Daily Pucking Grind. No Doubting Thomas. June 16th.

Today’s music choice on New Releases Thursday is Fragile Bird by City and Colour.  This song was used as the opening montage by CBC for last nights final.

For the first time since 1972 the Boston Bruins have won the Stanley Cup, beating the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 4-0 in game seven.  The four victories for the Bruins came after being down two games to none, and having to win four of the next six, which not many people gave them a chance to do.  However, they left out one very important ingredient.  Goaltender Tim Thomas.  Thomas was excellent the entire regular season, and all the way through the playoffs.  The Bruins who were potentially ready to trade Thomas before the beginning of the season decided to hang on to him, and there is no doubt right now that it was the right decision.

Stopping all 37 shots he faced including some significant scoring chances by Vancouver early in the first period, the Bruins prevailed over the favored Canucks.  Not only did Thomas win the Stanley Cup, but he became the oldest player at 37 years old to win the Conn Smythe Tropy.  Fortunately for Thomas and the Bruins, he had some help, and this was a true team effort.  Brad Marchand, the pesky forward turned in an excellent performance.  An agitator when needed, and a goal scorer when it counted, Marchand had 11 goals in the playoffs, including five in the final, to go along with eight assists.  Bostons defence shut down the Sedins, who were once again, virtually a non factor.  While the series was full of nonsense at times, one thing sticks out for me for the Bruins.  The hit by on Nathan Horton by Aaron Rome, rallied them together and energized them to all work toward the same goal for their fallen brother.

The Canucks on the other had did a disappearing act almost better than Houdini.  On the road this team was absolutely awful.  Outscored what seemed like 98-1 in Boston, the Canucks came home for game seven with all the pressure on them, and couldn’t get the job done.  Roberto Luongo who his chance to prove that he can win the big one, didn’t.  While the goals were not necessarily all his fault, he needed to be big. And he wasn’t.  In the four loses against the Bruins Louie gave up 21 goals.  Ouch.  But game seven was not entirely his fault.  The sisters, Alex Burrows, and Ryan Kesler did nothing to help their team.  On top of it, once again, Alain Vigneault was out coached in a series.  Going too be a long summer for Vancouver and Luongo.  He’ll have lots of time to take long walks to figure this one out.

Congrats to Tim Thomas on a terrific series and playoff run.  And to the Boston Bruins.

Here’s a few links for Thursday:

Puck Daddy’s Three Stars.

Who takes the blame for the Canuks failure? TSN.ca.

Patrice Bergeron’s return to good health seems to be complete. NHL.com.

The Sisters refuse to make any excuses after last night’s loss. They just didn’t show up.  CBC.

The city of Vancouver painted a horrific picture of themselves by rioting in the city, compared to Boston’s fireworks.  Puck Daddy.

Justin Bourne breaks down game seven’s victory for the Bruins.

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