3 down, 1 to go.

*sigh* S, I really thought you guys had that game last night…what happened?!

Let me just say that if it weren’t for Timmy…we wouldn’t have a win to celebrate today. What the heck was the D doing?!

"See that puck out there?! Don't touch it. Don't even go near it. Timmy needs the exercise."

Ok…so maybe that’s not what Claude says, but according to the rest of the I-Hate-Claude Bandwagon…that’s what he’s telling them.

Oh yeah, and Baby Seguin..tisk-tisk…stop with the lame penalties. You make it extremely hard for me to defend you.

Anyway, my only fear is that Boucher is cooking up something for Game 6 and it’s making me very uneasy. My prediction was Bruins in 7…and I’m sticking by it. I firmly believe Tampa will win tomorrow night (maybe if I say it, I’ll jinx them). No, I’m not being negative. I’m being realistic. These are both great teams and we knew this series was going to be intense before it even started.

Sorry S, but I hope my boys come out with a W in this series. Tampa has already had their time with Lord Stanley. Time to share. (Doesn’t the Bruins organization have 5 stanley cup championships? The lightning are looking for their second. So really, it’s time for Boston to share – S) And with all this gloom & doom weather up here in Beantown, we could sure use some cheering up.

Let’s go Boston, if you don’t close it out tomorrow night…bring them back home for Game 7 and end it there. Either way, I’ll be happy. Let’s Go B’s!

Thank you Timmy! I love you! ...even if you do say stupid things in interviews...

Oh and one more thing!! Go Canucks! End it tonight boys! :) Love L & S

Holy Big Bad Bruins, Batman!

Last night. Wow. I think a few years have been shaved off my life. But hey! Guess what! We scored a PP goal!

Thank God!

That had to be one of the most chaotic games I’ve ever seen. Who would have thought between the 2 teams that 11 goals would be scored?! So much for a low scoring series.

Tampa scored first. My first thought?! …not again. Not even 10 seconds later, S bbm’d me: “was that quick or what???” I love her, but we certainly know how to get under each others skin when it comes to sports.

And then…the 2nd period happened. 5 goals. Who woulda thunk? We came back so fast, Roli’s head spun.

What just happened?!

Even Coach McSteamy couldn’t figure it out.

Huh?

I thought for sure there was going to be a major fight last night. Actually, S and I both did. Tempers were flaring early. But it seems whenever we say something about it, it never happens. Next time, I’ll just keep my thoughts to myself.

But there was one very brave Bolt. Steve Downie.

Z: What are you doing, you little pest?!

It made me giggle when I saw little 5’11” 191lb Downie try to take on the 6’9” 255lb Human Tree. If Big Z even looked in my direction, I’d cry. But no, not Downie. He went in right for the kill. Props to you, Stevie. You’ve certainly gained my respect!

Well, that was Game 2. It certainly wasn’t perfect and we still have a lot of work to do but now it’s onto the Sunshine State. Stay focused boys. You can watch all the girls in bikini’s you want ONCE the playoffs are over.

Take 2–I mean–Game 2…

Alright, maybe Saturday night didn’t turn out to be the way I thought it would. (Why whatever do you mean?? It was a GLORIOUS night for me! -S)

S is a very happy girl right now...

*sigh* So…Tampa came out with the win. But…they didn’t just win. They straight up embarrassed us…AND IN OUR OWN HOUSE! Now, I’m not going to sit here and rip apart the Coaching Staff…or the boys…but I will give my opinion. It’s real simple. Play Baby Seguin more. Don’t quote me on it, but I’m pretty sure he scored Saturday night on his 3rd shift?? That would be his very first NHL Playoff goal. (Even I can admit I had a “proud mamma” moment -S)

Congrats, Baby Seguin...we're so proud of you!!

Now after scoring such a beautiful goal like that, you’d think Claude would play him more right?! Wrong. The poor boy had a whopping 9:38 and a total of 11 shifts.

Here’s another idea…put him on the pitiful power play. It sure wouldn’t make it any worse! (2/41–how awful) I swear it was like I was watching the Penguins play. (Now, I love my Pens –but you know as well as I do that their PP sucked.) Tampa has the best PK in the Playoffs right now and their power play is a hell of a lot better than the Bruins. (Let me interject here so I can mention for just a second how deep Tampa’s scoring chart is!! EVERYONE is getting in on the goal action -S)

Claude: Ohhhh, so that's what a PP looks like...

I may not be a coach, but I would certainly give #19 more ice time. Just sayin’. May backfire…but we won’t know until it happens! Oh and one more thing…no more of those cheap shots that land you with a Game Misconduct. Yes, I’m talking to you Mr. Lucic and Mr. Horton. (BBBOOOOO! Bad hockey manners! Some boys didn’t read those etiquette books momma gave them as kids… -S)

Behave boys!!

