Why not get into conspiracy theories about the refs hating on them, I have watched the habs for years game in and game out every single night, and for years the officiating against them has been brutal, and that is putting it lightly, especially on home ice that is where it is by far a disgrace it sucks the life out of the building the team and the crowd starts to feel cheated by the officiating and the energy and fun vanishes, look at the vancouver game a no call on emelin which led to a goal later determined to be interference and a head hot suspended 3 games by nhl, when you watch the replay there are two refs right there looking right at it one ref even gets out of the way, and they do nothing, then in overtime on the canucks power play they get away with not 1 but 2 blatant interferences on the habs, last night I dont know if Iam the only one who noticed this but emelin got a penalty on play in which he was catching up playing the body and he got dropped by a clear elbow blow to the head, so emelin gets two blows to the head in two games one a no call that leads to a goal and the other one he gets a penalty it is surreal, it almost makes me want to stop watching hockey, Iam starting to think it is just as staged as the wwe, how can this be real, every year the habs have to show heart and overcome adversity , the only reason they are in first in the east right now is because of stamina and heart they never give up and they have A PLUS training facilities so they are young and in better shape then most teams, they out last teams, and they love adversity, but they can not play like that all year and get no injuries and last through play offs the grind just gets to be too much, It is not just habs games I have saw terrible refing in alot of games in the last few years, but mostly it is on the penguins and habs who seem to be the most penalized teams every year, and yet there are barley any dirty or non composed sloppy players on either team, i truly believe there are alot of refs who are biased, everyone in life is biased there is not one person who is not biased in something, we are human , just because you put on stripes doesnt mean you are not biased, every one of those refs grew up watching and playing hockey and all had a favourite team and it looks like for alot of them is was not the habs, trust me it is see through, go back and look at the senators habs playoffs and tell me that was not dictated by horrible refing , anyway that is my rant, and Iam sure Iam not alone on this one, that being said it still does not change the fact that the habs have terrible defence losing gorges on our back end was a huge loss, gilbert was the worst free agent signing ever, and emelin is not the way he use to be either, is it just me or has this whole team stopped laying out body checks it seems like the habs virtually do not hit, and as for the power play well....it was ran by gallant last year and now he is not there and it is showing ! and I knew his absence would show eventually, the fact is the habs have yet to impress me this year and only by luck and a little bit of heart have they succeeded but over all they do not look like a well composed structured team they have to stop counting on price so much, in everyone of their interviews they say we have confidence in him back there like so easy going about it, you have to give your goalies breaks, he can not continue to bail them out night in and night out i feel bad for the guy, his defence is virtually invisible, tinordi at times and weaver seem to be our only defencive defencemen, sekac did not deserve to ride the pine after scoring a goal so early i hope this does not leave a bad taste in his mouth he deserves to play well over bourque eller and moen, I truly hope the habs are working the phones because alot of dead weight and baggage still exists on this team and the team was not yet complete heading into this season, eller contract extention was a terrible choice and way too much, emelin moen eller all need to go, players like andrighetto thomas and hudon who are playing with hamilton all deserve to be there ahead of those players, the baggage needs to go to make room,
- thehusla

Crims,

I think we found it.

It's been awhile since I've seen one like but that was great.

This was far from a stroke of genius.

Kevin Fant, 44, a Transit Police Officer, was placed on administrative leave today after he was literally caught with his pants down, Jerri Williams, a SEPTA spokeswoman, said in a statement.

A video of Fant allegedly masturbating on a subway train reached SEPTA's administration last week, according to Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel.

The footage, recorded in August on a Broad Street Line train, shows Fant getting in touch with himself while off-duty. Members of SEPTA's social-media department found the clip while doing a routine search of online postings mentioning the transit authority, said Nestel.

After a Transit Police captain viewed the video and positively identified Fant, the department took “immediate action,” said Nestel.

This was far from a stroke of genius.

Kevin Fant, 44, a Transit Police Officer, was placed on administrative leave today after he was literally caught with his pants down, Jerri Williams, a SEPTA spokeswoman, said in a statement.

A video of Fant allegedly masturbating on a subway train reached SEPTA's administration last week, according to Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel.

The footage, recorded in August on a Broad Street Line train, shows Fant getting in touch with himself while off-duty. Members of SEPTA's social-media department found the clip while doing a routine search of online postings mentioning the transit authority, said Nestel.

