Sports 11-19-2015

CHS Roundup

CHS football team  splits in past two weeks

The Chelsea High football team spit its contests of the past two weeks, defeating West Roxbury, 20-16, two weeks ago, but falling to Latin Academy this past Friday evening.

The triumph at West Roxbury started inauspiciously for the Red Devils when a Chelsea defensive back slipped in coverage to create an easy score for the home team for an early 8-0 lead.

However, the Red Devils refused to let the bad break get them down and battled their way back into the game, culminating with a Nick Ieng 14-yard TD reception from Mike Rowan on a fourth and goal to cut the West Roxbury lead to 8-6.

The Red Devils then forged into the lead before the half ended when David Bui scored on a 42 scamper to give Chelsea a 12-8 advantage at the intermission.

After yielding the initial West Roxbury touchdown, Chelsea played a solid first half on defense, stuffing the West Roxbury running game. Kevin Ruiz, Nelson Hernandez, Pedro Barrientos, and Petherson Braga all made significant contributions to the CHS defensive effort, recording four tackles each.

The Red Devils once again fell behind thanks to a big play when, after a penalty on the CHS kicking team, West Roxbury returned the second half opening kickoff to regain the lead, 16-12.

However, the Red Devils overcame the momentary bit of adversity and fought back, retaking the lead when Ieng completed a 60 yard TD pass to Dashuan Alves.  Luis Jiminez dove into the end zone for the two-point conversion for what would prove to be the final points of the contest and a 20-16 Chelsea victory.

“I always felt confident we were going to win the game,” said CHS head coach Jack Halas. “Our offense was moving the ball well.  Our running game was solid and we had some completions in the passing game, so West Roxbury was back on its heels a bit. Defensively, we were playing well. They scored on only two big plays — we need to not give up the big play in the future — but I felt confident we were going to prevail.”

In this past Friday’s contest with Latin Academy under the lights on the CHS field, the Red Devils never were able to get untracked. Latin scored a touchdown in each quarter to come away with a 26-0 victory.

Chelsea will wrap up its season when the Red Devils trek to Dilboy Stadium in Somerville to meet Matignon on Thanksgiving Day.

Bruins Beat

by Bob Morello

Bruins need to look in the mirror

The time is now, for the Bruins to stop complaining about their losses being due to inconsistency, and do something about it. The multi-problem situation has created a team that shows it cannot sustain their expected ability from game to game, and even now, from period to period. The Bs followed their strong game versus Detroit on Saturday, with a sloppy, lack of discipline effort versus the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. It was a game in which they made 36-year-old, former Bruin Joe Thornton look all-star-like with his three-point night (1-2), in the Sharks’ 5-4 win

         A ‘laundry list’ of inefficiencies throughout the game, led to yet another loss on home ice, as the Bruins fell to a paltry record of 2-6-1 before their loyal home crowd fans. Boston’s penalty kill is again suspect, following a streak in which they only allowed a pair of goals in more than a dozen chances. On Tuesday they surrendered a pair of goals in five Sharks chances. Weak defensive pairings resulted in Tuukka Rask facing 28 shots, with many of them high-percentage shots by the Sharks, and was only able to stop 23 of them.

         Boston displayed a major lack of discipline in the second period, earning four penalties in five minutes, resulting in power play goals by Patrick Marleau and Thornton’s game-winner. Boston came out a bit stronger in the third period, outshooting San Jose 11-5, but once again it was ‘a little too late’ – and another loss!

         Each Bruins player to a man, was quick to admit they are not all playing their best every night, and need to in order to win, their inability to do so is causing considerable concern. Coach Claude Julien still feels he has a team with potential, but the fact that often they don’t play up to their capability is very bothersome to him.

         In his post game comments Julien lamented, “We all know this isn’t good enough. We all know that we need to be better. I think we have to take the responsibility of having to be better. So there is no excuse for tonight. We didn’t play well enough. We can’t come out in the third and decide to play a little bit better. This playing once in a while in games is just not going to cut it in this league.

         Two points on Tuesday would’ve moved Boston up considerably in the Atlantic Division standings, possibly as high as third place, but this loss has currently put them down to just a single point ahead of the last place Toronto Maple Leafs who they play twice this weekend.

         As a result the saga continues – tough for them to win at home – but the fact remains that this current homestand still has matchups with Minnesota Wild tonight (Thursday, 11/19 at 7pm), and a confrontation with division rival Toronto Maple Leafs (Saturday, 11/21 at 7pm). Following this homestand the Bruins will head out to the friendly confines of the road, where they’ve found success with a 6-2 record – a complete reversal of their 2-6-2 home ice fortunes.

         Monday, 11/23, Toronto will host Boston in the second phase of their home-and-home series with a 7:30 start. Wednesday’s contest (11/25 at 7:30pm) will have the B’s matching up against the Detroit Red Wings who are somewhat playing at the same pace as the Bruins – both are 5-5 in their last ten games. Should Boston show consistency and solid play against these two division rivals, a couple of victories would go a long way in gaining some ground in the standings, before returning home to celebrate Thanksgiving!

            Reminder: The Boston Bruins and USA Hockey are teaming up to bring youth hockey coaches a day of coaching education from members of the Boston Bruins Coaching Staff, USA Hockey and other experts in the field. This Saturday, November 21, beginning at 7:15 a.m., Youth hockey coaches will listen to the expert panel present on all aspects of coaching, followed by age specific breakout sessions at TD Garden (100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114). USA Hockey coaches can earn their Level 2 and 3 certifications by attending the event. Coaches can register for this free event by visiting www.bostonbruins.com/youthhockey.

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