Chances are if you grew up in or around Boston, you’ve been introduced to the Bruins. The oldest American team in the NHL first skated onto the hockey scene and into hearts in 1924. They have competed in nineteen Stanley Cup Championships since 1927, and have won five, most recently in 2011.
Many will remember the excitement associated with the 2010-2011 season. It was the first time that the Bruins had been in the Stanley Cup finals since 1990, as well as the first time that they had won since 1972.
They are off to a very good start this season. Out of their ten games thus far this season, they have won seven (as of October 27), putting them in a three-way tie for 2nd in the Eastern Conference. In recent Bruins’ history they have been a very strong defensive team and this year looks to be more of the same. In the early going of the season they currently have given up the second least amount of goals in the entire NHL. Excellent goaltending, a very solid group of defensemen and a team-wide commitment to playing a defensive style of hockey are the reasons for this.
One of the causes for plenty of optimism for a run at the Stanley Cup this year is some of the youth that have joined the team in the last season or two to augment the crop of veteran Bruins. Defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug (20 and 22 years old respectively) have been outstanding thus far, providing solid defense and showing plenty of offensive talent as well. Hamilton has 2 goals and Krug 4. Krug, a rookie, currently leads the NHL in goals by a defenseman and quarterbacks the 1st power play unit.
New addition Jarome Iginla has been settling as the 1st line right winger. After a slow start he has netted a couple goals recently and is 3rd overall on the team in scoring with 8 points. He’s had a couple of fights as well which is a pretty good way to earn the respect of Bruins fans.
Returning veterans Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Milan Lucic and team captain Zdeno Chara continue to be amongst the best in the NHL at their positions and provide plenty of cause for optimism for success this season.
When asked, many said that the odds of Boston doing well this year were good. According to Amanda Lalime ’16, the Bruins are “an excellent team with a lot of depth”. Amanda enjoys watching hockey with her younger brother, and their favorite player is #27, defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
Similarly, Lauren Harnish ‘16 commented that she liked “the team dynamic they have – they just click”.
John Spillane, ‘17, did favor Tim Thomas, but now is a fan of Tuuka Rask. “I think they’ll do well this season – they have thus far,” said Spillane.
Zoey Zukowski ‘15, one of the most spirited Bruins fans on this campus, enjoys watching her favorite team because they are a “strong and iconic part of Boston, and are really talented.” Her favorite player is #40 Tuuka Rask.
The Boston Bruins have always been a symbol of hope and pride for Bostonians and New Englanders alike, making pride for the bears a huge component of the winter and causing a lot of joy that hockey is once again in season!