2012 CTN Awards – The Winners

Now that the real NHL Awards are over and all of your votes have been cast, it’s time to announce the winners of the 2012 Crashing the Net Awards.

Racism overshadows an incredible playoff series.

Last night was appalling for a multitude of reasons. The Bruins came out looking lifeless and lost as a result. But whats more upsetting than being knocked out of the playoffs, which is a pretty big deal, is the vile comments spewed by Bruins “fans” and “fans” in general after Joel Ward’s OT winner. While I’m fully aware that the argument that those people are not real fans is invalid, I don’t consider them to be fans and I never will. I’m sure the sentiment is similar throughout the hockey fanbase.

Lets not even get into the blatantly racist portion of their attack just yet and focus on another aspect of what they took from Joel Ward last night. By sitting behind a computer screen and spouting off slurs, they took away his glory of scoring the game winner in OT of a Game 7. No one is going to ask him about his goal, and that pains me as a hockey fan. The playoffs are an amazing time, and goals like that are what players and fans dream about. Did Joel Ward and the Capitals knock my team out of the playoffs and shatter my hopes and dreams? Absolutely. That being said, the look on his face and the excitement is what its all about, knowing that he’ll never forget that moment. Ward should be relishing in the glory of taking the series for his team, not having to dodge questions about racism.

Moving onto the childish racism. All I can say after having a day to reflect on it is, really? This racism wasn’t limited to Bruins fans mind you, but Flyers fans, Red Wings fans and just random trolls mixed in. What do you accomplish by calling someone a racial slur. Its not going to change the fact that he scored on Tim Thomas. They’re not going to take back the goal and replay the game because some yahoo on Twitter that is incapable of proper grammar and spelling called Joel Ward the n-word. All they accomplished was diminishing an amazing sport, casting Boston fans in a bad light, and making themselves look like complete fools in the process. So congrats guys, I hope you feel great. I hope you woke up feeling like you made your mark on the world.

This brings me to my final point. There are a lot of people out there, most of them aren’t even Capitals fans, that are grouping the entire city of Boston and all of Bruins fans into the label of “racist”. I’m fully aware the Boston has a tarnished past but this boggles my mind, that people can just generalize about an entire group of people because of the team they follow. How does that make you better than anyone else. Thats like considering that all people from Germany are Nazi’s. I know the latter example is a different, but it has the same idea. You’re taking a group of people and judging them by their affiliation to something. To say that we understand the plight of Canuck fans would be the understatement of the century. They’re labeled “rioters” and we’re labeled “racists”. Its not a label I wish to carry. The fact that Joel Ward is another race never even crossed my mind last night. All I saw was a hockey player that ended my team’s season. I’m sure that’s what most thought as well.

Racism cannot be tolerated in this sport or any aspect of life. If you can play, you can play. I sincerely apologize to Joel Ward, the Capitals and their fans for having their glorious Game 7 win taken away from them with this ignorance. I won’t however, apologize on behalf of Bruins fans because the ones I associate with were nothing but respectful after the loss and I cannot apologize for racist, ignorant people that under no circumstance deserve to be forgiven.

Player Spotlight: Benoit Pouliot

Ask Bruins fan about how they feel when it comes to Benoit Pouliot and you’ll get a mixed response. Some like him, some aren’t sure and some fans absolutely hate him. When it comes to the Bruins fan base and probably any fan base really, there is always one person that can do no right in the eyes of the fans. It would seem that regardless of all the things Benoit Pouliot does right, it only takes one mistake before people start calling for him to be benched. Fortunately, all of us lovely ladies at CrashingTheNet are supporters of Pouliot. That is why the spotlight belongs on him right now, he’s earned it.

Pre-game Notes Round 1: Capitals vs. Bruins-Game Two 4/14/12

If you’re a Bruins fan, you’re probably feeling pretty good about how the last two days have unfolded. Chris Kelly saved the day and took Game One for the Bruins on Thursday, and last night both the Penguins and Vancouver lost on home ice. As nice as it is to enjoy another team’s misery, we have more important things to worry about today. Game Two of the Quarterfinals will be going down today at the Garden, and its fully expected to be a battle to the end. If its anything like Game 1 was, its going to be a very long series. This is an important win for the Bruins, as it will give them a 2 game lead and momentum heading into Washington D.C.

Everything you need to know about the one and only Cageface Kelly.

Last night was a big night for Chris Kelly. The Bruins and Caps were tied at zero for a full 60 minute hockey game and it looked like it was never going to end. Then at only 1:18 into the OT period, Kelly sent a slap shot past Holtby and it was over. Game 1 went to the Bruins and first star of the night went to a much deserving Chris Kelly. The man that wears #23 has gone from unsung hero to OT hero in one game. It seems like an appropriate time to drop some knowledge about our favorite cage wearing alternate captain.

