Frank Vatrano - Hitting Stride With Bruins?

Frank Vatrano

Hitting Stride With Bruins? 

Frank Vatrano was looking good and all set for his first full year with the Boston Bruins. He was in great shape.  Yet the East Longmeadow, MA native had a major set back in pre-season practice with torn ligaments in his left foot that required surgery. He came back earlier than expected and played 2 games with the AHL Providence Bruins Team, scored a goal in each game, and that was certainly a positive sign.

Yet NESN Bruin's Announcers, Billy Jafee and Andy Brickley, both warned that after missing pre-season and early games it wasn't going to be easy for Frank. You can be fully recovered and in shape, but being in "game shape" and having your legs ready is a different story and that happens only after actually playing in NHL games. They proved to be right.

The Boston Bruins were lingering around 3rd place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, but it was evident that they needed the type of scoring punch that Vatrano can bring. In his first game against the Florida Panthers on December 12 he didn't disappoint. He scored a goal in his first game with his patented quick release thunder shot from the front right side of the net. It ended up being a good 3-1 win for the Bruins. It was pretty amazing for him to do that in his first game and also be part of a win.

Yet in the first 3 games you could see the progression of game shape and experience that Jafee and Brickely talked about. Vatrano's movements out there on the ice began to become quicker / faster and more instinctive, but it took actual game playing to accomplish this. The Bruins lost the next 2 very close games...2-3 OT loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and a 4-3 loss to a very good Columbus Blue Jacket Team that had won 12 games in a row. The Bruins came back after being down 0-3 in the first period, an exciting game to watch.

Last night Vatrano seemed to be fully back and hitting stride. He had 2 assists in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but it was more than the assists. He appeared to very active around the net, as well as on the open ice..very involved in the play and contributing.

Let's see....4 games...a goal and 2 assists, for 3 points and a +2 rating. Not bad! We are talking about the NHL here!

Go Frank !

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Sports Media: Anti-Prayer, Anti-Christian, Anti-God

The proof, as always, is in their actions. Whether it be ESPN, ABC, NBC, HBO, or Fox Sports television. Or whether it be in the print sports media such as Sports Illustrated, USA Today Sports, ESPN the Magazine, Inside Sports, the Sporting News, and many others, they are all anti-Christian and really anti-God. In fact with Sports Illustrated pushing their "Swim Suit" edition is much more important to them. Now THERE is a positive influence on our young people involved in or interested in sports.

A major happening before and after games, related to sports, are prayers and religious services of all faiths that occur routinely. If nothing else one would think that this would be a very relevant human interest story...it is news. Yet any mention or coverage of this is avoided like the plague by the sports media. Athletes in Action is a highly regarded sports ministry where there is a player initiated tradition and practice of prayer before and after games. During this time of such division in our country this is a wonderful sign of unity of faith. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is still another organization promoting prayer before and after games. Often after a game players from both teams will hold hands in prayer...what a wonderful example for our young people! Yet the television cameras will quickly turn away, even though this is VERY relevant news related to sports.

Often after a game, or a boxing match, the star of the game or winner is interviewed. The athlete will begin the interview by thanking God...saying such things as "I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"...or some other reference to God. You can tell that the interviewer is VERY uncomfortable with this and their body language revels this, as well as quickly moving on to another subject. I am sure that they are directed to be this way by their network management who pays their salaries.

Nowhere has the anti-Christian, anti-God bias been revealed than that related to Tim Tebow. Tebow was an up and coming football sensation at the University of Florida as a quarterback. He was a multiple All-American pick, Heisman Trophy winner, 2 time National Champion at Florida, 2 time Maxwell Trophy Winner, Davey O'Brien Award Winner, Manning Award Winner, multiple selections as the Player of the Year...and there was much more. Most importantly, he was a winner and any coach, any team looks for that. He was an up and coming star for sure. But two things started to happen. The first thing is it was obvious that the sports media were VERY uncomfortable with him kneeling and praying on the sidelines...and his references to God while being interviewed. The topper, however, is that a Christian group, Focus on the Family, put forth a Super Bowl ad that briefly indicated that his mother while doing missionary work in the Philistines contracted amoebic dysentery while pregnant and doctors suggested an abortion. She refused and the result was Tim Tebow! For the sports media and the far left this was intolerable and there were cries to boycott the Super Bowl. For the far left, make no mistake about it, abortion is their Holy Grail.

 

The whole attitude toward Tebow started to change. Suddenly well known sportscasters began criticizing his abilities. It was a constant barrage and flow of negativism about Tim Tebow...on television, in print...everywhere. This previously up and coming sensation was suddenly persona non grata with the media. In fact it was popular to criticize his abilities and they received a "star" if they did, it was career enhancing to do so. Don't get me wrong, like any player in the NFL there are pluses and minuses when it comes to Tim Tebow. Yet to poison the water about Tebow before he ever gets a chance, to stack the deck with negativism was a terrible thing to do...yet that is exactly what they did. Shame on ALL of them!

if I were an owner and head coach of an NFL Team, Tim Tebow would be on my team. He brings character to the team, something that seems increasingly absent in the NFL. He is a winner, and possesses that certain something that brings about a winning team. At 6' 4" and 245 lbs he is a major force...and he always stays in shape. He can run and he can throw. I would have devised an offense around his positive abilities, whether that be some kind of "wildcat" offense or other new innovative offense. If I were an owner or head coach, by now I would have won a Super Bowl with Tim Tebow.