After a Transit Police captain viewed the video and positively identified Fant, the department took “immediate action,” said Nestel.
- watsonnostaw

sounds like kevin fant likes "immediate action" too.

sounds like kevin fant likes "immediate action" too.
- kicksave856

I haven’t posted a blog in quite a while now and for that I apologize. When I began writing here, I did so with the idea that I was going to have some fun with my blogs and those of you who have read my stuff throughout this past season know I definitely did have fun. Basically, I took blogging on as a little pet project. I told myself that if it turned into anything more than a fun little past-time then that’d be great, but all I ever really expected was to enjoy writing about my favourite hockey team. That being said – in the words of B.B. King – the thrill is gone. I’ve moved on to doing other things with my free time (namely guitar playing – so if you ever see a metal-blues fusion band, you never know) and I just can’t get myself to stop and hack out several pages of hockey blog anymore.

Will I ever want to blog here again? I don’t doubt it. I’m sure at some point the urge to blog will come back and bite me at least temporarily. Unfortunately, I have no clue when that will happen or for how long it will last and it’s not fair for me to just hang around when other people would love to write about the Bruins in my place. It’s also not fair to Bruin fans who rightly expect timely and regular blogs. Since I’m not feeling the dedication to blogging that I used to, since it’s not fair for me to sit around and take up space and since I feel bad for Bruin fans on the site who want regular blogs, I’ve decided to resign as goofy, centre column, Bruins blogger guy.

This decision wasn’t an easy one to make. It has been a lot of fun writing for this site and for that I thank Eklund and the regular patrons of Hockeybuzz. I’ve had all sorts of interesting stuff happen to me because of this site, including contact with other media affiliates, and it’s not easy to walk away from the attention this site brings currently or the potential this site has for the future. But I do believe it is the proper thing to do. Of course, I only mean that I am walking away from blogging here, I don’t mean I’ll never come here anymore just as a fan.

That last sentence ties into another reason I don’t want to blog anymore. I’m still a die-hard Bruin fan and, frankly, I miss watching games without taking notes and I miss reacting to signings without having to write an essay about them. The Bruins are going in a general direction that I like (even if I do think they need more defense) and I think I want to enjoy next season without any added responsibility. It should be a fun team to watch with so many exciting line-up possibilities.

I also want to make it clear that I’ve not been asked to leave, I don’t want to leave because of any ill will toward this site and as I leave I wish nothing but success for Hockeybuzz and everyone linked to Hockeybuzz.

I’ve never had anyone comment on it but I’ve used quite a bit of Shakespeare in my writing here. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” seems to fit this instance perfectly – although in a different context than Juliet meant it – because while I’m sad to leave, I also feel happy about moving on, if that makes any sense.

So, without boring you any further, live long and prosper, may the force be with you, jaffa kree, course heading: second star to the right and straight on 'til morning.
See you around and thank you.

*cue the sad music from the Hulk*

-Gerz


Added by Eklund .....

Ek's Note:

Thanks Bud! You have truly been awesome at all levels to work with and I have no doubt that you will succeed in all your endeavors. You have always been pro to the max and a pleasure to deal with and your pulse on the Bruins community really has been second to none.

Most of all, you are a grade A individual.

all the best, and the door is ALWAYS open.

EK

I haven’t posted a blog in quite a while now and for that I apologize. When I began writing here, I did so with the idea that I was going to have some fun with my blogs and those of you who have read my stuff throughout this past season know I definitely did have fun. Basically, I took blogging on as a little pet project. I told myself that if it turned into anything more than a fun little past-time then that’d be great, but all I ever really expected was to enjoy writing about my favourite hockey team. That being said – in the words of B.B. King – the thrill is gone. I’ve moved on to doing other things with my free time (namely guitar playing – so if you ever see a metal-blues fusion band, you never know) and I just can’t get myself to stop and hack out several pages of hockey blog anymore.

Will I ever want to blog here again? I don’t doubt it. I’m sure at some point the urge to blog will come back and bite me at least temporarily. Unfortunately, I have no clue when that will happen or for how long it will last and it’s not fair for me to just hang around when other people would love to write about the Bruins in my place. It’s also not fair to Bruin fans who rightly expect timely and regular blogs. Since I’m not feeling the dedication to blogging that I used to, since it’s not fair for me to sit around and take up space and since I feel bad for Bruin fans on the site who want regular blogs, I’ve decided to resign as goofy, centre column, Bruins blogger guy.

This decision wasn’t an easy one to make. It has been a lot of fun writing for this site and for that I thank Eklund and the regular patrons of Hockeybuzz. I’ve had all sorts of interesting stuff happen to me because of this site, including contact with other media affiliates, and it’s not easy to walk away from the attention this site brings currently or the potential this site has for the future. But I do believe it is the proper thing to do. Of course, I only mean that I am walking away from blogging here, I don’t mean I’ll never come here anymore just as a fan.

