Roll Call Part (1)

Okay so as I was investigating the Bruins roster I realized there were about 10 players that I either have never heard of or just didn't know that much about. So to not only help myself, but also my readers I will be splitting this introduction into two posts. Going in true roll call status this post will contain the first 5 unknowns alphabetically. Beginning with....


(C) Noel Acciari is an undrafted 24 year old from Johnston, Rhode Island. The Bruins signed him to a two year entry level contract in 2015 and he made his NHL debut on March 1, 2016. Since being in the NHL he has played 31 games with 3 points and -3. He is currently out for the next four weeks with a lower body injury. A random fact about Acciari is that he was hit by a puck while playing in the AHL, broke his jaw, and was sidelined for just under a month.





(RW) David Backes was the talk of the town during this past summer and so far hasn't really disappointed. In 11 games he has 3 goals and 4 assists with a +9 rating. Nothing to write home about, but really nothing to complain about either. The 32 year old from Minnesota was drafted in 2003 by the St. Louis Blues. The 07-08 year was his first full season in the NHL playing 79 games and acquiring 31 points. After leading the Blues as team captain for 5 years and playing for the organization for 10 seasons he was traded to the Bruins on July 1, 2016. A random fact about Backes is that in 2012 he earned his private pilots license.

(D) Brandon Carlo was drafted 37th overall by Boston in 2015. The 19 year old Colorado Springs native made his NHL debut on opening night this season against CBJ. He earned his first point with an assist on a goal from Brad Marchand in that game. He scored his first NHL goal four days later against the Winnipeg Jets. So far he has played 16 games and has 2 goals and 2 assists. A random fact about Carlo is that he is the product of the Boychuk trade a year later.





(C) Austin Czarnik is another undrafted player that signed with the Bruins in 2015. The 23 year old Michigan native made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016. After being reassigned to Providence then recalled, Czarnik scored his first goal on October 26 against the New York Rangers. Since then he has tallied 4 points in his 12 games. A random fact about Czarnik is that he is the cousin of ECHL Reading Royals center, Robert Czarnik.






(D) John-Michael Liles was drafted in 2000 by the Colorado Avalanche. After playing for three other NHL teams, Liles was picked up by the Bruins at last seasons trade deadline. His career high was in 05-06 with Colorado where he played 82 games and racked up 49 points, 14 goals and 35 assists. The 35 year old Indianapolis native has played 16 games with Boston and has 4 points. A random fact about Liles is that he is a minority owner of the Indiana Ice, a USHL Junior hockey league. Former Ice members that are now in the NHL include Torey Krug, John Carlson, and Brian Ferlin.

Next time on Brain Freeze:

-Colin Miller

-Dominic Moore

-Riley Nash

-Tim Schaller

-Frank Vatrano

Transition Period

Okay Okay Okay, I know this is suppose to be a predominantly Boston hockey blog, but I was previously occupied with the World Series. If anyone watched any moment of Game 7 last night, you can relate. I mean, that game was straight up insane! From the beginning,

the middle, 

to the end,

that game was heart attack educing. 

Congratulations to the keeper of promises, the breaker of curses, and just an incredibly handsome man! 

Theo Epstein, The real MVP

Now that I've gotten that out of my system I can focus on my real true love, Hockey! I have really been off my hockey game lately, but I promise that stops now! Granted I am not sure who half of the players on the Bruins are right now. The good news is that that gives me an idea for my next post! In my spare time (which I seem to have a lot of lately, eye roll) I am going to go through the Bruins roster and do my homework on all the new/unfamiliar faces. So bear with me if you are up to par with your Bruins knowledge because I need to play catchup. Just consider my next post a refresher course. 

Until next time... 

What You've Missed

PREVIOUSLY IN THE NHL...

AROUND THE LEAGUE TRADES:

THE BRUINS: 

The Boson Bruins traded some big names like Dougie Hamilton, Reilly Smith, Carl Soderberg, Marc Savard, and Milan Lucic. The only player they got in return that is worth speaking of is hometown boy, Jimmy Hayes. 25 year old Dorchester native, Hayes made his NHL debut as a Chicago Blackhawk on December 30, 2011 against the Detroit Red Wings. Two years later he was traded to the Florida Panthers where last year he notched 19 goals and 35 points in 72 games. In exchange for Hayes however, the Bruins traded power forward Riley Smith and the long term reserve rights of Marc Savard.  

UPCOMING BLOG POSTS:

• Lord Stanley's summer travels
• A look back on Martin St. Louis's career
• A breakdown on some of the new Bruins
• Andrew Ference's summer plans 

Bruins vs. Canucks Pictures

My pictures from last nights game right >> HERE!

Bruins/Stars Pictures

Check out my pictures from the Bruins vs. Stars game last night HERE!

Blurbs

The Bruins have two games until the All-Star break this weekend. Back to back and on the road, Boston faces the Dallas Stars on Tuesday and the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The Bruins were riding a five game winning streak until they hit a speed bump that was the Columbus Blue Jackets. They fell to the Jackets Saturday 3-1 with the only Bruins goal coming from Carl Soderberg.

In other news, Brad Marchand was suspended two games for slew-footing Rangers' Derick Brassard on Thursday night.

