Tuesday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Going into the Fleece tonight...


BostonBruins.com Gameday - Pregame Notes
CALGARY FLAMES at
BOSTON BRUINS
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) - Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) - Boston Globe Pre-Game Report
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins host the Flames tonight in the second of two games between these clubs this season and the Flames' only appearance of the season at the FleetCenter. The Bruins are 13-3-3-1 overall and are 7-1-1-0 on home ice thus far this season. The Flames are 6-9-3-3 overall with a 4-3-0-2 record on the road thus far this season. The Bruins are 4-1-1-0 vs. Northwest Division opponents this season and are 4-2-1-1 overall vs. Western Conference foes. The Flames are 0-1-1-0 this season vs. Northeast Division opponents and they are 3-4-1-1 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 49-29-10-1 lifetime vs. the Flames franchise (includes Atlanta) with a 312-283 scoring advantage in those 89 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 27-11-6-1 lifetime vs. the Calgary franchise with a 160-126 scoring edge in those 45 games. The Bruins are unbeaten in their last two games vs. Calgary, including a 3-3 tie in Calgary on Oct. 17 in the first game of this season's series, with their last loss to the Flames a 3-2 setback in Calgary on Oct. 20, 2000. The Bruins won the last game between these teams in Boston with a 3-2 win on Mar. 9, 2002.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won their last two games and are 6-1-1-0 in their last eight games with a 7-1 win over Ottawa on Nov. 9, a 6-1 victory over Edmonton on Nov. 11, a 4-3 win in Buffalo on Nov. 12, a 4-1 victory vs. NY Islanders on Nov. 14, a 2-2 tie in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, a 2-0 loss in Toronto on Nov. 19, a 3-1 victory over Carolina on Nov. 21 and a 4-1 victory over Buffalo on Nov. 23. They are 7-1-1-1 in their last ten games and have taken points out of 17 of their last 19 games at 13-2-3-1, including an eight-game unbeaten streak at 6-0-2-0 from Oct. 14-30. The Bruins carry a six-game home win streak into tonight's game with their last home loss a 4-1 setback to Anaheim on Oct. 31.

Recent Flames Games
The Flames snapped their seven-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Chicago on Nov. 23. It was their first victory since a 3-2 win over New Jersey on Nov. 5. The streak included losses to NY Rangers (twice), Florida, Atlanta, St. Louis, Detroit and Edmonton.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins conclude their current four-game home stand hosting Montreal on Nov. 29 (12:00 noon; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will then travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins on Nov. 30 (7:30 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Flames Games
The Flames open a five-game road trip in Boston tonight and will continue the trip in Washington on Nov. 27, St. Louis on Nov. 29, Detroit on Dec. 1 and Colorado on Dec. 3. They will next return home to host Minnesota on Nov. 5.

Bruins Injuries
P. J. Axelsson: Knee sprain suffered Nov. 16 in Philadelphia; day-to-day.
Martin Lapointe: Fractured foot suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; day-to-day.
Sergei Samsonov: Wrist sprain suffered Oct. 17 in Calgary; day-to-day.
Jozef Stumpel: Wrist sprain suffered Nov. 19 in Toronto; day-to-day.

Bruins November Transactions
Nov. 14: Matt Herr recalled from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 18: Shaone Morrisonn recalled from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 21: Jarno Kultanen and Matt Herr assigned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 21: Andy Hilbert and Lee Goren recalled from Providence/AHL.
Nov. 23: Shaone Morrisonn returned to Providence/AHL.
Nov. 24: Andy Hilbert and Lee Goren returned to Providence/AHL.

 

[the mugs]

Calgary Injuries
Bob Boughner D Thumb Early Dec.
Jamie Wright LW Neck day-to-day

Boston Injuries
Josef Stumpel RW Wrist day-to-day
P.J. Axelsson LW Knee day-to-day
Sergei Samsonov RW Wrist Out indefinitely
Martin Lapointe LW Foot Out indefinitely
Kyle McLaren D Holdout Out indefinitely...Psst. Hey Kyle, not missing you

 

[the mugs]

Trends

Trends

Recent Trends
The Flames are 0-3 ATS on 2 days rest.
Calgary's last eight overall have played under.
CAL is 29th in offense with 2.09 goals/game for.
Boston has won their last six ATS at home.
The Bruins last five overall have played under.
BOS has won the last two meetings ATS.

