Tuesday, February 20, 2007

God

I want to start this post with a quote.

If Flyers acting GM Paul Holmgren was permitted to make the call on the Forsberg deal to Nashville, then it stands to reason he's going to maintain that position long-term, doesn't it?

But then, the dysfunctional Boston ownership did allow outgoing GM Mike O'Connell to sign Tim Thomas to a three-year contract that some in the current regime believe was a middle-finger goodbye to the organization.

If it wasn't, it's sure a pretty good imitation of one.

I haven't decided if I should go down and beat on him or just laugh in his face. So who's the man??

44,
44!!!

Not much to say here as Timmy's saves did most of the talking in his 3-0 defeat of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Besides Timmy, and his 3rd shut-out of the season, there were some other surprising highlights; Jason York scoring his first goal as a Bruin, and PJ Axelsson getting his second sweet goal in as many games (sorry Pekese).

In case you didn't know already, joining Bergeron on the "lower body injury" list are Glen Murray and Andrew Alberts. None of them are serious from what I know, and shouldn't miss anymore than a week.

So without further ado here are your 3 stars:
1) Timmy Thomas (see above)
2) Jason York (8:57, 1 g, +3)
3) PJ Axelsson (1g, +3)

Special thanks to Jaci for supplying the excellent photo!

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16 Comments:

Blogger number4bobbyorr said...

I've decided a really good way to tell if a writer is a shallow idiot vs. a true Hockey fanatic, is to ask them what they think about Tim Thomas.

The thing about Timmy is that all his career he's never really been given a chance. Yet at the same time he's had consistent success at every level. It practically took an act of God for him to break into the NHL! And still he has so many detractors, so many "doubting Thomas'," most sitting quitely waiting for him to have a slump so they can tell us how they knew he really sucked all along. It's February, and still they wait. Maybe the worst are the ones who quetly say what a great game he just played (for the 40th time) all the while putting a "true No. 1" goaltender on their wish list for next year.

I've seen a lot of goaltenders come ang go, clear back to Cheevers. And for what its worth I think Thomas has greatness in him. And I think we'll not see his best until he makes the playoffs. Mark my words, if given the chance this is a goaltender who could steal a playoff series or three. Let's just hope that when he does he's still a Bruin.

11:44 p.m., February 20, 2007  
Blogger Tree said...

Even I can appreciate this.
Good hockey!
:)

7:02 a.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger Doobie said...

What, are we resurrecting the old "Jesus saves, Esposito gets the rebound and scores" line? :)

Hey, after last night's effort and seeing his 3rd period performance in Philly the other night, they're wheeling out the Timmy Brulee for me after the full meal of Bochenski words that I just just finished eating (burp).

Still, it's premature to be slapping a deity tag on him. This is, after all, a guy who just got over a horrible January (4.19 GAA and an .880 SV%). I don't know about you, but I prefer a little more consistency from my otherworldly entities.

But hey, Timmy's getting hot when it counts. If he can keep up this torrid streak for another month, this team can make the playoffs (only five points out!). And if they DO make the playoffs, a hot goalie can cause upsets.

8:32 a.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger jimbuff said...

#4 - Very well said. Timmy is the man as myself and treebob have been stating (arguing) all season.

Treebob - exact same stars I would have had (even in the same order). Well done! I really wanted to do this post - I hate the leafs (well more their fans) and Timmy was the difference by far!

Doobie - Timmy wasn't all that bad in January - stats are low b/c of the teams poor performing not his. If not for Timmy the team gaa and save% would have been a hell of alot worse.

Tree - about time you commented this season:)

8:55 a.m., February 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Before everyone gets carried away and my boss re-names one of his children after T.Thomas I will give a little outside observation.

From what I have seen and read about Thomas is he is a good volume goaltender. Meaning he performs best when he sees a lot of rubber. But to be a truly great goaltender (and merit the title of 'god') it needs to be seen how Thomas re-acts to lower volume = higher pressure shots. A neccesity for a championship goaltender.

Also remember that you also played a team with a definate lack of hands outside of Sundin. Have fun with this one.

leafyboy_17

11:02 a.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger number4bobbyorr said...

leafyboy_17: we're not just talking one game here. Timmy's been doing it more or less consistently for a year now. It's just nice to see him get the acolades he's been earning game in and game out.

One thing I suspect about Timmy: you bench him and his game suffers. I say keep playing him! He's not your ordinary goaltender--he seems to thrive on a heavy schedule.

12:39 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger TreeBob said...

Jim, I was actually going to tell you to post about the game. I didnot comment on the Leaf hating part of the game. I was to wrapped up in the divinity.

12:47 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

number4: I understand when you say T.Thomas does well when playing lots of minutes and games (like any other starting goalie). But in those games does consistantly see lots of shawts? (this greatly depends on team defence) I would just be interested in seeing how Thomas would respose to a lower volume and more situational shawts. From the time I have heard of Thomas I have seen he often does fantastic when he save count climbs into the high 30s and 40s. And I would be interested to see how he would deal with a tighter defensive scheme that would give him less chance to get into a rythem. Just my thoughts.

leafyboy_17

1:02 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger neb said...

unfortunatly...last night WAS the tight defensive scheme of this team in combonation with the new nhl...

the bruins have been better about giving timmy the shooter and not letting guys get clean looks from inside 20 feet. when they take away these areas, the team and timmy does well - see december and present. when they let guys roam in the slot unchecked timmy and the team does poorly- see january.

they want to take away the center of the ice and not turn the puck over in these areas and guys who are getting minutes are the guys following these instructions.

3:20 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

"This is, after all, a guy who just got over a horrible January (4.19 GAA and an .880 SV%)"

Well said! The jury is out on Thomas. But damn, when he's good he's real good!
There is only one God, and his name is Dany Sabourin..err...Roberto Luongod!

3:34 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger TreeBob said...

Zanstorm is now banned from this site for taking the name of the lord in vain.

4:07 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger TreeBob said...

Actually I got my commandments wrong, you are banned for worshiping false idols. Paegan!!!

4:17 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

You can't ban me! I only serve one god:

http://hockey-madness.blogspot.com/2007/01/bow-to-luon-god.html

It is YOU who have fabricated this false god named Thomas! :)

4:46 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger TreeBob said...

Oh you poor lost soul :(

Please behold his most holy Scripture!

Notice the date and the number of saves that day. ;)

5:20 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger number4bobbyorr said...

leafyboy_17 said "I understand when you say T.Thomas does well when playing lots of minutes and games (like any other starting goalie)."

Like I said, I don't mean like any other starting goalie. I think he can go much longer than most.

Who knows how Thomas stacks up under only a few shots. This team has never given him that. But I don't see it as a particular worry.

I'd like to think the reason he sees so many shots is that the guys in front of him often do a reasonable job of pushing everything to the outside, but I'm not entirely certain about that. Regardless, it seems clear that the majority of his losses have come when they let the other team walk right in on him or allow passes across the crease to an open man. I'm not sure any goaltender could stand up under that.

By the way, for what its worth Thomas is tied for second in shootout wins, and has the 4th best shootout save percentage.

6:27 p.m., February 21, 2007  
Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Ahaha! Nice. But Thomas is a god not God. Compared to Luongo he is a small buddha!

1:26 p.m., February 22, 2007  

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