffs is a hot goaltender,'' Coyotes color man and former Bruin Charlie Simmer said when reached by phone yesterday. ``I don't care what kind of team you have, you won't go far without goaltending and with Dafoe playing like he is, they're going to be a hard team to beat.''

Simmer has only seen the B's twice this season in person, but like Bowness, left the FleetCenter last week favorably impressed with the Black 'n' Gold product.

``They're definitely a very deep club,'' Simmer said. ``They probably have two of the best top lines in the league. Obviously, they're well-coached and are playing with a high level of confidence.''

Needless to say, from the outside at least, the Bruins are scaring some people with their overall package. Who can remember the last time that happened in March?

Naturally, there remains some skepticism at home, but if the current trend continues and the Bruins keep winning past April, they'll catch on - baggage and all.

 

[the mugs]

not so sure if you need this one...

not so sure if you need this one...

Punching in as a cult hero

Sweet-scientist Stock a big hit with Bruins teammates, fans

when he was small, he would tumble out of bed, throw on the nearest T-shirt and jeans, grab his brother and his Tonka truck, and bulldoze the neighborhood. P.J. Stock would pound that truck up and down the streets of suburban Montreal, trampling bushes, rocks, sticks, anything in its path.

''He was constantly falling, covered in black and blues,'' confirmed his mother, Cathy. ''I used to think, `My God, the neighbors are going to think we do something to this kid.'

''But that was just P.J. He went after everything 100 percent hard, no matter what it was.''

He was a wrestler, a soccer star, a rugby player, a hockey rat.

But a fighter? Rarely.

''He was too good-natured for that,'' Cathy Stock said. ''He was a rough-and-tumble kid, for sure, but everyone loved him. Really, I'm not just saying it because he's my boy: P.J. is sweet.''

Ask Washington Capitals wing Stephen Peat how sweet the Bruins wing was when the scrappy forward, 3 inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter, peppered Peat with a series of roundhouse rights. Or Chicago enforcer Ryan Vandenbussche, who engaged in a memorable bout with Stock that teammate Martin Lapointe lists as his most impressive fisticuffs of the season. Buffalo enforcer Rob Ray found Stock so charming he leveled him with a punch that left Stock with, in his own words, ''a broken face.''

''Let's face it,'' Stock said, flashing that sugary smile that any mother would love, ''they don't send me out there to score goals.''

Bruins fans don't care if Stock ever pots one. He has reached cult status ever since he pulled on his black-and-gold jersey in September, and dropped his gloves for the cause on a nightly basis. The Bruins faithful became so enamored with him, they bought black market P.J. Stock T-shirts with the words ''Ass Kicker'' emblazoned on the back.

Yet Stock has been reduced to the role of a pacifist since early February, when he suffered the severe facial injury in the fight with Ray. He was forced to wear a protective visor over his cheekbone, and avoid the one thing he craves most: contact.

''It's been hard for me,'' Stock said. ''Especially since the other team knows I can't go at them, and they can say whatever they want.''

Two days ago, Stock finally was authorized to chuck his protective flap, which resembled a thick, exaggerated sideburn, and is ready to resume his role as Boston's premier aggressor as the Bruins jockey for postseason positioning.

''I can't wait to get back to the way I was playing before,'' Stock said. ''My whole thing is to try and get my team going, and the fans going. Maybe the game isn't being played physically enough, so I'm going out there to set the tone.''

Gets team going

His willingness to take on all comers, regardless of status or size, has endeared him to this blood-and-guts hockey town. When he skates toward the penalty box and salutes the home crowd with his signature wave, the FleetCenter erupts, and the Bruins' bench taps into that energy.

''P.J. is not a big guy,'' said teammate Hal Gill, ''so it's inspirational when you see him go up against these guys who have 3 inches and 30 pounds on him. It really does get us going.''

The evolution of Stock, a mere 5 feet 9 inches, 190 pounds, as a pugilist is amusing to childhood friend Scott Thornton, who remembers his pal as a tough, free-wheeling, non-stop dervish with minimal interest in using his fists.

''Once we were playing street hockey, and he slashed me,'' Thornton recalled. ''I got mad, so I slashed him back. We dropped our gloves, and I punched him in the face. I gave him a black eye.

''I was ready, waiting for him to hit me back. But he never did. He just looked at me kind of funny, and turned and went home.''

Stock wasn't afraid; he just wasn't interested in popping his best friend. Even then, he knew when to fight, and when not to.

But by the time he reached juniors, and languished behind his peers in skating and scoring ability, Stock realized the only way he'd get to the majors was to live off bone-crunching hits and a flurry of punches.

