U-S-A!

Tim Thomas started in net for Team USA in their first IIHF game against Latvia with 24 saves in a 4-0 win. In USA's second game, Timmy T faced an agonizing 12 shots. Lone Slovenia goal was scored by Anze Kopitar, who handcuffed Thomas with his ugliness. Also during the game, Kopitar was nailed into the boards by Bag Ala Douche, Keith Ballard, who received a 10 minute unsportsmanlike penalty for the nasty hit. Kessel, Phil Kessel, What, tallied a hat trick in USA's 5-1 win over Slovenia in the IIHF. This event poses two questions.

1) Try scoring a fucking hat trick with a B on your chest. (I guess that is more of a statement)
2) Slovenia is a country?

US takes on Canada next on Tuesday. Most of Canada's eyes should be on this match seeing that Canada's hopes and dreams of a Canadian team winning the Cup this season were shattered, destroyed, obliterated, smashed, ruined, broken, and demolished by the Habs second round exit.

Speaking of retards, now that the Habs are out of the playoff scene, the Sagging Tits and the Flying Mullet will be joining team Belarus. This is Sergei's first appearance in the Worlds, and boy, he is still ugly. The utter failure of the Hab's playoff run also gave a boost to the Czech team as they will be adding Tomas "the little girl" Plekanec to their roster.

Updates to follow.

USA

Running Tally
Thomas: 2
World: 0

USE THE FORCE LOOCH

The next Cam Neely, you are. Come to restore balance in the hockey universe, you have. Strong with you, the force is. Use the force wisely Looch, you must. If you beat the Habs, destroy the dark side, you will.

Seriously though, enough Yoda. But this is as Star Warsy as it gets. A little scrappy rebellion trying to take down an huge dark empire with a young warrior emerging as their future leader. Just like Star Wars, however recast with the B's.

-Looch, the young Padawan learner, as Luke Skywalker
-Timmy Thomas, the steady sidekick, as Han Solo
-Savard, the little bot coming in clutch, as R2-D2
-Aaron Ward, the mechanical wonder that some how shakes off his 42 injuries, as C3PO
-Thomas Plekanec, the little girl, as Princess Leia (hey, his shitty play is technically helping the Jedi Cause)
-Zdeno Chara, the calm, yet sometimes fierce beast, as Chewy.
-The rest of the team can be Ewoks because they are just so freakin cute.
-Julien, enough said, as Master Yoda
-Cam Neely, training his young Jedi Apprentice to become the fierce warrior his was/is, as Obi-Wan Kenobi

As long as the B's continue to steer away from the darkside, they can win these games. The darkside is getting weak. If anything, the Habs have stolen these games (with the exception of Game 1) from the B's. Keep grinding, and the wins will come. Just a winning tomorrow night will be enough to send the Habs ambitions out the window faster than Mace Windu. As they penetrate the Death Star tomorrow night, they need to remember that while the Empire's army is great, a small, concentrated attack will be enough to set off the destruction of the whole ship. Hit em' hard and make it count. Once great, evil republics have been taken down before. Just ask Kovy, maybe that will bring back some (any) emotion.
Win, the B's must and will.

Game 4: Who Wants It More?

Les Glorieux? Ole, Ole, Ole? Seems a bit much, but I have to say that I am jealous of the passion Montrealites have for their team. Over the past decade or so, Bostonians lost their passion for the Big Bad Bruins. The Bruins had a few bad years, there is a lot of animosity toward ownership/management, and the world began to revolve around the loud, obnoxious mass which is Red Sox Nation. However, times they are a changing.

The Bruins are back. They are something to be proud of. You've got the ultimate underdog, Tim Thomas, playing his heart out and becoming the titanium spine of this Bruins team. You've got Milan Lucic. A kid. A prospect that was supposed to go back to Juniors at the beginning of the year. Now, a Seventh Player Award winner, a fan favorite, he epitomizes all that is Bruin. A mix of grit, skill, heart, intensity, and power.

And now, you look to management. Who do you see? Cam Fucking Neely. This man is passion. He is hockey. He is so hungry for a cup and for the Bruins become the the team they once were. Anyone who saw Neely's reaction to Savvy's OT winner Sunday night has no doubt he wants to win so bad he can taste it. And yes, it is confirmed that both of Chiarelli's hands were broken in that exchange. How could you not get behind this?

I know it will take time, but I hope over the years the new Garden will become the Garden that Guy Carbonneau remembers. When recently asked if he felt the same intensity in the newer building he claimed that it was intense, but in the old Garden would not be teaming with Habs fans. In the old Garden, they wouldn't dare show up in their jerseys.

While Sunday was a great day. It is done. A game in the books and tonight is just as important as Sunday. Julien will probably keep the roster the same as Sunday. There really isn't a ton to improve on and all lines gave a fierce effort in the win. Bergy is not ready to go. He needs more practice, more weight. He can't get much going by the way of getting into game shape when all recent practices have been morning skates. Also, would he F up the Mojo? Yes, his return would be emotional, glorious. But boys out there have found their groove. They should keep digging in as long as it works for them. Kessel, What? and Alberts should remain out. They are both young. They will have their time. Wideman was huge for the B's on Sunday, and again, the lines worked for them. No reason to change it up. They just need to play like they believe they'll win.

Cheesy theme song for tonight? Don't Stop Believing. If the B's play with the passion Steve Perry sings, this game will be theirs.