That last sentence ties into another reason I don’t want to blog anymore. I’m still a die-hard Bruin fan and, frankly, I miss watching games without taking notes and I miss reacting to signings without having to write an essay about them. The Bruins are going in a general direction that I like (even if I do think they need more defense) and I think I want to enjoy next season without any added responsibility. It should be a fun team to watch with so many exciting line-up possibilities.

I also want to make it clear that I’ve not been asked to leave, I don’t want to leave because of any ill will toward this site and as I leave I wish nothing but success for Hockeybuzz and everyone linked to Hockeybuzz.

I’ve never had anyone comment on it but I’ve used quite a bit of Shakespeare in my writing here. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” seems to fit this instance perfectly – although in a different context than Juliet meant it – because while I’m sad to leave, I also feel happy about moving on, if that makes any sense.

So, without boring you any further, live long and prosper, may the force be with you, jaffa kree, course heading: second star to the right and straight on 'til morning.
See you around and thank you.

*cue the sad music from the Hulk*

-Gerz


Added by Eklund .....

Ek's Note:

Thanks Bud! You have truly been awesome at all levels to work with and I have no doubt that you will succeed in all your endeavors. You have always been pro to the max and a pleasure to deal with and your pulse on the Bruins community really has been second to none.

Most of all, you are a grade A individual.

all the best, and the door is ALWAYS open.

EK
- watsonnostaw

- kicksave856

to be fair the sad music from the hulk was sad

to be fair the sad music from the hulk was sad
- Pie

indeed it was.

- watsonnostaw

yes (twice) no no yes

Our nation is far from what it was and what it should be. I have seen so many depressing changes made in my time that I cannot imagine what it must be like for you. There is so much wrong and on so many levels only passing through the crucible of another revolution can get us back the liberties we once had. I do not pretend to know what that revolution will look like or even if it would be successful.

Tension is high at the moment and the time seems right for a spark to ignite a fire in the hearts of men. What I have done has not been done before and it felt like it was worth a try.

If I am dead I would like to be buried in a wood casket (no lead lined casket!) so that my remains can return to where they came from. I realize that this may not be possible though, laws and what not, so don't sweat it. Also, light a candle for me at the Russian or Greek Orthodox church in Stroudsburg from time to time. It doesn't need to be during a liturgy, just whenever they are open. I am sure you can figure it out.

I do not have a death wish but I know the odds. I tried my best to do this thing without getting identified, but if you are reading this then I was not successful. If I am still alive and free know that I will do my best to remain as such. And as time goes by, if circumstances change, if my spark hit good tinder, then I may be able to return one day.

I am sorry. You guys are great parents, I am just not a good son. I squandered so much opportunity and support and rarely tried my best at anything. God knows I do not deserve the things I had, maybe He knew I would be sacrificing all of it in the end, or maybe this is just the final squander. Who knows.

I love you. Please forgive me of my many faults. And thanks for putting up with me for so long.

This was far from a stroke of genius.

Kevin Fant, 44, a Transit Police Officer, was placed on administrative leave today after he was literally caught with his pants down, Jerri Williams, a SEPTA spokeswoman, said in a statement.

A video of Fant allegedly masturbating on a subway train reached SEPTA's administration last week, according to Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel.

The footage, recorded in August on a Broad Street Line train, shows Fant getting in touch with himself while off-duty. Members of SEPTA's social-media department found the clip while doing a routine search of online postings mentioning the transit authority, said Nestel.

After a Transit Police captain viewed the video and positively identified Fant, the department took “immediate action,” said Nestel.
- watsonnostaw

Fant-asy

This is quite simply the most gutless, self-obsessed, pathetic and embarrassing group of "athletes" that has ever donned the blue and white. You can talk about the 80's and our struggles during that ignominious era, but obviously ownership was the overriding issue at that time. Today's group has no such scapegoat to absolve them for their continued failures. In my mind, the single greatest issue with this (for lack of a better word) "team" is leadership--or more specifically, the complete and total absence of it. It is hardly a surprise compete level and work ethic are forever lacking with this bunch--especially when your Captain is an overpaid, egocentric, and chronically under-performing prima-donna and your leading scorer is a one-dimensional malcontent who whines about the media following a 6-2 drubbing at the hands of a team sporting the worst record in the league. These are the individuals providing the example to young players such as Morgan Reilly, Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner, and the alarming lack of growth and improvement from these talented young players suggests that the example provided is not a positive one. Carlyle is fighting a losing battle that will inevitably see him take the fall, but make no mistake, whoever is unlucky enough to be hired in his place will run headlong into the same brick wall of entitlement and indifference displayed daily by our top forward and, ahem, "number one" defenceman. Until management and ownership take off the rose colored glasses and finally accept that the Phaneuf-Kessel duo will never lead this team beyond its current level of schizophrenic mediocrity, we as fans can look forward to future seasons of being bad enough to miss the postseason but not quite terrible enough to have the opportunity to draft the kind of game-changing, franchise players (Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel for example) that you build Stanley Cup winning teams around. We can only hope that management will see the light and blow up this failed experiment before the two-headed monster known as Phaneuf/Kessel has the opportunity to poison the likes of William Nylander and Andreas Johnson.
- IrishMedicinMan