Pre-game Notes: Penguins vs Bruins 4/3/12

To be perfectly honest with you guys, this pre-game is probably going to be half-assed because nothing matters anymore. The playoff spot is ours,  the division is ours, at this point the B’s just need to get through the remaining three games without anymore injuries. Pittsburgh however, is still vying for #1 spot in the East. Thats likely not to happen, the Rangers have 107, Penguins with 102, each with 3 games left. The Rangers would have to lose all 3 games and the Penguins would have to win all 3 to end the season with 108.  Its possible, but hard to imagine that the Rangers are going to drop the last three games of their season. Anyway, who cares since our division is clinched. Focus for tonight is no one get hurt.

Pre-game notes: Capitals vs. Bruins 3/29/2012

Its strange to think that two weeks ago we were in full on panic mode and now, with a win/OT loss tonight we’ll clinch a playoff spot. The Bruins have really turned things around recently, winning the last three games and just looking like they’re about to surge going into the playoffs. Classic Bruins. Scaring the crap out of us then flipping the switch. Tonight is a must win because A.) Playoff spot hello and B.) I feel meh about Alexander Ovechkin

Post-game notes: Maple Leafs vs. Bruins 3/19/12

Something about playing the Maple Leafs brings out the absolute best in the Bruins. Maybe the “Thank you Kessel” chants really pump them up. Maybe the Leafs are just the type of team that the Bruins can straight dominate with ease. Whatever it is, no one is complaining. This was the sixth and final meeting between the two teams this season, and the Bruins have swept them for the first time in two decades.

Pre-game Notes: Bruins vs. Panthers 3/15/2012

How uncomfortable did it feel hoping that Montreal won last night? Fortunately for us, they did win in a shootout and Ottawa is now one point behind us in the division. The games in hand that the Bruins fervently talked about for a month are all but gone, as there is only one left. They’ve blown their lead, and are dangerously close to falling to second in the division and seventh in the Conference. Second to seventh, oh how the mighty have fallen. After an absolutely legless, abysmal showing in Tampa Bay, the Bruins are looking to put that game behind them and prove to everyone including themselves, that they are true competitors and a threat heading into the playoffs.

Why is this happening to us? Is this real life?

Lets think back to last year’s Cup run. We won the Montreal series in Game 7, we won the Lightning series in Game 7, and we won the Vancouver series in Game 7. Not only did the Bruins win that series in Game 7, but they went into that game with the odds against them and their backs against the wall. Sure, we all believed in them but there was an uneasiness after an inability to score lost us games 1,2 and 5.  The Bruins play their best hockey under pressure. They’re certainly pushing it now, because with tonights blowout, we have one game in hand on Ottawa. Considering Ottawa is two points out of first place, its do or die time now and I’m not sure the Bruins are up for the challenge.

Blame injuries? Sure, why not. We have key players out.  The Bruins went from having an amazing goalie tandem to have one very tired goalie and one very injured one. Nathan Horton has been out since January, and he was a huge contribution to that amazing run in November/December. Peverley’s legs and speed are irreplaceable, no one can tear down that ice quite like he can. On the other hand, despite these tremendous losses, how can we use it as an excuse. The Bruins are a professional hockey team. With players like Bergeron, Chara, and Seguin still healthy, how can we accept injuries playing a factor? Simply put, we can’t. Injuries are an excuse for  a couple games, while everyone gets used to their new lines and adjusting to a certain player being gone. Horton has been gone for almost two months, and Peverley went down not long after that. I respectfully request that injuries be left out of it from now on. That’s not what’s wrong here. Fatigue is another excuse being thrown around. Accepting the fact that these are the dog days of the season, they’re also the playoff push days of the season. The time when they should be skating harder and shooting more than they have all season. When all goes according to plan, they finish the season on a high note and are pumped for the playoffs.

So what is the problem. A stand there and watch defense as the puck goes in over and over again. An offense that won’t crash the net and put pucks to it. A team that won’t take the body anymore like they used to. The Bruins have been outskated, out-shot and out muscled in almost every game they’ve played since January. This whole “coming from behind” thing is getting old, but as Bruins fans we should be used to it. They had this notoriety as the underdogs, but that ended on June 15th, 2011. Your general manager, coaches, and fans expect more out of you fella’s. All we want is a little consistency and a desire to win. I have no doubt that they’re furious about how they’ve been playing but they need that anger to translate into their play. Bring that anger to the ice and turn it into drive. A drive to win, a drive to show every team in the NHL that they should be scared. When the Bruins are on their game, teams should be scared. As it stands right now, the majority of teams are probably thinking they could sweep us right out of the playoffs.

To everyone who’s feeling down right now, don’t despair. Stick by the team just like you all did when Vancouver was favored to win the Cup.  Stick by them through thick and thin, bad and worse just like you have all these years.  Its worth it.