The promise and the possibility

One year ago, the Bruins found themselves somewhere they hadn't been in 10 years -- the second round of the NHL playoffs.

After an epic sweep of the Montreal Canadiens, it seemed the B's were finally started to gain some recognition in a city they once ruled. As the top-seed in the East, maybe it was finally Boston's year. After all, the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots had all won ... why not the Bruins? Fans chanted "We Want the Cup" during every playoff game in the Garden. The Bruins looked fast, strong, tough. A team that could win it all -- but, then something happened. The dream season so many fans had waited for suddenly ended with a Game 7 overtime loss at home. A heartbreak for the lone franchise out. But was it really a missed opportunity?

The slow start for the Bruins was undoubtedly disappointing. The trading of Phil Kessel, recent Vezina winner Tim Thomas' under-performing in net, and just the overall lack of Boston's ability to score was a complete 180 from their dream season just a year ago. It looked like a return to the postseason was deeply in jeopardy.

But here we all are now, on the brink of the second round. And somehow, as a No. 6 seed, the B's finds themselves with home ice advantage once again. Hosing the No. 7 Philadelphia Flyers, Boston is ready to make amends for what they know was a postseason that should have gone further. Fans are ready to believe again. What better time than now?

And despite all their shortcomings during the regular season, I know I still believe. I believe in this team as much as I did at this time last year. The best thing about sports has always been the unpredictability and the possibility. Maybe what's as remarkable is knowing that for all the injuries and unfortunate setbacks the team faced this season, they're still back where they were a year ago. But hopefully, they'll be happier ending this time around.

It's what the Bruins deserves.

Halos fly high as they rock Red Sox in ALDS Game 1

Watching David Ortiz strike out to end Game 1 of the ALCS against the Anaheim Angels tonight was somewhat ... fitting.

In a mistake filled, lackluster 5-0 losing effort the Boston Red Sox looked lost. It's how I can best describe what I saw. I hate to admit this, but even I have some reservation about this year's squad and how deep of a playoff run they will actually make. When Boston's No. 1 pitcher, Jon Lester can't even stop the offense of the Angels, I begin to wonder. With the untimely tragic death of Nick Adenhart early in the season, the Halos carry a heavy heart into the postseason. To be honest, if they were to go on to defeated my beloved BoSox, I wouldn't mind see them go all the way and win the World Series (anyone is better than New York).

On the bright side, having Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz as the No. 2 and 3 starting pitchers in the series is a great sign. I don't think Boston could have asked to have two better guys to step up then them. While Beckett's had a shaky season, at the end of the day ... he's still Josh freakin' Beckett. Mr. Postseason. He can pull out great performances in October like no body's business. And Buchholz has proven he's the real deal. Granted, the guy did throw a no-hitter in second career MLB start, but he's been solid enough to get picked over Daisuke Matsuzaka as the third starter.

Can Boston pull out ANOTHER postseason series victory against Anaheim? That remains to be seen. I'd love to see this series go the full five games and allow Jon Lester to get some redemption for tonight's disappointing loss. But in order for that to happen, Beckett and Buchholz will have to do their part first.

Please Take Me Anywhere But Here..

The New York Yankees clinched their postseason berth today at Yankee Stadium after competing a weekend sweep of the Boston Red Sox.

So while both teams have essentially wrapped up their places in the playoffs (the Red Sox's magic number is 3), the Yankees officially won the AL East for the first time since 2006.

For some reason, that fact surprises me. For all the money George Steinbrenner has spent into building his team, I can't believe the Yanks didn't finish on top of the division more often the last few years. That's not even a cheap shot at the man, he loves his team and wants them to win.. I can respect that.

Unfortunately, a mix of school and Iowa football among other things have left me ample time to actually pay attention to this weekend's series. But as a Red Sox fan, I still hate the Yankees. I hate seeing them celebrate and I hate even more that it came at the hands of my beloved BoSox getting swept. The Red Sox were beaten and battered this weekend and what do they have to show for it?

While the Yankees celebrated, the Red Sox shrugged. Players in every corner of the visiting clubhouse uniformly shared a three-point mantra: The Yankees won. Good for them. Wait for the playoffs.

"I think they have the best team in the American League East," closer Jonathan Papelbon said. "Sure. Facts are facts. I think there's a little sense of pride in trying to win the division every year. But realistically, the point is getting in and getting hot."

"As of right now, obviously they're the better team," leftfielder Jason Bay said. "Once the postseason starts, everything else is kind of thrown out the window."

Didn’t it sting just a little watching the Yankees celebrate?

"I don't care," Kevin Youkilis said. "I want to get into the playoffs. Once we get there, it's a whole other game." -- The Boston Globe

Uhhh, okay. What the hell is that? Does this team even WANT to make the playoffs? Perhaps winning two World Series championships in a six year span may be tiring but I just can't comprehend how a team could seem to care less that their biggest rivals just clinched the division title (at their expense no less).

I don't know about anyone else but I'm having some serious concerns with how the Red Sox are going to fare this postseason. I'm almost positive the road to the World Series will go through Yankees and I'm not sure Boston can handle that. Optimistic? Not quite. Honest? You betchya. I guess lately I've been getting the vibe the Sox don't even believe in themselves. After starting the season 8-0 against the Yankees, things evened up fast as both teams split the 18-game series, 9-9 by winning nine of the last 11.

Who knows, maybe if/when they finally clinch the AL wild card, they'll show some passion they've been seriously missing the last couple of months.

Photo from www.bostondirtdogs.com