[quote=dt99999]

- nfph

I was reading it casually until the mention of schizophrenia really drove it home

I have been reading this site for going on four years now. I have been watching the Leafs struggle for going on, I don't know, fifteen. I really miss the days of watching Sundin raise his arms in the air, scoring a playoff goal. How many people around here even remember why they are leafs fans? Talk of blow this up, fire this coach, blame Kessel, blame Dion. Give me a damn break already.

For those of you who don't remember Leafs playoff hockey, it was incredible. There is something to be said about the Leafs being in deep in the playoffs, where you were almost certain they should win. However, most of the crap that I read on here, is no better than what the team is doing on the ice.

Am I happy with being beaten 15-4? No. Do I think that female doging and whining at Dion is going to work? At Kessel? At firing Randy? No. All of you that are criticizing Dion or Phil, sure go for it. But your opinion is, for the most part inconsequential.

Do you really want to tell me that Dion isn't trying to put his best foot forward? He may not be a top defenseman, but I definitely want him on my team. Hell, I want him in a leadership role. A 2-3 Assistant Captain. I don't think that there is a captain on the team. I don't think that Kessel is a captain, and that to me is ok. Take the pressure away from him. Some people lead in other ways, and I think it is unfair to these guys to have to answer for every single slip up they do. Imagine if Crosby, or Tavares, or Hall, or Stamkos were defensemen. How do you think they would match up. They put up points, they are extremely gifted offensively, which makes their teams better defensively. But let's not be blind, and remember how bad Tavares's led team was. They were not all of a sudden amazing do to him strapping up. But, they moved in some good players, and let him do what he does.

The only reason I would say Randy should go, is for an upgrade at the position. No more, No Less. Change for Change is absurd. Unfortunately, the best thing we can do, is have faith that Brennan Shanahan wants to win. Which, having grown up watching him spank the Leafs, I would say is certain. So why not let him do his job, evaluate the team, keep consistency in the coaching system, and bring, like so many of you suggest, draft picks up the right way.

I miss having fun being a Leafs fan.
- BoxLoXZer

veritable treasure trove ©crim?

veritable treasure trove ©crim?
- dt99999

so many times i was almost certain they should win.

also, i am almost certain that brennan shanahan wants to win.

so many times i was almost certain they should win.

also, i am almost certain that brennan shanahan wants to win.
- kicksave856

your opinion is, for the most part inconsequential.

your opinion is, for the most part inconsequential.
- dt99999

i know i read that part. and it hurt.

wish he was your average, run-of-the-mill adorable rapist
- Shutdown

You are a tard. Do you really think the Canadiens played a penalty free game????? Merlin is a cheap shot piece of crap. A bunch of hacks that apparently do not abide by the same rules the teams they are playing do.

You can score all night long when you are all alone with a goaltender because your defensive coverage sucks and your coach is a retard worried about line changes and thinks he needs to play four lines when one is useless most shifts and just cannot figure out how to run a team or adapt. You cannot worry about match ups if you are ignoring the situation on the ice.

Hitch just needs to go. He is a dinosaur in this league.

How come the last two nights we played teams that swarm you in their defensive zone but all night long there are huge gaps, time and space in our defensive zone???? Line changes, no one covering the cherry pickers. No refs calling cross checks to the head or slashes, elbows, sticks to the faces unless you are Magnus Paajarvi it is perfectly legal.

The last few games I have seen teams go the entire game with out being called for a freaking penalty and one of them was the Blues and I am telling you right now they got away with a couple of obvious ones.


I cannot wait to see the Canadiens choke again this season. Another year and another Cup won by an American team woot woot!
- BluemanGuruu

I'm not normally this cruel but I wish that puke was a Leafs fan. Dude is spoiled as hell if he thinks St Louis has bad defense.

I'm not normally this cruel but I wish that puke was a Leafs fan. Dude is spoiled as hell if he thinks St Louis has bad defense.
- daeth

He deserves worse.