''I had this big, tough teammate in juniors named Matthew Raby,'' Stock said. ''We'd get out there together, and started hitting. Whenever anyone challenged us, Matthew took care of it.

''Well, one day Matthew got traded. The next time I went out there and hit guys, I started looking around for Matthew, and realized I was on my own.''

He broke into the NHL with the Rangers in 1997, scoring just 2 goals and accruing 131 penalty minutes over the next three seasons. He was shuffled back and forth between Hartford and Madison Square Garden, changing teammates and lines from one night to the next.

His first NHL fight came just days after the Rangers called him up from Hartford. He still was memorizing the names of his teammates when he came face-to-face with then-Islanders defenseman Rich Pilon.

''He slashed me, so I slashed him,'' Stock said. ''I didn't know anyone on my team. I didn't know if it was the right thing to be doing. He was wearing a visor, so he took off his helmet. So I took off my helmet.

''We stood there staring at each other. He had real long hair and a goatee. He was scary looking. I was pretty intimidated.

''He threw the first punch. I came out of it OK. At least I could still speak when it was over.''


He's found a home


Boston is his fourth stop on his spotty NHL tour, yet, Stock believes, he's finally found a home, on the strength of his physical presence. There was the Dec. 8 game when he took on Buffalo bad boy Eric Boulton, 2 inches and 32 pounds bigger, and rat-a-tatted him upside the head for trying to goad teammate Bill Guerin into a confrontation. The Bruins, buoyed by his heroics, went on to win, 4-2.

Then there was the Jan. 26 game against Florida, when Stock challenged both Brad Ference and Peter Worrell. As Stock taunted Ference, and jousted with Worrell, who outsized him by 7 inches and 45 pounds, Mike Knuble waltzed in unattended to push Boston in front, 2-1, in a game it would eventually win, 4-2.

One of Stock's personal favorites was the Jan. 21 game against St. Louis, when he traded punches with forward Reed Low, 5 inches and 32 pounds bigger, with the score tied, 2-2. Within minutes after the brawl, with Stock's teammates whooping encouragement, Benoit Hogue scored the go-ahead goal.

Coincidence? Hardly.

''Whenever he fights, there's always a purpose,'' said Lapointe. ''If we're ahead, 2-0, you won't see him out there swinging.

''I don't think people realize how tough it is to do his job - and I don't mean physically. I mean mentally. Whenever coach taps you on the back, down, 2-1, you know what he wants.''

Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek has appreciated Stock's role, which is why he took the necessary precautions to protect his enforcer following his facial injury. That meant scratching Stock from the lineup March 14 against Toronto. You need look no further than notorious NHL goon Tie Domi to understand why.

''Yep, that was it,'' said Ftorek. ''The doctors told us P.J. could play, but he couldn't fight. Well, he can't play and not fight. It's not in his makeup.''

Stock's diminished ice time afforded him one benefit: He and backup goalie John Grahame could peruse the crowd for his T-shirts. The first time Stock noticed them, there were only 10 or so. Within days, that number had quadrupled. Glen Murray's wife snapped up a bundle, and distributed some to Stock and his mother, who only will wear hers in the privacy of her home.

''Now I want to make it clear, I don't want any 5- or 10-year-olds wearing those shirts,'' said Stock, grinning from ear to ear. ''But I encourage the people up in the balcony drinking beer to wear them.''

The attention lavished on a fourth-line wing who hasn't scored a goal all season might be a problem on another team, but not for the Bruins. They have grown to love Stock, for his willingness to take one for the team, and for his unabashed enthusiasm in the locker room.

''Often there are intangibles on a team that aren't always measured or appreciated,'' said veteran Don Sweeney. ''What P.J. brings to our locker room is one of them.

''Sometimes things can get tense in here. But P.J. is the one who lifts everyone's spirits. He does a great job of motivating this team.''

It was no different when Stock was a kid, telling anyone who would listen he would play in the NHL some day. Thornton, who back then was clearly the superior player, knew better than to doubt Stock.

''We played hockey together since we were little kids,'' Thornton said. ''I was always a level above him. But he had this determination that nobody else could match. And he had this knack of fitting in wherever he went.''

Room to grow

Ftorek would like to upgrade Stock's status as a marginal talent, and develop him into a more complete player.

''I'm trying to get him into the thought process of stopping in front of the net and poking in a rebound,'' said Ftorek. ''If you are on the ice, and in position to put in a shot, you're supposed to put it in.

''I don't want our guys to be categorized one certain way. If that means you are a fighter and need to score, then do it. If that means you are a scorer and need to fight, then do it.''

 

[the mugs]

pj - part 2

pj - part 2

(the article was too long)

Even though his contributions have been limited the past month, Stock's fan base is growing by the day. When a group of Bruins players appeared in the South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade, Stock was the main attraction.

''We're riding on this truck, and the people are chanting, `P.J.! P.J.!''' said Gill. ''And there was Joe Thornton, sitting right next to him.''

Stock was still reveling about the parade four days later.

''What amazing fans they have here,'' Stock gushed. ''It was so great to see people hanging from their windows at 2 in the afternoon.''

P.J. Stock will make $425,000 this year for wearing the uniform of the Boston Bruins. He is living his dream, and (literally) fighting to keep it alive. In the meantime, he is the most popular player in the locker room, the stands - and South Boston.

Now that's sweet.

 

[the mugs]

B's make best of situation

RALEIGH, N.C. - After the Bruins' 4-3 overtime victory Sunday night in Tampa, Lightning coach John Tortorella said he thinks the B's, ``are the best team in the league.''

Whether or not that is true will be determined during the upcoming playoffs.

But the Bruins, who Sunday became the first team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth, certainly have enjoyed a hugely successful campaign, and tonight seek their season-high sixth consecutive victory when they finish off a four-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes. Barring a sub-par finish the B's, with 92 points, will easily pass the 100-point mark for the first time since 1992-93.

A win would also be the Bruins' sixth straight in the road, the best such streak since the '92-93 club won its last eight in enemy rinks.

One constant for teams that achieve such success is that they almost always have several players who deliver the best seasons of their careers. The B's fit that bill nicely, with a long list of players enjoying career years.

``It's no coincidence that eight or 10 guys are having career years,'' said Bruins goalie Byron Dafoe, citing the roster-wide balance the club has enjoyed all season.

``It's not Bill Guerin winning it every night for us, it's not Glen Murray, it's not Sergei Samsonov. It's a combination of eight or 10 guys, no, it's 20 guys, it's the whole team. It just seems like if one line doesn't have a goal, another line finds a way to step up and win it for us; if one defense pair isn't sharp, the other four guys are unbelievable.''

But the success of the Bruins is not due to a bundle of individuals delivering great years.

``I think it works the other way around,'' said Guerin. ``You become a team first, you play as a team and then everybody has career years. It doesn't come by guys going out and being individuals, it comes from team play first. And from Day 1, we've been doing that.

``The coaches have come in and instilled the ideas that's it's the team way or no way. We've all bought into it we all believe it. And it's working. The only way you can win is together and the big individual stats are the result.''

No doubt, the reputations of many Bruins have grown significantly over the past six months.

``It's the old adage: If the team does well, you're going to do well,'' said center Brian Rolston. ``This year has been a great thing for everyone.''

Among the Bruins who are at, or approaching career-bests:


Rolston has 27-27-54 totals; his previous top for goals were 24 goals and 58 points.

Sergei Samsononv has 27 goals; he could top his best goal total, 29.

Joe Thornton, with 22-40-62 totals in 61 games, seemed a cinch for his most points before going down with a shoulder injury.

Dafoe, with 32 wins, has already matched his career-high; backup John Grahame has his most wins (eight).

Murray, who has 33 goals, has topped his previous best of 29.

Guerin, with 36 goals, could go past last year's total of 40, his career-best.

Defenseman Sean O'Donnell is a plus-31, after a previous career-best of plus-7.
All of these guys, and more, will look back on this season as a success on an individual level. Of course, what will really make the year special is a deep playoff run.

``When you're winning, everything is better,'' said Guerin. ``Everything. Life is better, your stats are higher, you feel better on the ice, you're confidence is better, you know, food tastes better. Everything is better when you win.''

 

[Centre Ice]

Sheesh, this is all you could come up with, I'll only be reading for half a day ??

Thanks for the info, hope your feeling better, take care of that hand

 

[fatdaddycool]

Hey Mugs

Hey Mugs

arent those things a hoot!! the painkillers I mean...they gave me Lorcet and Ultram, big ole codiene pills Had my shoulder done last Friday and I will tell you what those babies and a few beers really hit the spot .....How did it go, did they scope ya or what?.....hope you are feeling better.

fdc

 

[the mugs]

ci - thanks man. it's good to be back

fdc - they gave me percasetz (sp?) and they send me f-l-y-i-n-g! way too cool for words. i got to go.

 

[fatdaddycool]

mugs

mugs

lmao that is the generic equivalent of percodan, you are the man dude, wwhhheeeeeeeeeeeee, have fun

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Good to see you back mugs. Great info as always.

HORNS

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Welcome back Mugs,

Wish you a speedy recovery, but I do hope your Bruins fall flat!!

Leafs need to win their division to have any hope on playoffs.

your work here is greatly appreciated.


TTM$