Finally the Bruins have gotten on the board with a fight last night in Chicago. Nice work by Gregory Campbell to try to spark the boys. Not much of a scrap, but good on Soupy to get it started. The fight I wanted to talk about happened Thursday between Pittsburgh’s Arron Asham, and Washington’s Jay Beagle. It was a bit of a one sided affair, and the fight got the hockey world talking. Personally, I thought it was a good scrap, and had to be done, but others don’t see it that way.

The fight started after Beagle cross checked Kris Letang, then hit him up high hard enough to knock his helmet off. Asham was on the ice, and in his role as enforcer, he went to Letang’s aid. My buddy Brendan and I had a somewhat heated debate about this Friday. It’s Brendan’s position that Letang A. didn’t do enough to Beagle to require Asham’s aid, and B. It’s not like he’s Gretzky. People can hit Kris Letang. My position is Arron Asham is an enforcer. It’s his job to protect teammates on the ice against any perceived injustice. Asham starts picking and choosing who he sticks up for, and we have a system that breaks down, and chaos reigns supreme. As far as Beagle being a non-enforcer? Well, it’s not like Asham beat up Alexander Semin. Beagle is a big guy that’s been in a scrap or two. He will definitely think twice about any liberties he might want to take with Penguins players or any team’s players for that matter after the beating he took, moving forward. Beagle rang the bell, Asham answered it. These two teams will have a lot of time to think about things as they don’t play each other for over a month. You can bet your bottom dollar DJ King will be in the Caps line up when they meet again. Asham has to answer to someone for this beating.

One more thing about this fight and you can get back to whatever it is you were doing before you stumbled across this madness. The Pittsburgh Penguins announce team of Paul Steigerwald, and Bob Errey, and the whole organization for that matter, has got to be the most hypocritical in all of sports. Let’s say for a minute that Trevor Gillies beat up Paul Martin in the same way Asham beat up Beagle the other night. Steigy and Errey would have been coming down from the press box with pitch forks with Mario Lemieux right behind them. When it’s their guy, who showboated like a punk after turning out Beagle’s lights by the way, they are talking about team toughness and so forth. Can’t have it both ways Pittsburgh. Either way, I’m looking forward to this rematch.

As noticed on PlayXPlay.com ’s (fan-generated sports video network in beta) Facebook page this afternoon:

We’ve got 2 amazing Loge seats to Tuesday’s Bruins playoff game vs. Tampa Bay. For your chance to win, simply "like" our page and share a funny Bruins game memory in the comments. We’ll pick our favorite and send you and a friend to the big show! Must be able to receive tickets via FedEx Tuesday morning.

They had me at “Loge seats”. And they had me again at “playoff game”. Looks like these guys have given away a lot of Red Sox tickets lately, so I’m thinking it’d be worth your while to leave a memory.

What’s up GoonBloggers? Happy almost end to 2010. How’s your year been?

I’ve heard alot of chatter about what a deuche Savy is and I have tried to avoid believing it until now. Check out his post game comments from last night’s tilt vs. Tampa Bay:

Savard said it was great to get back at it. It’s been six months so it’s been a long time,” he said. “I was shaking off a bit of rust but I felt like I made some good plays. I felt like there was stuff I could build off of and work on still. I had a little trouble as the shift wore on but it was only a couple of times. I felt good, I felt strong and I got in there a couple of times. I tried to bang around, I didn’t really move anybody but it
was a lot of fun. It’s been a long road that’s for sure.”

Enough with the I crap kid. How about you come out and say “It was great to be back out on the ice with my teammates. They have been playing great hockey this year. I just hope to contribute and not slow things down.

He needs to sit down with Brady and Belichick and learn how to give a god damn interview.

Marc Savard needs a virtual hug, and I’m just the man to give it to him. After saying he was “hurt” by all of the trade rumors his name was involved in this Summer, it seems he has the approval of his boss after all, as PC and the Crew announced he’d be a Bruin this season. PC went on to further say he took a lot of calls on Savvy, but none struck his fancy enough to pull the trigger. So, was Savard really being shopped, or was it a case where other GM’s were inquiring about his services and it got spun into “Savard is being shopped”?

