BRUINS CRUSH CANADIENS IN PRESEASON OPENER

Patrice Bergeron suited up for the Bruins for the first time in nearly 11 months last night. He did not disappoint. He tallied a goal and three assists as the Bruins began their preseason campaign against Montreal in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Bruins beat the Habs 8-3. Linemate Marco Sturm had two goals and two assists. Youngster Vladimir Sobotka added two goals of his own.



You can't really take much away from a preseason hockey game, especially when goalies are changed so frequently. But it's still hockey, and it's still the Montreal Canadiens. The 2nd period, for instance, saw 34 penalty minutes given out, including a pair of fighting majors. 54 more penalty minutes were dished out in the 3rd, among them were four fighting majors and a game misconduct for Andrew Ference.

It would have been nice to actually see this game on television, or even hear it on the radio. Not for the score, but for the fights.

The Bruins continue their preseason tonight in New Brunswick as they take on the Islanders.

Sources:
BostonBruins.com
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Mike Dembeck

SOX FALL SHORT

12 men left on base, 7 men left in scoring position, a 2 out baserunning blunder at 3rd, a rarely seen stretch of wildness from Beckett, and so on. The Red Sox had ample opportunity to win last night's game and clinch a playoff berth. They also would have stayed 1.5 behind Tampa Bay in the division.

Maybe they threw the game so they could clinch Thursday night when I'm there.

Eventual Cy Young winner Cliff Lee takes the mound for Cleveland tonight. He's 22-2 with a 2.41 ERA. He opposes Tim Wakefield, who has struggled mightily in 2 of his last 3 starts.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson