November 9, 2007

Catching Up....And Venting

So it has been a while since I have written here. I started out this season with good intentions but alas I have fallen down on the job. There are many reasons for this such as the fact that free time does not seem to exist any longer. Between working the Boston Bruins games, working with the Red Sox during the playoffs and all the other fun activities I have been partaking in, there is not even time to sleep. Another contributor is the fact that Providence has yet to have their home opener so I have only been to one game thus far. Today I felt compelled to put aside some time however to address something that has me aggravated. I know after reading Heather's latest post, that she will not be happy with me (better hide all pillows so she does not sneak into my room and smother me in my sleep), but I want to explore the recent string of events that have taken place in Boston.

I say I do not have time to write posts. What I failed to tell you is I managed to find time to write a letter to the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL Commissioner in response to the hit made on Patrice Bergeron. Furthermore, I am trying to refrain from writing a similar letter to the Montreal Canadiens. I am beginning to think that with this season off to the start it has had, I should keep this letter as a form letter and simply insert the player and team names and change all the people on the CC list. Many of you have not had the opportunity to read my "strongly worded" letters, but I assure you that when they are written, copies go to everyone from the top of the totem pole to the bottom!

There are a few things I want to explore here. I will try to make them brief so as not to bore you. It just came time that I needed to get up on my soap box. The first item up for discussion is the hit by Randy Jones on Patrice Bergeron (sorry Heather, just hadn't had time to make my way on here to do this yet). I was at the game the night that the hit happened and let me tell you as a fan it is one of the scariest things I have ever seen. The entire arena sat in a hushed silence as Bergeron lay on the ground. Some people will tell you they did not see him move. Others will tell you they saw him shake his foot. I will tell you my heart jumped into my throat and all I could think was that hit had broken his neck. To see someone as young and vibrant as Patrice being taken off the ice on a stretcher was very scary! Hockey is by no means a gentle sport. There are tough hits, checks, fights, etc and injuries are expected. However, how often is it that a single team has three major incidents in ten games? It may just be me, but I think that should send up a red flag. While the hit appeared to be dirty, I did feel badly for Randy Jones when he apologized after the game. He seemed genuinely apologetic for what had happened. This sentiment on my part was very short lived! When the two game suspension was handed down, both Randy Jones and general manager Paul Holmgren of the Flyers expressed public disappointment claiming that they felt that the punishment was "unwarranted". Are you KIDDING me? I would say that the punishment was very lenient! While Jones did seem to genuinely sorry immediately following the incident, a reaction such as the one by himself and Holmgren demonstrates ignorance and complete disregard and lack of respect for the game and the people playing it. They are lucky I do not make the rules because after that display I would have told Jones he was suspended until Bergeron was able to return to the ice. Some may call that drastic. I call it a step in making sure an example is set and that behavior such as blindsided hits and un-sportsmanship has no place in the game of hockey....and that furthermore, teams who seem to have a tendency to play dirty hockey need to be penalized and made an example of. I think what totally put me over the top was the suggestion that Bergeron was partially at fault for the hit as he could have done something to avoid the hit. You cannot be serious. Anyone who suggests that Bergeron left himself open to such an injury is suffering from a complete lack of class! I won’t bore you with the demands I made of the Flyers in my letter. Instead I will move on to my next order of business....The Montreal Canadiens.

I love Canadians. I am just going to come right out and say it. I love the accents. I love their attitudes on life. I love the fact that they truly know how to have a good time. Of all the games in Boston, I always look forward to Leafs, Canadiens, and Senators games as they draw in the a good number of our Canadian neighbors. They make the game a lot more entertaining. Last night however, was the first time that I was not only unimpressed by the fans, but offended, disgusted and outraged! Lets start with the anthem...we all know that is a stickler issue for me. Everyone in the arena rose and stood respectfully during the playing of the Canadian anthem. I stood in the runway as I was working at the moment. On both sides of me were Canadiens fans who sang their anthem loudly and proudly. I respect that. At the end of the performance everyone cheered. As the Star Spangled Banner was performed, four of the people to my right sat down and started talking. As I was in my game night "attire" and hence representing the Bruins Organization and the Bruins Foundation, I was unable to reach over, grab them by the collar and stand them up. I was appalled by their behavior. The sad part was that two of their friends were Bruins fans and were so pleasant and respectful and I had a very nice conversation with them regarding how the team got their name....the "Habs." If that was the only incident of the night I think I could have written it off, however that was not the case.

During the third period, Francis Bouillon of the Canadiens came out of the penalty box and elbowed Aaron Ward across the face. Many people missed the hit as action was happening a little further down the ice. Ward lay face down on the ice....unconscious. After a period of time his legs began to flail. This was another scary moment for Bruins fans who just under two weeks ago witnessed a similar scene with Bergeron laying unconscious on the ice not moving. Fortunately in Ward's case he was able to come off the ice on his own accord..with the assistance of Andrew Alberts and a few other teammates rather than needing the stretcher they had brought out onto the ice for him. For those who may not have noticed, injuries like these are a delicate subject here in Boston these days. But it wasn't just the hit that bothered me (and yes I was bothered a whole heck of a lot over it!). It was the fact that while Aaron Ward lay unconscious on the ice, Canadiens fans were chanting, "Go Habs Go!" Are you serious? What a complete lack of sportsmanship. Another display of arrogant ignorance! I am trying to remind myself not to generalize because last night I met several VERY NICE and respectful Canadians. Isn't it always the way that a select few have to ruin it for everyone?!? I usually enjoy the chanting and the rivalry. That is what makes these games so electrifying, but there is also something called respect. When there is a lack of respect that is when things are no longer in good fun. I will give credit where credit is due and tell you that on my way in to work today I got the "breakfast" call. The boys were hungry. I stopped to pick up the breakfast burritos and while I was there ran into a gentleman wearing a red flower on his shirt...something I had seen a lot of the visitors wearing last night. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him about it and this nice stranger took the time to explain to me that it was a poppy in remembrance of the verterans dating all the way back to World War I and the largest number of casualties the country had ever had. He told me about where the bodies were laid to rest and how at certain times of the year the field is covered in poppies. It was so nice of him to share a bit of this tradition with me. Gosh darn Canadians. I guess I still love them! I just need to try to remember that just like here in American there are not only very nice and pleasant people, but people who are ignorant and classless as well. We should not stereotype based on a few isolated incidents....especially when years past have been filled with fond memories and good impressions! Here's to hoping the Leafs fans can bring me back to my happy place next week and help me love Bruins vs. Canadian team games all over again!

On a further note, Matt Hunwick has been called up from Providence to Boston on an emergency basis.

Letters of love, lust, or disagreement can be sent to rlord (at) soveryobsessed.com

by Rebecca | 12:20 PM | 1
filed under: 07-08 season || boston bruins