Sports News in America IS anti-Christian and anti-God. And there is PLENTY proof of this...just open up your eyes and ears. 

Western Mass Treasure Chest of Hockey Players

Western Mass Hockey Players Update - Professional, College, and College Bound

Danny Petrick - Outstanding defensive player who can also put up points. While still in high school Danny played, and played well, for the Springfield Pics in the USPHL Premier Division, a very fast and physical brand of East Coast Junior Hockey. Now in preparing for his college commitment at Northeastern University in the tough Hockey East Conference, he is playing for the Austin (Minnesota) Bruins in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He is continuing to put up points as a defensive player with 7 goals and 5 assists so far this season. He was selected as the NAHL - Bauer Defensive Player of the Month for his 4 goals and 2 assists in a single month.

Charlie Kelleher - One of the most impressive up and coming players. He is committed to the University of New Hampshire in following his brother, Tyler. My own opinion, he could be playing and starring for them now! He is currently playing for the Tri-City Storm in the USHL with 17 points in 21 games. That ain't easy to do in that league.

Tyler Kelleher - University of New Hampshire, burning up Hockey East and Division I College Hockey with 30 points in 16 games, including 12 goals and 18 assists. He is second in the nation in points, only 1 behind the leader. The NHL is nuts if they don't draft him!

Mickey Foley - Skidmore College, a solid player as a junior for Skidmore with a respectable 6-4-1 record with some impressive wins.

Ryan Cloonan - Boston University, a sophomore forward for BU in the tough Hockey East Conference with a record of 8-4-2. BU is 5th ranked nationally in DI Hockey.

Cullen Geary - Bowdoin College, a solid defensive player for the Polar Bears who now have a record of 3-4 so far this season. Cullen is a junior.

Dominic Blad - UMass Boston. A freshman on what could be a very good team with a lot of freshmen players on the roster. Last year UMass played in the D III Frozen Four at Lake Placid. There is little doubt that Coach Peter Belisle will have this nationally ranked team in the hunt for post season play by season's end.

Anthony Blad - Senior at Suffield High, playing with the Springfield Pics in the USPHL has now evolved to become a solid defensive player. In contact with several DI and DIII colleges for Engineering and hockey.

Peter Crinella - Holy Cross College, now a sophomore after being a rare true freshman with no Junior play. Scored goals recently against Notre Dame and the Air Force Academy. The Crusaders have a 6-5-3 record.

Matt Foley - Yale University, doing an amazing job with a lot of playing time as a freshman. He has 2 assists in 9 games as a freshman defensive player.

Sean Kavanagh - Tufts University, a solid defensive player as a senior for Tufts that has a very respectable record of 5-1-1 to date. Sean has 5 points in 7 games so far.

Jack Williams - Franklin Pierce University. The Ravens have a 6-6 record so far this year. Jack is a sophomore defensive player with 3 assists so far. A tragedy earlier this year with the sudden, unexpected passing of the head coach.

Bryce Peritz - Suffolk University. Bryce is a freshmen defensive player for Suffolk with a record of 3-6-3 so far this season.

Austin Orszulak - American International College. Austin is a senior, Captain of the Yellow Jackets, and has 5 goals and 2 assists thus far in the season.

Artie Potter - UMass Amherst Club, wanted to concentrate on his Engineering studies as a freshman, but now as a sophomore (no surprise) is a standout on the UMass Team.

Tanner Zacharewicz, Kyle Zacharewicz UMass Dartmouth. Tanner is a senior and Kyle a junior, both solid players for UMass. It was fun seeing the brothers play in the same line vs. UMass Boston.

Joe Mazza - Western New England University. Joe is a sophomore defensive player for the Golden Bears. He has 3 assists so far this season on a team with a 4-6-1 record.

Frank Vatrano - Boston Bruins. Injured, but will be back on the ice in December for the Bruins. The Bruins can definitely use his ability to score.

Barry Almeida* - A 2 time National Champion with Boston College, Barry now plays professional hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. He has 2 goals and 5 assists in 6 games so far, not bad!

Willy Smith - playing hockey for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, he has 3 goals and 4 assists so far.

Johnny Leonard - Can't wait to see him play for UMass Amherst ! He is currently playing in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers where he has 8 goals and 4 assists in 23 games so far.

Keith Petruzzelli - In preparing for his college career at Quinnipiac he is currently playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. Definite NHL interest in Keith.

DJ Petruzzelli - DJ is currently playing for the Springfield Jr. Blues in the North American Hockey League. He also had some great experience last season playing in the British Columbia Hockey League, all in prep for his college career at Quinnipiac.

Jake Ryczek - Providence bound, drafted by the NHL Chicago Black Hawks, now playing with the Watererloo Black Hawks in the USHL.

TJ Syner* - Former UMass star, pro hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. A teammate of Barry Almeida.

Coaches / Scouts - RECRUIT Western Mass ! A smart move. 

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* It would be nice to see Barry Almeida and TJ Syner be considered for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. Both excellent players and a good marketing move to have Western Mass players on the team.

Most all of the above players play in the Olympia Ice Center's (West Springfield, MA) Summer A League, one of the best off season hockey leagues in the nation. Look at the talent !

It is also fun to see many of the above players compete against each other in the USHL and in college. Recently Peter Crinella (Holy Cross) played against Matt Foley (Yale) in the Shillelagh Tournament at Notre Dame. (Sounds a little Irish to me!)

Many of the above players played for Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA


Alfredo DiLascia
Image News Service