If you know anything at all about hockey, then you know that one thing you do not want to do is walk up to a fan of the sport in Massachusetts, or anywhere in New England for that matter, and tell them you do not like the Boston Bruins. Good luck to you and I hope you are wearing body armor. In New England, they take their Bruins seriously all the way from Boston itself to Caribou, Maine. The team is one of the "original six" in the National Hockey League and has a rich background and history. Here we are going to look more closely at the famous franchise.
The Bruin team was formed in 1924. They were the first American team to become a part of the National Hockey League. For many years, the league was plagued with commercial conflicts. But things came together for the good in 1942 in the midst of World War II. It was comprised of six teams, (which is where the name original six comes from) with Boston being one of those teams.
The beginning years, the years prior to the War, were not bad for the team. It took the only three years to find themselves competing for the coveted Stanly Cup. It was then that they accumulated Eddie Shore, who would later be in the Hall of Fame. By 1929 they had become a team to take seriously having won the 1928-1929 Stanly Cup by beating the New York Rangers. The next year they boasted an amazing 38-6 record, a win percentage that has still yet to be topped.
Boston won the Cup again in 1939 with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and in 1941 with a victory of the Detroit Red Wings. But after that, from 1942 until 1970, fans of the team were given nothing to cheer about. And it was especially depressing for fans during 1959-67. During that stretch of time, the team was ghastly and did not once go to the playoffs.
This is why during the 1969-70 season fans flocked to their club once again and with much enthusiasm. The team finished second in the division and qualified for the playoffs. After that it was just like magic. First they beat the NY Rangers 4 games to 2 in round one. Then they trounced Chicago 4 to 0.
By this time the excitement in Boston and its surroundings was palpable among fans. For the first time in twenty-nine years their team had a chance to take it all. They did not disappoint. Their opponent was the St. Louis Blues. And the Blues never had a chance. They were dispatched by the Bruins four games to none.
When folks look back at that championship team, two names come to mind right away: Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito. These guys both played huge roles in the success of that team. Orr has been called the best defensemen in history and Esposito is still one of the most prolific scorers.
It is worth mentioning that the Bruins have made it to the playoffs every year from 1969 until 1997, an impressive feat for sure. Even today, the team still remains among the most competitive in the league. It is no wonder that Bruin fans are as ardent about their team as they ever were.
Author Resource:
Mayhar Manninghansburger is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on Calgary Flames Watch and Phoenix Coyotes Merchandise
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