by Bob Morello
Bruins roller-coaster in action
In less than two weeks the Bruins have managed to take their fans on a roller-coaster ride that included a three-game winning streak, and most recently a four-game losing streak. The win streak came with victories over the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Buffalo Sabres. The painful four losses came at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and the Utah Mammoth. The chaos was highlighted by the no-nonsense approach of Bruins first-year coach Marco Sturm who showed no favoritism, as he sat David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha for a good part of the third period of the Colorado loss on Saturday. Sturm’s explanation before the Utah loss on Sunday, “They just didn’t play good enough, that was the only reason. Our best players have to be best, and I thought they weren’t. Our fourth line killed a lot of penalties, did all the work, we need the big guys to step up.” The results were two goals from Pastrnak, and an assist from Zacha…a total of three points from the pair. Hopefully the remainder of the Bruins roster will see that Sturm is a straight-shooter who will give the ice time to those who earn it by the numbers they put up, not by the number on their backs.
At press time (Tuesday), the Bruins faced off with the Stanley Cup Champion, Florida Panthers, and Brad Marchand. The Panthers were lacking a pair of top players out of the lineup, Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov – both out with injuries. In the lineup…Marchand, fresh off his latest $5,000 fine, earned when he attacked Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), following a crosscheck Marchand didn’t appreciate, then took Dahlin’s helmet into the penalty box with him, and ripped off the straps, before throwing it back onto the ice. Tonight (Thursday 7pm) the Anaheim Ducks will be hosted by Boston, and the Avalanche will provide the opposition in a Saturday 3pm matinee. A one-and-done road trip will have the Bruins venturing out on Monday, to Ottawa and take on the Senators. Back to TD Garden ice on Tuesday in a 7:15 start versus the New York Islanders, and on Thursday a 7pm matchup with the Buffalo Sabres.
SPORTS MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2025 HONOREES
The Sports Museum’s 24th annual fundraising gala, The Tradition, will take place on Tuesday, November 18 at TD Garden. The gala begins with a cocktail reception right on the TD Garden arena floor where guests can mix, mingle, and enjoy an open bar paired with exceptional food. The evening then transitions into a talk-show-style program where this year’s honorees (and their presenters) will share personal stories and behind-the-scenes moments from their careers you won’t hear anywhere else. With less than a month to purchase your tickets, you will only need to hear the names of the 2025 Honorees, to know that this will be a special night. The Boston Bruins’ Tim Thomas, who led the Bruins to their 2011 Stanley Cup win will be the Hockey Legacy Award recipient. The Baseball Hockey Legacy Award will be given to Fred Lynn. In seven seasons with the Red Sox, Lynn was the first player to win both Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Year Award and Most Valuable Player Award in the same year (1975). Vince Wilfork has been selected to receive the Football Legacy Award. During his eleven seasons with the New England Patriots, Wilfork was able to help his team win two Super Bowl Championships (2005 & 2015). Isaiah Thomas played two-plus seasons with the Boston Celtics (2015-2017), and earned two All-Star nods during that time. He will be the honored as the 2025 Basketball Legacy Award. Gabrielle (Gabby) Thomas is an American sprinter and Olympic medalist specializing in the 100 and 200 meter races. Winning three Gold Medals in 2024 (200m, 4x100m, 4x400m) the Georgia-born and Massachusetts raised Thomas will be honored with the 2025 Track and Field Legacy Award. Keegan Bradley was picked as the Golf Legacy Award winner. The winner of eight tour events, Bradley’s high point was his 2011 PGA Championship, and he recently captained Team USA in the 2025 Ryder Cup. The list of those presenting each award to the winners, will be announced in the coming weeks. Don’t miss this event, it is a once-in-a-lifetime memory that will last forever!