On the one hand, trading Marc Savard makes sense. He’s 15th in the NHL in points scored since the lockout. If you need a pass first center that has become defensively aware, he’s your guy. The Bruins gave him a great contract that I think he earned every penny of. If you weren’t up against the salary cap, then sure, you can deal a guy like Savvy and get a very nice player back.

Part of the trade talks we have endured surrounding Savvy are his lack of leadership in the room, and he’s only one big hit away from being out of hockey forever. Mark Recchi didn’t exactly give Savard a ringing endorsement when he was asked to comment on Savard’s situation earlier this summer. Also, the headshot is a big problem. Once one sustains one concussion, the others are easier to come by. Ask Patty Bergeron to comment on this. The ringing in his head appeared to finally have stopped last season after he sustained two concussions in two years. Bergeron was not right at all two years ago when he came back, and the second concussion didn’t help his cause. Last season however, he looked fully healed, and had a great season for Boston, and Canada. He was arguably Boston’s best player from start to finish. Point being, it takes a long time to recover from a concussion, and at Savard’s age, if he sustains another serious concussion, he may not be able to ever come back.

So he’s a headshot away from being hurt forever, and he makes too much money. Also, he’s trouble in the room. Sounds like every player in the NHL right there. For Christ’s sake, it’s a physical game. Every player in the NHL is one serious hit away from being done for good. It matters not if you make 500K, or 5 million, when playing a violent game, violent things happen.

I just don’t buy Savard being a bad room guy. Let’s not forget, he had the “A” on his jersey for an extended period of time last season. If anything, I could see him as being a guy that is too loose. Savvy looks to me like a guy that loves to play hockey. A guy that is truly happy playing a game for a living. He’s probably chatty as hell, and maybe that rubs the guys the wrong way. Who knows, maybe Recchasuaurs doesn’t like the new fangled rap music he likes to play, and would like to see a little more Lawrence Welk get played in the room. Does the fact he doesn’t know when to turn it off in the room, make him a bad teammate? Not in my book. If he goes out and pots 30 while adding 70 helpers, he can do whatever the hell he wants in the room as far as I am concerned.
What exactly would Boston get in return for Savard? I mean seriously. He makes a lot of money, as well he should. If they are trading Savard to clear cap space, I am guessing they are going to have to take draft picks, and perhaps a player that may be ready to break out. They aren’t getting any franchise cornerstone back in a salary dump. Hell, they don’t even need to dump his salary. Marco Sturm’s number doesn’t hit the cap for a while, and Mike Ryder can ride the bus in Providence as far as I am concerned. Why the big urgency to deal a guy that hasn’t played one second’s worth of hockey under the deal he was just signed too. It makes no sense.

At the end of the day, I am pleased as punch that Savard will not be dealt. From my seat in the stands, the rumors surrounding him never made sense. You don’t go out and acquire a guy like Nathan Horton, and then deal the guy you want to pass to him. Savvy is creative with the puck, and makes the guys on his line better. If you can only skate a lane, you can’t play with Savvy. If you can be creative, and be open to the thought that you are in open ice (even if you don’t think you are) then Savard will find your blade.

As far as the contract, and injuries are concerned, well don’t be. Let’s see if he earns the money he’s been signed too before we star casting judgment on if it was too much. If Savard is the league MVP, and hoists the Stanley Cup, how does that contract look then? Like I said, every NHL player, and hockey player in general for that matter, is one hit away from winding up like Travis Roy. It’s the type of thing that can’t be controlled, and again, it doesn’t matter how much money one makes when fate intervenes.

There you have it Savvy, your virtual hug from Goonblog. I think I speak for a good majority of people here when I say welcome back to Boston. I missed you and your black and gold brethren. Now, go get me that 30 and 70 I spoke about.

