Bruins Beat
by Bob Morello
Bruins active in the news
The Boston Bruins season is over, but they still remain active news wise. The team released information related to three regulars who have undergone successful surgery. Included were forward Matt Beleskey (left hand), forward David Krejci (left hip) and defenseman Torey Krug (right shoulder), all have undergone surgery and are expected to make full recoveries. Beleskey’s surgery on his left hand was performed at Newton-Wellesley Hospital (April 14). His recovery time is expected to be six weeks. Surgery on Krejci’s left hip was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, NY (April 25). His recovery time is expected to be five months. Defenseman Krug’s surgery on his right shoulder was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital (April 21). His recovery time is expected to be six months.
On the plus side, the good news had Bruins center Patrice Bergeron being named one of three finalists for the 2016 Selke Trophy. Bergeron is no newcomer to this award, having been the recipient of the Selke Trophy for two consecutive seasons, and three in all (2011-12), giving him a chance to earn it for the fourth time. “Being named a finalist for the Selke Trophy is a tremendous honor and one I am very grateful for,” said Bergeron. “While it is an individual award, my teammates and coaches deserve a lot of credit as well. Ryan and Anze are two elite players who both had great seasons and it is a privilege to be a finalist alongside them.” A win by Bergeron would tie him with former Canadian Bob Gainey who is the only four-time winner of the Selke, having won four consecutive years (1977-1981). Joining Bergeron in the attempt to become the NHL’s best defensive forward are Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings), and Ryan Kesler (Anaheim Ducks). NHL Awards will be presented on June 22 in Las Vegas.
Joining Bergeron in Las Vegas will be Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson who was named a finalist for the 2016 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded annually “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” The other nominees are Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings) and Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers). “It is a great honor to be considered for the Lady Byng Trophy, an award that has been won by some of the best players of all time,” said Eriksson. “There are many deserving candidates so to be named one of the finalists with Anze Kopitar and Aleksander Barkov is very exciting for me. Thank you to my teammates and the coaching staff and I appreciate all those who voted.” The last Bruin to win the Lady Byng Trophy was Rick Middleton in 1981-82.
With the recent naming of Bruins forward Frank Vatrano to the U.S. men’s national hockey team for the World Championships which begin tomorrow (Friday), that brings the number of Bruins competing to three. In addition to Vatrano, Brad Marchand will participate with Canada, and David Pastrnak will represent the Czech Republic. The IIHF Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship will be held in Russia, and runs through May 22nd. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
CHS Roundup
CHS girls track team
cruises past Whittier
The Chelsea High girls outdoor track & field team improved to 2-0 on the season with an 87-47 victory over Whittier Tech this past Friday.
Sophomore Martine Simon was a triple-winner for the Lady Red Devils. Martine won both dashes, the 100 (13.34) and 200 (28.50), and the triple jump (33’-7”).
Jazmin Castellon won two throwing events, the shot put (27’-2”) and the discus (70’-9”). Yarid Deras took the mile (6:36), Owliyo Mohamud captured the 400 dash (65.12), Jocelyn Poste won the 800 (2:53), and Amanda Dias took first spot in the two mile in new CHS school record time of 13:30.
The Lady Red Devil 4 x 400 relay team of Mohamud, Awa Bajinka, Dias, and Emely Burgos also triumphed.
Other point scorers for Chelsea included: Poste with a second in the 400 hurdles (79.87); Mel Nguyen with a third in the 400 hurdles (83.4), a second in the high jump (3’-10”), and a third in the triple jump (25’6); Alex Martinez with second in the shot (25’6”); Masireh Ceesay with a third in the shot (25’4); Sylvia Marins with a second in the 100 hurdles (19.84); Gitu Defaga with a third in the hurdles (21.04); Cynthia Guzman with a third in the mile (7:08); Awa Bajinka with a second in the 400 (68.79); Ana Davies with a second in the 200 (29.78); Xiana Herasme with a second in the discus (66’-11”); and Tracy Flores with a third in the discus (61’-10”).
“This girls team is very deep with point-scorers spanning all four classes,” said CHS head coach Mark Martineau.
The Lady Red Devils were set to face one of their toughest tests of the season Tuesday when they hosted Notre Dame of Tyngsboro. Mystic Valley also was set to compete in the tri-meet.
CHS boys track
falls to Whittier
The Chelsea High boys track & field team dropped its first meet of the season, coming out on the short end of an 86-50 decision Whittier Tech, the defending Commonwealth Athletic Conference champion.
Top performances for the Red Devils included first-place finishes by Bryan Rivas in the 400 hurdles (62.18), Adriel Cedano in the triple jump (38’), Jose Leclerc in the mile (5:24), and a pair of wins by sophomore Nelson Hernandez in the shot put (33-’9”) and discus (88’-6”).
Also scoring points for the Red Devils were: Johny Gomez, third in the two-mile (12:24); Alex Pedrero, second in the 110 hurdles (19.86); Isaac Colcord, third in the 110 hurdles (20.6) and second in the discus (85’2”); Cedano, second in the 100 (11.66); Rivas, second in the 400 dash (56.58); Leclerc, second in the 800 (2:22); Nick Ing, second in the 200 (24.6), second in the javelin (117’9”), and third in the shot put (32’-8”); and Leo DeAlmedia, third in the triple jump (36’4”).
“Every member of the team contributes in one way or another,” said CHS head coach Mark Martineau. “These boys work really hard. Whittier is just a really tough team.”
CHS trio takes third
in Div. 2 relay meet
This past Saturday a contingent of Lady Red Devil track team members traveled to Marshfield High School for the state Division 2 relay meet. The highlight of the meet for Chelsea was the fourth place finish in the girls’ long jump by the trio of Mariama Kamara, Katherine Cabral, and Martine Simon.
Both Kamara and Cabral had jumps over 15 feet and Simon jumped over 16. Their fourth place ribbon was the best finish for the CHS girls program at a state relay meet, which features the top competitors from throughout the state.
Red Devils defeat
Pope John, 7-3
The Chelsea High baseball team earned its second win of the season with a 7-3 triumph over Pope John High this past Friday on the CHS ball field.
Luis Jimenez pitched a complete game for his first victory of the year. Luis helped his own cause at the plate, walking twice, scoring a run, and stealing four bases.
Tom Melanson contributed to the CHS offense with a walk and a base hit and scored two runs.
The day before, the Red Devils dropped a 10-0 decision to Greater Lawrence. Luis Jimenez, Eduardo Nunez, and Manny Ortiz all had singles for Chelsea.
CHS head coach Alan Beausoleil and his crew were set to hit the road for their next four games: at Essex Tech this past Tuesday; at Mystic Valley yesterday (Wednesday); at Greater Lowell tomorrow; and at Notre Dame/Cristo Rey Monday. They return home next Wednesday to meet Minuteman and next Thursday to host Lynn Tech. All games are at 4:00.