Bruins Weekly Recap
The Bruins earned 4 out of a possible 8 points. Boston is currently in 8th place in the Eastern Confernece and 3rd in the Northeast Division. Here are the results from this weeks games.
| Monday | vs. Pittsburgh | 2-1 OTL |
| Tuesday | @ Buffalo | 3-2 OTL |
| Thursday | vs. Toronto | 4-2 L |
| Saturday | vs. Atlanta | 5-4 W |
Three Up
Milan Lucic-
Milan Lucic not only found the net, he’s seeing the ice better, too. Lucic, playing his second straight game wearing contacts, earned his first career hat trick in the win over the Thrashers on Saturday night. “It’s like going from ordinary TV to high-definition TV,” Lucic joked. “It’s good to be out there when your vision’s clear.” Lucic has also taken full advantage of PJ Axelsson’s early injury and has planted himself on the top line with Marc Savard and power play time on the second unit. This week Lucic has post 3 goals, two assist, and a classic hit. Lucic put Toronto’s Mike Van Ryn through the glass 20 seconds into the second period, sending shards of glass flying into the crowd and raining down on the Leafs defenseman’s neck
Power play 2-
Alex Tanguay scored the shootout winner to give Montreal a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night in the Canadiens’ first home game in their 100th year. This mark the 12th straight regular season win over Boston for Montreal, outscoring Boston 51-22 during the 12-game winning streak.
“Obviously, the first period, that’s not the start that we wanted,” Patrice Bergeron said. “We never stopped battling and we came back in the game, and I think that’s a big point, but we could have avoided going to overtime by playing well in the first period.”
David Krejci drove a slap shot from the slot off the crossbar and into the net 7:15 into the second period for an unassisted goal that cut the lead to 3-1.
Marc Savard, whose power-play goal 7:12 into the third made it 3-2, scored into a wide open net after Canadiens’ goalie Carey Price was caught behind the goal when Michael Ryder’s dump-in took a strange bounce off the right boards and over the back of the net. Savard scored his second third-period goal with 47.6 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 3.
Sobotka recalled to Bruins" class="imgcaption floatr" style="float: right;" />With the trade of Andrew Alberts and the injury to Chuck Kobasew, the Bruins have called up Vladimir Sobotka and Matt Hunwick from Providence of the AHL. Kobasew suffered another set back in his injury plagued career with a broken ankle. He is should be out for 3 weeks.
GM Peter Chiarelli shed sone light on the Alberts trade in his blog on bostonbruins.com.
"We made a move yesterday to trade Andrew Alberts to Philadelphia. There are a lot of components, or reasons, behind that trade - and I will share a couple of them with you."
"Maybe the biggest one was to open up some spots for some young guys (Sobotka and Hunwick) who we called up this morning. Secondly, you have to be very proactive in this system and you have to move early on things. We weren’t going to re-sign Andrew, so we figured we’d better preserve the asset, so to speak, and get something back."
With Kobasew out and Alberts out of town, this left the door wide up for Sobotka and Hunwick.
Hunwick spent the majority of the 07-08 season in Providence where he earned 23 points in 55 games. He was recalled to Boston on four separate occasions last year and tallied one assist in 13 games. Sobotka tallied two goals and two assists in the first two games for the P-Bruins this year. He split the 2007-2008 season between Boston and Providence, and with Boston, saw action in 48 regular season games, contributed one goal and six assists and added two goals in six postseason games.
Tragedy struck the hockey world when Alexei Cherepanov, the New York Rangers’ first pick (No. 17) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, has died after suffering an apparent heart attack Monday during a game with Avangard Omsk, his club in the Kontinental Hockey League.
The 19-year-old Cherepanov had 8 goals and 13 points in 15 games this season, his third with
Cherepanov had scored the game’s first goal in what ended as a 5-4 loss for
"We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei," said Rangers General Manager Glen Sather. "On behalf of the New York Rangers organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future."
The Rangers had been hoping to bring Cherepanov to
Cherepanov was sitting between former Rangers’ star Jaromir Jagr and forward Pavel Rosa on the bench when he suffered an apparent heart attack. A team of doctors tried to revive Cherepanov but couldn’t. Cherepanov was taken to a local hospital where further attempts to revive him failed.
Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has traded defenseman Andrew Alberts to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Ned Lukacevic and a fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The 2009 fourth round pick becomes a 2009 third round pick if the Flyers resign Alberts at the end of his contract which expires on June 30, 2009.
Alberts played collegiately for Boston College from 2001–2005 with a total of 66 points and 243 penalty minutes in 149 career college games.He was then drafted by the Bruins in the fourth round (179th overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft. Alberts played in 181 games for the Bruins during his three-plus years with the club, notching one goal, 18 assists and 231 penalty minutes. This season Alberts couldn’t seem to crack the starting line up. He was a healthy scratch in the Bruins first two games of the 2008-2009 season.