Tonight, the Big Bad Bruins are taking on the Bolts in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s not quite the ‘must win’ atmosphere…but we’re getting close. The B’s have always been a comeback team…let’s hope they prove that tomorrow night. (Not even going to comment on that statement. All I can say is…Lightning can strike the same place twice, so get ready Boston! -S)

PS- S & I would also like to comment on something we saw the other night while watching the game. Coach McSteamy TOTALLY had a creeper:

Guy, I apologize for the horrid picture of you...but it's the only one we could find with her in it...

See that girl, yeah–her on the left. She had her camera fixed on him the entire night. It was kinda cute the first couple pictures…but once you got to the 3rd period…I think that’s borderline stalker status. But, I can’t exactly blame her… I totally hit stalker status at the Penguins game in March trying to steal pictures of Mr. How’s My Hair and J.Staaaaaaal (for S, of course–I got best friend of the year award) all night…

Ok, don’t panic.

I’ve been staring at a blinking cursor for about an hour now. There’s not much I can say except:

Ugh.

Where’d my Big Bad Bruins go?!

But don’t worry Bruins fans. I’d like to think Tampa just woke up a sleeping bear…

It’s Us, or Them!

Happy Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Day!!! The only way we could be happier is if we could watch Mr. How’s My Hair?! and Staalsy play all night…but since they’re off golfing on some tropical island, we have to make the best of a not-so-ideal situation.

Somewhere in Florida, Sarah is having a panic attack waiting to hear if her Hockey Buddy came through with tickets for Game 3 or 4. (Don’t worry, S. I’m right there with ya.) He gets ‘Hockey Buddy of the Year’ Award if he comes through, and I just might move myself to Florida to see if S will share him with me.

Meanwhile, here in Beantown, I’m pacing back and forth trying my hardest to find a way to pass the time by. And to make matters worse I’m trying to find an interim Hockey Buddy since mine bailed on me…again. *rolls eyes and groans* So far, I’m having no luck. Looks like it might just be me, the dogs, the couch and the big screen….again. But hey, I’m not going to let a little Hockey Buddy trouble ruin my party!

Today is D Day and we can’t wait for the puck drop! If your cell phone service tanks around 8pm tonight, you should know its probably because Sarah and I are texting like mad.

Here’s to putting 10 years of friendship on hold for this series.  - S

Welcome to our blog, Hockey’s Finest!

After countless nights of making each other cry with laughter, we decided that maybe it was time to share our thoughts with you fine hockey-loving people. Apologies for our silly, and sometimes girly, posts in advance. But we certainly vow to never be boring.

howdy!

Our names are Laura (me) and Sarah (beware of her insane opinions in bold)…well, not really…but we’re going to let you think they are.  We’re just your average girls who love the sport and the fine-fine (hence the name) men who play it.

We’re a little late here in the season, but we’ll start during Game 1 of Round 3. I should mention that we have a little bit of an internal feud going on here at Hockey’s Finest. We like to call it the Battle of Our Hometown Teams. The Big Bad Bruins take on The Bolts for what promises to be an intense and interesting Eastern Conference Final. Both teams are going in cold after having a week off.

Who's going to the finals?

Laura’s Prediction: Bruins in 7
I will admit, Tampa has an advantage with their speed and PP being so awesome. I mean, come on, if the Penguins PP had been working in the first round (scratch that–if it had been working ALL SEASON) would Tampa even be in the third round? …I don’t think so.  Thankfully, the Bruins have something Tampa doesn’t. Two words: Tim Thomas (cue the Hallelujah chorus), Vezina Nominee and this season’s best goalie of the league. He is on fire!! And if Thomas’ stats don’t scare you, then The Human Tree will. Just one slap shot from him can make you want to curl up in the fetal position. 105.9 mph?! My car can’t even go that fast without wanting to break.

I will break you....

I can’t speak for Tampa, but I know that the city of Boston is restless. You can hear the enthusiasm in people’s voices as they talk about the Bruins, we’re ready for Game 1. Mr. Stamkos, hide your pretty face…the Big Bad Bruins are comin’ for ya. Bring it Tampa!

Sarah’s Prediction: Lightning in 6
In my best effort to stop this post from being a Bruin’s Free Love Orgy, I think the (mostly silent) partner in crime needs to say her peace.
Hockey is finally being mentioned in the state of Florida, can we get an AMEN!? Yes the Bruins have Tim Thomas…Yada Yada. But down in Tampa, the lightning are packing more than just the “pesky trio”. They also have my favorite trio, Nate Thompson, Steve Downie, and Victor Hedman. There are so many “blue collar” grinders on this team it’s hard not to want to give them a big BEAR (pun intended) hug after a hard fought win. They may have an old goalie, but he is HOT HOT HOT right now along with Sean Bergenheim who has turned into a Flying Fin since the start of playoffs. These boys are hungry and desperate to make a statement about their team. And don’t forget the Bolts have a secret weapon…Coach McSteamy AKA Guy Boucher.

Sarah's "Blue Collar Grinders"

So Boston, when it’s time to pack your speedos and sunblock to head down to our little Hockey Paradise, don’t forget there will be a massive blue wave and deadly lightning strikes waiting for you. BRING IT!