Hockey night in Florida

The Boston Bruins took to the ice last Friday night in Sunrise, Florida, for the first of two games in the Sunshine State. Most teams play the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on the same road trip, and try to catch a few rays on the journey. Before the game, I ran into a group of Bruins’ players playing a game of “Keep it Up” with a volleyball, only using their feet. Walls are in play, so players can scoop the ball off the wall without committing an error. I slipped by the game and ran into Matt Beleskey. We agreed to meet after the game.

The Bruins emerged victorious from their weekend games, with identical 3-1 scores. Beleskey scored in the game against the Lightning, his fifth point and second goal this season. In the game against the Panthers, midway through the first period, Zdeno Chara snapped a wrist shot toward the Panther net. Brad Marchand tipped the shot, recording his first of two goals. Chara added the third goal before the Panthers got on the board in the second period.

Beleskey played all of his OHL hockey for the Belleville Bulls.He began his career with the Bulls in 2004, and had 23 points in his rookie season. His points totals increased year after year with the Bulls, from 40 to 68, and then 90 points in his final season. He was a member of the Bulls when they went to the Memorial Cup in 2008.

He was drafted in the fourth round in 2006, and began his NHL career in 2008 with the Anaheim Ducks. Last year was his seventh season in Anaheim. He notched 22 goals, and was plus 13 for the season. He also had an outstanding playoff run for the team, with 8 goals in 16 games. After the season, he decide to throw his hat into the free agency ring, and he was signed by the Bruins.

As expected, he told me that he was disappointed with the news about the Bulls. “It was a shock. I really enjoyed my days in Belleville, and I look forward to going back there every summer. I know everyone will miss the hockey”. He chuckled when I mentioned that the climate might be a little different in Boston. After seven years in California, there will be some adjustment. “But I am looking forward to it,” he told me.

Beleskey has paid his dues, with stints in several American Hockey League cities: Iowa, San Antonio, Toronto—with the Marlies, Syracuse and Norfolk. He also played in England in the 2012-2013 season for the Coventry Blaze.

The Panthers pulled Roberto Luongo with more than three minutes left in the game, needing two goals to tie. With two minutes remaining, Marchand hammered one of the Panthers into the boards and received a major penalty. Coach Claude Julien gave credit to Tuuka Rask for his play in the third period.

Naturally, there were plenty of “Ooooo” sounds during the game. The Panther fans for “Bobby Loo”, and the Bruins fans for “Toooka”. Whatever.

They play each other four times this season, and the outcome of those games may determine playoff positions. It is something that coaches think about before the season ever begins. Sure, there are 70 more games to play. But these games are just as important as the games in April.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals. As runners-up last year, this was their time. Next year, that means the Canadian team should be there.

sportslices.blogspot.com