You cock sucking Scumbag. You run around the ice with your fucking half shield on tossing elbows at players’ heads like Pee Wee Herman tosses off in a movie theater. You are the epitome of a coward. How big of a man do you feel like tonight? At least Savvy’s head hurts tonight cause we know your pussy is swollen like you’ve had 5 old school wooden Gretzky Titans rammed up there in a gang bang. You stand around on the ice after the play like you give a fuck. The only thing you give a fuck about is your paycheck and that you never run out of peanut butter cause your schnauzer has a Gene Simmons like tongue to please you with when you get home.

Good for Ryder for even attempting to snap your bra strap. You are lucky Lucic didn’t see the play or I’m certain he would have put on a high quality beat down on you even with his broken nose thanks to the toughest SOB in the game. You delivered your cheap shot with just over 5 minutes to play and yet your woosie ass never stepped back on the ice. The thing that blows is that the NHL will review the tape tonight and tomorrow and will levy a fine and suspension on you that will keep you out of action when the B’s and Penguins play again on March 18th in Boston. I have tickets to that game and it would be an honor to watch you get your ass handed to you by everyone wearing Black & Gold that night, including Rochelle in section 323. Colin Campbell should force you to play in that game as part of your punishment.

Patrice was bullshit and rightfully so, poor prick missed almost a full season due to a major concussion thanks to that prick from Philly. I’m not putting in names tonight just so those fuckers can’t Google themselves and read this. As much as I want to grow GoonBlog’s readership, I’d rather wallow in oblivion than have them read me. Crosby did his best acting job speaking with Patrice on the ice but we all know he would run over his mother with the Zamboni if it guaranteed him the scoring title over Ovechkin.

Get well Savvy and keep your fucking head up # 24.

I want to be very clear on one thing. I am in no way comparing what happened last night in Vancouver, to what happened 30 years ago today in Lake Placid from a social-big guy defeated by little guy-totally mind blowing once in a lifetime thing. Last night, a team of very good American NHLers, defeated a very good group of Canadian NHLers in one of the most thrilling hockey games I have ever witnessed. It was in no way a win of the magnitude of USA over USSR, despite the similarities.

These two games were similar in so much as in 1980 the United States had a goaltender that stood on his head (Jim Craig) and took advantage of their opportunities when they were presented. Last night Ryan Miller had the game of his life between the pipes for the United States, and when the US did get scoring chances, they capitalized on them. I feel Marty Brodeur was very underwhelming in goal for Canada last night, as Vladislav Tretiak was for the Soviets 30 years ago. While this was a big, huge win for the United States, I would rank it third behind Squaw Valley in 1960 and the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

Either way, was that some kind of hockey game last night or what?! Can we talk about the three breakaways they traded for a second? Oh my God. I thought for sure Doc was going to blow a gasket. Oh, and then the shooting gallery in the last 4 minutes? I even caught MOL secretly watching the third period last night! I am not sure how this tournament is going to wind up, but the United States certainly impressed the hell out of me last night. Do not count Canada out though. Even though they made their lives difficult by having to win four in a row, including having to go through the powerhouse Russian Club to win gold on home soil, they definitely have the squad to do so. Was last night the Miracle on Ice Part II? No, but it was one damn fine hockey game!

Holy cow. You ever lose a whole month? Jeez. I feel like Mark Recchi being woken by mother from his pregame nap. You know, scared, a little confused, and furious because I missed Matlock. I went in to work today, and the first thing I do is leave an outgoing message on my voicemail with name, date and the like. I stopped myself this morning, as I had to double check the date. It’s the friggin 25th. The Classic seems like it was yesterday, and the Bruins seem like they’ve been bad all year, so not a lot changes there, but still….where the hell did the month go?

I guess when everyday is pretty much the same, they kind of run together. I mean, I get up, I go to work, I either watch the Bruins, or go to the Bruins. Mumble how they have the intensity of an eye exam at the DMV, and do it all over again the next day. Hell, at least when I was drinking, I’d get the excitement of the split second when my eyes opened of where I could be. No more, “huh. I’m in the bathtub with a TV remote and a lampshade on my head. Makes sense.” Not that I am complaining, quite the contrary. It’s nice to be asked the score of the Bruins and being able to tell someone, “yes, they lost 4-1” without having to think about it! Point is things are good, just super busy eh?

