Every hockey fan suffers from post season depression, some of us endure it longer than others. Last season the Bruins won the Stanley Cup and honestly, the depression never kicked in. I blinked and it was already training camp! This season it’s an entirely different story and between watching other teams fight for the right to hoist Lord Stanley, I’m looking at a lot of downtime before the NHL Awards in June.
So, I’ve decided to add a new off-season segment here at The Pink Puck. Every Sunday I’ll post a new DIY project to help fill your time before the puck drops in October. 90% of the projects will be hockey related, occasionally they won’t be, it happens. I can promise that 100% of the projects will cost $20 or less to make.
The Polka Dot Dress
Price: Under $10
The Polka Dot Dress
Learn how to DIY after the jump 🙂
The Boston Bruins held “Break Up” day on Friday; an afternoon of reflection on the past season and an opportunity to think about the future. The 2011-12 season didn’t end on the highest of notes for Boston, after seeing an early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
When it comes to the playoffs, or the end of a rigorous season its tough to come out unscathed.
“We were challenged a bit through injuries” commented GM Chiarelli.
Nathan Horton didn’t play a majority of the season, although all sticks are pointing in the right direction for his overall recovery and return to the lineup next season. Game 6 OT MVP Tyler Seguin will need surgery on his left knuckle tendon which is detached. Captain Zdeno Chara suffered a broken nose. Patrice Bergeron suffered a broken nose courtesy of Alexander Semin during round 1 and played both games 6 and 7 with a strained oblique muscle. Adam Mcquaid is just another player in the league to be suffering from a concussion, but is expected to make a full recovery. Finally, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask is back in playing form and won’t require any surgery this summer after suffering a groin injury back in March.
Since winning the Cup last season, it has been almost 2 straight years of hockey with a very minimal off season. The Bruins players will have plenty of time to rest, while GM Peter Chiarelli is a different story.Chiarelli is now faced with a handful of unsigned players in, Pouliot, Paille, Kelly, Campbell, Corvo, Mottau, Zanon and a key player to the future goal tending success of Boston, Tuukka Rask.
Breaking up with your team for the summer, is the worst breakup of all. Watching the team pack up and clear out of the locker room at TD Garden just confirms the desire for October to come soon. Let the countdown begin!
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More video from Seguin, Krejci, Zanon, Rask, Seidenberg, Thornton, Lucic, Thomas, Bergeron and Chara.
Two more fighters are out and the stage is set…
Where’s Canada, eh?
Although the 8th seed battled hard, Ottawa fell to the Rangers 2-1 in Game 7. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 shots to save New York from elimination. The Rangers move on to round two verses Washington while the lone Canadian team heads to the golf course.
Devilish Delight
It came down to double overtime, but New Jersey finally prevailed over the persistent Panthers 3-2. Martin Brodeur staved off 43 shots to advance the Devils to the semifinals. New Jersey goes on to face the fighting Flyers Sunday in Philly.
It was a heartbreaking night in Boston. Yet again another 1 goal game and an OT loss. The only difference, there is no Game 8. Now just a long summer to think about the seasons end.
It was a well matched series for both the Bruins and Capitals. Ultimately, the goaltending of Holtby for Washington and the lack of PP ability for Boston left the Bruins in the off season, and the Capitals skating on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“It’s a weird feeling” said Bruins Dennis Seidenberg. “Even right now, you’re wondering what time practice is tomorrow, but there is no practice” he continued, “it’s going to be a long summer.”
It seemed like the series everyone forgot. But amidst the cheap shots and suspensions, Florida and New Jersey made it to Game 7. Here’s what happened…
Game 6 headed to overtime on Tuesday with New Jersey prevailing a little over 5 minutes into OT. Devils’ 3-2 win over Florida forces a Game 7. New Jersey grabbed the advantage, out-shooting the Panthers 42-16. Martin Brodeur stopped 14 shots in the win while a busy Scott Clemmensen replaced an injured Jose Theodore in net for The Panthers. The silent series returns to Florida on Thursday.
… well you’ll have to wait until June 20th at the NHL Awards to find out, but the finalists for this years Vezina Trophy are:
Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers
Jonathan Quick of the LA Kings
Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators
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Jonathan Quick
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Lundqvist
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Rinne
The 2012 NHL Awards will be held on June 20th in Las Vegas; so far the finalists are top notch. In addition, Nickelback will be performing and the list of celebrity presenters should prove exciting once announced, as the date draws closer.
Lady Byng Trophy is awarded, “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”
Finalists: Brian Campbell of the Florida Panthers, Jordan Eberle of the Edmonton Oilers and Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders.
Frank J. Selke Trophy, is awarded “to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game,” per the National Hockey League.
Finalists: David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings.
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” per the NHL.
Finalists: Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators, Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL General Manager of the Year Award:
Finalists: Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues, David Poile of the Nashville Predators and Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers.
The Boston Bruins know what it takes to win a Game 7; they endured 3 last season before winning the Stanley Cup. Tomorrow night the team will look to keep the momentum going after Sunday’s OT winner. After taking a much needed rest day on Monday, it was business as usual for Boston at their practice rink in Wilmington, MA. For many players it’s a do or die mentality heading into a game that will end your season, but the Bruins and their coach were just fine mixing in a little fun to relieve the looming pressure of a needed win. Skating necessary drills for the majority of practice, the completion of ice time had the team practicing shootout drills. As Coach Claude Julien joked in the post practice media availability,
“That’s how you decide a Game 7 right?”
One team is out and another one lives to fight again…
New York’s still in
The Rangers took Game 6 and escaped elimination on Monday. Henrik Lundqvist tallied 25 saves in the 3-2 win over the Senators, helping to send this series to a Game 7. Ottawa’s captain, Daniel Alfredsson, was back in the lineup after missing the past three games with a concussion. The series wraps up on Thursday.
Coyotes howl
For the second year in a row, Chicago has been knocked out in round one since winning the Cup in 2010. The Coyotes, however, have won their first playoff series for the first time since coming to Phoenix in 1996. Mike Smith recorded his first career shutout in the 4-0 victory. Phoenix now moves on to play Nashville in the semi-final round.
The weekend is over and so are two more teams’ dreams of the cup. Here’s your Sunday summary:
Philly knocks out Penguins
The Flyers finally finished off Pittsburgh in this 5-1 Game 6 final. Philly’s Claude Giroux played like a man possessed with a goal and two assists. Net-minder, Ilya Bryzgalov, made 30 saves in the victory. The Flyers become the first Eastern Conference team to advance while the Penguins have now been sent home in the first round for the second year in a row.
Boston ties the series
Boston escapes elimination with their 4-3 overtime win to force Game 7. Tyler Seguin scored the OT goal earning him first star and silencing his naysayers. Tim Thomas stopped 36 shots in the win. The final match-up is slated for Wednesday in Boston.
LA sends Canucks packing in OT
Despite Corey Schneider’s best effort, Vancouver becomes history’s sixth Presidents’ Trophy winner to be eliminated in the first round. Schneider’s 35 saves didn’t translate into a win as No. 8 seed LA eliminates the Canucks with their 2-1 Game 5 victory in overtime. Jarret Stoll scored the game winner just under 5 minutes of play in OT. LA is now set to face St. Louis in round two.
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