The new guy, 22-year-old Lukacevic played 61 games for Reading of the East Coast Hockey League and tallied 17 goals and 19 assists last year. He will not see time in Boston in the near future. He stands at 6-0 and 200 pound and is from Podgorica, Serbia. In three-plus professional seasons split between Reading (ECHL) Manchester (American Hockey League) and Philadelphia (AHL), played in 126 games, recording 61 points and 99 penalty minutes. Originally drafted in the fourth round (110th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Lukacevic was dealt to the Flyers in a deal that brought the Kings Denis Gauthier.
The Bruins started the season with a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on a David Krejci game winner. Tim Thomas got the start in goal and turned away 35 of Colorado’s 39 shots. This marked the first game for rookie Blake Wheeler and he would not disappoint. He netted he first career goal. Also playing in his first game as a Bruin was Michael Ryder who played on the top line with Marc Savard and PJ Axelsson. Ryder reached a milestone by scoring his 100th career goal. A good sign for Boston was seeing Patrice Bergeron having no ill effects from the concussion he suffer about a year ago. Bergeron finish the night with two assist.
Phil Kessel opened the Bruin’s season and the game’s scoring with a wrister that beat Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj low glove. Bergeron and Andrew Ference got credited with the assist.
Colorado capitalized on a Zdeno Chara penalty when Milan Hejduk banged home a nice feed from Paul Stastny to beat Thomas on the power play.
Less than a minute later Boston’s rookie Wheeler scored his first NHL goal at 10:51. Wheeler finished off a nice rush with Krejci and Chuck Kobasew, who both collected assist on the goal, and beat Budaj to put the B’s ahead 2-1. This line of Kobosew, Krejci, and Wheeler played really well and generated scoring chances. This will most likely remain as Boston’s third line for the near future.
The Boston Bruins start the season in Colorado tonight. Not making the finla roster was Vladimir Sobotka. He was sent down earlier today to Providence. He will start the year down but don’t expect him to stay long. Sobotka had an impressive pre-season and will most likely be the first call up to the Bruins. Making the team is rookie Blake Wheeler, who turned a lot of heads in camp and continued to impress throughout the pre-season.
Here is the final roster
| # | Name | Pos | Ht. | Wt. | BOD | POB |
| 6 | Dennis Wideman | D | 6-0 | 196 | 3-20-83 | Kitchener ONT |
| 11 | PJ Axelsson | LW | 6-1 | 188 | 2-26-75 | Kungalv SWE |
| 12 | Chuck Kobasew | RW | 5-11 | 192 | 4-17-82 | Vancouver BC |
| 16 | Marco Sturm | LW | 6-0 | 194 | 9-8-78 | Dingolfing GER |
| 17 | Milan Lucic | LW | 6-3 | 228 | 6-7-88 | Vancouver BC |
| 18 | Stephane Yelle | C | 6-2 | 183 | 5-9-74 | Ottawa ONT |
| 21 | Andrew Ference | D | 5-11 | 189 | 3-17-79 | Edmonton ALTA |
| 22 | Shawn Thornton | RW | 6-2 | 217 | 7-23-77 | Oshawa ONT |
| 29 | Perreri Nokelainen | C | 6-1 | 195 | 1-16-86 | Imatra FIN |
| 30 | Tim Thomas | G | 5-11 | 208 | 4-15-74 | Flint MI |
| 33 | Zdeno Chara | D | 6-9 | 255 | 3-18-77 | Trencin SLO |
| 34 | Shane Hnidy | D | 6-2 | 204 | 11-8-75 | Brandon MAN |
| 35 | Manny Fernandez | G | 6-1 | 207 | 8-27-74 | Etobicoke ONT |
| 37 | Patrice Bergeron | C | 6-2 | 194 | 7-24-85 | Ancienne-Lorette QBC |
Northwest Division
| Team | Win | Loss | OTL |
| Minnesota Wild- x | 44 | 28 | 10 |
| Colorado Avalanche- x | 44 | 31 | 7 |
| Calgary Flames- x | 42 | 30 | 10 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 41 | 35 | 6 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 39 | 33 | 10 |
x- made playoffs
The Breakdown
The Northwestern Division is very much up for grabs. Last season the Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames, and Colorado Avalanche all made the playoffs, with the Edmonton Oilers just missing. The Avalanche (forwards) and Canucks (defense) were demoralized by injury for most of the year. Despite that, every team in this division finish the regular season above .500. This year the division looks to be closer than ever. Every team has legit shot at first place.
The Calgary Flames were an enigma last year. Despite one of the best NHL goaltenders in Miikka Kiprusoff and three of the best defensive defensemen in Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, and Cory Sarich, the Flames were a middle of the road defensive team. Offensively, the Flames lost some parts in the off-season. Alex Tanguay, Kristian Huselius and Owen Nolan will be missed. However, Calgary GM Darryl Sutter did a phenomenal jog in acquiring replacements that filled the same role that the players lost were for the Flames. Calgary added Mike Cammalleri, Rene Bourque, and Todd Bertuzzi to a good offense. One thing remains the same however, as superstar Jerome Iginla goes so does the Flames offense. Defensively, Calgary will look to bounce back to being a shut down defensive club and one of the best in the NHL. Dion Phaneuf is one of the fiercest hitters in the entire league and was a Norris Trophy candidate a year ago. Goaltender Kiprusoff had a sub par season by his own standards and will look to regain his dominant form. If he can do that then the Flames will re-establish themselves as a premier shut down team.