 

[the mugs]

Recent games...

Recent games...

We don't get to see the Flames much anymore...

Date Home Away Line ATS
10/17/2002 Cal. 3 Bos. 3 -0.5,-110/5 Bos./O (02-03)

3/9/2002 Bos. 3 Cal. 2 0,-200/5.5 Bos./U (01-02)

10/20/2000 Cal. 3 Bos. 2 0,-145/6 Cal./U (00-01)

1/24/2000 Bos. 3 Cal. 4 0,-150/5.5 Cal./O (99-00)

2/12/1999 Cal. 4 Bos. 3 -0.5,120/5 Cal./O (98-99)
1/4/1999 Bos. 5 Cal. 1 -0.5,-170/5.5 Bos./O

3/12/1998 Bos. 2 Cal. 5 -0.5,-145/5.5 Cal./O (97-98)
10/18/1997 Cal. 0 Bos. 3 -0.5,-120/5.5 Bos./U

2/11/1997 Cal. 5 Bos. 1 -0.5,-115/6.5 Cal./U (96-97)
12/7/1996 Bos. 1 Cal. 1 -0.5,-125/6 Cal./U

 

[the mugs]

Boston Globe 11/26/02

Boston Globe 11/26/02

Bruins proving resourceful

Staff and call-ups have been assets

In most every conversation these days, Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek praises his players, his assistant coaches, his training staff, and the work of Mike Sullivan, guiding hand of the Baby B's in Providence.

Given the number of injuries in the first quarter of the season, Ftorek has been talking mostly about the fine work of trainer Don Del Negro, physical therapist Scott Waugh, and strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides. Some days they get so much credit from Ftorek a causual listener might expect the Del Negro-Waugh-Whitesides combination to suit up as a forward trio soon.

For the time being, the trainer, the therapist, and the slave-driver are content to remain in the back room and redeliver the goods. One of their recent success stories could return to work tonight, in the mended body of Martin Lapointe, provided his broken foot is fully healed and game-ready for the Calgary Flames.

Meanwhile, Sullivan's work in Providence last week helped provide an impressive trio of relievers from the AHL bullpen. Shaone Morrisonn filled in for two games on the back line, contributing about 12 minutes of steady defense each night, and looked as if he could take a regular shift the remainder of the season before he was shipped back down to the Baby B's.

Forwards Andy Hilbert and Lee Goren each picked up a point in their two games here, again filling in admirably before they were shipped back to the minors.

What a world of difference that kind of minor league support can make for an NHL team. For much of the '90s, the Bruins couldn't count on many, if any, of their minor leaguers coming to town on rescue missions.

During the Pat Burns regime, rare was it that a new kid could arrive on the Causeway block and have any significant input. Either the goods weren't good enough, or Burns didn't think they were good enough. Take your pick. The outcome was the same: The veterans played on and the kids were canned.

These days, said Ftorek, Sullivan has his youth troop playing virtually the same game in Providence that the Bruins play in Boston.

''It's not exactly the same, but it's very close,'' said Ftorek. ''When they come up here, they have a pretty good idea what we're trying to do. It doesn't take them long.''

Puck possession is the key to Ftorek's game, triggered in back by a bunch of defensemen who make the easy, short first outlet pass and then aren't hesitant to join the play. Anyone else notice that goaltending is rarely, if ever, mentioned as a key to the Bruins' success? In large part, that's because Boston's game is up-tempo and offense-oriented enough to keep the play down the other end of the ice most nights. They don't leave themselves vulnerable to giving up a damaging goal in the final seconds of the game.

Goalies Steve Shields and John Grahame have been good, but they also haven't been left exposed very often. Other than the tired effort they turned in at Philadelphia about 10 days ago, when Grahame was left to fend for himself, the Bruins have shifted the focus of the game to offense. Goalies can look great when backing that kind of attack. Think Pete Peeters.