So, the Bruins blow goats right now. Brother David and I had our annual game together on Saturday, and by the end of it, we damn near needed to be nudged awake. Again, zero intensity/sense of urgency right now. On the bright side, the top 13 teams are separated by so few points; the Bruins can catch fire, as in win 3 in a row, and be right back in this thing. Not to worry Bruins fans. These guys will make the playoffs, and when that happens, it’s anyone’s game. If not, they could be looking at the first two picks in the 2010 Draft.

Stay tuned in the next week or so. There is talk of a Goonblog Podcast at Goonblog HQ right here in scenic West Acton on Friday, and we have a little something up our sleeves in the form of a Goonblog exclusive you won’t want to miss. I promise I won’t miss February!

The first outdoor donnybrook in history – of the NHL’s new Winter Classic, that is. The Bruins beat the Flyers 2-1 in overtime, and likewise Carcillo beat the stuffing out of Thornton under the Green Monstah!

So at least the Flyers have that going for them.

Where the hell have you been? Funny you should ask, GoonBlog Fans. For you loyal followers, it’s been a while since my last post and I’m sure all of you have been worried sick. I’m here to tell you that I am alive and well… kinda. The government did not appreciate my import and export business and controlled me for some time. Upon letting me out  I had a few guidelines I needed to follow. I wish I had written those down because they came looking for me again.

As I type this post, I am at the tail end of a battling a horrific stomach bug. I’ve been wagnoring the toilet bowl since Monday. The Million Dollar Babies think it’s great – as every time I sit down it sounds like a combination of a fire hose and the USC Marching band coming out of my ass. I’ve had food poisoning before and based on this past week, I would prefer that as it’s pretty much over within 2-3 days, this is now going on 7. MBH said look at the bright side – you dropped the 10 pounds you were talking about. Little does she know as soon as I drop my first log, I am off to eat buffalo chicken pizza until fire shoots out of my crusty bung nostril.

So I recently had my High School’s 20th reunion… what a shit show that was. The Government was kind enough to allow me to attend however I needed to wear a giant fucking GPS device around my ankle. It’s hard enough at those types of events to give the reader’s digest report about your life to people you haven’t seen in 10+ years, let alone explain why your ankle looks like you’ve been blocking Zdeno Chara slap shots for a living. Some highlights of the evening included; 6 boob jobs, 2 nose jobs, a giant scar removed from ones face, 7 divorces, hot girls from HS now looking like Bruce Shoebottom and fat girls from HS looking like Tiger would give em a go.

Speaking of Tiger, holy shit guy, you are one stupid Blasian. He has provided millions of people a perfect map of how to get busted stepping out on the Missus. I will say when I first heard about his car crash at 2:30 in the morning, I knew there must be more to the story. I had no idea it would blow up like it has. How many Pro Athletes wife’s spent Thanksgiving weekend going through their husband’s cell phones? I had a shitty 2009 but I take solace in knowing someone else had one which was far worse!

Chris, what can I say? You have been writing your ass off and providing our readers with high quality material. The Ref has been quietly contributing great posts as well and it’s only going to get better. As you can see today on the site, we have enhanced things similar to some of my lady friends from HS. I’d say it would be like going from a small B cup to a solid full C. Our commitment to provide our readers with high end Goonery is at an all time high. If you like our stuff, please pass it along. Thanks for reading and come back soon.

Mighty Matt Carkner was signed to a 2-yr deal by the Ottawa Senators this week, just a few short days after his first-ever NHL goal. He also soundly beat the snot out of Steve Downie on the 15th. To say it’s been an incredible month for the man would be an obvious understatement. I have gotten to know Matt a little – as we’re both residents of Westport, Ontario – and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

The Cove, a classy Westport Hotel has organized the CarkBus for all of us proud residents this evening, and I have to wrap this up if I’m going to make it down there in time for a few Molsons prior to departure. We’re getting into the player’s area after the game and the excitement coursing through my veins is ridiculous.

Obviously I’ll be taking photos and videos to share with you on the blog tomorrow – and you can keep up with us in real-time by following us on the all new Goonblog Twitter account which will be officially announced over the weekend. The Ref is out!