Bruins Take Control of Series

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

After two periods the B's lead the Canes 4-1. Boston dominated the 1 on 1 battles which created great scoring chances and costly penalties for Carolina. The Hurricanes looked more like the Canadiens a series ago taking bad penalties and making bad decisions with the puck. Boston kept their composure and continued playing their game, securing a 4-2 win forcing game 7 back in Beantown. If the Bruins can start game 7 like they did in game 6 then Carolina won't have a chance.

The keys to the game were team defense and great goaltending from Thomas. The forwards were the reason the defense played so well. Every time there seemed to be a 3 on 2 opportunity for the Canes a forward would get back to cover one of the men breaking in the zone. Tim Thomas was my player of the game with 31 saves. Thomas was on his game last night with multiple dramatic saves, some looked very unorthodox lunging forward to stop the puck but he got the job done.

I have a feeling that the clicker will be getting a lot of use around New England tomorrow night with two elimination games on at the same time. Well not the same time but close enough, Celtics to start at 7(TNT so closer to 7:30) and the Bruins at 8 or a little after. What will you be watching?

Aaron Ward is a Tough Son of a...!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You know what I like best about hockey players? They literally get their face punched in and play the next game. It's amazing really? Reports have Aaron Ward with either a contusion or a fractured orbital bone. Either way, it shows extreme toughness and grit to get on the ice tonight, and that is why he's one of my favorite Bruins. 

I first started to notice Ward through his weekly appearance on WBCN's morning show, Toucher & Rich, and he won me over with his honesty about the game. It's also nice to see a professional athlete who can laugh at himself as well. I am also a fan of his because he's my type of player. He's a tough veteran with a ton of playoff experience and 3 Stanley Cup rings with the Red Wings (2) and Hurricanes (1). I also happen to be a big fan of right handed defenseman.  I guess it's because I was right handed and defense is my favorite position. 

Yes, I know I sound like a complete suck up right now, but I don't care. He has to be a bit crazy to get on the ice without a shield, or cage, tonight. Hopefully he won't suffer any effects of that hit and the Bruins bring the series back to Boston for Game 7.

Colin Campbell & Gary Bettman Are Smoking Crack!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I was 100% shocked when I heard that Scott Walker was only receiving a $2,500 fine and no suspension. Shortly after hearing that, I called my father and had a very interesting conversation with him. I was not aware of a specific rule that both Campbell and Bettman overruled or simply didn't care about. Please see below:

47.22 Fines and Suspensions – Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at anytime in overtime, shall automatically be suspended for one game. The Director of Hockey Operations will review every such incident and may rescind the suspension based on a number of criteria. The criteria for the review shall include, but not limited to, the score, previous incidents, etc. The length of suspension will double for each subsequent offense. This suspension shall be served in addition to any other automatic suspensions a player may incur for an accumulation of three or more instigator penalties.

That is taken directly from the NHL rule book, which can be found using this link. http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26336. I can't believe there is a specific rule that demands and automatic one game suspension and the NHL brass decided it didn't matter. Like my father said, this is one of the major reasons why the NHL, and professional hockey, is a joke compared to the other major sports. They are gutless for not removing a marginal Hurricanes player from their lineup for even 1 game. Ridiculous. I really can't believe it. 

What's impressive though, is that Aaron Ward is going to play tonight. Of course he'll have a cage, but that is just pure guts and determination. Aaron Ward must be the anti-JD Drew. The Bruins need to keep their heads tonight and not go after Walker. I know that's hard for most hockey and Bruins fans to hear, but they can't go out and put a bounty on Walker and lose a player for the remainder of Game 6 and potentially Game 7. If they can do that, they will withstand the ear shattering RBC Center and come back to Boston for Game 7.

Once again, Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell are spineless. Here's to hoping the B's win tonight, blow out the Canes in Game 7 and finish the series with a face pounding for Jason Walker.