Without a doubt, it's the likes of Joe Thornton, Glen Murray, Sergei Samsonov, Brian Rolston, Jozef Stumpel, Bryan Berard, Nick Boynton, and, to some extent, Jonathan Girard, as well as the goalies, who will determine how far the Bruins go in 2002-03.

But finally to have a well-coached bunch of Baby B's, eager and willing and able to help, offers the kind of support that prevents injuries and fatigue - especially at playoff time - from destroying seasons.

=====

Yesterday's practice, initially scheduled for Wilmington, was canceled. Everyone reports back to FleetStreet today for the morning skate and the evening tussle with the struggling Flames, who thus far have received little help from Jarome Iginla, last year's league-leading scorer...

When the Bruins picked up Lapointe last summer, they were in desperate need of toughness and character up front. Their young, skilled players were developing, but they needed Lapointe's crusty edge. Now they have that edge, with or without Lapointe. Consider: As of yesterday morning, they had two forwards, P.J. Stock and Sean Brown, ranked in the top 10 for penalty minutes. Stock was No. 4 with 76 PIMs and Brown, a.k.a. The Brown Bomber, ranked No. 10 with 51...

Entering last night's action, Boynton was tied with Dallas defenseman Derian Hatcher with a league-leading plus-16...

The Boston power play, an embarrassment last season when it scored only 39 times, scored three more times in Saturday's 4-1 thumping of the Sabres. The Bruins now have a boastful 19 PPGs in 20 games, an 18.8 percent success rating that yesterday had them ranked No. 9 overall in the Original 30. The bottom three (the Bruins' domain last season) were the Rangers (11.7 percent), Sabres (10.6 percent), and Flames (10.4). It remains somewhat mind-boggling that the Bruins couldn't score on the man-advantage last season yet still finished first overall in the Eastern Conference. Maybe, just maybe, Bryon Dafoe's goaltending wasn't all that bad after all. Think the Rangers, Sabres, or Flames have a shot at winning the conference this season?...

With an average 19.3 minutes per game, the Bruins are the fifth-most-penalized team in the league...

Refusenik Kyle McLaren remains in contract limbo. Figuring his lost wages on the approximately $1.75 million the Bruins offered, he now has missed out on more than $425,000 in gross earnings...

Dafoe is all but certain to be in the pipes when the Thrashers visit here Dec. 5.

Calgary has allowed five shorthanded goals - tied for most in the league.

 

[the mugs]

Boston Herald 11/26

Boston Herald 11/26

O'Connell shoots down rumors

WILMINGTON - Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said yesterday that none of the recent trade rumors regarding recalcitrant defenseman Kyle McLaren are true.

He also said he hasn't shut the door on the holdout restricted free agent defenseman returning to the Bruins, although that seems highly unlikely. The rumor mill has been working overtime the last few days with speculation that McLaren, and possibly teammate Martin Lapointe, could wind up in Colorado or New York. O'Connell said there have been a number of teams who contacted him recently about McLaren as the rumors circulated.

``Everyone's calling because I'm sure the press is asking them if they're involved in the McLaren situation,'' O'Connell said. ``If a deal is made, they want to be sure they get in on it. People are still kicking tires.''

He added that he tried to contact McLaren when the defenseman made his stand to free himself from the Bruins, but was rebuffed.

``We said from day one we'd like to have him back,'' O'Connell said. ``I've never talked to him (since McLaren announced his unwillingness to play in Boston). His agent (Neil Abbott) said don't bother. I tried at least two or three times but (was told) don't bother, he's made his mind up.''

=====

Murray's just fine and dandy

Glen Murray, tied for the B's lead in goals (10) with Joe Thornton, expects to play tonight against Calgary at the FleetCenter despite suffering a charley horse in the second period of Saturday's 4-1 win over Buffalo.

``I've just got a little charley horse, but it's all right,'' Murray said. ``I kind of just took (Sunday) off and rested. I came in (for treatment yesterday on an off day). It'll be all right. It's just one of those little things. It just tightened up. It's only a little thing. We've played a lot lately so I took (Sunday) off and we've got (yesterday) off, too.'' . . .