Central Division
| Team | Win | Loss | OTL |
| Detroit Red Wings- x | 54 | 21 | 7 |
| Nashville Predators- x | 41 | 32 | 9 |
| Chicago Black Hawks | 40 | 34 | 8 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 34 | 36 | 12 |
| St. Louis Blues | 33 | 36 | 13 |
x- made playoffs
The Breakdown
The only race to watch in the Central Division is which team will come in second. Last year the Detroit Red Wings ran away with the Division and the Western Conference. They lead the league in points (115), wins (54), goals-against (2.18), and on and on. The Nashville Predators finish second in the Central but only managed 41 wins. This year will be much of the same. With every team improved, so too did the defending Stanley Cup champs.
Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today five roster moves: forwad Peter Schaefer has been released from the club and will be placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Providence (AHL), forwards Nate Thompson and Jeremy Reich have been placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to Providence (AHL), defenseman Matt Hunwick has been assigned to Providence (AHL), and forward Carl Soderberg has been assigned to Malmo (Sweden2).
Releasing Schaefer means that rookie Blake Wheeler has moved a step closer to earning one of the 23 spots on the Bruins’ roster. His play throughout the pre-season has impressed many.
Chiarelli talked about the decision to waive Schaefer at length.
“Yah, it was difficult with (Schaefer),” said the GM. “I had a history with him in Ottawa and I brought him in here and it wasn’t working out.
“And I know he’s a good player, (but) these things happen.
“We talked yesterday, it was a good talk, and he may end up in another NHL city or he may end up in Providence,” he said.
Chiarelli was asked if he sensed a lot of disappointment from the veteran forward.
“Well, he’s been in the league a while,” said Chiarelli. “I think he knew what was coming, especially with the play of Wheeler.
“So he pretty much expected it is what he told me.
“But he was disappointed that it didn’t work out here,” he said.
Atlantic Division
| Team | Win | Loss | OTL |
| Pittsburgh Penguins- x | 47 | 27 | 8 |
| New Jersey Devils- x | 46 | 29 | 7 |
| New York Rangers- x | 42 | 27 | 13 |
| Philadelphia Flyers- x | 42 | 29 | 11 |
| New York Islanders | 35 | 38 | 9 |
x- made playoffs
The Breakdown
The story of the Atlantic Division for the upcoming season is which team got worse the least. This Division was hit hard by the salary cap. It saw several of its elite players head out to other teams and leagues. In spite of all the player turnover, this division will still be evenly matched and will once again come right down to the wire. The Atlantic saw four out of its five teams in the playoffs and two (Flyers and Penguins) play in the Eastern Conference Finals. This was by far the most competitive division in the Eastern Conference and will be again in 2008-09.
Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight co-host Michael Felger caught up with the leaders of the Boston Bruins at their media day on October 3rd. Felgy talks one-on-one with owner Jeremy Jacobs, GM Peter Chiareli, legend and special assistant Cam Neely, and captain Zdeno Chara.
Be sure to check out Sean Jamieson’s NHL previews all this week.
Northeast Division
Last Season Standings
| Team | Win | Loss | OTL |
| Montreal Canadiens- x | 47 | 25 | 10 |
| Ottawa Senators- x | 43 | 31 | 8 |
| Boston Bruins- x | 41 | 29 | 12 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 39 | 31 | 12 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 36 | 35 | 11 |
x- made playoffs
The Breakdown
At the start of last season this division looked like the weak link of the NHL, with only the Sabres and Senators expected to be competitive. At the end of the year this division was much better than thought as the Bruins and Canadiens re-emerged as playoff teams. The Senators looked like the best team in NHL history out of the gates only to look like the worst after the all-star break. The Canadiens re-established themselves back in the hearts of Canada and as a dominating franchise. They finished the regular season as the best team in the Eastern Conference. Bruins came out of nowhere to earn the Northeast Division another playoff team. Despite a ration of injury to key players, the B’s snuck into the post season as the 8th and final seed.
| Team | Win | Loss | OTL |
| 43 | 31 | 8 | |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 43 | 33 | 6 |
| Florida Panthers | 38 | 35 | 9 |
| Atlanta Thrashers | 34 | 40 | 8 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 31 | 42 | 9 |
This division consists of league’s top forwards with the likes of Vincent Lecavalier, Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Eric Staal, Martin St. Louis, Nathan Horton, and the list goes on. This may be the deepest division when it comes to individual offensive talent. As far as team play goes, the Southeast may be one of the worst divisions in hockey at season’s start. The division itself will be very competitive from start to finish and alot of goals will be scored. Every team has flaws and only Washington has a shot at running away from the pack. Many believe that the division will come down to
