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.

Glen Davis is a ragebag, but neither an animal nor lunatic

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Release the hounds.

The father of the kid that got pushed aside by Glen Davis after hitting yesterday's game-winning shot is demanding an apology from the player, according to a blog post on the Orlando Sentinel.

According to the Sentinel, a front-row season ticket holder by the name of Ernest Provetti wrote an email to the NBA today demanding an apology from Davis, saying that he went way overboard and "embarrassed" his son.

Among the more colorful language from Mr. Provetti:

-- "The NBA makes it clear to not cross the sideline. If I cross that line, the NBA will take away my tickets. It's a double standard."

-- Davis acted like a "raging animal with no regard for fans' personal safety."

-- "How do you like to be a 12-year-old and see a raging lunatic coming at you?"

Readers have been quick to rake this guy over the coals for his overreaction. When I started writing this, there were 118 comments about the Sentinel's blog entry, mostly negative against Provetti.

I can understand the guy's anger. I'm only 24, and thus have no idea what it's like to raise a kid, but I'd be pretty pissed off if my son was getting goofed on by the SportsCenter dweebs for something he had no control over (by the way Tim Legler, you're still a hack). But what I don't understand is A) why so much anger is directed at Big Baby, and B) why he had to use such potentially-racist language in scolding him.

Thankfully, about 10 minutes after I started writing this, the dude officially backed off, saying he "reacted emotionally."

People, when you trip over a rock, it's your own fault. Stop looking for a handout and violin music every time something doesn't go your own way. Think rationally, not passionately. Please.

Red Sox Firmly Strapped To Jason Bay's Back

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Jason Bay came through in the clutch yet again last night, banging a double off the left field wall to plate David Ortiz and give the Red Sox a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jonathan Papelbon allowed runners to reach first and third base with nobody out before striking out the side in the ninth, to give Boston a two games to one victory in the weekend series. Josh Beckett settled down to pitch fairly well after allowing a first inning run on a single by Pat Burrell that scored Carl Crawford. The hard throwing right hander gave up three earned runs on six hits in as many innings, while striking out five and walking three. Hideki Okajima and Ramon Ramirez also chipped in, with the latter picking up the victory to improve his 2009 record to 3-0 and continue his dominant season in the set-up role.

Kevin Youkilis has better overall numbers in the batting average, on base and slugging percentages, but Bay is Boston's MVP thus far. He has come through time and time again in big spots, and carried the Red Sox to victory. To me, that is the definition of value. Boston has one of the better records in all of baseball (20-12), but it's hard to imagine where this team would be without their left fielder's late inning heroics on numerous occasions this year. He has provided a crutch for a team that has been the victim of the injury bug as well as shoddy starting pitching through the first six weeks of the season.

The aforementioned injury bug bit again last night, as Dustin Pedroia needed to come out of the game after straining his right groin while swinging in the third inning. He was replaced at second base by Nick Green, who slid over from the shortstop position as Julio Lugo entered the game. Pedroia admitted after the game that he's been feeling the injury for about 10 days and aggravated it during last night's game. He expects to be able to play again by Wednesday.

The Sox are off tonight for the first time in 17 days. They are traveling to Anaheim to begin a three-game set with the Angels, before swinging up to Seattle for the weekend.

Bruins Back in the Series!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

The Boston Bruins Game 5 performance was a B's fan dream. The Bruins got a great game from goalie Tim Thomas, strong defense throughout and the return of a physical, aggressive offense. The Bruins finally got back to what they did during the regular season. Tim Thomas played extremely well. The defense was in position to deal with rebounds and not let the Canes get second scoring chances. Phil Kessel and Marc Savard finally played well together during this series, and David Krejci was all over the place creating scoring chances. The most important part of the night was the B's penalty kill. They played much better a man down, and never allowed Carolina to get their power play rolling as they had in game 4. 

