As previously mentioned, I was toying with the idea of moving the blog from Movable Type to WordPress. I was practically set to make the jump, spending countless hours playing with WordPress themes and importing content, that I could have done it this week. However, since Bruins season is about the busiest it's about to get, with the impending trade deadline looming in the first week of March, wiser decisions have prevailed and I'm going to stick with Movable Type for the rest of the 2008-2009 season. I rather add content than spend my time tinkering around with a new platform.
If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Right? I may spruce up the website a tad with better colors and less clutter in the next few days. I'm also working on some features that should lead to the March 4th trade deadline.
But When it's Broke
The Bruins are 0-2-2 in their last four games. They have had leads or come from behind and then got the loss. For a team with that record of late and giving fans a look of what could have been from the start of the season, the team doesn't seem too worried.
At yesterday's practice, they worked on power play units having a little competition between the two zones. Zdeno Chara manned a point with Patrice Bergeron next to him. Marc Savard, P.J. Axelsson and Chuck Kobasew were down low. They scored first, and the other side with David Krejci, Blake Wheeler and Phil Kessel, scored to tie it. Then the penalty killing took over and stopped everything else for the rest of the drill, which meant they got the puck out of the zone.
They also worked on 2-on-1 breakouts and something else that has skipped my mind. Michael Ryder, back on the ice for the first time since having his nose repaired, seemed a little lost through some of the drills and where he should be. I would have blamed anesthesia, but other than that, Ryder didn't look out of place.
Practice (not Patrice!) lasted just under an hour I think. Then players stretched and went to do some post-practice activities. For Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference it meant a lengthy game of keep away at center ice. It was about as much fun to watch as this smile on Chara's face. In the background, coach Claude Julien spoke with Phil Kessel for an amount of time. Assistant coach Craig Ramsay worked along the boards with Byron Bitz in between chats with him.
Manny Fernandez took shots from a group that consisted of Martins Karsums, Vladimir Sobotka, Blake Wheeler, David Krejci to name a few. Fernandez was as loose as I have ever seen him in the number of practices I have been to this season. He was having fun with the shooters and went off the ice with one arm up, as to saying he won perhaps.
The only downside of practice was arriving and seeing a chain link fence up in the parking lot. There were rumors that it was up, but I thought it was only temporary, like in previous training camps. Unfortunately, it looks like it is here to stay. From a source within the organization the reason for the fence is because of the autograph hounds that frequent the area to get autographs. I have seen encounters before involving a hound and Tim Thomas where Thomas pointed out the fact that he had already signed three items for him.
That's the only negative this season. The Bruins are so good, they became more popular and popularity puts a target on the backs of the players with autograph hounds. It's a downside to the fans that enjoy talking to players and getting memorabilia that means something autographed. But I guess if that's the only negative that I can come up with so far this season, then there is a lot of good stuff happening.
Fun in Florida
The Bruins are in Raleigh, North Carolina to face-off with the Hurricanes tonight. This is the second leg of their road trip after visits to New Jersey (1-0 L) and Nashville (3-2 SOL) last week. After tonight's game the Bruins will fly to Florida where they will play back-to-back nights against the Panthers and Lightning this weekend. They have the option of a golf outing or deep sea fishing on their day off tomorrow.
My plan to sneak onto the plane to travel to Florida was obviously foiled.