=====

Jozef Stumpel, out with a left wrist sprain since last Tuesday's loss in Toronto, hopes to return for Friday's home game against Montreal or Saturday's game in Pittsburgh. Stumpel will practice with a stick this morning to see how much mobility he has.

``It's going pretty good,'' he said. ``There's still a little bit of pain, but it's pretty good so (today) I'm going to start handling the puck. You always could injure it again, but we'll keep an eye on it and work on it to make it stronger.''

=====

Axelsson's knee on upswing

P.J. Axelsson's right knee sprain, which sidelined him the last three games, still causes pain. But he's encouraged, even about tonight.

``It's getting better and better. We'll see (this morning). You can always hope,'' Axelsson said. ``You want to be out there and play, but it takes time, that's the way it is. It's better to take a couple of games off than hurt it more.''

 

[the mugs]

Herald 11/25

Herald 11/25

A healthy outlook: Axelsson, Lapointe may return tomorrow

The Bruins are inching closer to some semblance of good health. P.J. Axelsson and Martin Lapointe practiced yesterday and could make their return tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames at the FleetCenter.


Coach Robbie Ftorek didn't sound all that thrilled about figuring where the returnees, who'll soon be joined by Jozef Stumpel and Sergei Samsonov when their respective wrists are healed, fit best in the lineup.

``You always want to get all your players back and healthy. Is it a good thing? Yeah, it's a good thing for the team,'' said Ftorek, who conducted an open practice for season-ticket holders yesterday at the FleetCenter. ``But it's always difficult for the coach. But that's part of the deal.''

Axelsson is coming back from a sprained knee and Lapointe a broken foot. Ftorek most likely will wait until after tomorrow's morning skate to see if he needs to recall either Andy Hilbert or Lee Goren if Axelsson or Lapointe are deemed not ready.

Take a break

Ftorek told Samsonov, out since Oct. 17 with a sprained wrist, to take a hiatus for some mental health.

``He's been working for five weeks straight out,'' Ftorek said. ``And you know when Sammy goes on the ice, he doesn't do anything but 100 percent. It's a tribute to him, but for five weeks, it's enough. He's got to get away. He's getting relatively close. If he gets away, he'll come back and he'll be ready to go when it's time, refreshed.''

Stumpel skated with the team in practice, but he still didn't stickhandle at all. He said he may try doing that during the morning skate tomorrow and said he won't know how much improvement he's made until he does that. He hopes to play by Friday.

Murray banged up

After taking a twirl on the ice for the crowd, Glen Murray made a quick exit from practice, saying later that he was nursing a minor charley horse and expected to be fine. . . .

Ftorek, wearing a microphone, periodically took questions from the mostly young audience during practice.

Ftorek was asked by one youngster who he thought was the best player in the NHL. To his credit, the coach could have gone for the cheap applause and said Joe Thornton, but he went with his gut. And his gut said New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur.

``I just believe that,'' Ftorek said later. ``He enjoys the game probably more than anybody, he works harder than anybody and he has the success on top of it. I'm a little biased because I've had him (as a player when he coached in New Jersey). I don't know those things about other guys. I didn't say it (to the crowd), but Joey has those same qualities. He works hard, he enjoys the game and he hasn't had that success, but he will.''

 

[the mugs]

Couldn't pass this up.

Tue, 11/26/02 1:46 PM NHL Sides and Totals
Straight Wager: Boston -.5 [+150] (Entire Game)
Risk: XX.XX Pays: XX.XX Status: PENDING
Boston vs. Calgary to be held on Tue, 11/26 at 7:05 PM

 

[cooz3]

MUGS HAVE A GOOD TIME AT THE GAME TONIGHT...DONT SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY...LOL..COOZ

 

[the mugs]

Thanks COOZ...But you gotta be kidding?

Balcony, first row at the blue line. My friend has season tixx. Nice.

 

[ddubs]

Have a great time, mugs. Good luck tonite!