Over the weekend several Bruins players mentioned they needed to manufacture aggression and hatred towards the Hurricanes. They successfully did that Sunday night, but by the end of the game, real hatred had been created. First Jussi Jokinen gave Zdeno Chara a vicious slash to his ankle while the referees weren't looking. Down went Chara towards the end of the 2nd period, but luckily he was back for the 3rd. Next came one of the biggest cheap shots I've seen in a long time. While Aaron Ward was engaged with Matt Cullen, Scott Walker entered the fray, grabbed Ward and landed a huge sucker punch that may have fractured his orbital bone. Scott Walker should be suspended for at least the remainder of this series, if not the rest of the playoffs if they should move on. 

If Ward is lost for the playoffs, the Bruins lose half of their first defensive pair and a solid leader with three Stanley Cup rings. They also get even thinner at a position they're already two men down with the loss of Matt Hundwick and Andrew Ferrence. They'll need to call up a rookie defender from Providence with practically no games played in the NHL, much less playoff experience. This does concern me, but believe the Bruins are that much better of a team and one who's extremely motivated to exact their revenge through wins, not violence. That is the key now for winning the series. They need to maintain discipline and play like they did last night. They can't be run by their emotions and blood lust. If they can do that, then the Bruins will win Game 6 on the road and take Game 7 at home.

Stay tuned for Matt's view on last nights' game and the road ahead.

Fantasy Baseball: Garner's Greatest Top 25

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

(Garner's Greatest Top 25 combines past and current performance and projections throughout the season to create the top 25 best players that will help lead your team to a fantasy baseball championship. The top 25 will change from week to week so be prepared for some surprise picks and players you just might no agree should be on the elite list.)

Player rising; Players falling

1. Albert Pujols, 1B, STL (previous 1)

2. Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA (4)

3. Evan Longoria, 3B, TB (3)

4. Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX (2)

5. Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (7)

6. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, DET (7)

7. David Wright, 3B, NYM (9)

8. Jose Reyes, SS, NYM (5)

9. Carl Crawford, OF, TB (25)

10. Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (11)

11. Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE (8)

12. Nick Markakis, OF, BAL (15)

13. Johan Santana, SP, NYM (14)

14. Alfonso Soriano, OF, CHI (10)

15. Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM (18)

16. Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (13)

17. Roy Halladay, SP, TOR (16)

18. Tim Lincecum, SP, SF (17)

19. Jason Bay, OF, BOS (24)

20. Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS (12)

21. Victor Martinez, C-1B, CLE (20)

22. Tori Hunter, OF, LAA (19)

23. Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN (NR)

24. Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (22)

25. Jorge Cantu, 1B-3B, FLA (NR)

Dropped out: Manny Ramirez, Curtis Granderson

ALIVE

Adam Jones, OF, BAL -- The second-year outfielder is quickly starting to adjust to the MLB level. He's still not a household name, and no he's not "Pacman Jones", but Adam has 6 homers and 21 RBIs and a .353 BA. Did you know he's ranked No. 11 in standard 5 x 5 fantasy leagues?

Carlos Pena, 1B, TB -- Pena will never hit .300, but he's a great source of power and a guy that will never get drafted high in any league. But Pena is lifting off at a rapid clip -- he's got 13 home runs and 32 RBIs, so you can easily forget about his .254 BA.

DEAD

Manny Ramirez, OF, LAD -- I know it's just Manny being Manny, but getting busted for using performance enhancing drugs and getting slapped with a 50-game suspension ... that's not fantasy fun. He's dead on every roster right now.

Emilio Bonifacio, 2B-3B  -- For a guy that everyone rushed to the free agent pool to land in the first week of the season when he was ranked No. 1 (me, too, I'm guilty), he's been getting dropped more than a one-armed boxer. He's now ranked No. 244 overall, and slipping by the day. He's only hitting .248 now and is only owned in 31 percent of leagues. YIKES!!!

(Coming Wednesday: Between the White Lines by Jim Ingram)