Sports 03-29-2018

Bruins Beat

by Bob Morello

Bruins stretch drive and 122nd Marathon warmup

The Bruins closed out their four-game road trip on Tuesday, taking on the Winnipeg Jets who were riding a five-game winning streak. Despite both teams having already locked in a playoff berth, each were looking to improve their spots as they fight to move up in their conference, earning a division title and the all-important home ice advantage. The Jets wasted little time in jumping off to a lead in the first period, before Bs Ryan Donato scored in the period to tie the game 1-1. Winnipeg turned on the jets in the second period with two goals to post a 3-1 lead before Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk was crushed into the boards from behind just before the end of the second period. The Bruins decided as a team, that they would get their revenge on the scoreboard, not on the ice.

Boston got their opportunities as Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey was banished to the penalty box for a five-minute boarding penalty, as the locals put two power play goals on the board to tie the game at 3-3. Winnipeg pushed ahead with a goal to make it 4-3, only to see the Bruins bounce back with Torey Krug’s power play goal, their third power play goal of the game, knotting the score at 4-4 and sending the game into overtime. In the overtime neither team scored, but in the shootout Patrik Laine beat Anton Khudobin to win the game. The Bruins gained a single point in the loss, moving them to within a point of division and conference leader, Tampa Bay, with Boston still holding a game in hand, making tonight’s (Thursday) game in Boston that much more important. The Bs will have another face-to-face meeting with the Lightning on Tuesday, April 3, in Tampa, so it certainly looks like the Bruins will have their opportunities to jump into the top spot in the Atlantic Division as well as first place in the Eastern Conference with a win or two over the Lightning.

With seven games left on the regular season schedule, Boston will face more tough games to go with the Lightning contests. The Florida Panthers will be their opponent in three of those seven games, beginning with Florida’s visit to the Garden on Saturday, March 31, in a 1:00 p.m. matinee,  (rescheduled game with Panthers at TD Garden added Sunday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.), plus an April 5, game in Florida. With the Panthers scrambling to make the playoffs, these will not be easy games. The Philadelphia Flyers scrambling to hold on to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference will also be in the mix on Sunday, April 1st as they host Boston.

Bruins forward David Backes is the Boston Bruins 2018 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee, as selected by the Boston chapter of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association (PHWA). The Masterton Trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The winner of the Masterton Trophy is selected by a vote of the 31 chapters of the PHWA at the conclusion of the regular season.

With the NHL Playoffs getting closer, it also marks the running of the 2018 Boston Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) event will mark the 122nd year of this historic tradition. To commemorate the 122nd running, adidas will celebrate their 30th anniversary as the exclusive footwear and apparel partner of the Boston Marathon, the world’s most prestigious road race. The Boston Marathon is the oldest continuously run marathon in the world, spanning 122 years of history, and approximately 30,000 participants are registered for the 2018 Boston Marathon to be run on April 16.

Recently adidas unveiled the official 2018 Boston Marathon Celebration Jacket. This year’s creation mirrors the very idea of the Boston Marathon – the Hi-Res Red/Real Coral color palate is bold and expressive to represent the feeling at the beginning of a marathon as the runner’s heart rate plays off the crowd’s energy. Mixing bright shades with darker tones accentuates the ups and downs of a runners’ journey, from the pivotal race moment to cool down.  A reflective channel alongside the iconic three white stripes shines for 360-degree visibility. Boston Marathon jackets are available for $110 now in the U.S. on adidas.com and in limited quantities at the Boston Marathon Run Base.

The full-zip jacket features a Boston Marathon graphic on the back of the collar and a logo on the chest. Boasting front zip pockets, full zip with stand-up collar, Raglan sleeves with contrast shoulder striping and cuffed hems; draw-cord on hem for snug fit, Boston Marathon graphic embroidered on back of collar, Boston Marathon logo embroidered on chest, large Boston Marathon logo embroidered on back, regular fit is close to the body offering a semi-fitted feel that follows the curves of the body, main: 100 percent polyester plain weave; lining: 100 percent polyester mesh.

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