Wednesday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

BOSTON BRUINS at
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Wednesday, October 16, 2002
GM Place; Vancouver, British Columbia
10:30 pm (ET) - Gametime
10:00 pm (ET) - Boston Globe Pre-Game Report
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins visit the Canucks tonight in the first of two games between these clubs this season and the Bruins' lone visit of the season to GM Place. The Bruins are 1-1-0-0 thus far this season with a 1-1-0-0 record on the road. The Canucks are 2-1-0-0 thus far this season with a 1-1-0-0 record on home ice. The Bruins are 1-1-0-0 vs. Northwest Division teams and are 1-1-0-0 overall vs. Western Conference opponents this season. The Canucks are playing their first game of the season vs. both a Northeast Division opponent and an Eastern Conference foe tonight.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 63-22-15-0 lifetime vs. the Canucks with a 414-280 scoring advantage in those 100 games. On the road, the Bruins are 26-16-8-0 lifetime vs. Vancouver with a 203-163 scoring edge in those 50 games. The Bruins are unbeaten in their last three meetings vs. Vancouver at 2-0-1-0 with their last loss to the Canucks a 5-2 setback in Vancouver on Feb. 21, 2000. They won their last game in Vancouver with a 2-1 overtime victory on Feb. 12, 2002.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have split the first two games of their current six-game road trip with a 5-1 loss in Minnesota on Oct. 11 and a 2-1 victory in Colorado on Oct. 14 with the game-winning goal in that game coming at 19:59 of the third period. The Bruins finished their 2002 pre-season schedule with a 2-5-1-1 record with wins over Washington (6-4 Sept. 20) and Pittsburgh (7-2 Oct. 1); losses to St. Louis (7-2 Sept. 19), Montreal (5-4 Sept. 23 and 4-2 Sept. 26), NY Islanders (4-3 Sept. 28) and NY Rangers (4-3/OT Sept. 29 and 4-3 Oct. 5); and a 0-0 tie with Florida on Oct. 2.

Recent Canucks Games
The Canucks are 2-1-0-0 thus far this season with a 3-0 win in Calgary on Oct. 10, a 5-3 win vs. San Jose on Oct. 12 and a 3-2 loss to Calgary on Oct. 14. The Canucks finished the 2002 pre-season with a 5-3-1-0 record.

Upcoming Bruins Games - All times local to that city
The Bruins continue their current six-game road trip in Calgary on Oct. 17 (7:00 p.m.), in Edmonton on Oct. 19 (8:00 p.m.) and in Toronto on Oct. 21 (7:30 p.m.). All games of this trip are broadcast on both NESN and WBZ Radio. They will return home to host the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 24 on Terry O'Reilly Night.

Upcoming Canucks Games
The Canucks will next face a three-game road trip, playing in Anaheim on Oct. 18, in Los Angeles on Oct. 19 and in San Jose on Oct. 21.

Bruins Injuries
None Reported.

Bruins Recent Transactions
Oct. 5: Jay Henderson and Tim Thomas assigned to Providence/AHL.
Oct. 7: Shaone Morrisonn assigned to Providence/AHL.
Oct. 8: Joe Thornton named 17th captain in team history.
Oct. 10: Colton Orr assigned to Kamloops/WHL; Carl Corazzini and Peter Hamerlik assigned to Atlantic City/ECHL.

 

[the mugs]

Ankle won't keep Samsonov seated

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - The Bruins practiced yesterday in preparation for tonight's game against the Canucks, and there was one notable absence from the on-ice workout: left wing Sergei Samsonov.

Samsonov, whose heroics with half a second remaining in Monday night's game against Colorado gave the Bruins an impressive 2-1 victory, was sidelined because of an ankle injury.

''It's a mild sprain,'' said Samsonov, whose tally on the power play at 19:59 of the third period gave Boston its first win of the season. ''In the first period, in front of the net, one of the [Colorado] defensemen fell on my leg.''