I know Marchand is small and he has to get leverage somehow when going into hit guys, but I will not defend him here. I think this was a bit of a dirty play on his part and he should have just hit him without taking his legs out from under him. This is also not the first time he has been caught slew-footing. He was previously suspended in 2011 for slew-footing Matt Niskanen. 

Oh Marshy, what are we going to do with you? #ShortPeopleProblems 

The Bruins decided not to send Pastrnak down to the AHL which means he is with the team for the remainder of the season. Good thing because it seems this kid is the only thing sparking life into the Bruins at the moment. 

The Bruins are rumored to be hosting the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. "Familiar foe meet on uncommon ground." 

Buy your tickets now folks, this game is going to be so hyped up the prices will skyrocket. 

And We're Back!

First off, sorry for being MIA lately, the holidays got the best of me and then I caught this horrible cold that's going around.

Anyway I am on the mend and it looks like the Bruins are too! I don't want to jinx anything but they are riding a three game wining streak over the Penguins, the Devils, and the Flyers. Their next game is at home on Tuesday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning and guess who's favorite blogger is going...

That's right, one of my good friends from Florida is coming to Boston and we're going to the game!

Some other exciting news, the NHL All-Star game is coming up on the 24th and they announced the roster. 

They also announced the jersey designs. 

Interesting choice to say the least. I'd love to hear your opinions on the roster what you guys think about the jerseys this year. Let me know! 

On deck this week: 

Tampa Bay Lightning (Tuesday-Home)

New York Rangers (Thursday-Home)

Columbus Blue Jackets (Saturday-Home)

Fun Facts: 

-You can get live(ish) updates about my blog on my twitter here- Brain Freeze Twitter
-Check out my pictures from the Bruins/Blackhawks game- Flickr Photos

You Lose Some, You Lose Some

Even though the Bruins lost both games this week, they started to seem a little more like the Bruins I know and love!

Blackhawks Game: Bruins Lose 3-2

Chara returned!

Smith and Krug scored and the Bruins out shot the Hawks 34-21. Boston out hit them, won more faceoffs, and had less giveaways, but could not come back from a 3-0 hole as hard as they tried. 

Sidenote: Toews left the game after a questionable boarding call on Sieds. 

Senators Game: Bruins Lose in OT 3-2

Craig Cunningham scored his first goal as a Bruin! 

The Bruins absolutely crushed the Senators in faceoffs 50-18. 

Lucic continued his hot streak and took his rage out on Mark Borowiecki. 

Boston led twice during the game, but could not fend off Ottawa and a shootout was necessary to end the game. Marshy had a pretty goal, however no one else could slip one past Ottawa's goaltender, Lenher. Needless to say Tuukka was not please with the results. 

On deck this week:

Nashville Predators (Tuesday-Away)

Minnesota Wild (Wednesday-Away)

Winnipeg Jets (Friday-Away)

Buffalo Sabres (Sunday-Home)

Fun Fact: 

-I made a twitter account for my blog! Check it out HERE!

-Keep your eyes peeled for my pictures from the Bruins/Hawks game soon!

One Day Late and Three Goals Short

The Bruins played the St. Louis Blues, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Montreal Canadiens this week and we were so close to having a winning week. The Bruins played well against the Blues, fought back to beat the Blue Jackets, but fell short versus the Habs.

First up was St. Louis and a shutout for Tuukka. Bergy netted the first goal 5:45 into the game. A poor play by Ian Cole set Perfect Patrice up for a wide open net. Lucic and Morrow had some prime opportunities to score but couldn't capitalize. Halfway through the second though, Krug whipped a sweet one by Elliot to put the Bruins on top 2-0.

With a great hip check by Looch and 33 saves from Tuukka, the Bruins skated away on top and with a W on the board. 

Next up, the Blue Jackets and a rally from the Bruins. Columbus went up by 2 early in the game with some sloppy goals. The Bruins were rather silent until the third when Seidenberg rocketed one from center ice. With a little spark the Bruins scored two more goals from Matt Fraser and Daniel Paille. (Paille's first goal in 37 games). The Bruins couldn't keep the lead and Jack Johnson scored to send it into overtime. Shots were 7-1 in overtime in favor of the Bruins, but no goals. Who doesn't love a good shootout? 

After seven rounds the youngster Alex Khokhlachev (Koko) slipped one past Bobrovsky to win the game. 

 

As great as that was, the big talk of the game was Lucic and Dalton Prout's "fight". 

Last up was the Montreal Canadiens and boy wasn't that a fun game! The Bruins were messy to say the least. They had ample scoring opportunities that they just could not get any past Price. The shots on goal were 33-23 in favor of the Bruins, but the Habs were able to get two past Tuukka unlike the Bruins. Carey Price even got his first shutout of the season. The most exciting part of the game was 13 minutes in when Gregory Campbell and Dale Weise squared off in a spiral fight. 

Video Here

On deck this week:

Pittsburg Penguins (Today-Home)

THANKSGIVING

Winnipeg Jets (Friday-Home)

The "Thanksgiving Showdown" is the New York Rangers vs. the Philadelphia Flyers at 1pm on Friday. 

What am I thankful for you? Pucks and Pups! Click that link, you won't be disappointed and hint hint family and friends, Christmas gift idea right here!   

Sorry I'm a day late on my post this week, I let my procrastination get the best of me. 

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone, eat lots of food and drink responsibly!