The Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks never had much history or bad blood, until last year. Pick your villain.
Aaron Rome leveled Nathan Horton, taking the winger out of the series as a result of a cheap hit at the blue line. Alex Burrows bit the fingers of Patrice Bergeron and Max Lapierre taunted the Bruins by mimicking the incident early in the series. Daniel and Henrik Sedin showed absolutely zero guts, getting bowled over by Tim Thomas and punched repeatedly by Brad Marchand. Lastly, Roberto Luongo talked shit about Thomas and criticized his goaltending style. You know, that same style that won two Vezina trophies in three years.
Quite simply, Vancouver made themselves look like fools both on the ice and off, especially considering the ridiculous riots that transpired in the wake of the Bruins Stanley Cup victory in Game 7.
Roberto Luongo, surprise surprise took himself out of the Bruins-Canucks rematch tomorrow at the TD Garden. Not because of injuries but since he wants backup goalie (and Marblehead, Massachusetts native and BC alum) Cory Schnieder to get the start in his hometown. Riiiight.
Let's document who said what and why Luongo is not starting tomorrow.
Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault explained that “Louie just got off a shutout and he’s playing really well. I just decided that Schneider was the guy.”
Makes sense, considering that the Bruins are the best team in the NHL. So Alain, your goalie is coming off of a shutout and is playing well, yet you don't want him playing in the biggest game of the regular season for both teams? I'm not buying it.
So what does Luongo have to say about this? Only exactly what you would expect from the Mr. Deeds butler lookalike.
“Obviously I would have liked to play the game, but in fairness to Cory, he’s from here and he deserves to play this game,” Luongo said. “I’m all for it.
“At the end of the day the win is what matters the most. Cory’s from here and we don’t get a chance to come here very often, it’s a good opportunity to play in front of his family and friends.”
Hey Roberto, you do realize that Cory played in front of the Bruins last year twice during the Finals. You remember, the two games when you got pulled? Just insanity all over the place.
I've already heard chatter from north of the border. People downplaying this move as if this game is just merely one out of 82. Please. Bruins-Canucks in Boston means more now than it ever has, especially for the Canucks. Way to show up and prove that you aren't the softest team in the league other than Montreal.
I caught up with die-hard Bruins fan and All-American everything Carly Benning (@carlybenning23) who emphasized that this was "Luongo's biggest game of the year, and he is throwing away his chance at redemption. EPIC FAIL" Epic fail indeed.
As eloquently as she put it, this reflects poorly on the Canucks. If it was indeed Vigneault's call, it tells us that he does not have confidence in the headcase Luongo coming back to Boston to exorcise his Finals demons. If it was indeed Luongo who decided to sit, this validates everything we have ever said about the man. He's supremely skilled but he has no heart. Either way, expect the Bruins to roll the Canucks up and exact revenge for the Horton hit by making Aaron Rome pay.
Oh wait, he's not playing either.
For the Bruins, Brad Marchand is expected to play after missing last night's game against Calgary with the flu. Also, Thomas got to rest in that contest with Tuukka Rask handling the goaltending duties. Expect the Finals MVP to be locked in tomorrow; even if Luongo is stapled to the bench, Thomas will always remember what the Canucks fraud goaltender said about him.
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