From: mattb@ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Bruins First Impressions v Flyers
Date: 2 Oct 92 13:59:55 GMT
Reply-To: mattb@olympus.ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Organization: Cabletron Systems INc.

Watched last night's pre-season game on WSBK38: Bruins v Flyers from Atlanta.
Some admittedly very opinionated first impressions on the B's 5-3 victory:

- Glad hockey is back. This looks like a banner year all around.  
- Shaw looked very good at the point. He isn't afraid to shoot (some people
  think that they are only there to set up Bourque). Good hard shot.
- Lindros looked very good. He can hit and take a hit. Tough to move out of
  the slot. Not a bad passer either. This may be a rather conventional 
  analysis of Eric, but after so much hype, seeing is believing. 
- However, the Flyers defense looked very weak at times, and overall they
  look like a 1-line team. Roussel looked better than the score would indicate.
  Without some help, this will be a long first season for Eric, and a tough
  ride through the Patrick. If Lindros gets hurt, Philly will take a bath at
  the gate and in the standings.
- Cheruyakov was beaten on Lindro's second goal, and was promptly sent to
  Siberia (gotta quit these cheap Russian jokes; he didn't play again, and
  Fred & Derek speculated on an injury, but nothing in today's Globe on that
  count).
- Beers played a strong game. Don Sweeney was his usual real good/real bad
  mix. 
- Because of their four game southern blitz, the B's sat out Rosey, Juneau,
  Murphy, Roberts, Murray, and one or two others. Tonight they will rest
  Oates, Moog, Special K (Kvartnalov's San Diego nickmane), and Leach.
- Kvartnlov (well, that's how they mispelled it on his jersey) had a bunch
  of chances, hitting 2 posts, and made a few nice passes.
- Stumpel had 2 goals, starting just after Fred & Derek mentioned how poor
  his training camp has been (keep it up, guys). This may help him stick 
  around. This is good. Boston needs another "Stump".
- Darren Banks was a well-behaved last night. A few hard hits, including a
  cruncher on a Philly Russian defenseman (Somethingavich), who waited
  until the 20:00 mark of the third period to retaliate. Fraser called it
  (he must have an incentive contract for the pre-season: he called over
  20 penalties). Banks also blew an in-the-skates pass from Donato on
  a 2-on-1.
- On Fraser: I am convinced the refs are airing out all the new rules so
  that everybody has seen every variation before the season starts. A few
  weeks in and the rate will be back to normal. He called 2 "holding the
  stick", a dive on Dineen (the player, not the coach), a few high sticks,
  and a bunch of other minors. No majors, nothing resembling a fight or
  goonery.
- Everybody knocks the NHL/Olympic dream team thing, but think of this:
  a checking line with Messier at center, Lindros and Neely as wings. Well,
  maybe call it a hitting line. I know Lindros is at center, but it would be
  worth skating him at wing just to watch these guys pound the opposition.
  Call it the "Beefcake" line?
- Prediction: Kvartnalov will not win the All-Star game speed-skating
  competition.
- Bourque put in his minutes, was solid but uninspiring.
- Oates was Oates. Donato could be the Randy Burridge heir apparent (lunch-
  pail-get-it-done-inspire-the-team-with-hard-work player)
- Eklund was a non-entity for the Flyers.
- There have been rumors of some stirrings of trade talk between Philly
  and Boston. The trades and moves they have done lately have been mutually
  beneficial (IMO). If the Bruins can't get the Wesley contract done, I
  would like to see him dealt to Philly. I don't care what they get back
  (good cheese steak hoagies for the Garden?). I think Glen has to get out
  from under the Bourque shadow to play up to his potential. I have been
  waiting for years for him to do this on his own, but he just won't. I
  think he could be the "go to" guy for Philly, and that he would step up
  and finally fill that role. It would be a good move for him, and for
  Philly. What's in it for the Bruins? How about reducing the number of
  pushovers in the Patrick, and increasing the chances of an early playoff
  upset? The harder it is for the Rangers or Pens or Caps to get out of the
  Patrick, the better for the B's. Most B's fans will think I've had too
  many Sam Adam's, but I've always been tough on Wesley, and I think it's 
  time I started kicking around somebody else (Don Sweeney?).
- Bob Sweeney was worthless except for kicking in a goal while in the 
  crease late in the third (sure, he was put there, and sure, it deflected,
  but I just can't give Goofball Bob any credit).
- Oates tapped one out of mid air for a goal earlier. This gets me. Carry
  your stick more than waist high, and a tap on a player gets ya 2 mins.
  Stick in the same place, tap the puck, and it's a goal. Hmmm.
- Moog looked good overall. Not much chance on the Lindros goals, and I
  can't remember the third one. Bales apparently played pretty well the
  night before.
- Fred & Derek were in pre-season form, and are likely to remain so all
  season.  Kevin Paul Dupont (Globe hockey guy) picked Buffalo, Detroit,
  Rangers, Vancouver to top their divisions, with (surprise!) Pittsburgh
  to win the cup. A high-risk kinda guy.  He picked the Rangers last year. 

Matt
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey