Bruins Frank Vatrano Excels in Loss

Frank Vatrano Excels in Loss

Photo by Joe Makarski

 

A lot at stake for the Boston Bruins. Out of 15 sports writers / analysts looked at only 2 give the Bruins a chance to make the play-offs. (Probably less now.) After a disappointing lackluster 4-0 loss vs. the NY Islanders and given a day off by Coach Claude Julien, the Bruins were all charged up and ready to go last night against the Detroit Red Wings. Tension was high under the pressure to make the play-offs and to keep their popular Coach from getting fired. In particular, Bruins Captain Patrice Bergeron wants to save the Coach he admires and respects.  

 

A hockey old timer that I respect said "It is all about the line that a potentially good player, plays in." This is especially true when you have a quick release sharpshooter like Frank Vatrano who can score. You have to get him the puck! Last night Julien put the East Longmeadow, MA native in the first line and it paid off immediately. Vatrano scored within the first 44 seconds of the game with an assist from Patrice Bergeron.  Then with only 2.27 into the game this was followed by a Bruin's goal by Brandon Carlo...and THEN, another goal 8:50 into the game by Frank Vatrano, to give the Bruins a 3-0 lead. It looked like it was going to be a Bruin's night.

 

The Red Wings, however, are a very good team. Dylan Larkin, younger brother of present UMass Boston Hockey star, Colin Larkin, scored his 12th goal of the season...yet he is only 20 years old. The Red Wings were back in the game.

 

It was an exciting game to watch, Vatrano took some additional hard shots at the net, but the final score ended tied at 5-5 in regulation. Overtime produced no winner and it went to a shoot out where the Bruins lost a heart breaker, 6-5.  The Bruins aren't out of it yet but they go against a tough Chicago Black Hawks team tomorrow night. Will they make the play-offs? Will popular Coach Claude Julien get fired? These answers will be coming soon.

 

Frank Vatrano has a very respectable 5 goals and 3 assists in 14 games. 

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Some Western Mass and Other Sports Highlights

* One of the most pleasant surprises of the high school hockey season thus far this year is the Pope Francis High School Hockey Team. Having lost many of their star players through graduation and leaving for high level Junior or Prep play, in honesty, not much was expected.  Yet here today, they sit ranked #1 in Division 1  Massachusetts High School Hockey, with an outstanding 9-0-1 record.  When they go out on the ice, you can sense excitement and high energy. They don't lumber out on the ice like many teams do...they CHARGE out there! 

Team play is definitely evident, but a leader on the team is Senior Captain Cam Peritz. A recent MassLive Athlete of the Week, he is also currently ranked #1 in the Western Mass Player of the Year Watch. After 5 points yesterday and today's game he should be solidly ranked #1 in points in Division I Mass. HS Hockey.
     

#4 Cam Peritz In 7-0 Win Today

Pope Francis v. Barnstable High

* Frank Vatrano is hitting stride with the Boston Bruins after coming back from a pre-season injury. He has played in 12 games so far and has scored 3 goals and has 3 assists for 6 points. Not bad! Most importantly you can see his constant improvement in returning from the injury, not easy to do. He has been playing in the 2nd line for the Bruins as they battle for a play-off spot in the NHL.

* Longmeadow High Hockey has earned a #1 ranking in Western Mass Division III Hockey with an 8-0-1 record. Their leading point getter is Spencer Robbins with 16 Goals and 17 Assists for 33 points in 9 games...pretty outstanding. Spencer is ranked #2 in Massachusetts Division III Hockey for points. 

* An unbelievable achievement for UConn Women's Basketball in breaking their own record with now 91 wins in a row and counting. UConn is ranked #1 in the nation. They have won 11 NCAA Titles, including the last 4 in a row. They have had 6 undefeated seasons. Coach Geno Auriemma is not only the best coach in women's college basketball history, but may very well be the best coach ever in sports, ANY sport!  Not only does he win, but gets / develops the best players..and turns out fine young women.

Whether they win by 2 points or 50, I love watching them play. The reason? They play excellent basketball in every facet of the game...nearly perfect. Frankly, I get tired of watching many men's games where a fancy point guard dribbles all over the place, self impressed, with no teamwork. You NEVER see that with UConn, ALL players are involved, at times the ball never hits the floor with their passes. Men's teams, at every level of basketball, could learn from watching UConn Women play. Famous UCLA Coach John Wooden said "The best basketball in America is being played in the women's game."  UConn Women exemplify that.

* How about the New England Patriots? They certainly have a chance to go all the way this year. They have a chance for a few good reasons. First, they have a good all around team. Second, they seem well prepared and outsmart other teams. Third, they have Julian Edelman who somehow, some way, gets free and makes some amazing catches at critical times.  And finally, most importantly, they have Tom Brady, who could very well be the best ever. The Houston Texans played some very tough defense against Brady and roughed him up a bit...but somehow he was able to get some key passes off for completion at critical times. Don't bet against the Patriots and Brady!

    

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service