Samsonov continued playing, however, and waited until the period was over to address the problem.

''I felt it right away,'' he said. ''I played until the end of the first period and then we just taped the ankle during the intermission. I'm fine.''

Samsonov took treatments while his teammates skated, and although ankle sprains can be very tricky, he fully expects to suit up tonight. Missing practice was more precautionary than a sign of something serious.

''We had a day between the games, and there was no sense pushing it,'' he said. ''It was a little sore and we have a couple games coming up, so we thought it was a smart move to just stay off it.''

Saving face

Goaltender Steve Shields was struck hard in the mask by a deflected shot off the stick of right wing Glen Murray during practice. Although Shields appeared a little shaken up, he dismissed it. ''It happens all the time,'' said Shields...

Shields said he had no idea when he'd get his first start. Coach Robbie Ftorek always plays his cards close to the vest, particularly with his netminders. Many felt Shields would play against the Avalanche, given Grahame's struggles against Minnesota in the season opener (a 5-1 loss), but Ftorek opted to go back to Grahame in part because of his ties to his hometown of Denver. Grahame came up big against the Avalanche, recording 24 saves. But with back-to-back games tonight and tomorrow (in Calgary), it seems highly likely Shields will play in one of them...

Joe Thornton has gone from green rookie back in 1997-98 to emerging presence to team captain at the ripe old age of 23. Even he has a hard time absorbing the fact that this is his sixth NHL season. ''It's unbelievable how fast it's gone,'' said Thornton. Since being named captain, Thornton said, the interview requests have increased a bit but are still manageable. That might change when the Bruins land in Toronto, near Thornton's hometown of St. Thomas. ''Yeah,'' said Thornton with a laugh, ''there might be a few more there.''...

Following the workout, Ftorek and a few players boarded a cabin cruiser in the marina behind the team hotel and embarked on a salmon fishing trip for the afternoon...

Forward Rob Zamuner returned to Boston yesterday to be with his wife, Ann, who gave birth to the couple's second child Monday night. The baby, a son named Alex, joins older brother Soren. Zamuner is not expected back for tonight's game, but he might join the team in Calgary for tomorrow night's contest. If not then, he will meet the club in Edmonton...

Rumors persist out of St. Louis that the Bruins will deal disgruntled defenseman Kyle McLaren to the Blues. Reportedly, the Blues are also considering signing free agent goalie Byron Dafoe.

 

[the mugs]

Recent Mettings
Date Home Away Line ATS
2/12/2002 Van. 1 Bos. 2 0,-150/5.5 Bos./U
11/23/2001 Bos. 3 Van. 2 0,-170/5 Bos./P
3/15/2001 Bos. 2 Van. 2 0,-120/6 P/U
2/21/2000 Van. 5 Bos. 2 0,-115/5.5 Van./O
11/26/1999 Bos. 2 Van. 2 0,-175/5 P/U
2/13/1999 Van. 3 Bos. 1 0.5,-125/5.5 Van./U
12/1/1998 Bos. 1 Van. 1 -0.5,-160/5.5 Van./U
11/28/1997 Bos. 2 Van. 5 -0.5,105/5.5 Van./O
10/17/1997 Van. 0 Bos. 2 -0.5,-125/6 Bos./U
11/29/1996 Bos. 7 Van. 3 -0.5,115/6 Bos./O

 

[the mugs]

I know wigs posted all the officials for tonight's game but I wanted to include it here...

Referees:
Paul Devorski (10)
Shane Heyer (17)

Linesmen:
Don Henderson (91)
Ray Scapinello (53)

 

[the mugs]

Passing tonight...Canuck collapse vs. Calgary last week, Bruins aren't as bad as the Minny game, probably not as good as the Aves game...Too early to really feel good about a play either way. Good luck Bruin backers as tonight, I will just be watching the game

Passing on the LA game also. Got a sneaky suspicion the Kings will look pass a winless Duck team to tomorrow night and the Avalanche.